Gender Changing Toffees Chapter Eight:

Secrets revealed and Bullies confronted

Hermione woke up that morning feeling refreshed and energized. It had taken her a while to get to sleep the night before, but once she was asleep she slept peacefully and dreamlessly. She sat up in her bead and stretched her arms above her head until she heard a satisfying pop from her shoulders. It was just five in the morning and Hermione was an early riser. Suppressing a yawn she glanced to the other beds in the room. No one else was awake yet. Her gaze lingered slightly on the sleeping form of Draco and some of her confused thoughts from the night before blossomed in her mind. She shoved them out quickly and forced herself to get out of bed. She tiptoed quietly, careful not to wake any of the sleeping girls. It took her no time at all to gather her things and get dressed. Once prepared for the school day in front of her she headed for the common room. There was still about an hour or so before classes would begin so she sat down on the couch and stared lazily into the fire. Her mind was troubled. So many things to think about! The persistent musings from last night came back to her and this time she thought about them. Was Draco really changing, she wondered? How She was still immersed in her thoughts when suddenly she heard a noise behind her and turned around to see a tall figure looming over her. Hermione let out a shrill shriek and covered her mouth immediately to quiet herself. Her shock was replaced by anger when she recognized the black-haired rumpled boy smiling sheepishly at her.

"You scared me to death Harry Potter!" She exclaimed. Harry smiled in amusement and put a finger to his lips.

"Quiet, you'll wake the whole bloody school." he teased, "Besides, I didn't mean to. How was I to know that you were up?" Hermione blushed at her foolishness and invited him to set beside her, which he did.

"How come you're up so early?" she questioned. Harry shrugged his shoulders and yawned sleepily.

"Neville was snoring again and I couldn't catch a wink of sleep." He explained. Hermione smiled apologetically. Neville's snores were said to travel all the way to the Ravenclaw common room.

"Sorry for getting upset, it was just that I didn't expect you to be down here." Hermione apologized. Harry gave her one of his famous lopsided grins and shrugged his shoulders yet again.

"It's ok." He said. Then, after taking just one glance at her face, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Hermione replied automatically. Although there was a great deal wrong. The main being Draco Malfoy stuck in a woman's body. Harry stared at her for a minute and shook his head.

"No Mione, I can tell that something's bothering you. What is it?" he asked. Hermione sighed and stared into the fireplace in front of her. Oh how she wanted to tell him! Perhaps if she did she wouldn't feel so alone in the burden of what was going on. She had to bite her lip to keep the past few days events from spilling out of her mouth. Harry saw her distress and put his arm around her comfortingly. Hermione was soothed by his touch and smiled shakily. She hated to keep anything a secret from him.

"I don't think I can tell you." she said. Harry looked bewildered but nodded his head.

"Ok, Mione. But you know you can tell me anything, ok? I mean, if you ever need to talk to someone I'm here for you." he told her.

"I know Harry. It's just…Oh I how want to tell you! Dumbledore did forbid me to tell, but I think that he would be ok if I told you, but I'm just not sure. And oh. It's so confusing…" she knew she was rambling but she could not seem to stop the current of words from flowing through her lips. "Oh Harry promise that you won't tell?" she asked him. Harry had no idea what she was talking about but he nodded his head. He'd learned from experience with women over the years that when you were confused about something they said, it was best to just nod your head.

"Of course not, I promise." He told her. Hermione sighed with relief then proceeded to tell him everything that had happened. She told him about Draco being Diana and how she was going to work on the counter potion and everything. When she was done she looked at Harry to see how well he was absorbing the information. He looked slightly confused, but other than that perfectly alright.

"Wow, that's a lot to take in at once." he said slowly. Hermione braced himself to yell at her in outrage for keeping the thing a secret from him, but he surprised her by laughing. "So let me get this right, Ron's hitting on Malfoy?" He asked. Hermione joined him in his laughter.

"Well, yes, I suppose so. But he's really changed, Harry." she told him. Harry stopped laughing and concern was etched across his handsome face.

"Hermione are you becoming friends with Malfoy? You know he will never really change." he said. Hermione shook her head at Harry's words.

"No, he really is changing. I- I'm not saying that we're friends but Draco is becoming a…nicer person." she finished. Harry just shook his head in a very 'whatever' manner.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt or disappointed, that's all." Hermione's eyes filled up with tears. Harry was so kind to her, he was just worried about her.

"Thank you for worrying about me, but I'll be fine." she assured him. Then, to Harry's surprise and joy, she kissed him on the cheek. He smiled that horribly adorable lop-sided grin again and Hermione felt something in the deep pit of her stomach lurch at the sight. He opened his mouth to say something, but was disrupted when a very irate Draco entered the room. His hair hung down his back in cascading blonde waves and he pointed his finger angrily at Hermione. Harry had a hard time believing that this was the once regal Draco Malfoy.

"You-you told him!" he exclaimed angrily. Hermione looked from Harry to Draco and sighed.

"Yes, I told Harry. But you'd better calm down about it before you wake the whole of Gryffindor." she snapped. However the warning came too late, doors were already beginning to open a pattering of feet on the stairs were heard. Draco turned to Harry and sneered.

"Fine, you just keep your mouth shut Potter, do you hear me?" he demanded. Harry looked like he wanted to do nothing more than hit Draco but he refrained after Hermione gave him a warning look. Instead he nodded his head. At that moment Dean and Neville entered the room, yawning from just waking up.

"Watcha all doin down here?" Dean asked sleepily. The three just shrugged their shoulders and Hermione said that her and Diana were going to go ahead and go to the great hall so that she could show her where their classes would be. The fake excuse to leave was accepted by all the students- although a few did comment that they were bloody well insane for getting up so early. Hermione said goodbye to Harry- giving him a very obvious I'll-talk-to-you-later look. He smiled softly at her and then Hermione and Draco quickly left the common room. The second they got into the hallway Draco turned angrily to her and got onto her for telling Harry.

"How could you Hermione? He'll tell Ron! And then the whole bloody school will know and my dad will find out and…how could you?" he stormed, stomping his foot in a very womanly way. Hermione sighed and shook her head at his accusations.

"Harry won't tell anyone, Draco. Just trust me, okay?" she asked him. Draco shrugged his shoulders and dropped the subject for the time being. It wouldn't be good for him and Hermione to fight- she was the only person right now that knew what he was going through and he needed her around. Besides, if they were to fight then she might suddenly find that she couldn't help him very much. He was in a situation where no matter what Hermione did, he needed to forgive her.

"Sorry, I'll drop it." he told her. Hermione raised her eyebrow in surprise at his easy defeat and smiled to herself.

"Thank you. Hey- we take a right here. We're going to potions, remember?" she corrected him as he tried to turn a corner. Draco sighed at his stupidity and followed her down the corridor to the potions room. He wondered what it would be like to set in class and have to pretend to be Diana. Would anyone notice his act? He pondered this while absentmindedly staring at Hermione's back in front of him. Suddenly he wanted nothing more to grab her by the waist, spin her around, and kiss her. When had Granger gotten so pretty? Draco groaned inwardly and tried to suppress his feelings for Hermione. Well, not feelings. More like animalistic urges. Yes, that was it. Because of course he didn't feel for Hermione, he just wanted to kiss her. There was a difference…right? He was so lost in his thoughts that he hardly even noticed when they arrived at their destination. Hermione pushed open the dungeon door with a good shove and smiled at Draco in a "good luck" way. They walked in to find that very few students were already in the gloomy room- three besides themselves. Two were Hufflepuff girls whom Draco faintly recognized and the third was the unmistakable form of Neville Longbottom. It was rumored he came in early to study extra hard for the class- everyone knew he had a huge amount of trouble making passing marks. Neville glanced Hermione and Draco and smiled. He waved for them to come and set over by him.

"Good morning, Neville" Hermione greeted him smiling. Draco couldn't help but smile with her. She looked so pretty when she smiles, the way her whole face light up- it reached all the way to her eyes…STOP IT! Draco mentally slapped himself and managed to forget about Hermione's dazzling smile for a while.

"What are you doing here so early without Harry or Ron?" Neville asked curiously. Hermione usually came in just before class started with Harry and Ron at her side. He paused a moment then asked about Draco, "And are you with the new transfer student?"

"Sorry for not introducing you sooner. Neville this is Diana, from America. Diana this is one of my friends Neville Longbottom." she said. Neville blushed at Diana and said it was very nice to meet her. Draco just smiled awkwardly and said it was very nice to meet him as well. It was a little weird for him being so close to and befriending someone he usually would torment. However he smiled pleasantly and took a seat next to Hermione, leaving her between him and Neville. The three just sat there for a while before Draco realized that Snape wasn't in the room.

"Where is Snape?" he asked Neville. Draco happened to know that the potions master was usually in the room very early, and it was unusual for him to be late. Neville shrugged his shoulders and explained that he didn't know where Snape was but he heard from someone that they might be having a substitute that day. When he said that Hermione frowned slightly. It wasn't like Snape to miss class. Could he be working on the antidote to the Weasley's candy? She hoped that he was, and that he wasn't ill or something. They wouldn't be able to do much without his help. Hermione chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully and pondered the professor's absence when suddenly the dungeon door was thrown open and in walked none other than Pansy Parkinson, trailed by three or four of her friends. Her eyes quickly met Hermione's and she sneered angrily.

"Great. Another class with the mudblood. How many times a day am I forced to look upon her hideous face and set near her tainted blood?" she asked sarcastically. It was not an actual question at all, but more a challenge. And everyone in the class knew it for their heads snapped to Hermione awaiting her reply. Of course Hermione would give one. But not the kind Pansy probably expected. She smiled slightly, raised an eyebrow into a perfect arch and turned sweetly to Pansy.

"If you are looking for a fight, you certainly won't find one here. Violence solves nothing Pansy. Besides, I have much better things to do then argue with the likes of you." she told her. For a minute Pansy looked slightly confused, obviously she was expecting Hermione to throw a punch or yell. But her composure only faltered for a moment before she bit back.

"Upset because your Ronnykins choose Lavender over you? Maybe he just doesn't like the taste of mudblood." she spat. Hermione's lips became very thin as she pressed them together and she didn't even really think before she retorted.

"Not a very bright insult, considering I don't have feelings for Ron. But then again Pansy, you aren't one for being very bright. So perhaps it's the best that you could do." Hermione snapped coldly. At this Pansy's eyes flared and she began to hastily push up the sleeves of her shirt.

"You're right, I'm not much good at fighting with words. But I bloody well am with my fists!" she exclaimed loudly, and with that lunged straight towards Hermione. The poor Gryffindor didn't even have time to react, but Pansy's flaring fists never touched her. For at the exact moment before her clenched hand made contact with Hermione's face, something stopped it. Hermione looked beside her to see Draco Malfoy's face beet red and his body shaking with anger. His hand was clamped over Pansy's slightly lager one and his perfectly heart shaped lips were pursed with un expressed anger. As he stared at Pansy one could imagine daggers piercing her very skin.

"Don't…you…ever…touch…her!" he spoke harshly between clenched teeth and tight lips. Pansy stared in slight horror at this bold girl who dared to confront her.

"Who do you think you are?" she asked angrily. Suddenly recognition lit her eyes and she snarled in disgust at Draco, "You're that new kid. Didn't I already warn you to stop hanging around such filth?" Draco gripped her hand tighter and frowned.

"My name is Dr-Diana. I wasn't frightened by your threats earlier and I still am not right now. I stand by what I said, and I'll repeat that Hermione is a billion times a better person then you will ever be. And if you ever lay another hand upon her, so help me Merlin if I don't kill you." he told her. The tone of his voice was deep and low and everyone in the room knew that Draco meant every word he said. Just then Hermione noticed Neville, Harry and Ron behind her, Harry with a hand on Hermione's shoulder. They glared at Pansy with a passion equal to Draco's. Pansy knew her friends were behind her and would back her up if need be. There would probably have been a fight right then and there if the doors had not just opened and a small robed wizard walked in. She took one look at Draco and Pansy and sighed.

"Ladies, please set down." she told them warily. Pansy's eyes met Draco's briefly and she gave him a look that wuite obviously said "I'll get you for this". But her and her friends all obeyed the teacher and say down, they wouldn't be any more trouble, at least for now. Hermione's companions all did the same and the tension slowly left the room. The lady, whoever she was, waited patiently at her desk for the class to be quiet. Hermione frowned slightly with puzzlement. Who was this woman? Her question would soon be answered. The petite woman turned to the class, her mouth set into a nervous smile.

"Good morning class. I am here to substitute for Professor Snape. He had some very urgent business come up and asked me to fill in for him. I, by the way, am Professor Periwink. I'm actually retired but I do tend to sub once and a while. Er…any questions?" she asked in a very small and light voice. The class shook their heads and the tiny woman smiled happily. She pointed to Hermione's textbook and asked her where they were at in the book. Hermione told her they were on chapter 43 and studying antidotes for bad luck potions. The teacher thanked her then told the class to please read through the chapter and write a summary for it due in two class periods. The class sighed with relief. That was nothing compared to what they were usually given. And the chapter itself was a mere fifteen pages long. Most of the students merely glanced at their textbooks and began chatting amongst themselves. It was quite obvious to them that it was a free day and they knew they could finish the assignment later. But there were a few students who hastily opened up their books and began the assignment immediately. Ron, Draco, and Harry were in the first category but Hermione in the latter. Harry chuckled at her and closed her book.

"Mione we can do that later! Don't you want a break?" he asked her. Hermione shook her head, annoyed that he would disrupt her work.

"Give my book back." she told him. But when Harry just grinned at her and it became apparent that he was not giving up the book, Hermione sighed and gave up. She crossed her arms over her chest in a very annoyed manner but made no move to reach for her book.

"That's better." Harry said teasingly. Hermione just rolled her eyes and turned to Draco, who was on her right.

"Thanks for standing up for me, again." she told him softly. Draco actually had two faint spots of scarlet appear on his cheeks when she thanked him…no wait, Draco never blushed. Hermione concluded that Draco must have felt a hot draft of some sort for as soon as it came, the blush was gone. He told her in a very friendly manner that she was welcome. Harry meanwhile looked from one to the other, knowing that Diana was really Draco and knowing that standing up for Hermione was something that must have taken a lot for him to do.

"Yeah, thanks…Diana." he said. Draco looked up at him in surprise. Not only did Harry just thank him, but by calling Draco Diana he made it clear that he was not going to give away Draco's secret. Draco sighed with relief and actually smiled a little at Harry. However a female Draco smiling at him proved to be a tad too much for Harry and he sort of grimaced. Draco abruptly stopped smiling and actually laughed a little. He would never get used to this woman's body, or the charms it could have over men. Ron noticed the tension in the air and began to laugh beside Harry.

"Harry do you fancy Diana?" he asked with humor. Harry's eyes widened and he nearly retched. He knew Ron did not know Diana's real identity but the mere thought of him fancying Draco was beyond repulsive. On many levels. He glared at Ron and shook his head in disgust. Draco couldn't help but realize that he had a wonderful opportunity to have some fun. He smiled slightly and turned to Ron.

"Harry? I was sort of thinking you fancied me." he said sweetly, making sure to bat his thick eyelashes seductively. Ron's mouth gaped open and he stared at Draco.

"M-me?" he asked in a squeaky voice that let everyone listening know that he indeed did have a thing for Draco. Draco just smiled coyly then bent to whisper in his ear.

"As it happens, I have a thing for red heads." he told Ron. Ron blushed scarlet and glanced nervously in the direction of Lavender. The two had had a small spat the night before so she was setting with some of her other friends. Lavender was shooting daggers at them both and she got up in a very angry huff and walked out the door. The scene was witnessed by around half the class. Ron gulped and shook his head.

"I've got a girlfriend. But um…well talk to me if that changes." he said quietly, trying very hard not to be overheard. However it was all in vain for at least four people around him heard and all whispered it to their friends. Ron's romances had turned into quite the sage for the school. The by now highly embarrassed Ron blushed again and ran out the door, hurrying to catch up with Lavender. Hermione, Harry, and Draco all chuckled lightly. Suddenly Hermione made a small animal noise- what animal is unknown- and opened her text book. She glared at Harry and pointed a finger at him.

"Harry Potter we haven't even started on our homework yet! Get out your books, we'll begin this instant!" she exclaimed. Harry laughed and shook his head in an amused manner. He could have teased Hermione further but instead took out his text book. Sometimes with women it was just best not to argue. Draco did likewise. Soon the three appeared to be deeply engrossed in their homework. But every time Hermione's arm brushed Harry's, a bright streak of scarlet flashed across his cheek. And anytime her hand bumped Draco's, likewise happened. Hermione didn't notice any of this, but every time she sat her pen to her parchment she wondered a little more what was going to happen to them all once Draco was back into his body.

Meanwhile in the room of requirement…

Severus Snape was desperate. The weary potions professor sighed and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. His dark eyes scanned all of the objects in front of him. Cauldron, plant leaves, extracts of several different flowers, some candy, candy wrappers, quills, parchment, vials of potions, several different animal hairs, a dragon's scale, basically anything and everything he could need. But not any way to determine how he should use them. Objects kept popping up magically every time a new idea snapped into his head. Already the room was being quite cluttered and Snape could not resist a grimace if distaste. He would much rather be in his cold dark potions room then in this one. But this was the room of requirement and Snape could magically summon any ingredient he needed. Plus his room was currently occupied with students. Students with a substitute teacher at that. Snape snorted and frowned. He hated leaving his pupils with an under-qualified person, even if for a day. And Snape was beginning to wonder if perhaps this would take longer than just one day. He made a mental note to strangle the Weasley twins the next time he laid eyes upon their ginger heads. Who would have known those two were capable of such a complex trick? They certainly had not acted like it when in school. Though he hated to admit it, not only were the twins brilliant but it seemed they had created something that even Snape could not figure out. There was only action for him to take, he must summon the twins. Sighing yet again, and thinking that he was going to get a few new gray hairs from this, he picked up a piece of parchment and after hesitating briefly, wrote a letter to the devious two.

Fred and George Weasley,

I have been assigned to correct the horrible act you have performed on Draco Malfoy. I am perfectly capable of doing so on my own, but Albus Dumbledore has insisted upon your being here. You are to meet me, Granger, and Malfoy at Hogwarts in the room of requirement tomorrow morning. It may take the entire day before we finish, so be prepared. I take it you already know where the room is.

-Professor Severus Snape

Snape scanned the letter quickly then sealed it with a characteristic Slytherin crest. Ten minutes later an owl was flying as quickly as it's wings could take it to the Weasley's shop. If all went well, they would have a cure by the next afternoon. But of course, that would be with the Weasley's cooperation. And something told Severus Snape that the Weasleys would not exactly cooperate.

Hey, thanks for waiting so long for this newest chapter! I started it back around Christmas time and just now got to finishing it. And actually, I thank jazzymine91 for that. I had actually just given up on this from lack of inspiration and time when I got up to find a message from her asking me to continue. Well at the time I decided to take another try at it and the result was this chapter. I hope I'll be a lot more regular in the future with the timming on my updates. And I hope that everyone enjoyed this! Reviews are much appreciated :)

-Emmalee14

And of course, thanks to the reviewers of the previous chapter:

emmablk1: Pfft, don't lie. You did too forget about me. Some BETA you are. Pfft. Okay I forgive you, you know I love ya. You weren't here for this chapter either so I had to get Molly to BETA for me yet again. But oh well, I still love you.

Dumbledork: Awh thanks, I like the description of "heartwarming" :)

Bailei's Fallen: lol, thanks. It is weird, but weird is what I love!

THE-GIRL-WHO-CRIED-WOLF: I'm sorry I didn't update soon. Took me six months nearly :( But I hope you forgive me and read it anyways!

And special thanks to my sister, Molly. And on a note for the future, the more reviews I get the sooner I might manage to have a new chapter up :)