Title: With Different Eyes
Rating: T
Pairings: Harry Potter & Tracey Davis
Warnings: None
Themes: Alternate Universe., Blind!Harry, Smart!Harry, Slytherin!Harry, Independent!Harry, Manipulative Dumbledore.
Summary: (AU, Blind!harry, HP/TD) Poor Harry lost his eyesight when he absorbed the Killing Curse. See how he struggles to overcome the pity and prejudice of the Wizarding Community.
Disclaimer: I am not JKR
Authors Note: This is my attempt on writing a realistic story in which Harry Potter suffers from blindness. Because I myself are visually impaired, I know from experience that for a blind person living a relatively normal life is certainly not a walk in the park, especially not if you were to grow up in a medieval-like setting with wand-wielding wizards, moving staircases, dangerous creatures and so on. Also, I will try to abstain from transforming this story into a Mary-Sue. Even though I love Harry Potter Fan Fiction, I wouldn't give a knut to be able to live in the Wizarding World myself. I hope that you enjoy this story, and please leave a review.
Prologue
UTRUM PER HEBDOMADEM PERVENIAM
(If I can just go through this week)
There was a soft knock at the office door. Millicent Bagnold, current Minister for Magic, looked up from her paperwork and swiftley glanced into a small mirror that was located at the top left corner of her desk. In it she saw the face of an old bearded wizard who was standing at the other side of the door. "Please come in, Mister Mugwump," she called cheerily while she drew her wand to remove the locking charms from her door. After wordlessly firing a spell or two, the lock clicked, and in strode Albus Dumbledore. Neither of them noticed the small beetle that was located in the folds of the ancient wizard's robe. It flew up and seated herself on the window sill where she could easily overlook this meeting between the two most influential wizards of the British Wizarding Community.
"How may I help you?" The Minister asked before she appointed the wizard to a seat.
"Minister, I have come to speak with you about matters concerning our Young Hero," the aged wizard began, "I fear that there are certain sensitive topics that need to be brought up in front of the Full Wizengamot. However, due to the boy's current popularity with the public, it will be difficult to have these matters discussed in closed meetings. I have come to seek out the cooperation of the Ministry, and to inform you of the matters at hand."
"Ah, Albus. It is good that you have come to me with this matter. How is our Boy Hero faring? I hope he is recovering well?"
"Yes Minister. As you know Young Harry is currently at Hogwarts under the care of our resident nurse. He is swiftly recovering from the terrible ordeal. However, yesterday we made a startling discovery that we have yet to break to the public.. It seems that the Killing Curse has severely damaged his optic nerves, resulting into total blindness."
"Oh how terrible," She mumbled emotionally. "Poor Harry, Poor blind Harry. Saving us all at the cost of your own eyesight. You were too kind for us. Poor, Poor Dear, Poor sweet Harry. We are so indebted to you..."
"Minister?"
"...we must find a cure so that we can repay you for your mercy," the Minister mumbled feverishly, "We must find the cure that can heal poor blind Harry..."
"Minister!" Asked Albus with a slightly raised voice. It startled the Minister from her thoughts. She threw the aged wizard an apologetic look and said:
"It can be cured, can it Albus?"
"I am afraid there is nothing we can do, Minister," sighed the aged wizard. "We are speaking of a very unique situation here. Not only suffers the boy from Curse Induced Blindness, which is, by the way listed in Healers Index for Incurable illnesses as a Grade Zero Fluke, He has also the curse scar which is another oddity in the book. I told you about that one in our previous meeting."
The Minister nodded, then she gestured for Albus to continue.
"Now, it appears that the Curse Induced Blindness and the Curse Scar are somehow intertwined. If we were to attempt to cure one of them, it may destabilize the other which may cost our young Saviour his life."
The Ministers' shoulders sagged and she looked the ancient wizard in the face with empty eyes and a grim expression. Then she stammered, "I-if we cannot cure him, what else can we do for our Saviour?"
"We can do our best to keep him safe," opted the Supreme Mugwump while he was stroking his fingers through his long white beard. "Perhaps.. Now that we have knowledge of young Harry's disability, wouldn't it be safer for him if we hid him in the Muggle World with his last living relatives?"
"Albus, No!" said the Minister, suddenly sharply, "You cannot possibly ask of the Ministry to agree with this. The public will need to see their Savior growing up amongst them, or the Ministry will lose the support of the Light sided Pure-bloods."
"But Minister," tried Albus, "don't you agree with me that we ought to think of our Saviour's interest first? Don't you feel that he deserves a normal childhood after what he has done for us? Doesn't he deserve the opportunity to research his mother's heritage and the world she came from to the fullest?"
The Minister hesitantly nodded and responded carefully, "Yes, he deserves all that, but-"
Albus interrupted her before she got a chance to complain and said: "The best way to achieve that is to put our young hero temporarily out of the spotlight, and place him in a world where he doesn't has to deal with all the fame. He can be happy there and once he reaches the age of eleven we will reintroduce him to our world."
"As much as young Harry deserves to explore the Muggle World because of his mother's heritage," counter argued the Minister, "Even more so he deserves to grow up in our world. After all, his parents were both wizards, weren't they? Besides, if he really wants to learn about his mother's world, he can always take muggle-studies when he enters Hogwarts as a student."
"But he will not be safe in our world," stated Albus. "There are still Death Eaters out there who are causing mayhem even though their leader is dead. They might plan to target young Harry to avenge their master."
"If that is true," began the Minister, "Then, pray tell me why Harry is still located at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and has not yet been moved to a more secure location where he can recover under medical watch?"
"That is because Hogwarts is the safest place in Wizarding Brittan," said Albus. "The wards around the castle that were woven by the Founders in person, are preventing any real danger from entering the grounds."
"if that is true, then why does it seem that you are trying to have me agree to your proposal at all cost?" Asked the Minister. "If Hogwarts is the safest place, then Harry will be safe as long as he is within the wards."
"That may be true," said Albus, "But children, and especially young children are in need of parental figures who can be their guides and examples in life."
"Then, we should look at the Potter's will and see who they have entrusted with the task." spoke the Minister.
"I have it Here," declared the Supreme Mugwump and Headmaster of Hogwarts while he withdrew a sheet of parchment from one of his pockets.
"Ah here it is. In case of our untimely death, Sirius Black, his Godfather will be his guardian.." He looked up from the parchment and noted: "Sadly, Mister Black is now in a Ministry Holding cell waiting for his trial in front of the full wizengamot. I'm sure there must be a mistake here. Surely the Potter's did not want the murderer of twelve muggles to be their son's guardian?"
"May I see the will please?" Asked the Minister? "I know that it is a private matter, but it may solve some riddles."
Albus Dumbledore looked at the Minister calculatingly, but knew that he couldn't deny her request. He handed over the Will. The Minister For Magic put on her spectacles and began to read, but then she suddenly looked up from the parchment and roared. "ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! Since you carry this will in your pocket, am I to assume that you were aware of it's contents? Were you aware of the fact that Sirius Black was Not the Potter's Secret Keeper?"
Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First class and a wide variety of other titles looked the Minister in the eye and sagely responded, "I was aware of some of its contents because the Potter's have shared them with me. However, I just acquired this copy of their Will this morning from Gringgots just before going to the Ministry for my appointment with you."
*Hmpf.* Thought the Minister annoyed. *The law states clearly that any information regarding suspected criminals has to be relinquished to the Ministry immediately. Of course no one catches Albus Dumbledore breaking the law, and if he does, the man has always a trick up his sleeve to divert the public's eye.*
Then with a skeptical expression on her face she said. "I will not arrest you this one time Albus, because the Goblins will not cooperate with the Ministry and therefore I cannot verify your claim."
Then suddenly she drew her wand and incanted: "I Millicent Bagnold, Minister for Magic hereby recuse Albus Dumbledore from voting, and leading the Wizengamot during the trial of one Sirius Black, and the hearing for one Harry Potter, because of a Conflict of Interest. You are not allowed to appear at the place of the Trial and Hearing during the day they are brought in front of the Wizengamot, but you may send your representative lawyer. May Magic seal my Verdict and ensure that it will not be breached. So Be It."
"Minister, was that really necessary?" Asked the ancient wizard seemingly dumbfounded.
Minister Bagnold nodded and asked, "Was there anything else you needed to bring to my attention?"
The temporary recused head of the Wizengamot stroke his beard and said: "Are you really sure that Sirius Black is a suitable guardian for young Harry? After all, he is an unmarried male from a dark family. Even if he is found Not Guilty of the murder of twelve muggles, he could easily endanger young Harry's life by entering into a relationship with a female that is aligned to the Dark Side. After all, when we meet a stranger, we do not know if he or she is using Polyjuice Potion or disguising charms, nor do we know such a person's political preferences. Besides, I am sure there are proper, Light Sided wizarding families who would welcome young Harry into their lives and hearts such as the Weasleys, the Tonks's or the Bones."
"Now you are contradicting your earlier statements." said the Minister. "After all, you said earlier that it wasn't safe for Harry to grow up in the Wizarding World, except for Hogwarts because it is supposedly the safest place. You even went so far to try to convince me to send Harry to the Muggle World so that he could be kept safe. And now you are opting to send him to a wizarding family out of fear that I allow Sirius Black, who is the boy's legal Godfather I might add, to be his legal guardian?"
"But you cannot possibly consider Sirius Black to be a suitable guardian?" tried Albus. "I mean, he is a vagabond, having fled his parental house, and please do remember what mayhem he and his four friends have caused during their years at Hogwarts. Do you really believe such a person to be mature and responsible enough to care for a young child, Minister? A famous young child who has to grow up to be a responsible, caring young man?"
"I will not only consider Sirius Black to be Harry's legal guardian," Began the Minister, "He IS the boy's legal guardian, and he will care for the boy, unless there are jurisdictional reasons to deny him that right. After all the Potters have appointed Him to be his Godfather and Guardian after their death. Who are we to go against their wishes?"
"But Minister..!" started the aged wizard.
"No buts, Albus." Interrupted the Minister, "Harry will live at Hogwarts because as you stated so clearly, it is the safest place, and Sirius Black will be his Guardian unless he is found to be guilty under the use of veritaserum. This is final. If you still have concerns or considerations regarding the upbringing of our boy Saviour, have your lawyer present them in front of the Wizengamot during the upcoming hearing regarding Harry Potter. Now do you mind to stop wasting my time please?"
"Yes Minister," said the recused Head of the Wizengamot. Then He stood up, uttered a quick "good day," and walked to the door. The beetle, who had heard and seen everything sped unseen to the ancient wizard and landed in one of the folds of his robe just before he left the office. She had an article to write, and was sure the public would love it.
The next morning, (The 3rd of November 1981)
Albus Dumbledore sat at his throne-like chair at the Head Table in the Great Hall. Just as he was loading his plate with his usual odd breakfast combination of Corn Flakes, bacon and orange juice, a horde of owls flew in and swooped down on him. Before he even had the chance to relieve one of them of his burden, a cacophony of angry voices broke out. In this bombardment of sounds only a few bouts of sentences could be clearly understood, but one voice was loud enough so that all present could hear the complete rant.
"DUMBLEDORE! How dare you! Trying to take our Saviour away from us! Old Man, Have you become demented! We need our Saviour, the poor boy. Don't you dare meddling with his life again!"
After the cacophony of voices died down, the Headmaster of Hogwarts sagged bemused in his throne. *How did they hear about this?* he wondered while he observed the students who had stopped their breakfast activities in favor of watching their Headmaster. In the silence that reigned, one final owl swooped down on the famous Albus Dumbledore and dropped the days newspaper into the man's plate. On its front page stood the main headline in bold lettering: "HARRY POTTER FOUND TO BE BLIND", and another headline screamed: "DUMBLEDORE URGES MINISTER TO HIDE BOY SAVIOUR WITH MUGGLES."
A panicked expression swiftly crossed over the aged wizard's face. Then he fished the paper from his plate and drew his wand. He pointed it at the paper and softly intoned "Portus," where-after he mumbled a seemingly random weird word which activated the portkey.
"MINISTER! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" called Albus with a raised voice once the Minister for Magic had allowed the recused Head of the Wizengamot entrance to her office.
"What are you on about now Albus?" asked the Minister absentmindedly while she was shoving around some papers on her desk.
"THIS!" roared the Headmaster of Hogwarts while he wildly waved the with Orange Juice soaked paper in the air. Little pieces of Corn Flakes that had been stuck to the backside of the paper came free because of the sudden motion and landed on the carpet of the Minister's office.
"Look what you are doing!" screeched the Minister. "Befouling my brand new carpet." She drew her wand and with an angry whip vanished the mess. "My apologies for my outburst. It was uncalled for. Now, what is it that you wanted to bring to my attention?"
"Todays Newspaper." Said the aged wizard more calmly as he seated himself on a chair.
"I was on a tight schedule this morning, I didn't have the time to peruse todays actualities." said the Minister. "Besides, no global, life-altering decisions have been made by the Wizengamot yesterday afternoon, so it can't be that important."
"To be honest, it is a matter of grave importance," said the aged wizard. "I suggest you see for yourself." Then he waved the paper invitingly and reached out towards the Minister so that she could easily reach it.
The Minister casted a disgusted look at the paper, sniffed and announced: "I will not read that rag of a paper." Then she pulled a copy out from under a mountain of papers and scanned the headlines."
"i bet you have been flooded with howlers, am I right?" commented the Minister.
The elder wizard nodded and said sagely: "That is indeed the case. I am however curious how details of confidential conversations can end up being published in the Prophet. I suggest you check your office and person more often for surveillance charms."
"Don't you dare accuse me of omission." said Minister Bagnold sharply. "I routinely check for surveillance charms three times a day. However, it is better to leave this discussion for another time, because if I don't make a statement in front of the press today, total chaos will ensue and the Ministry will loose its support."
"Please," begged Albus, "Please let the public know, that I had Young Harry's best interest at heart. The only reason I wanted him out of the public's eye was to keep him safe. It has never be my intention to hinder the public's worship of our Saviour."
"I see what I can do for you, Albus." sighed the Minister. "but do not ask of me to fix all the damage already made to your reputation. Anyways, you have my thanks for notifying me of the current situation."
The Headmaster nodded sagely and said. "Thank you for your time, Minister. I will take my leave now so that you can prepare your press conference. Good day."
"Good day to you Albus." The Minister said just before Albus walked out of the office, and once the aged wizard was out of sight, the Minister for Magic lazily drew her wand to recast the security locks on her door. Once that was done, she picked up today's newspaper from her desk with a sigh. *As if today wouldn't be hectic enough already with Mister Black's trial and all,* Minister Bagnold thought annoyed while she was quickly scanning the two articles. "Ah here it is," she mumbled. "Article written by Cimex Meloidae." She stood up from her chair and kneeled in front of her fireplace. Then she took a hand of Floo Powder, threw it in the fire and stated "Patrol Squad Head Office."
"Minister?" came a man's voice from the other side.
"Ah, Kirkby." Said the Minister. "Can you have someone go to the Register and get me the file for the Meloidea Family, please? If I wasn't so tight on schedule..."
"It will be done Ma'am," interrupted the man. "I will deliver it to you shortly."
"Thank you, Kirkby." Said Minister Bagnold just before canceling the floo connection. She seated herself back behind her desk, took a feather and scribbled for a while on a piece of parchment, until she heard a knock at her door.
Glancing Swiftly into her security mirror she unlocked her door and called for Kirkby to come in.
Said man walked in nervously and seated himself on one of the free chairs in front of the Minister's desk.
"What is the matter Kirkby?" asked the Minister who was aware of the man's nervousness.
"M-Minister," stuttered Kirkby, "It seems that there is no file for the Meloidea Family. According to the Book of Names this is not the name of a registered Wizarding Family."
"Are you certain Kirkby?" Asked Minister Bagnold
"Yes Minister, The Book of Names is an ancient artifact. It cannot lie."
"In that case, the writer of these articles must have used a pseudonym for fear of prosecution," mused the Minister while she showed the Head of the Patrol Duty today's paper. "Kirkby, This reporter's writings can be damaging for the Ministry. Please have a team sent out to trace this person's Identity, but have them do their task unnoticed by the public."
"It will be done, Minister." Said Kirkby resolute while he was standing up from his seat.
"And Kirkby?"
"Yes Madam?"
"Can you first go to the Auror Headquarter and arrange two bodyguards for me?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Have them report in about an hour from now, here at my office. I have to attend a press conference."
"Yes Minister, It will be done." Kirkby said. Then he walked out of the Minister's office and closed the door behind him.
Two days later, (The 4th of November 1981)
Baby Harry lay wide awake in his bed at Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. He carefully grope around to explore his surroundings for a bit, totally unaware of the uproar that was breezing through the Wizarding World. Suddenly there was a commotion outside, and an angry male voice bellowed, "WHAT! ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT MY GODSON IS BLIND!" It seemd that the news had finally reached the previous suspected Sirius Black who hadn't yet found the chance to see yesterday's Prophet.
"Yes, Black," said a distinctly unfriendly sounding male voice. "No need to go all out into Bark Mode over this..."
"Shut up, Snivellus!" Said Sirius while he opened the door to the Hospital Wing.
"How is my favorite Godson doing?" he said in a cheery voice while he scurried to the bed on which Harry had been recovering for days.
The baby gurgled a bit unintelligibly, then suddenly it turned his head, sat up and crept over the bed towards his Godfather.
"Weh-woo?" he babbled
"Thats right Pup, Padfoot." responded Sirius.
"Weh-woo? the baby repeated, "Wiwi? Way?"
"You mean to ask me where Lily and James are?" Asked Sirius.
"Of course not Black" said Severus in a sarcastic manner who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "After all, babies haven't yet developed proper speech, haven't they?"
"Wiwi? Way?" repeated young Harry.
"Lilly and James are.... Away." responded Sirius carefully
"No need to cuddle the brat." said Severus Snape harshly. "Unless you prefer to be blamed for telling lies later on."
"Why are you here anyways?" asked Sirius angrily. "after being a student here for seven years you ought to think that I would be able to find my way to the Hospital Wing by myself."
"Albus requested that I inform you of the brat's... condition." Sneered the Potions Master.
"Then, what is keeping you from leaving now that you have fulfilled your duties?" asked Sirius.
"I am here to insure that the brat's ego will not be inflated to unrepairable heights." said Severus Snape dryly.
"Then tell me, Snape. What rights do you think you have to involve yourself with the boy's upbringing?" snarled Sirius. "After all, Lilly and James have chosen ME to be his guardian."
"Do you really think that I am leaving the upbringing of Lilly's son to an irresponsible bully such as yourself, Black?"
"Leave, Snivellus." Said Sirius Black fiercely. "Just because of the fact that Harry is verdicted by the Minister to grow up at Hogwarts does not mean that any number of random people are allowed to involve themselves with the boy's maturation unless he became an official student of the institution."
"Fine!" bristled the Potions Master "But keep in mind that I don't want to hear your future complaints that the brat has become insufferable."
Severus Snape threw yesterday's edition of the Prophet towards the other man, and said nastily: "Here, In case you are bored, Black." Then he turned and stomped out of the Hospital Wing
"Pardon me for the Upheaval." said Sirius softly while he stroke the baby's cheek carefully. "That man is a right git, but no need to worry yourself about it."
The baby gurgled for a bit, then heaved up his head and babbled innocently: "Wah-woo? woh-way?
"Wormtail is..." began Sirius, who had difficulties to keep the angry tone from his voice, "..Away on a long vacation," he concluded finally.
"Woo-wie?" asked harry hesitantly.
"Mooney will visit soon." said Sirius.
The baby gurgled contentedly and then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Sirius kept stroking the baby untill it was far away in dreamland. Then he picked up the paper that Severus had left and scanned the headlines.
"HARRY POTTER FOUND TO BE BLIND." For a moment Sirius was dumbfounded that his godson was on the front page of the Wizarding Newspaper. Then he remembered the happenings that had taken place before he went after Peter. *Of course,* he thought. *Somehow Harry defeated You-Know-Who. That's why..* Then suddenly his eye fell onto the second headline: "DUMBLEDORE URGES MINISTER TO HIDE BOY SAVIOUR WITH MUGGLES."
"Of course Dumbledore had to try to have Harry sent to that vile sister of Lilly's." thought Sirius disapointedly. *It would have been disastrous if he had succeeded.*
"Well Dumbledore, Right now I lost my faith in you." the man mumbled quietly. "I've trusted you because you seemed to be the only one that dared to stand up against the Pure-blood bigots. NO MORE!"
Just as he finished the 'oath', a knock was heard at the door of the hospital wing, and in strode the old man.
"Ah Sirius..." he began jovially, but Sirius decisively shook his head and touched his index finger to his lips.
"Shh, he is sleeping."
"May I invite you to my office then so that we can speak matters through?" Invited the Headmaster.
"Yes Headmaster." said the Dog animagus softly, and he stood up from the baby's bedside.
"No need to call me that." Said the Headmaster cheerfully. "After all, it is a while ago since you attended here as a student." Then both men left the Hospital Wing and without sharing a word they walked towards the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's Tower. Once they had arrived, the Headmaster whispered "Kit Kat" and the gargoyle sprung aside to allowed them entrance. Of course neither of them saw the beetle that stealthily flew inside.
