The Tangibility of Magic
Jolly Rancher
Chapter 4: Knockturn Alley and the Dursleys
Harry nodded his consent. "Okay, I'll get it to you the day after tomorrow. Goodbye, sir."
"Farewell Mr. Potter."
Harry exited the store and readied himself to go into Knockturn Alley.
Harry took put his cloak on and took a deep breath. He entered Knockturn Alley and looked around. It was exactly as he saw it four years ago. Dark, dank, and a stench like a latrine. Unlike Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley was filled with people, or at least they looked like people. I guess the people here have nothing to worry about; Voldemort would never attack Knockturn Alley.
Harry saw a few hags and vampires, and some other creatures that he couldn't identify. All were hidden under a cloak like his, so he didn't need to worry about being conspicuous, like he was in The Leaky Cauldron. He decided to go to the bookstore that Nigellus had told him about, Acerbus Libri.
Harry entered the store, but nothing tinkled in the background. The store was dark and musty, and he couldn't see any people in the store other than himself. He walked around and looked through some of the books. Crap, these books are perfect. Oh, gross, a curse that turns your body inside out? I wouldn't mind trying that on Bellatrix. Harry smirked evilly at the last thought. Wait a moment, why are these books out for all too see? Wouldn't the ministry confiscate these books? I'll have to ask the owner about that.
He went to the desk and placed his choice of books on the counter. The man behind the desk sneered at him, and counted up the price of the books. "Why are all these books out for everyone to see? I'm sure most, if not all, of the items that you have in your store are illegal. Aren't you scared that they'll come in and confiscate them?"
"You're a fucking fool if you think I don't take precautions against that. There's a charm on the books that lets only people who aren't loyal to the ministry see them. Otherwise, all they see are books on the ways of sex." He gave a harsh laugh. "That makes them leave red-faced and in a hurry."
Harry grinned in amusement. "Tell me the charm."
The man gave a snort. "Give me five galleons."
Harry reached within his moneybag and pulled out five gold galleons. He threw them in front of the gobsmacked store owner and said, "Tell me."
"Are for real? You would waste five galleons for that charm? What a moron." He shrugged and took the money. "Your loss."
Harry growled. "Just tell me the damn charm."
The man glared and said, "The spell is 'despecto' and you have to move your wand around it in a circular fashion. While you're doing this you have to envision what type of people you want to see the book. Then think about what you want this book to look like to the people who don't fall under that category." He charged the books to the credit card that Harry gave him
"Thanks." With that said, Harry walked out the store.
Now where too? Harry thought. He wandered around Knockturn Alley for a while, looking for a place to go too. He noticed a shop that sold different types of reptiles and walked in. In the store he saw a multitude of cold-blooded animals. There were lizards, snakes, and more. Nice. I never thought of getting a snake. It could be good company when Hedwig's gone. I wonder what kinds they have here…
He walked around the store looking at the different kinds of snakes. There were several venomous and dangerous snakes, as well as non-venomous. The store had a very wide selection of reptiles. He was looking at the card detailing a particularly venomous snake when the shop owner came up to him and said in an oily voice, "Why, that is a fine specimen that you have picked out sir," He smiled at Harry. "But I have an even better pick for you. Come to the back with me, I'll show you."
Harry sneered and said, "Why don't you bring whatever it is over here? I'm not going to go anywhere with you."
"Of course, sir." The man simpered. "If you would just wait here for a moment."
Harry nodded his head in acquiescence and watched as the man went into the back. Harry gasped in surprise when he saw what the storeowner was carrying. It was a runespoor. Hagrid had told them about the three-headed snake, but couldn't get one to show them. It was amazing, livid orange with black stripes, with a length of about seven inches. While he was staring at the snake the storeowner started to talk to him.
"It's not very old, just a few months. That's why it's so small. It will reach about one and a half feet in two years time. Doesn't cost that much either! Only thirty-five galleons."
Harry finished staring at the runespoor and glared at the man. "I know that the snake doesn't cost that much. What do you take me for, a fool? I'll pay no more than twenty-five galleons."
The storeowner glared at Harry and said, "That is much too low. Thirty galleons then!"
Harry snorted. "Twenty-five galleons, or nothing at all. I'm not going to be swindled."
He started to walk for the door, but the storeowner cut him off. "Fine! Twenty-five galleons."
Harry smirked and turned back to the owner. He gave him his credit card and took the three-headed snake while the man charged for the snake. The runespoor was sleeping right now, so he couldn't talk to it. He couldn't wait for it to wake up.
He questioned the man on the eating habits of the runespoor and learned that the runespoor ate mostly rats. He would have to wash it at least once a week with warm water. He learned of the specifics of each head, and how to stop the dreamer and planner from killing the critic.
He walked outside carrying his newly bought snake in a small cage in his pocket. The cage was for protection, in case the snake woke up and bit him. He looked at his watch at saw that it was already six o' clock. He decided that he was finished shopping, so he made his way out of Knockturn Alley. He entered Diagon Alley and set off towards The Leaky Cauldron.
He got the same suspicious looks that he had gotten before in the Leaky Cauldron, so he exited quickly. He sighed, he really didn't want to go back in the Knight Bus, but it was the fastest transportation. He called the Knight Bus and glared at Stan before he could begin his speech. He gave him the money and sat down on one of the beds. Thankfully, there weren't any passengers beside him, so he could relax.
He sighed as he sat down. His legs were hurting like mad! I am never going to shop that long again. He thought as he rubbed his legs. He suddenly remembered something and groaned. Oh bugger. I have to go shopping with Cathy tomorrow in the Muggle world. And then I have to think of a way to get into Hogwarts, go to the Chamber of Secrets, get the Basilisk, and get out before Dumbledore notices that I'm there. Damn. Shit, I'll have to get a lot of rest tonight.
The bus gave a great lurch, and they were suddenly in Little Whinging. He got on his aching feet and exited the bus, handing Stan some extra money to keep quiet about him. He walked the short distance to his 'home' and opened the door. At least, he tried to, but the door was locked. Goddamn it, I don't have the time for this. My feet are hurting, and I have a baby runespoor in my pocket.
He removed his cloak and withdrew his wand. He smirked evilly to himself and thought, Should I use a blasting charm, or just go with the simple unlocking charm? A blasting charm will teach the Dursley's not to lock me out, but it would cause unwanted attention. Oh shit. He suddenly remembered the guard that was watching the house…and he wasn't supposed to be outside.He muttered a charm that enveloped the surrounding area in a red glow that was only visible to him. Moody had taught him the charm so that he could be constantly vigilant. This charm should show me where the Order guard is located. Now who's guarding me?
He searched around, and finally found someone underneath an invisibility cloak. The person seemed to be sitting down, resting against a tree. Harry walked cautiously towards him/her too see who it was. As he got closer, he smelt the overwhelming smell of used cigars. Must be Dung. He seems to be sleeping, but do I really have that much good luck? Apparently Harry did. Fletcher didn't make a movement as Harry kneeled next to him. Harry smiled in relief and went back to the front door. He decided to do the unlocking charm, since he didn't want to wake Mundungnus. He walked in to find Dudley and his Uncle Vernon watching a boxing match on TV while his Aunt Petunia washed the dishes. As soon as Vernon saw him, he jumped up (which is a great feat considering his weight), and started screaming at him.
"Boy! How dare you show your freaky face in this house! First you blockade your door, and then you disappear for the whole day! Your aunt has had to wash the dishes, even though it's your chore. Now you will-"
"I'll do nothing Uncle Vernon," Harry said coldly. "I've been doing things for you all my life, while Dudley has been sitting on his fat behind and bullying kids. Why doesn't Dudley have chores?"
Purple splotches appeared on Vernon's face as Harry spoke back to him. "Dudley isn't a goddamn freak. And how dare you call him fat! That's all muscle! We took you in out of the goodness of our hearts, and you haven't shown an ounce of gratitude! We have given you the clothes on your ungrateful back, so we expect you to do something to pay for all that we've done for you, boy!"
Harry snorted and said, "Goodness of your hearts? That's funny. I've been nothing more than a servant for you for the past fifteen years! Hell, not even a servant, a slave! At least servants get paid! And for the last time, the only things you've given me are Dudley's hand me downs!"
Vernon's face was purpler than Aunt Petunia's ugly purple skirt that she was currently wearing. He gave a growl and leaped toward Harry, ready to backhand Harry.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Vernon froze in midair and fell to the ground painfully. Dudley, who had been watching gleefully from the sofa, gasped in horror and hid behind the sofa, which did absolutely nothing to hide him. Aunt Petunia shrieked and rushed over to her husband.
"Vernon! Vernon! Get up Vernon, get up!"
Harry smiled in amusement. "Relax Aunt Petunia. He's not dead. He's just paralyzed from head to toe."
Petunia looked at him in relief and then glared at him. "Why you little freak! Take it off! Take it off righ-"
Harry winced as his aunt's screeching made his eardrums throb. "Silencio!"
Harry smiled as the throbbing disappeared. "You know, I've been waiting so long to do that to you. I feels really good."
He laughed loudly when he saw his aunt trying to scream at him, but failing miserably. "Cat got your tongue, o aunt of mine?" He winced, that was really lame. 'Sorry, bad joke."
He heard a whimper and smirked. He turned around and said, "Oh hello Dudley. Don't worry, I didn't forget you. I mean, how could I forget you? You only take up my whole field of view."
Dudley suddenly remembered something and smiled maliciously. He stood up and said, "You used magic!"
Harry stared at him and said very slowly, "Yes, yes I did Dudley. That's why I'm called a wizard."
Dudley glowered at him and said, "You'll be expelled from your freaky school now!"
Harry laughed. "You really are as stupid as you are fat aren't you Dud? Have you seen any Ministry owls? I found out a way to get rid of all the detection charms on my wand. I can do all the magic I want."
Dudley stopped smiling and started to whimper again. He looked on fearfully as Harry pointed his wand at him.
"I learned a few new dark curses last night Dudley," Harry said conversationally. "I just need someone to test them on. Let's see, there's one that disembowels a person. I'll do that one!"
Dudley screamed as Harry shot a curse at him. Of course, Harry wasn't that evil. He didn't have the time to learn any new curses anyway. He had just muttered a small pain curse. He released it after a minute. He saw his aunt still standing frozen by Uncle Vernon and said, "If you don't bother me, I won't bother you. Just leave me alone."
He took the spells of his aunt and uncle and walked upstairs to his room. He took of his clothes and carefully placed the still sleeping runespoor onto the drawer. He then climbed into his enlarged bed wearing only his boxers.
Taken from JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I'm not going to detail the runespoor, but you can click on this link, #runespoor, to get information and a picture of it.
A/N: Here is chapter
four of The Tangibility of Magic.
I hope you all liked it.
Chapter five should be up by Monday. I'm driving to San Francisco,
so I have a lot of time to write in the car. Updates later might be a
little delayed, since I just started to write a DragonBall Z fanfic.
Check it out, and tell me if its good.
Comments welcome. Flames as well.