The next few days went quickly. Chiara had left Y/N some Dreamless Sleep potions to combat the nightmares and following this, the four friends enjoyed themselves immensely. They purchased their Hogwarts supplies, Y/N and Hermione got fitted for new robes at Madam Malkin's that Y/N paid for, they enjoyed ice cream at Florean Fortescue's, restocked their potion and alchemic needs at Slug and Jiggers Apothecary and Y/N and Hermione went book shopping at Flourish and Blotts.

Y/N had taken Madam Villanelle aside and asked for a particular subject away from the others. Madam Villanelle told him sadly she didn't have what he needed, that she could try for him to source some but it could take a while. She did though, with a sense of foreboding, suggest a location he could check to source the texts he needed.

After buying quite a few books on a diverse range of subjects Y/N and Hermione investigated another bookshop, Oldknowe Books. Y/N bought a few books on spirits and dark creatures for his upcoming Ghoul Studies class, but he had no luck on the same particular subject he was hoping for.

Y/N and Hermione went for tea and cake at Rosa Lee Teabags, which was nice, just the two of them. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron to see Harry and Lavender sitting in front of the fireplace, chatting.

"Can you wait here with Lav and Harry babe? I've got somewhere I need to go but it's not safe. Well, for anyone but me" Y/N smirked his cocky smirk as he spoke.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at her boyfriend, replying:

"Fine, but you better not get in trouble"

Y/N smiled and nodded. He kissed Hermione on the lips before walking out the pub. He started the ten minute walk to Knockturn Alley.

—~—

Y/N chuckled as he entered Knockturn. Walking through Diagon people who saw him coming actively moved out of his way, mothers pulled their children away from where he walked. When he entered Knockturn, two witches near the entrance saw him coming- they had gone wide eyed and then... bowed their heads to him, whispering:

"Grindelwald."

Y/N hadn't said anything to them, just continued walking. Feared by the the people the Punisher protects, respected by those the Punisher hunts- Y/N wondered how his life had become so backwards.

He walked towards the bookshop he wanted to visit, Arcanum, but stopped as he reached the front doorway. He heard a voice behind him.

"You lost boy?"

Y/N smiled to himself, before hardening his fiercest glare. He searched the man's mind. Some petty stuff, ripping off the Ministry, some duels, nothing too bad- Y/N had done worse. He was actually concerned why a teen was in Knockturn, but didn't want to appear soft. Y/N chuckled to himself- this one would live.

Y/N unsheathed his wand and turned with his fierce glare, staring into the man's very soul. The man visibly bricked.

"Oh-uh-ah Grindelwald, I didn't know it was you. I'm sorry sir I'm sorry."

The man bowed deeply, still fearful. Y/N chuckled. For some reason anyone remotely dark called him Grindelwald now, since the Prophet had leaked his lineage. Y/N said simply:

"Go on, piss off! Go fuck with the Ministry some more for me".

The wizard's eyes lit up and he nodded furiously, saying "Yes my Lord" before apparating away.

A thought popped in Y/N's head at the man's words. His own group of followers- with himself as a Dark Lord.

He wasn't considering turning evil, but if he had a group of dark followers, it could limit and undermine Voldemort's rise when he returned. Attack Voldemort from both directions, the light and the dark. Something to consider anyway.

Y/N turned and entered the Dark Arts bookstore. He walked towards the front of the empty store. The clerk took one look at him, shrieked, and hid behind the counter.

"Please sir, I don't want no trouble, I just work here sir, it's just a job".

Y/N was puzzled at the extreme reaction before peering into the young man's mind. He saw who the man was, what he was, why he had to work here and most importantly what he knew. Y/N chuckled at the terrified wizard.

"You know who the Punisher is, don't you?"

The wizard nodded terrified:

"Yes sir, but I didn't tell nobody. I saw that day when it happened, hid in the back of the store. I didn't tell nobody."

"Good. Keep it that way. But I'm not here for punishment. I'm here..." Y/N pulled his galleon heavy money pouch out and jingled it "...as a cash paying customer. And I wonder if you can help me."

The young clerk nodded. Y/N requested every book the store carried relating to a very specific topic. The same word that started bouncing around his head in the Hole, and hadn't left since.

Archon...

Y/N purchased about 20 books before placing them in his moke pouch and leaving, returning to the pub.

He smiled seeing Hermione sitting with Lavender and Harry and kissed her on the neck from behind. She lifted her hand and wrapped it around his head smiling.

"Get done what you needed to, love?"

Y/N smiled as he sat and Hermione jumped onto his lap, answering:

"I did babe I did. I'll tell you about it later."

Hermione smiled and nodded as she happily leant back into her boyfriend's loving embrace.