Chapter 3: Keeping Up Appearances

He had made his own study and training schedule that he would follow. But, also not totally disregarding the one that Hermione had gone to the trouble to make him.

Over the last three weeks, He had become more attentive to his relatives in order to get on their good side; he even went so far to fake normalcy, which seemed to pay off as he was allowed more food at meals, and even got little favours occasionally. The new and improved Harry, was exactly what his Aunt had wished him to be. Whilst in secret right under their noses he used his free-time constructively to practise using wandless magic, as he had yet to reacquire his wand and also used his time to work on his Occluding his mind against access and influence.

One morning, Harry woke up early and used the bathroom, taking a quick shower. He got dressed and grabbed his wand, bank draft book, vault key, some muggle change and his invisibility cloak before heading downstairs. Sneaking out the back door unseen. He headed towards the bus stop and took the Muggle bus into London.

When he arrived at Charring Cross Road, Harry waited for someone to exit The Leaky Cauldron using the opportunity to enter without drawing attention to himself.

His first stop was to Ollivander's. Making his way through the crowd. He slipped into the store and took off his invisibility cloak.

"Good Morning, Mr. Potter".

"Mr. Ollivander" He greeted.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Potter?" Ollivander asked curiously "Your wand is still in working order is it not?".

"Yes, sir" He replied "Can I get a polishing kit and a good quality wand holder?" He asked.

"Of course, Mr. Potter. It's good to see a wizard who desires to take care of his wand. Many people nowadays take their wands for granted" Ollivander said, reaching underneath the counter and set a wooden box and then a leather holder on top of the counter. "That will be thirty galleons, twelve sickles and a knut".

"Do you take bank draft?" Harry questioned.

Ollivander nodded.

Harry took out his Gringotts bank draft book and vault key. Pressing his key onto the check box. He waited for Ollivander to do the same. The sheet flashed briefly and an authorised red Gringotts stamp appeared as the sheet stored itself in an attached pouch for proof of purchase.

"Have a good day, sir" He told him.

"Same to you, Mr. Potter," Ollivander said as he drifted off towards the shelves.

Harry then paid a visit to Stowe & Packers Magical Trunks. He walked into the store and immediately was assaulted by the smell of wood and varnish.

Trunks lined the walls and a few even hung from the ceiling. Other luggages filled the shelves such as rucksacks, backpacks, purses and Muggle rolling suitcases.

A beefy man came out from the back room, "Welcome, lad. How can I help you today" He said in a booming voice.

"I'm in need of a trunk that is equipped with an extension charm and an hidden compartment. Do you have any trunks fitting that description?".

The man looked thoughtful, "I have a few trunks at the moment fitting your criteria. Follow me" He led Harry further into the back of the store and showed Harry several trunks fitting his description.

Harry found the trunk he was looking for; A lovely large antique steamer trunk with wooden support slats and leather banding which has a vintage heavy padlock that is immune to unlocking charms to prevent any sort of thievery and it also has an extension charm and an undetectable hidden compartment. It is a tuned to the owner's magical signature, which means it will not open for anyone else.

"I'll take that one," Harry pointed to the trunk. It would be the perfect decoy for when he went to Hogwarts, since the first compartment was normal with a false bottom. No one would be the wiser.

"Good choice. It also comes equipped with a built in shrinking and enlargement charm. All you have to do is tap your wand on the trunk to shrink it and tap twice to return it to normal size. Also to unlock the trunk just tap the lock with your wand or finger as it will only open to your magical signature now and those that have been keyed in".

Forty-six Galleons and ten sickles later, Harry walked out with his new trunk.

Harry then went to Madam Lux opticians. He went and got a full check up before picking out two new pairs of glasses that were better suited to his needs. He was glad to finally be rid of his old taped up old fashioned glasses. He had even paid extra to have Madam Lux supply him with a potion that would gradually repair his poor eyesight. Harry was told to expect improvement within a few months to a year. Which pleased Harry as his glasses could be a hindrance in a duel as they could be summoned off his face if Voldemort and his Deatheaters were smart enough to think of that.

Afterwards, Harry stopped off at Weeoanwhikser's Barber Shop, for a haircut. He was hoping that the barber would be able to tame his dishevelled mop of hair. Once the barber was finished, Harry couldn't believe the difference that a haircut and new glasses could make. He was happy with the result and hopefully his aunt would be too now that his hair had been tamed after half an hour using several spells and a lot of hair product.

Harry stopped by a wizarding beauty parlour, he had them conceal his famous lightening bolt scar using muggle dermaflage scar make-up as wearing a glamour charm would be useless in covering up his cursed lightening bolt scar.

He then went to Madam Malkin's.

"Yes, dearie?" Enquired a squat, smiling witch dressed in mauve.

"I require three spell-resistant Gryffindor robes that are also resistant to potion stains, three self-ironing shirts, three pairs of black trousers that are charmed to grow as I do, two pairs of plain black shoes, two Gryffindor ties, two grey jumpers and one winter cloak with silver fastenings. I am also in need of a completely new wardrobe. I'll need five pairs of all black trousers, 7 silk button down shirts; 2 black, 2 white, 1 emerald green, 1 dark purple and 1 garnet red. I'm also in need of three black hooded cloaks, 1 pair of formal robes and 1 pair of informal robes and three pairs of pyjamas".

Madam Malkin wrote those down on a piece of parchment before motioning for him to follow her into the fitting room.

She slipped a long robe over his head and began to pin it back to the right length as she took and jotted down his measurements with a tape measure.

Madam Malkin said, "That's you done, my dear. I'll have everything done in couple of hours so either come back then or I'll owl it to your home".

"I'll come, tomorrow morning and collect them, Madam, if it isn't too much trouble".

"Not at all, dear".

Harry went to the front of the shop and paid for his purchases and left.

He then paid a visit to several book stores in both, Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.

He bought;

Tales of Beedle the Bard, The by Beedle the Bard

Novice Guide to Arcane Magic by Baldassare Bordeianu

Advance Guide to Arcane Magic by Baldassare Bordeianu

Modern and Ancient Runes made simple by Mardella Moreau

Novice Guide to Wandless magic by Grigor Dimitrov

Sanguine Magic by Phemius Popescu

Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes by E. Limus

N.E.W.T Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

N.E.W.T Charms by Vincent Townsent

Guide to Becoming a Master of Defense Against The Dark Arts by Quentin Trimble

Protection Charm Your Mind: A Practical Guide to Counter Legilimency by Franciscus Fieldwake

Moste Potente Potions by Phineas Bourne

Magick Moste Evile by Godelot

Secrets of the Darkest Art by Owle Bullock

Living With Legilimens: Choose Your Mind Wisely by The American Society of Legilimens

Beginner's Guide to Becoming an Animagi by Anonymous author

The Healer's Helpmate by H. Pollingtonious

The Dark Arts: A Legal Companion by Anonymous author

Unforgivable Curses and Their Legal Implications by Anonymous author

Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms by Unknown author

Extraordinary Trials in History by Unknown author

Legislative Guide to the Proper Use of Magic by Unknown author

Dominating Dementors: A True History of Azkaban by Anonymous author

Harry decided to cut his shopping trip short and went to Gringotts and had some wizarding money exchanged into muggle currency in order to buy some new muggle clothes.

Once, Harry had concluded his business at Gringotts. He returned to 4# Privet Drive.

He couldn't believe that he had managed to get away with sneaking out of the house without being overshadowed by a member of the advance guard.

Three weeks later, his relatives were suspicious and pleased with their nephew's new mature attitude and appearance. He had kept to himself rarely leaving his room as he practically memorized his Hogwarts textbooks, amazed at everything he had forgotten. He read his new books with equal enthusiasm and took careful notes of the more complicated books he had purchased. He felt very prepared for what lay ahead for him this year at Hogwarts.

He had gone back to Knockturn Alley earlier that week to obtain the ingredients that was required to perform a physical empowerment ritual that grants the practitioner peak human condition.

The ingredients were expansive to acquire given that they were either hard to come by or ministry restricted. He had managed to get his hands on what he needed to perform the ritual and at a quarter to eleven, Harry began making his preparations for the blood ritual.

Harry placed a strong wandless silencing charm around his bedroom and set his ingredients down.

He brought his potions knife down across his open palm and drew a pentagram on the wooden floor using his blood. Harry quickly bandaged his hand with an old rag and then placed five red candles at each point of the pentagram. He was nervous about using any sort of blood magic as it was considered to be very powerful dark magic. That uses of Blood to increase one's power or to control another person. Blood mages and dark wizards sacrifice life energy from shedding blood for more power, over their own health and safety. Which meant that If he wished to gain something he would have to be willing to lose something in return. It was the price that came with power.

He began adding the various ingredients into the cauldron that consisted of;

A vial of Re'em blood – To improve his strength

Scale of Dragon – To improve his durability

A finely powdered Tooth of Wolf – To improve his senses

The beating heart of a dead Cobra snake – To improve his reflexes

The single hair of a Unicorn – To improve his agility

The single tear of a Phoenix – To improve his healing

Three drops of blood willingly given from the practitioner as payment

Harry waited patiently inside the pentagram for the full moon to rise high in the sky and focused on what he wanted to gain out of the ritual. Blood Magic is instinctual controlled Magic, it is a wordless kind of Magic, so ancient that words never existed at the time of its creation. It is considered to be one of the darkest branches of magic due to its link with Necromancy. If the ministry ever caught him using such magic for the purpose of self-gain he would get himself a one-way ticket to Azkaban.

As the lunar light streamed through the window. The pentagram turned black as if it had been scorched onto the floor. It made the potion that Harry had concocted boil and turn from a blood red to an inky black letting Harry know it was complete and ready to be consumed as the boiling ceased.

Harry took a deep breath and drank the liquid. It was like swallowing hot lava as Harry gasped and clutched his throat as the liquid spread through his body. The excruciating amount of pain he was in could only be compared to being repeatedly subjected to the cruciatus curse. Harry now had a good understanding as to why wizards tended to stay away from this ritual and blood magic altogether. He didn't know how long he screamed before passing out in a sticky hot mess on the floor.

When he woke up the next morning his head was pounding as he let out a pained moan "Dear gods, I feel like I've been run over by an angry herd of Hippogriffs".

Harry dragged himself onto his coat and sat at the end. "Ugh, never again,".

He laid down on his makeshift bed, to recover from last night's ordeal. Training would have to be put on hold for a while, despite his eagerness to test his newfound capabilities. The only problem was not alerting the order that something was amiss. He didn't need them reporting back to Dumbledore, who would no doubt interfere with his training. He had a lot of work to do in such a small amount of time.

Time had flown by quickly he had managed to prevent Dobby, from ruining the Dursleys dinner party with the Masons. So far everything was going according to plan. Harry for once in his life was enjoying his new lease of life at the Dursleys. They didn't bother him and he didn't bother them. It was a win-win situation.

He was finishing off his Potions homework, making sure that it was detailed. He had a better understanding of Snape and this year he would try to be civilized. Harry never thought that the day would come that he would come to respect his Potions professor. But it did and he knew that he would have to at least show his appreciation somehow for all that he had risked, sacrificed and done during the first and second war out of love for his mother.

Once he had completed his homework. He stood up, stretched and checked the time on the alarm clock on his bedside table. It was almost midnight. Harry went over and sat down cross legged on his bed as he went into a meditative state and focused drawing energy out from his lamp. The light bulb flickered as electricity seemed to conduct from his hands that have blue-white bolts of electricity visible to the naked eye.

He had discovered a couple of days ago, that his strongest element was Electrokinesis. With practise he would have the ability to tap into and manipulate energy which can then be used as an outlet as a kinetic force. The only problem was that runes are needed to do this, though, as an Enerkinesis cannot use this magical energy without them. So, Harry had resorted to carving runes into his skin, so he can always access that particular source of energy.

The carvings had turned into an arcane Transmutation Array tattoo which was invisible to the naked eye, and would only revealed when he uses Arcane magic. Arcane magic is the power of all things flows from the earth. It is an Ancient magic that is derived from the forces of nature. Those who are Arcane practitioners or Arcane mages are able to manipulate fire, water, air, earth, lightening, dark, light, nature and ice. Normally they have one or two elements that they have an affinity for. Dumbledore's two strongest elements Harry suspected were Hydrokinesis and Aerokinesis given what happened in the Department of Mysteries when he and Voldemort duelled. Whilst Harry suspected that Voldemort's two strongest elements are Umbrakinesis and Pyrokinesis.

After finishing with his Arcane training, Harry, got back into bed and reached up to cross off another day on the chart he'd made for himself, counting down the days until Ron and the Twins would come to his rescue. He then took off his glasses and lay down; eyes open, facing the window as he gazed up at the sky.

A few days later, after finishing with a lengthy Occlumency session. Harry went to get a shower to soothe his achy, stiff muscles and relax.

After soaking in the bath for a while he got out and wiped the steam off the mirror.

He was barely recognisable, his dishevelled, jet-black mop of hair was now much more manageable as it was kept short and well groomed with bangs of obsidian hair were spiked upright, highlights of natural red auburn sowed within the particular region making a good look to his pale skin complexion. His new nature wasn't easily masked; glinting green eyes spoke volumes of his keen intelligence and a power unrivalled by most that resided within him. Gone were his broken taped up glasses. They had been replaced with a fashionable pair of black, rectangular shaped glasses. Stretched across his face was a dangerous smile that was both charming and infectious. He was still short and skinny for his age, but without a doubt he would soon rectify the damage done over the years of gross neglect. He wore a pair of tactical black trousers, a white t-shirt, a black avant garde shawl cardigan, a pair of brand new Dr. Martens 1460 boots and a black cord titanium grim reaper necklace that has two emerald gems for eyes.

He couldn't wait to see his friends reaction when they see the new and improved, Harry Potter.

Harry began packing as he stored his items and school supplies neatly away in his new trunk.

Once he was done, Harry was leaned against his bedroom wall, fell asleep.

It wasn't long before there was a gently tapping sound that roused Harry from his sleep as he opened his eyes and stifled a grin.

"Hiya Ron".

"Bloody, hell, mate is that really you?" Ron said, gawking at his new appearance.

"You'd be surprised what a pair of new glasses, a hair cut and some new clothes can make" He said with a smirk as an old, turquoise-coloured Ford Anglia floats in midair outside his bedroom window.

"What are you, guys doing here?".

"Rescuing you, of course. Where's your trunk?".

Harry grinned and dragged his trunk to the window sill. He lifts it and Ron grabs the other end hoisting it up into the car with great difficulty before going over to Hedwig who squeaked at him. As he passed her over to Ron. Before scrambling onto the window ledge and hopping into the back seat with Ron, who grins beside him "Ready to go?".

"You bet, let's get out of here. Muggles aren't used to seeing flying cars you know" He replied and like a rocket, the Anglia sailed into the stars.

"So, what's the story, Harry?" said Ron asked. "Why haven't you been answering my letters?. I've asked you to stay about twelve times".

Harry told them all about Dobby.

"Very fishy," said Fred finally.

"Definitely dodgy," agreed George. "So he wouldn't even tell you who's supposed to be plotting all this stuff?".

"I don't think he could," said Harry. "I told you, every time he got close to letting something slip, he started banging his head against the wall". Which was true, it was what happened the last time around.

He saw Fred and George look at each other.

"What, you think he was lying to me?" said Harry.

"Well," said Fred, "put it this way house-elves have got powerful magic of their own, but they can't usually use it without their master's permission. I reckon old Dobby was sent to stop you coming back to Hogwarts. Someone's idea of a joke. Can you think of anyone at school with a grudge against you?".

"Yes," said Harry and Ron together, instantly.

"Those who have parents who are dark supporters of Voldemort. Although, this has Draco Malfoy, written all over it. His father was a big supporter of You-Know-Who and when You-Know-Who disappeared. Lucius was one of the first to go the ministry and claim that he was only doing Voldemort's bidding under The Imperius Curse".

"You, might be right, Harry, whoever owns that house-elf has got to be from an old Wizarding family, and rich," said Fred.

"Yeah, Mum's always wishing we had a house-elf to do the ironing," said George. "But all we've got is a lousy old ghoul in the attic and gnomes all over the garden. House-elves come with big old manors and castles and places like that; you wouldn't catch one in our house..."

"I'm glad we came to get you, anyway," said Ron. "I was getting really worried when you didn't answer any of my letters. I thought it was Errol's fault at first —"

"Who's Errol?" Harry asked knowingly.

"Our owl. He's ancient. It wouldn't be the first time he'd collapsed on a delivery. So then I tried to borrow Hermes —"

"Who?"

"The owl Mum and Dad bought Percy when he was made prefect," said Fred from the front.

"But Percy wouldn't lend him to me," said Ron. "Said he needed him".

"Percy's been acting very oddly this summer," said George, frowning. "And he has been sending a lot of letters and spending a load of time shut up in his room...I mean, there's only so many times you can polish a prefect badge...You're driving too far west, Fred," he added, pointing at a compass on the dashboard.

Fred twiddled the steering wheel.

"So, does your dad know you've got the car?" said Harry, guessing the answer.

"Er, no," said Ron, "he had to work tonight. Hopefully we'll be able to get it back in the garage without Mum noticing we flew it".

Harry frowned "Your dad could get into a lot of trouble with The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. Not that I'm not grateful for you, guys coming to the rescue, but it was an awful risk to take in flying a muggle contraption that has been enchanted across London since it is against the law. And for good reason, since muggle-made things and magic don't mix well".

Ron rubbed the back of his head sheepishly "Funny you should say that, Dad sort of works in that boring department, although, last year, some old witch died and her tea set was sold to an antiques shop. This Muggle woman bought it, took it home, and tried to serve her friends tea in it. It was a nightmare dad was working overtime for weeks".

"What happened?".

"The teapot went berserk and squirted boiling tea all over the place and one man ended up in the hospital with the sugar tongs clamped to his nose. Dad was going frantic, it's only him and an old warlock called Perkins in the office and they had to do Memory Charms and all sorts of stuff to cover it up".

"But your dad — this car —".

Fred laughed. "Yeah, Dad's crazy about every thing to do with Muggles; our shed's full of Muggle stuff. He takes it apart, puts spells on it, and puts it back together again. If he raided our house he'd have to put himself under arrest. It drives Mum mad".

As the Anglia slowly descends from the faintly pink sky, a haphazard mess of a house, built around a towering central chimney, appeared below. By the road, a lopsided sign that read: The Burrow. Could be seen as the car landed onto the ground with a Flumph!.

The boys quickly spilled out of the car as Fred whispers urgently "Hurry! let's nip inside before mum wakes up!".

Moments later,

The boys sneak inside, gently closing the door behind them. Harry stopped and looked around with a small smile. It was good to be back at the Burrow, again. It was his home away from home.

Ron shrugs, averting his eyes self-consciously.

"It's not much".

"It doesn't matter, Ron, it's home and that's all that matters" Ron snapped his head up and sees Harry's mesmerized face. He slowly grins and nods "Yeah, it is isn't it".

"Where...Have...You...Been?!" The boys nearing jumped out of their skin as Mrs. Weasley stands in the doorway, furious.

She smiles sweetly at Harry. "Harry!. How wonderful to see you again, just look at you. Don't you look dashing" She then turns back to her sons "Beds empty!. No note!. You could have died! You could have been seen!" She turns to Harry, again "Of course, I don't blame you, dear".

"But mum-".

"No buts. Now care for a spot of tea, Harry?" She asks him with a softening expression.

"Mummy. Have you seen my jumper-" Ginny appears and sees Harry and ogled him.

Harry chuckled lightly "Hello, again, Ginny" He greeted warmly and gave her a small wink.

Ginny squealed before dashing back upstairs.

Ron groans in response "Ginny's been talking about you all summer. Dead annoying, really. I think she's got a crush on you".

Harry raised an amused eyebrow "You, think?".

Ron snorts.

"Dad's home!" The front door opened, revealing Arthur Weasley.

"What a night! Nine raids! Nine!".

"Well now, who are you?".

Harry approaches Arthur "Harry, Harry Potter, sir" He stretches out his hand.

"Good Lord, are you really?. Ron told us all about you, of course. When did you get here?" He asked shaking Harry's hand with both of his hands.

"This morning. You're sons flew that enchanted car of yours to Surrey and back, last night" Molly said hotly.

"Did you now! How'd it go?!" He catches his wife's eye and clears his throat "I...I mean...That was very wrong boys. Very wrong indeed. So, Harry. You must know all about Muggles. Tell me, what exactly is the function of a parking meter?" Harry didn't get the chance to answer as Errol the owl soars through the kitchen window and smashes right into it.

"That's Errol with the post. Fetch him, will you, George?" George takes an unconscious Errol, absently lays him on the draining board, and takes the letter clutched in his claws.

"It's our Hogwarts letters!. And look. They've sent Harry's as well".

"Dumbledore must know you're here, Harry. Doesn't miss a trick, that man".

Harry suppressed a snort knowing that the old squib and advance guard watching the house must have alerted him.

"This lot won't come cheap, Mum. The spell books alone...".

"We'll manage. We always do. Right then, there's only one place to get all this".

"Diagon Alley!".