A/N – I am so sorry about the whole mail box and that thing that is attached to the door so the mail goes into the entry way. I'm American and I got those things confused. He, I also apologize for my apostrophe abuse. I'll try harder to not put those in weird places anymore! Flashbacks are italicized.

Harry Potter and the Story of Secrets

Part 2

Remus J. Lupin carefully brought down the old beat up box that he had stashed on the top shelf in his closet. His small family cabin was located in the middle of France. Remus had grown up in France but his father had insisted on sending him to Hogwarts instead of the French Wizarding School. Remus was happy about that fact because then he would have made friends like Sirius and James.

Sirius flopped onto Remus' bed and watched as Remus pulled out the box.

"I went to their house after Hagrid had taken Harry to Dumbledore, I collected some of their things that I thought Harry might like to have back when he is older," Remus explained. He dumped the contents onto the bed.

Among old photographs and little trinkets, laid a stuffed stag; the toy had been a favorite of Harry's when he was a baby and it hurt Sirius to think that Harry hadn't seen nor held it since that evil night at Godric's Hallow. The Stag was worn in places, but that was because Harry wouldn't go anywhere with out it.

"Do you remember the first time James came home with it?" Remus asked. Sirius picked up the stag. How could he forget that event, no matter how insignificant it may have been at the time?

James Potter bound into his home; He had a trying day at work, but despite the death threats against him and his family by damnable death eaters. Despite the fact that many people in his department thought him idiotic half the time, and despite the fact that he was only twelve months and another into his marriage, he was happy and he could vouch that Lily E. Potter was just as happy as he was!

But, what made their lives even more worth while was their baby son, Harry. The boy looked like his father did when he was a baby, but he had his mother's eyes and he was such a good baby. He never cried, and that was amazing considering that was what most babies did! Harry had also shown a talent for magic, even though he was only four months old.

James deposited his brief case on the kitchen counter, then he fished in the pockets of his dark burgundy robes. His glasses slipped off the end of his nose, but he didn't bother to right them, he finally got hold of what he was looking for and ran out of the room.

James by passed the entrance to the living room in favor of bounding up the stairs. He rarely walked up the stairs or any stairs really. He was always on the move and Lily had always said that it made her dizzy to just watch him. But James had always been an active child and he hadn't bothered to stop once he reached adult-hood.

James located the nursery in a heart beat, he was slightly surprised to see Remus and Sirius there, along with Lily. He raised and eye brow at them. Then shrugged, he was too excited to figure out how Sirius had gotten out of work that day.

"What are you guy's subjecting Pronglet to know?" James asked in a mock-weary tone. Lily laughed at him. Remus had the decency to look ashamed of himself while Sirius stuck out his tongue.

"We are just trying to get him to say Mummy," Remus explained.

"Oh, well that's all right then," James said with a smile and moved over to the group. James had a grin on his face and he couldn't wait to give Harry the gift he had come across.

"Harry, my lad, look at what I've got for you," James said, in his hand was a two foot tall Stag, with bright green eyes. On the side was embroidered 'Pronglet' and James was very happy that he had just found it by chance by a stray vendor in the streets of Diagon Alley.

"Prongs! Brilliant!" Sirius laughed once he saw the stuffed toy.

"Are you going to teach him how to become a kid version of you?" Remus asked teasingly.

"Why am I not surprised," Lily rolled her eyes, though secretly she was pleased herself. James mock-glared at his family.

"For your information, it was a fluke that I came upon this," James explained.

"James, nothing happens to you per chance," Lily stated.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" James asked his wife.

"What about that locket you just happened to come about?" Sirius asked.

"Mum gave me that locket to give to Lily!" James sighed, he had explained that for a year now, and Sirius still thought James was not telling him everything.

"How about when Snivellus' (he ignored Lily's snort) hair turned as red as a Weasley's and we hadn't been planning to do it?" Sirius asked.

"I'd wanted to do something like that, but I swear I didn't!" James said.

"All right, enough you two, obviously Harry likes it," Remus put in. The four looked down into the crib. Harry was fingering the stag's eyes, it looked just like his Mamma's, and the animal reminded him of Pop!

Pop would sometimes turn into the animal and give Harry a rid on his back! Harry hugged the stuffed toy close and opened his mouth.

"POP!" the baby yelled. Harry giggled as the grown-ups around practically fell to the ground in shock.

"I have never heard of a baby talking as early as Harry," Remus said.

"Well, at least he got it right," Sirius laughed.

"He said Pop…" James muttered.

"I'll get him to say Mum sooner or later," Lilly sighed.

"How could I forget?" Sirius askedhimself more than his friend.

"Remember how James and Lily had a bet about what name Harry would say first?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, Lily lost and James wouldn't let her forget about it," Sirius chuckled a little.

"She was miffed at him for a week after he brought home the stag,"

"Remember when she soaked James with the sink attachment once when he got home?"

"We left after because of the banging around up stairs," Remus shook his head.

"They had the perfect marriage,"

"James was right,"

"About what?" Sirius asked.

"That he and Lily were made for each other, remember?" Remus punched his friend in the shoulder, Sirius retaliated.

"He said that since second year, and Lily hated his bloody guts till after he proposed and all, I don't know if she changed her mind before he did, but they got married right after school,"

"Well, at least they made it work," Remus shrugged.

"Good thing too; I for one do not want to listen to him lamenting over how Lily ditched him for Snivellus!"

"Lily and Snape were not dating in school," Remus said.

"Oh? And how do you know that?"

"I know for a fact that Lily was just helping Snape with his charms homework," Remus muttered.

"Sure, and I'm Queen of the Ministry of Magic, in Bulgaria!" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Prat, come on, let's figure out what we're going to send Harry," Remus said.

"What are you going to do?" Sirius asked. Remus smiled mysteriously.

"I like the things you are planning, let's do it!" Sirius jumped up from the bed.

"The Dursley's are going to hate us more for this, but I think that something needs to be returned to Harry," Remus said. Sirius chuckled evilly and rubbed his hands together. Oh this was going to be brilliant!

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"Son, my son, my Pronglet…"

Harry woke to quiet; it must be very early since Aunt Petunia wasn't banging on his door. Harry yawned and stretched his body before sitting up. He had that dream again, the one with the toy and a man with glasses like his own but with hazel eyes. At least the man was nice. He would grab Harry up and tickle him, and then swing him in the air.

Harry didn't know who the man was, but he was obviously nice. Harry wondered if the man was his father, and if his mother was just as nice as she looked too. The woman in his dreams had long flowing red hair and green eyes like his own. Harry didn't know where these dreams came from, but they comforted him in the darkness of the cupboard and Harry knew that at one point in time….

….He had been loved.

Harry sighed; he also tended to feel lonesome at these times as well. He wanted to be hugged and kissed and tickled till he cried with mirth. Was that such a bad thing to wish for? Just to be loved? He didn't care even if he never got anything else in his whole life; all he wanted was to be loved.

The banging came to his door then; his Aunt calling for him to get up and get the bacon started. Harry got dressed quickly and went to the kitchen. He set the table like he did every morning before starting the bacon.

However, this morning would be different. After the food was on the table and Harry was served (last like usual) there came a SWOOSH and a tawny bird flew into the kitchen. Harry gasped while Aunt Petunia screamed, Dudley spilt his food and Uncle Vernon took to swatting at the bird.

The Owl, for that was what the bird was, landed in front of Harry and waited for him to unhook the parcel. Harry didn't know what to do, so he slowly reached out to the bird. The Owl took the clumsy petting in stride before it hooted and wiggled a bit. The was when Harry undid the string bow and the Owl was free of its burden.

The bird gave a hoot, took a peace of bacon from the platter in the middle of the table and flew off out the window of hence it came. Harry looked at the package. It had his name on it. He had never gotten a present before! This was so amazing! And he hadn't seen an Owl before, but to the six-year-old, that hardly mattered.

Harry slowly went about unwrapping the present, but it was suddenly taken up by Vernon. Uncle Vernon was purple about the face, and Harry sat back in his chair, he didn't want to get hit. He always got hit when Uncle Vernon was angry.

"You. Cupboard. Now!" Vernon said between gulps of air. Harry didn't argue and made his way back to the darkness. Harry sat on his bed and sighed. It wasn't fair! Whenever he got something it was always taken from him.

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Harry yawned for the hundredth time that day (He didn't know what time it was) and rolled over on his small cot. He was bored stiff and not even imagining the people from his dreams was fun anymore. Imagining things that hadn't even happen did that to a person.

Once again Harry's thoughts turned to the package he had gotten that morning, but he didn't it with him now and he so wanted to see what it was. He wanted to know if the package held toys for him to play with. Or maybe it was clothes that would fit him. Or a blanket that actually kept him warm. There were so many possibilities!

He rolled over once again and banged his head against a box. Funny, he hadn't remembered putting box on his pillow before laying down…Harry quickly sat up and turned on the light bulb. The soft yellow glow gave him light to see that it was the package from that morning!

How it had gotten there, Harry didn't know. He didn't want to know either, it was best that he just open it! Harry slowly brought it to rest in his lap. He untied the brown string and carefully took off the brown paper. The box was small, so maybe it didn't hold the clothes or blanket, but maybe it was a toy….

Harry pulled out a stuffed Stag.

"Harry, my lad, look at what I've got for you,"

Harry threw the rubbish to the side and just stared at the stag. He didn't know what it meant, but he was sure that it was special and that he was meant to keep it. Harry admired the toy. It was worn in places, but it looked loved. Harry hugged it close before lying down on his cot and closing his eyes.

He imagined the man from his dreams, the man with hazel eyes, and the woman with emeralds as eyes. He smiled at them, "Thank you, Mum and Pop," Harry muttered before sleep finally took him down to blissful dreams of people he didn't even know.

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A/N – There we god! another chapter! I do hope that you like it!

I want to thank Luvguurl, The Hyper Canary, and Lena for reviewing. I do hope you all liked this chapter!

With Love,

Poppy