Blind
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form…trust me.
Summery:Hermione is now in her sixth year and she and her friends are preparing for the war to come. One night, while brewing a potion, something happens that causes Hermione to begin to lose her sight and find an unlikely friend in the darkness.
Chapter 7
Draco stared, open mouthed at Blaise who's chest was heaving fiercely. He couldn't move. There was no way, no way that Blaise was right. It just couldn't be true. Draco shook his head and paced the floor for a few seconds before stopping in front of Blaise.
"What?" he asked. "What are you talking about?" Blaise sighed and slowly shook his head.
"Hermione's blind to you," he amended. "She only sees you as you were, not who you are now. It doesn't matter that you've changed, mate. It only matters that you used to be someone she despised and I'm sorry for that."
'I'm sorry for lying too,' Blaise thought. He'd blurted the one secret he'd hoped to hold onto for a bit longer after losing his temper with Draco. He'd thought for sure his charade was over when his friend paled beyond recognition and looked as though he'd been tortured within an inch of his life. Luckily he'd managed to change the meaning of the words just in time. Draco didn't know and, hopefully, wouldn't until the time was right.
"I know," Draco said suddenly bringing Blaise from his thoughts. "I've always known it would be a challenge but I think I deserve the chance to see for myself. So no more investigating, okay?" Blaise nodded slightly.
"Okay," he answered knowing all the while that his stint as Matthew Lowston wasn't over. "I promise."
Hermione smiled at the sound of Ron's and Harry's laughter mingling in the air. After Ron's rather lengthy explanation of his and Lavender's relationship, Hermione had managed to tease him about it good-naturedly. They'd been talking for hours now, Hermione could feel that.
'I wonder if it'll still be like this after they find out,' she wondered silently. 'I wonder if they'll behave differently…Ginny hasn't. Other than helping me when I need it.' She sighed, suddenly somber. 'Please,' she begged silently. 'Please don't let things change.'
"Hermione, Ron and I are going to go to the Quidditch Pitch for a bit," Harry's voice brought Hermione from her sad thoughts with a jerk. "You want to come along?" Hermione shook her head instantly.
"No," she smiled. "I just want to sit here and relax for a bit."
"Okay, see you at lunch then." Harry leaned over and kissed Hermione's cheek and Ron copied the action.
"Later," Ron laughed. Hermione smiled as their footsteps, padded by the lush grass, sounded farther and farther away. She sat there for a few more moments before finally sending Ginny the message to come and get her. She'd had enough of being helpless.
"You want to do what?" Ginny asked Hermione as they walked, arm in arm, back to the castle. Students were strewn lazily around campus, relaxing happily in their free time.
"I want to remake that potion," Hermione told Ginny firmly.
"But how? I mean, Hermione, how're you going to know what ingredients to put in?" Hermione was silent for a moment.
"I think I've figured out a way to get my sight back," she said quietly. "I know what I did wrong."
"Hermione, this is too dangerous," Ginny responded, frowning. "What if you're wrong? Something worse than you losing your sight can happen…you could be killed! It's a volatile potion Hermione and I don't think that it's right that you're doing this. Please," Ginny said taking a deep breath. "Please just give it more time. You told me Madame Pomfrey said that you could have your sight back by the end of the year…I know this isn't easy but-"
"It isn't easy Ginny!" Hermione snapped. "It isn't easy when I can't help Harry get ready for Voldemort, when I have to hide this disability, when I have to pretend to be able to see Harry and Ron doing the same idiotic things they do everyday. It's not easy and dammit I can't keep doing it!" The creak of a door sounded, letting Hermione know they'd entered the castle.
"Stop it," Ginny said. She grabbed Hermione's arm and led her to a corner where they could talk privately. "Look, this hasn't been easy for anyone but Hermione, you're doing it. You're not disabled and I wish that you could understand that! Since the accident, you've managed to help hold me together, keep Harry and Ron's minds on Voldemort, continue through school, and inspire me." Hermione sniffed as her eyes watered.
"Inspire?" she asked Ginny. Ginny smiled.
"Yes. Look at everything you've done. That just lets me know that anything is possible Hermione. You're not giving up on living normally, fighting evil, or of protecting your friends." Ginny laughed. "And you've certainly haven't given up on me and Harry. Thank you for that." Hermione laughed tearfully.
"I haven't given up on you and Harry because you two haven't given up on each other…"
Harry panted heavily as he urged his broom faster, the Quaffle tight in his right hand. Ron had wanted Harry to help him improve on his skills as Keeper so Harry had taken on the position of Chaser to run a few passes at Ron. Turning his broom swiftly, he spun and used the strength in his right arm to throw the Quaffle with all his might at the highest goal.
He watched it zoom towards its intended target with some feeling of pride at his speed and aim and was pleasantly surprised when Ron, coming seemingly from nowhere, appeared and managed to use his broom and knock it away from the goal.
"Good play," Harry said loudly. Ron nodded and began to descend. Harry, sensing practice was over, followed suit.
As his feet touched the ground Harry noticed Ron shifting his hold on his broom nervously. He raised an eyebrow before clearing his throat meaningfully and Ron, startled from the noise, jumped guiltily.
"Ron," Harry said bemusedly. "What's happened within the three seconds we took to land?" Ron shrugged.
"I don't know," he mumbled. "I'm just worried. You know, about Hermione. I mean, she seemed like she was okay a second ago but I still get a bad feeling you know?" Harry nodded.
"Yeah," he agreed. "I feel the same way but she hasn't said anything so maybe we're just blowing things out of proportion. Maybe we just miss her seeing as how she's in different classes now." Ron nodded.
"Yeah," he sighed. "You're probably right."
Blaise knew he looked like a fool. For the past fifteen minutes he'd been pacing back and forth in front of the library waiting, like an idiot, for Hermione to show. He knew she'd be there today…she was there everyday. What he didn't know was what he was going to say.
He hated to admit it but he liked her. She was brilliant, opinionated, and very protective of her friends. She was everything he was supposed to despise. He sighed, suddenly feeling a new level of respect for Draco. It was hard enough to actually like someone like that, let alone love them.
"I'll be fine, Ginny. Trust me; I know how to get to the library." At the sound of her voice Blaise, stopped pacing and looked expectantly up the hall to see Hermione smiling at someone just out of Blaise's sight.
"I'll send for you," Hermione promised. "I promise I won't do anything until we talk again." That seemed to be enough for Ginny as he then saw Hermione say goodbye and walked towards the library…and him.
He took a deep breath and met her halfway. Sooner or later this charade would end, but until then, he knew she needed Lowston and Lowston…or Blaise rather, was beginning to need her.
