Title: Love is blind

Pairings: HP/DM, SS/SB, LM/NM, RL/?

Chapter-1

Strength

"Here." Harry heard his trunk fall with a loud 'THUMP' on the floor and stuck his trembling hands in his pocket. "Now get out of our house Potter."

"But Uncle Vernon. I - how will I -" Harry mumbled and aunt Petunia cut him off, "You are ten now and can fend for yourself. Get out of our house."

"But I am blind. How will I live? Where will I go?" Harry whispered, his face bowed and his hands in his pocket.

"We don't care. Just get out." Uncle screamed and Harry sobbed a bit before bending down. His hands touched the floor and he tried to find his trunk.

"Get out quickly. We do not have entire day." Aunt snapped at him and Harry tried to find his little trunk frantically. How he wished he could see, if only a bit. Why would this happen to him? What had he done to deserve this?

Finally, his hands found his trunk and he dragged it after standing up, his cane in his other hand. Anyone else would have pitied the little ten year old blind boy who walked carefully, trying to find obstacles with his white cane in front of him. But the Dursleys simply glared at the child's back and slammed the door.

It was cold outside and Harry did not own anything warm. He trembled and walked ahead, his senses alert. He did not have anywhere to go and was only a child.

He was just wondering what to do when he heard Mrs. Figg's warm voice call him, "Where are you going lad, with a trunk in your hand?" Harry turned towards Mrs. Figg, relieved beyond belief and walked towards the old woman, searching for any stone or anything in his way with his cane.

"Uncle and aunt threw me out of the house. I have nowhere to go. Can I stay with you. I promise I won't be a pain and will do all the chores." He whispered politely, his unseeing, green eyes staring at the old woman.

Had he been able to watch, he would have seen tears in the woman's eyes and he would also have noticed the glare she threw at the closed door of the Dursleys.

"No need to do the chores, child. Let me help you." She whispered and started kneeling to carry him. But Harry backed off just a bit and replied sweetly, "Thank you Mrs. Figg but I can help myself. I just need a place to live."

He sensed her moving forward to pick his trunk up and reached it before her, murmuring, "It's okay, Mrs. Figg. I will do it myself. I have been learning for some years now. I remember the number of steps I have to take to reach your home. Thank you for having me."

He smiled at her and he couldn't see Mrs. Figg close her eyes and place her palm on her mouth to stop herself from sobbing but could sense her sadness. His smile was beautiful. She had to practically close her eyes to prevent herself from carrying the child. He was only ten. She had not seen a stronger child in her life. He was brilliant and a very happy boy. He was polite and brilliant in everything he did. She knew that he did not know about being a wizard at all. She would tell him now. Dumbledore won't want that but he needed to know. It would make things easier for him.

His eyes were beautiful. She thought to herself as she followed him. He walked towards her house with counted steps and stopped when he heard someone coming in his way. It was so sad really. He had lost his parents and his eyesight and he was still living with a hope that things would improve. Her heart went out to the child but she knew that Harry won't accept her help. He was a strong child and had learnt to help himself.

Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Stop. check if someone is coming. Twenty one. twenty two. Twenty Three. Harry sighed when he finally reached the house. His hand hurt from dragging his trunk and he was feeling sleepy. Mrs. Figg was a good woman and would let him rest for a bit before dinner.

"Mrs. Figg." He called and she replied, "Coming, my dear child." He smiled sweetly at her and was delighted that he had finally learnt the number of steps it took to reach her house. Now, he would have to learn the number of steps it would take to reach the grocery. He would have to do it himself now. Mrs. Figg was getting old and he did not want to be a burden on anyone. He would help her in every way he could.

Mrs. Figg finally opened the door and he entered inside with her.

"Mrs. Figg. Can I sleep for a while? I will help you with dinner when I wake up." He asked and she was so quiet that he asked again, "Mrs. Figg."

She cleared her throat and her voice a bit strange when she answered, "I have already prepared it. You can help me tomorrow with meals, though it is not required."

He smiled at her and spoke softly, "Will you take me to the grocery tomorrow. I want to count the number of steps I would need to reach there."

"There is no need-"

"Please, Mrs, Figg. I just want to help. I can help you. You don't have to pity me. I can do all the things that others can." He spoke confidently and she replied softly, "Okay, Harry. I will take you tomorrow. Take rest for now." He could sense her sadness but did not say anything. He put his cane in front of him to check for obstacles and started walking. Soon he would not need the cane to walk. He would learn his way around by heart. His senses were proven right as soon as he reached the guest room. Her eyes had followed him and he heard her sobs when he closed his door.

He sighed sadly before settling down, not understanding why she was crying. He was happy and was learning.

Sighing again, he counted his steps till his bed and placed his trunk on it. He walked slowly towards the bathroom, counting while walking and washed his face and eyes. Then he came back, as slowly as he had walked earlier, not wanting to bump into anything. His hands searched for his trunk and he smiled when he finally found it. He opened it and searched for his pyjamas. When he found them, he walked towards the bath again, his pajamas and brush and tooth-paste in one hand and the cane in another.

After ten minutes, he found himself lying down on the bed, wondering if he would have a happy life now, now that he was free of the Dursleys. They had never loved him. Mrs. Figg was a nice woman. He would ask her to get him admitted in a school which would be near this house and would sell his stories to small kids to earn some money just like he had been doing earlier. It would be good for once because Dudley won't be there to snatch his money from him. He had remembered to take his old laptop. It had been Mrs. Figg who had gifted it to him and had helped him learn the position of various alphabets. He took her help to get his stories checked for any mistakes and then got them printed. He would always be grateful to her for helping him.

He would save money and then rent a small room somewhere after a couple of years.

After several minutes, he closed his eyes and smiled, hopeful that his future would be bright, before falling asleep.

XXXX

"Draco." Father spoke when Draco sat in front of him, his face blank. Father was looking sternly at him. attempting to intimidate him. Of course, it did not work. It never had. He stayed quiet and waited for father to speak.

"Draco, I am sending you to Durmstrang for your wizarding education." Father spoke and Draco's mouth fell open. He protested, "I want to go to Hogwarts, father, just like you and mum did."

"No. You will attend Durmstrang and will leave just after your birthday."

"But, mother wanted me to attend Hogwarts." He argued furiously and father shook his head, "Leave."

"Father, you can't-" Draco started but father stood up and scolded him, "You will leave my study immediately and go into your room. I will not have you argue with me. Moreover, your uncle Severus will be there so you should be happy."

Draco stood up as well and their eyes met. Draco was a fiercely independent boy and he hated it when father commanded him like this. He hated father and he hated Durmstrang. Hogwarts was better and he had a right to chose his own school but father was forcing him. He was taking an advantage of being an elder.

"Ok Father. I will do as you say. I will leave but if I do you will never get me back " He spoke and left the room, his nose high and his posture arrogant. Father could force him as much as he wanted but one day Draco would grow up and the he would return to study at Hogwarts.

Behind him, Lucius slumped on his chair, upset about Draco's parting words. Apart from being independent, Draco was very stubborn and Lucius knew that he had just lost his son. He placed his elbows on the table and put his forehead on his hands.

Damned Prophecies.

Lucius had to take this hard step just like he had taken a step years ago, a cruel step that he would always regret. Yes he had been forced to take it because his best interests were in following his master's bidding.

Today nine years later, he had taken a hard decision again. He couldn't sacrifice his only son to the war. Perhaps, he was wrong. Perhaps, he was making another mistake but he had no other alternative. He had to keep them apart at any cost.

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One year Later

Where on one hand, a blind green eyed boy walked towards the sorting hat, amazed and sad that he couldn't see the big castle with his own eyes, a silver eyed furious boy walked towards the ground where students had assembled in Durmstrang, waiting for the day when he would return to his homeland and join Hogwarts.

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