Author's Notes: Hello all, thank you again for reading! I've had a few people comment on Heather leading on and going out with a gay man when she is becoming a girl. Yes, I do realize that that is not the smartest idea. I'm basing a lot of what Heather is doing on what I did when I was her age, and thought I was trans but wasn't comfortable telling the boy I liked. My biggest defense for both my actions and Heathers are that at sixteen, almost everyone is an idiot and makes stupid decisions, especially those of the heart.
As usual, I must state clearly that Harry Potter and everything affiliated with him belongs to JK Rowling.
Chapter Nine
Much as it had over the summer, time seemed to drag excruciatingly long for the next week. Sometimes Heather was almost sure it had come to a complete stop. Finally, the date of the first Hogsmeade trip of the year arrived. The weather was better than Heather could hope, with one last gasp of summer warmth filling the grounds. The excitement that usually infused the castle at the prospect of a Hogsmeade Weekend was missing this year. Many students who were of age opted not to go to the village, scared that they might come under attack if they left the grounds.
Heather rose before anyone else and dressed quickly, having all of her clothes already ready to go the night before. She put her hair up in her usual ponytail, wishing she could do more with it. Pulling the jeans Heather briefly considered grabbing one of her usual pairs. They were skin tight around her bottom and thighs, flaring out slightly under the knee. She was still sure that they were girls, despite Ginny firmly saying otherwise, and Heather was worried there would be some comment about them. Nonetheless she couldn't deny that she looked good in them. Over her bra she slipped into the t shirt and jumper, checking to make sure nothing was overtly noticeable. Into a small bag that she was going to leave in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, she shoved the small supply of makeup that Ginny had suggested, some gloves, and a knit hat. Sneaking past her still sleeping roommates, Heather tiptoed down the staircase to the common room and out of the portrait hole.
Safely ensconced in the bathroom, Heather put on a very light coat of make up. The idea was to emphasize her more feminine features, not to mention hide her scar, without caking it on. Once she was satisfied, she hid her bag of cosmetics, after pulling out the hat and gloves, under one of the benches and left the room. Keeping her head down, she found Ginny and Hermione already at the Gryffindor table, eagerly awaiting her presence.
"You look fantastic!" said Ginny, and for the briefest moment Heather saw a flicker behind her eyes. "Only one thing left." Without warning, she pulled a small bottle from her sleeve and sprayed it on Heather. A strong scent of flowers flooded Heather's nostrils, making her cough slightly and her eyes water.
"W-what was that?" she gasped
"Just a little perfume, it can't hurt right?" asked Ginny.
"Ginny," whispered Hermione, "Heather isn't planning on telling Justin about herself right now."
"I know, but-" she stammered
"It's fine, just next time warn me, ok?" asked Heather. She was only slightly annoyed at the surprise, but it wasn't worth fighting about. In truth she liked the scent a lot, she just wished she could have been the one to choose for her to wear it.
During this whispered conversation, Heather didn't see Justin enter the hall, but Hermione did. She nudged Heather in the ribs and pointed. Justin was just sitting down, facing them, wearing a rather nice-looking leather jacket and jeans. The jacket was clearly fitted for him, as it sat perfectly on his rather broad shoulders. He poured himself a bowl of cereal before realizing that he was being stared at. Looking up, he saw Heather and smiled at her, before looking around as if he were scared of getting caught. Ron showed up a few minutes later and gave Heather a once over with his eyes. She had told him she had a date with Justin, but he hadn't really known what to make of it.
Heather didn't eat much, her stomach revolted at the idea of food entering it. Out in the entrance hall she joined the rather short line of students who were visiting the village. Filch was poking everyone with his secrecy sensor, intent on making sure no one was leaving school with anything they shouldn't be. Heather, Hermione, and Ron, made their way out into the grounds after being cleared, and stopped just outside the gate. Heather had suggested that in order to keep their date somewhat under wraps, if that were possible at Hogwarts, then they should meet up outside of school, and return separately. Justin had looked very relieved at the suggestion, and eagerly agreed.
He had been in the line before them and was already waiting, nervously pacing in front of one of the winged boars that flanked the school gates.
"Hi" he said, taking in Heather's clothes. If he disapproved of how she was dressed it wasn't evident on his face.
"Hi" She felt like such an idiot, not knowing what to say. With an awkward cough, Hermione said "We'll just leave you two to it. Harry, we'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks later?"
"Yeah, alright." Said Heather. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lavender Brown making a beeline for Ron, and was eager to get as far away from her as possible.
"Shall we?" asked Justin.
"Yeah." Heather smiled, still completely at a loss for words.
"You look really nice." He said, which made her go bright red, which thankfully her make up mostly hid.
Together they set off for the village, passing several other groups of students. If anyone thought anything of Heather and Justin walking together, or what Heather was wearing, no one said anything. Justin seemed intent on being the perfect gentleman, holding open the door for Heather wherever they went, and even insisting on buying her butterbeer. The first hour or so felt very awkward for both of them, but as they relaxed and the nerves wore off slightly, conversation flowed more easily. Justin wasn't that much of a quidditch fan, though he of course supported his house team. Heather gave him some small grief over that, having beaten them two years out of three. That thought brought back a memory of Cedric Diggory and the game in her third year, so she changed the subject.
As Justin was muggleborn, they spent most of their time between shops discussing things from the Muggle world, or how clueless wizards were about it. After a visit to Honeydukes Heather told him about her first visit to the Burrow, and Mr. Weasley's constant questions about living with muggles.
"So, he sat down and looked me dead in the eye, and asked 'what, is the function of a rubber duck."
Justin let out a loud laugh at this. "And what did you say?" he asked.
"I couldn't think of anything, so I sort of just said 'uhhh' and thankfully the post showed up and saved me."
Justin laughed again, apparently over the summer a few years ago Ernie had come to spend a week with him and his parents and had been completely lost in a muggle house. He had left the refrigerator open, tried to get several of the pictures to move, and had jumped nearly a foot in the air the first time the telephone rang.
Heather was surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. She had been expecting him to be almost shy, but once the ice had been broken Justin was almost always talking. This suited Heather just fine, as she preferred to listen. After a bit he would seem to remember that he was supposed to be letting her talk and go slightly red. It was very cute. More than once Heather almost thought he was going to take her hand, but each time he would clench his fist and pull his hand back.
By its usual standards, the village was a ghost town. As the morning had gone by, dark clouds rolled in, dropping the temperature noticeably. The shops were still somewhat crowded, but out in the street there was hardly anyone to be seen. Feeling a rush of courage, she suddenly reached out her hand and took Justin's. He twitched at the contact, almost pulling away before relaxing. His hand was larger than hers, but with her gloves on she couldn't feel much of it.
He looked down at her, "So, I guess you think this is going well?"
"Don't you?" Heather asked, worried for a moment she had read this all wrong.
"I do! I've been worried that I've been boring you this whole time!" he said, sounding extremely relieved.
"This has been the best date I've ever been on." Said Heather.
"Have-have you been on many of them?" asked Justin
"Nope, this is my first." Heather said, smiling coyly at him.
"Ahh, best by default. Well, still better than this being the worst date you've been on, right?"
Heather giggled in the most girlish way possible without even realizing it. At first Justin looked quizzically at her, before starting to laugh himself. His laugh only made her giggle harder and soon they were both lost for breath.
"I'm really having a good time" Justin said once he had regained control.
"I'm glad," said Heather, "Thanks for asking me out."
"Thank you for saying yes."
They set off again, hand in hand, Heather filled with warmth at the contact. As they approached Zonko's Joke Shop Ron, Lavender, and Pavarti emerged, Hermione nowhere in sight. At the sight of them Heather dropped Justin's hand, hoping that it hadn't been too obvious. Lavender, who was quite literally hanging on Ron's arm, didn't notice a thing. Pavarti did however, and winked at Heather.
Before they knew it, three o'clock had come, the time it had been agreed upon to end the date so they could return to the castle separately. As much fun as she was having with him, Heather was ready to return to the school. The weather was steadily worsening, and while the jumper she was wearing was cute, it did little to protect her from the cold wind that was beginning to blow. Before letting her go, Justin led her by the hand down a side street. When he had gone far enough that he doubted they would be seen, he pulled her close and put his hands on her waist. Heather's heart almost stopped as he looked down at her.
"I just wanted you to know, that I've had an amazing time with you today, Harry Potter. I know it's time to go, but I couldn't leave you without asking you something."
"Err-ok?" Heather said.
"Is it ok if I kiss you? I know it's not quite appropriate for a first date, but I just thought that since this had gone so well and everything- "
It was clear he was rambling out of nerves, and so Heather cut him off, "Justin," and at his startled expression she had to giggle. "Of course, it's ok."
So quickly that she was taken by surprise, Justin leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't overly passionate like Ron and Lavender, but gentle, almost…polite. At the contact Heather melted into him and he put his arms completely around her. Several moments, or perhaps a few days, passed before he pulled away.
Without meaning too, Heather let out a whispered "wow." When she realized that she had actually said the word aloud, her face flooded with heat.
"So does that mean I can ask you out again?" Justin asked, grinning like an idiot.
"I think it does." Heather replied.
Fifteen minutes later she was pushing the door of the Three Broomsticks open, still completely lost in the memory of that kiss. Hermione was sitting at the bar with Ron and Professor Slughorn, looking as though she wished she were anywhere else. To Heather's surprise Lavender was nowhere in sight. As she approached Slughorn spied her and jovially said "Harry, m'boy. It's good to see you!"
Flush with left over feelings after the morning, Heather actually meant it when she said "Good to see you too Professor."
"Now, Harry. I must ask you. When are you finally going to be able to come to one of my little parties. Ms. Granger here has come to some of them now and has enjoyed herself greatly." Heather had been scheduling quidditch practice every time she had gotten on of the small scrolls, not wanting to be collected despite her promise to Dumbledore.
"Oh, yes-" Hermione started, before Slughorn cut her off."
"So, I'm having one this monday and I hope you'll be able to make it."
"I'm sorry professor, but I already have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore that night."
"Missed again, well one day I'll have you Harry." He said, then seeing the fading light outside, excused himself to return to the school.
When he had gone, Heather looked over at Ron. Apparently, he had been completely ignored by Slughorn and wasn't too happy about it. "Where's Lavender?" she asked.
"Shopping with Pavarti." Ron grumped.
"How was your date?" asked Hermione. Heather looked around the bar. It wasn't crowded but she didn't feel like discussing this where anyone could overhear them. She shook her head at Hermione, and they finished their drinks in mostly silence.
Pushing open the door to the pub, Heather could see that their return to school wasn't premature. The wind was now almost howling, chilling her to the bone instantly. In brief sentences, yelling over the roaring, Heather told both of them all about her date. Ron checked out early in the conversation, apparently not all that interested. This didn't surprise Heather, but she thought he could have done a better job of hiding it. She knew he was still accepting that his best mate was now a girl, and that it would take time. Hermione gushed over all the details, especially when Heather described the kiss.
"That sounds like how I felt when Victor kissed me." She called back at Heather, making Ron's head snap around.
"You kissed Krum?" he yelled at her, face turning red.
"So what if I did?" asked Hermione, "You've been snogging Lavender plenty. What's it matter to you?"
Evidently it seemed to matter to Ron a great deal. "Did you know about this?" he asked Heather. Deftly she moved from between them, sliding to Hermione's other side without answering, which told Ron everything he needed to know. He fell into a very moody silence. Hermione didn't appear bothered by it, even slightly pleased with herself. Inwardly Heather shook her head at her two friends. More and more it was obvious to her that they both liked each other, they were just too proud, or stupid, to acknowledge it.
Any further contemplation of her friend's feelings was cut off by a cry from in front of them. Two girls, one of which Heather recognized as Katie Bell, were having a heated argument over a package that Katie was carrying. Hurrying up so she could overhear what was said, Heather got the gist of what was happening. It seemed she had been told to deliver it to someone at the castle, and her friend wasn't pleased at this. In an instant, the girl reached out and attempted to tear the package from Katie's hands. Whatever it was ripped as she grabbed it, and a necklace fell out of the wrappings.
For an instant everything seemed alright, and then it wasn't. Katie's hand closed on the necklace as it fell, and she slowly rose into the air. It seemed surreal, and then she was thrown from side to side, thrashing about. With a crash she fell back to the ground, twitching and incoherent. Heather rushed to her, while Katie's friend screamed and cried. Ron rushed ahead, intent on finding help, and returned a remarkably short time later with Hagrid. The gamekeeper swept Katie into his arms, and ordered the rest of them to follow him, being sure to wrap that necklace before touching it. As she carefully wrapped up the necklace, Heather realized she had seen it before, four years ago in Borgin and Burkes.
Up at the castle Professor McGonagall, who had already been told about what had happened, pulled the three of them aside. Tersely she listened to their description of what had happened. When Heather ended her story, she asked "Can I see Professor Dumbledore?"
"The headmaster is away Potter, but anything you wish to tell him, you can tell me."
Heather hesitated a moment, then with an internal sigh, said "I think it was Draco Malfoy that gave her that necklace."
"That is a very serious charge, Potter. What proof do you have?"
"None. I just know it."
"Well, I'll be sure to investigate the matter thoroughly, Potter. However, Mr. Malfoy was not in Hogsmeade today. He was in detention with me. Now, be on your way."
Out in the corridor, Heather told Ron and Hermione about the necklace and where it had come from. Again, she found the two of them being woefully obtuse on the subject of Malfoy. For every argument she brought up in an attempt to convince them, they both found any reason they could to shut her down. Finally getting fed up with the two of them, she stormed off to the bathroom to remove her make up. As she wiped her face clean, she ranted quietly about her friends before finally being calm enough to think about everything else that had happened today. Neither Ginny nor Hermione disturbed her in there, and so she sat down on a bench, watching rain lash the windows of the bathroom, lost in memories of that kiss and hoping that her second date with Justin wouldn't be long in coming.