Chapter 2: Awkward new environment.
Cho blinked. She had a dream about getting a new Firebolt, just like Harry Potter's. She wailed when she realized she was dreaming. Reluctantly, she fully opened her eyes. Expecting to see the usual Royal Blue and light Silvery Stars on the ceiling, Cho furrowed her brows when bright shade of Gold and crimson scarlet met her eyes. Feeling confused, Cho sat up and realized her bed cover and sheets were shades of white and dark maroon. There were muggle photographs of two middle-aged couple and a girl who looked like….young Hermione Granger.
Cho was soon aware of bushy fly away hair about her, and seized the lock in her hands. Panicking, she ran to what seemed like a bathroom and closed the door shut.
"What's with her?" she heard a voice outside.
Breathing hard and scared to look, Cho turned her face towards the mirror.
It seemed at least five minutes before Cho realized it wasn't herself who stared back at her through the mirror. Was this mirror enchanted? Cho raised her eyebrows, and there was Hermione Granger, doing the same. Cho touched her bushy mane of hair once again. Her usual feeling of sleek, smooth hair wasn't there. Instead, her hair was more coarse and thick. Cho numbly felt her entire body. She finally came to a conclusion that she was in Hermione Granger's body.
She let out a sharp gasp, and had to refrain from screaming by closing her mouth with Hermione Granger's hands. She saw her eyes dart wildly in panic as second by second, she realized what had happened.
What on earth was happening? Why, in merlin's pants, was she in Hermione Granger's body?? She was quite satisfied with her own, thanks!
Cho finally came out of the bathroom, avoiding suspicious looks given by a girl whose name was Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. She knew Parvati, because her sister Padma, who was a Ravenclaw, looked exactly like her. She tried to act normal as Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet threw her questions to make sure she was okay.
Angelina…she was the Gryffindor Chaser. She was pretty good, Cho thought, remember how Bradley tried so hard to 'accidentally' knock her off the broom.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Parvati asked, noticing Cho breathing heavily. "You're so pale!" she said.
"Nothing." Cho said briskly, and dodged towards Hermione's drawers of fresh socks, knickers, skirts and stockings. She stocked them very neatly. Even more neat than she. She pulled on whatever that looked decent and would fit, and took Hermione's book bag and her wand which felt strange in her hand.
She then walked briskly out of the dormitory, and stood for a moment in the circular Gryffindor common room, with warm scarlet and orange tones everywhere.
"Hey Hermione." It was Ginny Weasley. Cho narrowed her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked, nonplussed.
"Nothing," Cho said again hastily. "Er…"
"What?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing, sorry, I'm just, I need to go find someone –"
Cho dashed out of the circular door. She had to find herself - Cho. It was most likely that Hermione Granger was in her body…so this problem had to be solved one way or another.
………………………………………………..
"Mmm.." Hermione mumbled as Marietta ordered her to wake up.
"Cho, you're going to miss breakfast again!" Marietta said shrilly, fully dressed.
Hermione lay there, annoyed. Who was this girl shouting at?
Then Marietta tapped Hermione on her shoulders. Hermione opened her eyes, a bit annoyed.
"What – oh my goodness!" she gasped, as she saw silver stars on the ceiling and blue and bronze sheets about her. And this was Marietta Edgecombe she was staring at – who definitely was not in Gryffindor, and who still probably held grudge against her for making that mark on her forehead.
"What do you want?" Hermione demanded.
"I'm sorry for trying to wake you up!" Marietta said sarcastically. She was fully dressed in her blue and bronze Ravenclaw robes.
"Why- what am I doing here?" Hermione asked, dazed. Everybody around her was indeed in Ravenclaw. She saw Luna in the corner, putting on her raddish earrings.
"Luna!" Hermione exclaimed, glad to see someone she was familiar with.
Luna looked up, looking serene and surprised that she was calling her name.
"Luna, do you know what I am doing here?" Hermione asked.
"What are you talking about?" Luna asked, her voice hazy.
Marietta narrowed her eyes at Hermione. "Cho, why are you talking to her?" she asked.
"Wait- what did you just call me?" Hermione asked. She began to realize something was different with her body. She felt slimmer, as if she lost more weight during the night. And she did not feel her usual mane of bushy hair around her face.
"I've got to go – girl's toilet" she dashed off her bed and locked the bathroom door behind her.
She looked in the mirror, and let out a high shriek.
"Cho! What's wrong? What are you doing?!" It was Marietta.
There were knockings on the door, and Hermione heard dozens of shouts at once, calling for her.
Everything was blurry, as Hermione stepped closer to the mirror, and saw a beautiful face of Cho Chang staring back at her, equally horrified.
Hermione gasped each time as she noticed that she had long, silky black hair, exotic brown eyes, petite nose and pink lips. Her face was thinner, no- her entire body was thinner, for merlin's sake!
Hermione was Cho Chang. Cho Chang. She could not believe it. She felt blood pound in her ears. What the hell happened?
Thinking wildly, Hermione remembered the toffee. I'm going to murder Fred and George. She thought, gritting her teeth. She was about to burst through the door and run to Dumbledore's office, when another thought struck her. Well, she ate the toffee when she knew about it…in spur of moment. Her least intelligent moment, she thought bitterly. Maybe she should leave it alone for awhile and just tell Harry and Ron…well if Ron is willing to talk to me, Hermione thought, rolling her eyes.
She glanced once again at the mirror, more calmly this time. No matter how desperate the situation was now, Hermione couldn't help but admire Cho's radiant beauty that was hers now. She tried smiling. For once, she was proud of flaunting her nice straight teeth and a single dimple on the right cheek. She ran her slim fingers through her silky hair. It even felt like silk.
"Cho!"
Hermione jumped, as she was so absorbed in admiring her 'new look'.
"Coming!" Hermione answered in her new voice. She opened the bathroom door.
"What on earth is going on?" Marietta demanded.
"Er…"
"C'mon we're going to miss breakfast!" Lisa said, pulling her hand.
Hermione searched through Cho's drawers for her Ravenclaw uniform, and put on blue and bronze robes. This is so weird, she thought.
On the way to the Great Hall, Hermione was almost dizzy with dozens of girls around her, talking about latest witch fashion and boys and about nails. It wasn't that Hermione did not have any girl friends, but she certainly was not used to all this 'girl talk' and given popularity on the spot.
As soon as they entered the Great Hall, Hermione stammered an excuse and went straight for the Gryffindor table. She searched wildly, and to her delight, spotted Harry and Ron.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. Several Gryffindor heads turned, apparently surprised to see Cho Chang greeting Harry Potter with such enthusiasm.
Oops, Hermione thought. You're no longer Hermione Granger. Act like Cho Chang!
"Er..hey Cho." Harry said awkwardly. Ron stared at her in surprise.
"Have you seen erm – Hermione?" Hermione asked, feeling incredibly odd.
"She's coming I think. Oh, look there is Hermione with Ginny…why?" Harry asked, a bit of suspicion in his tone.
"Er…gotta ask her something regarding…Arithmacy." Hermione blubbered, and hurried over to her look alike that was now Cho.
"Psst!" Hermione yelled. She felt an odd sensation swoop over her as she saw herself look at her, alert, and run over to her.
"Er…"
"Wow…"
"Did you do this?" Cho demanded right away, glaring at Hermione, obviously wanting the body back.
"No! No listen, can we go somewhere private?"
Two girls walked out of the Great Hall, causing few curious faces, including Harry and Ron to stare.
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Cho demanded. "Why am I in your body? And why are you in my body?"
Hermione patiently explained to Cho about confiscating the toffee from Fred and George, and the power of the toffees themselves.
Cho stood there, apparently in awe.
"How long is this going to last?" Cho asked in Hermione's voice, and Hermione could tell she was trying to keep her voice steady.
Hermione breathed. "I don't know. We'll figure it out. Sooner or later."
"We have to tell Dumbledore." Cho said right away.
"No!"
Cho whipped her bushy hair about her. "What do you mean, no? We can't be in each other's bodies forever!" she looked indignant. Hermione took a moment to observe how irritated her own face looked.
"Look, I know, but if we do tell him, Fred and George are going to get expelled." Hermione said.
"And they deserve it!" Cho said.
"No," Hermione kept calm. "Listen, I know this is awful, but it wasn't their fault. It was partly my fault for eating them…I'm sure they'll come up with an antidote soon, they're quite clever." Hermione could not believe she was calling the twins 'clever'. She went on. "Also, if they get expelled, Mrs. Weasley is going to be devastated! And she is the nicest woman I've ever met, who has helped Harry and I so well - and if I do that to her-"
"Okay, okay. Fine." Cho said finally. Then she narrowed her eyes at Hermione. "I do look a bit odd when I'm talking about people I hardly know, though." She said, frowning.
Hermione let out a weak laugh.
Cho sighed. She was obviously more unpleasant of the two.
"We'll find a way, I promise." Hermione pleaded.
"Fine. Just…try to act like me, will you?" Cho said, her voice a little cold.
"You as well." Hermione said.
"I will." said Cho. "And erm, since you have my bag already, my timetable is in there. I already got yours."
"Okay." Hermione said. The classes seemed a bit more difficult since Cho was in a year above her…but she was a smart witch, it couldn't be so hard.
"Well…until those gits make the antidote, see you then…" with that, Cho scurried off.
Hermione looked after at her body strode away, with a bit of strangeness in her walking style. Trying to shake off the weird feeling, Hermione walked towards the Ravenclaw table. Cho's body was extremely swift and she felt as if she was gliding.
………………………………..
"Wait, so you're telling me that you are in Cho's body?" Harry demanded out loud, and Hermione shushed him. The classes were over, and Hermione, looking like Cho had pulled Harry and Ron aside to tell the secret. Only they would know, Hermione thought.
"For the hundredth time, yes Harry, I'm in Cho's body and the girl that looks awfully like me is in fact, Cho herself." Hermione said, growing impatient.
"Wow…this is bloody brilliant." Ron said. Hermione shot him a look.
"Well, yeah, this is something." Harry stared, awkwardness still in his eyes as he casually confronted with Hermione who looked just like Cho Chang.
"Hey Cho," a Ravenclaw named Marcus Belby smiled at Hermione as he walked by. Hermione stammered.
"H-hello." She was not used to boys casually saying hi to her in the halls.
"Cho, how are you today?" it was Edward Smith, a seventh year Hufflepuff. He actually came close near to talk to Hermione.
"I'm g-good, how are you?" Hermione asked, trying to act casual.
"Great." He said. "You look awfully tired, but still look good, of course." He said hastily. "Get some beauty rest tonight, Cho." And he waved goodbye.
Hermione turned around slowly to face Harry and Ron. Harry was trying hard to look normal and Ron was fighting a loud laugh.
"Okay…what was that?" Hermione asked.
"Apparently, Cho is the guy magnet of Hogwarts." Ron said, grin stretched across his face. "Tough job for you, Hermione." He said.
Hermione glared at him. "Well, I have to go to my Common Room to meet er- Marietta."
Harry stopped smiling. "Marietta? Marietta Edgecombe? The traitor who squeaked on DA to Umbridge? You wrote-"
"Yes, Harry. Marietta Edgecombe." Hermione pressed on. "And, since Cho is her best friend, I must go see her. See you tomorrow." She muttered.
"Er, okay, bye." Harry and Ron replied. Ron still looked awkward, and Harry was trying not to stare at Hermione for too long.
Unsure of what was ahead, Hermione almost walked past Marietta.
"Cho!" Marietta yelled.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry!" Hermione quickly apologized, tucking Cho's long strand of hair behind her ear.
"Are you okay? You look and act really weird today." Marietta said suspiciously.
"I'm fine." Hermione replied hastily. She wasn't used to her new sleek black hair falling out of her ear so often.
"Quit touching your hair." Marietta said. Hermione obeyed at once.
"Here comes Davies." Marietta said, rolling her eyes at the burly and handsome Quidditch captain.
"Hey Cho." He smiled at Hermione, who awkwardly waved back.
"Roger, you've asked her out ten times already, don't tell me you're doing it again." Marietta said sternly, her icy green eyes gazing across.
Roger impatiently waved his hand, blushing. "Oh be quiet, Marie." He said. "Cho…let's talk about you…how are you? You look a bit tired…" he said.
Hermione blushed deeper than Roger. Roger seemed pleased at this.
"I'm good." She said. Ah! Get a grip!
Hermone tried to escape Marietta's scowling suspicious gaze piercing through her hair.
"Er…arithmacy. I have to go. Bye!" Hermione hurried off, glad that there was some distraction.
"Wait!" Marietta called. "You have arithmacy? No we don't, we have a break until two." She said. "Cho, tell me, what is going on?"
Hermione squeezed her eyes shut, a little bit more dramatic than she meant to. She couldn't tell this to Marietta Edgecombe. If she found out that the girl that was in her best friend's body was the one that had caused that huge pimple on her face….no no no, it was just painful thinking about it. She earnestly hoped that Cho wouldn't tell her either.
"I just feel a bit dizzy…think I'm going to go to the hospital wing…" she said, swaying a bit to add more effect. Roger immediately volunteered to escort her, but Hermione brushed him off quickly, leaving the two Ravenclaws dazed and confused in their spot.
……………
Cho sat in her chair, her lips pouty. She did not like this at all. She did not enjoy being Hermione Granger, and she did not enjoy the awkward stares from Weasley and Harry. She didn't mind Harry – it was just that him and her had the most scary history of dating, and Cho didn't think Ron Weasley ever liked her when she was in her own body back then.
Cho brushed off a strand of brown hair off her shoulders. Did Hermione ever brush her hair and use conditioner? They were dry and puffy like distressed sheep fur. Cho rolled her eyes.
"So erm…did you bring Hermione's, I mean, your essay?" Ron said, not looking at her directly in her eyes. Cho nodded curtly, pointing at a piece of parchment in front of her.
Harry smiled at her apologetically with a mix of sheepishness and puzzled look. "Well, I suppose you're set for today then."
Cho looked at Harry. She did not say anything. She didn't feel like saying anything. She wanted her body back. Her body, Cho Chang's body.
"Look, I know you're incredibly mad at my brothers, I know, they're gits usually, but mind you, I bet they're feeling horrible about this right now." Ron said.
Cho looked at him in surprise. She has always thought that Ron was too thick to put things like feelings and logical ideas together in one.
"Well, I don't blame them." Cho said curtly.
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Harry said suddenly.
Cho looked at him, her eyebrows raised. Why did everyone care so much about keeping this a secret? Frankly, Cho wouldn't have minded some punishment!
After silent fuming, Cho replied. "No."
"Well, good then." Ron said, looking satisfied. He picked up his quill. "Well, er, Cho, you will have to hang out with us though, because it'd be a bit weird if suddenly you were all by yourself-"
"Who says I'll be myself?" Cho snapped. She didn't like the idea of being part of the Potter trio, and merlin's pants, it was bloody awkward being Harry Potter's best friend after what had happened to them earlier.
Cho stared straight ahead, and was glad when Professor McGonagall shushed the class to shut up.
Thank you for reviewing!! I'm sorry this is so late, but I'm dealing with some hardcore university finals! Muah!