At that, the ancient man's expression turned somber. "I am here as executor of the Last Will and Testament of Mr. and Mrs. Flamel," he revealed.
I reared back in shock, eyes wide.
"So, they finally passed away," I uttered, stunned. I knew it'd happen eventually, but I could hardly believe it was so soon!
"The news will break some time tomorrow morning, when the French government has had time to get their own affairs in order," Barry Winkle stated. "The two were quite influential, and their deaths will have the nation reeling."
"I see," I murmured. I wiped a tear from eye, and took a shuddering breath to collect myself. I didn't dip into Occlumency, no matter how I wished to.
'They'd be happy to know their lessons stuck,' I thought to myself with a bit of amusement. I would cry for them, but I would not despair. I, more than anybody else, knew death was not the end.
"I hope wherever they end up next, they live their lives together again," I said softly.
"Indeed," Barry Winkle agreed. "Now, not to cheapen the moment, but I must move on to other business."
"Of course," I muttered. "How can I help you?"
"In the Will, the Flamels have left you a few things. One million galleons, paid into your Gringotts account, and ten million United States Dollars, accessible through a Swiss bank account. Here is the bank info," he informed me, and I stared at him in shock at that.
"That's…" I murmured as I accepted the paperwork from him. "That's a lot of money!"
Not nearly as much as I'd made by copying what George Soros had done through short changing the pound in September – I'd made a sizable amount that way, over twenty-five million U.S. dollars – but it was still a tidy sum.
"Indeed. And the third and final item they left you was a rather lovely vacation villa in New Orleans. It was a summer home they had built there centuries ago, but never used it much. They would prefer to have somebody use it," Mr. Winkle said. "Here's the key… the deed… and some other information for it."
"I'm honored," I said, touched by their consideration towards me.
"They saw great things in your future," the other immortal noted. "Considering ol' Nicky left you his journal."
"You know about that?" I asked, surprised.
"I also know what the Flamels' ultimate plan was. Their magnum opus. Their Grand Ritual," Barry Winkle admitted. "I was privy to some of the details of it, and know that it will take a lot of time and resources to set up. The sooner, the better. Hence, the money, to hopefully be used to that end. Of course, you can do with it as you will. But I have a feeling you'll find some way to use it."
"Do you agree?" I asked after a moment. "With their plan, I mean."
"I wish that it did not have to come to such a thing," Barry Winkle replied sadly. "But I see the need of it."
"Will the other immortals interfere?" I inquired.
"Of the ones who knew what Nick was planning, only two might try and interfere. I would keep an eye out for anything – or anyone – unusual coming to London from Las Vegas or Constantinople."
"Any names you can give me?" I asked hopefully, but he shook his head.
"As much as I disagree with them, they are still my friends. And I have precious few still alive. I have done as much as I am willing by giving you what I already have," the ancient man said.
"Thank you," I said, disappointed but understanding.
"Well, I must be off," one of the oldest men alive said, standing up and bowing his head politely towards me. "Thank you for the hospitality."
"Of course," I replied. "Have a safe trip back."
"Not much out there that can threaten little old me," Barry Winkle laughed. "But I appreciate the concern. Stay well, boy."
He then left, leaving through the front door and closing it behind him. I let out a faint sigh when we was gone, and looked down at the paperwork in front of me.
"So much money," I muttered. "And a house? What on Earth am I going to do with a whole house? And in New Orleans of all places?"
'I need to investigate it, and find out what the magical scene in the city is like,' I thought to myself. 'On the bright side, a place on a whole other hemisphere might just be what I need to keep Sirius Black out of the way until his trial.'
As I went over the events from earlier in the evening, I idly picked up the key to the mansion I now owned. And wasn't that a shock? Who'd have thought I'd inherit millions like this?
'Or that I'd be a property owner,' I thought to myself with a bitter chuckle, recalling the tiny apartment I'd lived in back in my old life.
After a bit more contemplating on how my life has gone so far, I eventually decided to put it on the backburner. A yawn escaped me, and I grunted a bit, feeling tired and overwhelmed. It was time for bed. I still had things to do tomorrow. Time for bed.
'I wonder how Harry is doing?' I thought to myself as I got ready for bed. Thinking about death had reminded me that in canon, Harry had attended Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party.
'Which is tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken,' I mused.
I hoped he would have fun regardless if he went to it or not in this timeline.
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