Harry Potter was now a boy of ten years old, and was rather small and skinny for his age. He wore dark sunglasses to hide his eyes from onlookers, those who would stare at him even more than they already did for being blind, different than others. The glasses also served to protect his eyes against such things as tree branches, as he couldn't see them. He looked forward to any time away from the Dursley's, his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Cousin Dudley, as time with them was filled with tension and an extreme reluctance for him to spend any time with them. His constant companion and only friend, Magic, stood taller and larger than he, constantly having warn a long, dark robe, with a manner and expression that was placid and calm. The Dursley's treated her just as they treated him, with one exception. She was taught her schooling by Aunt Petunia, not attending with Harry, and only going with him to places where the family went together. Aunt Petunia's teaching methods weren't actually teaching, though, as she simply handed her a stack of books and told her to read. Unlike Harry, Magic had learned to read print, as she, unlike he, could see her surroundings.
At first, Harry wanted Magic to come with him to school, and had spent quite a few sad days when she couldn't, as the Dursley's wouldn't let her go. He would have gone against their wishes if it wasn't for the punishment of cleaning, which, at the young age he'd started his schooling, he'd hated. From what the Dursley's told him, Magic wouldn't attend school with him because she was, in the words of Aunt Petunia, "... so abnormal with that calm, that robe that never changes, the way she does everything you want, no! I won't have her going with you, she can learn at home!"
Though strange things sometimes happened around Harry, his relationship with Magic was, perhaps, the strangest, as he could do what she did, instinctively knew where everything was in a room along with what the objects were after she'd looked at them, and learned the things she did. The reverse was also true, though, and it was one of the only strange things the Dursley's tolerated about them both, though barely. Anything else was punished in various different ways, though Harry was glad he'd never before been hit. Sometimes, however, he didn't think the Dursley's were too far off from doing so, and were, for some unknown reason, restraining themselves.
Harry had become used to the feel of the flame within him stretching like a rubber band when he was away from Magic, and always enjoyed reuniting with her, though didn't show that to anyone. Currently, he was on a mobility lesson with Sharen, a woman who the public school had hired to teach Harry Braille, use of a cane, transcribe his assignments, and obtain any specialty devices he might need to use to successfully complete his schooling. Aunt Petunia had only sent him to the public school because she didn't want to drive Harry and Dudley to different locations, and while he'd initially resented it, Harry had come to realize he was better off for being in a public school. Sharen, unlike the Dursley's, had taught Harry proper social etiquette, disciplined him in the only ways she could to make him stop rocking, pressing his eyes, shaking his head, and many other mannerisms that the blind tended to have, by firmly instructing him not to do such things, and not making some of his mobility lessons, which were for learning how to navigate and interact with the world around him, quite as fun as they could be. She also explained to him why she did this, and taught him the important's of appearing the intelligent boy that he was. Privately, Harry often thought of himself smarter than Dudley, as he would get better grades than him, something the Dursley's always kept hidden from Dudley, and had grudgingly accepted would be the case from Harry.
Though Harry couldn't hear Sharen as he walked down the street in the spring weather, he knew she was watching him and ensuring he was kept safe. His cane tapped on the sidewalk as he walked, and he felt the wind on his face, smelled the bread from the bakery he was headed for. The sun was warm on the back left of his neck, and as it was the afternoon, that told him he was headed north. He also had a braille compass that hung around his neck in case he couldn't use the sun as a reference point, but he was encouraged to use the sun whenever he could, feeling it on his face and body.
Harry stopped as he came to the corner, recognizing the feel of the curb and the crosswalk. He waited for the traffic to move, and once he heard the cars headed south on his left, those which were nearest him, he crossed the street. He used the sound of the traffic to keep himself moving straight, stepping up on to the sidewalk and continuing on at the other side of the street. Eventually, he found the opening to the parking lot and turned right, heading in to the open space. It made him nervous, as he had nothing to use for orientation, but he was fairly confident he could find the building, which wasn't too close from the sound of things.
"Hey, mate! You need help?" A man asked as he hurried over. "Where are you trying to go? Here, I'll take you."
The man grasped his arm and Harry stopped walking, turning to face him. He had initially hated it when people tried to help him or showed him pity, but he didn't feel that way anymore. It wasn't constructive, and he'd simply accepted that people would show him such things everywhere he went, and would often act as if he was stupid, rather than simply lacking vision. It was unfortunate that people chose to embrace their stereotypes rather than understand him as he was, but as there wasn't anything he could do about it, Harry accepted people's attitudes for the most part.
"I'm fine, thanks." Harry said.
"I think you need a little help. Just tell me where you're going and I'll take you." The man said in a slower voice, as if Harry didn't understand.
"No thank you, sir." Harry responded in words of exaggerated clarity, pulling his arm from the grasp of the man before he headed forward. Hearing sound reflecting off a car in front of him, he turned left, and as he passed the car with it on his right, heard the man shout angrily, "You're not blind!"
Harry turned his head to the left to face the man, then said, "I am, sir!"
Having not fully paid attention to where he was going, Harry tripped over a raised cement bumper in the parking lot, falling to the ground and tumbling a little. He didn't let any sound of pain escape him even though he felt as if he'd twisted his ankle rather badly. Instead, he found his cane again and struggled to stand, though his ankle warned him against it with a sharp throb of pain. He felt a wave of anger that he was going to be stopped by inattentiveness, of all things, calming himself with a deep breath. He focused on the feel of the flame within him, having known for quite a long time that it was his magic. He had healed himself of things such as this before, though not often, and focusing on what he wanted, he thought it. He felt warmth spread through his ankle before it, and the pain vanished, his ankle healed. Harry stood to his feet, trembling a little, but continuing on his way. It took him a few more minutes to find the correct entrance to the place he wanted, but after he entered, he walked up to the counter.
"Good afternoon. What can I do for you?" A woman at the counter asked.
"I just wondered if this was the bakery." Harry said.
"It sure is, mate." She responded. "I believe you're keeper's waiting for you at one of the tables. I'll take you there."
"No thanks." Harry said as the woman started to move from behind the counter. "I'll be fine. And she's my mobility instructor."
He turned and headed off, using his cane pulled closer to him, turning his head as he listened to the sounds that surrounded him. After only a few moments, Sharen called, "This way, Harry."
He followed her voice, found the table, then sat down in the bench across from her and folded up his cane.
"You took a bit of a tumble out there." She said. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Harry replied.
"Good." She responded.
Harry touched the table in front of him and found a couple donuts and a cup of some type of drink. He smiled, then said, "Thanks. I assume that's for me."
"It sure is." She responded.
Harry unwrapped the donuts and ensured they were on the expanse of paper in front of him before he picked one up and began to eat, enjoying the chocolate treat, though feeling a secret longing for the Dursley's to give him something similar. They gave him what he needed for meals, though no candy or treats of any kind. While he didn't go hungry, he also didn't enjoy things other children did. He didn't expect that from them, though, but was glad they didn't abuse him. He wished they would treat him with more love than they did, though, but didn't dwell on it. He shared his room with Magic, his gifts were practical things he could use, and he got to go with Dudley during his birthday outings on occasion, perhaps the only time he ever got any type of dessert item to eat. While the toys and fun games were either played with Sharen on occasion, or Magic most of all, he felt he wasn't missing much. All he needed to do was examine how Dudley's life had turned out, Compared to the Dursley family in general, Harry and Magic were the most well mannered children who lived in the house.
"How do you think you did today?" Sharen asked.
"Okay, except tripping over that divider thing, or whatever it's called." Harry responded. "Even though I was talking to that person who wanted to help me, I should have been paying more attention."
"Do you think you made any other mistakes?" Sharen asked.
"No, I don't think so." Harry replied.
"Twice during your rout, you went off the sidewalk. I noticed you running into the posts at the side of the road." Sharen said.
"I thought those were in the middle of the sidewalk." Harry stated.
"No, they weren't. When we go back, I'll show you where you were, and where the sidewalk was." Sharen responded.
"Okay." Harry replied.
Sharen was as good as her word, and once Harry recognized the differences, he remembered them. As Sharen drove him back to his house, he hid his joy that he was getting closer to Magic. After she parked, Harry got out of the car, and without his cane, started to head up the driveway as he told her he'd see her later. After she began driving off, Harry walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell, eagerly anticipating his return to Magic.
Aunt Petunia opened the door, then stated, "Get in, boy." Harry did as he was told, closing and locking the door behind him.
"Hi, Aunt Petunia." He said.
"I heard you." She acknowledged. "Get to your room."
"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Harry responded.
He carried a backpack on his back, and in one hand, a Braille writer. He was careful not to let the Brailler hit the wall as he headed for the stairs, then went up them. He navigated the house with ease, though was always careful as the Dursley's sometimes moved things without telling him, and if Magic didn't see the new arrangement, Harry wouldn't know it. As he entered his room, he smiled and closed the door, hearing the sounds through his open window and feeling how close he was to Magic. He placed his Brailler on the desk and moved to her where she sat on the bed, touching her long hair.
"Hi." He said, still smiling. "Did you just sit here all day, then?"
"No." Magic responded.
"What did you do?" Harry asked.
"I completed reading the fifth grade mathematics text." Magic replied.
"Ah, yes." Harry said, feeling the knowledge in his mind now that Magic pointed it out. "Well, time for me to get to work, I suppose."
Magic didn't respond, simply watched Harry as he removed his backpack, settled behind his desk, then after organizing a few things and removing his braille notes for the day, got out his books, some blank sheets of paper, and began his assignments. He much preferred working than spending time in the company of the Dursley's and the tension-filled room, but was able to complete his assignments fairly quickly. By the time Uncle Vernon called Harry and Dudley for dinner, Harry had finished what he'd been assigned to do. He and Magic went to the dining room, and after sitting down at the table, were given their servings of food. As usual, when Magic ate, Harry felt the feel of his flame of magic within him growing, gaining strength, though only a bit at a time. He didn't know if Magic not eating would prevent it from growing, and wasn't quite sure if Magic actually needed to eat or not. Since the Dursley's fed her, however, he didn't give them any idea that she might not actually need food, simply enjoyed what resulted from her consuming it. Unlike a normal person, Magic never had any need to visit the restroom, as everything she ate seemed to be turned into the energy that fed his flame. Setting the thoughts aside for the moment, Harry listened to the conversation at the table.
"So, Dudley my boy, how was school?" Uncle Vernon asked cheerfully.
"It was great, dad!" Dudley said excitedly. "Mrs. Hanson had us practicing our fractions and reading books! Harry was in the back of the room with Sally doing his test, I think he likes her." Dudley shot him a grin that he didn't see but was aware of through Magic, and sang, "Harry and Sally, getting touchy touchy! Read her like you read your braille books, Potter?"
"She just helped me with my test, is all, Dudley." Harry responded with exasperation, then said, "I went to the bakery today with Sharen, and crossed a street without her being too close bye for the first time. I was nervous, but it turned out okay."
"Great." Uncle Vernon said, sounding uninterested.
"So, Dudley, how's those grades looking?" Aunt Petunia asked cheerfully.
"Good." Dudley responded. "Am I still going to go to Smeltings, dad, am I?"
"Sure you are, my boy!" Uncle Vernon replied cheerfully.
While Dudley would be going to Smeltings, the private school Uncle Vernon had attended, Harry would be attending Stonewall High the next school year. He was looking forward to it, as Dudley wouldn't be in attendance. As always, Sharen would teach him his schedule before he went to classes, but as he'd be going to more than one classroom, it would be more complicated than what he'd previously known. She'd been teaching him how to get around inside buildings, though, so he thought he wouldn't have too much trouble learning what he needed to know.
"Too bad you won't be going." Dudley said with an aggressive, spiteful voice, but one laced with joy. Through Magic's visual awareness of things, and the statistical knowledge Harry had in his mind, he realized Dudley had snatched something from his plate.
"Hey, give that back!" Harry said indignantly.
"Don't you speak to Dudley that way, boy." Uncle Vernon stated firmly.
"Magic, help me, will you?" Harry asked as he turned his head to the right where she sat, eating calmly.
"Dudley, give it back to him, okay?" Aunt Petunia said. As always, her voice was a bit fearful. Rather than give it back, Dudley grinned, bringing the fork closer to his mouth. In an instant, the piece of chicken on his fork disappeared and appeared on Harry's, he slipping it into his mouth.
"Boy!" Uncle Vernon roared furiously, a vein throbbing in the center of his forehead.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked.
"What have we told you about your unnaturalness under our roof!" He shouted. Dudley was grinning widely as he watched the discussion.
"Not to use it, but you might as well be telling me not to walk with my legs, not to use my hands or my brain. My magic is a part of me, and Magic's my helpful and lovely friend." Harry stated wisely. "You know you can't stop me from using a part of my self, Uncle Vernon, that's silly."
"But I can, and will, teach you a lesson, boy." Uncle Vernon stated firmly. "Starting Saturday, you'll be learning how to cook and clean this house."
"But..." Harry began.
"That's what you get, boy, that's your punishment. You keep arguing and it'll be worse, is that what you want, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"No, Uncle Vernon." Harry responded submissively before he resumed eating.
As promised, Harry was awakened Saturday morning by Aunt Petunia at five o'clock to learn cooking. Harry and Magic went into the kitchen together, and after Magic scanned a cook book, Harry got out the breakfast items. Magic calmly instructed Harry on how to crack the eggs, how to properly cook them in the pan, and how to fry the bacon the Dursley's loved so much. Having observed Aunt Petunia cook many times, Magic knew exactly what she did. Though Harry knew the skills and could perform them, he still needed to practice to gain his own proficiency. For his first attempt, his cooking wasn't terribly bad, though, and Harry was proud of himself even if the Dursley's demanded he get better.
"You had better learn quick, boy." Aunt Petunia said to him as he washed the dishes. "Dudley's birthday's coming up and I want everything to be perfect."
"Pet, perhaps he shouldn't cook that day." Uncle Vernon stated.
"He's right." Aunt Petunia said to him after a moment, having shared a look with her husband. "You'll be in charge of cleaning up, and you'll do it before we go to the zoo. Now, you'll be learning how to clean up this house after you wash up those dishes, boy, let's go, hurry." Harry sighed, but did as Aunt Petunia told him, and throughout the rest of that day, both Harry and Magic learned how to dust and clean with various different supplies.
As it turned out, Mrs. Figg, the elderly woman who usually watched him during the Dursley's outings, had broken her leg. This meant that Harry and Magic had to go to the zoo with Dudley, which he didn't much like. Harry was going to enjoy every moment, though, as he didn't get out much. There had been a few times when Harry had been taken with Dudley and his friends, as outings had been last minute and the Dursley's hadn't wanted to leave him alone in the house. Of course, Magic always came along, though the Dursley's were firm to them both that they not do anything to embarrass them in any way. The lecture this time was no different, Uncle Vernon telling them not to perform any funny business, as he called it, to be as normal as it was possible for them to be, and demanded that Magic lead Harry around if needed. Though Harry preferred to have Magic lead him everywhere, he knew that it was essential to practice his skills for the times when she wasn't with him, so decided he'd do so while at the zoo.
The trip was boring rather than enjoyable. While Harry was aware of the knowledge Magic collected, it was far from experiencing something for himself. He remained with Magic throughout the trip, was able to eat some dessert items with her, though they were the cheaper things, and once he'd returned home with the Dursley's, was told to go to his room. After he got there, Harry finished some assignments, then afterward, sat on the floor with Magic, creating several toys for him to play with using his flame of magic. He and Magic played together, and Harry enjoyed the time he spent with her, though was always careful to keep such displays away from the Dursley's. If he didn't, he knew he'd be punished for his unnaturalness, as Uncle Vernon called it. At the moment, however, he only focused on playing with his ever calm Magic, the only friend he had that would never leave him.