Same Disclaimer
Ch. 9 Hard StudyingRon and Ginny met both of them in the great hall for dinner. The four of them at together in the empty hall and Harry couldn't help but admit that Dumbledore knew something about the need for companionship. Hermione and Harry decided that they would only be able to spend an hour with their respective beaus before hitting the books.
"Mione" Ron said as they talked in the owlry "what are you thinking about? You have a far look in your eyes."
"I'm worried about Harry. I love you and I love Harry. He's like a brother to both of us. I heard his whole story and it is chilling. He has seen so many terrible things in his life. Its tragic to think what has happened in his 15 years. Is he healing or covering it all up?"
"I know what you are talking about" Ron said. "I think he is slowly healing. He wrote me an owl telling me he had dedicated himself to Cedric's memory. That is helping him some. He needs a direction, or that's what me mum thinks, and he has found it. I think it makes some sense. The studies distract him and I think Ginny will help him."
"Maybe, but will he still be the same caring person he always was? The Harry both you and I remember?"
"Hurt has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember Mione. Instead of getting angry or depressed he cares for other people. I don't know how he does it and I don't think either of us deserve to have him as a friend. I was just so stunned that we would be friends. Ask me 5 years ago about him and he was on the same plane as Merlin and Dumbledore. Now he's just Harry."
"Just Harry….I like that."
"And I like you" said Ron trying to change the subject back to themselves and secretly hoping he would get to taste her lips again.
"Ron, you're so sweet; corny, but sweet."
They kissed in front of 300 owls, all who would talk about it for the next week and a half. Meanwhile, in a dark corner somewhere else in the castle:
"Harry, I love you" breathed Ginny as she tried to gasp another quick breath before going back to his lips.
"I love you too Ginny. Now come back and let me kiss you some more."
"I can't wait to kiss you again Harry. I've wanted you since I saw you that first time. Maybe I didn't quite know what to do, but I wanted you to be mine. It was a little school girl crush back then, but its grown… oh its grown."
"So have you Ginny, into my girlfriend" Harry said as he tried to hit on her while kissing her neck.
Filtch had never seen a broom closet fogged up like that, but there was a first time for everything he though as he started work the next morning.
When the couples met up in the common room an hour later they were both flushed and did not want to say goodbye to their significant others. Ron and Ginny disappeared up the floo with a wave.
After they had departed Harry and Hermione hit the library. Madame Pince was gone on vacation so they had the whole facility to themselves. Harry found the book in the restricted area. "Rare Magical Creatures and Their Uses" yielded exactly what they were looking for. Owing to the fact that they were in school Harry decided to try a doubling charm so they could both read at the same time. No owl from the ministry delivered a warning so Harry figured that they had free reign to use magic as they pleased, but he would ask one of the professors tomorrow. The doubling charm was inhibited by the copyright on the book. Harry chocked that one up to an anti-theft device.
"You know that I can lift my weight?" Hermione asked. "Dire bears are also very territorial and have no natural predators. They are known to kill accidentally because of their great strength. They are omnivorous and do not hibernate. Their claws can be used in strength potions and their blood is sought for its healing power, although it does have the side effect of making you hairier."
"The technical name for me is a firecorn. Not only am I one of the innocents, I think my first run-in with Voldermort had something to do with determining that one, but I am stronger and faster than a normal unicorn. My blood can be used, if given willingly to the same effect as the elixir of life from the Philosopher's stone. If taken from me it kills. I can be killed in my animagus form and transform back into a human and still be alive. I'm not sure how that one works; I may have to ask McGonagall about that one. I guess having my animagus form being a unicorn can give me a longer life too. Holy Crap! My horn works as a wand? Hermione, do you know what that means? I can do magic while transfigured."
"Most animagi can only will small amounts of magic while transformed unless they really practice on wandless magic."
"I was worried about following in my father's footsteps. On the one hand I wanted to be a stag like my dad, on the other I wanted to be something else cool. I guess I will take this" joked Harry.
"I wonder if being a very magical creature will make it harder to transfigure."
Harry pulled out the advanced book and duplicated it. There was no reason now that they knew about their creatures that they shouldn't start working on it, maybe impress professor McGonagall.
"Step one:" read Harry "Picture your animal in your mind."
Both concentrated as hard as they could on their animals.
"Step two: feel the animal inside of you. For instance, if you are to turn into a cat, feel where your tail and ears would be and imagine your hands and feet turning into paws while your skin grows fur."
"Step three: say the words de homo et anima in your head"
"Step four: say the words de anima et homo in your head to return to your human form.
"de homo et anima" said both Harry and Hermione.
Harry gasped as Hermione grew into a huge bear. Hermione gasped as Harry turned read and grew a horn out of his head. Hermione had completed the process the first time she tried it. Harry had gotten some place, but had not quite mastered the equine figure. Hermione looked down at her new paws and stood up on her hind legs which caused her to bump her head on the ceiling. Instead of the "oww" she was expecting an enormous growl came out. She was about to transfigure into a human again when Harry stopped her.
"Do you understand what I'm saying" Harry asked as the bear nodded. "You can't change back right now. I guess there is a charm for our clothing or something because when you changed your clothing ripped off. See, its all here on the floor." In the future Harry would fondly remember the sight of a dire bear trying to cover herself in shock realizing it was naked.
"Don't worry Hermione, I will go get McGonagall; she will know what to do."
Fifteen minutes McGonagall and Harry arrived in the library.
"Potter, you may leave now. I suggest you find something to do while I lead Miss Granger back to her room for some clothes."
"I'll see you in half an hour in the common room Hermione?" Harry asked.
The bear nodded morosely.