Next Time Around

The ritual

Authors note:

Yay. New chapter. It says exactly what's happening in the title, though it didn't come out exactly the way I wanted it. No matter, I still like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own HP universe and do not make any money off of this whatsoever. Unfortunately. I do own the plot line and any OC's. So please don't copy.

Enjoy!

Harry walked through the market, listening with one ear to the guide helping him along. He was on a big magical market in Cairo, searching for the perfect ritual dagger to do the ritual with. As the others were otherwise occupied, he was alone this time. He was hoping to find a dagger before noon, exactly one day before they had planned to do the ritual.

He sighed. Even with the cooling charms, it was almost unbearably hot in Egypt at the moment. The cramped market paths and huge crowd did absolutely nothing to alleviate the heat. It was also very frustrating that he couldn't just ask his guide for some magical daggers, as it could be slightly illegal and definitely suspicious. So before he found some stand with magical weaponry he would just have to bare with it.

'And look here, the lovely stand of my dear Raelle, she sells clothing for the best price in the market. If you need any clothing from anywhere in the world, she has it. And all of it with deep discount of course, when you tell her I sent you. Her skirts as well are simply beautiful, really I'm telling you... Oh and here, here! This is the bakery of Mare, she sells only the best of the best, bread infused with nutrient potions. All of her rains come straight from the banks of the Nile. It has such an original taste, you simply must... And look, there is the place my dear uncle Sezal owns! He sells everything, you know? He buys stuff from all over -mostly antiques- and sells them for a very, very agreeable price. I'm telling you, you need something ancient? Just go to his...'

'Right.' Harry interrupted. 'That sounds like a marvelous shop. Let's see it then.' He hoped that maybe here -after looking in five shops already- they would find anything suitable. He was running out of hope, and his patience was already long-gone. He distantly wondered how it was possible that anyone would actually do this for fun.

As they walked into the shop, an elderly gentleman came up to them. 'Hello, hello. Ah dear nephew, how wonderful to see you again. And a customer as well... lovely lovely. What is your name, good sir?'

'...uhh Harry sir. I mean Hadrian that is. But most people call me Harry.' He belatedly realized to use his fake name. It wouldn't do to have people finding him because he couldn't be bothered to change his name for once.

The old man gave him a conspiratorial smile. 'Of course of course, "Hadrian".'

Nervously, Harry coughed and suddenly blurts out 'Do you perchance sell ritual daggers?' Damn, he thought, there goes subtlety.

'Finally!' His guide exclaimed. 'Three Merlin-be-damned hours and I finally know what you want to buy. I mean come on, it's not like I'm gonna talk or whatever, we just want to sell you some stuff! It's the Aurors you should be weary of, not the guides! We are literally hired to give you what you want on the market!'

Harry scratched his neck and smiled sheepishly. 'Ok. Well do you? Have a dagger I mean?'

The shopkeeper gave him an indulgent smile and nodded. He went to the back of the shop, beckoning Harry to follow, and took a piece of cloth off of a desk. Underneath it was a true collection of various daggers, all different lengths and with different runes etched into them.

Nervously, Harry picked up one of them, feeling it's weight in his hand. He realized he really didn't know what he was looking for.

'Want some help, son?' The shopkeeper asked. 'Yeah...' Harry said, giving him a thankful smile.