Time to let the press know! The Wizarding World is a bitch when it comes to gossip!
Chptr10
Guilt. That was what Draco Malfoy was feeling after shooting down Harry in potions the day before – pure and simple guilt. It was a reflex, an automatic response to Harry staring at him due to his hand in her predicament. It was that simple, he had no idea why on earth he'd thought any different.
Sitting on his bed, he started to wonder why Harry had even been staring at him in the first place; maybe she was trying to psych him out, knowing what part he played in her transmogrification; maybe she was daydreaming and just happened to be staring at the back of his head- that was normal, it happened all the time!; or maybe... no. Not possible. Harry could never like him, she had no reason to before, and she didn't now. Today must be stupid thoughts day. The events that he'd gone through must be addling his brain, he thought. Perfectly sensible explanation.
Draco shrugged on his robes and headed downstairs to the Great Hall for breakfast. He could always think better on a full stomach.
xxxXXXxxx
Harry was picking at her toast, her usual appetite spoiled by the fact that she had become aware of food's effect on her figure – something she had never really thought about before and really couldn't help. She'd become self-aware. Although naturally there was something else also preying on her mind, something that was laughing with his cronies three tables away, his perfect fucking hair even more perfect than usual.
"Harry are you even listening to me?" came a voice muffled by toast and sausages. Turning 'round, Harry realised that Ron had been talking to her for the past few minutes and she hadn't even noticed. She cursed herself for spacing out again and apologised to Ron, asking what he had said.
"Well I was just saying that the tables have turned. Before, Hermione was the only girl in our wee group and now I'm the only boy," Ron announced with the air of someone who has just discovered that the sky is really purple and made of hedgehogs and he was the only one who noticed – also that this was a harbinger of the oncoming apocalypse. He looked as though he was going to add another observation to this but he was interrupted by the post arriving.
The owls swooped in with a flurry of wings, carrying letters from home and copies of The Daily Prophet for all the students. Hermione paid a regal looking barn owl who sipped her orange juice before flying off, and unfolded her newspaper. She gasped.
Harry scooted closer to her on the bench and started reading the article accompanied by a large photograph of femme-Harry in the common room looking startled. She could have killed whoever sent that in, unfortunately she had no way of knowing.
Harriet Potter – Hex Gone Wrong or Controversial Life Choice?
Famous Harry Potter, 16, is no longer the boy who lived, rather the girl who lived, after an unknown incident caused this public figure to switch genders. The students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are not so sure it was an accident however, according to our anonymous tip. So was Potter subject to a spell gone wrong or was this shift a purposeful decision made by the black-haired beauty? Our readers give their opinions-
"Harry, look at all your letters!" called Seamus Finnegan, who was one of the few boys who was acting the same around her as usual – partly because he'd always hit on her, even before her incident. It had become a familiarity thing. She turned away from the offending article and noticed the ever growing pile of letters at the table.
"Want some help opening them?" Ron asked, looking eager.
"Er... sure," Harry said nonplussed, grabbing the closest letter and indicating that the rest of the table should help themselves.
Dear Miss Potter,
I knew this would happen eventually! Congratulations on realising your true self.
Sincerely,
Winifred Grubbleck
Harry snorted and grabbed another letter. The trick with fan mail was not to take it seriously.
Dear Harry,
I don't know what has come over you, but you need to realise that you are going against nature. Turn yourself back before it's too late.
God bless,
S. Toadely
Harry snorted. Didn't the madman realise that he lived in a world where magic was real? Soon the whole Gryffindor table was opening letters and roaring with laughter.
"Hey Harry! This nutter thinks you're in love with you-know-who!" roared Lee Jordan, who had to pat Seamus on the back to stop him from drowning on his coffee.
"This old bat thinks you're the reincarnation of your mum!" This from Colin Creevey who Harry thought had a little bit of a crush on her, perhaps left over from the hero worship thing.
"Uh oh," said Ron, paling so fast his freckles appeared like inkblots, "Mum read the article. Read her letter for yourself". Harry took the letter with a sense of foreboding.
Harry dear, (or do you go by Harriet now? That's what the prophet said.)
When I read the Prophet article I was quite shocked. I had no idea you felt the way you do! And why didn't you tell me? You know you can tell me anything dearie. Arthur reckons it was an accident in transfiguration, but I know that if that were the case, Professor McGonagall would have sorted you out. I respect your life choices, of course, but I do wish you had told me beforehand. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have trouble!
Love always,
Molly x
PS I always wondered about you and Ron… But I do think I'm getting rather ahead of myself here, though it would be wonderful to have you as part of the family!
Well that took the biscuit for crazy thought Harry. Feelings for Ron indeed, he might as well snog Neville! She turned to Ron and saw him the colour of his strawberry jam.
"Can you believe her?" Harry asked, snorting, unaware of Ron's uncomfortableness at the situation.
"I know!" said Ron, a beat too late, but Harry didn't notice because someone tall and handsome was approaching the Gryffindor table. Draco Malfoy was, for once, not flanked by a single burly Slytherin. He came over to Harry and picked up an unopened letter. Examining it, he worked up the courage to say what he wanted to say. Looking up almost shyly, he met Harry's eye at Harry.
"I want to apologise for what happened in potions," he said, flushing lightly and turning his attention to opening the letter. "This boy from Durmstrang has sent his contact details. He fancies you Potter," Draco turned away from the table, still carrying the letter and tearing it up with relish before tossing it in the air and incinerating it.
Harry stared after him in wonder.
Poor Mrs Weasley, sailing an unpopular ship. We've all been there!