Chapter Two

Anxieties

A few days after Professor McGonagall had showed up telling Heriman that he was in fact a wizard, an owl (that's right, an owl) delivered some paperwork that the Headmaster had requested his parents fill out. Then came the cousins, which was always fun. Heriman knew that his cousins didn't mean to be hurtful with the staring and whispers, but it still hurt nonetheless.

They had left six days before Professor McGonagall was to return. Heriman spent those six days packing and preparing for the eight days he'd be spending in the magical world. Apparently, he would need to go shopping for his supplies, meet with the Headmaster and school healer, and also meet with a Ministry of Magic Official (whatever that was).

Heriman paces in the den. The day he'd been awaiting was finally here, the day that Professor McGonagall was to return. He jumps as a knock sounds from the door. He almost trips over his own feet trying to get to the door. Heriman hears a chuckle on the other side of the door. "Hello, Professor McGonagall." he says as he opens it. She smiles and nods a greeting to him. Heriman hands her a folder. "My parents said they filled out what you asked them to Professor."

McGonagall takes the folder and scans the papers inside. "Have you studied your supply list, Mr. Granger?" the Professor asks, looking him up and down.

Heriman nods before replying, "And where shall I acquire these things, Professor? For i know of no place in London that would sell these items."

Professor McGonagall smiles. "And that, my dear boy, is why I shall show you where to buy these things. But first, the meeting at the Ministry of Magic." Heriman nods, not asking what the Ministry of Magic was, because it sounded like he was going to find out shortly. "Firstly though, have you gotten your things ready?" McGonagall asks.

Heriman nods, "In my room. I'll go get them." he says before heading upstairs towards his room. Heriman looks around his room. He was going to miss it here while he was gone, even if it was a short while. It'd been his sanctuary since the beginning. As he runs his fingers across the spines of his books, he hears a soft knock from his door. "Come in." he says softly. The door opens to reveal Professor McGonagall. Heriman blushes faintly, though he doesn't know why. Then he remembers the first time he'd seen the Professor's eyes. They matched the colors of his room, which didn't seem to go unnoticed by Professor McGonagall.

"Your parents directed me towards your room to see if you were ready."

Heriman nods, "Yeah, just..." he looks around the room one last time before grabbing his bag. "Just trying to make sure I don't forget this place."

McGonagall gives him a soft smile as they leave his room. "I doubt you'll forget it any time soon. It's a lovely shade you chose for your room by the way." she says.

Heriman nods, glancing up at the Professor. "Yes, lovely shade indeed."

Heriman watches as Professor McGonagall shrinks his bag.

"Place it in your pocket to carry, Mr. Granger." she states, her accent coming through slightly. Heriman does as instructed before looking at his professor.

"Now what ma'am?" he questions softly. Even with the stern look on her face, Heriman could McGonagall gave him a smirk.

"Now, Mr. Granger, we shall use a portkey to take us to the Ministry in around a minute's time." she answers as she pulls out a magazine. "Hold onto it and do not let go of it until I give you the say so, Mr. Granger." Heriman can only nod as he takes hold of a corner of the magazine. "And three...two...one." McGonagall says as there is a sudden pull at his navel. He closes his eyes tightly, still holding onto the magazine. Almost as soon as the rush and the pull start, it is over. "You may let go now, Mr. Granger." Professor McGonagall says.

Heriman lets goof the magazine as he opens his eyes. "Wow would be an understatement." Heriman thinks as he looks around. They seem to be by a statue of a..."Is that a Centaur?!" Heriman asks, a little too excited.

McGonagall chuckles, "Yes, that would be a centaur." she replies as they start to make their way through the crowd of busy-bodies. Heriman looks at the tall walls of windows as they head down what seems to be a hall of fireplaces. Suddenly, in a burst of green flames, a woman steps out of one of the fireplaces.

"What in the world just happened?" Heriman thinks.

"That would the Floo System, young Heriman." says the woman who just stepped out of the Floo answers. Heriman gives McGonagall a look.

"You said the thought aloud, Mr. Granger." she answers before turning to look at the woman. "Good day, Madam Bones." McGonagall says with a smile.

"Gods Minerva, you know how I dislike that title." the woman says before looking back towards Heriman, extending her hand. "Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE." Amelia says in a soft tone.

"The DMLE?" Heriman questions as he shakes Amelia's hand. "Department of Magical Law Enforcement." McGonagall answers.

Heriman's eyes get wide. "Did I do something wrong?" he asks as they follow Amelia to her office. Amelia chuckles as she unlocks her door.

"Of course not, Heriman. We are here to discuss this." Amelia answers, holding up the folder he had given McGonagall earlier.

"Oh, okay." Heriman replies, following Amelia and McGonagall into the office before taking a seat across for Amelia and beside McGonagall.

"Now, you have to understand, Heriman, that there hasn't been a documented case of a..." Amelia pauses and looks up from the papers in the folder. "Do you prefer transsexual or transgender?" she asks, trying not to look slightly uncomfortable in doing so.

"Transgender ma'am..." Heriman replies as he looks at the floor.

"Well, Heriman, in Britain, we haven't had a transgender wizard before, or at least, entering into the education system. That's why we wish to make sure that you stay safe through your years at Hogwarts. There are families that might not like it if you are found out. That is why we sent these papers to your parents." Amelia says, holding up the folder.

Heriman looks from Amelia to Professor McGonagall. "I don't think I understand. Would you care to explain?" he asks.

Professor McGonagall speaks up first, "We asked your parents to fill out a few consent forms, so that if you agree, we can put you on a monthly potion regimen that'll work like the medicine that you would be taking if you stay with the muggle system."

Heriman looks at them in shock. "You mean..."

Amelia answers this time, "With a series of glamours and the monthly potions, you will appear male. Also, the potions will change your body and after about five years, you won't need the glamours."

Heriman takes a deep breath as he takes everything in. Finally, he looks at Amelia. "I'd like to do it."

After agreeing, he had to fill out some forms of his own while they discussed how the potions and glamours would work. To say Heriman was anxious about starting the potions and school would be down playing it slightly. He was though, nervously excited about the prospect of being who he had felt on the inside to be shown on the outside. By the time they were done talking things over, the sun was starting to leave the sky.

"Use my Floo, Minerva." Amelia says as she looks out her office window. "You don't need to walk to the Leaky Cauldron if you can Floo there." she says with a smile.

McGonagall nods at this. "Right as always, Amelia." McGonagall gives Amelia a hug before heading towards the fireplace. "Watch and listen closely, Heriman, for you'll be following shortly after me." she says as she grabs some Floo Powder and enters the fireplace. "The Leaky Cauldron." McGonagall states as she throws down the powder. In a flash of green flames, she is gone.

Heriman takes a deep breath, "I can do that." He hears Amelia chuckle behind him.

"It's easier than it seems, Heriman." she says, patting him on the back. "I shall be in touch to see how things go, Heriman."

He nods and walks towards the fireplace. "Thank you for everything, Madam Bones." he says before grabbing some of the Floo Powder as he steps into the fireplace. "The Leaky Cauldron." Heriman says. The flash of green comes and suddenly, Heriman is standing in a different fireplace.

Heriman looks around, seemingly standing in what looks to be a pub. He spots Professor McGonagall just as the man behind the bar points at him.

"Seems the young lad has arrived safely, Minerva." he says to the Professor, who turns to see Heriman heading their way.

"Oh, good! Everything still in working order, Mr. Granger?" McGonagall questions as she inspects him slightly, her accent a little heavier than usual.

Heriman nods, "Yes Professor, everything is fine." he replies with a smile. Suddenly, his stomach growls. Heriman didn't know if he could be anymore embarrassed than he was at that point in time.

"Two steak and kidney pies, if you wouldn't mind Tom." McGonagall says to the man behind the bar.

Tom nods, "With tea I presume?" he asks before heading towards the kitchens.

"You presume correctly, Tom." McGonagall replies before having a seat at one of the tables in a shadowy corner. Heriman follows suit and takes the seat across from Professor McGonagall. As soon as he is seated, their food and drinks appear.

"Still getting used to that..." Heriman mumbles under his breath before he tucks into his food. Mindful of his company, he minds his manners as he eats. Before long, both are finishing off the meal with tea. "So," Heriman voices, "What is on the docket for tomorrow?"

McGonagall peers over her spectacles and with some distain tinging her accent, answers, "Shopping." Heriman decides not to comment and is soon being shown to his room for the night. "Rest easy, Mr. Granger." McGonagall says as she heads to her room.

"Sleep well, Professor." he whispers in reply.