Harry walked back to Marge's cottage at a leisurely pace not wanting to arrive any sooner than was absolutely necessary, he wasn't a masochist after all, and wanted to enjoy what was left of his freedom, with his luck the assholes would have blocked up the hole in the back of the shed were they 'stored' him and moments like this during the rest of the week would be few and far between.
Finally after slowly trudging back to his doom he arrived, Dudley was no where in sight but that was to be expected the little bastard was probably inside glued to the telly. His arrival did not remain unnoticed for long as Ripper noticed him and began barking loudly causing an oblivious Vernon to spot the wayward boy from the kitchen window and come barrelling out the door bellowing at the top of his lungs. "BOY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING RUNNING OFF! SNEAKING LITTLE BASTARD GET YOUR SORRY ASS INSIDE!" With that he roughly dragged a furious Harry into the house. Harry was brought before Marge and Petunia who were sipping tea and glaring at Harry as though his very being there was sullying the place.
Vernon started to yell again in a slightly lower tone his flabby jowls quivered and his face became a patchwork of various shades of puce. "I have had enough of your disrespectful shit boy you will do as I say or you will regret you were ever born! Now go do the dishes and you might get to eat tonight." Vernon directed a kick to the back of Harry's legs which the boy deftly dodged on his way to the sink.
Harry roughly scrubbed a weeks worth of dirty plates, cups, and cutlery which he knew had been saved just for him, he hated the Dursley's with a vengeance wanting nothing more than to be rid of them, it took all of his self control not to draw his wand from his sock and reap years worth of revenge from their disgusting hides but he didn't want to bring unwanted attention to himself, so he set about doing his chores while mentally going over all the most embarrassing and 'unnatural' curses and hexes he knew, dreaming of the day he would hold back no longer and the Dursley's would learn to fear him. After he had finished washing the mound of dishes Harry was forced to serve to serve dinner like some whipped house elf. Dinner began with all the usual manners of pigs the Dursley's were famous for. Things were going as well as could be expected under such circumstances, but Marge had to open the misshapen hole that was situated on her face, otherwise known as her mouth.
She fixed a lurid leer on her face an stared at Harry "so this useless brat has been causing you trouble Vernon?" She asked her brother who was gulping beer like it was water.
Vernon gazed some what drunkenly at his corpulent sister and spoke "that he has Marge that he has." He glared menacingly at the small boy standing rigidly in the corner.
Marge replied back in an equally false manner "you know Vernon if I had had a brat dropped off on my door step It would have gone straight to an orphanage!" She smiled sweetly, Harry was forcibly reminded of Umbridge and had to repress a shudder he swore those two could pass off as sisters in look and personality.
Vernon banged his fist onto the table, causing the horrible kitten plates on the wall to rattle dangerously and Dudley's milk to slop onto his already food smeared pants, and bellow "I THINK YOUR RIGHT MARGE! WE COULD HAVE BOUGHT A HOME IN MAJOCIA WITH WHAT WE HAVE SPENT ON THIS LITTLE BASTARD ALREADY!" Harry snorted silently to himself bullshit they hadn't spent a penny, stupid fuckers. It didn't matter Marge was working Vernon into a frenzy, and enjoying every moment of it, if the foul sneer like smile on her hideous face was any indication.
"I totally agree, nasty little brat has been a drain on your family since the moment he arrived," Vernon bellowed his agreement, while Dudley was still shoving food in his mouth as though he would never eat again and ignoring the high pitched chiding of his mother warning that if he didn't slow down he would choke. Not a word was spoken for several moments while the group at the table ate under the glare of the skinny boy in the corner, until Marge decided to make inquiries, "What was it the boy's parents did again?"
Vernon stared at her stupidly until Petunia decided to supply the answer out of the kindness of her heart that was if she actually had one beating in her boney chest and not a ball of pounding black ooze that Harry had long since believed she possessed. "They were unemployed Marge dear."
Marge nodded her large head in agreement, "that make sense that does, the rotten little hell spawn in the corner was bound to be the foul creation of two no good layabouts!" Harry had to grit his teeth to stop from retorting and forced himself to continue to think of the nastiest hexes he could imagine. All he could hope for was for the bitch at the table to shut her trap, fat chance of that happening anytime this century.
Dudley chortled loudly the mashed potato he had in his mouth spewed across the table and into Petunia's hair, "wret yoos ar amt Merge!"
Harry lost what little control he had left and shouted "shut your face you stupid shit before I beat your fat face into the ground again!" His chest heaving Harry turned to face the outraged trio of adults.
Vernon his face changing colours like a traffic light bellowed, "how dare you! APOLOGIZE TO DUDDERS NOW!" Harry's face was drenched in a shower of spit.
Harry glared back defiantly "NEVER!" It no longer mattered he was finished with his self restraint, mentally he dared them to push him further yearning for the excuse to curse them to oblivion.
Marge took up arms next "Why you nasty little shit, you ought to have…" She didn't have a chance to finish all the china in the room exploded with a deafening crack silencing every one. A moment passed and the only noise was the heavy breaths of a panting Vernon. Finally Marge spoke up "died with your no good parents you little fucking bastard!"
The look of rage on Harry's face made the Dursley's take a step back, one moment they were revelling a Marge was about to lay into there unwanted nephews hide the next they were one step from cowering in terror at the malice that was pouring off the skinny boy in waves. In a voice barely above a whisper he addressed Marge "fuck you!"
Marge taunted back "little brat refuses to mind his manners does he? Nothing a good caning wouldn't…" She broke off gasping for air and clutching her throat, the rest of the Dursley's gazed on in horror as they slowly watched Marge suffocate. Dudley began to cry in large very fake sobs as he watched with barely contained glee as his mother in a panic fumbled with the telephone, Ripper whined as his master collapsed. After a few agonizingly slow minutes passed Marge's body gave one final shudder and her blue face locked in a expression of fear.
Vernon whirled around to face the shocked boy in the corner, the boy looked back horror and shame the most evident emotions on his face. Vernon roared and attacked, Harry was too stunned to react even as Ripper lunged, a vicious punch connected to the side of his head and he knew no more.
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Harry awoke after an indeterminate amount of time had passed, the side of his head was caked with what could only be dried blood, he couldn't feel his left arm, and the rest of his body felt as though he had been trampled by a herd of crazed hippogriffs. Groaning he opened his eyes to blackness the familiar weight of his glasses gone, after a moment of clumsily poking and prodding his unfamiliar carpeted surroundings he deducted he was locked in the boot of the Dursley's car, the fuckers why would they lock him in here? He searched his memory all of diner was fuzzy, then he remembered his throat went dry he had killed her squeezed the life right out of her, he had murdered her, he had murdered Aunt Marge… His breath quicken as he began to panic despite the splintering pain in his chest. His mind went into overdrive as he raced through all possible scenarios of his being in the boot but he began to become fixated on one the Dursley's were going to kill him, bury him in a shallow grave. The car hit a rather large bump and pain was too much and he passed out again…
The next time he awoke from the force of the car screeching to a halt, this was it he thought through a haze of pain he was going to die but nothing came he was locked in the darkness, he finally drifted off into a fitful slumber and didn't notice the furious floating figure retrieve him from his forgotten prison.
The light burned his eyes as he looked around carefully avoiding moving his neck which was quite stiff, the effort was useless though as wherever he was nothing but blobs of hazy colour and deathly silent. A shrill yet familiar voice broke the silence of the blurry room, "Harry Potter sir is awake! Dobby was ever so worried, but now Harry Potter is awake all will be well!" The little buzzing elf exclaimed happily as he gently shoved Harry's glasses back on his face bringing the world or rather his refurbished cupboard back into focus. Dobby began chattering away again, "Dobby is fixing your glasses Harry Potter they was being all smashed up in the back cupboard of the metal muggle moving thing where Dobby was finding sir…" Dobby broke off his over large ears flapping in an agitated manner. He began again speaking much more angrily as uncharacteristic sneer on his face "fuckers! Leaving the most magnificent Harry Potter bleeding and dying all alone and locked up Dobby was most mad, but Dobby is not doing nothing… Though Dobby wants to!" He added sharply, "But Dobby is leaving the nasty muggle's for sir!"
Harry blinked at Dobby a few times trying to recall what the elf was talking about… Then it all came back he had killed her, murdered her and it had felt so good, Harry shuddered causing spasms of pain to shoot through his still battered body, he was a monster. Dobby was oblivious to Harry's sudden change of temperament as he continued to drone on "Dobby is not knowing why the muggle's be trying to kill master Harry Potter, all they is talking about is a Marge choking on a sausage."
Fuck, fuck, fuck Harry's stomach turned to ice as Dobby let that little bit of information slip, the Dursley's had been obliviated, shit his game was up he was going to go to Azkaban, it was all over they would know he was a murderer in a panic he tried to question Dobby further but all he managed was a feeble croak. Dobby took notice when Harry's croaking interrupted his triad against the Dursley's and pressed a glass of cool water to Harry's cracked and dry lips. After several small sips of water Harry managed to Wheeze out, "they were obliviated, I murdered her…"
Dobby shook his head vehemently "Harry Potter is no murderer it is not murder if a young wizard looses control, you is forgetting master Harry you is in the past you is still a little boy you still have accidental magic and will until you turn at least fourteen. You is not a murderer Harry Potter!"
Harry looked at Dobby pleadingly "but I am, I enjoyed every moment of it!" He insisted.
Dobby hands on hips retorted "YOU IS NOT A MURDERER! If Dobby hears one more peep of this nonsense Dobby will slap you. Stupid little wizard boy how many times must Dobby say it you has no control, you may know magic you may use magic, but you still have accidental magic, if Harry Potter gets upset Harry Potter will accidentally cause things to happen. It was stupid muggle's fault upsetting and hurting Master Harry Potter." Harry glared at Dobby and Dobby glared back.
Things were silent for several minutes as Harry and Dobby starred each other down, Harry backed down resigning himself he may not be a murderer but he was a monster for enjoying it no better then Voldemort. Harry needed answers so he croaked out his next question to a still fuming Dobby. "Did the wizards get my wand?"
"No the wizards did not, Dobby found it in master Harry Potters sock when he was fixing Harry Potter wounds." Dobby pointed to the table by his bed where his grimy holly wand lay.
Harry sighed in relief he they didn't know he knew about magic, but why didn't they obliviate him as well? Harry hoped the wizarding press didn't find out about his killing of Marge it would be hellish when he entered the wizarding world if they did a repeat of his second or fifth years multiplied by ten would seem like heaven. "So Doctor Dobby what are the results of your examination?" Dobby blinked at the unfamiliar words and Harry was forced to re word, "um what did you fix?"
Dobby's eyes brightened "Dobby fixed Harry Potters broken ribs with his elf magic, as well as his broken leg, but Dobby left the bruises to heal themselves for some reason Dobby can't heal those… Dobby able heal the cut on Master Harry Potters head but his left arm had to go, some vile beast had already eaten half of it." Harry quickly looked to his left and sure enough his arm was gone just before the elbow, he fainted in shock soon after.
Yet again Harry awoke this time to the sound of Hedwig's gentle hooting Dobby was nowhere in sight, by the faint light trickling through the window it was just after dawn. Yawning Harry sat up he didn't feel so sore any more his bruises had faded to a dull yellow Dobby must have done something while he was out. He looked around to find an note on his bed side table in a blocky childish writing it read.
HARY POTER DOBY HAS GON SHOP GAV HARY POTON SEE SOON NO GET OWT BED!
Harry read the note with wide eyes Dobby had given him a potion that couldn't be good he hopefully there wouldn't be side effects. Harry starred at the stump that was his left arm he would have to do something about that Voldemort had given Wormtail one so maybe he could do something similar for himself. He lay back on his comfortable yet garish vibrant green bed and closed his eyes. He would get the Dursley's back for what they did to him, and he promised himself never to lose control like that again it didn't matter how long or hard he would have to work but he would no longer let his emotions rule him it was the second time his brashness had killed someone but it would be the last. Harry grabbed his wand and summoned the book on Occlumency and Legilimency which popped out of the secret drawer, Harry frowned he would have to fix that, and began to read where he left off, memorizing every word.
Harry was so engrossed in his book that he didn't even notice Dobby pop back into existence with a large tray of breakfast stacked atop a miniature brass tub, which was stacked atop a layered pile of brightly coloured clothes. Dobby flicked his hand and all the things in his hand whizzed over to random places around the room then he noticed Harry sitting reading a book, with a high pitched shout he began to berate Harry, "Harry Potter is not to be up he is to be resting!" He ripped the book from Harry's hands ignoring the angry and disappointed look on Harry's face and replaced it with the large plate of steaming food "Harry Potter must eat up if he is to be getting better." After depositing the tray on Harry's lap the house elf who was now humming a random tune began to wave his hands and the wall with the cupboard door began to balloon out until it was the size of a small bathroom if slightly round in shape at least the floor was flat, with another flick of his wrist Dobby painted the walls bright yellow and layered the floor with a pale green tile. Next Dobby had the miniature copper tub fly into the bathroom and enlarge itself with a pop, another snap of his fingers and a sink that was shaped as a bird bath with frolicking fat cats appeared with a creepy spout shaped like a vomiting house elf. Dobby turned to Harry with a motherly smile and said, "Dobby has been neglecting his duties with master Harry Potter but no more Harry Potter will be looked after! Dobby will make sure of that!" With that Dobby began to hum another random tune as he went about furnishing his bright bathroom, with a glowing house elf figurine chandelier, and purple mats to name a few.
Harry finished his breakfast under the watchful eye of Dobby, Harry sighed it seemed he would no longer be allowed to do as he pleased when he pleased since it seemed Dobby was no longer satisfied with just being a cook. From the large pile of letters and packages at the foot of Hedwig's perch indicated his friends had not forgotten him. Harry ripped open the first one clumsily with his one hand and his teeth it was from Hermione.
Dear Harry
Thank you for the dark potions book though most of the various elixirs were quite gruesome the tracking annulment potion was invaluable. Enclosed in this letter are the shrunken books I borrowed as well as the book those crazy elves gave me, Harry you are under the strictest of orders to copy every magic book you own! Simply touch the book on one of your books and wait a second there should be a purple light that means it copied. Happy birthday Harry Hedwig showed up yesterday so I was able to send some sweets and a study schedule. Hope you are well, sorry this is so short but I am set to graduate soon and must study plus my parents are forcing me to take gymnastics yet again…
Love Hermione.
P.S. Send the book back soon!
Harry sighed though he knew she would get around to asking eventually he didn't look forward to copying all his books for her and the brief glance he spared at the study schedule made him shudder, but he would follow as best he could his future depended on it. The next letter he chewed apart with his teeth was from Neville.
Dear Harry.
Your owl showed up during breakfast today, and when I told Gran it was from a friend she nearly went ballistic with joy, I don't have that many friends… She has been asking ever since when she could meet you and not in a good way either she can be over protective at times, well Happy birthday I sent some globulous hydrangea seeds they are the most fantastic plants next to mimulous mimbletonia, great healing properties when used in potions. Things have been quite good lately I levitated Gran a week ago by accident during afternoon tea, I suppose it is better than being dropped out a window, and Aunt Drytha insisted on getting me a cat, he is really lazy and sleeps all day at least he doesn't run away… You can send letters now that I slipped up I hope it doesn't cause too much damage. Well I had better get going Gran is calling me.
Neville.
Harry laughed poor Neville he would keep in communication with him it would hardly compare to his blunder that was the death of Marge. Unsurprisingly a letter from that stalker Nymphadora Tonks was next.
Dear Harry.
I hope you haven't forgotten me, though I feel sort of bad blackmailing you into writing to me you had better not even be thinking of not replying! I was fired from my job, apparently some old batty witch took offence to my hair, I swear old witches can be so prudish. I'm not really looking forward to going back to Hogwarts OWL year you know, mother forced me to take arrithmacy it is absolutely awful though it isn't half as bad as potions Snape has a personal vendetta against me I swear just because I blow up the occasional cauldron. I hope I fail those OWL's though mother would just make me redo them until they were perfect she wants me to be an auror though I just want to travel. Bah well enough about me write back quick and tell me more about yourself your last letters were emotionless pieces of crap so the next had better be good or I will hunt you down. Just kidding.
Tonks
Harry wasn't so sure Tonks wouldn't hunt him down this younger Tonks was far more wild than he could have ever expected. The next letter in hot pink was from the twins.
Dearest Harrikins.
My brother and I and I and my brother are writing to you our most illustrious investor to inquire as to whether you have forwarded our business plan to the most noble Dobby? Business aside I Gred and I Forge would like to humbly thank you and your lady friend for shielding us from the wrath of our mother, though me and myself are concerned we have not seen you and when we went a looking news came to us of the most untimely death of your kind Aunt via inhaling a large portion of meat. Write back promptly lest you suffer our prowess in the magical arts.
Lovingly Forge and Gred other wise known as Gred and Forge.
P.S. Happy Birthday we send you flowers.
As soon as Harry finished reading the last word as large fanged daffodil popped out and latched on to his nose. It took several minutes before Harry could rip the vicious plant of his nose, as soon as it was off it vanished in a shower of sparks spelling out the words pecking parchment new from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Harry laughed in despite his abused nose and promptly called out to Dobby, who if the noises coming from the newly created bathroom were any indication was having too much fun. Sure enough Dobby's head poked out of the doorway covered in suds.
Bright eyed Dobby looked inquiringly at Harry, "yes Harry Potter?"
"Um Dobby do you think you would be able to work at the Weasley's Owl order depository in Paris?"
Dobby's face fell "no Harry Potter Dobby could not and he would not either, Harry Potter is not getting Dobby out of his hair, Dobby will be taking care of his Harry Potter and that is that!" Harry was taken aback by the sudden change in Dobby's manner. Dobby continued "no need for the look Harry Potter the great elves gave Dobby balls."
That explained it. Harry's brow furrowed in thought "damn so there is no way to get anyone to work at the depository?"
Dobby laughed "of course there is Harry Potter Dobby simply needs to go see some of his friends, what did Harry Potter think Dobby was doing the weeks he let Harry Potter do as he pleased?"
Harry shrugged "watching cartoons. Oh and Dobby there is no need to call me Harry Potter, Sir, Master, or any other variations just Harry will do."
Dobby grinned and his bat like ears twitched happily "Dobby wondered when 'Harry' would come round. Well Dobby is off. NO GETTING OUT OF BED! You just lost an arm and no using magic neither or you will be getting a spanking! Dobby knows all." Harry flinched as Dobby popped away.
With a heavy sigh he turned to his last letter from Luna, it read.
Dear Harry.
I must say I am quite worried as to your well being, I heard your 'Aunt' died and when you didn't write at all are you ok? Well your owl appeared today she seemed quite agitated as most of her plumage was blue I suppose she had just gone to the Weasley twins. I hope you have a happy birthday I sent this months edition of the Quibbler I hope you read it. Well mums invention seems to have come to a standstill it seems no one wishes to endorse something made by a Lovegood, but she is trying hard and is planning to take a trip to mainland Europe in a bid to sell the idea, it should be fun I hope to look for a miniature Norwegian Glogmog whilst in the south of France keep your fingers crossed. Well I must get packing hope to hear from you soon.
Luna.
Harry grimaced not looking forward to attempting to explain what happened with the Dursley's to his friends. There was no use putting it off, Harry looked around for some parchment and found some at his desk on the other side of the room. Harry weighed his choices and decided to go for it he swung his legs over the side of the bed and suddenly realized he was in the nude blushing in spite of himself he looked around for something to wear, he found nothing as he had left it before he left to go to Marge's, it seemed Dobby had purged all of his old rags. Then he spotted the pile of things Dobby had brought before he grabbed his wand from the side table and shakily wobbled over to wear they lay shrunk on the floor he quickly enlarged it before he had to sit down. Before him was the most bright and garish wardrobe he had ever seen, after several minutes of sorting though the pile he settled on neon green and purple stripped pyjamas as the only other pair was hot pink with gambolling kittens.
After having some difficulty dressing him self with one hand especially doing up buttons, Harry made his way over to his desk ignoring the weakness he felt, being unconscious for nearly a week took its toll, he sat down heavily and began the laborious task of writing. An hour later he was finally finished and beginning to copy all the books on his shelf for Hermione, he was so involved in is task that he didn't notice Dobby and ten other house elves appear until and angry shriek pierced his concentration.
Dobby was beyond angry his young charge had disobeyed both the things he asked so he began to shout ignoring the frightened looks the other elves were giving him. "Harry what do you think you are doing? Harry should be in bed not getting up writing letters, and doing magic!"
Harry winced and tried to calm Dobby down "it's alright Dobby I am fine, quit overreacting. I'm just writing a few letters to my friends and I had to use magic to get dressed I don't know what you were thinking undressing me."
Dobby glowered and yelled back "fine Harry thinks he is fine, he is pale and shaking and he thinks he is fine! There was no need to be up getting letters when you is supposed to be resting! Is Harry touched in the head those rags he was wearing would have made him sick, so Dobby threw the lot of them out!" In a calmer tone of voice he continued, "Harry should be getting back to bed." Harry nodded and got out of his chair he hadn't even taken one step before he collapsed, Harry grinned sheepishly at Dobby who shook his head and levitated the boy back on to his bed.
It was now that Harry noticed the other ten house elves who were looking around nervously, they were a motley bunch they all seemed to be free house elves as they all were wearing random articles of clothing in various states of disrepair. Dobby didn't waste time taking up the matter. "Harry meet Blinkworth, Vombert, Yipit, Gloddy, Fidida, Ladum, Esther, Socky, Oblong, and Hatmurk, aforementioned elves meet Harry Potter." The elves all squeaked at the mention of Harry's name and rushed to greet him. Harry his best to great all the elves but they burst into tears as soon as he shook their hand. Eventually everyone calmed down sufficiently Dobby began to explain matters, "Harry these are Dobby's friends, they are all free elf's like Dobby and are in need of work." All the elves nodded vigorously.
Harry smiled and the elves nearly swooned "that's great Dobby but, Fred and George know all the details so you should contact them, watch out for their mother though." Dobby nodded and disappeared before Harry could utter a word, He cringed inwardly not quite ready to explain what happened to his arm but attempted prepare himself any way.
The elves stood around unsure for awhile but there instincts soon took over and they began fussing over Harry's condition, that was how Dobby, who was now sporting a mohawk, and the twins who were grinning widely found him ten minutes later.
Fred was the first to speak "Harry seems to have gotten himself a harem of elves, Luna will be so disappointed."
George nodded "it appears so brother dear… Blimey Harry where did your arm go, did Dobby really rip it off and beat you around the ears with it?"
Harry looked to his left and smiled weakly and began to relay the events of a week ago as best as he could remember. By the time he had finished the Weasley twins were red faced with anger and had to be tied up to stop from rushing out of the cupboard and hexing the Dursley's into oblivion.
Harry attempted to calm them down "really it's no big deal I did kill Marge after all..."
Fred raged "NO BIG DEAL! THEY NEARLY KILLED YOU AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS NO BIG DEAL!"
George raised an eyebrow "Harry you really are an idiot, Marge's death was an accident it does happen on occasion that when a young wizard feels threatened or in danger they off what ever it is."
Fred smiled fondly at his brother "ah George ever the voice of reason. He is right though Harry it may have been your magic but it was accidental and therefore you had no control just like, the time in the now non-existent bit of future where you blew her up like a balloon-"
George continued the conversation seamlessly "-we heard dad saying to mum that if the accidental magical reversal squad had arrived a minute later Margeypooh would have exploded."
That did nothing to comfort Harry but he was unable to protest as Fred and George made for the cupboard door again even though they were still tied up. Fred turned to Dobby "if you could just undo are bonds we could be on are way avenging Harry."
George nodded "we promise to do nothing to drastic."
Dobby smiled and snapped his fingers and the ropes wrapped around the twins were dissolved. Grinning to each other they snuck out the cupboard door, nothing was heard for several minutes. They returned smiling widely.
Harry sighed and asked "what did you do?"
George answered "a little of this and a little of that."
Fred grinned, "lets just say Mr. Walrus man will be vying for a promotion today thinking he is a sexy young lady suffering nymphomania, Mrs. Horseface has taken to gardening in the nude, and are most favourite person in the world Dudley will now be wearing frilly pink dresses all week."
Harry laughed they were true masters of there craft. George looked inquiringly at Harry "we do wonder how those old bruises on Dudleykins face came to be, he doesn't look the type to be beaten up."
Harry grinned ruefully "I did it, Dudley and his gang decided to play Harry hunting but the hunters became the hunted."
Fred laughed "little Harry the scrapper never thought I would see the day."
George smiled "congratulations Harry, now on to the task at hand." In a more serious tone "I see Dobby rounded up some workers, that is wonderful all the smiling little faces I'm sure they will work wonderfully." The elves blushed. "You lot will be working at our owl order business in Paris, we need
Fred spoke "now a show of hands, who can read and write?" All the elves raised there hands, "excellent, now who can write fluently" only one elf raised her hand Fidida if Harry remembered correctly. "Wonderful, can you write in more than one language? She nodded. "Splendid, you are now advertisement director." Fred kept asking questions until all the elves where allocated jobs.
George began, "concerning payment," the elves eyes widened in horror, "you will receive ten galleons a week about the average wage for such a job wouldn't you say Fred?"
"Indeed it is George and it is nonnegotiable too, so you little blighters will have to suffer." The elves looked like they were about to cry.
"Well enough chit chat we will be apparating in an will show you the ropes and getting you some proper uniforms." The elves looked lost.
"Lets go," Fred, George and the sobbing elves disappeared. Harry shook his head Fred and George were quite the characters and was now quite sure that when telling his friends about the loss of his arm he would down play it as much as possible, he didn't need the Dursley's sprouting tentacles and bringing they eye of Dumbledore down on his actions any more than it already was, he would hex them beyond recognition himself when he was ready to be put into the limelight.
Dobby finally relinquished the book on occlumency and legililmency so Harry would have some reference to refer to while he was practicing the mental exercises and was soon making great bounds in occlumency and was able to clear his mind after ten minutes of meditation, far faster than the hour it had taken him before, and was able to begin the slow process of categorizing and cataloguing all of his memories, though this made it easier for an legilimens to find what they were looking for it was the only way to protect his secrets once he was able to make a occlumency barrier, with any luck he would have a year to learn so he wasn't worried. Another plus to his study of occlumency was a much greater focus in his studies he was nearly finished reviewing fifth year and was making steady progress in first year ancient runes and arrithmancy, the thought of making his owns spells and enchantments made him giddy. Though he learned many spells and memorized the wand movements and incantations to perfection, his casting was random at best some times it they would work with only a slight flaw in colour or shape other times it wouldn't work as it was supposed to at all creating all sorts of bizarre magical mishaps. Harry was at wits end having tried everything he could think of to fix the problem but having absolutely no success at all.
Health wise Harry was recovering rapidly with the help of Dobby's cooking and his own resilience, and soon forced by Dobby to get out side and take walks during the evening, during which the neighbores would stare at him through parts in their curtains ogling his arm or odd choice of clothing whatever it was Harry didn't care. Though Dobby acted like a worldly matron at times frustrating Harry to no end, he was used to being left to his own devices, a part of Harry couldn't help but be pleased that some one was there caring for him almost like a twisted sort of parent.
Soon it was time again to start school Harry was debating about not going but decided he had drawn enough attention to himself already through the course of the summer and couldn't afford to do so any longer, so he charmed his sixth year books to look like regular muggle fiction, and headed off. School for the first time in his life was tolerable Dudley's gang left him alone not wanting to be embarrassed again and everyone else had heard of his defeating of the notorious gang kept their distance out of fear violent coloured clothes, or because of his missing limb, Harry didn't care there inattention was far better than the taunts he suffered before. Over all school was just a time to catch up on his reading and mental organization.
Months passed and things remained quiet Harry was nearly finished with his sixth year spell books and was done with the first arithmancy and ancient runes text books, a fourth of the way through the second. He could cast spells silently though it seemed to make there results randomness occur even more than if spoken, Harry had not made any progress in solving the problem of his crazed spell work. Harry had studied potions theory extensively before attempting to brew anything and could now be considered a safe addition to a potions lab being able to brew most of the first and second year potions perfectly. He also began to go through some of the dark arts books most of the spells were quite gruesome and violent, entrails boiling, briny blood, and horror of the mind to name a few, he dared not attempt to cast any of the spells with his wacky magic who knows what would happen. The book by Wallace Slinkard was quite intriguing quite a different view than his brothers that's for sure, Harry eagerly read the book on animagi but was disappointed the potion took a year to brew and was too complicated for him to brew on his own he would need the twins help they were studding to be potions masters after all.
He had made great progress in occlumency finally finishing categorizing his thoughts by the end of November but he had come to a stand still attempting to build the walls containing his secrets. The book labelled several ways to build the wall bubbles that kept them were the easiest to construct a house or fortress were of middle difficulty with the memories hidden in rooms, one of the hardest which Harry decided to create was a maze with memories hidden in wall bubbles behind the walls of a mental maze with the most secret of memories in the center. None of this was getting built any time soon however as Harry was unable to reach his magical core to use strands of his own magic to weave the mental barriers. He had found his core it really was easy to find a bright light in the very depths of his consciousness but he couldn't even get close a blue barriers with glowing runes that the book did not describe blocked his path, ten hours of meditation wasted. What did he do he wrote Hermione.
Harry received weekly updates from his friends which he promptly answered with an update of his own. Fred and George took their OWL's and NEWT's early passed with all O's and were now making Snapes life hell as his apprentices namely by doing everything perfect. Hermione was devouring the books he sent her and studying like mad and had finished her occlumency shields and was rocketing through legililimency, also he sent his work in arithimancy and ancient runes to her to mark. Neville was forced by his grand mother to take duelling and fencing lessons cutting the time he was allowed to spend in the garden, his cat remained as lazy as ever. Luna sent long letters ranging from moment to moment accounts of her search for odd creatures, to rambling scrolls of political conspiracy's, to discussions on goats, to the latest on the properties of sea serpent tongue, and of course an issue of the Quibbler each month. Hermione wrote back asking Harry to send Dobby next weekend as her parents would be attending a Christmas party and she would not be missed after she cast an illusion spell of her in her bed.
The weekend rapidly approached and soon Harry was waiting for Dobby to come back with Hermione in tow. A soft pop was heard and Harry was barrelled over by a bushy haired menace.
Hermione gasped, "Harry what happened to your arm?"
Harry sighed and said "Ripper ate most of it so Dobby had to cut it off, Ripper was Marge's dog, Vernon and he attacked me after my magic went wild and accidentally killed her, I don't remember what happened I was knocked out and woke a few hours or so later in the trunk, Dobby found me and fixed me up."
Hermione had tears welling up in her eyes "those awful people, they could have killed you!" Harry shrugged and Hermione slapped him "don't you dare shrug, I will get those Dursley's if it is the last thing I do!" With that she stormed out of the cupboard door. Ten minutes later she returned with a satisfied smirk, it seems the Dursley's will be getting nothing but coal this Christmas." Harry smiled almost feeling sorry for his aunt having to deal with Dudley's tantrum when he got nothing but coal, almost but not quite the bitch deserved it.
Hermione gathered her wits and sat down cross legged on the floor "alright Harry I need to examine your core so according to the book we have to get there first and then I will push my consciousness out and touch your mind relax and let me in I will examine your core then exit your mind. Got it?" Harry nodded and began to meditate clearing his mind of all thought slowly falling into the depths of his mind and then he was there at the boarder of the blue barrier, after and indeterminate amount of time he felt a gentle but clumsy probing of his mind, he let Hermione in, he felt the alien presence float around the wall of blue after she had fully circled around several times she slowly left his mind, when she was gone Harry awoke to find Hermione quickly sketching all the runes on the barrier around his core with a pensive look on her face.
When Hermione had finished writing all the runes down she smiled, "I was worried for a while there if a set of runes hadn't been removed already It would have taken years to get rid of this mess, but with those key runes gone I think we can remove all of these by May or June depending on how fast we work."
Harry's brow furrowed "do you know what the runes do I didn't recognize any of them?"
Hermione beamed at her friends studiousness "you wouldn't, runes you are using now are elementary binding runes which are used to tie together and make power runes compatible. The runes on the bonds around your core are master binding runes, they seal things away and are used in a connected chain if the chain is complete it is next to impossible to remove by anyone other than the one who placed the runes as each link is protected by the runes it is connected to making the counter runes worthless. Luckily in your case a link had already been broken so each link is undefended and easy to remove by placing the counter runes."
Harry frowned "who would place runes on my core?" He asked but he had a feeling he already knew who it was.
Hermione had a similar look on her face "I don't know but who ever it was is or was powerful, most master rune bonds only have links of three but you have a link of seven unheard of."
Harry sighed meddling old bastard "do you know what they seal?"
Hermione looked at her sheet of parchment "hmm it looks like you have two seals on your magic they all seem to be used to block off your magic, making spells not work, that one is the oddest grouping of ruins I have ever seen some of them contradict each other so the results might fluctuate. You have one rune blocking part of your power, the next rune link seem to power the other rune links and the rune link that has been destroyed blocked your mind or mental ability by the shadowy residue of the runes placed there which will disappear over time. There is what looks like a set to monitor the spells cast but it doesn't seem to be functional," Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "The last ruin link is a tracking rune by the looks of it, that can't be good."
Harry paled Dumbledore could have tracked him to Diagon Alley, he could be watching him right now his ruse was up. Hermione seemed to sense his distress added "we can remove that one first." Harry nodded vigorously but stopped mid nod.
He looked to Hermione and asked "won't he know it has been destroyed?"
Hermione smirked "no because we won't be destroying it, it hurts way more the books say but we can put the rune in an inanimate object that you can carry around with you. This way if you don't want to be tracked you just leave the object where you want him to think you are and leave."
Harry nodded "lets do that." Hermione nodded and pulled her book out of the bag she brought with her she opened it to the part on one of her advanced rune books and began the painstaking process of planning out the counter ruins several hours later she was finished. Rubbing her red rimmed eyes Hermione turned to Harry "lets take this up in the morning I might mess up if I do it now" Harry agreed and turned to Dobby but found he was already asleep in his bed, not wanting to wake Dobby and neither of them knowing how to apparate, Harry flicked his wand and a bright orange bed popped into existence in the center of the room. Mumbling good night Hermione crawled gratefully into the newly conjured bed.
The next morning Harry awoke to the exited chatter of Hermione and Dobby who were seated having breakfast, he sleepily joined them. The next hour was spent going over the counter ruins and making sure they were placed perfectly around his chest using an washable felt pen.
Hermione solemnly told him to lay down. "So what do you want to use to put the rune on?"
Harry shrugged and Dobby who had been silent for the most part piped up "Dobby has a nice necklace that would work and be easy to use," he pulled out a piece of thin brown rope with a little grinning house elf head on it and handed it to Hermione.
Hermione looked at it with one raised eyebrow "at least there is little chance of someone stealing it, thank you Dobby. Dobby I need a dagger and could you restrain Harry it will hurt a lot and he can't move." Dobby nodded and snapped his fingers Harry was rigidly held into place, the worried looking elf handed Hermione a bright silver dagger he had pulled out of one of his many pockets.
Hermione took a steadying breath and began to carve the counter runes in a precise circle around Harry's chest, Harry gritted his teeth as the dagger bit into his tender flesh his chest was becoming damp with blood as his friend slowly cut each intricate rune into his chest. Hermione's face was a mask of concentration, Dobby had covered his hands over his eyes and looked as though he was crying silently. The runes began to glowed blue and Hermione placed the necklace in the center of the circle of bloody runes, runes glowed white and Hermione drove the dagger through the necklace and into Harry's chest, the pain was too much and Harry knew no more.
Harry awoke at sun set Hermione and Dobby hovering worriedly by his bed they both let out large sighs of relief at his open inquiring eyes. Harry croaked "did it work?"
Hermione nodded her eyes red and puffy as though she had been crying "yes it did the tracking runes are now one the necklace… I'm so sorry Harry I should have waited instead of jumping into the ritual like a fool I could have killed you one mistake and the portal to you core would have collapsed and I would have stabbed your heart not the link," Hermione sobbed.
Harry waved his hand "don't be you didn't put the runes on me, you just took them off doing me a great favour which I will be hard pressed to repay regardless of the risk nothing happened I'm fine."
Hermione didn't look the calmed in the slightest "but I used dark arts you must think I'm evil."
Harry looked at Hermione sharply "I thought you were smart Hermione, you got the books from me so I guess we are both evil because I would have done the same for you if some old crackpot was fucking with your magic." Hermione didn't look convinced. "Did you read the book by Wallace Slinkard?" Hermione nodded. "Than you know he say's it is the intent of the magic used by the user that determines the nature of the magic being used not the magic itself in deciding what is light and what is dark. Don't you agree?" Hermione nodded again. Harry continued "you used the magic to help a friend not hurt some one so you aren't dark nor are you a monster of any kind, you are Hermione a brilliant witch who thinks the ministry is filled with morons and will use any magic to help her friends!" Hermione blushed and reluctantly nodded.
Hermione cast a few diagnostic spells and when satisfied that Harry would be ok said "I had better go home and begin working on the counter ruin sequences for the five remaining links. Make sure you get lots of rest we will get rid of the magic tracking spell in a few weeks." Hermione hugged Harry goodbye and Dobby apparated her home.
Weeks went by and Harry and Hermione slowly destroyed the rune links blocking his magical core, it was a slow painful process but it was worth it after the first rune sequence involving his magic was destroyed Harry noticed far more success in his casting. Harry spent the days after a ritual finishing off arithimency and ancient runes which he was becoming quite proficient at, he had also completed most of the sixth year material and had begun studying duelling at Neville's prompting. By mid April they had finished removing all of the runes and Harry was finally able to access his core and begin the slow process of erecting his occlumency shields.
It was a beautiful spring evening, Harry had just finished taking his daily walk and was quite exited about finally starting his occlumency shields, which was why it took him longer than usual to clear his mind. Finally Harry lulled his mind quiet and he slipped into his mind. His memories he wanted to keep out of prying eyes floated hidden behind all the other memory groupings just waiting to be sealed away from prying minds. He floated further still until he came to where the master runes had blocked his core, mentally smiling Harry willed himself forward. The core was a sight to behold a swirling mass of colourful threads hidden behind a shell of white, as Harry watched it spin like a miniature sun he pulled at threads with his mind like the book instructed and felt a sense of rightness before he let them snap back, then he saw it. A black leech latched on to his core, Harry was sickened this must be his connection to Voldemort, he tried to pull it off but it was stuck fast, it seemed it had deep roots. There was nothing he could do for now so Harry set about building shells for his memories.
Harry was at a loss at what to do with the leech on his core, he could feel it's roots delving deeper by the day slowly becoming more entwined, if he didn't get it off soon he feared he never would. None of his books went into any detail on how to remove parasites from the magical core Harry was at a loss even Hermione didn't know what it was or how to get it off.
Though most of his time was spent researching the thing latched on to his core though it was soon becoming apparent that it wasn't going to get them any where. Harry had managed to shield all of his memory groupings, though he was still having issues with the maze at least he had a blueprint thanks to the May issue of the Quibbler, though his maze wouldn't be fraught with pooping pigeons.
Harry put his studies into high gear and was soon finished second year runes and arithimency, and was half way finished the seventh year subjects sans potions which he had only managed competency to a fourth year level. Harry had also begun studying duelling at the encouragement of Neville it was a bit awkward with only one arm but he managed to grasp most of the moves, he was no master but he could at least fight with a bit of style now. Dobby had thought it prudent to teach him how to apparrate it required good mental concentration and control both of which he now had in abundance due to his study of occlumency, after splinching himself several times during which it took Dobby several hours to sort him out Harry could apparate with ease.
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes took off and the twins and Harry were rolling in galleons, but the twins kept up with there potions mastery under pain of death cutesy of their mother. Hermione graduated for the second time though she still thought she would fail though of course she didn't. Luna failed in finding a miniature Norwegian Glogmog, but wasn't disheartened in the slightest if her letters were any indication. Neville was goaded into competing in the junior British duelling championship where he placed second, much to the chagrin of his grandmother.
It was several day's before his birthday and Harry was waiting for his Hogwarts letter to arrive, being sick of reading and studying Harry wasted time creating a replica of his cupboard before he changed it with a sliding door on the back wall of it to access his room, he didn't want any noisy wizards stumbling upon his humble abode, besides it was good practice for his wards and spatial transfiguration after all.
A tell tale shriek the next morning heralded the arrival of his school letter, the next day's Harry and Dobby listened to the sounds of destruction as Vernon was slowly driven ballistic by the ever arriving letters. On the night before his birthday Harry donned a pare of thin ratty pyjamas and bid Dobby a good night and slipped into the reconstructed cupboard, he waited with baited breath for Hagrid's arrival, not that he had any intention of going with him, the store keepers in Diagon Alley might recognize him and he didn't need Hagrid telling tales to Dumbledore.
Harry dozed off only to be woken by a loud bang, the door had been kicked in. Harry put his ear to the cupboard door and listened as Hagrid and the Dursley's argued, Hagrid demanding to see Harry and the Dursley's rudely protesting having ever met him. During a lull in the fighting Harry called out "I'm in here."
Vernon bellowed "SHUT UP YOU WORTHLESS FREAK." CRACK. It seemed Vernon had been back handed into the wall.
Heavy footsteps clomped over to the cupboard under the stairs, the door was ripped out of the wall and Harry was met by the bushy face of Rubeus Hagrid. Timidly trying to play the part of ignorant orphan boy, Harry spoke "Hello, who are you?" Petunia looked like she wanted to rage but one glance at her prone husband had her cowering in the corner.
Hagrid cleared his throat, "I'm Rubeus Hagrid Keeper o' the keys at Hogwarts. Happy birthday Harry, I brought yah a cake isn't much but it will do I spose," he pulled a large chocolate cake out of one of his many pockets. Harry playing the part beamed up at him stuttering thank you as he figured he did the other time Hagrid brought him his letter. "Well I'd better get one with it, I brought yer Hogwarts letter." He handed the wax sealed parchment to a confused looking Harry. He peered at him though the dim light, "yah look like yer dad but yah have yer mums eyes… Harry where's yer arm?"
Harry looked to his left, "oh that Ripper ate it."
"Ripper, whose Ripper? I'll kill em'."
Harry pretended to be frightened by Hagrid's out burst and timidly replied "He was Aunt Marge's dog, he attacked me after she choked to death it wasn't too bad I passed out so it didn't hurt too much. It healed really fast." He added "I didn't even need to go to the hospital."
"Hospital… Oh well I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will think up something once yah get to Hogwarts."
Harry examined the letter, then scrunched up his face in what he hoped was a confused look "Hogwarts, what's that?"
Hagrid shot the Dursley's and angry glare "bloody muggles. Yer a wizard Harry, an Hogwarts is a where yah learn magic."
Harry gave Hagrid a disbelieving stare "Mr. Hagrid magic doesn't exist, and if it did I certainly wouldn't be a wizard, I'm just Harry." that sounded closes enough to what he said before.
Hagrid laughed the rumbling sound seemed to wake Vernon from his stupor and he began moaning his head still hidden in the wall. "O' course magic exists," he flicked his pink umbrella and the cupboard door repaired itself. Harry stared at him in shock, he had to admit he was a great actor. "Yer parents were great a great wizard and witch, went to Hogwarts an' everythin', the greatest people I ever met, before they were murdered, o' course," he ended sadly but he brightly added
Harry blinked "my parents were magic… They were murdered, I thought they died in a car crash?"
Hagrid roared "Lily and James Potter die in a car crash! Dursley I've had about' enough of yer stupidity!" Vernon moaned from inside the wall. Hagrid composed himself and pulled an owl and a quill from a pocket, "well we 'ad better send yer letter of acceptance," he muttered while scribbling a note."
Harry nearly forgetting stuttered embarrassed, damn he was a good actor. "But Hagrid I don't have any money I won't be able to pay for any thing, I don't have any money and the Dursley's won't pay for me to go."
Hagrid eyed Harry from beneath bushy brows "non to worry Harry, yer parents left you a far bit of gold," Hagrid smiled at Harry who looked relieved. Hagrid yawned "we'll sleep here tonight and then go get your school things tomorrow."
Inside Harry was beginning to panic luckily it didn't show, time to put and end to this. He looked up at Hagrid and said "you don't have to come with me Hagrid I don't want to be a bother. Just give me directions to where to find all this stuff and I'll do it myself."
Hagrid looked as though he was fighting an inner battle, Dumbledore must have given him explicit orders. "I don't know about tha' Harry, yer still under age it wouldn't be righ' to let yah run off like that."
Harry shook his head "I'm sure I can manage Hagrid, I've been through far worse."
Hagrid scowled at the Dursley's then turned to Harry "I spose, yah could go by yer self, but no goin' off where yer not sposed to." He gave Harry detailed instructions on how to get to Diagon alley and made Harry repeat it back to him ten times, then gave him his vault key and enough pounds to by a train ticket. When he was don't he shot the Dursley's one more threatening glare then bid farewell "I'd better be goin' lots to do tomorrow." With that the giant left through the front door and promptly vanished.
The next day the Dursley's disappeared, which was a bonus to Harry, he didn't want to deal with them though they seemed to have boarded up the cupboard again silly bastards. He slid open the cupboards back wall were Dobby was waiting with a large breakfast, Dobby then forced him to take a bath not that he protested just being in a replica of the old cupboard made him feel dirty. He chose some of his less conspicuous clothes and a brown wool hat to cover his scar, he grabbed his back pack and made his way alone, thought Dobby tried to chaperone him, to the train station where he bought a ticket to London.
At long last he made it to the Leaky Cauldron, where thankfully he was ignored by all the patrons, though Tom did give him a hard look. He quietly slipped into the back where he tapped the bricks and entered the alley, he went over one last time as he made his way to Gringotts. He went up the marble steps and strode purposefully over to one of the desks the familiar looking goblin sneered at him, Harry sneered back, "I'm here to see Rockgag."
The goblin scowled "do you have an appointment?"
"No but I'm sure he will see me," he covertly lifted his hat revealing his scar.
The goblin shot him a twisted smile "good to see you again Mr. Potter." Harry looked confused "I believe I took you to see Rockgag last time."
Harry nodded in remembrance "I didn't catch your name?"
"Gravelsnot at your service," he inclined his head, Harry returned the gesture, "follow me," the goblin led him to one of the adjacent corridors, "You are lucky you chose my booth Mr. Potter, certain parties are vying to control your assets and there are many goblins jumping to the sound of gold."
Inwardly Harry berated himself, and gave Gravelsnot a wary look, the goblin laughed "you learn quick Mr. Potter," he opened the door to Rockgag's office.
Rockgag looked up and saw Harry, smiling he beckoned him to take a seat, folding his hands he spoke "good to see you in good health Harry, though you weren't missing an appendage the last I saw you."
"You look in good health as well Rockgag," Harry looked at his arm and said "long story."
"I bet it is. Gravelsnot told you of how things stand in Gringotts? Sensing Harry's unease he spoke "you need not be weary or Gravelsnot, I have him under an oath of loyalty to speak nothing of your comings and goings, so he is cannot be bought nor can under goblin Griphook, or myself for that matter your payment is good for another few years." Rockgag smiled toothily. "Well on with business what brings you here today Harry?"
Harry fished in his pants pockets and pulled out the velvet money bag "I have come to return this money to the trust vault, there is no need for me to carry around so much money five hundred galleons would be more than enough."
Rockgag nodded and took the satchel, "I suppose you will be needing to take a trip to your vault for appearances sake?" Harry nodded. "We will take my private rail entrance, one of the bonuses of being an Account manager. Before we do that though, another vault intended for you was opened several months ago by Mr.'s Fred and George Weasley, with your share of the profits made in a foreign business the three of you started up together. I was just wondering if you three had thought about hiring a solicitor?"
Harry shook his head "I am the investor I'm not too sure about the details, you will have to ask Fred and George."
"I will do so, it is raising quite a lot of interest in Europe, nearly revolutionizing the way house elves are treated and the ingenious products as well, quite hilarious, hugely popular your share of the profit is nearly five thousand galleons unprecedented in such sort a time. I suppose it is good that Britain's wizarding press is ignoring the phenomena lest your friends suffer the wrath of their over barring mother, her outbursts within these walls is the stuff of legend."
Harry laughed "well lets get to the vault I have a feeling I'm going to be watched closely today."
Rockgag nodded and led Harry from his office and down a hidden set of stairs to where a small cart was waiting, they hoped in and on cue the cart started rocketing down the tracks, past vast schisms, and underground caverns crowned with stalactites, until they came to a screeching halt at Harry's trust vault where Harry emptied the majority of the bags contents in a shower of gold back onto the mounds of coins leaving roughly five hundred in the bag. A speeding journey back to the surface and Harry's business with Gringotts was finished, bidding Rockgag goodbye he left the gleaming white building narrowly missing Hagrid on the way out.
Harry gathered his school books, a telescope, and his potions supplies thankfully none of the shopkeepers recognized him Dobby's cooking had defiantly wrought a change in his physique no longer did his bones protrude as drastically as they did before and he thought he might have grown an inch or two over the year though he was still very short for his age. Harry bought a unassuming trunk with a hidden space under one of the floor boards for his nice trunk, he had it shrunk small enough to fit in his back pack for a bit extra. He visited Ollivander who took one look at his grubby wand and gave him a polishing kit with instructions to keep it clean under pain of death. Harry decided to get an ice cream while Malfoy was having his robes fitted, not wanting to deal with the snobbish brat this day or any day for that matter. As soon as the arrogant blond strode out of Madame Malkins like he owned the place Harry slipped past him and into the robe laden shop.
Madame Malkin eyed him up and down taking in the lime green shirt and purple pants and large brown hat. "Dear who chooses your clothing?"
Harry looked at himself this was a toned down as his wardrobe got, he looked back up at Madame Malkin and shrugged "I do, though my guardian Dobby bought this for me." Dobby would have burst into tears of joy if he had heard him now.
Madame Malkin shook her head and muttered about colour blind house elves "Hogwarts dear?" Harry nodded.
It didn't take long for Harry to be fitted and out the door with his newly tailored robes, Harry slipped into a tiny shadowy crevasse between to shops opposite Knockturn Alley and pulled the dark cloak he had bought a year before out of his pocket, he initially planned to save this trip for a later date but felt lucky and decided to risk it, he need to get some more books of a shady nature that might possibly explain what the black thing on his magical core was.
Slipping through the throngs of people of Diagon Alley Harry made his way to the far sparser Knockturn Alley. Harry walked silently in the shadows passing the occasions cloaked and hooded denizen of the dark. Harry entered the same book shop he entered a year before. The same greying woman tended the counter, and the books were if possible in even greater disarray. Sighing Harry approached the woman who watched him like a hawk in case he had sticky fingers.
"Hello I was wondering if you had any books on magical cores and or magical core anomalies?"
The woman looked at him sharply as though deciding whether or not he was worthy, "you know the drill," before he closed his eyes he distinctly saw her point her wand at him from inside the sleeve of her flowing robe so that was how she did it a modified legilimency spell tuned into the magic of her shop, he didn't know how he came upon such a conclusion but perhaps all his time spent around Hermione had had an effect. Thinking hard on the books he wanted he snapped his fingers and a small pile of books on magical cores and the soul appeared on the counter. Harry counted out what he owed and turned and headed out the shop.
The woman called out to him "I know you know." Harry smiled and walked out of the shop.
Harry discarded his disguise in a hidden alcove and made his way out of the Alley, the Leaky Cauldron was filled with people so Harry easily hid in the crowd and headed to muggle London unnoticed, where he summoned the Knight Bus. He tossed a galleon to Wandtrod who seemed to be on his last legs and after a brief yet stomach churning ride was back a number four Privet Drive, the had locked him out so he went through his hidden window behind the hedge where Dobby promptly demanded to know how things went.
Harry spent the last days of summer reading avidly about the soul he learned a lot but nothing that described what the thing on his magical core was. Soon it was August 31 Harry had finished meticulously packing all of his things and heavily warding the trunk he bought with charms and some of the runes he had studied checking and double checking that he had left nothing behind he drifted off to sleep dreaming of what was to come.
AN I thank every one who reviewed they inspire me. I know I am slow to update some days I just can't write and if I try things end up being crap plus I have sudden urges to finally attempt replay video games getting the perfect ending in final fantasy X-2 in this instance. The next chapter should be fun, unexpected things will happen, though perhaps not that unexpected. I Beg for reviews, please, please, please… I can attempt to juggle cats for reviews.