Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Chapter 4: Dark Arts, Dark Seer
This is his second trip to dark, humid, and creepy Knockturn Alley. He still disliked this place. Nevertheless, the circumstances didn't provoke him. No goose bumps, anxiety, or fear similar to his first. Occasionally, a horrible wizard or witch surveyed him threateningly, which he ignored lightly. Their auras, from what he comprehended, were not the powerful one and their frightening looks were likely armor for their weakness. An aura-reading skill was quite useful to appraise a witch/wizard. He was not regret to buy some guidebooks for it. Furthermore, they also taught him how to fake his own.
His bag was half-full with dark equipments and ingredients after three hours shopping. The last and the main in his list was a bookstore: Williams. He failed to elucidate his incredible improvement in these three weeks. As a dry sponge, he soaked up all the books he could obtain within a week. His five senses became really sensitive even to the lightest stimuli. Diagon Alley had bore him to death, therefore he encouraged himself to set foot in this forbidden alley. He had overheard that Williams was the best in Knockturn Alley. It put various Dark Arts books on display outside. Inside, it was dim but neat. There was no other customer, when he came in. Alex glanced through some of the books, which overestimate their fellows at Flourish and Botts.
"Can I help you?" A short man appeared in a dry voice, switching Alex's attention from Original Dark Spells.
"Yes, I am looking for some books." replied Alex. The shopkeeper evaluated him carefully.
"Oh, I'm sure you will find the correct books here. How about this? " He grabbed a book, which to Alex's caution was belonged to the easiest section.
"It was really popular nowadays, Sir. Everyone must have one. Or you prefer this" The man lowered down his voice in persuasive way "Ease your extreme magic learning"
Typical good-seeking-for-profit shopkeeper. He abhorred all these nonsense. What the man kept offering him were nothing than guidebook for beginner dark wizard. It will be better to stop that man before he began more manipulative.
"I think I have known the correct books" That round face smiled victoriously. "Which one, Sir?"
"Those ones" Alex pointed at the corner bookshelves "The second from the right uppermost shelf, then the first and the seventh from second shelf, and the second and the last from the bottom shelf"
The shopkeeper gasped in shock "Which shelves, Sir?"
"The one in the right corner, beside the window."
The face became purple. Alex barely heard the man muttered, "He can see the shelves. Impossible". He kept on repeating his words and didn't see to realize a short old man had been standing behind him.
"Polcast" The man jumped "Mr. William" and started whispering in Mr. William's left ear. Alex felt being glanced often. However, he was not annoyed and busying himself observing other section.
"Young man, what do you think about this store?" Mr. William asked in high friendly tone, simply reminded Alex of Mr. Ollivander.
"Honestly, People were not exaggerating when they informed me that this is the best bookstore in Knockturn Alley"
"Thank you for the compliment, Sir" Mr. William laughed before seriously spoke again "Polcast, told me about your uncommon interest"
"Has he? I supposed those books are not for sell. I will really appreciate if you reconsider it, Sir. Money is not a problem."
"You are wrong, young man. Those books do for sell but only to the right person. Now, tell me why you choose them?"
Alex didn't expect to meet such a question. It was both easy and tricky. He didn't know what answer Mr. William hoped for, while he awfully longed for those books. After a few seconds of thinking, he finally answered "I choose them simply because of it's contain. Their ancient dark arts are rare and fascinating, mixture of magic, spirit, and nature. Truthfully, I don't really know kind what book is that. Knowing that I am not ought to see it doesn't help either."
His answer was enough to satisfy Mr. William. "You can read those books already mean you are chosen. Have you ever heard about Ancient Dark Arts?"
He nodded.
"Those books are one of the most ancient dark artifacts and the oldest magic branch, untouched until the proper owner emerged. Their magic has power to conquered nature, life and time. They were not seen by people, except the chosen. You, Sir are one of them" Mr. William swung around his head, therefore he and Alex made eye contact.
"How do they select the proper owner?"
"I don't know. They are not created by man but something beyond our imagination. Most people believed that they only picked sorcerers, who have ability to conquer their force. That's all I can tell you" He added when he saw great curiosity in Alex's eyes
"Thank you for your explanation, Sir" Half-upset, he went to the counter table and asked for the price.
"It will be 60 galleons and 8 sickles. Please take the books by yourself. I can't help you. I'm not the chosen one" The old man told Alex as he gave him the exchanged money.
"But you see it, don't you?"
"No, I don't see it, though I wish I can. I am only told. It has been this bookstore's tale." Mr. Williams smiled again. His eyes met Alex's. "I am quite delighted to meet one before my death."
Alex was strolling in narrow passageway in Knockturn Alley. Guilty hung in his heart. Am I wrong coming here? He knew that Knockturn Alley was not a right place for anyone on his age. Moreover, he didn't have any desire to be dark wizard, although his father and grandfather were ones. He only hungered for a bit of power to protect himself. In this day and age, he couldn't separate friends from foes or foes from friends. The single survival had to be earned by a great endeavor and to achieve it; he shouldn't count on anyone.
Now, he was frightened of what he might discover. The knowledge of his heritage, wand, and ancient dark arts were adding burden to his complexity life. Not the power, that concerns him, he used to have them. It was something, something he couldn't tell.
The passageway leads to a dead-end. He was cursing himself for daydreaming. About to changed direction when a short hooded figure embraced his leg with her wrinkled thin hand.
"Finally, you come" a low deep husky voice said in a gleeful mode.
"Let me go! What do you want?" Trying to free his leg
"Young man, listen to what I am going to tell you. This is about your future." Alex stopped wriggling while the woman continued in the same husky version.
Heir to light and dark
Half- blooded and marked
Life from sacrifices
Power from trials
Five times, he will trust his life
On the hand of the wrong side
Choose between friend and family
Either will lead him to glory
Man will bow under his reign
Creature will joint in his name
As the new era begin
And the woman vanished in dark, left Alex completely dazed. He couldn't endure to run, out from the passageway. His face was pale and his robe wet due to the cold sweat.
"Seeing ghost are you?" a bended-nose man grinning, still smoking from his pipe.
"None of you business." Trying to catch his breath, he was embarrassed, being caught red-handed by a stranger.
"I take that as yes. You are lucky, kid. Less people can witness the dark seer"
"What are you saying?" No answer.
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" He was losing his temper and pointed his wand at that man. Out of his awareness, his aura blazed up.
"I.. s.saay da…dark seer." The man was trembling. His pupil dilated. "Ple….please don't kill me"
Still with the wand pointed, he asked "Tell me more about this seer"
"Da..dark seer only app…pears when there is a pro..prophecy that will come true."
Alex lowered his wand and left the terrified man.
He perched on Tom's bar stool, took a shot of Butterbeer more to soothe his nerves than to quench his thirst.
"So, he has been found?" The sentences came from a table, which was placed precisely behind his seat.
"Yes, Daily Prophet has confirmed the veracity"
"How is his condition? Was he tortured by the death eaters or You-Know-Who?" Alex sharpen his ears, this alluring conversation roused his worry about the safety of his friends.
"They not mention so much. As far as I know he is okay."
"Do they mention how Dumbledore save him?"
"I already told you they don't mention so much."
"Are you sure he is really Harry Potter?" Alex's heart pounded from shock. For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
"Certainly, if he were not, Albus Dumbledore would figure it out. After all, he is the one who announce this encouraging news to Daily Prophet this morning"
"Yeah" He lowered his voice "Do you ever think Harry Potter might join You-Know-Who?"
"Sometimes. It is a mere assumption still. That boy doesn't have any reason to join He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"
"That's what you think, not him. I have ever met many wizards who turned to him on account of power or fear. We dunno whether Harry Potter can be put in this category"
"I don't want to talk about it. That boy doesn't deserve this insult. His life is already a misery."
"You are right. Just kick his ass if he turns to You-Know-Who" Flat laughter escaped from his mouth. His fellow didn't laugh and so did Alex.
He remembered his fourth year. Another imposter? What Voldemort is planning for?
"I apologized for disturbing you, Sir. I believed this is yours" Tom handed him a letter.
Mr. Alexander Riddle
Leaky Cauldron
Room Number 7
"Thank you, Tom" He ripped opened it along the way to his room.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Dear Mr. Riddle,
We are glad to inform you, that we have received your letter and considered about your request. We agreed to give you a three month period of probation at our school. The new term will be started on September 1. We are looking forward to your attendance.
The list of Hogwarts' subjects and books are enclosed. Please mark the subject you choose and send it back so we can arrange the schedule for you.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts
It was exactly a ticket he needed. In less than a week, he will meet that imposter. He will find out who he is and what he is for.
A/n: I have my examinations this week, so the post is a bit late. I hope you like this chapter
Can someone be my beta?