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 Eighteen
The rest of the week proceeded normally with us attending our regularly scheduled classes each day and doing our assigned homework. When we had free time we practised our Animagus transformations in private, as Professor McGonagall had suggested. We transformed various body parts individually, long before we even considered attempting a full body transformation - and with quite a bit of success surprisingly. Harry thought I looked particularly cute with my Unicorn ears and tail. It turned out that having a perfect memory of what it was like to be a Unicorn helped tremendously. It just came down to perfecting our ability to do wandless magic. That was something that both Harry and I could do quite easily with our increased magical abilities. If things continued to progress at the rate we were experiencing, a full body transformation might be attempted a lot sooner than even we anticipated.
When not practising our Animagus transformations, we also spent quite a bit of time down at the pitch flying and practising our Seeker techniques. In preparation for the forthcoming Gryffindor Quidditch try-outs this Saturday. So that when the time came and Saturday finally arrived, Harry was about as ready as he could be. Meanwhile, Hermione, Neville and I watched from the viewing stands as our respective boyfriends or girlfriend were put through their paces down on the pitch.
Since Ron and I didn't attend Hogwarts last year, the team Captaincy fell to Ginny until she too had to eventually go into hiding because of the war. Because of this, and several other events - including the Battle for Hogwarts - last year's Quidditch season was never completed. And the Cup was never officially awarded to any of the Houses. This year, Professor McGonagall was very motivated for things to return to normal as quickly as possible. Let's face it, the Quidditch season was a big part of school life. This led her to offer me the position of Gryffindor Captain - but I declined because the last thing I wanted was more attention as Harry Potter. While this year Ginny decided it was more important to focus on her studies. And to try to be the best Chaser she could - in hopes of getting an offer to try-out for a professional team. She seemed to think that being the team Captain would probably hurt her chances, so she had also declined to be the Gryffindor captain. I had suggested Ron to Professor McGonagall, and I wasn't surprised when I later heard that he happily accepted the position.
As it turned out, Ron ran the try-outs for the Gryffindor team a little different than Michael Corner, since he had a lot more positions on the team to fill. Ron was obviously going to be the starting Keeper - but all other positions were going to have to be earned. This was much to the surprise of many in Gryffindor house who thought that Harry would automatically be Gryffindor's Seeker now that he had returned.
The first thing Ron had all the hopeful players do was fly around the pitch, as a means of observing each person's overall flying skills. Harry and Ginny were of course the first two to complete five laps around the pitch. Ron decided he would audition the Chasers first, so he had the nine players form teams of three. And had each group take turns trying to score on him. The top three scorers would win a place on the team. Ginny scored 8 out of 10 tries; Demelza Robins scored 5 out of 10; and Dean Thomas scored 3 out of 10 tries. The rest only managed to score once or didn't score at all. Ron seemed quite satisfied that he had found his starting chasers.
Next, Ron had the players who were trying out for Beaters pair up. He had the Chasers run a few plays against him and each pair of Beaters to see who had the most potential chemistry with each other. Non of them were particularly outstanding flyers - but Jimmy Peaks and Ritchie Coote definitely had chemistry having played together before. They were no Fred and George Weasley, but they did appear to have a lot of potential. The last position to fill on the team was Seeker. And as it turned out there were only three hopefuls other than Harry. I guess Harry Potter trying out for the position had intimidated most from even attempting it. None of the three hopefuls wanted to fly against Harry so Ron had them draw lots. Harry was paired with a Fifth year boy - while a fourth year boy and girl were paired against each other.
I watched the first match against the two fourth years with great interest. The match was quickly won in just two tries by the fourth year girl. She was quicker at locating the snitch and a faster flyer. These abilities served her well, and confirmed my belief that being smaller helped make you faster. The only downside to this is the shorter reach. But that advantage mattered little if you got to the Snitch first.
Next up was Harry and the fifth year boy I'd seen in the common room from time to time. But for the life of me, I couldn't remember his name. The first match between them was very close until the Snitch made a wild turn right into the fifth year boy. He was at first shocked to have caught it, then was over the moon that he actually beat Harry Potter to the Snitch. Harry was being a good sport about it, as he flew nearby clapping for his competitor. Unlike some people who worried that Harry might actually lose, I knew it was a fluke. And Harry quickly proved me right when he easily won the next two rounds. As I, Hermione and Neville cheered on Harry's second win.
The final round would be Harry versus that very gifted fourth year girl. I'll be honest this match had me more than a little concerned. She had a Nimbus 2100 like me and was considerably smaller than Harry. But it was her ability to see the Snitch quickly that had me worried. I had once read at the local Library that during World War II, that the highest scoring aces all had the ability to see moving objects at great distances. Allowing them to get in the best position to shoot down the enemy. I believe Harry's competition had something similar to this ability. In some ways she reminded me of myself when I started playing Quidditch - lots of raw talent but not as much experience. Fortunately for me the raw talent I had, and some dumb-luck, saved me several times until I got enough experience to become a better Seeker. I wanted Harry to win but I also found myself wanting to fly against this very talented girl. I could usually beat Harry in most of our practice matches against each other. Don't get me wrong, Harry was a very good flyer and was a fast learner. He also had my old Firebolt and a longer reach, yet I was now smaller and lighter with several more years of experience playing Quidditch.
Surprisingly the fourth year girl won the first round while Harry quickly managed to win the second. I thought to myself nervously, why does it always have to be decided in the third match. I sighed and was more than a little on edge for Harry as I waited for the third round to start. They were off like a shot once Ron said, "GO!"
I was surprised at how competitive this fourth year girl was, if she had been a bit more experienced. I think Harry might have ended up disappointed and probably would not have made the team. I needn't have been so worried as Harry won the third match, after a very impressive round of flying against the plucky fourth year girl.
At the matches conclusion, we quickly made our way down to the Pitch.
"You had me worried there for a moment Harry," I said to my boyfriend. I gave him a celebratory kiss for his victory.
"She was very good," Harry admitted. "And I don't think I would have been able to beat her, if not for all the practice flying against you. Competing with her was a lot like a match with you, only she wasn't nearly as good a Seeker as you are."
"Well, at least the Gryffindor team will have an excellent Seeker for the next three years after we graduate at the end of this year. Her time will come," I added.
I found out later that she had played Seeker on the team last year, and played quite well according to Ginny. I began to wonder if she lost to him because she was so star-struck flying against the famous Harry Potter. Ginny also seemed to think that this girl might have a little crush on Harry. I probably would have been a little jealous, if I didn't know that Harry was already irrevocably mine. Crushes were fine as long as that's all it was. Besides she didn't seem the sort who would try and steal another girl's boyfriend.
After Quidditch try-outs were over, the team roster was posted and Ron announced the practice schedule. We planned to leave for Potter Manor immediately. Once there, Ron and Hermione were going to use the 24 hour Animagus potion they had brewed during the week. While Harry and I would take turns practising our Unicorn transformations. Another offer was made earlier to Neville and Ginny, for them to visit - but they already had made plans to go to Longbottom Manor. Apparently, Neville was going to officially introduce Ginny as his girlfriend to his grandmother. It was just as well, since we didn't really want to explain what we were up to this weekend. Not that we didn't trust them with the secrets of our Animagus training. But I fully expected them to want to try and become Animagi as well, when they found out that's what we were doing. The side effect of Ginny being gone this weekend meant that Hermione would be bringing Crookshanks - since Ginny wouldn't be available to feed and watch him for her. So once we retrieved our bags that we packed for the weekend and had alerted the Headmistress that we were leaving school grounds, we quickly met up in the courtyard and used our Portkey family rings to transport us to Potter Manor. When we arrived we were quickly greeted by Magnus and Corin. As well as my birth grandparents from their painting over the fireplace.
"Welcome home, master Harry and mistress Luna," our two Elves happily greeted us.
"Thank you. It's good to be home, Magnus and Corin," We greeted them in return - before saying hello to the senior Potters.
"The master bedroom is ready for your use master Harry and mistress Luna." Corin offered.
"Could you prepare two other rooms? One for Ron and Hermione. And another for Andromeda and our godson Teddy on the chance they stay the night?" Harry asked them.
"Oh yes. Right away, master Harry." Magnus replied.
"Do we have a crib to put in Andromeda and Teddy's room?" I asked.
"Oh yes. We have the one that master Harry used when he was a baby," Corin quickly answered.
"That should do nicely, thank you Corin," I said appreciatively.
"Oh it's no trouble, mistress Luna," Corin gushed happily.
With that settled I turned to our friends and asked, "Have you both decided which of your two forms you are going to spend the rest of the weekend as?"
Hermione looked to Ron hopefully, "Would you be willing to try our Kneazle forms first, Ron?"
"Sure." Ron replied easily without the expected argument.
"Besides I think that being cats will work better since we can be both inside or outside in that form. And with Andromeda and Teddy also visiting this weekend. It will be easier for Harry and Luna to help keep an eye on us without neglecting their other guests," Hermione explained her thinking.
"We appreciate the thought - but helping you and Ron while using the 24 hour Animagus potion is a very important task as well. The main point of Andi's and Teddy's visit is to see if they might want to live here with us. At this point I'm not sure if they will even stay the night," Harry explained.
"It's got to be painful living in a house that constantly reminds her of all that she's lost. We're hoping that by living with us, that a change of scenery will help her recover quicker from those losses. It can't be easy loosing your husband, daughter and son-in-law in such a short period of time. I don't know how she keeps it together," I said honestly.
"I think your godson Teddy is the answer to what keeps her going," Hermione speculated.
"You're probably right about that. So if there is anything we can do to help her through this difficult time, I'm sure you can understand our desire to try and help her," Harry continued.
Hermione nodded, understanding the situation.
"Besides having Teddy living here with Andromeda, means you'll be able to spoil him rotten!" Ron teased us.
"Oh no, Harry! Ron's discovered our fiendish plan for little Teddy!" I tried to act horrified at being discovered.
"Isn't that what most godparents do?" Hermione asked, not expecting a serious answer.
"I suppose that's true," Harry admitted. "Speaking of our godson, it's probably about time I floo-called Andi, to arrange for them to visit. But first I need to stop by the warding room and add them to the list of those who can visit Potter Manor. I'll extend the offer for them to stay the night with us but it will be up to Andromeda if they decide to stay or not. Meanwhile, I'll leave Ron and Hermione to you for now. Perhaps you should have Magnus and Corin show you to the room they have prepared for them. The attached bathroom should give them some privacy to make the transformation," Harry offered, as he turned to leave.
"Magnus. Corin," I called our two House Elves.
"Yes mistress, Luna?" they asked together as they appeared with a sudden pop.
"Could you show us to our rooms?" I asked them sweetly.
"Oh yes. Right this way," they quickly answered.
I picked up both mine and Harry's bag and made to follow our two excitable elves. Ron and Hermione did the same. We continued through the door that led to the room with the two large curved grand staircases that led to the second floor. Once we were on the second floor, Magnus and Corin turned down a hallway to the left. There were more suits of armour, as well as additional tapestries hanging from the polished mahogany covered walls. There were even several paintings of what I would imagine were other Potter family ancestors. None of them appeared to be awake at the moment. They continued to slumber like the paintings of former Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts in Professor McGonagall's office.
"This is the master bedroom, mistress Luna. It is ready for you and master Harry to use." Magnus gestured to the first door on the right. While a little further down the hall on the left, Corin led Ron and Hermione with Crookshanks still in her arms to the first door on the left side of the hallway.
I entered the master bedroom and was surprised by how large and posh it was. A large four post bed, wardrobe, large desk and a vanity with mirror. There was also a door to the right that led to a very large bathroom with two wash basins and another mirror that spanned the distance over both. A very large bath that I'm sure Harry and I will make good use of. As well as the other amenities a bathroom should have, including the toilet.
After setting mine and Harry's bags on the bed I went to find my two friends. I knocked on the door to their room.
"It's me, Luna. Are you both descent?" I asked, as I teased Ron and Hermione.
"Of course we are, you silly girl. We're not here to fool around," Hermione declared, smiling back.
"You weren't here for that last time either but you still ended up in bed with Ron." I continued to tease Hermione.
I continued into the room and sat down on the end of the bed. Crookshanks jumped up on my lap - obviously looking for some attention. I happily indulged the fuzzy orange Kneazle.
"You're one to talk. You might not have jumped Harry the first night you became Luna. But I'm sure it didn't take much longer after that," Ron protested. "We may have got swept up in the moment - but we were fully expecting to change back the very next day. So we thought that first night would probably be our only chance to see what it was like to go all the way, as a member of the opposite sex."
I sighed, as I continued to stroke the cat in my lap.
"For the record, it was a little less than forty eight hours. We switched on a Friday night, and planned to change back that Sunday evening. But as the time to switch back approached, Harry asked if I wanted to try it before we changed back that evening. I was embarrassed to admit it at the time, but I was kind of thinking the same thing," I explained. "I too fully expected to change back that night - and we would have, if it hadn't been for fate and a certain annoying poltergeist who had other ideas. By the time we got our missing supply of Polyjuice potion returned to us, we had both came to the conclusion that we really didn't want to switch back anymore. And the rest as they say is history."
"How long ago was it that you and Harry switched places, Luna?" Hermione asked.
"A little more than three weeks ago. It was the Friday night before the last Hogsmeade visit."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "So it was actually YOU... - the original Harry Potter - that we helped get ready for your date with Luna who had became the new Harry... That's just too funny for words..." She paused, and gathered her thoughts. "If I had known that then, I would have insisted on more lace and ribbons. It's too bad I can't tell a word of this to Ginny. We had always wanted to get Luna to let us dress her up like a proper girl. And when we thought we finally got her to agree to it. It was actually Harry in there... Promise me one day you'll tell Ginny. She deserves to know, Luna. She'd probably even congratulate you on your very wise decision to become a girl permanently," Hermione speculated.
She was probably right about that. Even I could almost hear Ginny saying something like that.
"All right... I promise I'll tell her someday. But for now it's really best that only you and Ron know," I insisted. A flash of my previous self flared up, as I thought, 'Yeah I'll tell Ginny the truth. Perhaps on my deathbed'. I wasn't sure how Ginny would initially take in the news that her former crush was now her female Ravenclaw friend, and vice versa...
Not really wanting to talk about our sex lives further. I decided it was time to change the subject back to the real reason we were actually here.
"Well as fascinating as this has been, perhaps it's time you two got in touch with your feline selves?" I questioned my two best friends.
"I think we're both ready," Hermione answered, turning to Ron for confirmation.
He gave a quick nod of agreement. "Well I guess I'm about as ready as I'll ever be. After experiencing life as my girlfriend for three days, being a cat for 24 hours should be easy, right?" Ron questioned in return.
"All right then. There are still two things we need to cover before you both take your twenty four hour Animagus potions. First, how do you want me and Harry to explain things to Andromeda? Harry and I trust her to keep our secrets and have no problems practising our Animagus transformations with her present. Do you want us to tell Andi that two of the cats visiting are our best friends - or would you rather we told her we were just cat sitting for our best fiends?" I asked Ron and Hermione.
"If you trust her, that's good enough for us. Right Ron?" Hermione asked her boyfriend.
"Yeah, I reckon it'll be all right. Besides it might look a bit strange if you and Harry are talking to two cats like they were people. Then again, now that you're Luna maybe it will seem normal," Ron teased me back.
"Well Ronald, the good news is I'm perfectly sane - while the bad news is I'm afraid the rest of the world is quite off it's rocker," I replied, doing my best to channel my inner Luna Lovegood, with my version of the dreamy look and voice that were of course her usual trademarks.
Ron did a double take - while Hermione tried hard not to laugh at her boyfriend's shocked face.
"Got you, Ron!" I only half joked, at my red-headed friend's expense.
"What was the second thing Luna?" Hermione asked.
"I figured we'd use the same communications plan as last time, with the amendment of one meow for yes, two meows for no," I suggested.
Hermione nodded. "I guess that should work. It's too bad that Kneazles can't project thoughts like your Unicorn forms can."
"One last thing. You both studied the notes Harry and I gave you about the twenty four hour Animagus potion. And know what things you should both concentrate on while in your cat forms. Not to mention the various techniques that will help prevent you from getting stuck. But most of all, don't have sex in your cat forms unless you want to be cats for the rest of your lives," I ribbed them one last time.
"You're just never going to let us live that down are you?" Ron asked, as he shook his head good-naturedly.
"Nope. And I know you wouldn't either, Ron. It's just too good not to tease you about it. Besides you turn such a lovely shade of Weasley red every time I do it," I said again in my dreamy Luna voice.
"I think Luna keeps giving you a hard time because you give such adorable reactions to it," Hermione added, not bothered in the slightest by my teasing them.
"Now I have every confidence in Hermione's potions brewing skills, that there's probably no reason why you can't both take the twenty four hour Animagus potion at the same time. But I would still recommend you take them with no clothes on, so you don't get tangled up in them. The bathroom is right there to give you both some privacy. You might want to leave the door cracked open a little, so you can get out after your transformations are complete. Crookshanks and I'll wait here until you both come out. And I will be nearby if there are any problems. I imagine Harry will be along, as soon as he finishes arranging Andromeda and Teddy's visit today," I announced to my friends.
"Okay Ron, let's do this together," Hermione said confidently, as she and Ron grabbed their doses of the twenty four hour Animagus potions from their bags and entered the bathroom - leaving the door open just enough for them to exit in their cat forms.
I expected it to take a little longer than twenty minutes for them to strip down and change into Kneazles. I remember thinking what it was like when I transformed into my female Unicorn form. And how strange it was to grow much larger then my smaller human form. While it occurred to me that Ron and Hermione would instead be shrinking down to Crookshanks smaller size, I thought as I continued to pet him. He purred happily in my lap without what seemed like a care in the world. I wondered if he realised that his mistress was changing herself into the same type of magical cat at that very moment. Kneazles were supposed to have near-human intellects. Crookshanks was plenty smart enough in my opinion, especially when he refused to move from Sirius as I was about to hex him in the Shrieking Shack, when I still thought he betrayed my parents. But Crookshanks knew better and refused to let me make the same mistake the Ministry had of punishing an innocent man. I still felt bad about Sirius's fate. I thought how different my life would have been, if he was allowed to be part of it. I'd probably still be Harry Potter, instead of a pretty young witch named Luna Lovegood. It's funny how life works out sometimes.
I continued to think about this and a lot of other things, as I waited patiently for Ron and Hermione to emerge from the bathroom in their cat forms. This moment reminded me of another time Hermione had pointy ears and a tail - back in our second year, when she had her little Polyjuice potion accident. I recalled the image of Hermione in her half-human half-feline form in the stall of Moaning Myrtle's loo. It was certainly something I'd never forget.
I had read stories that a few foolish wizards and witches from time to time would attempt to use the Polyjuice potion to try and become an Animagus the easy way. Apparently, if you wait too long to get treatment the effects can become permanent. That happened to a witch who was trying to turn herself into a horse. When she finally realised that it wasn't going to work like she had hoped she was too embarrassed and took too long to get help. By the time the healers at St. Mungo's tried to treat her most of the effects had become permanent. In fact the only thing they could actually do for her was to completely change her into a horse. Unfortunately for her this would be a permanent change, she would never be able to become human again. This was one of the many cautionary stories Harry and I had read about when we were studying to become Animagi. Of course, Hermione wasn't trying to become a cat on purpose, she had just mistakenly used a cat hair that she had thought was from a Slytherin girl. At the time I thought it was funny and no big deal, because I foolishly thought magic could cure anything. I guess Hermione was lucky she was treated so quickly - otherwise she might still be living with a few furry reminders.
It was at this point that two cats finally came out of the bathroom and jumped up on the bed.
"Is that you Ron?" I asked the light reddish-orange and white-striped tabby cat.
I then turned to the other brown cat with very bushy looking fur and tail.
"Well, there's really no mistaking you for anyone else, Hermione. Is everything okay? The transformation went all right for both of you?" I asked them.
I quickly received a single meow from each of them.
"Okay, according to our previous arrangements one meow means yes. So I take it everything went well for the most part?" I asked them again.
Again I heard a single meow from both of them. I quickly realised that communication with Ron and Hermione was going to be quite limited this way.
It was too bad that I couldn't use my Unicorn telepathic ability in my human form to send as well as receive what Ron and Hermione were thinking... Wait a minute I thought. Maybe I could. Clearly Harry and I were able to do both at the same time in our Unicorn forms. And after all we were there to practice our Animagus transformations. It occurred to me that I could try to give my human form that same ability by transforming just that exact part of myself. I took a moment to recall my Unicorn form and what it was like, when I used this ability to project my thoughts to Harry, Ron and Hermione. I tried to concentrate on this aspect of my Unicorn form. Like I did when I transformed various body parts into their Unicorn equivalents. But this time I concentrated solely on this ability - willing my human form to have this same ability of two way communication by thoughts alone. I had always been told that intent was the most important part of performing successful magic. At this stage, I was beginning to think it applied to much more than just casting spells. After all, since I became Luna I had performed several amazing bits of magic without the use of a wand.
Understanding magic at it's most fundamental level was all about power and ability, concentration and focus, intent and the desired result. Clearly I had the ability in my Unicorn form so I focused my magic on that ability with the intent to create a desired effect. And in an instant I felt something shift in my consciousness as an unused part of my human mind became available to me. I then turned my mind's attention to my two friends, and immediately started hearing them in my head.
'Is she all right?' Hermione thought to Ron with a short concerned sounding meow.
'I'm not sure, she just closed her eye's and seems to be concentrating,' He replied. While sounding a little concerned with a slightly longer series of meows.
'I'm perfectly fine, Ron. I just realised how limited our ability to communicate was going to be. So I thought I'd try to see if I could give my human form the same ability to communicate that I had when I was a Unicorn. Apparently I was successful,' I projected my thoughts to my friends without saying a word aloud.
'WHAT! HOW?' I heard my newly minted feline friends exclaimed in my mind at almost the exact same time.
"By transforming or unlocking the part of my mind that apparently has this ability. But as you can see, I can still speak normally as well," I answered them.
"And now that I've had a chance to look at you both, I must say you do make very cute kitties," I gushed at my recently transformed friends.
'I'm not cute, I'm a fearsome predator,' Ron thought with a meowish howl of indigently.
'Fearsome, the only thing you're likely to scare are small rodents, Ron,' Hermione teased him with another series of varied sounding meows.
'I may be small but I've got the heart of a lion!' Ron insisted.
'Too bad you don't have the ability to be quiet like one,' A new voice in my mind meowed lazily.
'Who said that!' Ron meowed angrily.
'I did,' Crookshanks replied in my lapwhat sounded surprisingly like a yawn.
'Is that really you, Crookshanks?' Hermione thought to her cat.
'Yes it is I, my beautiful mistress,' Crookshanks answered 'It's a pleasure to finally meet and greet you properly after all these years.'
'Have you spoke to me before?' Hermione questioned.
'I speak to you all the time, mistress. What's new is in this form you now have the ability to understand it,' He answered with another lazy meow and yawn.
'And I find I really must agree with Harry, mistress. You do make a rather fetching feline, it's a shame you're not a real Kneazle,' Crookshanks added with a lazy meow.
'You know that's really Harry?' She turned to look at me.
'Of course. Anyone with a proper nose could tell. It's not unlike how I could tell the RAT wasn't really a rat. Harry may look different and even smell a little different as a female of your species. But the underlying essence is still the same. Besides, even if my nose didn't know, you may have tried to be more discrete around other humans. But not so much around me, my mistress,' , Crookshanks continued sounding less interested in the current subject.
'Crookshanks, I'm sorry about that. I didn't know Scabbers was really Wormtail. I just thought you were trying to eat my pet rat,' Ron offered an apology.
'It's to be expected. After all you're only human,' Crookshanks offered with a snide sounding meow.
'Hey you mangy fur-ball I was trying to apologise! Hermione is my mate and your mistress, so show a little respect and you better not be getting any ideas.' Ron gave an insistent meow.
'I wouldn't dream of it, besides I'm already seeing someone else, master.' The cat in my lap quickly answered.
'Why did you call me master?' Ron asked.
'How else should I refer to my mistress'es foolish mate?' Crookshanks answered in return.
'Well if I'm such a fool and you're so smart, then how come you were still nice to me when I was your mistress?' Ron asked gleefully thinking checkmate.
'I merely played my part to insure that my mistress'es reputation was preserved while master took her place.' .
'Honestly, Ron you're being silly, Crookshanks is no threat. Even he recognizes that we're mates.' Hermione added her thoughts, as she rubbed up next to Ron affectionately with her head under his chin. Trying to distract him from his argument with her cat.
Apparently Hermione's ministrations worked, because Ron promptly stopped arguing with Crookshanks.
'Crookshanks, I was hoping that you might be willing to show us the ropes and help teach us how to be better cats.' Hermione requested with a sweet sounding meow.
'I would be honoured to share what I know with you and your foolish mate,' He quickly agreed.
'Hey! I said I was sorry about the whole Scabbers thing. Is it really that strange to think a cat might try to eat a rat? I think under the circumstances it was an honest mistake.' Ron tried to justify himself. 'Mind you, looking back at things I was rather awful over the whole matter,' he finished.
"Personally, I think Hagrid had it right when he said, 'People can be stupid about their pets'," I offered my thoughts.
It was at that moment that Harry made an appearance at the door.
"Andromeda and Teddy are getting situated in their room. They've decided to stay the night. Everything all right in here?" he asked.
"So far. Ron and Hermione's transformations went fine. And both have agreed that it would be fine with them about revealing their involvement in project Animagus to Andromeda. They said if we are willing to trust her with our secret, that's good enough for them," I answered him.
Hermione and Ron gave quick meows of agreement. Crookshanks, meanwhile, continued to lay in my lap with another lazy yawn.
"Very well then, I'll tell her all about what we're up to this weekend when the time comes," Harry assured us.
"Since it's such a nice day, I was about to suggest we go outside. Crookshanks has graciously offered to give Ron and Hermione a few cat lessons," I said to Harry.
"Really? Since when were you and Crookshanks on speaking terms?" Harry asked curiously.
'Since I learned how to tap into one of my more useful Unicorn abilities,' I thought to Harry non-verbally.
Harry's eyes widened as he received my message in his head. "I can't wait to hear more about this development - but unfortunately it will have to keep a little longer. Magnus and I were about to give Andi a tour of the house and grounds. I was hoping you could keep an eye on Teddy, while we do that?" Harry asked.
"Of course, Harry, I love spending time with our adorable little godson. I'll be able to immediately start right in on our project to spoil Teddy rotten," I joked, knowing very well I would soon find myself wrapped around Teddy's little finger.
"Come on, you three. Let's go get some fresh air," I said to the three cats.
Crookshanks jumped from my lap as I got up off the bed and made to follow Harry. We didn't have to go far down the same hallway to the second door on the right. We had just arrived. when Andi came out of their room with Teddy in her arms. Harry quickly made his way over to them and spoke.
"There he is, my very handsome and talented godson!" Harry exclaimed, as Andi passed Teddy over to him.
Teddy gurgled happily at Harry's proclamation. And within moments Teddy had once again turned himself into a dark haired green eyed little boy shortly after he was in Harry's arms.
"And there's some of that very talent now," Harry said as he kissed and blew a raspberry on little Teddy's cheek.
Teddy giggled and gurgled happily at Harry's antics.
"And here's your very beautiful godmother," Harry declared, passing the adorable little boy to me.
And within moments Teddy had again transformed himself into what I assumed was the same blond-haired, bluish-grey eyed little girl as the last time I held him. I looked over at Andromeda, worried about how she would react to her grandson changing into her granddaughter again.
Andi didn't look bothered by the transformation, but I could tell something about this new ability had her spooked.
"What's wrong Andi?" I asked her.
"After you and Harry's last visit and the discovery of this new ability. I did quite a bit of research to see if there were any records of a Metamorphmagus with this exact ability. I learned that there was only one other recorded case several hundred years ago, when a little girl was discovered with this same ability," Andromeda answered us, nervously rubbing her hands. "She was seized from her parents by the Ministry and given to the Department of Mysteries to be raised and studied by the Unspeakables there. As you can imagine, I became very concerned that if Teddy's new ability became known, there are people in the Ministry who might try to take him from me!"
It had never even occurred to me that such an ability could somehow be classified as dangerous by the Ministry and used as an excuse to take someone's child. I looked over at Harry who seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"Harry... I hate to ask you to use what influence you have at the Ministry to protect your godson. But I'm begging you, please! I can't lose him Harry, he's all I have now!" Andromeda pleaded almost becoming hysterical at the very thought of possibly losing her grandson.
"I swear to you I'll never let that happen. If they even try it they'll have another Dark Lord on their hands!" Harry stated firmly.
"As well as a Dark Lady!" I quickly seconded.
Our declarations seemed to calm Andi down a bit.
"The reason the Ministry has classified this ability as dangerous is because it allows the witch or wizard with it to transform themselves into anyone down to their very DNA. Right now, Teddy is basically a six month old version of you, Luna. He's still too young and can't make himself look older yet. But in time he probably will be able to do that as well. That's why the Ministry is so worried about a witch or wizard who can do this. Can you imagine what a person with evil intentions could do with such an ability?" Andi asked.
Harry and I both acknowledged the problem. Someone with bad intentions could accomplish something very similar, using our unique method of transformation involving the Polyjuice potion.
"I refuse to allow my grandson to be branded a Dark Creature because of something that might happen," she continued.
"We won't let that happen, Andromeda," I said with absolute conviction.
"Let's not panic. At this point no one knows about this but us, if we're careful we can keep this a family secret. I would imagine that as Teddy gets older he will get better at controlling these abilities. We just need to shelter and protect him until then," Harry suggested.
"I'd say this is another good reason for you to move in with us, Andi. Harry and I will protect Teddy with our very lives. As I'm sure Magnus and Corin will as well. You'll both be safe here and well cared for. The house and surrounding properties are unplotable, as well as being under a lesser form of the Fidelius Charm. No one can even come here unless they've been added to the list people allowed inside the wards - and only people who we really trust will ever be invited," I added, thinking immediately of Ron and Hermione who were nearby observing our conversation in their cat forms.
"You can move in as soon as you'd like Andi. Magnus and Corin can bring anything you need from your home. You'll both be safe here and we would be happy to have you. What do you say, Andromeda?" Harry asked.
This offer seemed to put a lot of Andromeda's fears to rest.
"Harry. Luna... On behalf of myself and your godson, I accept your very kind offer," Andi answered, with a look of relief.
"Now that this is settled, why don't you, Harry, and Magnus continue on with your tour of Potter Manor? Since you're going to be living here with us part time at least until we graduate, and full-time there after. You'll need to know how to get around and where things are," I suggested.
"That's an excellent idea, Luna," Harry agreed. He then called our elves. "Magnus. Corin,"
"Yes, master Harry?" the two Elves answered with a pop.
"Starting today, Andromeda and our godson Teddy will be living here with us. As far as Luna and I are concerned they are family. And I would ask you both to treat them as such. I ask you both to continue to offer help and assistance to them whenever they ask for it," Harry explained to our Elves, who both appeared to be very happy at the prospect of having two people to constantly take care of. And not just us on the few occasions that we would show up on the weekends.
"Oh yes, master Harry. We's will take very good care of your family!" Corin said.
Magnus quickly agreed. "Very, very good care of them!"
I turned to Harry and said, "We'll be out back in the garden at the gazebo. That's where you'll find us, when you and Andromeda finish up the tour."
"Okay Luna. We'll see you in a bit. I don't think it will take too long to see everything," Harry stated.
And with that Andromeda, Harry, and Magnus left to continue their guided tour of Potter Manor. While the three cats and I - along with Teddy in my arms -made our way back down the hall and stairs. Then we turned down the hallway that led to the back door and path toward the gardens - and followed it through the gardens, till we reached the gazebo. I walked up the stairs and sat on a nearby bench that was built into the side of the gazebo. Ron and Hermione then proceeded to start their cat lessons nearby with Crookshanks.
"Corin," I called.
"Yes, mistress Luna?" the female elf asked, as she arrived with a sudden pop.
"Could you get me a blanket that I can spread out for me and Teddy?" I answered.
"Right away, mistress," Corin quickly disappeared with another pop.
In hardly more than a few moments Corin was back, and with a snap of her fingers a blanket appeared and spread itself out. And with another gesture several toys appeared on it. There were building blocks, several stuffed magical animals including a white Unicorn, and some kind of wizarding activity centre with all sorts of things for a small child to play with. It had buttons to push, levers to throw, knobs to rotate and bells to ring. I sat Teddy down on the blanket and quickly took up a place next to him. With another gesture by Corin, the stuffed white Unicorn got up and walked over to a very surprised Teddy. He promptly took the stuffed Unicorn in his little arms and held it tightly.
Corin was tearing up a bit as she watched me and Teddy.
"What's wrong, Corin?" I asked concerned.
"Oh, seeing you and master Teddy together, reminds me of when Mistress Lily spent time here with master Harry when he was a baby. It makes Corin very happy to see such things again. And a little sad as well," Corin explained, as she wiped a tear from her eye.
I could understand Corin's feelings. But at the same time it made me very happy to know that my Mum spent time here with me when I was a baby. Somehow it helped me feel closer to her. It was a shame that I was too young at the time to remember it.
I was beginning to think Padma was right. The more time I spent with Teddy the more I realised I did want to have a baby of my own. I guess I haven't just gone native. I went straight past that and right on to having full blown maternal yearnings. I was surprised to realise just how much I wanted to mother him.
Teddy was still in his six-month old version of myself, and because of that he was still a little girl. It seemed strange calling this adorable little girl Teddy. I imagine if someone saw us together because of the resemblance, they'd probably think that she was my daughter. I was beginning to wonder if Teddy was going to keep changing himself into the six-month old version of myself, every time I hold him. I guess if he did, we would need to have a cover story that explained the presents of this adorable little girl. And not to mention a more appropriate name for her, I thought.
Eventually, Harry and Andromeda finished their tour and found us in the garden. Andromeda watched me with her grandchild as she sat down on the nearby bench. She continued to observe me interacting with Teddy. She must have liked what she was seeing.
"Someday you're going to make a wonderful mother, Luna," Andi declared, as Harry looked on and seemed to agree with Andi's statement.
"I hope you're right," I answered, trying hard not to blush. As I picked Teddy up and held him in my arms kissing his chubby little cheeks.
I wanted more than anything to give Teddy - and any children I might eventually have - all the things I never had. I wanted to be a loving mother who would always be there for her children. And that included Teddy. Even though he wasn't technically mine. But I was happy to fill that role if he wanted me to - as either a doting godmother, or to even be a surrogate mother to him. Basically I would do my very best to be whatever he wanted or needed me to be.
Harry came over and sat on the blanket next to me. I could see that he wanted to hold Teddy. And I was a little curious if Teddy would again change himself back into the dark haired, green eyed little boy.
As I handed Teddy back to Harry there was a brief moment when we were both touching him. I felt something strange and noticed Harry felt it as well. I looked down at Teddy and quickly noticed that his features were changing once again. But he didn't change back into the dark haired little boy. In fact, Teddy still appeared to be a blond little girl, but with Harry's green eyes. It seemed that he was no longer the six month old version of me either. Because he now had features from both of us.
"Harry, I think Teddy just turned himself into what our daughter might look like if we had one," I remarked, shocked by this latest development..
Andi came over. With a few wand movements she cast a spell on Teddy and us.
"You don't know just how right you are, Luna. As part of my research into Teddy's new ability, I needed to learn a few new spells to help me understand what the various effects meant when he makes changes to himself. At first, he was using this new ability to change himself into a six month old versions of each of you. Now it appears that he has used it to genetically change himself into your child by somehow sampling both of your DNA at the same time. And has essentially transformed himself into what your potential offspring might look like. The spell I just cast confirmed that Teddy has more or less changed himself into your daughter," Andi explained, rather matter-of-factly.
"How can you be so calm about this?" Harry asked, surprised by Andromeda's seemingly non-reaction.
"Think about your own situation, Harry. Let's imagine a world where Sirius was never sent to Azkaban and was allowed to raise you like your parents wanted. And let's imagine your godfather had a beautiful young wife who together helped raise you as their own. How do you think you would feel about them? I don't think it would be a great leap if you came to think of them as your Mum and Dad," Andromeda theorised. "And if you did end up feeling that way about them, would that mean you were betraying your parents? I think not, James and Lily would still want you to have a loving family, even if they couldn't be the ones to give it to you. Remus and Nymphadora may be gone - but like your parents they entrusted their child to me, you, and now Luna. I for one don't intend to let them down and no mater what changes Teddy makes to himself, he's still my grandchild. Nothing will ever change that fact."
She was right. It didn't really change anything important. Even though I was now Luna, my parents still accepted me as their child. Even though biologically or genetically speaking, I was technically someone else's daughter now.
"Even Teddy on a very basic level understands what he wants and needs. It's just that unlike other children, he happens to be able to show it by making changes to himself. And by doing so Teddy essentially gets what he wants most - you and Luna as his adoptive parents. And as strange as it might sound, I get both a grandson and granddaughter," Andromeda told us. "Besides, at his age I sincerely doubt this is a permanent change - there hasn't been any other changes he's made that lasted through the night. And I doubt this one will either."
I really couldn't argue with Andromeda's logic. It did seem like a win-win for everyone involved. And if Teddy comes to think of me as his Mum. Well... nothing would make me happier.
Since this situation was resolved at least for the moment, Harry suggested that we start practising our Animagus transformations. Apparently, Harry had explained to Andi on the tour about what we were here for. And that two of the three cats nearby were actually our two best friends. She seemed a little sceptical at first, until Harry and I started changing various body parts into their Unicorn equivalents.
From time to time Ron, Hermione, and Crookshanks would appear out of the bushes as they continued with their cat lessons. And I'd ask how things were going.
'Great. We're learning a lot!' Hermione thought to me excitedly.
'I caught a mouse!' Ron added proudly.' Crookshanks really knows his stuff!'
Andromeda and Teddy sat watching as we continued our practice session from the nearby by gazebo. Andi was particularly fascinated by the whole process.
Harry and I continued to attempt more and more complicated transformations with great success. At one point I had managed to change my arms and hands into front legs and hooves while also having changed my back legs and feet as well. If we continued to have these kinds of results, it wouldn't be long before we would be ready to try a full body transformation.
We had been at it for more than a couple of hours. I'm not sure exactly what brought it on. But while practising my next Animagus transformation, I suddenly broke out in a sneezing fit, just as I finished recalling the perfect memory of my Unicorn form and was about to change the next part of my body. The result of this unusual set of circumstances had somehow caused me to accidentally change myself into a complete female Unicorn. Yet the strange thing was I somehow still retained my human shape. My entire body was now covered with the same white silky fur my Unicorn form has. I also now had pointed ears that were now higher up on my head, as well as a fully functioning tail and a five inch golden spiral horn protruded from my forehead. When I turned to Harry and tried to say something, it just came out as a whinny and a brief snort of annoyance, instead of normal human speech.
Harry was laughing so hard that his eyes were tearing up.
'Laugh it up Harry, I'm glad I can amuse you. If you're finally finished I could use a little help here,' I said non-verbally - a little annoyed at my boyfriend.
"All right, sorry about that! You just looked so cute when you tried to speak, just then," Harry explained.
Harry then pulled out his wand and performed a few quick diagnostic spells.
"Wow! This is really quite amazing. According to the species identification spell, it says you are currently a female Unicorn. But clearly you are still in the shape of a human. This may be the first time something like this has ever happened. I've heard of people getting stuck temporarily at various stages of transformation. But never like this... Here, let me cast the Animagus reversal spell on you," Harry offered.
Again, with a wave and a flick, Harry cast the spell. I immediately felt my body start to revert back to my normal human form.
"Oh, thank goodness," I said to Harry. "That has got to be the strangest experience so far."
"What do you say we take a break for dinner - then call it an early night?" Harry suggested.
"I guess it's about time to quit, and I am a little famished. But I don't think I'll be ready to sleep for a while yet," I answered.
"Who said anything about sleeping? I had something else entirely in mind," Harry said as he wiggled his eyebrows giving me a very good idea what he was thinking.
"OH!" I quickly understood what we would be doing. So much the better. I had prepared for and planned something similar.
We all gathered together and made our way back up to the house.
Our Elves had anticipated this and had dinner ready for us once we arrived. Magnus and Corin again out did themselves with yet another wonderful meal. As Harry, Andi, Teddy, and I ate in the smaller intimate dining room. Andromeda and I took turns feeding Teddy. Nearby, Ron, Hermione and Crookshanks had bowls of tuna and fresh cream. As far as Crookshanks was concerned, he never had it so good and sent his complements to the chef.
Once dinner was finished, we all made our way back upstairs to our respective rooms for the night. Magnus had to open the door for Ron and Hermione. The door to their room was left partly open, so they could come and go as they pleased. Harry and I decided to help Andromeda put Teddy down for the night. When finished we made our way back to the master bedroom.
As I entered our bedroom I grabbed my bag off the bed and quickly made for the bathroom. I then began to undress as I pulled a package wrapped in brown paper and a small bottle of perfume from my bag. I took a moment to again gaze upon the body I knew I would now have for the rest of my life. It's funny to think now but when I was still male, such a sight would have caused quite a reaction. But I wasn't male anymore and the beautiful young witch I had become was no longer the sort of thing that excited me. Sure - I was pretty enough, even though I knew that this body hadn't finished growing yet. But even so, I couldn't help feeling that it could be better and more shapely like some of the older girls. Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to be anyone else, I just think I was feeling a little jealous of how some of the older girls were a little further along in certain developments. And was being a little impatient to grow into the beautiful young woman I knew I'd eventually become. I just didn't want to disappoint Harry. I knew that I was being silly. Hermione said that those kinds of feelings were normal for young girls, when I asked her the other day.
She also reminded me that men are visual creatures. And that sometimes the strangest things appeal to them. She gave the very familiar example of wearing nothing but your knickers and your boyfriend's Quidditch jersey. I promptly reminded her that I was male not that long ago, and hadn't forgot such things. She laughed and apologized - but explained that the longer I was Luna, the harder it was to remember that I used to be the same dark and brooding Harry Potter she knew and loved. Hermione added: "You're just too happy and comfortable as you are now. I hate to admit it but you really are better off being Luna."
Needless to say, I was planning on making our first night together in the master bedroom a night to remember. In preparation, I had brought the blue and silver teddy that Harry gave me the first time we made love. It helped make me feel older and very sexy. With it I was hoping I would get a proper reaction from Harry - but I didn't want to show my hand too quickly. So I had also brought one of my school robes to wear over the blue and silver teddy. Wearing it and what I had on underneath should meet the visual requirements. But before I put them on Hermione suggested I apply some perfume. She said to dab a little on the inner wrists, then the base of the throat, behind my ear lobes, behind the knees, and most importantly in the cleavage between my breasts. With that done, I unwrapped the teddy and stepped into it as I pulled it up over my curvy hips and narrow waist. Then finally around my breasts, as I slipped the spaghetti straps over my shoulders. I really liked how the teddy fitted my body so perfectly, just like a second skin. I then pulled on my school robe, I was ready.
Apparently, Harry had made good use of his time. He was already dressed in the blue pyjamas we bought for him when we were in London. He was laying on the bed on his side turned toward the bathroom door, waiting for me to come out.
"Why are you wearing your school robe?" he asked, looking confused. "I thought we were going to bed?"
"I can assure you that I'm not wearing my uniform under it," I answered suggestively.
"Then what are you wearing under it?" he asked again.
I imagine he was starting to think I wasn't wearing anything.
"Something special," I replied, as I slowly pulled it up exposing more and more of my very naked thigh. And then with a quick pull over my head I revealed the teddy.
Needless to say I wasn't disappointed by Harry's reaction as I noticed a bulge quickly form in his pyjama bottoms. As he got up off the bed and came over to me. Never once taking his eyes off me.
"Has my beautiful angel returned to earth, to visit me once again?" Harry smiled at me. "No I guess she never really left. She's just been hiding under too many clothes for me to recognize her," he added, answering his own question.
He then picked me up and carried me over to our bed. After casting the contraceptive spell on my belly, he began kissing and caressing me from head to toe. Lingering on and giving extra attention to the places I was most sensitive. Somewhere along the way, while I was in a state of utter bliss, our remaining clothes were removed. I'm not sure exactly when or how it happened but we were both completely naked. I begged him to take me and make me his once and for always. After driving me up to the edge several times, Harry finally pushed me over and beyond when he finally gave into my desperate plea and thrust into the centre of my very being. I felt more and more complete with each additional thrust as Harry increased the speed, I moved closer and closer to one of the ultimate experiences womanhood had to offer. When the moment arrived with a final desperate thrust, my body exploded with the most incredible feelings of joy and ecstasy. It washed over me like wave after wave, until it finally started to slowly recede.
I murmured,"I love you Harry."
"And I love you too, Luna. Now and forever," he answered firmly.
Each time we made love that first night together in our room, it confirmed again and again that I had made the right decision. I was a woman now and I honestly didn't ever want to be anything else. I just couldn't get enough of anything and everything Harry did to me. I was beginning to see another advantage to Harry having had a body like this for the first seventeen years of his life. He knew this body's every pleasure point. Eventually, after several love making sessions, we collapsed into a blissful sleep - held in each others arms.
The next morning, Andromeda was proved correct as Teddy was back to normal. At least until Harry or I held him again. Once he was held by either of us Teddy quickly transformed back into the likeness of our potential daughter.
Since it appeared that quite often when we were with Teddy he was going to be a little girl. I suggested to Andromeda and Harry that we create a female alter-ego and name for her when he looked like our daughter.
"Well, since Teddy seems quite determined to be more than just your god-daughter, I think it's only natural that you name her," Andi offered
After much thought and many suggestions, we settled on calling Teddy's alter-ego Tabitha Andromeda Lupin. We would treat her like she was Teddy's twin sister. But in public she would be our adopted ward or daughter.
Andromeda was quite pleased that we named her new granddaughter after her.
We didn't know it at the time but in the Hall of records at the Ministry of Magic, all the normal magical documents came into being for a witch with the name 'Tabitha Andromeda Lupin' attached to them. With Remus John Lupin as her father and Nymphadora Tonks as the Mother. While all the records for Theodore Remus Lupin also continued to remain on file. As far as the Ministry was concerned Tabitha was Theodore's twin sister, since they shared the same parents and birthday. But we didn't find out about any of this until several years later, when Hogwarts letters showed up at the same time for both Teddy and Tabitha.
(Flash forward)
The only thing that surprised us more was when Teddy told us he would rather wait a year and attend Hogwarts next year as Victoire Weasley's best friend and our adopted daughter Tabitha Potter instead of his allocated starting year, as Teddy Lupin. Even though he was a year older than Victoire, many assumed that Tabitha was a year younger and wouldn't be attending herself till next year. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised it was quite obvious that the poor lad was quite smitten with Victoire. But like many young boys his age who were attracted to a young lady, he was unable to act normal around the very pretty part-Veela in his male form. Yet while in his female form, Tabitha and Victoire were practically inseparable.
Fortunately for us Minerva was still Headmistress by then and was able to arrange things so that both would technically be attending Hogwarts at the same time. And that Teddy would receive the same grades as Tabitha. The use of a Time-Turner would allow both to be seen occasionally at the same time.
Teddy had begged us to not tell anyone outside the immediate family that he and Tabitha were the same person. Of course Ron and Hermione knew but were sworn to secrecy. Teddy said it was too embarrassing for anyone to know that he was also a girl part-time, he especially didn't want Victoire to know. I told him the longer he waited to tell her the worse it would be. When he did eventually tell her the truth, she surprised us all and said she already knew. And was very happy that her best friend and future husband were the same person. They married soon after graduating from Hogwarts. The trick had been figuring out how the groom could also be the maid of honour. Again, the creative use of a Time-Turner solved that problem.
(End of flash forward)
After breakfast, Harry and I continued to practice our Animagus transformations. And like our previous sessions we had quite a bit of success. While Ron and Hermione soon started their second day of advanced cat lessons with Crookshanks. Eventually Harry and I had transformed pretty much every body part that we could while still wearing our clothes. We could have went back up to the stables to work on transforming our torso's without clothes on. But we wanted to remain close by Ron and Hermione in case they got into trouble. So we decided to wait till another time to proceed further. So we settled for another round of practising what we already had so far. It took several hours for us to cycle through all of them again.
By then it was about an hour before Ron and Hermione were going to change back into their human forms, Harry cast the memory spell on them both, so they would have total recall of their Kneazle forms. Once that was done we escorted then back up to their room, allowing them to change back in the privacy of their bathroom. Needless to say, everything went fine when the time came. And shortly afterwards Both Ron and Hermione emerged from the bathroom in their proper human forms.
"I reckon I'm going to like being a cat. But I can't wait to try our other form. Being able to turn invisible will be a very useful ability," Ron said excitedly.
"Spectral wolves don't technically turn themselves invisible. It's more like the effect the Notice Me Not spell has. You're still visible - people just don't notice you," Hermione corrected her boyfriend.
"Well, it's pretty much as good as being invisible. Right?" Ron asked Hermione.
"I suppose it would certainly seem like you were. But I personally think it's much more fascinating that a magical creature would develop such an ability as a survival method. Allowing them to survive into our modern world, while normal wolves in England have long been extinct," Hermione continued, in full lecture mode.
"At least they aren't arguing angrily at each other," I leaned over and said quietly to Harry.
"No. It sounds more like a respectful debate," Harry replied with a smirk.
Oh well, I guess the more things change the more they stay the same, I thought to myself.
(To be continued)
Beta reader / Proof reader / Helpful edits gratefully provided by Ravenclaw Midnight Blue!