The Dragon's Gem Read Free

to class after the hall empties.”
    I followed their lead and soon the hall around us was buzzing . Being blind heightened my other senses and my listening was vastly better than most people’s were, so I could hear all of the comments and questions about me the other students were asking each other, which was oddly unnerving.
    “Who is she?” o ne female asked.
    “You know, she’s the blind girl all of the teachers have been telling us about, the one that Draco was so mad about coming,” a male voice answered.
    “Can you blame him, she’s blind, what a bummer.”
    “That’s her ? I couldn’t even tell she was blind,” someone else added.
    “Man , she’s gorgeous. Who cares if she’s blind, she can feel her way around me anytime,” another male commented crudely.
    “You had better shut your mouth,” someone warned. “Draco is coming and if he hears you talking about her like that, it’s going to get messy around here.”
    “He doesn’t even want her here , so why should I care?” the male answered arrogantly.
    “That’s true . Remember that fit he threw when he found out she was coming to live here?” the female said, not bothering to lower her voice despite her close proximity to me.
    “Yeah, well let ’s just see if you’re so brave once Draco is here,” another male taunted.
    “Here he comes now. Why don’t you tell him what you just said and see how he takes it?” the female asked.
    “Uh, I would , but I, ah…”
    Everyone la ughed at his expense. “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” the male who taunted him said arrogantly.
    The hall grew oddly silent for one filled with teenagers. The overwhelming scent of evergreen and forest filled my nose just before a new voice, very male and very compelling, joined in. I heard a scuffle, the sound of something slamming into a locker, and then the sound of the arrogant male apologizing profusely, begging not to be hit before a voice, male and oddly familiar, spoke. “You guys are such morons. She’s blind, not deaf, and I bet she just heard every word you said.”
    I felt all eyes turn upon me and prayed the blush I felt on my cheeks didn’t show. “It’s fine, I am used to it. Most people don’t understand until they get to know me that I hear exceptionally well,” I answered.
    Again, I heard a strange noise like someone being dragged across the floor. “Apologize,” the new male said sternly.
    “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to hur t your feelings,” the once over-confident boy managed to say, his voice trembling.
    “That was n’t very sincere,” the other male told him sharply.
    I had the feeling the guy had learned his lesson and wouldn’t be making any more-rude remarks, so I took pity on him. “I accept your apology.” I heard a thud and then the sound of scurrying feet and assumed my fierce defender had dropped his burden and let him go. Curious who he was, I turned towards the sound of his voice and raised my hand for him to shake. “I’m Aurora.”
    There was an awkward silence and my hand hung there for a few moments before I finally felt him take it in his own. My small hand was enveloped in his large warm one and I felt my body shiver in response. His touch was intoxicating, his scent so oddly familiar and comforting that I felt myself immediately drawn to him.
    He took a deep breath and I felt his hand tremble. “Draco,” he said, squeezing my hand much harder than was necessary. At once, I was flooded with his anger and dislike for me. I had never met had such strong hostility towards me and I tried to pull my hand away, but he wouldn’t let go. In fact, he tightened his grip even more. Images of the hallway and the people in it around me formed. Although the scene was blurry at best, it was more than I had ever seen in my life and I was stunned. My eyes shuddered, unused to the bright lights and color. I felt a sudden nausea in the pit of my belly as I gazed around, unsure what was happening. I felt him stiffen