Here and Now

by CoastalFirebird

Reptilia28 Challenge answer. Harry dies and finds out he has more than a few things wrong in his life. The first of these being who he is in love and the second biggest one is a little inconsequential thing called gender. Time-travel, Fem!Harry, Soulmate, Ron Bashing, Dumbledore bashing, and character death.

3. The Things You Learn About being a Frien

Chapter Three: The Things You Learn About being a Friend

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or affiliated characters, places, and things. They all belong to J.K. Rowling and affiliated companies. This particular plot is mine, however. And to make it seem more cohesive to the original stories I am using some of the lines from them, but they are not my material. They came from the excellent mind of their owner.

A/N: Please read and review. I would also like to remind you that I am using the challenge from Reptilla28 as a guideline. I will have what Reptilla28 required for the challenge as well as a little extra to make the writing more fun. Also for those of you wondering about missing punctuation, I would like to point out that I am using Grammarly set to the British grammar setting. So, sentences such as: Hello Mr. Smith change to Hello Mr Smith. Sorry for the confusion. I am a cityboy form Texas, and as such will make mistakes. Or, is that just being human? Ah who cares on with the story!

Jasmine was limping her way into the Great Hall. She could hear Hermione snickering behind her, and with every other step, she was reminded as to why. It was odd really. Normally Hermione was a stickler for the rules, but it seems just her turning into a girl (ok return to being a girl as it were) made her start ignoring the rules earlier than she had previously. Well, this was a really good thing… right?

Once they were in the Great Hall Hermione seemed to giggle a little as Jasmine tried to sit down with a sore bum. Jasmine mumbled as she started getting her plate ready. She got some eggs, bacon, toast, and a hash brown. Hermione showed Jasmine a small ounce of mercy by transfiguring a napkin into a pillow. This one act made them both stop what they were doing and stare at the pillow. So as to not draw attention to what had just happened Jasmine thanked Hermione. As she sat down she said softly that she wouldn't have needed the pillow if Hermione hadn't been so hadn't been so rough with her. This statement caused Ronald to start gagging. The sole person remaining in Slytherin nearly snorted up pumpkin juice. While all of this was going on Hermione was lightly punching Jasmine on her left shoulder. Once everything calmed down Hermione started eating her food, and she would occasionally glare at Ronald as the boy kept snickering. The conversation stayed away from her gender change. She mentioned to them that she was thinking about changing her classes around. Hermione asked why she was thinking about changing her class line up. Jasmine told her that Divinations was not worth it. Arithmancy and Ancient Runes seemed more 'engaging' to her. When Ron started demanding a further explanation as to why all Jasmine could say was: "I'm not Duddley."

Ron finally broke into the topic of her gender change. He was wondering why she wasn't screaming at Dumbledore about all of this stuff. Jasmine said there were more important things to focus on. "What could be more important than that Harr-" Ron shook his head, "…Jasmine?"

Jasmine sighed. "Well, there is always thinking about quidditch and how this will affect my playing style." Jasmine looked over at Hermione. "Yes, I am still going to play Mi."

"Why you don't know if you'll be able to do those breakneck turns and dives?" Hermine said genuinely concerned. Then it had finally dawned on her what Jasmine had just called her. "Did you just call me Mi?"

"Yes, and I know, but I owe it to Wood to see if I still can. I think I will still be able to. Seeing as nothing about me has changed other than my gender. I mean if this," Jasmine motioned towards her whole body, "…has changed my ability to play quidditch I am going to pitch a fit." Jasmine said sternly.

"Right on Jazz," Ron said with a smile on his face.

"Don't call me that, and there is one more thing I would view as more important than being really angry at Dumbledore, and that is looking for a pretty girl." Jasmine looked over to Hermione and winked at her. The girl picked up a napkin and threw it at her. "Hey!" Jasmine turned back to Ron laughing really hard. What she saw didn't really surprise her. Ron looked livid, but there was nothing he could say. If the marriage contract was already written up then he couldn't say anything, or it would compromise his plans. Jasmine almost wished he would. Then she could end this charade sooner rather than later.

Alas, all Ron did was get this angry look on his face, and the stand-up and stomp away. He sat down at the other end of the table. Hermione looked at Jasmine quizzically. Jasmine told her that she wasn't going to let Ron think that she was now into boys since she had regained her original gender. Hermione said as far as she knew Jasmine could have been homosexual as a girl anyway, but there was no way to know that for sure. Jasmine smiled at Hermione and said "Thanks."

Jasmine then started to gather a second helping of breakfast. Hermione and Jasmine started talking about non-consequential stuff once more. They stayed mostly to topics relating to school but also talked about what Jasmine was going to need to know about girl's clothes. Jasmine laughed about most of it though. She tried to tell Hermione that she would probably not be into it as much as other girls were. To which Hermione said "That's what you say now", and this mad Jasmine worried.

It wasn't long after this that the girls were done eating, and they made their way up to the professors' table to talk to Professor Burbage. She agreed with what they had planned to do seeing as she has not done too much muggle shopping, and having a muggle parent along to aid them would be helpful. So Jasmine and Hermione said they would write to Hermione's mum, and get back with her as soon as possible. The girls left the Great Hall to go write to Hermione's mum. On their way to the Gryffindor tower, they passed a few students who stopped them and asked about what had happened to 'Harry'. When they were told why Jasmine had done this they were stunned. Sure Jasmine just gave them the original excuse she had given to madam Pompfrey, but that was better than telling them the truth. They would think she was more than a little bit touched.

Once in the Gryffindor common room, Jasmine said she would join Hermione in a moment she was just going to see if her things had indeed been moved. She ran up to the third year boys' dorm. Once they're she drew her wand just in case she needs to levitate anything to her new dorm. She got up there and saw that there was only Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ron's things were there. She knew it was probably the Hogwarts house elves that had done this. She went into her portion of the lavatory to see if her stuff was still there, and was quite satisfied to see that nothing was there for Ron to toy with. The last thing she need was the little prick to put Amortentia on her toothbrush. She just shivered at that thought.

As she made her way down the stairs she could hear someone shouting. It sounded like Ron and Hermione in one of their rows. Jasmine took out her wand and silently cast the Disillusionment Charm on herself, and then pressed herself up against the wall. She looked out into the common room and saw Ron standing just inside the common room from the entrance door, while Hermione seemed to have come down from the girls' dorm. Hermione was pointing towards the boy's dorms, and the look on her face was not a pleasant one. Ronald didn't seem that pleased with Hermione either.

"I don't know why you can't accept this Ronald. I mean it was very clear in that memory that Harry was really born JASMINE, and I don't think that is going to change a preference SHE has already shown! I know you've seen the way she looks at Cho Chang!" Hermione said thrusting her finger in the direction of the boy. "Now why do YOU have a problem with this?!"

"That not what I have a problem with! I have a problem with HER saying she loves girls and then winking at you! She could have been bewitched to do that!"

"That's so you Ronald! The first time Jasmine shows the least bit of independence from you; it has to be mind control." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly I don't know why you are doing this. She is our friend, and we need to be there to support her. If it's just me and Hagrid doing the support don't expect Jasmine to stay your friend for long Ronald. She already disarmed the headmaster for betraying her trust. I don't know what she will do to you, but I know you won't like it." Hermione mumbled something and continued to stare at Ron.

"What was that Granger?!" Ron shouted.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with." Hermine shrieked.

Jasmine stepped back till she lost sight of the common room, and then dispelled the charm. She then walked back downstairs with her wand still drawn. She was staring daggers at Ron. When he went to say something she cut him off. "No Ron there is nothing you can say right now that will save your hide. You have not only said Hermione bewitched me, and you also think that I am some kind of object you have sole rights to." She was hoping that her gaze would light him on fire. "If you want to stay friends with me Mr Weasley then you need to think on these two things." She started to count them off on her left hand. "One I am no one's bitch, and two you are not my go to for information on magical spells. That would be Hermione, McGonagall, or Dumbledore. In that order." Jasmine then walked over to Hermione and took her by her hand. "Now if you don't mind Hermione and I have a letter to write to her mum. I love your mum Ronald, but she doesn't know the muggle world like we do, and she knows way less about muggle fashion." Jasmine shuddered at the thought. "But that is what I am going to be needing to get. Unless you forget my aunt and uncle are muggles, and I am going to be staying with them for part of the summer."

Before Ron could say anything, Hermione said, "Ron we are not trying to lose a friend here, but what you are doing is not what a friend would do." She then said in a quiet voice. "Why don't you go out for a walk and calm down, and then come back and talk to us."

Ron just growled, and turned on his heels and walked out the entrance to the common room. He was probably pissed off that Jasmine would be in a situation that could disrupt his marriage contract. Jasmine thought about the contract as Ron took one last look back at them. She knew in that moment that if she didn't activate the soul bonds soon their lives would be a lot more complicated. Jasmine just sighed at that thought and concentrated more on her friend/soul mate. She also tried to drive all thoughts of Ron from her mind.

Once the door closed Jasmine walked over to Hermione, and before she could ask if things were okay Hermione threw her arms around her. The bone crushing hug was welcomed. The last time Jasmine had felt that was just before she walked off to face Voldemort. Jasmine closed her eyes and enjoying for the first time the feel of this show of emotion. Hermione seemed to be sobbing into her shoulder at the moment though. Jasmine started telling her that everything was okay.

When Hermione stopped crying Jasmine asked what had happened. Hermione stepped back and had this angry look on her face. "You heard what he said. He seems to think that the female version of 'Harry Potter' should be as straight as the male version. I told him that we couldn't know what gender you would have preferred had your gender not been changed. Unlike you, however, he can't seem to get his head around this idea."

"Well he's not me, and given the things he has done in the past, this doesn't surprise me," Jasmine chuckled a little. "To be fair though I think he is more afraid of his own sexuality. There is too much drama between him and Draco for him to be straight. I mean I have my doubts." Jasmine said as she thought about what Draco has done in retrospect.

Hermione hit Jasmine on her right shoulder. "Jasmine he is as straight as an arrow. I mean I have caught the boy snogging girls in a closet. Well, someone other than Pansy to be more precise." Hermione blushed a little bit about that last part.

Jasmine thought for a second it was Hermione, and this brought a smile to her face. She was going to have some fun with this whole conversation. "It wasn't you was it Hermione?"

Hermione hit her on the shoulder pretty hard. "No you dunce it was Millicent Bulstrode." Hermione shivered at this thought. "Oh my god that almost makes me sick at my stomach."

"What the thought of you kissing Draco or the image of Millicent doing it?" Jasmine asked with a sly smile gracing her face.

"Both," Hermione said before she turned around and walked to a couch. She then pulled out some parchment. It was at that point that Jasmine noticed that she had an inkwell and quill in her left hand. Once the things were set up Hermione took the quill in her left hand dipped it into the ink. "Okay H- Jasmine what do you want my mum to know?"

"It really doesn't matter what you tell her. I mean if she is super religious then don't tell her that I'm gay or a witch. Because that would be bad news." Jasmine looked over at Hermione with a faux-worried look on her face. It didn't last long though.

"Honestly Jasmine! There is no problem in that regard. Also, me still living with them should resolve the second issue." Hermione huffed in annoyance and continued to glare at Jasmine. "Now give me a minute to write this letter. I just hope she doesn't over react to me telling her about the fact that you were forced to be a boy… that could be bad."

"True, but they are going to learn sooner or later, so why not get it out of the way. Tell them it was… Snape." Jasmine looked over at Hermione who was looking at her like she was from another planet. "Look I know you want me to respect the man, but if you tell them it was the headmaster then they won't want to go to this school. Even if you tell them it was Dumbledore doing it for my protection. He does have a point there are some ancient magical families that still do that marriage contract thing. I definitely don't want to be married off to Malfoy." Jasmin shuddered at the mere thought of being married to Malfoy.

"You have a point there Jasmine." Hermione started writing. "I'll tell them the headmaster did it to protect you from a few old practices that are still in use by some families." Hermione stopped to think for a moment. She then crumbled up the letter and started writing a different one. "I will tell her that we want to tell her in person as it won't do the situation justice if I tell her in a letter." She looked over at Jasmine once more. "I am also telling her that you will answer any questions in person, but we need to help you get a new wardrobe."

"Thanks," Jasmine said a little relieved that Hermione was showing this much discretion. Jasmine then looked over at the fireplace. Then an idea came to her mind. "Hermione I know a way we can get the letter to you mum really fast."

"Oh, and how will we do that?" Hermione asked.

"Well, it is really one of two ways. One we asked Dobby to take the letter, or we ask Professor Dumbledore if we can borrow Fawkes. Either will be able to get the letter to your parents and back within seconds. I love Hedwig and all, but this is something that needs to be handled with haste. I will use Hedwig to write a letter to Ms Weasley. That way she doesn't feel ignored." Hermione nodded, and then Jasmine ran into the girls' dorm to get her things.

As she went up the stairs she thought back to all the times in the previous timeline that the boys had wondered what the girls' dorms were like. Dean had said the beds were probably all done up in pink frilly lace. Jasmine had had her doubts about this, but now she could prove it. Had it not been for the contract she signed she would be cashing in on that bet. As she opened the door to the girls' third-year dorm she started to regret that decision owing to the fact that Neville won as well. On Lavender's bed, there were two stuffed animals. Neville had bet that at least one of the girls had stuffed animals on their bed.

Jasmine looked around the room. She saw the beds for Fey Dunbar, Lavender Brown, Pravati Patil, and Janet McCoy's beds sitting off to the left. It was easy to see which one was Dunbar's as her Clean Sweep 9 was sitting on her bed. The stack of books on one bed made it quite clear which one was Hermione's. Being as the other girls were gone that left only one bed that could be hers. The one to the right of Hermione's. Jasmine walked to her bed and opened her backpack and pulled out her quill and ink. She then went to her trunk to get some parchment. Once these things were done she went back downstairs.

As she came around the corner Jasmine saw Hermione reading her letter. She nodded at her revision of the letter and then turned around to look at Jasmine. "Did you find out where your bed is?"

Jasmine nodded and then sat down. She opened her inkwell well and then dipped her quill in the ink. "Yes, and it looks like I am going to be sleeping off to your right."

"Okay, just to warn you, Fay Dunbar, is as obsessed with quidditch as Ron, and I blame you for that," Hermione said pointing her quill at Jasmine.

"How is it my fault?" Jasmine said as she started writing her letter to Ms Weasley.

"She always talked about quidditch before you were on the quidditch team, but after that, it's like someone had just introduced her to the sport," Hermine said as she turned back to her letter. "You are her favourite quidditch player, but you were not the most handsome."

"Let me guess that would be Cedric Diggory?" Jasmine asked.

"Yes, well I think I'm done. I'll wait for you to finish before we head off to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

"Okay," Jasmine said before she stopped to read her letter.

Dear Ms Weasley,

Hi, Ms Weasley, this is Harry; I know that you probably already know about what happened to me. Knowing my luck everyone does. Anyway, I am fine, and don't worry about it I'll be so much better now that the problem with me being forced to be a boy has been resolved. I guess I should tell you my actual name, shouldn't I? It's Jasmin Lilly Potter. I don't know why Dumbledore did this, but he had his reasons. I won't fault the man when it comes to doing things for the Greater Good. Anyway, I was just wanting to let you and the whole Weasley clan know that I am okay. Tell everyone I say hi!

Sincerely,

Jasmin

PS: Ron is being a prat about it all.

Jasmine nodded her head and looked over at Hermione who was reading the letter over her shoulder. "Hey let me see yours?"

"Nope, it contains classified information," Hermione said as she stood up. "Come on, we need to talk to the headmaster." Hermione started walking towards the door.

"Hermione wait up!" Jasmine said as she ran after the girl.

-HAN-

Albus was sitting there in his office eating his breakfast. He didn't want to look at Jasmine right now. He had to do some quick calculation on the matters that had revealed themselves to him. It seems he was wrong on exactly who mad the Deathly Hallows. It was quite clear who made them now, but he was unwilling to believe that such a being would take the time to talk to a girl about her fate. That it would take the time out of its day to talk to her about what had happened that night in 1981 was suspicious at worst, and unnerving at best.

There were no jumps in the memory so it was not false, and the awareness of Death was unnerving. It seemed that it knew where he would be standing in the Pensieve viewing of the memory. He loved to think that he had all the answers to the problems the magical world would face in the future. Yet here was something that he could not predict. Death working against him in regards to the Greater Good. Clearly, he was misunderstanding something about the prophecy. He would have to review the memory of the prophecy when he was done with breakfast.

He looked over at the devices monitoring Jasmine's wellbeing once more. The ones checking on her health were fine. In fact, they were more than fine now that her gender was back to what it originally was. The only problem he could see was the one that he had set up to monitor the Horcrux in her scar. He once again mulled over everything in his mind. His plans had changed more than once today. First, it was when Jasmine died and was restored to life. Then after viewing the memory the girl disarmed him, and thus won the loyalty of the Elder Wand. These two things were not good for him. He tried to break the wand now that its loyalty lay in another's hands, but the moment his hands went to break it a shock went through the wand. This caused him to drop it to the ground. It had seemed that Death was more vested than Dumbledore in the girl's future.

All of this, of course, followed the yelling season he had had with Minerva and Poppy. The two witches were more than upset with him about what he had done with Ms Potter. They were disgusted with him about all of this. Saying that even if as he had feared people had sent him marriage contracts he could have rejected them all, and then as Poppy put it "Put an article in the Daily Prophet telling them to shove off." While this was all well and good, it did not sit politically well for him to do so. He told them this, but it didn't seem to matter to the two women. He had nearly lost two of his biggest supporters today. If they had found out what he and Mr Weasley had done things would be quite different. There might have been an article in the Prophet stating that he had either killed/injured the two of them, or that they had injured/killed him. Neither was good. He needs the two of them more than he needed Mr Weasley.

Just thinking about the boy seemed to be like speaking of the Devil. Do it and he shall appear. The boy charged up to his desk with his nostrils flaring in rage. It actually seemed that his face was redder than the hair on the lad's head. "Professor we have a problem. Jasmine seems to be leaning towards falling in love with Granger rather than me or my sister!" He jammed his forefinger into his chest when he mentioned himself.

"Well, Mr Weasley I cannot under any circumstance convince her to love you. If you want that to happen, you must act on your desires in a positive way." Albus said after he ate his last piece of toast. Fawkes clicked his beak in disapproval. "I must also warn you Ronald dear boy, to never mention the contract to anyone. If you do, we are both in serious trouble. Being as your mother was under the Imperious Curse while she was signing it, and that is why it could not be made magically binding."

"Don't remind me of that!" Ronald spat back at him. "It is because of that that I cannot take her and any girlfriend she may have!"

"You were actually serious about her and Ms Granger?" Albus asked as he sat forward in his chair. It was then that Ronald explained to him how Jasmine had been acting around Ms Granger. The whole thing to him seemed to be the girl testing the way her friend would react to her still like the fairer sex. He explained this to Ronald, but the boy was too incensed to listen to reason at the moment. "Look, Ronald, I know this may be hard for you to hear, but you need to let this play out." He steepled his fingers under his chin before he continued. "I know this may seem harsh, but the number of things that would break this contract is so few and rare we can forget they exist." He then started counting them off. "One she is not dead. She is also not going to make her gender change permanent. Third, she is not magically marrying someone as far as I know. And lastly, she is not soul bound to anyone. The odds of the last one are so rare it's not even worth considering."

Ronald stopped glaring at him in that moment. A look of confusion came across his face. "What is a soul bond?"

Albus took in a deep breath. This was going to terrify the boy, but he had to know just in case there was more to Death talking to Jasmine than they knew. "Ronald a soul bond is a rare magical gift. Like the Fidelius Charm hides information in one's soul, and prevents someone from forcing the information out of a person. A soul bond links two souls together and protects them from magical marriage to another against their will. It also would destroy, literally, the small marriage contract, we have set up for you and Ms Potter." He stopped to let this information sink into Ronald's head. "The last two soul bonded individuals that I am aware of were James and Lily Potter… Jasmine's parents."

"WHAT?!" Ronald screamed. Which in turn caused Fawkes to show his displeasure.

"It is really simple Ronald. James and Lily's Patronus charms were of a stag and a doe. This meant they were a perfect match for one another. Never in all my years have I seen something like this. It is said that a soul bond has other benefits, but James and Lily didn't seem to have any other magical gifts. So, I can only assume that they were soul mates, not soul bounds." Albus said with a sigh. "Before you ask there is a difference between the two. A soul mate is someone who would be best suited to be your lover, spouse, or best mate. Were as a soul bond is someone who you are best suited to be married to, and their skills complement your own. In fact, it is speculated that a soul mate is someone you will marry, but this is only speculation. Seeing as the last known soul bond was Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. Rowen slept with Godric Gryffindor so that the two could have a child. Helga's son was from a previous marriage."

"So did they form the bond before or after Hogwarts was founded?" Ron asked slightly panicked.

"Slightly before," Albus said calmly. "They had known each other for years, but kept scatting around their mutual attraction for one another for years, and after Helga's husband died the two threw caution to the wind."

"Why don't we learn any of this in History of Magic," Ronald asked bewildered.

"You would if didn't fall asleep all the time," Albus said with a smile on his face. "Now Ronald dear boy, I have things I need to do to make sure what has happened here today is give the proper spin. If I don't the Daily Prophet will make things worse… for the both of us."

Ronald nodded his agreement and then left the office. Albus could hear Ronald talking to someone out there, but he was unsure as to who until they came up to his door. The magic of the school let him know it was Misses Potter and Granger. He told them to enter. It was a good thing that the founders put this kind of magic in the school. It helped make sure there was no surprise coming through that door. The two young ladies came through the door with a letter held in both their hands. At first, he was worried that it would be a letter telling him they would be leaving the school for good, but that was squashed right away.

"Headmaster I was wondering if Fawkes could deliver a letter for us to Hermione's parents. I would love to use Hedwig, but give how long it would take her to deliver this letter I would think it best if we used a faster method of transport." Jasmine asked with a curious yet sweet voice. "I was wondering if Fawkes deliver mail like an owl?"

"Yes Fawkes does deliver letters for me, but what gave you the idea that he was faster than an owl?" Albus asked. Internally he was jumping for joy seeing as this was the young lady was talking to him at all.

"Well, I remembered the way he entered the Chamber of Secrets last year. That is a form of apparition isn't it?"

Albus smiled. It seems that the girl was doing more studying than Mr Weasley was aware of. "Yes, it is." He thought about what this would do. Ms Granger's parents wouldn't know Jasmine had once been a boy at all. Being muggle the change in gender wouldn't be known them at all. If he said no they would use Hedwig, and the Grangers would find out anyway. If he said yes Ms Potter would be out using her money to get some new clothes, and she would probably ask the goblins how much money she actually had in the bank, and what the equivalent was in muggle money. Both of these scenarios were bad, but one was less bad than the other. Ms Potter had never used her wealth to benefit herself since she had found out she was wealthy, and she did her best not flaunt it infront of others. In the end sending Fawkes was the best option in getting Ms Potter the help she needs in getting proper clothes, and it had more than one pair of adult eyes on the girl. The fact that Sirius was innocent spilling out the way did was bad enough. So if he didn't let them do this there was no telling what things they would tell Ms Granger's parents. "I can see your need for it let me go inform some people at the Ministry as to what will be happening then we will send your letter with Fawkes."

Albus walked over to the fireplace and tossed some floo powder into the small fire he had going. When the green flames rose he said "Department of Magical Law Enforcement." He would have to explain to the head of the office what was going to happen, and not to panic.

-HAN-

Two Minutes later

Ganger Residence

Jean Granger was sitting there reading the morning paper trying to bide her time before she left for work. She was still kind of sad that Hermione had not come home for Christmas this year. Yes, she missed last year as well, but she was trying to help out her school, so that was forgivable. This year was similar to that but far more admirable. According to her letters, the escaped madman was actually a wizard who had killed her friend Harry's family.

Jean sighed and took another sip of tea. She and her husband had wanted to pull her from the school after her first year, but they decided against because for the first time she seemed happy. Even though she had sent some abysmal letters to start with they eventually turned into happy ones. Laced with stories of her having actual friends. Sure one of the boys sounded like a layabout the second one sounded like an upstanding young man. He stood up for her whenever someone insulted her. Yes, the other one had done the same, but it was countered by the migraines he caused.

Before Jean could return to reading the paper a burst of flames erupted infront of her. "EEK!" Jean pushed herself back from the table. But within seconds the flames were replaced by this elegant bird. It had crimson red and gold feathers. Its eyes being surrounded by gold feathers made it look like a sunburst was just a few feet away. The bird opened its beak and instead of a shrieking, it chirped. The chirps made this song that seemed to sooth her. When she had calmed down it was then that she noticed that the creature had two letters attached to its right talon.

She didn't know why, but she asked it a question. "Did Hermione send you?" When it nodded its head she reached out took the note from the bird. "Let see what she is sent." See unfolded the smaller piece of parchment.

Mum and Dad,

Sorry to scare you like this, but I needed to get the second letter to as fast as possible. The bird delivering this letter is a phoenix, and his name is Fawkes. He will deliver your response to my other letter. I just didn't want to leave you clueless to what had brought you my letter.

Hermione

So this was a phoenix. She had heard stories about them years and years ago, but she thought they were a myth. She laughed at that thought. Witches and Wizards were a mere myth to her until 1 September 1989 when Hermione had received both her letter and a visit from Professor Sprout. "That was an eye-opener, to say the least." She looked over at Fawkes. "Your one of the nice magical creatures right?" Jean was shocked when the bird nodded. "And you can understand me… interesting."

It was then that Jean opened the second letter. It was longer than the first and seemed to be written in a rush.

Mum,

Dad if you are reading this please understand that what has happened is NOT Harry's fault, and you should just stop reading and hand it over to Mom. Okay, mum (and Dad) Harry and I needed to do some shopping because something has happened to Harry that was unexpected. It seems that Harry turned into a girl permanently (sort of). It is a long story that I will tell you when we meet up with you. You see Jasmine (Harry's real name) has absolutely no female clothes, and I DO NOT trust her aunt and uncle to do the right thing and get her proper clothes. She says she can afford the clothes, so we are not asking for money. We just need your help as a parental supervisor, and we already have the staff supervisor set up. If you could meet us today that would be great! I suggest meeting us at the Leaky Cauldron seeing as she will need to stop by Gringotts.

Hermione

Once Jean finished reading the letter she couldn't help but smile. It seems this Harry, or Jasmine, Potter was in more trouble than she had previously thought. She looked at Fawkes and told him/her that she would be right back. She went and grabbed some parchment and the quill and ink they had bought to use in response letters. She went back to the kitchen and wrote her response, and then tried to tie it to the phoenix's talon, but was failing. Fawkes chirped and held its beak open. She asked if it was sure, and it just gave her this 'your joking right?' look. She then placed her letter in its beak, and it left the same way it arrived in a cloud of flames and ash.

"The magical world is incredible," Jean said in a whisper. She then walked over to the phone and called her the office.

"Granger Dental." Julie the secretary said a little more chipper than normal.

"Hi Julie, could you tell Jacob that I am having to meet our daughter. Something came up at school, and she needs to see one of us. Tell him it is nothing serious, and I will tell him more when I get there. If he could cover my patients until I get there that would be great." Jean said in a chipper tone.

"Sure thing Julie. Anything else?"

"Not really. I was just wondering what has got you sounding so happy this morning?"

"I have a date tonight, and you were right I should have just asked long ago," by the sound of Julie's voice, the young woman was beaming brightly at the moment.

"Good on you, and I will be expecting more details when I see you tomorrow."

"A lady never kisses and tells. See you when you get here."

"Goodbye." Julie hung up the phone. She went back over to finish her tea. "I guess it is good I let Jacob handle the two appointments we had this morning."

-HAN-

10:45 AM

Gryffindor Common Room

Hermione was sitting there reading her Ancient Runes textbook, and the tip of her quill in her mouth. She was honestly trying to get her homework done, but for the first time in her life, she couldn't focus on her homework. She found herself distracted by the young woman sitting next to her. Sure she had fantasies about other girls, and sometimes boys, but this was different. Jasmine was her FRIEND. One that needs her support right now, and it would be like taking advantage of someone's broken heart to satisfy your needs. She could safely say that she was still falling in love with Jasmine Potter regardless of if she was a boy or not. Yet, it was wrong for her to voice it at this time.

Her 'falling for Jasmine' had started when her friend was forced to be a boy, but given that she didn't really have a preference for only boys the love didn't automatically stop this morning. If she was being honest with herself, she liked it better this way. Sure Harry was handsome, but Jasmine had this allure about her. The way she walked was hypnotic. Hell, even the movement of her hair as she walked was eye catching. Sure, it was a touch masculine and needed a cutting to make it a touch more feminine, but that was a minor detail. On the whole, Hermione liked the way Jasmine looked. Hermione could feel her cheeks heating up as she thought about what else attracted her to Jasmine. She knew the boys would be drawn to the same features, but she tried to be above such debase thinking. Tried was the key word there.

She had given into her base desires earlier as Jasmine was changing to look over her shoulder at the girl. It was just a glance, and she didn't see much of her friend's… essentials anyway. She had just put on her nickers, and was in the process of putting on her bra. So there wasn't much to see, but she still felt bad about it. She was supposed to be Jasmine's friend, and friends didn't do this! She should tell Jasmine about this incident, or it would chew on her conscience until she broke. She sighed. This was going to suck.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Jasmine asked. The smile on her face mad what Hermione was going to say even worse.

"I looked over my shoulder at you while you were getting dressed earlier, and I feel bad about it." Hermione looked at her friend. She knew the heartbreak had to be showing on her face. The look Jasmine was giving her was one of worry and concern. "I am sorry for doing it though. It was an invasion of your privacy. Can you forgive me?"

Jasmine placed a hand on her left arm. Hermione took in a breath expecting the worst. "Hermione there is nothing to forgive. You were curious that's all. Hell if I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing. You know?"

"I guess you're right, but that doesn't make me feel any better," Hermione said looking down at the table.

"Hey look at me," Jasmine said as she grabbed Hermione's chin, and forced her to look her in the eye. "I am taken aback by what has happened to me, but in a good way. Yes, it is embarrassing and slightly off-putting, but you have to remember who you're dealing with."

"A friend who has lived a hard life. You probably think I am no better than your aunt and uncle now." Hermione could feel tears start streaming down her face.

"Stop it, Hermione. I don't think that about you at all. In fact, that you admitted to it makes me love you more. Ron wouldn't have done this. He probably would have run straight to the boys' lavatory, and done unspeakable things to himself and a lavatory stall." Jasmine shuddered at this thought. "Now let's never speak of this again lest we want that visual back in our minds."

"Agreed."

Whatever Hermione wanted to say after that was destroyed by the arrival of Fawkes. The flames hand sprung up in the middle of the table slightly singeing the edges of her Arithmancy work. Hermione looked instinctively at its talons, but there was no letter there, and for a fraction of a second she was worried that her parents didn't like what she had to say. However, when she looked at Fawkes' face she saw the letter sitting in his beak. She thanked him for his help and offered him the owl treat she had gotten from Jasmine as thanks. The phoenix took the treat and flamed away. Hermione opened the letter and held it so Jasmine could read it as well.

Hermione,

Okay, I will gladly help your friend out, and I want more details than you gave in the letter about what is going on. I know you have told us about your suspicions of her home life, and if this is relating to THAT we need to get her out of there ASAP! I could not live with myself if she was in THAT kind of danger.

I will be at the Leaky Cauldron at noon. I will be waiting for you both, and try to make sure she doesn't waste all her money. I don't care if she is stupidly rich restraint is a good quality.

See you soon,

Mum

Hermione looked over at Jasmine. "Well looks like we are lucky. Let's go tell Professor Burbage about this, and then floo over to the Leaky Cauldron."

"Agreed. I do need to buy some new magical wardrobe as well. I may have new school uniforms, but I don't have a properly fitted cloak, and it doesn't hurt to make sure the uniforms don't need adjustments. I trust Hogwarts, but for peace of mind you know." Jasmine said nonchalantly.

Hermione shook her head. "Jasmine just stop."

"Stop what?"

"You are trying too hard to be a girl. Yes, some of us like shopping, but we don't obsess over it… okay not all of us obsess over it." Hermione said as she put her things away in her backpack. "Besides I take you as more of a tomboy."

"Maybe, and Hermione to state it once more before we go. I forgive you." Jasmine held up her hand. "Hermione I know you, and you probably still feel really bad about what you did, but you just need to let it go. Okay?"

Hermione nodded her head. She did still feel bad about it, and she probably would for a while, but Jasmine didn't seem to care. This did seem odd, but one should look down on good graces.