Harley Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets

The Girl Who Lived

Chapter Four

A Talk With A Wizard

The dark alleyway held a smell of rotten garbage and rat droppings making Harley's nose to burn and her eyes to water slightly. She ignored the feeling of covering her mouth and continued to stare at the figure before her. Her mind raced with different questions that she didn't know how to even question. She stood in absolute shocked silence as the person before her stood with a look of amusement. 'It can't be possible. It just wasn't probable that this person was standing in front of her.' She thought to herself with a shake of her head in denial. She stumbled back and tripped over a tipped over trashcan. She fell to the floor with a crash and groaned to herself in pain and disgust. The floor of the alleyway was slightly damp with either water, or something else Harley would rather not think about. She continued to look up at the figure before her with a shake of her head. She was defiantly not processing this as easily as the man had hoped. "It is I Harley Potter." The man stated as he bent down, balancing himself on his feet, as he became eye level with the girl.

"No…it isn't possible..." She choked out with a quick shake of her head. Her unruly black raven hair fell over her forehead and into her eyes, blocking the deep unending depths of vivid, electric, emerald green.

"Why is it so difficult to believe I'm alive Harley Potter?" The man questioned with curiosity. His head tilted to the side as his dazzling eyes stared at the young girl with interest.

"You just can't be!" The raven-haired girl exclaimed with a shake of her head. She swung her legs off of the trashcan and pushed herself into a sitting position. Her head still felt dizzy from the hard impact of the ground. As she remained sitting on the dirty and grimy cement flooring of the alleyway she stared into the older males eyes with wary and hesitance. She shouldn't trust this person, she shouldn't trust anyone that followed, and more like stalked her, for the last two years.

"That isn't exactly an answer Harley Potter." The man explained with a sigh and a slow shake of his head, as if he was disappointed in her.

"Stop calling me Harley Potter! It's either Harley or Ms. Potter. No Harleigh Potter, I hate the name, Harleigh. And no of this Harley Potter crap!" She suddenly exploded with annoyance.

The man looked shocked at Harley's outburst, but made no comment on it. "Alright, Harley. Why is it so hard to believe I'm alive?" The man questioned curiously with a raise of his eyebrow.

"I read about you, in the newspaper, in the Dailey Prophet in the Hogwarts library. It said your name and some things about you" She sighed and rubbed her forehead as she shook her head. "I've gone insane and I'm thinking of…" She paused a moment before jumping up from the floor. "I'm done talking to you. You're bad, evil, whatever you want to call it." She snapped. She turned on her heel and made her way out of the alleyway. The sudden weight of a hand on her shoulder caused her to freeze. She was slowly spun around as the man looked at her with large beautiful eyes.

"Just…listen to me." The older man begged with a sigh. Harley squinted her eyes at the man and shook her head.

"Why should I listen to you Regulus Black?" Harley questioned. She crossed her arms over her chest she glared at the man warily. "You are a Death Eater after all and you shouldn't even be alive." She stated huffily.

Regulus's messy black hair fell to his neck and into his eyes, giving his a dangerous and handsome look. His beautiful bright stormy blue eyes glimmered in the light of the alleyway. His skin was pale, the same color as Harley's. "Ex Death-Eater." Regulus reminded her with a roll of his eyes. "I'm not working for him anymore. I betrayed You-Know-Who –" He began before was cut off.

"Right, you betrayed Voldemort. How did you betray him then?" She questioned with a squint of her eyes. She didn't trust the man yet, not until she figured more about him and his intentions.

"I…I can't tell you. Not –" Regulus began to say to the girl with a shake of his head.

"You better not say until I'm ready. I swear to Merlin if you do I'll send your ass to Prison, where you belong, may I remind you." Harley sneered. Regulus had never encountered a girl with such attitude, beside her parents.

"You have your mother and fathers attitude." Regulus stated out of nowhere after staring at the girl.

"What the hell kind of reply is that?" She exclaimed with a roll of her eyes. "Come on. I want to get to Diagon Alley and I want you to tell me how you're even alive and why the hell you're been following me?" Harley ordered as she walked out of the alleyway. Her angry footsteps echoed in the dead end alleyway as she made her way out of it.

Regulus quickly followed after Harley, pulling his hood back up over his head as he walked beside her towards the Leaky Cauldron. The whole way towards Diagon Alley was in thick silence. The raven-haired Potter was lost in her thoughts; her mind raced rapidly which was slowly leading to a headache. Harley walked into the dingy and smoke filled room of the Leaky Cauldron. Many chattering voices echoed through the room as the many occupants sat scattered amongst the room. The sound of glasses clinking together and bottles being set down on the table with a thump reached her ears. The Leaky Cauldron was packed full of witches, wizards and many other magical creatures that Harley was still not quite use to seeing. 'No chance of talking here.' She thought to herself with a sigh. There was no use being overheard and getting the Ministry on their case. Her bright electric emerald green eyes gazed around the pub thoughtfully before coming up with a decision. "Ms. Potter, can I offer ya anything?" Tom, the bar keeper questioned. Breaking herself out of her thoughts she turned to look at the kind bar man. Silence rang through the air as many eyes turned to Harley and her hooded friend. Of course, whenever her name was still mentioned, everyone got his or her knickers in a twist about it.

"No thank you Tom." She replied nicely to the bartender. She usually spoke with him every time she came into the Pub/Inn. For the last few weeks of her summer she had come to Diagon Alley to buy more books, among other things. All she needed now from Diagon Alley was a bottomless trunk and a few more books and to get some charmed objects. "I'm just passing by. Heading to Diagon Alley for a bit." She said with a cheery smile. Trying not to show her annoyance. Regulus who stood right beside her remained hooded, which received many, curious glances. She was ready to smack the fool. It's not like he would have been seen by anyone in the pub if he had taken his hood down. It was far too smoky and dark to see anyone clearly. "Come on Reggie." She hissed, not sure if she should outright say Regulus's name. Especially if he had once been known as a Death Eater. She grabbed the older mans arm and dragged him with her to the back alley of the Leaky Cauldron.

Harley gave a kind nod to those that said a 'hello' to her as she made her way through the many tables and passed the booths near the walls. Walking into the back alleyway she shut the door with a click before turning back to face the wall. Pulling out her wand she tapped it against the bricks two times across and three down. She stepped back and watched as the wall began to shutter and open into an archway. The loud sound of voices talking and laughing reached her ears as she stepped out into the busy crowd of Diagon Alley. A smile graced her lips at the familiar sight of so many witches and wizards.

Harley walked down the alleyway beside Regulus; passing by many crowded shops that sold things she had no interest in at the moment. She watched from the corner of her eyes as Regulus gazed around the alleyway. She wondered, with interest how long it had been since he had last visited Diagon Alley since he had faked his own death. "How long has it been?" She questioned with interest, finally breaking the thick silence. Regulus glanced at the young girl he hoped to help defeat Voldemort once and for all.

"Twenty two years." Regulus finally stated after a long stretch of silence. Harley nodded slowly as she headed towards Flourish and Blotts.

"Start talking Mr. Black." She spoke as she looked ahead, not turning to look at him. "I'm curious to know why you decided to follow me for two years." She nodded and smiled at a few witches and wizards that nodded their 'hellos' to her.

"I wanted to make sure you were the correct…person for what I want to help you do." Regulus explained as he looked around himself warily.

"And what is it, that you want me to do…or help me do?" Harley questioned. She grabbed the cold metal handle of the door and pulled it open. She stepped into the cool and silent Flourish and Blotts. It reminded Harley of a Muggle library with how quiet it was.

"I want to help you learn more about magic. To help you kill Voldemort." He muttered to her as he looked around the shop. Old memories of when he was younger rushed through his mind. "For I fear, that he will be far from gone." He explained at the disbelieving look on Harley's face.

"Well, when that time comes to face him again, I'll have to put my 'I'm so happy to risk my life for you all just to make you happy' face on." Harley stated with heavy sarcasm as she slowly walked down the long aisle in Flourish and Blotts. Her converses thumped against the flooring as she gazed around the room at the many books that surrounded her.

The older wizard ignored her sarcasm and decided to bring up one question that continued to nag at him. "Why are we here?" Regulus questioned with a sigh. Harley ignored him with a shake of her head as she finally stepped up to the counter where Mr. Watson, the manager of Flourish and Blotts sat. Harley had met him the year before and had continued to speak with him over the time she had come to Flourish and Blotts to buy some things.

"Hello Mr. Watson." Harley greeted with a smile as she leaned against the counter where the manager sat reading a book.

"Hello Harley." Mr. Watson greeted, looking up from his book he gave the girl a friendly smile. "What can I do for you today?" He questioned pleasantly as he closed his book and set it aside. He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter as he looked to the young girl he liked to speak with whenever he saw her. She was one of his best costumers and the most interesting individual he had met, to talk with. He glanced up and noticed the hooded figure standing behind her, looking at a book on the shelf. "Who is that?" He inquired curiously.

"A friend." She stated nonchalantly as she glanced over her shoulder at Regulus. Looking back at Mr. Watson she spoke. "I was wondering if you had anymore books I could buy?" She questioned. "More on nonverbal and wandless magic. As well as Defensive spells, curses, jinxes, enchantments, transfiguration, you know the usual that I haven't yet bought from here." She stated. Regulus eyebrows rose at the girl. She was defiantly not what he expected her to be. "Also, I wanted some books on animagus morphing. I'm just fascinated with animagi." She added with a cute tilt of her head. Mr. Watson who had a soft spot for Harley nodded his need in thought. Humming to himself he looked up from the small notepad he had been writing on that he always kept by his side incase a customer asked him for a long list like Harley just did.

"Do you need to get your school books today?" Mr. Watson questioned the girl with a raise of his eyebrow. Harley shook her head.

"Not yet sir. I haven't gotten my letter from school yet." She paused as she looked to Regulus and the back to Mr. Watson. Leaning forward she spoke in a softer voice. "I was wondering if you knew where I could get some charmed and magical objects, some that protect your things." She explained with a small move of her hands. "Also do you know where I can get a bottomless trunk? So I can have my own rooms inside it and some protection spells already on it so no one can break into it." Harley questioned.

Mr. Watson murmured thoughtfully to himself in thought at her question. The only place he could think of was Knockturn Alley to find the bottomless trunk. All the other objects she could get at the many shops in Diagon Alley. "You can find most of the things you want here in Diagon Alley." The manager of Flourish and Blotts paused. "The bottomless trunk you'd have to go into Knockturn Alley. I don't know any store that has one here." The shopkeeper stated. Harley nodded her head in thanks.

"Well, I best get my shopping done then. I think I've bought have of your store by now." Harley joked. Though it was more than likely. With the dozens upon dozens of books she had in her possession, hidden away in her closet, underneath loose floorboards, under her bed and in her trunk. They where all safely tucked away. She was making her own personal library it seemed. "I think I'm going to go search for a few books now. Do you mind if you get me some of my other spell books for me, Mr. Watson?" The young twelve year old questioned.

"Not at all Ms. Potter. Do you have any specific spell books in mind or should I just go with what's written on here and take a guess as to what you want?" Mr. Watson asked. The intelligently advanced twelve years old gave a shrug.

"I think you can find the ones I like." She stated with a smile. "Come on Reggie, help me find some books." She stated towards Regulus who had begun to read a book. Looking up he rolled his eyes underneath his hood and followed after the girl. Departing from the shopkeeper the two wandered in the other direction, towards the stairs. Harley jogged up the stairs to the second floor, following Regulus. "Hmm…Animagi…Animagi." The stunning, emerald, green-eyed girl muttered to herself as her feet thumped against the wooden floor as she wandered down the aisles of books, looking down the rows of shelves of books.

"How about this. I go searching for wandless and nonverbal magic and you search for whatever you're looking for." Regulus suggested from beside the girl with a raise of his eyebrow.

"Sounds fine with me." She stated without looking away from the rows of multi colored books stacked neatly against each other. As Regulus turned the corner to look in another aisle, his cloak fluttering out of sight, a few books caught Harley's attention. "Hmm… Powers Of A Natural…Powers Of The Pentagram?" She questioned with curiosity as she stared at the two books in front of her propped up on the shelves. Raising her hands she lifted the first book off the shelf, wrapping her hand the bind of the book, she felt her hand become warm and tingly. The warm and tingly feeling shot up her arm giving herself the chills as a shiver shot down her spine.

The book she held in her hand was a dark shade of purple with the golden words, 'Powers Of A Natural' across it in glimmering lettering. She raised her hand and rubbed her fingers lightly over the smooth cover of the book. Holding the book underneath her arm she reached for the second book. This book was darker, in a shimmering black and midnight blue color. The letters, 'Power Of The Pentagram' glittered in a dark green texture. The book sent a cold rush through Harley's hand and arm, causing a shiver to shoot down her spin again, causing Goosebumps to rise on her arms. "Wow…" She muttered in the shock. The power these two books made her feel was incredible. Shaking her head she held the two books tightly in her hands as she met up with Regulus who held a large amount of different books in his arms.

"Figured, you'd like most of these books. I was a bit like you when I was younger. I was fascinated with learning everything I could. I did get as much learning as I could of course." Regulus explained with a shrug. The two walked past the aisles of bookshelves. "Then again, the Dark Lord…Voldemort –" He fought off a shutter at speaking his name. " – Taught many of his fellow followers dark magic." Regulus shuttered at the images that flashed through his mind at the past memories that still haunted him. He had realized, years ago, that he should have followed his older brother. That he should have listened to him. But he hadn't and that had to lead him to faking his death and living almost like a Muggle. Luckily, he still had his wand.

"I should have listened to my older brother in my school years. I was too arrogant though. Thought of him a blood traitor." He stated to the young girl who listened attentively to what he was saying. The two walked down the stairs and headed towards the register, a large pile of books where on the counter. Setting the other books they intended to get, Regulus looked to the girl. "Do you even have enough money for all those?" He questioned, nodding his head towards the books.

"I do. All my work I get a day, I have about two hundred pounds and eighty pence. In a week, including weekends." She replied with a smirk at the surprised look on the older males face. "I work a lot." She explained. Smiling she handed over the needed money and picked the books up that she had bought. They fit in four bags all together, with about seven books in each. She had a hundred and ninety pounds left. Having spent ninety pounds all together for the books. Harley was lucky enough to get discounts because the manager liked her so much.

"You buy a lot of books." Regulus muttered with a shake of his head. He was still hidden beneath his hood as he walked out of the store with Harley.

"I know." She replied. "It helps me learn more, since we don't learn much in school besides simple things." She explained with a shrug. "Now, we need to go to a few other stores to get the rest of the stuff I want and then to Knockturn Alley for that chest." She ordered with a smile at Regulus's frown that she could see from the shadows of his hood.

"For the love of Merlin. I feel like I'm shopping with my mother again." Regulus muttered under his breath as he followed after the younger girl.

"I heard that." Harley called over her shoulder. "I'd dread to be told I'm like your mother. From what I've read in books, she wasn't a pleasant person." The raven-haired twelve-year-old explained.

"I don't think anyone would want to be told they're like my mother." Regulus chuckled huskily with a shake of his head. The duo walked past the many shops as they headed towards a shop near the far back, besides Knockturn Alley. "Are you sure you should be heading towards a place like Knockturn Alley?" The man questioned warily. He didn't need the girl getting into trouble if she was caught down there. Harley glanced over at Regulus with a raise of her eyebrow.

"What, you afraid or something?" She questioned with a snicker. Looking away from him she looked back in front of herself. "I'll be fine. As long as I have something to cover my head with so I won't be seen. There shouldn't be a problem." Harley explained with a careless shrug. Though she wasn't exactly excited about going to a place like Knockturn Alley, but she wanted that bottomless trunk, and she was going to get it. Even if it meant going down to the dark alleyway where dark wizards and witches stayed. With a mental scoff at her thoughts she appeared in front of one of the many shops she needed to get some of her things out of and stepped inside with Regulus not too far behind her.

There you go. I finally got Chapter Four up! Go me!

Did I shock some of you with the mysterious figure revealed? Who would have thought Regulus Black would still be alive? Harley sure didn't.

Let's see. Next chapter, Harley gets to go shopping in Knockturn Alley. Not that she wants to...but she's dead set on getting that bottomless trunk. I wonder what will happen while the two of them are down there? Any guesses?

I hope I got the correct term for money in the UK right? If not, please tell me the correct term for money. I looked up the correct terms, but it still confused the hell out of me.

Also, I believe I already said this, but sixth and seventh year in my story (though I know that's a long ways away) is going to be different then the books, but similar in some aspects.

R&R and tell me what you think. I love good reviews, criticism and what not. But bad criticism will do as well. Anything to make this story better, if that's possible. ;)

I also have a Poll up on my homepage, so you can all check it out for me! Though I have a vague idea of what's going to happen over the years for Harley when it comes to 'love'.

Your Writer,

TheWeepingRaven