From Black to White (was Peter...)

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 90346

Steve wrote:

> It would seem that they must first clear Sirius's name, then lay the
> ground work for a favorable resolution of the Estate, the 
acknowledge
> that Black is dead, then finally clear the Black Family Estate,
> hopefully in Harry's favor, if not directly then at least, 
indirectly.
> The key being that they can't acknowledge that he is dead until the
> have cleared his name and have some knowledge that the estate will 
be
> resolved in favor of the good guys. 
> 
> Personally, I suspect the existance of a handwritten Will by Sirius,
> but the validity will be contested as long as Sirius is considered a
> criminal. Therefore, the first step is to clear his name.

Now Marianne:

Why would the fact that Sirius is still considered a criminal have 
anything to do with whether he could will the estate to someone?  He 
obviously inherited it, even though he is a criminal. Or are you 
saying that as a criminal, his estate could still be inherited by 
someone within the family, but the criminality bit precludes Sirius 
leaving anything of the estate (not necessarily personal possessions) 
to someone other than a Black?

Steve again:
> Naturally, Draco is the nearest male Heir, so it would be a fight
> between Harry and Draco over the estate. That could make some juicy
> conflict between Harry and Draco.
 
Marianne:
Oh yes, both boys tussling over an estate, while separated from their 
father figures due to death and prison, although how long Lucius 
remains behind bars is anyone's guess.  Somehow, I see him slithering 
out sooner rather than later.

Steve:
> One outcome I wouldn't mind seeing is Sirius leaving the bulk of the
> estate to the Weasleys in Trust, that is, the Weasleys manage the
> Black Estate on Harry's behalf. In a way, that would make Arthur and
> Molly Harry's official wizard guardians, not to mention making them
> rich; at least functionally rich, if not literally rich.
> 
> Don't really want to start the 'Black Inheritance' thread again, as
> that's been discussed in detail. I'm more interested in people 
opinion
> of IF and HOW Sirius Black's name will be cleared.

Marianne:
Like many things in the books, I find myself on the fence.  I would 
dearly love to have Sirius' name cleared eventually, but I wouldn't 
be surprised to find that it's not.  If Peter pulls off another 
vanishing act and no one from the DE side who may have some proof of 
Peter's guilt says anything, then I can see one of Harry's burdens at 
the end being the knowledge that he'll never be able to convince the 
WW that Sirius was innocent.  Just as a little reminder to Harry and 
the readers that life isn't always fair, and, that, even if the good 
guys win, they can't necessarily right all the wrongs that have been 
done.

Marianne