Harry and Hermione walked up to the front table where the two professors were waiting for them. They were led out of the hall, down several corridors and up a few stairs until they were standing in front of a statue of a gargoyle. The man gave some sort of a password and the gargoyle jumped to the side revealing a rotating stone staircase. At the top was a large oak door through which they went, into a large office.

The office was richly decorated, containing many books in floor to ceiling bookcases, and several small tables upon which sat curious silver machines that were doing various things from puffing smoke to rotating. On a perch behind the large, ornate desk in the middle of the room was a large red bird that was looking at them with one eye. In front of the desk were two comfortable armchairs, with several more scattered about the room.

The man sat down behind the desk and motioned for him and Hermione to sit down in the chairs. Professor McGonagall sat in one of the others close to the desk.

The man looked at them for a moment before speaking directly to Harry.

“Mr. Potter, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the Headmaster here at Hogwarts. We have never had a deaf student before, so we are going to have to work around some things. I understand you are able to read lips and Miss Granger can sign?”

Hermione nodded, as did he, and the Professor continued.

“It is very rare that you find a deaf witch or wizard, and almost all are deaf due to an irreversible accident involving some sort of magic. This mostly occurs later in life, after they have already learned most of the spells that they use. Teaching them to a deaf student is a different matter. As you will soon learn, the casting of most spells requires the proper pronunciation of the incantation, or else the spell will not work in the correct way. You have no idea what the spells are supposed to sound like, and saying them incorrectly can sometimes produce dangerous results.

“However, if one is powerful enough, they may be able to cast spells nonverbally. It takes a while to become proficient at nonverbal spells. Also, it requires intense concentration at first, but becomes easier over time.”

Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and two rather large books appeared out of nowhere on his desk.

“I would like you and Miss Granger to read through these books to become acquainted with the basics of nonverbal casting. I will be giving you lessons three times a week after dinner. The first one will be on Tuesday. I would like you to have read as much as possible before that time.

“Now I think that the two of you need to get some rest, as tomorrow will be a busy day. Professor McGonagall will show you to your dormitories. Good night.”

They stood and followed Professor McGonagall, taking their copies of ‘Silent and Wandless Magic’ with them. As they walked, she told Hermione about the castle and where all their classes were located, who would be taking all the same courses as Harry and could show him around later on.

Near the end of a corridor, they stopped in front of a painting of a fat woman wearing a dress. Harry was amazed when the painting moved and spoke to them, asking for the password. Professor McGonagall said something and Hermione signed to him that the password was Caput Draconis. The portrait swung open revealing a doorway into a large, circular room with a large fire and lots of chairs and couches around it, with tables for studying.

“The boys dormitories are to the left and the girls are too the right. Your rooms are on the first landing. Your trunks have already been brought up along with any pets you may have. Good night”, Professor McGonagall said and left.

Harry told Hermione “Good night” and went up the staircase on the left. At the first landing was a wooden door with a brass plaque on it reading ‘First Years’. There were five four-poster beds in the round room, with four of them already occupied. His trunk was lying in front of the bed nearest the door. The hangings around the other beds were already drawn, and he assumed the other boys were already asleep.

He quickly changed into his pajamas and got into bed. It was very comfortable, at least compared to what he had had to sleep on at the Dursleys.

It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep, especially since he couldn’t hear the other boys talking about him behind the last bed.