Hi readers. Here's my last chapter for the day. I'm pooped. Hope you enjoy. (3 stories today even if it was short)

Just a side note. This will be the last short chapter. I have to put into writing ny sudden inspiration before it got lost in the maze that is my mind. This is not a filler but plays an integral part of the story so make sure that you give it a good read.

To all those who reviewed, thanks for doing so. I'm currently too tired to answer them one-by-one like I did in previous chapters. No worries though, I will post them with the next chapter.

Finally, I have decided on what to do regarding my inquiry on the Harry-Hermione meeting in Potter Manor, etc. Thanks those who provided an in-depth explanation along with pointing out Hermione's personality and Harry's "I-don't-take-crap-from-anyone" attitude.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or characters from David Eddings. I'm just using their creations to make a reality of my own.

Harry Potter: Shadow Sorcerer

Chapter 10: Facing The Music

Harry James Potter walked out of the workshop and towards the exit. He felt different; very different from the boy who entered Old Man Grath's, no, Belgarath's shop.

He now accepted his heritage and powers.

No longer was he unsure as to who he was.

No longer was he swayed by the opinion of the public.

As his station demands, he was a Sorcerer – a Shadow Sorcerer - a walker of the road of Magic and of the road of Sorcery. His mind has finally connected with his heart and both hummed in harmony granting him powers that he considered only a dream, a fantasy.

But most of all, it granted him an identity, an identity that he would no longer hide to the public. He was determined to walk out of this shop, not as Harold Evans, a middle-aged wizard of scholarly pursuits; but Harry James Potter, Lord of the Houses Potter, Gryffindor, and Ravenlcaw; a Shadow Sorcerer who wished nothing but to acquire knowledge to expand his own powers for the greater good of mankind.

Harry stopped when he was about to exit the shop. He realized that he hadn't paid the old coot yet. Due to all the excitement and revelation, he forgot that the old Sorcerer was running a business. He turned around and walked towards the workshop, he opened the door and was about to call him out when he noticed that no one was around. Confused, Harry entered the room and looked around. There weren't any other doors so it's impossible for the old man to go anywhere else.

Well, impossible wouldn't be the right word to use. After all, why would an Immortal Sorcerer need a door? However, the old coot shouldn't leave the shop unattended. After all, this was Knockturn Alley for Merlin's sakes. Thieves make a living here both night and day. He was about to leave when he saw an envelope on the floor. It wasn't there before so how in the world did it get there?

Shrugging, Harry pointed a hand towards the envelope and summoned it. Once the envelope was in his hand, he flipped it over and saw that it was addressed to him.

Lord Harry James Potter

Shadow Sorcerer

Confused as to why Belgarath had to leave a letter for him when he could just talk to him in person. Shrugging again, he walked to the center of the room, absentmindedly banishing the shards of broken glass and the shattered tea cup with a wave of his hand. Concentrating for a bit, he translocated the couches and table back to its original position before taking a seat. He opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of parchment; he unfolded it and started to read.

Greetings Lord Harry James Potter,

If you read this letter then I am gone from this world. I have finally finished the mission that my god left for me in accordance to the prophecy that was given a long time ago during the age where witches and wizards didn't exist. I will not be telling you the exact words of the prophecy since it is moot point as of this moment. Whatever was written, was done in a way that leave nothing to doubts.

Don't be sad, young one, for I know what you are feeling it in your heart right now. Steel your heart, harden your will, focus your mind, and read on.

I will not bore you with the details concerning the prophecy or what happened to the sorcerers of old. All I can say is that my presence was needed in order to make sure that the power of Sorcery doesn't leave this world. It was the wish of the old gods before they departed from this world to make way for the new gods to make sure that the secrets of the Will and the Word would not be forgotten in the sands of time. You are the instrument of their Will to reveal the powers of Sorcery – whether they accept it or not, it's up to them.

Harry, I left this world when I determined that you no longer need guidance. As you have said before, you are a wizard and you will live your life as a wizard. But in your case, you are a wizard with the power of a sorcerer living the life of a wizard. This doesn't require you to follow any new rules or some archaic forms of propriety. Power is just a tool after all. Just live your life as you see fit with the powers of Magic and Sorcery at your disposal.

I have already made arrangements to leave this shop under your name. As you read this letter, everything that I own, including the moneys that came with the books that I wrote (which people consider as fantasy) are already being transferred to your account in Gringotts. I should say that there is one happy goblin in the bank right now.

Also, this shop contained all the ingredients I gathered while I existed in this plane. I have already taught you what you need to know in crafting specialized wands through the use of Sorcery; though I daresay that you have exceed my expectations with the combination of both powers at your disposal.

Indeed, your first wand was very powerful and could easily rival the wand that Death created a long time ago. But that is a story for you to discover for it is not a secret that is mine to tell.

Where was I? Oh yes, this shop. Woods, cores, and books - all of them are yours to use. I have foreseen the future, Shadow Sorcerer. You will need to prepare. Use your heart to guide you while your mind focuses your decisions. You are a Shadow Sorcerer by decree of the old gods and Magic, but you are a Wand Crafter by trade. Choose your 'customers' wisely. I daresay you don't need the money.

My final word of advice to you is this young Sorcerer. As I have told my daughter and grandson a long time ago, prophecies exists to tell the end of a tale, but the journey to that end is in the hands of the chosen. Don't let the future dictate your life. Live according to how you WANT to live. Don't let others control your decision. Do what you will.

I wish you a safe journey, young Sorcerer.

Belgarath

PS: As your status as a Master Sorcerer under the rules of Sorcery, you can take disciples if you wish. You don't have to but it is up to you. I daresay it would be a fun experience for you to live the life I've lived.

A tear fell down Harry's cheek as he finished the letter from the old sorcerer. He couldn't refute it but he was saddened by the passing of his hero. When he first discovered the saga of Belgariad and Malloreon, Belgarath had been his idol. Even if he geared his powers towards the abilities displayed by Polgara and Poledra, it was Belgarath the Sorcerer who showed him the path that he now walked with confidence. Deciding to heed the old man's words, he steeled his heart and accepted that the sorcerer was now with his family - wherever they may be.

He rose from the chair and looked around. It was indeed a princely gift to leave him his life's work, well a part of his life anyway if truth be told. The old man was older than dirt.

Harry chuckled at the thought.

As he walked around the shop, he pondered whether he should use his new-found knowledge to create powerful focuses of magic for the masses. He knew for a fact that he now rivaled Ollivander in skill, but not in experience. But what he lacked in skill, he countered with instinct. He chuckled again. Maybe he should offer to make Ollivander a wand and see how he reacts, the creepy old coot.

It took almost an hour to check all the cabinets. He saw that the inside was charmed with an expanded space, holding hundreds, if not thousands of wooden blocks from every known tree – both magical and mundane. Each was properly tagged and arranged. Magical cores, rare ones like a Nundu's blood or a Dementor's bone were present much to his shock. The items in this shop will surely make Ollivander drool. He decided right there and then to continue being a wand crafter but only to those he found worthy of his creation like his predecessor did with his 'customers'.

However, he needed to relocate. It's not a good idea to set up shop in Knockturn Alley especially if you don't have the time to man a store.

Harry gathered his Will and released it with a whispered word. A large chest made of Oak materialized in front of him.

With another whispered word, he shrunk the cabinets containing the priceless wand components and books. It was easy for him to duplicate magical feats using Sorcery since he read the theory before learning the spell. It seems that Magic and Sorcery worked the same way. You need to know HOW it worked before one can use it.

Despite his skills, he needed to learn what Hogwarts have to offer in order to increase his repertoire of spells and application of Will.

Nodding at a job well done, he used his Telekinesis to levitate the shrunken items and floated them over to the chest before depositing them inside, taking extra care to make sure that the items aren't damaged.

As an afterthought, Harry shrunk the couches and table since he considered it as a memento from Belgarath. He still remembered the glare from the old coot when he thought he destroyed the simple antiques.

Seeing that he was done in this room, he moved on to the outer portion of the shop. He looked around and saw the display.

Belgarath was really a charlatan as the books described him. Everything he did had a flare for dramatics. The wands proudly being displayed on the shelves were all aesthetic – pieces of wood with no purpose in magic.

Shaking his head, Harry decided to follow his short-time mentor's lead and levitated them all into the box. He closed his eyes and released a mental scan of the entire store, sensing if he left anything remotely magical. Sensing none, Harry opened his eyes, closed the lid on the chest with a thought before shrinking it down to the size of a matchbox. He looked at it for a bit before plucking it out of the air and placed it in his pocket.

With that, Harry left Old Man Garth's shop for the thieves not that they would profit from an empty shop.

Harry was amused.

When he left the empty shop, he discovered that it was already evening. After casting a tempus charm, he discovered that it was already half past 6. He didn't know that he stayed that long conversing and learning from Belgarath.

He entered Knockturn Alley again, but this time, without his Harold Evans persona. If he was honest with himself, Harold Evans was dead with his ashes scattered to the four winds. With confidence, Harry strolled down the dark alley without a care in the world. People who saw him wondered where he came from but gasped when they realized who it was.

The lightning bolt scar on his forehead was a dead giveaway after all.

Harry's amusement was due, a few minutes later, when he was surrounded on all sides by some of the dregs that lived in Knockturn Alley. He didn't recognize any of them but he knew the reason why he was surrounded.

One, he was a well-known celebrity.

Two, he was quite rich considering the title he held; well except for being Lord Ravenclaw since no one knew about that.

Three, he was alone.

And four, they thought that he was powerful so they decided to attack him en masse.

It was unfortunate of them when they didn't realize that all four reasons were truth, especially the last one.

"Good evening gentlemen. What can I do for you this glorious evening?" Harry greeted them politely though inwardly he was laughing since he already had a plan on how to 'dispose' of them.

One of them men chuckled at his seemingly brave facade.

"Well well well, what have we here? Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived. What are you doing here in Knockturn Alley?"

Some of the ingrates surrounding him laughed outright, confident that they were enough in numbers to bring down such a well-known celebrity who earned his fame by defeating the Dark Lord while he was still a babe.

"Well, to be honest with you, I have to make a visit to Old Man Garth. Alas, he wasn't around so I waited for him. When I saw that it was already evening, I decided to leave and come back another day hoping to catch him again." explained Harry, amusement clearly evident in his voice. "I was on my way to Diagon Alley to floo back to my home."

"Oh really, Mr. Potter? Why do you believe that we will let you out of our grasp? After all, quite a lot of people will pay a large sum just to protect your pretty little head." The leader of the group, a bearded middle-aged man with a gold tooth holding a dagger on his left and a wand on his right told him. The rest of the thugs surrounding Harry cheered in agreement.

"Are you sure that is what you want? We don't want to have an...accident now, do we?" said Harry as he sent a mental call to Aria to appear when needed. He got a hum in response.

"Accident for you maybe but not for us." stated the leader before leveling his wand at Harry. \

"Stupefy"

Even before the spell was cast, Harry raised his hand and called Aria to him. His beloved staff appeared in a flash of emerald light. Harry heard the first syllable of the spell so he raised his staff in front of him and slammed the butt on the ground before shouting a spell.

"Protego"

A bright green dome of magical energy surrounded him, causing the stunner to bounce harmlessly off the surface, hitting one of the thugs which crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

The thugs surrounding him was shocked when they saw what the Boy-Who-Lived did but a bark from their leader to start firing broke them from their confusion before leveling their wands and started firing an assortment of hexes, charms, and jinxes in hopes of bring down the dome to get to the prize within. Luckily, they wanted him alive so Unforgivable was out of the question.

Harry saw the spells being aimed at him bouncing off his shield. Thanks to Aria, he could expend the power to make a simple Protego Charm powerful enough to cover him from all sides and with enough power to block any spells except for the unforgivable. He was content to just remain inside the protection until they tire themselves out but when he heard the first syllable of the Cruciatus Curse, he decided to take the kid gloves off.

Springing into action, Harry dropped down into the shadow he was standing on before coming out behind group who was looking at where he was standing before he disappeared. He was thankful that it was nighttime and the shadows on the floor make for a perfect escape route. Seeing their confusion, Harry pointed his staff on an innocent rock the size of a golf ball on the ground.

"Engorgio"

The rock grew twenty times its original size effectively turning itself into a boulder. He levitated it off the ground using his Telekinesis and flung it towards the group of thugs, effectively hitting three of them the force of a rampaging bludger before throwing them into one of the buildings, some dazed while the others were unconscious.

Distracted by the sudden attack, Harry took advantage of the confusion by showering the remaining thugs with different hexes – minor ones – but very effective. Using Aria and his free hand, Harry rapid fired a variety of spells. Jelly-Legs, a Tickling Charm, some Stunners here and there; and even used the First year Winguardiam Leviosa to toss some of the thugs into each other. He would have used his Telekinesis on them but the heat of the battle disallowed any form of focus to make such a thing possible.

The battle was over in just a span of two minutes. The thugs who surrounded him were on the floor – some unconscious, some groaning from pain, others wobbling as their legs turned to jelly. There were even three of them clutching their stomachs as they laughed their heads off when hit with an overpowered tickling charm.

Overall, they made for a very amusing sight.

Despite being slightly winded at the expenditure of magical energy from all the spells he threw at the thugs, Harry chuckled as he walked at a sedate pace ignoring the people who attacked him as they laid there on the floor. The people who were watching the quick altercation could only gape in shock, surprise, and awe as the Boy-Who-Lived lived up to his reputation. Decimating more than a dozen thugs with the use of simple first year spells learned at Hogwarts.

Awed, the people who were gathered parted like the Red Sea as Harry walked through them with Aria floating beside him without a care in the world.

Harry, clearly amused, decided to mimic his mentor in the field of drama. He grasped Aria who's emerald glowed with unholy light. Harry raised his free hand to the side parallel to the ground, mentally calling for Hedwig to appear on it and take him back to the Manor.

For the bystanders, they saw Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, grasp his legendary staff of power and raised his hand to the side. A rare white phoenix appeared and landed on the outstretched arm, glaring at them from over her wing. With a burst of white fire, Harry Potter disappeared from Knockturn Alley to the shock of everyone, including the Aurors who just arrived long enough to see him to do so.

Harry was grinning when he appeared in his study with in a burst of white flame. He chuckled in amusement as he let go of Aria who just floated beside him, emerald glowing as if she was laughing. Aria could easily utilize her ability to speak but she preferred to express her mood by glowing.

She was just lazy that way.

Chuckling at what happened in the alley, Harry was sure that the rumor mill would be on overdrive because of his theatrics.

"Thanks for getting me out of there, Hed." Harry thanked his familiar who was perched on the back of his high-backed chair upon arrival.

"You're welcome, master. We should do that often. It was fun." said Hedwig while releasing an amused thrill.

"True. It was surely fun but tiring. I guess my body can't keep up with the spells. I think my stamina will grow as I mature physically and magically." said Harry, adding the last part as an afterthought. He looked at Hedwig. "Anyway, Hed, can you make a quick trip to Sirius to give him his wand?"

Harry saw his familiar nod so he decided to pen a letter instead of writing in the journal.

He gathered his Will and created a piece of parchment out of thin air. He really wanted to try something when he realized that he was now a real Sorcerer, he translocated his thoughts directly on the parchment after thinking what he wanted to write in the letter, word for word. His Will responded to his thoughts as the exact letter in his mind appeared on the parchment.

Chuckling at the ease of how he could use his new powers, he folded the letter and took out the box that contained Sirius' new wand. He conjured a piece of twine from a blank parchment before wrapping the letter and the box together. He placed both items on the table and nodded to Hedwig who just hopped on the table, grabbed the box with one of her talons and stretched her wings before flaming out.

Deciding to let his grandfather in the know, he opened himself to the Potter Manor wards and transmitted his memory of everything that happened in the alley – from his meeting with Old Man Grath, the acceptance of the truth behind his heritage, the revelation of the Old Sorcerer, his ascension to become the only Shadow Sorcerer of this world, and finally, his altercation in Knockturn Alley. He could clearly feel the awe and amusement of Godric running along the wards.

"Quite the feat there, lad. I see that your trip to the alley was forthcoming." the voice of Godric echoed around the study.

"It was, grandfather. I'm sorry that I only just now accepted the real me." whispered Harry as he tiredly fell on his chair.

"No worries, lad. Everything happens at its own time, more so with us magicals due to our inherent connection with the primal forces of Nature." explained Godric. "So what do you plan to do now?"

"I am going to follow Belgarath's advice, grandfather." Harry declared with a smirk on his face. "I'm going to live my life to the fullest, seeking knowledge wherever and whenever it is presented, and not let anyone control how I shape my destiny."

Godric didn't say anything but the feeling of pride over his grandson's declaration can be felt throughout the Manor.

Sirius' Cell, Azkaban Prison

Sirius was munching on a clubhouse sandwich while reading a Third Year Charms text when he felt a presence behind the door of his prison. He looked up and raised an eyebrow when he saw the Dementor hovering outside, possibly trying to feed on his negative emotions which was non-existent at the moment since he was having fun reading the text.

Sirius just shook his head and used his repaired Occlumency shields to let out some negative memories to power up his emotions. He endured it for a while until he felt it was enough. He raised his shields while placing the memory of James and Lily's death in a sealed chest at the most secluded corner of his mind. Sirius eyebrows rose even higher when he heard something similar to that of a whine coming from the Dementor as if a treat was taken from it.

He chuckled and stared at the door, waiting for the Dementor to leave, before going back to what he was doing. Sure enough, another whine came before the Dementor floating away towards another prisoner to feed. Sirius just shook his head.

Weird creatures.

A week under Harry's potion regime did wonders to his physical and mental state. Good food, regular baths, potions, and books helped him recuperate and relax. Thanks to his improved health, as well as the relaxing environ if one ignores the biting chill of the frigid ocean, lack of cheery lighting, and of course, the presence of Dementors; he could say that his stint in prison was a form of summer getaway though lacking the attractions of a well-known tourist trap.

Sure, he had to be careful still since Azkaban Wardens usually conduct surprise inspections if they felt like it, like what happened two days ago. Good thing that his sense of smell was good or he would have been caught and his summer getaway discovered though he wasn't afraid of them finding out since his godson did a great job in covering his tracks.

When the wardens of Azkaban did their surprise inspections two days ago, Sirius retreated into the darker corner of his cell and started moaning as if he was in terrible pain. The Azkaban Wardens stopped by his cell to listen to his painful moans while laughing at his plight before leaving him.

However, the wardens didn't know that the moans were genuine. His stomach was having problems that time since he ate too much of the good food Harry's personal elf prepared that his stomach rebelled. A single dump alone filled his waste basket to the brim. Unfortunately, the caretakers were lazy…again…so they didn't drop by to get rid of the mess.

Thankfully, his suffering was at an end since his godson informed him via journal that he will be getting a wand today. Sirius prayed that Harry could find a good match since he really wanted to spruce up his cell or just banish the stink emanating from the contents in the waste basket.

His prayer was answered when Hedwig appeared on top of his bed. Sirius' eyes immediately landed on the rectangular box and the letter clutched on the white phoenix's talons. Scratching Harry's familiar's neck in thanks, Sirius took the box when Hedwig flame traveled back to Harry.

Sirius got rid of the twine and read the letter first, leaving the box containing his wand on the bed.

Dear Padfoot,

Your wand is ready Sirius. I hope you like it. It is made from the same components as your first wand but with a little twist.

Well, just to let you know, I was the one who made the wand. Hope you like it.

To quote Ollivander when he sold me my wand, come on…give it a wave.

Love,

Harry

PS: I would love to tell you how I crafted your wand but it would take too long to write in this letter. I'll explain it in detail via journal tomorrow. Anyway, I'm going to bed. Have fun with your new wand. I'm going to crash early. I'm tired from the day's events. Good night.

Sirius quirked an eyebrow and eyed the box with suspicion. Harry made a wand? When? Where? How?

Shaking his head, he threw the letter on his bed and grabbed the box before admiring the workmanship. With a shaky hand, he lifted the lid and gasped.

There inside, resting on a bed of black silk, was his wand.

If Harry did 'craft' the wand then his godson was a lot more talented than Ollivander. Heck, Harry can easily put the old man out of business if he can make wands like this. The beauty alone was a money-maker right there.

He grabbed the wand and felt the hum of magic running through it and into his hand making his whole body tingle. He waved it and gasped at the sudden surge of magic that ran through him. A shower of multicolored sparks shot out of the tip, bathing the room in a cascading color of light. The hum of power eventually died down causing the sparks to disappear. Sirius stared at the wand as if it was the second coming of Merlin.

Morgana's tits! He never felt such power in his entire life. The wand easily dwarfed his old one by a whole trench in terms of power. Deciding to test its performance, he aimed his wand at Harry's letter and incanted a simple flame charm. The result was both staggering and shocking.

The letter burned to ash in a burst of fire along with his bed. Panicking, Sirius aimed his wand again and threw out a non-verbal water charm. He was propelled back, slamming onto the wall, when a deluge of water shot out of his wand. Easily extinguishing the fire and causing his cell and the rest of the hallway to be flooded with water.

He shook his head to clear away the fog before slowly standing up. He looked around and saw that everything was soaked. He looked at the wand before squaring his shoulder deciding to take a risk. He waved at the water flooding his cell before using a non-verbal banishing charm.

It worked.

In fact, it worked a little TOO well since not only did the water vanish before his eyes. His clothes disappeared too. He sighed while thinking that Harry made his wand too perfect for him.

At least the smell lingering in the air was gone…along with the bucket.

Edited by Corruptmonk

May 26, 2012