"Harry, can I ask you something? Um, how do you get dressed? Does someone come and help you in the morning?" Ron asked.
"What? No, that would be awful! I just get dressed. I don't know. It's not that hard," Harry snorted. "Just one leg at a time, you know. I mean, I guess I feel for tags and seams to make sure I'm not putting something on inside out or backward. Seriously, Ron, you've gotten dressed in the dark before, haven't you?"
"Uh, I guess so. I hadn't really thought about it," Ron said.
"Yeah, well. You don't really think about it until you have to, I guess," Harry said.
"Yeah, I guess. But how do you tell what color shirt you're putting on?" Ron asked.
"I never really thought about what colors my shirts were, did I? I mean they are all grungy worn out things from Dudley. It doesn't really matter what they look like. And I guess I know what color they are by the feel of them," Harry said.
"You can tell color by the way things feel?" Ron said, mystified.
"No, I mean I remember my shirts and trousers from before when I could see and I can tell them apart by the way they feel. Like my grey trousers feel different from my tan ones," Harry said, running his fingers over the fabric on his knee. "And my staff will tell me what color things are if I cast the Indica color charm."
Harry took his collapsed staff out of his pocket and reached out for Ron, guessing where his shoulder was. He found his sleeve and touched the staff to the fabric and said, "Indica color."
The aftí in his ear said, "cornflower blue."
"See, your shirt is cornflower blue," Harry said.
"It is not!" Ron said indignantly. "It's just a light blue. Matches my eyes, doesn't it."
"Hey, I'll be able to use my staff to tell what color my potions are! I didn't think about that!" Harry said.
"Yeah, like Snape's going to let you do that," Ron muttered.
"Right… 'What do you think you're doing, Potter? You and your inflated ego! Always looking for a way to stand out! Using your staff to determine potion colors gives you an unfair advantage! You think that this nonsense of being blind means you deserve special accommodations! Insufferable attention-seeking boy! You're just like your father!" Harry mimicked Snape's distaining sneer and put his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. "Potions is going to be a nightmare."
"Yeah, but at least you won't have to look at the git's greasy hair anymore," Ron said.
"True," Harry said, "… but I bet I'll be able to smell it."
"Ew!" said Ron and they dissolved into laughter.
"There you two are! Everyone's looking for you," Hermione burst into the courtyard from the library entrance.
"Hey, Mione!" Ron gasped, his laughter making him fall against Harry.
"Your dad was wondering if you wanted to go out to Charing Cross Road and get a muggle ice cream cone. Apparently, he's always wanted to try one." Hermione's smile was evident in her voice. "He said that Healer Jordan said it was okay for you to go, Harry but that we need to remember to finite the Scribunt loqui charms before we're around muggles."
"What makes muggle ice cream different than wixen ice cream?" Harry asked.
"Um, nothing. I think Mr. Weasley just wants to mingle with the muggles," Hermione said.
"That's my dad!" Ron groaned. "He's got a bit of a thing for muggles."
"Aren't we going to stand out?" Harry asked, wondering what the Weasleys were wearing.
"It's London—we're not going to stand out more than anyone else," Hermione assured.
"Yeah, I guess so," Harry conceded and he stood up and shook out his staff.
oO0OooO0OooO0OooO0Oo
Harry, Ron, and Hermione found the rest of the Weasleys and Lee in the corridor outside of the dining hall speaking animatedly about going out for ice cream and figuring out if they had enough muggle money between them to buy it. Once they had that sorted out, they started heading toward the reception area. Molly was talking about asking Besel for recommendations for where to go. Harry was holding Hermione's arm when he heard someone come up to them.
"Harry, I wonder if I could have a word?" Arthur said quietly.
"Um, sure," Harry said, slowing down. Hermione stopped and Harry gathered that Ron did, too, while the rest of the group moved on around them.
"Yes, you, two as well might as well hear this," Arthur said, discreetly casting a silencing charm that cut off the noises in the corridor. "It's just that earlier I spoke to Healer Jordan about some concerns I have about your safety."
"Oh?" Harry said, surprised. "My safety?"
"Yes, well. It seems that I'm not alone with these concerns and I learned that the Center, Hogwarts, and the Ministry of Magic are working together to try to keep the details about what happened in the Chamber of Secrets and your injury out of the news for as long as possible. Healer Jordan asked if we could disguise your identity today when we go out into London.
"What? Why would it be in the news?" Harry asked.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said almost patiently. "You know that you are mentioned in all sorts of books. I'm actually surprised that the Daily Prophet hasn't had anything yet about the Basilisk attacks at Hogwarts since every student had to be talking about it when they got home from term, not to mention the fact that Dumbledore was removed from the school."
"You think they'd want to write about what happened to me?" Harry asked—his gut seizing.
"Well, it would be pretty big news if it got out. Fortunately, it hasn't yet. But we need to do our part to keep you safe, too," Arthur said.
"Safe from what exactly?" asked Harry slowly.
"Well, I'm sure that Dumbledore has explained to you how you're kept safe while you are at your Aunt's house because of the blood ward protections that he cast," Arthur said but stopped suddenly. Harry imagined it was because of the surprised expression he must have had on his face. "Oh, maybe he didn't explain that… "
"Is that why I have to stay with them?" Harry asked, heat rising in his chest and neck.
"Um, yes. Hmmm. Well, this is hard," Arthur seemed to be doubting himself.
"Who am I being kept safe from exactly?" Harry asked, keeping his voice as level as he was able.
"Well, I don't want to scare you… " Arthur hedged.
"Scare me? Is there another murderer trying to hunt me down, other than Voldemort?" Harry asked and then jumped when Arthur and Ron both yelped at the use of the name.
"Well, there are his followers, Harry. The ministry rounded up a bunch of them and they are rotting in prison, but still, we're fairly certain that not all of them were caught. While you're at your Aunt's house and Hogwarts and the Center, there are magical protections that keep you safe, but when you leave those safe places, you have to take extra precautions," Arthur explained.
"But I never did before, when we'd leave Privet drive or travel to Hogwarts, why is it different now? And why did no one ever tell me before?" Harry said, his voice rising.
"I'm sure that they didn't want to scare you. You're getting older now… and you are going to be perceived as more vulnerable because you're… blind," Arthur stammered. "Maybe this is a bad idea… to leave the Center… I just thought that it would be better to do it now when you'd be surrounded by a whole lot of wizards and witches who love you and want to protect you. You know, get used to being cautious when traveling about London and other places."
Harry's breath caught in his throat. "Are you all going to be in danger if you're seen with me?" Harry asked quietly.
"Oh, well, it's not that bad. It's not like there are dark witches and wizards waiting on every street corner for a chance to hex you… we're just trying to be safe. We're not in danger, no more than anyone else, right?" Arthur said, back-pedaling a bit.
"But you just said I was in more danger now because I'm blind," Harry said confused.
"That's why I'm going to teach you how to cast this disillusionment charm that will make you stand out less. People will be less likely to notice you," Arthur explained.
"Won't it make it hard for me to order ice cream?" Harry wondered.
"Well, you can end it and then recast it. That's why it is important that you know how to do it for yourself," Arthur said.
"Okay, what's the charm?" Harry asked.
"It's the Calamitatis charm. In addition to pronouncing the charm carefully, you also need to be thinking about not drawing attention to yourself. You won't be invisible, just not as noticeable," Arthur explained.
"Will you all notice me?" Harry asked, thinking about being stranded alone in London without knowing his way back to the center.
"Yes, just keep ahold of us and you'll be fine," Arthur assured. "It probably wouldn't hurt for all three of you to learn this spell. Let's all work on it."
Ron, Hermione, and Harry all tried to cast it until Arthur felt like they had done well.
"Okay, let's catch up with the group." Arthur hurried them along.
They walked into the reception area with Mr. Weasley.
"Oh, no, don't tell me those three have run off again! Arthur, I thought they were with you!" Molly exclaimed.
"No, Molly, they're here. I just was teaching them the disillusionment charm. It looks like it is working!" Arthur seemed delighted.
Harry felt a little nervous.
As they had walked to the reception area, Hermione had been working on convincing Ron to learn how to be Harry's sighted guide. Harry wasn't sure this was the best idea. He felt as though he'd be safer with Hermione, but he didn't interfere; Hermione's voice didn't allow any room for argument. Reluctantly, Ron had given in. Hermione taught him how to tap the back of Harry's hand as a signal that he was ready to guide him and Harry had followed the contour of Ron's arm up to his bicep and grasped it lightly. Hermione instructed Ron on how to go through doors using the door to the reception area as an example. Harry realized that Hermione must have done some research since he saw her on Monday because she offered a lot more information on the subject than she'd been taught from Healer Jordan on Monday. He wondered how many hours she'd spent at the library this week researching.
Harry was also very aware of how uncomfortable Ron felt as his sighted guide. Harry could feel Ron's nervousness in his tensed muscles on his upper arm and hear it in his shallow breaths.
"People are going to think we're a couple of poofs, Hermione!" Ron moaned as they made their way across the reception area.
"Then you'll fit right in, Ron! We're in London," Hermione said. "Anyway, who cares if they do. Nothing wrong with it, Ron."
Harry leaned over and whispered, "We're disillusioned right now mate, no one is supposed to be noticing us anyway."
"Oh, right," Ron sighed and relaxed a bit as the wall opened and the sounds and smells of Charing Cross Road exploded into the quiet of the reception area.
Harry had extended his staff anyway—he didn't entirely trust Ron to guide him around obstacles in his path and felt a little better with his staff in his hand.
It proved to be a good move as right off the bat, Ron almost walked Harry right into a rubbish bin, but the silver tip on Harry's staff tinged against it before Harry ran into it.
"Um, Ron," Harry said, stopping.
"Oh, right! Sorry mate! I didn't see it," Ron said.
"Yeah, me neither!" Harry said.
"Oh, Harry, I see what you did just there!" said Fred as he jumped next to Harry, grasping him around the shoulders and steering him around the bin.
"A great little joke of opportunity! And while that wasn't so bad, you could use a little illumination from some of the brightest," George said as he stuck his head between Harry and Ron, patting Harry on the back.
"Don't you bat an eye, we'll make sure they are in-sight-ful," Fred assured.
"You'll see, we won't leave you in the dark!" George chortled.
Harry groaned, shaking his head at their antics.
"Hurry up you lot, we've got to cross the street together or we'll get separated!" Molly called.
Ron sped up suddenly and Harry stumbled as he tried to keep up. "Hey, Ron, come on, warn a guy!" Harry called.
"Oh, sorry!" Ron said and slowed down to a slug's pace. "I'm rotten at this. Here, Hermione, you do it!" Ron held up his elbow as if he were offering Harry to Hermione. But she and Ginny were talking animatedly about a book Hermione had spotted in a bookstore window display and didn't respond. Ron harrumphed.
"Guess you're stuck with me," Harry said, feeling a little like unwanted luggage. "You can go faster than that… it's just that you need to let me know."
He was really tempted to just go on his own.
"What street are we crossing?" Harry asked as Ron guided him jerkily around something in their path.
"Oh watch it, there are traffic cones… um we're crossing Great Newport Street," Ron said.
Molly was ushering them again as it seemed that now they were crossing another street.
"What street is this?" Harry asked.
"Now we're crossing Charing Cross Road and it looks like we're going on Newport Court; we had to jog a bit because of the construction." Harry could tell that Ron was looking around by the way his arm moved. For a bit, Ron was focused on guiding Harry and not talking and Harry didn't want to distract him. He could hear Fred and George and Lee behind him commenting on the shops and gathered that they were moving into a street that had a lot of stores that sold items from Asia. The aromas confirmed it—he could smell egg rolls and stir fry along with ginger. Outside of one store, he was pretty sure that they had walked through a cloud of chili powder as it stung his nose and made his eyes water.
They must sell spices in there.
He could also hear people speaking in rapid Mandarin (he assumed—not that he could even name the other languages spoken in China). He was pretty sure that he'd heard snatches of French and Russian being spoken as well.
Discordant music was being piped out onto the street from a few establishments and seemed to be battling with each other. The way the sounds echoed made him feel like they were on a really narrow street with buildings that towered over them—there were no cars though—so maybe it was just an alley. Harry kept getting knocked into by people (the Weasleys or other passersby) and he kept his staff close to his body and stuck his elbow out to act as a bit of a bumper. He wondered what they thought since clearly, they couldn't see him; did they even notice that they were running into him? He figured that Ron and Hermione were dodging people, but he couldn't see the people coming and he felt like he was the ball in a pinball machine.
"Sorry, mate, this is really tough—so many people here and it is so narrow," Ron apologized as Harry was knocked into again.
"No worries, Ron. You're doing fine," Harry fibbed. He was surprised that Ron hadn't given up yet and that he was taking the job so seriously.
Arthur was ahead of them now talking with Percy about all the clever muggle adaptations they were seeing—he was particularly captivated with a row of coin-operated parking meters.
"Where are we now?" Harry asked, trying to keep a mental map of the area in his head—he was pretty sure that they had gone south for a little bit, but then angled west and north for a while. Occasionally, Harry got a whiff of rank urine odors rising up from stairwells or alleys (he guessed by the echoes as well as the way the air changed as they passed by) and at least once his cane struck something soft and he worried that he'd accidentally struck someone sleeping in a doorway. He remembered seeing people huddled in sleeping bags when he and Hagrid traveled to Diagon Alley through London.
"We're on Gerard Street. No, wait, Gerard Place; we're about to cross another street, but I can't see the street name," Ron said. A busker was playing a flute and the notes bounced off the buildings in an eerie way so that Harry couldn't pinpoint where the busker was standing.
Now they were on a busy street and the petrol fumes were strong. They seemed to be moving into an area with more bakeries and the smell of bread baking mingled with the spices. Harry could tell that the pavement was wider here and the buildings farther apart.
"Oh, this is Shaftesbury Avenue," Ron supplied.
They crossed another street with Molly urging them to stay together, then immediately crossed again at the corner. Harry was losing track of where they were and what direction they were headed. They passed flower vendor selling heavily scented flowers—the spiky leaves brushing against Harry's knees, "Hyacinth's—just 5 pounds a bunch!" a gravelly voice called.
"Where are we now, Ron?" Harry asked again.
"We're nearly there. I think this is Rupert Street," Ron said.
Harry's hand was getting sweaty on Ron's arm, even though it was a cool day. He wanted to wipe it on his trousers to get a better grip, but also didn't want to let go. A fetid odor nearly made him gag and Ron commented about the overflowing rubbish bin as he led Harry around it.
"We're turning on Archer Street now!" Molly informed the group. "It's just up here… the little Gelato shop that Besel recommended." Her voice was nearly drowned out by a passing lorry.
They were in another narrow alley and then Ron was guiding Harry through a very narrow door and his staff tinged against something metal and Harry guessed that the ice cream shop had rickety metal chairs and tables by the sounds he was hearing inside the crowded shop.
"Harry, you can end the disillusionment charm now so that you can order. Just remember to cast it again as we leave," Arthur said in his ear as they crowded together in the shop.
Harry flicked his wand into his hand and muttered, "Finite calamitatis" and then flicked his hand again to return his wand to his holster, though he wondered if his holster stood out now that he was no longer disillusioned.
"Ron, what kind of gelato do they have?" Harry asked.
"Well, let's see, there's Avocado -ew!-, a milk chocolate with hazelnut that I can't pronounce… ba-see-o?… "
"That's ba-cho!" said an unfamiliar voice with an Italian accent. "Say, does that young man need a menu in braille? We've got them here."
Harry heard the sound of a large piece of paper flapping near him and reached up until he found it, muttering "thank you," while he felt heat creeping up his neck. He ran his fingers over the incomprehensible braille and felt his cheeks glowing.
"Thanks, but I haven't learned how to read this yet… I'm still learning… " He tried handing it back and held it out for a while, but the man seemed to have moved on to taking orders.
"Here, I'll set it down over here," Ron offered, taking it from Harry's hands.
"Do they have other chocolate flavors?" Harry asked quietly.
"Yeah, they have a dark chocolate with sour cherry called Black Forest and then a Dark Chocolate with Earl Grey and Biscuit—that sounds weird—and a White Chocolate with Thyme. All the flavors sound pretty odd, if you ask me," Ron whispered.
"Yeah," Harry agreed.
"Hey, what does the blind kid want?" the man asked.
Harry felt his neck get hot again as Hermione exclaimed indignantly, "He can talk, you know!"
"Um, I'd like the bacio," Harry stammered.
"Here you go, Harry," Ron said. Harry held out his hand and Ron gingerly placed the cone in it. It took them a bit to transfer the top-heavy cone and Harry was worried he was going to drop it.
Harry took a tentative lick—the creamy chocolatey flavor with a hint of hazelnut was heavenly. He smiled and then began working his way around the cone to try to catch the drips that were oozing down his fingers.
I'm going to need a napkin.