Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and everything else connected to it. Enough said.

Warning: Draco/Harry pairing, female Harry, male Hermione, possible OOC, erratic update schedules, possible additional gender benders.

Summary: Finally defeating the Dark Lord, Harry Potter faces another challenge: First Love! She reckoned after her numerous adventures and eventually facing death, this was a piece of cake. The problem is, how will her mind handle, or even worse, accept that her heart beats for a certain Slytherin? Draco/Harry; female!Harry; male!Hermione

Chapter I

The Aftermath

Stifling a yawn, Harmony Lilian Potter slowly descended the stairs of the now newly renovated Number 12 Grimmauld Place. During the weeks that followed after she finally defeated Voldemort, she decided that she had to do something not related to her being the "Girl Who Lived" (or the latest being the "Lady Defender" as infuriatingly quoted by Ron from the Daily Prophet), before her head blows up. And since she legally owns the place, she took it upon herself to wipe out any Slytherin-related artifacts around the house during this time, with occasional help from her friends whenever they come over and visit. Of course the Permanent Sticking Charm on the Family Tree and on the portrait of Sirius's mother proved to be a pain, but there is nothing that a house elf's magic can't fix. She hadn't actually thought that Kreacher can take down the tapestry and the portrait, and just planned to hang something else over it, but the one time she was startled because of the screams and almost fell down the whole flight of stairs when the Weasleys came over to visit finally did it. Unexpectedly, Kreacher was all too happy to oblige, and claimed that house elves has the capability to counter-charm the said enchantment, after she tried to convince (more like bribe, actually) the house elf to please "transfer" the tapestries (together with the house elf mounted heads) to his cupboard after she expands it to accommodate all the mementoes of her former mistress. The act apparently dissolved any remaining animosity between the house elf and his new mistress (together with her friends), which proved to have lightened quite a load since she has to live with Kreacher from now on.

"Good morning Mistress Harry", croaked Kreacher in his bullfrog's voice, as Harry entered the kitchen. "I take it that you had a nice sleep?" he asked.

"Good morning to you too, Kreacher. Yes, I actually had a good night's sleep for once." Harry answered, inwardly grimacing as she was sitting down on one end of the 12-seater dining table made of rich, antique mahogany. "Did any letter arrive for me this morning?" she asked, redirecting the conversation to anything else but what is going on with her at night, wishing the house elf hadn't noticed, which, unfortunately, was not answered.

"Mistress, how many times must we remind you, that you just have to remember that they died as heroes? Without their sacrifice, the wizarding world would not have attained the peace it is experiencing right now. It was their decision to fight against You-Know-Who and the chaos he was building, which eventually helped you defeat the Dark Lord once and for all. Their blood is not on your hands." Kreacher answered, while serving Harry's breakfast of freshly-squeezed orange juice, pancakes, fried eggs, bacon strips and treacle tart, her favorite.

Harry groaned. "I know, Kreacher. All of you haven't failed to remind me that hundreds of times already, but I just can't help it you know. It just hurts so much. And since when have you become so wise?" Harry tried to make a joke, but desperately failed. "Since I heard you talking in your sleep, Mistress," Kreacher bluntly replied, "and the one time Master Ronald and Master Herman talked to me about how worried they were about your well-being the last time they were here."

Ever since that fateful day, Harry actually had difficulty in sleeping. Not that she was afraid of having nightmares, it was more on the fact that her thoughts almost always goes back to what had transpired past few weeks ago. It actually helped that she was not forced to attend the trials of the arrested Death Eaters, and that her memory was good enough for them.

Yes, she may have actually fulfilled her so-called destiny, but to what account? So many lives have been lost, not just with the people close to her heart but with other wizarding and even muggle families as well. She felt that had she been strong enough early on, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Professor Dumbledore, Dobby, even Professor Snape, the rest of the Order and those witches and wizards who decided to fight Voldemort should not have had to sacrifice their lives, and they could have still been alive.

It is a good thing that she really has great friends who was always with her when she was down during these times, especially Herman and Ron, although their usual spat irritates her more than they think. Who wouldn't be, if you'd have to listen to two tall, good-looking guys (as she hated to admit), bickering like girls, arguing over wizard's chess of all things! (Herman actually has a hard time admitting that there is something Ron's better at as compared to him.) Although, she had to admit, it is heartwarming to know that the two (especially Herman) treats her like a younger sister, since they have been friends in their First Year at Hogwarts.

"Actually, a package from Australia arrived a while ago. It is in the attic." Kreacher announced, breaking the silence.

It seems that the news lifted the dark cloud slowly forming in Harry's mind, in which you could note a small smile already forming on her lips. "Thank you Kreacher," she replied. "I believe it's from Herman. He already told me last week that he's going there soon. I'll go look at it after breakfast."

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The attic happens to be one of Harry's favorite places in the manor. She hadn't actually noticed it during the few visits she had in the past, but when she started renovating the place, she stumbled upon it while exploring. The room is almost as large as the Gryffindor common room back in Hogwarts; the wooden beams supporting the slanting ceiling were visible, two square glass windows are seen on the left-side ceiling, covered with scarlet drapes with gold trimmings. Harry created a fireplace and placed a scarlet-colored sofa set to the right, with an oak, waist-high bookshelf by the wall in the middle, containing the books she had collected over the years in Hogwarts. Her favorite spot though, is the peach-colored daybed, with a low circular oak table beside it, strategically placed under one of the windows, where she could just easily gaze out at the sky at night. She jokingly once told Ron that if you were to replace the windows with stairs, and place a few spiders here and there, the spot would actually be similar to her cupboard back in Privet Drive, which to her amusement, made her red-haired friend cringe and subconsciously avoid that same spot every time he comes over.

Seeing the package on the table, Harry sat down and opened the letter first.

Dear Harry,

Are you done with the renovations? I am sorry I wasn't able to help this past week, seeing that I have to pick up my parents. I am so grateful that they were alright. I won't be coming back until the first week of August though; my parents would like to extend our vacation. So that pretty much means I'll be missing your coming out party.

I am sorry I'll be missing your birthday. For that, I decided to give you an early birthday present. Don't worry, it's not a book. Well, not really. It's a scrapbook. I couldn't actually put it together; I really can't understand how you girls put together such things, so at least you get to do something else after you're done with your little project around your house eh?

How are you though? Is Ron visiting often? He better be, or else I'd deck him a good one, once I get back! That git, I had to constantly remind him to check up on you. Not that I can't trust Kreacher to take care of you mind, but at least somebody else should look after you too.

I have to go now; I believe we're going to visit Ayers Rock today. Can you believe there is actually a wizarding library underneath the monument? I can't wait. See you soon. And happy eighteenth birthday in advance, young woman.

Herman

Harry frowned, annoyed at her brown-haired, smart-ass friend and self-proclaimed big brother. Young woman?! Coming out party?! Ha! "He's going to regret that dearly once he gets back, that annoying know-it-all.", Harry muttered, releasing her frustrations on the haphazardly covered scrapbook. After tearing the wrapper apart, Harry's mouth gaped open as pictures fell from the package. Kneeling down, she picked up the pictures one by one, noting that the pictures were of herself and her friends from Hogwarts, the Weasleys, the Marauders, the Order, Dumbledore's Army, and her old Quidditch team. At this point, she wouldn't know if she ought to sock Herman a good one to the eye, or hug him! She's definitely going to start working on it immediately!

"Oi! Harry! Mate! You up there?!" Ron's voice echoed from downstairs. "Shut up Ron! Remember the last time you were here? We almost had to bring her to St. Mungo's, you daft prig!" Harry sighed, after hearing Ginny argue with her brother, bringing up the stairs incident. So, Herman had really brought in the cavalry, that bossy prick. Although she appreciates it greatly, sometimes it frustrates her so much that Herman tries to act like her overprotective big brother, with their other friends ganging upon her.

"Yes! I'm in the attic!" Harry eventually answered back, picking up all the scattered pictures.

"You really did a great job with this place Harry! I think I'd like to hire you to fix up The Burrow one of these days." A soot-covered Ron joked, entering after a while. Sitting down on the floor beside the divan, he saw Herman's gift, then exclaimed, "So! You already received Herman's package then? Good, then tell that prick that he ought to remove that pole out of his arse when you write him back. I mean, come on! You're the "Lady Defender" you don't need anyone else to loo – Ouch Harry! What was that for!?" Ron yelled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Say that thing one more time, and there's definitely more of it, where that came from." Harry muttered darkly, while Ginny sniggered before saying, "Actually Harry, Mum already told us to come over and accompany you before Ron received Herman's orders. So, you can forget about wringing Herman's neck for a while." Reported Ginny, sitting beside Harry who rolled her eyes.

"What are your plans for the rest of the summer then? Now that you're already done with the renovations and all." Ron asked afterwards.

"I have no idea. Maybe go to Andromeda's and ask her to come live with me together with Teddy, seeing that Remus made me his godmother." Harry sighed. "I mean, the place is big enough for the three of us, and Kreacher will have someone to look after once we get back to Hogwarts."

"I agree, can't really leave Kreacher alone now, can we?" Ron nodding. "Aaww Ron, have you already developed a soft spot for our dear, old Kreacher?" Ginny teased. "I ought to tell Herman about that development, seeing that a reformed S.P.E.W. member has come forth."

Harry laughed, nodding "Yeah, I really ought to tell him that when I send him my reply." Laughing harder as Harry noticed Ron's red face.

Feeling considerably lighter since she woke up, Harry stood up and asked, "Diagon Alley anyone?"

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"You know Harry, you ought to shop for new clothes, with your birthday being near and all." Ginny told Harry as they were passing through the archway behind The Leaky Cauldron, trying to ignore Ron presently muttering "Stupid muggle cars, can't even move through traffic. I can't believe you'd actually buy a car without placing enchantments on it, Harry. I mean, we could've gotten here earlier if you'd actually let Dad -"

"Remember the last time we drove and enchanted car, Ron?" Harry cut in, no longer able to ignore Ron's ranting, "I believe we crashed into a tree, the Whomping Willow to be exact, so no more enchanted cars. And I actually like muggle cars, knowing I grew up believing I was a muggle, mind. Just because you can't park a non-magical car properly, doesn't mean that you'd have to insult my car."

"Sheesh, Harry. You know, you should cut down some of your time hanging out with Herman. He's really rubbed off on you." Ron muttered.

"You know, for two supposedly best friends, you guys antagonize each other so often, sometimes I believe one of you comes from Slytherin." Harry said exasperatedly, as they were entering Flourish and Blotts.

"And speaking of Slytherin, look who's here –" Ginny whispered to Harry, pointing somewhere up ahead. Harry's brows furrowed slightly, following the direction Ginny is pointing at, eventually frowning when she finally saw who Ginny was referring to –

"Malfoy." Harry hissed. "And to think after all that has happened, he still has the nerve to saunter about, acting like he owns the place." Harry supposed she had said the last part out loud for Draco's head shot up, his grey eyes narrowing when he had located who had spoken aloud, gaining eye contact.

Harry had no idea what to do then, seeing as Draco was already walking towards her, the ever-annoying smirk present on his face. "To hell with it." Harry thought, "I've never backed down from a fight before, and I won't start now. Especially if it's Malfoy we're talking about here." Strengthening her resolve, Harry kept on with the staring match, with no plans of backing down.

They were face to face now. Well, not really. Even if she was fairly tall at five foot six, Malfoy was still a head taller, forcing Harry to tilt her head up just to meet his eye. "Well if it isn't the "Girl Who Lived" or is it "The Lady Defender" now, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Still got lives to save I believe, seeing that you seem to have put up an orphanage to unfortunate red-headed weasels." Looking over Harry's head, nodding towards a red-faced Ron and an angry-looking Ginny with a smirk.

"At least, Malfoy," Harry responded, speaking his last name laced with contempt "I didn't need someone to testify for me in front of the Wizengamot so that I won't have to be chucked into Azkaban with my Death Eater of a father." Then she added, "At least your mother had the right mind to gamble her life against fate when she lied to Voldemort for me, even if all she ever wanted was to know you were safe, which in my own personal opinion was so not worth it." Emphasizing the last few words.

Draco then just stared at Harry a few moments after her little speech, eventually breaking eye contact, muttering, "Leave my mother out of this, Potter." Before turning around, and disappearing into the crowd.

After Draco left, Harry couldn't seem to ignore what she thought she saw in Malfoy's usually cold, calculating grey eyes when his mother was mentioned. Guilt? Fear? But why? His mother is safe. It was actually his mother's deed which had saved the both of them from Azkaban, so what was he scared of? What was he regretting about? Harry shook her head, trying to clear out her muddled thoughts. Then she felt Ron stand beside her, squeezing her shoulder, "Are you alright there, mate?" Harry nodded, eventually saying, "I guess, I just inhaled a lot of Malfoy-filled air, which poisoned my brain for a minute there." Ron chuckled at her remark, placing his arm around her shoulder smugly saying, "Well, I think you'd survive. You sure got him good in his face back there." Then guided her around the shop, looking for the new edition of Quidditch Weekly.

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Harry had forgotten all about what had happened at the Flourish and Blotts when the three of them decided to visit little Teddy and Andromeda Tonks instead, after their not-so-happy experience at Diagon Alley. In Harry's immense delight, Andromeda had agreed to live with her at Grimmauld Place, claiming that she actually missed the place. However, she needs to have at least a week before both of them gets to move at Harry's house for she still had to make arrangements for their own house, and other legal procedures concerning their other properties, so that when Ted comes of age, Andromeda claimed, he can fully acquire all assets with ease.

When they finally arrived at Harry's house, the rest of the Weasley family followed suit, as Mrs. Weasley had claimed that the moving in was a perfect excuse of a party. Little Teddy Tonks, to everyone's delight, was already showing signs of his metamorphmagus blood, in which his eye color changes from brown, to reddish, to purple to blue then to green, while watching George perform ridiculously entertaining muggle magic tricks. Mr. Weasley explained that his ability will not be as dominant as his mothers had been, because truly dominant metamorphmagus abilities were extremely rare, but claimed that it would most likely be powerful enough to create a deceiving transformation when he grows up.

The rest of the night was a joyous occasion. However, as Harry readied herself to bed, she couldn't help but feel hollow at some point. A party with the Weasleys seemed incomplete without Fred's antics with George, the twinkling blue eyes of Professor Dumbledore, the knowing look on Remus's face, the ever-changing features of Tonks, Professor Snape's greasy hair, the loud barking laugh of her godfather, Sirius Black, and deep within her heart, the lush green of her mother's eyes and the messy head of her father's hair. And as she laid her head on her pillow that night, she fervently hoped that wherever they may be, they are happy, safe, and contented, knowing that they have not died in vain.

Author's Note: Will accept reviews, other plot suggestions and even flames.