Goodnight Sweet Girl

Two: The Newest Gryffindor

Severus left the headmaster's office angrier than he had been in a long time. How dare that old man interfere in the lives of the young? He had to admit he was grateful for one thing. At least Malfoy was no longer destined to become a Deatheater. Still that old meddler had gone too far this time. He'd altered the poor boy's entire existence. How could someone who'd spent the last eighteen years of their life as a boy and a young man suddenly come to terms with waking up as a woman? And this was something that could not be undone. This was permanent.

Severus reached his destination sooner than he'd expected. And now he was nervous. How could he face that boy locked within a girl's body? How could he explain to the proud Draco Malfoy that there was no undoing this injustice? Draco Malfoy would have to endure the rest of his life as a woman. Snape took a deep breath, steeled himself, and then opened the door of the infirmary. He saw an exasperated Poppy Pomfrey in her office, and looked at the cot where he'd placed Draco earlier. The girl, that was Draco Malfoy, was missing.

"POPPY!" Severus' voice exploded throughout the infirmary.

The mediwitch jumped out of her reverie and left her office to see what was going on now. She frowned at Severus' display and then reminded him that he was in the hospital wing, but he was hardly listening to her as he questioned the whereabouts of his charge. Poppy pointed to the door next to her office that was the girl's facilities.

Severus went to the door and tapped on it softly, then shook his head, and gave the door a good sound rap. When he got no answer he said, "Damn it, Draco, you either answer me or I'm coming in there to get you, no matter what your current state may be!"

"In a bloody minute, slimy git," a soft melodic voice answered, and Severus decided under the particular circumstances to let the insult slide.

Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened. "You mean that girl is Draco Malfoy?!"

Severus shook his head and realized his mistake. "Yes, and that is all you need to know. And you are not to tell anyone. Do you understand? I assume that Dumbledore would have filled you in on this at a more appropriate time, but this is as good a time as any, so you know. Only myself, you, and Albus know about this, and Albus and I intend to keep it that way."

"Was it a Polyjuice incident?" she asked dumbfounded as she realized why the girl had seemed so familiar.

"No, it is more serious and permanent than that."

"Oh, no. You mean he will... She will..."

"Oh spit it out Poppy. I've never seen you so speechless before. Yes, he will be trapped in that body for the rest of his life. There is no undoing this," Severus answered in irritation.

Just then Draco stepped out of the bathroom and glared at Severus. "You know you don't have to talk about me like I'm not here. The door isn't sound proof I heard every word. And I already know this is permanent. She said it would be. All I wanted was freedom from the responsibility of everything. Look what I got stuck with."

"There are worse things that could have happened," Severus offered and then felt like kicking himself as he realized he was being insensitive. Oh what the poor boy must be thinking.

Draco looked at him and let out a dry laugh. "Oh really? What's worse than having my own father try to kill me for something that is not my fault? If I find out who sent me this bloody stone!"

"You still have it?" Severus was surprised.

Draco tugged the pendant out from under his sweater and showed it to Severus Snape and Madam Pomfrey. "Yes, and I assume this is partly responsible for my 'new destiny'."

The boy definitely sounded bitter, especially with his words coming from the mouth of such a beautiful girl, and being shaped by the alien voice that was woven of elemental magic and sounded like pure water flowing over river stones in a rush. Severus had never heard a voice so enchanting or powerful. He shook himself and then looked closely into the eyes of Draco Malfoy. At least his eyes were still the same.

"Ready to face the headmaster? We've come up with a way to keep you in school, but you will have to be resorted," Severus said.

Draco nodded and then sighed as he pulled the trousers up around him and held them in place. "Fine, as long as I get to stay in school. I would also like to know what will happen to me upon graduation. But I have an immediate problem at the moment. I seem to have left my wand in your rooms and I would certainly appreciate some clothes that perhaps...fit."

"Oh of course dear," Poppy piped up and then smiled as she transfigured Draco's trousers into a black knee length skirt and smiled brightly.

Draco scowled at the woman. "You do realize that this is a castle, and there are breezes in castles?"

Severus bit back the laughter that was building in him. "You asked for clothing that fit. You did not specify comfort or practicality, and your legs aren't half bad. Now let's get a move on, and remember to cross your legs when you sit down. You're to be a proper young lady now."

"You're enjoying this far too much, Uncle Sev," Draco growled.

Draco shook his head and sighed. He then took his newly resized boots that Madam Pomfrey held out to him and put them on. At least she hadn't transfigured them into heels. He slipped the dainty feet into them and then began to stalk off after Severus as he began the walk to the headmaster's office.

Unfortunately luck was not on their side. Before they reached the gargoyle fate and a pair of Gryffindors caught up with them. Draco was following Severus, not really paying attention to where he was going when he walked into something with such force that he fell backwards almost instantly from impact. He landed on his rear and then glared up at what he'd walked into. His eyes widened momentarily as they met green eyes behind a pair of glasses. The boy held out his hand to help him up, but Draco waved it away and got up on his own, brushing the back of his skirt off and wincing at his smarting rear.

"I'm terribly sorry. I should have been watching where I was going," the dark haired boy with the glasses said.

"Honestly, Potter, you would think with your terrible run of luck you would have better sense to pay attention to your course as well as your destination, and Weasley quit bloody gawking!" Draco snapped, and then remembered he was a girl.

The two boys looked at him with wide eyes and curiosity. Snape stalked back to the scene, looked at Draco and then glared at the two dumbfounded Gryffindors. Snape shook his head and wondered about the injustice of the world and he grabbed Draco's arm and looked at the Gryffindors.

"Potter, Weasley, as you were, off with you before I start taking points!" Snape snapped.

The two took the hint and with a few glances back went on their way, although Snape and Draco heard Weasley say, "Who was that girl, how does she know Snape, and how did she know us? I could understand her knowing you, but how did she know me?"

Draco could almost picture the smile on Potter's face as he replied, "The red hair is a dead give away Ron."

Once the boys were out of earshot Snape leaned down to Draco and hissed in his ear, "You must be careful now in your current state. Do you want to give yourself away? Weasley might be thick, but Potter is clever, and have you forgotten Granger? She will be returning from holiday soon!"

"Let's just go see the headmaster and see what can be done about this mess, I'm tired and would like to go to my new dorm so that I can sleep for a week," Draco said with a sigh.

With that, the odd looking pair continued on their way. Draco smirked at witnessing Severus Snape feared Potions Master scowl at having to say "Bubblicious." Snape shook his head at the humiliation and then led the way up the stairs, knocked once at the door, and then walked in. Draco followed his lead and noticed the headmaster sitting in the chair behind the desk in the large round office.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, I do believe I have come up with a solution to your problem. You are to be resorted, but that will be in a few moments. First we must see to giving you a new name. Do you have any in mind?" Dumbledore asked.

Draco shook his head and was surprised when Severus Snape spoke up. "I was thinking about it while going to retrieve you, and I came up with a name. Being rather fond of mythology I think the name of the Roman Goddess of the moon, Diana would be suitable, and knowing young Malfoy's fondness for certain muggle literature, I feel that Marlowe would be a suitable surname."

"What a lovely suggestion Severus, however, Draco, it is your decision," Dumbledore said.

Draco shrugged. "It's nice. Thank you Uncle Sev. I appreciate the gesture. Now that I have a name, lets get to the housing part please. I'm really tired, and once I fall into a bed I do not wish to be disturbed for a week."

"Well, Ms. Marlowe, your arrival to Hogwarts will be announced this evening at dinner which is coincidentally in fifteen minutes. My how time has flown today. As to your housing arrangements, I hope you don't mind the dust on the sorting hat. As we were not expecting an exchange student it has not been properly prepared for use," Dumbledore said with a sigh and a twinkle in his eye.

Draco rolled his eyes and sat down as Dumbledore fetched the hat from its place on the shelf across from the headmaster's desk and then put the hat on Draco's head. After a few moments of the hat's grumbling about being rudely awaken it got to work. It stayed on Draco's head a long time and finally came to its decision.

"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted and both Draco and Severus Snape paled visibly.

"I demand a resorting! I can't be put into Gryffindor! They would eat me alive!" Draco snapped.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at an alarming rate. "I am sorry, but you have been resorted and the hat's decision cannot be questioned. I will see to your things being moved to the seventh year girls' dormitory in Gryffindor, and I'm sure that Severus will see about arranging a suitable wardrobe for you, both of casual wear and school wear. Now, that is all Ms. Marlowe, I expect to see you at dinner in a few minutes. And Severus my boy, do close your mouth, flies are out of season so late in the day."

With that Draco was dismissed. He shook his head and hardly believed what had happened to him in the course of a day. He'd gone from being a handsome Slytherin, to being a beautiful girl stuck in Gryffindor with Scarhead and a smitten Weasel. Luck was no longer in his favor. Draco fingered the stone that was under his black sweater. He sighed and decided to head for Great Hall and await dinner since he wasn't quite sure of the whereabouts of Gryffindor tower. Before he reached the door however he felt something velvet being placed on his shoulders. He looked up to see Severus Snape with a black cloak in his hands.

Draco looked up gratefully then fastened the cloak about his throat, and drew the hood over his head. He pulled the cloak closer around him and then walked down the spiral stairwell and into Great Hall where he grudgingly took a seat at the Gryffindor table. A few students were in the room. A couple of second year Ravenclaws were playing wizard chess, and there were various students of various years scattered about Great Hall. And all eyes immediately went to the cloaked figure that entered the Hall.

After a small eternity Draco was joined by the inestimable Harry Potter on his right followed by Weasley who sat across from him. Draco let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and then Dumbledore entered Great Hall, followed by Snape.

Dumbledore looked extra twinkly tonight. He looked out at the students and his gaze finally rested on the cloaked figure who was flanked by both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Snape felt the urge to go over and protect Draco, but he knew that was impossible.

Dumbledore finally cleared his throat and began to speak. "As you have noticed there is someone new among us. I would like to be the first to announce that Hogwarts has received a seventh year transfer student today, and her sorting took place in my office. I would like you all to give a warm welcome to our newest Gryffindor, Ms. Diana Marlowe. Please rise Ms. Marlowe and greet your fellow students. I am sorry that not all of our students are here to greet you, however they have taken advantage of holiday leave."

Draco groaned and then stood up, plastering a smile to his face. He withdrew the hood and looked around noticing the mouths of most of the male student body present, falling opened. Draco then unfastened the cloak and folded it up to sit it beside him and noticed how the boys with their mouths hanging open shifted in their seats. Draco couldn't help the smirk on his face as he resumed his seat.

Dumbledore went on to make a few more announcements and then the food appeared on the table. Roast beef, mince pie, mashed potatoes, maize, raspberry tarts and pumpkin juice appeared on the table, and Draco finally realized how hungry he was. He soon sat before a plate with a hearty helping of everything in sight. Ron and Harry looked at him in amazement.

"Bloody hell! You eat as much as me!" Ron said.

Draco raised an eyebrow at him. "And is there something wrong with a girl who has a healthy appetite, Weasley?"

Ron winced at the use of his last name. Draco looked at him curiously and then Harry leaned over to him. Draco's breath stilled as he felt Harry's breath on his neck.

"I'm Harry, and this is Ron. I'm not sure how you knew who we were unless Snape told you. Um, Diana is it, care to chat or just enjoy our company feel free to seek us out. We're always available and friendly," Harry said and then green eyes looked in gray. Harry looked at Draco curiously and then shook himself. "I'm sorry, but do I know you? I feel as though we've met before. There is something familiar about you, and how do you know Snape?"

"We may have met in another life." Draco couldn't help the dry laugh at his comment, and then he sobered enough to continue, "Snape, as you call him, is my godfather. I had a bit of a falling out with my father, and so I was removed from the family. He has kindly taken me in, and made arrangements for me to attend Hogwarts. Of course I would rather not discuss my family history over such a lovely meal, especially since I haven't eaten since lunch time, and that seems to have been days ago, rather than hours."

Ron nearly choked on the idea of Snape being anyone's godparent, and Harry gave him a cursory glance. Still Draco had a nice conversation with two over dinner, they talked about Quidditch, both boys were surprised to note that 'Diana' was so knowledgeable in the subject, and then to lighten up the mood Harry and Ron began to tell stories of their adventures. 'Diana' was especially curious to note that they had visited the Slytherin common room during their second year with the aid of a Polyjuice potion. That's why Goyle had glasses and he and Crabbe were acting so strangely that day, Draco thought to himself.

Finally the boys and the 'new girl' were full as were the rest of the students and the food was cleared away and the students dismissed to their common room. Draco followed Harry and Ron to the portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress. They muttered the password, "Greasy haired git," and then the portrait swung out and the three entered the portrait hole.

"I wonder who came up with that password. I do hope Uncle Sev doesn't know it, or learn of it," Draco commented as he took in the Gryffindor common room with its gold and scarlet colors.

He noticed the expressions on Harry's and Ron's faces. "What?"

"You said Uncle Sev. Were you referring to Snape?" Ron asked incredulously.

Draco nodded with a snort of laughter. "Of course. But I am the only one allowed to call him that. He finds it demeaning, however, secretly I think he finds it endearing, although the crass old bat would never admit it. He's not so bad. He's done more for me today than I could ever possibly have hoped or asked of anyone. It seems that he is the only person who does not see me as a disappointment."

"You mentioned something about your father earlier," Harry said hesitantly and then added, "We're here to listen if you ever want to talk. And we're Gryffindors. We stick together, loyalty and all that. If you tell us anything we wouldn't breathe a word."

"Thank you, but I've had a hard day. I doubt you would want to hear horror stories about my father finding me a disappointment and then attempting to remedy it with the killing curse," Draco said and then sighed.

"Bloody hell, that sounds like something a Malfoy would do," Ron said and then looked closely at Draco. "You look kind of like a Malfoy, must be the gray eyes. You seem too nice to be a Malfoy though, and you've been sorted into Gryffindor, no Malfoy alive would end up here."

Draco chuckled, "You may be surprised, Ron."

He had stumbled over the name, but the two boys didn't really seem to notice. Draco then took the opportunity to talk to the boys about himself. "So you two know a Malfoy?"

The two boys looked at him and nodded their heads. Ron was the first to speak, "Yeah. We know one, Draco Malfoy. Little sod, always insulting me over my family and background, and look at him. He's lived, breathed, and shit the dark arts all his bloody life and dares to make fun of my background."

Draco's eyes flashed in anger. "You shouldn't insult what you don't know or understand."

Harry looked up at that comment. "Do you know him?"

"Yes," Draco answered hesitantly. "And he's nothing like what you think."

Both boys looked at Draco curiously, expecting him to go on. Draco sighed and knew he'd gone and opened Pandora's box. He walked toward the fireplace and took one of the four red plush wing back chairs. The two boys followed and looked at Draco, awaiting more.

"Oh, fine." Draco sighed and then looked at the two boys. "You can't laugh at what I tell you, and you mustn't tell a soul. He wouldn't want it too widely known."

The two boys looked at each other with a grin and then turned back to the girl that was sitting in the chair across from them. They wondered what she knew about Malfoy.

"We won't tell, and we'll try not to laugh," Harry said.

Draco looked skeptically at Ron, not knowing what was compelling him to tell them anything about himself, but he went on regardless. "All right, I'll tell you what I know, but first I want you to know that I never speak ill of the dead."

"The dead?" the two boys asked simultaneously.

Draco nodded, "Yes, he...died today, although you can't tell anyone that you know. It will come out eventually."

"Oh my God, does Dumbledore know?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded. "Yes, as does Uncle Sev. You see Severus was Draco's godfather too. I managed to escape, but Draco on the other hand, he was not as fortunate as I, but that is beside the point. He is free, as he always wanted. Now, do you want to know about him? All of the things that no one was ever to know?"

The boys nodded eagerly.

"Fine, but one laugh from you Weasley and story time is over," the girl said in her enchanting voice. Ron nodded and then the girl continued. "Draco had a hard childhood. He was a sickly child up until he was nearly ten years old. His father never really cared much for his apparent weakness and didn't really take much stock in him until he was ten. That was when the boy became useful, that was when his father began to groom him for the dark lord.

"However Draco was not one to easily take and follow orders. He defied his father quite often and he paid the price every time. He was brought up to be a dutiful son after all. You see, he wanted no part in the Dark Lord's plans, and he certainly did not care to follow in his father's footsteps. That was an act. He really cared for art, and writing. Yes, writing was his passion.

"The way he could twist words together, it was amazing. He only shared that part of himself with two people. Severus and myself. He was especially fond of poetry. He sketched a lot too. For some odd reason you two were his favorite subjects. He was especially fond of drawing portraits of you Harry. I think he tried to capture the beauty of your eyes and that scar of yours is rather intriguing.

"I do have a copy of the last poem he ever wrote. It was about a dream he had. He was telling me about it. I actually have it memorized. I don't know if I should share it. It is rather personal," the girl finally said having finished her narration.

Harry looked at her and then spoke, "I would like to hear it. I would also like to know why Malfoy would draw a portrait of me, but I suppose that is one thing I won't ever know. How do you know so much?"

"Draco and I have always been close. You might say we grew up together," the girl answered.

"Diana, are you related to him?" Ron asked.

The girl, Draco, smiled and quirked an eyebrow. "One might almost say we are the same person."

Ron's eyes widened at this and then Harry cut in, "Well, about the poem."

"Oh, yes," Draco sighed and then took a deep breath as he took the plunge and began reciting:

"Moonlight in her hair, a pale streaming river

Down a back so fair, eyes of silver,

Piercing, sharp, and ever so bold,

For the dark haired one to behold.

Yet his eyes are cast aside.

How blind must he be?

Beauty is at his back, yet he continues forth.

What journey dare he undertake?

His thirst for her, refuse he to slake?

Turn back and look upon her in love.

Bring her bliss; save her from the night in her heart,

Give her Apollo's kiss..."

The two boys looked at the girl sitting in the chair before them. The fire played gently on her silvery blonde hair, making it almost appear to be a molten gold. They were almost hypnotized as her voice wove the words into existence, almost as though she were casting a spell. When she spoke the last line the two startled, as though from a dream and looked at her.

"Wow, Malfoy wrote that?" Ron asked.

At her nod Harry spoke up again, "The girl, she could have been you."

Draco took a deep breath. "She is me. Draco thought that if I ever met you that I would lose myself to you, Harry. As I said Draco and I were very close. He was afraid of losing himself...me, to you. You have so much Harry, friends and a family. He had wealth and power, but there was one thing he was most envious about Harry. You were free. You are always free. His freedom came at a price, and no one can ever know the truth about that price."

Draco's voice shook at that last part. Tears rose in his gray eyes and he covered his face with his delicate hands to hide the emotional display. What was wrong with him? He'd just revealed a part of himself to Potty and the Weasel, and now he was breaking down and crying in front of them? Showing them his weaknesses?

"What happened to him? To you? Tell us. Did you see it?" Harry asked and then put his arms around Draco, holding him against his warm body trying to comfort him. No, Draco thought. He's trying to comfort 'Diana'.

Still Draco couldn't pull himself from Potter's strong warm arms. It didn't take long for him to collect himself and then he said, "I was the cause of it, and I can't tell you anymore. I am sorry."

"Did you love him?" Ron asked.

Draco nearly choked. "Love Draco? Yes, of course I did, but it's not what you think. Draco and I are two halves of the same person. He was the outside and I am the inside, and I did, do love him, but I was never in love with him. That would be rather narcissistic if I had been in love with him."

Harry looked down curiously at the girl and Draco realized what he said. He felt heat rising to his cheeks.

"I would never fancy myself in love with myself and if I had been in love with Draco it would have been like being in love with myself. It's hard to explain, and besides..." Draco trailed as he realized what he'd been about to reveal.

"What?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

"He wasn't much for girls," Draco answered quietly and felt warmth rise in his cheeks.

Ron's mouth fell open. "You mean he fancied boys? But what about all those rumors of him and Pansy, and all the other girls."

Draco blushed again. "None of it was true. The poor sod died a virgin. Oh, I really shouldn't have said that... You see he was waiting for the right person. He was actually waiting on..." Again Draco trailed off and then quickly looked at Harry. Ron was too dense to catch the look, but Harry caught it.

Harry swallowed thickly. "You mean to tell me that Malfoy fancied me and was waiting around for me?"

"He thought it was foolish, too. He actually thought you had a thing for the mud... I'm sorry, the muggle born, Granger. I was raised in that environment you understand. Sometimes old habits, however horrible they might be, are hard to break."

"He's told you a lot," Ron said and then gave Harry a funny look.

Harry rolled his eyes and said, "Don't look at me like that. We've already had that talk. Ever since I let it slip that I liked Malfoy and thought he was handsome you've given me those looks."

The girl stiffened in Harry's arms. "You liked Draco?" she asked.

It was Harry's turn to blush and blush he did. "Yes. You see I like both boys and girls. I never thought Malfoy might have a thing for me. And besides, like a Slytherin would really go for a stubborn chivalrous Gryffindor."

"My, my, wonders never cease Potter, never thought the day would come when Potter would admit to liking the 'Slytherin Prince'," the girl said and then clapped a hand over her mouth.

Draco shook himself and gazed in horror up at the calculating eyes of Harry and the bewildered eyes of Ron.

"You sounded just like him. Are you sure there isn't something you care to tell us?" Harry asked.

The girl nodded slowly and crossed her legs, much to the appreciation of one Ron Weasley. She looked over at Ron and then shook her head, taking note of the beginnings of an obvious crush. Dealing with Weasley was not going to be easy. And Harry was proving rather clever and tricky indeed. He would have made a damn good Slytherin.

"Potter, Harry, did anyone ever tell you that you'd make one hell of a Slytherin?" the girl asked.

Harry looked surprised by the question. He snorted and then answered. "The sorting hat almost put me into Slytherin, but I told it not to."

She arched an eyebrow at that and shook her head, a smile on her face. Harry decided that he liked it when she smiled. She was certainly beautiful and there was something about her, some secret; some mystery to uncover. Harry wanted to know her, to solve her.

She yawned and then stretched, her body arching into a most appealing pose. Ron's heart almost stopped, and Harry's breath caught in his throat. Both boys had to admit that the girl was beautiful, and her voice was hypnotic. She would be very popular.

"I'm tired," she said and then began to head toward the steps. She hesitated on the first step and then turned to the boys.

"Uh, goodnight," Ron said.

Harry shook his head at Ron and then sighed. He soon joined 'Diana' by the stairs and smiled warmly at her. "I'm tired too. I think I'll join you, uh... Show you to the girl's dorm, and then I'll be off to bed myself.

Draco let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you. I was almost certain that I was to be sleeping in the hall."

Harry led her to the seventh year girls' dorm and then he pointed out the door to the girls' facilities and then turned to go to his own dorm. He couldn't help glancing back over his shoulder as he watched the strange girl open the girl's dorm and walk in, closing the door behind her and disappearing from his view.

Harry soon found himself in the seventh year boys' dorm, joined by Ron. Ron kept glancing at Harry and finally let out a deep breath. Harry looked an Ron curiously.

"What is it?" Harry finally asked.

"That girl," Ron said, "Diana, there's something 'bout her. I don't know. She's beautiful and her voice. Wow, who has a voice like that? What I wouldn't do for a girl like that, but seems she took a liking to you Harry."

"What?" Harry asked with a shake of his head and then continued. "Come on Ron, she's obviously been through a lot. And she's hiding something. Besides where has she been the past seven years? I mean what school has she been going to, if not Hogwarts? And how does she know Malfoy so well? She's a bit off, and she seems so damn familiar, I swear it."

"You mean you've met her before and never told me?" Ron asked.

"No." Harry sighed. "I just get this feeling, and that poem she recited, the one she said Malfoy wrote. The girl was her, but who was the guy? It sounded a bit like me. Do you think... No it's silly."

"Are you saying Malfoy dreamed about you and Diana? That's suggesting an awful lot. Sure you're feeling all right Harry?"

"I'm fine, just forget it. Let's go to bed all r-r-ready," Harry said with a yawn.

"All right," Ron said. "Night Harry."

"Night Ronniekins," Harry said with a grin as the lights in the room went out and he crawled into his four-poster bed.

"Sometimes I violently dislike you, Harry." He heard Ron growl.

"Sod off. I'm trying to sleep, wanker," Harry groused and then let himself drift off to sleep, exhaustion hitting him like an angry housewife's rolling pin.

----------

Draco leaned his back against the door and took in a deep breath and let it out in a great whoosh of air. How was he going to endure another day, let alone the rest of the year so close to Potter? He'd practically confessed everything short of the truth, that the beautiful girl Potter had been comforting was in fact one Draco Malfoy. Potter made him want to confess all of his sins and beg for absolution. This was going to be so hard.

He thought he'd only admired Potter from afar for his looks, but he now realized how mistaken he'd been. What had been a crush, an infatuation since fifth year had changed. He wasn't just attracted to Harry, he was almost in love with him, and the more time he spent with Harry the more he would fall in love with Harry. Draco was losing himself, and for once that was not a scary thing.

"Bloody hell, I wanted this. I wanted to feel. To know warmth, passion. Even love. I have that chance. He's so close. All I have to do is give in. I've been given the freedom of choice, and now all I have to do is take the leap. That doesn't seem so hard. I've already done the confessing bit, now I just have to get through the rest without telling him the truth," Draco spoke softly.

He could still smell the warm woody scent of Harry around him, and this made him feel safe, protected, and cared about. Draco pushed himself away from the door and then noticed his trunk at the foot of one of the red curtained four posters. He hesitated as he neared the trunk and then laughed at himself. Those were, after all, his possessions.

He unlocked the trunk and removed the wards, then opened the trunk. Inside he saw clothes, they were feminine clothes, night gowns, skirts of less than decent length, a couple of elegant dress robes, and two weeks worth of school uniforms embroidered with the Gryffindor crest and colors. Draco pulled out a nightgown, and noticing he was alone in the room put a ward on the door and then undressed. He noticed a full-length mirror by one of the four posters and went to gaze at his reflection.

He noticed the perfection of the smooth supple skin. The curves of his new body were well placed and proportionate, and his skin was unblemished. He turned around to catch a glimpse of his back and let out a sigh of surprise when he noticed that his back was unmarked. There were no scars from the lashings he'd endured from his father's punishments. He use to make Draco kneel on the floor and remove his shirt and then would reach for a whip that was on display in his library. He took that whip down from its place on the wall and he used it.

The whip had cracked in the air, and each fearsome snap had left a mark in the smooth flesh of his young son. Draco had screamed the first time the whip had lashed his back, but he did not make that mistake a second time. It was then that Draco had learned what true fear was, and he knew that he did not want to become the man that his father was.

Draco marveled at his unblemished body and sighed. He'd been given a fresh start, although he wasn't sure he deserved it, nor was he certain if he fully appreciated this 'gift' just yet, but so far it had proved to be an interesting venture. He looked over the body again. This new body was unblemished, but on the inside there were scars. Draco knew those scars wouldn't go away, but now they could finally be left in the past. He was going to try with this new start, to see where it led him.

Draco ran his hands over his body. Pausing at the breasts, noting how they peaked in the cold and under his touch. He could only imagine what it would feel like to have someone, Harry, touch his new unblemished body. Draco closed his eyes and continued his exploration of his new body.

Once he was fairly familiar with his new territory he slipped into the lavender silk nightgown he'd pulled out of his trunk. He gazed at himself in the mirror once again, admiring the reflection and the nightgown. He had to admit that Snape did have very good taste in clothing despite the black that haunted the man's wardrobe.

Draco stretched and then yawned again. He removed the ward on the door, although he wasn't certain why and then he returned to the four-poster with his trunk at its foot. He climbed into the bed and was pleased to note that it was comfortable, like his four-poster from his dorm in the dungeons. He noticed that this room however was not as damp or drafty as his former dorm had been. He pulled back the covers, climbed into the bed, curled up, and drew the covers over him. Within a few moments sleep took him.