--Prompt by Sirius_ly123--

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Draco squinted his eyes as he stared at the table in front of him.

Giving up, he just sighed and pointed in the direction of something vaguely food-like. "Pansy, can you hand me that?"

Pansy stared at him for a moment. "You hate bacon," she said slowly, as if Draco had forgotten.

"I know that," he snapped. "I was just... going to hand it to Greg."

"I've got some on my side," Greg cut in, already stuffing his face with said food.

Draco's face burned, and he ignored Pansy, who he was sure was staring at him.

"Draco, you okay?" she murmured. 

"I'm fine, Pansy," he snapped, pouring himself some juice and cutting off their conversation.

*******************************

Across the Great Hall, Harry was staring at the wall with his head in his hands. He didn't feel like eating. Didn't feel like doing much of anything, really.

"Harry," Hermione sighed. "Why aren't you eating?"

"Not hungry," he mumbled.

"You've been 'not hungry' for the past two days," she admonished.

Harry flushed dark, taking a single bagel to satiate his friend. As she continued to watch him, he sighed and put some cream cheese on it, before taking a single bite.

She relaxed slightly, and returned to her conversation with Ron.

Harry set down his bagel and walked out of the Great Hall.

*******************************************

Draco was getting fed up with this. Everything was so dark and blurry. He glanced across the room, only to realize that everyone at the Gryffindor table was just a blur. He couldn't even see the brightness of Potter's eyes, or his jet-black hair. Everyone was blurred together.

He vaguely registered someone standing up from the Gryffindor table and walking out. He squinted. Dark hair. Possibly Potter.

Well, he was already fed up with everyone, he may as well leave.

"Headache," he muttered to Pansy, before standing up and exiting the Great Hall.

He saw the vaguely moving figure of Possibly-Potter in front of him, but since he couldn't be sure, he didn't say anything.

"Malfoy?"

Definitely Potter.

"Potter," he sneered, glaring in the direction of the boy.

There was confusion laced in Potter's voice as he responded. "What are you looking at?"

"I don't know," Draco sighed irritably.

"Malfoy, do you need glasses?" Potter's voice was surprised, but soft. Draco hated it.

"Of course not," Draco snapped. "Malfoys don't wear glasses."

"Can I try something?" Potter's voice was hesitant, nervous. Draco saw him shift his feet.

"You try to hurt me and I'll kill you."

Soft laughter. "I don't doubt it."

There was shuffling, and then something wiry was placed on his face. Draco shut his eyes and winced, scared.

"Malfoy, you can open your eyes. It's okay."

Draco opened his eyes hesitantly, only to realize Potter's face was visible. But something was wrong. He wasn't wearing... Oh.

"Potter, am I wearing your glasses?"

Soft laughter. Potter's smile made Draco glad he had visibility again. "Yeah. They kinda suit you."

Draco ignored the compliment. "I can see better," he said in wonder.

"Yeah, that's what glasses are supposed to do."

Draco ignored his sarcasm. "But why doesn't it get rid of the darkness?" he asked.

Potter frowned. "Darkness?"

"There's blurriness, usually, but there's still darkness around the edges of my vision," Draco explained.

Potter continued to frown. "I never had any darkness. it was just blurriness. Speaking of which, can I have my glasses now?"

Draco frowned as he took off the glasses and the world was plunged into blurry messes again. He held out the glasses, and saw Potter's shape take them out of his hand.

"Malfoy, I hate to say this, but have you considered that you might be going blind?"

Draco stiffened. "Of course not," he said coolly. "Don't be stupid, Potter. I'll go to a Healer tomorrow and they'll correct my vision."

"Mal-"

But Draco was already walking away, his head spinning.

**************************************

Harry sighed as he watched Malfoy walk away. 

He wandered up to the Gryffindor dorms, and laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Why don't I feel happy? Voldemort is dead.

Maybe I don't deserve happiness.

I don't know what to do anymore.

What's next?

I don't want to be here. I don't want to exist anymore.

The door banged open.

"Hey Harry! Me and Seamus are gonna play cards. Wanna play?" Ron asked.

"No, thanks."

He saw Ron frown sadly before joining Seamus in the corner of the room.

Hermione sat on the couch, just above Harry's head. She allowed Harry to scoot up a bit to rest his head in her lap.

"You didn't finish eating," she murmured as her hands combed through his hair.

"No."

"Please come to lunch today. You don't have to eat much, just a bit. I won't make you talk to anyone, I'll tell them you're not feeling well so they won't talk to you." 

Harry sighed. "Okay, Hermione."

"Thank you, Harry. I'm here for you, and I truly believe you'll be okay."

Harry attempted a smile, but he knew Hermione saw right through it. She said nothing, however, and just continued to comb his hair soothingly.

******************************************************

Draco knew before he even opened his eyes that something was wrong.

He opened his eyes, and the world was pitch black.

He panicked. He knew it was morning. He had fallen asleep late last night, maybe it was even afternoon.

And yet he saw nothing.

His hands grabbed at his sheet covers, and he relaxed only slightly at the familiar feeling of silk. His breathing sped up, his heart pounding. He started gasping, little short shallow breaths that indicated an upcoming anxiety attack.

"Draco!" He heard his bed curtains being pulled aside. Blaise's familiar voice calmed him down somewhat. He felt Blaise take his hand. "Draco, look at me."

"I can't," Draco choked out, gasping.

"Why not?"

"I can't see, Blaise," Draco gasped, before breaking out into little sobs.

Instantly, he heard his curtains being shut again, and Blaise sat next to him, comforting arms wrapped around him. "Have you been cursed?"

"No- I just- my eyesight- has been- getting worse- and when- I woke up- couldn't see-" Draco gasped, hot tears flowing down his cheeks.

Comforting arms wrapped tighter around him. A soothing voice calmed him. "You're okay, Draco. You're safe."

Draco inhaled shakily, forcing himself to calm down.

"We're going to go to breakfast. I'll pick your outfit. Stay right here."

Draco took shaky breaths. In. Out. In. Out.

"Here." Something soft was next to him. "Black pants, dark green shirt, dark green boxers."

Draco smiled slightly. "Thank you, Blaise."

"Hey. I'm here for you forever. Can't get rid of me now. Stand up."

Draco smiled at his best friend's antics, and felt along his bed until he found the edge. He carefully stood up. 

"Perfect. Take off your shirt, and I'll give you the green one."

Draco easily took off his shirt, the feeling familiar to him. A soft shirt was pushed into his hand, and the one he had just taken off was taken away. He pulled on the new shirt.

"Alright. Boxers and pants. Don't make that face, we've shared a dorm for seven years. I've seen you naked before."

Draco sighed, pulling off his pants and boxers, feeling extremely exposed. A soft fabric was shoved into his hand, and his pajamas were taken away again.

"Boxers," Blaise said, and Draco carefully put them on before he was given a less soft fabric.

"Pants."

Draco tugged them on, and then two very small pieces of cloth were in his hand.

"Socks."

"What color?"

"Black."

After Draco pulled on his socks, Blaise tugged him into the bathroom and handed him his toothbrush and toothpaste. After a moment of struggle in which both of them realized he couldn't line the two up, because he couldn't see, Blaise applied his toothpaste for him and gave him his toothbrush back.

He almost jumped when he felt a comb running gently through his hair.

"Relax, Draco. It's just you and me. I won't hurt you. I'm just combing your hair."

Draco nodded, feeling stupid. He spit out his toothpaste and started to rinse his toothbrush. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I would have freaked out a lot more if I was you."

"Well, lucky for me I have a very comforting best friend who's being weirdly calm about it all."

"I knew your eyesight was getting bad, especially after yesterday. You kept squinting at everything. I didn't expect this, but we're here and we're gonna get through it. Together."

Draco carefully placed his toothbrush where he knew the container for it was. "Thank you, Blaise."

"Of course. Turn around, I need to do the front."

Draco turned obediently, and the comb ran along the front of his hair, gently pulling through the curls.

"Can you gel it back for me?" he asked.

A soft sigh met his request. "Can we please keep it curly for once? It's beautiful. And besides, I wanna see Potter's face when you come into the Great Hall with your natural hair."

"Fine," Draco laughed softly. 

"Wow. That took less convincing than I thought it would."

Draco laughed again. "I'm already blind, it's not like it can get much worse than this."

"True. We're walking towards your bed again. Sit down here. What shoes do you want?"

"The black ones."

"Will do. Shiny black ones or the Muggle black ones?"

"Fuck it. Muggle ones."

"Good choice. Con-verse," Blaise said, obviously reading the brand. "Weird. Here you go."

Draco took slightly longer than usually to tie his shoes, given his condition, but soon enough he was ready to go. Blaise held his hand and walked him down to the Great Hall, murmuring descriptions of the people and ghosts around them.

Just before they went in, Blaise's hand slipped from his, but he kept his shoulder bumping into Draco's.

"We don't need the whole school thinking we're dating," he murmured. "Especially not since I'm trying to get into Longbottom's pants."

"Must you be so crass, Blaise?" Draco asked, exasperated as he pushed on the doors and walked into the Great Hall.

"Hm. Potter hasn't noticed ye- Oh wait, Granger has. She's not looking at your hair, she sees how glassy your eyes are. She looks scared. Now Potter's looked up. Oh, shit. He looks stunned. He looks like he wants to come over here and run his fingers through your hair. Damn."

"Shut up," Draco murmured, laughing. Blaise bumped his shoulder, indicating him to turn. Draco did so, and continued walking.

"Stop," Blaise whispered. "Bench on your right. Empty space right there. I'll sit next to you."

Draco sat down carefully, and a moment later, felt the warmth of Blaise sitting next to him.

He heard shuffling, and then a soft clatter in front of him.

"Two waffles are on the left side of your plate, and scrambled eggs are on the right side. Your fork is on your left, and a cup of orange juice is above your plate on your right," Blaise murmured softly.

"Thank you," Draco muttered, and carefully started eating.

A soft voice in front of them spoke. "What the fuck is going on?"

Blaise answered Pansy while Draco had his mouth full. "Draco is blind. He woke up this morning and couldn't see. He's doing okay. I talked to him, and he doesn't care if anyone knows, but he also doesn't want to broadcast it, much like his sexuality."

"Shut up!" Draco laughed, hitting in the direction he knew Blaise was. His hand collided with an arm, and Draco knew he had hit his target when Blaise fake-yelped. "As if you're not gay as hell, you fucker!"

Blaise laughed, and their breakfast almost felt normal.

When breakfast ended, Blaise muttered "Potions first," and they stood, shoulder to shoulder. Blaise's pinky linked with Draco's and he lightly tugged him along.

Suddenly, Blaise was yanked harshly away from him with a yell, and Draco felt panicked at the sudden loss of contact. He stood where he was, lost.

"Blaise?" he asked, panicked. "What's going on?"

"Don't worry, Malfoy. He can't hurt you anymore," Potter's voice said. A hand that was not Blaise's wrapped around his arm.

"Don't touch me!" Draco shrieked, pulling away roughly. His back collided with a wall. "Blaise, talk to me!"

"I'm currently on the ground. Granger is pointing her wand at me. You're against the wall. Weasley is glaring at me, and Potter attempted to hold your arm and looked like a kicked puppy when you jerked away."

"Why are you- what's going on?" Weasley's voice said.

"Why did you Imperius Malfoy?" Granger's voice shouted.

"Imperius?" Draco choked out. "What are you on about?"

"Your eyes are glassy, Malfoy. I know the signs of Imperius."

"Granger, for fuck's sake, let go of Blaise! I need him!" Draco shouted, still feeling lost and scared.

"I know it might feel that way, but let the Imperius wear off and you won't think that anymore," Potter said.

"No, I literally need him! He's guiding me around school!"

Granger's voice spoke up again. "Malfoy, calm down. Blaise Imperiused you. We're not sure why, but your eyes are glassy and unfocused. We know the signs."

It clicked in his head, and he laughed bitterly. "For fuck's sake, Granger, I'm blind!"

A pause. Then a collective "What?"

"My eyesight has been getting worse, and I woke up blind this morning, you idiots. Blaise was helping me around until you tore him away from me and left me lost!" Draco shouted, angry.

Granger's shocked voice cut through. "Oh my goodness, Draco, I'm so sorry. You must have been so scared and confused."

Draco ignored her use of his first name and her apologetic tone. "Give me my friend back."

"I'm more like a guide dog than anything," Blaise joked as he was suddenly back at Draco's side, lacing their fingers together. Draco relaxed immediately. 

"I'm sorry, Malfoy, I should have realized after yesterday," Potter's voice said.

"It's fine," Draco muttered. "We have class, can we go now?"

"Of course," Granger replied. Blaise tugged him along.

Draco smelled the familiar scent of potions as he stepped into the room.

"You're late," Professor Snape said coldly. 

"I'm also fucking blind," Draco spat back, tired of everyone not understanding.

Shocked silence. "Draco, are you-"

"I'm fine, I'm blind, the world can continue now. Blaise, take me to my seat."

As they started walking, Snape cleared his throat and continued talking. 

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, you three have no excuse-"

"They helped me," Draco cut in.

Somehow, this silence seemed more shocked than the previous one. "What?"

"A couple of kids were harassing me in the hallways and they protected me," Draco lied easily.

Snape's tone was both shocked and irritated. "Very well. Get to your seats, all of you."

Draco slid into his seat, and knew Potter had entered the seat next to him. Honestly, what had Snape been thinking when he had assigned partners at the beginning of the year?

"Thank you," Potter murmured. 

"Yeah, well, you were ready to fight Blaise because you thought he Imperiused me, and although you were wrong, it's the sentiment that counts. We're even."

Soft laughter. "I suppose you're right. Hey, since Zabini doesn't have next period with you and I do, want me to walk you to your next class?"

"Is this out of pity, Potter?"

"No, more like I can imagine exactly how many walls you would walk into if I didn't, and it's convenient."

"I aspire to be convenient," Draco replied dryly. "Fine."

Potter didn't say anything, but Draco had a strange feeling that he was smiling.

They were given their potion, and Potter got their ingredients.

"Now, since I can't fucking see, you're going to have to describe a lot of it to me. There should be a small vial of dark blue bubble-looking objects."

Small shuffling. Then "Got it."

"Take four of the bubbles and put them in the potion. Four. No more, no less."

After a moment, Potter spoke. "Done."

"What color is the potion?"

"Green."

"Is the green more similar to green or turquoise?"

"Turquoise-ish."

"Perfect. Now, there should be purple butterfly wings somewhere. Do you have them?"

"They're kinda pinkish."

"Wrong ones. You need lavender-colored ones. Go get them."

"Why don't yo- Oh. Never mind. Fuck, I'm sorry-"

"Potter, it's okay," Draco sighed. "Merlin, I'm not made of glass. I won't crack just because of an accidental slip. This whole thing is new to everyone, not just me. Get the purple butterfly wings."

He could hear the smile in Potter's voice as he murmured "Okay."

A minute later, Harry was next to him again.

"Three lavender-colored butterfly wings have been obtained."

"Hand them to me. I'll crush them into the powder, and you add six beetle eyes."

He didn't wait for an answer, simply reached for where he knew the mortar was and started crushing.

It became an easy rhythm. Draco was good at potions without having to see. He knew what to do with his hands, where things would be, what had to go in. The only breaks in what would be his usual routine were in him occasionally asking Potter what color the potion was.

Finally, they had added the last ingredient.

"Potter, what color is the potion?"

"Don't you think you could call me Harry?"

Draco pretended the question didn't surprise him, and replied without missing a beat. "Harry, what color is the potion?"

"It's grey. Draco." Merlin, Draco could hear the smile in Harry's voice.

"What shade of grey? Dark, light?"

"The exact same shade as your eyes."

Draco raised his eyebrows.

"Yep, that's what it's supposed to be," he replied, pretending Harry's words weren't affecting him. He raised his hand, and Snape walked over.

"Perfect. Five points to Slytherin for making a potion while blind, and five more points for having to do it with Potter by your side."

"Actually, Harry was a great help, and I think Gryffindor should get ten points as well," Draco said cheerfully.

He didn't have to see to know Harry and Snape were giving him matching looks of disbelief.

"Five points to Gryffindor," Snape muttered, and then he was gone.

Harry laughed softly. "Do you have a death wish, Draco?"

Draco grinned.

******************************************

The students around Harry started packing up. He grabbed his bag, instinct to leave the room and join Ron and Hermione kicking in, but he stilled when he remembered what he was actually going to do.

Draco's hands were skating across the desk until he found his quill. He carefully put it in his bag, stood up, and waited.

It took Harry a moment to realize he was waiting for him.

Harry extended his hand, lacing his fingers with Draco's. The boy tensed slightly when he was touched, but he seemed to remember it was Harry and he relaxed. His blank eyes remained downcast.

"C'mon," Harry murmured. He ignored Zabini's raised eyebrow as he tugged Draco's hand and walked him to class.

"Are we almost there?" Draco murmured.

"We're here," Harry replied with a smile, pushing open the door. "History of Magic."

They sat down together, and Harry pretended not to notice that they were still holding hands. 

Draco seemed to notice, however. Harry saw his face drop slightly in surprise when he realized, but he didn't pull his hand away, either.

Harry debated in his head for a moment before taking the risk.

"Your hair looks beautiful like that," he whispered.

Draco looked surprised, but then a shy smile took over his face.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Harry was blushing. He knew he was. But it didn't matter, because Draco couldn't see the red spots on his cheeks.

He didn't know how to reply, but Draco decided it for him.

"Everything about you is beautiful."

Harry stared at Draco in awe, and decided that, as Draco's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, maybe they were both going to be okay.

Together.

--part two soon--