The Hiss of Darkness Within a Heart of Gold
by Tubbataha
Disclaimer: I don't claim any of these characters, just boring them to save my sanity for a little while longer.
Summary: Harry leaves the Dursley's in the summer after 5th year after Hedwig is killed by Vernon. Harry life is changed after a shopping trip to get a new owl. not HBP complaint. Salazar will make an appearance (sort of).
"Hello can I help you?"
Harry started and spun around from the cage which contained a small three tail fox which had previously held his attention to face the wiry old shop keeper.
"Um… Yes I was looking for an owl, for ah… mail." Harry asked stumbling over his words. The look the piercing shopkeeper fixed on him with pale blue almost watery gaze, was seriously unnerving him. It had an effect not unlike that of Snape's hard onyx ones, all though in an entirely different way.
"An owl you say" The shopkeeper said leering at Harry, but Harry held firm refusing to give ground by Merlin if he could face the greasy git every year in potions he would not be intimidated by this man strange eyes or no.
The man leant away from Harry a look of something akin to respect flickered briefly in his eyes before a neutral look fell back over his face. Then he simply raised a heavily scared to scratch the stubble on his chin and started to speak.
"Yes, we have plenty of those" he gestured to a series of perches back in the right hand front corner of the shop, that Harry hadn't notice previous when he entered. I really must work on my observation skills Harry thought to himself as he moved towards the perches.
"Pity though for a moment there I thought you had come in for something more interesting" The shopkeeper said clearly stressing the last word.
Harry froze at the shopkeeper's words but before he could turn around or even attempt a reply, the man sighed and began to move back towards his counter in the depths of the shop.
"More interesting?" Harry murmured to himself, whilst he observed the array of owls before himself.
Harry quickly narrowed it down so there were only two viable options left. It was a toss up between a large mottled screech owl and a smaller black owl. Whilst the shop did have a wide variety of different owls including a few snowy owls, Harry decided against choosing another pet that so closely resembled his former companion.
After a few moment more consideration Harry decided on the black owl, due to the fat that it was a fairly typical breed and colour there for would not stand out as much as Hedwig once did. However whilst it was suitably inconspicuous as previously discussed its dark blue eyes managed to give it a subtle air of uniqueness that drew Harry to it.
"A fine choice sir" The Shop Keeper busied himself getting the bird into its traveling cage.
"However if you were perhaps interested in something more exotic then this here owl; oh not that there is anything wrong with it mind you" He was quick to reassure Harry.
"Just that you look like the sort of person who could appreciate something" He paused apparently choosing his words carefully before continuing. "Something more, shall we say" With that he raised an eyebrow in a questioning challenge to Harry.
Harry stood in shock for a moment just staring at the peculiar shopkeeper assessing the possible implications of his words. He couldn't find any directly targeted malicious intent; there were hints of general discontent and frustration towards the world in general or more specifically current attitudes.
However Harry found that his curiosity was piqued and moved to the far corner of the shop to see just what these "exotic", "interesting" creatures might be. After all they couldn't be any worse then some of the creatures in Hagrid's lessons could they?
First there was a series of crates whose occupant emitted lowly growling and spitting noises as Harry skirted carefully past them. He had absolutely no desire to even consider owning a creature with claws or that made those kinds of sounds.
So he moved on quickly towards a row tanks on the back wall. They appeared to be filled with snakes, lizards and other creatures that appeared to vaguely resembled reptiles.
Harry attention was briefly captured by a multicoloured lizard the wouldn't have looked out of place on the page of a child's colouring book, however is eyes were drawn away to what appeared to be an empty tank. On closer inspection though the dust and grim a snake of the brightest green Harry had ever seen slumbered.
Mesmerized by the sight of the sleeping serpent Harry ignored the hissing of the other snakes and went to stand in front of the dark tank.
"Well it appears you do have interesting tastes after all" the shop keeper spoke peering of Harry's shoulder. "However I wouldn't bother with that one it has been there as long as I have owned the place, yet no one has ever been able to wake the thing."
The shop keeper looked thoughtful; for a moment then continued,"No that thing just keeps on slumbering, not even that snake speaker who came in about 20years or so ago."
Harry's head jerked around to stare at the shop keeper but the man was lost in his memories and carried on speaking without noticing Harry's reaction.
"Most disappointed he was. He was really interested in that comatosed creature. In fact I believe he stormed out hissing under his breath when he didn't succeed. Not a pleasant one that."
Coming out of his revere the shop keeper looked back at Harry finally seeing the shocked look on Harry's face. After a moment Harry shook himself and turned away from the shop keeper to the tank muttering under his breath.
"No I imagine he wouldn't be too pleasant"
"What was that boy?" Snapped the shop keeper.
"Nothing Harry said quickly.
There was jus something about this snake Harry couldn't exactly explain what it was but he felt almost drawn to the slumbering creature. His nose was now almost pressed against the glass and his hand by its own violation reached inside the tank to stroke the snakes head.
AN: Hope you like it I already have written more of this just have to type it up. Sorry its not more for now but will continue asap