THE OWL MESSENGER PROTOCOLS
Harry could feel the tickling sensation begin to increase within him as the seconds dragged on. He glanced briefly to Hermione who gave him a look that told him she was experiencing the same phenomenon.
"I've read the history of Metamorphmagi but didn't find anything about this potion," Harry said with feigned curiosity.
"The potion has never been published outside of the medical field," Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly. "Its shelf-life is tremendously long, on the order of centuries, and with good reason, it takes five years to brew."
"Five YEARS?!" Harry and Hermione exclaimed in unison.
"That's correct," she retorted with a smirk. "The one you both just sampled is four-hundred years old and its potency should last another four-hundred. It's very complicated to create this potion, but we've enough until it needs to be brewed again."
"Are there any other properties?" Harry asked as he scribbled the information down. "Aside from the enforced magical laughter?"
"There was a petition to add the properties of Veritaserum, but that would have added far more time and the bureaucrats of the time didn't have that luxury," the nurse said absently as she went back to cataloging her stores. "Is there anything else you need? I really should get back to work."
"No, thank you, Madam," Hermione said with a forced smile, though Harry could see the concern and fear in her eyes.
"Very well," Madam Pomfrey said with a smile and returned to her previous activities.
Harry and Hermione collected their things and quickly made their way to the Gryffindor tower to drop off their books when Hermione grabbed at a stitch in her side.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked worriedly.
Hermione shook her head and looked to him with fear-filled eyes. "I..." she started as a chuckle crept into her voice. She fought to keep under control and after a few seconds straightened. "I can't hold back the laughter much longer," she said in a harsh whisper.
"I know what you mean," Harry said evenly as he tugged her instead to the school's entrance. "We're going to visit Hagrid," he said in a grunt even as his lips twitched upwards at the ends.
"Hagrid's not in the country," Hermione reminded him. "He won't be back until the morning term begins!" Her eyes widened in understanding.
"And Fang Jr. will need to be fed," Harry said with a full grin as they ran across the grounds to their friend's hut.
Harry whipped open the door and ushered Hermione inside just as they started to giggle and with a concerted effort, Harry was able to cast a locking and silencing charm on the door.
Hermione fell into one of Hagrid's overstuffed chairs and an unnatural laugh escaped her lips, one that caused Harry to finally break down as well. As the hour passed, the two held onto their sides dearly, feeling as if they were going to explode from the amount of chuckles, chortles, giggles, and downright guffaws that escaped them.
Harry couldn't tell why everything was funny but the potion seemed to make him see the humor in any situation.
"I-if... anybody... walks i-in..." Harry laughed shrilly in Hermione's voice, "w-we're d-d-dead!"
Hermione laughed raucously at his proclamation and nodded, wiping the tears from her cheeks as her emerald eyes became redder. "D-don't let me... do that... again!" She laughed heartily while she went about massaging her ribs.
The hour seemed to drag on forever as they both fell to the floor in hysterics, rolling pitifully over the wooden surface. They eventually pulled each other into a fierce hug in the hopes that the contact would help calm them down when suddenly, they stopped. It was as if they were never laughing in the first place, but the pained muscles screamed otherwise.
"Oh, I'm glad that's over..." Harry sighed as he rolled to his back to nurse a wicked cramp he'd gotten during his enchanted fit.
"I'm going to ache all over tomorrow," Hermione said between gasps. "Now all we have to do is wait ten more hours..."
"You're going to have to stay in hiding until then," Harry said as he stretched and changed back to himself. "I have an appointment with Professor McGonagall..."
"What, you're still going to try that idea of yours?" Hermione asked incredulously as she pulled herself into the chair she'd vacated nearly a half hour ago. "I told you that you can't find someone unless they want you to, or they don't know what they're doing."
"I know, that's what Sirius said before," Harry retorted with a shrug. "But what if a Death Eater uses me to send a message? They've done it before... I'm sure they have."
"But the owls they use aren't Animagi, Harry," Hermione reasoned in return. "They don't have any ulterior motives and it's already been proven that you can't follow an owl that's going to a clandestine source. Not to mention the wards that must be set up!"
"Be that as it may," Harry said as he set a hand on his girlfriend's manly shoulder. "If I can use the owl's messenger instincts, it might help me find a friend who could be in danger... What if Ron were kidnapped by someone? What if I could get to him and save him? What if it were you that needed me?"
"Harry, you can't constantly watch over us," Hermione reprimanded. "Sure, it would be great if someone could find us, but nobody would be able to follow you. They could intercept you but once you've been given a message to deliver, nobody would be able to follow where you went. It's an integral part of the Owl Messenger Protocols."
"Well, I haven't read them, yet," Harry said quietly. "But I'd like to try anyway. If there's any chance those abilities could be used to our advantage, then it would be a good idea to see what can be done. At the very least, I could activate an Auror communication crystal once I've reached a location and use that to home in on their hideout. Or I could surprise Riddle by showing up when he least expects it..."
"Harry, I know what the prophecy said but you're not going to face him alone," Hermione said gently. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"And I won't let anything happen to you," Harry said quietly.
"It's good we agree on something," she retorted with a playful grin. "You're right, though, can't have two of you running around the school..."
"Did you have anything you needed to do today?" Harry asked concernedly. "With everything that went on, this is a sudden change of plans..."
"I've got what you wrote plus a few books in my bag, I'll keep myself busy for the next ten hours."
"I'll be back after I'm done with these tests and we can go back together, alright?" Harry asked.
"That's fine," Hermione replied with a smile. She reached up to give him a kiss goodbye but frowned when he held up a hand. "What?"
"I don't really feel comfortable kissing myself," Harry said in an apologetic tone. "And it felt rather strange kissing me as you... I think we should wait until you're back to normal before we do that again."
Hermione pouted momentarily but nodded she understood. "Ok," she said in a whisper before pulling out a rather large book from her bag.
Harry looked to her sadly and set a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, it's not you, Love," he said quietly. "This is just going to take some getting used to..."
"I know," Hermione replied quietly.
"It's just... well..." Harry sputtered and shook his head. He concentrated a moment then tipped Hermione's face to his. "There are ways around the bloke kissing a bloke problem," he said gently in Hermione's voice and pressed his lips tenderly to hers.
"You didn't have to do that, Harry," Hermione said with a slight smile.
"Yes, yes I did," he replied. "I love you no matter what shape you're in," Harry said smiling in return. "I prefer you as you and me as me but you are you no matter what form you have."
"I love you too, Harry, now get to your testing!" Hermione said with a blush, her lips curving into a wide smile. "I'm going to continue my Transfiguration research."
Harry kissed her once again before returning to his normal form and leaving the hut. He checked the door after he'd left to make sure that Hermione replaced the locking charm, and satisfied that she had, returned to the school at a brisk pace.
"Good of you to join me," Professor McGonagall said dryly from behind her desk.
"Sorry, Professor," Harry said apologetically. "Hermione and I were at Hagrid's making sure Fang was fed and watered."
"Shall we start your experiment then?" the professor asked. "I've asked Professor Flitwick to hide Mr. Weasley in the castle. I do not know where he is and I want you to deliver his exam results," she explained as she held up a rolled parchment with the official Hogwarts seal upon it. "Now transform and we'll see if you can deliver it to him."
Harry nodded and shifted to his ghostly white owl form. With a quick beat of his wings, he was on her desk and thrusting out his leg. Professor McGonagall quickly tied the parchment to the outstretched appendage and looked at him squarely in the eyes.
"Take this to Ronald Weasley," Professor McGonagall commanded clearly.
With her words embedded in his mind, an eerie feeling overtook Harry. He felt compelled to seek out Ron, whom he instinctively knew where to find. With a hoot, Harry flew out the open window. He was surprised to find that he understood what was recorded on the rolled parchment and smiled when the entire document made itself clear in his mind. Harry smiled to himself as he circled a little used tower on the west side of the castle.
A chill wind buffeted him as he drew closer to a window where he knew Ron was hidden and he pecked at the pane of glass to get the occupant's attention.
"You found me," Ron said with a grin after he opened the portal for his best friend to float to the ground beside him. "Let's see what Professor McGonagall sent me."
Harry stuck his leg out once again to allow Ron access to the parchment and transformed to himself after the task was done. The redhead opened the note and a wide smile spread across his face as he read the results of the examination he'd taken earlier that day.
"I PASSED!" Ron shouted happily as he thrust the parchment into Harry's hands.
Harry laughed and pretended to read the results of the exam, not wanting to share his experiences with anyone just yet. "Congratulations, Ron!" he said with a wide grin. "Hermione's going to be proud to see this!"
"Where is she?" Ron asked excitedly. "I wouldn't have gotten through it without her help and I really should apologize for this morning."
"She's doing some research right now," Harry said warningly. "It's been happening all morning, working on extra credit and she wanted to be left alone for a while."
"Oh, I'll have to wait to tell her, no need for me to have my head separated from my shoulders..." Ron said jokingly. "I can at least tell Gin and my parents!" Ron snatched the parchment greedily and suddenly stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot. Professor McGonagall said to return with this note," he explained quickly and showed Harry a folded piece of paper.
Harry nodded and transformed once again, holding out his leg for Ron to attach the latest bit of correspondence. At his best friend's command to deliver the note to their professor, Harry shot out of the window once again.
Things were different this time, though he knew what was written on the note, he didn't sense Professor McGonagall's whereabouts. Harry tried to change his course, but felt an irresistible pull to return to Ron, whom he could locate easily.
Harry fluttered into the Gryffindor common room and spotted Ginny reading a book in front of the large fireplace. He hooted a hello and the young woman smiled at him.
"Hey, Harry," she said, "is that for me?" Ginny reached for the note, but Harry stepped back out of reach. He hooted, letting her know that it wasn't and waited patiently for Ron to arrive. "At least let me take it off so you can change back," Ginny chastised with a lopsided grin. She went for the note again and Harry instinctively pecked at her hand. Ginny withdrew quickly to nurse the cut he'd just given her.
"GIN, I PASSED!" Ron bellowed excitedly as he burst through the portrait hole.
"That's great, Ron," she replied absently as she glared at Harry. "Come get this bloody note!"
Ron smiled when he saw Harry in his favorite chair and quickly untied the note. "Is this the same one?"
"Yeah," Harry said quickly after he'd changed back. "Gin, I'm sorry, it was instinct! Something wouldn't let me give it to you."
"Why'd you have to go and peck me like that!" she growled in return.
Harry retrieved his wand and quickly healed the cut he'd given her. "I couldn't control myself," Harry said apologetically. "You reached for the note and I instinctively tried to protect it... I really didn't mean it."
Ginny inspected his healing work and nodded almost imperceptibly. "That's ok, Harry," she said quietly.
"Couldn't you find the professor?" Ron asked quizzically as he sat next to his sister.
"No, she's hidden herself," Harry replied thoughtfully. "Did she give you any indication of how to find her?"
"She did say that if you returned to me I should try again with a password," Ron said with a shrug. "Looks like I have to give it to you."
Harry nodded and found himself in his owl form once again. He stuck out his leg tiredly and waited for Ron to give the command.
"Professor McGonagall wanted this note," Ron explained clearly. "The password is Animagus."
Unlike his previous attempt, Harry immediately knew where to go. He hooted goodbye then flitted out the window once again. He made all due haste to reach the Astronomy Tower and soon found the woman he was looking for standing patiently at the top of the tower, wrapped in a heavy wool cloak.
"I see you found me," she said with a curt smile as she removed the note from Harry's leg. "I tried to follow you to Mr. Weasley," she explained as Harry resumed his normal form. "But I was unable to do so. It also seems that unless the password is given, someone intentionally hiding from contact cannot have an owl sent to them," she surmised while they descended the stairs towards her office.
"It's a strange feeling," Harry said after a moment. "I instinctively knew where you and Ron were when I could successfully deliver the message and I couldn't veer from my course..."
"That's part of the Messenger Owl Protocols," the professor said matter-of-factly. "They ensure that the only way a message can be intercepted or delivered to someone else is by force."
"That happened to Hedwig last year," Harry said absently. "Hermione and I have been talking about this and I'm sure she'd like to see that she was right," he chuckled softly. "Still, I had to see what I could do... it still might be useful."
"That it may," Professor McGonagall said with a slight nod. "I expect you'll be writing an essay on the experience for extra credit?"
"I don't think so," Harry said quickly. "I mean, I don't think I should write any of this information down, if it happened to turn up in the wrong hands it wouldn't be a good situation."
"It's your choice," McGonagall said dismissively. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to work on my lesson plans for the next term."
Harry nodded and left for Hagrid's cabin. A good four hours of flitting back and forth had him tired out and he did promise he'd return so that Hermione could get something to eat. He knocked on the door when he arrived at the squat building and waited patiently for Hermione to let him in.
"How did things go?" she asked as he stepped into the single room the hut actually was and relocked the door.
"You were right," Harry said with a smile, "which doesn't surprise me in the least. I still think the protocols will be helpful, but they can't be used to find Riddle without his express permission via password..."
"Well, you had to find out the hard way," Hermione said with a shrug.
Harry changed into the form of his girlfriend once again and smiled. "I know, but it's good to have that experience and know what to expect. I'm sure there are other things I could discover about my animal form, but those will have to wait for now."
"So, what did it feel like?" Hermione asked inquisitively, taking her previous seat and going back to work on her essay.
"It was queer at first," Harry explained as he pat Fang's head. "I couldn't make myself do anything but deliver the message." He thought for a moment then decided he should share everything with her. "I also found that I could magically read what was written on the parchment. Ron passed the exam, by the way. Not perfect marks, but he's gotten a few E's and satisfactory marks."
"That's great!" Hermione said with a wide smile. "I knew he'd do well if he just applied himself."
"He's excited," Harry said with a smile. "I also bit Ginny when she tried to take a note I returned to Ron. It was instinctive for me to protect it... I guess it was part of the protocols... Just so you know, you'll be playing me for the next six hours."
Hermione snickered. "Well, Ginny should know better, but then again, she probably thought that since it was you, it'd be ok."
"I healed her finger but I think she's going to be a little upset for a while," he said with a shake of his long, bushy, brown hair. "I'm a bit knackered with all the flying today, do you mind if we get some tea then kip on the sofa in the common room?"
"No, I don't mind," Hermione replied and immediately packed her bag. She seemed to enjoy the added strength that Harry's masculine form provided her and acting like Harry would, took his bag in addition to hers.
Harry filled Fang's dish once again before the two of them began their walk back to the school. It still felt rather surreal to be in Hermione's shoes but he was happy that it was still he and her that were together.
"I've been thinking," Hermione said out of the blue, "that you might be able to disguise your owl as well. Metamorphmagi and Animagi abilities aren't that unrelated and you might be able to, say, change the color of your feathers or eyes..."
"I hadn't thought about that," Harry admitted with a nod. "It would be a useful thing to be able to disguise myself even then so I can't be easily spotted."
"That's what I was thinking. As it stands, you and Hedwig stand out like sore thumbs," Hermione explained. "Have you asked Hedwig how she feels about your animal form?"
"What?" Harry asked confusedly. "I'm a Parselmouth, how can I understand what... Wait, you mean that I can talk to her because of my animal form?"
"Animagi can speak with any member of their animal species," Hermione explained, "or any intelligent animal, like a kneazle."
"I remember Sirius talking with Crookshanks," Harry said quietly. "I thought about how Hedwig might react but I never tried speaking to her..."
"Is Harry's owl still jealous of you, Hermione?" Ron asked with a wide smile from the front steps. "Did Harry tell you?"
Harry looked up at Ron in confusion for a moment then suddenly realized what his best friend was talking about. "No, he didn't," Harry feigned irritation towards his girlfriend. "This is about your exam, isn't it?"
"I PASSED!" Ron shouted happily and before anyone could react, he'd scooped Harry in his arms and began twirling him around. "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" he shouted happily to a mortified Harry.
"RON! PUT ME DOWN!" he cried shrilly, fighting hard to keep from punching his best friend.
Ron laughed heartily and in a flourish set Harry back on the ground. "I also wanted to apologize for this morning..."
"That's ok, Ron," Harry said shakily, still reeling from the dizziness of Ron's joyous embrace. "Congratulations! I'm proud of you," he said with a wide smile after he'd gotten his bearings.
Ron blushed profusely and grinned in return. "I owe it all to you, Hermione," he said happily and did something neither Harry nor Hermione was expecting. With one swift move, he bent and kissed Hermione on the cheek then stepped back quickly. "Sorry, Harry, but I had to..."
"That's ok," Hermione said with a grin towards a glaring Harry. "Just don't make a habit of it..."
"And what if I liked it?" Harry asked in a huff, feeling a bit mischievous. With that declaration out, he turned and stormed up the stairs to the castle.
"Has she gone mental again?" Ron whispered incredulously, following a few steps behind Harry.
"I heard that, Ron," Harry said indignantly as he turned into the Great Hall.
Hermione stifled a giggle and instead smiled at Ron as if she didn't know what was going on. The three took their seats at the table and began to fill their plates.
"Only four more hours to go..." Hermione said with a sigh as she started on her plate.
"Four hours?" Ron asked quizzically. "What happens in four hours?"
"I expect sleep," Harry said with a shrug. "It's been a tiring day today..."
"All you did was study and research," Ron said dismissively, "how can that be tiring?"
"How do you feel after a day of studying, Ron?" Hermione asked as she went through another glass of pumpkin juice.
"Good point," Ron said with a grimace. "But why go to bed so early?"
"Transforming takes a lot out of you, Ron," Hermione said with a sigh. "Not to mention flying in between all those transformations... I just need practice, but, more than that, I need to rest."
"Don't you two have a study session after tea?" Ginny asked after a moment.
Hermione sighed then nodded. "I'm going to kip on the sofa for an hour or so."
"I could use a bit of rest as well," Harry put in with a slight grin. "There's quite a bit we have to cover before O.W.L.s and you need to crack into those books..."
Hermione glared at Harry for a second before nodding. "I think I'm going to head back now, get a head start and all that..."
"I'll come with you, Harry," Harry said quickly. "I should put a study plan together for you, there's so much you have to learn..."
"You're being abnormally supportive," Ron said around a mouthful of mash. "Don't tell me you've changed your mind..."
"Honestly," Harry said exasperatedly. "Of course I haven't changed my mind, but I agreed to help him and so I will. I still think he's taking on too much, but he can be too bloody stubborn for his own good," he added with a frustrated look to Hermione.
The two of them left the Great Hall and as soon as they were out of earshot, Hermione stopped. "I don't talk like that at all," she said evenly.
"Of course you don't, Harry," Harry said quickly and took Hermione's arm. "Can we continue this discussion back in the common room?" He made it a point to glance at a few of the more dodgy portraits before tugging at her arm.
Hermione glared at him, but acquiesced and they were soon crawling through the portrait hole to their common room.
"Now that we can discuss this, I don't say honestly all the time and I certainly don't say bloody!" Hermione looked at Harry crossly and crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry, I'm trying the best I can," Harry said quickly. "I know you well enough, but I'm not a telepath... I don't want us to get caught either..."
"You need to be more careful," she said a bit more softly and slumped onto the sofa in front of the fire.
"We both do, Love," Harry said quietly and ran his fingers through her unruly, black hair. "I know it's frustrating and I want you to be back to normal too..."
"It's not that," Hermione said with a sigh. "It's... I just don't like you piling everything onto your plate... You've shown improvement this year but three more classes with all the training you have? Not to mention possible training with Professor Dumbledore? It's going to be too much."
Harry's eyes widened for a moment and he squeezed her hand quickly to call her attention to the error she'd made. Hermione stopped and her eyes went wide as well.
"I told you it would get to you, Harry," Harry said quickly.
"I just need some sleep," Hermione covered just as swiftly. "I can do this... I need to do this."
"Harry, you have me and Ron to help you when you need it, not to mention all the professors, the Weasleys, Tonks, Professor Lupin, and several others," Harry said consolingly. "Don't feel that you have to take on everything because you don't have to..." his voice trailed off at Hermione's grin and he rolled his eyes.
"I know, Love," Hermione said after a moment. "I know I'm not alone. Everyone has their role to play and I just want to make sure that I'm prepared for anything..."
Harry smiled this time and it was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes. They sat in silence for a few minutes before they figured it was safe to talk openly once again.
"I guess we both see each other's viewpoints," Harry said quietly, staring at his feet for a second.
"It seems we do, but that doesn't change my opinion on the matter," she replied quietly. "I don't want to see you burn yourself out..."
"I might, I might not," Harry said with a shrug. "The point here is that I'm trying. I'm trying to better myself and gaining knowledge that could help me one day. Maybe that day against Riddle..."
"You don't need to do all this extra work," Hermione said again.
"If anything, it'll help me relate to what you're talking about," Harry retorted quickly. "I know you think it's more than I can handle, I really do, but I really need to try..."
Hermione sighed in frustration and nodded. "I told you I'd help, and I will, that doesn't mean I'm not going to keep my eye on you and make sure you're not loading yourself down... Look what happened in third year... The Time-Turner... Malfoy... then losing my wits..." Hermione explained in rapid succession. "You'll be doing far more that I did then..."
"How about a deal then?" Harry asked softly.
"A deal?" Hermione asked in return. "What sort of deal?"
"Let's just see how I do on the O.W.L.s," he started, "then, if I don't get at least three O's I won't take the classes next year."
"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret this?" Hermione asked with a shake of her head. "Fine, we'll see how well you do on the O.W.L.s. You need both O's for a class to take Advanced Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. I expect you'll do well in Muggle Studies, but I really don't think you need to take the advanced version of that class since you've lived with Muggles your entire life..."
"Thanks," Harry said with a smile. "Now about that kip? Say two hours then the Room of Requirement?"
Hermione nodded and leaned against one side of the sofa. She looked at Harry with a bit of a playful glint in her eyes and opened her arms. With a soft laugh, Harry accepted the invitation and rest his head on her chest while getting into a comfortable sleeping position.
"So this is what it feels like," Harry said with a sigh.
"Now you know why I love to cuddle with you so much," Hermione said with a chuckle.
Harry yawned and felt himself drift to sleep. "Remember, two hours... We don't want to be seen as two of you sleeping on the sofa," he said sleepily. He felt Hermione kiss the top of his head and he smiled contentedly before remembering nothing further.