Here's chapter two. I got two reviews, so here's the deal. I really want reviews, otherwise it's not worth my time to post this. So, for each chapter, I'm asking for that many reviews. Since this is the second chapter, I would have asked for two, but since I got two for the first chapter, I'm only asking for one more before I post the next chapter.
To Nymoue and Princess Roly, here's the second chapter, hope you like it as much as the first.
There are spoilers for all the books, and for those who don't like slash, be warned. This is a Harry/Draco fic, though hopefully a bit different from those you've read before.
If you like it, do let me know at elfflame@hotmail.com, or leave a review at the bottom of the page. Particularly what you like. I'd love to hear any comments at all, aside from flames anyway. This will probably not get any heavier than PG13, so it should be safe for most. As long as you don't mind boys snogging each other. :)
Oh, and I don't own these beautiful boys, or any of the other characters, and there's no way I can make money off this, so please don't sue me.
So, I'm going to dedicate this chapter to my friend, Beta-reader, and co-writer, Foodie, (go check out her fics, she updates frequently.) who hates slash but read this anyway, and who adores Lucius Malfoy. :)
New Arrangements
When the Professors arrived, I was horrified still. How could something like this happen? They had better have a way to reverse this…Or I'd make sure my father heard about it. And Lucius Malfoy has never been one to take no for an answer.
Dumbledore looked the same as always. That goofy beard, and a stupid smirk on his face like he knew something we didn't. Snape, on the other hand, was quite apologetic—for Snape, anyway.
"Draco, I know this will be hard to deal with, but you are my best student, and I know you can handle it."
"Handle it? I don't want to handle it…I just want to be back to normal!" I winced as my voice squeaked. "How soon before you can turn me back, Professor?"
Snape looked at Dumbledore for a moment. But it was Dumbledore who spoke. "I am afraid, Mr. Malfoy, that we have no way to do that. You will just have to let this potion run its normal course. Professor Snape here has informed me that there is no way to be certain just how long the effects of this potion will last. The potion you were working on had an intended length of effect of twenty-four hours. We are hoping that the half-finished potion will only last that long. However, as a precaution, we will begin arranging for a new room for you, as we cannot allow you to stay with your male cohorts, and we cannot allow you to move in with the girls of your year." Dumbledore continued to smile at me as he spoke. What, did he think this was all a big joke? I looked away. I certainly couldn't meet Snape's eyes.
"So, Draco, Poppy just needs to discuss a few things with you, and then Professor Snape here will take you down to the rooms we've prepared for you, all right?"
I didn't want to speak, so I just nodded once. Snape and Dumbledore moved out into the waiting room, and Pomfrey stepped forward.
"Now, Mr Malfoy, since you may be in this form for a bit, you're probably going to have to deal with a few things. First of all, there's your new—shape." She handed me a package of folded cloth. When I looked at her quizzically, she cleared her throat. "They're bras, dear. Wear them. It'll help."
Wear…bras? I looked down at my chest, but withheld comment. For now.
"Also, since you may be a girl for a month or more, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with your menses."
I looked at her horrified. Did she mean what I thought she meant? I was going to have…a period? "What!" I squeaked.
She flushed, and handed me another package. "It happens to all of us, Mr Malfoy." Then she looked at me again, this time with an appraising look. "Well all of us females, anyway."
I jumped up off the bed. "I will not…I refuse…" I spluttered. I finally settled on "You can't make me!"
At this, she grinned. "It won't be me making you do anything dear. And believe me, we all feel that way. Do you think women like having menses?" Well, I have to admit that I'd never really thought about it before, but I wasn't about to admit it to her. Particularly the way she was grinning. She took something out of the new package that was still in my hands and unfolded it. "This is a pad, and if you just put it in your underwear while your menses are flowing, it should keep them from staining your clothes. They have a spell on them to be extra absorbent and to stay in place, but even so, don't do anything too active while your menses are flowing. The house-elves will refresh the pack when you need more. And if you're having pain, come see me immediately and I can give you something for it. Every year I have at least one girl who tries to deal with the pain herself, and a handful have made themselves permanently sterile. Got it?"
I hate blushing. It's not a Malfoy trait. I do it far too often. And I'd been doing it way too much since I woke up here. "Are you done?" I asked as I glared at her.
She looked at me for a moment. "Well, for now…" before she was finished, I had my new packages in my arms, and was halfway to the door.
Snape was waiting for me. He gave me a look I'd never seen before, then turned away. "Come, Malfoy." I followed him quietly. There were students in the halls, and I tried desperately not to notice how much they stared at me. However, I could feel my face get hotter the closer we got to the dungeons. How would my housemates react? I might have been the top dog this morning, but how would they react to a female Draco Malfoy?
I was right to worry. Usually, when I was sent to the hospital wing, if Pansy hadn't gotten up to see me, she at least came running straight to me to give me a hug, and generally drape herself on me, and Crabbe and Goyle were usually a step behind her, ready to take their places at my side. However, this time when Snape and I stepped into the room, everyone just stared. Pansy looked like her favorite dress had been ruined. Crabbe and Goyle looked stupider than usual, their mouths hanging open. The first years all looked at me like I'd grown a head—well, boobs, anyway. Zabini, on the other hand, looked perfectly delighted. Up till now, we'd been on equal footing as far as charms and looks went. The only reason I was top of the heap was because I was a Malfoy. But if I was a girl… He leered at me. I could tell he thought this would be easy. But I wouldn't let him get to me. "Zabini," I said as Snape and I swept past. To anyone else, the greeting would have sounded friendly, if formal. But we both knew that I was simply acknowledging his challenge, and that it would be met, once Snape had left the common room.
Snape guided me to a large portrait at the back of the room, whispered something to it, and it swung open. Behind it was a door that opened into a fabulous room. At least something good would come of this. I wouldn't have to listen to Crabbe and Goyle snoring all night anymore. The room had its own desk, fireplace, and even a small loveseat. There was also a large four-poster bed, and bedside table. There was another door that lead, I found, to a small bathroom. Not much, just a shower stall, toilet, and sink, but my own, rather than something I had to share with others. My trunk and other belongings had been brought down, and sat at the foot of my new bed.
I looked at Snape. "The room is yours for however long these…effects last. It's usually reserved for the Head Boy or Girl, but seeing as Slytherin hasn't had a Head boy or Girl in years…" Snape looked angry at this, but continued, "Well, it's yours until this is over. See that I don't regret this, Draco." He looked sternly at me, told me the password, "Draconus" then left.
I spent a moment unpacking and placing my things around the room. I was interrupted when someone knocked on my door. Thinking it would be Crabbe or Goyle or both, I walked distractedly to the door without thinking, and was startled when I found myself face to face with my father. He entered with a glower, and after glancing once around the room, he turned to me. "Draco."
"Father."
"Well, boy, don't just stand there. Close the door. Unless you want the rest of your house to hear us."
I flushed for the umpteenth time that day, and turned to see the entire house gathered around the doorway. I closed the door and turned back to my father. "What are you doing here, father?"
I got an urgent message from Dumbledore. It seems you allowed yourself to be doused by one of those flunkies of yours, and are now a girl. Horribly amusing, but only when it happens to someone else's son, Draco." He glowered down at me. "I have only two things to say to you." I swallowed. Surely he wouldn't. Not now… He smiled at my discomfort. "The first is that I expect everything I have always expected of you, Draco. Just because you are a girl, do not expect me to be more…forgiving…of your shortcomings." I nodded and looked at my feet. "Look at me, boy!" I jerked my head up and met my father's eyes. "The other thing, son of mine? Now that you are a girl, I will be expecting more from you, Draco, not less. After all, girls can control themselves much better than boys." It was the worst smile I had ever seen on his face when he wasn't about to punish me.
Without another word, he swept from the room, nodding at a few of my housemates as he passed them. I quickly shut the door behind him. It was after eight when I looked at my watch. Maybe I'd just take a shower and get a fresh start in the morning. Things couldn't really be as bad as I was imagining, could they?