AUTHOR'S NOTES: Admittedly, this story is going to be a bit more scattered than the previous ones due to the fact that I am slightly unsure of exactly how I want this story-line to progress. So a little patience would be appreciated.

Any comments? Please Review!

Chapter 2 Young Love

At the end of the first week, Roslyn was quite ready to relax. She'd been studying non-stop and had completed her assignments for Monday before bed on Friday night so that there was nothing to worry about over the weekend.

"Rose."

Roslyn set her book aside as Alden entered the common room where she was curled up in an arm chair. "Hey, Alden."

"I, uh—I-I was wondering if you wanted to… go… to the library with me."

"Alden… we're almost 12. We've known each other since we were infants. You're asking me out on a date," Roslyn said.

Alden sat down on one of the couches. "I really like you, Rose. We're best friends."

"Dates are for teenagers. So you have 2 more years to wait before we can actually date," Roslyn said, picking up her book again.

"Rose…"

"If you haven't done your homework yet I'll let you copy mine," Roslyn acquiesced.

Alden started to say something, but instead nodded and went to Roslyn's back pack and dug out her stuff. "Would you… ever consider dating me?" he asked, translating Roslyn's Braille notes back into English and then copying.

"Of course, I would." Roslyn replied after a while.

Alden stopped and studied Roslyn. She was staring off into space, but her fingers were running over her book. After a few moments, he understood. "You're surprised that someone would consider dating you," He said, starting to work.

"I can't see a lot of guys lined up 3 years from now wanting to date the blind girl," Roslyn replied, softly. "It's the curse of living with a disability."

"You don't see it as an opportunity?" Alden asked as he scribbled quickly. "You're a genius at Potions. Maybe… someday… you'll be the first blind Potions Master."

"Maybe," Roslyn replied, a tone of possibility in her voice. "Honestly, Alden, I'm just hoping to get through school right now."

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On a bright, beautiful Saturday, Michael and Val went down to the Quidditch pitch for team try-outs.

Alden had opted to stay in Gryffindor Tower and keep an eye on Roslyn who had been a little moody that morning.

Brooke, on the other hand, hadn't noticed her twin's attitude since they weren't in the same house.

After about an hour of moping, Roslyn decided to find her father and tried, unsuccessfully, to sneak past Alden. "Where are you going?" Alden asked, grabbing his cloak from the back of the arm chair he'd been sitting in.

"Just… for a walk around the castle," Roslyn replied, looking in what might have been Alden's direction. Or maybe it was a lamp… "You're coming with me, aren't you?"

"Absolutely," Alden replied.

Arm in arm, they left the tower and headed down to the fourth floor and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

A few feet away from the door, though, the two friends stopped as raised voices were coming from the open door. "Harry, you're so… Stubborn! I don't know why you won't even consider the idea—"

"Isn't that Aunt Hermione?" Alden whispered as he and Roslyn huddled near the stone wall, listening intently. Roslyn nodded and shushed him as her father, Harry Potter, spoke, voice raised and angry.

"And what happens when the potion doesn't work and she's blind again? I'm not putting my daughter through that, Hermione! No! I won't do it!"

'Potion?' Roslyn mouthed, curiously? There was a potion that might allow her to see? And her father had tried it before? What was going on?

"I've reworked the recipe, Harry," Hermione said, with the tone of a woman with a saint's patience for the most belligerent person in the world. "If it works it won't be temporary."

"And the odds of that?" Harry asked, tone even. He trusted Hermione, but he didn't want to give Roslyn false hope.

"50-50, I'm afraid," Hermione admitted. "And if it doesn't work… she'll lose what minute vision she does possess."

Roslyn had stood and walked into the room, Alden right behind her. "I want to try it, Dad." She said, firmly.

Harry sighed and prayed for patience. "Roslyn… it's a long shot. And if it doesn't work…"

"I'm no worse off than I was before. Besides… the whole shapes thing is rather annoying, really. I mean… I can look at stuff but I have no idea what it is. It could be my best friend sitting in a chair in the common room or it could be a desk lamp," Roslyn countered. "Please, Daddy?"

Harry sighed and after a moment nodded.

"Good!" Hermione said as she pulled a vial out of her pocket. "Roslyn, if you will have a seat and remove your shades, please?" Roslyn sat and removed the purple sunglasses she wore so that people weren't freaked out by her eyes. "Tilt your head back," Hermione instructed. Roslyn complied and Hermione put three drops of potion in each of her niece's eyes. "Just sit like that for a moment."

Roslyn sighed and blinked a few times. Nothing seemed to be happening but after a few moments, Roslyn noticed that the faint outlines she usually saw were gone, replaced with black darkness. "Sorry, Dad," she said, bringing her head upright.

Harry sighed, his shoulders slumped. "No, I'm sorry, Roslyn," he said, feeling for his daughter's shoulder.

"That's my shoulder, Uncle Harry," Alden said, taking Harry's hand and placing it on Roslyn's shoulder.

Hermione looked crestfallen as she pocketed the vial of potion. "I'm sorry, too. I thought it would work."

"Aunt Hermione, it's okay. You tried," Roslyn said, shrugging as she stood up. "Besides… I've kind of gotten used to being blind."

Harry hugged her. "I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful daughter."

"Daughters, Dad," Roslyn said, stepping out of her father's hug. "Spend more time with Brooke. She feels neglected because you're always focusing on me."

"I feel responsible," Harry said.

"What do you want me to say, Dad?" Roslyn said, getting annoyed. "I blame you for the fact that I'm blind? This is all your fault? Do you want me to hate you?" She waited for some sort of response, but receiving none, she sighed. "It's not your fault this happened, Dad. And I know we share a disability but you need to remember that you have two daughters, okay? Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Harry nodded as Roslyn left the room followed by Alden.

Hermione studied her friend as she asked, "Do you think maybe she's picking up Mallory's sense of intuition?"

"I think she's had it all along," Harry replied. "That's how I know I'll never have to worry about her."

Hermione smiled as she started to head for the door. Turning back to Harry, she said, "Go spend the day with Brooke. Roslyn's right: you're focusing your attention on the wrong daughter."

Harry nodded and after a few moments, pulled his own cane out of the pocket of his robes, unfolded it and went to find Brooke.

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Halloween fell on a Saturday and the Potter kids along with Alden Black snuck out of the castle and into Honeydukes Sweet Shoppe before heading to the Three Broomsticks.

"Think Dad will know we've gone?" Val asked as she passed around hot mugs of butterbeer.

"Not until you sneak back into Hogwarts," said a voice behind them.

They all whirled around to see James Potter and Sirius Black standing by the table, grinning. Michael Potter turned to Roslyn looking annoyed. "Why didn't you warn us or something?"

Roslyn held up her cane. "Uh, hello? Blind, remember?"

"Relax, we're not going to report you," Sirius said, pulling up two more chairs. "We're joining you."

"Who nicked the Marauder's Map from Harry's office?" James asked, ordering two more butterbeers.

"Alden did, actually," Brooke said, smiling at her grandfather. "I stood guard while he snuck in."

"Good job," Sirius said, patting his son on the back. "So how long were you lot planning on staying here?"

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"How come you always call me Rose?" Roslyn and Alden were walking far behind the others once they were back in Hogwarts.

Alden stuck his hands in his pockets and smiled. "Because in Spanish… your name means 'Beautiful Rose'."

"You think I'm beautiful?" Roslyn asked, stopping and turning to Alden.

He studied her. Her red hair was short and layered, tucked behind her ears. Her purple shades hid her eyes and Alden reached up to remove them. There was a faint touch of blue, but otherwise Roslyn's eyes were pales gray. "I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life."

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A few days later in the library, Draco found Roslyn, Brooke, and Alden with their heads together working on homework. Alden said something and Roslyn started laughing out loud but stopped herself when Brooke poked her arm.

Draco smiled as he turned and started heading back to his classroom. He hadn't wanted to take over History of Magic, but when McGonagall had reported one morning that Binns had suddenly decided to move on an hour ago, Draco had been drafted into the teaching position. And by the end of the school year Draco had gotten into being an actual teacher at Hogwarts.

The following year the change in staff had been made official and Draco now received a full professor's salary which had come just in time for Mallory's second pregnancy.

"Professor Malfoy?"

Draco stopped and turned to fins one of the third years standing there holding his history book and notes. "Can I help you with something, uh…?"

"Victor Wilson, sir," the boy replied, holding out his notes. "Um… I had some questions if you have a minute."

Draco checked his watch. He had a free period until 3pm when he'd have his last class of the day. "Come with me, Mr. Wilson. What's your question?"

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On a blustery October Sunday, Brooke and Roslyn awoke to find a small pile of presents at the ends of their beds. Brooke found a package of Jelly Slugs from Hagrid, cookies from Mrs. Molly Weasley, and books from Ron and Hermione and her parents. Sirius and Silver had given her a stuffed guard dog that would turn into a real dog if anyone dangerous was around.

Roslyn received a box of chocolate frogs from Hagrid, brownies from Molly Weasley—Brooke wanted to know why their maternal grandmother liked Roslyn best—Silver had included an invitation to spend the following weekend with her at someplace called Urbach Abbey. James and Lily had given her a book set in Braille—The Lord of the Rings. Hermione had given her a book as well—Watership Down—which was Roslyn's favorite book.

"Nice, tidy haul," Brooke said, flicking her wand to get rid of the wrapping paper. "Hey, Rosie… you missed one."

Roslyn felt on the bed and found a small little package from Alden. Opening it, she found a pendant on a chain. Feeling it, Roslyn realized that it was a rose. Picking up the folded note that was included, Roslyn felt the bumps on the parchment. 'To the most beautiful Rose on your birthday. Alden.'

Brooke stepped over to her twin's bed and took the necklace, putting it around Roslyn's neck. "I think you're going to end up marrying him some day."

Roslyn laughed as she fingered the necklace. "We're just friends, Brooke."

Being blind, Roslyn couldn't see her sister's smirk.

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While Brooke and Roslyn had spent Christmases at Hogwarts in the past, this was their first year as students.

Two weeks before the start of the holidays McGonagall made an announcement that there would be a Yule Ball on Christmas Eve which would be open to all students.

Brooke turned to Roslyn who had just finished her toast and was now working on her scrambled eggs. "Are you going, Rosie?"

Alden's ear focused on Roslyn while he was looking at his copy of The Daily Prophet.

Roslyn shrugged. "I don't think I'll go. I can't see the decorations or anything… I'll probably just study in the common room."

"Why don't you go with Alden?" Brooke asked, shrugging. "You're friends, right?"

Roslyn frowned. "Fine. I'll go with Alden… IF he asks me. Otherwise I have a date with my Potions book."

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Draco was surprised to see Alden hurrying into the classroom almost 30 minutes before the start of the lesson. "Can I help you with something, Alden?"

"Yeah," Alden replied, looking slightly nervous. "What's the best way to ask a blind girl to a school dance?"

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Christmas Eve

Yule Ball

Alden waited in the Entrance Hall by the staircase for Roslyn. She'd smiled all the way through his stammering and had sweetly said yes when he'd finally spit out the words 'will you go to the ball with me'.

Dressed in blue dress robes, Alden paced as students started to come down the stairs and into the Great Hall. He checked his watch and noticed that he was still 15 early from the time he and Roslyn had agreed to meet. Still, he couldn't wait to see her.

It was weird: they were only 11 and somehow they had a connection that hung on the border between friendship and love.

"Hi, Alden."

Alden turned to see Roslyn standing on the stairs behind him and he couldn't believe how radiant she looked. She wore shimmery green dress robes over a red sleeveless dress and her hair was a beautiful array of red curls. As she tapped her cane down the stairs, Alden smiled as he noticed the rose pendant around her neck. Once at the bottom of the stairs, Alden offered his hand to Roslyn and they headed into the Great Hall.