Author Notes: (Dec 25 2004) I re-read, edited, and in some areas re-wrote this so that it made more sense. Like him being examined Pomfrey. Thanks for reading!

Hear With My Eyes, Speak With My Hands

Chapter One

The Sorting

Harry nervously looked up from the throng of children surrounding him, and up to the woman who had said her name was Professor McGonagall. She had them stop before a three legged stool in front of a large, long table filled with professor's and then had pulled out a piece of parchment, her face half covered, children slowly one by one went up, and had the hat placed on their head. As soon as the hat's 'mouth' said a word he could not see, because of the children in front of him, they'd move to their table.

He was much smaller and skinnier than those around him and being in the far back he had given up trying to see what was going on and instead decided to look at the others around him. He watched Hermione Granger go up and he lost a bit of his view on her, so he turned to his new friend, Ron. Ron had been very nice to him, and it had been pleasant being told about Ron's family life and sharing sweets with him. When that boy, Draco Malfoy, had entered their compartment and had obviously insulted his new found friend, he had refused Draco's hand, remaining silent and only giving him a cool gaze which read quite plainly that Harry was not about to shake that boy's hand.

Now here they were, and while Hermione and Ron had been rather curious to know why he hadn't spoken a word and had written to them on a pad instead, he didn't bother to correct them from their assumption that he was sick and just could not speak at the moment. (Hermione, fully believing he was sick had taken to a five minute explanation about medicinal magic and that she was sure the school nurse would be able to fix him up in a heartbeat. Harry somehow doubted that.)

He had been looking at a girl with black hair when he felt Ron elbow him a bit painfully. Harry mouthed the word 'Ow' and gave Ron a dirty look of indignation. Ron was looking at him wide eyed and mouthed the words; "It's YOUR turn, go up there!"

Harry blinked in surprise and realized it was, and then he noticed most the children were now staring at him in confusion, so he quickly pushed his way to Professor McGonagall who told him to sit down on the stool. He did, and when the crowd disappeared as the hat was firmly placed round his head, for the first time in his life, for as far as he could remember he heard a voice speak to him.

'Ah, difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes- and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting... So where should I put you?'

'I don't know,' Harry said in his mind, 'There are different places I can go?'

'Oh my, how thoughtless of me... Of course, you missed my song... well, there's Gryffindor for the brave of heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindor's apart. Then there is Hufflepuff where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuff are true and unafraid of toil. Ravenclaw is for if you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning will always find their kind. And last their is Slytherin, where you might make your real friends, those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends...'

'Did Hermione get put into Ravenclaw?' Harry thought at the hat curiously.

'That darling girl has a brilliant mind, she will get very far... But her desire and destiny have set her with the Gryffindor's.'

'Wow... Slytherin sounds interesting.... A bit foreboding though...'

'Well my child, if things were different you'd have a very good chance of succeeding highly in Slytherin, but no, I'm afraid it would be way too dangerous to leave you in their hands with you like this. No, the place that you will nourish and grow the best would be in Gryffindor. I wonder how long it will take those fools to realize what is truly the matter with you, seeing as you've not told them yet-'

There was a moment of silence and then the hat was pulled from his head and light flooded his eyes once more. He glanced to McGonagall who was looking back expectantly so he slid off the stool and looked at her curiously.

She looked back, frowning that he was still there, so he finally decided to speak with her.

'Where do I go?' he signed with his hands.

Author Notes: If you bothered reading this maybe you could leave a review? PRETTY please?

Bad? Good? Weird? Am I crazy for starting another story? Do tell!