Eclipsed

The imposing brick facade of Broomhaven Institute loomed before James, casting shadows across the bustling London street. A knot of apprehension nestled itself in his stomach as he gripped his cane tighter. Unlike Hogwarts, nestled in the seclusion of the Scottish Highlands, Broomhaven stood nestled amidst the cacophony of the city. Car horns blared, pedestrians chattered, and the rumble of the Underground vibrated through the pavement. It was a little overwhelming for James, accustomed to the quiet whispers of the castle walls, or the quiet sounds of the countryside where he grew up.

Finding his classroom proved to be the first hurdle. Broomhaven's layout seemed designed to disorient even the most experienced students-the hallways echoed with the hurried chatter of students, and the smell of old parchment and dust did little to alleviate James's growing anxiety or guide him in the right direction. Several times he collided with bags or with stray feet, earning him insincere apologies and impatient sighs.

His first class, Introduction to Wizengamot Law, was a disaster. Professor Burdock, a stern witch with a monocle perched precariously on her eye, seemed completely unprepared for a blind student. Her dry recitation of legal jargon was punctuated by long, uncomfortable silences, and a lackluster response when James politely requested clarification. The other students, barely registered his presence, lost in their own note-taking frenzy.

By the time the bell for the next class rang, James's head throbbed with a combination of frustration and exhaustion.Just as he contemplated retreating to a quiet corner, defeated, a voice cut through the din.

"James Potter? Is that you? It’s me, Dorcas Meadowes? I don’t know if you remember me, but we were in Ethics together the last two years."

The voice, warm and familiar, sent a jolt of relief through him. He whirled around, his hand instinctively reaching out.

"Dorcas?" he said, a smile splitting his face. "Meadowes, you’re studying magical law too then?"

"The one and only," she confirmed, grasping his hand in a firm handshake. "Glad to see you here, Potter. I thought it would be me and a bunch of snooty white people for the next year. What’s wrong- lost on your first day already?"

He chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Something like that," he admitted. 

"Actually, Dorcas," he said, "would you mind taking a look at my schedule? Maybe we have some classes together?"

He handed her his parchment, his fingers trailing along the embossed lettering that spelled out his name and schedule.

Dorcas scanned the schedule quickly, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Well, wouldn't you know it," she said. "Looks like we have every single class together. I guess first semester law students must all be on the same schedule. Talk about luck, eh?"

And so began an unlikely partnership. Dorcas, with her sharp memory and unwavering patience, guided James through the school’s layout as they headed from one class to the next. 

"Next up," Dorcas announced, consulting their shared schedule, "Wizarding Contracts with Professor Merrythought. Sounds delightful, doesn't it?"

James chuckled. "As delightful as it can be, I suppose."

Dorcas led him down another hallway, their footsteps echoing on the polished stone floor. They found the classroom, a stuffy room lined with dusty bookshelves, and navigated to the back row, where there was enough space for James to maneuver his cane without bumping into anyone.

Professor Merrythought, a wizened figure draped in a moth-eaten tweed suit, stood hunched over a cluttered desk at the front of the room.

The atmosphere was stifling, yet James felt a thrill of anticipation. Law, with its intricate rules and carefully crafted language, was a challenge he was eager to embrace.

The lecture felt like an eternity, but James persevered. His quill scratched tirelessly, filling the parchment with meticulous notes. Just as he thought he was finally keeping up, Professor Merrythought gestured towards a large, dusty blackboard behind him.

"Now, on the board here," he rasped, his voice barely audible, "I've outlined the seven key clauses of an Unbreakable Vow…"

James's heart sank. The quick-quotes quill, for all its magical efficiency, couldn't capture information from a blackboard. A wave of frustration washed over him, threatening to drown out the professor's mumbled explanation.

The bell signaling the end of the class rang, a welcome reprieve. Dorcas, sensing James's frustration, placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about the board, Potter," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "There were some important details about the Unbreakable Vow clauses written there, but I copied them all down. Fancy grabbing some lunch? I can share my notes with you then."

James's gratitude was immense. "That would be amazing, Meadowes," he said, a genuine smile breaking out on his face. "I owe you one."

Dorcas chuckled, a rich, melodic sound. “You’ll find a way to pay me back sometime, I’m sure.” 

Broomhaven might not be the environment for someone like James, but thanks to Dorcas, and a possible new friendship developing, he was confident he could navigate not just the physical challenges but also the academic ones. 

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the bustling courtyard of Broomhaven as James and Dorcas emerged from their final class. The familiar clatter of textbooks against bags and the excited chatter of students dispersing created a symphony of sounds that James had come to associate with the end of the day.

A wave of relief washed over him. Today, despite the challenges of navigating a new school and a curriculum not always tailored to his needs, had been a success. Dorcas's presence had made all the difference, her notes and clear explanations filling the gaps left by his blindness.

As they walked down the steps towards the courtyard, a familiar ginger head turned towards them. "James!" Lily's voice rang out, a note of relief and excitement in it. "There you are! How was your first day?"

James chuckled as she wrapped an arm around his waist, the warmth of her embrace a welcome comfort. ”I survived, thanks to a friendly face."

He turned towards Dorcas, who had been watching their reunion with a smile. "Dorcas, this is Lily Evans, and this is Mary Macdonald. Lily, Mary, this is Dorcas Meadowes, a fellow Hogwarts alum and my… unofficial guide today."

Lily, her initial surprise melting into a warm smile, stepped forward. "Oh! A Hufflepuff from our year, right? I remember you," she said, extending a hand. "It's lovely to see you again, Meadowes. I'm Lily Evans."

Dorcas, her dark eyes twinkling with amusement, grasped Lily's hand firmly. "Likewise, Evans. And from what I can gather, Potter here needed all the guidance he could get… and I don’t mean getting around."

A burst of laughter erupted from the group, the tension of the first day melting away. Mary, ever the pragmatist, chimed in with a raised eyebrow. "So, are we all walking home together, or shall we leave James to navigate the London Underground solo on his first day?"

James winced at the very thought. "The Tube is definitely not on my skillset yet, Mary."

Dorcas chuckled. "Actually, I need to catch the tube myself. My boyfriend's waiting for me at home, and I wouldn't want to keep him waiting."

Mary, her curiosity piqued, tilted her head slightly. “A boyfriend? Was he in your house at Hogwarts?"

Dorcas chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Actually, MacDonald," she said, "Christopher is a Muggle. We've known each other since we were little kids- we actually grew up in the same council flats. We were quite the troublemakers."

James, picturing Dorcas as a mischievous child, let out a surprised chuckle. "Somehow, I can't imagine you causing trouble, Dorcas."

Dorcas snorted. 

Lily, ever inquisitive, chimed in, her voice curious. "Are you muggle-born then, like Mary and me?"

Dorcas paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Half-blood, actually," she explained. "My dad was a wizard, but he died when I was just a baby. Mum raised me on her own, so I grew up more on the Muggle side."

Lily, ever the tactful one, sensed the shift in mood. "Well, nothing wrong with that," she said with a warm smile. "Balancing both worlds is no mean feat."

Dorcas chuckled. "You learn to juggle, that's for sure. But it's worth it for the best of both worlds, you know?"

By now, they had reached the Tube station. Dorcas stopped, a hint of regret in her eyes.

"Well, ladies, Potter," she said, offering them a friendly smile. "This is where we part ways for today. But don't worry, Potter, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."

James, his heart warmed by the day's camaraderie, grinned. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Meadowes. And thanks again. You've been a lifesaver."

Dorcas gave him a playful salute. "Anytime, Potter. Now go, before Lily sets me on fire for stealing you away all day."

Lily, never one to back down from a playful challenge, squeezed James’ arm playfully s. "Don't worry, Meadowes," she teased. "We'll share him nicely. But only on one condition – you have to come by for tea with Christopher sometime."

Dorcas's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Absolutely, Evans. See you all soon!"

With a final wave and a promise to meet the next day, Dorcas disappeared into the bustling throng of commuters rushing towards the Tube. As James, Lily, and Mary continued their walk home, a comfortable silence settled over them, punctuated by the occasional chuckle at Dorcas's witty remarks.

"She seems lovely," Lily finally commented, her voice filled with warmth.

James's smile widened. "She is," he agreed. "And a lifesaver. I don't know how I would have navigated that day without her."

"I never knew about the Muggle boyfriend." Mary commented, and Lily rolled her eyes. Of course that’s what Mary got out of it. 

James nodded. "Sounds like she's had a bit of a tough road, but you can tell she's got a handle on it."

Mary, ever the pragmatist, chimed in. "Clearly," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "Imagine balancing studying for a wizarding law mastery, dating a Muggle, and living with the guy, right out of school... sounds pretty serious..."

Lily, her fiery spirit rekindled, nudged James playfully with her elbow. "Alright, enough of analyzing Dorcas's love life, you two. Let's get James home before he turns into a pumpkin- I’ve got studying to do already."

James, a grin spreading across his face, linked his arm with Lily's. "Lead the way, Evans. But be warned, my pumpkin juice might be a little salty..."

“You’re nasty, Potter!” Mary shrieked, while Lily cackled loudly. “One of these days I’ll shove you into the road when you’re not paying attention.” 

James threw his head back and laughed, the setting sun painting his face with a warm glow. Things might not be so bad, with Dorcas, Mary, and of course, Lily, by his side.