Hello all! New chapter once more! Hope you all enjoy! I had a lot of fun writing this one! :D

Chapter 10

A few days after the task, Rita Skeeter published an article on the Second Task, accurately explaining the mistakes of Headmasters Dumbledore and Karkaroff in assigning hostages. The article also described- in meticulous detail- the falling out between Harry and Ron, and how it happened. Unfortunately for Harry, the remainder of the article was then devoted towards reminding everyone how beautiful she'd looked at the Yule Ball.

The story made the front page, and the cover photo shuffled between two different shots. One was of Harry dancing with Neville at the Yule Ball- something Skeeter had thankfully neglected to comment on- her eyes sparkling as she laughed at something he'd said. The other, was of her doing stretches in her skin-tight wetsuit at the start of the Second Task, which made her hyper-aware of how little that wetsuit had left to the imagination.

The pictures were absolutely mortifying, and caused a problem Harry had not anticipated when starting her prank. People- boys, to be specific- had started drooling over her body. There was a popular theory amongst the girls on what the boys were using her pictures for in their alone time, but Harry tried desperately not to think about it. She didn't want to wander anywhere near that rabbit hole! In addition, Harry was constantly inundated with 'suitors' attempting to flirt with her. Usually, all it took to get them to stop were a few insults, but several handsy individuals didn't seem to know the meaning of the word 'no'.

Fending them off was simply exhausting! She had no idea how other girls put up with this rubbish. Hermione had been no help; her best friend broke down laughing every time the topic came up. Luna tried her best, but she didn't know what to say since she (thankfully) didn't know what it was like. Sirius told her to cast Reductor Curses at their wedding tackles, but she felt that was a bit too much.

The youngest champion wondered how Rita gathered her information; she was certain she hadn't seen the reporter at the Yule Ball or the Second Task. Even more concerning were the pictures; she'd never even noticed them being taken.

Ultimately though, she decided to let it go. While the boy troubles were extremely irritating, she couldn't exactly fault Rita for it. Plus, the article had painted her in a very good light, and had finally managed to get Ron- who'd been glaring at her ever since the party- to back off. Although why he'd opted to stay cooped up in his bed with his curtains shut and Silenced was not a question she wanted answered. Ignorance was bliss, after all.

On the other side of the House spectrum, Draco Malfoy had finally gotten over his shock from Harry's spontaneous case of 'becoming-a-girl-itis' five months after the fact. He'd gone to the Gryffindor table to taunt her a week after the Second Task, the day after the Skeeter article had been published.

"Hey, scarheadette! Trouble in paradise with the Weasel?" Malfoy said gleefully as he swaggered over, waving the Skeeter article about like a flag. Harry rolled her eyes, and the people around her stopped their conversations to enjoy the upcoming show.

"'Scarheadette'?" Harry repeated blandly. "Five months, and that's the best you could come up with, Draco darling?" She sighed theatrically. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't expect creative genius from the boy who decided on 'Potter Stinks'."

People snickered, and Malfoy glared at her. "Shut up, Potter!" he screamed.

Harry smiled indulgently, like a parent humoring their child. "Are you going to complain to 'Daddy dearest' about me, Draco darling? You're also quite behind the times, you know. The Weasel and I haven't spoken since Yuletide." She shook her head sadly. "I'm worried for you, Draco darling, I really am. I think you should get some help. Your complete lack of observational skills might be indicative of something more problematic, and you really can't afford to lose any more brain cells."

The boy glared at her. "Stop calling me that!" he hissed.

"Stop calling you what?" Harry asked, tilting her head to the side innocently.

"You know what!" he seethed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Draco darling!" Harry said dramatically. "You should really work on your communication skills more. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were mad at me! Isn't that just ridiculous? We both know you can't stay away from me, Draco darling!" She fluttered her eyebrows and winked at him playfully.

Draco gaped. What in Merlin's name was happening? This was not going according to plan! Why was Potter not yelling at him like usual? Since when could Potter snark as well as Greengrass? Why was Potter… flirting with him? He narrowed his eyes. "You've changed, Potter! What happened to you?"

Harry observed her body with exaggerated slowness. She stared at several of her more feminine attributes before turning back to Malfoy. "Nothing comes to mind," she replied drolly.

Her friends laughed, and Draco grit his teeth. "You filthy, little half-blood, how dare you mock me!" he spat, donning his signature sneer.

Harry clutched her heart. "Oh, Draco darling! I can't believe you would call me something so horrible… I'm not little, I'm fun-sized!" Draco squirmed in his place, unable to come up with a clever retort. He eventually stomped out of the Great Hall, grumbling under his breath. "Take care, Draco darling!" Harry called to his retreating back.

Once the boy was out of sight, Harry turned to her best friend and grinned. "That was fun!" she decided. "Why haven't I done that before?"

"Because before you were a stupid boy," Hermione answered promptly. Luna nodded sagely at the brunette's logic.

The redhead snickered. "Fair enough!" Neville gave her a betrayed look, but the girls grinned, and everyone returned to their meals now that the morning entertainment was over.

After breakfast, Harry said goodbye to Luna and headed to History of Magic with Hermione. As class ended, Harry felt nature calling. Sending Hermione on ahead to lunch at the Great Hall without her, she took a detour to use the loo. When she left the bathroom, she saw several boys at the end of the corridor leering at her photos. Scowling, she slipped into a side corridor to avoid them, but ran into something equally unpleasant.

Draco Malfoy was sneering at Hannah Abbott, twirling the girl's wand tauntingly in his hand. Clearly, the boy hadn't given up earlier as she'd hoped- he'd simply moved on to an easier target. Poor Hannah was on the verge of tears, and Harry bristled as the sight compounded her already high levels of frustration. Smirking sadistically, she decided to teach the ponce a very special lesson- one he'd never forget.

The sound of someone clearing their throat had Malfoy glance over his shoulder to investigate. He gulped, finding himself on the business end of Harry Potter's wand. Hannah gasped and clasped her hands together, eyes shining with hope.

"What are you doing here, Scarheadette?" Draco snarled. His hands twitched for his wand while his eyes flitted about in search of an escape route.

Harry frowned and her eyes narrowed as she placed her other hand on her hip. "What are you doing here, Draco darling?" She glanced suspiciously at Hannah. "And why is she here? Were you-" She gasped dramatically. "No! You weren't cheating on me, were you?"

Draco's eyes widened. Harry grit her teeth, deliberately misinterpreting his actions. "I can't believe you!" she screeched indignantly. "I thought we had something special- a real connection- but here I find you with another half-blood girl!" She cocked her head to the side. "Were you overwhelmed earlier? Did I make you feel inferior? Is that why you're trying to replace me, Draco darling?" she questioned delicately.

"Wha- I- you- WHAT?" Malfoy spluttered. "What are you on about, Potter?"

"It's okay," Harry said softly, her lower lip quivering. "You can tell me the truth, Draco darling. I know I'm a bit too much for a little boy to handle, let alone… you." She looked away furtively. "If you want to… b-break up with me- just say so! I'm a big girl; I can take it!" She feigned wiping a tear from her eye. "I won't say it wouldn't hurt. We've been through so much together these past few years, but I'd understand. Boys have very fragile egos, after all." She shook her head then narrowed her eyes again. "But if you want to stay together, this is not okay! I put up with a lot from you, Draco darling, but cheating on me is where I draw the line!" She crossed her arms and observed him expectantly. "So… which is it, Draco darling? Will you stay with me or not?"

Something seemed to snap in the back of Malfoy's mind. Thick, red blood thundered through his veins, and his vision narrowed to the person in front of him. "POTTER!" he roared. He fumbled with his wand, hands shaking from the force of his rage. But before he could cast a single curse, Harry had him disarmed and in a full-body bind. She then levitated his body so he was leaning against the wall.

"You'll stay with me? You mean it? Oh, Draco darling, that makes me so happy!" Harry swooned. She then frowned, wrinkling her nose. "But… you did cheat on me, Draco darling, and I can't just let that go unpunished! But how do I make sure the lesson… sticks?" Cupping his cheek, she smiled provocatively, and Draco let out a small whimper. "I need to make sure you never even think about another girl ever again. You're mine, after all!"

Even to his dying breath Draco would deny it, but in that moment Potter scared him. The way she acted reminded him viscerally of the stories his parents told him about his crazy Aunt Bellatrix, and that set his Slytherin survival instincts screaming in terror.

On the flip side, Harry was in heaven. The tangible fear radiating from the boy who'd tried his best to make her first three years at Hogwarts hell, was like a balm for her soul. The rush from letting her Inner-Black out to play was simply incredible. Frankly, she was a little disturbed by how much she was enjoying this, but a little indulgence every now and again never harmed anyone. Well, other than 'Draco darling' but that was the whole point of the endeavor so she didn't count it.

Harry squealed softly, placing her hands on her face as she shook her head from side to side. "Oh, I know just what to do now, Draco darling!" Twin flashes of magenta light lanced from her wand and struck him in the chest. Immediately, a pair of fluffy, blonde ferret ears sprouted from the boy's head and a ferret's tail tore through his robes and started flicking behind him.

"Oh Merlin, you look so cute, Draco darling!" Harry swooned, petting his new ears. The boy tried to immolate her with the power of his mind. Noticing the glare, Harry pouted. "Aww, you don't like it? But I was so sure you would," she said despondently. Draco grit his teeth, but didn't reply. Harry frowned and tilted her head to the side. "Are you mad at me, Draco darling? Is it because you can't move?" she asked rhetorically. Much to Draco's dismay, Harry's spell was insanely powerful and- unlike the average person's Full-Body Bind- prevented him from even moving his lips. As such, he couldn't even answer, and was reduced to internal screaming.

"It's your own fault, Draco darling," Harry told him, jabbing a finger playfully in his chest. "If you hadn't cheated on me, I wouldn't have had to punish you. But you won't dare do it again now, would you?" She smiled sultrily and dragged a fingernail down his chest. Draco shuddered- even through the spell.

"I think I've made my point," Harry admitted reluctantly. "I do hope you've learned your lesson, Draco darling." She narrowed her eyes warningly. "I won't be so… lenient, if there's a next time." Cancelling her spells, Harry hopped to the side and smiled serenely as Malfoy's knees buckled and he struggled to stay upright. "Oh, and Draco darling!" she said, waving his wand at him. "You can get this back from Miss Greengrass at dinner, okay?"

For once, the hatred was absent from Draco's face when he looked at her. He instead seemed contemplative, wary even. He nodded then took a step back. "You're completely insane," he blurted out. He immediately slapped his hands over his mouth and took another step back, eyes widening.

Harry blinked, then giggled as if he'd just told her an amusing joke. "Oh, but Draco darling…" she cooed. "That's what makes it so much fun!" She sashayed towards him and reached up to pat his head. Instinctively, he flinched and tried to take another step back, but encountered solid stone. "Now run along, Draco darling. I'm sure you have other places to be." She smiled indulgently, and waved her fingers slowly.

Draco did not run- he walked, very swiftly. As far away from the psycho witch as possible. Draco wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as a plan entered in his mind. First, he would go to the hospital wing to remove the damn ferret parts. Then, he'd head to the dungeons and beg his godfather for some firewhiskey. If there was ever a right time for alcohol, this was it! Ever since the tournament started, the dour man always seemed to have some on hand. He was certain his godfather would indulge him once he told him what happened. Bloody Potter!

Once Malfoy was out of sight, Harry dialed her crazy-meter back down to zero, then turned to the gawking Hufflepuff. "Are you alright, Hannah?" she inquired gently, handing the girl her wand. She nodded stiffly as she took it back and caressed it apologetically. "Malfoy didn't do anything to you, did he?" Harry asked, biting her lip. The Hufflepuff shook her head and Harry sighed in relief.

"Er-" Hannah opened her mouth, but stopped and averted her gaze.

"What is it?" Harry asked, smiling warmly. Hannah glanced around furtively and Harry's smile dropped. "I'm not going to do anything to you, Hannah," she said, sounding oddly hurt.

Hannah's eyes widened. "No! That's not- I didn't think you would!" she protested, waving her arms in front of her. "Honestly, thank you! It's just…" She trailed off and rubbed her arm.

"Just what?" Harry asked, confused.

"I- er- I didn't know you and Malfoy were, well- together," Hannah said hesitantly.

Harry's face contorted in horror as comprehension dawned on her. "We're not!" she squeaked. "Merlin, no! I'm not with anyone! Definitely not Malfoy!" she clarified quickly.

"Oh!" Hannah blushed. "Then, er- why did you, y'know?"

"To mess with him!" Harry explained desperately, her face now a curious shade of puce. "I've been dealing with a lot of rubbish lately, and my friends have been no help, whatsoever. Tormenting Malfoy is a great stress reliever!"

"Oh!" Hannah said, sounding very relieved. "What kind of rubbish?"

Harry winced. "It's kind of embarrassing," she hedged.

"Maybe I can help?" Hannah offered. "I promise I won't tell anyone. It's the least I can do."

"You promise?" Harry asked. Hannah nodded. Harry bit her lip and looked around wearily. "Well… okay. You see, ever since that Skeeter article came out, boys won't leave me alone!"

Hannah blinked. "Boys?"

Harry nodded, then continued. "They won't stop hitting on me, and several keep trying to cop a feel!" she complained indignantly. It was like a switch had been triggered as she started to rant. "Those stupid pictures are the bane of my existence! If I'd known how little that bloody wetsuit covered, I'd have never worn the damn thing! Now, boys are constantly pestering me to see what's underneath it. As if I'd ever let them! It's just- gah!"

"Wait, but I thought you're only a girl temporarily?" Hannah interjected, frowning slightly.

"I know, right?" Harry said emphatically, gesticulating wildly. "The potion I took only lasts for a year, but the boys don't seem to care! For some reason I can't even begin to comprehend, it only makes them more determined! And my friends are no help at all! Hermione just laughs at me every time it happens. Luna- bless her innocent, little heart- she tries her best, really, but she just doesn't get it."

"That sucks," Hannah summed up.

Harry slumped against the wall and buried her face in her hands. "Tell me about it!" she moaned. She looked down at her breasts and scowled. "I wish these things weren't so bloody huge! Maybe then they'd leave me alone!"

"Doubtful!" chirped a new voice. Harry and Hannah turned to see a busty redhead emerge from behind a suit of armor.

"Susan!" Hannah cried. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked accusingly.

"A little after Harry started punishing her 'Draco darling'," Susan answered, grinning unrepentantly. "I've got mad stealth chops thanks to Auntie's private lessons." She buffed her nails on her robes then turned to her fellow redhead and flashed her the peace sign. "Gotta say Harry, that was quite the show you put on! You go, girl!"

Harry groaned then bit her lip. "You're not going to tell anyone about this, are you?" she asked worriedly.

"Of course not!" Susan replied, looking highly affronted. "I know how to keep my mouth shut! And I wouldn't have broken my cover, but I figured you could use some advice."

Harry looked up hopefully. "Advice?"

"Yep!" Susan said, popping the 'p'. She crossed her arms, purposefully calling attention to her chest. "Mine may not be as big as yours, but boys have been lusting after me since these puppies started growing back in First Year."

"F-First Year?" Harry repeated. Susan nodded, and Harry gaped in awe. "But that's- how do you deal with it?" she asked desperately.

Susan grinned. "With the stares… well, there's not really much you can do about that. Boys will be pigs, and your body is the way it is; you can't change that. What you can change is how you react. Personally, I view all the attention as a compliment. I see someone ogling my bits as them calling me beautiful, so it boosts my confidence. You know Daphne Greengrass, from Slytherin? She sees them all as not worth her time, so she ignores them. It's your choice how you respond. You get it?" Harry nodded slowly.

"As for those trying to feel you up," Susan continued, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, it depends."

"Er- depends on what?" Harry asked, brow furrowing.

"On whether or not you like him, of course!" Susan grinned, clasping her hands behind her head. "If a boy you hate tries pawing your arse, hex his bits off. But if it's a boy you like who's copping a feel, it's a whole 'nother story!"

Harry shuddered at the thought, and Hannah glared at her friend. "Susan!" she admonished, putting her hands on her hips.

"What?" Susan protested. "It's a valid point!"

"It's not really something Harry has to worry about though," Hannah pointed out.

"Hey, you never know," Susan defended, waggling her eyebrows. Hannah rolled her eyes and swatted Susan's arm.

Harry tried to get things back on track. "So if I don't like him, hex his bits off?" she asked uncertainly.

"Yep!" Susan confirmed, popping the 'p' again.

"Isn't that a bit… harsh?" Harry asked.

"Of course not!" Susan denied. "No boy has the right to touch you if you don't want them to. And anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't deserve to keep their bits!" She said this very passionately, and Harry worried for whichever poor fool inevitably tried to mess with this girl.

"My godfather's been telling me to do the same thing," Harry mused, crossing her arms and closing her eyes.

Susan grinned slyly. "Your godfather sounds like a smart man."

Harry scoffed and shook her head. "Or, more likely he's just been on the receiving end of a witch's wand one too many times." The two girls giggled. "Anyways, thanks for the advice, Susan. And thanks for listening to me, Hannah," Harry told them, smiling widely.

Susan grinned back. "Anytime!"

"And thanks for keeping your 'Draco darling' away from me," Hannah told her. Harry and Susan giggled and a comfortable silence enveloped the three of them.

"Let's go to lunch," Harry suggested. "Hopefully, there's still something left to snag." Her stomach chose that exact moment to rumble loudly, and she flushed from her body betraying her like that.

Susan laughed. "Sounds like another dragon for you to beat!" she teased. Harry grinned sheepishly. Hannah giggled and the three witches walked to the Great Hall, chattering away.

And that's a wrap! Hope you all enjoyed this one! Please leave a review- love is not a strong enough word for how I feel about reading your feedback! :)

Anyways, that's all for now. See you again next week! Ttfn!

Edited: 5/13/19