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 Seventeen
After lunch we continued on with the rest of our daily classes: Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and finally History of Magic. We had previously arranged to meet with Ron and Hermione in The Room of Requirement tonight after dinner. That's when they would change back, and take the second dose of the Animagus reveal potion.
Over the past few days, whenever Harry and I had the chance to observe Ron and Hermione we were both quite surprised at just how good a job they were actually doing pretending to be each other. If I didn't know that they had switched previously at Potter Manor, I might have missed their occasional slip up. It was little things at first, like Ron less than discreetly adjusting her bra straps through her jumper or forgetting to tuck her skirt under her before sitting down. While Hermione as Ron tended not to be as oblivious about what was happening around him, and was far more courteous to others. I told Harry that the original Ron was always more likely to skive off from doing his homework and pester others to do the same, by constantly asking them to play wizards chess. I was not surprised when Harry told me that Hermione as Ron promptly did his homework without any of the usual fuss. Then he only asked someone else to play chess if they were free and had their homework done as well. Of course Ron as Hermione was also keeping up with her assignments and offered to help others when asked. But she wasn't nagging everyone to do the same. That was something the original Hermione had trouble not doing. And I'm sure most found it to be a considerable improvement in the bushy-haired witch.
Harry also told me that quite often when Ron as Hermione was working on her homework in the common room she had Crookshanks in her lap, petting him as she read. While Hermione as Ron tried hard to improve his relationship with the aloof Kneazle. To mixed results from what Harry reported.
I also noticed at various daily meals in the Great Hall, that Hermione as Ron still ate quite a bit. But not nearly as much as the real Ron usually did. He was also more likely to offer the last bit of a particular food item to others - before finally eating it himself, when everyone else passed on it. While obviously Ron as Hermione ate much less because of her now smaller appetite. And much to my surprise she didn't really seem bothered by it anymore.
Basically they were both slightly better versions of each other. All the good characteristics they had with the annoying ones toned down to a more reasonable level.
According to Harry, Ron as Hermione was even tutoring some of the younger years. Just like the original Hermione had been doing before.
I later asked her about this, and she said that ever since she became Hermione learning had become more interesting and fun. At first, she didn't want to help tutor other students - but felt obligated to do it, in order to continue Hermione's reputation. But she quickly found that helping someone else understand something that they were having trouble with was very gratifying. She even admitted that she and Hermione had used the Memory Pensieve to exchange additional memories and knowledge so she could be more helpful at tutoring other students. And because of this she could now see, and understand, the appeal of being a teacher.
Another thing I observed about our gender-altered friends was that they were both a lot more affectionate to each other. Lots of kissing, hand holding - and who knows what else they got up to, in private. And so far I don't think I've seen either of them fight or argue once. Maybe Harry and Hermione were right about him and Ron spending a little time as each other. It certainly did seem to be improving their relationship.
I couldn't help thinking that by being each other for these last few days, that they had gained a greater understanding of one another's circumstances. Making them far more tolerant of the things that usually annoyed them about each other.
So after dinner Harry and I made our way up the stairs to the unused classroom to pick up the jug of Polyjuice Potion. Then we continued up to the seventh floor and over to The Room of Requirement. The door promptly appeared without the usual walking back and forth three times as we quickly opened the door and entered.
Ron and Hermione were already there waiting on the couch. The first task was to test their Magical capacity by having one of them cast the Lumos spell again.
"Have either of you cast the Lumos spell yet?" Harry asked.
"No we were waiting for you and Luna to show up," Hermione answered.
"Sorry. We were delayed since we had to stop by and pick up our supply of Polyjuice potion. You still intend to change back tonight, don't you? Or have you both changed your minds?" I asked, teasing our gender-altered friends.
"No, we haven't changed our minds about changing back. But I'll be the first to admit that the whole experience was not nearly as unpleasant as I would have thought. Seeing things from another persons perspective can really open your eyes! I feel a lot closer to Hermione, now that I actually spent a couple of days being her. I really think I've gained a lot of respect for her and what she has to go through in the magical world being a Muggle-born witch. Now I understand why she has always been so driven to prove herself. And how much I take for granted having grown up in the magical world. Whilst Hermione - who had none of those advantages - still managed to rise to the top of our class. I couldn't be prouder of her and all her many accomplishments," Ron declared to us, as Hermione looked on with pride.
"Wow! It sounds like you truly learned a thing or two from this whole experience, Ron," I replied, pleased with what Ron had taken from her time as Hermione.
That was when Hermione chose to add his thoughts about the experience.
"You know it's strange. Before we switched I had a lot of doubts about our future together. But having spent the last three days as Ron has also helped me understand him better. Being the youngest son, always feeling that his best was never good enough. All his foolish insecurities that he has tried to use to drive me away - because deep down, he feels that he isn't worthy of being loved by me. Nothing has made me happier than to be able to help him put to rest many of his deepest fears. And to be able to assure him that he is worthy of my love for him. That he's a very good guy - and will be an even better man for having had this experience. I can honestly say I have absolutely no doubts about us anymore, because I know in my heart of hearts that we are indeed meant to be together," Hermione announced, with complete conviction.
"Well said, Ron, Hermione! So shall we proceed with the plan and get you both sorted out?" Harry asked.
"Oh, all right... If you insist. I thought we were having a moment," Ron said with a cheeky grin, as she joked about the entire situation. Pulling out her wand she then cast the strongest light spell she could.
"Lumos!" Ron yelled.
The tip of her wand grew brighter and brighter. Till it was the brightest Lumos that either had cast so far but still not nearly as bright as mine or Harry's.
Finally she ended the spell with a "Nox!"
"Well, I think that should do it. The results are a bit better than the last time we checked. I'd say that you have both easily doubled your magical capacity. Waiting any longer to change back probably won't gain you any more magical ability," Harry stated.
"But how come both yours and Luna's Lumos spells are still quite a bit brighter?" Ron asked.
"I'd been giving that quite a bit of thought lately, and here is what I've concluded. We all agree that Harry - out of all of us - probably has the most raw magical talent, wouldn't you agree?" he asked us.
"I guess so... After all, the Prophecy did say that the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal," Hermione mused, his expression looking thoughtful. "That would imply that Harry had as much magical potential or natural ability as Tom Riddle. At least before he probably used several dark rituals on himself, to boost the power of his Lord Voldemort persona."
Ron and I both had to agreed with this theory, since it seemed a reasonable hypothesis.
"But obviously Luna originally wasn't exactly a powerhouse of magical ability," Ron added.
"Not by most standards. But if I was to rank the four of us powerwise, before any of us changed places with each other, I'd say Harry was the most powerful, then Luna, followed by Hermione, then finally you Ron," Harry continued to explain. That was when Ron felt the need to interrupt him.
"How do you figure I was the weakest?" Ron asked, curious how she had the least magical ability of the four of us.
"I'm getting to it, Ron. Let me first say that there was probably a rather large drop in power from Harry down to Luna before we switched. While the differences between Luna, Hermione and you Ron were probably not as great before changing places. I ranked each of us based on our blood status. No - not in the classic Pure-blood bigoted way of thinking. Because they couldn't be more wrong - the closer you are related actually makes magical people weaker, rather than stronger," Harry elaborated. "Of course there are always a few genetic anomalies, but the basic idea that Pure-bloods are magically stronger is false. My research shows this to be true, the typical Muggle-born is usually more powerful than the typical Pure-blood. Not because Muggle-born's are so much more magically powerful. It's more a case of Pure-blood's have inadvertently made themselves weaker. Because they are more likely to marry someone who is more closely related to themselves, in the foolish effort to keep their blood pure. Over time this has had the effect of making their offspring magically weaker."
"You make it sound like my parents were practically brother and sister," Ron scoffed, sounding a bit outraged.
"No, Ron. Far from it. But they probably are closer related than say Harry's parents or Hermione's for that matter. I'm talking about the magical world at large," Harry clarified to our currently bushy-haired friend.
"Oh! Well, I guess that makes sense," Ron replied, sounding a bit placated.
"Here. Let me give you two examples of what I'm talking about. Take Harry's parents. His father was a Pure-Blood, while his Mum was a Muggle-born. And as I understand it, many of his Potter ancestors were Muggle-born's as well. They tended to marry for love rather than things like blood status. But his parents' union resulted in Harry being one of the most powerful wizards since Albus Dumbledore or Lord Voldemort. Another example would be Tom Riddle himself. His father was a Muggle while his Mum was a Pure-blood witch. Every indication was that she was very weak magically, even though she was from the last of Salazar Slytherin's line. Yet her offspring with a Muggle became the most powerful Dark Wizard in recent history," Harry concluded.
"I see what you mean, Harry. But how does Luna rank second, wouldn't she as a Pure-blooded witch have the same closely related problem that Ron does?" Hermione asked.
"Ordinarily you'd be right, except for the fact that I know something about Luna that none of you do. My maternal great-grandmother wasn't a squib, she was actually a Muggle," The former Luna revealed.
"So basically you're saying that an old Pure-blood line, plus Muggle blood, can breath new life into it genetically. Resulting in a more magically powerful offspring?" Hermione clarified.
"More or less, it's probably a little more complicated than that. But I think the basic idea is correct. And if you think about it, even Lord Voldemort must have believed it, because he feared Harry - a half blood - more than Neville, who is a Pure-blood," Harry answered.
"Then why did he hate Muggles or Muggle-born's so much?" Ron asked.
"I would imagine that his Muggle father abandoning him and his Mum might have had something to do with that. As for Muggle-born's, I suspect he used the fears most Pure-bloods have about them. To rally those who have the most influence in the Magical World to his cause. While making sure to eliminate the possibility of a Muggle-born and a Pure-blood from creating someone who might one day rival him. But that's just a guess," Harry answered.
Both Ron and Hermione seemed to be seriously considering the points Harry had made.
"Look... I only used the ranking as a starting point. It matters very little now, since we all have much greater power levels than we did originally. But we've got off the original question. Basically you wanted to know why Luna's and my Lumos spells are so much brighter than both of yours. We all agreed that Harry's magical capacity was by far the largest amongst us. How much greater, that's hard to say. How much raw power do you think it would take to summon a corporeal Patronus that can repel over a hundred Dementors? And keep in mind that Harry accomplished this very task in his third year. I dare say long before he reached his magical maturity. So the obvious answer is Harry was just that much more powerful. And when we switched places and Harry became Luna, her original magical core merged with the form of mine, giving her the combined power of both. The same happened to me when I became Harry, I also gained the combined power of both our magical cores," Harry finished.
"So you both have the same level of magical ability now?" Ron asked.
"Yes Ron. Just like you and Hermione have each others' combined magical strength as well," I answered.
"And if you both continue your relationship and get married, your children will probably have a greater magical capacity. Because their Mum is a Muggle-born witch, rather than a Pure-blood," Harry added, as our friends both turned a lovely shade of red at the thought of them having children together.
"Harry, I was thinking if our magical cores doubled when we switched originally. Will it double again when we switch back?" Hermione asked.
"That's an interesting question, Hermione... The short answer is I don't know. We'll have to have you cast the Lumos spell after you both switch back, and see if it's any brighter," Harry replied, frowning a little.
After a few moments of letting it all sink in, Ron turned to us and asked, "Speaking of Patronuses, have either of you tried to cast yours since you switched?"
"No. We haven't had any reason to cast the Patronus charm. We haven't been attacked by any Dementors - nor have we had to practice it in Defence Against the Dark Arts," I answered Ron.
"With all that has happened lately, it's no surprise that we haven't given it a lot of thought. But we probably should have, because if they are the same as they were before. It could certainly give away the fact that we traded places," Harry said, sounding a bit concerned about it.
"Maybe we should all cast the Patronus charm, and see what effect our switching has had on them?" Hermione asked.
"Okay I'll go first," I offered, as I thought of several happy memories.
I cast my mind back to the moment when Luna offered to let me be her for a while - then Harry asking me to be his girlfriend. I remembered seeing my parents again, finding out that we are soul-mates, and the instant we both agreed to stay switched permanently. All these wonderful thoughts and feelings of happiness came to mind as I cast the Patronus charm.
"Expecto Patronum!" I exclaimed, as three golden forms emerged from the tip of my wand.
The three golden forms rapidly took shape, the first was Prongs, the second was a doe and the final was Harry's Unicorn Animagus form. They all quickly patrolled around the room looking for danger. Then when they found none. They approached me, I reached out to each of them and was surprised to find I could actually touch them. Prongs my Father's Animagus form, the beautiful doe that was one of my Mothers forms and finally Harry's Unicorn Animagus form. As I caressed each of their muzzles and felt the fur on each of them. Eventually it was time to release them and with that thought they slowly faded away. I thought how appropriate all three were basically my protectors.
"That was amazing!" Ron gushed.
"Three forms! I would have thought that was impossible," Hermione said, as he shook his head in disbelief.
Harry looked on with a thoughtful smile, then pulled out his wand and cast the Patronus charm. "Expecto Patronum!"
Another trio of golden forms sprang from the tip of his wand. There was Prongs again; my Mum's doe; and my Unicorn form. Just like when I cast the spell, the three Patronuses quickly looked around the room for any threats. Finding none, they presented themselves to the one who summoned them. Each of them were again solid in form - as Harry petted them in turn, spending the most time with the likeness of my Animagus form, as she nuzzled him affectionately in return. I felt a little jealous at first, until I remembered that she was basically the animal manifestation of myself. So of course she'd be sweet on him, just as I would be in her place. Finally Harry dismissed them, and they slowly faded away.
Our two gender-altered friends were struck speechless, as they both witnessed something that had never been seen before. The three forms I summoned didn't really surprise me - I easily saw all three as my protectors. And as for Harry being able to summon my parents and my Animagus form, that made sense as well. After all, my parents had said they felt they had a son as well as a daughter now. I wondered what would happen if we both cast the Patronus charm at the same time? And what did it mean that they were all gold instead of the usual silver? More mysteries to investigate, I thought.
Once Hermione had finally recovered she spoke. "It looks like your Animagus forms have affected the forms of your Patronuses. Maybe Ron and I should wait until we change back, and take the Animagus reveal potion?" he asked.
"That might not be a bad idea," I answered.
With that Harry turned to our gender-altered friends and asked. "Well then. Are you both ready to change back into your real selves?"
"Okay... I think I'm ready! How about you, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"I'm set. Let's get on with this. I can't wait to find out what my Animagus form is!" Ron exclaimed.
"You might want to change into a robe, Ron. I don't think that Hermione's uniform will withstand your larger male form, without being damaged," I suggested.
"You're probably right about that, Luna. Not to mention how funny I'd look wearing them as I returned to my original form," Ron agreed.
"What do you suggest, Luna?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I could temporally transfigure your uniform into a bathrobe till you both change back to normal. Then all you will have to do is change it back with a 'Finite Incantatem'. When you need them again, after you change back to your original form," I answered.
"That should work for now. I'll be fine in Ron's clothes when I return to my original size," Hermione said.
"Ready, Ron?" I asked.
"Okay," she answered.
With a quick wave and a flick I transfigured Hermione's uniform into a bathrobe.
"There. That should give you plenty of room to expand now, " I said to Ron, smirking.
So with that settled Ron and Hermione continued with their preparations to change back into their original selves. Hermione conjured two cups and poured enough Polyjuice potion into both for two doses in each cup. While Ron conjured a pair of scissors and cut a few hairs from Hermione - then placed them in one of the cups. It immediately began to bubble. Next, Ron handed the scissors to Hermione, who then cut a few hairs from Ron, and before placing them in the other cup.
"If you're both ready drink the first half of the potion in the cup. Wait for the transformation to be complete. Then switch cups and drink the second half just like before," Harry instructed.
Ron and Hermione picked up the cups and drank half of the contents. It didn't take very long to start noticing changes in our two friends. Ron grew taller, her hair became shorter and returned to its former Weasley red hue. Whilst Hermione shrank back down to his original height, as his hair became longer - changing back to it's usual bushy brown. The next thing I noticed was Ron's hips and chest were losing their feminine shape, as they continued to morph back into their male equivalents. On the other hand, Hermione's hips became wider and chest began to swell out into her two perfectly formed breasts, as she continued to regain her original female form. Other changes continued as their faces, heads, jaws, arms, and legs reshaped themselves back into their original male and female counterparts. At some point during the end of the transformation our friends returned to the genders they had been born with.
When the transformation had finished, they ran their hands over the bodies they hadn't had for three days - checking that the process had worked properly. Maybe it was my imagination, but both of them seemed a little uncomfortable being back in their original forms.
Now that the change was complete, they quickly switched cups and drank the second half of the potion.
Even now, as I watched my two best friends quickly undergo their second transformation of the evening, I continued to find it amazing that the magical world even made such things possible. I found myself unable to turn away, as I watched my two best friends once again exchange physical forms with each other. Ron gradually morphed back into the form of his girlfriend. At the same time, Hermione was also changing back into the form of her boyfriend. And that by taking this second dose of the Polyjuice potion - right after the first - they were effectively tricking the Polyjuice potion into changing them back to their original forms, when this final transformation wears off about an hour from now.
"So what's the first thing you'll look forward to doing once you're back to normal, Ron?" I asked, trying to take my friends minds off their hour of waiting.
"Well... I'll be happy to once again be able to pee, standing up," Ron quickly answered, with a cheeky grin.
"Really? That's the thing you've missed most about not being male? I guess I can understand the convenience of being able to pee standing up. But personally, I don't mind giving up that advantage for all the other things I've gained by becoming female," I declared with certainty.
"How about you, Hermione?" Harry asked our other friend.
"Well, now that I've got a pretty good idea what it's like having sex as a male, I think I'd like to see what it's like as a female. Don't either of you regret not having had the chance to experience what it's like to have sex as your original gender, before you both decided to stay the way you are permanently?" Hermione asked us curiously.
"Well I can't speak for Harry - but, surprisingly, I don't regret it at all. And I have little doubt that if I was to change back and actually try it, I probably wouldn't change my mind. I'd still choose to be female for the rest of my life. Because as far as I'm concerned that's what I am now, in here where it really counts." I patted my palm against the area of my heart. "I became a woman the first time Harry made love to me. That experience more than anything changed me forever. I don't think I fully realised it at the time. But it's true," I answered Hermione.
"I agree with Luna. I don't think it would make any difference. I'm sure that the experience of sex as both genders has its positive and negative aspects. Most people don't usually get the chance to see what it's like on both sides of the gender fence. So do I really need to have sex as a woman, to know that I'd prefer to stay a man? I don't think so - most of my life I've always felt that I shouldn't have been born female." Harry gave his perspective. "But I believe that everything happens for a reason - and that I was born a witch so when the time came, after my other half completed his fated task, I would be able to offer him a different life. One where he could finally escape all the burdens of his previous existence."
"But now you have to live with all that baggage," Hermione pointed out to Harry.
He smiled. "True. But the great thing about actually switching places with someone else is those burdens don't effect me, like they did when Luna here was Harry Potter. In fact most of the things that really bothered her, I find it very easy to sweep them aside. Because I didn't personally live it or experience any of it for myself, they don't have anywhere near as much power over me. The same goes for Luna - she isn't troubled by the things that haunted me when I was her. It's actually quite liberating to be able wipe the slate clean and truly start over."
"He's right. I hated just about everything about my life as Harry Potter. The abusive childhood, the fame, the hero worship, always being stared at. Was I the next Dark Lord, or the Saviour of the Wizarding World?" I chipped in. "But what was slowly killing me a little each day was the guilt I felt about all the people who died, trying to help me defeat Voldemort for good. I have little doubt that it would have eventually led to my undoing. If Luna hadn't thrown me a lifeline by offering me the chance to escape being Harry for a few days... I could hardly believe what a difference being her made - it was like a giant weight was lifted from my shoulders. Everything that was driving me to an early grave somehow lost its hold over me when I became her. With Luna's distant perspective I could also see things more clearly. That most of what happened during my life as Harry Potter wasn't my fault. That my efforts helped save far more lives than the ones that were lost. And with Voldemort finally defeated, the last reason for me to continue being Harry was gone. So when Luna offered to switch places permanently, I jumped at the chance to be free from the burden of being Harry Potter. And much to my surprise, I found that being Luna actually suited me."
"Well... When you put it like that, Luna, how can Hermione and I fault you both for realising that you are better suited to be each other from now on? Instead of staying as you were, and be miserable for the rest of your lives. I kind of admire your resolve," Ron said, as she adjusted her robe that had slipped, revealing her chest.
"That reminds me of something else I wanted to check on the Marauders map." Harry pulled it out and said. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good!"
We all gathered around the map, as the lines formed and our four names were listed.
"What are you hoping to see Harry?" Hermione asked.
"You'll see in a moment. Ron could you walk to the other side of the room and back?" Harry asked our bushy brown haired friend.
"Why?" she asked.
"I'll explain in a moment. Just do it if you would, please," Harry repeated.
So Ron did as she was told. While she slowly walked away the name Hermione Granger did as well.
"Ron - it still shows you as Hermione Granger on the map!" Hermione shouted to his girlfriend. "Harry, I would have thought that it should have changed back by now?" Hermione asked.
"No, not until the final transformation wears off. The final change back is different than all the others. Up until now all the changes have been in shape and form only. When the Polyjuice potion finally wears off this time, it's going to actually change you back into who it thinks you really are. That's the whole point of taking the second dose right away. The first dose changed you back into your original forms, the second changed you back into each other again. So when the second dose wears off it will change you back into who you were when you took the second dose. But this time it's not just going to be giving you that form. It's going to actually change you into that person. Till then as far as everything else is concerned, including the map, Ron is still Hermione Granger," Harry finished.
We all sat there in a few moments of silence as everything Harry said all sank in. It was at this point that the hour had finally passed. The Polyjuice potion started to wear off and Ron and Hermione began to transform back into their original forms.
Ron again started to grow taller as her bushy brown hair shank back into her head returning to its usual red colour. Hermione on the other hand became shorter as his hair grew longer, changing back into it's normal bushy shade of brown. We watched as Ron's breasts shrank back into her chest, and simultaneously swelled back into existence on Hermione. As Ron lost the physical shape of Hermione's womanly curves, they were quickly regained on Hermione's now smaller frame. Ron's torso broadened - his shoulders growing further apart. While Hermione's shoulders narrowed and took on a more feminine shape. Ron's arms, legs, hands and feet continued to morph back into their original male forms. While the same changes happened to Hermione, only in the feminine direction. The final transformations couldn't be seen since they were going on inside our friends - as Ron's and Hermione's internal organs changed back into the ones they had when they were born. Was it a look of relief, or regret, I saw quickly pass over my friends faces? It happened so quickly that I couldn't be sure.
A door appeared on the wall next to the couch, as our two friends quickly opened it and went in. A few moments later they came back out in the proper clothes for the bodies they had once again.
"It's really strange, but I can't help feeling a little uncomfortable being a guy again... Any thoughts about that, Harry?" Ron asked, feeling a bit out of sorts.
"Well, I'd imagine that since you've been a girl for the last three days, it might take a little time to re-adjust to being male again. I would expect those feelings to pass in a few hours," Harry explained.
"How do you feel Hermione?" I asked my bushy brown haired friend.
"I've been a girl all my life - but this is probably the first time I've felt a little odd about being one," she declared - with a look of confusion on her usual pretty face.
Now I too was starting to worry about my friends, so I turned to Harry for some sort of reassurance.
"Like I said to Ron, it's perfectly natural to feel a little odd about returning to your original forms and genders. Give it a little time, I'm sure those feelings will eventually fade. What you both need is something to take your minds off that for a moment," Harry reassured them. While I could tell that something had him worried about our friends reactions.
"I agree with Harry. How about we find out what your Animagus forms are?' I asked them.
"You did bring your other two doses of the Animagus reveal potions with you?" Harry asked.
"Of course we did. Ron and I have given this a lot of thought," Hermione replied. "And when we take the Animagus reveal potions again, we want to keep it as close as possible to how you and Luna took them."
"You'll need to take them at the same time, then - while laying on a bed holding hands," Harry told our friends.
With that thought a bed appeared where the couch was - just like the one we used. Ron and Hermione pulled out the bottles with their second doses of the Animagus reveal potions. Then walked over to the bed with their potions, and each took a different side of the bed.
"Now drink the potion, and lean back while holding each other's hand. You'll quickly slip into a trance, where you'll find yourself once again in a forest clearing surrounded by a thick fog. It may take awhile, but eventually an animal should emerge from the fog. That will be your animal form, you should wake up shortly after that," Harry explained.
So with that Ron and Hermione popped the corks on the vials that contained their second doses of the Animagus reveal potion. Then they quickly drank the contents and leaned back, taking each others hand. It didn't take long after that for them to close their eyes and slip into a trance-like state.
I promptly faced my boyfriend. "All right Harry, spill it. I can tell you're troubled about something! What's got you so worried?"
"Wait. Let me confirm something first," Harry said, as he pulled out his wand and cast a spell on Ron. Then cast it again nearby.
I quickly recognized it to be the spell that shows what a person's soul looks like. And where Harry cast it a second time something started to take form. It appeared to be a red-headed girl with blue eyes. She was about the same size as Hermione. But she looked like an older Ginny - with a little bit of Ron and Molly Weasley, as well. Then I remembered that Harry cast the spell on Ron. His soul like mine had changed into a female version of himself. He then cast the spell on Hermione with the opposite results. A curly brown-haired young man appeared, who looked like an older brother that Hermione never had.
"Does this mean what I think it does?" I asked Harry, as I too grew very worried.
"I'm afraid so, Luna... This is probably why they feel off about returning to their original genders. Because on a fundamental level, they no longer identify with the sex they were originally born," Harry explained.
"They're going to go ballistic, when they find out, Harry! How could this happen so quickly? You always said it shouldn't happen this fast," I put to him.
"That's true. But just like in our case, there was something I forgot to take into consideration..."
"What did you overlook?" I asked, as my concern grew for my two friends laying on the bed nearby.
Harry's gaze went misty for a moment, reminding me of his former Luna persona. Then he looked directly at me. "That we were all virgins who had never had sex before as either gender. When we finally did have sex for the first time, we did it as a member of the opposite sex to the one we were originally born as. It's the only thing that can explain such a quick transformation in all our souls."
"So then if Ron and Hermione have sex again as their original genders, their souls should change back to normal. Right?" I asked hopefully.
"It might help speed up them changing back sooner. But I doubt it will work as quickly this time. I think the first time a person has sex, it imprints the gender you are on your very soul. Normally that would be the sex you were born," Harry replied, as he tried to explained further.
"So you're saying if we had used the soul reveal spell before you and I had sex, that my soul would have still looked male like it did before we switched. But after I had sex as a woman it changed my soul into a female one?" I asked.
"If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. You were in a female body having sex for the first time ever as a woman. On a very fundamental level you were basically experiencing what it means to be female. Instead of a gradual change over time that could have also occurred, the change happened much faster. I'll even use your own words to describe the whole experience. You said and I quote, 'It was a life-changing experience.' You were right about that. But the thing I failed to see at the time was the thing that was altered, were our very souls," Harry continued.
Now that I actually thought about what I was feeling and thinking after the first time we had sex, I did feel different about being female. And later that evening when the Polyjuice went missing, I was relieved that we couldn't switch back, because I really didn't want to. I wanted to remain in this body for good and never change back. Would that now be the fate of our two friends as well?
"So Ron and Hermione having sex that first night, is what has caused this change?" I asked.
Harry nodded glumly. "Basically that's correct. But if they had sex before they switched as their original genders, this probably wouldn't be as big a deal. It's the fact that they didn't have sex before that is the problem."
"What are we going to tell them, Harry?" I asked.
"The truth of course. After all it's not like we can hide it from them. Remember when you took the Animagus reveal potion. What did you looked like in that foggy meadow?" Harry asked.
"Oh Merlin! Harry! I looked like my soul. I was a very naked, female version of Harry Potter with long black hair." as I remembered looking down at myself at the time and seeing I was bare-skinned and had breasts.
"Exactly, so we probably won't be telling them something that they don't already know. I just hope that they will be happy with their animal forms, what ever they are. And that they feel it was all worth it," Harry concluded.
"You're pretty sure they will both have animal forms?" I asked.
"Most likely they will. At their current power levels, the only reason they wouldn't see something was if they truly don't have animal forms. Which I sincerely doubt will be the case," Harry replied.
"What effect do you think their souls changing genders will have on them, Harry?" I asked.
"Well, like I told you when we first found out our souls had changed as well, I said it would make us less likely to want to change back. So I'd imagine Ron and Hermione will continue to feel awkward about having returned to their original genders," he answered.
"So the change to their souls is more or less permanent?" I asked again.
"I don't think it's a permanent change in their souls. Given enough time, they should revert back to their original appearance. They'll still have a choice, but just like in our case it means that they probably won't be happy staying as they are. And eventually they will want to change back again - only this time they will probably make it a permanent one," Harry said.
"Do you really think that Ron and Hermione will actually decide to switch places permanently?" I asked Harry.
"The odds became much greater with their souls as they are at the moment. Granted that their situation is different than ours, not having quite the same motivations that we had to stay switched. But they still might decide that in the end they may be better off being each other. I don't know about you, but I think Ron actually made a better Hermione, just as Hermione made a better Ron. They both seemed to learn a lot from the experience of being one another. So who knows what they'll decide," Harry replied with a shrug.
My head still reeling with what had happened, I thought of another issue. "Harry, do you think that Hermione is right that their magic ability might have doubled again. Now that they have switched back to their original selves?" I asked him.
"I completely forgot about that. I was so focused on our friends' gender issues. We'll have them cast the Lumos spell again, to see if it has increased their magical capacity again. But somehow I doubt it will," Harry answered.
"You don't think that it will increase their magical ability again?" I asked Harry.
"No. I don't believe it will when you swap with the same person again. I think it only works the first time with a particular person. Otherwise, it would be possible to make yourself really powerful by switching back and forth several times. And I just don't think that the fundamental laws of magic would allow it to work like that. I do, however, suspect from my own circumstances that my power doubled when I changed myself, firstly into Padma, and again when I switched with you," Harry speculated.
It was at that moment that our two friends started to wake from their trances. It took a few minutes for them to come round and remember what happened. Then Ron suddenly yelled.
"I saw two animals!"
"So did I!" Hermione quickly added.
I had expected several things to happen, but not that they would also have two forms. How was that even possible? Ron and Hermione weren't soul-mates - were they?
"I also noticed while I was waiting that I was completely naked, and had long red hair and breasts... How come I still appeared to be female in my trance?" Ron asked, looking a little confused.
"I was naked also, but clearly male when I looked down at myself. What does it mean, Harry?" Hermione asked, somewhat agitated.
"Hold on. Hold on one at a time! I'll explain everything, but I need to know what exactly did each of you see?" Harry asked our two friends.
"Ladies first, Hermione," Ron offered.
"Are you sure, Ron? I'm beginning to wonder if I still qualify, based on what we saw..." Hermione frowned, sounding a little doubtful.
"Tell us what you saw. We'll sort the rest out afterwards," Harry begged her to continue.
"Well, as I fell into a trance everything faded to black - then gradually it started to become light again. Like the pitch black of night was giving way to early morning. As things grew brighter, I began to see I was in a clearing in the middle of a forest, surrounded by a thick fog," Hermione described what she saw. "While I was waiting for my animal to appear I looked down at myself, and was surprised to find that I had a boy's genitals. My hair was short and curly, while my chest was flat and broad. I didn't have breasts, I would have thought it would have upset me a lot more than it did..."
Ron spoke up. "So far, that sounds a lot like what I experienced - except when I looked down I saw only long red hair and breasts. I was taken aback by this, as well - but it didn't really bother me either. Strange. You'd think it would have," Ron announced to us, puzzled.
"What happened next, Hermione?" I asked.
"I continued to wait, time seemed to pass very slowly there. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't see an animal. Then a cat slowly emerged from the fog and wandered over to me. It looked up at me with what I can only describe as having a feeling of curiosity. But I could tell right away that it wasn't a normal Muggle cat. I've been around Crookshanks and other Kneazles to know one when I see one. As the cat came closer, I could see that it had bushy brown fur and tail. Eventually the Kneazle wasn't satisfied with just being petted by me and jumped up in my lap. And quickly rolled over wanting to be petted on her tummy," Hermione continued.
"You're sure it was a female Kneazle?" Harry asked.
"Yes, there was no doubt in my mind that she was female. I started to wonder if this was my animal form - and would I be able to communicate with Crookshanks as a Kneazle. At some point she got up off me and quickly sprinted back into the fog. I couldn't believe I had a magical Animagus form! Sure, it wasn't anything as amazing as a Unicorn or Phoenix. But I was still very satisfied with my discovery," Hermione concluded.
"Then what happened, Hermione?" I asked.
"It occurred to me that I hadn't woke up yet. I looked around and didn't see anything, except the fog and what looked like several shapes moving around just beyond it. I felt like I was being watched - then, right in front of me, a wolf appeared out of nowhere. I mean, it wasn't there and then it was. It suddenly appearing like that had frightened me a little. But it quickly became obvious to me that it had no plans to harm me. It had brown fur and a bushy tail. Could this be a second Animagus form, I wondered? It came closer and sniffed as I gently offered my hand to it. That seemed to break the ice as her bushy tail moved from down between her hind legs to a higher, more friendly position. While she appeared to be a normal wolf, I couldn't help feeling that there was something about how she suddenly appeared in front of me. Eventually, she too turned and sprinted towards the tree line. But it disappeared like magic, long before reaching the fog. There was definitely something magical about that wolf. I couldn't believe that I seemed to have two forms," Hermione finished her tale.
"Does any of that sound familiar, Ron?" Harry asked.
"The second animal encounter sounds almost exactly like my first. Everything happened to me like it did for Hermione. I was in that foggy meadow waiting to see something, wondering how it was that I was a girl again. It seemed like quite a bit of time had passed, and yet I was getting worried that I hadn't seen any animal walk out of the fog. That was when a reddish-brown wolf made it's presence know to me. It was just like Hermione described it. One moment it wasn't there and then it was. It cautiously approached me sniffing, and looking as if trying to decide if I was friend or foe. I held my hand out to him, and his nose came close to my hand. With a final sniff and friendly whine, it seemed to decide I was a friend. He was a magnificent creature, after a while he turned away and disappeared right in front of me. I'm not sure exactly what he was - but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a normal wolf," Ron said to us.
"Ron, it sounds like your Animagus form is a Spectral Wolf. Was the second animal you saw a Kneazle?" Harry asked.
"Yes he was a light red and white-striped tabby-looking Kneazle. How'd you know, Harry?" He asked in return.
"Let's just say that your and Hermione's experience was very similar to mine and Luna's. Except for your forms, I'd say it worked almost exactly the same. And based on what you both described, I'd say that Hermione's natural form is a Kneazle. While yours is a Spectral Wolf, Ron. They may not be a Dragon or a Griffin - but both are indeed magical forms. And for what ever reason you and Hermione also seem to share forms as well. Just like me and Luna do."
"But how is it possible that we share forms?" Hermione and Ron asked at almost the same moment.
"That's an interesting question. The answer for me and Luna is that we are soul-mates. Perhaps switching places with each other has artificially created something like that for you two. At the very least, it would seem to have given you both the ability to share Animagus forms. Or perhaps this whole experience has started the process that can create soul-mates," Harry speculated. "Your guess is as good as mine at this point. It would be interesting to see what the Goblins make of it ."
I immediately started giggling at my two friends.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked.
"Don't you see? It all makes sense now. Hermione, your native form is a cat - while Ron's is basically a dog. They are generally not compatible animals. Ever heard the phrase 'They fight like cats and dogs'?" I asked. "Many people would've used that very phrase to describe both your relationship and disposition towards each other - at least until you switched places. I just find that very funny, I'm sorry I just couldn't help myself," I apologized to my friends, wiping aside tears of mirth.
"I guess it is rather funny when you think of it like that," Ron agreed, his lips twitching upwards.
Harry was smiling as well, when he suddenly turned serious and declared, "In the end, you both switching places may have saved your relationship."
"How do you figure that?" Hermione asked.
"Well... I believe that if you hadn't switched places, your relationship with each other probably would have been doomed," Harry answered.
"What! Why, Harry?" they both exclaimed.
"Not only did becoming each other help you understand one another better, you also gained each others form. Each of you are both a cat and a dog now. Not just one or the other. Don't you see? You wouldn't be compatible as just a cat and dog," Harry elaborated.
"Do you really think we wouldn't have succeeded as a couple, Harry?" Hermione questioned Harry's conclusion.
"The odds probably weren't in your favour before. But I wouldn't worry about that anymore. I'd be willing to bet that you and Ron will have a long and happy life together. After what you both have gained and learned from this whole experience, I have no doubt that your relationship will go the distance," Harry answered with certainty.
"I agree with Harry - you both have never got along better than you have these last few days. I think it bodes well for your future together," I assured our two friends. "The only thing I'm more sure about is me and Harry - but us being soul-mates makes our relationship pretty much inevitable."
Our two friends blushed at Harry and me praising their potential future as a couple.
"I'm satisfied with the explanation about why we share forms. But why was I still a girl when I took the Animagus reveal potion?" Ron asked.
"It's basically a side effect of you and Hermione switching forms and having sex that first night - but as the opposite sex," Harry explained. "Intercourse is one of those events in your life where the effects can have ramifications well beyond the act itself. The same thing happened to us, although at the time I didn't completely understand why it happened."
"Do you remember what Harry said to you when he found out you and Hermione had sex?" I asked Ron.
"Yes," Ron replied, frowning. "He was worried that it might make us not want to change back. Are you saying we're stuck?"
"Obviously not, since you did change back physically. But as for yours and Hermione's souls... Well that's another matter altogether,." Harry answered.
Harry cast the spell on me and again nearby, as the girl my soul had become was revealed before my two friends. Harry then cast it again on Ron, and then again on Hermione. As the current appearances of their souls were shown to them, Harry then cast the spell a final time on himself. His soul also took form.
"I just cast the soul reveal spell on all of us. As you can see, Luna's soul looks like it probably would have been if Harry Potter was born female," Harry pointed out. "While mine and Hermione's souls look like they would if we were born male."
"Is that why we both feel a bit off about returning to our original genders, Harry?" Ron asked, as he gestured to the floating image of the pretty, blue eyed red-headed girl before us.
"That's right, Ron. She's what you might have looked like, if you had been born female," Harry answered. He cancelled his spell, and the four soul images of us vanished from the room.
"Well... Mum and Dad kept having children, and only stopped when they finally got a girl...," Ron muttered.
"But what does it mean, if it doesn't keep us from changing back?" Hermione asked.
"If you stay as you are now they should eventually return to normal." Harry inadvertently hummed - letting slip a little of the old Luna. "But it might take awhile. "How long I'm not sure. But in the meantime, you'll both feel a bit odd about returning to your original sex."
Hermione was now looking worried. "Will us having sex as we are now change them back to normal?"
"I don't know. Probably not as quickly as they changed to how they are now. But it might help speed things up a little returning them back to normal. Or it could reinforce them to stay as they are," Harry continued to answer our friend.
"How would it reinforce them?" Ron asked.
"Well... If you don't like sex as much as a man, Ron, it might make both you and your soul more intent on becoming female again," Harry explained.
"Meaning Ron and I would want to change back again - only this time permanently?" Hermione clarified.
"Perhaps. You have two choices. Tough it out or switch back. But if you do switch back you'll probably both never want to change back again," Harry finished.
"Harry did warn you there were risks to swapping places with each other, and that it was a real possibility that you might end up deciding to stay switched," I reminded our friends.
"Wh-what do you think we should do, Ron?" Hermione asked her boyfriend. I had rarely seen her look so uncertain of herself.
"I say we tough it out for now, and have sex like bunny rabbits!" Ron joked. "If it doesn't have any effect, at least we'll know we tried. Then we'll just have to live with the consequences."
"Obviously you both have a lot to think about. But there is one other thing we need to do before we call it a night. One of you needs to cast the Lumos spell, to see if it's any brighter now that you have switched back," Harry said.
"I had completely forgot about that, Harry," Hermione admitted. She pulled out her wand and cast the light spell. "Lumos!" she exclaimed.
The tip of her wand tried to light - but nothing else happened.
"It might work better if you and Ron switch back to your original wands," Harry suggested with a smile.
Our two embarrassed friends quickly switched wands and Hermione tried again.
"Lumos!"
The tip of her wand grew brighter and brighter, yet it was still no brighter than when Ron cast it earlier.
"It looks to be about as bright as it was when Ron cast it earlier. So I would say that switching again appears not to have any effect on your magical capacity a second time. It was an interesting thought Hermione, but apparently you only get that particular benefit once," Harry concluded.
It was getting late, and I yawned.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to call it a night," I declared, as I tried not to yawn again.
"I agree with Luna," Harry added.
"I think me and Hermione have a few more things to discuss. I reckon we'll be up a bit longer," Ron said as he looked at his girlfriend.
I couldn't help noticing that the bed our friends used to take the Animagus reveal potion was still present.
"Ron's right. We may be here till past curfew. Could we borrow your cloak, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Sure thing, Hermione. Just return it when you're done." Harry grinned, as he passed the cloak of invisibility to Ron.
"Goodnight," I called out as Harry and I turned to leave.
Once we were out of the Room of Requirement I turned to Harry and asked, "What do you think will be the final answer for Ron and Hermione?"
"Only time will tell. But whatever they decide, they'll have our full support," Harry answered, looking directly at me. He took my hand giving it a reassuring squeeze.
I nodded, and gave him a sly smile. "Whether it's with Hermione or Ron, I'm looking forward to having some fun sessions with a female best friend. Especially after we leave school."
"Fair enough. So long as you'll allow me some guys-only sessions, in kind," Harry smirked, giving my fingers another gentle squeeze.
(To be continued)
Beta reader / Proof reader / Helpful edits gratefully provided by Ravenclaw Midnight Blue!
Authors Note:
As for Ron and Hermione's Animagus forms, I tried to think of the basic personality traits each of them have. I also thought about their relationship and how they relate to each other. And what animals fit them best. I wanted them to have magical forms but not anything too fancy. So when I finally made my decision about their forms, I added a bit to a conversation back in chapter 8. When Harry and Luna were discussing the fantastic animals that most people don't believe in. I mentioned the Spectral Wolf then and what it's abilities are. So check it out.