Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

   START NEW GAME?

→ YES?/NO?

→ YES!!

      BEGIN!!

Chapter One

A Quiet Child

The letters to Harry had not stopped. 

They had followed them to the hotel Vernon had set them up in for the weekend. The room service had brought a whole tray of them, causing Petunia to pale and Vernon to turn purple as the employees of the hotel tittered and laughed as they walked away from the emerald writing covered letters. Petunia’s hands had fluttered over her husband’s shoulders, never touching, but soft hissing whispers to remind him that they were in public, that people could see them, that hotel walls were thin. Anything to keep his temper at least curbed so that he did not cause problems while they were out of their house. She took the letters from his hands, aware of how he had crumbled them all together.

Heedless of her sister’s son who was looking at them from the bed he had been shoved onto and told to stay, she tossed the letters into the bathroom trash can and then poured water over them so that the ink bled together – illegible except for that familiar, horribly taunting name.

Hogwarts.

As if she’d allow such filth to infest her house more than it already had. Harry with his hair that never remained short, his bruises and injuries that healed faster than any child’s should, the spawn of her freak sister and her horrid husband.

“We’re leaving. Now.” Vernon’s voice thundered and Petunia froze, turning to look at him. Even Dudley was surprised, his hands full of the food she had bought him from the lobby’s vending machine. 

“But da, we just got here!” Dudley whined. 

“Doesn’t matter.”

“But Vernon, darling, we paid and–”

“I said it doesn't matter!” The man snarled, grabbing Harry from the bed and shoving him towards the door. “Out! Everybody out!”

And that was how Petunia, Dudley, and Harry found themselves not in a pleasant enough hotel, but a shabby one bedroom, one bathroom, cabin on a rock with nothing else around them but waves and a distant shore. She stared at Harry, laying down on the dusty floor, drawing a birthday cake in the dirt. She knew everyone in the house thought she was asleep, but she was aware of what the day was. Eleven. The boy was eleven today and of course he was being hounded by those monsters. She had tried so hard to stamp out that bud of magic in him. The giant that came in to take the boy away was a blessing and a curse. A part of her wanted the boy to never return – it would be better for him. But the selfish part of her couldn’t bare to see him go. Things had been terrible but bearably with him around.

Harry knew better than to argue. Do as he was told. Don't talk back. Don't be strange,  don't be a freak. He wasn't sure how to stop but he tried. At least until the letters came, things got worse after that. His cupboard wasn't even safe anymore from his uncle's rage. Not that it was safe much anyways.

Harry had been dragged out of the house. Then out of the inn, and now to a cold damp place that left him chilled to the bone under the ratty thin blanket and his thread bare oversized clothes. And if he was cold, well then Visie was freezing. He did his best to keep him warm and hidden. When everyone had fallen asleep he moved closer to the fire, he could feel the warmth on his face.  

"Happy birthday," He muttered to himself and to Visie. 

"You make your wish? " Asked a small voice by his ear . 

"Yeah." It wouldn't come true but it was nice to pretend it would. Anything to get away from this place, and these people. He had run away so many times but each time he'd wake up back in his cupboard the next day with no memories of how he got back... Maybe he could finally do it. Get away, being on the street at least there was at least a chance to get food. He was so hungry. And a few of the mice that Visie brought him hadn’t sat well with him but... well food was food. 

A booming sound and then yelling, Visie hissed in his ear rapidly speaking, telling him what was happening around him.  A man's voice, it was loud but... kind? Very kind, and Visie liked the look of him. At least he promised not to bite him so that was all the approval Harry needed. 

He was taken by the hand and led out. 

He was free. It had to all be a dream.

Harry held on to Hagrid as they flew off. He had so many questions to ask, so many thoughts, but like always Harry knew not to ask questions. 
        

Harry struggled to keep up with Hagrid. There were so many people here, the smell of fresh bread and cakes was in the air, mixing with the scents of other things Harry couldn't even begin to identify. Visie kept him on track urging him to keep up with the large man. Hagrid wasn’t the best guide, but he was jovial and kind. Large and protective as he wandered through Diagon Alley, describing the various stores to Harry. “Ah, Madame Malkins. Last stop before we get your wand. Go ahead and head in, I’ll be out here. I’m a bit big for her store – she wouldn’t take kindly to me cramping us all in.” Hagrid laughed, patting Harry’s shoulder with his large hand before pushing the boy gently through the door. 

“One moment!” A woman’s voice called from within the depths of the store. “Hold still just a moment dear, yes, Tenere In Loco . Now don’t move and you won’t get poked. Just a moment.” A woman, squat and with rich blond hair dressed all in mauve, came around a corner wall. “Ah, another Hogwarts students? Just this way.” She waved Harry over. “I can work on two at once. Tell me, what kind of uniform would you like?”

Now in a store Harry felt nervous, he was clumsy, he always worried about knocking things over. He was directed where to go and he did his best to do as he was told. Again Visie was whispering in his ear, his bright green and black scales hidden under Harry's clothes and in his long hair.  "Oh uh what kinds are there?" He asked softly, she sounded busy and he didn't want to waste her time but he also didn't want to have the wrong thing. Just the thought of screwing up like that made his heart pound in fear. 

“I’m Madame Malkin child. Now basic uniforms come in masculine and feminine. Alterations can be made as requested by the customer or school whether for mobility or physical aides, but there are restrictions of course. We don’t allow the skirts to go too high or the shirts to show the shoulders. There’s a danger of allowing too much skin to show in a number of classes at Hogwarts. Why I remember – Oh but that would be telling my age.” She laughed, not a simpering laugh of the women who catered to Petunia, but a rich laugh that was just a bit high-pitched. “But yes, masculine or feminine. Trousers or skirts, blouses or shirts. Everything else is rather generic such as your cloak, socks, shoes. And I’ll handle all the other accompaniments, part of a Hogwarts set of course.”

She waved her wand and set tape measurers and quills and papers to work getting Harry’s measurements and then returned to Draco’s stand, unpinning him to begin doing the tailoring that had been requested. She was smart enough that now that her job was done she would be quiet and listen to the conversation flowing around her unless she needed to direct either child.

Harry liked listening to Madame Malkin, she had a good voice that sounded like the way the flowers in his aunt's garden smelled after rain.  He nodded listening intently on what she said. He knew what he was supposed to get. Anything else was... freakish. 

"Just the normal set then please," He asked politely, he didn't want to make her do more work than needed, and it wasn't like he could see himself anyways. As long as he looked normal to everyone else. From what he gathered and what Visie told him, it was a mix of modern and 1800's fashion. His aunt would hate it.  

Harry didn't like the things touching him. He didn't like it at all. But he didn't complain, that was just something he did, he knew better. 

A boy with hair so blond it was nearly white looked over, eyes drifting over Harry’s dirty clothes and mussed up hair, but he only sniffed, “Floo travel? Terrible thing really. Mother keeps saying the Leaky Cauldron should clean their fireplace more often with as much traffic as they get from students and their families.” He smiled charmingly. “Hogwarts as well then? Me as well.”

The boy next to him started to talk, and Harry nodded. He didn't like the floo either, it stank and Visie said that it burned his poor tongue.  The other boy sounded friendly and around his age, a little stuck up but Harry agreed with him, "Yeah, it was my first time using it. Kinda stinks," Harry said, turning to the other boy. 

“Stinks, yes it does carry an odor if your Floo isn’t kept clean.” The boy chuckled as though Harry had said something sensible. “First time though? Lucky. Father favors it over Apparition. Says it’s polite to give your hosts time to prepare for you.” His nose crinkled and  there was that hint of a child who was only repeating what their parents said. 

"I'm excited for school,  Hagrid was telling all about the classes there. Potions and Herbology sound like fun." He said his voice was soft but there was excitement in it. Hagrid didn't sound all that excited about those classes but Harry liked the sound of them. 

“Hagrid? That would be the groundskeeper? I hear he’s a lumbering oaf!” He exclaimed. “Were your parents unable to accompany you then?” He shook himself slightly, earning Madame Malkin’s tsk. “But Potions, right brilliant that is. Professor Snape’s the teacher for it, head of Slytherin house, friend of mum’s. He’ll be eager to have a first year interested in potions that’s for sure. Everyone else is so eager to wave their wands so he says.” Draco chuckled. “I mean – who doesn’t want to cast spells though?”

"Hagrid's really nice, he was telling me about all the animals I'll get to meet at Hogwarts. Sadly no dragons, I'd love to meet one.  I.. I have always found if you are kind to those who do the groundskeeping or the cleaning, or even just a nice lady taking notes at an office; They are kind back, and will help if you need it." His voice was small, almost apologetic as he said anything, as if he was scared to let even his voice take up too much room. Hagrid reminded him of the janitor at his old school, he would give Harry food he snuck out of the kitchens. Or turn a blind eye when Harry pulled food out of the garbage. He had been so nice.


A sniff escaped Draco, “Our housekeepers are not seen so I don’t believe I’ve ever had to be kind to them.” He murmured. “Though I suppose you were raised in a rather different household setting then mine. Few can claim a title such as the Malfoys these days.” He shrugged, attempting an elegant look. He didn’t take note at all about how quiet Harry was, simply responding without reading too much into the situation.

The boy really had been learning all from his father and not much from his mother, Malkin noted.

Harry turned unseeing, milky sea-glass green eyes at the direction of the other boy and gave him a small tiny smile. "I'm Harry, it's nice to meet you."

“Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.” He didn’t reach over to hold out his hand, stuck as he was by Madame Malkin.

"It's nice to meet you Draco." He paused for a moment, a small smile returning "I guess I've met a dragon now." He said, referring to his name. Draco. Draco. Draco. He mentally said it three times so he wouldn't forget it. "I'm excited to meet him, making potions sounds like so much fun. I want to know how everything works and why it works and ... s..sorry" A small blush came to his cheeks, he was talking too much and the boy it would seem has seen his eyes. 

A small laugh was startled out of Draco, “Oh I’m sure you’ll see all sorts of draconic imagery. It is part of the school motto. And if you’re in Slytherin our mascot is a snake, so I’m sure we have some dragon imagery around as well. If you are to be a Slytherin of course. No better house. You’ll learn how to master that art of rambling and making your words count, I hear it’s important. Mother says I still have a long way to go to learn how not to bluster but my father says I speak like a proper gentleman.” He primped and preened slightly. “Blimey, your eyes. Are you quite well?”

“He’s blind young master Malfoy.” Madame Malkin said lightly. She had clocked it when the boy had come in. “If he’s not got a spell on him to give him sensory alerts I’m sure he’s got himself an animal hidden away to aid him.”

Draco seemed stumped. “Why not have a healer heal them?”

"Oh uh," he wasn't even sure if his aunt or uncle knew he was still blind or cared. Since he got Visie he hadn't broken anything too badly. Hagrid hadn't seemed to notice either. "It can't be fixed.'' They're simple enough. and he was sure that was true, he had never heard of someone getting their sight back after losing it like he did. And he made sure not to say anything about his parents; the way people at the Pub reacted made him uncomfortable and he didn't want anymore people touching him. 

Madame Malkin gave Draco a bland look but didn’t speak for Harry. “Harry, child, do you mind holding out your arms for the tape measurer so they can get your final sizings? And do you have a preference for color or fabric?”

Harry did as he was told and opened his arms out "I remember the color green, can.. can we do green? Please ma'am? and anything soft please." He saw with his fingers and rough fabric tired them out, and left him feeling overwhelmed.

Madame Malkin nodded, and then, recalling her own observation, spoke, “Of course Harry. If you ever need any adjustments during the year send an order form by owl and we’ll get the new set updated for you.” She smiled easily. “Most order forms can be found in the owlery at Hogwarts if I recall correctly or you can ask an older student where you can find them. All of mine also come with braille for those who do not have clever or magical sight animals.” Her smile softened slightly. “They have fallen out of favor in recent years I’m afraid.”

Harry nodded slightly at the mention of having an animal to help him, “ I do... I won't get in trouble for having here will I? He just makes sure I don't fall or bump into things." He asked and then a moment later Visie slithered up through his hair to rest on top of his head. "His name is Visie," The snake hissed for a moment and Harry giggled, a light pretty sound like bells. "He's really sweet."

“I am sorry about your sight, it must be awful being unable to see.”


Harry gave Draco a small reassuring smile, "It's alright, It happened maybe 6 years ago? It doesn't bother me any more. Visie helps me a lot."  Reaching up and petting under the Boomslang's chin.

Malkin, for her credit, barely flinched when Visie came into view. “Green, we can do that. Soft as well. A new set of under garments, soft fabric all around for the uniform, and perhaps some soft weekend clothes and socks.” She nodded, making the notes on a parchment beside her with Harry’s name wrote on top. “On the topic of houses, ties and trim will be charmed at the school to match your colors depending on your sorting.”

She returned to adjusting Draco’s clothes then, sending the measuring tapes to the side once Harry’s measurements were taken and summoning a set of soft black fabric and scissors to get to work with the basic school uniform. Harry’s clothing would need to be fitted to his smaller size but for the basic cut outs the generic pattern would work. 

Draco, however, was gaping at the snake. His mouth was open in a rather improper manner and Malkin covertly covered her laugh with a cough and her hand. “No trouble here though I would keep him hidden on the streets. Not many within Diagon Alley are fans of snakes. You won’t even find them at the pet shops these days.” She murmured. “And isn’t he a beauty?” She smiled politely at Visie. And oh, Harry's laugh was soft and charming. A dear really.

"I'm sad that people don't like snakes here, my aunt doesn't either. I don't understand why, I mean he's pretty  cute or so he's told me."  Another little giggle, "He's from Africa, a snake called a Boomslang, but he won't bite, he's very friendly." He was obviously very fond of the snake around him. 

“I think he might be biased. But he is a lovely dear.” Malkin said lightly. “You know quite a bit about him indeed!”

“That’s amazing. You’ll be a Slytherin for sure!” Draco said delightedly. “Much better than a downy Hufflepuff or a bumbling Gryffindor!”

"Thank you ma'am" he said, happy to be getting so many new things and that she wasn’t upset by him having Visie with him.  He could hear the delight in Draco's voice over Visie. That made him happy to know his friend was appreciated.  Draco reminded him of one of Dudley's friends, he wasn't bad but acted like a jerk when Dudley was around. Big posturing, his daddy this, his daddy that, his family came from money, but when no one was looking he had been nice to him.  Draco reminded him of that. Not bad just a bit... inflated, but he was being nice to him. Harry hadn't had a lot of people do that.

"I think all the houses must have something good about them, yes? Can't be a top school if only one out of 4 houses did well... but Slytherin sounds nice, I love snakes and I really want to learn potions and herbology. so having the house head be the potions professor would be amazing. But I think i'd be happy to be in any house, as long as I'm there." He said opening up a little brighter.

“Hogwarts is the only school in the British Isles.” Draco said dryly, as though it was something Harry was meant to know. “Hard to be anything but the best without any competition. The Headmaster has done his best to ensure no competition I’m sure.” He sneered. “Mother and Father say he did quite a bit of campaigning to make home teaching seem unfavorable.” He blinked, looking Harry up and down. “Though – from a home like yours I can almost see the appeal of being in any house. You remind me a bit of my friend Theo….” He trailed off, looking down in thought. 

"Draco would you like to hold him?" Harry asked him unsure how to respond to what he had said about the school and the headmaster. And besides Visie was already sliding his way over to him. He was long and bright emerald with black bands between his scales.  A few scars that wouldn't ever shed out but other than that  a very healthy looking snake.

Draco’s face lit up as the snake approached him. “I’ll do my best not to harm him or drop him.” He said firmly. “If Madame Malkin agrees that I may move this much.”

“You’re done, actually, and all unpinned.” Malkin replied. “You’re free to leave when you wish.” Though she had a feeling he might not for a bit. 

Carefully, Draco moved his hand out to the snake, allowing the Boomslang to crawl onto his arm. “Hello Visie.” He said softly.

Visie made himself comfortable around Draco neck. He seemed to nuzzle himself under the boy's chin and hissed something, that made Harry giggle softly. Draco had been right though, homeschooling with his aunt and uncle would have been... not good.  Harry wondered if Theo was nice too.

 "You would actually have to do a lot in order to drop him, he's arboreal, meaning they are adapted to the trees and super strong, he can hold onto things with just the tip of his tail. it's funny though when he's mad he gets all puffed up, like a cobra but the wrong way," There was an indignant hiss, and if an unblinking snake could glare Visie would, not that Harry would see it. Harry happily but softly talked about his friend, it was safe and Draco seemed to like Visie. He just didn't want the conversation to turn back to his family. 

Harry was done as well just a few minutes later. Harry followed the sound of hissing and Visie bumped his head against Draco's cheek one last time before finding his way back into Harry's hair and under his shirt. "He likes you, I'm glad. I had better get going, Hagrid is waiting for me and I'm going to get my wand, and maybe I can get a few books too." He paused before heading out as Visie hissed something, and he hissed back at him. "It was really nice meeting you Draco,  and Visie said he wants more pets next time." And with that he silently left the store trying to find Hagrid.

Draco grinned as Visie seemed to like him. He was perfectly respectful as he should be to a symbol of their house and a magician’s seeing animal. Once he watched Visie move back to Harry, he bid them both goodbye–

Only to exchange startled looks with Madame Malkin as Harry hissed to the snake before leaving.

Well then –

That was something to inform mother and father of.

Hagrid smiled as Harry joined him outside, “Now, I figured since it was your birthday I’d get you a present besides the cake. You didn’t seem to have a way to send letters, so I got ya an owl. She’s a snowy one, she’ll serve you good.” He held the cage with the snowy white owl sleeping within. “I’m sure she’ll keep ya some company too while you wait for September first.”

He talked as they walked to Ollivander’s, a casual conversation being had with the old wandmaker who kept staring at Harry oddly. He provided him with a holly and phoenix feather wand, “For now. This will suit you for now.” He murmured, holding the box carefully after Harry had tested it. “But I see that you will need a new one before long. I will have to get to crafting.” And then he turned away.

Harry rolled the wand between his fingers. It felt heavy but in a good way. It made it feel real,
He kept thinking back to what Ollivander said, about his wand and about other things too. He wondered what he meant about crafting a wand for him. This wand was attached to the man who killed his parents and he didn’t know what he felt about that... Harry hated him, not for killing his parents... but because he left him alive to live to live with his relatives. 

Dread welled up in Harry; he hadn’t realized he had to go back to his aunt and uncle's house. He thought he was free. That he wouldn't have to return... He didn't want to go back at all. He felt Visie tighten around him in reassurance even as the snake was still cussing up a storm over the owl. Harry focused on the bird, Harry liked her, her feathers felt soft, just like her hoot. She must have sensed Visie because she nipped at his hair but made no other attempt to do anything to Visie. He didn't blame her though, Visie did call her a fat flying rat.

“Last thing I suppose is your books. I’m no good in a small space like Flourish n Blotts. I’ll get your cauldron and some other equipment of those likes. Just ask anyone in there who asks if you need assistance to help you get them books and they’ll get you set-up.” Hagrid said, making sure Harry had the school list in hand before gently pushing him towards the towering bookstore. 

Hagrid kept Hedwig with him while he was shoved at the bookstore, he wished Hagrid would stop doing that.

Head down Harry made his way into the bookstore dodging people as Visie let him know where to go, a practiced dance.  He held the list that he couldn't read in his hand, and sighed, maybe he should have said something to Hagrid but... what if he couldn't go to Hogwarts? Famous Harry Potter or not,  he knew he was a burden. 

The place was crowded, of course it was, but not as crowded as it could be. A few families and students wandered around the store, but none seemed to pay mind to the young boy with his shaggy black hair hiding his forehead and his pale green eyes.

None but a slightly lanky thirteen year old with warm brown eyes and sandy brown hair. He wandered over near Harry, his robes moving with quiet swishes. “‘Ello, are you a new Hogwarts student? I don’t recognize you at all. Not that I know all the students, but I do try to know most at least by sight.” He greeted, his voice soft and just on the edge of puberty, not quite sure if it wanted to be deep or not.

Harry was looking for any braille books or rather feeling for any but wasn't finding a darn thing, he was getting frustrated. A voice to his side made him turn his head.  A soft voice, just slightly starting to deepen. Pleasant to hear. "Hello, nice to meet you. Y-yeah It's my first year, I'm Harry," He said and thought for a moment, "Could... Could you help me? I can't find any braille books.  or is there a magic equivalent to that? Sorry to ask it just uh, don't know who to ask." As the shopkeeper was busy helping others.

“Knew it. They’re never that considerate to the new ones. Muggleborns get a teacher to accompany them, but half-bloods are supposed to fend for themselves. Doesn’t seem to occur to anyone that they might need just as much help depending on their families.” The boy shook his head. His head tilted to the side at Harry’s request though. “Braille, I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that concept. Is it a certain language or style of classes?” He ran his fingers through his hair, smiling awkwardly. “I’m afraid I’m no Ravenclaw myself, I’m not familiar with concepts outside of my interests and my own studies, though I do enjoy listening to others talk.”

He sighed, a laughing sound, “Listen to me, talking about and not following manners. This is why Da never takes me to the ministry with him.” His voice was warm though. “Cedric Diggory, and while I’m unfamiliar with this braille, if you tell me what it is I might be able to direct you to something.”

"It's nice to meet you," Another nice person! Harry was happy that there seemed to be far more nice people here than back at his aunt's home. Harry didn't know what to say to that, but it sounded like something that should be addressed.

 “Why not make school shopping like a field trip?” Mrs, Hayes loved field trips, she had been the one to be so kind to him, taught him enough about Braille to get him started so he could learn on his own. “Get all those who don't know about this place and take them all together, that way they weren't alone and lost feeling... and maybe with a teacher who could enter shops. That would be a good start.” He said softly to the boy, quietly hoping his idea wasn't stupid sounding.

"I have a teacher with me, but well, he can't fit into most of the shops so I'm on my own, in here at least. He's really nice though." The confusion crossed Harry’s face, had he really not heard of Braille? This year might be harder than he thought. Or maybe the Wizarding World called it something else?

 "Oh uh braille is how blind people read." He said, "Or at least Muggle blind people. I don't know if wizards have something different, or maybe under a different name? Or audio books? Braille books can be really expensive and kind of hard to get," Harry explained to him hoping he could help.

 “Now that’s an idea. I can think of a few of my year mates who might have benefited from that.” Cedric said brightly. “I wonder if I could broach that topic with my head of house. She’s usually willing to listen. But, seeing as your escort is lacking and I’ve bought all my books, I’d be happy to help you where I can, Harry.” His voice remained warm and cheery, cracking here and there but he didn’t seem embarrassed by it at all.  He paused, considering what Harry said, his brown eyes registering that which others had missed. The pale, almost opaque eyes and the way Harry seemed to gravitate closer to the walls than the center of the aisle. 

Harry gave him a tiny smile, pleased that he liked his idea. Harry liked that maybe he was helping others, even if it was something small. His small smile turned into something sweet and bright at the offer of help. "That would be awesome, thank you,”

Oh. Well. That would explain what Braille was. “No, we don’t have that. Most blind wizards weren’t born that way so they had an idea of reading before they lost their sight. Most textbooks can be charmed to have the ink raised so that blind witches or wizards could read with their fingers. But that wouldn’t help with pronunciation and I know some teachers are not too keen in slowing down their speeches so you can double-check how to say or spell a word.” His disdain for those teachers was clear.

“I didn't know how to read very well before I lost my sight so, raised writing wouldn't help me at all. I hope the teachers won't be upset if they have to help me a little. But I want to be able to do it all on my own. I just have to know how things will work first.” Harry told him quietly  but was still giving him that sweet small smile, he wouldn't let his lack of sight stop him from learning all he could.

 “Oh you must have been young then. I’m sorry you had to experience whatever it was that made you lose your sight.” Cedric said, a slight pink on his cheeks at the sweet and bright smile Harry was giving him.

"Oh... I was 5," He muttered but nothing more than that, he didn't like thinking about that day. It made his head hurt thinking about it, like he wasn't supposed to think about it. He had nightmares but couldn't recall what they were, only shades of green. 

 “I’m, uh, going into my fourth year but I have to admit I’m still nervous to ask certain teachers for help. Some of them aren’t so patient or kind to those who can not learn their subjects quickly enough or without help.” His lips formed a slight frown. “Not to say Hogwarts is a bad place with bad teachers. It’s just, as you get older they expect more and not everyone can deliver.”

 “I think I know someone who might be able to help though. He’s clever and really good at Charms. He might have an idea of something that could work. Or be able to direct us to someone.” He glanced around at all the people milling about before turning back to Harry. “I think I saw him in here earlier. Can I take you to him instead of walking away from you and potentially losing you as well?”

"Yeah I'll come with you, I hope your friend can help." He didn't want Visie to have to read all his books to him, that would make for one bored snake, and a bored Visie wasn't a good Visie. “I do have a seeing eye animal... but uh Madame Malkin said that he might make people uncomfortable and to keep him hidden." He said softly unsure how the other boy might take Visie, but then again most people were scared of snakes so maybe this place wasn't so different than with muggles.

“Good! I’m glad you won’t be left to get around the castle blind. It’s a big place. But if Madame Malkin told you to keep them hidden, I would. Mum says she’s one of the most politically smart outside of the ministry. Probably because of everything she overhears.” He chuckled. “I couldn’t be like that. I’m not good at secrecy and stuff. Here, uh, here’s my hand.” He offered it to Harry. He smiled as the boy very lightly put his hand in Cedric’s and he moved carefully through the crowds. He called a few hellos to other Hufflepuffs he saw, but it didn’t take long for him to pick out a tall red head huddled by the books on magical creatures.

He quietly followed the older boy, he didn't like to do that most of the time. Dudley when they were younger liked to lead him to dangerous places and leave him. It always left Harry feeling paranoid. But Visie would tell him if something was wrong. He followed and listened, good to know that Madame Malkin had given him good advice.

 “Charlie!”

The tall red head looked up from the book he was pouring over, his hand running through his short cropped hair. “Wotcha Ced?” The voice coming from the older boy was a bit more settled than Cedric’s. Not deep per say but not the softness of pre-pubescent. He glanced over Harry, his eyes lingering on the shaggy black hair before turning his attention back to his friend. 

“You’ve been hanging out with Tonks.” Cedric accused lightly before turning to gently pull Harry forward. “This is a first year Harry. He was wondering if there were any uh, Bra-lle books or audiobooks? I figured you of anyone lingering here would know if there were charms for that?” He turned slightly to Harry. “Charlie’s absolutely brill’ at charms.” There was the slightest hint of admiration in his voice as he said this, his cheeks mercifully remaining a neutral pale color.

Tilting his head as he listened to Charlie and Cedric talk for a moment, and he couldn't help but smile a little at how he said Braille. He wasn't sure exactly what Charms were, but nodded, he was sure he would learn. 

"Hello I'm Harry, It's nice to meet you." His voice was light and soft as he spoke, it was honestly too hard to speak much louder than that. "Any help would be brilliant. I'd like to be able to read and understand the books for the classes... I really don't want to fall behind or anything before I've even started. " He really hoped they had something to help him, how could a world full of magic not have something to help blind people? Besides, he wanted to start reading all he could, he liked Hagrid but he didn't have all the answers he was looking for.

Charlie rubbed the back of his neck, a considering look on his face. “Most of the time the blind are kept at their family homes. Taught by their pirate tutors. At least from my experience.” He murmured thoughtfully. “There are probably charms of some sort. I’m assuming raised letters are out or you wouldn’t be asking me.” He tapped his chin. “There’s spells for cave exploring, but Bill knows those better than me. Crypt hunter. But I think…” He turned to look at all the books around him. “You go get all the books Harry here needs, buy them, and I’ll do some research. I’ll be here, since these are the charms, and then I’ll see what we can do. How’s that sound?”

“Alright. I think we can do that. C’mon Harry.” Cedric lightly took Harry’s hand and moved around the bookstore, grabbing all the books Harry needed. When the clerk offered to shrink them down, Cedric refused and then, carrying half the stack and letting Harry carry the rest, they made their way back to Charlie who had three books open. The red head looked up when they returned.

They moved around the bookstore faster than Harry normally moved, but he was excited to hopefully have an answer to his problem. The books were heavy and that made Harry excited to know what was in them. He wanted to know everything he could about this new world.

“I hate combining spells. It is not my forte. But I think I have something for audio. It’s not too hard to enchant a book to be read to you as long as you don’t mind a generic voice and you don’t want someone specific.” Charlie started as soon as they were within earshot. “I’m no brilliant Ravenclaw, but I should be able to do that spell on your basic books without it being weak or buggering up the pronunciation.”

“And for the other books?”

Charlie pinned Cedric with a look, “Impatient.” he clicked his tongue. “I can’t find anything on this bra-ille, but I think there’s a translator that Flourish N Blotts keeps on payroll. You could see if they’re familiar with it and translate the books for a fee. My audio charm though, that will be in exchange for you showing me how to get into the Hufflepuff commons without using those stupid barrels.” 

“Deal.” Cedric agreed with a grin. “Here’s the most important books.” He placed them in front of Cedric before turning to Harry. “We can head back to the counter if you want to see if we can ask this translator for help if you want to try.”

"Thank you so much for this," Harry said, smiling at him. "I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do my class work. I hope they can make the books into braille, it's just turning the words and letters  into raised bumps that I can read with my fingers. Thank you again Charlie for helping me." He said brightly. While he hated that he had to have so much help just to get some darn books, he was happy to have found a solution.

"I live with my aunt. She's a muggle. I didn't even know I was a wizard until yesterday. So i want to get as much information as I can before school starts, " He said softly but didn't mention his uncle, how some people felt about Voldemort, was how he felt about his uncle, saying his name could bring him down on you. Hell he even felt bad for his aunt sometimes. 

Info

Welcome to the Pause screen! here we will have a point tracker so we can see how people on and off screen feel about our Harry.
The points are:
FP-Friendship Points: How good of a friend they are.
RP-Relationship Points: How Romantically interested they are
PP-Protective Points: How protective they are.
LP- Lust Points: how much they want to do the deed :3

The points are all from -100 to 100. if a stat is blank then it is at 0 or not activated yet.

The Fame/Infamy mechanic shows how the public at large and at Hogwarts feels about her.

Names will be added as they are added to the story or if something happens and they are affected "off camera"

and finally Harry's mental state and her stats regarding people. 

GAME STATS:

Fame 100/Infamy 0

Status: Unknown, Boy Who Lived