Ragnok seemed to reach under his desk and pulled out a box Harry recognised from when he claimed his Lordships in his last life. "If the magic accepts you, the ring will remain and provide you with protections. If your Lordship doesn't take, it will return to the Black family vault for Heir Black to claim it," Ragnok said.
Sirius turned to Harry when Ragnok said Heir Black and Harry nodded, letting him know he was said Heir Black. "I understand," Sirius said, picking up the ring box and opening it.
Harry watched as he placed the ring on his finger and waited to see if it would accept him. His Sirius had never claimed the Lordship once he had escaped. Reaching out with his magic, Harry felt the moment Sirius became Lord Black; the magic seemed to hum in harmony and Harry felt a moment of bliss.
"Lord Black," Ragnok said, inclining his head to Sirius, who smirked.
"Thank you," Sirius said.
"The next area of business we have to discuss is Dumbledore. As you saw earlier today, he has taken an unusual amount of interest in Harry," Ragnok said.
Harry saw Sirius clench his fists. "I had compulsions and charms all over me, making me reject my family and hate Slytherins and Dark magic - to act reckless and disregard rules," Sirius said in a controlled voice. "I also had my bond with you blocked, Harry, and compulsions placed the night your parents died to make me irrational."
Harry wasn't surprised and he realised a lot of the adults in his life probably had compulsions of some kind on them. Remus, being a werewolf, Dumbledore would have wanted to control and manipulate and Sirius, being from a well-known Dark family.
Harry held Sirius' hand in a show of support. "He's my magical guardian; he named himself such when you went to Azkaban. He then placed his blocks on me and left me with the Dursleys to be abused. They have hinted that he told them to abuse me to 'make me normal'. He's also been stealing from my family vaults," Harry said.
Sirius stood up and swore, making Harry wonder if it was a Black family trait.
"How-how can we stop him?!" Sirius asked when he finally calmed enough to sit.
Harry shared a look with Ragnok. "We first have to get me away from him - not out of school obviously, as I have no desire to go to Beauxbatons or Durmstrang - but no longer his ward. Then we can start to dissolve his image," Harry said.
Sirius looked at the innocent looking boy with surprise. "Maybe you got a few more Black family traits, that sounds practically Slytherin, pup," he said.
Harry smirked. "I do a very good impersonation of a Slytherin. I can also do a disturbingly good Gryffindor if I have to," Harry joked, making Ragnok snort.
"How do we get custody? I mean, would I even get it?" Sirius asked.
"Lord Black, we have been preparing for this since Harry told us of his plans to free you," Ragnok said. "With your new status, you are one of the richest wizards in Britain. Although the Black family was not a prestigious one in recent generations, your ancestors were not foolish. If you pick a suitable home and prove that you're retaining your former health, then your claim would be without any real concern," Ragnok said.
"What properties do I have that would be suitable?" Sirius asked. He didn't want to return to Grimmauld Place as he had bad memories tied to each room in the house.
Harry knew why he was asking and sent Ragnok a look, hoping he would answer how Harry wanted. The goblin apparently picked up on the look and spoke, "Although the Blacks do own a number of establishments, the most suitable would be the London town house. It is the most recently vacated, therefore in the best condition. It can be cleansed and redecorated quickly for the right price."
Sirius nodded. "That's fine," he said, hoping the refurbishment would help him bury his anger.
"If you would like, I could send a team of young goblins not yet suitable for other work over and they can begin the cleaning process now," Ragnok said.
"Yes," Sirius immediately agreed.
Harry shook his head slightly. "For what price?" Harry asked
"A galleon each," Ragnok said.
"A galleon for three workers, with each gaining an extra two sickles when the job is done," Harry bargained.
"A galleon for two and three sickles," Ragnok replied.
"Agreed."
Ragnok smirked and turned to the new Lord. "You should always know what price is being asked before you agree," he warned.
Sirius nodded his head. "I shall try to remember that," he acknowledged.
"Anyway, Harry, have you thought more on how much you're willing to use the abuse in order to win the custody case?" Ragnok asked. Harry knew he already had the answer, so he was guessing the goblin wanted Sirius to know
"Dodge can use it all. I'm officially reporting them tomorrow with Remus, so it will all come out anyway. Therefore, I don't mind," Harry said.
Sirius squeezed Harry's hand. "Pup, you don't have to do that," he offered.
"I don't mind, Siri, I'm not ashamed. I think I could also help us if we did an interview tomorrow afternoon. When we're both free," Harry said, shocking Sirius as he hadn't realised how much Harry had planned or how mature and independent the boy was.
"An interview?" he asked.
Harry nodded. "I have a contact: Rita Skeeter. She'll write whatever we tell her," Harry said.
Sirius snorted and spoke with disdain, "Even I know that she writes whatever she wants and I've been in jail for ten years."
Harry smirked. "Trust me, she will do what I want," he promised, slightly darkly.
Sirius looked at that smirk and shook his head. "Sometimes I see so much of your mother in you and sometimes it's your father - but that right there? That was pure Black family."
Harry smirked even wider. "What can I say? I like variety."
....
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