Well this is Chapter 4! Here things really start to escalate and I feel like the story begins. I don't want to say much and ruin the story, But please review, it makes it much more encouraging to write! :P The next update may take a bit longer with finals, But I'll try my best to make it speedy.
Chapter 4
Darren kept his arm tight and snug around Ron's should as they walked down the three steps in unison. He could feel a strong sense of ease once his feet had connected with the concrete. He began to use the walking stick and tapping back and forth. Darren could feel the rough concrete scraping against the edge of the stick with every tap. It was only when the concrete seemed to disappear and the stone floor took its place did Darren know that they were at the right spot. He stopped, arm trailing off of Ron's shoulder onto his lower back as they stopped walking. "This should be a good spot, right?" Darren asked.
Both Ron and Hermione looked at Darren with surprise on their faces. Hermione grew a little teary and sad "Yea, this is perfect." "What's your problem?" Ron whispered to Hermione as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm just happy he seems to be able to get around without help now…" she said in a hushed whisper. Ron nodded in agreement with a small grin. Both Hermione and Darren raised their wands above their heads almost near unison as two bulbs of light protruded from the tip of their wands. "First years this way please" Hermione yelled toward the younger looking students exiting the train.
"You know, you two scare me sometimes" Ron said looking at them both. Darren and Hermione gave him a quizzical look – but she soon yelled "First years, this way please!" After about a twenty minute wait they had gathered around the first years. The three of them lead the first years toward the docks as Hermione dryly explained "As first years you'll be getting to Hogwarts by boat, however the rest of the students typically arrive by carriage. Hagrid will take you to the castle where you'll meet a professor who will take you to the great hall." Darren and Ron walked in silence and let her do the talking for both of them as they often did.
"I don't want to follow that prefect. He'll probably lead us right off the docks!" a first year told his friend in a rotten tone. Just in ear shot of the three prefects. Since he had been cursed there were people who were shocked and treated him..differently, but never had he been made fun of for it. Ron felt Darren go very still next to him. Darren had a sinking feeling in his stomach that he could not control. The feeling of it was overwhelming, he felt as though he would throw up. Hermione turned around with a look as though something pierced her heart. She pursed her lips, fury in her eyes. With a tip of her wand that same first year seemed to stumble on his own feet and fall head first into the lake. There were dozens of gasps and giggles as the scrambled back onto the wood docks, his robes soaking with water. "Please watch where you stand, If someone who is blind can manage to stay dry I hope you could." Hermione said bitingly, hoping to find a smile on Darren's face but it was still cold and intentionally devoid of emotion.
After the students had been ushered out the three of them walked toward the carriages. Ron and Hermione didn't dare say a word on their way to Hogwarts, worried that they would make Darren's mood even grimmer.
Everyone had reached the great hall and had taken seats with their allotted houses. There was laughter about and everyone seemed rather excited for the first feast of the year to begin. Ron had been talking excitedly about the bread pudding that the house elves put out annually. The combined noise of the conversations had given Darren the familiar headache that he often felt in similar situations. After he had lost his sight he found himself relying much more on his hearing. Once his hearing was taken over by so much stimulus it reupted in an obnoxious headache. And not only that, but it also made it much more difficult for Darren to understand his surroundings. The chatter from everyone seemed to slow down and then reached a level of complete silence. Darren merely blinked with a confused expression.. He wanted to ask Ron, Hermione, or Harry but he was still in a dismal mood about the comment earlier.
The silence was then broken by Dumbledore's eloquent voice "I'd like to wish everyone welcome to their return this term, and for those of you just arriving, a special welcome to Hogwarts." Dumbledore gave them a welcoming gesture before continuing with his speech. "Before we get started, I would like to make a few announcements. First of all, Professor Filch would like to remind you that all Weasely products are to be used with caution, and are most likely banned. All incoming and outgoing mail will be pre-screened with secrecy sensors. With that said, I would like to describe our change in staffing this year! I hope you all give your sincerest welcomes to Professor Horace Slughorn, who will be returning to his old position as Potions Master, and Professor Snape as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. Let us all wish them the best of luck."
There were whispers throughout the great hall. From Darren's view, Harry seemed to be the most outraged. It was no secret that he and Professor Snape did not get along. "What!? No!" Harry pleaded with no one in particular. The whispers quickly subsided as Dumbledore had apparently given an allotted time for the whispers before he started to speak again.
"And before we begin the feast, I would like to give one last warning. As many of you have heard, I would like to clear up that Lord Voldemort –" during Dumbledore's speech Darren felt Ron shudder from next to him. "Has indeed returned. Regardless of what the prophet states I would like that knowledge to be known to each and every one of you. Because of this…There will be increased security measures taken in order to maintain the level of safety at Hogwarts. Not only this but you must all take certain measures upon yourself. We are heading into dark times, and now is when you must have people in which you can rely on, and trust. With these two things you will find no obstacle unbeatable. And with that…I wish you all to enjoy!" Dumbledore finished with a smile across his face. And one wave of his hand hundreds of plates filled with food littered the tables of the great hall.
Darren sat awkwardly as he could tell all of the people around him were picking up food. He went through all of the situations in his head how he could get food on his plate without having to ask anyone. He was still awfully sour about what had happened earlier and was determined to not ask for help. Darren didn't have time to carry out his plan before he heard a clunk on his plate. "You seemed to be having trouble, there's some 'tatoes –" A flash of anger showed across Darren's face. He let out a sigh and said "You know, I'm not helpless." Darren got up from the table and began to furiously walk out of the great hall. He flipped out his wand and muttered Extentia as his wand extended several feet so he could tap it similar to the walking stick. Darren began to count the taps from his seat to the end of the great hall. On the way there he thought he counted 76. Once he reached 70 he grew much more careful and felt around the stone walls as the sounds of the great hall began to grow farther and farther.
"What did I do?" Ron said in an annoyed tone. "All I was trying to do was help" as he stabbed a sausage angrily with his fork and began eating. Hermione looked at Ron carefully. "I bet its really hard for him. I can't even imagine how it must feel for him to be entirely dependant on other people. And on top of that, not having any idea what's going on around him. Frankly…I'm surprised this is the first time he's snapped." Ron looked at Harry pleadingly, and Harry just shrugged. "I actually agree with Hermione. I'd be bloody angry in his situation."
Hermione added "Not to say that he's right in snapping at you…I don't think its something you did."
Ron thought carefully for a little bit until he came out and said, "Should I go after him?"
Shaking her head, Hermione said with certainty "No give him time. We're all in the same house, you'll see him soon anyway."
Ron just nodded as he poked at his food somberly, suddenly without appetite.
Darren made his way clumsily up the stairs of Hogwarts. He clung desperately to the stone walls. The sensation of the coarse stone tickled his fingers yet to no avail told him where he was. With a deep sigh Darren continued to walk up the staircase as thoughts raced across his mind. The frustration was intense. He couldn't navigate something as simple as the Gryffindor common room, which had he been hundreds of times in the past six years. And then his thoughts went to Ron. An immediate feeling of guilt covered his stomach as it began to sink. He'd need to apologize later. With that Darren took a seat at the end of what felt like a single floor and wiped the frustrated tears from his eyes when he heard a familiar voice.
"While I envy your curiosity of the comfort level of stairs, perhaps you should come with me Darren?" Dumbledore said in a cheery tone.
Darren blinked several times before getting up and gaining a firm hold on the railing. Dumbledore stayed quiet except for humming a tune that Darren couldn't identify. In all truth Darren had no clue where he was. He could only assume that they were heading to the headmaster's office but he chose to ask anyway. "Headmaster, where are we going?" "Oh we'll find out in due time. I have some things to talk to you about." Darren nodded and continued to follow the humming of Dumbledore. He heard sounds of the great hall as they passed, and was suddenly very embarrassed. Trying to imagine how foolish he must look as he clung to the wall while following Dumbledore. The thought was painful and Darren tried to dismiss it. "You know, It is only recently that I found one of the treasures of muggle cuisine. And that is cotton candy." Dumbledore chimed as Darren could hear a door opening. As they both walked forward Darren quickly discovered the spiraling staircase as they both strided up the stairs Darren chose not to comment on Dumbledore's very peculiar comment.
Darren stumbled once they had entered the office on what he assumed could be a desk.
"Its quite alright Darren, take a seat."
Darren prepared to give Dumbledore a dirty glare until something pushed against his legs, causing him to fall backwards and be pushed aggressively forward. Darren let out a sound between a grunt and a yell as the wind swept his face for mere moments until it stopped abruptly, nearly throwing him off the chair. Darren held onto the arms of his chair fiercely as if it would go flying once again. He finally began to relax just slightly when Dumbledore began talking.
"As I'm sure you have already guessed, I'm here to talk to you about the events that occurred this summer. I'm certain you have heard numerous times of the exceptional skill and talent of your parents, but I am not as concerned with this, but your parents loyalty and character. In truth, I am here to tell you something I may regret explaining. But…Your parents knew their death was forthcoming." Dumbledore began to explain. His tone remained cheerful which originally irked Darren. Darren chose to stay quiet – sure that Dumbledore would further explain.
"There was a prophecy. This prophecy entailed " Dumbledore took a slight pause as he prepared to quote "Protectors of a great secret carried for many will meet their end." Before Dumbledore was able to explain his last thought Darren asked the question that had been eating away at him all this time.
"What is the secret? And why my parents? Voldemort is a problem for Britain not France." The heat of Darren's words surprised himself. However Dumbledore was seemingly unphased.
"Now…This is the time for apologies. I cannot explain to you the secret now. But I can only promise that you will find out in due time. And as for why your parents chose to take such a great risk on themselves was…" Dumbledore had to wait a moment, then chose to be upfront. Yet Darren noticed his tone had changed just slightly "As a favor to me." Darren tried but could not keep the pain from his eyes. So many emotions had crossed through him in mere moments. He considered hating Dumbledore but didn't have the time to finish his thoughts before Dumbledore continued.
"I understand you probably hate me right now. And I would not blame you. I have no excuses. In truth I made a very grave mistake, something that I seem to be making a lot of lately." Dumbledore glanced at his hand which was now looking even more aged, and more disturbing; a deep black. During his speech in the great hall there had been gasps once it had been viewed. However it had obviously gone unnoticed by Darren.
"As I was saying. I asked your parents for a favor for many reasons. Being abroad I felt as thought they were beyond Lord Voldemort's reach. They had been given every protection possible – as well as their own made protection. Which I'm sure you know your father better than I did, you would know he placed enchantments the castle that even Lord Voldemort had not seen. However it seems your parents wished to prolong their life which is why you were all at the summer home which was kept incredibly secret. I was not even aware of its location, nor any of the order. We were only notified by a charm your mother had made notifying me once her…death was ensured. This is why we were able to rescue you in time to prevent the death eaters from causing you further harm. We still do not know how the Dark Lord discovered your location, it is something that haunts me to this day."
Dumbledore had stopped talking and pacing about his desk and chose to take a seat. He folded his hands calmly and looked at the student in front of him. Darren stared at something Dumbledore knew he couldn't see. Tears had been brewing in Darren's how grey eyes. After about a minute of silence Darren had confused even himself. No matter how badly he wanted to hate Dumbledore he simply could not. He knew that his parents had done this of choice, and were more than willing to accept the consequences for their actions. Darren felt the same way he did when he awoke in the Weasely's the first time. Hundreds of questions. It was at a point in which he couldn't choose what to ask.
"Why was I sent to the Weasely's? I've had a hard time believing it was to be with my peers from the beginning." Darren asked quietly, almost in a whisper. He chose to avoid the subject of his parents for the time being.
"An interesting question." Dumbledore said. He almost sounded proud as he said it.
"There are things that will happen in the future, things that you will find yourself connected to three specific students. Those students I'm sure you know whom I'm referring to. These events I cannot determine, however the sorting hat has a habit of changing its decisions based on certain events. In truth, you hold nearly all of the aspects found in a true Ravenclaw. However you were sorted in Gryffindor? It is true you hold some traits, however it is my belief that the sorting hat has insight that I do not. Of course all of this is speculative, but I can only act upon my instincts."
Darren just nodded. He hadn't expected an answer like that. "I'm very confused." Darren said.
"I suggest you get used to it, I've been confused for forty years now" Dumbledore said smiling. "Now, your sight. You will still be attending all classes you choose." Dumbledore stopped speaking for a moment. Darren could not tell but he had taken his wand out of his robe and with a small flick, a parchment appeared in Dumbledore's hands. Darren heard Dumbledore unrolling parchment when he began to speak again "So it seems you have received O's in every subject, with the exception of Care of Magical Creatures. Because of this, you have much freedom in your choice of subjects."
"But Professor…I can't see. How am I supposed to take classes if I can't read?" Darren asked. Darren's frustration was more than evident from his tone.
"There are certainly ways around this. Now I hope you don't misunderstand me. You will have to work harder than many of your peers. I highly suggest speaking to Professor McGonagall for extra lessons." The latter request seemed slightly bizarre to Darren. Since this seemed to be a very open discussion, Darren chose to ask.
" What are the ways around it? And…Why sir, ask Professor McGonagall? I doubt she'll have time to help me…" Darren looked down as he said it.
"I wouldn't underestimate Professor McGonagall's loyalty to her house. I highly suggest seeking her out during your choosing of your classes tomorrow morning. As for finding ways around this slight…handicap…There are many spells that go forgotten because of lack of use. Of course, many wizards find little reason to use such spells, because quite obviously, they can see. However I have thought about this situation deeply. Do you know what a familiar is, Darren?"
The question had caught Darren off guard. In seconds he began to probe his brain for the word familiar. As a child he had heard stories about familiars however it seemed to mostly be fairy tales. Muggle Studies has explained that muggles had displayed many witches to have a familiar. This familiar was often a toad or a pet cat.
"Mostly from fairy tales. I know Muggles think that all witches have a familiar, similar to a pet with special properties." Darren said in a similar tone that he would use when answering a question in class.
"An answer to rival Ms. Granger." Darren could hear the smile in Dumbledore's voice. "Well, that is partially true. Familiars do indeed exist. However they are extremely rare. This is probably due to the extreme risk, and controversially little gain from going through with such a ritual. Familiars have a connection to their wizard or witch that goes much beyond that of a pet. In many ways a familiar and its wizard are a single entity. The familiar is simply an extension of the wizard's being. It is difficult for one to exist without the other."
"Is it dark magic?" Darren asked. Dumbledore's explanation had intrigued him. However what Dumbledore was planning with this talk of familiars interested him much more. "No, I would not say it is dark magic. I would call it forbidden magic, for the reasons I have just explained. I'm going to give you several books that have been withdrawn from the library. I will ask you to not speak openly about this, except for maybe a select few."
"How are familiars supposed to help me see? And…I'm not sure if you've forgotten professor. But I can't see. How am I supposed to read?" Darren said – obviously annoyed.
"It will come clear once you read further. That's when we will have our next meeting. And as for reading…I do hope you set a meeting with Professor McGonagall. Now, you should get going back to the common room. The students should be in bed now. A house elf from the kitchens will help guide you back to your room, there should be no problems after hours. After all, you are a prefect now." Dumbledore saw Darren's uncertainty when he mentioned his prefect status. "I do intend to keep with the decision to keep you as a Prefect Darren. Sight will come with time. I'll see you soon."
And with that, Darren was dismissed as he wobbily walked down the spiraling staircase and was greeted with a very squeaky voice "Is Mr. Luseppe ready to go back to the common room?" Darren smiled quietly to himself and nodded. "I'm Darren, what's your name?" Darren's question caught the house elf off guard, but answered with a smile from eat to ear on her face. Darren could not see the smile nor the extra skip in her step, but he could hear the happy inflection from her voice. "My name is Lena sir." Darren nodded then asked "Lena, can we go to the prefect bathroom instead of the common-room? I really want a bath…and I'm sure I can find my way back to the common-room." He was not positive; in fact he was quite worried. But Darren was not ready to go back and confront his peers yet. He hadn't talked to anyone but Ron, Harry, and Hermione since he reached Hogwarts, and was afraid of people's reactions. "Of course sir!" Lena said happily. Darren offered his hand and she took it. Her own hand as small as a baby's, Darren held her hand with the same gentility that he would with a baby.
They walked for what felt like ten minutes through the huge expanse of Hogwarts. Darren had never realized how truly large the castle was, however everything felt like it took longer when he was walking in darkness. Lena stopped and asked ,"We're here. Does Mr Luseppe want Lena to wait for him?" "No no, of course not. I'll make my way back. Thank you very much Lena." Darren smiled at her and she beamed back "If Mr. Luseppe ever needs Lena just say Lena's name and she will be there!" With a loud pop Lena disappeared and Darren was left alone.
Darren felt his way through the door and carefully opened it. There were dozens of smells of Rose, Lavender, and dozens of other smells he could not recognize. At first Darren was terrified of slipping and falling in the bath, but the sound of the water made it clear where the bath was. He began to unbutton his robes and was soon undressed. There was a moment of embarrassment when he asked himself "Is anyone here?" Of course there wasn't! He thought. He wasn't positive of what time it was but he could assume its late. Taking a seat on the tile floor he slowly slid into what felt like to be more of a pool than a bath. Darren allowed himself to relax and fall back into a sleep as the bubbles and sweet smells surrounded him.
Darren gasped quietly to himself after he woke up. He continued with the ritual of looking around feverishly before taking a great sigh of relief. "I must have fallen asleep." He thought after realizing the strong smells of the bath once again. He heard a small "Plip" from something entering the water and Darren immediately demanded "Who's there!" he could feel the water moving slowly in his direction "Its me" from a familiar voice. Darren could feel every muscle in his body relax as he felt water treading toward him.
Darren opened his mouth with a rush of emotions and began to say "Ron I'm –" but he stopped speaking. Darren felt Ron's hands move around and wrap themselves around him, pulling him closer. Darren's body reacted immediately as they both made contact. Ron could feel Darren against him and vice versa. Both of their reactions became evident within seconds. Darren put his hands on Ron's sides, his thumbs played with Ron's hip bones idly. "What are you doing?" Darren questioned, although his body language was perfectly clear that he was knew what Ron was doing.
Darren's feet balanced on Ron's and looked up at him. Their mouths connected as both of them felt a heat neither had experienced. It seemed to take a hold of them as they grabbed each other tightly trying to sustain this lust for touch that both of them had acquired. Darren couldn't help but let his hands roam all over Ron's now muscled body while they kissed so hard he seemed as though they were eating at each other's mouth. The sensation of Ron against him was almost too much for him to handle. With much effort, Darren broke away from the kiss, his hands playing over Ron's chest as Ron gave him a confused look.
"Where is all of this coming from?" Darren asked. "Not that I'm complaining…But I thought you fancied Fleur?"
"I wasn't sure what I wanted to be honest. But…now I do. That's you." Said Ron. He had put his forehead against Darren's, both of their bodies had turned hot from the water…and the contact. Ron spoke barely in a whisper. Ron's body shifted against Darren's and made Darren gasp. "Are you sure this is okay?" Darren asked. Ron simply nodded and went in for another kiss, and Darren happily obliged.