A/N: Bold is sign language. Thanks to all of those who have reviewed so far.


CHAPTER TWO
(chapter title – Benjamin's Point of View)

It's hard being deaf in a hearing world. First off, everyone talks way too fast, so I have no idea what they're saying. Secondly, I have a little problem reading lips and third, classes aren't any better.

I have an interpreter – Rebecca. She's a seventh-year Gryffindor. When she can't interpret for me, there's Manuel – a fourth-year Gryffindor. Both are pretty nice and they understand what I'm going through.

The one person I've really connected with is Hermione. She has a deaf cousin and knows a lot about what I'm going through. She also helps me with my class work if I don't understand it, which is often.

"All right." Hermione starts, just as Ron, Harry and Ginny join us in the Great Hall. All of us are doing our Potions homework there.

"What?" I sign. At this point, I've written my name and date on the essay – describe the difference between bicorn and unicorn horn usage in potion making.

"I finished my essay. What about you?" Hermione signs. I shake my head. "You want help?"

I shake my head, knowing that in my heart, I can do it. I put my eagle-feather quill to the parchment and start writing.

By the time I'm finished, almost everyone has cleared out of the Great Hall. I gather up my things and exit the Great Hall, quite satisfied with the essay and hoping that Professor Snape would be as well.

"Quite exceptional Mr. Kent." Snape told me the next afternoon. I grinned at Rebecca and signed thank you to Snape. He acknowledged me and walked in the opposite direction.

Before I know it, classes are over for the day. I got my homework assignments for the week and was looking forward to the Hogsmeade visit the following day.

The following morning, after breakfast, everyone who had permission to go to Hogsmeade was waiting at the gate. Filch stood at the gate with a large clipboard, checking off everyone's name. In the crowd, I spotted Abigail, CeCe and Devin, all with their respectable houses.

A while later, we entered Hogsmeade Village and instantly explored the shops. Hermione and I went into Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeydukes Sweetshop, Scrivensaft's Quill Shop and Gladrags. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Neville met us at the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

As usual, Hermione and I signed to each other, while Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville watched, clearly interested.

I decided to give a quick lesson in sign language. I taught them all the alphabet and the numbers one through ten. I also taught them simple phrases – 'how are you', 'nice to meet you', 'what's your name' and 'see you later'.

Before I knew it, it was time to go back to Hogwarts. I had a great time and was looking forward to going back. The next time scheduled was Halloween – two weeks from now. I had planned to go with my usual friends, but two others would be joining us – fifth years Fred and George Weasley – Ron and Ginny's older brothers.

Two weeks passed and we gathered at the gate to go to Hogsmeade. I instantly spotted my siblings and my usual group of friends. Standing beside Ron were two ginger-haired boys I had never seen before. Ron smiled at me and motioned me forward.

"Fred and George this is my friend Benjamin. Benjamin these are my brothers – Fred and George." Ron signed with shaky hands. I smiled and acknowledged both of them.

"Ron, what was with the hand signals? Are you sending secret messages to Hermione again?" one of the twins – I can't really tell them apart – said. I laughed when I saw Ron's ears turn pink.

"No – I was signing because I was introducing you to my friend Benjamin." Ron told his brother, his ears turning back to normal. I could read Ron's lips a little. Like I said, I was okay about reading lips.

We ventured into Hogsmeade, talking and laughing all the while.