Bringing the box into the room and setting it on the table, Harry took a deep breath and let it out. Looking at Remus, he said, "I'm glad that you're here with me Moony".

"I'm glad to be here, Harry", said Remus.

Taking another deep breath, Harry opened the box and looked inside.

Inside the box was a large stack of parchments, a single blue knitted baby bootie, a small book that appeared to be handwritten, a woman's diary, a stack of stock certificates, a photo album, an ornate old-fashioned key with an initial engraved on it, a small jewelry box, and a wand. On top of all the items was a folded letter with Harry's name on it. Remus recognized it as Lily's handwriting and told Harry so.

Looking over the stack of parchments, it was apparent that a few of them were birth and death certificates, including copies of Harry's muggle and wizarding birth certificates. Some of the others appeared to be Quidditch diagrams, property deeds in the Evans name, and a copy of Lily and James's will. Other documents detailed various spells. Harry noticed that his father notated one of the spell sheets that it would be perfect for mischief. Looking over it, it detailed how to hide one's magical signature. He quickly tucked that one inside his backpack. One piece of parchment appeared to be blank though.

Harry looked at Moony and said with a grin, "I get the feeling that this might be related to another blank piece of paper in my possession."

Remus smiled back and said, "Only one way to find out, Harry." Gesturing to Tonks to watch the door, he drew his wand and tapped the parchment saying, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Words started appearing on the paper.

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP

The words disappeared and a map of Hogwarts appeared with a few new areas that weren't familiar to the two men.

Remus exclaimed, "James, you dog! I never knew that you created a copy of the map and that there were rooms that you never mentioned on it!" Harry chuckled at that. Remus then cleared the map with the phrase, "Mischief Managed!"

"Remus, I'll have fun exploring it this year. Maybe we can unblock that passage on the fourth floor somehow finally."

Harry returned most of the stock certificates to the box since they were for various muggle companies except for one, not being interested in what they were at this point. The company that caught his eye was for Grunnings Drills. Harry remembered Uncle Vernon talking about how the company was doing in the market and did some quick math in his head and gasped. Bloody Hell! If I'm guessing right, I've actually got a majority holding! Hmmm, this puts a whole new outlook on how my 'Dear Uncle' is going to treat me if I decide to tell him. He noticed that several other certificates were for wizarding establishments. Looking them over Harry noticed that one of them was for the Daily Prophet and that there were a large number of shares listed too. Harry had some interesting thoughts at that point. Hmmm, I don't think that they knew I was a stockholder when they were saying all that bad stuff about me. There has to be a record of the total number of shares they have out. Maybe Remus can find out for me. This might work out just fine with my plan to get rid of Fudge. Two more certificates were for the Chudley Cannons, with ten shares on one and one hundred on the other. Harry decided to give the smaller of the two to Ron as a present, Ron being such a diehard Cannons fanatic. Harry asked Remus if he would make copies of the parchments, including the stock certificates. Remus agreed and did so, his eyes widening as he saw the company names on the certificates. After he was finished, both the copies and the originals were placed in a folder that Harry had in the pack to protect them from damage and put inside the pack.

As Remus was making the copies, Harry was placing the other items into his backpack. He noticed the title on the handwritten book was The Animagus Guide by The Marauders. Grinning at this, he put that in the front pocket of the pack for easy access. The diary was locked but it didn't have a keyhole. It just had a tiny needle-like stud on the silver lock where the keyhole would normally be. Harry suspected that it was cursed not to open to anybody but his mum (or possibly himself being related – since the stud looked like it would prick his finger if touched). Harry then picked up the key.

He had never seen a key quite like that one. It was almost a foot long and heavy. It appeared to be made out of gold, but nowhere near that soft. Harry could feel a tingle of magic coming from it. The initial on the handle was a stylized G embossed below a Rampant Griffin looking particularly realistically engraved. Harry was afraid it would either roar or try to bite him. He could have sworn that the eyes on it followed him as he put it in the knapsack.

Leafing through the photo album, he realized that it's his parents wedding album. Resolving to show it Remus later, he placed it in the backpack.

Harry put the jewelry box in his pack resolving to look at the contents later. Next was the baby bootie, which he assumed was one of his when he was a baby. Next to last was the letter. Harry didn't want to open the letter right there. He was afraid what it might say. He placed it unopened in the knapsack.

When Harry picked up the wand, it gave off a large shower of red sparks. It was ten and quarter inches long and made from willow. Since he wasn't Ollivander, there was no way he could tell what the core was. But it felt right in his hands, just as much as his wand did. He noticed the initials L.E. engraved near the butt end. It must have belonged to his mother. Harry vaguely remembered hearing something about his mum having a willow wand. He slid it into the pocket on the pack designed specifically for a wand and closed that flap.

Taking the copies of the parchments that Remus handed to him, Harry slid them into the knapsack. He then asked, "Are we ready?"

Both Remus and Tonks nodded.

Harry closed up the box and pressed the call button on the intercom to signal the clerk that they were ready for him. After a moment, the clerk returned and they reversed the process and closed up the deposit vault. The clerk then led the way out into the lobby and after determining that they did not need any further help, left to help someone else.

"Remus?" asked Harry after they walked outside.

"Yes, Harry?" replied Remus.

"There was a book that was in there that I think Sirius has thought lost for good. Luckily for me it wasn't", said a grinning Harry.

"You mean it's the Guide?" asked Remus in disbelief. "I thought it was lost too. James was the last person to have seen it."

"Well it's been found and it's mine now. I'm looking forward to joining soon. Although I don't think it would be a good idea to register yet. Speaking of registering, Hermione found an unregistered insect animagus that we all are acquainted with. Goes by the name of Rita Skeeter. But please don't spread that around just yet. It's still useful information to me."

"I seem to remember reading that Ms. Skeeter disappeared and wasn't heard from until late last year. Around the time that your interview came out with her I think", said a smirking werewolf. "Enough about this for now. What would you like to do now Harry?"

"I thought I made that clear last night? I think The London Zoo is a very good idea. I'd like to see if that boa constrictor that I met right before I got my Hogwarts letter on Dudley's birthday is back there or not. I sorta accidentally let him out that day when I vanished the glass and when it reappeared, Dudley was behind the glass. I was a little shocked when I was able to speak to the snake, although it sounded like English to me. But then that's what Parseltongue sounds like when spoken, at least to the speaker and whoever is listening that speaks it" Harry said.

Remus said jovially, "Well then that's settled, let's go to the zoo!"

Tonks said surly, "As long as I don't have to listen to you speak it, I don't care. The zoo sounds great to me." She then laughed, "Maybe we'll see your cousin there among the wildlife."

Tonks got on the bike behind Remus, leaving Harry to ride rear pillion. Harry was a little nervous about this since it meant having to put his arms around Tonks. What if his hands went somewhere they weren't supposed to?

They arrived safely at the zoo with no incidents with the hands although Tonks gave Harry a look after which he turned bright red.

Still smirking she said, "So little Harry does like girls after all."

This was referring to a minor problem on the bike trip to the zoo when Tonks was shifting around on the seat and ended up rubbing against Harry. Understandably Harry had a normal reaction to this.

Entering the zoo, they each grabbed a map and Harry purchased a few disposable cameras. The boys, overruling Tonk's vocal objections, decided to visit the Reptile House first.

Upon entering the Reptile House, Harry made a beeline for the snakes. Taking a few pictures, he noticed that except for the three of them, it was basically deserted since it was a fairly hot summer day and still early in the morning. He spotted a Boa Constrictor display. It looked like the same snake but being a snake, it was hard to tell. Harry decided to take the chance and speak to it in Snake Language.

The sibilant sounds of Parseltongue issued from Harry's mouth as he asked, Are you the same snake that I tried to set free several years ago?

The snake nodded. May I have your name since I did not think to get it before? The snake hissed my name is Sariss, Speaks-With-Snakes.

What did you call me, Sariss? Asked Harry.

Speaks-With-Snakes is a title of respect given to those humans who can speak our language. Stated the snake. What is your name youngling?

Harry Potter Harry replied.

The snake said back, ahh your name is known to me. All know of your defeat of the Great One. A pity that a firebird was a part of it. I wish I could leave here again, but freedom was overrated. I get all the food I want here.

Curious by what the snake meant, Harry asked Who did you mean by the Great One? Did you mean Voldemort?

The snake hissed Nooo, the Great One is what you humans call a Basilisk.

Thank you Harry said.

You're welcome Sariss hissed back.

During the whole conversation, Remus looked both fascinated and repulsed at the same time. Tonks on the other hand, had her fingers plugging her ears and singing a Weird Sisters tune. Getting their attention, the three of them explored the rest of the Reptile house and then the rest of the Zoo. Harry got plenty of pictures and definitely several of a family of wild pigs that reminded him a lot of the Dursleys.

Grabbing an early supper of fish & chips, washed down with cold sodas, they planned what to do with the rest of the day since it was only 4 o'clock. A friendly argument started with Remus wanting to check out a museum, Tonks wanting to go shopping again, and Harry wanting to go back home and study the Animagus Guide. Moony quickly countered with a short stop by Mrs. Figg's before going home. Harry was all for it, not having seen Mrs. Figg since his trial.

Arriving at Mrs. Figg's house, they all piled up on the doorstep, with Harry knocking loudly on the door. A couple of the cats that were outside were hissing a bit at Remus. They seemed to smell the werewolf in him somehow. Arabella answered the door after a moment and invited them all in for tea and biscuits. After they were all inside, Harry gave her a hug and told her, "Thank you for all your help last year. I'm glad that you're on my side, although I wish you had told me sooner. I'd have been over lots more for tea instead of staying so much at home!"

Arabella laughed, "Harry, it was no problem. Your parents were good friends of mine and nobody should have to deal with a dementor, not even Dudley. But I still am irritated with Dung. He should have known better. He almost got you killed sneaking off like that!"

After spending some more time with Mrs. Figg and petting the numerous cats that came up demanding attention, Harry and Remus left on the motorcycle and proceeded back to Privet Drive while Tonks donned her invisibility cloak inside the house and then apparated back to the house, arriving there before the guys.

Harry and Remus went up to Harry's room to talk. Nobody else was in the house and there was a note on the table telling Harry that they had gone out to dinner and then the movies and to fix what he wanted for dinner, just make sure he cleaned up afterwards. While they were talking, Harry had Remus put a shrinking spell on his school trunk. Harry having already transferred the contents to his new seven lock trunk.

Remus sighed, "Harry, I have been thinking. The portkey sounds like the best but I'm not sure if Dumbledore would approve it. Taking you there on the motorcycle is our second option. I do have a question for you. What would you do if Dumbledore said no and the bike was not an option?"

Harry said instantly, "I'd wait until night and take the Knight Bus to Number 10 Grimmauld Place. I'd put my dad's invisibility cloak over me and my trunk. I'd then move to a safer spot out of the way and wait for a while to make sure that I wasn't followed by anybody. Once I'm sure of this, then I proceed to #12 and enter. Once I'm inside the boundaries of the wards it'll be easier, but I won't be safe until I'm inside and the door shut & locked."

Remus pulled his hand down over his face and said, "I was afraid you were going to say that. I expected it and it sounds like something Moody or your Dad would say. I do know that given that option, Dumbledore will have little choice."

Harry hugged Remus and asked him, "How long do you think it'll take me to learn to be an animagus? I don't think it'll take all year since the Marauders have so conveniently put together a comprehensive study guide that will accelerate the process. If Wormtail could become one, then I should not have any problem. I just wonder what animal I'll be. Maybe it'll be a magical creature. I know it's never been done but that doesn't mean it's impossible. If I didn't believe that the impossible was possible, then I'd have no hope of defeating Tom, now would I? Maybe my mum's wand will help."

Harry then showed the key to Remus and asked him if he had any idea what it might be for. Remus said it wasn't a Gringotts vault key. It seemed to have a portkey spell on it but the only people that might have done it were James or Lily due to where it was found. Harry said there might be some information in the letter that was in the box. He got it out and with somewhat shaky hands, started to read with Remus's hands on his shoulders providing comfort and support.

Dear Harry,

If you're reading this, then most likely you are of age and neither James nor myself are among the living. If that has come to pass then times may be dark indeed. Before you were born there was a dark wizard named Voldemort who was terrorizing the British Wizarding World. Hopefully he has been defeated but I fear not. Enclosed in the box here are several valuable items, both to our family and the rest of the wizarding world. Some are merely items of a sentimental nature such as the baby booty that you wore at a christening party for Arthur and Molly's youngest child and only daughter. I remember it well. She was only two months old and we had put you both into the crib to play over at the Burrow. The two of you were playing so well when suddenly you started wailing and pulling at her. She had snitched your booty right off your foot and wouldn't let it go. Everything we did couldn't get it out of her hands. After a few minutes, you calmed down and patted the booty in her hand and pushed it towards her, like you were forgiving her for stealing your sock and giving it to her. Everyone thought it was adorable.

Some of the stock certificates and the Evans property I inherited from my mother and grandmother. Others are ones that James and I purchased. James insisted purchasing the Grunnings stock, saying he was planning revenge for how my sister treated me after she found out I was a witch. One of the properties was my grandmother's summer home in Majorca.

My diary is in there as well from before I started Hogwarts and is through when you were born. You or I can only open it, unless you have a baby sister or brother by now. I hope so, I always wanted a daughter. The Jewelry box was my mother's and has several valuable heirlooms in it, but James has a few things in there from his family. The sapphire pendant was my mother's and it was her wish that it eventually be given to Petunia. I've not had a chance to since she stopped speaking to me after meeting her fiancé Vernon. Your father is here now and wants to add a few words about his things. Just ignore any advice on Quidditch since I believe that you'll be a seeker not a chaser like him.

Harry, this is your father James now. There are a few items of mine and the Potter Family in here as well. The Animagus guide is by the Marauders. If you don't know everything about them already yet, they are: Remus is Moony, Sirius is Padfoot, I am Prongs, and Peter is Wormtail. If we're dead at Voldemort's hand since we're about to into hiding under the Fidelius Charm, then Peter has betrayed us, since he is our Secret Keeper, not Sirius as we originally planned. Sirius argued that he was too obvious a choice and as much as I love Remus as a brother, he is a werewolf and hence suspected by all others.

There are various spells notated down on parchment here that you may find useful. There is no definite way to block the killing curse but Lily seems to have come up with a possibility. The problem is being that the method used could be considered dark magic. Since the killing curse severs the link between body and soul, there might be a way to divert the soul into a container of some sort where it can afterwards be reattached to the body, assuming decay has not set in. Lily said and I quote "If Cellular Degradation has not progressed except minimally, then it may be possible to retrieve a captured soul and 'reattach' it to the body. Unfortunately the Ministry considers even this to be Necromancy and hence subject to the ban." There is also a possible cure for Lycanthropy but it is untested as of yet and it would be hard to get the werewolf to take as it has a couple of silver components and must be taken during the full moon.

There is also a large key included, which is to be given to each Potter Heir upon reaching their majority. It is the key to Gryffindor Castle. Yes that means that you are the Heir of Gryffindor. At this point I'm not sure if it means you are bloodline heir or if a Potter had been named heir by the last of the Gryffindor line at one point. Some further research would need to be done in the Restricted Section of Hogwarts Library. Hopefully you know the way around the books screaming at you. If not I'll give the hint about looking at the map and giving it the password, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good in the Library' with the map already active. You will know the password to get around the charm that makes them shriek. End it with 'Library Finite" then wipe the map as normal to reset it. Oh, I almost forgot. The key is a portkey that was setup by Godric himself and the password is the same as the Marauder's Map oddly enough. I get the feeling that the founder might have been the original Hogwarts Marauder.

All of our Love,

Mum & Dad

Harry was in tears and shock by the end of the letter and so was Moony. To Remus it was like Lily and James had come back to life if only for a short while. Not to mention the revelation that there was a possible cure for his disease.

Author's Note: If the invisibility cloak was big enough to fit both Harry and Ron under it, it should be able to carry Harry and the trunk, especially since the trunk doesn't have big feet like Ron. I'm not positive exactly what the age difference between Harry and Ginny is at the moment but I'm assuming it's just over a year since Ginny's birthday is only 11 days after Harry's. Besides it makes for good foreshadowing  the werewolf cure was untested since it is a concoction of Lily's based on her research in both the wizarding and muggle worlds and the wolfsbane potion had not been in use at the time.

Next Chapter: Remus Talks to Dumbledore, Harry deals with his magical signatures (there are two in his case. 1 is that they monitor #4 privet drive religiously and 2 each wand has a distinctive signature. Both require different methods of dealing with it. Harry considers revising the Deal. Does he give the Majorca Property to Petunia or not?

Parseltongue and thoughts are done in italics for clarity

Thanks again to HermioneGreen for Betaing the story!

Reviews are always appreciated and the more the merrier!