Chapter 2
Of Nekos
Author's Note: This chapter begins moments before the last chapter ended.
Saturday, December 26th, 1992 – Early Evening
Hermione Granger frowned as she stared at the curtains her boyfriend, Harry Potter, had just exited. She knew Harry was having a conversation with Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall, but she could not hear anything they were saying. Madam Pomfrey must have placed privacy enchantments around her curtains temporarily.
She knew that, in just moments, Professor McGonagall would be speaking to her. McGonagall was her favorite teacher, and just the thought of the Transfiguration Professor finding out she was now a Neko, a Cat-Girl, all because of a mishap with a Potion she shouldn't have been brewing was terrifying to think about. How would McGonagall react? Would she be disappointed? Would she expel Hermione?
As Hermione pondered this, the curtains opened. Madam Pomfrey led Professor McGonagall into the enclosed area. However Harry didn't come back with them. Hermione winced when the Transfiguration Professor gasped in surprise at the sight of her.
"Oh dear, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "What have you gotten yourself into?"
"Where's Harry?" Hermione said, "You didn't make him leave, did you?"
"Not at all," Madam Pomfrey said, "You'll be able to talk to him soon after Professor McGonagall has spoken with you."
"But what happened to him?" Hermione asked. "He was angry and his hair turned all sorts of colors!"
"It appears, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "that Mr. Potter is a Metamorphmagus."
"Ooh!" Hermione said, nodding, "I've read about those. Not a lot, but a bit. If Harry is a Metamorph, then I should probably research it more to help him."
"I plan on helping him myself a bit, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "But that can be discussed another time. I wish to know what happened to you."
Hermione knew she was going to have to tell a white lie to her favorite Professor. She didn't want Harry to get in trouble. She would simply have to tell the half-truth, and share her explanation with Harry.
"I read up on Polyjuice Potion a couple months ago," Hermione said. "And I wanted to brew it, just to see if I could accomplish it. I finally finished it recently, and – well, I needed to test it out. Unfortunately, the hair I used turned out to be a cat hair."
"Were Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley involved?" McGonagall asked.
"They knew I was brewing the potion," Hermione said. "But they wanted me to try it before they did. They were there when this happened to me, Harry brought me to the Hospital Wing."
"Were you aware that animal hair is not suggested material in Polyjuice Potion?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said, "I was so sure I had gotten a person's hair. I didn't know exactly what the side-effect was when mixing Polyjuice Potion with cat hair. Not until Madam Pomfrey told me. She informed me that I'm a Neko. A Cat-Girl."
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Nekos," Madam Pomfrey said. "I know some details, but I'll have to research it more."
"I have a bit of knowledge when it comes to Nekos, fortunately," McGonagall said. "As you know, Miss Granger, my Animagus is a cat. While I am not a Neko, I do share some abilities with cats – so I have some similarities to Nekos. In some ways, you're quite similar to a Cat Animagus, except you take on the appearance of a cat whilst in human form. Poppy, how much of Miss Granger's appearance will she keep?"
"I think it would be better to ask what she won't keep," Madam Pomfrey said. "Fortunately, I will be able to remove all the fur from Miss Granger's face and body. Her Cat Ears will remain in addition to her normal ears, as will her tail. She will also keep her fangs..."
Hermione opened her mouth and showed McGonagall her fangs.
"I thought about modifying her fangs," Madam Pomfrey said, "But they may be useful in the future. They're not noticeable unless she opens her mouth, anyway. She says her tongue is rougher than normal, but like her fangs, it isn't very noticeable, and may be useful. Her fingernails are slightly sharper and longer, but her toenails will be able to return to normal. I thought that was best, since otherwise it would make walking difficult. Would you please open your gown, Miss Granger?"
Hermione blushed, but proceeded to untie the belt around her gown, then opened it up.
"In addition to her normal breasts," Madam Pomfrey said, "She has an additional eight nipples. All evidence points to the fact that they will not be fully functional. But I am hesitant to remove them. Every other feature is normal to Miss Granger's human body."
"What about her characteristics?" McGonagall asked.
"Her cat ears and tail react to her emotions, much like a normal cat would," Madam Pomfrey said. "When she is angry or upset, her ears flatten. When she is happy or feels positive emotions, her tail flutters around, swings around rather violently when angry, and it droops during sadness. When her ears or tail is stroked, she feels intense amounts of pleasure."
"Intense?" McGonagall asked, looking at Hermione.
"Harry was stroking my tail, and rubbing my ears at the same time for a lengthy amount of time," Hermione said, "I... I think I might have had an orgasm."
"Oh, my," McGonagall said.
"Harry doesn't know," Hermione said, "I was to embarrassed to tell him yet."
"I would imagine so, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Especially someone who is merely a friend, close or otherwise."
"But he isn't just a friend, ma'am!" Hermione said, "He – we – we became a couple... a little while ago."
"Were you aware of this, Poppy?" McGonagall said.
"I discovered it after I sent you the memo," Madam Pomfrey said. "From what I am able to understand, Mr. Potter may very well be Miss Granger's mate."
"Well, of course he is," Hermione said, "I just said he's my boyfriend!"
"Miss Granger, you misunderstand," McGonagall said, "When it comes to Nekos, the term 'mate' is something much more than 'boyfriends' and 'girlfriends'. How much do you know about Veelas?"
"A bit," Hermione said.
"Perhaps you are aware that when a Veela finds their mate, they mate for life," McGonagall said, "There can be other lovers, but only if their mate is also with those lovers, but they will never be as important as a Veela's mate. The same can be said for a Neko. For Nekos, specifically Cat-Girls, such as you, there is an experience called being in heat."
"Madam Pomfrey explained that to me and Harry, ma'am," Hermione said.
"Your analysis, Poppy?" McGonagall said.
"I firmly believe Mr. Potter will – to use a phrase – answer Miss Granger's call when it comes time," Madam Pomfrey said. "I'm afraid we'll know sooner rather than later. Miss Granger's cycles take place during the last week of the month. So within the next few days..."
"Oh, my," McGonagall said, with a heavy sigh. "So soon..."
"Miss Granger will remain in my care until she experiences being in heat," Madam Pomfrey said, "So that I may observe. If I am correct, I will, of course, not intrude on the intimate time between Miss Granger and her mate, if I don't find it necessary. I will then decide whether Miss Granger and Mr. Potter may continue such experiences on their own."
"Very well," McGonagall said, then looked back at Hermione, "As Madam Pomfrey alluded to, if Mr. Potter answers the call, then he is indeed your mate."
"What will that mean?" Hermione asked, "How will that affect Harry and I?"
"If Harry were to have other lovers," McGonagall said, "You would have to accept those lovers first."
"I can't see that happening," Hermione said, frowning. "Harry being with anyone but me, I mean."
"Unfortunately, it may not be your choice, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Mr. Potter is the Heir Apparent of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter."
"He's never mentioned that to me," Hermione said.
McGonagall sighed heavily. "It is quite possible he knows nothing about it yet. Something else I may have to tutor him about. Miss Granger, I need you to promise me something. You will not speak to Mr. Potter about any of what I am going to tell you until I have the opportunity to clear it up with him. He may know nothing about this."
"I promise, ma'am," Hermione said, "As long as I don't have to keep it from him very long."
"I will plan to speak to him about it in the coming days," McGonagall said, "Anyway, Miss Granger, as I was saying, Mr. Potter is an Heir of an important House. He will eventually be Lord of his House. In fact, he may be Lord of several Houses. In order to pass on the bloodlines of those Houses, Harry will have to marry more than one girl. Polygamy is legal in wizarding society, due to this factor alone. It is highly possible Mr. Potter's father might have placed his son in a Betrothal Contract or two before he passed away."
"Oh," Hermione said, sadly.
"Now, do not be discouraged, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "If Harry is your mate, I doubt he would throw away such a thing simply because he has Betrothal Contracts. You are one of his very good friends -"
"Possibly his only good friend," Hermione said. "He's having doubts about his friendship with Ron."
"But his friendship with you seems to have strengthened," McGonagall said, "Even with your new predicament. So I have no doubts that you and Mr. Potter can survive any House priorities he may have."
"Even if it means I might have to... be a lover to these other girls too?" Hermione asked.
"Only you can decide that, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "It is possible you may adapt to it more quickly than you believe simply because you are a Neko, and he is your mate."
"Oh," Hermione said, "Okay. What other abilities can I expect, ma'am?"
"If you are anything like a feline Animagus," McGonagall said, "Then you may discover your sense of hearing, smell and sight will soon be advanced. You might be able to hear whispers across a room. Or smell the food in the Great Hall from three levels above. Perhaps you might have night-vision, or if not, will be able to see easier in the dark anyway."
"Brilliant," Hermione said, grinning; her tail fluttered around excitedly.
"That fascinating tail of yours which seems to have a mind of its own," McGonagall said, "May also be stronger than it looks. Simply put, you'll have to test your abilities in the future. You may find you have several abilities as time passes."
"Alright," Hermione said. "Um... ma'am? What about the future of my education here? Am I... am I going to be – um – expelled?"
"My dear, I would hope not!" McGonagall said, "If the Headmaster suggests such a thing, I would argue against it! Frankly, I am going to have to ponder whether to give you any punishment at all."
"Ma'am?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"Simply because you already seem to have enough punishment as it is, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Punishment is for those who do not understand what they did in the first place. Unintentionally turning yourself into a Neko seems to be punishment enough! Not to mention – well – I'm afraid some of your peers will not favor seeing you like this."
Hermione snorted. "To some, I'm already a Mudblood. Maybe, to them, this will be an improvement. I am technically now a Magical Creature, isn't that correct?"
McGonagall emitted a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately I cannot argue with that point. I will, however, do my best to prevent the bullying and teasing this new predicament may cause."
"Thank you, ma'am," Hermione said.
"I am afraid, however," McGonagall said, "That I will have to write about this to your parents."
"Oh, Professor," Hermione said, frowning; her tail drooped, and her new ears flattened. "I understand why that is necessary. But can't I do it myself? I might be able to explain it better in a way they would understand. It might make them react better then."
McGonagall frowned. "I suppose I could let you write the letter. But I will send it myself to make sure your parents receive it."
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said.
"Do you have any more questions, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.
"Will my diet change at all?" Hermione asked.
"You may crave milk more than you used to," McGonagall said, her mouth twitching slightly, "But aside from that, your diet should be quite normal."
"What about... the Muggle world?" Hermione asked. "How will I keep from showing what I am there?"
McGonagall sighed. "I know that in the Muggle World, Nekos are nothing more than a costume fad of sorts. It possible that your ears, tail and fangs will pass off as costume parts. Perhaps Muggles would think they're just highly advanced costume wear. And I highly doubt you'll show the additional nipples off to just anyone."
"No, ma'am," Hermione said.
"You can always cover your ears with a hat or hood," McGonagall said, "But the tail will be more complicated. Your underthings may have to be modified if it interferes with your tail. It is possible you'll be able to pass off your new Neko lifestyle in the Muggle world with few worries. If not... we'll cross that bridge when it comes time."
"Alright," Hermione said, nodding.
"Do you have any more questions?" McGonagall asked.
"None at the moment," Hermione said.
"Very well," McGonagall said, "Well, due to your predicaments about you being in heat the final week of every month, I might have no choice but to move you into Private Quarters. I may do so anyway for your privacy since you are different from the other students now."
Hermione's eyes widened. "What about Harry? Will he be able to join me?"
McGonagall sighed. "I will think about it. It is likely that he will join you, simply because he's your mate."
Hermione grinned and her tail waved back and forth happily.
"Well, I know you wish to speak to Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "And Mr. Potter will wish to speak to you. So I will just go for now. If Madam Pomfrey will give you some writing material, you can write to your parents. I will be back tomorrow to collect the letter."
"I will find some writing material soon," Madam Pomfrey said, "Right now I need to speak to Mr. Potter then you may do so Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded. Professor McGonagall bid farewell, and left the enclosed area with Madam Pomfrey. Hermione sighed and laid back on the pillow. She wasn't expelled, and it was possible she might not receive further punishment! McGonagall was right, after all. Unintentionally becoming a Neko did seem like punishment enough. But Hermione knew she would learn to get used to it.
Her current issue at the moment, however, was her parents. What was she going to tell them? And how would they respond? Would they hate her? Would they be angry? Or would they accept her new lifestyle? And how was she going to cope in the Muggle World? Would she be stuck in wizarding society from now on? That was nigh-on impossible!
Hermione needed Harry. She needed him to comfort her, and tell her everything would be okay. She needed his support.
Harry had to wait fifteen minutes after Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey had disappeared behind the curtains around Hermione's hospital bed before Madam Pomfrey emerged through the curtains to Harry's bedside. She was carrying a tray with some vials of Potion on it.
"How's Hermione?" Harry asked, immediately.
"She's just fine, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, "You'll get to talk to her soon. Can we focus on you for a few moments?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"Good," Madam Pomfrey said, "Where is your wand, Mr. Potter?"
Harry rummaged through his robes, which lay in his pile of clothes, and took his wand from one of the pockets. When Madam Pomfrey snatched it away from him, Harry looked at her, confused.
"Mr. Potter, I will be removing some of the binds around your magical core," the nurse said, "Your magical power will be raised by twenty-five percent. It is unadvised that your wand be anywhere near you for the first few hours after this process."
"Oh, okay," Harry said, "What are those Potions for?"
"Even without your wand," Madam Pomfrey said. "there is a possibility that you'll perform accidental, or even wandless magic without meaning to. These Potions will temporarily numb your magical core, keeping the chance of magical overload to a very minimum. Do not worry, Mr. Potter, you will be able to perform magic again by the time you leave this Wing. You will likely notice a raised level in your power before very long."
"How will that affect my spell-work in classes?" Harry asked.
"It will certainly improve it, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said. "However, there is a chance it could overwhelm you. Which is why I am wary to release anywhere above seventy-five percent of your bindings until you're a bit more in control of your magic. The last of your bindings may not be released until you're in your third or fourth year of education."
"What about my... talents?" Harry asked.
"Your Metamorphmagus talents?" Madam Pomfrey replied; Harry nodded. "Child, you could learn everything about Metamorphs, and be able to use those talents at fifty-percent, though you may find it easier to use it, and control it better at seventy-five percent."
"Alright," Harry said.
"Professor McGonagall, while not a Metamorphmagus, is quite a bit more knowledgeable in the field than I am," Madam Pomfrey said, "She'll be able to explain it more. Let's just hope there are no surprises until then."
Harry rolled his eyes. With his luck, he knew it would probably be better to expect some surprises.
"Take these Potions, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey instructed, "Then I will perform the first unbinding in your core."
Remembering his experience with the Skele-Gro earlier that year, Harry was rather wary of drinking the potions. He took the first vial and gulped it down. He grimaced at the taste, but Madam Pomfrey was watching him, so he gulped down the other two as well. Soon he noticed his hands, fingers and toes were all starting to go rather numb.
"I'm sure you're feeling some numbness in your extremities," Madam Pomfrey said; Harry nodded, looking concerned, "Don't worry, Mr. Potter. That is perfectly normal. Accidental and wandless magic is formed from your fingers, and during magical overload, it could reach your toes. Not the most comfortable of feelings, so these Potions will help to prevent that. Now, Mr. Potter, please relax and I will release the first binding on your core."
Harry relaxed back on the hospital bed, laying his head down on the pillow. Madam Pomfrey cast her wand around Harry's body in complex patterns. By the time the nurse was finished, Harry didn't notice any changes at all.
"Nothing happened," Harry said, frowning. "Does that mean it didn't work?"
"I assure you, Mr. Potter, it worked," Madam Pomfrey said. "If those Potions weren't coursing through your system, you would have definitely noticed it working. As I alluded to earlier, you'll likely. notice some changes by tomorrow morning."
"Oh," Harry said, nodding. "Okay. So are we finished? Can I see Hermione?"
"As long as you remain in bed, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said. "I can open the curtains between yours and Miss Granger's beds. Don't be too loud now. I have other patients."
"You mean Colin and Justin, the petrified students?" Harry asked. "How are they?"
"They'll be back to normal soon enough, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said. "Now, if you need anything, I'll be close by. It is possible Headmaster Dumbledore will be here before the evening is over."
"Is Hermione in trouble?" Harry asked. "Will she be expelled?"
"You need not worry about that," Madam Pomfrey said. "Her appearance and changes will not interfere with her education. There may be some changes, but she will still be a student, Mr. Potter. Professor McGonagall assured Miss Granger of that."
"Good," Harry said. "If Hermione was expelled, I – I might have left with her in protest."
Madam Pomfrey raised her eyebrows but said nothing. She waved her wand and the curtains between Harry's and Hermione's beds arranged themselves, so the enclosed area now surrounded the two beds, and the small space in between them.
"Harry?!" Hermione yelped, as her tail whipped around wildly, "Why are you wearing that? Is he okay, Madam Pomfrey?"
"He's mostly in top health, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey said.
"Mostly?!" Hermione squeaked; her cat ears flattened, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Do not fret, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey said, "It turns out Mr. Potter's magical core still has its bindings on it that he's had since he was a baby. I just removed one of those bindings."
"I've read about that!" Hermione said, "Why weren't they unbound before now? It should have happened last year!"
"It should have," Madam Pomfrey agreed. "I do not know why I haven't noticed before now. I will be investigating this, I assure you. Now, the two of you may talk, but please keep your voices down. I will be bringing dinner to you in the next couple of hours. Call for me if you need anything."
Harry and Hermione promised they would, and Madam Pomfrey left the curtained area.
"Are you sure you're okay, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"The Potions I took made my fingers and toes numb," Harry said. "But aside from that, I'm alright. How are you? What did Professor McGonagall have to say?"
"She was pretty disappointed in me for putting myself in this state," Hermione said, frowning; her ears flattened. "I told her what I told Madam Pomfrey, that I was experimenting with Polyjuice Potion."
"Madam Pomfrey said you aren't expelled," Harry said.
"No, I'm not expelled," Hermione said, "But she's deciding whether to give me detentions and point deductions."
"I could tell her about my part if it will make things any better," Harry said.
"That would make things worse, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "We'd definitely lose points and -"
"But we'd serve our detentions together," Harry said.
"Maybe," Hermione said, "Maybe not. She knows we're a couple now. I had to tell her that. She'd likely split us apart in detention, because of it. Besides, I told her that you and Ron were barely involved."
"You lied to a Professor?" Harry asked, shocked.
"I did it for you," Hermione said.
"Well, if she punishes you more, I'll defend you," Harry said. "You said she's deciding whether to punish you?"
"She's debating whether being a Cat-Girl for possibly the rest of my life is punishment enough," Hermione said. "I even had to promise her I'd write to Mum and Dad about it, so she wouldn't do it herself. At least I can explain it in my own way."
Her yellow eyes welled up with tears, and her tail – which had been energetic before then – drooped and lay on the bed.
"What if my parents hate me, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione," Harry said, softly.
"They don't understand magic much at all," Hermione said. "Sometimes I think they're afraid of it. Afraid of what I can do. They might be afraid of me, or – or they might take me away from Hogwarts."
"If they do, I'll protest," Harry said, "I promise you. I'll defend your new... lifestyle... to the point of confronting your parents."
Hermione smiled. "You haven't been my boyfriend for an hour yet, and you're the best boyfriend ever. Better be careful, Harry, or I'll expect this from you all the time."
Harry grinned. "Um... Madam Pomfrey mentioned... changes... in your education?"
"I'll still be able to go to all my classes and stuff," Hermione said, "But... I might be living in one of the Private Quarters from now on."
"Maybe I can join you?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled. "Professor McGonagall already said it is quite possible that you'll join me. Especially since it will make things easier when I'm – you know – in heat."
Harry blushed. "Yeah. About that. Will we really have to – you know –?"
"Have sex?" Hermione replied, then nodded, "Do you not want to do that with me?"
"No! I mean yes! I mean -" Harry stammered and cleared his throat. "It's just... I'm twelve years old, Hermione. I didn't think I'd be doing that for a few years."
"Are you worried about performance, Harry?" Hermione asked, smiling.
Harry blushed and shrugged.
"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey has some Potions that will help performance, Harry," Hermione said. "However, you might not need it."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"You're a Metamorphmagus, Harry," Hermione said, "Professor McGonagall told me. You can change your appearance and any part of your body. Including..."
Hermione's eyes moved down toward Harry's crotch. He instinctively covered his hands over that area, and Hermione giggled.
"Oh – you mean – oh," Harry said.
"Yeah... oh," Hermione said.
"What about...?" Harry began, then pointed to the lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, "That is a Dark Curse Scar. Injuries from Dark Magic are nearly impossible to heal, unless done immediately. And..."
"I've had this scar since I was a baby," Harry said.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "You might be able to grow a fringe to hide it though."
Harry shrugged. "Professor McGonagall said she would teach me about my talents. I have to meet with her tomorrow."
"Yeah, she mentioned that," Hermione said. "I could do my own research too. I'm planning on researching Nekos myself as it is. But maybe McGonagall would be better at it."
"I know you want to research it," Harry said, smiling, "So I tell you what. Feel free and... maybe you'll be able to help me in ways Professor McGonagall wouldn't. She isn't a Metamorphmagus, after all."
"True," Hermione said; then she grinned and her tail waved around happily, "I'll help you once I'm out of here."
"Alright," Harry said. "Should be fun. I'm looking forward to it – both McGonagall's help and your own."
Suddenly, they heard Madam Pomfrey speaking loudly enough for them to hear her.
"Headmaster!" Madam Pomfrey said, "I was intending to contact you soon. What can I do for you?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. What was Headmaster Dumbledore doing there uninvited by Madam Pomfrey?
