Well, here it is, folks! The obligatory shopping spree that happens in every manipulative!Dumbledore fanfic. Baaaaah – I'm a sheep I guess, but I can't leave it out. Let's face it – this is fantasy, and if all of a sudden, from years of neglect and doing without you got to do whatever you want and buy whatever you want, you'd have a blast. I had a blast writing it. Oh, and I thought I came up with the credit-card idea myself, but just this week I found two others using it… please don't flame me!

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Chapter 5

Shopping Spree

Harry spent a couple days getting use to the real world again. He missed Griphook deeply – the goblin was like a father to him now. He missed his dry humor and endless patience, and the new world he had opened up to Harry. Not wanting to waste any precious time before Hogwarts started again, and the time when he would have to see Dumbledore face to face, Harry worked hard on his homework and on house chores to minimize tension with the Dursleys.

Ever since encapsulating the parlor vase to keep the hate spell enclosed, Harry had noticed a slow change in his relatives. Dudley wasn't pushing or tripping him as much, and his Aunt and Uncle hadn't yelled in two weeks. Although they were far from friendly, they were not openly hostile anymore. It was an improvement.

Harry woke on a Friday, early July, to the sound of Hedwig tapping on his window. He sleepily let her in; giving her a bit a sausage he had saved from the night before, and untied the letter on her leg. He smiled to see it was from Hermione.

Dear Harry,

Well, welcome to the bookish side of life! I wish we could meet at F & B – but everything is too dangerous now. I can't wait for Hogwarts and access to the library again.

No, I'm still at home with my parents. I have no idea when we will meet or where, but it couldn't be written in a letter anyway, if you know what I mean. And DON'T blame yourself for what happened at the ministry! I'm all better now, I'm sure Ron is, and it's NOT YOUR FAULT! Bella killed Sirius, not you. Voldemort killed Sirius. Not you.

I'm re-reading many of my 5th year books now. I'm particularly enjoying History of Magic when I can drink coffee while reading it and don't have a dead teacher droning at me. Hee hee. Do you remember the war of 1218? It's very interesting – check it out.

Hermione

Harry read the letter out loud to Sirius, who scratched his head and gave a puzzled look. "Harry," he said "I think she's trying to tell you something."

"Hmmm?" Harry was re-reading the letter, and searched through his school trunk for his History of Magic book. "War of 1218, War of 1218…. Here we go". He scanned the pages eagerly. Harry really wanted to keep Hermione as the close friend that he thought she was, but his trust was pretty shaken in human nature at the moment. "Check this out, Sirius" he spoke gleefully, pointing at a passage in the well-worn textbook and reading out loud "The Goblin Rebellion of 1218 doesn't stand out much from the others of the time period, with the exception that the goblin general, Dumalt, was a double agent, paid off by the wizards to give information. It turned out he wasn't pro-wizard or pro-goblin, but merely acting in what he felt was in his own best interests, hoping for money, fame and power." Harry looked up and gave Sirius a meaningful look "Hmmmm – sound like someone we know?"

The portrait snorted. "Yep – I think she's on to Dumbledore too."

"Well" said Harry casting repelling charms around his door, "I'm going to find out I think. I'm going to leave for a couple days. These charms will keep my relatives from knocking on my door or thinking about me." He cast come charms on himself to change his looks – now Harry had curly brown hair (which hid his scar nicely) and brown eyes and changed his glasses. He glanced in the mirror with a smile "Meet Edward Evans, Sirius!"

His godfather smiled. "Gotta love that goblin magic" he grinned. "Where are you going?"

"First I'm going to visit Griphook and get some money. Then I'm going to do some shopping in Diagon Alley and maybe spend the night there, I'm not sure. I'm going to visit Hermione and see if I can tell if she's Dumbledore's or my friend. And I'm going to do some shopping for some decent muggle clothes!" Harry smiled widely. This was going to be fun.

"Be careful, cub" spoke Sirius seriously. "Stay concealed and stay safe."

"I will, Sirius. I promise you will see me tomorrow, probably late." With that, Harry silently apparated out of the room and appeared in front of Gringotts Bank. "Hello, Griphook" he muttered quietly to himself.

Harry walked up to the front desk of the bank. "Could I speak to Griphook, please?" The goblin looked at him curiously, and answered in a low, discrete voice "certainly, Lord Potter-Black."

Harry looked at him and grinned nervously, in what he hoped was the proper goblin facial response, "How did you know it was me?"

The goblin gave a bow and continued in the same quiet tone "you are using goblin magic, sir. And very well, I might add. If you were a goblin I would not be able to see through your disguise, but wizard use of goblin magic leaves a different effect in goblin perceptions. Also, the lights on this counter are charmed to reveal family rings. Please follow me".

Harry entered the office he was led to, and thanked his escort. "Griphook!" he called with a smile and formal bow. "Urush-Gai" he said affectionately, and grasped his hand.

Griphook returned the warm smile and bowed and said. "I have missed you, Mr. Potter" he said, "and I'm glad you are here. What is the purpose for this visit?" and he waved him to a chair and conjured tea and biscuits.

Harry took a cup, sipped the hot brew, and gazed at Griphook. "Well, first of all, I miss you. I feel like part of me is missing now. You are the closest thing I've ever had for a father, and the best. Our two weeks/three years have meant a lot to me, and I was going to write a letter, but I decided to put into practice what you have been teaching me and visit."

Griphook studied Harry, pleased and touched. "Ursoo-Tow", he spoke softly, "and you like a son to me. I am glad. Your disguise is very well done – I am proud. Although it has been only a short while, I have missed our time of closeness also. My office is always open to you".

Harry pulled Hermione's letter and his History of Magic book from a satchel and handed them over to his teacher. "I need your opinion. Do you think she's warning me, or trying to trick me into revealing something for Dumbledore?"

The goblin read the letter and scanned the reference in the book, smiling broadly. "This witch is a clever one. My associates said that after the reading of Mr. Black's will they got the impression she was honestly grieving and sincerely worried about you. They did not pick up any 'magical scent' of Dumbledore on her, although they did find it all over Mr. And Miss Weasley." He pushed the book and letter back to Harry. Naturally, I advise caution."

"Great – that's what I was hoping to hear" Harry nodded, pleased. "Now, I need to know if there is anyway I can access money from my account without having to come here all the time? I want to do some shopping in Diagon Alley and some muggle shopping" he gestured at his Dudley hand-me-downs with a rueful expression.

"Certainly, Mr. Potter" Griphook reached into his desk "I think this is what you are looking for. It looks like an ordinary muggle credit card, but it takes the exchanged value from your vault directly and pays the merchant, like a normal credit card. We do not charge interest for using it, but there is a small fee per transaction. As for shopping in wizard stores or catalogs, simply give an impression of your key and they can charge your account. The magical wax used for the transactions only lasts long enough for the required purchase, and disappears immediately afterwards, so it is secure."

"Wow, Griphook", Harry took the card, "you guys think of everything. Thanks!"

They continued to chat about nothing in particular, when Harry, shooting a shrewd look at his mentor, spoke. "Griphook, what is it with Hogwart's History of Magic? Why have they taught me for five years about nothing but goblin rebellions? Most of it is fake, right?"

The goblin grimaced. "Ursoo-Tow, most of it is utterly rubbish. Check out the copyright on your text books – they are written within the last 10 years. We goblins have asked many older witches and wizards, and they say the students never speak of that class, except that it is taught by a ghost. I took the liberty of examining your books, to find they are charmed for secrecy, my student. You are being fed lies and nonsense, and then are unable to speak of it with your elders."

"Someone wants my generation of wizards to fear the goblins" Harry pondered, feeling sick.

"In the past 1000 years there was the occasional uprising, but it was always dealt with by coming to terms. For many centuries the wizards and goblins have relied on one another for business and profit." Griphook rolled his eyes in a very uncharacteristic way. "There was one true war between goblin and wizard in the past 700 years – the War of 1218. Once the goblins discovered Dumalt for what he was, we took care of him, the wizards relaxed some of their strict control over Gringotts, and things went back to normal."

The two finished a pleasant cup of tea and Harry took his leave with a heart-felt bow. "I'll see you soon, Urush-Gai" he said and backed out the door. Griphook smiled at the door a few moments before returning to his work.

Harry stepped out into the bustling alley, enjoying the freedom of his anonymity. He was use to people staring at him and his scar, whispering and pointing, with cameras flashing. It was wonderful to be nobody. The first place he went to was a luggage store. He chose a bottomless satchel for himself and one for Hermione. They were charmed to expand to hold an enormous amount of books and belongings, keep everything featherweight, and only open for the owner. Then he treated himself to a new trunk – one with a hidden room like the one Moody owned (and was imprisoned in) during his forth year at Hogwarts. The shopkeeper shrunk the trunk with a temporary reducing spell so it would be small enough to fit in his new satchel until he removed it at home.

The next stop was Flourish & Blotts for some book buying. He picked up two of the latest versions of "Hogwarts: A History", and spent blissful time choosing whatever he had his eyes on. He found some books on house elves, accidental magic, wandless magic, advanced dueling, potions, and defense against the dark arts. He rubbed his Potter ring and was surprised to see a tracking charm on a couple of them, and purchased them anyway.

Once outside the bookstore, Harry stopped at Florean Fortescue's for an ice cream sundae, and removed the tracking charms on his books while they were still in his satchel, so no one would notice. He pondered while sipping his sundae, on who would put the tracking charms on them – perhaps the store to do automatic mailings for advertising, but perhaps either Dumbledore or Voldemort would be interested in seeing who wanted to learn higher magic and defense.

Harry picked up owl treats for Hedwig, potion ingredients, and stationary supplies. He got himself some new robes that weren't for school, and finally stopped at the jewelry shop. There he treated himself to a pocket watch that opened on both sides of the case. One side showed the normal muggle time, and the other was a shrunk version of Mrs. Weasley's family clock. The shop owner showed him how to add hands to it, and he looked forward to adding the people he was most fond of.

He felt like he hadn't drawn attention to himself that day – he was pretty non-descript looking, and his shabby clothes didn't add any attraction. A couple store owners raised their eyebrows when he purchased high-dollar items, but in the magic world it goes without saying that things are usually not how they appear.

His last visit of the day before he planned on going to muggle London was the twin's joke shop. The neon-animated sign of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes could be seen a block away. The shop was pleasantly crowded with delighted squealing children, smirking teens, and nauseated looking parents. He noticed the twins bustling around and was pleased to see they had already added two witches to their shop staff.

Harry was bending over a display of fake mice that looked amazingly real, but would explode if a spell was cast at them, when he felt two strong arms grab him by the shoulders and snatch him out of the shop and into the back office. He spun around, wand in hand, to face the twins, Fred and George, who were standing with arms folded, smirking at him. "W-w-what do you want with me?" he stuttered, trying to change his voice.

"Come off it Harry", grinned Fred.

"Yes, nice try, Harry" leered George.

"I-I-I don't know who you mean. My name is Edward Evans". Harry stammered, trying to sound convincing.

"You would have had us fooled" laughed Fred

"Almost had us there" nodded George

"But why are you wearing Dudley's old rags, Mr. Evans" they chortled in unison.

Harry grinned, relieved that his disguise had only failed because of the twin's sharp eyes and keen memory. He put a finger to his lips, and cast charms round the room for silence and privacy, and then changed back into his normal looks.

"What's up with the great disguise?" asked Fred.

"And how are you doing advanced magic without being thrown out of school?" questioned George.

Harry wanted to trust the twins – he always liked them and never had a reason not to have full confidence in them. Times, however, were dangerous. "Guys, would you be insulted if I asked to look into your thoughts before I answer?" Harry winced – most people would understandably be offended at this request.

"Hum," said George. "He is a partner"

"So there are no business secrets to keep from him" finished Fred.

"And we have been wanting to speak to him" continued George.

"….about certain issues" finished Fred.

"Fine" they said in unison.

Harry gazed into their faces, one at a time, simply searching for their feelings about Dumbledore. They were honest and open, and easy to read as a book. He gasped and terminated the connection with them. "You know he can't be trusted? How long have you known?"

"Do you mean Big D?" asked Fred seriously.

"How safe are these wards you just put up "George asked, frowning at the door and fireplace.

"Very safe – I've picked up some goblin magic. It can't be tracked by either the Ministry or Dumbledore. I just learned this summer about what the 'greatest wizard of the light' has been doing to me. My whole life has been manipulated by the geezer, and I'm working hard to put an end to it." Harry sat down in a chair in front of the twin's desks and conjured some tea and sandwiches for all.

"Tell us more!" cried the twins in unison.

Harry spent the next half an hour briefly re-telling the summer's events – the first visit from Griphook, learning about Dumbledore's refusal to follow the wishes of his parents, stealing money from his accounts, keeping him stupid and weak. He told them about his training with Griphook, and how he had Sirius' portrait now.

"Please guys", Harry looked at them earnestly, try to avoid Dumbledore all you can. Do NOT look him in the eyes. He is a master Occlumens and will know you have spoken to me, what I'm doing, and that you don't trust him.

"No problem," George answered dryly. Fred nodded in agreement. "Ever since we left Hoggy's, he's barely given us the time of day".

"Yah," grumbled Fred, "It was all 'Grandpa D' when we were at school. Once we were not in a position to keep an eye on his little golden boy IckleHarrykins, he hardly knows us."

"However, we do get around him a lot, as we are in the order" continued George. "We keep an eye on him and everyone else."

"And an ear" winked Fred, holding up an extendable ear, one of their best inventions.

"Young Harry" George leaned forward, looking as serious as a Weasley twin can, "We have wanted to give you a heads up, but we were afraid the floos and owls are being watched."

"Yes"-agreed Fred, "Big D is so powerful, we are never sure what he's capable of doing."

"Anyway" continued George, "Percy is a pratt, but Ron and Ginny, it pains me to say"…

"…especially since they are our siblings," said Fred in a mournful voice.

"…are NOT to be trusted" they said together.

"We've overheard a lot" Fred said sadly "the two of them talking together and with Big D. They are both on his payroll – keep tabs on Boy-Who-Lived, pretend to be friends, make a steady income."

Harry gazed out the office window sadly, and swallowed back tears. He didn't want to look weak to his friends, but it hurt. He knew of their betrayal already, but it hurt badly. "Were they ever my friends?" He choked out.

The twins looked at him sadly. "We always were" said Fred.

"Yes" agreed George – "we never failed you. But Ron, you know what a jealous git he's turned into over the years. You just never knew how big of a git. Perhaps he liked you the first year, but I think Big D got to him pretty early on. Maybe even planting him and us at 9 ¾ that very first September."

Fred shook his head sadly. "I expected better of Ginny, after you saved her from You-Know-Who. She did have a thing for you at first, but by the time you were interested, Big D had poisoned her."

The twins looked nauseated. George said "we know she's been, um, seeing other guys all along, to put it nicely. She pretends to be interested in you, makes Big D happy, gets the attention and admiration she craves, and …"

"….has her other needs taken care of by other guys" Fred finished unhappily.

Harry felt sick. He knew she wasn't to be trusted any more, but for a brief time he had thought Ginny was the one for him. It didn't matter what Dumbledore had done to her, he doubted he would ever consider a second chance. It wasn't that she was 'tainted', but the distrust of her loyalties would always be there. Pretending not to know of this to Ron and Ginny was going to be tough this school year.

Harry showed off his new watch and gave the twins the honor of being the first two hands on it. They were pleased and flattered. He also added a hand h for Griphook. It wasn't like a warrior/goblin needed someone to keep tabs on him, but it helped Harry feel closer to him.

The three finished their lunch and as Harry got up to leave, re-charming his disguise again, he asked them "is there any reason not to trust Hermione that you know of?"

"Only that she seems to fancy our pratt brother" said George.

"We don't think she's in Big D's pocket though" Fred nodded.

Harry removed the charms from the room, opened the door and said his good byes.

I've just learned that we aren't allowed to answer reviews or add too many author notes on our chapters. Oh well – please, oh leaders of – please don't yank my story – I promise to keep my A/N's to a minimum!

I have gotten several reviews that point out my fanfic isn't much different from others. Hey – I'll be the first to admit it. In many ways, if you've read one manipulative!dumbledore, you've read them all, with a few brilliant exceptions (and I don't consider mine one of them). I wrote this for myself out of boredom (I homeschool our son, so I sit with him 8 hours a day while he's working on his books), and because I love the whole genre so much I wanted to see what I could do with it. No apologies – this is what it is. Please enjoy.