Chapter 2: Sighted

"Mr. Malfoy, your eyes are open."

Professor Dumbledore must have been on something, for his eyes were most certainly not open. He voiced this slowly, so all the lowly beings understood.

"My eyes are NOT o-p-e-n!" 'Someone either switched off the lights or… I've lost my sight, which is not possible.' Gulping, Draco thought for a moment, then as if to prove his sanity, reached up to touch his eyes.

"Shit!"

He had touched the center of his right eye, or more so poked. They were right. His eyes were open but he couldn't see a thing, and worst of all he couldn't think of anything to say! He sat there in the middle of a cold hospital wing unable to see, and he was completely and utterly speechless.

Little did Draco know, Dumbledore had seen fit to bring Draco's potions partner with him, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy. However, it was his own dumb fault for trying to sabotage their potion. What comes around goes around! So the twinge of pity morphed into satisfaction, which was nicely accompanied with a sly smirk.

Draco was definitely stumped. He couldn't see anything, yet his eyes where most certainly open. He had proven that by a good old poke to the eye.

The Headmaster watched as one of his students' faces fell blank with fury, and before Malfoy could let out his fury, Hermione felt compelled to speak.

"Isn't there any way to fix this?" Hermione Granger spoke the question on the ferret's mind. The question was met with a knowing silence while Draco swore quietly under his breath.

"Now now, Mr. Malfoy. I can assure you we will be researching the antidote to this poor predicament. You see, this is a rather unique circumstance. As we are unable to identify what ingredient was added to cause this effect it will take some time. And since you will be unable to care for yourself at this present time, someone will need to take care of you," Dumbledore spoke with an authority that spoke of an underlying plan, but he did not voice this plan.

"Yes, Miss Granger, I've called you here to inform the both of you that you will be placed with the responsibility of Mr. Malfoy until we can concoct a cure or his eye sight returns. New living accommodations have been made to suit the both of you," he finished his sentence with a twinkling in his eye that only Hermione saw.

Draco was shocked to find that the sickly sweet voice belonged to the Mudblood. He should have recognised it, but he didn't. He wanted to scream profanities and yelled at the Headmaster for this ridiculous idea, but refrained. 'Why does the beaver have to do this? Why not one of my fellow classmates?'

"Professor, why me? Wouldn't someone like Parkinson be more suitable to look after the…Malfoy?" She asked which shocked Draco to know that she had the same thoughts.

Nevertheless, Malfoy knew that Pansy was a worthless twat and had to laugh. "Parkinson doesn't know her left hand from her mouth, let alone my basic needs. Knowing her I'd be jumping off the astronomy tower before the end of the week!"

Even Hermione was shocked by his personal opinion of the girl. She had assumed that Pansy was his girlfriend. Mind you, she didn't blame him! Parkinson was a completely new definition of trash.

Ignoring Hermione's comments and Draco's poor opinion of Parkinson, Professor Dumbledore explained further, still with a smile that never seemed to waver.

"Of course the reasoning behind this is that you are both head girl and boy. Not to mention," At this his smile deepened, "it would give you two more time to sort out your differences, which I am sure is only due to house rivalries. I am sure Miss Granger did not fail to add an ingredient not required in the potion you both were brewing," as he finished he gave Hermione a pointed look that made her turn to hide her creeping blush and caused Draco to pale as he registered the innuendo hidden in the Headmaster's words.

"If all is fine Madam Pomfrey, I will be taking Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger to their new living quarters. I am sure they are in need of much rest."

With a few words of approval from the mediwitch, the Headmaster began to lead the way. Only he was not followed as he expected, for his students appeared to be statues.

Hermione and Draco's thoughts were on the fritz, the poor brown-eyed girl had had a whirlwind of a day, and now she was expected to take care of the enemy! On the other hand, Draco still hadn't gotten over the fact he was potentially living with Granger.

"Mr. Malfoy, you will need to take Miss Granger's arm," Dumbledore prompted.

"What?!" two voices echoed off the walls with a rather flabbergasted tone. Dumbledore ignored them and continued walking.

"The old oaf thinks I'll let you touch me! I don't think so!" Even though he couldn't see, he still had the capability to flaunt himself.

"Oh for god's sake! I don't have time for this," a frustrated wine erupted from Hermione's lips as she grabbed at Draco's uniform and tugged him towards the exit, ignoring his protests. She dragged the blonde wonder through the doors to a small hall until they were just behind the Headmaster. The pair followed until they reached a portrait of a rather scruffy looking old man.

"This is the entrance to your new quarters. Your possessions were moved and your head of houses notified. The password is sighted. Good luck!" The old man walked away, the same smile still playing on his face.

"Did…did he just leave?" Draco asked with disbelief.

"Yep, he just left," Hermione, said with just as much disbelief in her voice. Sighing deeply, she said the password and pulled Draco in with her.