Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fanfiction, I do not own any of Harry Potter's characters, story line, and the universe surrounding it.
Set during Book 4: Goblet of Fire.
Chapter 1: Vision
"When light rays reflect off an object and enter the eyes through the cornea, you can then see that object.
The cornea bends, or refracts, the rays that pass through the round hole of the pupil. The iris opens and closes, making the pupil bigger or smaller. This regulates the amount of light passing through.
The light rays then pass through the lens, which changes shape so it can further bend the rays and focus them on the retina. The retina, which sits at the back of the eye, is a thin layer of tissue that contains millions of tiny light-sensing nerve cells. These nerve cells are called rods and cones because of their distinct shapes.
Cones are concentrated in the center of the retina, in an area called the macula. When there is bright light, cones provide clear, sharp central vision and detect colors and fine details.
Rods are located outside the macula and extend all the way to the outer edge of the retina. They provide peripheral or side vision. Rods also allow the eyes to detect motion and help us see in dim light and at night.
These cells in the retina convert the light into electrical impulses. The optic nerve sends these impulses to the brain, which produces an image."
The recording stopped.
A raven haired boy stood up from the sofa, grabbing a pair of sunglasses that was just sitting on the nightstand, a ghost of a smile appeared on his flat expression. The way Muggles explains everyday things always piqued his interest. Their ability to use whatever methods they can find to search for answers to the unanswered, keeps pushing the boundary of possibility, never failed to fascinate him.
Human anatomy is just one of his favorite subjects.
He thinks it's fascinating how our body works. Every-tiny-bit of our organs needs to work perfectly for it to function the way they should. And for most of us, it has been doing so with flawless score throughout our life. How something can maintain its perfectness for so long, is beyond him. He also finds it funny, and at the same time scary, to think that all you need is 1 dysfunctional muscle in your heart to get a deadly heart attack.
"Sir, Mr. Archambault is already waiting outside" a female voice broke his train of thought. A woman in her mid-20s, wearing a black suit, with her red hair tied into a bun, standing in the door frame.
"Thank you Maria, I'll be there in a moment." The boy replied with a smile. He buttoned the last button on his shirt before he finally makes his way to the front porch.
Once he's there, he is greeted by a man that looks to be in his mid-50s. Seeing him coming, the old man in a suit straightened up his posture.
"Shall we be going now, Master Adrien?" the man asked. His name is Abel Archambault, a Gentleman's Gentleman, or as most people call it, Butler.
The two are heading to the King's Cross by car, the rain was coming down harder than ever.
"Are you sure about this, Sir?" said Abel, who is sitting on the driver seats, his eyes looking at Adrien from the rear view mirror. His deep voice filled with hesitance.
"Of course I'm sure Abel… I haven't gone to an actual school for ages." He answered.
"Well, I'm sure there's nothing that that school can teach you, more than what you can learn here…" Abel said.
"Maybe, but there are actual people at that school…" Adrien stated.
The older man just sighed hearing his answer. He can understand that the boy is in need of social interaction after three years of home-schooling, it's just that Adrien's state makes him worry about the boy's ability to attend a proper school.
But that doesn't matter now, Adrien's decision is already final, he's going to continue his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry.
"Are you absolutely certain about this, Sir? I've heard English kids these days have quite a nasty attitude. Compared to here, French kids are more… virtuous" said Abel again, still trying to convince his master to change his mind. They've arrived at King's Cross station and are now walking among the crowd.
"Pfftt… Abel, you didn't raise me to be a weakling. I'm sure I can take care of myself just fine" Adrien sniggered.
"Even their choice of cover-up is absolutely primitive! Yeah, just go THROUGH the pillar between platform 9 and 10 to get to platform 9 ¾, at the most crowded station in England! Absolutely genius! No Muggles will ever notice that!" Abel said sarcastically just when they got to the designated pillar.
"Abel old man, why so grumpy? You're just adding more wrinkles to your face" Adrien said.
The older man sighed, "I'm sorry Sir… I think I'm just worry, it's all…." He said.
"Like I said, there's nothing you need to worry about. I'm 16, besides, I wouldn't decide to go to Hogwarts if I wasn't sure about it" Adrien said reassuringly.
The pair went through the pillar as discreetly as they possibly could, by casually leaning against the barrier and slid sideways through it once nobody notices. And suddenly… platform 9 ¾ is in front of them.
They are greeted by The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which many people appeared like a ghost.
Adrien bid Abel goodbye, before he proceeds to walk into the train. The old man sighed after seeing the boy go, knowing that he will not see him for a year, god knows what's going happens during that time.
Adrien guides himself through the aisle, looking for a compartment with no one in it. The crowded train filled with Hogwarts students made nobody realized his presence there, nor do they hear the sound of a white, aluminum stick made contact with the train's wooden interior. After walking for a while, he finally found an empty compartment on the farthest back. He sat down and leaned back, thinking about what studying at Hogwarts going to be like. It didn't take long for him to drift off to sleep.
He slept soundly throughout the ride, the only thing that woke him up being a sharp sound of the train whistle, indicating that it has arrived at the destination. The first thing he noticed is the sound of the pouring rain. It seems like the weather hasn't calmed down since they depart.
While the rest of the Hogwarts's students quickly get off the train, Adrien didn't move an inch from where he sits. He is waiting for someone to meet him at the station.
The wait felt longer than it actually is, but once he is certain that he's the only one left on the train, he stood up from his seat and proceed to get off the train. The rain is still pouring, he opened the small umbrella before he stepped out of the train.
Just a few seconds after he set his foot on Hogwarts's Station stone floor, a figure appeared from the shaded part of the station. An old man wearing a grey robe and a tassel hat.
"Good evening, Mr. Dumbledore" Adrien greeted him.
Dumbledore smiled, "Good evening Mr. Allaire, I'm sure the ride was pleasant?" he said. Adrien's face formed a small smile hearing the way the older man addresses him.
"I'm glad that I can take a wonderful nap" Adrien said, his smile grew wider.
The man he's talking to is known as the Headmaster of Hogwarts and one of the greatest wizards of their time. But Adrien is more familiar with him as a close friend of his father.
"Sorry to make someone like you to come all the way down here just to pick me up, especially on this kind of weather." Adrien continued.
"No need to apologize, it's the least I should do. Your father was… a dear friend of mine" Dumbledore said.
"Still, thank you. I'm sure you know why I asked for this." Adrien said.
"No explanation needed Mr. Allaire, I can still remember my first day at Hogwarts" the headmaster simply said with a small chuckle.
The two get on the horseless carriage that has been waiting for them, not wanting to stay outside in this weather for any longer, and a few moments later, it's rumbling and splashing its way up the track toward Hogwarts Castle.
Everyone has already in the Great Hall, Dumbledore left Aiden's side to be on the Headmaster seat while he is waiting behind the giant door, waiting for his name to be called.
He patiently stood outside, hearing all the new student being sorted into the House that suited them. Just before that, he could hear someone singing a song about the Houses at Hogwarts. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. He wonders which house he's going to be in.
"Whitby, Kevin" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The last first grader has finally been sorted. Most students already have a fork and a knife in their hands, waiting for Dumbledore to give them the go-ahead and begin eating. Dumbledore got to his feet, alas, Dumbledore gave a different announcement.
"Now that all the 1st grader has been sorted, we still have one more student whose class has yet been determined. I'm happy to announce you, that we have a transfer student, and he will be joining us as a part of the 6th grade. Mr. Adrien Allaire!" Dumbledore announced.
Adrien walked into the great hall from the giant door, everybody went silent. The only sound that can be heard is the sound of a white cane hitting the floor, and some pretty audible whispering among the students.
Adrien expected this much, with his state, there are just no possible way his transfer here would be perfectly casual and without making any commotion. After all, it's not every day you see a blind wizard.
He still remembers it, the time when the world turned black for him. Though… everything happened so quickly, he remembered it as a bit of a blur. People wearing skull masks and black hood, the smokes, the screams, a streak of light flung him across the room. And suddenly, everything turns black.
He was sure that he's dead. Though, he never knows if ones would be aware when they are facing their deaths. No, he still felt his skin touching his surroundings, he could hear everything around him, every single scream.
He just sat there, as if he's in some sort of a trance. He was actually waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel, but even that never appeared in his eyes. Nothing appeared in his eyes.
He slowly rubbed his eyes with his fingers, opened his eyelids as wide as he can, but nothing. He can only feel the warm liquid flowing from them, he can only hear the blurry words a man said to him under all the screaming and explosions, he can feel his body being lifted by someone, just before they apparated.
It has been 3 years since that day. The day Adrien lost his vision, along with his family. It was Abel that apparated him to the safest place, his family private mansion in England. He was told that Death Eaters raided his house in search of his father's work. Adrien is certain that they won't find what they're looking for, but that didn't change the fact that those demons killed his family.
A few times at the psychiatrist is probably what made him able to keeps his sanity after going through such experiences. Well, that… and some sleeping pills.
The feeling of some kind of fabric touching his head is what broke his train of thought. An old and worn out looking wizard hat has been placed on his head.
"Hmm… interesting… it's been a while since the last time I sort a 6th grade…." The sorting hat said to Adrien.
"Allaire, Adrien… You certainly have much more than you let out…. You have greatness running in your blood, yet you lack the confidence to be a Slytherin. You're a hard worker, but wouldn't be fitting to be sorted to Hufflepuff. You are incredibly smart, that much is for sure, yet you lack the pride to become a Ravenclaw. You have the bravery of a Gryffindor, but the flame that burns in your heart has been losing its light…" The sorting hat muttered.
"So I'm basically too average, is that what you're trying to say?" Adrien said half-jokingly.
"Contraire! It's always hard to sort an older student since experiences have shaped their mentality, but you're a unique case" The hat said.
Aiden sighed, "Just put me in Gryffindor…" he said.
"Is that your choice? Then, GRYFFINDOR!" the hat exclaimed.
The dead-silent room is suddenly filled with the loud cheer from the Gryffindor table.
That's it for chapter one, which is basically just a character introduction… There will be more dialogue on the next chapter, also interaction with canon characters.
This is one of the many stories that have been sitting on my hard drive for a pretty long time now, and I just had the motivation to actually complete the first chapter recently. But to be honest, now that I just finished editing this chapter, I became unsure about the OC I'm making. But I guess we'll see.
Please tell me what you think about it in the review!
Bye for now.