"There has been an incident; Ms. Granger is in the Hospital Wing."
"What the FUCK?"
More than one person stopped and stared at Harry with wide eyes following his exclamation. He glanced around, briefly locking eyes with the Weasley girl, noting she was looking far better than she did before the holidays. Less haggard and worn, must have been homesickness. She blushed brightly when she met his eyes and Harry forced himself to focus on the present. Hermione. Hospital Wing.
"Mr. Potter! Never in my..."
He didn't stop and listen to McGonagall's no doubt exhausting lecture and instead legged it towards the castle, his destination obvious. More than a few eyebrows were raised at his rapid departure, especially in front of a teacher. Harry was known for being unerringly polite to female teachers, this swearing and sprinting off hinted at something bad.
He blew past the great doors, his magic coiling around his muscles, speeding up his every movement as he took the stairs three at a time. Had someone seen him they would have wondered why he wasn't even breathing heavily, but such things were the last thing on his mind as he ran into the Hospital Wing, anxiously staring at the one closed off bed in the corner.
"Hermione!"
"Huh...? Harry?"
He exhaled in relief at hearing her voice, not the basilisk then, she would have been either dead or petrified if it had been the culprit; there was no middle ground.
"Thank Merlin, I was worried when you didn't greet us on the on the platform."
He moved towards her curtain only to be stopped by her frantic voice.
"Wait! Don't come in!"
"Wha.. Hermione what happened?"
"N-nothing, you can't enter though."
"If it's nothing then why can't I enter?"
He spoke softly, like dealing with a skittish animal he was afraid would bolt at the first sign of hostility.
"You'll think I'm a freak."
The ugly word from his childhood sent a flare of anger through his system before he choked it down, if there was one thing he would never do, it was to utter that word to one of his friends.
"Hermione. Do you really think I would do that?"
His answer was silence but by straining his ears he could make out choked sobs coming from the other side. Well, that was all the information he needed.
"Hermione, I'm coming in."
Not waiting for an answer, he slipped past the curtain, letting it fall back in place behind him. When his eyes came to rest on Hermione he froze, all previous thoughts slipping out of his head. Well, this wasn't what he was expecting.
Her eyes were staring into his and when he made no action to move or speak, she started sobbing again, which snapped him out of his paralyzed state. Moving quickly, he engulfed the girl in a deep hug, one which she eagerly returned, her soft cries against his neck only increasing in volume.
He tried to calm her and moved his hand up to her neck to rub her...fur? Well, that wasn't important now, what was important was how it had happened and if it could be reversed. His calloused hand running up and down her neck seemed to work better than he expected as he could feel her relax against him, her fear of rejection must have been crushing.
"Just so you know Hermione, this isn't a problem for us, you'll still be our friend, all right?"
His answer was only a shaky sob as she nodded against his chest. He carefully pried her away, sitting down on her bed right in front of her before he looked into her eyes, trying to keep from marveling at her slitted pupils.
"Now, do you think you could tell me how this happened?" And whether I have to kill someone if they caused this. He was surprised at how easily the thought came, but he had little doubt his revenge would be monstrous and without mercy if it came to that. She sniffled slightly before blowing her nose into a hanky.
"You know how I said some class mates had asked me for help with an academical project over the break?"
"Yes..." Uh-oh.
"Well, they wanted to make this potion, one I had never made before and the idea seemed fascinating."
"Uh-oh." He didn't bother hiding his dread this time.
"It was Ron and Dean you see, they figured that they could prove that Malfoy was the Heir, something I thought was ridiculous but the academical challenge behind the potion seemed fascinating."
"Mhmm." Trust Hermione to look at that aspect.
"It was Polyjuice Potion, a potion that allows you to mimic the form of another person…or well... being."
"Mhmm." That last addition didn't sound promising.
"Well, the brewing went well, they had already been at it for a while; it was just the last part they needed my help with as it was quite tricky."
Quite tricky, she would call a NEWT level potion that. He was honestly quite impressed she had managed to finish it in the first place.
"Well, Ron and Dean drank the potion to impersonate Crabbe and Goyle before slipping in to the Slytherin common room. After they were gone, I noticed there was a bit of the potion left and I really wanted to know what it felt like. Did you have full control over your limbs? Did your nervous system adapt? What about the muscle memory? So many questions."
Harry groaned softly and palmed his face; he'd ask why she wasn't in Ravenclaw but the fact that she would drink a NEWT potion she made in second year told him all he needed to know about her Gryffindor traits.
"That's when I made a slight...miscalculation. The hair I took from the brush wasn't strictly speaking a human hair. It was the hair of a cat."
Well, that part he had already figured out. He looked her over, noting the very thin layer of soft white fur covering her entire body, ending in a cute pair of cat ears sticking out of her brown locks.
Her slitted pupils seemed to shine every time they were shadowed and her canines were more pronounced. Even her nails had elongated slightly, getting a sharper more feral tip to them. A few very small and light whiskers protruded from her nose and he could see the hint of a tail twitching behind her back to finish the look off. Honestly, now that he had gotten over her shock, he actually found her to be pretty cute.
"Yeah, that part I kind of figured out."
She gave a hesitant smile, one which he happily returned. At least she wasn't crying her eyes out anymore.
"So, what's the word from Madam Pomfrey?"
Her face fell again and she seemed to be gathering her courage to continue.
"She...she doesn't think it's reversible."
Harry inhaled sharply, she was cute yes but in the Wizarding world…well, in both worlds, anything that was different would be subjected to scorn. The fact that she was muggleborn was bad enough, if the purebloods found out she was a half-breed now, they would gladly make her life hell.
"The potion isn't supposed to be used with animals. It's designed to temporary override your form with another human's form, like completely clearing the slate from start to finish. When I used a cat, it wasn't really overriding, really, what could a cat override in a human...it was mixing. I don't know if it was my innate magic as a witch or simply the strength of my human form that allowed me to stay as close to what I originally looked like."
Harry grunted softly at that, the mixing could have left her in a far worse state to be honest, the fact that she seemed to retain her mind, which he knew she prized, was a stroke of luck indeed.
"I assume you've tried using Polyjuice potion again with another person's hair?"
She nodded softly, still staring at her hands.
"Yeah, when it ended, I just returned to this form. Madam Pomfrey said it's because it's my new b-base form."
Noticing she was about to crack again he swiftly moved up next to her and pulled her into his lap. She quickly grabbed him in bear hug, squeezing him like her life depended on it. He briefly noted that she was significantly stronger now, but it really wasn't an issue for his magically reinforced limbs.
"Hey, hey, relax. It's not the end of the world."
He started rubbing his hand up and down her back, feeling her grip relax again as she settled into his embrace. He was surprised to feel her nuzzling his neck and was even slightly aroused by the feeling. Not the time for those thoughts.
Harry gently moved his hand down and grabbed her fluffy tail, running his hand through the soft fur. He chuckled slightly when it twitched away from him and returned to caressing her back and neck. Her fur felt like soft velvet underneath his hands and he could tell she enjoyed his ministrations; the soft sighs of pleasure were very endearing.
He almost froze when he both heard and felt a repeating sound deep in her chest; it took him a second to recognize it for what it was. Purring. When she however nipped at his neck and slowly licked it he couldn't contain his gasp of surprise, which in turn startled her, making her snap away from him like she was burned.
Hermione felt mortified, she had no doubt her blush right now was putting Susan's brightest ones to shame. She hadn't meant to do that; it had just felt so good. Harry had been an attractive wizard earlier, but now with her animal instincts messing with her mind she could only considering him an alpha, by far the best potential mate she could find and someone she needed to submit to.
Being that close to him with his hands rubbing her as his magic flooded her senses had been heavenly. She flushed even further when she realized the slight shift in scents, she had detected was his release of pheromones as he got aroused. Merlin, this increased sensitivity of her senses took some getting used to.
Part of her still wanted to bend over on the bed and wiggle her ass at him in hopes of enticing him to plow her into the mattress. These thoughts weren't helping her blush any; neither did the little amused smile on his face as he watched the different hues of red pass over her white fur.
"So…" He inquired, still smiling. "I take it your changes extend past just the appearance?"
She tried to send a glare at him but the effect was ruined by her embarrassment; making her look cuter than anything.
"Umm, yeah, it's messing with my head. Everything is, well, better. Hearing, smell, taste, even my vision, especially in the dark. When I went to the toilet, I forgot to turn on the light but had no issues navigating the room. I feel stronger too and I'm pretty sure I'm far more flexible."
"Well...sorry if I'm insensitive, but at least that aspect of your condition doesn't sound too bad."
Hermione chuckled drily in return as she ran her hands through her fluffy tail.
"Yeah, but I've got these, well, instincts and desires rushing through me that seem to amplify everything I feel. It's pretty rough to control."
"Hmm." He didn't really know what to say, her bright blush and her actions from earlier gave him a pretty clear image of what these desires might be. He reached over to play with her tail, enjoying the moment of silence before meeting her slitted eyes.
"Just so you know, the way you look doesn't bother me at all, in fact I find it very attractive."
She reddened prettily, her small embarrassed yet clearly pleased smile making her canines stick out.
"But you're going to have to hide it, you know this right?"
Her smile slipped and she sighed.
"Yeah, I'd imagine someone like Malfoy would have a field day if he found about this. Knowing him he would probably ask his father to have it in the press the very same day he found out, another way to mess with the 'filthy mudbloods'."
Harry grunted in agreement, not mentioning that he would probably break every single bone in the bastard's body if he did that.
"Professor Flitwick has actually agreed to help me with that."
She brightened as she spoke, clearly impressed by the Charms Master.
"He's enchanting a little ankle bracelet to carry the glamour of my older look, preventing them from fading away; the way glamours cast directly on the skin usually do. It's really fascinating stuff and Headmaster Dumbledore said there are few people in Britain who could make an item like that so swiftly."
"Wait, Dumbledore knows about your condition?"
She frowned before hesitantly nodding.
"Of course, he does."
"And I assume Snape knows as well?"
"…Madam Pomfrey said she would need to discuss my results with a potions master..." She seemed to shrink before his eyes. "Do you think he would spread the word about my condition?"
Harry wasn't sure if he had ever seen her looking more vulnerable than right now, like a frightened kitten desperately wanting reassurance. Still, he was not one to lie to a friend when presented with a direct question, especially not about a matter that concerned them. He pulled her close before answering.
"Yes." She instantly stiffened at that.
"However, I will make sure he doesn't speak; one way or another."
Hermione backed away slightly while still keeping her arms around him, skeptically staring into his green eyes, noting the faint wisps of magic dancing around his pupils. She swallowed softly, that was usually a pretty clear sign that he was not in the best of moods. He just smiled in return, making sure she knew his agitation wasn't aimed at her.
"Just trust me Hermione."
Harry extracted himself from her embrace and stood up.
"You just worry about getting better; I'll make sure this stays a secret, all right?"
"All right Harry... just don't do anything too insane okay?"
His answering grin did nothing to alleviate her worries as he slipped out of the room.
Harry brought the full strength of his Occlumency to bear as he stalked towards Snape's quarters, to run in there shouting like an emotional child would no doubt achieve nothing. The man had been a professor at the school for years; he had probably seen every single temper tantrum imaginable.
He felt his mind clear, yet his magic was still agitated, coursing through his limbs like a small centered hurricane. Nothing he could do about that now; he wouldn't be able to calm down until Hermione's situation was handled. Harry didn't really mind having his magic prepared, although he desperately wished it would not come down to actual fighting.
Whereas he was a prodigious student he was still only that, a student. Snape was a professor and a 'former' Death Eater; Harry had little doubt that if it came down to a duel then he would be severely outclassed. No, this was, as Mistress Narcissa would say, a battle to be fought with words, not wands.
Reaching his door, he took a deep breath before firmly knocking on the door twice.
"Enter."
Harry did as asked, keeping a confident posture as he walked over to the seated man sorting through what looked like essays. His office table was wide and looked very old, mahogany, Harry idly noted. Snape seemed indifferent to his presence, still reading through the paper in his hands, yet Harry had spotted the brief flash of surprise that flashed through his eyes as he spotted him.
"Good evening Professor Snape."
"Potter. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Harry ignored his usual sarcasm and ploughed on.
"I have just come from the Hospital Wing where my friend Hermione Granger was being treated; I merely came to ensure that her condition would be kept in confidentiality as the school charter dictates."
A small oily smile spread across his lips and Harry clenched his fists to keep himself calm.
"But of course, I would not dream of going against the school rules."
He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap.
"It would, however, be most unfortunate if word of her situation got out, but you can rest assured Mr. Potter, I would play no part in it."
"That is good to know Professor Snape as I fully agree; it would be very unfortunate for all parties involved if word got out about her situation. For some it might even be…catastrophic."
His eyes sharpened slightly at the implied threat but he made no other reaction, keeping his smug voice steady.
"Indeed, Mr. Potter, but you above all people must know how rumors work in this school. Why, the students seem to practically know everything that goes on and no one can really confirm where the story originated from."
That little bastard, he would leak it to his Slytherins after making sure they wouldn't tell where they heard it, making the word spread without implicating him in it.
"Ah, that would be very unfortunate as I would be left with no other choice than to assume certain parties were guilty of springing the leak."
"Indeed? And what would you, a second year, do about these guilty parties?"
Harry grinned; his widened smile almost feral as his voice hardened.
"Let's skip the doublespeak Snape. I am no mere second year, I am The-Boy-Who-Lived. Whereas I personally might find the title ridiculous; my opinion is not shared with the Wizarding world. Should you make the monumental mistake of leaking the information about Hermione then I will bring my full fame to bear on your ass. The Daily Prophet print just about anything I say on their front page, they have practically been hounding me for an interview as of late. A sob story of the poor hero-child of the Wizarding world feeling threatened by the evil former Death Eater hounding the castle halls would sell their entire stock in an hour."
"Of course, that's not even considering how corrupt wizards are, I am a Potter, I might as well bathe in gold each day if I felt like it. No bribe would be too small to have a fleet of reporters investigate and write about every single skeleton you have hidden. Dumbledore might have protected you from the Wizengamot; he can, however, not protect you against greedy corrupt reporters wishing to make themselves rich on my gold."
"As for the student body, how hard do you think it would be for The-Boy-Who-Lived to find people willing to sign a petition against you of all people? I'd offer a handshake or two, perhaps a few autographs sprinkled in with a few kisses to any girls that wanted one and I'd have a petition numbering hundreds of students willing to have you sacked in the span of a day. Make absolutely no mistake Professor Snape, the day you leak the word about Hermione's condition is the day I ruin every aspect of your life."
Snape seemed to frown slightly at his words before he spoke in a soft measured tone.
"You would do all that? Waste so much gold and influence for a mudblood?"
The way he said the word mudblood was strange, there a strange tinge of loathing in his voice, yet Harry felt like it wasn't aimed at him or Hermione. In fact, it sounded like self-loathing of all things but Harry dismissed it as folly.
"Her name is Hermione and yes, I would do it in a heartbeat."
"Hmpf.. you would, wouldn't you...Hufflepuff loyalty..."
His mumbled voice was barely audible and Harry was completely caught off guard by this sudden change of demeanor. Snape seemed to snap out of his trance and he waved towards the door, seeming irritated.
"Very well, her condition will be kept silent, now go away Potter."
"... wha?"
"You wouldn't understand, now leave."
Harry wanted to question him and demand an oath yet his gut was telling him Snape spoke the truth. He simply couldn't comprehend his sudden change of heart but realized that sticking around would achieve nothing more.
"As you wish, and thank you Professor Snape."
The man just grunted in response and the last glimpse Harry caught of him, as he slipped out of the room, was when he pulled out a large unopened bottle of firewhiskey from his bottom drawer
XXX
Harry was pretty high strung the first week after Hermione was released from the hospital, yet it looked like Snape had held his word, there were no special reactions or comments towards her. Flitwick had also come through, handing over an ankle bracelet that Harry loved to study whenever he could; it was a fascinating combination of runes, enchantments and permanent charms all woven together into the gold. In general, he was quite pleased; there had been no new attacks since before Christmas and the overall mood in the school seemed greatly improved.
On his personal front there was a bit of tenseness between Hermione and his Hufflepuff girls though, one significant mood change caused by the potion was obvious, Hermione absolutely loved to cuddle him now. Wherever he sat she would curl into his side, her almost inaudible purrs starting up the second he started caressing her.
The girls knew about her condition and understood the reasons behind it yet their jealousy was pretty tangible at times. On the other hand, they didn't act on it because they now knew that there was no possible way for Hermione to aspire to become Lady Potter, her chances were already slim because of her being a muggleborn but now with her additional condition it would never fly in Wizarding Britain.
Still, lounging in one of the Hufflepuff sofas with Hermione curled into his side he was quite pleased, things were going well and the most important summer of his life was quickly approaching. A few Hufflepuff sixth years sent a glance at Hermione then continued up to their room, she had pretty much become a permanent fixture in their common room as of late.
If Harry Potter thought she could be trusted then who were they argue. Harry chuckled softly as he slipped his hand underneath her robes to run it down her back the way she liked it, making her sigh in pleasure. Playing with her fine short fur he considered Weasley and Thomas, they had clearly wanted to say something about Hermione pretty much abandoning her house, yet one look at him had quickly quelled their ardour.
He hadn't done anything to them because Hermione said it was her own fault for drinking the potion, but those two were clearly walking on eggshells around him, expecting retaliation at any point. Well, Harry would honor Hermione's wishes but that didn't mean he had to tell them they were off the hook.
A soft rumbling sound made itself known; a sound Harry by now recognized as her soft purr. He softly scratched the fur around her concealed tail, skimming dangerously close to the top of her pert bum. It wouldn't be the first time he had played around with the top of her amazing ass, in fact it was pretty hard to avoid with her egging him on to touch her whenever she was close.
Her feline side seemed to have decided he had pretty much free access to everything that concerned her and it was honestly tough to refuse, she was incredibly attractive and feel of her heated body rippling underneath the thin layer of silky fur was very pleasant to touch.
Yet he had abstained for now, as he wasn't really certain if this was truly what she wanted or if it was just her instincts going haywire. Using someone he didn't care too much about for his own advantage was one thing, but doing it to a friend was simply unthinkable for him.
Harry glanced at the pile of Valentine cards he had collected in the Great Hall earlier in the day, frowning slightly as he remembered what Gilderoy Lockhart considered appropriate messengers. Annoying, rude and insistent dwarves hunting people down to publicly shout out any love poems they had been assigned to pass on.
A small shudder ran through him as he considered all the strange verses he had received, there had been great potential for embarrassment. Yet when they walked up to serenade him, he had merely cleared his mind, offered a polite smile and a thank you for each poem and card. It was hard to laugh at someone else's embarrassment when they didn't seem embarrassed at all in the first place.
Leaning back on the sofa he smiled gently at the girl curling up into his armpit, maybe this year wouldn't turn out to be so bad after all.
Unfortunately for Harry he had never heard about Murphy's Law.