PROLOGUE

Severus scowled as he stared at his brewing potion. He had to go to an impromptu staff meeting that apparently couldn't wait. Huffing, Severus put his potion in to stasis, and screwed the tops onto open jars. He then exited his officePotions lab, and headed upstairs to the staff meeting.

Severus couldn't deny that he was a little curious about the meeting. It had been called just minutes ago-a seemingly urgent request from Albus Dumbledore for all staff to report to the staff room. The only information that anyone had, was that it concerned a potential student who would be starting at Hogwarts soon.

Severus reached the staff room and took his seat next to Albus, watching as other staff members slowly filed in, some looking curious, others annoyed. Once all had been seated, Albus spoke.

"Good afternoon," he began, his eyes twinkling in his usual merry way. "I apologize for removing you all from your holiday but this is of utmost importance. This concerns a potential student. As you know, letters were sent out, and visits were made to students who are due to attend school this coming year. The student I wish to speak to you about today, goes by the name Haley Davis, and she is blind."

"Blind?" Pomona Sprout exclaimed, shocked. "As in, not being able to see?"

"That's the only kind there is, is there not?" Severus said, scowling slightly at the Herbology teacher. "What other kind of blindness is there?"

"We haven't had a blind student in over fifty years," Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor said. "and after that disaster, none have wanted to attend. The staff were poorly informed, the student not properly equipped and the school was full of places where the student could have easily been hurt."

"But that was then," Pomona Sprout chimed in. "and this is now. Things have changed. Would we be able to work with a blind student?"

Albus cleared his throat. "That was why I wished to speak with all of you so urgently," he explained, "this student needs accommodations in order to attend. Her relatives are worried that she will not be adequately accommodated for. I need all of you to start making your classes accessible for someone who cannot see."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Severus asked. "Some things are easier to do than others."

Albus' eyes twinkled as he looked at Severus. "That," he said, "is for you to figure out."

Severus grunted. Crotchety old man! How was he going to accommodate a blind person? Potions was a dangerous business even with sight, never mind without! What could he do to help her? Unless...

"Are you suggesting I give her private lessons, Albus?" Severus asked, a biting tone in his voice.

Albus shrugged. "That is up to you," he said once more. "What you choose to do is none of my concern."

Severus scowled. He knew what that meant. He would have to give Haley private Potions lessons! Great. Just great.

"Filius and I will work together to find a way to allow Haley to read her books, and for us to read her work." Minerva said. "This is going to take time, however, so someone else needs to take Haley to Diagon Alley."

"I can't," Pomona said, "my plants need attending to."

"Neither can I," Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher said, "Full moon is approaching, and I need to prepare."

"What about you, Severus?" Albus asked.

Severus scowled. "Are you trying to torture me, Albus?" Severus asked, crossing his arms across his chest and glowering at the headmaster, "because you are succeeding

"Torture you?" Albus said, aghast. "No! Never! Why would you think that?"

"First you ask me to give her private Potions lessons, then you volunteer me to take the girl to Diagon Alley?"

"I never told you to give her private lessons," Albus said, eyes twinkling. "you made that choice all on your own. And as for volunteering you, everyone else is busy Severus. Please do this. You and Minerva are the most trustful of the staff. You would not coddle the girl, I am sure. He eyed the other staff members, who merely smiled and nodded. "I would not volunteer you unless I felt you would be good at the job."

Severus sighed. He knew he would do almost anything for Albus. After all he had done for him? He couldn't easily say no to the crotchety old coot, and he knew it.