"I can't see..." Lys wasn't overly panicked, just momentarily unable to process it. After all, her blindness didn't happen all at once; it was as if the world gradually became brighter and brighter.
Now, her world was a field of silver light. Even closing her eyes didn't change it. It reminded her of that time in her first year when she nearly blinded herself with a Lumos spell.
"Father, could you help me write a letter to the Headmaster? Just send it to the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. Ask him if secondary magical development can cause blindness?"
She had a theory. The secondary magical development she mentioned to Dumbledore was merely a trigger. The real cause of its outbreak was the Soul Stabilizer.
If Lys still had some vision, she would have gone to the library herself to find answers. But now, unable to see even shadows, she had no choice but to seek help from the only person who might understand this.
While waiting for a reply, the library remained empty. In fact, all of Diagon Alley seemed deserted. The fear from the previous incident would likely linger for at least a year or two.
Now, owls were flying everywhere in Diagon Alley. The postal service was busier than ever, as people opted to send school supplies and other necessities by mail.
When the reply finally arrived, Noah was the most anxious. He had finally gained an outstanding daughter, her perfect OWLs results still proudly displayed, enlarged on the windows. But in such tense times, if Lys lost her sight, how could she ensure her own safety?
Dumbledore's letter was straightforward—he suggested Lys visit St. Mungo's for a check-up.
But Lys refused.
He also included a leave note, suggesting that Lys take some time to relax at home after such an ordeal. He assured her that once she recovered, she could send him an owl, and he would temporarily open the Floo Network for her to return to school.
On the last day before the term began, Snape came. However, he stood outside the library and didn't enter. He had heard about the square incident from Lucius.
He looked at the dazed Stalys Black, staring blankly at a corner, and thought to himself: If, after gaining power, I hadn't been so disgusted by hiding, maybe… maybe Father wouldn't have returned to his old, gentle self before the bankruptcy. But perhaps he would have stayed home, and the events of my second year might not have happened?
Perhaps I wouldn't have returned home at the last moment, only to have his death steal away my mother.
Even if that house was dilapidated and filthy, I would still have parents. I would still have a place to call home.
To dare attack a Death Eater in front of so many others—what was she thinking? Where did her courage come from? To stand her ground in such a situation, even in the presence of the Dark Lord's implied wrath, refusing to abandon her mother—what kind of person is she?
But then again, to survive, that incredible strength was indispensable. Without it, she would have perished at Bellatrix's hands, never living to see her mother in that square.
Strength. The power to avoid being bullied, to protect oneself, to fulfill one's desires… strength.
Snape's gaze lingered on the enlarged perfect OWLs results displayed on the library's window.
The faint voice from the misty corridor years ago echoed in his ears: "You always say that if I weren't a witch, I'd be abandoned! Well, too bad—I am a witch. So I'll force myself to become an outstanding witch.
I, Stalys Black, will become a witch they'll be proud of!"
She had achieved it—this girl who couldn't even read when she first started school. Then surely, the great power and influence I desire can also be mine. Perhaps then, my light will look at me as an equal—not with pity, not with admonishment.
Maybe next summer, I can bring my improved potion to meet the Dark Lord. Isn't that right…
Squinting, Snape took one last look at the red-haired girl with the blank expression. Clenching his cloak tightly, he turned and left.
"Little Star, it seems that potion-brewing classmate of yours was outside just now. Oh, he's gone now." Noah, idly flipping through A Century of Wizarding Trends, glanced up just as Snape departed.
Hearing no response from Lys, Noah looked at her dazed expression before returning his gaze to his book. His Little Star's dress had been ruined in that fight, and with the custom clothing shops closed, Noah, feeling both anxious and idle, decided to sew a dress for Lys himself.
Maybe when her sight returned, she could see the beautiful dress.
Lys was lost in thought. Since discovering her blindness, she couldn't even care for herself as she had before she was eleven. She couldn't manage even the most basic tasks like going to the bathroom or eating without making a mess.
She ate and drank as little as possible, fumbling her way through what she could manage.
Senna made no comments on this, only glancing at Lys when she approached steps. After all, seeing a six-foot-tall person suddenly crash to the ground was a bit alarming.
And because her world remained a blinding silver even with her eyes closed, Lys found it impossible to sleep when told to. She would eventually drift off, only to wake up feeling utterly miserable.
Three days passed, and Lys's vision showed no signs of improvement. She began experimenting with spreading her magic throughout her surroundings to compensate for her blindness, causing quite a bit of chaos in the process.
The bookshelves, counters, candleholders, and furniture in the room were all knocked over or damaged by her cautiously released magic. Some items were even corroded by the magic, turning a shimmering silver, much to Noah's fascination as he examined a candleholder.
By the end of the morning, Lys had mastered basic movement, though controlling her magic required extreme emotional stability.
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