Chapter 38

Over the next week, Hermione found out exactly why the Polyjuice Potion was only for human transformations. Her fur got thicker and glossier two days after Christmas, and while her paws formed, during the initial transformation — as she bit her tongue against the screams as her skin knit together between her fingers and toes — she woke in the middle of the night on January first screaming as her teeth lengthened and sharpened, coming to delicate points on both the upper and lower canines. That night her nose also broke, flattened and stretched to become more feline.

She was amazed at how much her hearing and vision had changed in just a few hours after the potion was taken, but that was nothing to what it was now. She still walked on two legs like a human, but it was rather awkward and unbalanced, but was even more so if she tried on all fours.

She had talked to Madam Pomfrey on Boxing Day, and shared with her Oliver's idea of a Quick-Quotes Quill for dictation, but now, just three days later, her voice was so raspy, and she was so hard to understand with her new feline teeth, that even the quill now made mistakes, not understanding her speech, when she tried it out while dictating a new letter to Oliver.

In frustration, she mauled the parchment and quill to shreds, causing the matron to scold her, saying they could have returned the quill if it had been in one piece and undamaged. After the woman reprimanded her, she felt so upset she curled up on the bed and fought back tears, knowing they'd only mat her fur if she cried.

Harry and Ron continued to visit her over the next few weeks, helping her with her homework so she stayed on top of her classes. They tried to hide it, but she knew that they were surprised at her continued change and began to fear for her. She could smell it. It was easier to dictate to Harry and Ron and even Madam Pomfrey when doing her homework. She was grateful that Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall both sent out letters to her other professors that she was unable to write or to use a Quick-Quotes Quill, and that her parchments, while turned in on time, was done via dictation and should not count against her for being in other's handwriting.

Oliver wrote a letter to her the next week, and as promised, the parchment opened at her touch, allowing her to read it.

9 January 1993
Hello little kitty cat,
How are you doing? I wish you'd let me come visit you, but I understand why you won't. I met Harry and Ron heading up to the common room last night, and they told me what happened with the Quick-Quotes Quill idea. I'm really sorry that it didn't work out. I understand if you don't want to dictate letters to me, and will look forward to your return letters once you're released from the infirmary and back to yourself again.
I know that what you did was hard — you shouldn't be embarrassed about the potions' mishap. It was a very difficult potion to brew and I'm proud of you for taking it on. Two out of three successful transformations isn't bad.
On the second sheet, I've enclosed a little present for you. I don't really share it with many people, but growing up, my family and friends said I was quite the artist. I just never felt inclined to draw much, I just couldn't find the inspiration. You've inspired me though, so I drew you a little picture and charmed it to move. Maybe it will show you just how much of a cat person I am, and why you shouldn't be embarrassed around me because of your transformation.
Oliver
PS. I think from now on you will be 'kitty cat'... not to remind you of the potions' mishap in a negative way, but I just think it suits you... I hope you don't mind. -smile-

PPS. I miss seeing you at meals... our table feels awfully empty without you there.

Hermione blinked and shuffled the parchment as best she could before she got to the one behind it, and was able to move it to the front, then blinked again in surprise as she saw the animated hand of a male, that she assumed was Oliver's or at least meant to be, reaching out and petting a cat behind the ears and around its face. Watching the interaction, her heart melted. It was just so cute.

She climbed into bed, putting the picture on the table near her bed so that she could see it, and slipping the letter portion under her pillow. She watched the picture for a long time and blinked in surprise when she felt a low rumble in her chest and a strange sound fill the air around her and realised that she was actually purring! Once the surprised feeling left her, she continued to watch the picture as she imagined herself as the cat in the picture and imagined she could feel Oliver's hand scratching her head between her ears and rubbing along her face, her eyes grew heavy and her contented purr lulled her to sleep.

A few hours later, while on her rounds through the ward, the curtains separated as Madam Pomfrey quietly stepped in and allowed them to fall behind her. She blinked, and then smiled hearing the loud purr emanating from the feline girl curled up on the bed. Her eyes scanned the small area around the bed and landed on the animated picture. She moved quietly, so as not to disturb her patient, and carefully picked up the drawing, watching it for a few minutes before putting it back in its place and stepping out to continue her rounds with a smile.

Two nights later, Hermione once again awoke with searing pain as her bone structure changed once more. This time, her arms elongate and her spine becomes more curved. By mid-morning on 12 January, her pain had subsided enough that she's able to get up and move around, finding it immensely more comfortable to move about on four legs instead of two. Harry came to visit her alone that day while Ron was held up when he found that Ginny was upset by something.

He was surprised to find that though much larger, she had taken on the full form of a cat, but was happy to note, while he took dictation for the day's lessons, that she could still speak, even if her voice remained raspy and hard to understand due to her teeth. She glared at him a couple of times as he tried not to laugh when he caught her grooming herself.

12January 1993
Hello little kitty cat,
I was passing on the stairs this evening when I saw Harry meet up with Ron who had been trying to help the twins figure out why Ginny was so upset. Still don't know why she's having such a hard time, but it is her first year, so it might be homesickness.
From what I heard of their conversation in passing, it sounds like you truly look like a cat? I wish you'd let me visit you, I am sure you'd be very cute. I hope it isn't long before you're back though. I miss seeing you around.
Oliver

A week later, found Hermione stretching in relief as her back straightened out, and she was able to stand up on two legs once again, albeit as awkwardly as she had before. She noticed that her tail was slowly shrinking as were her canines, which made talking much easier. By the 25th, she was nearly back to normal, her fur was receding and her teeth were almost fully returned to normal. The cat ears were gone at last, however, because of her instinctive grooming habits, she now had a cough.

26 January 1993
Little Kitty Cat,
I passed Harry and Ron on the stairs again. Ron has been trying to help the twins figure out how to cheer Ginny up. I think they agree that she's suffering from homesickness. Percy, their older brother, is too wrapped up in his prefect duties to pay much attention.
I heard that you are almost back to normal, yay! -smile- I hope to see you soon.
Oliver

Hermione set the letter aside when she heard footsteps outside her curtained off area and looked up to see Harry peer inside.

"Can I come in?" he asked, seeing Hermione looked a little more normal today.

She nodded and he slipped inside, taking a seat.

"I brought today's homework," Harry said, pulling the books out of his bag. "But I wanted to tell you something first."

Hermione looked up at him curiously. "Wot?" she asked, still having a hard time with her speech, even though her canines were almost back to normal. She closed her eyes in irritation at the sound of her own voice.

"Last night, after I left and met up with Ron," Harry said. "We headed back up to the common room and found out Myrtle flooded the bathroom again. The entire hallway looked to be flooded."

"'at odd," Hermione said.

Harry nodded.

"When we went to talk to her, she was crying and still upset," he told her. "She said someone threw a book at her. I found this."

He pulled out a black leather bound book that had been warped from water damage. In fact, it still looked damp.

"It says it belongs to a Tom Marvolo Riddle," Harry said, showing her the inscription. "Have you heard of him?"

Hermione shook her head.

"'Ve carful, 'Arry," she said. "'Oo migh na ve avil tho fin ow wots insi unthil ick rise ou."

Harry wrinkled his brow a moment, going over what she'd tried to say as she watched him, and he nodded after a moment.

"True," he said. "I'll have to wait until it's dried out completely before I can see what's in it. I don't think drying it with magic will help. Drying it too fast might make some of the pages stick together."

Hermione nodded.

"Well, should we get started on our homework?" he asked, changing the subject.

Hermione shook her head. She was tired of trying to talk and still felt embarrassed that it was hard for others to understand her.

"My faul," she said, and motioned to herself. "All ack Purroff Mmm ater."

Harry smiled and tried not to laugh but nodded. He pulled out the notes he took on the lessons for the day.

"Don't worry, I have another copy," he said, as he put his books back in his bag, but set the notes on her bedside table, making sure not to knock off the animated picture again. He'd made that mistake once and thought that she was going to scratch his eyes out when it fell on the floor and fluttered underneath the bed. He'd hastily held her off by diving down to get it. She hadn't told him where it had come from, but the only person he could think of would have been Oliver Wood, but he never asked for confirmation though he put it back where it had been. "See you tomorrow?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, as he stood up.

He looked at her as though he wanted to give her a hug, but he held back, despite the picture and what it showed, Hermione had held back and not let anyone touch her since he and Ron had helped her to the infirmary to begin with. She only seemed to let Madam Pomfrey touch her while doing her examination.

"All right," Harry said after a moment. "Tomorrow then..."

Hermione nodded once more.

"Bye," Harry said, as he moved beyond the curtain.

Hermione raised her paw in farewell, before lowering it quickly.

"Vi," she murmured.

The next evening, Madam Pomfrey announced that she could be released February 1st to return to class. Hermione was pleased that the matron seemed confident in her forecast for her return to a normal state, and was looking forward to meeting back up with her friends and returning to class.