Student

Harry couldn't believe that he was doing this. He tried not to pull away from the kiss; he wanted to feel affection for her. Maybe it would cure him. But he couldn't feel it. He wanted Draco's kiss to be with him once more.

But Hermione didn't feel any of that. She only felt Harry, holding her and kissing her. She had waited for so long for this moment that she didn't dare question it. She wanted to believe what he said. She needed to believe it. She pulled Harry closer.

****

Draco stormed up the stairs towards the owlry, a letter in hand. It was addressed to his father. It was a short letter with an ingredients list attached to the back.

It read:

Father,

For an advanced potions project, I am experimenting with permanent polyjuice potion. However, I lack the necessary ingredients and text to make it. Can you please send me the ingredients listed? Thank you in advance;

Draco Malfoy

Then there were the ingredients.

Draco smiled to himself. He would be remembered as a great contributor to science and he could marry Harry! Yes. It was the perfect plan......

****

Ron walked down the stairs. He knew that Harry was still there. He had been lying in his bed, waiting for his footsteps. But they hadn't come. They just hadn't come.

As he lay there, he thought that maybe he could explain to Harry. Maybe he could try to win his love. He stopped. There, in the center of the room were the two of them. Harry....and HERMIONE???? This was more than Ron could bear. He ran back up the stairs. He caught a fleeting glimpse of the two of them looking suddenly up, following his progress. As luck would have it, he tripped and landed on his face. On the stairs. In plain sight of the two of them. He saw, out of the corner of his eye, Harry shrug and turn back to Hermione. Then they started making out....again. Ron lay there. He just couldn't get up.

****

Draco stood there, watching the owl fly off towards the horizon. Again he lapsed into thought. About him. About Harry. All that could help him now was potions. He snorted. Who knew that school was useful for something?

He went over the plan in his mind. He would come to Harry and offer it to him disguised as the cup of unity. Then, as he kissed Harry, he would feel the transformation take place. He grinned. It was perfect.

The only thing left to do was to actually make the potion.

****

Hermione and Harry sat in two armchairs, Harry looking at the fire, Hermione piercing Harry with her gaze. She watched him. Every moment was precious to her. Her relief was so immense. She had imagined that this would happen. She had dreamed about it all of the time. Then, when the incident with Draco happened, she had thought that all of her hope was lost. But now, here she was. Sitting next to Harry. However, she had decided that some things had to be cleared up before this went any further. She took a big breath. "Harry?" He looked up, startled from his revery. "Umm," she stopped. "I'm not sure how to ask this but......well, do you ever feel like a girl inside?"

Harry regarded her intently, his head tilted. "No," he answered. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank God!" she whispered. She looked at Harry. "But there is one other thing. You have dangerously high cholesterol."

Harry looked startled. "But....I've never been tested !"

"I know. I can sense it." Hermione leaned in and took Harry's hands. She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow in deep concentration. "You....you will die at of a heart attack at 30. Oh! And you have a scarring disease!"

Harry jerked away. "Excuse me?" he asked, incredulous. "I do not have a scarring disease! Nor do I have high cholesterol. God, Hermione! You don't have a medical degree."

Hermione regarded him intently. "I know. I'm channeling this woman who her daughter calls Doctor Laura. I can channel her. I know what is wrong with people." She sighed heavily, leaning back in her chair. "Doctor Laura says that I'm also going to die at 30....only of a stroke. She also said that if I look at screens too much I won't be able to have children." She looked at Harry steadily. "Do you understand? I'm a doomed woman."

Harry leaned farther away from her. "Er....right. You know, Hermione....this is kind of weird. Who on earth is Doctor Laura??"

"Some woman. I don't know. But Doctor Laura isn't her real name. I know that much."

Oh! Well that's helpful! Harry thought.

Hermione was still staring at him. "So..." she prompted. "Do you believe me?"

Harry just stared. "Sure....I don't know Hermione. I mean, it seems kind of sketchy but....I guess that I believe you." Hermione looked positively glowing. God, he thought. What have I gotten myself into this time?