Author's Note: Harry goes blind in this chapter, but I want to convey here and now that though there may be humor in this story, none of it will be directed in a cruel and offensive manner toward the visually impaired. It is my hope that the readers enjoy this story and come to appreciate what a blessing it is to even be able to see, and not to take their sight for granted. That thought in mind, please enjoy the chapter.


Chapter Two: The "who" and "what"

That night, Harry drifted to sleep rather easily. It was a dreamless and yet peaceful state. It didn't last very long, though.

"You! Hey you, get up!"

Harry tried to ignore the voice, turning in his sleep, but it persisted.

"Come on, wake up! I didn't come here to watch you sleep!"

Harry's eyes snapped open, almost against his will. Rubbing them, Harry reached for his glasses, but stopped. Looking around the room, he found that he could see quite clearly. Remembering the voice he had heard, Harry searched for its origin. There was no one in the room. Harry started to lie back down, thinking that he was still asleep, when suddenly, in the midst of the room, there was a ripple, very similar to one caused by a pebble dropped in water.

Harry sat up straight, wide-eyed, as this ripple gradually became a small misty swirl. It grew larger and began to take change. When the cloud-like midst had finished, it had taken on the form of a person.

"Well that's better," it said, without actually speaking. It then turned its attention to Harry. The form walked over and stood in front of Harry, whose mouth hung open in disbelief.

"W-Who....w-w-what-"

"Now, now," the blurred outline said, "This is hardly the time for questions. Besides, either question would be incorrect."

Harry blinked. "Huh? Why?"

"Why, my silly boy? Because, I am not a who. I'm not a what, either. I exist, and that's all you need to concern yourself with. So there is no need for you to go on, wasting time worrying about 'whos' and 'whats'."


"I must be dreaming," Harry said scratching his head. How else could he be seeing so clearly without his glasses, or be holding a conversation with a talking cloud?


"The figure laughed at him. My poor child, it chuckled, Of course you are asleep. I never visit wishers while they are awake. At least, not anymore. I was forced to stop since they had a bad habit of going crazy."
The form laughed as if he had told a very funny joke, but it certainly didn't make Harry feel like laughing.

"You're certain I'm asleep," He asked, needing a bit more reassurance.

The blur sighed, which actually caused his whole being to expand and contract slightly. "You are a very confusing creature," it said, "One minute, you doubt you're awake. The next, you doubt you're asleep. I wish you'd get it right." The form pointed, and Harry turned reluctantly.

To his amazement, he saw his own sleeping body. Harry had never had such an experience, seeing himself from outside his body. He hoped never to have it happen again. "All right, I know that I'm asleep now," Harry said finally, turning back to face the blurred form.

"Good," said the being, "Now we can get down to this wish business."

"Wish?"

"Yes, the wish you made earlier. Don't you remember? You said, 'I just wish I didn't need them.' Could you tell me what it was you were talking about? I need clarification."

"My glasses," answered Harry, "They cause me a lot of trouble. At least they caused me to get into a lot of trouble today."

"I see," said the figure,"Do continue, I'd like to get as much detail as possible."

"Well, it's just that sometimes, I can't help but feel they're more of a hindrance than a help. I keep thinking of all the wasted time. Cleaning them, polishing them. Adjusting and readjusting. I really wish that I didn't need them."

The form stood motionlessly for a few moments. Because the being had no face (at least not one that Harry could make out), Harry was incapable of knowing what the form was thinking. He couldn't figure out what its mood was until the form spoke.

"So you are telling me that if you had a choice, you would be rid of your glasses and never need them again?"

"Yes, that's it."

The figure turned and began to pace back and forth. I see, it said, musing. Harry couldn't keep down an odd feeling of excitement deep inside. Was this person, who or whatever it, was going to help him?

"I tell you what," it said at last. "I will make you an offer, uh....um....What is your name?"

"Harry. Harry Potter"

"Harry Potter. Right. Nice name. Anyway, Harry, I'll make you an offer, extending for a period of say, about three months?"

Harry nodded, even though he didn't actually know what this offer would be.

"I will give you three months without your glasses, no strings of any kind attached. For three months you will not need your glasses at all and at the end of this period, I will return and you will tell me again, if giving the choice between needing and not needing your glasses whether or not you would make the same choice twice." The form slowly extended what resembled a hand. "Is it a deal…Harry?"

Again, Harry wished that he could so much as guess at the expression on the being's face. And again, he found that he couldn't. Taking a deep breath, Harry reached at shook the figure's hand. He shuddered at the cool sensation. He imagined that it was closest sensation to what like touching the clouds would be like.

"Good," said the form, satisfied. "The time period will begin...now."

At the word 'now', a sensation griped Harry unlike anything he'd ever felt before. It was his eyes, something was happening to them. Crying out, he moved his hands to them, massaging frantically against the invisible force. It did no good. It was like some poisonous mist had clouded them, taking them over.......

When Harry came to; he didn't know whether or not he was asleep or awake. There was nothing. No light. No shapes. Only the vast emptiness before him. It was as if a grey curtain has settled before his eyes and no amount of rubbing could remove it.

He knew that he was laying, but he didn't know where. He didn't know anything.

"Harry," someone said gently, "Harry, are you all right? Do you know where you are?" Harry had begun the move, but strong hands held him down.

"Help me!" he shouted, "Someone, please help me!" This seemed like a nightmare, it should have been, but it was beginning to dawn on Harry that he was indeed awake. He struggled even harder

"Harry we are trying to help you, but you must remain calm." Enough of Harry's awareness had returned so that he realized that it was Professor Dumbledore who was speaking now. He wasn't sure who had been speaking before; he didn't care.

"What's happening?" Harry sobbed, "Why can't I see anything?"

"You can't see Harry?"

Harry shook his head, feeling utterly helpless.

"Oh dear," Dumbledore said, concern in his voice. "I fear this is worse than I thought."


End chapter. I hope the improvements I've made will help. I had more typos than I thought. Anyway, any feedback, questions, or criticisms can be submitted in a review.

BP