chapter 20 - Expanding the Horizon

Diagon Alley was always a wonder to explore. The cobblestone streets bustled with witches and wizards of all kinds, moving between the various shops filled with magical goods. Every visit brought something new to learn.

Harry adjusted the strap of his satchel as he stepped into Flourish and Blotts, his usual destination. Over the past few years, he had managed to amass a decent collection of books, each one broadening his understanding of magic. Today, he had a clear goal—to find more advanced spells while staying within legal boundaries.

Household Magic was an obvious choice. While his family had Timmy to handle most chores, Harry believed understanding the practical applications of magic was just as important as the flashy spells. His research had already led him to fascinating discoveries—like self-cleaning charms that could be altered to disinfect surfaces, or the Ever-Warm enchantment used to keep food at the perfect temperature.

He moved between the shelves, scanning the spines of various books.

"Magical Efficiency in the Household" "Every Witch's Guide to Cleaning Charms" "Enchanted Cooking: A Beginner's Guide"

He added them to his growing stack. If he could understand the fundamental nature of magic in daily life, it would likely help with broader spellwork.

But he wasn't just here for everyday magic. He wanted spells with real depth.

His fingers brushed against a worn, leather-bound tome: "The Lost Arts: Ancient Spells and Their Forgotten Uses."

Curious, he flipped through it. Some of the spells were outdated or had safer modern equivalents, but others caught his interest—particularly one that stood out: The Patronus Charm.

It was a spell designed to repel Dementors, beings that fed on fear and despair. But beyond that, it was said to be powered by positive emotions—a stark contrast to many other defensive magics.

'An advanced charm fueled by willpower rather than aggression… interesting.'

He took it. Learning magic tied to emotions could only help him in the long run.

Still, there was one specific field of magic he had been searching for but kept hitting dead ends—Occlumency. The ability to shield one's mind was something he needed. With his growing mental abilities, Harry had already felt the risks. His telepathy was becoming sharper, his awareness of emotions stronger. If someone could look into his mind, what would they see?

He scanned the restricted section from a distance. No luck. Even asking a shopkeeper about it had led to a wary glance before a firm, "Ministry restrictions, lad. Not for sale."

Harry frowned. 'So, they're controlling access to it? '

It wasn't the end of his search. If the Ministry was keeping it under lock and key, that only made him more determined to find a way. For now, he would focus on what he could learn.

After purchasing his books, he made a few additional stops—including a shop selling magical quills and ink that resisted smudging. Writing, drawing, painting—each one required precision, and he wanted tools that matched his needs.

By the time he returned home, he had a full satchel and a mind brimming with possibilities.

The next step? Sorting his newfound knowledge.

Over the next few months, he worked his way through his books, refining his understanding of various spells and enchantments. As he learned, something fascinating happened—his control over the Phoenix Force was improving.

At first, it had been unpredictable. Now, he could feel emotions even without actively using telepathy. The energy inside him responded subtly, picking up on the emotional shifts in those around him.

He hadn't expected that.

Was it instinct? A passive ability? Or simply the Phoenix Force adapting to his growth?

Whatever the case, it gave him another layer of awareness—one that could prove invaluable in the future.

As he closed another book, he exhaled slowly.

'One step at a time. Strength isn't built overnight.'

But with knowledge, patience, and persistence—he would get there.