Harry clenched his fist, as he thought of Sirius. For one brief moment, he thought he could be rid of the Dursleys. He gave a snort, as he thought about Snape and his none to subtle threats when he stared at Harry. 'I wonder why I have a headache whenever he's around,' Harry thought. He put that out of his mind and sighed. Leaving Gryffindor Tower, he headed for Dumbledore's office. He paused outside the gargoyle and tried to think of a way to get up the stairs, when the gargoyle slid aside. Shrugging, Harry went up to the office. "Harry, it's good to see you. What can I do for you?" Albus asked. "I was hoping to get someone to accompany me to Diagon Alley. I want to pick up a self-shrinking trunk and next year's school books," Harry said. "I can understand about the school books, but the second trunk I'm curious about." "Uncle Vernon locks my school supplies and wand up in a cupboard and refuses to let me have them until I leave for Hogwarts. The self- shrinking trunk is so I can keep my school books available and study them over the summer," Harry replied sourly. "I see. I think Hagrid has some business in Diagon Alley," Albus said thoughtfully. "You might have to buy one book at the start of the year depending on who we have for 'Defense against the Dark Arts'." "I can deal with that. I'll pick it up when I get new supplies of potions ingredients," Harry said and then gave a disgusted snort. "Snape will probably say I'm using my celebrity status to get preferential treatment." "That's Professor Snape, Harry. As to Severus, I'll talk with him." Albus replied. "I'll send for Hagrid." ========== Harry and Hagrid walked along the street of Diagon Alley. Harry looked at his money pouch and sighed. "I guess my first stop is Gringott's, " Harry said. "I have to get money for books and the self-shrinking trunk." "The Dursleys are giving you trouble?" Hagrid asked. "Ever since Dobby blew the secret of no magic over the break, yes," Harry replied. "That's the reason for the self-shrinking trunk. They will lock the other one up and not bother checking for the one I'm going to be using." Hagrid gave a snort and continued on in silence. The two of them arrived at Gringott's. "I have to make a trip down Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said. "I'll meet you at the bookstore." Harry nodded and went into the bank. The bank was empty save him and the goblins. He walked up to one of the tellers and held out his key on a large keychain. "I want to get enough money to buy next year's school books and a self-shrinking trunk," Harry said. The goblin took the key and nodded. "Everything seems to be in order Mister Potter. Awlpike, please take Mister Potter down to his trust vault." "Trust vault?" Harry asked. "There is another vault with more money and family heirlooms in it, but you won't get access to that until you turn seventeen," the teller replied curtly. "Thank you," Harry replied. The goblin stared at Harry for a moment and went back to writing in a ledger. Harry turned and saw a goblin waiting for him and headed over to the carts. He quickly got into the cart and waited. After Awlpike boarded the cart, the goblin set the cart to rolling. After the cart made it to the level where Harry's vault was, Harry handed Awlpike his key and waited. Awlpike opened the vault and Harry stepped in. "Awlpike? How much does a self-shrinking trunk go for?" Harry asked. "I'm not sure. I think it goes for something like 800 Galleons for the higher range ones," Awlpike replied. Harry made some steps towards the gold and slipped on some of the coins. He quickly caught himself with his right hand and rubbed his knee. Looking up, he spotted a large trunk in a dark corner of the vault. "Are you all right?" Awlpike asked. "Yes. I'm fine. I'm wondering about that trunk though," Harry replied. "Trunk? What trunk?" Awlpike asked. "The one in the corner," Harry said. "There should not be anything but money in here," Awlpike stated, shaking his head. Harry ignored the goblin and made his way over to the trunk and dragged it out to the front of the room. There was a piece of paper taped to the top of the trunk. Harry grabbed the paper and started reading it. Harry, If you are reading this, we are dead. This trunk has all the books we used during our school years, along with copies of a bunch of others. There is a copy of Most Potente Potions in here for example. Actually, you have all of the books found in Hogwarts library and a bunch of illegal books that were picked up in raids against Death Eater homes. The only known copy of Rowena Ravenclaw's journal was placed here. Voldemort was hunting for it for some reason. We got to it before he did. Your father and I have also tossed in all our notebooks and journals from our Hogwarts years. I think James has tossed in his notes on becoming an Animagus and I know I put my notes in on creating this trunk. The trunk has several features. It is a multi-compartment trunk. If you stand it up on end and open it with one of the blue buttons, a bookshelf with books on it will appear when you open the trunk. There are seven blue buttons, one for each year. You will notice that there are seven buttons done in each red, green and yellow. There is also a white button and a black button. You have a total of thirty buttons. The black button shrinks the trunk down or restores it to its proper size. The various buttons open to various storage areas. The green buttons are storage areas for potion supplies. The white button opens a doorway into the interior of the trunk where you can actually practice magic without getting any Ministry warnings. I don't like breaking the law; but if Voldemort is still around, you will need this area. When you are inside the trunk, you can access each of the storage areas by pushing one of the interior buttons. There is also a fully equipped potions lab, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom inside the trunk, along with some other specialized rooms. I have the feeling that Dumbledore went against our wishes and placed you with my sister for Blood Ward protection. In the middle yellow compartment, there is a pendant that will absorb the blood ward protection and center it on the pendant. As long as you are wearing it, the protection at Number 4 Privet Drive and around you will never waver. If you stay where you are welcome, the protection will increase. There are some other features to the pendant, but I won't write what they are down in this letter. You'll find some unanimated portraits of us in the first red compartment, as well as some more letters. Love, Lily Evans Potter. Harry wiped the tears from his eyes and tapped the middle yellow button on the trunk and saw a small silver pendant. He picked it up and stared at the engravings. On one side there was an engraving of a stag and on the other an engraving of a fox. He quickly slipped the pendant on, placed the letter inside the trunk, and closed the trunk up. Harry tapped the black button and nodded as the trunk shrank down to the size of a package of index cards. He picked it up and slipped it into his pocket. He gathered just enough money to buy some new books and nodded at Awlpike. "It seems my parents had provided me with more than just money for my Hogwarts years. I've been wasting money, when I could have been using this trunk and using the books my parents left behind for me," Harry said. Awlpike frowned a bit and then nodded. "This is a trust fund for school, so storing school supplies here doesn't go against any goblin policies and is probably a good idea. I never saw a trunk like that before." "My mom made it for me," Harry said softly. Awlpike nodded and waited for Harry to leave the vault. After Harry did, Awlpike closed the vault and gave Harry back his key. "Could you hold on for a second?" Harry asked, as he pulled his trunk out. Awlpike waited as Harry enlarged the trunk and tossed the key into the yellow compartment where the pendant used to be. He quickly reshrank the trunk and put it back in his pocket and boarded the cart. "I'll have to see what books I do have in here and which ones I need," Harry muttered. "Unless they are history books, they won't need updating," Awlpike said. "So, I get some history books. Do you have any recommendations? All Professor Binns talks about are the Goblin Revolutions. I have no interest in that. He's too biased. I'd like to know more about the battle against Grindelnwald. Maybe some culture books on the various magical races like Goblins and House Elves." Awlpike frowned. "Not many ask about something like that. I'd check your new library first before buying anything." "Thank you." Awlpike nodded and the two of them made their way to the surface. Harry headed to the bookstore to wait for Hagrid. He had quickly bought some of the more modern history books to add to his collection. As Harry waited, he felt a warm tingle go through his head. A few times the tingling became strong and he saw Snape in his memory saying things. "You will never amount to anything. Why should you bother learning from Flitwick how to duel?" "You're a disgrace just like your father. There is no way you can become an Animagus." "Enchanting objects like that paper? Bah. It's waste of time for someone like you. Don't bother exceeding your station, Potter." "I don't know why Albus says you are a great wizard. You're the son of James Potter and he was a joke of a wizard and was killed. You won't amount to anything." "You're a rule breaking, glory seeker Potter." The tingling stopped and Harry felt his anger rise. He took a deep calming breath and looked at the pendant that was softly glowing. "Thank you, Mom," Harry whispered, as he shoved the pendant under his shirt. Hagrid appeared and headed towards Harry. "Ah Harry. I see you made it to the bookstore. Have you got what you need for next year?" "I think so," Harry said with a smile. "I'll have to see what next year's defense professor chooses for a book later." "Well, let's head back." Hagrid said. "Yes. I have to talk to Dumbledore anyway about something," Harry said and thought, 'I'll have to dodge Snape until I talk to Dumbledore.' After arriving back at Hogwarts, Harry spotted Snape and quickly too an alternate route into the castle, via one of the secret tunnels. He quickly made his way to Dumbledore's office and spotted the headmaster. "I see that you're back Harry. I take it you got next year's books as well as the trunk," Albus said. Harry nodded. "Yes. I was wondering about old school books. Are there any differences between ones produced now and ones produced twenty years ago?" "Not really. No. Being a bit thrifty on your book purchasing? You should be all right with older books. Hmm." Professor Dumbledore raised his wand and cast a spell at Harry. "That will only last a few minutes. Head back to Gryffindor Tower and stay there for an hour and don't say anything til you get there," Albus said. Harry was about to ask what was going on when Snape came charging into the room. "Headmaster, I have no idea why you let Potter have preferential treatment!" Snape bellowed. Harry clenched his fists and ducked down the stairs, leaving a ranting Snape. He quickly made his way back to the Gryffindor Tower and stopped outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. After giving the password, he went into the common room and was greeted by Ron. "Hey mate, where have you been?" Ron asked. "Getting ready to head back to the Dursleys' and dodging Snape," Harry said. "Oh?" Ron asked. "I have next year's school books for the most part and a self- shrinking trunk that I can keep with me, while I let the Dursley's lock my old one up," Harry replied. "At least I can keep my wand with me this time." "Tough luck mate about those Muggles." Harry shrugged and thought, 'I'll have to sneak out a bit later.' After trouncing Harry a few times at Wizarding Chess, Ron strecthed and headed to his room. "I'm heading to bed," Ron announced. "I hope the feast tomorrow is quite good." Harry replied, "So do I." After Ron left, Harry went up to the boy's dorm and then came back down with his old trunk. He pulled his new trunk out of his pocket and enlarged it. Harry opened his old trunk and pulled out the the Marauder's Map, the invisibility cloak, the Firebolt, and the pices of his old broom. Harry pushed down on the first yellow button and opened the trunk up and put the pieces of the Nimbus 2000 in it. He hesitated, but then put the Marauder's Map in the trunk as well. He then shoved the Firebolt into the room that the first red button activated. He closed the trunk up and reshrank it and returned the old trunk to its place near Harry's bed. "It's time to get the basilisk corpse," Harry whispered and quickly left. ============== Hary donned the invisbility cloak and made his way to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Seeing that the ghost wasn't there, he hissed at the sink in Parseltounge and went into the passageway leading to the Chamber. Harry stopped and thought for a second. "Stairs," he said in Parseltounge. A set of stairs appeared, leading down to the Chamber. Harry turned around and closed the passageway back up and removed the invisibilty cloak. "I'm coming up with ideas so much easier now that I'm thinking on my own," Harry muttered, as he descended into the depths. Lighting his wand, Harry pondered his situation. "This isn't muggle school and Dudley is not here. I guess I should stop trying to underachieve. If mom's letter was right, I don't have to set foot in Number Four Privet Drive ever again," Harry muttered. Harry soon came to the shed skin of the basilisk and placed it in the room activated by the second green button. He continued on and thought of his life at the Dursley's and at Hogwarts. He sighed as he realized that he only had one bit of truly being a child and that was at the beginning of the year after he blew up Marge Dursley. He entered the Chamber of Secrets and looked at the dead corpse of the basilisk that he faced last year. He opened his trunk to the room activated by the first green button and carefully levitated the carcass into the trunk. He then did the same to the basilisk fang that he had jabbed through Tom Riddle's diary. He closed the trunk and thought for a moment. He opened the trunk to the first red button and looked through the various portaits. They were pictures of the Maruders when they were at Hogwarts in their later years. Harry smiled as he looked at them, despite the fact the Peter Pettigrew was in most of them. He reached back in the trunk and pulled out the first letter and started reading it. His eyes widened and he pulled the pendant out from under his shirt. "Please be right," Harry muttered, as he sorted through the portraits. "Some without Sirius. Some without mom. Some without Remus. Where is one without that damned rat?" Harry growled. Harry found only one portrait that had no Pettigrew in it in the twenty paintings stored inside the trunk. It was a painting of his parents at the beach in swimsuits in front of a beachhouse. "Beach Run. Hogwarts Seventh Year," Harry read on the back of the portrait. Harry held the painting up and brought the pendant closer to it. "I hope this works." The painting and pendant glowed silver for a moment before fading. Harry put the pendant away and watched the painting closely. A tear fell from his eye as the two figures started moving. "James? We have to get back to Hogwarts," came a female voice. "I'm coming," was the reply. In the painting, Lily looked around and her eyes fell on Harry's face. "What's going on?" Lily asked, a bit nervously Harry was almost to choked to speak, as tears streamed down his face. "I used the pendant you left to me to animate your painting," Harry said in a hoarse whisper. James looked at Harry and noticed the remarkable resemblance to him, save for his eyes. "Are you...?" James began. "I'm your son," Harry whispered and dug out the original letter from his trunk and showed it to them. Lily and James held each other when they read the first letter and then Harry showed them the second one. "I just don't understand why you don't have all your memories," Harry mumbled. Lily shook off her shock and thought hard. "I think it's because this painting of us was us in our seventh year right after our NEWTS. I think we'll get more of our memories back as time passes." "I don't understand why you used this picture of us. Not that I'm complaining," James said, as he gazed at Lily in her two piece green swimsuit. Lily smacked him on the arm. "James, that's our son out there." "None of the others had that traitor Pettigrew missing," Harry muttered darkly. "Traitor?" James and Lily asked in unison. Harry sighed and gave a brief account of what had happened. James and Lily were in shock in horror at what had happened after their deaths to Sirius and how Pettigrew betrayed them all. "Can I discuss this later? I have to get back to the Gryffindor Tower before I'm missed," Harry said, as he looked around the Chamber. "I think that's best," Lily whispered. "We have to get used to the fact that Peter betrayed us and that we are dead and have a son." Harry put the now animated portrait into the second red compartment of his trunk and headed back to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Before leaving, he sealed the Chamber of Secrets up annd made it back to his room without incident. ========== On the train trip home, a small owl had flown to the car they were in and delivered a letter to Harry. The Golden Trio smiled when they learned that Sirius was safe. "See, I told you that it was from him," Hermione said triumphantly in regards to who sent the Firebolt. "True, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" Ron replied and stifled a cry of pain as the tiny owl nibbled on one of his fingers. Harry turned over the letter and a pice of paper fell out. Harry quickly read what was on the paper. I, Sirius Black , Harry Potter's godfather hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmede on weekends. "That's good enough for Dumbledore," Harry said happily and then went on to read the postscript at the bottom of the orignal letter. Ron blinked a bit as he stared at the tiny owl. "Keep him? What do you think Crookshanks?" The cat purred and Ron stroked the feathers of the owl. "That's good enough for me. He's mine." Harry chuckled, as he thought about telling the portrait of his parents about what had just happened. After saying his good-byes to Ron and Hermione he saw his uncle and inwardly grinned nastily. Vernon Dursley saw the paper. "What's that? If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another thing..." Vernon demanded. "It's not. It's from my godfather," Harry said. "Godfather? You don't have a godfather," Vernon sputtered. "Yes, I have. He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he broke out of wizard prison and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy...." Harry said brightly. Harry grinned merrily as Vernon Dursley's face paled and took on a look of abject horror. 'Maybe, I won't need to play hide and seek with my new trunk,' Harry thought.