We're getting a teeny but philosophical here! Enjoy xxx

Chptr9

That night, before they went up to the dorm, Hermione held Harry back. The common room was empty and she wanted to talk to Harry without the other girls listening in. She was actually rather excited, feeling that she might actually enjoy being able to talk to one of her best friends about girly stuff for once.

"So, Harry," Hermione ventured, slightly flustered, perching on the edge of an armchair, "Do you need to talk about what's going on?"

"Like what?" Harry replied, curious. She had been caught out by Hermione wanting to talk. Usually she just lectured.

"Like, just anything at all you need to let out, anything that's been bothering you. Because you're female now, you'll probably feel the need to talk more, especially about your troubles," Hermione straightened her skirt, feeling important. "I can be your confidante". She smiled a conspiratorial smile, and Harry suddenly realised that she did really want to open up about his confused feelings. She thought that maybe 'Mione could help her sort through the mess of emotions.

"OK," Harry responded, steeling herself up for the confession. She was nervously perched on the edge of her favourite armchair, her legs crossed demurely is an uncharacteristically ladylike manner. "You're going to think I'm really stupid or weird or whatever, but I think I like Draco Malfoy". She blurted out blushing. She bowed her head so that her hair covered her face to hide the redness spreading over it. Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth and squeaked.

"I knew it!" She cried out, clapping her hands together in excitement. "I saw how you were looking at him in potions!"

"It's really embarrassing and I shouldn't like him but I do," Harry looked up, angst twisting her face. "What should I do Hermione?" The bushy-haired girl melted from the worried look on her friend's face.

"Harry, It's not your fault you like him. It's perfectly normal for girls to have completely unexplained feelings for guys they shouldn't like or can't have. I thought it was normal for guys too, but I guess the emotional range of a teaspoon thing is an issue for the whole gender - I know I've used that comparison before and I still stand by it – but it's something girls live with all the time". She smiled at him encouragingly.

"But what should I do?" Harry wailed, balling her school skirt in her hands. She didn't want to be a girl and she didn't want to be fighting with herself over taboo feelings for Malfoy.

"Nothing for the time being, just wait and see what happens; who knows, maybe he likes you too," Hermione smirked, "Wouldn't that be something. Years of hatred towards you and all it takes is a pretty face and an hourglass figure-"

"Oh God," Harry suddenly looked stricken. "Malfoy's a guy, I was a guy, and I'll probably be a guy again. Am I like gay or something?" Harry was babbling and she knew it.

"Harry you're really not making much sense".

"Hermione!" Harry stood up and put her hands on Hermione's shoulders and shook her. "I liked Cho Chang before, and now I like Malfoy. Either way, I'm gay! That's something that's very hard to come to terms with 'Mione!" Hermione shoved her friend back into her seat, determined to get Harry to stop whinging.

"Harry James Potter," she exclaimed, her bossiness taking over, subduing Harry immediately. "When you were a boy, you liked a girl. Now you're a girl and you like a boy. Right now let's think of male Harry and female Harry as two different people, it makes life easier. Do you still like Cho?"

"What? No, but what has that got to do with anything?" Harry sputtered.

"Well, when you became a girl, your feelings for Cho went away didn't they? So it comes with the gender Harry. Rational thoughts! You're getting stressed over nothing." Harry snorted, and was suddenly overcome by a fir of the giggles.

"What's so funny?" Hermione looked bemused. She thought she'd been making perfect sense. Maybe Harry just wasn't keeping up.

"Stressing over nothing is a very female thing," Harry replied, still giggling uncontrollably, sliding off the armchair and thumping onto the floor.

"Well then Harry. You're just going to have to get used to it."

Gotta love a girl chat! I think Harry's adjusting just a little too well...