Delia

My father was a special man… a kind person with a good heart. He married a good woman… a person who was relatively kind to me, but not as kind as my father was. But she died a little while ago, and all he had left was me. And I wasn't even really his. I was the disappointing kid that he picked up from the orphanage after he and my mother tried for several years to have a kid.

They said that my real mum dropped me off in a rush one day, sitting in a stroller outside of the orphanage. She didn't even fill out all of the papers… she just left me at the door. They took me in reluctantly. I wasn't really even wanted by the orphanage.

I was an easy baby… that's why they recommended me to Julia and Edward Ainsworth. That's why the couple decided to adopt me when I was only a year old.

They were the only family that I knew. Edward was the best father ever… in fact I never learned to call him Edward. He was 'dad' from the beginning. He was my guardian angel. But why did he have to go ahead and say that?

---

"Blind?" Remus mumbled, struggling to say the word. My father had scared him. Every amiable moment I had had with him would have to be forgotten.

I kept my eyes closed. I was too afraid to open them, afraid of what I was going to see… or rather, not see. Salt couldn't be good. Could it?

"That's why she's nervous," my father continued to explain. I wanted him to shut up already. Remus was already frightened enough of me. "She thinks that the salt may have caused her harm, but I think if anything the salt will make it better."

"Really?" I was surprised, as I suddenly opened my eyes. In front of me was a tall, blond man, who smiled at me when he realized that I could see him. "It's not any better, but it's still there."

I then turned to Remus. I imagined him to bare a face of terror, but he looked relatively calm. I took a deep breath. I had to explain to him. My father already told him the worst part. "I have Usher Syndrome," I said as I took a step outside.

I took a quick glance at my father to hint to him to go away. Luckily, he took the hint. "It means that I'm losing my vision, and my hearing. I also have balance problems, but you may have figured that one out."

I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds, giving him time to run before I could notice. That would make it all easier… if he just disappeared.

But when I opened my eyes back up, he was still there. He was still standing there, and he didn't even seem to be judging me. He just stood calmly, waiting for me to focus on him once more. "Is that why you made me sing to you?" he finally asked.

Of all the possible questions, he asked that one? "Err… yeah," I responded. "I was told that it will be less than a year. My hearing first and then my vision."

"I'm sorry," he said, as he came closer, pulling me in for a hug. I was used to the sorrow from strangers, but not from people that actually knew me. Well, I guess I didn't tell anybody that I knew about what was going on with me, but still. His touch sent a warmth and a calmness throughout my body that made me feel instantly better. How did he do that?

After what felt like hours, we broke apart, but he still held on to my hand, comforting me. He took a deep breath and a moment's hesitation before he spoke again. "Do you want to come over to my cottage again?" he asked.

"That's your reaction to this whole thing?" I asked, puzzled by his response. It clearly wasn't what I was expecting to hear.

"Yeah," he simply said, shrugging his shoulders.

"You're not terrified?" I asked. I had to make sure before I accepted his offer.

"Why would I be?" he pulled my hand closer to him and he gently kissed it. "That doesn't change who you are or what I like about you."

"You like me?" It was a lovely time to get feelings out of the way. We were being so honest and open to each other.

He hesitated briefly, and then he clearly said, "I like you."

A smile emerged widely on my face. I was happy… really happy. "Well, let's go to your cottage then." I knew that he was looking for me to pronounce my feelings back. I could see his face tighten, like he was frustrated, but it kept me at an advantage to hold back my feelings.

He sighed heavily as he started to speak again, "You should tell your father. I've already brought you back ruined twice. I don't want him to completely hate with me."

I quickly opened the door again, shouted into the main hall, and told my father that I was leaving. I knew he wasn't going to stop me. He fully supported anytime that I left the house.

"He doesn't hate you," I said as soon as I was ready to walk to the cottage with him. But as I took my first step, he stopped me.

"I'm not going to let you walk there," he announced. "That would be too dangerous."

"Oh yeah," I questioned. "Well how do you suppose that I'm going to get there then?"

But he did not respond to that. Instead, he just lifted me up, carrying me like he carried me out of the water. "I don't think so," I announced. "I am quite capable of walking on my own. I've done in for 16 years of my life."

He did not answer. He just startled whistling, pretending not to hear me. "Put me down!" I groaned. "Remus!"

I started kicking my feet, squirming around, and trying to break myself free of his grasp. He did not pay attention or flinch at my attempts.

We soon were close to the crowd of people. I hated that crowd, but there was no way to get around it. And there was no way that I would let him carry me in front of everyone.

"Okay, this is ridiculous," I angrily protested. "I don't want you carrying me in front of all those people." I pointed to the heavenly girls and guys of perfection. He put me down in an instant.

"Don't worry. I was going to let you down eventually."

"Why thank you," I mumbled reluctantly.

"Now just be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt again."

But I didn't reply. I didn't have anything I wanted to say. Instead, I grabbed a hold of his hand. I needed all the support I could get as I marched through the mob of perfect looking teens.

He seemed to want to get out of the crowd just as much as I did. Could it be that he was embarrassed to be with me in the public's eyes? It actually didn't seem like it. It seemed like he was embarrassed about his own self, but he had no reason to be. It's not like he had scars as bad as mine or an illness that he could not control.

We both hurried past the crowd, hoping to avoid looks of rejection. Eventually, we made it closer to the cottage again, ready to go inside. Remus knocked on the door and within several seconds a dark-haired man revealed himself.

"You must be Delia," he instantly stuck out his hand to greet me.

"Sirius or Peter?" I asked, recalling the names of Remus's other best friends.

"Sirius," he smiled, a bit monotonously, like he did not truly care to meet me.

"Like the dog star?" I asked, trying to gain his interest.

"Yeah… sure," he responded briefly.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," I smiled as he backed away to allow us into the cottage.

Remus and I walked slowly. I still held his hand, and I could feel sweat building up on his palm. Was he nervous about introducing me to everyone? Was he lying to me when he said he didn't care about my illness? Suddenly, I became nervous because I did not know what to do next as I walked into his vacation home.

As if he was reading my thoughts, Remus spoke at that moment, "Why don't you take a seat on the couch and watch some telly? I'll join you in a minute."

I felt his hand detach from mine and we stared at each other briefly as the action took place. "You know, I'll just walk you over there myself." He was extremely protective… just like my father. But for some reason I did not mind his help. It was actually quite charming.

He took my hand again and we slowly walked over to the couch. He helped me sit down when we made it there. "You're going a little over the top," I told him. "I'm really fine."

But he ignored me like he had done before. "I'll be right back," he said as soon as I was situated on the couch.

I sighed as my eyes slowly drifted off of him as he walked away. Soon, I turned my head to see that Lily was sitting on the couch too, watching the telly.

She talked to me briefly, adding in sweet comments on how much she was enjoying her trip and how good of a guy Remus was. I took that as a hint to not hurt him, but I'm not sure if she meant like that. She was a fairly warm person, but a bit too routine for my likes.

My attention drifted between the conversation with Lily and the conversation that Remus was having with Sirius. I ended up just focusing on the Remus and Sirius conversation because I was not too good at being able to listen to both. Muttering 'uh huhs' and 'yes' to Lily was enough to keep her talking on her own.

"Come on Pad," I thought Remus said. "We have to take her there." He had to be talking about me. "Pompy can fix it." Did that mean that Remus had just told Sirius my secret?

"You've known her for one day," Sirius's voice was easier to distinguish than James's. "You can't tell her anything."

"Remus!" I suddenly shouted. I was angry. They were discussing something about my life and it was obvious that Remus told Sirius about my illness. I had never given him permission to tell anyone.

Remus rushed over. I was upset with him, but they way that he cared… rushing so fiercely when he heard my voice - made me just a tad less angry with him. "Are you okay?" he asked me, coming into my view, taking a hold of my hand.

"I'm fine," I said. At that point Lily turned off the telly and focused on Remus and me. I certainly wasn't going to get any privacy. "But I would rather you not discuss that with anyone else."

"You heard?" he asked, sorrow in his eyes.

"Yes," I answered, not expanding upon my words. Lily still didn't know. I wanted as few people as possible to know my deepest secret, for it was not going to remain a secret for much longer.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. He meant it, as his tone was rigid and gloomy, like a puppy who realized his mistake of playing a bit too roughly. "But I think I know a way that I can help, and I needed to talk to Sirius about it."

"Shut up about it already," Sirius mused sternly as he approached the couch, where the rest of us were. "You can't say a word." Sirius was angry, his facial expression characterized by a rudimentary frown and darkened, intense eyes. Suddenly I realized that Sirius did not like me.

"What is going on here?" Lily soon interrupted. I had a feeling that she would become involved. That wasn't good.

"I want to take Delia to Hogwarts and Sirius won't let me," Remus announced, acting like a five year old, upset that his mummy did not buy him that piece of chocolate.

"Why?" Lily simply asked. I waited to hear the answer. I did not know why he wanted to take me to the Hogwarts place.

"I think Poppy could help her," Remus answered. Ah.. it was Poppy, not Pompy.

"Pomfrey?" Lily remained confused. "Why's that?"

I was not exactly sure who the Poppy person was, but I knew where the conversation was going. In seconds Remus would tell Lily about my condition and soon it would no longer be a secret to any of his friends. I shifted my eyes to Remus once more and I gave him the expression of a beggar. He could not tell.

I saw him open his mouth to speak, but the instant that my eyes connected with his, he closed it again. He gave my hand a tight squeeze and he answered the question differently from his original intention, "None of your business." It was quite a rude response, but I did not care. He spared my secret.

He was amazing.

Lily's eyes focused away from Remus after his brutal remark. She stared at Sirius for a moment, before speaking once more, "You've only known her for a little over a day, Remus. I don't think that's a very good idea."

"Fine," Remus answered, as if he was a spoiled brat. "I'll do it without your support." Remus swooped me off the couch and started to walk away with me in his arms. I was still bemused, but pleasantly surprised by Remus's loyalty.

"Remus, how are you going to get there?" Lily cautiously asked him.

Remus hesitated for a moment and stopped walking. He must not have thought that one through.

Suddenly, there was confusing movement and Sirius soon stood next to Remus's feet, with Lily next to him. "We're right by your side, mate."

By that time I was completely and utterly perplexed. They had just planned to take me somewhere and they weren't giving me any details. "So how are we going to get there?" Remus asked and faced Lily. She seemed to have a plan.

"I was thinking of bringing Pomfrey here, instead of going to Hogwarts," Sirius announced, as Remus slowly allowed me down from his arms, reading my emotions that I did not want to be carried anymore. "It's not like she'll be able to see Hogwarts anyways."

I was getting annoyed by all the chatter about things that I did not understand. But I stayed quiet because a tingling sensation soon echoed though my ears. I tried to shake my head to get ride of the annoyance and it did not work. I massaged my ears with my hands, trying to get it to go away, but it did not work. I slowly tilted my head back and forth, hoping to slowly get it to go away, but it did not work. It was nothing but an annoyance, but I tried to figure out if it meant something a little deeper.

I watched as Sirius, Lily, and Remus started to move towards the kitchen table, Remus pulling me along because he still held onto my hand. I slowly walked with him, knowing that he was being careful in his walk because he wanted to make sure that I was alright. Was he ever going to let me walk without holding my hand?

They all surrounded the table, taking their seats. Remus held out the chair for me so that I could sit down and I quietly position myself into a sitting position. I was still too lost in thought to make a sound.

"Delia," Remus finally spoke. "Are you okay?"

"Stop asking me that question." I was lifted from my trance.

"Well, you're just a little quiet." Oh, he didn't say it because of my illness.

"Just thinking."

"I should explain it all to you," he stated. Sirius and Lily had on expressions of mixed emotion, like anger, yet ridicule.

"Not now," Sirius disagreed. "Let me go talk to Dumbledore first, so I can make sure that Poppy can come."

Sirius soon stood and left the room. My mind was still clouded with questions; ones that Remus did not bother answering.

We sat in silence for what seemed like forever. Remus stared intently at me, and my eyes focused away from him. I was still angry at him for his mention to Sirius and he knew it. I was still trying to figure out what was going on.

Within moments Sirius came back, yet he was not alone. There was a woman with him, who like me had dark hair, but she was older. Much older, almost like my grandparents age, but I couldn't be sure.

"Where did she come from?" I asked, even though I knew it was a bit rude. Remus and his friends seemed to have a tendency to pop things out of thin air.

"Delia, right?" the lady asked me, as she and Sirius approached. Sirius looked rather irritated.

"Who are you?" I asked, frustrated that I had not been given answers to any of my questions.

"My name is Madam Pomfrey," she told me, as she took a seat at the table. "I'm a Healer."

At that point, I thought of her funny looking clothes. They were blue colored, and they looked like robes. And she said she was a Healer. It sounded like she was one of those strange people who did natural things to cure sick people. "Nothing's going to work," I told her. "I've tried just about everything. There's no cure."

"Delia, please," Remus whispered into my ear. The touch of his breath on my earlobe sent a warm sensation throughout my body, which caused me to calm down, thoughts and mood. "Just listen," he finished.

"How can you help me?" I asked, skeptically.

She stared at me, a little frightened by my words. There was no way that woman was going to be able to help, but if it made Remus feel better than I would cooperate.

She then pulled out a bag, which I guessed held all of her instruments. She took a peak through it and then she looked at me, waiting for me to cooperate.

She started to examine me, like all the other doctors had done. She had to know exactly what my problem was and she used her instruments carefully to look into my ears and eyes and even my mouth. She did a quick, throughout examination, more complete than many of the other doctors had done.

She actually impressed me by her thoroughness. She began to give me hope, before she abruptly told me, "I'm sorry, honey. There is no cure for this."

I told her. That's what they all said. I didn't know why Remus thought she could do better than the others. He just gave me a tiny bit of hope, of which did not help at all. Hearing those words again, just made me tear up once more.

"But, Ma'am," Remus sounded stunned. "There's nothing...-"

"This is past what our abilities can do," Pomfrey explained. "It's complex and just something that is not healable."

"You didn't even take any samples to a lab or anything," I was angry. She told me the prognosis so soon. All of the others took so long to do it.

"I don't need to do all of that," she stared at me, sympathetically. I was given that look all too often and I turned away as she faced me like that. "I know you might not believe me, but I know that this is not curable. I also know, regrettably, that you will not be able to hear a word in less than ten minutes."