Warning Spoilers, If you haven't read all the books. The following story may contain spoilers.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I am only playing in the world created by J.K. Rowling. No money is being made from this story.
This story may also not be suitable for younger readers. You have been warned. Any complaints will be ignored.
Chapter Thirteen
I slept fairly well that night except for a rather strange and disturbing dream. It involved me waking up during the night to find Harry had somehow became a Unicorn completely. And he was now very determined to mate with me. Once I realised that Harry's change into a Unicorn stallion was a complete change. I figured I'd rather be together with him as his mare than remain human and be apart from him forever. So I decided to let him make my transformation a permanent one as well. By allowing him to mount me from behind. And as he entered me, I felt my humanity begin to slip away. That's When I suddenly woke from the nightmare. Or perhaps it was just my subconscious mind still trying to escape my old life even further, by giving up my very humanity. I wasn't really sure exactly what it meant and interpreting the meaning behind dreams was never something I was any good at.
'Are you okay Luna?' Harry asked.
'I am now. I just had a rather disturbing dream.' I answered him.
'Do you want to talk about it?' He asked concerned.
I didn't think I would be able to sleep again. So I told him about my dream / nightmare with as much detail as I could remember. When I finally finished, Harry turned to me and laughed at me in my mind.
'What's so funny?' I asked, more than a little annoyed at his reaction.
'I just realised that there is no doubt in my mind that you truly are my other half. Because I had a very similar dream dilemma, where after the 24 hours had passed. You still couldn't change back into your human form. Which meant your change into a Unicorn had somehow became permanent. And since you could no longer change back into a human, I decided to become a Unicorn permanently as well.' He answered.
'But that could only happen if you took another dose of the 24 hour Animagus potion and we had mated as Unicorns. You'd honestly go that far to be with me?' I asked surprised and secretly pleased by his resolution.
'Of course I would Luna and apparently so would you to be with me.' He explained to me simply.
I hadn't really thought of it in those terms but I guess he was right.
'Don't you see Luna, the dreams basically shows that no matter what happens we have both decided to be together. Be it as humans or as Unicorns we are both firmly committed to be with each other.' Harry said with certainty.
Harry was probably right, it really was fairly obvious now that he pointed out the subconscious meaning of our dreams.
'But I wouldn't worry too much, I seriously doubt that our fate is to get stuck as Unicorns.' Harry continued to explain.
'But how can you be so sure?' I asked, feeling full of doubt.
'Because we have far more to gain by remaining human. And a lot more to lose by becoming Unicorns permanently. Besides I'm not worried because we had our fortunes told and it didn't say anything about living happily ever after as Unicorns.' Harry pointed out.
'You know I don't put much stock in such things, Harry.' I said, even though somewhere deep down I knew he was right about this.
As I nuzzled my head against Harry's back affectionately. I finally felt reassured enough, that I was once again able to fall asleep. When I finally woke up the next day, I realised Harry was already awake. And probably had been for sometime.
'Just how long did you plan on letting me sleep, Harry?' I asked.
'As long as you wanted too, of course. I'm happy to be your pillow for as long as you need one.' Harry answered.
'That's sweet of you to say but you know I want you for much more than just my pillow. In fact if we weren't still in our Unicorn forms, I'd show you exactly what uses I have for you.' I thought to him suggestively.
'It's good to know that you have more than one purpose for me.' Harry replied sounding rather cheeky about it.
It was at this precise moment that my stomach decided to voice it's discontent. As it growled and gurgled letting me know that I was hungry. Talk about about a total mood killer.
'Well I don't know about you but apparently I'm rather famished.' I thought to Harry, embarrassed by my stomachs incredibly poor timing.
'Really I hadn't noticed, Luna. Perhaps it is about time we ate something.' Harry answered as he continued to tease me.
So with that settled we both stood and left the stables looking for something to eat. We hadn't gone far when I noticed that our Elves had once again anticipated our need for a morning meal. As we approached I saw a trough full of oats and several plump juicy red apples, the other full of water. It was at this moment that Magnus and Corin chose to appear and greet us.
"Good morning master Harry, good morning mistress Luna." Magnus and Corin greeted us happily.
'Good morning Magnus and Corin.' We greeted them in return.
"Magnus wasn't sure what master Harry and mistress Luna should eat. So Magnus thought to ask Hogwarty Elves, they said oats and apples is very good for Unicorns." Magnus gushed.
'It looks wonderful Magnus thank you very much.' Harry praised our little Elves.
"Master Harry is too kind. Serving a good master and mistress is reward enough for Corin." Our female Elf quickly answered. As Magnus quickly agreed.
With our Elves placated for the moment, they both popped away apparently they had other duties to perform. So we decided to partake of the oats and apples. I'm not sure if it was my Unicorn tastes in food. But these oats and apples were the best I've ever had. Harry seemed to think it was both our tastes and the quality. I expect that our Elves choose the very best oats and apples they could find for us to eat.
At this point Ron still in Hermione's form finally arrived and sat at the very same table that dinner was served the night before. And much to my surprise Ron didn't even seem to acknowledge our presence at first.
'Good morning Ron. Did you sleep well?' I asked.
"Huh?" Ron replied rather distracted.
'I said did you sleep well?' I repeated my question.
"Oh right, I guess I did." Ron quickly replied, turning a little pink.
'Are you sure you're okay Ron?' Harry asked, also concerned that something was wrong with Ron.
"Yes I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Ron said defensively, looking a little guilty or embarrassed about something.
'Well it's just that you seem a little distracted this morning, are you sure something isn't bothering you?' I continued to press Ron for answers.
Ron seemed to look less and less comfortable under our combined questions.
She seemed to be thinking hard about how to answer our questions but eventually Ron looked up at us and said.
"You promise not to laugh?" Ron asked, as she turned even pinker.
'We promise.' Harry and I both replied.
Ron sighed after looking us both in the eye.
"Last night for the first time Hermione and I had sex." Ron quickly blurted out.
'WHAT! REALLY?' I thought loudly, stunned by Ron's sudden revelation.
'I knew there was something I forgot to warn you both about last night. But even I never imagined you and Hermione would have sex the first night you were switched. Even we didn't give into it that quickly.' Harry told Ron.
Ron fidgeted in her chair under our continued stares.
'So let me get this straight, the first time you and Hermione have ever had sex was as each other?' I clarified still finding all this hard to believe.
"Well Hermione has always been a little old fashioned about these sort of things and has wanted us to wait until we were married. But I think we were both more than a little curious and knew we would probably be switching back sometime today. And that last night might be the only chance we'd ever have to see what it was like to have sex, as the opposite gender. So when Hermione showed up in my room with a clean pair of knickers. I quickly changed into them and my Cannons T-shirt. I was looking at myself in the mirror, when Hermione came up behind me. I was feeling my breasts through my T-shirt thinking how strange it was to have them. And how nice they felt, when he suddenly spun me around and kissed me. At first I was shocked but then to my surprise, my body started to respond. It didn't take long after that, for things to quickly get out of hand." Ron explained sounding more than a little embarrassed about it.
Out of hand, that's quite the understatement. As I thought of my two gender-altered friends going at each other last night. With all of their repressed attraction for each other erupting like a volcano. I guess what shocks me more than anything, is that they haven't given into it long before last night.
'Speaking of Hermione where exactly is he at the moment?' Harry asked.
"He's still up in my room taking a shower, I told him I was very hungry and would meet him at breakfast. But it was really just an excuse to quickly leave. Because I was worried that I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation, of his offer for us to shower together this morning." Ron answered, as she again turned a lovely shade of pink.
I could see that Ron was still wearing her orange Chudley Cannons T-shirt under the Burgundy Robe. I also couldn't help noticing that so far, Ron hadn't even touched her breakfast. That Corin had placed in front of her shortly after she had arrived. Apparently this whole experience has her really feeling out of sorts.
'Up in your room?' Harry asked.
"Well after we had sex, it seemed rather silly to be sleeping in separate rooms." Ron explained.
'I guess I can see your point.' I thought to her in agreement.
"But the unbelievable thing is even now I don't regret doing it at all. You said it was amazing and you were right." Ron said in a strange dreamy sort of way.
'I'm not surprise that you really enjoyed yourselves, since you both have intimate knowledge of what each others body likes most.' Harry observed.
"It was absolutely amazing experience. I just never imagined the first time I'd have sex, that I would be a woman and Hermione a man. I'm afraid I might be becoming a bit of a homosexual, since I really liked having sex with a man." Ron confessed her secret fear.
'Nonsense, you're a perfectly normal heterosexual woman at the moment, Ron. I'm pretty sure Hermione wasn't into girls before you two switched. And because you are physically her at the moment I don't imagine that you'd be either. Your just not wired that way while in her form.' Harry explained.
"So when we switch back, I'll like girls again?" Ron asked hopefully, clearly worried that she wouldn't.
'You should, unless of course you liked boys before the change.' Harry teased Ron.
'So you're saying ones sexuality also changes along with all the other things?' I asked Harry, surprised that I never realised this. Even though it obviously explained a lot.
'I kind of suspected as much.' Harry answered.
'Then how come I'm attracted to you, Harry?' I asked confused.
I had always thought that since Luna wanted to be male, that he wasn't really interested in boys.
'That's because even while I never felt comfortable being a girl, I still liked boys. I wasn't gay, I just wasn't particularly interested in anyone else but you. So when you became Luna, it wasn't a surprise that you were still very attracted to Harry Potter.' He explained.
'But why didn't you tell me this was a possibility?' I asked Harry.
'Because I wanted things to develop naturally between us. If I had told you about how your sexuality had also changed along with all the other things, that you were dealing with at the time. You probably would have rebelled against it. It would have changed how things progressed between us. Would you have been willing to risk that?' Harry asked, as he continued to explain.
'No of course not, I would never want to do anything that might change what we have now. But you're right, it would have affected how our relationship developed and probably not for the better.' I had to agreed with him.
'I'm sorry Luna, I really didn't have any sinister motives. But I fully admit thinking from the very beginning, that we both would be better off if we switched places permanently. Even though I always intended for you to make the final choice. I honestly believed then and now that this was a better fit for both of us. I didn't have to remain female and you didn't have to be Harry Potter any longer. But even if you had decided you wanted to change back, I'm sure I could have been happy even as a girl. As long as we were together.' Harry continued.
It was at this point that Hermione finally arrived for breakfast, when he noticed our rather intense discussion.
"What are you two arguing about?" Hermione asked.
'We're not arguing, Harry was just explaining how when we switch forms our sexuality also changes along with all the other things.' I explained to him.
"Is that why I felt so attracted to Ron last night?" Hermione continued to ask.
'Probably, but I think there's more to it than just simple attraction. You both are now experiencing sexual urges as the opposite sex and neither of you have had a lifetime to learn how to deal with them. And because of that you are both more likely to give in to those urges.' Harry explained.
"So the thoughts I've been having about Ron are normal for a male?" Hermione asked surprised.
"If those thoughts involved having sex with just about any female you see, then yes that's pretty normal at our age." Ron offered.
"Oh thank god, I thought I was turning into some sort of sex starved pervert." Hermione sighed in relief.
'I think most women would be surprised at the level of impure thoughts that pass through the typical male mind about girls.' I stated from my previous experience as one.
"Ain't that the truth, they'd probably never stop slapping us. If they knew what we were thinking half the time." Ron chimed in.
"If these urges and thoughts really are normal, then I have to say you boys have been absolute saints not acting on them." Hermione said in disbelief.
'Perhaps that's true to a degree, Hermione. But as I've said they've also had a life time to learn how not to act on them. That's why it was probably you who first gave in to these new urges. Because you don't have Ron's years of experience at dealing with the male libido.' Harry suggested.
Hermione seemed to be a little embarrassed to realise, that Harry had figured out that he was probably the one who started what happened last night.
'If I had suspected that you and Ron were going to have sex, I would have warned you not to. Because it's intense physical and emotional experiences like those, that greatly increases the chances that you and Ron won't want to change back.' Harry expressed his concern, for our two gender swapped friends.
"Well I can only speak for myself, while it's true that sex was amazing as a female. I have no intention to sign up for permanent womanhood. A visit now and then sure could keep our sex life interesting. But to become a woman permanently, no I don't think that's for me. What do you think Hermione?" Ron turned to ask him.
"What?" Hermione said as he was brought back to the subject at hand.
"No, of course not. I too found the experience interesting but have no desire to be male from now on. Except like Ron said to occasionally keep things interesting between us." Hermione quickly answered.
"See Harry no harm done, after all we only did this to increase our magical capacities. So we can achieve our Animagus forms." Ron added.
'Well if you're both sure?' Harry questioned.
'Speaking of increased magical capacities, have either of you tried casting the Lumos spell this morning?' I asked Ron and Hermione.
"I haven't have you Hermione?" Ron answered as she turned to ask if Hermione had.
"No not yet, shall I give it a try?" He asked us.
'Sure give it a go Hermione, let's see where you're at power-wise this morning.' I suggested.
With that Hermione pulled out Ron's wand and cast the Lumos spell again.
"Lumos." Hermione said confidently.
The tip of Ron's wand grew even brighter than the night before. But it was still not as bright as mine yet. If I was to assess the strength of Hermione's Lumos spell, I'd say it was about half as bright as mine was.
'It's definitely getting brighter Hermione, so I think I'm correct that you and Ron's magical cores are larger now. But they apparently still need more time for them to completely recharge. So perhaps it would be best if you and Ron do stay switched for a couple more days before you change back.' Harry suggested to them.
"Well how about it Ron, are you still willing to be me for a couple more days?" Hermione asked.
"If that's what it takes for us to become Animagi, I said I'd do it. As long as I'm back to normal again before next Saturday, I have the pitch reserved for the Gryffindor Quidditch team try outs. So a couple more days shouldn't be a problem." Ron quickly answered.
That reminded me, when this new school year had started Professor McGonagall had asked me to be the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain again. To her great disappointment I had declined her offer, not wanting the extra added attention or responsibility. She then reluctantly asked me who I might suggest, I offered both Ron and Ginny as two good candidates for the position. I later found out that Ron had ended up as the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, since he was the most senior member after I declined the position. And Ginny had said she wanted to focus on her studies and being the best Chaser she could be. I can understand her thinking, especially if she hoped to get scouted and offered a professional position before the end of her final year at Hogwarts. She obviously felt the distraction of being team Captain would only hurt her chances. She was probably right about that. This left Ron as the clear choice and of course he was only to happy to take the position.
So with Ron and Hermione having agreed to stay switched for two more days settled. We quickly finished breakfast and spent the rest of the afternoon continuing to familiarise ourselves with our Unicorn forms. After all this was the whole point to us using this technique. So we once again toured the grounds, making sure we hadn't missed anything the first time. As Ron and Hermione followed on my broom. It was funny seeing what looked like Hermione confidently flying the broom as a very nervous person who looked like Ron held on tightly from behind.
When it was about an hour before I would change back. Hermione reminded us that it was time for her to cast the special memory spell. This spell from my dad's journal would make it easier for us to remember, exactly what it was like to be in our Unicorn forms. Even after we changed back. The spell was an import part of the 24 hour Animagus potion technique. As this memory of our Unicorn forms, is what will help us quickly master our transformations. This is done by meditating on that memory as we will our bodies to change form. Using a type of wand-less magic to change us into our Animagus forms. With a few months of practice we should be able to complete the transformation. Then it would be just a matter of holding the form longer and making the change faster.
Hermione cast the spell on me first and then on Harry. My dad's journal said that you'd know it has worked correctly if when you change back. You could still recall exactly what it was like being in your animal form.
As four O'clock approached we all made our way back up to the Stables. Hermione and Ron both waited outside just like before. Giving us a bit of privacy for Harry and I to change back. I had Corin bring mine and Harry's bags with our change of clothes. Since I was the one who took the potion first, I would be the first to change back. Then Harry should follow me about 20 minutes later. To be honest I couldn't help thinking about the dreams Harry and I had last night. I was still a bit worried that we might not be able to change back. Harry seemed to sensed this and tried to reassure me that everything would be fine. That everything had gone exactly as my fathers journal had predicted. He was of course right about this, just as he was about most everything else.
'Harry do you really think Ron and Hermione need to stay switched for two more days?' I asked.
'Probably not, I expect that their magical cores would continue to recharge even if they did change back.' Harry answered.
'Then why did you suggest they stay switched longer?' I continued to ask.
'Because Hermione thinks it will help strengthen their relationship and I'm somewhat inclined to agree. In fact I think it already has in some ways. I just hope they don't get too comfortable and decide not to switch back.' Harry answered.
'Do you really think that's likely to happen?' I continued to ask.
'No I don't but it could happen if they stay swapped for too much longer. As it is we are going to have to use the memory transfer Pensieve to help make Ron a believable Hermione. And if it's used too much, I worry that it might make Ron and Hermione even less likely to want to change back.' Harry continued to explain his thinking.
'Shouldn't you warn them of the possible risks?' I asked.
'Luna, I have every intention of warning Ron and Hermione about them. But in the end it's up to them, they're both adults and are more than capable of making their own decisions.' Harry added.
'Is helping Hermione keep them switched longer really all there is to it?' I asked, suspecting there was more to it than that.
'Well I'd be lying if I said there wasn't another reason. Basically I feel I owe Hermione and Ginny both a debt of gratitude.' Harry explained.
'A debt of gratitude, for what?' I asked him not fully understanding his reasons.
'For realising that you and I belonged together and taking steps to keep you from getting involved with other girls. Ginny even went so far as dating you, so that no others could. Until you finally wised-up and decided to look my way. They both cared enough to try and keep you from making a big mistake. And that's something I can never properly repay them for. But it doesn't mean I'm not going to try.' Harry answered honestly.
'Okay that explains why you're helping Hermione get what she wants. But what about Ginny?' I asked.
'Well thanks to you, we were able to help get Ginny and Neville together. But I have other plans for her, they involve helping Ginny get a better broom. Because I know more than anything, she wants to play Quidditch professionally. Having a Firebolt or Nimbus 2100 would greatly help her professional ambitions.' Harry continued to explain.
'But Ginny is too proud to ever accept such an expensive gift.' I argued.
'That's true, she wouldn't accept such a gift. That's why it won't be a gift.' Harry answered mysteriously.
'Not as a gift, then how?' I asked.
'I've got a couple of ideas on how to do it. But it might cost us a few Galleons, when I accidentally drop and scratch one of the display brooms the next time we visit the Quality Quidditch Store. I would of course pay for those damages and arrange for Mr. Thatcher to have a slightly damaged Nimbus 2100 for sale at a greatly reduced price. That way when a pretty little red-headed Gryffindor we both know and love asks about a broom. Well I expect Mr. Thatcher will be able to sell it to her.' Harry finished.
'That's a brilliant idea, Harry. Of course I don't mind spending a few Galleons to help Ginny get a descent broom. I'd buy one for her myself if she'd accept it.' I said, excited about Harry's plan.
At first I didn't know what was happening to me. But then my body started to tingle. And I suddenly realised that I was starting to change back into my human form. It was at this point that I finally understood what Harry was doing. He had been trying to distract me, from worrying about not being able to return to my human form. I needn't have worried, because Harry was right again as usual.
I felt my body start to become smaller as the golden horn on my forehead began to shrink. While my equine muzzle gradually morphed back into my head, as it once again reshaped itself into a more human form. As my ears moved back down to the sides of my head and took on a less pointed more human appearance. Then my neck and shoulders also became shorter and less broad. As I continued to shrink back down closer to my original human size. While my torso continued to reshape itself back into a more human form. My hooves also started to split and reform themselves into my hands and feet. As my tail became smaller and smaller, until it was completely gone. The white fur rapidly pulled back into my once again smooth skin. And my breasts slowly migrated back up to my chest and returned to their original human forms. As these and many other little changes continued to occurred all at once. Until they stopped, because I had finally returned to my human form. Even though I was still down on my hands and knees , I quickly rose to stand on two legs for the first time in 24 hours. It felt strange at first not to be on all four of my limbs. As my mind readjusted to the fact that I was human again and not a Unicorn at the moment. This reminded me about my Unicorn form and I was surprised that I still could recall exactly what it was like to be one. Apparently the memory spell had worked just as it was supposed too. I really enjoyed being a Unicorn for a while, yet I was very happy to be back in my human form once again.
'I'm not sure which form or change turns me on more, the woman to Unicorn mare or Unicorn mare back into a woman. Oh well, either way you're both still mine." Harry said lustfully. As I noticed he was aroused even in his Unicorn Stallion form.
"Easy there big fella, you're not sticking that thing in me unless I'm also in my Unicorn form. But when you change back and we're at school tonight. I plan on having my wicked way with you Mr. Potter." I replied suggestively.
'Well if you insist Miss Lovegood, I'm looking forward to it.' Harry thought back to me.
"I'll just bet you are Harry." I replied, with a smirk.
'See I told you everything would be fine Luna. At least you're human again.' Harry thought to me, as he decided to change the subject.
"Yes you were right as usual. But I won't consider us completely out of jeopardy until you also change back." I said to him.
'It'll be fine you'll see. But in the mean time you might want to tell Ron and Hermione that you changed back okay. Before they come looking for themselves and since you're not dressed. That might be a bit embarrassing.' Harry suggested.
"Oh right." I quickly answered, as I slipped on one of the robes our Elves brought us and went out to see them.
As I walked out of the stables, I noticed Ron and Hermione sitting on the nearby bench. They both stood when they saw me emerge from the stables.
"It worked, I'm back to normal." I said to them.
"Normal isn't exactly a word I would use to describe Luna Lovegood or my former male best friend. But I'm glad you're back just the same" Ron teased.
"I'm glad that everything worked out. How about the memory spell, can you remember what it is like to be a Unicorn Luna?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, it's all here. Clear as a bell." I replied as I pointed to my head.
"Excellent, that means you and Harry should be able to start the next phase of your Animagus training." Hermione said, sounding giddy about the process.
It was weird seeing Ron's likeness acting like Hermione, when she was excited about learning something new.
"Well I'd better get back in there and get properly dressed. Harry should start changing back at any moment now." I said, as I turned and went back into the stables.
Harry was in the same stall and was for the moment still a Unicorn when I entered the stables. I was about to grab my bag and get dressed when Harry suddenly said.
'It's starting.' Harry quickly stated.
I knew immediately what Harry meant as I quickly turned to see Harry begin his return transformation. It was amazing to watch as the handsome black Unicorn stallion, slowly change back into the man I love. As each Unicorn feature gradually gave way to it's human equivalent. Reshaping the Unicorn back into the human form he had before. Seeing these changes I starting to understand what Harry meant about how arousing watching this transformation could be. But approximately 20 minutes after it started, Harry had finally finished changing back into his human form.
Without even thinking I quickly ran up to him and embraced him fearing he would disappear if I let go. I was so relieved that Harry was once again human. As he too held me tight in his arms.
"See we did it. I told you we'd both be okay sweetheart." Harry said, as he kissed the top of my head.
I finally let out the breath that I hadn't realised I was still holding. I was so relieved that everything had worked out.
"I love you Harry Potter." I said as I tilted up my head to look into the green eyes that had once been mine.
"And I love you too, Luna Lovegood." Harry said in return, as he claimed my lips with his. I promptly melted into his firm embrace.
Once our long embrace had finally ended. Harry realised that he also needed to let Ron and Hermione know, that he had also returned to his human form. So he quickly put on a robe and left the stables to talk to them. While he was out I used this opportunity to grab my bag with my change of clothes. I figured if everything worked out as it was supposed too, we would definitely want to celebrate. So I had planned ahead and brought the yellow bikini that we bought in London. I was going to wear it under the yellow dress that we had also bought at the same time. Then later, after we got Ron and Hermione taken care of using the memory transfer Pensieve. I would turn the Room of Requirement, into an exact replica of the Prefects bath. That's when me and Harry's private celebration would really start. I could hardly wait.
I had just slipped on the yellow dress over the bikini, when Harry came back inside the stables. It didn't take long for him to notice what I was wearing.
"Well well, what do we have here. I don't see Ginny around and Hermione's still outside. Yet you appear to be wearing a dress again and this time willingly, what's the occasion?" Harry teased, as he looked on appreciatively.
"How about not being stuck permanently with four hooves and a horn?" I replied. "Isn't that a good enough reason for us to celebrate?" I asked in return.
"Well anything that gets you to wear a dress, is more than a good enough reason for me." Harry answered.
"The only problem is I forgot to bring appropriate shoes to go with it." I said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Perhaps your mum has something here that might work." Harry quickly suggested.
I suspected that he was right, she probably did have something I might be able to use.
"Corin." I called our female Elf.
"Yes mistress." Corin answered, as she popped into view.
"I forgot to bring some shoes to go with this dress, would there be anything here that might fit me?" I asked Corin hopefully.
"Oh yes, mistress Lilly had many shoes. Corin will look." The little elf said, as she popped away again.
A few moments later Corin returned with a pair of tan high heeled sandals. I quickly tried one of them on, only to discover that they were just a little too big for me.
"Unfortunately, they're a little too big for me." I said, disappointed.
"Mistress, Corin can fix." The little Elf said, as she snapped her fingers. And the sandal I was wearing quickly resized itself.
It now fit perfectly, like I had bought them in my exact size. I could really get used to having this wonderful little House Elf.
"Thank you very much Corin, they fit perfect now." I said, as I put the other one on and took a few cautious steps.
Fortunately they had a fairly wide three inch heel and looked really good with my yellow dress.
"These belonged to Lily Potter? But they look brand new?" I asked Corin.
"Oh yes, they be one of mistress Lily's favourites. Corin takes good care of mistress Lily's things." Corin answered, with a happy expression.
Somehow the thought that I was wearing one of my mum's favourite pairs of shoes, made me very happy.
"I'll bet that in a few years they would have fit you perfectly. After all you're still growing Luna." Harry said.
It was fairly clear that he didn't mean just my feet, as I caught him looking at my chest. Harry quickly turned and grabbed his clothes bag and began getting dressed himself.
I decided to tie my hair in a pony tail again, as I pulled out a yellow ribbon for that very purpose. I still wasn't very good at this yet. Apparently Corin noticed my difficulty trying to get it right.
"Mistress Luna, please Corin can help." The little female Elf offered.
"Thank you, Corin I would appreciate it very much if you could." I answered.
Again Corin snapped her fingers, as the ribbon tied itself perfectly.
It's a shame that Hermione isn't still a girl, a little makeup lesson would finish things off nicely. I thought, as Corin seemed to notice and asked.
"Does mistress Luna need help with something else?" Corin asked hopefully.
"I forgot to bring any makeup with me. I was in such a hurry to come here that I forgot them." I lied, knowing perfectly well that I didn't even have any makeup.
"Corin can help, mistress Lily had Corin help when in a hurry." Corin quickly offered.
"That would be wonderful Corin, could you please help me with my makeup?" I asked the little Elf, who seemed very happy to have a mistress to help once again.
With a few magical gestures the little female Elf had me looking as good or better than Ginny and Hermione had. As I saw for myself in the mirror, Corin had conjured for me to see her handy work.
I turned and looked over at Harry who was now fully dressed in jeans and a dark blue buttoned up shirt. He was also wearing his new trainers. He looked very handsome as he approached me and pulled me into his arms.
"Wow you look amazing, Luna!" Harry said as he again looked me over appreciatively.
"Thank you, Harry. You don't look half bad yourself." I said, as I quickly returned the complement.
"You do excellent work Corin, Luna looks absolutely stunning." Harry praised our female Elf's efforts.
"Master Harry is too kind." Corin answered happily.
It was at that moment that Magnus appeared with a pop.
"Dinner is ready master Harry, if you's and mistress Luna are ready?" Magnus asked.
"Well how about it are you ready for an early celebratory dinner, Luna?" Harry asked me, as he held out his hand.
"That sounds wonderful!" I answered, as I took his hand in mine. Giving it a gentle squeeze.
"We're ready could you lead the way, Magnus." Harry requested our little Elf.
"Oh yes, this way master, mistress." Magnus said as he quickly left the stables with us in tow.
Harry grabbed our bags with his free hand as we followed our excited little Elf. Ron and Hermione still waited nearby on the same bench as before. They both stood as we emerged from the stables.
"Come on you two, Magnus has dinner ready for us up at Potter Manor." I said, as they quickly followed behind us.
Magnus lead us up the path back to the same door we exited from the day before. He opened it and proceeded down the hall to another door. This one opened into a very large formal dinning room. It looked large enough to seat at least fifty people. But apparently this wasn't our final destination, because Magnus pressed on to another door on the opposite side of the room. He then opened the door and promptly went in, so we quickly followed behind him into the next room.
What we found was another much smaller dinning room that currently seated only four. This room felt warmer and more intimate, than the larger formal dinning room. I could easily see both me and Harry choosing to eat here rather than the other dinning room. When we finally were able to live here on a more permanent basis. The décor gave off a much more friendly and lived in feel to it. I thought that my parents and Grandparents must have spent a lot of time here.
"Magnus, did Harry's parents have their meals here often?" I asked the little Elf.
"Oh yes, master James and mistress Lily loved it here." Magnus answered.
"Master James and mistress Lily always had their meals here, when at the Manor" Corin added.
I wondered if that's why this room felt so comfortable to me. I might have even been here with them before we all went into hiding. I tried hard to see if anything looked familiar, yet nothing did. But that warm comfortable feeling persisted.
"Here Luna have a seat." Harry said, as he gestured to a chair he had pulled out for me to sit in.
"Thank you Harry." I said to him, as I walked over to the chair. Making sure to tuck my dress under me as I sat down, so Harry could push my chair in. He then promptly sat in the chair next to me.
Hermione offered to do the same for Ron, as Ron looked on confused.
"I just thought you might want to try the full experience of what it's like being a female." Hermione explained his thinking.
"Okay, I guess it could be interesting." Ron said, as she sat in the chair Hermione offered.
"You should try to get into the part Ron, after all you'll be wearing Hermione's uniform tomorrow." I teased her.
"Don't remind me, it's weird enough wearing a bra. Now you're reminding me that I'll also be wearing a skirt as well tomorrow. That's really low, Luna." Ron said, with a look of annoyance at me, as she tried to adjust her bra through her jumper.
"You're lucky Ron that my next period isn't due for a couple more weeks. Or you really would have got the full treatment." Hermione teased
Ron seemed to turn a little green at the very thought of having a period.
"Could we not talk about that, we're about to eat." Ron begged
"I also had to shave my legs until fourth year, when I finally learned the spell to remove hair from them using magic." Hermione explained another of the many joys of being a Muggle born witch.
"Okay, you've made your point. You girls have it much tougher than us guys do. I'll wear the skirt and not complain. Satisfied?" Ron asked.
It was at this point that both Magnus and Corin popped in filling the table with a huge selection of foods. I think the last time I saw this much food in one place, was at the beginning of the year feast in the Great Hall. All of it was excellent, our Elves really out did themselves. As I complemented them every chance I could. Although it didn't take long for me to be full. I had noticed sometime ago that as Luna, I ate far less than I did when I was Harry. Apparently this was also being noticed by Ron and Hermione.
"I can't believe I'm still hungry." Hermione said surprised to see that he had ate nearly as much as Ron usually does.
"And I can't believe I'm already full." Ron sounded disappointed.
"It's not unexpected since you both are physically each other at the moment. Hermione was bound to have gained Ron's bottomless stomach. While Ron now has Hermione's more dainty appetite. I would imagine that your food preferences have changed a bit as well." Harry explained.
"You mean since Ron's, Hermione now. That she'll hate liver and onions just like Hermione does?" I asked, as I recalled Hermione's reaction to that particular dish. When Molly Weasley served it at the Burrow once.
"Yes exactly, while Hermione as Ron might actually like it now." Harry continued to explain.
"But that was one of my favourites." Ron whined.
"I can't imagine liking liver and onions even as Ron, it's absolutely vile." Hermione said, as he shook at the very thought of eating it.
"Well at least you both won't have any trouble passing for each other appetite wise." I observed.
"Yes thankfully, at least that shouldn't be a problem for both of them. But there are still several other things that could give you both away. When we get back to Hogwarts we'll need to visit the Room of Requirement and make a few adjustments. But I warn you both not to overdo it, I would concentrate on only the things you'll need to know for the next two days. Things like specific knowledge about the classes that you'll both be attending tomorrow. Transferring too much could be very risky." Harry warned them.
"How can it be dangerous, isn't it just a matter of adding or subtracting the information. Anything we do can also be undone can't it? Hermione questioned.
"Yes you should be able to undo it. And I have made a few improvements to make it even safer. Since I first used it to transfer my memories of Ancient Runes to Luna." Harry answered.
"Why what happened?" Ron asked.
"Apparently I got a bit more than just his knowledge of Ancient Runes. I also got his resentment for Mandy and Lisa's years of abuse. Yet none of his ability not to let it bother him. So the next time I saw them, they were bad mouthing me as usual. But when they started in on Harry, something just snapped and I ended up literally cursing them." I replied.
"I've seen Mandy a few times. She looks exactly like she did when she first started at Hogwarts. Is that how it happened?" Hermione wondered.
"Pretty much, Mandy and Lisa were being childish and refusing to grow up about our relationship. So I thought they should at least look the part." I answered, still a bit angry at the thought of that morning.
"But I saw Lisa the other day and she didn't look cursed?" Ron questioned.
"That's because she apologised and broke the curse that was on her." I explained.
"And Mandy hasn't yet?" Hermione asked.
"Well she tried, but it was fairly obvious that she didn't mean a word of it." I answered.
"Couldn't Professor McGonagall or Madame Pomfrey break the spell?" Ron asked.
"They both tried but failed to break it, even the Ministry's Accidental Magic Squad couldn't undo it." I replied smugly.
"Apparently only Mandy making a sincere apology will lift the curse. And so far she has stubbornly refused to do so." Harry added.
"And you believe this was the result of the memory transfer?" Hermione asked.
"Yes I do, because I remember attending those four years of Ancient Runes as Luna Lovegood. Apparently Harry didn't transfer memories of them actually picking on him. Yet some of it still managed to come through subconsciously." I shrugged in reply.
"Since then I've added a few filters to the Pensieve but I really haven't used it enough to be sure it's completely safe. Till then I'd recommend not using it any more than you absolutely have too." Harry explained.
"Well fortunately we both have the same classes tomorrow, Double Potions, Double Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. So we shouldn't need to transfer too much tonight. But we'll probably need to transfer my knowledge of Arithmancy and Ancient Runes before Tuesdays classes. " Hermione said.
"I suppose that's something to be grateful for, I think accidentally answering to the wrong name might be your biggest problem. So that may be the main thing we'll need to adjust tonight." Harry thought.
"Can the Memory Altering Pensieve really change the name that we'll answer to?" Hermione questioned.
"I know it sounds like a big deal but it's actually a fairly simple thing to change. And should also be just as easy to change it back." Harry explained.
With dinner and the discussion finished for now we gathered up our bags and planned to return to school. At first Hermione and Ron thought we should Apparate to Hogsmeade and walk back up to the castle. When I reminded them that our House Elves could get us there quicker and closer. Since the wards didn't effect them, they could drop us right at the front door. Ron insisted that Hermione and Harry should go first, so that's what they did. As both Corin and Magnus popped them back to school.
As we waited for Corin and Magnus to return for us. Ron turned to me and said.
"You know it's really going to take me sometime, to get used to you being Luna from now on. In a way it's a real shame that Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw. I don't think I like our chances of winning the Quidditch cup this year, with you as their Seeker." Ron said.
"Well you had better get used to the idea, because I'm not changing back just to improve your chances of winning the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor. Besides you really should give Harry a chance, he might just surprise you." I suggested to Ron.
"I honestly didn't expect you would. Even this short experience of being Hermione, I'm starting to understand better why you wouldn't want too." Ron added.
"Really are you already changing your mind about a possible permanent switch with Hermione?" I asked curiously.
"Not really but an occasional visit now and then might not be a bad thing. At the very least it should keep things interesting between us." Ron answered.
I nodded in agreement knowing all too well the appeal of being female. As I decided to change the subject back to Harry.
"So are you going to give Harry a chance to try out for Seeker on the Gryffindor team?" I asked. "You know you could do a lot worse, since he's actually quite good. " I suggested.
"Well originally I was just going to have you continue on as the Gryffindor's Seeker. But now that I know that the two of you have switched, I think it's only fair that he should officially try out for the team. But if anyone asks me, I'll say it was all Harry's idea." Ron said to me.
"I think he'll be fine with that, since he will want to earn the spot on the team. And not just be given it." I replied.
"Well then I'll be sure to let him know, that he is invited to try out with all the other Quidditch hopefuls this Saturday." Ron offered, as Magnus and Corin finally returned to get us.
(To be continued)