The days after I had braved the Slytherin common room went fast, and I spent them dividing my time between my old friends and my new friends. Ron was a bit miffed that I spent so much time with what he called 'deceitful snakes', but Hermione on the other hand was fascinated with all I could tell her. Of course, I never told her anything important, that would be abusing the trust the Slytherins had put in me when they accepted me so readily, but little things such as the fact that Theodore Nott had a penchant for a Muggle band named ABBA never went undiscussed. Of course, we both prayed to Merlin that Nott would never find out we both knew, because that would put us both in a very awkward spot. Between the wall and the point of his wand really. But Hermione was not the only one learning something new, the Slytherins also got a much better understanding of us Gryffindors than they ever had before. Well, with the exception of Draco of course. Many were surprised to find that according to my tales, Hermione actually had a sense of humour and Ron was a strategical genius. It took them a while to believe the last one.Time went by quickly, and before any of us knew it, it was almost Christmas. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, and I was going shopping with Hermione and Pansy, while Draco was off with Blaise, Vince and Greg. Draco had teasingly told me that they would stay away and let us girls shop together, which promptly earned him a glare and a punch in the arm. Although I had learned to live with it, my appearance was still a bit of a sore spot. I don't think I ever quite lost hope that I would find a cure. However, it did have some benefits. I had learned sometime around mid October that the more female I acted, the more things I could get Draco to do for me. I didn't take advantage of it often, but it was nice to know that if I ever needed help with my potions essay, all I had to do was lower my lashes and pout a little, and voilà, I had my own tutor.
Hermione and Pansy had much fun with this and often wanted me to sway my hips or something equally silly, just to see what they could have Draco do. Of course, I refused each time. I might look female, but I wasn't about to sell out completely and become female! And I didn't really need to prove that I had Draco wrapped around my little finger, I was quite aware of it already, thank you very much. Still, it was interesting to listen to the two of them plot, as long as they didn't try to drag me into it. Unfortunately, that was exactly what they were doing as we made our way down to Hogsmeade.
"But Harryyyyyy," whined Pansy, trying to get me to agree to one of their insane ideas.
"No, no, and no again!" I growled, lengthening my strides to leave the two of them behind. Of course, that only made Hermione latch on to my arm to slow me down.
"I think you would look ravishing," the brunette smiled. "And we're not talking about much, just a little bit, and it's just an experiment, it's not like you have to keep it on the whole day or anything!"
"For the sake of magic, Hermione, can't you just listen to me for a second? I am not wearing make-up! Not now, not tomorrow, not ever! Don't you understand? The mere notion is degrading!"
"Don't be silly, Harry, of course it's not degrading," said Pansy, grabbing hold of my other arm. "Many males wear a bit of discreet make-up, it's not all that unusual."
"But the two of you aren't talking discreet make-up, you're talking green eye shadow, rouge and sparkly lip gloss!"
"Well, of course. The whole point is to make you look more effeminate," said Hermione, stroking my arm as if to calm me down.
"Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I don't want to look more effeminate?" I sighed, resisting the urge to reach up and massage my temples.
"But Harryyyyyyy," whined Pansy again, and I threw up my hands in despair. The two of them were unstoppable.
"Fine, I'll wear your stupid make-up once!" I growled out, making both of them squeal with glee. Honestly, girls. "But it's going to be discreet, got it? I'll wear something to make my lashes blacker and my eyes bigger, or whatever effect it is you usually want, but I'm not wearing coloured eye shadow of any sort, ok? And no lip gloss either."
"Fine, a lip reddening charm then? The lips look natural, only redder. As if you're a bit sore or something." Hermione suggested, and I nodded in defeat. If I was going to do this, I could just as well go all the way. I was losing my masculinity anyway.
"Okay, but I decide when and where this is happening." It was the least they could let me do, I was giving them permission to mess with my face after all.
Pansy nodded. "Yes, of course, it's the least we can do." Damn straight.
"Oh, we're almost there!" exclaimed Hermione as we rounded a bend. "Could we stop by Vilmos Cnut's first? There's a book there I've been wanting to get my father for Christmas." Pansy rolled her eyes good-naturedly at the fact that Hermione's first stop was a bookstore, but she readily agreed and soon I found myself led into a small shop at the end of the main street, with a crooked sign over the door proclaiming it as 'Vilmos Cnut, Books and Stationery'. I took the time to look around, and soon I had Christmas presents for both Remus and Hermione, the latter of course bought quickly and smuggled into my pocket while the girl in question was distracted by Pansy.
The next few hours were spent going from store to store, and soon I had presents for everyone, except Draco. He was the most difficult one, and to tell you the truth, I had no idea what to get him. Because really, what do you get a bloke who has everything? It was a dilemma, and soon I didn't know what else to do, except admit defeat and ask Pansy and Hermione. I sighed deeply and swallowed my pride.
"Uhm, guys? Any ideas on what I could get Draco? The bloke is more difficult buying presents for than anyone I've ever met. He has everything!"
The two of them seemed to think for a while, before Hermione bit her lip uncertainly. "Well, there's always, I mean, you could, not that I'm telling you to, well, yes, I am, but uh, you know…" I could only look at her in confusion. Whatever she was suggesting, it had to be something big to make Hermione stammer like that. Looking to Pansy for help, I could see the other girl trying to hide an amused smile.
"What I think dear Hermione here is trying to say," started Pansy. "Is that, if you feel ready for it, you could always sleep with him." I blinked at her before realisation hit me, and with it, what was becoming a very familiar blush.
"Are you saying, you mean, you think I should…?" I stuttered at least as much as Hermione had.
"Only if you're ready," shrugged Pansy and Hermione nodded.
"Don't do anything if you think you'll regret it," she advised and I could only stand there looking between them, my thoughts a jumbled mess of impulses and feelings. However, slowly but surely an idea started to take hold and my lips curled upwards in what could only be described as a grin.
"Uhm, I think I might have an idea, but I'll need your help. You see, it's like this –" And as I proceeded to tell Hermione and Pansy my plan, I couldn't quell the feeling of anticipation that rose in my stomach. This Christmas was going to be something to remember.