Disclaimer: I am nothing but a worshipper of the great J.K. Rowling playing in her universe. Anything you recognize is not mine.

A/N: Updated 03-06-2005

DARK PHOENIX

Chapter 6: Shopping and Dark Magic

Harry's shopping was going even better than he had expected. The twins' disguise was working even better than expected and he had yet to meet anyone from either the Order or the Death Eaters. And the Ministry of Magic obviously had other fish to fry, what with Fudge finally admitting the Dark Lord was back.

Harry had to admit the disguise was very good. No, it was excellent. They had given him very self-effacing clothes so that he could blend in. These clothes had a small Notice-Me-Not charm and a subtle yet complex charm that made shopkeepers forget about him. Not forget completely, they would remember they had a customer. However, they would not remember his features or what exactly he had bought.

The twins had also used him as guinea pig for their new line of self-transfigurative candies. One sweet gave him light brown hair and another, brown eyes. The twins had tried to get him to try the blue hair and pink eyes until Harry reminded them that he was trying to be inconspicuous. They had hidden his scar with a simple bandana, which wasn't uncommon in the Wizarding world. Youths tended to avoid tall pointy hats during rebellious years.

So, finally free of his fame, at least for the day, Harry had shopped. He had started by getting himself a new trunk. Having plenty of money, he easily bought himself a deluxe three-compartment trunk. It was a similar model to Moody's but more fancy and with fewer compartments. It also had an auto-shrink feature so he could carry it in his pocket.

Once he had something to put his clothes in, Harry proceeded to get himself a new wardrobe. It was a good thing none of the twins' candy had modified his proportions; that would've been awkward. So Harry had shopped for clothes for the first time in his life. Yes, he had bought clothes before. However he had not shopped. It was pleasant, though he wouldn't want to do that every week. Trying clothes was tiring.

It took over three hours but finally he had a decent wardrobe. In fact, it was more than a decent wardrobe. It was a spectacular wardrobe. Probably even Malfoy would agree.

The next thing on his shopping list had been the bookstore. After a quick lunch in the Leaky Cauldron, Harry went to Flourish and Blotts. He started by picking up his sixth year books. He had received very good marks on his OWL's and was taking Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and, surprisingly, Potions. Somehow, Harry had managed an Outstanding on that one and was now in Professor Snape's NEWT class. McGonagall might have had something to do with it, but he wasn't sure.

Once he had gathered all his books, he browsed for a few extra titles. He was looking for duelling books as well as ritual books. The duelling books simply because quite a few people wanted him dead and knowing hexes was always a good thing. The ritual books were for a more obscure reason. First, he wanted to look for the Loyalty Spell and see what exactly it implied. Second, he wanted to find out what was the ritual Voldemort had used to create a new body. His blood had been part of the resurrection and he wanted to know how that affected had affected Voldemort as well as how it had affected himself.

While the first type of book was easily found, the second one was by far a lot more uncommon and those that he found were more or less incomplete. Rituals, it seemed, were mostly considered Dark magic. Giving up after two hours of fruitless search, Harry paid for the books he had chosen and went to Plan B.

There was another book shop in Knockturn Alley. Harry was hoping he wouldn't have to go there, but he needed the information. So he put his faith in the twins' disguise and stepped in the dark street.

He quickly came to the small bookstore. Inside, it was stuffy and foreboding. However Harry was on a mission, so he shrugged off the feeling and started browsing.

The books here were definitely not school material. Some of them were just plain nasty. However a great many, though indubitably Dark, were very, very interesting.

Harry had picked out a book and was currently leafing through it when a familiar voice spoke to him.

"Rather young to be in such a place on your own, don't you think?" Harry turned in the direction of the voice. He felt his blood freeze in his veins. Standing beside him was Draco Malfoy.

After a moment Harry remembered he was disguised and Draco probably did not recognize him.

"I could return the statement," Harry replied, finally recovering from his shock and trying to look disinterested.

"Oh, I'm not on my own," Draco countered, unfazed, "My aunt is in the back looking through some boring old scrolls." He glanced curiously at the book Harry was holding.

Harry, on the other hand, was panicked for a moment. Bellatrix Lestrange was here! Then he realized that she probably wouldn't recognize him either. It was risky, but Harry hadn't found what he needed yet. He had to stay. Besides, leaving right now would be too suspicious.

And as much as he wanted to, he couldn't just barge in the backstore and kill her, though he wanted to very badly. Eventually, he told himself to quell the rage that was rising in him. She'll get what she deserves, for Sirius and for Neville…

"Good choice." Draco interrupted his musings. "This tome has very, er, interesting curses. I rather enjoyed it. I do recommend you take it."

"Oh, euhm, well, I'm not sure yet. I'm just interested in the theory, really," Harry stuttered.

"Let me guess: another one who's squeamish about using "Dark" Magic?" Draco mocked him.

"Well, it is evil."

"It is not, actually. Magic is a tool, only subjected to the intent of the user. It is no more evil than a knife. It can be used to cut vegetables or to kill. It only depends on the will of the caster, nothing more. Dark Magic owes its reputation to the fact that evil wizards like to use it as the average Dark curse is more powerful than other more "acceptable" curses."

"That is a rather different philosophy. I was led to believe that Dark Magic corrupted the caster."

"It is not the magic that corrupts, but power. Power comes in different forms, politics, money and magic amongst others. All three of them can corrupt. However, Dark Magic is not harmless. It may not be evil, but it has to be used with caution. It is more... demanding than everyday spells. Here," Draco slipped a large tome off a shelf, "This one explains it better than I ever could. The theory may be dull, but it is essential to know or you might have nasty secondary effects."

"Ah, er, thanks. That was very enlightening."

"It was my pleasure. Now I should return in the back before my aunt loses her mind in some old scroll."

With that Draco Malfoy disappeared in a small door. Harry rounded up his purchases, including a very large tome on rituals and Draco's suggestion, paid for them and was once again in the street.

Carrying his books in a featherweight bag, Harry was heading back towards Diagon Alley when he felt something.

Something was wrong. No, not wrong, not exactly. He had a foreign feeling. He concentrated, trying to figure what it was. Something was... calling to him. Yes, it was unmistakable. Something was calling and Harry's whole being strained to answer that call. It was getting stronger with every moment that passed.

Slowly, Harry took a step forward. Then another. And before he knew it, he was following that call, as if in a trance.

TBC