Werewolf's transition

Harry was about to talk about the upcoming Yule Ball to his friends the following day, right at breakfast and proposed them that the three friends go with the two younger girls as they weren't in age yet, but everything went awry when he was approached by Granger first.

"Does the proposition of seeing you during full moon still stands?"

With his hand about to reach Neville who was joking with the Gryffindor fourth years, Harry looked like he was about to intervene in the joke with said hand now suspended in the air. And because Hermione Granger didn't have any control of her voice, her question attracted any attention in the Great Hall in this early morning.

Harry blinked and was about to be offended of such proposition before remembering that Beatrice Haywood did throw this off-hand comment to shut people's naughty mouthes and that he also did agree on it, so he held as much in responsability, really. But now that he had onlookers' curious eyes on his response, as said event would tonight, he's feeling kind of back to a corner.

"Why? Do you really think Harry could be a mindless beast till you see him with your own two eyes?" Ron almost barked at the bushy girl.

Harry felt warmth when Neville and Ginny also watched Granger with guard expression. Though the two never hold any prejudice against the muggleborn, most time trying to defend her behavior when Ron would complain about it, they certainly wouldn't be holding her in high esteem if she ever insult their friend and decided to side with the hearsay, as she did when talking about Luna's wacky believes.

Granger's face flushed profusely but she hold her position. "No, but I want to see with my own two eyes exactly what it is about werewolf to counter wizardkind's common belief. If Harry Potter himself claims proudly to be a werewolf, I'm sure that means the werewolves don't deserve the discrimation wizard and muggle community had against them."

As her answer made a lot of sense, Harry's friend group relaxed and looked at Harry to know his feelings, as the end result depended on him. Harry had to think quickly.

"It does still stand. However, I doubt we could do it tonight, as the full moon would only be visible around curfew. And you don't strike as someone who would break rules just to satisfy a mere curiosity, right? We could schedule it for next month, when the full moon falls on the 24, if it's alright with you."

Granger's face tensed, as if figuring she will have to ask to stay at Hogwarts for winter holidays. Though, once the student body heard about what would happen during the holidays, they will be begging to stay in the castle this year, not that Harry could say that as people's attention shift to greet vividly Cedric Diggory for succeeding yesterday's first task by throwing the newspapers in the air as substitute of confettis, the news' already relayed on the Daily Prophet thanks to Rita Skeeter who was present in the stands.

Harry also forgot what he was about to tell his friends until the week-end during the trip to Hogsmeade.

 

Third years students and above were gathering before the teachers who's checking on student's authorization and Harry reunited his friends around Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall that was populated only by younger students not in age for the trip or foreign students who weren't that impressed by a wizard village.

"So, guys, we need to agree on who will go with who to the Yule Ball so our young friend could enjoy the event too."

"What event?" Said younger friends asked, Ron and Neville included.

The twins exchanged a look before punching their hand, as if remembering something.

"Right, the Yule Ball! Headmistress Maxime did put a word when we insisted on being part of the delegation! I hafta ask Angelina!"

George snickered before adding with a smirk. "Hm. Guess I hafta ask Lee to go with him as friend."

Both excahnged a sly look before leaving the younger ones and going in the line to access the village.

"Useless, both of them," Ron grumbled before looking expectandly at Harry.

"So, Yule Ball, it will be held the day of Christmas and it's an event with a ball, so formal dresses and dance partner. It could be romantic or platonic as the twins made it sound. And it's only available for fourth years and above, hence me proposing we taking the girls, whose in third years."

Neville acted first.

"Luna, would you like to go with me?"

"Of course, Neville, it would be my pleasure."

"Sweet! Let's go to Hogsmeade and purchase a m-matching robe, if you'd like."

"What a great idea! Let's! I'm feeling quite positive for this ball."

Neville's face lightened up like a Christmas light as he rose to join their friend in the line for Hogsmeade and Harry smirked, wanting to tease the boy by saying that he certainly didn't need to kiss him to know if he ever play for the other team. Because people needed to be bilnd to not see his affection for the excentric Ravenclaw.

"Well, now... I hope Gin's not bothered to go with me, because otherwise it'sll be with Ron and although you both could go together just to attend the event, I was thinking that my assistance could be needed and-"

"I get it, Harry. Thank you for thinking of me. I see you at Hogsmeade and you better show me the robe you'll be purchasing before going with it."

As the fiery ginger stood to join their friend, Harry let go of the breathe he was holding and threw a reluctant look at his friend.

"She's still mad at me, huh?"

"Well, mate, be honest, did you ever apologize to her?"

Harry refused to answer that. "I hope you're OK that my planning didn't include much of your participation."

"No, it's alright. In fact, it's more than alright, it's wicked! I can now propose to Viktor, a-as friend, you see!"

"I'm sure, mate. Nothing could go wrong."

Maybe Harry was a shitty friend for not warning Ron that going with one of the champion, the couple needed to open the dance so his friend needed to step up his dance abilities, but he thought he was a supportive friend for encouraging him instead.

Anyway, they needed to stand up and join the line to go to Hogsmeade because they will need to purchase those stunning outfits that won't shame them while they will be twirling on the dance floor. And the best destination was none other than Gladrags, where Andre Egwu was the recent addition in the staff.

And if the man couldn't stop teasing him for never being able to access Ravenclaw tower because of the knocker's riddle everytime he tried, Harry leanrned from the stylish former Ravenclaw that after his departure of Hogwarts ground, the diadem became a public property of the Ravenclaw house where student could borrow it for one hour to wisen up their wits or help them in reviewing lessons and that exceeding the time limit will bring up the Grey Lady's ire and no one wanted that.

When Harry asked if he could be the exception as he was the one who found the artefact back, he was laughed on the face and Andre jokingly suggested maybe if he could accede the tower during the night. Which was low blow as Harry's still couldn't resolve a mere riddle though he could definitely roam in the castle at night, because of his invisibility cloak and because he's not an actual Hogwarts so he didn't fear punishment. But maybe he could sollicite Blaise's help when the bloke enter in the shop at the same time and who won't be mocking him like the wizard of style did.

In exchange, he just had to inform his friend of the upcoming events just a little earlier that the head of house will do. There's nothing wrong for one more student to know about the ball now instead of in a week where Gladrags will certainly be drowing in orders or the owls would be so busy with round trip with some heavy package.

 

As expected, the following week, the four houses got the knowledge of the Yule Ball and dance lesson got scheduled on the week-end so no one would be embarrassed for their lack of aptitude in this art.

Harry first went to the Gryffindor session because it's the one where most of his friend were and also because it was funny to see professor McGonagall summoning all her patience to teach some dance steps so none of her students behave like a babbling bumbling bunch of baboon.

And being the best mate he was, he couldn't stop snorting when Ron was the one picked as model for the lead dancer and had to do some steps with professor McGonagall and no, he was being mean and thankful that it wasn't him because he still felt super intimidated by the elder lady.

Anyway, it was funny watching the twins making fun then dancing for real with their set partners but Harry thought that it could be even funnier to see how professor Snape was going to teach the Slytherin, so he slithered in the session hold by the potion master.

Or tried to.

"Mr. Potter, I don't think you're a Shytherin student, so you're presence here is not required nor meaningful."

Harry glanced discreetly his eyes from the cold stone man to the students trying not to step on each other' foot behind him, and thought to himself that he should have guess so because no way the man was going to use himself as model and teach and bunch of uptight and conservative pureblood who in fact knew how to dance in the first place. When fingers snaped under his nose, Harry recoiled and blinked innocently at Snape.

"Why, professor, although I'm no student of Hogwarts school, I can't have a dance lesson with Beaux Bâtons as their seventh years students already had the lesson back in their previous year. So I have no other choice but to seek help from the hosting school's dance session."

"Unfortunately, I fail to see how does it concern me, mr. Potter."

"Well, I was thinking that I could attend-"

"I fear not."

"But I-"

"I said no. Now, out."

Harry forced himself to keep his mouth shut when the man showed him the way with a stern finger who became insistent when someone yelped behind them. Harry just had the time to see Gregory Goyle stepping on his partner's toes before being forcefully shoved outside of the room.

To be faire, if Harry really wanted to have fun, he should have start with the dance session with professor Flitwick. The man tried to use himself as model first, before just enchanting two dummies and make them twirl ravishingly to his students' impressed gaze. He also didn't blink to see Harry among his students, probably pretending the blue of Beaux Bâtons fitting with the Ravenclaw blue.

And like with professor McGonagall who accepted Ginny's presence, professor's Flitwick also accepted Luna's presence. But Harry asked to dance first with Cho Chang, just to seize the girl who will be Cedric's partner. It wasn't a bad experience, because not only the seeker (one point) was attractive and graceful (two points), she was also such a nice girl (ten points) and Harry could only confirmed his attractiveness for seeker, because if she wasn't taken he could have hit on her.

But because he respected his friend Cedric, when he attended Hufflepuff's dance session, he insisted to be the champion's dance partner.

One, because the guy already knew how to dance starting the moment he was selected as champion as professor Sprout wasn't about to let her student embarrased himself hence telling him beforehand of the Yule Ball. And two, Harry wasn't about to let his friend had the awkwardness to choose a substitute partner while he had already asked his crush Cho to go together. Besides, professor Sprout taking Cedric as model was enough as exemple and Harry was also just fulfilling a secret fantasy of his to dance with a bloke as attractive as Cedric.

All in all, learning to dance at Hogwarts was a wonderful experience and Harry would got out without problem if it wasn't for professor Snaper cornering him at the end of the week-end.

"Mr. Potter!" The man cursed his name. "I cannot believe you being as stupid as using a time turner just to assist each dance sessions! Have you not shame to use such precious and controlled artefact for a petty reason like this?!"

Harry only had half a second to find an excuse.

"Wow, would you look at that! It's time for me to fulfill my punishment and wash manually my school carriage!"

And he bolted out of the man's wrath.

 

"I cannot believe this!"

"I know, Ron, I know."

"Her! With him! Why? I don't understand, Harry, why?"

"I don't know, mate, I don't know either."

"He said it was also as friend because she insisted, but if that was the case, I could have been a better choice! I- I played with him! We talked too! When did they even exchange words?!"

"Such a difficult question..."

"She's not even fun to be around!"

"That's a little harsh, Ron. Hermione's totally alright to be around with."

"You can't talk, Neville! You're only saying that because she helps you with your homeworks!"

Neville grumbled, a little vexed. "Well, if you tried to have her help with your homeworks, you'd see she's really helpful."

"But she's such a nagging girl! A total insufferable know-it-all!"

"Well, maybe your Vicky likes those type of chick since he went all the way to ask her in the middle of the library. Because I doubt he would even read any books there."

Ron sent a seething look at Harry, about to lash another shedload of offended words but settle with a mumble.

"But- but I could have give him such a great time with my dance steps..."

He was being quite pitiful, really. Harry stroked his back, trying to be the best mate he was and the three settled in the comforting silence despite Ron's irregular's sniffles.

"So, Harry, what's this thing about you using a time turner?"

Both Harry and Ron froze before the latter turned to Harry to boggle. 

"How did you know that? Pretty sure professor Snape was being really careful while trying to scold me."

"Harry, what in the Merlin's sagging pants!"

"Yeah, Harry, what were you thinking in using a time turner and not even telling us about it."

"Well, to be fair, I got said artefact in some sneaking way, so I couldn't really tell you or you'd be considered as accomplice. But, really, Nev, how do you know that?"

"I don't know how, but my toy wand was forgotten in the potion classroom and when I went to retrieve it, I surprised you and professor Snape, who looked as white as ghost."

"I certainly wouldn't mind if that was the case. But Harry, mate, what in the ever loving dragonpox were you thinking in procuring a time turner by illegal means?"

"Well- well, I- Look, Bagman, the head of Magical games and sports was having financial problem with the goblins and he accosted me by asking about my Philosopher's Stone thinking I could changed him some gold with a valuable artefact that only the ministry of magic had and proposed himself to give me that in exchange."

"What a scum!"

"Later, Ron. But didn't you say that the gold you changed are in raw state? As if, like some sort of gooey substance?"

"It is, but it's still gold. Even the goblins can't say anything against the truth. Besides, the thing with Bagman's that he owed them gold, you see? So, by giving them raw material, he's still giving them what he owed."

His two friends were watching with incredulity and some sort of begrudging acceptance.

"The goblins and Gringotts must hate you so much for your Philospher's stone."

"Oh, they do, but it's not like I ever go to take the gold my parents left in the Potter vault, so really, they still keeping their gold while I use my raw material to do my own transaction."

"What do Remus says about that? You know, with him being curse breaker and working for Gringotts."

"What Rem doesn't know can't hurt him. Alright, fine, he sighed but it's not like I'm doing illegal things, so he just told me to be careful with who I'm dealing."

"And you think he will accept the fact you're transacting with a scum like Bagman?"

"Look, not my fault he scammed your brothers who were fooled by leprechaun's gold. I did tell them lot of time what those creatures could do and since they were betting during the world cup while they were presents as Irish Quidditch national team, they should have seen it coming. And they could turn any metal to silver, so really, they were being material at this point."

"Didn't you say they were planning their own business of jokes shop, they need money for that!"

"Well, by changing a huge amount of metal to silver, they could still assemble the finance needed. One galleon is seventeen sickles as far as I know!"

"To be fair, they're only saving because they knew mrs. Weasley wouldn't accept their dream job. If they were planning to like, being hit wizards, she would have help finance their project with the Black inheritance in a heart beat."

Both Harry and Ron took Neville's opinion with seriousness before deciding talking about finance could never end well between them. So they looked into who Ron should ask to go with him to Yule Ball.

 

"So, you had to drink the wolfsbane potion every day for a week before the full moon?"

"Yup. A real discover by Damocles Belby, this. Even though, it tastes like shit. And I'm not even exagerating. Adding sugar won't change anything, to the content of the potion nor the taste, so we had to suffer in damaging our taste and bones' melting."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the thing being werewolf was that you're not transforming with your own will, like animagus whose do not suffer the change, but you're cursed to be linked to the moon's phase and your body goes under forceful transformation. Your bones' changing to that of wolves, your muscles go under the same treatment to adapt your new bone structure and everything feels like burning a week of calories but multiplied by ten."

Hermione Granger nodded before noting what Harry said with a serious look. Blaise only made a noise of assentment while Theodore stayed silent, only watching Harry without blinking. Probably seeing him gagging after forcing the disguting potion was enjoying, which fair as Harry was proudly claiming to be a werewolf at any given occasion. 

After setting the goblet of the last portion brewed by professor Snape aside, Harry started to undress himself. First the robe, then the daily clothes to the undergarnement. Hermione couldn't help bu sputter.

"If it's bother you, just turn around. I'm not about to keep my boxer that will stretch during the transformation just because you're a prude that used me as lab rat."

Taking his words sincerely, the girl calmed herself and smoothed a stern expression before watching interestingly Harry walking to the nest he prepared beforehand as he will mostly certainly spend the whole night in slumber instead of playing with his friends whenever he spend the full moon around them. He still tried to hide his crotch as he's slowly relaxing his body, because he's also starting to feel modest under three curious stranger look.

Harry felt quickly the rising of the moon as his body flamed up. He maintained a controlled breathing but he couldn't stop the occasional grunts as he felt his bones crackle and his muscles stretching and changing its structure. Then, the vision of the world plunged into that of a beast.

A really drowsy beast.

 

One good thing having competant wizards staying with him during the full moon was that he always had a lot of thing ready to help the transition.

Bill would always enchanted a blanket that could sooth his muscles ache and prepared some hot chocolate, Sirius would make sure that both him and Rem will be dressed and comfortable in no time and those three curious fourth years had prepared a healing potion that did help a little and some snacks to balance the taste between two disgusting potions.

And because they all knew some runes, he was carved magically of ideogram that put him in a relaxed state that he rarely felt after a transformation.

Which was really good because tonight will be a long night with the ball.