Summary: Harry defeated Voldemort in the cemetery and is hailed a hero. Now all he want's is to live a normal life, but to do that, he'll have to go to great lengths. AU, 5th year, no horcruxes, genderbending!Harry, and femslash because, even if he's changed into a girl, his brain is still a guy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Harry Potter.

Warnings: this story will contain female!Harry/female content eventually, though I don't know the pairings yet. It will not get very graphic in terms of that, however, but a fair warning...I don't expect any complaints about it, because it's your option to read the story. And you have been given due warning (twice!). Unfortunately I have a lot of school work and classes and stuff, so I don't really have a lot of time to write, but I do have at least a vague idea of the first few chapters in my head. Nevertheless, happy readings!

Harry Potter sat in the hospital wing, leg propped up onto a stack of pillows as the slow acting healing spell took effect. The acromantula had really done a number on it, he marveled idly, glad that the huge gash had already been taken care of.

Madam Pomfrey had ushered the Weasley's, Hermione, and Sirius out of the hospital wing nearly an hour ago, and Harry was just waiting for the Headmaster's return, as he had promised. Staring glumly at his leg, Harry folded his arms in front of him, mulling over the evening.

Cedric Diggory was dead. Voldemort was gone. Death Eaters were still at large. And Harry was once again spending the end of his term in the hospital wing, for however long it would be this time.

I guess some things just don't change, he thought.

On the upside, he had managed to drag Wormtail back with him and Cedric's body and, unlike the now soulless Crouch Jr., Pettigrew was being held in a ministry cell, soul intact, waiting for a preliminary hearing. It was scheduled for the following Monday and, pending the result, Sirius's case would be reopened with an actual trial this time.

The clicking of the door drew Harry's attention to the far end of the room. Professor Dumbledore had returned, and he graced Harry with a kind smile.

"Ahh, good. You're still awake."

Harry simply nodded at the observation.

"I was concerned that you would have fallen asleep on me," the old man kindly continued on. Harry didn't take offense. Dumbledore took the liberty of conjuring a large armchair next to Harry's bed, before sinking into it with a contented sigh.

"Well, my boy, you sure know how to make the most of life," the Headmaster continued after a moment's pause.

"It's a gift," Harry said plainly, adding another shrug.

"Indeed. The school has yet to be informed, the professors and I agree that after breakfast tomorrow would be best. Then the news can settle down before you return to the rest of your peers."

Harry nodded, pleased with the idea although he knew it would not fix his problem. It seemed as though he was doomed to never be out of the spotlight.

"What's going to happen now, sir?"

The Headmaster tilted his head at the question.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, Mr. Potter."

Harry shifted under the sparkling blue gaze.

"Well, Voldemort is gone now. Forever. That's gonna be a big change, right?"

"Indeed it will."

"So what's gonna happen?"

Dumbledore fell silent for several moments, pondering the question.

"Life will go on. I daresay, my boy, your life as a celebrity has only just started."

Harry had already guessed that, but having it verbalized made it all the more permanent. With a groan his head fell back.

"I don't want to be famous. I just want to be able to live my life like a normal teenager!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Potter."

Harry stared at the ceiling, hard, dreaming of a life of anonymity. No stares, no whispers about him behind his back, to be able to hang out with friends without some sort of outside drama hanging over their heads. It came to him in a flash of inspiration.

"What if I wasn't Harry Potter?" he asked suddenly, sitting up to look at the Headmaster expectantly. "What if I was someone else? A glamor or...or polyjuice potion!"

Dumbledore seemed to consider the thought.

"Both would be difficult," he said at last.

"But it's possible, right?"

"It would require a lot of researching and planning, you understand? This is not a situation to take lightly."

Harry stilled, as if haven been reprimanded like a child. After a pause of silence, he repeated his earlier question.

"I know...but it's possible, right?"

"It is, my boy. But think it through a bit more."

The green-eyed teen waited for elaboration.

"If you want anyone to believe that you're not Harry Potter, it will take a lot of work and sacrifices on your behalf. You would have to distance yourself from your friends, your hobbies, to some extent, even your own personality."

The Headmaster's words hung in the air.

"But...maybe not too much. I mean, how many people actually know Harry Potter outside of the Weasley's and Hermione?"

"That may be true, my boy, but I still maintain that it is not a decision to make lightly."

"Can we consider it?"

Dumbledore inclined his head again.

"As long as you think it through, and thoroughly."

Harry nodded his promise.

"I will, sir. Believe me."

Slowly Dumbledore graced the boy with another smile.

"I know, Mr. Potter. Now, I believe it is time for you to get some rest. We shall have another talk soon."