take the A train
Clothes had long been an issue for Harry. Although, as Lyta Alexander, she hadn’t been big on dresses. She didn’t dressed male either. She had preferred feminine looking pant-suits based on the Psi Corps uniform. So in her new life, wearing robes felt pretty comfortable. But when she began attending mundane public school, she decided that her body was too young to fight the battle about being trans and so she wore the male version of the school uniform so as to not make waves. Now that she was going away to boarding school, she decided her body was old enough for her to start asserting her self. At Madame Malkins, she did get some sets of male clothes to go under her robes, she also ‘talked’ her foster mother (with a little telepathic encouragement) into buying her a witching dress. Then, he talked her mother is to taking her and Neville into Harrods for some mundane clothes. They both got mundane jeans and underwear (which Harry preferred over the magical version) But while Neville got a selection of polo shirts and T shirts. Harry talked Alice into buying her multiple mini-dresses instead of shirts. (It helped that her foster mother was not familiar enough with muggle fashion to know that these weren’t long shirts and Harry made her tell herself that the muggle clothes would be hidden beneath their robes, anyway.
Wand shopping took forever! Neville went through dozens of wands before he peaked into Olivander’s mind and saw the one he was holding back. Neville reached out with his telekinesis and pulled the wand to him, then waved it. A shower of sparks erupted from it.
“It appears this wand has chosen you, heir Longbottom,” said Olivander. “Strange, I had thought this one was destined for mister Potter. Holly and Phoenix feather . . . this particular phoenix has only ever given two feathers . . . . and the other wand is the one that gave mister Potter his scar.”
“Ms.” replied Harry.
“Pardon?” Asked Olivander.
“I prefer to be called Ms. Potter,” replied Harry.
“As you wish, Ms. Potter,” replied Olivander. “Now let’s see about finding you a wand.”
What followed was another long trial of many wands. Harry was scanning him the whole time and when he decided she was a squib, he gave her a plain dowel to hold. She waved it, then projected into the minds of all present an illusion of sparks just like Neville’s had.
“Oh! So you’re a wizard after all!” exclaimed Olivander.
“Was there ever any doubt?” asked Alice.
(How did you do that?) telepathically asked Neville. (He clearly though you were a squib and gave you a useless dowel.)
(I projected an illusion into everyone’s mind that the wand reacted to me,) replied Harry.
(Well how are you going to do magic without a wand?) asked Neville.
(It’s alright) assured Harry. (I can do plenty without one)
As for the rest of the shopping, Harry decided not to get a pet. She did not want the responsibility of caring for an animal and she had already seen that Neville’s toad was constantly escaping.
Both of Neville’s parents took them to the station to see them onto the Hogwarts’ Express. They found a cabin with their friends: Susan and Hannah and joined them. Harry and Neville both used telekinesis to lift their trunks onto the rack.
“Wow! You even did it wandlessly!” Exclaimed Susan.
“We’re been practicing since we were little,” explained Neville.
“Excuse me, can I sit with you? All the other cabins are full,” said a red-head boy.
Harry and Neville just rolled their eyes as they could clearly see into his mind and tell that he was lying. . . . That his mother had instructed him to befriend Harry Potter. She’d seen him before in diagon alley a few times but never paid much attention to the boy. He was obviously raised in the wizarding world but didn’t attend the parties for wealthy pure bloods that Harry and Neville were dragged to. Ronald Weasley was his name . . . telepathically scanning around, Harry spotted someone who didn’t belong . . . the rat in Ronald’s pocket had the mind of a wizard and not just any wizard, but Peter Petigrew . . . now where had she heard that name before? Perhaps scanning him more deeply will tell? In Peter’s mind she saw that he had been hiding as a rat for 10 years . . . ever since he faked his own death and framed Sirius. Now where had she heard that name before? . . . Once she had seen the whole truth in all its’ appalling totality, she telepathically put the rat to sleep.
“Could I buy that rat in your pocket, Ron?” Asked Harry.
“How did you know my name is . . . Harry Potter knows my name!” Crowed Ron.
“I’ll give you a whole galleon for him.” Offered Harry.
“Sold!” exclaimed Ron.
But before he could reach into his pocket, Harry telekinetically lifted the rat into the air and into his own pocket.
“Oh! Are you doing magic?” Asked a bushy-haired girl in the hallway.
“There’s no such thing as magic,” replied Harry.
“What!?! Are you a nutter!?!” Protested everyone else in the cabin.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” quoted Harry.
“Oh, I know that one,” said the girl. “Arthur C Clarke, right? I”m Hermione Granger. I’m so excited to be going to Hogwarts. No one in my family has even gone before. As far as I know I’m the first one ever to have magic. Are you saying it’s all fakery? That it’s just smoke and mirrors? Then what are we doing here?”
“Any sufficiently analyzed magic is, in fact science,” replied Harry. “I’m here to figure out what exactly magic is. How does it work? Can it be mass produced?”
“Who cares how it works. It’s just magic,” replied Ron.
Taking a brief telepathic scan of the newcomer, Harry saw that Hermione was a very intelligent girl, used to being the smartest in her class.
“Would you care to join us?” Asked Harry.
“I’d love to,” replied Hermione. “How do you plan to ‘analyze’ magic did you bring any scientific instruments? How will you make them work and Hogwarts? I read in ‘Hogwarts: A History’ that muggle technology won’t work inside Hogwarts.”
But her stream of questions was cut off when she saw her trunk rise up and place itself on the rack. (with a little help from Harry’s telekinesis)
“Are you studying for your A-Levels while you’re at Hogwarts?” asked Harry, before she could start another stream of questions.
“No, I thought I had to give up a muggle education in order to learn magic,” replied Hermione.
“Well perhaps we could study them together?” Offered Harry. “I am especially good in math and science. You could help me with English and History.”
Although she was not scientist, in her previous life she had lived in an era where the basic education that everyone was supposed to have regardless of profession, was more advanced in math and science than the current standard. Hermione, because she was so smart, was just starting to learn algebra at age 11 before she decided to study magic. In the future Harry had lived, 14 year olds were studying calculus and quantum physics.
The six students continued to get to know each other and Draco Malfoy stopped by for yet another round of taunting Harry and Neville, but finally, they made it to the Hogsmede station.
“First Years! First Years! This way!” Called out Hagrid. “Oh! Hiya Harry! I haven’t seen ya since ya were a baby! It’s good to see you made it to Hogwarts.”
“Dean! Good to see you!” Called out Neville, when he spotted their football friend in on of the other boats.
When they were sorted, Hannah and Susan went to Hufflepuff, just as they had hoped. Hermione went to Ravenclaw, Neville went to Gryffindor. Finally, it was Harry’s turn.
She sat in the chair and let the professor place the Sorting Hat on her head. Instantly the felt the hat trying to invade her mind!
(Whatever you think you are trying to do, it won’t work,) telepathically sent Harry.
“You have occultumancy barriers already? At this young an age? What a surprise!” Said the Hat. “Nevertheless, you must let me in so that I can sort you.”
(Not a chance!) sent back Harry.
“Well then, tell me what do you want? Why are you here?” Said the Hat.
(A better question would be: Who are you?) sent Harry. (But the reason I came to this school is I want to figure out what magic actually is? How does it work?) can I give it to everyone?)
“Quite difficult task you’ve set your self,” said the Hat. “Ambition like that only belongs in: SLYTHERIN!”
Suddenly, the hall went silent . . . . after the hat was removed, Harry walked towards the table of people with green and silver ties, everyone was staring at her in shock as if she had grown a second head. Looking back at the professors’ table she saw that that Severus man that she had met when she first arrived in the past was as shocked as anyone. She started telepathically scanning everyone to see if their reaction was likely to turn violent, starting with the teachers, but when she scanned the man next to Severus . . . .
Harry found herself under telepathic attack by a very familiar mind. She’d battled this same person when she first arrived in the past for control of the body of Harry Potter. It was Tom Riddle! Last time she was caught by surprise and weakened by being in the body of a one-year-old. She’d had years to build up her telepathic strength and endurance . . . but no worthy opponents until now. She couldn’t spare any power to pretend to look normal. So her eyes were glowing with an unearthly light. And everyone was seeing her like this. When her opponent tried escaping by leaving his host body, she telepathically seized him, holding his spirit there in midair above the corpse of Professor Quirell.
“NO! YOU CAN NOT DO THIS TO ME! I AM LORD VOLDEMORT! I am immortallll . . . .” screamed the spirit of Tom Riddle as she destroyed it.
After the Dark Lord’s spirit had faded away, everyone turned back to her and stared in frightened shock. Harry made herself appear normal again.
“Miss Potter, I would like to speak with you in my office . . . immediately,” commanded Dumbledore.
Stepping away from the Slytherin table, Harry followed the Headmaster out of the Great Hall, down the hallway, pass the gargoyle and up the spiral stairs to an office filled with bookshelves and strange devices. He went to sit behind the deck and indicated for her to sit in a comfy armchair next to a bird perch on which stood a bird unlike anything she had ever seen outside of the Longbottom’s books from their private library.
“Sherbet lemon?” Offered Dumbledore as he offered a bowl of lemon drops to her.
“Is there anything magical in them?” Asked Harry.
“They are perfectly safe,” lied Dumbledore as he took one and popped it in his mouth.
Telepathically scanning deeper, she saw that they were laced with a calming potion, which often helped students cope with the stressor that brought them to his office.
“Please stopping invading my mind,” pleaded Dumbledore. “We both know I can’t keep you out.”
“I’ll restrict myself to surface scans,” offered Harry. “I’ll be able to tell if you are lying. But if you keep to the truth, I won’t go any deeper.”
‘Very well, do you want to explain to me what just happened in there?” asked Dumbledore.
“No one seemed to take my House placement well,” began Harry. “I was scanning crowd to look for threats when I noticed that Tom Riddle was inside one of your teachers. Like we did ten years ago, when I first arrived in the past, we fought telepathically. I won. He lost. I destroyed him. . . . again.”
“I see, and what was they spell that made your eyes glow?” Asked Dumbledore.
“You mean this?” Asked Harry as she resumed her true appearance, with white glowing eyes. “Is what I really am . . . the telepathic equivalent of the doomsday weapon.”
“I see . . .” lied Dumbledore, who didn’t really understand at all. “So what is your purpose in coming here to this school? Was it to confront Tom again?”
“No, I was not expecting him to be here,” replied Harry. “In fact, I had thought I had already destroyed him the first time we met. No, I am here to learn.”
“To learn magic?” Asked Dumbledore.
“More to learn what magic is,” explained Harry. “I want to learn what magic is, how it works, and what can be done with it. See, since I arrived in this era, I’ve been trying to figure out: Why have I never heard of a magic using sub-culture in my own time? Have I traveled into an alternate universe? Or did something happen to destroy your magical society? Perhaps the Vorlons came and kidnapped you all dissected you all until they had isolated the magic gene then seeded it throughout the galaxy?”
“What are Vorlons?” Asked Dumbledore.
“Aliens,” replied Harry. “Beings from another world out in space that are millions of years older than us.”
“There’s no such thing as aliens,” scoffed Dumbledore, who really believed that.
“In my time I met at least fifty different alien species,” countered Harry. “If we are in my past, they are out there in space, even now. And some of them, including the Vorlons occasionally secretly visit Earth.”
Perhaps you never encountered magic in the future because we were hiding from you?” Suggested Dumbledore.
“That’s not possible,” countered Harry. “With the technology we had in the 23rd century any hidden enclave would be quickly discovered. And that’s without taking into account the Psi Corps, who could easily detect you telepathically. No, I have a different theory. What if something happened to all of the magic society and all that were left were those you call the muggleborns. With no one to train them. they might have to figure out magic on their own. And once the first few decided that magic could only do telepathy, the rest might buy into that preconception and fall in line. Perhaps the Vorlons even messed with the DNA of the muggleborn making it so that telepathy was easier that other forms of magic.”
“What is dnah?” Asked Dumbledore.
“DNA. It’s an abbreviation for- . . forget it,” replied Harry. “You would probably think the whole thing was too ‘muggle’ for you.”
“Well, for the past 10 years, you have kept quiet and so I have left you alone,” mused Dumbledore. “Now that you’ve arrived at my school, you started things off with a bang. But I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt. As long as there are no further disruptions, you can remain a student here.”
“Thank you Principal Dumbledore,” replied Harry
“In fact, I have been thinking about a solution to your problem,” offered Dumbledore. “When you were one, you insisted that you were a woman in this male body.”
“That’s correct,” agreed Harry. “In fact, I was already planning to live my life as a woman and was going to ask people to use female pronouns for me.”
“Well, it just so happens there is a magical solution to your problem,” explained Dumbledore. “There is a potion that can change your gender. Usually it is used on babies to turn little girls into little boys. But it could also be used to turn you into a girl.”
“Is it dangerous? Are there any side effects?” Asked Harry.
“Well the process of change is reputed to be extremely painful, more so for the boy to girl transformation than the usual change,“ admitted Dumbledore, truthfully. Also there are the long term social ramifications of you being a girl.”
“Such as? . . .” asked Harry.
“As a woman, you would not be able to continue the Potter line unless you either married a muggleborn man, or became the second wife of a pureblood with a contract declaring that your sons would continue the Potter name. Of course marrying a muggleborn man might prove problematic too. Your body’s mother was muggleborn. Some in the Wizengamott my claim that the Potter line had become too muddy.”
“I don’t care about that!” Countered Harry. “I just want to get back to normal.”
“You may not care about it at this time, but you may see things different when you are older,” admonished Dumbledore. . . . Before reaching into the drawer and pulling out a potion flask. “Very well. I’ll see that Madame Pomfrey gets this tomorrow. You can then go see her to have it properly administ-“
But his words were broken off when Harry telekinetically seized the flask and pulled it towards herself. Before Dumbledore could stop her, she had removed the stopper and quaffed the entire flask’s contents in one gulp.. . . .
If you are male, and have ever been kicked in the balls, you know that it doesn’t hurt at the site of impact. Instead it hurts in the abdomen, because that is where the gonads were when they were ovaries before they descended as part of a developing fetus. This felt exactly like that, except instead of single sharp blow this was a long continuous feeling as they ascended back up into her body. Her penis was shrinking to become a clitoris and growing twice as many new nerve endings. Her scrotum was turning into labia and it felt like someone was drilling into her pelvic floor as a new vagina, womb and fallopian tubes were formed. Harry fell out of her chair and groaned continuously as the potion worked its’ changes on her. When the process was complete, she stopped rolling on the floor and climbed back into the chair.
“That was very, very foolish, Harry,” scolded Dumbledore.