Title: Just A Girl
Author: Lady B
Genre: AU Het
Pairing: Draco/Girl!Harry
Rating for this chapter: PG
Summary: Lily Potter was the top of her class in Charms and Hexes. With a bit of creativity and a spell from an ancient relative, she cast a spell upon Harry the moment she died, thereby ensuring that her child would survive. Only no one understood the nature of her spell and its long-term effects. Is the Wizarding World prepared to deal with...A Girl Who Lived?
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Yes this is het. I know I said I'd never write one again, but my bunny was chomping at my heels for this. I'm not following the books/movies much and there will be time-line jumps.

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Chapter 8: Another Year Begins...

Stepping through the barrier at 9¾ was a bit like coming home. Harry smiled when she spotted Pansy waiting by the train. She made her way toward the girl, who waved when they spotted one another.

"Harry, have a good summer?" Pansy asked.

"I did. Uncle Vernon got a large bonus and sprung for a trip to Greece."

"Meet any gorgeous Greek heirs?"

"None that I was interested in, but Dudley found a nice bloke." Harry grinned. Pansy snorted with barely contained glee.

"I take it your uncle wasn't pleased?"

"Not at first. But Galen was very charming. He had a standing invitation to visit England by the time we left."

"Saw nothing you liked then?"

"All those dark-skinned, muscular Greek gods with fabulous hair were not for me. I'm more into the pale blond type with the fabulous hair." She felt an arm wrap around her waist and a kiss to her cheek.

"I should hope so!" came a familiar voice. Harry gasped and whirled around.

"Draco!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend's neck.

"I take it you missed me?" the blond smirked as they drew apart.

"You didn't write me once this summer." Harry pouted.

"I'm sorry love. Mum took me out of the country for the summer and I had no access to owls or the floo." Draco admitted. Harry stared him in the eye.

"Are you all right?" she asked, her tone serious.

"Not here." he stated, looking around the crowded platform. She nodded in understanding. The three of them boarded the train and found themselves a compartment. Draco pulled Harry into his lap and snuggled her close. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek on his head, sensing his need for this. It was how Blaise found them when he finally made an appearance.

"Merlin's hairy balls, Draco! You couldn't wait till we got to school before you started mauling your girlfriend?"

"Watch your mouth, Zabini, or I'll hex it shut." Draco snapped, not in the mood for his friend's jealous tirades. Blaise stared at his friend in shock. Draco had never snapped at him with such cruelty before. He took a closer look and saw the barely concealed dark circles under Draco's eyes. He nodded at his friend and sat down.

"So, Potter. How was your summer?" Blaise asked.

"It was good. Found out my cousin has a thing for Greek men." She winked at Pansy, who couldn't contain her giggles. Blaise's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Your cousin is a pouf?" Blaise asked. As soon as the word left his mouth, there were three wands trained on his face.

"Insult my cousin again, it'll be the last thing you do." Harry scowled. Blaise gulped and nodded.

"That's a disgusting word, Blaise. I can't believe you would use something so vile." Pansy told him.

"But it's what he is, isn't it?"

"You can call him gay or homosexual." Draco responded.

"Whatever." Blaise snorted.

"What the bloody fuck is your problem? Ever since last year, you've been a right shit!" Draco exclaimed.

"He's jealous." Harry stated. She had been staring at Blaise in silence the entire time.

"He has nothing to be jealous of." Draco snorted.

"He's not jealous of you, love. He's jealous of me." Harry and Blaise locked gazes.

"What are you on about, Potter?" Blaise demanded.

"The only reason you're giving Draco so much grief about the two of us is because you want him for yourself. I'm right, aren't I?" Harry asked, her gaze never wavering. Draco looked from his girlfriend to his best friend and back again.

"Blaise?" Draco asked gently. Blaise seemed to wilt under Harry's gaze.

"She's right, Draco." Blaise sighed, covering his face with his hands. Harry sat next to him and wrapped an arm around him.

"Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, Blaise. I just finished telling you about my cousin."

"Your cousin is a Muggle. I'm sure it's acceptable there."

"Actually, no. It's tolerated, not talked about in 'polite' society, made fun of and swept under the carpet like yesterday's dirt, but overall it's tolerated. But people can learn from their mistakes." Harry explained patiently.

Blaise looked at Draco.

"I should have realized you wouldn't see me that way. You've always been a bit of a ladies man."

"Blaise, I do love you, you know. But as a brother to a 'sister' as the case may be." That got a chuckle out of Blaise.

"Thanks Draco. That means a lot to me. Guess that means I should try and find myself a nice, unattached bloke. Think your uncle will let me join you next time you visit Greece?" Blaise asked Harry.

"You'll be the first I invite if he does." Harry reassured him, hugging the black boy.

Friendships re-established, they settled down to talk about their summers, and wondering who their DADA teacher would be this year.



To Be Continued...

And so begins what would have been Male!Harry's Fifth Year at Hogwarts. As you can see, there was no Dementor Incident, and no trial for using underage magic. So what does this mean for Arthur Weasley and his attack by Nagini, or the battle at the Department of Mysteries? And where does Delores "Ahem!" Umbridge come in? Hopefully I'll have those answers and more in the next few chapters. And to answer a question I've been getting frequently: It's a Draco/Girl!Harry pairing. Draco and Harry's relationship is HET as stated in my author's note. There will be no miracle spells or potions to change her back into a boy. Harry will remain a girl for the entire story. The spell Lily cast is permanent and it won't be changing anytime in the future.