Scene breaks are surrounded by three asterisks (*) with a brief notation within describing what the scene is becoming.
Note update, March 31, 2016.
I quite recently received a comment from a reviewer, who said that Harry acting rude to anyone offering the slightest bit of help to him would get old rather quickly, and thought I'd offer an explanation here so everyone could, hopefully, understand this a bit better. If you pay attention to the attitude of at least one person in this chapter who's trying to help him, you'll note that she's rather patronizing. There's a difference, after all, between someone who's being overly helpful and treating one like they're stupid, and truly being helpful. I've encountered such overly helpful people myself, and, as I too am blind, have first hand experience with such things. I've had to be a bit firm with some of those people, also. Now, keeping all this in mind, also realize that sometimes, people simply don't know how to react to those who are different, and missing sight, which most people who can see find very important, and would imagine it's extremely difficult to do without. So, the reaction of the woman is understandable. As for Harry's reaction to the person helping him in Gringotts, he wasn't rude there, simply wished to be self-sufficient and get there on his own.
Hope that was a sufficient explanation, and I hope everyone enjoys!
Chapter 3 The Hogwarts Letter, Diagon Alley, and Staff Meetings
Harry woke early on the twenty-forth of July to the sound of Aunt Petunia moving around. His watch alarm was close to going off, and when it did as Harry dressed, he shut it off and went to the kitchen. He could smell something horrible in the sink, and Harry knew there were rags floating in some type of water that Aunt Petunia was pouring something into, courtesy of Magic's knowledge.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked.
"Dying Dudley's old things gray for your school." Aunt Petunia stated shortly. "Get cooking breakfast."
"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Harry responded.
Harry started coffee, fried the bacon and eggs, and was placing the pans on the table when the Dursley's came down to eat. After Aunt Petunia served Harry and Magic, they began eating as Dudley whacked the bottom of the table with his Smeltings stick, something Harry had found rather annoying. He'd said nothing, but the Dursley's, having caught his facial expression, had stated, "Now you know how we feel about you tapping your stupid cane around, boy."
Harry heard the familiar click of the mail slot as he ate some of his bacon. Uncle Vernon said, "Get the mail, boy." Harry wiped his fingers off on a napkin, stood, and moved to get the mail.
It was pretty much in the same place each time. Harry crouched down, and after a moment of feeling around on the floor, felt the envelopes and pieces of paper. Something was on the bottom that felt strange, though, and somehow different than he was expecting. Harry felt a heavy looking letter that seemed official, feeling some type of seal on the envelope that held it closed. There were things that looked slightly engraved on the letter, and he could feel the braille letter H around the engraved figures. He wasn't able to make out what the figures were, though, and had never been able to determine what a raised object on paper, which was represented as being three dimensional, was actually supposed to be. Sharen had once explained to him that, visually, such figures were represented as three dimensional due to some type of optical illusion, a visual thing. Harry simply found it irritating.
"What's taking you so long, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked. "Checking for letter bombs?"
Harry heard him chuckling at his own joke, and holding the rest of the mail in one hand, he entered the dining room, handing Uncle Vernon everything but his letter.
"What do you have there, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked, snatching the letter from him and staring at it.
"I'd like my letter, please, Uncle Vernon." Harry stated.
Uncle Vernon let out a huff and stated, "I can't read your braille anyway. Go on, boy. Read it." The letter was thrust into his hands and Harry went to sit next to Magic again, opening the letter under the table. As he began pulling the first page from it, Uncle Vernon stated, "Well, boy? What does it say?"
"Just a second." Harry said as he flattened the page, then ran his fingers over the braille letters. He quickly read the first paragraph to himself, making it sound as if he was still orienting the paper, curiously wondering what Hogwarts was. He then started below the person who's titles were on the letter, someone by the name of Albus Dumbledore. Clearing his throat, he began.
"Dear Mr. Potter. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts school of..."
"Stop!" Uncle Vernon shouted. Harry jumped, startled, but shoved the letter into Magic's hand, she raising it up and memorizing the entire thing with a single look.
"What is it, Potter?" Dudley asked, then said, "I wanted to hear it, dad!"
"Both of you, out." Uncle Vernon said.
"But daddy!" Dudley whined, almost screaming.
"I said..." Uncle Vernon began, but Harry interrupted.
"Excuse me, Uncle Vernon." His voice was calm, but cool, and his heart pounded harder than he ever remembered as he confronted his Uncle. "I know exactly what this letter is, and it says why I got it. So, I can either read it to you, then leave, or I can leave. Either way, I'll still know, and we both know that I have what you don't want me to have. Don't we?"
"Very well, then, boy." Uncle Vernon growled, his voice sounding quite enraged. "But you, Dudley, out."
"But dad!" Dudley whined.
"I said out!" Uncle Vernon roared, pulling him from the chair and pushing him from the room before he slammed the door closed. Harry heard him walk over to his chair and sit down heavily, and knew he was being stared at, Aunt Petunia looking pail.
"Should I continue, then?" Harry asked, his heartbeat starting to calm, though to his surprise, his hands were steady.
Uncle Vernon said nothing, so Harry took the letter from Magic and cleared his throat, finding his place.
"Accepted at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He continued. "Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. A representative of Hogwarts will arrive by or before July 31 to escort you to obtain your enclosed supplies, as well as your acceptance or denial of this invitation. Term begins on September first. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."
The silence that filled the kitchen was oppressive. Harry still felt his heart pounding in his chest, wondering when the representative would arrive. He already knew of his own magic's existence because of the feel of its flame within him, and because of the existence of Magic herself. The Dursley's knew of it as well, even if they didn't want to speak of it, and didn't want to have anything to do with it. After a few moments, he broke the silence as he got out the second page, reading its content, wondering where he would go to get the list of supplies he needed, and wondering exactly how he'd use them all, being blind. After he folded the two pages, he placed them back in their envelope neatly, sat back in his seat, then after a moment, began to eat again, deciding to wait for the arrival of the Hogwarts representative, as he couldn't respond to the letter at the moment. Uncle Vernon cleared his throat a little.
"Well, boy." He said, his voice strangely kind. "We wouldn't be paying for the services of Sharen anymore, or your braille writer. It'd be a lot of money off our backs if you go to that place and never return unless you have to."
"So, I can go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"That's what I just said, boy, isn't it?" Uncle Vernon asked, his voice regaining its firmness and angry tone.
Harry was overjoyed. He didn't care if the Dursley's didn't see it as a kind thing to do. He was still happy he could go.
"Thank you!" He said with a grin. "Thank you, Uncle Vernon!"
"We won't be paying for it, boy, and if you can't pay, you won't be going! Don't you think this is some kind of break from your work! No, I think you'll be working a great deal harder to earn your way, boy!" Uncle Vernon firmly shouted.
"No, Vernon, no. He won't be going, and that's that." Aunt Petunia stated.
"But Pet, if they take him, we won't have..." Uncle Vernon began.
"No!" Aunt Petunia shouted. "You hear me, boy? You won't be going! I won't have you getting any more freakish than you already are! One freak in the family is bad enough, turning teacups into frogs and brewing up vile potions in her room, I hated my sister for that! Then getting herself blown to bits and landing us with you? No, that's it! I won't have it!"
One of the first things Harry remembered wanting to know was how his parents had been killed. The Dursley's had tried to tell Harry and Magic that they'd been killed in a car crash, but Magic had set the record straight. When Harry had asked, he'd been three, and furious at the Dursley's for lying to him about it. From that moment on, they didn't lie, though told the truth with great reluctance. At Aunt Petunia's pronouncement, Harry sighed.
"I already do as Harry wishes. That won't change by allowing us to go to Hogwarts. It's reasonable that they would have a fund for people who would be unable to pay for their schooling, and therefore, reasonable to allow Harry to go so that he can learn how to better control his magic." Magic stated in that calm, placid way of hers.
"Stay out of this, girl!" Uncle Vernon shouted.
"She's my magic, her name is Magic! And Hogwarts is a school for magical people!" Harry shouted. "I'm going, with or without your support!"
"I won't have it!" Uncle Vernon shouted, covering the sound of the doorbell ringing. "If Aunt Petunia says no, then it's no! Do you hear me, boy? Are you listening? Got your ears on and open?"
"Yes, Uncle Vernon." Harry responded with resignation. The fact was, he wouldn't be able to attend whether he wanted to or not. It was up to the Dursley's, and since he didn't know where it was, couldn't even attempt to get there with Magic. They'd called out his bluff, Harry thought to himself sadly.
"Good." Uncle Vernon stated coldly. "Finish your meal and get to your room! And I won't hear of this nonsense! Give me that letter, boy, it's time it gets shredded and tossed in the rubbish bin where it belongs!"
Harry heard a firm, but polite knocking at the kitchen door, then Dudley's voice said, "Someone wants to talk to Harry, dad!"
"I'll get it." Aunt Petunia snapped, then pulled the door open and shouted, "You!"
"Yes." A man stated in a cool, no nonsense voice. "I am the Hogwarts representative, pr..."
"He won't be going!" Aunt Petunia shouted.
"As loathed as I am to state this, Mr. Potter must decide for himself whether or not he is to attend, and while I would much rather leave your presence at your pronouncement, other people have other wishes. Mr. Potter, look at me."
Harry turned toward the man addressing him.
"No!" Uncle Vernon shouted. "We've decided already, and I won't have some crackpot old fool teaching him magic tricks!"
"What, like this?" Harry asked, and with a thought, became invisible in his chair.
"Boy!" Uncle Vernon roared as Harry reappeared.
"The point is, Uncle Vernon, we already know I can do magic tricks. Don't we?" Harry asked coolly. "And, if I'm to receive an education, wouldn't you rather it be away from me where you won't have to deal with me?"
"I already told you no, boy!" Aunt Petunia stated furiously.
"As I have previously stated, Dursley's, the decision is not up to you. End of discussion, or I shall perform my own magic tricks. And, I assure you, you will find them quite unpleasant." The man stated.
"I have had enough!" Aunt Petunia shrieked.
"As have I. Silence." The man stated.
Harry felt some type of magic from some type of stick he was carrying, and realized that the Dursley's had been silenced. He didn't grin, though, too nervous to do so, but also feeling some excitement.
"Now." The man stated coolly. "I shall remove the silencing charm, and I shall receive the answer from Potter directly. Unless, of course, you wish me to continue performing more magic tricks."
Harry felt another type of magic pass him, which dispelled the silencing magic. This time, aside from a small whimper of fright, the Dursley's were silent.
"Now, Potter, look at me, and tell me your response to the Hogwarts invitation." The man stated, sounding as if he wanted Harry to get on with answering the question.
"I want to go to Hogwarts, Professor." Harry said, and despite the nervousness he felt, smiled widely. The nervousness he felt wasn't due to the Professor in the room with them, but had more to do with the Dursley's and what they might do after he returned from his shopping trip.
"Then finish your meal, Mr. Potter, and do so quickly. I haven't all day to explain every piece of information or remain in this home. I have other things to attend to." The Professor said.
As Harry thanked him and began to eat again, he idly thought of what he knew of the man through Magic, and wondered precisely what a hooked-nosed, black-eyed, greasy-haired professor would teach. He certainly wasn't as well-dressed as others he'd seen through Magic before, and his attitude seemed more like an impatient man than anything else. Maybe he was just stressed, Harry thought, but realized it was something else. The man looked as if he wanted to do something else, anything other than what he was doing. He found himself curious as to why the man seemed to dislike him so. He would show him that he was as good as any sighted person, Harry resolutely concluded to himself, he and Magic finishing their meals. Once he washed his dishes, he entered the living room with Magic behind him, spotting the man waiting by the front door.
"Let's go, Potter. Don't dally." The Professor stated, opening the door.
Harry unfolded his cane and walked from the house, Magic following behind him. The man seemed to ignore her as if she didn't exist, though Harry knew he knew of her presence. As he followed the man, tapping his cane behind him, he realized he was walking rather quickly. He was glad to have Magic making him aware of everything that might be in his way, and once he stopped at a corner under some trees, Harry felt confusion.
"Take my arm, Potter. You, I'm told are Harry's magic, and are called Magic." The Professor stated.
"Yes." Magic responded calmly.
"Well, take the other arm." The man stated as if it was obvious.
"What exactly are we d..." Harry began as he and Magic held on to his arms, then stopped as he felt the man's arm twisting, then felt something crushing the life out of him. He struggled to breathe or move, though couldn't do either. When he was finally able to gasp in air, he fell against the man, who pushed him back impatiently. Harry staggered and Magic, who wasn't disoriented at all, grabbed hold of his shoulders and kept him balanced. Harry realized he could hear the sounds of what sounded like a busy shopping street of some kind, and as Magic looked around, realized he was in a place filled with shops known as Diagon Alley. As he gasped for air, he realized he could hear the Professor starting to move off slightly, struggling to regain his balance.
"Hurry up, Potter." He stated.
"Sorry, sir." Harry responded. "But I don't understand what we just did."
"I haven't time for needless explanations. I am here to assist you in your shopping, nothing more. Follow me." The Professor said. Harry sighed, and though he felt resigned to the professor's harsh treatment of him, wondered if there wasn't something he could do about it. Perhaps he could use his blindness as an advantage. Perhaps, if the Professor knew what he was like being completely blind, rather than using Magic's knowledge to help him, he wouldn't be quite so cruel. And aside from that, Harry knew he should practice his mobility skills, and it would be good practice in this unfamiliar area.
He decided to do something he didn't often do, and shut off the flow of knowledge he received from Magic. She was still with him, though he received no information. Feeling a curious sort of excitement and anticipation, Harry quickly moved out into the street and caught up to the professor, who wasn't far ahead.
"Can I take your arm, sir?" He asked.
"Very well." The professor stated. Harry took hold of the man's elbow with Magic walking behind him.
"So, what's your name?" Harry asked.
"Professor Snape. I teach potions, a subject you are likely to fail abysmally." He responded.
The Professor certainly didn't seem to like him at all, even though he'd attempted to show him that he wasn't any sort of trouble maker, Harry thought to himself, though had faced such things from a couple teachers in the past before, believing that his blindness didn't entitle him to any special treatment, and trying to shove their own perceived limitations of what he could and couldn't do down his throat. He didn't think that all the professors would be like that at Hogwarts, though, since most of the teachers at his public school hadn't been like that. He wouldn't let this man's attitude ruin his chance to attend a school where he could use his magic without the need to hide it, or fear some type of punishment, Harry decided. He continued asking questions, remembering the subject, Potions, and enquiring.
"Is it like cooking?" Harry asked.
"It is most certainly not like cooking, Potter." Professor Snape stated in a cold voice. "It requires a great deal of visual information, which you lack."
"I'm sure it can be adapted." Harry stated in reply, quite used to people not taking him seriously and underestimating his abilities.
"Perhaps you are not aware of this, Potter, but blindness is not a common condition in the wizarding world. As such, accommodations for such a condition have rarely, if at all, been considered." Professor Snape stated.
"Am I the first, then?" Harry asked.
"As far as I am aware, you will be the first blind individual to grace the halls of Hogwarts, yes." Professor Snape said coolly. "Therefore, I expect you will stop wasting my time with useless and mundane questions."
"How else will I learn, Professor?" Harry asked.
"By figuring things out for yourself." Professor Snape responded.
"But, sir, isn't part of figuring things out asking questions so I can learn things?" Harry asked.
"Enough, Potter." Professor Snape stated dangerously. "We will proceed to purchase your supplies after we go to your vault in Gringotts, then I will be rid of you after returning you to the Dursley's."
"If you want me to figure things out for myself, sir, then perhaps you shouldn't take me anywhere." Harry said, some coolness in his voice. "After all, you seem to have better things to do with your time than to escort a blind boy, who probably won't amount to anything in your eyes."
"Very well, Potter. Since you seem to have such strong feelings about this, here is your key to Gringotts. I will leave, and you will be on your own, as you seem to believe you have the capability to be so independent." Professor Snape pushed what felt like a smooth key into Harry's hand, then he heard him walk off.
"Maybe I shouldn't have done that. Oh, well." Harry said under his breath as he unfolded his cane and began tapping his way down the street.
At Harry's silent direction, Magic turned around and made her way to what she'd seen as an entry way, vanishing when she'd reached the apparation point. She was only invisible, though, but Harry wanted to know exactly how well he'd be received by people in this magical world. The best way to know was to walk along, without using Magic's knowledge, and without her being with him. After all, if she was with him, he'd have her help, not the help of those around him.
As he slowly made his way down the street, he could hear owls hooting, people talking about broomsticks and a variety of other things he was unfamiliar with, and the whispers and remarks about him, people wondering if he was okay, curious to know if he needed help. They never approached him directly, though, so Harry decided it was time for him to take the first step. Listening for some footsteps, Harry walked toward someone who was headed toward him.
"Excuse me!" He called.
"Yes?" A woman asked, then gasped and said, "Oh, deary, what can I do to help you?" She sounded as if she was talking to a child younger than he was. Harry hid his irritation.
"I'd like directions to Gringotts, please." He said.
"Why don't I just take you there, deary." She said, grabbing his arm.
"Directions will be fine, thanks." Harry responded.
"but you might get lost! We wouldn't want that!" The woman said.
"Ma'am, I'm not a child who's as young as you're treating me, please stop treating me that way." Harry said as he pulled from her grasp. "I'm blind, not stupid. I'm intelligent enough to follow directions."
"Well, you don't have to be so snippy about it young man." She stated coldly. "Fifteen meters, on your right, a large marble building. Not that you'd notice."
"Thanks." Harry said, then began walking more confidently.
Harry had been a pretty good judge of distance during his mobility lessons, so once he got close, he listened for sound echoing off the building to his right. After a few more seconds of walking, he found what felt like stairs, carefully making his way up them. After finding the entrance, Harry pushed open the double doors, stepped into a small room where another set of doors were, then pushed them open as well.
The sound of people going about their business echoed off the floor, walls and ceiling. From the open sound of things, it was a rather large area. Harry's cane tapping on the floor echoed through the large space as he listened carefully, moving through the area. Gradually, he heard the conversations fade away to silence, leaving Harry walking through what was almost complete silence. Moving over toward someone, Harry said to the person, "Do you know where I could find a free teller? This is Gringotts, right?"
"Yes, of course it is, young man." The man said, grasping his arm. "Come right this way."
As the man started to pull him along, Harry didn't move, simply saying, "I'll do okay with directions, thanks."
"Well, just go straight for about, I'd say, twenty or so meters. I'll watch you and make sure you don't get lost." The man said.
"Thanks." Harry responded, doing as he was directed. When he'd gone about the distance specified, he heard a voice say, "This way, to your right."
Harry turned and moved in the direction, bumping into a counter.
"Well?" The person said irritably.
"I'd like to withdraw some money, and maybe get some help on its format, too, how it feels." Harry said.
"And do you have your key?" The person asked.
"Right here." Harry said, placing it on the counter. It was picked up, then after a moment, handed back to him.
"That seems to be in order." He stated. "Griphook!"
Harry heard quick footsteps coming over to him, then another man who seemed fairly short, said, "Follow me."
Harry did so, hearing conversations and activity beginning again. As he was led through an open door, he heard a woman shout, "That's Harry Potter!" The door closed behind him, though, and he heard a whistle, then what sounded like a small train as he felt like he was in some type of tunnel or cave.
"In front of you is a cart. Climb in." Griphook announced.
Harry did so, then it took off down the steep, sloping track. Harry had always loved roller coaster rides, and grinned with joy as the cart turned here and there, moving at rapid speeds. All too soon, the cart ride stopped and he heard Griphook climbing out, following him.
"Key, please." He stated.
Harry handed him the key, then heard him turn it in the lock. The sound of clanging chains came next, then a loud thud and a slight whooshing sound as the door opened. The key was handed back to him and Harry carefully made his way into the vault.
"The largest, thickest coins are galleons, and are gold. Sickles are the smaller coins, and seventeen of them will equal a galleon. They are silver. Knuts are the smallest, and are bronze, and twenty-nine of them equals a sickle." Griphook stated.
"Hmm." Harry said. "Okay, sounds easy enough. Galleons are the largest, sickles smaller, knuts the smallest. One, seventeen, twenty-nine."
"Use this for your money." Griphook said, thrusting a bag into his free hand.
"Could I, maybe get another two of them?" Harry asked.
"No." Griphook responded.
Harry let out a sigh. Oh well, he thought as he bumped a pile of coins with his cane, which fell to the floor. Finding them, he scooped some in his bag, then found the sickles and galleons. After filling the bag with what he felt was an equal amount of about eighty of each, he closed the bag and put it in his pocket. After exiting the room, the door closed with a thud behind him, which sounded as if it had come from a very large, thick door. After climbing back into the cart, they rode another wild ride to the surface, then Griphook stepped from the tunnel into the large, open hall. As Harry exited and turned toward what he hoped was the exit, he heard someone shout, "See? I told you, Harry Potter!"
"Is he blind?"
"That poor dear!"
"It must have been the killing curse that did that."
The whispers surrounded him and Harry heard people coming toward him with their platitudes and pity. Previously, Harry had simply accepted that sort of thing from people. Now, it was becoming annoying rather quickly. His heart pounded with anger that these people chose to be so stupid about how they thought, that they judged him before they even met him, and didn't research what blindness was, thought it made him someone to be assisted at every turn. Not even his usual lessons with non-magical people was this bad. Angry, Harry moved through the crowd, walking around people and hearing them move out of his way. Once he exited the bank, he headed down the stairs and turned left, sighing in relief at being out in the open.
"I can understand your anger, you know." Harry heard the voice of a girl say, who sounded as if she was coming down the stairs. She seemed a little bossy, but Harry turned toward her anyway.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"Hermione Granger." She responded smartly. "People really have no idea about blindness here, do they? And that's not the only thing that seems antiquated."
"Did you grow up without magical parents, too?" Harry asked.
"Oh, yes." Hermione replied. "My parents are dentists, actually, and they're behind me. We're all going shopping with Professor McGonagall. She teaches transfiguration at Hogwarts school. I was ever so excited when I got my letter, were you? I suppose yours was in braille."
"Yes, it was, but I wasn't really... Well, I suppose I was a little excited." Harry said in reply.
"Are you going shopping as well?" Hermione asked. "We could go together if you wanted."
"Sure." Harry responded. "That would be okay."
"Well, then, this way." She said, moving off. As she walked, she continued to talk. "I don't suppose you've seen magic yet, have you?"
"No, not yet." Harry responded, keeping pace with Hermione and hearing the footsteps of the others falling in behind them. "Not with a wand, anyway."
"I have. Professor McGonagall showed us some. The first thing I'm going to do is get some books, a little more than the book list says, for a little light reading, you know. Are you going to find out about why people are treating you with such fame?" Hermione asked.
"I have an idea already, so no." Harry responded.
"If it were me, I'd want to find out everything I could." Hermione replied. "That way, I'd know what people are saying about me."
"Well, anything they say in their books is probably not going to be accurate, since their views on the blind..." Harry stated, but was cut off by Hermione.
"Turn left." She stated simply. Harry did so, then continued.
"Their views on the blind are so stereotypical." Harry said as they entered a shop, and from its smell, it was some type of book store.
"Well, it doesn't look like they'll have any of the course books in braille." Hermione stated after a long moment.
"Can I help you?" A man asked as he walked up to them. Harry turned toward him.
"Do you have the first year Hogwarts books in braille?" Harry asked.
"Braille?" The man sounded perplexed. "I'm afraid I don't know what that is."
"You know, dots on the pages for a blind person to read?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid we've never had a blind person in here before." The man said, then gasped. "Oh, you poor boy. I'm sure we can fix you..."
"Stop it." Harry stated angrily, then added a little more kindly, "Please. I'm not a little kid, I'm just blind, and I don't need to be fixed or healed. My blindness is part of who I am and I don't want to change it. Maybe I can special order the books in braille somehow?"
"I'm afraid I don't know of that kind of service." The man stated.
Harry sighed.
"Well, they won't serve me much purpose if I can't read them, will they?" He asked, idly pulling the list from his pocket. "Let's see, here. All the books, I suppose I could learn to use a wand, the clothes are easy, and these vials, could use them too. But the scale? So basically, there's little on this list I could use." Harry sighed. "This is terrible. What is this, the dark ages?"
Beside him, Hermione giggled.
"Sorry." She said. "But it's sort of amusing."
"I don't see how." Harry stated in reply.
"Think about it. They invite you to attend Hogwarts. And yet, they haven't prepared for you to read the books, or anything like that, even though they sent you the letter in braille you could read." Hermione stated.
"Well, I'll just have to go on exploring, I suppose." Harry said with a bit of a smile. "I won't hold you up, Hermione, and it was nice to meet you."
"You as well, Harry, and I hope to see you at Hogwarts." Hermione replied.
Harry turned and left the store, then went right. He sighed, wishing there was a store that would cater to the blind, or at least, a place he could order something from. Strangely, he felt some type of magic wash over him, then felt an odd compulsion to turn around, so he did so, curious to know where the feeling would lead him. Perhaps someone was trying to help him, Harry thought to himself, as the compulsion had come when he'd been wanting help. It hadn't been Magic, though, but he wasn't too worried about anything undesirable, as he could probably teleport himself away, given that he'd been able to teleport Magic around at will. At least he had Magic for help if all else failed. She would always help him with anything, but he knew it wasn't wise to rely on her if he didn't have to. With her being at the Dursley's much of the time, Harry had found the more he practiced his skills as a blind person, the better off he would be.
Harry followed the compulsion and walked until he felt he needed to turn right, then did so. The door he pushed open had a bell on it, jingling a little when he opened it. Stepping inside the shop, he let the door swing closed behind him. He heard nothing, walking forward until he bumped the counter with his cane. He heard what sounded like movement from the back of the store, then heard hurried footsteps.
"Sorry, sorry, been a little busy restocking things!" A woman said as she hurried toward the counter. "How can I help you today, young man?"
"Well, I wondered if you might know of a place that sells things for the blind." Harry replied.
"We do. In fact, we sell things for people with a variety of rare disabilities, and modify things as well." The woman replied. "My name is Grace, and I'd be glad to help you with anything you require."
"Well, I just got my Hogwarts letter, so I was shopping at the bookstore only to find that they didn't have any of the books in braille." Harry said.
"Translating the books to braille, or placing a translation spell on them, is actually fairly simple." Grace replied. "Typically, we'll charge a one galleon fee for each book translated, and if purchasing directly from us in bulk such as the Hogwarts book list for first year, we'll charge a flat fee of four galleons to translate the lot."
"I'd like to do that, then." Harry said. "What about scales, maybe talking ones, or accessible in some way, things for potions, a magical Brailler of some kind so my work is transcribed to ink?"
"We can sell those, too." Grace responded. "The Brailler will be ten galleons, and each box of a stack of two-hundred sheets of parchment for it is two galleons. The scale will be one galleon, and all the measuring and cutting tools for potions, along with the cauldron and all the ingredients, will be five galleons."
"Do you sell anything to hold all this, maybe a trunk of some kind?" Harry asked.
"We do. We've got special multi-compartment trunks that would be perfect for your case. Those generally run about twenty galleons a piece." Grace said.
"So, all together, how much am I paying?" Harry asked.
"That depends. Are you coming back next year, will you be a regular?" Grace asked.
"Probably so." Harry responded.
"Well, then, we'll load up your trunk with all that you'll need for your first year, except for your wand, of course. You'll still have to get that at Ollivanders." Grace said. "It'll be forty galleons then, Harry, and you'll get a thousand sheets of parchment with your Brailler. Will you be wanting a magical cane for walking, or will yours do you fine?"
"I think I'm fine with mine for now." Harry replied. "What's the difference, anything?"
"The magical cane can record and guide you to routs, as well as notify you of objects before the cane itself actually hits them. It also shrinks smaller than your current folding cane will." Grace said.
"I'll stick with my current cane for now." Harry responded after a moment.
"Very good, then." She replied. "We'll have your trunk ready for you to take with you in a half hour."
"Okay." Harry said, pulling out his money bag and digging through it. "This might take me a while."
"Ah, I see you might want something to sort your money for you as well." Grace said, pulling out what sounded like a bag from a shelf beside her. "Try this."
Harry took the bag she handed him. It felt lighter somehow, but still seemed tough. He poured his money inside it, though didn't hear it hit anything.
"How does it work?" He asked.
"Speak the amount of money you need." Grace said.
"Forty galleons." Harry said.
"Now, put your hand in. You'll pull them out until the specified amount has been emptied." Grace said. "You can pour them out, also."
Harry found that she was correct. As he put his hand in the bag, he immediately felt the coins. He pulled them out and put them on the counter in front of him, hearing Grace scooping them into what was probably a cache register. When he finished, she said, "Can I help you with anything else today?"
"No, that should be all. Thanks." Harry responded.
"You're welcome." Grace replied. "Ollivanders will be the second building on your left when you exit."
"Thanks." Harry said. "I'll come back to pick up the trunk when I'm done there."
"We might not have it finished just yet, but we'll do our best." Grace cheerfully stated as Harry started moving toward the door.
"I've got time, so I can wait if I need to." Harry replied before exiting the building.
He took careful note of everything around him, excited that someone in this magical world finally treated him like a normal person, who simply needed a few accommodations. And, what was more, they actually had the means to give it to him. Grinning, Harry proceeded to Ollivanders, entering the store where everything felt quite secret, quiet, almost like a library but somehow more oppressive. After the door closed behind him, Harry started carefully walking forward, though found no counter where he thought he might. In a few moments, an elderly man said from quite close in front of him, "Good morning."
Harry jumped a little, but said, "Hi."
"I wondered if I would be seeing you soon, Mr. Potter." The man, who was likely Mr. Ollivander, stated softly. "It seems only yesterday your parents were here purchasing wands of their own. For your mother, Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work." Harry heard Mr. Ollivander moving closer to him and stepped back uncomfortably. He continued. "Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it, it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
"Oh." Harry stated awkwardly. Just like everyone in the bank, he, too, seemed to know his name without him giving it out.
"Well, then, Mr. Potter. Shall we begin?" Mr. Ollivander asked cheerfully.
"Sure." Harry responded, still feeling a little unnerved, not knowing quite what to expect of this man.
"Very good, then." Mr. Ollivander said. "I'll ask that you put that cane of yours away, as it will interfere with the measuring tape."
"The measuring tape?" Harry asked as he folded up his cane and put it in his cane holder.
"Quite right. Arms out to either side, if you will." Mr. Ollivander said.
Harry put his arms out to either side of him and felt a measuring tape beginning to measure everywhere that it could. As it did so, Mr. Ollivander began moving around, taking down boxes.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand. That will do."
Harry heard the tape measure clatter to the floor, then Mr. Ollivander walked over to him.
"Right then, Mr. Potter. Try this one. Beech- wood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave."
Harry put out his hand and grasped the wand, feeling what felt almost like a stick of wood. Feeling foolish, he grasped it in his hand and made to wave it, but felt that something was wrong, somehow off with the flame within him. He felt his magic and realized it was almost seeming to move away from the wand. Concerned, he let the wand go.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Ollivander asked.
"My magic doesn't like that." Harry said.
"You are in tune with your magic?" Mr. Ollivander sounded surprised. "Perhaps I should have expected that. Well, I dare say this will make things much easier."
"We could talk with Magic directly if you want." Harry said. He wondered how people in the magical world would handle seeing Magic, and knowing that she was not only his magic, but could help him if he needed.
"Curious, curious." Mr. Ollivander said. "Well, this should prove most interesting."
Harry opened his link to Magic so he received her knowledge again, feeling the knowledge of all that she'd seen and felt entering his mind. With a thought, she appeared in the shop beside him and was no longer invisible, scanning her surroundings swiftly, her expression, as always, placidly calm. Mr. Ollivander peered closely at her with wide eyes, walking around her and gently touching a long finger to one of her cheeks. Harry felt her knowledge, as their link was open, and through it, was aware of Mr. Ollivander's look of intrigued fascination.
"Incredible." He breathed. "Perhaps Magic should then try the wands."
Mr. Ollivander took the wand from Harry and handed it to Magic, who grasped it before releasing it.
"Limiting." She stated.
"What do you mean, Magic?" Harry asked.
"Constrained, a specific channel, a narrow focus." Magic stated in response.
"Hmm?" Harry asked.
"The magic is placed through a narrow focus, a single direction, a limit compared to what I do now." Magic responded, clarifying her explanation a bit for Harry.
"Mr. Ollivander, is there something that won't limit my magic?" Harry asked as he touched her shoulder and rubbed her back a little, though Magic stood as still as a statue. The physical contact was more for himself than it was for Magic, Harry realized, though it had generally been that way as far as he could remember.
"Well, well." Mr. Ollivander said in a contemplating manner. "I dare say that if you are matched with the correct wand, you will not be limited in any way. Shall we continue, Magic and Mr. Potter?"
"Sure." Harry said.
"All right, then." Mr. Ollivander said, then handed Magic another wand. "Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Go on and wave it, Magic."
Magic grasped the wand and rose it, then released it, allowing it to clatter to the floor.
"Harry." She stated, her voice calm as usual, but almost sounding as if she was slightly desperate. "I want to test no more wands."
"Wow." Harry said, amazed. "You've never expressed desires before. Well, I suppose I'll grant you this one, no more wands. But I've still got to test them, they're required at Hogwarts."
"If you test the wands, I will be testing them. I want to test no more wands. You use magic without a wand, with me or the feel of the flame of magic within you, manipulating it to suit your wishes. A narrow focus isn't required." Magic stated serenely.
"Okay." Harry said, smiling as he hugged her, she returning the embrace in her unemotional, calm way. "No more wands. Wow!"
Harry felt a rush of a strange, soothing power pour through him, almost felt even closer to Magic than before. He gasped, almost feeling overjoyed at the feeling. He hugged Magic tighter. She embraced him more firmly in response, and Mr. Ollivander looked on with delight.
"Well, Mr. Potter, I see you, unlike many others, can cultivate a relationship with your magic, Magic. Curious, curious." He muttered to himself. Harry pulled back from Magic, who let him go, though remained standing next to him.
"What's curious?" Harry asked. "I've always been this way since I can remember, Magic being with me and such. Though that rush of power, that was new."
"I suspect that went with you trusting Magic, just as Magic has always trusted, and obeyed your wishes." Mr. Ollivander said. "But I warn you that others may not receive this well. Or, more likely, won't see Magic as what, and who she actually is."
"I'm used to being slandered, made fun of. And in the wizarding world, it seems that no one knows anything about people being blind, so I've had to get used to that, too." Harry said. "It's nothing new to me."
"Well, then, it would seem you have no use for a wand, Mr. Potter. Magic can do all that you wish, I trust, in terms of performing magic?" Mr. Ollivander asked.
"Yep." Harry responded. "Or I can tell my magic what to do. I guess telling Magic or mentally manipulating my magic to do as I want would be the same thing for me."
"Indeed so, Mr. Potter, indeed so. I am curious, then, why she was not with you when you came in. Could she not assist you?" Mr. Ollivander asked.
"Sure, but then I wouldn't know as much about the attitudes of people, and I wouldn't be practicing my skills of getting around as a blind person. Also, if she's not with me, she can't help me, and she usually isn't with me, at least, hasn't been so far." Harry replied. "Magic, will you invisibly wait for me where you were before?"
Magic vanished and Harry felt her location change. He grinned.
"She's the best friend I've ever had." He said to himself, then unfolded his cane. "Well, thanks for your time, Mr. Ollivander, and I'm sorry if I've wasted yours."
"It's no waste of time at all, Mr. Potter." Mr. Ollivander said. "It was utterly delightful to work with such a unique individual."
As he heard Mr. Ollivander putting boxes back on the shelves, Harry exited the wand shop and started moving down the street, realizing he'd forgotten to ask where the robes shop was, so he could get his uniform and cloak. Absently, he pushed the button on his talking watch to check the time, jumping when he heard an unexpected squeal from it, which was cut off shortly. Pushing the button again produced no results and Harry sighed.
"Great." He said, heading back toward the shop that had been so accommodating to him earlier.
Harry entered and headed toward the counter, hearing movement in the back of the shop. He recognized Grace's familiar voice as she headed for the counter, saying, "Back again, so soon?"
"Yes, actually." Harry replied. "My watch just broke, so I wondered if you might be able to fix it."
"Let me see." Grace said as Harry took it off and handed it to her. "Ah, this is a Muggle's talking watch. I'm afraid that won't work here, at Hogwarts, or any place with a high amount of magic. We do have magical talking watches, though."
"How much are those?" Harry asked.
"They'll be three galleons, more if you want extra charms to water proof it, protect it against spells, etc." She said.
"I'd like the protection on it, yes." Harry responded.
"Then that will be five galleons." She announced.
"Five galleons." Harry said as he pulled out his money bag, opening it and pouring them on the counter.
"Thank you again, sir, and wait just one moment while I get that for you." She said.
Harry smiled at someone willing to be so polite to him, waiting and hearing what sounded like people loading boxes into something large.
"No, put it in like this, there you are. That's good." He heard a man say faintly, realizing he could hear the people doing the loading talking among themselves.
"Another expansion charm, maybe?" A woman's voice asked.
"No, no, this one's clear. Let's go to the next compartment." The man responded as Grace came back.
"Here you are." She said.
Harry held out his hands and she placed the watch within them. Harry quickly felt where all the buttons were, along with the speaker on the top of the watch, but before he could ask any questions, Grace said, "The three buttons on one side are as follows. The one on the left is for talking, telling the time. The one in the middle is your hourly announcement, and the one on the right is for your compass. The two on the other side are for your stopwatch and timer. If you hold the one on the left, which is your stopwatch, it will allow you to toggle the alarm on and off, then the three buttons will be used to go through different alarms with the one on the left moving you back one alarm, the one on the right moving you forward, and the center allowing you to set the time. The button on the right, where the two buttons are, is for the timer, and holding that will allow you to set the time, which shouldn't be needed, but it's there nevertheless. When you put on the watch, the three buttons typically will face your wrist, with the two buttons on the other side facing the opposite direction. Understand all of that?"
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks." Harry said as he put on the watch.
"There's one extra feature that you can use as well. If you hold the two buttons for speaking time and using the compass, you can record your own voice for the watch to use. At the moment, we're using the voice of Angela Turner, who got this shop started." Grace said.
Harry pushed the button to tell him the time and heard a soft, but noticeable beep that was short, then a woman's voice said quite naturally, "It's ten thirty-seven AM."
"I've never heard a talking watch sound that good in my life." Harry said with a grin. "Thanks!"
"You're quite welcome." Grace responded. "Ah, seems your trunk is ready for you to take with you."
Harry heard a gasp from another woman, then the familiar voice said, "Harry Potter?"
"Er... Yeah, that's me." He responded.
"You're doing so well for yourself!" The woman said, sounding quite excited as she quickly moved over to him and gently put her hands on his shoulders. "I knew you when you were a baby, and that's what got me started at making this shop. I'm Angela Turner, and I hear you like my voice on your watch."
"It's very natural." Harry responded.
"Well, I'm glad you think so." She said, sounding like she was grinning.
"Thanks for setting this shop up, too. I'm glad there's some people who want to promote awareness for people with disabilities." Harry said.
"Oh, that's no problem at all, Mr. Potter." Turner responded. "If you'll follow me this way, I'll show you how to operate your trunk."
Harry followed her voice, then his cane bumped the object he guessed was his trunk. Reaching down, he touched its lid, feeling a smooth surface.
"That's yours, as you've likely guessed." She said. "Now, on one of the sides, you're going to find a latch with a lock. These are your keys that you'll use to open each lock of the trunk, similar to other multi-compartment trunks available now, but with some differences."
"How many compartments are there?" Harry asked.
"So far, seven, but we can add more if you need." She replied as Harry took the keys, noticing the braille numbers engraved on each key.
Harry fitted key number one into the lock, turned it, then lifted the lid of the trunk.
"This is the compartment where your Brailler and paper is." Turner explained as Harry reached inside, touching a Brailler that looked quite thin, though with its keys arranged in a familiar pattern. It was about as thick as four pieces of paper, though, which Harry found different compared to the heavy, bulky Braillers he was used to operating, and extremely thin. He almost didn't think it would work, though he imagined that, with Magic, they could compact things quite a bit.
"Now, this is something important for you." She said. "Do you notice the dial on the right side of the Brailler?"
"Yeah." Harry responded. "This round thing with the line on it."
"That's right. That is used to indicate whether it's in braille mode, ink writing mode, or automatic. Braille will be used when the raised line on the dial is furthest from you. Automatic is in the middle, and ink writing mode is closest to you. The dial will click into its three positions, and the round button below the dial can be used to transcribe print to braille, or braille to print if fed a piece of paper, envelope, etc. Any questions so far?" Turner asked.
"What's automatic mode?" Harry asked.
"That's used to automatically transcribe a piece of parchment, containing ink, to braille, should you put it within the Brailler. In addition, should you braille a piece of paper, it'll be transcribed to ink on the paper, though will still contain the braille as well." Turner responded.
"So then, the paper will have both the braille letters, and the print ones as well?" Harry asked.
"That's right." Turner replied. "Any other questions?"
"Do I have to put ink in it?" Harry asked.
"No." Turner responded. "It's able to create its own, which it will always be doing, but slowly, due to the limits of ambient magic powering this. Any other questions?"
"No, Seems pretty simple." Harry responded. "But, how's it powered? I assume it needs some in order to transcribe things to braille and such, and I don't get how ambient magic alone will power this, that doesn't seem like enough."
"Ambient magical energy does power it, and for what it does, it's quite sufficient." Turner said. "Spells and runes are used in combination to collect the magic from the surrounding environment to power the products we sell, those that need power anyway. The more magic, the greater its efficiency. You can use it anywhere, of course, but some places such as muggle homes may not provide it with as much magic as you'd get here, or at Hogwarts, for example. That will slow its progress with transcription or braille writing, but you'll still be able to use it. Also, if you're proficient in channeling your magic, you can place small amounts of raw magical energy within it, not too much though, or you could cause some problems."
"Ah. Well I'll have to get into that more later, I suppose." Harry said, then closed the compartment of the trunk and moved on to key number two. After opening it, Turner spoke again.
"In this compartment, you'll have your scale, a variety of measuring cups, and a rack which you can use to store potions ingredients. This rack is a prototype, so I'd welcome any feedback you may have for it. Basically, when you place a vial containing an ingredient in it, it'll have a label transcribed on its compartment, and will be automatically stored alphabetically. The measuring devices we have are similar to those used by Muggles for measuring any food items. Are you familiar with cooking?" Turner asked.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good at cooking, actually." Harry responded.
"Good." Turner said. "The only difference with these is that you won't contaminate anything, should you touch what's inside the cup. A shield, which is see-through, will prevent you from touching the actual item, which, if you know from your cooking experiences, you ought not to be touching the food you're cooking with." Turner sounded as if she was smirking a little, and Harry smiled.
"Yeah, I know about that rule. Aunt Petunia taught that to me when I..." He trailed off, then cleared his throat a little, not wanting to get into the specifics of the Dursley's unloving treatment of him. He closed the trunk, then moved on.
"Okay, for three, stand back." Turner said.
Harry unlocked three and flipped the latch. He heard the sounds of something unfolding and stepped back. When the process finished and he heard what sounded like doors swing open, he hesitantly reached out.
"Don't be shy." Turner said, noticing his hesitant's. "This is a wardrobe where you'll hang all your clothes.
Harry touched several hangers, and as he stepped within the space like stepping into a closet, noticed it was much larger than he thought it should be. It was a little disorienting, and when Turner spoke, her voice sounded strangely focused, as if the sound of it was compressed to come from a specific area.
"There's many different hangers for different items. You can organize things how you like, but for the moment, we've got the smallest items at the left such as underwear and socks, undershirts and T-shirts to the right of that, with undershirts first, robes next, then cloaks. The wardrobe will automatically remove any wrinkles from your clothes, and will clean them after you put them within." Turner said.
"That's useful." Harry said. "I never thought the magical world would have such goodies." He grinned as he stepped out of the wardrobe, then swung one of the doors closed. The other closed along with it, and he jumped a little as he felt them move away from him and heard the trunk folding back in on itself.
"If it weren't for people like Grace and Richard, we wouldn't have these goodies, as you call them." Turner responded.
"So, what's compartments four through seven?" Harry asked.
"At the moment, they're nothing but the inside of the trunk, though what you'd place in one of those compartments wouldn't be in the other. Think of it like four trunks in one." Turner responded.
"What could you make them, anything?" Harry asked.
"Oh, we could make them something if you like. We've got just about anything you can think of." Turner said.
"And how much would it be if I wanted to change anything?" Harry asked.
"Typically, it would be ten galleons for each room added or changed, but for you, since you were so inspiring to me and still are, as a matter of fact, I won't charge a thing." Turner replied.
"I don't like being treated differently." Harry said with a sigh.
"I understand that. Think of it as my gift to you." Turner said. "So, what would you like?"
"Bookshelves for compartment four." He said, hearing Turner writing things down, deciding not to feel guilty for taking advantage of her generosity. "And for compartment five, I think I'd like a fully furnished and accessible to use kitchen."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Potter, I forgot about your books. Not to worry, though, we can manage both that and your kitchen for five." She responded. "I find myself curious as to why, though."
"Because, as much time spent away from the Dursley's as possible is better for them and for me." Harry said. "I'd rather not go into that."
"Well, if you feel that strongly about it, we could make your compartment five a fully furnished and accessible to use, as you put it, apartment small enough to fit one comfortably." Turner stated.
"You could actually do that?" Harry asked.
"Yes, we could." Turner replied. "Would you like that?"
"Yes, I would." Harry said with a grin.
"What would you like for six and seven?" Turner asked.
"I'm not sure yet." Harry said.
"Well, we can always modify that later. It will take about a week to add all the features you want." Turner said. "We'll owl it to you when it's finished."
"Thanks." Harry said. "Would it be possible to shrink the trunk down to a pocket sized thing, if I wanted to take it with me easily?"
"That's already included. Do you notice the indented circle in the middle of the top?" Turner asked.
"Yeah." Harry replied.
"It's a button of sorts. When you push it with a finger, it'll shrink the trunk. Pushing it again will expand it." Turner said.
"Wow." Harry said as he pushed it, lifting the light and small trunk in his hands. It felt about the size of a wallet, with a tiny indented circle on one side. Putting it down, he pushed it again, then noticed a handle he could use to pull it behind him, as wheels were on one side. He grinned.
"Why the wheels?" Harry asked.
"If you're dealing with Muggles, non-magical folk, you won't want to be shrinking your trunk or any such thing, would you?" Turner asked.
"No, I suppose not." Harry responded. "This is pretty cool, though."
"I'm glad you're enjoying what we have to offer you." She said. "So, if you'll leave it with us, we'll take care of your order for you."
"Thanks." Harry responded. "But I would like to take it with me when I get my robes, that way I can store them inside it. If that's okay."
"That's perfectly fine, Mr. Potter. It's your trunk, after all." Turner said. "Once outside, you might try pressing your compass button and asking your watch for directions to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. I think you'll quite like that feature."
"I'll try that." Harry said. "But how will it know where to go?"
"Because we've already pre-loaded a map of Diagon Alley inside it. Also, you can map your own building or routs if you like by telling it to map. When you push or hold the compass button, you'll notice the watch beep twice. Since you've not identified yourself to the watch yet, unless you have, you'll want to state your name. It will then beep twice again, and if you say nothing, after one second it will tell you the direction you're facing. Otherwise, you can tell the watch to map your location, or give you directions to a place that it knows." Turner responded.
"I think I'll try this out, this is pretty cool!" Harry said with a grin. "Thanks, Ms. Turner!"
"Come back again, Mr. Potter, and I'm sure we can get you more to play with." Turner replied happily.
Grasping the handle of his trunk, Harry walked from the store. He did what Turner had told him, heard the two beeps, then identified himself with his name. After asking directions to the robes shop, he heard the watch state, "Proceed six meters in your current direction."
Harry did so, and in moments, had reached the door. Holding his cane close to him with an arm, he pushed the door open, then entered the shop, pulling his trunk behind him. After the door closed behind him, he heard someone move over to him and a woman said, "Oh, you poor, poor dear."
"I'm looking to purchase my uniform and clothing for Hogwarts." Harry said.
"Well, we can leave your trunk here." The woman responded. "Just take my hand and I'll lead you to a measuring stool."
"I can follow your voice, I'm not an invalid." Harry said with some irritation in his voice.
"Okay, then." The woman said uncertainly. "This way, dear."
Harry followed her footsteps, and after stepping on to a stool, was measured for his robes. The process was a silent one, which he preferred, as he didn't want her to continue being insulting to him, and thinking he was stupid. He resigned himself to getting used to such attitudes from people, though. After he was done being measured, the woman said, "All done, dear."
"Thanks." Harry said, stepping down.
After paying for his clothes, he went to an area of the shop where he was able to hang his robes and cloaks within his trunk. After he finished, he shrunk it, slipped it into his pocket, then headed back to the shop where he'd purchased it. Before he entered, he felt the doors and noticed a braille sign next to it, which told him the name of the shop was Specialty Magical Needs. Smiling, he entered and went to the counter.
"Here to drop off your trunk, I take it?" A man asked.
"Yes, I am." Harry said.
"Right, then. Feel free to leave it with me, Mr. Potter, and we'll take care of your customizations for you. We'll have it to you within a week." The man said.
"Thanks." Harry responded, handing it to him before he left the shop, then headed toward the exit.
"So." The familiar, cold voice of Professor Snape stated as he neared the apparation point. "You weren't making such boastful claims of independents after all, Mr. Potter."
"No, sir." Harry stated. "I thought you'd left."
"Do you think me so negligent in my responsibility for you that I would allow you to be lost, Potter?" Professor Snape asked in a voice that made the answer to the question sound obvious, and the question itself sound unneeded.
"Well, I suppose not. Thanks for watching over me while I was there." Harry said, and found himself wondering if it was Snape who had sent the compulsion magic at him so he could find Specialty Magical Needs.
"And, Mr. Potter, would you care to tell me where Magic has been?" Professor Snape asked in what sounded like a cold, dangerous voice.
"Here, invisible." Harry stated, and Magic appeared at his thoughts.
"Very well, then, Potter. You and Magic take my arms, and I will take you back to your relatives." Professor Snape stated. "However, before our moment of farewell, I shall give you your ticket to Hogwarts." Professor Snape put a piece of paper in his hand, and Harry quickly read the braille before placing it in his pocket. Afterward, he took the arm of Professor Snape with Magic grasping the other, then after the crushing sensation of apparation, appeared back in the familiar neighborhood of Privet Drive.
"Good day, Potter." Professor Snape stated.
"To you, as..." Harry trailed off as he heard a pop, and through Magic, knew that Professor Snape had vanished. Sighing, he headed back to the Dursley home and up to the door, entering to a reception of silence. The Dursley's knew where he'd be going, that he'd be using magic, and he supposed there was nothing more to be said about the matter. Quietly, Harry made his way up the stairs and to his room with Magic behind him, then closed his door and sat behind his desk before allowing himself a grin. Not only would he be away from the Dursley's for quite a while, he'd also be at a school where his magical use wasn't going to be restricted, but instead encouraged. This was going to be great, Harry thought to himself happily, and found he was looking forward to Hogwarts far more than he ever looked forward to the public school the Dursley's would have sent him to, despite the somewhat rude Professor Snape.
*** HOGWARTS, HEADMASTER'S OFFICE ***
Professor Snape knocked on the door, moments after, hearing Professor Dumbledore bidding him entry. His face held a scowl as he pushed open the door and stepped within. The twinkle was in Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes as he looked up at him.
"Well, Severus?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "How did your shopping trip with Mr. Potter go?"
"The boy told me he could shop for himself, so I let him be." Professor Snape stated coolly. "Undoubtedly he's playing the blind boy act to gain sympathy, and I won't tolerate that within my classroom."
"Severus, you are well aware, as am I, that Harry Potter is, in fact, blind." Professor Dumbledore's voice was firm, his expression not quite as genial as before.
"He's just like his father, arrogant, attention seeking..." Professor Snape began coldly.
"That will be quite enough, Severus. I should hope, for our sake, that you have not destroyed Harry's wish to attend Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore said. "You know he could benefit greatly from the education."
"All he must do is tell that Magic of his what to do, and she obeys his every desire." Professor Snape sneered. "You did inform me that she is his magic, after all, so I fail to see what benefit his education here will serve."
"I will ask you this once, Severus. Set aside your feelings for James Potter, don't project them on to Harry, and be more objective." Professor Dumbledore stated.
It was only his respect for the man that Professor Snape bit his tongue and said nothing except, "Very well."
"Remember what we previously discussed about Harry, Severus." Professor Dumbledore said, and Professor Snape did remember, his mind flashing back to the memory of the staff meeting.
*** FLASHBACK ***
"Thank you all for coming." Professor Dumbledore smiled as he looked around at his assembled professors.
"Didn't we already have a staff meeting?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Why hold another so soon?"
"I didn't want to keep any of you longer than necessary during our previous meeting, and I anticipate this one being of a similar length." Professor Dumbledore responded. "I wish to discuss one of our upcoming students, whom is blind. Harry Potter."
Professor McGonagall gasped. Professor Snape kept his expression a mask of cool calm. As he expected, the bumbling, stammering fool Professor Quirrell stammered out a question.
"H-H-Headmaster, w-what w-will we d-d-do t-to t-t-teach M-M-Mister P-P-Potter?" Professor Snape only glanced briefly at Professor Quirrell, and not for the first time, wondered just how he was appointed the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"That is what I have gathered here to discuss." Professor Dumbledore responded. "Given that he's blind, I believe it reasonable to assume that, while Mr. Potter may have limitations, and severe ones, in certain areas, he may be more adept in the use of magic. I have it on good authority that, should a person be blind or lose a sense, their others are enhanced. I believe it's reasonable to assume that Mr. Potter's magic has, undoubtedly, adapted in some way to help him."
"I fail to see how Mr. Potter will even begin to make an adequate potion in my class." Professor Snape stated coolly. "Perhaps the timing in certain potions, such as those used in my first two years of classes, could be temporarily used. However, beyond that, he will require visual information."
"The same problem's with astronomy." Professor Sinistra said, a thoughtful frown on her face.
"I believe it would be safe to assume that Mr. Potter would be unable to complete astronomy, Aurora." Professor Dumbledore said.
"And what about transfiguration?" Professor McGonagall asked. "How's he going to properly visualize what he needs to do? Or even aim a wand, no less?"
"That, I admit, I've not determined how to deal with currently." Professor Dumbledore stated. "My best suggestion would be this. Should Mr. Potter have difficulty, we simply talk to him. After all, he is the one who's blind, and would quite likely know what he needs."
"Is this really a good idea?" Professor Snape drawled. "I find it doubtful that Mr. Potter will understand the art of potions, and he certainly won't understand how to differentiate potions ingredients that must remain sealed until added into a potion at the final moment."
"If I correctly recall, you give a rather famous speech to your first year students, that they, too, will not understand the art of potion making, the softly simmering cauldron, or some such." Professor Dumbledore said with that maddening twinkle in his eyes. Professor Snape scowled. "Perhaps, Severus, he shall surprise us. Are there any further concerns, because as it currently stands, I'm inclined to simply ask Mr. Potter about his views on adaptations, should we run into any further difficulty."
"Flying." Madam Hooch said. "That would be quite dangerous."
"I agree." Professor McGonagall said.
"I can understand that, perhaps." Professor Dumbledore responded. "Very well, then, he shall not attend that class, either."
Silence fell on the room.
"Any further questions?" Professor Dumbledore asked. When no one responded, he said, "Very good, then. Should any of you have any further concerns or difficulties, please, let me know."
Everyone but Professor Snape began to leave the room. When Professor McGonagall, the last of them, left, Professor Dumbledore gazed over at him and asked, "What can I do for you, dear boy?"
"You know something about Harry's magic. Don't you?" Professor Snape asked shrewdly. "I caught the twinkle in your eye brighten just so."
"You always were perceptive, Severus." Professor Dumbledore responded. "However, the information I'm about to tell you must not be given to any other teacher, though I do believe the knowledge is likely to become a rumor in the school once Harry begins attending."
"Which is?" Professor Snape asked. "Potter's magic has adapted, hasn't it? What can he do, exactly, see magic?"
"Not quite." Professor Dumbledore responded. "Mr. Potter's magic itself is a girl his age."
"What?" Professor Snape's jaw dropped in shock, then he understood. "Ah. I see. You are attempting to pull some type of joke with me, even though you are aware how such things are most unwelcome in my presence."
"I'm not joking with you, Severus, I'm being quite serious. Harry Potter's magic is a girl, who's name is Magic." Professor Dumbledore responded. "I found her with him the night Voldemort was defeated."
"Magic isn't powerful enough to create a living, breathing person." Professor Snape stated in a tone of finality.
"Normally, you would be quite right." Professor Dumbledore responded. "Though, the manifestation didn't begin as a girl, but as energy. Should my guess about Mr. Potter's magic increasing in strength be correct, however, I believe it quite likely that, in some way or another, the energy of the human girl will become an actual physical body, though perhaps a physical body with far less weaknesses than our own."
"And why, precisely, am I given the great honor of knowing such a secret?" Professor Snape asked.
"Because I trust you implicitly, and you shall be taking Mr. Potter and Magic shopping tomorrow for their school supplies." Professor Dumbledore responded.
"Fine." Professor Snape stated. "But I will not be coddling the boy."
"Nor would I expect that. But I would expect you to assist him should he require it." Professor Dumbledore said.
"I'll do that, then, but only what he requires. Should I receive even an inkling of his attempting to make me pity him due to his blindness, I will not be pandering to his foolish whims." Professor Snape stated.
"I understand that, Severus, and approve of it. But please try and remember that Harry is not his father." Professor Dumbledore said kindly.
"You do realize that, should the Dark Lord learn of Potter's magical power, he will undoubtedly attempt to make the boy an ally." Professor Snape stated.
"Or, more likely, kill Mr. Potter as soon as possible." Professor Dumbledore responded. "That is why I wish to keep this knowledge from the other teachers for as long as possible. But, should Harry show up with Magic as I believe he will, it may be unavoidable for them to know."
"Perhaps you should inform the boy." Professor Snape stated.
"No." Professor Dumbledore sighed. "I don't wish to burden him anymore than he already is."
"I see, then. Is that all, Headmaster?" Professor Snape asked.
"Yes, Severus, that is all for now. Please come tomorrow morning to get Mr. Potter's Gringotts key." Professor Dumbledore said. Professor Snape stood smoothly and left his chair.
*** END FLASHBACK ***
"If that is all, then, you may go." Professor Dumbledore stated.
Professor Snape turned around and moved back to the door. He stopped when his hand was on the handle, Professor Dumbledore's voice speaking behind him.
"I'm quite disappointed in you, dear boy. I thought you would have treated Harry better than you did."
Professor Snape didn't dignify Professor Dumbledore with a response, only left the office with a scowl on his face, robes, as usual, billowing behind him. The less he had to deal with Potter, the better, he thought. Though, if Dumbledore's claims of the dark lord making a possible move on Potter were true, he could pay the debt he owed James Potter for once saving his life, by protecting the life of his son.