Warning — Random Thought: A few weeks ago, I finished reading Sunshine by Robin McKinley. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. It's told from the point of view of coffeehouse worker Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, who is forced into an unlikely alliance with Constantine ("Con"), a vampire. It's an awesome story, and I only wish we were allowed to write about McKinley's books here!!!!
A/N: Lady of the Squrriles! Your long review totally made my day, and I cannot possibly thank you enough! Yes, I do know (and adore) Inuyasha. Aria was not supposed to be a resemblance of Kagome; I've just always thought raven hair was awesome. Unfortunately for me, my hair is brown, curly, and out-of-control. However, I did get the idea for mystery-boy's yellow eyes from Inuyasha (I have his picture set as the background on my computer), but my character will not be related to him in any way. And to those of you who have mentioned that I am going too fast, I apologize. I am thinking of rewriting this story, so be on the lookout for it in the future. Harry Potter and gang...well, I am considering having them make a surprise- appearance later on, but they will not be main characters. In the meantime, I've started another HP fic entitled "Reborn". You might want to read that sometime...Alright, enough of that. Here is chapter four, a very short hold- me-over-till-redsbury-puts-up-a-much-better-chapter-five sort of a chapter four, but it's chapter four nonetheless.
"Miss May. Miss May — Aria — can you hear me?"
Someone was calling her. She had to answer; they were asking if she could hear them. Aria wanted to scream, but she didn't have the energy. She was too weak, something was wrong. She tried to open her eyes; she thought she did, but everything was so black.
"She's coming around," the voice said. Aria recognized it to be that of Professor McGonagall. "Miss May, look at me. Can you tell me what happened?"
"I-I can't see," whispered Aria hoarsely. "I can't see!"
"Professor Snape," McGonagall said softly. "We had better take her to the hospital wing." Aria knew other people were there, she could hear the rustling of their robes when they moved. But who were they? What were they doing?
A new voice — light, slippery sounding — the voice of a ghost. Although Aria couldn't tell which school ghost it was, she was certain it wasn't Peeves, and for that she was blessedly thankful. "Should I fetch the headmaster?" the voice was asking.
"No." It was McGonagall again. "No, that won't be necessary. Not now. We'll have to wait and see what Madam Pomfrey says."
Aria shuddered as a pair of arms lifted her from the cold stone floor. For a moment she struggled against the firm grasp, but she felt so weak...
"Keep still," yet another voice said. It was Professor Snape. He was the one carrying her. Briefly, Aria felt a surge of embarrassment at her own helplessness. She didn't like having to depend on these people — only voices to her now — and having to blindly place her trust in them.
They moved swiftly toward the hospital wing, Aria listening to the sound of the multiple footsteps and feeling Snape's movements as he hurried forward. It was an odd sensation, not being able to see anything. The earlier wave of panic that she had felt was nearly gone, and Aria was surprised at her sudden calmness. For the first time since her arrival in this new country, she found herself longing for her family, especially for the gentle touch and soothing voice of her mother. She missed her forever smiling, good- natured father too. Silently, she began to weep.
Once in the hospital, Madam Pomfrey bustled about, giving orders to anyone that was near. Aria was placed on a bed, comforted by its softness. Someone — Madam Pomfrey, she supposed — took her tear-streaked face into their hands while McGonagall explained that she had been found on the floor near the owlry and that she couldn't see.
"Hmm," said Madam Pomfrey.
"Is it serious, Poppy?" McGonagall asked.
"No," she replied, much to everyone's relief. "The blindness should be only temporary, but it's very strange. I have no idea what could have caused this." McGonagall started to say something. "No, Minerva, don't ask questions yet. She needs to rest now."
Aria heard the people around her rise and then leave. The unchanging darkness was so frustrating; did they really expect her to wait there for who knows how long until she could see again, if she could see again? Reluctantly, feeling exhaustion sweep over her, she settled back into the pillow and entered into an uneasy sleep.
A/N: End of chapter four. As I don't know when I will have the next chapter completed, you may email me with any questions that you would like me to answer. My email address is edunncarolina.rr.com.