Blinding Discoveries

Author's Note: This was a story I wrote back in 2005, I decided to post it and a few other of my stories on here. Snape is OOC in this one guys. Just a warning and the grammar might suck a tad. I hope it's ok though. Enjoy.

Blinding Discoveries

Harry winced when he woke up, the pain that was radiating from his head was decidedly the worst pain he had ever felt in his life. What happened? He couldn’t really remember, he tried to sit up but winced, why were all the lights off? He laid back down on the bed he was currently in and tried to remember exactly what had happened. Then it all came back to him and his heart stopped beating.

Vernon had become quite the alcoholic lately, he wasn’t the abusive type, not to his own family at least, but Harry was damned from the beginning. It wasn’t too bad at first, Harry’s verbal abusing became worse, but Harry could live with that. But when Vernon started to hit Harry for not defending himself it started to become too much. But Harry never fought back, knowing that the minute he did all hell would break loose. No…Harry always took it, it never hurt too badly anyway…until last night…

~Flash Back~

Vernon had just consumed an entire bottle of Vodka and Harry was locked in his room hoping that his uncle wouldn’t come looking for him. His hopes were shattered however when Vernon started to beat on his door, Harry rolled his eyes and fully planned on just ignoring it. Until the door cracked and fell down, Harry’s eyes widened and he back up a little, this couldn’t be good, Vernon was drunk enough to hurt his own house…just to get to Harry.

When Vernon lunged at Harry, Harry did the first thing he could think of and grabbed his wand, he was happy to see the fear in his Uncle’s eyes at the sight of the wand and let his breath go, happy that he had successfully put his uncle off for the night, until his uncle pulled out the little gun from his pants. Harry just stood there frozen, Vernon would never…but he never got to finish the though. Vernon pulled the trigger and Harry felt immense pain in his head before he was consumed by the darkness.

~End Of Flash Back~

Harry groaned as he remembered why his head hurt so badly, but where was he now? Was he dead? He was pretty sure that the bullet had hit him somewhere in the head….”It’s good to see that you are finally up my dear boy.” He heard the voice of Albus Dumbledore and was a little frustrated when all he could make out was a very faint outline. “Turn on the lights.” Harry mumbled and he heard the sob of someone else.

“Now now Madam Pomfrey, we don’t need you crying. My dear boy, do you remember what happened?” Harry repeated back to him what he remembered and he heard a sharp intake of angry breathe. “Sir…who all is here? Can you please turn on the light?” “Me, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape are here my dear boy…I can’t turn on the light Harry…because when the bullet hit you in the side of the head, in the temple to be exact…I’m afraid I caused damage to your sight.” Harry didn’t know what to do, the shock ran through his body and ice cold panic flooded his veins.

“Do…. do you mean I’m blind sir?” Harry asked softly and he felt the reassuring hand of Albus on his shoulder. “Yes my boy…you are….” Harry flung the hand up and scrambled out of bed. He could make out the outlines of everyone’s body, they were gray in the heavy darkness and when one of them went for him he flung his wand at them. “Stay back Snape!” Harry snapped and the body stopped moving. “How did you…” “I can see outlines…. very faint gray outlines…. your form doesn’t look like Dumbledore’s or Pomfrey’s for that matter.” He saw the gray outline’s head move in a nod and then Harry tensed again.

“I can’t be blind Sir…I have to fight Voldemort…how am I going to fight him when I can’t see…” Harry felt his knees give out and he was slightly happy to feel the strong hands catch him from hitting the floor. “Don’t worry about that right now Mr. Potter…worry about adapting to your new disability…” Snape’s voice was close to his ear and Harry couldn’t help but lean into his embrace. “When do I go back to the Dursley’s?” Harry asked and he was taken aback by the growl. “I will die before you go back there child…. they have hurt you….” He was touched by the concern in Snape’s voice and suddenly felt very tired. “Why do you care?” He mumbled and Snape’s hold on him tightened. “I never wanted you hurt Harry.”

When he heard the reassuring words he let himself fall into a peaceful slumber, slightly hoping that those arms wouldn’t stop holding him.

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Harry woke up and was dismayed when he saw the darkness again. His breaths started to come in quick sharp gasps, he couldn’t stand it, he wanted to see again, and he felt vulnerable without his vision. Warm strong arms quickly encircled him. “It’s ok Harry, I’m here.” Harry was shocked to hear the voice of Snape. “I’m scared Professor…” Harry said quietly and he felt soft lips brush against his forehead. “It’s ok Harry, nothing will happen to you, tomorrow morning we will start helping you learn how to get around, but for now you need to rest.”

Harry nodded slowly and couldn’t help but snuggle into the warmth of the body and drift into a deep sleep.

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The next week went by slowly for Harry and Harry was confused by the sudden father like attitude that Snape had for him. Snape had insisted that he called him Severus outside of school and stayed with him at all times. Harry was happy, he had wanted someone to care about him for so long, and now Severus was, he felt like he finally had a father. He chuckled when he thought of his own father rolling over in his grave. Which Severus assured him he would do if he ever saw Severus and Harry getting along so well.

Harry however was getting rather good at getting around without anyone’s help, and to the dismay of Severus was covering up his emotions behind a rather good Slytherin mask to prepare for school. Severus didn’t really understand it, Harry had always been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, he was as easy to read as an open book, until lately, and Severus was starting to feel as if he never knew what the Gryffindor was thinking.

Finally, a week before school started Severus cornered Harry and forced him to sit down and talk. “What do you want to talk about Sev?” Harry asked quietly and Severus felt his heart reach out to the boy, the boy that he had treated so harshly for the past 5 years. “What’s wrong Harry? You are hiding how you feel behind a rather good mask. Why? You have never been one to do that.” Severus saw Harry tense a little. “If I have it my way sir…. no one will know that I am blind, I have already asked the staff to keep it silent, and I am putting my emotion’s behind the ‘mask’ as you put it, because I don’t want anyone to figure out that I’m blind…I don’t want their pity.” Harry spat the words out and he saw the outline of Severus’ hand reach for him and then drop.

“As long as you know you can always talk to me Harry, I will make it no secret that I no longer have hard feelings for you. Even though, I will respect your wishes and not tell anyone that you are blind…even though it would’ve made it easier for you to do better in Potions.” Harry scoffed and Severus rolled his eyes, “You know damn well that I have been doing better in Potions since I’ve lost my sight Sev.” Severus laughed softly, “Language Harry, and yes, as funny as it is, you are doing *much* better now that you can’t see the ingredients.” They both laughed and Severus couldn’t imagine how he had ever been so harsh toward Harry.

Harry stood up and stretched, “Well Sev, I am going to go to Diagon Alley, I need to get all of my supplies and stuff.” Severus heard the unasked invitation from the boy and smiled softly, “I am going to have to go with you Harry, you know you can’t be left alone, Voldemort will come and get you the moment you leave, and no, it’s not because your blind, it’s because he wants you.” Harry rolled his eyes. His beautiful green eyes that looked exactly the same they ever did…. besides the fact that they never blinked.

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Harry sat at the Gryffindor table slightly nervous, he had been reassured all day that you couldn’t tell he was blind, he acted the same, besides he cold indifference. Severus reminded him if anything got too much that his rooms were always open, no matter where he was, and he was given the password. Harry was very fond of the new relationship he had with the potion’s master, and he had no doubt that everyone else would be surprised, if not horrified.

The sudden noise of the students arriving almost overwhelmed him. “Harry!” He heard Hermione’s voice and felt her hug around him. “Harry you look positively wonderful! How do you like my new hair cut?” Harry felt the first pang of sadness surge through him and he smiled. “It looks great Hermione.” He was rewarded by a kiss on the check and then another firm hug took him off guard. He was a little disoriented he realized, there were too many outlines, it was going to be a lot more harder then he first thought. “I can’t believe you couldn’t come over to the burrow this summer mate! But am I sure glad to see that you’re alright!” Harry laughed and hugged Ron back a little.

“Well well well, if it isn’t Potty and his little friends.” Harry rolled his eyes at the drawl and turned his head to where he suspected Draco to be. “What do you want Malfoy?” Harry asked trying not to grin like mad, he hated to admit it, but he had missed Draco. “Truthfully I just wanted to see if you were alright Potter.” Harry was confused at the slight concern in Draco’s voice and then his heart started to beat quickly. “What do you mean Malfoy?” Harry asked, quickly sliding behind his mask.

“My father works at the ministry Harry…they keep files on blind wizards…. you’re in danger.” Harry heard the audible gasp from the surrounded Gryffindor’s and Harry hung his head in shame. “I was trying to not let anyone know Draco.” Harry said slightly broken and Draco felt a pang of regret. “I had to tell you that you were in trouble didn’t I? I was going to tell Dumbledore after the feast, but I just figured you would want to know as well…. my father is…concerned for your safety as well…. incase no one caught the newspaper…. my family has gone…light.” Harry caught the slight distaste at the wording and smiled slightly.

“Thank you for your concern Draco.” Harry mumbled and sat down. He felt Draco retreating and all of a sudden he felt someone grab his face. He was looking into one of the gray outlines, but to his dismay he couldn’t tell who it was. “He was lying right Harry?” Hermione’s voice rang out and Harry bit his lip, “No ’mione…I was blinded at the beginning of the summer…. I was going to try and act like nothing changed….” He felt someone hit him softly but firmly in the back of the head. “What the hell would you do that for Harry!” Harry stood up quickly and glared angrily at the closest outline.

“I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO PITY ME.” He shouted and blushed when he realized he had shouted it. He heard the scrap of a chair above him and new that Severus was rushing toward him. “Why do you imbeciles always seem to make him mad.” He heard the anger in the voice of Severus. “Please Professor…it’s ok…I’m not hungry though…I think I am going to go to sleep.” He felt the gentle caress of Severus’ hand against his shoulder and he smiled at him. “Don’t be mean to them ok? Just…explain to them…” Harry walked out of the great hall, knowing that everyone was watching him. He went up to his dorms and buried himself under his covers and didn’t bother to fight back the tears.

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Severus Snape motioned for Ron, Hermione, and surprisingly enough Draco to follow him. They walked after him, a feeling of dread building in their chests. Severus ushered them into his office and closed the door calmly before rounding on them with anger all but streaming from his body. “YOU INCOLENT FOOLS! DOES NO ONE STOP TO THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE THEY SPEAK!” Ron and Hermione winced and looked down while Draco cocked his head curiously. “Mr. Potter has been through a very hard time this summer, his uncle became…inebriated(this word was spat) and shot Harry, the bullet entered in his right temple and stopped around the ending of his left. Harry would be dead if it weren’t for the wards that were put on him to tell us if he were in danger. But sadly enough we could *not* save his vision, even though we are currently looking for ways to repair it. Mr. Potter didn’t want anyone to know (he looked at Malfoy at this) and we should’ve been informed before you went and did the ‘noble’ thing Mr. Malfoy.” Ron and Hermione were shocked that Snape was yelling at Malfoy because of Harry.

“I’m sorry Professor, I was concerned about Harry and wanted to make sure he was alright, I probably should’ve stopped when he all acted as if he didn’t know what I was talking about, but I was afraid that I wasn’t thinking clearly.” “20 points from Slytherin Mr. Malfoy. I would advise you to think more clearly from now on! Even though I will reward you 5 points for trying to do the gracious thing and another 5 for having enough guts to turn away from the dark lord.” Hermione rolled her eyes; only Snape would take 20 points off, only to give 10 back. “Professor Snape…Sir…. no offense…but why are you all of a sudden so…. concerned about Harry’s…. well being and stuff…. just last year…you were ya know…. giving him…. hell.” Hermione rolled her eyes mentally when she heard the stammered sentence from Ron and waited for the inevitable and unreasonable amount of points that Gryffindor would loose because of it.

“2 points from Gryffindor for your bad choice of words Mr. Weasley. Yes I will admit that last year…I was rather harsh on Harry, but as new things have come to light, as in the horrible treatment he has been getting from his family (this word was spat out as well) I could not help but…. become fond of him…. he is as Slytherin as you Malfoy, and if I had my way he would be re-sorted.” Snape ignored the angry noises from the Gryffindor’s and turned on them again. “Harry agrees with me on this, he says that he is very much like a Slytherin, but that he is too comfortable in the house he is in right now to move.” He was amused by the relief in Ron and Hermione’s eyes, and even more so at the disappointment in Draco’s.

“This however doesn’t mean that all of you can’t befriend each other. Harry is a very forgiving person, and you have done nothing too bad to him Draco, he would forgive you and befriend you. You should take his hand in friendship…Harry Potter is quite possibly the most powerful wizard alive right now.” The room echoed as everyone let those words sink in, and Hermione thought about asking why Snape would think so, before deciding to ask Harry later. “Yes sir, I will apologize to Harry as soon as I get the opportunity and ask for his friendship, the rivalry we had was all because of my father’s old alliances…. all of that has changed now…as I hope mine and Harry’s relationship will.”

Severus nodded and then gestured to the door, “Go and enjoy yourselves…. and don’t bother Harry tonight.” He said and glared at Ron. Ron blushed and nodded and they all filed out slowly, leaving a slightly worried Severus Snape. He thought about going to check on Harry, but quickly decided against it…knowing that he would want to be alone.

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This is the new betad (I dunno if you spell it like that) chapter, You have Zefie (My new beta) to thank for this. SO THANK HER! bwhahaha and review, and read, but more importantly review! hehe, eternus.caries@gmail.com