A Lion and A Snake

[James Killian]

Jamie stood on the vast lawn of green grass as a warm spring raced across causing the grass to sway in an almost peaceful way, the great forest laid to the south and Jamie could hear the noise of the creatures as they went about their simple but busy life. Jamie had been at the famed school for almost a month now and had learned much about himself along with much about the secret world of magic. Along the way he had many friends and even a few enemies but there was one person that he had not seen again and that was the blue eyed boy from the park those many months ago. He had seen him on the train and again he watched as they were sorted into separate houses and only caught a glimpse of the boy in his class but besides that nothing. Jamie had hoped that Stefan and he could great friends but Jamie realized that world did not always work in his favor.

Jamie sat down beneath a small tree and gazed out across the great lake thinking about school as a whole and how new and exciting it was as well as terrifying at the same time. Jamie wondered what it was like to be in a different house as well, he loved Gryffindor and new that legendary wizard attended the same house but what of the other houses. He wanted to learn more about the school and the how it came to be and wonder why the houses feuded with each other so much. Jamie was a Gryffindor, Stefan was A slytherin and Jamie even had a friend in hufflepuff, all he need was a Ravenclaw friend and then he would be like the legend of the founders four great wizards and witches coming together to bring about a new era of peace. Jamie sighed though, he knew it was silly to live in the past and hope for adventure like he heard about in stories; the world was not as exciting in real life as it was in his stories. Jamie picked a blade of grass and began to twirl it between his fingers.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Every so often Stefan ventured outside. He ventured because as it was
close to summer, the sun was high and mighty in the sky. To most this
was perfect, but to the colourblind boy, it was like being in the dark with
one bright light being shined directly into the eyes. He could on a bad
day(weatherwise) pretty much see perfectly. But on a good say, Stefan
hated it. He wore sunglasses usua to help him see a little better the
contrasting light and darkness made it easier for Stedan to make out
different shapes. It did not help too much but it did make things a little
more bareable. Hogwarts was a good thing for Stefan. He was finally
able to try out anything he had not been able to before. He'd tasted
foods he never knew existed. He had a hot meal everyday. It made
him feel better inside. Almost all the brusies he had had were gone.
His skin was still very pale and he still had many scars but overall
Stefan looked better. His left wrist still hurt in the morning or with
a pressure, but that injury can not be seen by those around him.
Stefan's life was a lot better and easier at Hogwarts.

As Stefan walked the grounds his eyes fixed upon the ground. He
didn't often look up as there was really nothing special about seeing
everything in black and White. Stefan almost never looked up. But
as he walked his mind was cast back to the boy he'd met in the
local park. James. It had been the first person his age that he'd
ever met. And Stefan had believed him to just be someone employed
by his father to test him. About Hogwarts. Stefan had kept him
at arms length. But then Hogwarts was real, andhe had met the
boy again on the train. And watched him be sorted into Gryffindor
house. Stefan had been somewhat upset that they hadn't been
in the same house. And he almost felt like James would not want
to be his friend since he was a Slytherin. But Stefan had only caught
a glimpse of him in classes. That had not given them enough time.
And stefan did not quite have the courage to face the boy after both
how he had been when they first met and sorting.

Dressed in black torn
jeans and a worn old grey t-shirt, although Stefan had no clue as to
what colours he was actually wearing, noticed someone standing in the
middle of the lawn. Stefan thought it odd, but then in the sunlight was
unsure if what he was seeing was in fact there. Stefan kept his eyes
on the figure as he approached it. As Stefan got closer he was able to
tell that it was a person, but he could barely make anything else out.
This annoyed Stefan. He wanted to see. He wanted to be like the girl
he'd met Tara, who saw the beauty of the world and just breathed it
all in. He wanted to be as confident as Lolli was about being different.
But Stefan just couldn't he longed too much. And had been constantly
told of his worthlessness because of the fact he could not see colour.

So Stefan just stopped. And sat down on the grass. He looked out onto
the lake. He wondered what colour lake water was. He knew it was clear
in a glass, but when reflecting the sky that's what he wanted to know.
With another heavy sigh, Stefan lay back onto the grass and just looked
up to the sky. The sun was bright, and warming. But it meant that Stefan
could literally not open his eyes from the amount of light. He knew it
had been a terrible idea of his to come outside. Stefan knew he wouldn't
see a tan that could form. Stefan sighed once more, letting the warmth
take over him, as he kept his head away from the sun, his hands playing
with the blades of grass within reach. Stefan wanted to find calm. He
forbid his mind to think of his dad. Or the still visable and clear scars
more visiable to others than to him. He forbid his mind to think of the
pressure of school. Stefan just thought of his mum. And as he did so,
smiled and felt as calm as he could be.
​

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[James Killian]

"Everything in nature has a voice and a story to tell it is our job is to listen and learn those voices because if we do they will provide us with eveything we need."Jamie smiled as he remembered the wise words of his master and they thousands of other little lesson that help sculpt jamie into the man he was today. Jamie heard the cruch of the grass as someone approahed him from behind, jamie felt the wand warm handle under his palm as he found the spell that would provide protection and the spell of disarming that he had learned and studied from his books and professor. Jamie was going to turn around but when he heard the footsteps come to halt and the sound of something heavy spread out in the grass Jamie took a small breath and took his hand off his wand the danger had passed.

Jamie turned around after a few minutes to see what became of the noise behind him and was shocked at what he saw laying in the grass. It was the one other person who crossed his mind most of the time, it was Stefan. Jamie smiled big as he watched his young friend play with a blade of grass as he appeared to look at the sun. Jamie wanted so much to talk to his friend but was worried about how stefan would react since they were in different house now and slytherin had a history of not getting along.However jamie let his fear slip away as he realized that Stefan would not hurt him because of his house , jamie got up from his spot in the grass and walked over to the young guy.

Jamie layed down next to Stefan and said in a soft quite voice, "The sky is a shade of blue like your eyes, the grass is a lush green the likes in which I have never seen. The lake is a deep shade of blue and it seems almost black but when you hold it in your hands it is almost clear. I know that you have never seen color but now that we are here I will somehow find away to let you see color if only for a little bit." Jamie said as he watched a cloud float by over head.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan did not hear the person come towards him. Sure, he was
a little more alert than he would normally be. But, Stefan sat up
slightly, and suddenly, when he heard someone lie down next to
him. Stefan relaxed slightly when he heard the voice. Stefan, couldn't
help but smile. Although, Stefan was unsure as to if him and James
could still be friends, he enjoyed the company. James was different
from others. He didn't try to understand his condition, or show signs
of sympathy. (not clear ones anyway) He stated fact. Stefan was
now inclined to believe what James said about his eyes being blue.
Stefan didn't know. And nor did he really believe what other people
said. For all he knew they were lying, but it just seemed like James
was not the type to lie. Stefan couldn't really know. He didn't know
if James was no just getting back at him, for how he acted before.
How closed of he had been, and how closed off he would continue
to be. It did not help that they were in rival houses. Stefan did not
believe in hating another house. But he did not know James all that
well, and while he seemed nice enough. Stefan didn't know if James
wouldn't want to be his friend because he was a Slytherin. Stefan
had to admit if James didn't want to be his friend for that reason, then
he would have made a losey friend.

Stefan did not really think that of James. He hoped to some higher
power that he was not. James seemed friendly enough. He seemed
trustworthy, and Stefan wanted him to be so bad. Stefan did not
know many people, and the biggest figure in his life hated him. Hated
him more than a cat hates dogs. Stefan sat up and looked to James.
He barely see the guy because of the bright sun. Stefan looked around
him, the water did appear very dark. But the sky, was something that
Stefan could not look at, it was pale and bright white. "I'm Sorry"
Stefan said to James, his voice quiet. He had to apologise. He had
a lot to apologize for. The way he had completely denied the truth,
about Hogwarts, when James knew he had been lying. "You were right
though. You knew what I was" Stefan continued laying back down
on the grass. He couldn't quite believe how he had managed to be
magical. He didn't know if his mother was magical. If she was, then
he wondered why she couldn't save herself, or save him. He knew
his mother would have never left him if she'd had the option. But a
hit and run, happened, and it had just left him without a mum. Stefan
looked up at the sky. He always thought about her. How she looked,
how she smelt. Stefan didn't actually know anything about her, apart
from how she died. "I didn't believe in the magic, and I thought you
were lying. Playing mind games, you know." Stefan let out a small
quiet sigh. He would never point blank say why he believed another
person his age would be playing mind games, but he just had to hope
that James did not ask. "Well Done on Gryffindor. You must feel
pretty good about that." Stefan was unsure of what else to say.
He wanted to start anew with James. He just hoped that He was on
the same page. "I'm sorry" Stefan practically whispered to James.
He needed James to take over the conversation.​

 

[James Killian]

Jamie smiled big as he listened to Stefan apologize about how he had acted in the past, but Jamie did not mind at all because he knew what it was like to trust others. James had been working on trust issues everyday in the gryffindor house but slowly and surely he was lowering his gaurd and letting people get closer to him. Jamie wanted to be a powerful wizard someday and in order to be strong he would need friends to help him get there someday. Jamie wanted to break down the sterotypes of the infamous four houses and have friends from everywhere so they could make a better and brighter future. Jamie felt overly protective of Stefan all of a sudden, the young boy seemed so vulnerable and alone that Jamie wanted to protect him from all the bad stuff in the world. "Awe Boss you dont have to apologize, I understand that trust has to be earned and now that you know I have no reason to lie to then maybe we can mend this bridge. I want to be your friend and all I want is you to by my friend as well. As for being in Gryffindor, I want to be in slytherin with you but the magical hate said since I am a protector I would be better in Gryffindor." Jamie wanted to be in slytherin truely but the hat never made a mistake and so Jamie accpted his lot in life but that did not mean he could not wish he was some where eles.

"So what do you think about this place Boss? It is pretty cool but I want to learn how to help you get you to see color again. I like this place and I can not wait until some of the clubs start up!" Jamie said with a smile as he sat up on one arm and turned to Stefan.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan looked up at the sky. Squinting, and looking away every so often.
It was too bright but he loved looking up at it. He had never seen so much
of the sky. At home he was barely allowed, that here in Hogwarts it was
almost weird how much he was allowed out. Stefan knew that it was most
likely bad for him all this sun. What he was unaware of was that his deathly
pale skin, was gaining colour. It was obviously that by December, he would
seem almost normal. With no pale skin, and obvious scars. The small tan, would
help hide them. It was just annoying that he had no idea that could actually
happen. He couldn't really notice a difference in his skin. The colourblindness
made it impossible. Stefan looked to James, while, sitting up once more. He
accpeted the apology, which Stefan had to admit he felt good about it. He
knew it was weird to feel pleased about having an apology accepted but
Stefan was happy. It really proved to him, that there was actually someone
in his life who legitimatmently cared about him. "We are friends" Stefan
said quietly. He stumbled slightly over the word Friends, having never said it
before, and it actually meaning something. They were friends. He had a friend.
For the first time in his life.

"It's big. This place is huge. I've gotten lost so many times." Stefan looked
up and round to the castle. "I've never seen so many people in the one place.
I didn't even know there were clubs. Some of the classrooms, are dark. Potions is
the darkest. I can barely see in there. But, it's nice. I like it. It's different."
Stefan continued, keeping his eyes on the castle, only looking round once he had
finished. "I think, James, that it will take time, before we come anywhere near
helping me see colour. I want to, but I don't even know why I'm colourblind. My
father is partially colourblind. But, I'm fully colourblind. " Stefan shrugged. He
hated the fact, his father hated him because he was colour blind, when he himself
had something pretty similar.​

 

[James Killian]

James follwed Stefans gaze at the the massive castle that was home too so many and a place of freedom for people like Stefan. Jamie listened to his friend chat openly about his opinion of school and was glad that he was truly happy, " Yeah boss it is pretty big and there is tons of kids like us from everywhere in the world. I like most of my classes to especially when I am allowed to do magic, I also heard that the magic world has had great warriors as well and so I am trying to learn as much as I can so that someday you and I cang on great adventure and fight sinister foes but most of all simple have fun!" Jamie smiled as he laid back down on the soft grass. He loved how the sun felt against his skin and the wind in his hair.

Jamie was almost pained when Stefan talked about his colourblindness as if it was some disease. How could such a shy guy like Stefan get such a lousy lot in life, he deserved. To be like everyone else. Jamie wondered if Stefan would ever escape his home and truely be brave and strong,however until the day he could do it by himself Jamie would be there to be strong and brave for the both of them." I think it is possible to cure you if not forever than just for an hour so that you can see the world like I do, I am working on a potion you know to try and help but I do know enough yet to complete it," Jamie said as he let his face wrinkle up into a frown as he tried to work out the details.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan could not help but feel a little weird with James.
They were friends, but it was as if, James knew a lot more
about him, than Stefan knew about himself or James. Stefan
was not very good at picking up signs. But he figured he
had to be partially right. He remembered before, he'd never
had anyone care enough about him to ask. His father never
asked anything about him. Never asked if he was okay, if his
stomach hurt, or if he was hungry. Stefan just had to put up
with the silence his father served him. Just listening to James
talk about the school, and how much he loved it, reminded
Stefan even more, that he was quite different. For one, classes
were not that important to him. He went to most, but he did
not involve himself in them as much as he knew he could. Stefan
just listened and paid attention from the sidelines. Taking it in
but not really showing interest. It was difficult, since he did not
at most times see what others did. With the potions, and the spells.
And all the colours they produced that most others just thought
nothing of. Stefan had to sit and study them, to know which would
be which. And Stefan Didn't like heights so flying was out of the
question. But, it seemed nice to know that someone was enjoying
themselves more than him. Stefan looked round to James and gave
a small, thanks-for-trying smile.

Stefan knew at the back of his mind, that colourblindness was probably
not curable. He wanted it to be. So he could think of himself having a
colour future. He was hopeful. But not delusional. He was aware that his
condition was most likely one to be studied rather than cured. And Stefan
had no intention of becoming studied. "James. We're only first years. I
don't doubt you. I just think, if there was a cure, I would've been told as
soon as I had gotten here." Stefan said, looking down at the grass.
"I want to be cured, or at least be given the chance. But, it's unlikely
to happen any time soon. Plus, if it did go wrong, and I started seeing colour
but the wrong colour, I would have no idea until someone told me. I mean,
Sure, I know what colours things are meant to be. I know the words, but
I've seen blue. I have no idea what blue is. If it went wrong, I could start
seeing blue, as you see red. And even more so, if it went wrong, I could
end up blind. I appreciate that you will help me see colour, but we need to
wait, or talk to a wizard doctor or something. " Stefan finished. He knew
he was just letting his fears take over him. Seeing colour, but the wrong
colour didn't bother him too much. But if he was to become blind, he knew
his father would come down on him harder than before. Stefan could see
his fathers anger. He was afraid just thinking about it. "Not yet."​

 

[James Killian]

Jamie listened to Stefan as he told him about his fears and concern about a cure for hiss colorblindness. Jamie thought them older and realized that they were pretty reasonable but Jamie heard the sound of Stefans mind as he threw up the barriers.... stefan did not want to get his hopes up only to let them be broken. Jamie took a deep breath but he remember a philosphy his old master once told him. "Okay boss if you want to wait we can but remember this, words are like bars to a prision cell. They keep us from reaching certain dream ad holds us back from our true potential. If there was cure to let you see color then you will see the same colors as me, if I told you that the sky was green and in fact blue who is to say I am wrong. You see it is what we believe that matters the most so always believe and let your heart do the magic. " Jamie said as he stretched like a lazy cat fresh from a nap.

" so how do you like being a slytherin? No one giving you a hard time are they?" Jamie said as he tried to talk about something else, Stefan was not a big talker bu Jamie did not mind that much since he was a big talker they kind of complement each other well.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan somewhat got the feeling, that James was not the
biggest fan of Stefan's cautious and afraid mind. Obviously
Stefan hated it too, but he knew there was nothing that he
could really do about it. It wasn't like he could switch off his
mind to all that had happened to him, in the past few years.
His entire life. His father's never ending abuse. He knew he
would have to move on from it. But, Stefan had no idea how
and where it would be smartest to begin. He still had to go
back to his home at the end of term. And would have to, Stefan
did not want to be without a home. At least he had a home.
It was maybe not a pleasent one, but New Zealand got cold.
And He liked being able to have a bed. And something to keep
him warm during the coldest months. Stefan just nodded.
Although his mind spoke, My home is a prison Stefan knew
his love for his home, and his hatred for what was inside it, was
most likely the reason, for him not knowing what to do about his
situation. Stefan just shrugged. He did not quite understand what
James was getting at. But, it soon did. "What if you have nothing
to believe in?" Stefan muttered looking up at his friend.

It was a little less clear to Stefan what there was to believe in. He
did not believe in God. He did not believe in Angels, or anything of that
sort. He couldn't bring himself to. "being a slytherin is fine. And no,
no one. People from other houses, always seem so surprised when,
I turn out to be nice. It is difficult to make friends though, because
of being slytherin. And that you really can't trust the people in Slytherin.
Nothing like Gryffindor, I'm sure. No one giving you a hard time?" He
wasn't sure what he would do, if someone was, but it seemed like the
polite thing to do. And something a friend would say.​

 

[James Killian]

Jamie looked at stefan as he spoke of not believing in anything and Jamie wanted to tell him that everyone had something that they believed in and that Stefan had not found that something yet but Jamie just could not do it. "You can believe in me that I will never let you down or hurt you, and then you will have something to believe." Jamie said as he pleaded in a small voice that was no louder than a whisper as he sat up and looked up at the sky again. Jamie was still looking for something to believe in but he knew that he would need people and friends to help him to find it . Jamie was glad to hear that slytherin was not as heartless as he had heard and that Stefan was not being picked on or at while he was in the common room. Jamie was surprised when Stefan asked if anyone was picking on him but jamie did not let it show because it was the first time that Stefan had shown that he cared about Jamie like a friend should, "Nope Boss no one is picking on me and if they did I would beat them up do not foget that I know martial arts and I plan on being the best warrior in the world one day!" Jamie said as he scrunched his face up in a big smile and laughed a little a bit.

"You are super cool boss and there are people like me who dont care what house you are from to be your friend so do not give up, slytherin you maybe but you are a gryffindor in my book!" Jamie said as he looked at his friend.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan had never really thought about believing in friends. He had
never had friends before, so he was still learning about having them
he had never once thought, that friends were people to believe in.
He knew they were people of trust. But, Stefan just shook his head
at this news. It wasn't that he disbelieved it, more that, it was just
a little surprising. Stefan looked down at his hands and just stared.
Skin, or his skin, was a very pale grey colour. It was light, and he
wasn't sure what that actually meant, apart from that his skin was
most likely, pale. Very pale. Stefan looked round to James, as he
spoke either. He felt his cheeks heat up, as he said that he would
never have any trouble. Stefan hadn't remembered that James, could
do such things. And it made him feel bad. They were friends, and
Stefan didn't know this. SOmething which seemed quite fundamental
to James. But, Stefan just looked to the ground and waited till James
had finished speaking.

Stefan did not really think himself a Gryffindor. It was pretty weird, he
had never thought about himself in other houses. Stefan when he really
thought about it, knew he was better suited for Slytherin. Apart from
the fact he could be a nice person, he had most of the traits of a Slytherin.
"Well, It'll become easier over time, I'm sure. Like everything."
Stefan shrugged to himself. He wasn't sure. he didn't mind. Houses really
meant very little to him. "If I'm honest, houses, mean nothing. A house
does not define a person. Surely. It's probably easier to do that that
organise people into classes or something."​

 

[James Killian]

"Wow Boss! I never thought of it like that and that is pretty deep as well, maybe one day you can become a headmaster or something like that I think you would be a really cool and fair leader. Well I am going to have to go and study for the exams you are more than welcome to join me if you want!" Jamie said as he stood up and strech after realizing what time it was and totally forgetting that he was suppose to be be studying in the library for potions.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan just stared out at the lake, and gave the smallest of
nods. He didn't think he would make a good leader, and more
so, he did not see himself as headmaster. If Stefan was honest
he saw himself as forever under the control of his father, but
Stefan would never say that. He just shrugged slightly. It
was odd for Stefan to have a friend like James. Someone so
full of Hope, that Stefan wondered if everyday was a piece
of cake for him. Stefan obviously had the added difficulty of
being colourblind. "I would, but, I already studied today.
And, It bored me." Stefan said with a small shrug. "I'll
see you soon, right?" Stefan asked, to be sure that they
would meet again. He liked spending time with James.
​

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[James Killian]

James stood up from the small patch of grass he had been laying in and wiped off a few blades of grass from his clothes as he looked up at the castle then back at Stefan. O of course you will see me again what kinda of bodygaurd would I be if I left you alone for too long. Just please be careful around the stairs and if any gryffindors give you any problems let me know and I will take care of it okay Boss!" James said as he put his hands behind his head and began to stroll up towards the castle. "See you soon!" Jamie said as he pointed his hand out to the side and shot of a peace sign with his fingers.