Author Note: Change is in the air. Pain is there. Not all who weep are sad, not all who smile are glad.
===xxx===xx(Chapter Begins)
The Weasley household was awoken by the sound of furious feminine screams. The sheer terror of the screams caused all members of the family to run towards the source. A bedroom at the mid point of the house.
Bursting through the door Arthur found a tall, slender red haired girl standing in front of a mirror wearing a Chudley Cannons nightdress. Molly froze as the girl spun around. She had bright blue eyes and a splash of freckles across her face.
"Mum, dad, what happened? I've got girly bits!" She exclaimed. The twins were peeking through the doorway with Percy standing on their other side. Ron saw them and immediately scowled, grabbing her wand off the dresser she fired a stunner at them, "You dirty prats! You did this to me. You change me back right now!"
"We didn't do anything. We're not responsible for this." The two of them shouted parrying the spells into the walls. Arthur grabbed Ron's arm and shouted for everyone to stop and calm down.
"Look. We'll get this figured out. You better get dressed Ron and we'll find a way to get this dealt with." Arthur said softly.
"How do I do that. I don't even know what some of this stuff is." She said pointing at the dresser drawer.
Molly smiling stepped forward, "Its okay dearie. I'll help you. It'll be fine, it'll all be just fine."
Arthur ushered the other boys downstairs where he rounded on the twins. "Honestly swear to me you had nothing to do with this at all!"
"We swear dad. We would never do that." George asserted.
"We may be crass but we're not heartless dad." Fred avowed.
"You saw mum. She's got a living daughter again." George declared.
"We'd not do that to her. Not even for a cheap joke on Ronnie." Fred agreed.
Arthur stood staring at them for a long moment before nodding. "Alright I'll believe you. But this happened somehow."
Percy frowned, "Do you suppose mother did it herself?"
Arthur grimaced briefly but said nothing.
"It is something she could do. She is quite skilled at potions." Percy pressed onward.
"Yeah common household stuff. Not something like this." Fred pointed out.
"And besides why would she stop at just Ron? Why not do all of us?" George suggested.
"Now boys. I want you to stop this line of thought right now. Your mother had nothing to do with this. She has not been well but she did not change Ron into a girl. She would not do so. So lets not get excited and jump to conclusions." Arthur firmly ordered the three sons. "Now go start breakfast, get cleaned up do whatever but do it quietly and don't panic."
"Alright. Fred where's my towel?" George said.
"Same place mine is." The other twin said as they left.
Percy shook his head as he went back upstairs. Arthur called out to him, "Perce, how are you holding up?"
"I. I'll manage."
"Alright. Well do your best."
Arthur shook his head and went to call the only person he could think of for help. Albus Dumbledore.
===xxx===xx
Ron had showered and dressed with his mother's help. Trying not to explore things too closely yet slightly curious he moved as quickly as he could. Getting dressed he frowned as his mother pulled out a blue summer dress and convinced him to put it on.
"Now c'mon and lets get your hair brushed out. Its very important to brush it fresh out of the shower or it'll tangle." Molly cooed getting Ron to sit in front of the mirror.
Ron examined herself in the mirror in confusion. She had gone to bed a he and now as far as she had examined was a she. Even in a magical world this sort of thing didn't happen.
"you have such lovely long hair. We'll have to call you something else other than Ronald Bilious. That's not a very good name for such a sweet girl like you." Molly was cooing as she brushed.
"I'm a guy mum. We'll get this fixed." Ron said.
"You like being called Ron don't you." Molly said ignoring Ron's consternation, "Why don't we call you Veronica so we can still use Ron as your nickname." Molly suggested. "Veronica. What about Fiona for a middle name? That's the name of your great great aunt. Fiona Prewett. She was a Fortescue of course before she married into the family. Veronica Fiona Weasley. That's a fine name for a fine girl."
Ron sighed as she gave up. "That sounds fine mum."
===xxx===xx
Veronica came downstairs followed by her smiling mother. Albus was in the living room with Arthur and the other three Weasley boys.
"Ahh young Ron. What an interesting development you've had." Dumbledore chuckled.
"Yeah sir. I went to bed a boy and woke up a girl. Those two claim they didn't do it. But I don't believe them."
"Oh but I do. I completely believe they had nothing to do with this." Albus earnestly declared.
Ron's face fell, "Really?"
"Yes very really." Albus agreed.
"So what happened? Am I really a girl?" Ron cried slightly.
"Well let's do a few tests shall we?" Albus smiled as he drew his wand. Waving it over Ron's form he whispered several words then chuckled. "Congratulations Molly, Arthur you have a daughter."
"WHAT!" Ron exclaimed at the top of her voice. "No. No. No. NO." She repeated rapidly hyperventilating.
"Calm down Veronica. You'll be fine." Molly said putting her hand on her shoulder.
"I'm not a girl. I'm a bloke. This sort of thing doesn't happen." Ron was practically shouting.
Arthur shook his head in denial, "I have to agree Albus. I've never heard of a person spontaneously changing like this."
"Well her pattern is that of a girl. A healthy young lady. I suppose if you feel that you can't trust my diagnosis. I mean after all I did teach transfiguration for over thirty years is all." Albus said with a hurt expression.
"No we trust you Albus. We trust you. You've helped and taken care of us far too long." Molly said. "Now haven't we Ron? I mean maybe this is what you were supposed to be like all along. Magic just changed you into it."
Arthur looked at Molly who was looking so determined and happy that he hesitated to contradict her. Even though Ron was looking extremely worried and upset. "Well its not that I don't trust you Albus. I really do. Its just that I've never encountered or heard of anything like this before."
"Well its alright to admit you don't know everything. I mean there are quite a few things I still don't know but I assure you this doesn't seem to be anything harmful or dangerous. Perhaps Molly made a wish on a falling star, or a fairy heard her. You know there could be some very serious results if we try to reverse this. Oh yes some very unfortunate things happen when you go against the will of magic." Dumbledore said with his voice quivering. Hand covering his mouth for a moment like he was afraid for the universe to hear him speak.
"But how do we prevent this happening to the other boys." Arthur asked quickly.
Albus shook his head then looking at the other brothers shook it again with a chuckle. "I think they have nothing to fear from this. Ron was close to Ginny, he was, or rather she is a special person. I have a feeling this will be just fine."
"But still Albus why did this happen?"
"Why does the sun come up? Why does the rain fall down? Life is filled with many mysteries and behind each mystery is another mystery. Learn to enjoy it. Just accept the blessings and gifts you are given my friend." Dumbledore placed his arm on Arthur's shoulder and sighed deeply, "Savor the fruit of life, my young friends. It has a sweet taste when it's fresh from the vine. But don't live too long... The taste turns bitter... after a time."
Arthur looked into Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes which held an infinite sadness for a moment. Arthur thought he was falling as he stared into those eyes then blinked and broke contact. "Ah yes. Right. Well. What should we do about er Veronica then?"
"Well you'll have to contact the hall of records when you go into work and changer her name and such. Also I would give Minerva the good news as well. You know how much she dislikes surprises." Albus chuckled again. His momentary seriousness and odd comment like a cloud passing the sun.
"So I'm just supposed to stay like this and be happy?" Ron exclaimed. Arms out as if displaying her new self.
Dumbledore came over with a gentle smile, "Dear child. You should be happy. You are a beautiful young woman who favors your parentage so well. I am sure you will do them a great deal of honor and make them proud of you. You've got a chance now, a real fine chance to start over and chart a new course for you. Please I implore you. Do not waste this gift that has been given to you." Dumbledore stroked her cheek gently. "You beautiful child. So many people would give their lives to be able to start over."
Ron stared at the former headmaster in confusion. "But I. I didn't want to start over, and not as a girl."
"We do not always get what we want. Sometimes the universe gives us what we need. And think of it not as being a good girl but being a good person. The best person, who just happens to be a girl." Dumbledore smiled gently and warmly. "Now if you will forgive me I must away again. Pressing matters that cannot wait. Do not forget Arthur get to the Hall of Heralds and register this blessed event as quickly as possible. Tomorrow is September first. She has to have all of her classes and such ready.
Arthur nodded numbly as Dumbledore saw himself out the front door and a crack of apparate was a moment later.
Molly took Ron's arm and herded her towards the kitchen, "Now come along dearie. We'll get breakfast and I'll see about teaching you to cook."
Ron mouthed the words help me as she was dragged off. The twins not even bothering to make a joke just stared in shock.
===xxx===xx
It was a fine morning on Privet Drive as Sirius was throwing a party for Hermione and Harry. They had gathered in Snape's house. Remus had even managed to drag himself over once he had changed back.
"So you guys ready to go back to the new and improved Hogwarts?" Sirius asked a mug of mead in his hand.
"Yeah I guess." Harry glumly said.
"Hey why so glum chum?" Sirius was laughing.
"Because I remembered what the shadow thing in my head is." Harry said with a sigh.
All three of the adults sat up. Hermione spun to look at him eyes wide. "Well if you know what's going on you should probably let us in on it too." Sirius said with a deep interest.
"Its a part of Voldemort. Dumbledore told me but I sort of forgot in all the chaos of things going on. Then didn't think about it again." Harry confessed abashed.
Snape looked incredulously at Harry, "YOU FORGOT THAT YOU HAVE A PIECE OF THE DARK LORD IN YOUR HEAD!"
Sirius spun on Snape, "Hey don't shout at the kid! He's had a helluva lot going on."
Snape flared his nostrils as he shook his head trying to calm down. "This is not like forgetting a library book in your dorm room. This is forgetting to mention that Dumbledore knew there was a piece of the dark lord in your head. That sort of information could have been rather useful when we were running all of these tests on you."
Remus shook his head to clear it then grunted, "No wait. Its alright. We learned a great deal more about it by not knowing what it was."
"Dumbledore didn't seem to think there was any danger." Harry explained, "So I didn't worry about it. I trusted him."
"Well no harm so far. It isn't connected to anything, it's not actively trying to posses Harry or affecting his personality. It's like a blister with a splinter in it." Remus quickly explained.
Sirius was frowning. "Well this confirms that Dumbledore knows more than what he's told us. He told me about it too when he got me out of the ban. I didn't say anythign because I wanted to learn more about it before I took action."
"Since when do you think before acting Black?" Severus frowned. Remus started to say something then nodded in agreement.
"Okay sitting in the cell for a decade you learn to be a lot more patient. Now could I please explain about the plot by the crazy old manipulator that we all have in common?" Sirius huffed grumpily.
"Please do." Snape gestured magnanimously.
"Alright. Dumbledore told me that the Big V made several soul anchors. He didn't know what they were, how many there were, or where they have been. He thought cousin Bella might have had one, thought Cousin Cissa might have had one and that one was in Harry's head. So I've been looking through the Black family library and found some very interesting things. Which I wanted to make sure of before I said anything." Sirius folded his arms smugly.
Remus frowned at the tall man, "You're telling me that Albus KNEW about all of this?"
"Yep." Sirius said popping his p.
Snape sighed, "Albus Dumbledore has not been the sweet kind headmaster you thought. I have had more than enough of his manipulations in my life to believe that ever."
"Really. Lily didn't trust him either but James was right in Al's camp. That's why we shut you out Remmie. James was told not to trust you. Oh not in any direct words but Al's insinuations and hints against you caused Jimmie to push you away. Plus you got to admit. You're really rather angsty about your monthly problem." Sirius relaxed and put his hand on Remus' shoulder gently.
Remus frowned, "I. We need to focus though. You said you found out things about these soul anchors?"
"Yeah. One they are normally never put in living beings as they have a nasty habit of wandering off or doing things that could get themselves destroyed." Sirius said looking at Harry with a smirk.
"Hey I don't purposely try to get killed. The universe just hates me." Harry exclaimed defensively.
"I doubt it's the entire universe Harry. Although that confirms the bad guys don't know Harry has that in him."
"Bingo in one Hermione." Sirius confirmed happily. "If they knew you had that part of their boss in your head Harry they would be doing their best to ensure you're safe and live to be a fine ripe old age."
Snape frowned but nodded, "That is true. Which means he must not have intended to make Potter into one."
"Great so I'm an accidental anchor. Oh happy days." Harry slumped in his chair. Hermione reached over and held his arm softly.
Remus sighed, "So we know that he made more than one. He could have hundreds."
"Wrong in one my occasionally hirsute friend" Sirius smirked, "In a very unpleasant book that my family collected at one point in the last millennia there was an entire treatise on soul anchors and soul magics. The author of this said that the common road to immortality was to create a soul-anchor called a Horcrux."
Snape tilted his head suddenly.
"You seem to recognize that dear Sevvie. Care to share?" Sirius inquired.
"That word. I had heard others speaking of it in whispers. Bellatrix and Lucius primarily. They would never do so when they thought they would be observed though. I got the feeling it was one of the dark lord's deepest secrets." Snape explained in a quiet tone of reflection. "Knowing their name though does not help us determine how many or where they are. No what they are."
"Well good to know that Bella was involved in things. As for how many and where they are the book lets us know that there is an upper limit. Each one a person makes cuts their soul in half. Their humanity is reduced by half."
Hermione did some quick calculating, "So after one you'd have half the soul, two would reduce you to a quarter then roughly twelve and a half and so on."
"Yep. Why the Big V was starting to look a bit ragged there by the end of things." Sirius agreed.
"Not to mention his sanity was starting to slip. He was one of the most charismatic and suave men I had ever, any of us, had ever encountered. His charm was extraordinary." Snape sighed almost worshipfully.
Ginny shuddered and hovered closer to Harry and Hermione, "The version I met in the diary was so convincing. I thought he cared about me and listened to everything I said. He would talk to me like someone that mattered. Like everything I said was important. He made me feel so wanted and valuable."
"That was one of the powers he had. Why he was able to gather so many self-centered, selfish people to his cause." Snape agreed.
"Yeah well. So we know he couldn't have made too many of these things. The book also recommends you put them where you can secure them, but get your hands on them easily. Or at least your loyal followers as they are useful for a ritual to bring you back." Sirius pointed out darkly.
Remus was still frowning, "And Albus knew all of this somehow?"
"He told me about the soul anchors, he told me about the one in Harry. He has said and done a lot over the years that I thought about in the ban. Had a lot of time to do nothing but think." Sirius declared disgustedly.
"But why would James not trust me? Why would Albus turn James against me?"
"I dunno bro. Fleamont and Al were pretty close friends and what James told me his grandpa Henry was a real close buddy of Al's. They belonged to the same fancy Gentleman's club in London." Sirius shrugged.
"A Gentleman's club is not uncommon for the Victorian or Edwardian elite." Hermione pointed out. "Even today there are still quite a few private clubs dedicated to various causes. Which one was it?"
"Uh. I don't remember that. I know Jimmie wasn't big into clubs. Now the other thing that we need to work on is getting our hands on Harry's prophecy."
"There is a prophecy about Potter?" Snape asked in resignation.
"Yeah. I didn't mention it as I wanted to double check it. I have no idea why Harry didn't say anything."
"Because I was hoping it wasn't true. I don't understand why there would be anything important about me." He said. "I'm just a kid."
"So was Joan of Ark Harry." Hermione pointed out. "So was David when he slew Goliath."
Harry shrugged but nodded his acceptance of Hermione's comment.
"So. It would be kept in the Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry." Remus stated. "Harry would be the only person who could touch it as they are protected by wards to prevent anyone not relevant to the prophecy touching it."
Sirius raised his eyebrows, "And how do you know that Remmie?"
"I used to work as a janitor at the Ministry until some, individual, named Umbridge got me fired." He explained with a shrug.
"Ah well. As tomorrow is the trip to school we've not got time to do it right now. We'll have to wait until Yule."
"So what do you want us to do?" Harry asked.
"Well let the three of us deal with stuff out here. You'll have your mirror to get to talk to me. So contact me if things get awkward or strange or you even suspect something is going odd. Plus my cousin Andromeda will be there at the school. She's a good friend and someone you should be able to trust." Sirius said earnestly.
Remus agreed, "Try to keep up with your studies. Also keep us informed about what's going on. We'll work on these Horcruxes and get more information about what Albus is planning."
Hermione smiled, "I think I can help motivate Harry to study."
Harry chuckled, "Okay well I have to admit this summer has been pretty good."
Snape smirked, "Good. You are not entirely a fool Potter. As you have seen you should have the potential to do great things."
"Especially with the love a good woman." Sirius smirked sitting on the arm of Remus' chair.
"So are we going to study today or can we do something else?"
"Well what exactly did you have in mind Harry?" Remus asked.
"Can we talk about my parents. Since all three of you knew them. I'd like to hear what you can tell me about them." Harry leaned forward hopefully.
Sirius sighed happily, "Yeah I have no problem talking about them. Man we had a group that was powerful enough to turn goat-piss into gasoline. It was amazing."
Remus chuckled, "I think Lily actually developed a potion to actually turn goat urine into gasoline."
Snape raised his eyebrow, "Somehow I'm not surprised."
"Yeah well I wanted to talk to you anyhow Hermione. That star wars movie. Did they ever make a sequel? How did the love story between Luke and Leia turn out? I thought they made a cute couple." Sirius asked.
Hermione gave a awkward smile, "Oh yeah. Let me tell you about that."
The group spent the day talking about the exploits of the Marauders. How James and Sirius had become blood brothers and how Lily had been less than impressed with James until their sixth year when she started warming up to him and then in seventh year the two of them crashed into each other and never let go.
Snape was somewhat silent during that period of the conversation but did confess he had known Lily and Petunia from their hometown. That he had known the Marauders and in his youth was not a nice person.
Hermione brought Sirius up to date on the movies and pop-culture he missed. With Sirius lamenting the loss of disco and leisure suits.
They talked about some of the other people they had gone to school with. Xenophilus Lovegood the hippie. Pandora who was a lovely Greek girl that had a kind word for everyone and an insatiable curiosity. She was a good friend of Lily and shared her love of a good mystery. Frank Longbottom and his girlfriend Alice Fortescue who were already an item from day one it seemed like. Whose friendship grew into a fierce loyalty to each other. And Sirius confessed he had tried to get Alice's attention but she was hooked on Frank and shot him down in flames. Literally as she set his underwear on fire.
Harry was sad and happy at the same time. He was laughing and cried a few times as they talked about friends they had lost in the first war. Hermione sitting beside him and Ginny hovering nearby.
Snape gave Remus his potion and they said their farewells to him as he returned to his house for the night. Soon Hermione had to go home for dinner and Harry had to depart for his own evening meal. The Dursleys were being very happy to give him a good meal to see him on his way.
"Now don't forget Harry I'll be here in the morning to drive you to the station." Sirius reminded him
Once Severus and Snape were alone Severus sighed, "Thank you for not telling Potter about certain things."
"Hey I know Jimmie was not a great guy. I was a total asshole. But then so were you." Sirius admitted.
Snape rolled his eyes, "Blunt and to the point as always."
"Yep. You and I are probably never going to be close friends Sev, but you want Harry to be safe just as much as I do. For a different reason sure but I don't care about that. Harry is the goal." Sirius firmly said with a fire lighting his eyes.
"Agreed. I wonder though if Albus shares our concerns or if this is some other move in his game." Severus stated.
Sirius shrugged, "I dunno. All I know is I'm glad no one asked how to destroy those things. Or how to get that out of his head."
"Given your usual degree of loquaciousness I figured you would say it at some point." Snape headed for his kitchen.
"Not in front of Harry or especially Hermione. So far the only way I've found out how to destroy those things is to destroy the container or feed it to a Dementor. Usually they weren't too concerned with getting those things out of a person while leaving them alive." Sirius leaned against the door.
Snape slammed the pan on the stove, "The old goat is raising him to die?" He asked spinning on Sirius.
"Looks like it might be. Its what makes sense. Get Harry a girlfriend, encourage him to fall in love with her, her to love him. Encourage they get a bit jinkie in the bedroom. Pop out an accidental kid so the Potter family line doesn't die off. You did give her a monthly prophylactic you yourself made right?"
"Yes and I performed the confirmation test myself. She is protected." Snape snorted, "Amazingly enough for being given such encouragement from what I can tell they have not progressed beyond some heavy kissing."
"I get the feeling trying to push either one of them into something they don't want to do is going to be a rather herculean task." Sirius grinned proudly.
"They do seem rather stubborn and pig headed. Rather typical Gryffindors."
"Coming from you Sev that is a high compliment."
"Are you going to stay for dinner or do you have other plans?" Snape asked.
"I'm getting ready to meet Cissa for dinner. We've been hitting it off rather well."
"Interesting. Are you going to try and redeem her or is she trying to seduce you to the darkness?" Snape sneered.
"Not sure yet. She's a spider I know. But one I can understand." Sirius laughed.
"Then I wish you good luck on surviving this."
Sirius sighed as he turned to leave, "Snape, I died twelve years ago on that night. The night I failed. Every day since then has been borrowed time." He then walked out leaving Snape to decide that the nearby cafe might be a better idea than sitting alone, again. He had turned his life into as much of a prison as the one Sirius had just been released from.
===xxx===xx
Sirius arrived at Malfoy Manor dressed to impress and waited until the door opened. Draco Malfoy scowled at him when Sirius entered the building after the elf had announced him
"What are you doing here?" Draco frowned in surprise. He had recognized the infamous Sirius Black from the things his father had talked about. His mother had a few pictures of her with him when they were younger he had asked about. The last he had heard though the man was in Azkaban for life.
"I'm going to be taking your mother to dinner." Sirius sat down crossing his legs, "And then I'll see what happens."
"Father will not be happy to hear about this. He'll make sure you go back to Azkaban." Draco smugly declared. For another man to come into the house and make such a declaration would be something he was going to ensure his father learned about. The impertinence was disgusting. It would be funny though when his mother rebuffed and repulsed the former prisoner.
"Aw Draco how cute. You think you have a clue. I'll tell you something about threatening people. You should only do so when you actually have the power to carry out your threats." Sirius had let his voice drop into a low soft cadence. He leaned forward staring intently at Draco who swallowed audibly but managed to hold his ground.
"Now, Now, Sirius. Draco has had a very busy summer and is tired. So he's not thinking quite as clearly as he should." Narcissa said sweeping into the room. A deep forest green dress that clung to her womanly curves with a slit up the right leg and just enough depth to the neckline to hint at the treasures hidden within, its cut baring her shoulders. A golden teardrop locket pointed the way as if to reinforce the suggestion. A fur stole and a small white leather purse completed the outfit as her heeled shoes clicked on the marble floor of the entry hall.
Sirius stood with a great smile, "Ah Narcissa you look like a work of art. Sheer beauty in poetic motion." Taking her hand he kissed the back of it. Her nails a glossy blood red.
Draco stared at his mother in confusion. He started to say something then stopped himself as he was not sure what to say. His mother seemed to be going along with this adulterous plan. Judging by the way she was dressed quite excitedly.
"So what are your plans for tonight Mr Black?" Narcissa purred.
"Well I have dinner reservations at Caponelli's then tickets to the play Devil in the Dark. Then afterwards maybe drinks at Chez Pauls in Paris?" Sirius rattled off.
Narcissa smiled warmly at that. "I like those ideas." She turned so Sirius could drape her stole artistically over her bare shoulders. "Don't bother waiting up Draco. I've made sure the elves understand you are to be taken good care of tonight and awakened tomorrow in time to make it to the train."
Draco nodded, "Yes mother."
She patted him on the cheek gently. "You are a good boy. Now good night my little dragon."
Draco glanced at Sirius who was standing there with a slight grin on his face, "Yes mother. Good night."
After Sirius and Narcissa left Draco frowned. There was something going on that bothered him. Ever since he had arrived home from school he had been shuffled off from one of his familial friends home to another. Goyle, Crabbe, Nott, Zabini all had hosted him. Yet he had not seen his father once which was disturbing. Further he had not even heard from him, his letters to his father returned by his owl or replied to by his mother. Vague stories of he was on the continent, he was doing business in the Aegean, the far east.
Draco went to the floo to call his friend Nott but then he stopped himself. What would he say, his father wasn't writing to him. He saw his mother going out and committing adultery? That sort of thing would be ammunition for Nott in Slytherin house. Draco and Theodore were constantly jockeying for position in Slytherin house. Crabbe and Goyle were loyal only to Draco because their fathers were loyal to his father. Draco labored under no false assumptions about them. Pansy was interested in him only because of his father's wealth and his name. Her father had promised her to Draco as a repayment of some debt to Lucius. She was not an option unless he wanted some physical snuggling or comforting. What he wanted right now was to quiet his worried mind.
Draco felt the need to talk to someone though as the elves all went about their duties leaving him alone in the large mansion. Usually he would sit and play cards with his mother, or listen to her talk about the day with his father. The three of them laughing about the antics of the muggles.
Maybe Zabini he briefly thought then dismissed it just as quickly. If he tried talking to Zabini about it he would get laughed and told to just figure out whether he needed to call Sirius Uncle or daddy. The boy had had seven dads in the last five years so he tended not to be very concerned with whomever his mother's latest flavor was as he called it.
Bulstrode? He shuddered as she was the female version of Crabbe in body and Goyle in mind. Trying to talk to her would be pointless Draco sighed. Daphne Greengrass had told him she would castrate him with a dull letter opener if he tried to speak with her about anything that was not directly class related. So she was definitely out. Her little sister was a first year which was boring and dangerous because he was not certain how Daphne would react. She could be rather disturbing.
He wondered if he could get into his father's liquor cabinet but then decided not to. Not only would he get in trouble when his father returned it would not really solve any of his problems. His father had repeatedly told him that a little bit of wine would smooth things over but too much would turn him into an ass. He wasn't entirely certain that was a metaphor either given his father's proclivities for making enemies disappear. Although now he had himself disappeared.
Draco sighed as he sat in the chair in front of his neatly organized writing desk. Everything tucked in its proper place and waiting for him to write to someone. Only he had no one to write to. His godfather Snape was off doing something at a new job. He had not even sent Draco a card this summer. It was as if he had vanished as well.
Maybe there was someone outside of Slytherin he could contact. Someone who would be willing to speak to him. So he could at least hear another human voice. Only there wasn't anyone. All of the people he knew in the other houses hated him. They saw him as a smug arrogant little snake not a mighty dragon.
He laid down and watched the light fade outside his windows, wondering what was going wrong with the world and his life. Where it would all end.
===xxx===xx
Ron was standing in her room now watching her mother help pack for school. Hair care products, things she had never seen before going in the trunk. Her mother didn't even ask where these things came from. What had happened. She was Veronica Weasley now and that's all there was to it according to her mother.
Fortunately Arthur and her brothers had remembered her being Ronald and still tried to keep her part of things. Molly though was happily performing the intricacies of mother daughter bonding. Pushing Arthur to go to the Hall of Heralds and register the change. She had contacted Minerva herself who was disturbed and confused by the situation but said she would make sure things were prepared for Ron's arrival tomorrow.
When Arthur had suggested getting a second opinion for the change Molly had blown up like a bomb. Throwing things and screaming that Arthur had no faith in Albus Dumbledore. That Dumbledore had declared it to be true and she was not going to question it. She had a daughter and Arthur wasn't going to take her from her. No one was going to take her daughter away from her again she had screamed with tears streaming down her face. Arthur had to actually defend himself as Molly had drawn her wand at one point and was throwing hexes and jinxes at him until he agreed with her. The teens all fleeing the house to avoid getting in the middle of it.
So Ron had become Veronica and would be going to school in a dress. Feeling so much unlike a girl that every time Ron looked in the mirror she expected to see a sign floating over her head saying fake.
Maybe Hermione would have some way to help her. Maybe Hermione or Madam Pomfrey could help fix the problem and prevent her mother from exploding again. Ron knew she didn't have the ability to fix this and while the twins had claimed they could they refused to do so as if mum found out they would be dead. And they were not entirely sure that was a figure of speech after the way she had burned several holes in the wall of the living room arguing with their father.
===xxx===xx
Harry had gone to bed with his arms under his head smiling. He had spent the day talking to his parent's best friends about their lives. Hearing stories of his mother's desire to maintain her ties to the muggle world. How his dad had been a sports star and talented charms caster. How their friendship with Neville's parents had led to Alice being named his godmother. How if things had gone the way they should have Neville would have been raised as his brother.
Harry had felt a bit uncomfortable looking back at how much he had ignored the fellow Gryffindor. Knowing this though maybe he could change things. What had also made the day wonderful was Hermione sitting next to him and holding his hand. Not running in terror when she found out that it was a part of Voldemort in his head. That had to be the real reason he hadn't said anything he admitted to himself. Scared that if she knew he would be alone. That she would run away from him. He went to to sleep with thoughts of Hermione on his mind which lead to some very wonderful dreams.
Ginny hovered over Harry watching him slide into sleep a small smile on his face. Eventually he seemed to begin dreaming as he murmured Hermione's name in his sleep Ginny sniffed back a tear and slid through the wall. She sat on the roof crying most of the night, soft silver tears falling until she finally felt like she had cried her essence away and leaned back looking up at the full moon crawling across the sky. She loved him and she would do all she could to make him happy, even if it meant watching him love another. She would do all in her power to protect that love and his happiness. She knew that would hurt but she would do that. Because she loved him, she would stand by his side no matter what.
===xxx===xx(Review Responses. WOW thanks for the feedback.)
TLD110166: There are quite a few who will agree with you on that, Ron for one.
Kent-Jensen: Good. I'm glad.
ChiruKaio: Yes, Dumbledore manipulated the local Housing agents to get them into those houses as quickly as he did. He's not above a bit of muggle-manipulation all for the greater good of course. I agree about Severus I hope I can show him as an ass and a responsible adult. In some balance. As he has had to consider a few things.
As for the books. I've read three out of the five (Yes they are all real books. Although the Glossarium was published in 1820 and the Cunning Linguist was published in 2001 but I love the title so moved it a few years in the universe.) and have not found a single thing about any of them inappropriate for a 13 year old human. The Glossarium is just a rather dry dictionary of dirty words and terms and cunning linguist is a frank description of how to perform oral pleasure upon a woman.
If we try and make sex hidden, mysterious and taboo then a teen is more likely to try it and get into trouble doing so. Sex is not bad in and of itself, like many things its the attitudes behind it that make it bad. As for giving them the particular books it would have to depend on each individual parent and child as I've known 13 year olds that are far more mature than some 30 year olds. But then I grew up in farm country and when you have livestock you get to see the birds and bees quite dramatically demonstrated so my parents chose to explain things frankly and without any making it mystical or shameful. Anyhow this is why all my stories are rated M for the themes and attitudes in them.
Anyhow I think we may have to disagree but there is a lot of things going on with Albus too many names before this is done.
Articdranzer: Dumbledore has a few ranks in creepy mode indeed. Plus his marble bag may have had a hole in it recently...
OfficerDonNZ: Yes indeed.
IdlemanRPG: Narcissa is a complicated person. She was not exactly nice but then she was also not explored in depth as the focus of the books was not her so I can do so in the stories. As for wink wink nudge nudge. Adults will stay with adults and teens with teens forever more. No naughty business betwixt the two shall occur. Unless somehow she gets deaged or time travel is involved. That would be the only way.
Dennisud: by the time we get to the end of this things will indeed be excrementally explained. Luna and company will be around...
RhysThornberry: Thank you for reading my work. I am honored. As for Dumbledore. He is a naughty boy indeed...
Teachergirl: He has his personal reasons.
Jadesabrexiv: Ginny and her sibling's parentage will eventually cause some chaos. Albus has a plan and he is hoping it works out.
Oh yeah. One of my friends is a dinosaur nutjob so has told me about the explosion of doom. Repeatedly. Lol. The reaction to Ron's change was rather explosive indeed.
I have it worked out why each character is doing what they are doing. A little paragraph in the notebook as to what they want, why they want it, what they are willing to do to get it. Those motivations will get dribbled out along the way with the big reveal towards the end.
Thank you. I'm alive and blessed so its all good. May you be the same and more.