Chapter 28

On the darkside of the moon, a temporary habitat has been dug into the shadow of one of the craters dotting the moon's surface. There, several Yautja are looking at a model of the earth, as it fast forwards through their collected data again.

"Stop, there see. This is when Ditein made his foolish attack. See how the R'ka looks Ooman, and here is R'ka again. Then four more R'ka appear and Ditein is overwhelmed. This is why we study prey. Watch and learn about them, then we hunt. Never assume that this hunt is the same as last. Dark Blade clan has been doing this for 8 cycles, and they are now under Arbiter investigation. Here, Red Blade clan has claim for two more cycles, here we do right."

The Yautja rewinds the display once more before she stabs her finger at a sensor glitch, "Here, what is this?" Fast forwarding it again, she stops and enlarges the map to show just after the attack, "Same here, what is it?" Moving on once more, she ends up looking at an area full of ooman signatures, with to R'ka signatures in a domicile, "And here. Same glitch. Also, where eggs? Where Queens? Why Ooman's not dead? Hunt not glorious if there's no chance for victory. Go and teach the young bloods, and thank clan Dust Hawk for knowledge of Oomans that can teleport. He has apparently earned a combistick."

═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════

Everly looks down at the slip of paper in her hand as the minicab drives off behind her. Screwing up her courage, she mutters, "You said we could talk about it later, and now's later." With that said, she walks up the path to the front door, which opens before she can knock, or find the doorbell. Standing there is Vivian, holding the door with

"Well, you better come in." Vivian's voice shocks Everly into looking away from the arm, and she climbs the couple of steps into the house in a daze.

As she reaches Vivian, Everly touches the arm, "But you lost this."

Vivian shrugs, "It got better. Is there any reason you didn't phone?"

"And say what? Especially after we had to sign the official secrets act."

Vivian sighs and leads the way further into the house, "Come on, and don't mind E'jeah, she's here to dissuade any attacks like the one on the hospital."

Everly stops in the doorway and just stares at E'jeah as her mind goes back to that few minutes. When she comes back, she's feeling calm and slightly floaty while E'jeah holds her gently on her lap.

A deep voice comes from E'jeah, "Ow are you feeling now, little ooman?"

"Floaty, like I'm on clouds or something."

"Good, it would not be good for you to be afraid of me."

Everly look over her shoulder, up at E'jeah, "What are you?"

E'jeah's mandibles open in her equivalent of a smile, "I am a hunter. What of you little ooman."

"I was an orderly, but I don't know what I am now. I didn't even make it one day back at work. When I saw the padded shields we use, I just saw Zak's head fly off."

"You could learn to fight back."

Everly laughs, "Humans don't work like that. I'm no psych, but I've picked up enough to know what PTSD is, and that I probably have it."

On the other side of the room Henry puts a hand on Vivian's arm as a physical reminder not to talk.

E'jeah touches her cheek gently, "That is because oomans have forgotten their origins. What you call illness was once ingrained survival instinct."

"I think there's a lot wrong in that thinking. Humans also didn't live long lives, with most dying before the age of 6, or in childbirth. See, I do remember my nursing training."

"Indeed, but now they face almost no risks they can't control. Where once they were all worthy prey, now it is only those that live on the wrong side of the law that learn the skills your ancestors knew. Or those who train for war. It is why oomans are the favoured prey for Kiande amedha during chiva."

"What are they?"

"We also call them R'ka, it is what Vivian turned into."

Everly touches her chest and breaths, "I didn't hallucinate it."

"You could do it too, then you wouldn't have to be afraid again."

Everly's eyes sparkle with life briefly before they die down again, "Sure, and pigs might fly. I'm not a fighter, I never have been. It's why I became nurse."

"What was it you did with the shield?"

"Vivian told you about that, huh? That's not fighting, that's protecting."

"And I'm a hunter not a fighter. I do not seek conflict, I see to test myself against the strongest and most worthy prey. A pursuit that may have killed me one day, if I didn't grow tired of life and become an Elder, or an Arbiter."

"You are a protector, you don't seek out conflict, you seek to protect others from conflict even if it means facing an enemy with nothing more than fire and a padded shield."

"But I couldn't even do that right, Dr Vivian had to save us."

"And a year ago Vivian couldn't have done that. It's not something she was born able to do. But it takes courage, faith, and time. Is that something you have?"

Vivian speaks up, despite the hand on her wrist, "It's also how I could heal you."

Everly mutters, "I didn't imagine that." Louder she continues, "Why are you trying so hard to convince me?"

Henry lets out a sigh before he speaks, clearly uncomfortable with his voice, "We're, hrumph. We're not trying to convince you, we're trying to make it clear that you have a choice. No Vivian, she needs to know. Everly, there's another society that lives hidden from the larger, mundane society. It's a place where magic is still real, and not only found in fairy tales and bedtime stories. They officially went into hiding in 1692, though with the inquisition and witch hunts, they'd been drawing away for longer than that. Vivian and I accidentally found ourselves as members of this society in September last year. They have laws about who can know about their society and who can't, and they use memory erasure to ensure that those who aren't allowed don't. What they have been doing, is trying to persuade you to make the choice out of your own free will, rather than because the alternative is worse. Sorry if this was blunt, but my period started yesterday, and it's fucking with my head something chronic as I'm a guy damn it. Well I was a guy. And the injections aren't helping anymore."

Everly sits up a little more alertly, "So what is the other option then?"

E'jeah touches her arm gently, "You join the hive and all it entails."

Some of her earlier panic starts to break through again, as whatever they gave her starts to wear off, "I… I don't know, I need to sleep on it."

Vivian nods, "There's a spare bed upstairs, take your time."

"Am I a prisoner here?"

Vivian shakes her head sadly, "Not at all, but walking out the front door is, unfortunately, also choosing to forget."

"So I am a prisoner."

"No, that's not it. Imagine this is an embassy, and while you're here your subject to our laws. If you choose to become a citizen then it doesn't matter once you leave. If you leave before you choose, you've made a choice."

Everly laughs, though more from stress than humour, "That's a better way of putting it, you should practice that."

═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════

Minerva stands and taps her glass, "Good evening everyone, and welcome to the leaving feast. I'm sure that you're all raring to get home for the holidays, or to find work for those who are graduating this year. However, as always, there are a few things to address first. Master Hooch, would you be able to announce the winner of the Quidditch cup?"

Madam Hooch stands up and places the cup on the table, "In last place is Gryffindor with two wins. In third place is Slytherin with two wins and one draw. Beating Slytherin in points is Hufflepuff. Finally, the winners of the tournament, are Ravenclaw. Eliza Lawlor, please come up to receive the cup."

Eliza smiles as she walks up to the table to receive the cup to the sound of raucous applause from the Ravenclaw table.

As Hooch sits down, Minerva continues, "With that out of the way, we come to the matter of the house cup. I'm sorry to say that this year there will be no cup." She pauses while the boo's and groans die away, "My assistant, Miss Dunns, has taken the time to review all of the points given and taken, and compare them to the staff and prefect guidelines. As over half of the points have had to be reversed due to blatant and grievous violation of those guidelines; Myself and Master Vector, the Deputy Head Master, have decided that because of that we cannot in good faith award the cup this year. For those returning next year, we will ensure that you receive a student handbook that will outline the points system, your responsibilities, and also the punishments that you could suffer. There will also be information on how to appeal those points and punishments."

Minerva looks around the tables as everyone is silent, "Make no mistake, while I am currently the acting Head Master, I have every intention of making this school live up to its promise and taking over as Head Master as soon as Mr Dumbledore has healed and can defend his position. It is my responsibility to ensure that you all have an environment that is suitable for learning in. It is your responsibility to ensure that you not only learn, but you do not prevent others from learning too. We cannot protect you from all dangers in the school, especially those that come from failing to treat others with the respect they're due because of cultural or physiological differences. That, is down to you. Same as once you leave the school as adults, you will be expected to treat each other with respect and within the bounds of the law and our traditions.

"Enough moralising from me. I only have one more announcement, and that is a reminder that it is currently illegal for you to use your wands outside the school. This applies to all of you. Anyway, I'd like you all to give a huge round of applause to the support staff that have kept the school in good repair and provided our meals. Mr Hagrid, the grounds keeper. Master Pince, the librarian, Mr Filch, the caretaker, and lastly the House-elves who do the cooking, cleaning, and laundry."

The applause is not as enthusiastic as she'd like, but it is none the less there. As it dies down food appears on each of the tables and Minerva sits down to enjoy her meal.

═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════

Mr Harper

We regret to inform you that you are being discharged from the Charing Cross Gender Clinic. This is within our consulting guidelines as you do not meet the diagnostic guidelines needed to continue using our services. A copy of this letter has been sent to your GP.

We understand that this can be a trying time, so we have included leaflets detailing services that the NHS provide for dealing with mental health struggles.

Regards

Dr P Davis.

p.p. L Spencer.

Bradley screws up the letter and lobs it at the wall, "You mean I won't dress up in a skirt and do scaffolding in makeup!" Grabbing the mobile phone he bought just in case the clinic called him, he heads out to the pub for a drink. Only to stop at the front door as he sees the crumpled note, he picked up a month ago, by the landline. Staring at it in indecision, she grabs the note and heads back into her bedroom. There she picks up the stuffed penguin and holds it for a moment, while also wishing she could cry. With shaking hands, she slowly dials the number written on the piece of paper. It takes her three attempts to get it entered correctly, and then she presses the green button.

Down in London, Henry answers the phone with a confused tone, "Granger residence."

Bradley's heart skips a beat, and she almost doesn't answer before Henry hangs up, "Wait, sorry, is Mr Granger there?"

"Speaking."

Bradley pauses again for a moment, "It's real… Sorry. Please don't hang up. My name's Bradley and I got your number when a drunk threw it away. They were saying that you transitioned completely, and that someone called Theresa wanted him to become a tranny."

Henry was about to hang up when Bradley dropped that name, instead he finds himself the centre of attention of Theresa, Amelia, Moody, and Arry. As such his voice wavers as he answers, "When did you say you heard this?"

"Last month, in the Scotsman and Angel. Look, I'm not a reporter, but if you've really had a full sex change can you put in a good word for me please?"

Henry licks his lips, "Listen, um, we're going to be in London tomorrow, could you meet us in the Porcupine on Charing Cross Road around 4?"

Bradley's hands shake so much she nearly drops the phone, "L…London you say. Um, let me get a pen, yes a pen. I need paper too. Sorry, it's just…"

Henry carefully relays the name of the pub, and that it's on Charing Cross Road again, "Listen, Bradley wasn't it? Do you have a mobile phone?"

Bradley nods, then belatedly adds, "Yes, yes I do, let me just grab my number."

After Henry's jotted the number down, he says, "Listen, we'll text you if we get to the pub first, can you do the same please? Vivian's about to text you our mobile number if you don't get it in a few minutes, can you call back on a landline and we'll try calling you."

Bradley breaths a sigh of relief, "Sure, I can do that."

As Henry hangs up, Bradley watches the phone for what seems like forever before it buzzes and a phone number shows on the dot-matrix screen. Quickly jotting down the number, Bradley fumbles through the menu to reply with thanks.

The next morning, Bradley is up as normal, and puts on his best sick voice as he calls his boss to say he can't come in today, as last nights takeaway didn't agree with him. Next, she heads to the bedroom and applies makeup, before putting on a wig and pinning it in place. A comfortable pair of jeans and a blouse, with a stuffed bra, complete the outfit. Finally, she pulls out the only pair of feminine shoes she owns, along with the credit card she keeps in the same box. After checking the window at the front of the house she's about to leave, when she spots the letter from yesterday. Quickly smoothing it out, she hunts for the folder that she's kept all of her other records in, before putting it in a backpack and slinging it over her shoulder. Checking the street once more to ensure there's nobody around, she leaves her flat and hurries to the bus stop.

═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════

Amelia perks up when Vivian gets a text message at 3pm, a full hour early, standing up she leaves her office, "Scrimgeour, grab an obliviators and head to the Perks. Mr Perks has breached the statute so I need you to blur his memories by the books. Also find out just where and when he blabbed. Moody, you're with me, grab a room at the leaky just in case, I'm going to find our contact."

Amelia makes her way to the pub fully expecting this to be a quick meetup, check of memories, and obliviate. What she doesn't expect is for a tall woman with blond hair to step out of the pub and look around eagerly. As she gets closer, it's clear that the chin is too angular, and the faintest hint of stubble is starting to show through the makeup.

"Bradley?"

The woman shuffles nervously before nodding, and saying in a deep baritone, "Sorry, I can't do the voice yet. Um, I brought my medical records, I really need this. I don't care if it's an experimental treatment."

Thrown slightly off guard by both the voice, and the attention of Vivian and Arry, "Right, well, we've booked a room in a private bar, if you'll follow me, it's just down the road."

As they get closer to the pub, Amelia takes Bradley's hand in her own, and notices the flinch that Bradley makes, along with a heightened sense of alertness. It doesn't last long, as it gives way to an expression of unreality and wonder as they cross the threshold.

Tom looks up from the bar at her, "Room 2".

Amelia smiles, "Thanks Tom, well come on."

Bradley stumbles over her feet as she tries to follow Amelia as well as look at everything around her. Amelia gives up once she does trip over when someone comes out of the floo, and levitates her the rest of the way through the bar.

Once they're in room 2, Amelia takes a seat at the table while Moody stands by the door, "Please take a seat. I'm Amelia Bones with the DMLE, and that's Senior Auror Moody. I'm sorry for the deception, however I can assure you that Mr Granger is undergoing a complete sexual change."

Bradley relaxes and takes a seat, "Oh thank god. Look I'll be honest, there's a few friends I'll miss, and my grandmother's been really supportive. But if I need to disappear to get onto this trial I'm in."

Amelia blinks, rapidly, "I'm sorry, what do you think's going on here?"

"It's like I said on the phone, it's not medically possible for a transwoman to transition completely. So I didn't really believe the guy in the pub as he's drunk. But I was desperate." She pulls out the crumpled letter, "See, they've discharged me just because I won't wear skirts and makeup to work. Like I'd even be allowed on site in heels, my boss would fire me faster than you could say pink slip. Same with wearing a wig. Not to mention that I like not having broken bones, as it's not safe to walk around as a known tranny. So we all grasp at straws, and the lucky ones are allowed to transition by the pricks at Charing Cross."

Amelia holds up her hand as Moody pulls out a distinctive vial, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I need to ask you a few questions."

Bradley looks chagrined, "Sorry, I got carried away. It's just, this is really important to me."

"It's ok. I need you to stick out your tongue and Auror Moody will place a drop of liquid on it. This is a truth serum, and it will make sure that you're not lying. It's not full proof as it just means that you can't tell any knowing falsehoods. So I'd like you to answer my questions with only yes, no, or I don't know. Do you understand?"

Bradley nods, "I do."

"Close enough, stick out your tongue."

Once Bradley has had the drop she says, "Ugh, that tastes awful."

Amelia nods, "Indeed. Now I'd like to ask a couple of control questions. I'd like you to try and answer yes to each one." Bradley nods, "Did we meet inside the Porcupine?"

Bradley looks confused when she answers "No."

Amelia just smiles, "Is the sky green?", "No.", "Have you told anyone else about this?", "No.", "Is your name Bradley?", "Nyes", "Are you a woman?", "Yes."

Amelia raises an eyebrow and glances at Moody, "Will you tell anyone else about this?", "Maybe."

"Have you knowingly lied to me since we met?"

"Yes."

Amelia sighs, "What did you lie about?"

"That I have any friends and why they discharged me."

Amelia rubs the bridge of her nose as a house elf deposits an adoption egg in the corner of the room, maybe she needs to spend more time around innocent people, "What did I do to deserve this?"

Bradley tries to stay silent, but she says, "I don't know."

With a little prompting from Vivian, Amelia continues, "Bradley, have you had any, suicidal thoughts in the last two weeks?"

Bradley wants to deny it, she really does, "Nyes."

"What stopped you from following through?"

The life leaves Bradley's eyes as she finds herself saying, "The hope that I would be starting hormones soon."

Begrudgingly, Amelia gets up and takes the face-hugger from the egg before sitting back down, "Bradley, there isn't a treatment. This is the cause of Henry's change, it's an alien and it will lay an egg inside you. The egg will then bond with you and start to change you, making you part alien, and yes fully female. Personally, I think we should remove your memory of this entire meeting and the Grangers. But that's because it's my job. Instead you have a choice. You can walk out now, and you'll never remember this ever happened. Or you can take this and put it on your face. If you do, you will become a woman, and more. Do you understand?"

Bradley nods, "I do."

"Which one do you want?"

"Both."

"You can only have one, what do you want?"

"I want to be a real woman."

Amelia sighs at the nudge from Vivian, "Bradley, would you like me to put this on you?"

Bradley gives a slight nod and whispers, "Yes."

"Close your eyes and open your mouth."