In the early hours of the morning, Harry quietly slipped out of the bathroom, carefully avoiding the creaky stairs as he made his way down to the living room. After last night's awkwardness, using the loo in Ginny's body had almost felt normal. Almost.
To ease his discomfort, he'd spent half an hour standing in front of the mirror in Ginny's room before she'd called out the shower was free. He'd stared at her face, even started counting her freckles, but made a point to avoid looking below her neck. That part would have to wait until he was actually in the shower.
As he watched her reflection, Harry realized he'd never paid so much attention to her. Not in that way, at least. But he had to admit, she was beautiful. He'd even tried to imitate some of her typical expressions, but mostly failed. It was strange, being her. He enjoyed being able to look at her closely like this, something he'd never normally do. Ginny would have teased him about staring, and her family would definitely have gotten the wrong idea.
Peeking through the door into the dimly lit living room, Harry hoped she was already there.
"Ah, there you are," Ginny's quiet voice greeted him, a relief despite how unsettling it was to hear it coming from his mouth, with his voice.
"I said I'd come," Harry replied with a small smile. They had agreed to talk before the chaos of Monday's shopping trip to Diagon Alley took over their day.
He sat down beside her on the sofa and hesitated. "Can we…close our eyes again? It's weird to talk when I have to keep looking at my own face."
"Sure. It's dark anyway, so it doesn't make much difference," Ginny replied, sniggering.
Harry leaned back and took a deep breath, and asked sheepishly, "How are you holding up?"
She chuckled softly. "Well, since I survived the shower, I'd say I'm doing well."
"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Harry asked, half amused, half curious.
"Without glasses, I couldn't see much anyway," Ginny giggled. Harry could almost see her mischievous grin, even with his eyes closed.
"I know. Without glasses you have to rely more on…your hands," Harry teased.
Ginny playfully jabbed him in the ribs. "I didn't touch you. Well, I had to wash you, after all. Stop complaining."
"I hope you were thorough," Harry quipped.
"As thorough as necessary," Ginny replied, her tone light.
"And was little Harry a handful?" Harry asked, half - joking, but also dreading the answer.
"Nope, he behaved. Just a bloke in the shower, so I guess he was bored," Ginny said, amused.
"Good. It would be a disaster if it were otherwise. Imagine me in the showers at Hogwarts with the other boys," Harry joked, a grin spreading across his face.
"Stop it, Harry." Ginny lightly smacked him on the thigh. "Otherwise, I won't get that image out of my head, and I was hoping to get some more sleep." Harry heard her chuckle before she asked, "You didn't need glasses, though."
Harry felt his cheeks flush. "No. But I assure you I didn't…look. Much." He swallowed, bracing himself for Ginny's reaction. When she didn't respond immediately, he blurted, "I always thought you were pretty, but..."
"But?" Ginny asked, her voice half uncertain, half expectant.
"You're not just pretty, Ginny…you're beautiful," Harry said quietly.
"You're only saying that because I'm the first girl you've seen like that," Ginny replied, a mix of disbelief and hope in her voice.
"I don't think I'd be sitting here with any another girl, talking about this," Harry admitted. "It's funny it took this strange situation for me to realize how easy it is to talk to you."
"Harry." He felt her hand on his thigh and opened his eyes to meet her gaze. "Think carefully about what you say. I don't want to end up with a broken heart."
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Last night, before I went to shower, you know…I stood in front of the mirror for a bit, the big one on the door to your wardrobe. I looked at you - to calm myself down, I guess, and to get used to... well, what I was about to see. I even counted your freckles. They're..."
"Harry, don't..." Ginny interrupted, her voice urgent. "Please, don't say things you might regret later."
"I won't," Harry insisted, his tone more serious now.
Ginny sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Harry, can we talk about this later? When this whole mess is over? I don't want... I don't want either of us to say something we'll regret." She paused, then added softly, "Besides, I'd rather hear those words in your voice instead of mine."
"Yeah, that's understandable," Harry agreed, though there was a hint of determination in his voice. "But I won't. Regret, I mean."
A fit of yawning hit Ginny, and she mumbled. "I'd better go back to bed. See you for breakfast, Harry," she said as she stood up and stretched.
"Yeah. Breakfast." Harry nodded when he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, thanks for helping me dry your hair. I couldn't have done that on my own."
"You're welcome," Ginny chuckled as another fit of yawning hit her.
Barely able to suppress a yawn either, Harry groaned, "I wish tomorrow was already over." Following Ginny up the stairs, he had to close his eyes in battling the odd sensation of staring at his own butt.
Breakfast was a quick affair. Harry pushed the porridge around his bowl Mrs Weasley had put in front of him, thinking he was Ginny. He took a careful sip of tea, matching the way Ginny would drink it, trying not to show any distaste. Ginny, meanwhile, poked at the soft-boiled egg her mother had placed in front of her, looking like the runny yolk made her stomach turn. Harry knew she preferred hard-boiled eggs, but today wasn't the day to be picky.
Thankfully, Ron was too absorbed in his own breakfast to notice anything amiss. He was already planning out his morning, muttering about wanting to shower and do Merlin-knows-what before they left for Diagon Alley.
As they all got up from the table, Harry exchanged a relieved glance with Ginny. They had survived breakfast without raising any suspicion.
At nine o'clock sharp, they took their backpacks and stepped into the fireplace to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron. As they stepped out of the pub, Hermione was already waving at them from across the road, her face lighting up as she rushed over. She greeted everyone with an excited hug as if they hadn't seen each other for weeks, though Harry stiffened slightly when she hugged him, caught off guard by the unfamiliar sensation of Ginny's body. Hermione, oblivious, moved on to Ron, who enjoyed the hug with a wide grin.
Mrs Weasley immediately ushered them down the street towards Flourish & Blotts. "Stay together, children," she called, casting worried glances around her until she spotted Remus and Tonks trailing a few paces behind.
"Do you all have your book lists ready?" Mrs Weasley asked, her gaze wandering over the group to ensure everyone was prepared. "Ginny, this is Harry's book list. What's wrong with you? You two were acting like you weren't yourselves since yesterday."
As they awkwardly exchanged book lists, Harry noticed Hermione raising an eyebrow as she eyed Ginny, thinking she was him. As her gaze snapped over to Harry, Mrs Weasley thankfully opened the door to the bookstore and called them in.
Hoping Hermione hadn't figured anything out, Harry grabbed a basket and began scanning Ginny's list. Knowing she usually bought used books, he headed to the appropriate section. A moment later, Ron appeared and handed him his book list. "Oi, Ginny. Can you give me a hand? We have to hurry, we want to check out Fred and George's new shop, don't we? And I want to be there before it gets too busy."
The mention of the twins soured Harry's mood a little, but he took Ron's list and began searching the shelves, placing Ron's books in Ginny's basket, as he was sure Mrs Weasley would pay for them together. When he had all books, Harry made his way to the cashier, relieved that nothing had gone wrong so far.
Ginny came over, her basket full of Harry's books and winked at him. Harry handed her his wallet. She looked confused for a moment before the Knut dropped. "Oh, thanks," she whispered. "I hadn't even thought about paying."
Once their books were stowed in their backpacks, they stepped back onto the street, where Remus and Tonks were waiting nearby. As they walked up the street, they could see a large crowd gathered in front of a vibrantly coloured building with a giant model of a red-haired man on the facade, probably Fred or George, in bright yellow robes, tipping his hat to passers-by.
"I was hoping it wouldn't be so crowded," grumbled Ron, turning to his mother. "We definitely want to go in there."
"Yeah," Ginny agreed, then leaned close to him and hissed, "And the 50% discount won't be enough. They'd better give us everything for free."
"Better let me handle that," Harry said with a grin. "You look like their best business partner and would get everything for free anyway." But then, he noticed Ginny's eyes widen in alarm. Following her gaze, he groaned.
Dean was walking toward them, Seamus in tow. "Ginny! I'm glad you could make it after all," Dean called, a broad smile on his face.
Harry froze as Dean reached for his hand and casually slung an arm around his shoulder. Grimacing in discomfort, he shot Ginny a panicked look.
"It seems she's not so happy to see you," Ginny spoke up, coming to his rescue.
"Yeah, better not touch my sister," Ron growled, while Mr Weasley shot Harry an indignant look, "Ginny, what's wrong?"
Dean recoiled, clearly shocked. "I thought we were going out together, Ginny?"
Harry glanced at Ginny again, torn between not wanting to ruin things for her and not wanting to endure Dean's arm draped over him.
"Apparently there's been a change in plans," Ginny interjected again, her voice firm.
"Potter, stay out of it," Dean snapped at Ginny, clearly irritated.
"I'm afraid I can't go out with you, Dean," Harry said as calmly as he could, trying to free himself from his embrace. "I'm sorry."
Dean blinked, clearly hurt. "But... we had plans for butterbeer later - are you sure?" He tightened his arm around Harry's shoulder, giving what he probably thought was a reassuring squeeze.
Harry stiffened, Dean's proximity making him feel more uncomfortable than being in Ginny's body ever had. His mind raced for a way out. "Yeah, I'm... sure," he muttered, glancing helplessly at Ginny.
"Dean, mate," Ginny said in Harry's voice, crossing her arms, "you're being a bit clingy, don't you think? She's had enough."
"Clingy? I'm just being affectionate!" Dean protested, looking genuinely offended. "What's gotten into you, Ginny? You used to like that."
"Used to," Harry muttered under his breath, still awkwardly pinned under Dean's arm. "But now... I don't. So... can you let go?"
Dean's smile faltered. "Er, right. I suppose..." He finally let go, looking more confused than ever. "Well, this was... weird."
"Tell me about it," Harry said, rubbing his shoulder as if Dean's arm had left a bruise. "I mean, it's not you, it's... me."
Dean frowned. "What?"
"What Ginny means," Ginny cut in, rolling her eyes, "is that it's over. Thanks for understanding."
Dean stood there for a moment, blinking at Harry, then Ginny, and finally Seamus, who just shrugged. "Alright," he mumbled. "I guess that's it, then."
"That's it," Ginny confirmed with an awkward pat on his arm.
Dean opened his mouth, then closed it again, clearly unsure of what to say. After a moment, he turned and walked away, casting a wounded glance over his shoulder before disappearing into the crowd with Seamus.
"I told you, Ginny. You deserve better," Ron said with a smug look.
Harry let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as Ginny came up beside him and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Harry gave her a blank look. "I should apologize. After all, I ruined..."
"Don't," Ginny cut him off, her voice soft but with a hint of a smile. "Maybe it's better this way."
Harry's gaze shifted awkwardly ahead, but then he noticed Hermione watching their exchange intently from beside Ron, suspicion written all over her face. "Hermione's going to figure us out soon," he whispered, shooting Ginny a sideways glance. "By the look on her face, she's either suspicious or planning an essay on body-switching etiquette."
Just then, George approached them, waving them over and leading them around the corner, "Come on. I spotted you through the shop window. You can come in through the back door."
He opened the door, gesturing for Mrs Weasley, Ron and Hermione to head inside, then held Harry back by the arm, his expression uneasy. "Harry, Ginny, I need a word with you both."
Harry exchanged a quick glance with Ginny and nodded. "What a coincidence, my dear brother. We needed to talk to you too."
George watched the others disappear inside before turning his attention to Harry and Ginny, eying them closely. "Are you both…alright?" he asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.
"What do you think?" Ginny retorted sharply."
"Oh, Merlin. I had a feeling," George groaned.
"George, damn it. What were you thinking?" Ginny demanded to know.
"I'm Fred," George corrected.
"We don't have time for that, George," Ginny snapped, though she stopped suddenly, as if realizing something.
Harry was starting to piece things together as well.
"Wait. Did you test the potion on yourselves too?" Ginny asked, narrowing her eyes at her brother.
George, or Fred, whoever was standing in front of them, raised an eyebrow, looking sheepish. "How long did it last?"
"How long did it last? That's the least of your problems, George," Ginny hissed. "Do you have the antidote?"
George grimaced. "Well. That answers the question..." He glanced at Harry. "You're still Ginny, and you…" He turned to Ginny. "You're still Harry, right."
"Damn right. Now, what are you going to do about it?" Ginny demanded.
George sighed. "And here I was wondering that Harry suddenly had such a temper." Shrugging helplessly, he added, "Look, we're working on it, Sis. Just give us some time."
"Time? I don't think so," Ginny snapped. "You might not care who of you two is using what when you pee, but I sure as hell do."
George flinched, his shoulders slumped slightly. "We might have used a bit too much Amortentia Infusion mixed with powdered Mirror Shards. The antidote takes time to brew, but we're on it," he assured meekly.
"Amortentia?" Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"What's it for?" asked Harry, frowning.
"That's...let's talk about it later," Ginny replied, evading the question. "Right now, let's just go inside. I'm curious to see what my dear brothers have on display."
George seemed relieved that Ginny had temporarily dropped the subject.
"And don't think it's over, George," she added with a pointed look. "Forget about the 50% discount. I'm taking whatever I want, for free."
"But, sis. You can't..." George started to protest.
"Yes. I can," Ginny cut him off firmly. "Are you coming, Harry?"
To maintain appearances, Harry had, much to his own amusement, taken on the task of demanding all of Ginny's requests from George - or was it Fred? Ultimately, he ended up lugging them home for her. He'd just hoisted a bulging backpack onto his shoulders and was cradling Ginny's new pet, a small purple Pygmy Puff named Arnold, when Ron approached him.
"Oi, Ginny. How did you manage to pay for all that? I asked Fred and George a bunch of times, but they flat-out refused to give me a family discount."
As much as Harry wanted to help his friend, telling him the truth was not an option, so he only shrugged and said, "It's a business secret, bro."
"Come on, Ginny," Ron said, his tone almost pleading. "I'm your brother. Who else could you tell but me?"
"No way, Ron," Harry replied with a grin, inwardly hoping Ron would never ever find out how Ginny had actually gotten her free shopping spree.
Once back at home, Harry headed straight for the stairs to put Ginny's things away in her room.
"Harry, do you mind meeting me in the backyard?" Ginny asked quietly. "I want to play with Arnold for a bit."
"Sure," Harry replied, relieved to get out of the house quickly before Hermione had a chance to interrogate him. "I'll be there in five."
He had just placed Ginny's backpack next to her bed when Hermione walked in, her own bag slung over her shoulder.
"Ginny, be careful with whatever Fred and George sold you," Hermione said cautiously.
"Oh, I will. Believe me," Harry said lightly. "I trust those two only as far as I can throw them."
"How was your Hogwarts letter?" Hermione asked eagerly, swiftly changing to her favourite topic. "How many 'Outstandings' did you get? You must've aced Runes, right?"
"Uh, yes. I think so," Harry replied, trying to sound confident while avoiding specifics. They had only discussed the Quidditch captaincy, not your exam results.
Hermione frowned. "You think so? Ginny, that's not like you."
Harry felt cornered. "Can we talk about Hogwarts later, Hermione? I was about to meet Gin... I mean, Harry. He wanted to... um, play with Arnold." Harry closed his eyes, wincing inwardly at his clumsy attempt to deflect.
"That's another thing, Ginny." Hermione said, narrowing her eyes. "What's going on with you and Harry? You two have been acting weird, whispering all the time, and that scene with Dean in Diagon Alley... I thought you were dating other boys to get over him."
"I..." Harry started, then froze. So Ginny had only agreed to date Dean because... "Merlin, I'm such an idiot!" he blurted out.
"Did Harry say something, Ginny?" Hermione pressed, beginning to unbutton her shirt.
Harry's eyes widened in horror. "Hermione! What are you doing?" he yelped as she also began to take off her trousers.
"I'm just changing into something lighter. It's supposed to get hot this afternoon," Hermione replied casually, suddenly giving him a strange look. "Why are you looking so freaked out, Ginny? It's not like we haven't seen each other naked before."
"I...uh…," Harry stammered, his gaze darting towards the door, the only escape. "I'll go find Harry," he blurted, bolting for the exit.
"So, there is something going on," Hermione called after him, a triumphant smile on her face.
"It's complicated, Hermione," Harry yelled back, slamming the door behind him and taking the stairs two at a time, desperate to escape Ginny's room.
When he arrived in the backyard, he was relieved to find Arnold still perched on his shoulder, clinging to Ginny's long hair, and Ginny was already sitting on the bench, waiting for him.
"What happened? You look like you've run into Snape," Ginny teased him with a grin.
"Worse," Harry groaned, catching his breath. "Hermione started undressing right in front of me."
Ginny burst out laughing. "Poor you. Almost saw your second naked girl!"
"It's not funny," Harry rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help but chuckle. "At least she still had her bra and knickers on."
"Too bad you didn't get to compare," Ginny said lightly, though her eyes were curious.
"Why would I need to compare?" Harry replied, raising an eyebrow. "I meant what I said before. And about Dean…I'm really sorry I ruined things for you."
Harry watched Ginny, trying to read his own facial expression, relieved when she finally laughed softly. "He'll get over it. I just hope we didn't scare the poor bloke so much that he decides to bat for the other team."
Harry groaned. "Please, Gin, not that mental image. I'll never be able to look at Dean the same way when he's lounging around with Seamus in their beds." He met Ginny's eyes. "So, you're not mad at me?"
"How could I ever be mad at you," Ginny replied, smiling.