Everyone pushed their way on to a platform as they exited the Hogwarts express. The air was cold and Harry shivered a little before he heard a loud, booming voice.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
With a wide grin, Harry began moving toward the voice.
"Firs' years this way!" The man's voice boomed again.
"Can't get lost with him calling out, eh mate?" Ron called.
"Nope, it's great!" Harry responded.
"Firs' years this way! Anymore firs' years, anymore!" The man boomed.
Harry, judging he was close enough, stopped and waited.
"Firs' years this way!" He called again. "Anymore firs' years?"
After a few moments, the man told them to follow him. It was easy for Harry to do so, as his footsteps were loud. Along with the steps of the others also heading in the same direction, Harry was able to stay on the path. As he walked, he tapped his cane from side to side and could hear people whispering and talking about him, though paid them no mind.
Harry slid and stumbled a little on the steep, narrow path, but was able to maintain his footing. He heard others doing the same, even thought he heard someone bump tree branches. He could hear someone sniffing a few times, but otherwise, there wasn't much talking.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in Jus' a sec, jus' round this bend here." The booming man announced over his shoulder to the students.
Harry rounded the bend and heard the other students letting out expressions of awe and amazement. Ron, behind him, remarked, "It's so huge, mate, wish you could see it! It's got these towers rising really high into the sky, and the lake's like a mirror, reflecting things!"
"No more'n four in a boat!" The booming man said.
Harry tapped his cane as he moved onward, then Ron said, "Left, Harry!"
Harry turned left and tapped one of the boats with his cane. He stepped inside, stumbling a little as it moved in the water. Behind him, Ron followed with Magic. Hermione was the last to enter their boat, and Harry heard the other students organizing themselves.
"Everyone in?" The booming voiced man shouted. "Right then, forward!"
Harry felt the boat begin to move silently through the lake. There were no waves to disturb the water, so the ride was rather unremarkable. Harry anticipated actually getting into Hogwarts more than the boring ride there, wanting to hear what things would sound like, experience what classes would be like compared to the Muggle schools he'd attended. Curiously, Harry reached one of his hands carefully over the side of the boat and touched the ice cold water, glad he didn't have to swim.
"Heads down!" The man shouted to everyone.
Harry lowered his head as the boats continued to move, then a few seconds later, Hermione said, "You can raise your head now, Harry." He did so, then a few moments later, felt the boat bump against something.
Everyone began climbing out and Harry followed, hearing the sound of rocks and pebbles under his shoes, feeling the uneven ground under his feet. The large man called out after a few moments, "Oy there, this yer toad?"
"Trevor!" Neville cried out in delight.
Harry smiled, glad that he was able to reunite with his pet. They all climbed from the harbor through a passage way and found themselves on smooth grass. Harry continued to follow the footsteps to a set of steps, which were rather long. Once at the top, he heard the large man knock three times on a door after ensuring Neville still had his toad, and that everyone was there. It swung open silently, and Harry heard a woman say with a bit of a Scottish accent, "Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here."
Harry followed the rest of the students into the entrance hall. The only way he knew it was inside was because of the temperature change in the air. Otherwise, it was so large it almost sounded like the outside did. Listening carefully, he was able to pick out the echo from the walls and ceiling, but the room was quite large. Curiously, he tapped his cane on the floor a bit before allowing it to slide along the ground smoothly, not picking it up as it slid over the stone floor. It wasn't completely smooth, and Harry used his cane to get a feel for the floor as he followed the woman's steps and those of the other students. To his right, he could hear many students talking in what was likely another room. They were soon led into a small room that they crowded in to, waiting.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." The woman said. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule- breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
She paused for a moment, then said, "I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."
As she exited the room, Harry turned and said, "Ron?"
"Here, mate." Harry turned more to his left.
"Who was that?" He asked.
"I think it was Professor McGonagall." Ron responded.
"I know her." Hermione interjected. "She's the one who took me shopping with my parents, and teaches transfiguration."
"How are we sorted?" Harry asked.
"Not sure." Ron said. "Some sort of test, I think. Fred says it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
Harry said nothing, only swallowed nervously. He turned to face the door where Professor McGonagall had left, his heart pounding in his chest. He'd only remembered feeling this nervous when he knew he'd be punished by the Dursley's for doing something unnatural, but he didn't have that to worry about here. Magic's right hand clasped his left in response to his wishes, gripping firmly. Harry returned the grasp tightly, squeezing her hand and listening to Hermione whispering very fast under her breath, going over all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. Harry was just starting to try and calm down a little when he heard several people scream behind him, jumping in startled surprise. He immediately released Magic's hand and spun around, turning his head left and right in a vain attempt to listen for any danger. Instead of danger, he heard people talking, though their voices seemed somewhat further away than usual even though they were close. It was almost as if their voices were an echo of something that once was, though it was very slight and he doubted most people noticed.
"Forgive and forget, I say. We ought to give him a second chance." A man was saying.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost... I say, what are you all doing here?" Another said, probably having noticed all the students.
"New students!" The first man that had spoken said. "About to be sorted, I suppose."
"That's right." Harry said. Though his heart beat hard and he was calming from fear, he didn't let that stop him from speaking.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" The first man stated. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now." Professor McGonagall's familiar, serious tones stated sharply. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Harry listened intently for the footsteps of the people that were echoes of what once had been, but heard nothing, no sign of movement at all.
"Professor, why don't they have footsteps?" Harry asked curiously, though felt a little nervous at asking a question to someone in authority who's class he wasn't yet in, and someone who's time sounded like she didn't want to waste.
"Because they're ghosts, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall responded briskly. "Now, form a line and follow me."
Harry hated lines. He could never stay in them reliably. With a sigh, he did his best to do so, following the person in front of him and occasionally tapping their foot with his cane. After about the third time that happened, the boy said in the familiar voice of Draco Malfoy, "Stop that, Potter."
"I can't stop, that's how I get around." Harry said. "Unless you want me to grab your shoulder."
"Is there a problem?" Professor McGonagall asked as they all stopped.
"No problem, Professor." Harry said in reply.
They continued moving, entering the great hall. Harry heard a great deal of whispering, imagining that the people sitting down were staring and pointing at him as he followed the footsteps of the others. He felt himself trembling a little, and Magic's strong, unnaturally warm hands rested on his shoulders, silently supporting him, but not leading him. Harry sighed and felt a little more relaxed at that, hearing Hermione whisper, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
Harry had no idea what she was talking about, and felt too nervous to ask, though thought it might have something to do with the unfamiliar and very complex magic he could feel above him. Eventually, they stopped, and Harry got the sense that everyone was staring at him, even the other first years. He heard a clatter as something was set down in front of them, then heard something placed on top of the first item. A few moments passed before he heard a man's voice begin to sing.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty But don't judge on what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find A smarter hat than me. You can keep your bowlers black, Your top hats sleek and tall, For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat And I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see, So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart; You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands, though I have none, For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Everyone began clapping, so Harry did, too. They slowed to a stop after a few moments as Ron said, "So we've just got to try on a hat! I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll!"
"You're so gullible, there's no way." Harry said, remembering the description of the Mountain Troll in one of his books.
Harry nervously stood with the rest of the first years, wondering exactly where he was going to be placed. He supposed he did feel brave above all, but that wasn't the strongest thing of all. At the moment, that was his nervousness and perhaps a bit of queasiness. Harry took deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself, wishing he and Magic could hug. He didn't think such displays of affection would be allowed in the middle of the great hall, though, and didn't really feel too keen on doing such a thing in front of everyone. Magic didn't move, simply kept her hands grasping his shoulders.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." Professor McGonagall called after Harry heard a step. "Abbott, Hannah!"
Harry heard the stumbling steps of the girl who's name had been called, listening as she sat. A few moments passed before the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Students cheered and clapped as the girl made her way to the Hufflepuff table. That could be a problem, Harry thought nervously to himself. He didn't know how he was going to make his way to the proper table without Magic's help when the time came.
Susan Bones was also put in Hufflepuff. Terry Boot went to Ravenclaw, and Harry noticed the majority of the cheering and clapping at another table. He felt relief, thinking he would simply follow the loudest cheers.
Millicent Bulstrode went to Slytherin along with Daphne Greengrass. Harry heard the names called as he waited, hoping he wouldn't be picked last. He remembered the times in his classes when that had happened, but more so, he recalled the greater amount of times when he was asked to sit off to the side while everyone else got to run around and play, or perform assignments in pairs. He was determined not to let that happen this time, but common sense caught up with his emotions soon enough. The names were being called alphabetically based on their last name.
Harry noticed that the hat's decision would sometimes be immediate, but other times, it would take a while. Seamus Finnigan took at least a minute before he was declared a Gryffindor by the hat. Hermione was next, and she also went to Gryffindor. Harry heard Ron groan.
As Neville Longbottom's name was called, Harry got a sick feeling in his stomach, hoping that he wouldn't be sitting there with the hat on his head for so long that Professor McGonagall told him there had been some kind of mistake, or worse, told him that a blind kid couldn't learn anything at Hogwarts because they didn't know how to deal with him. Harry swallowed as he heard the hat make Neville a Gryffindor, heard people laughing as he realized Neville had to return to the stool for some reason, then the next name was called.
Malfoy went to Slytherin, and Harry decided immediately that if he had a choice, Slytherin wouldn't be one of his preferences given how Malfoy had acted around him on the train. After several more names had been called, Harry heard his own. Trembling, he stepped out of line, still feeling nervous. Magic stayed with him, and as he made his way up to the stool, he could hear people whispering.
"Potter, is that really Harry Potter?"
"The boy who lived is blind, blind? Oh, that poor boy."
"If he's in my house I'll help him."
Many others were whispering as well, and when Harry missed the stool and was quietly directed to turn left by Professor McGonagall, his face burned with embarrassment. He trembled as he sat down, Magic standing behind him, hands still on his shoulders firmly. Harry felt the hat lower over his head and ears, muffling the sounds he heard.
"Hmm." A voice said in his ear. "Interesting, quite interesting. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes, and a nice thirst to prove yourself, very interesting. So where shall I put you?"
Harry clutched his still unfolded cane in his hands and thought, 'Not Slytherin.'
"Not Slytherin, eh?" The small voice asked as Harry felt his heart pounding and hands trembling. "Well, well. I do believe you're quite right, Mr. Potter. what courage you've shown over your years of life thus far, and not wishing help from Magic even though she'll do anything you desire. My, my, you do show great courage and bravery. Yes, I see there's only one place where you truly belong, so I wish you well in GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted to the hall, and as the hat was lifted off his head and he shakily stood, he heard an explosion of cheers so loud his ears rang. He also heard several people hurriedly getting up even as he started to walk toward the Gryffindor table with Magic still behind him. He could hear them headed toward him, and decided to take his first brave action.
"Please, stop!" He shouted, though they either didn't hear him, which was likely, or they thought he was being stupid. With a thought, Magic amplified his voice and Harry called, "Please stop!"
The cheering and movement stopped instantly.
"Thank you." He said, his voice echoing around the entire hall, his legs shaking hard, his voice trembling, as he'd never liked any form of public speaking. "I can get there with simple directions, I don't need an entire crowd of people swarming around me. That's not helpful, it's a hindrance."
Harry removed the amplification on his voice and heard people moving back to the table, making his way carefully toward it. After a few seconds, he heard Hermione say, "This way, Harry." He followed her voice gratefully, then sat down, listening to people talking and whispering.
"If everyone will please calm down, we will continue with the sorting." Professor McGonagall's sharp voice called everyone back to order, though some still whispered and pointed as Harry folded up his cane and Magic gracefully sat next to him.
"Do you want anything described?" Hermione asked from his right side, her voice quiet and almost a whisper.
"No, not yet." Harry responded. "But thanks."
Dean Thomas was sorted into Gryffindor, Lisa Turpin went to Ravenclaw, and Harry waited with anticipation for Ron to be sorted, hoping he would get to Gryffindor as well. When it was announced that he did, Harry clapped and cheered with the rest of them, Ron sitting next to Magic on the bench.
"Well done, Ron. Excellent." Harry heard a pompous voice say from across the table. "By the way, Mr. Potter, I'm Percy Weasley, and if you need any help at all, with anything, I'd be more than happy to assist you."
He sounded like one of the overly helpful types, who was strictly following the rules and wanted to make himself look impressive, Harry thought. He decided to politely rebuff him.
"I appreciate that, but since Hermione or Magic are so close, I'll ask one of them to help me. I won't inconvenience you." He said.
"That reminds me. Precisely why weren't you sorted, young lady?" Percy asked. "I presume you are Magic."
"Yes. I'm Harry's magic. Harry is in Gryffindor. It's illogical for me to be anywhere other than where Harry is, since I'm his magic." She stated placidly.
Everyone was becoming silent, Harry noticed, and Hermione quietly said, "Professor Dumbledore's standing up at the front of the hall."
"Welcome!" Harry heard a kind, but elderly voice say welcomingly, as if he was very pleased to see them all there. He turned his head to the left to face it. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Harry heard everyone clapping and cheering, grinning a little as he did the same. He also noticed the aroma of food that he hadn't smelled before, his stomach growling its hunger to him.
"He sounds a bit mad." Harry said uncertainly.
"He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?" Percy Weasley announced.
"You don't have to worry about reaching across the table." Harry said kindly. "Hermione, would you mind helping me a little?"
"Allow me to help you." Magic stated sedately.
"Sure." Harry said. "Go ahead."
Harry felt a soothing rush of power, a closer kinship with Magic, just as he had when he'd told her she didn't have to test anymore wands. He listened to her as she helped him, hearing people talking and whispering around him.
"How do you know what he likes?" Ron asked. "He's not said anything."
"I'm a part of Harry, his magic. I know what he wishes, wants, and needs." Magic explained.
"But how?" Ron asked.
"I'm a part of Harry." Magic said.
"Don't bother, she won't answer you any further than that." Harry said. "She'll just give you the same answer in an unending, tireless loop of endless patience and an answer that won't change. You didn't change the wording of your question enough, Ron. Watch. Magic, how do you know what I need and want?"
"You know." Magic stated.
"Well..." Harry trailed off sheepishly. "She knows I know, so won't answer me."
"Magic, how do I even ask you a question like that without getting the same kind of answer?" Ron asked. "You're kind of hard to talk to."
"Ask based on what I've told you. Think." Magic stated.
"Okay..." Ron trailed off for a moment. "How are you aware of what Harry wants, exactly? I know you're a part of him, but what makes you aware of all that?"
"You're aware of your limbs, how they feel. I'm aware of Harry and how he feels, what he needs and wishes, what he thinks and remembers." Magic stated.
"That doesn't really explain much." Ron said.
"Think of it like this, Ron." Harry responded. "You know if your hand is hurting, and won't do whatever it was that made it hurt. Right?"
"Of course." Ron replied.
"Well, Magic's the same way with me, but her awareness is of me, everything I am. She's lovely and accommodating, and nothing but a cold, calculating, rational being who's changeless, except for physically growing like I do." Harry said.
"That sounds quite insulting." Percy said.
"But it's true, and I wouldn't have her any other way. Steady as a rock, my Magic is." Harry said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Truth is best." Magic responded, and Harry felt the soothing feeling increase for a moment.
"So, what have I got today?" Harry asked. He knew Magic was going to tell him verbally, as he didn't want anyone to be aware of his link of knowledge yet.
"Meat at six o'clock, vegetables at nine, potatoes at twelve, salad at three. Water at one o'clock next to your plate on the table." Magic stated.
"Thanks." Harry said, taking a drink from his goblet. "Fancy things here, I guess."
"Do you need help cutting that, Harry?" Hermione asked as Harry struggled with cutting his meat.
"I'll get it eventually, I just need to practice." Harry responded as Magic efficiently cut her own next to him.
"Well, part of your stake's about to go off the plate." Hermione said.
Harry sighed, found it with his fork, and tried again. He managed to slice his meat, though crudely, then began to eat. The meal was superbly delicious, something even he hadn't managed to do with his own cooking just yet, and Aunt Petunia's cooking couldn't amount too. Even the restaurants he'd occasionally been too weren't as good as this. Before he knew it, Harry was on seconds, people around him participating in idle conversation that he listened to, but didn't engage in. People spoke about their families, and Hermione told everyone her parents were dentists. When Harry was asked a question, it wasn't about his family.
"How'd you go blind?" Seamus Finnigan asked.
"I didn't." Harry replied as he faced him. "I was born without my optic nerve."
"Optic what?" Seamus sounded confused.
"It's how you can see, basically." Harry said. "When you look at something, your eye uses the information from light that's reflected from the object, if it's the plate or your food, to tell you everything about it. All the information is focused by different parts of the eye, then it's sent along the optic nerve to your brain, where you recognize a stake, a plate, a person, a door. Without that nerve, your mind won't get anything, so it's like not having eyes at all."
"So, do you see darkness?" Dean Thomas asked.
"No, I don't see anything." Harry responded. "It's not darkness, I just don't have any sight. I don't really know how to explain that, but it's like not having it to begin with, so I don't really know what it is."
"You obviously know to face people when they talk to you, and other skills you wouldn't know unless someone taught you. Who did that?" Hermione asked.
"Sharen, a woman who taught me all these things, including how to use my cane, how to talk to people, not to rock in chairs which I do love, by the way, and a lot of other things. She was the kindest person I know, second to Magic, of course." Harry said.
"Don't take offense, as I mean none, but Magic doesn't seem kind." Percy stated. "She seems quite blunt."
"She is." Harry said. "I like that, though, from her. She'll always tell me the truth in a manner that wasts no purpose. Oh yeah, Hermione, I had a question for you."
"Yes?" She prompted.
"I was talking to Ron about his family on the train, and told him I could enjoy it through him. Vicar, something." Harry said.
"Vicariously. That means you would enjoy his family through him, as you stated." Hermione said.
"Thanks." Harry replied.
"Wouldn't Magic know that?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, more than likely, but I wanted to ask you because I want to be your friend, and I thought you could give me the information. I don't want to become so isolated that I rely on Magic for everything. She understands that, and I assure you, isn't jealous. Magic, are you jealous?" Harry asked.
"No." Magic stated.
"Thanks." Hermione said emotionally. "That's... Well, it's probably one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me."
"Glad to help." Harry said, hearing a commotion further down the table. "What is happening down there, I wonder."
"It looks like the Gryffindor ghost is pulling his head partly off his neck. Disgusting, and while we're eating?" Hermione said.
"Yeah." Harry agreed.
"Oh, look, desserts!" Hermione said.
"I've still not finished eating yet." Harry said. "What's there?"
"Ice cream, pies, chocolate eclairs, jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, treacle tarts, there's a lot, probably anything you could think of." Hermione explained. "And it looks like another plate appeared above yours, too."
"Magic, would you?" Harry asked. "I'd ask you, Hermione, but it's a little easier for the moment."
"I don't mind." Hermione responded. "It's fascinating to watch Magic's movements. She's different than everyone else."
"How so?" Harry asked.
"When she reaches for something, she does so in the most efficient way possible. She doesn't waste any motion at all. For example, I might reach a little too high to be sure I'm reaching over your glass of water, here. But Magic reaches for something so that the sleeve of her robe is just barely above everything, and isn't touching it at all. Other people might shake a little bit, but she doesn't. She holds something completely steady, so nothing falls off the serving spoon, or whatever she's holding." Hermione said. "She always looks very serene, and when she looks at something or someone, she does so like she's able to remember them at a glance. How can Magic see and you can't?"
"Ask her." Harry said.
"Oh. Right." Hermione sounded a little sheepish. "Magic, how can you?"
"Your question's incomplete." Magic stated.
"You know, how can you see? Why?" Hermione asked.
"I can see as you can see, with eyes. I see because I'm aware of more than Harry, because that's what Harry wishes, and because I have optic nerves." Magic said.
"That's fascinating. I wouldn't think she could... You could see, Magic, as Harry's blind." Hermione said.
Magic didn't respond, simply turned back to gathering desserts for Harry, which were all finger foods. Harry finished eating and started in on his desserts, and as he did so, he felt a slight spike of magic and realized his dinner plate was gone, perhaps having been vanished.
"I wonder how that's done." Harry said curiously. "How they knew I was finished with that."
"Magic, my dear Watson." Hermione stated in an imitation of Sherlock Holmes.
"Okay, Sherlock. No Hermione explanation this time?" Harry asked with a grin, glad she was relaxed enough to joke with him, though suspecting that probably wouldn't last too long. Given her nature for wanting to study hard, he thought she'd probably stop that when classes started piling on more work.
"I don't actually know yet." Hermione said. "I haven't bothered to look into that, but I do know that the kitchen below us is an exact replica of the great hall, with the exception of some things that it wouldn't have. Presumably, they use a simple spell to make the pots and pans of food appear here from where they are in the kitchen."
"Hmm." Harry said to himself.
The students continued to talk to one another, and after about fifteen or twenty minutes, the desserts vanished. Everyone went silent again, so Harry assumed Professor Dumbledore was about to make another speech, hopefully longer than the last one. Harry faced him as he heard his throat clear.
"Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Harry laughed, though he was one of the few students who did. Hearing not much else but silence, Harry quickly stopped, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"He's not serious, Percy?" Harry muttered.
"Must be." Percy responded in a contemplating voice. "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere. The forest's full of dangerous beasts, everybody knows that. I do think he might have told us prefects, at least."
So, Percy was a prefect, Harry thought curiously to himself. Professor Dumbledore wasn't quite finished just yet, though.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Professor Dumbledore called. Harry barely heard the sound of something moving through the air, then felt something appear under his hand. It was a paper, he realized, with braille letters for the words to the song. At least the Headmaster was anticipating some of his needs, Harry thought with a grin.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!" Professor Dumbledore said.
Harry barely heard his own singing over the mess of every single individual, practically, singing different songs. He and Magic sang the same tune, of course, and in perfect synchronicity, though he doubted anyone heard them. The words to the song were rather strange, and they were two of the last to stop. Two people at the Gryffindor table were singing to what sounded like a slow song that Harry wasn't quite familiar with at the end, and when they reached the end of the song, Professor Dumbledore was one of the few who clapped the loudest.
"Ah, music!" He said, sounding joyful. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
Harry stood with everyone else, saying, "Hermione, want to guide me?"
"Sure." She said. "How should I best do that?"
"I'll take your right arm." He responded as he unfolded his cane. Though Hermione would lead him, he always felt a little awkward walking without his cane unfolded, unless he was in a familiar environment, small room, or walking with Magic leading him.
They walked from the great hall and entered the entrance hall, the rest of the students walking to different areas of the school around them. Harry heard the hundreds of footsteps, feeling intimidated, as he always did, by the large crowd. Before he got too far, he said, "Wait just a sec."
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Harry rose his left hand, held the compass button on his watch, then stated, "Begin map. Hogwarts. Great hall to Gryffindor dorm."
The watch beeped twice and said in a clear voice he could hear, "Map begin."
"Okay, let's go." Harry said.
"I've never heard of a watch like that before." Hermione said, sounding quite intrigued. "How does it work? Where did you get it? Is there a place you can go to get anything else you might need? What about a Brailler, what do you do in that case? Do you use a slate and stylus?"
"Hermione, calm down!" Harry chuckled as they hurried to catch up to the rest of the students. "I'll get to them one at a time, okay?"
"Okay." Hermione said, though sounded breathless, eager to learn.
"How'd you know about the Brailler and such, anyway?" He asked.
"I did a little background reading. Since I knew you'd be joining me at Hogwarts, I thought it would be a good idea to learn about things the blind use. I already knew a little, of course, but wanted to improve my knowledge." Hermione said.
"Maybe you can learn how to read Braille, and write it, too." Harry said.
"I've already started to learn the alphabet. I thought it would be helpful if I knew braille, so I could write you letters through the post if we ever became friends." Hermione said.
"I already consider you a friend, Hermione, so you're free to write me letters any time you want. So, you had questions about the watch." Harry said.
"Yes." Hermione replied. "Where did you get it?"
"It's a shop in Diagon Alley called special magical needs, or something like that. They've got all sorts of other things, too, including this cool Brailler that can also transcribe print to braille and braille to print. It runs off of magic, apparently." Harry said.
"I'd love to learn how that works." Hermione eagerly responded. "So much for me needing to learn braille."
"It's more personal if you write it in braille than print. It shows me you're actually trying to understand me." Harry said.
"I... Yeah. I'll keep learning braille, then." Hermione said, sounding emotional again, as if she was about to cry, though Harry guessed it was from joy.
Hermione asked him no more questions, and they climbed up steps and walked through corridors that Harry lost track of, glad he had his watch to map the rout for him. He yawned, tired, though still attentive to where he was going. When they stopped quite suddenly, Harry said, "Are we there?"
"No, there's walking sticks floating in mid air." Hermione responded.
Harry heard the sticks being tossed and Percy called, "Peeves! Show yourself!"
Harry heard a sound as if someone was letting the air out of a balloon.
"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?" Percy asked.
Harry heard a pop, felt some type of magic at the same moment, and Hermione gasped a little beside him.
"Oooooooh!" He said, cackling in an evil manner. "Ickle firsties! What fun!"
"Magic, make those walking sticks get him out of the way, will you?" Harry asked.
Harry then heard laughter, Peeves shouting, and the walking sticks hitting each other and moving swiftly down the corridor. He heard them clatter to the ground, then nothing but silence.
"No magic in the corridors, Mr. Potter." Percy said firmly. "As this is your first infraction, I will warn you this time."
"I'll remember that." Harry responded. "Oh, yeah, Dumbledore did say that in his speech, didn't he?"
"He did." Hermione replied, then quoted, "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."
"What are you, a tape recorder?" Harry asked.
"No, I'm Commander Data." Hermione replied, grinning.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Oh, he's from Star Trek, The Next Generation. He's an android, so he can remember everything that anyone says to him." Hermione said. "My memory isn't that perfect, but it's pretty good."
"You'll want to watch out for Peeves." Percy said after they continued on. "The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't even listen to us prefects. Here we are."
"Password?" A woman's voice asked.
"Caput Draconis." Percy responded. Harry remembered.
"It's a portrait that opens, so you'll have to step over." Hermione said as they approached.
Harry tapped it with his cane, heard the woman in the portrait gasp, then stepped through easily, Hermione behind him and Magic in front of him.
The room they entered was warm, and Harry could hear a fire crackling merrily in a fireplace. He stepped further into the room and heard Percy say, "Girls through this staircase, boys follow me."
"Goodnight, Magic and Hermione." Harry said.
"Goodnight." Magic stated.
"Night, Harry." Hermione said as he let her go and followed the boys.
Harry began walking up the steps to the boys dormitory, feeling oddly lonely without Magic by his side. It was similar to how he'd felt when Magic remained home at the Dursley's doing house work, and he went off to school. It wasn't long before he heard a series of surprised screams, though.
"Remain here." Percy said.
Harry and the others pressed themselves against the wall as Percy hurried back down the stairs.
"What happened here?" He asked.
"They just turned into a slide!" One of the girls stated.
"I wondered if this would happen." Hermione said.
"Why, exactly?" Percy asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione asked with a huff. "Magic's part of Harry, she's his magic, so of course she'd be recognized as a boy even though she looks like a girl."
"I'll have to contact Professor Dumbledore about this, I suppose. Mr. Potter, come down here, please." Percy said.
Harry did so, entering into the open room again.
"You may have a seat while I take the rest of your class mates to their dormitory. Your magic, Magic, presents a small problem that Professor McGonagall must be notified about." Percy said.
"She could stay here in the common room. Right, Magic?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Magic stated.
"She doesn't need sleep, doesn't need to change clothes, and doesn't need to shower or freshen up at all." Harry said. "She'll be fine here."
"Is that correct, Magic?" Percy asked.
"Yes." Magic responded.
"Very well, then. If both of you are sure, you may go with your class mates, Mr. Potter. I will still inform Professor McGonagall about this, however." Percy said.
"That's fine." Harry responded, heading back to the staircase.
Percy led them to their dormitory, and once inside, Harry held the compass button on the watch and said, "Stop mapping." The watch beeped twice.
"Mapping stopped." It stated.
"That's pretty cool, Harry." Neville said a little nervously.
"I've got a lot of cool goodies." Harry responded.
"This bed by the window, there's no trunk here." Ron said, confused.
"I've got mine in my pocket." Harry said, walking over to the four-poster bed. He placed his trunk at the end, then expanded it.
"I still think that's wicked." Ron said in amazement.
"You and I both." Harry replied with a grin. "Goodnight, everyone."
"Goodnight." Ron said, the others muttering their bedtime salutations. After dressing in his night clothes, Harry climbed into bed and quickly drifted off to sleep, exhausted.