Hey everyone,
I PROMISE! This will be the last chapter that will cover Jillian's stay in the Hospital Wing. I REALLY want to write about her getting introduced to Gryffindor House, seeing the division between it and the Hyena House and getting to know Katie's other dorm mates as well as her getting closer to little miss Lavender.
Let's do this,

Venquine1990

Chapter 19
Greetings, Hogwarts

12th of November 1994
Hospital Wing, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

After the girls gave me an experience I have never felt before, but that they told me can be re-experienced whenever a girl plays with herself, as they called it, did I also tell them about what Madam Pomfrey did in regards to my need to relieve myself. This too was something they were happy to help me with.
And while I felt a little ashamed at the idea of this being shown to me, did the girls make it really easy. "You just sit down on the pot the same way you are now, make sure your lady parts are in the center of the seat and then let it go. No more need to aim that thing of yours anymore or anything. Seriously, we have it so much easier there."
This would have made me jealous of the three of them if not for the fact that I now share this fact with them and instead I do something I don't think I've done ever since my change. I let out a laugh, yet it sounds much sweeter and softer and I realize afterwards that I didn't laugh, I giggled. And this knowledge increased my happiness.

We had left the bathtub and Madam Pomfrey had allowed me to try and move from the entrance of the cubicle to the bed. This had been quite easy, but after that she had left me with a shocking explanation. "Mss. Potter, I know for a fact that you still have nightmares of last week. Because of this I want to call in the help of a Mind Healer.
A Mind Healer helps people like yourself, your godfather and even helped people who survived encounters with You-Know-Who. They are also sometimes hired by Lords of Ancient Houses who want to teach their kids certain mental forms of magical protection before coming to Hogwarts. However, the choice is yours.
Just know that your godfather is already seeing one, that he has been given a Time-Turner in order to this without it messing with his schedule as teacher or keeping him from spending enough time with you. I've asked the Healer and she herself does recommend herself, but that is because then you can have sessions alongside Mr. Black.
I'm not saying this to convince you, just to make sure you are aware of all the facts before you make a decision. Again, the choice is and remains yours." The woman had told me and I promised her I would think about it. We then changed the topic of discussion and she made me a promise that I am very, very happy with.

"Once you are able to walk between here and the bathroom stalls and back, we will use the wheelchair to get you to the staircase outside my wing. There we will practice you walking up and down and once you can walk that staircase up and down four times, I will consider you healthy enough to release you from my care, Mss. Potter.
However, for my own peace of mind and your convenience, I would like you to come to my wing one meal a week after that, more if you decide to take on the Mind Healer's offer." I had happily nodded at this, determined to get these exercises done as soon as possible as, even with the Wing being as large as it is, I am starting to feel cramped.
Ever since then have I been putting a lot of effort into these exercises and they definitely had one major benefit. Because they took place in the Wing in general and not just my cubicle, did I get to interact with the students that are helping me by still making the potions and draughts that I need to take on the daily.
Yet this was still constantly done with either Sirius, the girls or the twins present, even though these students had proven that they were unlike the creeps that are now making potions outside the Hospital Wing, but this hadn't stopped the fact that I am now finally getting a chance to get to know students outside of Granger and Ronald.

This fact had actually made me decide to take on the offer of the Mind Healing as I felt confused as to why this knowledge felt painful for me to acknowledge and why I was still sad over the betrayal they caused me, even though I should be hating them for how they treated me. Yet Madam Pomfrey had alleviated my concerns.
"They have been the only friends you've known for the better part of four and a half years. It's perfectly normal to feel hurt before you feel anger over it." And when Sirius heard about this, he confirmed this and said he felt the same way when finding out that Pettigrew had betrayed my parents and me to Voldemort.

Another thing that happened this week is that, a few times when the girls had shift and I took a bath, they asked if I wanted more lessons in Playing with myself. I had happily accepted it the first time, wanting to repeat that same glorious sensation all over my body again, but declined the other two and just had them help me wash.
My hair especially had been an experience with which I needed help as it was much longer than I had been used to until two weeks ago and the girls had used this opportunity to teach me how to style my hair in different manners. Ponytails, low hanging tails, braids, pleated braids, full curls and various other styles that looked really good.
Katie had then giggled and said: "I am so happy that you and Lavender are now sharing a dorm with Leanne, Amber and me. The fact that we can continue doing all of this, the physical fun and the learning of new hair and clothing styles, is just the best." And the other two girls had glared at her with a playful sense of jealousy.

This had confused me and I asked: "Surely we can all do that? You know, as a team?" To which Angelina had shrugged and said: "Only if both you and Katie invite us over. Otherwise, entering another person's dorm is against the rules." Which had shocked me and reminded me of the two times Granger actually did this.
"But – but – but wait – is – is that rule known to everyone?" I had asked and the girls had nodded before I had looked down as this made me wonder: "Does that mean that, even then, even as a Second year, she thought herself above the rules?" And upon seeing their curiosity, did I enlighten my new friends upon my thought process.
The girls had been shocked to hear that Granger had entered the boys dorm twice without knocking or asking permission beforehand and Katie had said: "She was a Hyena even before that Sub-House became a thing." Which had made me giggle and feel a little better. We had then dropped the subject and focused on my bath.

And yesterday, I had my first day of practicing with walking staircases. The twins had been present this time and Fred had kept a constant eye on the Map, George ready to move at his signal and keep the hall on all sides of the Hospital Wing free from students. And to my utter exhilaration, did walking up and down the stairs come easy.
The muscles in my knees did strain a little when walking up, but otherwise the whole exercise went easy and I hardly felt tired or a strain on my energy levels after walking it up and down four times. Madam Pomfrey had looked conflicted at this and said: "I love seeing you healed, dear. I'm just going to miss our time together."
This had really touched me and I told her: "We still have my meetings with Healer Mitchell." Making her smile at me gratefully. We had gone back to the Hospital Wing and I had gone back to my cubicle, ready to spend my last night in this bed, but also very excited with the thought of finding out if the girls dorm differs from the boys dorm.

Yet by now that excitement is gone and has been replaced with a strong sense of fear and insecurity as I am standing in front of the doors that lead to the Great Hall, Madam Pomfrey having officially released me a little while ago, but not before telling the brewers that their services were no longer necessary and sending them off.
We had waited until all students had been reported to having entered the Great Hall and after this had Sirius, Lupin, the twins and the girls escorted me to the doors. Here we stop and I look up at the majestic length of them both, feeling smaller than I have ever felt in my entire life, my legs shaking ever so slightly.
"Whenever you're ready, sweetie." Sirius softly tells me and I take a deep breath at this, gathering my nerves and remembering what I said when I got my first real chance to practice walking in my new form. "I have a Lion's will. I can do this. If I can't – they win." And this thought turns my resolve harder than steel.

I straighten my shoulders and wipe any potential dust or dirt off my new female Gryffindor robes, my right hand taking a little longer to pull my skirt down a little further and then move forward without another word. And, if for no other reason than to make a statement, do I put a little bit of magic in my hands as I push at the doors.
They slam open and the whole hall instantly turns silent. This is something I am used to and helps increase my sense of confidence, which I make sure to show to the school as I stride in, Sirius and Lupin behind me, the girls behind them and the twins behind them. And while I can't see them, do I know they have their wands in hand.
Everyone who hasn't seen me so far has their mouths wide open and a lot of eyes are wide as saucers as they see me walk in between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw table and I quickly notice that there is a space separating the Hyena-ravens from the Ravens and that the same counts for the Hyena-Lions and the Hyena-Badgers.
Then I notice Lavender and Leanne, who Katie described to me the other night so I know who to look for, scooting away from each other and I smile at their silent way of inviting me to sit with them. I stride over to the lot and spare a quick glance at the Head Table. This makes me want to snicker as the teachers look just like the students.

Only Pomfrey and Dumbledore aren't looking at me shocked and awed and even Snape has dropped his usual sneer and is looking at me as if he has never seen a Gryffindor before. Then, just as I sit down, do I hear a whistle coming from further down the table. I look at where it's coming from and hear Dean say:
"Holy mother of Merlin, mate. Katie and the girls did not do your looks justice. And that's coming from someone who plays for his own team, if you catch my drift." But this confuses me and Katie, who has come to sit with me, whispers: "He means that he likes guys." And instantly I get why Dean thought to tell me this.
I smile at him gratefully and this seems to break everyone out of their shocked stupor. Instantly the whole hall starts to buzz with sound as everyone starts to talk either with each other or trying to talk over each other and just from the few tidbits that I can catch from those sitting near me, do I feel my face turning red.
None of the statements are really offensive or vulgar, but every comment is definitely filled with various compliments and most of them are about how gorgeous my face looks when I smile. Yet I spare a quick glance at the Hyena-side of the hall and instantly regret it as all their looks speak volumes of what they want from me.

I shrink back from this and instantly the twins, who have come to sit on the other side of the table, have their wands aimed at the Hyena side of the Gryffindor table, their own gazes daring the Hyenas to try them. And from the corner of my eye, do I notice every Hyena that spots this turning back to their breakfast with a sulk on their faces.
Yet then I hear something hard and loud hitting something made of metal and I look up again, my eyes widening when I notice that Ronald has fainted and now has his face lying on his golden plate. "WILL YOU STOP DOING THAT!" Granger shouts at the obvious caster, yet the Fifth year says: "Not when he continues wanting me to."
This makes me look back at the twins and Fred says: "Ronald has hired some of us Lions.""To stun him.""When his illness gets the better of him." This amazes me as I didn't think my former best friend would be willing to go to such extremes to fight his illness. I look at him again, yet this seems to be the wrong thing to do.

This because Granger notices me and shrieks: "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, YOU DISGUSTING WHORE! RON'S ILLNESS AND OUR MISERABLE STATE! YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU DESERVE! WE WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT! THEY CAN'T KEEP YOU AWAY FROM US FOREVER! YOU WILL GET YOUR DUE, FREAK!"
And the fact that the girl screams this with so much hatred, disgust and certainty breaks my heart. Yet then I remember what happened this last week, how I grew to consider Katie, Angelina, Alicia as the sisters Hermione never was, and while I don't fully believe my own words, do I say: "You're dead to me, Granger. Just dead."
And the girl gapes at me while I turn to my breakfast, trying very hard not to let anyone see how much it hurt me to say that and grateful beyond words that today is a Saturday as it means I won't have to deal with her in classes. Yet because I know how stubborn she can be, do I whisper: "Dorms after breakfast." And Katie nods at me.

I make sure to take the healthy stuff that is in front of me, but also cast the spells that Madam Pomfrey taught me as she told me: "There could be Hyenas who will try and use the Hogwarts House Elves against you. These spells will help you recognize it if someone messed with your food and drinks. Just a precaution, dear."
I had taken the learning of the five different spells to heart and learning them had also helped me get more in-tune with my new wand. I then suddenly, halfway through breakfast, notice that there is someone behind me and turn my head. Uncle Remus is behind me and the man smiles at me as he says: "Your new schedule, dear."
This confuses me, but then I remember that schedules can be changed if the teachers think that Hyenas might be a threat to the students they used to share the schedule with. I thank him with a smile and take it from him, reading it over and noticing that the whole thing seems to have changed drastically, making my eyes widen.

Yet after reading it through another few times, do I spot the differences. The classes I used to have on Friday are now on Monday, the Tuesday and Wednesday classes have also switched and the classes on Thursday have been changed so that the class I used to end with is now the one I start with and vice versa with all the others.
This makes me smile, the simple change making it so that it's easy to memorize this new one, but also effective enough so that I won't have to be confronted with Granger or Ronald at all anymore, even if Ronald seems to, if nothing else, want to stop being affected by his illness. And with this knowledge do I continue my breakfast.

A little while later are my friends and I done with breakfast and while I know that Katie actually has my wheelchair shrunk down in size in her pocket, do I really feel like pulling out my Invisibility Cloak and using it to pass the Hyena section of the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables. Yet I know I can't and just stand up instead.
Instantly the others are up as well and the twins seem to have somehow apparated or teleported to my side of the table as they are now in front of me, while Katie and Alicia are now on both my sides and I know that Angelina is behind me. They all, again, have their wands out and we start moving, Hyenas glaring at them more than me.
This is answered by my team pointing their wands at the ones that are glaring at them, sending of silent threats to make the ones glaring back off. We manage to get out of the Great Hall without another incident and head up the staircases. Yet halfway up the Grand Staircase, do we encounter a problem I hadn't counted on.

While the Hospital Wing is actually only a few floors above the Great Hall is Gryffindor common room all the way up in Gryffindor Tower. And because of this, do I feel myself tiring out from moving up the many staircases, my energy levels having not entirely restored themselves from my almost two week stay in bed.
Katie quickly notices this and instantly pulls out my wheelchair, which has been enchanted with a floating charm to make me capable of going up and down staircases and a single tap of her wand undoes the shrinking charm. I smile at her gratefully and take my seat, Angelina taking the handles and pushing me up the rest of the way.
"Remind me to do some more staircase walking after lunch. I need to make sure I can just head from one class to another on Monday." I mutter at them, but then Katie says: "Your classes are the perfect chance to practice that, Jillian. You'll have to move from floor to floor, but can use your classes to regain your physical energy."

I nod at this and then we reach the Fat Lady. And the woman herself is actually crying tears of delight and relief when she sees me and gushes: "Oh thank Merlin, you're alright! I've been so worried about you! My friends who have portraits near the Wing kept telling me that you were fine and healing, but it's so good to see you for myself."
And before any of us can respond or give the password, does she open her portrait, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket and blowing her nose in it. Yet another unexpected hazard hits me upon our entrance. I move into the common room and instantly my eyes are drawn to where it happened, the memory pulling itself to the forefront.
I whiten and start to tremble as I can almost feel all of the curses and hexes hit me, but then something blocks my sight. I look up and see that the team is looking at me worriedly. I shake my head and mutter: "Guess I need another session with Healer Mitchell." The group nods and then Angelina takes hold of the handles again.

And while I keep my head turned away from where the attack took place, hating how I couldn't keep my Lion strength up to the very end, does she push my wheelchair up to the staircase leading to the Gryffindor Girls dorm. We move up the spiraling staircases four floors and here Katie knocks and says: "Just to play it safe."
Yet no one answers and so Katie sticks her head in and says: "Yeah, I guess we really are the first ones up here. Come on in, girls." Angelina rides me in and I gasp as the room, while quite similar to the boys dorm still has a few things that set it apart. One of them is that there is a soft golden carpet on the floor, the other is the draperies.
Every bed in the circular room does have red draperies, but all four of them, bar one actually have different kinds of patterns on them. Only one set of draperies is all red and Katie says: "You can pick your own pattern to set your bed apart from the others. Leanne also wants change the color, but her preferred choice clashes with the red."
This really intrigues me as the boys dorms have all been the same for the last four years and then Angelina whispers: "Most girls have a better eye for details than boys. Though don't tell them this, they'll just feel insulted." Making me giggle before I roll my wheelchair over to the one bed that has all red draperies.

"How do I change them?" I ask and Katie answers: "Just think of a pattern you like and touch one of the draperies. Also, if you stop liking the pattern you chose, you can change it. Just make sure it's not the same as that of the others. That's the only rule that really counts for these things." At this I turn to her and ask:
"Are there any other rules?" The girl nods and says: "We discuss who gets the bathroom first every Sunday. Objects that are loud can't be used inside the dorm during certain hours as both Leanne and I like to sleep in. You can only enter another's dorm if they give permission first. And cloths shopping is done dorm wide, always."
These rules really intrigue me and then Alicia asks: "Did the boys have any dorm rules?" To which I shrug and say: "Just two, really. Don't let your pets on another's bed – Pettigrew used to love breaking that rule when he pretended to be Ronald's pet. And close your curtains when you go to bed. Both Ronald and Dean snore horribly, so yeah."
The girls cringe at this, but I shrug, happier than words can describe that I am actually rid of that. And while I may have been a girl for almost two weeks now, does being in this new dorm feel like I have officially started my new life. And as I turn to look out the window, does a single thought enter my mind: "I can't wait for classes to begin."

I can't either.
To be honest, while I really wanted to get to this chapter, did I feel a little unsure about it as well as I wondered what I could do now that Jillian was released from the dorm. Yet somehow the chapter just wrote itself and gave me a few ideas. Now I am not going to ditch the Announcement Party, it just needs finetuning.
The most important problem with that idea is the Hyenas. I need to think of a way for Sirius to announce it without it getting to the Hyenas. And while them being left out of the loop from this will cause a conflict of its own, do I want to make proper use of the Party, specifically for the whole reason Sirius organizes it in the first place.
I don't want everything Jillian and the others do be messed up by the presence of the Hyenas and this Party is an important part of the plot that will eventually lead to Jillian being paired with someone. And because I already have a storyline in mind for that, do I consider this party a very important plot point.
Anyway, next chapter: Jillian gets to attend her very first day of classes and all of the teachers prove how happy they are that she is back and welcome her new form with open arms. Even Snape proves that he takes this change of hers into account and that he is ready to start anew just like she has. Just not everyone thinks the same.
Oh crap-naggit,

Venquine1990