Harry and Ginny spent much of the next day in their room. Gwen knew what they were doing, and that only made it that much lonelier in the house after Hermione and Ron left for work. She knew they did not mean to leave her alone so much but their need to be together after the previous day was just too great. She figured after the previous day's scare, they just need to prove to each other that they loved each other. Gwen envied them, that they could seek comfort from someone like that.
Taking a page from Ginny's book, Gwen took a long steaming hot bath to wash away the last traces of the smoke Gwen imagined she could still smell on her skin and in her hair. It was so sad to think of the lives lost the previous day and how many might yet be lost. As she sank into the bubble filled tub, Gwen tried to forget that it had been vampires that were responsible for everything that had happened recently. Sinking below the surface of the water, Gwen silently prayed that someone would stop the Order of Heaven before anyone else had to die.
Those wankers are making me look bad, she thought as she washed her hair. If this keeps up I wouldn't blame Kingsley for taking drastic steps to stop them.
When the water finally started to cool down, Gwen stepped out and dried off before slipping into one of the t-shirts that Harry had given her to use as nightgowns. It hung down below her knees but it was light and flowing, like the dresses she preferred, and it just felt so comfortable. Gwen could not bring herself to run around like Ginny did sometimes but the baggy t-shirt was the next best thing. If things had turned out differently and she had never been bitten, maybe it would be different. As it was, she looked like a little girl and she did not need to reinforce that image by running around starkers like some wild child. Harry would not approve anyway.
"At least he wouldn't approve of me doing it," Gwen giggled. "Ginny could do it all day long and he wouldn't mind."
She giggled even harder as she caught a look in the mirror and saw the t-shirt floating in mid air. She slid her hands under the t-shirt and could feel her own body, pleasantly warm after the hot bath, but it always made her wonder when she looked in a mirror and could not see herself. She knew she was there but only because of her clothes.
"Creepy," she said grabbing her hairbrush and a hair tie.
Making her way back out into the hallway Gwen could hear sounds coming from upstairs. It sounded like Harry and Ginny were at it again. Part of her was uncomfortable knowing what they were doing up in their room, but the part of her that was eighteen was deeply jealous. Making her way down to the kitchen, Gwen tried not to think about what she could never have. The closest she would get to that type of intimacy was the way it felt when she drank her potion or took blood from a living creature.
Besides, they keep this up and they'll be knee deep in kids before too long, Gwen thought as she poured a bottle of the magical blood substituted into a golden goblet.
I rather doubt that, Gwen.
"There you are," Gwen said looking up as Wulfric landed on the back of the chair across from her. "Where have you been all day?"
I had to meet with someone. You're not my only friend you know.
"Mysterious as always I see," Gwen said draining the contents of the goblet in a single long swallow.
"I'll take that, Miss Gwen," Kreacher said walking over and taking the goblet from her.
"Thank you, Kreacher," she said with a smile.
Gwen was always surprised that Kreacher had accepted her so easily. Then again, the old elf seemed to trust those people that Harry trusted, so maybe it was not so hard to imagine Kreacher liking her. Leaving the kitchen, she and Wulfric made their way to the parlor. Flopping down on the larger of the two couches in the room, she watched Wulfric land on the other end of it and look at her.
What's got you in a mood today?
"Everyone has something to do, or someone to do in Harry and Ginny's case," she said with a wicked grin, "while I'm left alone all day to wander the house. Get me some creepy music and I'll feel just like those vampires on television."
Good grief, tell me you weren't listening at their door again?
Gwen blushed a pale pink before turning to stick her tongue out at her companion. "No I didn't, you wanker. I'm just a bit jealous that they have someone and I don't."
Sorry, I can't help you with that one, Gwen. In case you haven't noticed, I'm an owl.
"Now that you mention it," Gwen said looking at Wulfric in mock amazement, "you do look a bit like an owl, only scruffier."
Gee, thanks for the compliment.
"Any time," Gwen asked flipping over on her belly so she could look closer at Wulfric as she kicked her tiny feet. "Can I ask you something?"
I think you just did, Wulfric said coking his head to the side. If you insist in asking another question, I'll think about answering it.
"And you call me a smartass," Gwen said making a rather rude hand gesture towards the bird. "Anyway… What I wanted to ask was… What do you remember from before?"
You mean from before I was an owl? I've told you before; I don't have very clear memories about that.
"But you remember something about it, don't you?"
Gwen watched as Wulfric flew over to one of the windows and looked out through the heavy drapes. She noticed that he did that a lot, as if he was looking for someone. Who or what he was looking for was a mystery to her but then so much about Wulfric was a mystery, even to himself.
I remember many things, from many different times. I have been many different creatures but I remember being a man once, a very long time ago. I was very old and afraid of dying. I used every piece of gold I owned in order to find a way to live forever. Eventually I found a spell so evil that none but the darkest witches and wizards dared use it.
Gwen loved to listen when Wulfric told his story. He reminded her so much of her father when he spoke. Curling up on the couch, Gwen pulled her legs and feet up into the baggy t-shirt. Sliding her arms into the t-shirt as well, she wrapped them around her knees and smiled at the sensation of warmth she still had from her bath and the potion she had just drunk. With only her head sticking out, Gwen smiled at the fact that between Wulfric and Harry, she always felt so wonderfully normal.
I was either a better man than I think I was, or I was a coward. In either case, I could not bring myself to kill so I could live. Instead I modified the spell so that I would not need to kill, and then I cast it upon myself. I was a fool.
"What happened?" Gwen said rocking back and forth with suspense.
What always happens when someone plays around with magic they don't understand? I botched the whole thing and managed to rip my soul out of my body and cast it into a mouse in the wall. Bloody brilliant to be sure. Sure, I don't seem to be able to die but I'm stuck living as animals.
"Who you talking to, Gwen?"
Gwen turned from looking at Wulfric to see Ginny standing in the doorway behind her. The pale skinned red head was wearing a t-shirt that looked identical to Gwen's. The problem was Gwen knew she did not look anywhere as good in the one Ginny was wearing. She could feel the bitter taste of jealousy in her mouth and she tried to push it away from her.
"Just talking to myself," Gwen said sitting up and sliding her arms back out of her shirt. "I was a bit bored so I was messing around."
"Sorry about that," Ginny said plopping down on the other end of the couch. "I guess Harry and I just needed some private time."
Gwen giggled as Ginny started to blush. Gwen could never stay angry or upset with Ginny for long. The red haired young woman was just too kind and understanding. Gwen admired Ginny's confidence and attitude. In fact, if Gwen could choose anyone she wanted to be like, it would be Ginny.
"I may not look like it," Gwen laughed, "but I am a big girl, Ginny. I understand the need even if I can't share it."
Play nice.
Gwen glanced at Wulfric as the owl took flight and returned to his perch in the kitchen. After Ginny had moved in she had said it did not bother her to have Wulfric's perch in their room. Harry had though and the perch was moved that very night. Gwen suspected he did not want the owl looking at his girlfriend while she ran around their room bare arsed.
"That doesn't give us an excuse for ignoring you all day long, Gwen," Ginny said standing and hold her hand out. "Come on, I'm going to make it up to you by taking you shopping."
Gwen loved to go shopping with Ginny. They had found a mall that was open all night and since then they had often spent the nights when Harry was working strolling around the shops window shopping. This would be one of the last chances they got to just fool around since Ginny would start practicing with the Holyhead Harpies after her "honeymoon" was over.
Scrambling upstairs, they first stopped at Gwen's room to pick out the perfect shopping outfit. This was a ritual for the two young women that took almost as much time as the actual shopping did. Ginny insisted that they both look "cute" when they were shopping. Of course she was not trying to impress anyone other than Harry but she loved to see the look on his face when he saw the outfits she would pick out. Gwen just went along with it because she liked dressing up.
"I really think you should wear that black outfit we picked up last time," Ginny said pulling a frilly black dress out of the wardrobe.
"No way," Gwen said shaking her head. "That makes me look like a porcelain doll. I want to save that one for Christmas or New Year's."
Gwen reached in and grabbed a red dress that made her look older. It was still in keeping with her appearance as a child but it also hinted at something more. Gwen liked it because it was tastefully short but showed that she would someday have nice legs, or would have if she had continued to grow.
"That one is great and I think I have some black heels you could wear with it as well," Ginny said with a wicked grin. "Harry will hate it of course."
Gwen grinned right back, "Of course he will. That's why it's perfect."
Grabbing the rest of the things she would need, Gwen followed the excited red head up to her room. Harry was sitting in bed reading the Daily Prophet when they entered. Gwen rushed over to the wardrobe ignoring the questioning look that Harry gave both of them as they entered.
"Shopping?" he asked, climbing out of bed and heading for the door.
"Yep," Ginny said with a wide grin. "Do you mind?"
"No," he said as he pulled on a t-shirt and opened the door. "There's some Muggle money in the dresser if you need it."
Ginny planted a kiss on his cheek before Harry slipped out the door so they could change in private. If it was just Ginny getting dressed then he would have stayed. As Gwen was with her, he wanted to give them some privacy.
"Here you go," Gwen said pulling out a very short skirt and satin bodice for Ginny to wear.
"Oh that's perfect," Ginny said pulling out the Muggle money and a pair of lacey white knickers. "Can't wear that skirt without white panties. It drives Harry wild when I let him catch a glimpse of them."
Both girls giggled as the changed into their shopping outfits. Then Ginny did their makeup for them. Gwen just did not have a knack for makeup but Ginny always made them both look so pretty that it was almost a crime. When they were done and looking in the mirror, they both laughed as Gwen turned so they could see her outfit dancing around seemingly on its own.
"One of these days we'll have to find something that will fix that little problem," Ginny said hugging Gwen tightly. "Maybe there is some kind of enchanted foundation we can use?"
"Maybe not," Gwen said thoughtfully. "I don't think they really want vampires hiding from people too easily."
"Well I'll ask George, I'm sure he'll know something that will work."
Once they were sure they looked as cute as possible, and after Ginny pulled her skirt up a little bit so that her white panties peeked out the back, they headed back downstairs. Both girls tucked their wands into their purses and then headed for the kitchen to use the fireplace to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Wait a moment," Ginny said, looking over at Harry, who was obviously not happy about the length of Ginny's skirt.
Walking over to where he sat, strutting really, Ginny leaned down to whisper something in Harry's ear. She made sure he had a very nice view of her cleavage as they had a whispered conversation. Whatever she said to him made Harry blush slightly as he glanced over at Gwen several times. Finally he nodded reluctantly and stood up pulling his wand out of his back pocket.
"Come here, Gwen," Harry said pointing to a spot in front of him.
Unsure of what Harry had in mind, Gwen gave Ginny a questioning look which the red haired woman answered with a smile.
"I'm not sure if this will work but Ginny wants me to try," he said looking closely at Gwen. "It is not so much a matter of skill as it is a function of power."
"I don't understand," Gwen said feeling a bit nervous. "What are you going to try, Harry?"
"It's a surprise," Ginny said with a wink. "Close your eyes."
For the next few minutes Gwen heard Harry mumbling spells she was unfamiliar with. One of them sounded like the ones he used when he was practicing his concealment charms. Whatever he was doing, Gwen felt slightly light headed for a few moments and it seemed like she had a harder time keeping her balance in the heels that Ginny had given her to wear. Even stranger was her dress suddenly felt tight around her hips and chest. The sensation reminded her of what she felt like in the morning after first getting out of bed and stretching to limber up her sleepy body.
"Ok," Ginny said finally. "Open your eyes."
Opening her eyes Gwen immediately noticed that Harry seemed to be blushing again and he did not look happy about something. Ginny on the other hand was giving her a very pleased look. It took a moment to realize that something was different. Instead of looking up at Harry and Ginny, she was looking Ginny in the eyes for once and Harry did not seem as tall as he normally did.
"It's not permanent," Harry said putting his wand away. "It will start to fade in about twenty-four hours but if you want, I can redo it."
Gwen finally looked down at herself. Immediately she realized why the dress felt tighter.
"Oh my God," she whispered looking at her chest. "I've got boobs!"
Ginny laughed as she walked around Gwen to get a better look at Harry's handiwork. Harry for his part was looking anywhere but at Gwen. The blush on his face had yet to fade.
"But Transfiguration doesn't work on me," Gwen said sliding her hands down over her newly modified figure.
"You just lacked the power to pull it off," Harry said glancing at her before turning away again. "You could probably do it yourself now that you have your wand back. I'll ask Hermione to teach you the proper spells if you want me to."
Gwen could not help herself, she pounced on Harry and hugged him as tightly as she could. He seemed a bit reluctant to return her hug at first but then she felt the tension fade and he hugged her back just as tightly.
"I should have thought of it as soon as Kingsley gave me back your wand," he said kissing the top of her head. "I can't make it permanent but at least now you look your age, you deserve that much."
Gwen was completely amazed by the change Harry had wrought. She felt distracted by the way her body moved now, there seemed to be many new parts that moved all on their own even when she was not moving. He was evidently embarrassed by her interest in her more mature body but she was too interested in the way her hips moved and the way her chest jiggled. She glanced at Ginny and realized he had used her as the model for the changes he had made. That was fine with Gwen since Ginny had an incredible figure.
"I knew you would never get up the nerve to ask Harry to try, so I did it for you," Ginny said smiling warmly at Gwen. "Besides, every woman our age should be able to look beautiful if they want to."
"Thank you, Harry," she said hugging him again. "Thank you, Ginny."
"You're welcome, Gwen," Harry said looking at her rather sadly but still smiling. "I guess I will have to just get used to the adult you now."
Gwen looked up at harry and she saw the same look in his eyes that she had often seen in her father's eyes as she was growing up. It was a look that combined love and loss all at once. He was of course happy to see her happy, but he was also sad to see her grow up. It was both annoying and sweet that he saw her in that manner.
"I don't know," Gwen said smiling at Harry. "I love that I can finally look more my age but I don't think I'll do it all the time."
"We'll see," Harry said with that same look in his eyes.
"Come on," Ginny said grabbing Gwen's hand and pulling her towards the fireplace. "We've got things to do and men to torment. Bye, Love, and thank you."
Gwen smiled at Harry again and hugged him tightly one more time before she and Ginny made their way to the fireplace and Flooed away.
Rather touching, but that had to be fairly embarrassing for you.
Harry turned to look at Wulfric with a curious grin on his face.
"Yeah, it was fairly mortifying," Harry said sitting back down in his chair and looking at the owl. "However, if I had known that was what it was going to take to get you to talk to me, I would have done it much sooner."
Well I figured you would eventually just ask me if I could talk but you never did. I was getting a little bored with the silent treatment.
Harry sighed. Not another being in his life that liked to be mysterious. "Don't start that crap with me, please? I had enough of that with Dumbledore."
I know. That's why I was asked to look after you.
Wulfric flew over to land on the chair across from Harry so they could talk without Harry having to look up at him. Harry's eyes never left the bird, and his hand never left his wand. Wulfric might have been living at Grimmauld Place for almost a year, but Harry was not taking any chances. His gut still told him to trust Wulfric, but his training would not be denied.
Ok, first things first. I'm not an Animagus, a Transfigured human, or any of the other possibilities you might be thinking of. I'm an owl; I even hatched from an egg just like every other owl.
Harry nodded that he understood before asking, "Then what are you, exactly?"
I was a man once. I was a selfish and scared old man that did not wish to die. Like a fool, I played around with magic that I did not understand and I paid the price. I ripped my living soul from my body and managed to cast it into the living body of an animal.
Harry knew of a spell that would do what the owl was talking about, but it only took a portion of the soul and hid it away. This spell had taken the whole soul and bound it in a living vessel.
"You were trying to make a Horcrux, weren't you?"
I have only fragmented memories from then but I believe so. I did not wish to take a life to do it so I tried to cheat by modifying the spell. I failed obviously.
"Then why didn't you die when the body you body you inhabited died?"
I don't fully remember the modifications I made to the spell so I can only guess it has something to do with how I intended to bind my soul to the mortal world. Think of it as a form of possession that is only strong enough to work on creatures that do not have a soul, or much of one, to begin with. Since my foolish attempt at becoming immortal I have been many different creatures. As one dies I am drawn into another, and on it goes. I have been bound like this for several hundred years now.
Harry could almost grasp the principals involved. Of course the Horcrux spell would not work properly on an intact soul, so that would explain why the whole soul would be ripped from the caster's body. How it managed to remain intact after the new host body died was a mystery that he would have to discuss with Hermione at some point. Harry had other questions on his mind that he wanted answered first.
"So when I found you in Diagon Alley, you were there why?"
I was told to wait there for you.
"Told by whom?"
Wulfric's ghostly voice floated through the room as he laughed softly. The owl's body even wobbled on the chair he was perched on.
If you must know, I was asked by a creature that respected you so much that he wanted to make sure you had someone to take care of you if need be.
Harry was getting a bit annoyed with Wulfric's evasive answers. "And that would be who?"
Well if you insist, he said you might be a bit impatient, and he could only do so much for you. He had already helped you out so many times and given you several gifts, but he could not always be there for you.
"Wulfric," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Are you going to tell me who it was or do I have to turn you into a football?"
He said to tell you that the three feathers are for your children, and should there be more than three, he would provide more feathers.
Harry's jaw dropped open and it took him a moment to comprehend what had just been said. Finally he managed to regain his composure and with a smile he looked up at the ceiling.
"Thanks, Fawkes."