Chapter 4: Disclose?!
Two can keep a secret when one is dead.
Hermione dragged the strangely dressed girl who called herself Sailor Moon away from the crowds gathering at the ruined cafe just in time to avoid some serious consequences. She noticed a few Aurors in the crowd passing by. Her grip firm as she pulled moon through the narrow, deserted alleyways toward the park nearby. Harry could feel the concealment spell wrapped around them like a cloak, masking them from the wandering eyes of the few people who hadn't yet evacuated the area. The park was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the cafe. She now struggled with her footwear even more than when fighting. Now that the fight was over she noticed the slight heel the boots had and how exposed the skirt made her feel. They stopped under a stone bridge, far from the prying eyes of any curious onlookers. It was secluded and dark place, the murmur of the nearby river the only sound filling the tense silence. That and the sounds of city traffic in the far.
Hermione finally released her grip, her chest heaving with effort to calm down. As she turned to face the strangely dressed girl that saved her. The air felt thick with unspoken words, both of them panting from exertion, though for entirely different reasons. Harry leaned against the cool stone wall, still clutching her ribs, the pain from the battle lingering. She couldn't see if there was any lingering damage under her bow adorned chest. Frankly to her a one glance at her cleavage mid battle was more than enough for one day. It triggered an episode of corporeal disassociation, something awful. Her heart pounded in her awfully full chest as she tried to gather her thoughts, knowing the storm was about to hit. "You could have been more gentle, you know!" She com0lained massaging her wrist which didn't hurt all that much. It was just strangely comforting to do so for some reason.
Hermione wasted no time to fire back. "You didn't give me much choice." The features of her face twisted by frustration. "Alright. Start talking." Her voice was low and sharp, her eyes filled with determination and no small amount of confusion. "Who are you and what just happened back there? Where is Harry?!"
Harry flinched at the intensity in Hermione's voice and the mention of her name. She was exhausted—her body still ached from youma's attack, and her head swirled with a million unanswered questions of her own—but she knew there was no escaping this conversation. She never got to see this side of her friend and in all honesty. It scared her. Especially the presence of the ginger girls wand which was pointed in her general direction in an implied 'or else' possibilities.
"I…" Harry faltered, her mind scrambling for an explanation that would make sense. She was used to keeping secrets, had done so for years, but this? She couldn't hide this from Hermione. Not after everything she'd just seen. "It's not what you think."
"What do you know about what I might think?" Hermione looked towards the girl unimpressed. "I am waiting…"
"Look, It's not easy Mione, ok? Just give me a few. This crap always happens to me and I don't want any part of it. It's unfair. First I learn that magic is real when some kind of giant proclaims I am a wizard. Then I get enrolled in a magical school where I almost get killed year after year…" The girl in the short skirt started to rant in disjointed fashion, reminding an episode of a severe mental breakdown.
Hermione gasped and put a hand over her mouth watching the girl with increasingly suspicious look… untill she connected the dots. "You… by Merlin's beard…. Harry?" She almost dropped her wand as the shock of the realization rocked her, taking a step back from the blond.
The depressed battered blond girl nodded silently, stopping her rant. "I…. It's… how did you figure it out!"
Hermione looked at the girl and crossed her arms, her expression hard. "How could I not? You little! You had me worried about you while hiding yourself in this…! What is this?!" She hissed. "You've got about a minute before I drag you to the ministry to figure this out. Making a fool of me." The moment the words escaped her lips she mentally kicked herself seeing the blond girl's expression darken some more.
Hermione pocketed her wand and carefully approached the blond girl. "I am sorry Harry. That was uncalled for." She said hugging the magical girl who leaned onto her.
The sobbing blond girl clung to the redhead like she was a lifeline. It made Hermione mildly uncomfortable. The girl clearly had no concept of how to hug a girl when the said person was also a girl. Still this was her friend and she could survive being uncomfortable for a while.
The sobbing slowly stopped and the blond pulled away realising their close position pressing into each other. She almost jumped away leaning against the wall once again.
Hermione crossed her arms looking at the distraught girl. "That wasn't nice, you know. Jumping away like I am some kind of Zouwu."
The blond looked up at the girl snapping out of her daze ang chuckled. "Naaah, you don't look anything like that."
Hermione Smiled and then her face turned serious. "Look at you Harry. You're a bloody magical girl. A magical girl! You know what that means?" Hermione then eased a little seeing the blond flinch. She decided to switch the subject.
"That back there was the famous Sailor V?" Hermione asked genuinely curious.
"I guess so, she introduced herself as such." Harry said puzzled.
"Merlin's beard, how long has this been going on? Are you two friends? You are wearing a similar uniform." Hermione's curiosity got the better of her.
Harry groaned and slumped against the wall ending up sitting at a cold cobblestoned ground of the under bridge, rubbing her temples. "It's complicated. ok! I have no clue. One moment I reach for my wand and the next I am wearing this. It never happened to me before." She yanked at her, some could say too short a blue skirt.
"No kidding," Hermione replied disappointed. "Start with how you ended up in a skirt fighting a monster using some kind of ancient wandless magic. That'd be a good place for now."
"Skirt? That is what you are worried about? Not the fact that I am a girl now somehow?" Harry hissed. "I already told you Mione." Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I didn't plan any of this. I didn't ask for it. One moment I was just… me, and then the next, I'm turning into this… this!" The girl gestured to her body. "Actually to be honest it all started back at the graveyard when Voldemort…" Harry came to realize the exact moment this all started.
Hermione's breath hitched at the mention of Voldemort. Her frustration simmered down, replaced with a dawning realization that something far stranger was at play. She narrowed her eyes but her voice softened, though still demanding. "Start again. Slowly this time. What do you mean it started back at the graveyard?"
Harry sighed, resting her head against the cold stone behind her. Her body was still tense from the battle, but Hermione wasn't going to let this go so easily. She massaged her aching legs and tried to explain. "The night at the graveyard… when Voldemort came back, something happened. I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but it was more than that. Ever since then, I've had these… dreams."
Hermione crouched down beside Harry, her curiosity overtaking her anger. "Dreams? What kind of dreams?"
Harry frowned, staring into the distance eyes unfocused as if trying to recall every detail. "They're not normal dreams, Mione. They're vivid, too real to be just some dreams. They are more like memories. I see a city, a palace, on the Moon. I can see Earth from where I stand. There is a shining kingdom that my mother is a queen of. People call me Serena…. It's like I'm someone else. A princess, I think. There are others—warriors like Sailor V—and something happens. The palace gets attacked, everything crumbles. Every dream ends the same way. With everything turning into dust." The blond girl said. Her voice small and face lowered so her bangs obscure her face. Hermione can just make out a reflection of tear rolling down the blonds face.
Hermione's eyes widened as Harry sat there recounting the things happening to her in the supposed dream, her voice so full of emotion. "It's like I'm reliving something that hasn't happened to me, but at the same time, it feels… it feels like it actually did happen to me. Like it was always me. Like it's always been a part of me, and I just… didn't remember until now."
Hermione stood abruptly, pacing a few steps away. "This is impossible. Harry, reincarnation? A palace on the Moon? None of this fits with what we know about magic about the Moon even. But—" she stopped, biting her lip, "After what I just saw, I can't exactly dismiss it either."
Harry let out a tired chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "Yeah, join the club. I've been trying to figure it out since it started. That is why I was in the library. It didn't make sense then, and it still doesn't now. All I know is that the magic I used back there… It's connected to that dream. To this whole Moon.. thing. Somehow. I could feel it when the spell fired." Harry put a hand over her hearth placing it at her chest bow. I could feel it here. Not like when I cast spells using my wand. It felt deeply personal. It felt like an extension of me.
Hermione turned to face her again, crossing her arms. "Why didn't you tell me? Or anyone? Harry, you could've come to me."
Harry looked down, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I didn't want to drag you into it. I thought it was just… something else I had to deal with on my own. And besides, who would believe me? 'Oh hey, Hermione, I'm some kind of a Moon princess. Teehee. There was some kind of aristocracy ruling the moon nation and I was part of it.' It sounds insane." Harry threw her hands to the air. "You know how the ministry looks at wandless magic."
"That…." Hermione paused. "That is actually true." She put a hand to her chin thoughtfully. "The wandless magic is actually the least of your problems."
Now it was time for Harry to look puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You are literally a magical creature Harry." Hermione explained.
"What?!" Harry yelped.
"Like centaurs and fairies, house elves even. Magical girls are considered magical creatures. Not people." Hermione shook her head. "It is horrible, but in the eyes of the law you would lose your rights as a wizard if this came to light."
Harry gulped looking at the ginger girl.
"There are people that would love for this to happen. We need to keep this secret. Can you imagine if…"
"Malfoy!" Harry exclaimed, interrupting Hermione.
"Exactly." Hermione confirmed. "They could strip you of your land, titles and money." Hermione looked sickened. "All perfectly legal."
"That is bullshit. I ain't some kind of animal." Harry objected sickened.
"When has that ever stopped someone from oppressing someone else that is different? Look at the House elves. Master Harry wants a sock?" Hermione quipped.
"Good point." Harry sulked.
There was a moment of silence between the two, broken only by the distant city noises and the murmur of the river nearby. Harry could feel the weight of Hermione's gaze, her unwavering loyalty despite everything. She felt a pang of guilt for keeping her best friend in the dark for so long. There were better ways this could have been breached to her friend. Still, there were worse ways too.
Harry slowly pushed herself up, her legs still wobbly, and wandered toward the edge of the riverbank. Her skirt and the bow at the small of her back flowing behind her. She stared down at her reflection in the water—blonde hair, tiara, the strange sailor uniform that felt both foreign and yet kind of familiar. This wasn't her. It couldn't be. Yet, it was. She surely didn't feel like some kind of creature. She was human, perhaps more human than the people that came up with the laws to oppress the magically gifted.
As Harry stood by the riverbank, staring at her reflection in the water. The weight of the tiara still resting on her forehead felt somehow heavier now. "I don't even recognize myself anymore." She tugged at her hair and slid a hand along her face to put a tactile realism to the image reflecting in the water. "Everything's changed so fast. I look at the reflection, and I don't recognize the person I see but… in a way I kinda feel like I do.. I see this blond girl… Serena. And I don't know who she is, or what she's supposed to do. What am I supposed to do? Up until that cafe, I thought none of this was real. That girl… Sailor V. If only I could talk to her."
Hermione stood beside her, gazing at the reflection in the water as well. "You are Harry Potter. My friend." She sighed. "Maybe it is true and you are the reincarnation of some long dead Moon princess." She said quietly. "You're still Harry though." Hermione smiled. "Perhapts, this is a good thing."
Harry looked at her friend with puzzled expression. The expressive blue eyes confused and fragile. "What do you mean?"
Hermione put a hand on the blond's shoulder and pointed at the river surface. "Perhaps she saved you. As you said, you were about to die at the graveyard."
Harry nodded as she looked at the reflection. "I don't even know how to change back." Harry whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't stay like this, you know. I need to—"
The ginger girl smiled at the blond. "You look real cute you know.."
Harry blushed and the reflection of the cure girl blushed back.
"From what I read, the magical girls always sort of drop their transformation. Like dismissing an active spell, but on a subconscious level." Hermione offered her knowledge of the obscure and magical.
Harry closed her eyes thinking of safety, and dismissing the power she could feel was wrapping around her like a shield. Slowly, she imagined herself as just Harry—no skirt, no tiara, no Sailor Moon. Just Harry Potter.
The air around her seemed to shift, and she felt a strange warmth wash over her. As light enveloped her. The magical energy began to recede, the weight of the tiara on her head disappeared, and she could feel the uniform dissolving. Slowly, cautiously, she opened her eyes.
She was back in her regular clothes. But something was still wrong. She stared down at her body—her hands were smaller, more delicate than before. Her frame was slim, and the clothes hung loosely off her, making her feel even more out of place. Her hair was still blonde, falling down in waves around her face. She was still a girl.
Harry's breath caught in her throat. "No… no, no, no…" She pulled at the oversized shirt and baggy jeans, her panic growing. "I'm still…"
Hermione's eyes widened as she took in the sight of her friend. "You changed back, but not… all the way." she murmured, her voice soft yet breathless by surprise. "You're still… a girl."
Harry's heart pounded in her chest, the reality sinking in. She wasn't Sailor Moon anymore, but she wasn't Harry Potter either—not in the way she had always been. She had no idea how to fix this, and the fear of what it meant was starting to overwhelm her. She closed her eyes again willing herself to transform back to her former self, but to no avail.
"I can't… I can't stay like this, Hermione," Harry whispered, her voice shaking. "I don't know how to fix it." Her hands trembled.
Hermione looked at her with a mix of sympathy and determination. "We'll figure it out, Harry. I promise. But for now, we need to get you somewhere safe. You can't go back to the Dursleys like this. They'll—"
"They'll freak out," Harry finished, dread settling in her stomach. "I can't go back there for sure.
Hermione nodded firmly. "Then you're coming with me. My parents are home, but I can pull sleepover once in a blue Moon." Hermione looked embarrassed and horrified at her choice of words. "No Pun intended Harry."
The sincerity in Hermione's voice made something inside Harry ease, just a little. She didn't have all the answers, but at least Hermione was by her side and the wording used made her laugh. "Thanks, Mione," she muttered, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Her body still ached but the laughter eased her nerves quite considerably. As they prepared to leave they noticed a smoldering wand laying at Harry's feet.
"Is that?" Hermione asked, pointing at the wand.
"My wand!" Harry yelped and picked up the wand. It felt hot to the touch. The wood charred and blackened as if he pulled it out of the fireplace. He washed it in the river to stop the smoldering smoke emanating from it.
"That is weird. What happened to it?" Hermione examined the wand.
Harry looked it over and shrugged. "Beats me. Perhaps… It might have absorbed some of that magic I used." She stashed her wand into a pocket of her oversized clothes. "better not use it for a while."
Hermione gave her a small, reassuring smile and pulled out her wand, casting a fresh Notice-Me-Not charm over them both. "Come on. It's getting late, and we need to get out of here before anyone else notices. You are not exactly decent in those clothes."
They made their way through the quiet streets, sticking to the shadows, avoiding the few people who still lingered outside. Harry's oversized clothes made it hard to walk without tripping, and the unfamiliar sensation of long hair brushing against her face and back of her neck added to her discomfort. The less said about other things, the better. She felt so out of place in her own skin she could cry. It was like she didn't belong anywhere. Out of place and out of time. The only connection to the world, her body and identity, made mute in one brief encounter. Not even Voldemort managed to take so much away from her in so short a time as what happened today almost... Heck her own parents wouldn't recognise her. When they finally reached Hermione's house, Harry let out a sigh of relief mixed with worry and anticipation.
Don't worry it will be ok. Hermione said as she led her inside, locking the door behind them and dropping the charms.
As soon as they stepped inside Hermione's house, the soft warmth of the place wrapped around Harry like a comforting blanket. The atmosphere of lived in home was something to cherish to the young Potter. It helped ease the tension still buzzing in her head. Hermione led Harry to the living room, the soft thud of their shoes against the wooden floor echoing in the entrance hall.
"Make yourself comfortable." Hermione said softly, motioning to the couch in what appeared to be the living room.
Harry eyed her with disdain and Hermione mouthed "Sorry." realising what she just said. She sure as hell wouldn't be comfortable had she been turned into a guy just a few hours ago… or ever…
Harry hesitated, feeling out of place in her baggy, smoke-scented clothes, but her legs were trembling from exhaustion and therefore she ventured to the living room to sit down.
She sank into the soft cushions, feeling the unfamiliar tug of her long blonde hair that she managed to pinch between the sofa and her back. The two knot based tails were crazy. Everything felt wrong—her body, her clothes, her memory of that reflection. It was all so surreal and yet. It grounded the experiences in her dreams to reality in a really disturbing way.
Before Harry reflect further, the sound of coming footsteps broke the blonds descent to the introspection. Mrs. Granger entered the room, followed by Hermione.
"I see what you mean." Mrs. Granger's nodded as her eyes immediately flicked to Harry. "You must be Usagi. Hermione told me that you two were involved in some kind of accident.
Hermione looked at Harry from behind her mom and gestured for the young potter to play along. The wizard turned witch nodded dumbly at the older woman and tried to smile. "Y..Yes." She stammered.
"Ohh you poor thing. You must be so uncomfortable and cold in those nasty clothes. Hermione can lend you something. I will have dinner ready soon. Why don't you two get cleaned up in the meantime." Ms Granger glanced once more at Harry. "Should I call your parents that you are staying over?"
"Noo it's no…" Hermione tried to say, but Harry coughed to get attention.
"I will call them after wash up for a bit. I wouldn't want to get your house dirty any more than I already did." Harry tried to divert the attention to a seemingly safe topic that would hopefully get Ms Granger's mind diverted to the mess she dragged in and perhaps a bit angry at her..
"Dont worry dear. You should see the mess Hermione used to make when she was younger. She was such a tomboy." The woman put a hand in front of her mouth shocked. While Hermione looked like she bit into lemon. "Sorry to keep you. You have to be anxious to get out of those clothes." Ms Granger looked at Hermione who slowly headed for the stairs. "Get Usagi some clothes and show her around the bathroom."
Hermione stopped and turned back smiling. "Already on it mom."
"You know what? You should both have a shower before dinner." Ms Granger ordered as she headed back to the kitchen. Hermione's smile froze at the thought of sharing the bathroom with Harry. Instantly her cheeks acquired a slightly rosy hue. Meantime Harry looked back stunned and seemed to acquire the same blushing condition as Hermione just a moment ago.
"Anyway, be careful not to trip on the stairs." Said Hermione as she turned towards the steps, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "The bathroom is the second door on the right. I'll get you some clothes in the meantime."
This left one blond neo girl looking up the stares as she gulped and headed to her doom.
Several moments later a redhead barged into the bathroom and found the blond girl staring at her reflection in the mirror. The stunned blond had a hand gingerly touching her face as she stared into the distance.
Hermione sighed as she noticed that the girl didn't even get to taking off her clothes.
"Snap out of it Harry!" The redhead shook the stunned girl.
"Why me?" She asked Hermione.
The redhead sighed and threw up her hands."Beats me. What is done is done, we have to clean you up and dress." She stated matter of factly which brought horror to the blonds blue eyes when she spotted the pile of clothes.
"Just try to act normal. ok?" Hermione said as she led the blond dressed in pastel pink blouse and dark blue pleated skirt down the stairs.
"This is not NORMAL!" Harry hissed following down the steps tugging at the offending garments.
"Just remember the cover story and all will be fine. Smile and stuff your face." My parents are not too inquisitive." Hermione sighed
"You didn't have to make me wear it all." Harry complained.
Hermione turned around and stopped the blond following her. "Now it's you who will have to trust me, little miss blond!"
Harry's face soured as she tried to argue, but was swiftly stopped.
"I know it sucks, but this is the least sucky version of events that was possible, so suck it up and be a man about it." Hermione stopped her tirade and looked Harry over. "I am sorry.."
"It's ok. You are right." Harry stopped the apology. "Let's get this over with, then perhaps we can try and figure out what to do next."
Hermione nodded and the two walked into the dining room that was about to become the stage of their magnum opus of a theater.
The dining room at the Granger household was warm and inviting, the table set with simple yet elegant plates and the food smelled heavenly. Mrs. Granger hummed softly as she placed a steaming casserole dish in the center, while Mr. Granger adjusted his chair, offering a welcoming smile to their guest.
Harry, now reluctantly playing the role of "Usagi." sat stiffly at the table, her oversized clothes replaced by the pastel blouse and pleated skirt Hermione had insisted on. The fabric of the blouse clung uncomfortably, and every movement felt weird. She adjusted the hem of her skirt for the third time, trying to ignore the faint blush that crept up her face as Mr. Granger looked her way.
"So, Usagi," Mrs. Granger began with a kind smile, pouring water into Harry's glass, "Hermione mentioned you two were caught up in some excitement earlier today. Are you alright, dear?"
Harry nodded, her mind scrambling for the "normal" behavior Hermione had coached her on. "Y-yes, thank you, Mrs. Granger. Just a bit shaken up, but I'm fine now." Her voice, still unfamiliar to her ears, sounded lighter and more melodic than she was used to.
"Good to hear," Mr. Granger said, his voice warm but slightly teasing. "Though I must say, you seem a bit more put together than our Hermione here after an exciting day. She usually comes home with her hair in twice as many tangles."
"Dad!" Hermione protested, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Harry managed a small laugh, though it sounded forced. "I think I was just lucky to have Hermione with me," she said, shooting Hermione a quick, grateful glance.
The conversation moved on to lighter topics as the Grangers discussed their day. Harry picked at her food, the flavors rich, but her appetite dampened by the weight of the days events and her situation. Hermione, sitting beside her, occasionally nudged her under the table, urging her to eat and participate.
"So, Usagi," Mr. Granger said, turning his attention back to her, "Hermione mentioned you're staying with us for the night. Did you let your parents know?"
Harry froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Yeah, before we went down I called them." She tried to look composed.
Mrs. Grange smiled. "Glad to hear that. Hermione always forgets to let us know, and I think I noticed a few gray hairs when I look in the mirror cause of it"
Harry smiled a wide genuine smile looking at Hermione. "She doesn't seem like someone to do that."
Hermione choked on her drink, quickly covering it with a cough. "Funny." The ginger girl replied her expression a example of mock sour.
As the meal continued, Harry found herself relaxing slightly. The Grangers were kind, their home filled with warmth and a sense of normalcy that felt foreign yet comforting. She caught Hermione's subtle glances, filled with both encouragement and amusement, and felt a small sense of gratitude. Despite everything, Hermione had her back.
When dessert was served—a rich chocolate pudding—Mrs. Granger leaned forward with a knowing smile. "You know, Usagi, you remind me a bit of Hermione when she was younger. Always so serious and worried, but with a spark of mischief in her eyes."
Harry blinked, unsure how to respond. Hermione shot her mother a sharp look, her cheeks flaming. "Mum!"
"It's a compliment, darling," Mrs. Granger said innocently.
Harry couldn't help but smile, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. "Thank you, Mrs. Granger," she said softly. "I'll take that as high praise."
As the meal and conversation wound down, Hermione excused them both under the pretense of needing to "prepare for bed." She guided Harry back upstairs, whispering hurried reassurances as they ascended.
"You did great, Harry," Hermione said once they were safely in her room. "My parents absolutely adore you."
Harry groaned, collapsing onto the edge of Hermione's bed. "I thought I was going to mess up the cover story a hundred times. Lucky they didn't ask me too much about my parents or my family name."
Hermione frowned. "I am sorry Harry it couldn't be easy to talk about it like that."
Harry sighed, running a hand through her long hair. "Well, I do have to get over it some day. I kind of envy you, Hermione. Your family is so nice."
"Thanks. When I was little I wished for a sister, but being an only child has its perks too." Placing a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder.
The soft glow of Hermione's bedside lamp cast a warm light in the room as the two friends settled in for the night. Hermione sat cross-legged on her bed, a thick notebook and a quill in hand, jotting down ideas, while Harry sat on a small cot Hermione had set up near the window. The moonlight streaming through the curtains made Harry's blonde hair shimmer, a reminder of how much her appearance had changed. She still refused to take a bath or even a shower. She just wasn't ready for the experience of seeing her body like that. Being pretty sure that it would fry her brain. Hermione Offered the blond girl a nightgown, but Harry declined, opting for a flannel pajama set with unicorns.
Harry fidgeted with the hem of the borrowed pajama top, trying to ignore how it felt over her chest. "So, any brilliant ideas, Mione? Because I've got nothing."
Hermione sighed, setting her notebook aside. "We need help, Harry. This isn't something we can figure out on our own. The magic at play here is way beyond the scope of anything we've studied."
Harry frowned, pulling her knees to her chest. "Who are we supposed to ask for help? Dumbledore? The Weasleys? How am I supposed to explain this to anyone without sounding like I've gone completely mental?"
Hermione leaned forward, her expression serious. "Harry, you're not alone in this. You've faced impossible situations before, and you've always come through. You don't have to face this alone, either. Dumbledore would understand; he's the most knowledgeable wizard alive. If anyone can help, it's him."
Harry shook her head. "I don't know, Hermione. Dumbledore's great and all, but what if he can't help? What if he decides this is too dangerous and locks me up somewhere for 'my own good'? And what about the Ministry? You said magical girls are considered magical creatures. What if they get wind of this?"
Hermione paused, biting her lip. "You have a point about the Ministry. But Dumbledore wouldn't let them interfere. He's always protected you, Harry, and he knows how to work around the Ministry's… limitations."
Harry looked out the window, her shoulders tense. "I can't risk it, Hermione. Not yet. We need more information first. Maybe we can figure out what's happening before involving anyone else."
Hermione hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, but we'll need help eventually. What about the Weasleys? They've always been like family to you. Molly and Arthur would never judge you, no matter what. And I'm sure Ginny would love to help. You could tell her; she's been through a lot too."
Harry's expression softened at the mention of the Weasley's. "Maybe. But not now. I don't want to drag them into this until I know more. It's bad enough you're stuck dealing with it."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You're my best friend, Harry. I'd never abandon you, no matter how strange things get. Besides, I think I'm handling this better than you are."
Harry managed a small smile. "You've got that right. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I already lost my body so might make it a full set."
Hermione reached over and squeezed Harry's hand. "We'll figure this out. First, we need to gather more information. Tomorrow, we can start researching everything we can about magical girls, Moon Kingdom, and this transformation. And if we run into a dead end, we'll talk to Dumbledore or the Weasleys."
Harry nodded slowly. "Okay. Research first, then decide. Thanks, Hermione."
Hermione smiled. "That's what friends are for. Now, get some rest. You've had a rough day."
As the two settled into bed, the room fell quiet except for the occasional rustle of sheets. Harry stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with questions and fears. Despite everything, Hermione's presence gave her a small measure of comfort. For the first time since her transformation, she felt like she wasn't completely alone in this mess.