I do not own anything. I'm just translating a great story. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to Brigichan who asked me to write down an e-mail address: tbwtpbe et hotmail .com

But please review. I'll pass on your reviews too.

My Beta reader, Makurayami Ookami fixed THIS chapter.

So the chapter… enjoy!

THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 1 – Waiting (part 1)

There was dead silence in the kitchen. The Dursley's listened to the monologue as if they forgot how to breathe. But Harry's last sentence was like a slap in the face.

Uncle Vernon stood up with trembling knees.

"So you…you mean that… someone like you… will come… here?"

"I didn't promise anything in advance. I need your consent; after all, this is your house."

"And you want to use magic here?" Harry bit his lip. "In this decent house? " Said Uncle Vernon in a greater volume, when he saw his nephew not saying anything. "Do you want to utterly ruin our good reputation?"

"The neighbors would see nothing." Harry blurted out desperately. He never would have thought that he would have to beg the Dursley's. "We would be in the house the entire time. You wouldn't notice anything, I promise."

Aunt Petunia got up too. "And how do you think we will support another free-loader like you? For there are more than two months left until school starts. It would be a great addition for us!"

Harry knew that Uncle Vernon's salary would be more than enough to feed one more person, but he did not say anything.

"But you know that I work. I help Mr. Gus every morning to deliver milk on five streets, and three times a week I help delivering newspapers too. Out of the money I earn you can feed him." Aunt Petunia recoiled in surprise. Harry seized the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot. "Professor Snape knew my mother, Aunt Petunia. And… he knew my father too. But that's not the point. Please, it's very important, and not just for me."

Uncle Vernon had blown out in anger. "So," he threatened with shaking fists, "so over the summer… you've been planning this, huh?"

"I…" Harry began.

"You overtax our goodwill again! Petunia takes care of you and that's your gratitude!" The mention of her sister made Petunia even paler. She glanced at her husband who watched with narrowed eyes. "And what would that freak… teach you?" He couldn't say 'wizard'.

"He," said Harry surprised, "would teach me how to close my mind from Voldemort. Because Voldemort can penetrate other people's thoughts and he can use the information in his own interest. With this method… he could ambush me." He felt it useless to tell the Dursley's more about Occlumency, maybe they would get the point without further explanation.

After he finished speaking, he looked at his aunt and uncle questioningly. They immersed themselves in staring at each other. Finally, Uncle Vernon pulled his family into the living room, slammed the door shut behind him, and everyone began shouting.

Harry felt wretched. His stomach, with all that was inside, shrunk. 'It won't work… They won't let it…'

He was playing with the letter and waited for the first tears to run down his cheek. But then the murmur in the living room stopped. Harry looked up when the door opened. Uncle Vernon came out followed by his family. Harry stood up and to be sure, acted confidant.

His uncle pointed toward him menacingly with his finger.

"Alright, boy! Your teacher can come!" Harry's face reflected sincere joy. "But just because if he trains you well… you can protect us from Vol… Vol… that monster. Nothing can happen to Dudley, understood? If something happens… I'm going to kill you!" Harry nodded his head violently, but he could not help smiling. "He can live in the guest room. We don't use it often anyway…"

Aunt Petunia snorted loudly, indicating that she did not like the idea of cleaning the room, but she nodded. Harry was about to rush out of the kitchen with joy but he glanced gratefully to his aunt.

"Thank you," he murmured softly "I'll send the letter now."

"Now? But it's night time." Uncle Vernon blurted out.

"Not like that. With an owl," said Harry softly. "I don't know his address, but Hedwig, my owl will find him."

"Go," was all he said.

Harry jumped up and ran up the stairs. He burst into his room and went to Hedwig who was waiting impatiently for her master to let her out.

"Come here, Hedwig!" said Harry smiling while stroking the bird. "What beautiful feathers you have." He praised her graciously. "Look, I have a very important letter that you have to deliver to Professor Snape. You know who that is, right? Right." He grinned when the bird nodded. "You can only give it to him, understand? You can't let anyone read it beside him. And wait for his answer. Here!" He gave the letter to the owl. "Be careful! And behave!"

The snowy white owl left through the window, and Harry looked after her for a long time even though he couldn't see her anymore.

The following days went by with tense waiting. The Dursley's questioned their foster son about the teacher's answer every day, but Harry could say nothing.

On the morning of the forth day he himself became a little desperate. Is Snape that angry because he watched his memories? But… after being caught in Umbridge's office, Snape had acted immediately and informed the members of the Order about Harry's new vision. In fact, he tried to protect Black with not letting him leave the house, because he knew that this was how they wanted to lure him out of his hiding place. If he hated him, he wouldn't have done this, right?

Filled with doubts he got out of bed. He was cleaning his teeth when a white feather ball appeared in the window.

"Medwik!" He shouted with his mouth full as he caught the bird. The owl hooted in protest against the embrace, and she tapped the head of her master with her beak. "Oh, I love you so much!" He took the toothbrush out of his mouth. "There you are! Did you give him the letter? Did he write back?" He bombed the bird with his questions.

Hedwig, being the intelligent bird she was straightened herself, and gracefully lifted her right leg on which hung an envelope.

Harry took the letter with shaking hands. It was addressed to him. On the back a blue wax sealed the envelope. He recognized Snape's handwriting. He tore open the envelope, but before he read the letter, he looked at Hedwig again.

"What mood was he in? Was he angry? Or nice? Was he mad? Say something!" But the owl just stared blankly with her beautiful eyes. Harry opened the parchment and eagerly began to read.

Dear Mr. Potter!

Mr. Potter! Harry groaned. This doesn't sound promising. It is true that Snape never called him by his first name. He sighed and continued to read.

Dear Mr. Potter!

I was surprised upon receiving your long, but meaningful letter. I can see that you were able to eliminate the expense of your injured pride, and finally realized what you need to do. This is the first wise decision made by you in a long time. I considered your offer and have decided to accept it. I am willing to continue teaching you Occlumency, provided you follow my instructions precisely. Headmaster Dumbledore gave you his blessings. He also obtained permission for you to use magic during the holiday.

I will be arriving on Saturday morning at eleven o'clock.

Severus Snape

Harry sat on the edge of his bed. Short. Brief. Diplomatic. Somehow he had hoped for something more after the frank and revealing letter he wrote. Yet he was relieved, he would come. And the answer was late because Snape wanted to ask for permission from Dumbledore. So the Headmaster knows about his intention…

And on Saturday! He had only one and a half days left until then.

He went to the table, wrote a note for the Dursley's, and put it on the refrigerator with a magnet from the kitchen. Then he tied a thin sweater around his waist and stepped out of the house. He had to deliver milk on five streets before five o'clock.

Hours later, he walked home tiredly. He was exhausted from carrying heavy objects. His shoulders became red because of the sun, and he was dirty and sweaty all over.

Since he never got his own clothes he always used the ones his cousin got bored of. It was quite unpleasant because Dudley was very big. It was like wearing a sack, and the wizard boy had started to be ashamed of it. One day, when he was wiping the dust in the living room, he watched in secret as his aunt was sewing the hole on her son's torn shirt. He was watching so hard that he almost crushed a precious vase, but fortunately caught it in time. When Aunt Petunia left the room he picked up the few rolls of thread, a few needles from a heart-shaped pincushion and with scissors he put them in his pocket. Upstairs in his room he took out his 'own' clothes and started to look them over. His eyes caught one, a pale green shirt which was burned with a cigarette by Dudley. He had told his parents about it. He said it was a spark from a campfire that made the damage. His parents believed him. However, Harry knew that it had happened when Dudley started smoking and he wasn't paying attention. He took the scissors and cut down the redundant parts. It was not a demanding job, and when he picked it up he still had a feeling that he sees an oversized poncho. The shirt was too large for his skinny upper body, it needed some design. When he finished with the cutting he took the needle excitedly which stabbed his finger. He immediately grabbed his hand and started shaking it, then he put it in his mouth, but a large drop of blood made its way out of the end of his finger. He watched with tremulous eyes the battle damage, and glared at the cause of the damage. He cursed himself that he did not steal a thimble too from Aunt Petunia. But he did not have time to rummage among the sewing things. He was afraid of being caught.

He went to the needle again and approached the daunting object, and now more adept at it, he touched it again. He picked a long green thread from the coil, and attempted to get it in the needle. He did it so slowly and with so much attention, that he was biting his tongue to focus. He tried it once, twice. Slowly and quickly. With precise and tricky wrist movements, but also fiercely. After failing a few times he was stabbing the thread in the hole with trembling hand. With lips trembling in rage, he threw everything away, and folded his hands in front of his chest. He was watching the needle in the sunshine, the tread and the torn t-shirt. He scratched his side and climbed to the needle on all fours. Stopping on his knee he bit down the end of the thread and used what was left of it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and tried to relax. He managed to do it on the first attempt. He quickly made a knot so he wouldn't have to do it again. He started to sew with the movement he saw Aunt Petunia doing it. Within a few minutes, when he made a snag the third time, he began to lose patience. The only motivation was that when he is finished he would have clothes that fit him. So half an hour later with a lot of suffering he was done with the converting of the green shirt. He raised it triumphantly in the air and quickly tried it on. He was very proud of himself. In a few days he converted almost all of his shirts to fit him.

When he arrived home Friday morning after work, he took of his t-shirt in disgust. It smelled because of the sweat. He ran upstairs and threw it in the sink, then picked up a clean one. He took out a small envelope from his pocket. Mr. Gus, the milkman gave him his weekly salary, and he received his salary for the newspaper delivering too. Not much, he thought, despite the fact that he promised it to be enough to cover the costs. With a sigh he started down to the kitchen, where Aunt Petunia was making lunch, if not enjoying her favorite entertainment, watching her neighbors. The lady turned around when Harry stepped in and gave him a suspicious look. Harry tried to make an encouraging smile, but his aunt only frowned.

"I… " he started a little tentatively "…I got my money and I thought I'd give you. As promised…"

Petunia's eyes sparkled interestingly. She looked at Harry, his green eyes, the lightning shaped scar, the reddened shoulders. Then her eyes stopped on the boys torn clothes. "I was right. You stole my sewing things…"

Harry turned white and swallowed. "I'll give it back, I just used it a little." He tried to apologize. His aunt, however, made a snort like sigh. "Keep your money. And buy some clothes. Your teacher might think we treat you badly…"

The boy's eyes widened. "Are you… serious? I can buy clothes? I…" he looked at the envelope. "Thank you, Aunt Petunia!" He smiled gratefully.

He was so happy when he left the house. He gripped the envelope tightly with the money in it as he ran through the streets. He soon arrived at a small shopping district. He stopped here to catch his breath. Relying on his knees with his hands he briskly plucked the air, and then he looked up.

He could see parents everywhere, and young kids, as they made their way into one of the shops. Some of them already had a few bags with the stuff they bought. Others were trying to find what they came here for.

His heart began hammering wildly, just like when he was at Diagon Alley. He rarely got to go with the Dursley's to buy clothes. They mostly bought underwear and a black outfit that he could wear for a funeral if it was necessary. And he never got the chance to go shopping alone, so he was terribly excited. He did not even know what to buy and how much things cost. He knew more about the prices in the magical world than the Muggle world. But he vowed not to spend his money on stupid things. After all, he worked hard for it. He would buy clothes, which are useful, cheap, and that he likes too.

He began to study the windows to be clear about the prices. He noticed that there were great differences between stores. The one's that sold products that won't lose their color, asked for huge amounts of money. Among them were nice ones too. He thought the cheaper ones must be worse. Then he began to think. His place is in the magical world, he spends most of his time there. He stays with the Muggles when the school year ends. This period is almost negligible. It would be unnecessary to buy expensive clothes. He would be satisfied with the cheaper clothes. And he would be happy with them too.

So he went into a cheaper shop and took a basket, seeing that every customer does. He started towards the men's clothing department, and watched the other kids choosing their clothes. He did as they did. He found some nice T-shirts, despite the fact that some of them were very far from his taste. He took them in his basket and went to try them on. He seemed to choose right, because almost all of it was good. One of the red T-shirts was very good with his green eyes, as well as the green and black T-shirts. He just needed a white one and then he could go find a few trousers. He could use a pair of new shoes too. The ones he were wearing were good for work, but he still needed one to go out in.

Harry happily exited the shop after he paid. He still had more than half of his money, so he went to find a shop where he could buy jeans. He found one, and when he entered he felt like when he went to buy his wand. There were so many of them with different shapes, sizes and colors. He didn't even know where to start. He saw that most people bought the blue ones, so he went to find those too. He found six jeans to try on. Finally he chose a dark blue. He was watching himself in the mirror when he started to stare at his own glasses. With his normal clothes, he started to look ridiculous. He felt very childish with them. He took it off to look at himself. It was a bad idea, because he couldn't see without them. He couldn't see anything but he still felt more mature. With a sigh, he put the glasses back on and went to pay.

After finding some nice boots, he started walking on the streets. He had enough money left for an ice cream or a coke. Harry found a small crowd in the middle of a small square. He sat on the edge of a nearby fountain. He heard clapping and someone was celebrating something. He wanted to see what happened. He saw a wheel with different flashing labels, and a guy in a suit with a microphone. He had papers in his hand and he read something from them. Beside him was a white clad hostess with a glass adhered full of white papers.

"Test your knowledge! If you answer correctly you'll get a cash prize! " yelled the man in suits.

Harry shrugged. He walked closer, and he found himself in the first row. He watched the wheel.

"Maybe you, young man! Would you like to try?" said the man with the microphone.

Harry gasped in surprise.

"Well?

"Well… yes," he said finally, when he saw that all eyes were on him.

"Well, you can draw one!" snapped the presenter.

"What and where?"

"A paper from the bottle!"

Harry looked at the charming hostess. It was not hard to figure out that she was not here because of her brain, but because of her appearance. He dug in and took out a paper.

Herbs.

That's what was written on it.

"Herbs." He cried. He locked at his notes. "Let's see the question! Listen… uh…"

"Potter. Harry Potter."

"Well, Mr. Potter, here is your question: What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Harry grinned widely. He could answer that question if he'd just woken up.

"The two are one and the same. It's called Aconitum in Latin."

The man in suit looked surprised first, and then looked at the hostess. She just shrugged, so the man began to browse the papers.

"The answer is correct!" He yelled. "Applaud the young man!" The bystanders began cheering and clapping. "Now, Mr. Potter, spin the wheel of fortune!"

"This one?"

The man nodded. Harry, clutching his packages, stepped closer, swallowed and spun the wheel. He didn't expect anything because he had little chance to win. To his surprise, the wheel stopped at "Special Award".

"Special award! Congratulations!"

"What is the special award?" He asked softly.

"Cash! A hundred pounds!"

"How much?" Harry asked surprised.

"Indeed, a hundred! Our hostess is bringing it already. Congratulations!" The man shook his hand. Harry got his prize in an envelope. For one correct answer! It was worth remembering Snape's questions from his very first Potion lesson.

Quickly he hid the money and ran out of the crowd. 'A hundred pounds! What am I going to do with this much money?'

First, he decided to buy a little refreshment, after such a happy day. So he sat down on the terrace of an ice cream shop and ordered an ice cream. His bags rested in a chair next to him, and he enjoyed the sunshine. 'What to do with the money?' He was preoccupied with this question. It would be silly to go to an expensive store and buy new clothes. He needed something more useful.

He saw ophthalmology on the other side of the street. The shop proudly proclaimed: "Order a couple of contact lenses from us and we give you sunglasses as a gift!"

"C…Contact lens…?" He frowned.

He was thinking. If he got rid of the glasses, he would look less like his father. Sirius would definitely not approve it.

'Sirius…'

'Be a man, Harry. You're not a small child anymore. Decide at last! You don't want to be famous because of your name, and not because you look so much like your father. You want to be recognized because of yourself. You want people to acknowledge your merits. If all you need is a pair of contact lenses, than you know what you have to do…'

He did not stand in front of the shop for long. He was a little timid, but he went into the shop. There was a sweet-faced doctor waiting. The woman smiled at him.

"Good morning." said Harry politely.

"Good morning. How may I help you?"

"I saw the window and the sales…"

"The contact lens? Oh yes! Do you want contact lenses?"

"I think so. I've never had contact lenses…"

"Are you registered?" Harry shook his head in denial. "Oh. And… aren't your parents with you?"

"I'm an orphan. I don't have parents."

"Oh. "said the doctor surprised. "Well, come on and I will record your data."

Sitting in front of a computer, the woman asked a few questions: names of his parents, his birthday, she asked for his Muggle ID card, which contained the required information.

"Now let's see your eyes, Harry!" He sat down in front of a structure. "No need to be afraid! It'll last for only a few moments!" The machined worked quietly over Harry's eyes, while the boy's palms began to sweat with excitement. "That's it, we're done! The machine determines what lenses would be needed. While the data is being analyzed, I can give you a catalog to look at."

Harry settled near a small table and began to read the different leaflets. He looked at the prices as well, because he had to determine whether he had enough money to buy the lenses. He figured he could buy one. That was somewhat reassuring.

"Well," the doctor began, "you really need to change your glasses. Your eyesight is worse, because you didn't use the right glasses. But it can be corrected with the right contact lenses. Are you sure you want this?" Harry was becoming more and more optimistic, so he nodded with a smile. It convinced the woman.

"Alright! Come with me, please! We received goods the day before yesterday, so you might not have to wait, and I can instantly give you a few. Let's see…" She wrote something on the computer. "Oh, yes. You're lucky. This is the last pair. Nancy, please bring me this from the stock?" She gave a paper to his blonde assistant. She smiled, nodded and went to find it. "Tell me, Harry, do you know how to use the lenses?"

"Not really…"

"No problem, Nancy and I will explain it to you. Take you old glasses off, please."

The boy obeyed. He saw two large spots; he assumed the assistant had returned. There was something in the doctor's hand. Harry couldn't make out what she was doing. She put something on her fingertip and slowly approached his eyes. He retreated instinctively, but then Nancy took his shoulder.

"Don't worry," she said kindly "it won't hurt. Just don't move."

Harry froze. The doctor's hand was right in front of his eye, and for a brief moment he thought she wanted to poke his eye. But then she gently pulled apart his eyelids and inserted a cold and soft thing in his eye. Immediately he had to blink, and a few tears came out. When he opened his eye, he saw crystal clear.

"So? " asked the doctor smiling.

"Won't… this fall out? When I'm jumping or something like that?"

"No, don't worry. Do you want to try to put in the other one by yourself? After all, you need to learn it."

"Ok.

"Nancy, please!" The assistant cleaned Harry's hands not to get dirt in his eye. "Here is the other lens in this small white case. The top must be screwed back all the time. There is cleaning fluid in it and you can carry them without causing any damage. Take the lens out of the case; put it on your fingertip. That's it! Take it closer to your eye and with the other hand pull apart your eyelids. Well done. Now put the lens on its place. Do not fear! That's it!" She rejoiced when she saw that Harry succeeded. "Blink a couple of times! Are you okay? Can you see? All clear?"

Harry nodded happily, and looked around in the shop. He hadn't seen this clearly in a while. He didn't feel anything, like the lenses weren't even there.

The doctor said that he could keep them in there; he does not need to take them out now. At least he'll get used to them. While he paid, they explained how to clean, how often he will have to take them out, and they gave him a bottle of cleaning fluid. Meanwhile, Nancy withdrew and returned with a small stand.

"Chose your sunglasses too, Harry!"

He almost forgot that he also received a free pair of sunglasses too.

"I… I don't know what would look good on me."

"Let's see… Your eyes are green… Perhaps a pale red or orange. That's it, look! Nancy, please get me a mirror!"

He saw himself in the mirror. It was weird wearing the bright colored glasses, but it suited him perfectly, so he chose that. When he took off the sunglasses, he stared at himself surprised. He looked more mature without his glasses. He leaned closer to the mirror to see himself. His heart was beating loudly. It will be easier to play Quidditch this way. It won't so hard to see while raining. This will be good, he thought happily.

He said goodbye and left the salon. His whole body was shaking. He went home quickly to look at himself again.

When he turned to Privet Drive he couldn't breathe for a minute. What will the Dursley's say? They would probably be curious about how he got the money for such an expensive thing. And if they found out that he won and didn't buy them anything, they would be angry.

While he hesitated, he saw Aunt Petunia's face through the open window, and their eyes met. Harry thought it was better to go in. His aunt was waiting in the hallway.

"Where are you glasses? Did you lose it? Do you know how expensive…"

"Here they are." said Harry and took it out of his bag. "I… don't need it anymore. I have… contact lenses…"

"You have what?" Petunia snapped. She eyed him suspiciously for a moment. "Where did you get the money for such a thing? Did you steal it? Or did you lie to us, and had more money than what you wanted to give me in the morning?"

"No, of course not! In the city… there was a prize game …had to answer a question, and I could win… and I've tried… and I won. And I used the money to buy these."

His aunt looked at him. Then she turned and went back to the kitchen. "Anyway, I hated those glasses. It reminded me of your father."

Harry's face lit up. "You're not angry?

He did not receive an answer but he figured it couldn't be wrong. Relieved, he went up to his room. He unpacked his new clothes and admired them all as he spread them out on the bed. Perhaps for the first time, he felt happy being here at Privet Drive.

Thank you for reading. Review please! It was the first part of the first chapter. It took me a good 6 hours to translate this. Sorry for the mistakes. I think my eyes will fall out. I'll try to update soon.

In the next chapter: Snape will eventually arrive… what will it be like? You'll see!

Bye

Hermina