*walks in drinking milk* I;ve had a craving for it lately. *Snape prepared the hearth as usual, then drapes himself over his armchair*
Oook. I think that is his cue to begin.
Chapter 13, *hits play*
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The Leaky Cauldron was in an uproar. The platform 9 3/4 was buzzing with too much exitement and vigor even for September 1. And every single wizard or witch that subscribed to the Daily Prophet had one subject of discussion: Harry Potter.
The article that had shaken the foundations of the wizarding community was as follows...
The Boy-Who-Lived is blind
by Special Reporter Rita Skeeter
It has been found that the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, last year's winning Champion of the Triwizard Cup held in Hogwarts grounds, can no longer see. The boy has been residing in Hogwarts for the better part of the summer months, and, according to rumours from sources within the school, he is under the care of Madam Poppy Pomfrey, the school medi-witch. It is the author's question why the boy was not sent to St. Mungo's to ensure the best possible care, when it is obvious that Harry Potter has been targeted a lot of times by supporters of You-Know-Who. It is the assumption of the author that it is precicely for this reason that Harry Potter will remain within Hogwarts grounds, therefore under protection of the schools powerful wards.
The reasons for Harry's blindness are mysterious. Our sources imply that it was the result of a dangerous attack or fight of some sort, but the real facts or events are still unclear. One thing comes to everyone's mind: Could Harry Potter's blindness be the result of an attack of Death Eaters, or You-Know-Who himself, since the ministry denies even the slightest possibility of the Dark Lord's restoration to power, an opinion supported strongly by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, and Harry Potter himself? To this, the author has no answer.
Ron almost smiled as the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station. He looked up at Hermione who was waiting for her friend's reaction, after reading the arcticle.
"Well?"
"I'd say this article is far less odious than those of last year." Ron grinned and tossed the paper to the side."How did you manage it?"
"I blackmailed her. I still am the only one who knows that she is an illegal animagus. I will keep the secret only if she writes what we don't mind her writing. Did you notice? She has started to give Harry credibility about You-Know-Who coming back to power, not portraying him as a lunatic!" Hermione jumped up in excitement to re-read the relevant sentences.
"That really is great 'Mione... but ... aren't you wondering just how Harry got blinded?"
The girl sighed.
"I would love to think it was Death Eaters or something to those lines... but then your father would have known, after all he is in the ministry. Something would have warned us."
"That's true... and Percy is still very close to Fudge. Prat that he is, he would tell us about Harry."
"AND the ministry would never allow the Headmaster to nurse Harry to health in the school. Rita's right on that one."
Ron was very quiet, and glanced around the compartment before asking the next question.
"Do you think the Dursleys did it? I mean, they keep him caged like an animal and all. We had to rescue him a couple of years back."
"Oh, Ron, that would be horrible! And Harry never told us that they were hitting him or something."
However, the girl's eyes were eloquent that she was not dismissing the possibility in the least.
"Well... Harry doesn't talk much about them. So we don't really know bout that. And perhaps it was some sort of accident that the Dursleys made worse or something." Ron bristled at the idea that Harry might no have been provided with proper care. He flushed beet red.
"I wish I could perform magic out of school-- then I'd show the Dursleys! And I'd take Fred and George with me!"
Hermione shushed Ron.
"We don't really know if they are to blame, Ron. And for heaven's sake, keep your voice down. We don't want to fuel more gossip-- that can be harmful."
"Well well. If it isn't the little mudblood and the Weasel. Missing your Batty Potter? Gonna guide him from bumping into walls and point his wand for him?" Draco's voice drawled from the entrance to the compartment, and this time he had Crab and Goyle with him. Hermione clenched her teeth at the way she was called, but this time it was Ron that had the perfect jibe:
"I don't know Malfoy, seemed to me that he knew pretty well where to aim his wand, didn't he, mudface? Or is it mud ferret face? Or, no wait wait, bouncy mudface!" he said, still laughing from the previous event in Diagon Alley. Draco flushed purple from anger and went for his wand.
"Uh uh, Malfoy-- or the first thing you see...
... is gonna be the infirmary when we get to school."
Twin wands from twin Weasleys flanked the three Slytherins. From inside the compartment, Hermione's and Ron's completed the potential crossfire. Crabbe and Goyle looked at Draco in question, and he huffed and walked away, swearing revenge. Fred and George grinned and entered the compartment.
From that point on, the ride to school was peaceful-- although Harry's absence from the train was a dampening factor to the general enthusiasm... except for the Slytherins.
***
"You called for me, Professor."
"Yes, Potter. This is important, so try to focus as much as your brain can handle. I do not want anyone to know that your snake is your sight familiar. Is this clear? You will have your owl with you at all times that you will actually need eyesight, and make it look that you see through her."
"You will allow me to take Hedwig in the Potions Class?" Harry was incredulous. He heard Snape's put off clicking of his tongue, a sign of the oncoming consession he was about to make for his sake.
"Yes Potter. But you will charm her to stay perched on your shoulder at all times. Sasha will have to be concealed in your sleeve, and any parseltongue will have to be whispered. I assume your ... other two companions are aware of her existence, so make sure they make enough distraction so that nobody notices you speak. It is imperative that everyone believes the owl to be your eyes."
Harry knew why this was so important. Draco Malfoy would report to his father what he was using, and the information Snape had given Voldemort had to be confirmed in order to ensure the man's cover and life, even for a short period of time. He nodded.
"Yes, sir."
He felt a heavy pause. Sasha hissed to him that she was unseasy, and he petted her on the head discreetly, already starting to conform to the Potions Master's wishes.
"Our... sessions cannot be overt anymore either, as I am sure even you can fathom. Not our -substantial- ones. However, you will make sure that you practice what I teach you with Lupin, or at least have everyone believe that you are doing so."
"Don't worry, professor. I will."
"You obviously cannot play Quidditch at the start of the year. Professor McGonagall has put you as the reserve seeker." Snape threw that on Harry with some of the old indifference and lack of cushioning. The boy flinched, but the neutral expression shifted minimally and only for fractions of seconds.
"I... I understand, sir."
"I have arranged with Madam Hooch to coach you... among other arrangements." Snape said almost carelessly, but he was entirely aware of how he was throwing the boy the lifeline just before he drowned his dream into a sea od dispair. He could see how his whole face lit up and hi shoulders straightened up at this statement-- though to his credit he did not ask what those new arrangements could be. Snape caught himself smiling while studying the slight fluctuations on the boy's expression.
"That is all for now, Potter. Try not to look too capable-- I am sure you will manage, Gryffindors are naturals on that particular trait." he drawled, his cutting voice re-setting the balance in the atmosphere. Harry nodded and smiled as he tapped around, about turning to leave. Snape had the uncomfortable notion that Harry was starting, much like Lupin, not to take his jibes and cutting voice into too much consideration. He clenched his teeth in anger over that.
And the brat was blind-- so any glare towards him would be completely lost. Blasted Potter.
***
Harry fidgeted around in his room. He was worried. Was we going to share the same dorm with the rest? If so, it would be so much more difficult to conceal Sasha, to unwind. Harry could not always understand it, but when he did, he hated being stared at for what he now was. He had hated it before as well, but now it grated on his nerves even more. Thankfully, blindness shielded him from most stares-- except Remus Lupin's, Albus Dumbledore's, and Severus Snape's. He somehow always could tell when either of the three professors were looking at him.
"Hi Harry. I knew I could find you here."
Harry smiled and turned around.
"Headmaster. I still can't manage to hear you enter." he said quietly, fingering the handle of the cane. Dumbledore chuckled.
"It would not do not to keep some excitement, now would it? Before I tell you why I have come, would you care for a lemon drop?"
Harry grinned. He would normally have declined, but he was really nervous. The time was up, and real show would start, and Snape's instructions had not helped relieve that anxiety.
"I'd love one, professor." he said and reached out to where he heard the shuffling of paper. Dumbledore made sure the boy's hand landed correctly and picked a candy. Harry popped it in his mouth, savouring it. He heard a rumble around them and a small hum under his feet as it usually felt when a staircase was moving. But since Dumbledore did not seem at all alarmed or affected by that, Harry kept quiet.
"I was wondering Harry," Dumbledore asked almost jovially, "if you like this room at all. We were not very considering when we gave it to you."
Harry's heart skipped beats.
"Oh, yes sir. I like it very much. It --- it offers me so many things."
"That is very fortunate then, because you are obliged to keep it." Dumbledore said with that covert bounce in his voice when he announced things he liked. Harry couldn't help grinning from ear to ear.
"Really, sir?"
"Of course! This is one of the Gryffindor Prefect rooms. As a prefect, you have to stay here. Earlier in the summer I just asked the room to move to a more convenient place for Professor Snape. I... do not think he would appreciate walking up to Gryffindor Tower every day." Harry could imagine the twinkle in the old wizard's eyes. Then it sank in, and his jaw dropped.
"You... you are making me a prefect? But... wouldn't that..."
"You will do fine, I am sure. As for keeping a... cover on your duelling capacities, that can be accomplished easily regardless your prefect duties."
"But sir, wouldn't my ease with.. with not seeing put professor Snape in danger?"
Dumbledore smiled at the response.
"Tom Riddle believes that Professor Snape coaches you in duelling only-- so knowing your way about Hogwarts and other daily routine skills will not jeopardize his credibility. After all, there are others here that teach you." he said kindly, and Harry felt warmth.
Dumbledore continued, popping a lemon drop in his mouth as well.
"Now, I am sure you have heard all the rumbling in the walls?"
Harry nodded.
"That was your room returning to its proper place. Now, when you come out of the door you will be at the top of a staircase leading to the Gryffindor common room. The boys dormitories are the doorway to your left, and the girls right next to that. Opposite to your staircase is the one leading to the girl prefect's room-- which will be, I believe, Miss Granger. I think I have covered all I wanted to tell you, Harry." Dumbledore approached the young gryffindor who was still stomaching both the joy of keeping his private room, the fact that he would not go through the door to an aisle anymore, and that he would be a prefect-- a -blind- one. He snapped back to focus when he felt the headmaster's hand pin something to his robe. The prefect pin.
"In case you are wondering if you deserve it-- there is not one boy or girl in Gryffindor to show as much control and responsibility as you, Mr. Harry Potter. Whether you can see or not with your physical eyes is irrelevant."
And with that, the kindly wizard walked out of the room. Harry did not hear any footsteps until the Headmaster started going down the stairs.
***
Harry took a deep breath before exiting the Gryffindor tower, tapping around more carefully, just in case he tripped because of nervousness. He did not want to trip, not when first impressions were being made. He had pulled on his school robes, and listened to the mirror telling him if anything on his appearance needed fixing. He could hear the hubbub of students pouring in the main hall for the feast. He stopped before the main aisle, at the top of the staircase behind the armour he so loved hitting when he was frustrated. He lingered some more, a procrastinating feeling sweeping over him. What if he stayed in the common room and did not have to face everybody, including chiding, aggressive Slytherins or sniffling Hufflepuffs?
He heard footsteps coming up behind him-- distinct ones, that he recognised by their lightness and threshold level, hint of a sound.
"Cold feet, Potter?"
Harry rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Something like that, sir." Harry admitted freely to the potions master, simply and naturally, when in earlier times he would have tensed for a verbal battle.
"Think of it this way: Glasses never did become you." the potions master sneered and swept ahead to go take his position in the Head Table. Harry touched his face, now realising that he was not wearing his eternal glasses-- and hadn't been for the whole summer. He didn't even remember where they'd gone-- and he did not want to remember the last time he had been wearing them. He fingered his wand arm. He had not wanted glamourie cast on the scarred, burnt flesh there, constantly afraid that some prank might make the spell shatter and reveal the scar tissue. Harry did not want to be unprepared for such an occassion. Instead, he was wearing a light glove with the fingers cut off to allow his fingertips to come in direct contact with anything he touched. The glove was of very thin, soft leather and tawn in colour. He found he liked it. Sirius had said it was 'way cool'.
He sighed and tapped his way down the stairs and towards the Main Hall, the hubbub of the students engulfing him. He wished he still could have Sirius around as Snuffles, but he had gone away the day before. Dumbledore had sent him on a mission in the beginning of the summer-- Harry remembered that particular conversation. It was the same one in which he had asked Snape to return to his position as a spy. Sirius had interrupted whatever it was he was doing to come and see and help Harry-- but now that it was obvious that Harry was getting as much help he needed, and was not in any immediate danger, Sirius Black had gone to resume his original mission.
Harry understood. But still he already was missing him and his boisterous, extravagant reactions.
"Are you ready, Harry?" Sasha hissed to him, as the boy yet again lingered, now in front of the entrance to the Main Hall, and already hearing whispers the type 'he's holding a cane' and 'do you think he -really- can't see?' and 'how will he even BE a prefect when he can't see jack?'or 'where are his glasses?' and a reply of 'he would not NEED glasses now, would he, stupid?'.
Harry stroked the top of the coral snake's head, now concealed in the wide folds of his robe's sleeves.
"Yes, I am... and you must be quiet now, or I won't take you with me next time. They must not know about you yet." Harry replied to her, and putting on a calm, controlled face, entered the main Hall.
It was not that the hubbub stopped-- not at all. If anything, it became louder. It was all the loud 'alright there, Harry?' and 'poor Harry, can I lead you anywhere?' that he was hearing peripherally. He was tempted to gets his wand out, zap towards every do-gooder's way and say that if he could get his aim straight, he could very well lead his own self. Fortunately, the angry scowl that he was starting to get because people were moving out of his way, but mysteriously were becoming more of a tripping hazard, was stopped by a clear voice that called out happily:
"Oi, Harry! I missed you!" and Hermione Granger threw herself in his arms. He hugged her tightly, still not leaving the cane, and glad that it whacked against somebody.
"I missed you too, 'Mione. Specially since you weren't in Diagon Alley with the Weasleys."
"Didn't Ron tell you?"
"Oh yes. I read the article-- a great improvement in that cow's writing if I may say so."
"Man, wicked! You are a prefect!" that was Ron's voice, and Harry grinned.
"Yes! I found out today."
"No doubt so that Gryffindors can get away with even more things..." drawled Pansy Parkison. "Because it is stupid to have a blind prefect-- what are you gonna do, poke around with your cane till someone comes out?" she scoffed and some laughed. Harry raised an eyebrow and smiled poisonously towards the direction of Pansy. He felt a discreet hand turn him slightly more to the left-- and he was sure he was now staring dead on.
"I wouldn't know, Pansy-- but why don't you ask Malfoy? I am pretty sure he has had a sneak preview of my methods." he quipped, and turned to his friends.
"Let's go sit down, shall we?"
When they sat down, Fred and George, who sat nearby, started talking fast.
"The quidditch team is all sad and worried-- Wood in particular."
"He'll just have to make do with another seeker for a while." Harry said and shifted in his seat. Quidditch was still something he did not want to overtly talk about. He made himself remember Snape's comment about Hooch and 'other arrangements'.
"Yeah, we know. He'll holding trials. I'll try as Keeper. Who do you think can be Seeker?"
Harry thought about it.
"Colin Creevey."
Hermione snorted, Ron gaped.
"You can't be serious."
"Of course I am serious. He has an eye for spotting things that don't want to be found, and taking their picture. He will spot a snitch, too." Harry grinned and folded up the cane.
Then, everything quietened down as the Sorting Ceremony began, and then it was time for Dumbledore's speech.
"Another year begins, and I wish to welcome you all to Hogwarts, old and new students. I wish to remind you frist of the trivial, usual things-- such as the Forbidden Forest truly being forbidden, and that it is not allowed to wander the castle aisles after hours. Now that that is out of the way, announcements due: This year, we have once more Professor Remus Lupin in the Defense Against the Dark Arts position--"
Dumbledore waited until the uproar from gryffindor table and the excessive clapping from the hufflepuff and ravenclaw one somewhat receeded. Remus nodded and smiled at the students, glad that they still liked him despite of his secret being known now. The Slytherin table did not clap, and most were looking coldly at him, but some seemed okay with the idea. That in itself was a feat. Dumbledore continued.
"The other piece of news I have for you, is, unfortunately, more serious. You must have all by now been informed of what has happened to our student, your classmate, Harry Potter. I would ask of you not to continually try to extract information as to how young Mr. Potter became blind-- I assure you that there was Darkness involved. Allow him his privacy on this matter." Dumbledore let his quizzical announcement sink in. Harry almost smirked, but kept a straight face. Who knew what every student was imagining had happened-- nothing sort than a face to face duel with 10 Death Eaters, he was certain. If only they knew... but they wouldn't know. Harry would never tell.
He had grown serious again, and Ron had to nudge him for him to realise that it was time to eat. And eat fast, as he would then have to lead the First Years to the Gryffindor tower.
If he felt nervous about that, Harry couldn't tell. When it was time, he and Hermione got up.
"How many are they, 'Mione?" he asked surrepticiously.
"15. Do you want me to go ahead and you bring the rear?"
"Na. They'll all end up walking backwards. I'll take the lead." Harry said wryly and unfolded the cane, and carefully started out and towards the staircase.
"Follow me, first-years, and look around closely so that you will start learning your way around." he said casually, to a group of shuffling feet and not even whispers. he wondered if they were slackjawed or just staring. Tapping along with his cane, he led the way, until he heard a set of footsteps stray far too much. He stopped. Some first year almost bumped into him.
"Mione, someone is straying."
"I've seen him, Harry. You, what's-your-name, Zaheed. Come back with the group." he heard her snap and he smiled. He could do this. He started walking again. He could now hear whispers of 'he caught him!' and 'seems he doesn't need to see!' and 'mental!'
When he stopped at the Pink Lady portrait and spoke the password for all to hear, he heard Sasha hiss to him, as the students filed past:
"I think you impressssed them, Harry."
And Harry felt he had to agree.
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There you go. Was this boring? I tried not to make it boring. But I suck at ceremonies. And big gatherings. Oh well. We enter part two of this story.... where more stuff is bound to happen. I hope you liked. I am nervous about this chapter.
As for my reviewers:
Kamenran: The question has been bothering me for a while. Well. This is my answer. Hope you approve :)
Jordan: I hope after this chapter you stick to that opinion...
Angel Baby: I do believe there is some of all houses in everyone-- and I do think that Snape probably was asked the same thing as Harry: Slytherin or Gryffindor? because it takes great courage to go back to being a spy-- or being one in the first place, considering how Snape became one... and then again there's Ravenclaw... *stops at Snape's glare* As for the rest.. *Snape glares* *sheepish grin* you'll see.
Barbara: I think so too! It's just that he's usually emotionally constipated. *smirks*
kitty: THANKS about charming my treats! *sneers to Snape* And as for what Harry will tell them, he will follow Snape's advice-- tell them nothing and see what happens. :) Of course, you can't avoid Hermione and bloodhound... heh.
bluestarfish: I hope so too... yes. I did put him through the wringer this time. But I had to shake Harry into seeing what are the stakes and what Snape has to juggle with. As for their relationship, I am hoping for a silent friendship-- up to now, we have silent truce. :)
Katy999: what's comeuppence?? *puts up sign 'I'm Greek and can't be bothered to use dictionary'* And yes, Harry will be able to play more pranks-- ironic thing is, he probably will have other things to do instead. Or well... most of the times.
Melissa Lupin: *laughs* don't worry. No help needed thinking up something like this after Dumbledore's speech. Hee hee. Sly old wizard.
t.a.g.: Thanks! I hope this chapter is realistic and satisfactory... and not too boring... ok I'll go now.
momma-dar: it's hard to make him be good yet. But we'll see.
frizzball: well, imagine him with his invisibility cloak-- I am amazed nobody has yet wondered if Harry still has that.
Lirael: hmmm. You sure Draco doesn't wanna be a death muncher?
Myk: *nervous* well... here you go. Hope you like!
Kaat Shadow Lover: good thinking! that will keep him busy. *watches as he charms away part of the sweet as he goes to study the recipe* well. *yells at his back* YOU SLYTHERIN! *composes herself* Italian custard would be grand-- and I hope this chapter was no disappointment. It will pick up soon.
Enfleurage: oh, that was bad syntax on my part. He was certain about the tears-- he was unsure about what to tell Harry is what I meant. I doubt he actually consciously pondered on the reason. :)
Lee Lee Potter: yep, perhaps! *giggles*
candledot: *scrapes floor with foot* uh... sorry? You are welcome for not killing him. I can't-- his contract says that he can't die while still in the lead. *chuckles*
DaBear: he is already a wizard-- he is superpowered enough as of yet. And he's young, so great power might harm him (to quote Ben Parker hehe). I am glad you like.
Darkhorse8100: Hmmm. *glances at Hedwig that squawks in terror* *smirks* I can't say. Here is more. I hope it's what you've been waiting for.
Jedi Cosmos: Thanks!
white owl: here is one more!