Disclaimer: Err, I guess I don't own the adorable little munchkin but then again J.K brought him to us at 11…he's four now…#rubs chin thinking before grabbing him# MINE! MINE! MINE! Muahahahahahha!

Rejected Runespoor

Chapter 18

Harry had wandered up the Alley and found Flourish and Blott's. He had pulled up his hood since going down the Gringotts steps but pulled it back slightly so his face could be seen, though not his scar, as he entered.

"Good day. How may I help you?" A small man bustled up to him.

"Hi." Harry gave a brief smiled before turning his face impassive again. "I'd like to see some books on wizarding history please."

The man hustled him over to a shelf and left him there to go check another customer. He didn't really find anything riveting. Hogwarts, A History, he decided to take just because he did need to learn about the school even if the book was a bore. He sighed, having expected to find more interesting books here than this and paid for it while getting his schoolbooks at the same time. On his way out he noticed a storeroom and edged his way towards it, curiously. Now this, was what he was looking for. The books behind here looked stashed and were covered in dust.

He caught a few titles. Dark Wizards Of The Past, Lord Grindelwald's Story, Hexes, Curses and Jinxed Verses For Bad Luck and Rise Of The Dark Lord…the rest of the title was smudged, before he heard a gasp and was quickly shuttled out of the store by the keeper.

Harry made an annoyed sound and pulled up his hood fully over his head with a scowl. Clothes shop then. He strolled his way back up the street in a pout catching sight of an interesting side road. Interesting because everyone passing it was avoiding it like it didn't exist. With a shrug and making sure his books and pouches were safe in his pockets Harry sidled over and slipped in.

This was dingier than the main street. Shadier characters too if their looks were anything to go on. Harry deepened his voice and stopped next to an old hag of a witch, selling toenails.

"Bookshop."

She blinked before grinning with blackened teeth at him. "Would you like a curse toooenail darling?"

:Bookshop! Now woman:

It had the most fascinating effect of making her pale in her splotchy yellow skin and back away pointing a shaky finger further down the street.

Harry smirked under his hood and glided away. Parseltongue had its uses.

Okay this place had to be the dingiest place he'd past yet. But there were dingier further down. Harry scowled. He wished he could explore everywhere but these places probably weren't safe.

Then again he was that Gryffindor-adventurous sort wasn't he?

Harry found the shop and opened the door, cringing at the soft tinkle of a bell. Immediately a fairly tall, shifty man popped up, wand in hand, from behind the main counter.

"Hi," Harry said raising his hands slowly. The man kept the wand on him and stared. "How may I help you?" He did in another voice. "I'm looking for some books on the wizarding world's history." Harry did in his original voice.

"Very foolish to come here without a wand." The man's rasping voice said.

"I'm a foolish Gryffindor."

"I doubt you're Gryffindor, though you have the idiocy and courage for it, a Gryffindor wouldn't be here. Where's your wand?"

"I don't have one." Harry blinked guilelessly.

Dark blue eyes narrowed on him. "Okay. Right this way. I suggest though to a young man such as yourself, if you don't have a wand you shouldn't be here. Others may not be as forgiving as myself."

Harry nodded. "Thank you." He replied stiffly. The man nodded back and lead him into the back.

"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

"Rise of the Dark Lord…" Harry paused with a smirk. "You know who."

"Ah," the man cleared his throat lightly. "That book was made Gray when the Ministry found out about it."

"Gray?"

The man arched an eyebrow. "You know. Light, Gray, Dark magics."

"Ah." Harry replied. "So can I have it?"

"I'm sure I can find a copy here somewhere. Is that all you came for?"

"Noo…anything else like that. Interesting...Gray. Dark. Connected to the Dark Lord of the present?" Harry asked lowly.

"…special crates just for people like you. These books have been foisted off from, persons who wouldn't like to be found with them." Harry arched an eyebrow at that. "Just history? Or would some spell books and such interest you?"

"All. I have a pouch that has about fifty galleons in it. If you shrink these two crates for me can I have them?"

"Twenty five a crate?" the man frowned.

"Or they can stay here and rot in the dust." Harry shrugged lightly. "You never know when the Ministry might make a raid too. You know how distrustful they are. 'Course I could always pick out book by book but then you'd probably not get even twenty five."

The man frowned at Harry deeper and scowled. "Sold. You'll be coming back of course right? Shop again. I'll try to have more."

"I'll try." Harry smirked triumphantly.

With the Slytherin cunning and slyness of course.

AN: You guys are so lucky I updated this in the morning so now I can give you it tonight. My comp is acting up and there's no time before bed to reboot. Without my progressive thinking you'd have to wait til tomorrow for this! Unfortunately, the downside is I can't get to my review page to see the review to answer them for you so if you had any questions are statements i should reply to you'll have to check back with tomorrow's chapter to see my reply. The only reviews I really remember are Irihi's and all I can say is..."You can't bribe me with cookies!#snatches them and stuffs them into pocket, slipping you secret chapters in exchange#I have values! But thanks for the compliment on my plot...I try. #flushes proudly#