After searching for well over an hour he sighed in defeat. There was very little here that could give him the kind of help he was looking for and glanced hungrily towards the restricted section knowing full well he wouldn't get permission to take anything from there to read for leisure purposes.
It was then that another realisation hit him, one he should have been aware of from the start and something he had overlooked in his eagerness.
The summer holidays were less than two weeks away and he wouldn't be able to take any of the books home with him and he knew if Dumbledore got wind of what he was doing he would certainly put a stop to it.
'I need to get my own books' he sighed inwardly.
He knew he had more than enough in his vault for some books but he had no way of getting any knowing that he would not be able to visit Diagon Alley let alone Knockturn Alley to find what he needed.
He left the library in a rather foul mood, trying to think of a way that he could get the much needed material. He considered asking some older students if they had any that he could borrow but very much doubted any student would have what he needed.
He entered the 5th year boy's dormitory, grateful that it was empty, and threw himself on his bed.
"Maybe Remus would help" he mumbled thoughtfully. He however wasn't ready to face the broken stare of the werewolf, who no doubt was mourning the passing of his final true friend.
Again Harry swallowed down a stab of guilt and sadness before continuing his musings.
"That's it" he declared after a few moments, though he was not completely certain about his plan. "Dobby?" he called a little tentatively.
There was a loud crack as the house elf appeared looking very excited to be summoned by Harry.
"What can Dobby be doing for Harry Potter sir?" the elf asked in his usual hyperactive fashion, bouncing in his happiness.
"Dobby I need you to be calm and listen" Harry requested.
The elf immediately stood stock still and waited for Harry to continue. "Can I trust you to keep my secrets?", Harry questioned the elf bluntly.
"Dobby would never be telling Harry Potter sirs secrets" he answered immediately shaking his head and causing his bat-like ears to flap comically.
"Good", Harry responded gratefully. "Is there any way you can get gold from my Gringotts account?" he asked.
"If Harry Potter sir gives Dobby his key then Dobby can be doing that" the elf informed him.
"Shit, I don't have my key", Harry cursed irritably. "Is there no other way?" he asked a little desperately.
"No Harry Potter sir", Dobby answered sadly, his head drooping in disappointment. "What does Harry Potter sir be needing", he inquired.
Harry sighed and rubbed his temples, frustrated. "I need some books, but they don't have them in the library" he explained.
"What kind of books Harry Potter sir?", the elf asked further.
"Books that will teach me how to fight Death Eaters", Harry whispered, shooting a furtive glance towards the door.
Dobby mimicked Harry's action before leaning in closer.
"Is Harry Potter sir needing books that being unfriendly?", he asked in a whisper, sounding more serious than Harry had ever heard him.
"Yes", Harry confirmed with a resolute nod.
"Dobby be knowing where books like that be Harry Potter sir", the elf replied in an excited whisper.
"Where?", Harry asked excitedly while shooting to his feet. "They is in the come and go room Harry Potter sir", the elf answered mirroring Harry's excitement and also sounding a little mischievous.
Harry sighed and sat down, shaking his head.
"You can't take anything out of there" he pointed out.
"They is being in a special room Harry Potter sir, they is being hidden there by people", the elf explained.
Harry stood again.
He couldn't be certain but he assumed that if the books were only hidden there then he could retrieve them.
"Can you take me?", he asked the elf, feeling his eagerness swelling within him once again.
"Dobby be meeting you there", Dobby responded with a nod before disappearing with a crack. Harry raced from the tower as fast as his legs would carry him to meet the elf, praising the creature as he went.
He arrived at the tapestry of the dancing trolls feeling more than a little breathless as he came upon Dobby who was stood in front of a very old oak door.
"They is being in here Harry Potter sir", the elf informed him, gesturing for Harry to enter which he did immediately, followed by Dobby.
What he saw inside took his breath away and left him staring in awe.
There was stack upon stack of items that even he could tell were very valuable, it was very much like a large muggle antique shop.
He could see a few pensieves, some old broomsticks and even a couple of invisibility cloaks similar to his own which he knew for a fact were worth a fortune themselves. "Can you take anything out of this room?", he asked the elf breathily, still in awe at what he was seeing.
"Yes Harry Potter sir, this is all being hidden by wizards and witches", Dobby confirmed.
It was then that he had his second stroke of genius of the day.