Some of the following scene has been copied from Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. It can be found in Chapter twelve The Polyjuice Potion from page 217-226. I do apologize for this but I felt it necessary for the scene. This will be the only time in this story in which I do this, thank you and enjoy!
It was only moments after Hermione swallowed her dose of polyjuice potion that she was certain something had gone horribly wrong. Rather than gaining the expected girth and height, she watched in horror as black fur began growing from her hands. Trembling she sat down hard on the toilet.
"Are you two okay?"
Hermione's eyes widened at hearing Goyle's voice before she was able to remind herself that it was only Harry. Still, the low rasp had caused her ears to fold back. Once the fur had started sprouting it hadn't taken long for her to realize what had gone wrong. She grabbed hold of her new tail struggling to keep it still as she heard Crabbe's voice answer in affirmation to Harry's query.
Hermione could hear the boys looking at themselves in the mirror commenting on everything. She tried to slow her breathing as she looked at the watch on her wrist.
"You don't know how bizarre it is to see Goyle thinking." Ron banged on the stall door that Hermione was still hiding in. "C'mon, we need to go!"
Hermione swallowed hard and winced as she heard just how high pitched her voice was from fear. "I-I don't think I'm going to come after all. You go without me."
"Hermione, we know Millicent Bulstrode is ugly, no one's going to know it's you-"
Hermione whimpered under her breath grabbing hold of the door to keep it closed in case Ron or Harry tried to force the issue. "...No, really I don't think I'll come. You two hurry up! You're wasting time!"
"That looks more like Goyle. That's how he looks every time a teacher asks him a question."
Hermione froze as she heard Goyle's voice but Harry's caring tone right at the door. "Hermione… are you okay?"
More than anything Hermione wanted to tell Harry what happened to beg him to stay with her until the hour was over. But… "Fine! I'm fine, go now!" It was the first time she'd actually lied to Harry. Her ears pinned back and her tail lay limp in her hands as she heard Harry back up from her door.
"We'll meet you back here, alright?"
Hermione couldn't bring herself to answer as she heard the boys leave the door shutting hard behind them as she sat on the toilet pulling her knees to her chest and stared at her watch not noticing that Myrtle had poked her head into her stall until she heard the ghost's laughter.
Hermione looked up to see Myrtle grinning down at her. "It isn't funny Myrtle! The potion isn't supposed to be used with animal hair! Look what it has done to me!" It was taking all the control Hermione had not to hiss up at the teenage ghost. Her tail whipped loose from her hands incensed.
"You're right it's not funny… It's hilarious! Little Miss. Perfect made a mistake of such epic proportions!" Myrtle cocked her head "Are you planning on crying? Or are you even able to do so anymore?"
Hermione felt her ears flick as she kept her attention on her watch counting down the minutes and hoping with everything she was that the boys were alright.
Hermione stared at her watch the tip of her tongue darting out to moisten her top lip. two minutes, I hope the boys are on their way back… She glanced up to see Myrtle sitting cross-legged grinning at her and shuddered before returning her attention to her watch. one minute… Come on, guys! She swallowed hard the book had been very clear that the potion was not to be used for animal transformation. Hopefully, it just means that a total transformation is impossible… I'll just turn right back to myself… thirty seconds… The guys should be back by now! Ten seconds where are they! Oh please let them be okay! Three, two one…
"Times up isn't it?" Myrtle asked knowingly as tears began to run down Hermione's still fur covered cheeks.
"M-my watch must be fast… th-that's all!" Hermione gulped out well aware of the impossibility of that statement. N-no stop thinking about it, Hermione… It's just taking a little longer! You'll revert any second!
The door to the bathroom crashed open and Hermione was startled by the banging on her stall door. "Hermione! Come out, we've got loads to tell you!" She drew back as far as she could from the door of the stall her ears pinned back at the cracking of Ron's voice. I hope they both finish this part of puberty quickly!
"Go away!" Hermione swallowed a sob as she pulled her robes up over her face. She knew sooner or later they'd get the door open.
"What's the matter?" Hermione heard Ron's puzzled voice a bit away from the door. "You must be back to normal by now, we are!"
Hermione couldn't stop the soft sob that escaped when Ron asked if she was back to normal so she missed Myrtle leaving her stall.
"Oooooh, wait till you see, It's awful." Myrtle sounded entirely too cheerful and Hermione debated if she could possibly die due to embarrassment. With my luck, I'd become a ghost and have to stay here with Myrtle. She shivered at the thought and slowly unlocked the door letting it open her robes still hiding her face. Her fur was soaked from her tears that had not ceased falling.
"What's up? Have you still got Millicent's nose or something?" Ron asked
Knowing there was no way she could keep hiding from her best friends she allowed her robes to fall back into their proper place. She heard rather than saw Ron back into the sink at the sight of her fur-covered face. She noticed however that Harry hadn't moved but still sniffled.
"It was c-cat hair!" Her voice came out in an almost yowl. "M-Millicent Bulstrode m-must have a cat! And the p-potion isn't supposed to be used for animal transformations!"
She looked over to Ron to see the boy still hadn't moved "Uh-oh…"
Uh-oh? Really Ron? I have a face covered in fur and cat ears and you say uh-oh?
"You'll be teased something dreadful" Myrtle chortled from where she was sitting close to Ron.
Evil little witch...you'd think she'd be more understanding about being teased. Hermione blinked as she felt a gentle hand touch her upper arm. She turned to see Harry smiling softly at her if not a bit nervously.
"It's okay, Hermione, we'll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions…"
Hermione smiled thankfully to Harry noticing her teeth felt a bit different but Harry simply smiled back. She moved to follow him out when she heard Myrtle's joyful voice.
"Wait till everyone finds out you've got a tail!"
Hermione scampered back into her stall locking it again. It would take quite a while for Harry and Ron to convince her that they'd make sure no one saw her or her tail before she agreed to go to the hospital wing.
Hermione moaned as she slowly returned to consciousness. Dumbledore never said we'd feel this awful when we woke back up. Wait… where am I? I thought we were supposed to wake up once we broke the surface. I'm not in the lake. Hermione looked around to see Harry sitting at her bedside wrapped in a white towel his hair still damp. "H-harry?"
Hermione watched as Harry's eyes lit up as he took her hand in his "Hermione! Thank Merlin you're awake! Madam Pomfrey said you were bitten by one of the merpeople." He shook his head "Dumbledore said he'd be talking to the chieftess about it. He's furious he was assured that all of you would be safe."
Hermione blinked with a simple nod her ankle was throbbing a bit now that she thought about it. "Where's…" She trailed off as she saw Harry stiffen she thought she saw him grit his teeth but…
"Krum is with Karkaroff, he wouldn't let him stay with you. You've been unconscious for almost an hour. I um, I can get him for you if you like?" Harry rubbed at his scar.
"No Harry, that's alright. I just wanted to make sure he was okay. Were any of the others hurt?" Hermione looked around but it seemed the tent was empty except herself and Harry.
"Not hurt per se, but Fleur's little sister was her hostage. I wound up bringing her back with Ron. I don't think she would have lasted much longer down there… She was this horrible ghostly green… and so very pale. I think it was because she's part veela." Harry shuddered, "I don't think Fleur's magic was working properly under the water. She got caught by grindylows."
Hermione smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek. "Oh Harry, you and your saving people…"
Harry shrugged but didn't pull away from Harry's touch. "I wanted to save you too but they wouldn't let me…" He looked down at the blanket covering Hermione "That must have been when you were bitten! I'm so sorry, I-I was just so worried about you!"
Hermione sighed as she rubbed her thumb against Harry's cheek. "Hey… I'm not angry at you. It was just a bite. I'm sure I'll be right as rain in just a few hours. You are not to blame yourself. Do you understand me, Harry James?"
She smiled as Harry gazed into her eyes with his expressive green ones causing a chill down her spine. "Alright, Hermione I promise. You know you mean more to me than anything?"
"Is that right? Even your Firebolt?" Hermione teased him as she felt his fingers as he ran them through her curls.
"More than a million Firebolts Mione." Harry blushed as Hermione glanced away biting her bottom lip shyly. "Is it er, alright if I call you that?" He grinned as Hermione gave a small nod. "You know, I was an idiot… Unlike Ron, I knew you were a girl before the Yule Ball… I wish I had asked you."
Hermione looked back up into Harry's eyes to see the grin focused at her before he swallowed the grin becoming a nervous smile. "I… When I came out of the water I looked everywhere for you. When Madam Pomfrey told me that you were hurt I didn't even wait for my score. I've been here... I didn't dare leave you. How I felt...I… dammit, Mione, I couldn't breathe it felt like I had been punched in the gut. The idea of never seeing your smile, or hearing your voice again I couldn't… I can't imagine it!"
"Harry, wh-what are you trying to say." Hermione kept her hand resting on his cheek frozen afraid to move.
"I think… no. I know..." Harry shook his head softly so to not move her warm hand. "Hermione Jean Granger I'm in love with you."
Hermione's eyes widened as she felt her heart race, her lips felt dry, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Harry loves me? Me? B-but I'm just a plain bushy haired book worm! He couldn't!
"Mione, I-I understand if you don't feel the same bu-but I had to tell you!" Harry started to pull back. Hermione panicked afraid her non-response had scared him away
No! "Harry, I-I…" Hermione licked her top lip before a nervous smile tugged at her lips "Harry, I... me too. I mean what you said… I just never thought…" She trailed off as A wide grin blossomed on Harry's face.
"Really? Y-you, love me?" Hermione gave a simple nod. "Like I love you?" Another nod was his answer. "And not just like a friend? Or, like I'm your brother?" Hermione simply raised an eyebrow at that last question.
"Right, er well then… would it be alright if I...I mean may I… I'd like to…" Harry hadn't felt this tongue-tied since he had seen Hermione in her dress robes at the Yule Ball.
"Yes, Harry." Hermione smiled a soft blush colored her cheeks. She let her eyes slide shut as she felt Harry press his lips to hers in a gentle chaste first kiss. Hermione opened her eyes as he pulled back a goofy grin on his face.
"Wow.."
Hermione beamed "Yeah, that was perfect…"
Harry sat on the side of Hermione's cot taking her hand in his. "So, I guess I can call you my girlfriend now?"
"Only if I can call you my boyfriend Harry. Just make me a promise?" Hermione interlaced her fingers with his beaming at how right it felt.
"Anything Mione. You name it."
"Promise me when we go to Hogsmeade you won't take me to that awful Madam Puddifoot's. I'd prefer we stick with Madam Rosmerta at The Three Broomsticks." Hermione beamed as Harry laughed nodding.
"I promise. Huh, there's a water beetle in your hair." Harry carefully pulled it loose before setting it on the floor.
"You are so sweet Harry, most boys would have smashed it." Neither of them noticed that the beetle seemed to shudder before it flew out of the tent as fast as it could.
"Well! It would have been nice if you had let me know my patient was awake Mister Potter."
Harry winced at the tone of Madam Pomfrey's voice and turned to give her what he hoped was a winning grin. "Sorry Madam, Mione and I got started talking and well..."
"It's my fault Madam, I wanted to make sure everyone else was alright." Hermione blushed lightly as Madam Pomfrey gazed at their interlaced hands.
"Finally confessed how you felt for each other?" She laughed at the shocked expressions on both of their faces. "Miss Granger, I believe that you both may have been the only ones in Hogwarts who had no idea how you felt for each other. The Weasley twins have had a betting pool on when you'd realize going since you were petrified in second year Miss Granger."
Hermione blinked. "Since I was petrified? I don't understand…" She looked up to see Harry looking down at their clasped hands. "Harry?"
Hermione watched as Harry took a deep breath and turned to Madam Pomfrey. "How did you know?"
"Mister Potter, I wouldn't be able to do my job properly if I didn't have a way to see how many people are in the hospital wing." Madam Pomfrey smirked "Visible or not as the visitor may be."
"Harry?" Hermione asked again gently squeezing his hand.
"I… they told us that you wouldn't… that you were basically a statue. But, I couldn't." Harry shook his head. "It was like you were in a coma, and we...I mean all I could think was what if you were aware. What if you were fully conscious and unable to move or speak. I couldn't stand that Mione so… I-I came and visited you. Ron or Neville or one of the twins would wait till after curfew and hold the portrait open for me and I'd come and see you. Sometimes I'd bring a school book, but most of the time I'd just sit next to you and… I'd talk. I'd tell you what was happening in class, what Ron was up to. I-I told you about my life before Hogwarts." Harry chuckles. "I basically talked about anything."
Hermione stared up at him her eyes shimmering from unshed tears. "How often?"
Harry shrugged "I dunno, it was two years ago…" He glanced down at her and she could see his eyes were red. "Maybe… maybe it was every night?"
Hermione smiled a tear running down her cheek "Well then, I guess I can understand why the betting pool started then. We'll have to ask the twins if there are separate pools for when each of us realized it ourselves."
Harry laughed. "I guess we will. When did you…"
"When you saved my very soul Harry." Hermione saw Harry's eyes widen as he grinned and nodded his understanding.
"As much as I am enjoying the fact you both are together I do need to check on my patient Mister Potter if you would?" Madam Pomfrey nodded as Harry released Hermione's hand retreating to stand by her head.
"Alright my dear, this may hurt a bit. First Mer bite I've had to treat I must confess." Madam Pomfrey uncovered Hermione's leg A simple white bandage covered her ankle which Madam Pomfrey slowly peeled back before quickly replacing it her eyes wide. "Mister Potter please stay with Miss. Granger, I'll return in a moment. Miss Granger, please do not move."
Both Harry and Hermione watched puzzled as she hurried out of the tent. Hermione swallowed hard "Harry, what do you think she saw that scared her so badly… I-I don't know anything about mer-venom!"
Harry hesitated a moment gauging how fast the healer had been moving. "Mione, would you mind if I took a look under your bandage? I couldn't see anything due to my position."
"Please do Harry! I'm really worried about how fast she left!" Hermione bit her bottom lip as she watched Harry move to the foot of her cot and after a deep breath he pulled the bandage back. "What is it, Harry? Is it poisoned? Bloody? Am I going to lose my leg?"
Harry replaced the bandage carefully and walked back up to the head of her bed taking her hand in his kissing it gently.
"H-harry?"
"Mione, I—" Harry frowned and kissed her hand again. "Do you remember when you accidentally used cat hair in the polyjuice potion?"
Hermione nodded before her eyes grew wide. "I'm not growing scales am I?"
Harry shook his head. "Not scales… Mione your ankle is covered in cream and orange fur…"
"But Millicent's cat was black! My fur was black Harry!" Harry could feel her trembling as he kept ahold of her hand.
"I know."
"But you said its cream and orange! W-what does that mean?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't know Mione, but, no matter what is going on I'm not leaving you."
Hermione looked up into Harry's eyes to see the firm look he always got when he had made a decision. She sniffled before smiling. "Even if wild dogs dragged you away."
Harry grinned "I'm only aware of one wild dog Ma'am and he'd kick my arse for leaving you." He bent down and kissed her lips.
"Ahem!"
Harry pulled back quickly to see Madam Pomfrey had returned and with her were Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. "Professors." Harry acknowledged as he kept a tight grip on Hermione's hand.
"Miss Granger we are going to be discussing your injury at length and what this side effect may amount to. Would you like Harry to leave?" Dumbledore asked peering over his glasses at the young couple. A bit earlier then James and Lily but I'm not surprised
"I understand Sir, I'd like Harry to stay please?" Hermione glanced up at Harry who smiled nodding as he gave her hand a squeeze.
"Of course, Madam Pomfrey if you would?" Dumbledore nodded to the white bandage covering Hermione's ankle.
With a flick of her wand, Madam Pomfrey vanished the bandage. "You can see why I felt the need to fetch you so urgently Headmaster."
"Yes, yes indeed… I see to recall back in Miss. Granger's second year she was hospitalized for something very similar. Is it possible this is related to that?" Dumbledore stroked his beard in thought.
"I-it... Miss Granger, I need your permission to discuss your past hospitalization with the Headmaster." Madam Pomfrey looked over at Hermione who was frantically chewing her bottom lip before she gave a simple nod.
"Headmaster, from my treatment of Miss. Granger in her second year I discovered that her er, hospitalization was due to have used polyjuice potion with a black cat hair." Hermione glanced away as she felt both Snape's and McGonagall's eyes on her.
"I see, please continue… Minerva, Severus let's not take points for a crime two years in the past hmm?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the professors causing Snape to mumble and McGonagall to give a firm nod.
"Of course, well as you know polyjuice is never to be used with animal hair it… messes with the parameters of the potion. For example, had Miss. Granger used male cat hair. She'd had found herself in a far more well, confusing situation than just having to deal with fur removal. But, as it was, the potion affected her down to the very core of what makes her. Oh, what do Muggles call them?"
"Cells?" Hermione squeaked out her eyes wide at what she thought Madam Pomfrey was attempting to get at.
Madam Pomfrey nodded "Yes, cells thank you, Miss. Granger. Basically what I did to return Miss. Granger to her natural form is akin to how Muggles treat cancer. It's quite fascinating I read several books about it during Miss. Granger's hospitalization. They use a process called chemotherapy where they use medications and radiation to poison and kill the cancer." She frowned in thought. "Mind, I was disappointed at how poorly it caused the patients to feel and was pleased I could use spells and potions to achieve the same results that is, of course, the poisoning and killing the cat cells in Miss. Granger's body. But, without those awful side effects."
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked up at Harry mouthing cancer?
Harry firmly squeezed her hand holding it to his chest as they both stayed quiet understanding the idea of chemotherapy far better than any of the adults.
"Well, it seemed to have worked spectacularly two years ago. Do you know why her fur has begun to return?" Dumbledore questioned leaning closer to examine Hermione's ankle.
"And why it is colored different from the first time?" McGonagall asked glancing up over to Hermione and frowned the teenager was deathly pale and so was Harry.
"I have a theory yes, you see when Miss. Granger was bitten by the merperson it injected a bit of mer-venom. I believe if we test Miss. Granger, we'll find she has an allergy to the normally mild venom. This mild allergy may have caused something that muggles call—"
"Relapse." Hermione breathed out interrupting the healer who smiled gently "I was in remission but now I'm starting to relapse. What can be done?"
Madam Pomfrey sighed "Well, we can, of course, begin chemotherapy again. But…" She trailed off
Hermione bit her lip. "Is, is this fatal? I mean cancer…"
"Oh! No, no you don't need to worry about that Miss. Granger, I promise that you will not die from this. The problem I have with trying my magical chemotherapy again is that one it does not appear to be the same let us say strain of cat as back in your second year. Also, I am concerned that this strain may be more prevalent than the black strain let us call it. I'm also concerned that if it is more prevalent... invasive then the black strain we run the risk of killing cells that are necessary for your being a witch." Madam Pomfrey explained as gently as she could.
Hermione let her head sink into her pillow deeply in shock. "I could lose my magic?" She squeaked out after a few seconds.
"That is a risk yes Miss. Granger. If you'd allow Professor Snape to test the fur growing on your ankle compared to the hair on your head and we'll have a better idea of how widespread this strain of cat is."
"O-of course." Hermione quickly gives her permission and tries not to wince when Snape removes a few strands of both fur and hair.
"I should have the results in less than an hour," Snape said dropping the strands into a vial before quickly leaving.
"Well, until we have the results shall we move to the hospital wing while we wait?" Professor Dumbledore asked the twinkle in his eye dimmed.
"Yes, I do think that is an excellent idea. You are welcome as well Mister Potter." Madam Pomfrey gently helped Hermione to her feet making sure her robes fully covered her furry ankle.