Wherever I May Roam

[Bryce Chamberlin]

There were days where some would not get out. It was cloudy, and the sky rumbled, threatening with a storm. However it sounded fair away, and would not attack the area of Brightstone. Yet there was a boy that was looking at the sky with his hazel eyes while leaning against a building. Judging by the length of subtle flashes of lightning, the storm was not going to hit. It would simply flash, and leave. Bryce Oliver could not hear anything, not the sounds of thunder, or the whispers of others. He had lost his hearing when he was an infant, and does not recall ever having heard anything. For others, they could not live without music, for Bryce, it was different. He had pride in what he could and could not do. For example, without his hearing, he has much better senses to make up for what is not there. His eyesight is superb, he could feel certain things, memorize them and could feel vibrations of objects. Also, Bryce could read lips as long as they talked slow, and he had been through lessons and classes to learn how to speak as well. He spoke well enough to hide the fact that he could not hear, however he also talks with his hands, thus giving it away. Bryce still had pride, because people did not know how to read lips, and he could. Sometimes it was hard to do, but it never bothered him. After finally, hours of convincing his parents that he was fit to go to a magical school, they were allowing him to attend Hogwarts. Not the branch in Scotland due to the wars that happened in that general area, but New Zealand.

Bryce simply could not wait to go to school with other kids, but he was going to miss all of the friends he made while attending a school for others that were like him. He made plenty of friends there, and he hardly had to use his voice. Bryce did not like speaking at all, he preferred to use his hands. However being in a new place, he knew that he would have to speak to people eventually. Not everyone will know sign language. His older sister, Liliana, did not. Holding out his palm to the sky, Bryce could feel no rain or moisture in the air, though there was plenty of humidity. It was time now to go shopping for some sweets. Bryce was simply dying for something to eat, and he was going to ruin his teeth, yet the preteen did not care an ounce. Bryce stepped from the wall of the building that he was leaning on, and he dug into his jeans pocket to count how much money he had to spend on himself. He had enough that he could handle what he wanted. Stepping around and walking on the sidewalk, the preteen entered a candy store, before coming out with a large bag full of assorted sweets. He did not even have a favorite, but he loved sugary things that would rot out teeth within a few years. Bryce took a seat on the sidewalk, before he dug into his bag of candy, to find a chocolate bar and he unwrapped it. He nibbled on the edge of it, before his gaze looked up at the people that were walking by. The lips were moving, but most were going too fast for him to catch a glimpse of what they were saying.​

 

[Rosie Chamberlin]

Rosie Reilly emerged from a bookstore with a handful of books. Whenever she was given money Rosie normally spent it on books. Or sometimes even materials so she could decorate her room. Rosie like to change things about her room often, but the countless bookshelves she had around the room made it hard. So instead Rosie did her best to change up the decorations every once and awhile. Rosie was frightfully boring at times. She knew that much. It was to the point where she didn't even try to pretend like she had an interesting life. Rosie's day consisted of the same thing pretty much every day. Waking up, going to eat breakfast with her parents, doing her chores, going for a jog, showering, reading, lunch, reading again, perhaps some gardening, dinner, reading again and then Rosie went to bed. It was a routine that she had grown used to by this point. So she did the same thing she did every day and retained the happy feeling she got with the way her life was. Rosie didn't really feel like changing her life. The young brunette didn't want an adventurous life. More often than not she found people who always lived like that a little annoying. They were always finding ways to get themselves and seemingly others into trouble. Whether they intended to or not. Rosie hoped that when she went to Hogwarts she would make a friend that didn't get into trouble every chance he or she got. Rosie would become nothing more than a babysitter if that was the case. So Rosie was hopeful she would make friends more like her. 'I wonder what house I'll get into in general.' Rosie thought to herself as she clutched her handful of books close to her petite body. By now she was wishing she had asked for a bag. Rosie really had no idea what to expect once she got to Hogwarts. Her parents were both muggles so they had never been to this sort of school. They couldn't tell her anything about the Houses there. So Rosie had no idea where she could end up. Based on what others had told her there were going to be four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Other than that she had no idea what the houses were like or which one would suit her best. Rosie figured she would find out in due time.

Rosie felt her books becoming a little heavy with her arms. 'I really wish I had taken a bag now.' Rosie remembered back in the store where she had declined to have her newly purchased books into a bag. Her mother owned a shop nearby so she figured she would be able to walk all the way over there without an issue and drop the books off. But they were becoming increasingly heavy for her. Rosie set them down for a minute so she could rest her arms. They were tired and worn from carrying the books all over the place. Rosie mentally slapped herself for buying so many books. Five books and a few of them were pretty thick too. Sadly those books would only keep Rosie entertained for a couple of weeks too. Books weren't rarely difficult for her to get through quickly. Rosie let her eyes fall to the storm thundering from up above and sighed. She needed to hurry up before it decided to rain. Rosie gathered the books back up into her arms and started scurrying off to her mother's shop. About halfway there her arms started to hurt. Rosie was determined to get there though instead of resting like she had done before. Rosie could barely even get five steps further before the pile of books in her hand fell to the ground as her arms gave out. Rosie's books spilled all over the concrete. One of them nearly hitting a boy who was sitting on the sidewalk enjoying some candy. Rosie scampered over and retrieved the book that had landed right next to the boy. "I'm so sorry! I knew I should have just taken a stupid bag." Rosie was unaware of the fact that the boy could not hear what she was saying. Nor was she facing him enough to see her lips mouth exactly what she was saying. Rosie tried to gather her books back into a stack but the pile kept falling over just as she tried to pick the pile up again. Rosie began to get all flustered and frustrated. This boy probably thought she was an idiot. ​

 

[Bryce Chamberlin]

Releasing a sigh, the Part-Veela boy continued to nibble on the delicious chocolate bar. It was definitely delicious. Bryce never knew why girls loved chocolate so much until he had a bar himself. Ever since then, he had been quite hooked to the candy. They were always appealing on a dreary day like this. There was just so much that he could learn when it came to candy, but he would prefer not to read about it. Who knew what kind of things that they would put in the candy bars. Bryce would prefer to be innocent, and ignorant. It was just something that he was going to have to live with, living in ignorance about candy. Bryce thought about getting up and getting a book to read. He was getting bored just sitting here, watching people go by talking but he didn't know what they were talking about from this angle. He doubted that the other teenagers had anything really interesting to say at all, so he would just sit here. He kind of wished that his sister was here right now, Liliana, because she knew how he felt all of the time. Bryce didn't know who would understand him at all, but he didn't want to dwell on that. He was just one of those people that proved to others that he did not let his lack of one sense hold him back for anything. Bryce wondered if he would be able to play Quidditch for any of the house teams, because he thought that they would be a delight to be on. Well, depending on what house he was sorted into. None of his parents were in Hogwarts, and he didn't know what houses that they would have been in. Liliana was in Beauxbatons, graduating. And then his other sister was in Beauxbatons. He was the only one that was different out of them all. Thinking over it, as he continued to eat his chocolate bar, Bryce could have sworn that he felt the wind from something near him. He didn't know what it was, but he looked in the direction of where the little breeze came from.

Looking down with his hazel eyes, he stopped chewing on the chocolate that was currently in his mouth to look down at the book. Where did that come from? Bryce was curious now, and he looked up to see another brunette heading his way. Did she actually toss the book at him, or was she just a little clumsy? There were other books on the ground, and he didn't even notice her. Didn't know that she could have used a bag to help her carry those books. Bryce put his candy into a bag that he had, before he narrowed his eyes as she picked up the books, and she was turned away, but he could see her lips moving somewhat. He didn't know what she was saying to him, but she looked flustered and frustrated. Bryce wondered what she was saying, and he didn't know how he would communicate with her. He didn't have a notepad with him, so he couldn't write, but he didn't want to talk either. She kept stacking the books wrong before he smiled somewhat awkwardly, before he made his hands free, and he picked up half of the books so that she would not have to carry them anymore. This time, Bryce was in front of her, and he used the hand that was not carrying books to get her attention by snapping. Whatever this gesture did, it normally got people's attention. Instead if using sign language, he would tell her that he could not hear in his own way. He pointed at himself, and then at his ear, before he shook his head. He didn't know if she would understand that, but it was good enough of gesturing for someone that didn't know how to sign to get what he was saying. Bryce smiled once more, and he hoped so anyway. He honestly didn't know how else to communicate with her, other than talking, but he didn't talk to just anyone. The hearing aid did no good for him, because it was not powerful enough. Alas, he was happy with what he had now. Bryce was almost certain that the girl would appreciate the help that the boy was giving her, despite what she was doing right now. She looked rather silly, but it was enjoyable to watch. Bryce now wished that he had brought his dog out with him, Ali or Bear, he didn't care which one, but it would have been nice to enjoy today.​

 

[Rosie Chamberlin]

Rosie paused when the boy she had almost hit with the books actually got up and helped her gather some of her books. That was extremely kind of him. More kindness than she was used to seeing from people she barely knew. Rosie flushed. In fact she lowered her head and looked away when he gave her the books back. However apparently her apology was not heard or something because the point pointed at his hears and shook his head. Rosie frowned and set her books on a bench right next to her before she raised an eyebrow. "You can't hear me?" Rosie asked out loud. Forgetting about the small fact that that he still couldn't hear her. Rosie suddenly let it get to her and slapped a hand to her mouth. Why couldn't he hear her? Did he have an earache or something? Rosie couldn't really figure out what it was but she did know that she wanted to apologize to him. Then it hit her. Oh my goodness was he deaf? One of those kids that couldn't hear. Rosie mentally started to scold herself. 'Oh my goodness I probably look like the worlds biggest idiot. He can't hear me but I kept talking to him! How does he communicate with people? Does he write all the time? How does he know what people are saying? I should probably stop staring at him like I am. It's rude.' Rosie shook her head. It helped her to keep from staring at the boy in front of her. She wished there was a way she could talk to him. But she didn't know if he was deaf or not. Nor did she know sigh language. Well she knew how to do the alphabet in sign language but other than that she didn't know anything. She wasn't going to spell our thank or anything because then she would look stupid. Especially if he wasn't actually deaf. Rosie glanced at her books and then remembered something. In her Purse she had a packet of paper and a pen. Rosie held up a finger then turned to grab something about of her purse. Hopefully the boy didn't mind all of this going on. But she had to thank him somehow.

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Thanks For your help! ♥

<FONT font="Tahoma">Rosie wrote on the piece of paper in clean neat handwriting. Then she held it up for the boy to see. She waited until she was sure he had read it before she smiled softly and slipped it into her purse. She felt bad for knocking her books all over him. Rosie didn't know why she was still standing here. But Rosie assumed it was because she found this boy to be fairly interesting and wanted to just see what he would say or do. ​

 

[Bryce Chamberlin]

Bryce looked at the girl and noticed that she was flushing. Was she not used to having someone help her out? Bryce would do anything he could to help out someone. Bryce was kind to people, but only when he wanted to be. Sometimes he would not help anyone either, but that would depend only on him. Bryce wondered if his rather bad sign language for the hearing that didn't know the official language was obvious enough for her. He didn't know at all, but he wanted for her to say something. At least now that he was looking at her, he could read lips. Bryce set the books that he was holding on the bench next to hers, and he looked at her facial expressions. The moment that she asked if he can't hear her, he could read her lips, and understand what she was saying. Bryce nodded and he pointed at his ears, shook his head, and then with his arms, made a cradle like he was holding a baby. He was trying to say that he could not hear since he was a baby, before he smiled and laughed silently, cracking up at what he was doing. It made him seem rather silly! Bryce took a guess, and he spelled out 'deaf' with his fingers, using the sign language alphabet. Bryce hoped that she would understand that. Some children around his age knew it, but he was not sure if she did or not, perhaps she would. He waited patiently for what she was going to do, and she held up a finger. Obviously she was going to tell him something, but she took out a piece of paper and wrote on it. She included a heart on it too, but he got to read what she was wanting to say to him. "You're welcome," signed Bryce before smiling.

He reached for her hand, to lead her to the bench, where he sat down, and he looked at her. He pointed at himself, made a motion for book with his hands, and then pointed at his lips, so that he could tell her that he could read lips. He didn't know her well enough to talk, because he was convinced that he could not talk normally like other children. Bryce really wished that he had his notepad and pen with him so that he could write notes to the girl. Bryce let out a sigh, feeling somewhat helpless with what he was going through, but he should have known than to go without the things. Well, he could ask for what the girl had. So, he pointed at her purse, opened his left hand and held it flat, and used his right hand to pretend he was writing on his hand. Perhaps she would get that he was wanting to write her something? Without using the official sign language, he just felt silly doing all of these unfamiliar things. Perhaps if he got to know her more, then he would actually speak to her, but he too shy to do so.​

 

[Rosie Chamberlin]

Rosie watched carefully as the boy started to use the sign language alphabet to spell out the word 'deaf'. Oh so he was deaf? Rosie was relieved to see that she was right when she had guessed that he was deaf. Now she didn't have to worry about offending him. He sighed something else after she had shown him the sign too. She wasn't quite sure what he said, but she imagined it might have been something along the lines of 'you're welcome' or 'it was no big deal'. It looked like it could be either. Rosie tried to guess in her mind but then again, she was worried she would look stupid if she got it wrong. Rosie flushed brightly when the boy sent his own hand out to take her hand. Although she had seen it in movies and read it in books, Rosie had never held a boy's hand before. Other than her little brother Max. So this was a new experience for her. Though she doubted this would mean she and the boy were going to get married now or something. The boy began to do motions with his hands. Something having to do with himself, a book, and lips. Rosie repeated each of the things in her head until it hit her. He could read lips? "You can read lips? So you know what I'm saying?" It was a little overwhelming for her to be taking this all in as she was, but it was interesting at the same time. Rosie had never met another deaf person before in her life. Actually, she had never met anyone that was disabled. Plus this guy was as sweet as possible. Rosie hoped he could indeed read lips because otherwise she wouldn't be able to communicate with him through anything but writing. After a couple of minutes he began to signal something again. Rosie paid close attention. He was pretending to write on his hand. It then hit Rosie. He wanted to use the pad of paper she had earlier to write to her. Rosie beamed and reached into her purse. She handed over the pad and the pen. Then smiled again.

Rosie waited until she thought the boy could see her face again. She would be sure to speak at a reasonable pace and introduce herself and stuff. That way he could at least know her name by now. "My name is Rosie." Rosie smiled after she told the boy her name. Rosie didn't mind her name. Sometimes though she felt it was a little bit childish. Afterwards she gestured to the boy, desiring to know what his name was. That way she could at least call him by a name. Rosie figured she might as well share a little bit more about herself. "I'm from Adelaide. That's in Australia. I'm going to be attending school at Hogwarts New Zealand this year." Rosie explained. She wondered if he knew when a person had a funny accent or not. On top of that, she wondered if he was going to the same school. He was a wizard right? After all he was in Brightstone. Rosie hoped he got all of that. He could write to her not too. So he didn't have to signal everything he wanted to say to her. Rosie glanced behind her as she watched a couple of younger children run by. They looked so happy. ​

 

[Bryce Chamberlin]

It seemed like the girl understood that alphabet that he had spelled out for her. Bryce did not want to have to talk and have her know from that. Plus he just did not want to answer a lot of questions either. That always seemed to bug him, but it also flattered him that he got so much attention. There was just something about this girl that attracted him, but it might be because he found her to be pretty. Perhaps little by little, he could teach her sign language. Even let her read the books that he had when he had to learn how to sign. Though signing was definitely easier than talking for him. It was just that simple. Then again, he learned rather easily, and he was considered to be rather wise. Bryce loved his wisdom, and would never discredit it. It was funny that when people asked him a lot of questions, he would sign and insult them, and they would never know. Although when their hands touched, even Bryce had flushed a brilliant red, about the same as her. So, he was just not used to this, but he had released her hand rather quick. Not that it was repulsive or anything, but holding hands felt somewhat uneasy for him. He read her lips as she spoke, and he nodded, before he smiled. That was about the only way that he could tell her that he did. He just did not want to end up doing what he did before, and look like an idiot while trying to communicate. This was what other deaf kids told him, that the hearing did not really understand and get the non-hearing like they did. Bryce only saw people. That's all. In fact, he was not even completely human, he was Part-Veela, and that meant that he was indeed prettier than most other guys.

The girl handed over the pen and pad of paper, to which Bryce was relieved as he took it from her gently. She was very nice to let him use it. Now he could really communicate with her. Good thing she spoke English or else he would be in serious trouble. He didn't know any other language except English because that was almost global. Well, in the places that he went, it was used. He looked at her face before she spoke once more, making sure to pay attention to her lips. Rosie? It looked like she was saying Rose, with an 'ie' like in receive. He would make up a nice sign for that later. Something to do with a rose. She gestured to him, and he assumed that she would want to know his name. He wrote out in clean handwriting for her to see, "I'm Bryce." After he made sure that she had seen it, he looked once more at her lips with his hazel eyes. He was not too familiar with the word that she said that she was from, but he was familiar with Australia. He nodded, and he continued to read that she would be attending Hogwarts New Zealand?! That was where he was going! His expression changed from simple smile, to a rather large grin because he was excited. He was making his first friend, that would be going to school with him! He wrote down, due to his excitement his handwriting was not as neat, "I'm from Manchester, England. And I am going to Hogwarts New Zealand this year too! Now I can officially say that I won't be alone." After he finished writing, he turned the pad around so that she could see.​

 

[Rosie Chamberlin]

The boy wrote out his name. It was simple and kind of cool sounding. Rosie liked it quite a bit. Whether other people agreed with her or not, she did find some names more appealing than others. If a person had a name she really liked, it instantly made them more likable. It was one of Rosie's weird quirks. Thankfully it wasn't something people found out easily. There weren't many names she found actually cute. "You have a cute name. It's easy to remember too!" Rosie could usually remember names easily too. Unless it was really unusual or something. Then Rosie often couldn't remember it for the life of her. Actually to this day she still didn't remember her father's name at times. She's been calling him dad since the day she could speak. Why should she have to know his other name? After Rosie explained that she was from Australia and that she was going to Hogwarts New Zealand in September, she saw Bryce's expression change heavily. Oh he was cute goofy wasn't he? Rosie peered closely and read what he had to to write. So he was from Manchester, England? Interesting because she's been there before. "I've been to Manchester before! That's so cool!" Rosie told him slowly, making sure he could see her lips and see what she was saying to him. Rosie had been all over the planet. Her father was an archaeologist. He was often going to check something out or he was going to some Museum. Rosie and the family got to travel with him on occasions. Thus why Rosie had been all over the globe at her young age. Her favorite place so far had to be Egypt though. There was something mysterious and old about it. Rosie had such a nice time there. When it was time to go she literally cried. One day she might even possibly live there. Rosie's smile grew when she read that Bryce was also going to Hogwarts! What a small world!

Now she would know someone! Rosie was worried she would be all alone. It took her time to become close to others sometimes. Though with Bryce it seemed a little bit easy. They weren't nearly close enough to become friends yet or anything, but he was easy to talk too. Which was possibly because he couldn't hear her. Or he was just as unusual as she was perhaps. "Awesome! Perhaps we will even get into the same house! Or not. Either way it will be cool to kind of know someone there!" Rosie explained. She really wished she could sign to him. Then he would understand her more easily. But alas it was something she would have to learn on her own time. Perhaps she could pick up a book or two on how to learn the basics of it or something. Next time her parents allowed her to go to the bookstore she would do just that. "We should meet up after sorting or something. That way we can see one another again! It'd be cool to have you around. That way I feel less awkward about everything." Rosie had yet to admit how shy and awkward she always was. Confrontation, crowds, and just people in general had the tendency to scare her. One day she might work on her people skills. But she was only eleven. How much could people expect from her? Rosie hardly expecting anything from herself at the age she was. Except to maybe try and live her life the way she was supposed to. ​

 

[Bryce Chamberlin]

Bryce flushed a brilliant red when she said that he had a cute name, and that it was easy to remember. It was what he had read on her lips, and it still made him blush. For some reason, she was really good at doing that. Then again he was not used to holding a conversation with a hearing girl either that was not his sister. He forced himself to stop blushing, and he wrote down his comments to that, smiling while he did so, "Thank you. Your name should be easy too. Let me give you a sign for what I will call you." He allowed her to read what he said, before he signed the word 'rose' and he moved his hair over his ear. It was better than having to spell out her name all the time using his fingers. Once they got closer, he knew that she would get used to it. He would have to give her a nickname for what he writes out too, so he thought that 'Roo' would be a good one. "I'll call you Roo, and it can be a special name just from me to you." Bryce finished writing before he showed it to her and he smiled, wondering what she was thinking about it all. He watched her say that she had been to Manchester, and he was even shocked about that, before he mouthed, 'Really?' He did not even want to write it out because it was just one word after all. Bryce was very much amazed. Had she traveled to many different places? All these questions were ringing in his mind, and he was wondering what made her go to Manchester. It was his home town after all, and he knew quite a few people there.

Things were really looking up for the young Part-Veela. He was looking forward to school, and with that in mind, he was hoping that if she was in the same house as he was, that means that both would be in the same classes. He would need help if the teachers talked too fast, or if they were not looking. She looked just as excited as he was. Bryce nodded after reading her lips for what she said, before he started to write down a response. "If we are in the same house, do you think you can help me with classes? I'll be lost if the professors don't talk slow enough, say something unfamiliar or even talk without looking at the students." Did professors do that though? He just wanted someone to help him out, and what better way than this girl with him? It was a relief to have someone that could sit down and converse with him without having him speak. Bryce didn't feel comfortable with that, even after he knew how to of course with years of speech therapy. Bryce smiled more when she said that they should meet up after sorting or something. Then they could see each other again, and she would feel less awkward. He grinned before he started to write, "You feel less awkward? I think I have you beat on that one. But let's, because I feel like we can be really good friends. If that isn't lame enough wording." Bryce turned the paper around so that she could read it and he blushed while doing so. It was not something that he could help at all, that he was almost constantly blushing around this girl. Roo. He could see himself talking to her one day, but he would have to wait until he got to know her better.​