DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter

When Hunting Monsters

Prologue

"Harry… Sirius wanted you to have this," Remus said, handing Harry a very worn brown trunk covered with chips and dents, and bearing the Gryffindor emblem along with the humorous initials S.O.B on the front. Harry looked questioningly into Remus' amber eyes, which seemed devoid of everything but grief. He noticed the pallid tone of his skin, the way it seemed to be stretched across his face making him look quite gaunt, and how his long, prematurely gray hair appeared very unkempt and dirty. They were standing away from the rest of the Order present; Remus having pulled him aside to deliver the last gift Sirius would ever give him.

It being the middle of the day, Kings Cross was very full at the moment. A few passersby cast curious glances in their direction, perhaps thinking a drug deal or something else suspicious was going on. It wouldn't be too out of place. Looking around at the dirty floor; the few homeless men with whiskey bottles slumped against the wall, and the trendy teens with their dyed mohawks and spiked bracelets, Harry was sure things of such sordid nature happened here frequently. However he imagined such things taking place in the cover of darkness instead of broad daylight.

He looked back into Remus' eyes before taking the trunk into hands and then setting it on the ground next to his own trunk and Hedwig's cage.

"Thanks Professor Lupin... err... what, exactly, is in it?" Harry said running a hand through his hair and looking down, trying to keep the tears from forming in his eyes.

"Well… first of all I'm not your professor anymore, and the simple answer is that I don't know," a frustrated grimace stole over Remus' face. "Sirius wouldn't tell me, as much as I tried to persuade him, but I do have my suspicions. I believe he included a variety of things of which he thought you would find quite…. useful."Remus whispered. He threw a subtle glance towards Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody, whose spinning eye was targeted directly on them from across the station, despite the fact he was busy threatening Harry's Uncle Vernon. Harry could see even from a distance that the usual abundance of color was absent from his Uncle's flabby face, and, if not for his grim mood, would have been amused at his cousin Dudley's attempt to hide his bulky frame behind his aunt Petunia's rail thin one.

"But I don't understand, how did Sirius know he was going to die? Was he sick, why didn't he tell me?" Anger slipped into Harry's tone which Remus picked up on. His eyes seemed to glow as his features twisted into a sneer, and he almost seemed to growl at Harry when he spoke

"No Harry, Sirius had no idea he was going to die, and he wasn't sick. I assure you if that were the case you would have been of the first to know! No, he had been planning on giving this to you today, but seeing as his attempt to rescue you ended with his death, I am here in his place."

Remus had leaned very close to Harry during his rant, bending down so that their eyes were level. Their noses were but inches apart. Harry backed up slightly, startled at the ferocity emanating off of his old professor. The beast that the man always tried to keep so well hidden was evident; the grief caused by his friend's death had clearly worn away at his self control.

"I'm sorry, I'm not mad at Sirius. It's just that, with everything that's happened, I haven't had good control of my emotions the past few days." Harry said, overcome with guilt and shame. He had exploded on Remus the same way he had with Dumbledore. What was wrong with him?

Remus' features seemed to soften, "It's alright Harry, I understand. I also find myself not so stable at the moment, so forgive me my temper." Remus looked around and noticed that Alastor was starting toward them, probably having seen Remus' little display. Remus knew the old, grizzled, paranoid Auror had never trusted him because of what he was, perhaps rightly so. Werewolves were feared and hated for a reason after all. "It's time for you to join your relatives Harry. However, before you go, I would advise you to use extreme caution and excellent judgment with whatever is contained inside this trunk. Having known Sirius for a long time, I'm certain there are things contained within that you shouldn't explore without the supervision of a more experienced wizard." Remus looked one last time into Harry's eyes, and Harry saw the dead seriousness in them. Remus then straightened up, cleared his throat and smiled before giving his shoulder an affectionate parting squeeze, "Well, I'll see you later in the Summer Harry. Be sure to write if you need anything and please, for Merlin's sake, try not to get yourself in any danger this time." Harry smirked as Remus walked away.

"I never try to Professor!" He shouted after him. Remus turned and gave him a final grin before slipping back through the barrier. Harry figured it was probably to disapparate, not wanting a confrontation with Moody. The Auror was close now, the magical eye he was so known for looked away from where the werewolf had disappeared and cast a suspicious glance at the battered trunk Remus had handed Harry. The mouth on his ruined jigsaw face curved briefly into a frown, his magical eye whirring madly, before he placed a hand behind Harry's back and nudged the young wizard in the direction from whence he had plunked over from.

"Com' on Potter, the muggles be waiting for ya."

"Oh, joy."

And so began the sixteeth summer of Harry Potter's life.

*****

AN:

Thank you RuneNeko for beta reading this