Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

A/N: Well here I am again. Still no internet access. Thank heavens my muse/beta lives here!

It's nice to be appreciated!

Annoying, isn't she?

:b

Anyway, this chapter is still pretty copycatish. I promise chapter five will be different! I just have to do it this way to get to the point I want.

Yeah, the point at which you can torture Harry.

Yes! I am the evil author! Now hush. Enjoy the show everyone!

The last month at the orphanage passed quickly for Harry. He read every book he'd bought, except for Magical Drafts and Potions, at least once, and he read the gardening and herbology ones many times over. He just wished that he dared to get one of the other orphans to read the potions text to him, but he was certain that wouldn't be a good idea for some reason.

The last day of August Harry spent packing up all of his new belongings and his type writers. Jack had told him he'd need to buy a new ribbon for the English one, but the parchment that the school used would stand up to the Braille writer with ease. One had to use high quality paper in a Braille writer because it worked by punching the patterns into the paper. If it was to flimsy, the paper would tear, but parchment wouldn't have any problems. Harry'd already made sure by flattening out the parchment envelope from his first Hogwarts letter and running it through the writer.

Harry couldn't sleep that night. He was too nervous and excited. He figured he might catch a few winks on the train. Since they didn't have any classes this first day, he didn't think it would be a problem if he hadn't slept. He'd already remembered to reset Rudy's bear, and he knew it would protect everyone until Rudy was old enough to do it himself. It felt strange, like he was choosing an heir or something, but it also felt right.

Harry felt something crawling around on the foot of his bed around four in the morning. He wasn't too surprised to feel the scales of a snake's belly soon after as Richard slithered up toward Harry's head. "What are you doing in here, Richard? Do you want someone to see you and freak out?"

The snake hissed in a reptilian chuckle. "No, I didn't plan on it. That's why I'm up so bloody early in the morning. I didn't want you slipping away from me without getting a chance to talk to you. I want to go with you to this school."

"I don't think they allow snakes, Richard."

Richard flicked his tongue. "So I sneak in. I saw those robes you bought. They have huge pockets and they're billowy enough to hide anything of weight that might be in them. Plus they're black, which will help. Come on, Harry. I'm still young! I want to travel, see things no other little green garden snake ever has! Please?"

Harry smirked. "You're annoying when you beg, you know that?" Then he chuckled. "Oh, all right. But if you get caught, don't expect me to claim you when they throw you out the window."

Four hours later, the dorm started waking up and Harry was dressed and ready to go. He'd bought several outfits other than the school robes in Diagon Alley, seeing as he'd very little in the way of clothing, and he was wearing one of these now. Todders came in at about nine and got Harry and all of his belongings put into the car. On the way to King's Cross Station, he gave Harry a sheaf of documents. "That Headmaster will be needing all of these. They're the copies of your adoption papers. He's already signed and filed everything, but these are for the school's records. Now, let me see your ticket." Harry got the ticket out from his pocket and handed it to Todders. "Well that's interesting. Platform 9 3/4. Hogwarts Express. I hope there's some way for you to find this thing. I'll take you to the place between Platforms 9 and 10, then leave you to it. There's probably plenty of other people who'll be taking that train today. One of them will help you get on, I'm sure."

Harry said nothing, but he thought sarcastically, Well, he's not at all happy I'm leaving, is he?

So Harry was left standing between Platforms 9 and 10 without a clue as to how to get to 9 3/4. He was almost certain that he was going to miss the train, until he heard a female voice griping about how the station was packed with Muggles. He turned around toward her, dragging his trolly behind him so he could have his cane out front. He followed until he heard them stop.

"Now, what's the platform number?"

A young female voice piped up. "Nine and three quarters! Mom, can't I go..."

"You're not old enough, Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first." Harry listened carefully, but there was a great deal of noise in the station and he couldn't hear what Percy was doing. "Fred, you're next."

A boy's voice answered her. "I'm not Fred! He is!"

Another, just slightly deeper voice joined in. "Honestly, woman. You call yourself our mother."

"Sorry George. Come on."

There was a bit of a shuffle, and then the first one said, "I'm only joking. I am Fred!" Then there was the sound of running and the two, obviously twins from the conversation, were both gone. And Harry still had no idea what they'd done.

There was nothing else for it. He closed the distance between himself and the family he'd been observing. He knew by sound where the mother was, so he addressed her. "Excuse me."

There was the sound of her turning to face him. "Hello, dear. First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too."

Yet another boy said, "Hi."

Harry nodded politely. "Hello. Now, the thing is, I don't know how to get to the train."

"Oh, that's quite all right, dear. What you do is you walk straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten. You'll go straight through it. Tell you what, I'll get you pointed in the right direction and you just run with your trolly. There should be a bit of a bump once you're on the other side, so you'll know you've made it. And it's only a small one, so you shouldn't trip over it, either."

The kindly woman aligned Harry and his trolly so that he was pushing it instead of pulling it and hopefully aimed directly at the wall. She put his cane on the trolly so it wouldn't fall off, then said, "Go on, before Ron."

"Okay." Harry took a deep breath and then took off at a run. He'd never run much, as it was difficult to do when one was blind, but he had no infirmities that would actually prevent it. He just kept running until his trolly hit the slight bump that the woman had warned him of and then slid to a stop. He could hear the train, which sounded different, like it was a steam engine rather than a diesel. This side of the barrier sounded just as noisy as the other side, but the sounds were different, because they included the sounds of cats and owls. And instead of the odor of diesel exhaust, there was the scent of burning wood. This was a very old engine indeed!

Harry took his cane off the trolly and swung himself around so that he was pulling again with the cane out in front. It was a good thing too, as he would have probably stepped on some poor cat if he hadn't. He must have tapped at least four of them before he got to the baggage compartment, which he found by listening for certain kinds of phrases, like someone saying "Be careful with that! It'll break!" He confirmed it by tapping around until he found a shoe, then addressed the person it belonged to. "Is this the baggage car?"

The person happened to be a train worker. "Yes it is. I'll get your baggage onboard, all right?"

"Yeah, thanks. How far away is the entrance?"

"Once you get on the other side of the baggage pile, it's about fifteen meters. There'll be a break between the cars just before hand. Take care you don't fall to the tracks. The student cars are the very next ones. I'll make sure that the garment bag is put in your compartment so you can change into your robe later."

"Thank you."

Harry tapped his way to the other side of the baggage pile and along the side of the train until he reached the entrance to the car. Holding the cane where it touched the steps, Harry climbed the steps onto the train. He asked the attendant for assistance, and he was then led to an empty cabin, where he sat down on one of the bench seats. After just a couple of moments, a porter came in with the garment bag and put it up on a hook just inside the compartment.

Something slithered around in his pocket, and Richard came out of it. "I never thought about it, but travel must be very nerve wracking for you."

Harry ginned. "Yes, to a point. But everyone's being very nice, helping me out without being gawky about it."

It wasn't long, though, before he started hearing the gossip echoing around the train. Harry could have cheerfully strangled the reporter who had decided to spread the fact of his existence around wizarding Britain. Suddenly there was a voice at the curtain of the cabin. It was George, one of the twins from earlier. "Hey, there. You got settled in all right?"

Harry smiled. "Yeah. Your mum send you in to check on me?"

Fred answered him, proving that both boys were there. "Yep. She's a bit of a worry wart."

George said, "We've got to warn you, mate. Rumor's are flying all over the train. You're Harry Potter, aren't you." Harry nodded, frowning. "Hey, don't worry about it. I guess you didn't know how famous you are, eh?"

Fred joined in. "Not that I'd mind people knowing who I was, but I don't think I'd ever want to be in your shoes, mate."

"Yeah, Fred. Thanks."

"Hey, how'd you know I was Fred?"

Harry's grin was back. "George's voice is just a little lower than yours. I guess from the stunt you pulled on your mum that you're identical twins?"

They chorused, "Yep!" George said, "Usually people can't tell us apart at all."

"Yeah, even our mum has trouble at times."

"Which we, of course, absolutely must take advantage of." Then their mother's voice floated into the cabin through the opened window.

"Fred? George? Are you there?"

Fred yelled, "Coming, Mum!"

George said, "Sorry, mate. We've got to get out there or she'll blow her top."

Fred finished with, "And no one wants to see Molly Weasly mad enough to blow!" And with that the boys were gone. Harry chuckled and made sure to stay where he could hear the coming conversation.

"Ron, you've got something on your nose."

"Mum! -- geroff!"

One of the twins, and Harry couldn't quite tell which one at this greater distance, started in on the younger brother. "Aaah, has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie?"

"Shut up!"

Molly said, "Where's Percy?"

"There he comes now."

There was a slight pause while apparently the eldest Weasly child walked over to the rest of the family. ""Can't stay long, Mother. I'm up front with the other prefects. We've got two cars all to ourselves."

One of the twins whined, "How come Percy gets new robes, anyway?"

Molly said, "Because he's a Prefect." She paused. "All right dear, have a good term. Send me an owl when you get there. Now you two -- behave yourselves this year. If I get one more owl telling me you've blown up a toilet or--"

"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet!"

"Great idea, though. Thanks, Mum!"

"It's not funny. And look after Ron."

"Don't worry. Ickle Ronnikins is safe with us."

Ron growled. "Shut up!"

"Hey, Mum! Guess who we met on the train?"

"You know that blind boy who was near us at the station? Know who he is?"

"Who?"

"Harry Potter!"

Ginny's voice piped up, hyperactive if a voice could be described so. "Oh, Mum, can I go on the train and see him, Mum, oh please..."

"You've already seen him, Ginny, and they poor boy isn't something you goggle at a zoo. Is he really, Fred? How do you know?"

"Asked him. Saw his scar. It's really there -- like lightning." Harry took off his shades briefly, eyes closed, and rubbed the bridge of his nose where the jagged scar sat. The thing was always irritated by the sunglasses, but the alternative would be to freak people out. For some reason, his sightless eyes focusing on people caused a frightening sensation. And the glasses helped to hide that blasted scar. The twins must have been looking for it specifically, else they'd never have noticed it right off.

"Poor dear. No wonder he was alone. I'd wondered. He was ever so polite when he asked how to get onto the platform."

"Never mind that! Do you think he remembers what You-Know-Who looks like?"

Molly became very stern. "I forbid you to ask him, Fred. No, don't you dare! As though he needs reminding of that on his first day at school." Harry was very thankful for Molly's sense of propriety.

"All right, keep your hair on."

The train whistle sounded.

"Hurry up!" The boys could be heard clambering on to the train. Ginny could be heard to start crying.

Fred shouted, "Don't, Ginny! We'll send you loads of owls."

George countered with, "We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat!"

"George!" Harry chuckled. It sounded like the twins were exceptional jokesters. They would be fun to be around.

The train started to move, giving Harry a jolt of excitement. He didn't really know what he was going to, but he knew it was better than what he was leaving behind.

Soon after they'd left the station, Ron's voice came from the doorway of the compartment. "D'you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

"Sure. I'm Harry."

"Ron Weasly. Hey, did you know there was a snake in your pocket?"

"Yeah. He decided he was coming with me. I told him I wouldn't claim him if he gets caught, but to be honest that's not a very big possibility."

"You talk to snakes?"

"Yeah. This is Richard. He's from the garden in the back of the orphanage I grew up in. He kept me company. Sometimes I'd talk to a few of the others, but mostly its just been Richard. Although, just a month ago one of the younglings decided he'd try and sneak up on the 'stupid human'. I swear, it was like a right of passage for the silly things to try and bite me."

Fred and George were back. "Hey Ron, Harry. We're going down the middle of the train. Lee Jordan's got himself a giant tarantula."

Richard slithered back into his pocket. "A giant spider! I think I'll be staying hidden if you don't mind."

Harry shook his head. "No, that's probably best."

Fred spoke first. "Woah! You're a Parselmouth? That's amazing!"

George said, "I don't know. We might know that it's a very cool thing, and that your friend there is a completely harmless garter snake, but you're going to freak a lot of people out with that."

Harry furrowed an eyebrow. "Why? Is it a rare ability or something?"

Ron said, "Well, yes it's rare, but that's not what people are going to flip out over. First, you're actually speaking Parseltongue, the snake language. I don't know if you realize you're hissing when you do that. And the last known Parselmouth -- well, let's just say you've met him."

Harry didn't need a translation. Voldemort. "And people are still afraid. Isn't he dead?"

Fred said, "No one really knows. I doubt it, though."

George responded. "Yeah. Too bloody minded to die properly. Doubt he'll be a problem again, though. Whatever it was that went wrong--" The boy hesitated, unsure if what they were telling him would bring up bad memories.

Harry sighed. "Look, all I can remember is light. I can't even tell you what color it was because I hadn't learned colors yet, and after that I never did."

"It would have been the color green. Anyway, the whole front of the house was destroyed. You-Know-Who might have survived it somehow, but he wouldn't have been worth much."

Fred changed the subject. "Well we'd better get up there so we can have a gander at that tarantula before all the seats are filled up. See you at school, Harry. We're in third year, Gryffindor House. Don't matter which house you find yourself in, we'll help you around if you need it, and you probably will for a little while. I swear, everyone gets lost at least once in that place!"

George popped off with, "And some have never been found."

"No telling where they ended up!"

Harry chuckled. "I can tell you two are going to be loads of fun!"

They chorused, "We'll give you a shout later, Harry."

Harry shook his head, still grinning. "Those two must be great at parties."

Sardonically, Ron said, "Yeah, it's the rest of the time you have to watch out for them. At a party you expect their sort of pranks, but they do it all the time."

"How many brothers and sisters have you got all told?"

"Five brothers and Ginny. She's the one you heard whining. Percy is the third oldest, he got made a Prefect this year, and believe me he'll let you hear about it. It's all we've heard about the whole summer. Charlie works with dragons in Romania and Bill does something in Egypt for Gringott's. All five of them have gotten very good grades in school, Bill was Head Boy and Charlie was the Quidditch Captain. I'm afraid I'll do horribly."

Harry said, "Nonsense. I'm sure you'll do just as well as everyone else in your family. After all, where else do you get your brains from if not the same place they do?"

There was a smile in Ron's voice. "Thanks, Harry."

"Are all your family wizards?"

"I think so. Mum's got a cousin whose an accountant, but we never talk about him."

"So you must know loads of magic already."

"Not really. Hard to when you haven't got a wand. Anyway, so you ended up at an orphanage? How'd that happen?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think even Dumbledore knows."

"What are Muggles like?"

"Depends on the Muggle. Charlie Smutherman was a bully, Amos was nice, Jack let me play around in the garden and Mr. Todders was a greedy miser. Most of the kids were just kids, normal. The cook was happy to let me help 'round the kitchen since I enjoy that sort of thing."

"So you weren't raised wealthy, then? I'd have thought...but then I guess you wouldn't be with every wizard in the world believing you were dead."

"Well, until a month ago, I hadn't a clue that I had a penny to my name. And the money in the vault my parents left me is for school. I can't really just spend a lot of it, although I do intend to spend a bit on clothes. Comfortable fabrics that aren't so worn out you'll tear them and aren't so stiff brand new that you'll get a rash."

Harry bought a little bit of everything when the candy trolly came around, as it didn't cost all that much money. Ron introduced his rat, Scabbers, as a rather pathetic creature, but it was all his family could afford to give him. It was snoozing on Ron's lap. "He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference. I tried to turn him yellow yesterday so's to make him more interesting but it didn't work." Ron started rummaging around in his bag to find his wand and demonstrate. He muttered, "Unicorn hair's sticking out the end. Anyway..."

Just then the compartment door slid open again. A female voice, bossy and exasperated said, "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."

Ron probably shook his head, but Harry said, "Haven't heard one, but I wasn't listening for one either."

She said, "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it then."

Ron seemed nervous. "Er--all right." He cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow."

But nothing happened. Harry didn't even hear the rat squeak.

The girl said, "Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells myself, and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course. I mean it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard. I've learned all our course books by heart, of course. I just hope it will be enough. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way. Who are you?" She said all this very fast.

Harry just knew he had a panicked look on his face. Learned all the course books by heart? He'd read and reread the Herbology text enough that he had it memorized, but the others he'd only read once! And, of course, he hadn't had a chance to even look at the Potions book because he still needed to get it translated.

Ron seemed disgruntled as he answered her, so maybe he hadn't memorized all of the material either. "I'm Ron Weasly."

"Harry Potter."

"Are you really? I know all about you, of course. I got a few extra books for some background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

"Am I?"

"Goodness, didn't you know? I'd have found out everything I could if it was me. Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best. I heard Dumbledore himself was one, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Anyway, you two had better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon."

As she left, Ron sighed. "Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it." The wand made a clatter as it was thrown back into the bag. "Stupid spell -- George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."

"What house are your brothers in?"

"Gryffindor." Gloom seemed to infiltrate his voice again. "Mom and Dad were in it, too. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin."

"That's the house Vol- I mean, You-Know-Who was in?"

"Yeah," The other boy flopped back into his seat.

Trying to take Ron's mind off of houses, Harry asked, "So, your older brother works for Gringott's?"

"Yeah. Hey, did you hear about Gringott's? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the Muggles -- someone tried to rob a high security vault."

Harry felt his eyebrows fly upwards. "Really? What happened to them?"

"Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My Dad says it must have been a powerful dark wizard to get past their security, but they don't think anything was taken. That's what's so odd about it. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it."

Harry turned this information over in his mind. It was odd how saying Voldemort's name had been so much easier than saying You-Know-Who. The second was quiet and fearful, while the first was just a name.

Ron changed the subject. "What's your Quidditch team?"

Harry smiled. "I don't have one. I doubt I'll get much out of the game, since I can't see."

Ron deflated. "Oh, right. I wish you could, though, it'd be fun to teach you about it. It really is the best game!" And Ron went on to explain how the game was played and such since everyone would be talking about it and it wouldn't do for his new friend to be totally ignorant of the game. He was still discussing it when the compartment door slid open again, but this time it wasn't Hermione or even Neville.

There were three distinct sets of shoes. One voice said, "Is it true?" It was Malfoy, the boy from Madame Malkin's. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes. Who're your companions?"

There was a pause as Malfoy got over the fact that Harry'd know they were there. "Oh, these are Crabbe and Goyle. And my name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron gave a slight cough that might have been hiding a snigger.

"Think my name's funny do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasly. They always did have more children than they could afford."

The arrogant youth addressed Harry again. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Harry smirked. He didn't know it for himself, of course, but with those shades on, he looked absolutely devilish when he did that. "I think I can figure that out for myself, but thank you. I told you once that who a person's parents were shouldn't matter, and I'll stand by that. As it is, you're the one making the poor impression."

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter. Unless you're a bit more polite, you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them either. You hang out with the riffraff and it'll rub off on you."

Slowly Harry stood, cane in hand. He used the cane to prevent Ron from also standing, striking the seat so that the length of it was across his lap. Making sure that only Malfoy and his companions were in a position to see him, Harry took his shades off, focusing his attention on the only one of them which had spoken.

The dead eyes always made an impression. He heard identical gasps from all three boys and filed the sounds as a height reference for later. He left his focus on the leader. "I'd suggest you leave my parents out of any arguments we might have in the future, unless you wish to learn the fine art of eating through a straw. And at least the people I choose to associate with have the faculty and intelligence to speak. Are they mute, or merely stupid? I wouldn't want to insult them unintentionally. After all, I know the feeling."

One of the larger boys said, "Hey! I can talk!"

Harry chuckled and gave the appearance of looking straight at him. "Better to be thought an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." He turned back to Malfoy. "If you ever wish to be my friend, remember what I've told you and gather enough courage to apologize to Ron for your remarks." He gave one last grin, then turned away, replacing his shades as he did so. "I suggest you leave."

But Malfoy was stubborn. "Oh, but we don't feel like leaving, do we boys. We've eaten all our food, but you still seem to have some."

The words caused Harry to become very focused. He knew what they meant from countless encounters with other bullies. He heard the crinkle of candy foil and struck out with his cane, the speed of a snake in his movements. He struck the boy's hand and followed the movement upward to strike the upper arm. Goyle wouldn't be able to use that arm for the rest of the day, but he would be fine, if bruised, in the morning.

The sudden sound of footsteps from just down the corridor caused the three boys to run off. A second later, Hermione had come back in. "What has been going on? You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there!"

Ron didn't say anything, but Harry suspected he might have made a face at her. "You mind leaving so we can change?"

"Fine! I only came in here in the first place because people are running up and down the hall way, acting childish. Oh, you've got dirt on your nose, did you know?" The girl huffed off.

Ron snickered. "So, if you don't mind my asking, how in the world did you do that? It was bloody brilliant, by the way."

Harry chuckled. "Thanks. I just have very good hearing and very good ear-hand coordination. I can hear the air move when you do. For instance, I know that Scabbers is awake now and sniffing around something, probably the candy."

"Wicked!" Ron paused. "So, you've met Malfoy before?" Harry explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley. "I've heard of his family. They were the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says they didn't need an excuse to go over to the dark side."

Harry sensed a change in the movement of the train. "We're slowing down. We'll probably be there very soon. Let's get changed." Harry stood and opened the garment bag that held his several school uniforms, retrieving one pair of pants, one shirt, one silk tie, one jumper and one plain black work robe and started pulling off his other clothes, neatly folding them as he went so that he didn't loose track of anything. It was a fact of blind living. If you weren't careful, you would loose something. But Harry was used to it and he never forgot.

A voice echoed through the train. "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train. It will be taken to the school separately."

They crammed their pockets with the last of the sweets and Harry put the clothes he'd just doffed at the bottom of the garment bag, grabbed his cane, then joined everyone else out in the corridor.

The train slowed right down and then finally stopped. People were pushing their way toward the door, and Harry put his left hand on Ron's shoulder so that he wouldn't get turned around. "Tell me if we're going to use steps." They made their way out onto the platform, and Harry heard a familiar voice over the noise of the crowd. Hagrid.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?" Harry grinned. "C'mon, follow me -- anymore firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Harry didn't trip over anything because he had his cane out in front of him, but he heard sounds that suggested otherwise of the other students, which told him it was probably dark out, as well as the fact that the path was very steep. A light breeze reached them after whispering through trees to either side of their way. Harry could smell the wet green of vegetation, and he thought he could smell a lot of water close by. No one spoke much, concentrating on their footing. Hagrid called out, "Ye'll get yer firs' sight o' in a sec, jus' 'round this bend here."

A little while further and several students let out surprised and appreciative noises. Harry said to Ron, "Describe it to me. Please!"

Ron said, "There's a lake, and on the other side, it's a castle, with towers and turrets and lights on in every window! The lake's like glass, so you see it reflected in the water. Wish you could see this, mate!"

Hagrid called, "No more'n four to a boat!"

Ron tapped Harry's hand. "C'mon Harry." With direction from Ron, who was catching on quickly to what was required to aid a blind boy in movement, they got into a boat, followed by Hermione and Neville.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid. "Right then -- FORWARD!"

The boat started to move, and again everyone was silent. Harry could feel the wetness of the air they were passing through and smell the faint scent of algae in the water, hear the faint rippling of the lake from their passage. After having ducked and being attacked by the ivy that hid the dock, they passed through an echoing passage that Harry guessed was a tunnel and then made their berth on a pebble shore and climbed out of the boats.

"Oy, you there. Is this yer toad?"

"Trevor!" Harry grinned, glad that Neville had been reunited with his pet.

They walked up a flight of stone stairs that echoed with the steps of the students and the tapping of Harry's cane. Then they came to a stop and Hagrid knocked on a door three times, very loudly.

And here's this chapter. We've got our internet access back as I post this, so you shouldn't have to wait too much for the next chapter of this thing. And please remember to review!