Chapter One: Adjusting

I disclaim it.

Here is the sequel to A Witch's Story! Key things to remember: 1) Kailey is now introducing herself as Keena 2) the trauma of going back in time 21 years and being petrified has caused her to lose her sight for the time being and 3) she has no family in the past.. Enjoy!

It was July. I could tell for two reasons. First, it was very hot outside, and second, the castle was almost completely silent.

It had taken a few weeks to get used to not seeing light or color or, well, anything at all. The castle wasn't lonely, it just wasn't normal. I had to count my steps to figure out if I was going the right distance to the bathroom, or estimate when I should reach the bottom of the stairs. It was another strange thing that the stairs no longer moved while I was on them. In fact, it seemed like the castle was looking out for me.

Most of the staff seemed to feel bad for me. Every time I encountered one of them, I would be offered an arm. I don't like it when people give me pity, especially when it is for something like being blind. It wasn't as if I wasn't going to see again. Of course, that was a piece of information kept between Dumbledore, McGonagall, Pomfrey and myself.

After the first week, I had trained myself to walk without needing to hold on desperately to a wall or bedpost. I could get myself out of the castle or into the Great Hall. I learned how to get to Gryffindor Tower as well. My sorting had been pre-arranged, and the hat knew that I was to be put into Gryffindor.

Anyway, it must have been the midst of July. I woke up and changed behind my closed curtains (they were never open at night), hoping that Madame Pomfrey didn't choose horrendous outfits for me to wear. I counted my steps to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. Then I headed towards the doors to go outside.

I had nearly reached the oak doors when I heard light, fast-pace footsteps heading my way. Flitwick.

"Miss McIntosh!" called the tiny voice. I smiled to myself as I turned to face where the footsteps were coming from.

"Yes, Professor Flitwick?"

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, sir, I was just heading outside for a walk near the lake," listening to the water hit the shore calmed my nerves, and it reminded me of home.

"Why don't you take a bit of toast out with you?"

"Alright sir,"

The tiny professor reached up to try to take my upper arm to guide me into the Great Hall. This was a nice gesture and all, but it forced me to stoop over causing me to walk awkwardly.

It took several more steps than it should have, but we made it to the table in one piece. He handed me a bit of toast and asked if I would like some company by the lake. I hastily declined his offer and rushed out of the castle.

I went down the stone steps, careful not to slip. I reached the bottom and sat down on the last step. I bent over and removed my shoes. The feeling of grass under my feet was much better than overly warm socks. I walked over to the lake and sat down.

Listening, I heard a bubbling sound coming from the water. It was the Giant Squid.

"Hungry?" I asked the monster. I heard its tentacles slap the water in reply. "Good, cause I'm not," I ripped my toast in half and gave the larger of the two pieces to the Squid. More bubbling and the Squid was gone.

I finished off the remains of my toast and laid down on my back, closing my eyes. Not that it made a difference.

I was just wondering whether I should head back to the castle when I heard two pairs of footsteps approaching me. I sighed and sat up. I could hear a cloak dragging; that was Dumbledore, he always wore cloaks that dragged across the floor.

"Miss McIntosh?" Yep, Dumbledore.

"Yes sir?" I got to my feet and faced where his voice had come from.

"This is Jaime Potter, she and her husband have volunteered to take you into their home during the summers," Go figure, I'm living with the Potters…

"Hello, Keena, it is very nice to meet you," her voice was musical, and pleasant to listen to. She seemed good tempered, which surprised me a little, remembering the Marauders Map. That can't have been the only trouble they got into.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Potter," I said, nodding my head respectfully, and hoping that she wasn't expecting a handshake. Several people had tried to shake my hand. They always seemed to forget I was blind. Regardless, it was annoying.

"Mrs. Potter's son, James, will be attending Hogwarts in the same year as you. It is also presumed that he will be a Gryffindor," there's one way of looking at it…

"That's great," I said, smiling.

"Well, Keena, would you like to come and visit my house before you decide if you would like to stay there or not?" Mrs. Potter's soft voice came through again.

"That would be great,"

"Can you floo?"

"Of course,"

"Alright, let's go back to Professor Dumbledore's office, then,"

We went back inside. I was glad when Mrs. Potter didn't offer to 'guide' me to Dumbledore's office.

Up the stairs, down the hall twenty steps and at the entrance to the office.

"I hope you don't mind flooing together?"

"That'll be fine," I said. She took my hand and led me to the fireplace.

"See you later, professor," I said.

"Potter Mansion!" Mrs. Potter commanded. I tucked my elbows in and closed my eyes out of habit. Clutching onto Mrs. Potter, we landed in her kitchen. Well, I assumed it was the kitchen, or maybe close to one. I could smell lunch, and someone was going to have pizza.

I heard the click sound of when shoes meet tile, and I knew that Mrs. Potter had stepped out of the fireplace.

"Watch your head, oh, I mean--"

"It's alright, Mrs. Potter, I know what you mean," I said ducking out of the fireplace.

"Let me introduce you to my son. James!" she yelled his name, and I heard a pair of feet running towards us, coming from my right. The footsteps came to a sudden halt as soon as the bare feet hit the tile. There was a rustling of clothing, which suggested someone was not completely ready for company.

"Mom! Why didn't you tell me we were having someone over? I'm not decent!" His voice sounded eerily familiar. Harry and James must be more alike than I thought…

I laughed, shaking my head at the thought.

"I told you I would be bringing someone by later," Came Mrs. Potter's soft, slightly aggravated voice.

"Yeah, but you didn't tell me it would be a girl," there was more rustling at this and I guessed that he was using a blanket as a shield.

"Well, I didn't think it would…erm…"

I decided to step in here, "Hello, James, I'm Keena,"

This is the part where I envision a Harry with brown eyes staring at me with one eyebrow arched. There was no intrusion, so I continued.

"I don't know if you can tell, but I'm blind. I don't really care if you're wrapped up in a blanket."

"If you're blind, how'd you know I was wrapped up in a blanket?" Hehe…

"I said I was blind, not deaf," I said laughing.

"Well, in that case," I heard the blanket drop to the floor, and James' bare feet started coming towards me. "James Potter,"

I stared in front of me, expecting something more.

"Oh, right," James, muttered, and I heard the sound of skin slapping skin.

Oh, my God, he tried to shake my hand…

That's the end of the first chapter! I hope you like it! Please review!