All stood still in the late hours of the night on the fifth floor of St. Mungo's. The long term patients snoozed soundly in their beds; except for a room at the end of the hall where a dim light spilled out into the quiet darkness. Inside, a candle's flame danced across the bare white wash walls. Moonlight poured onto the adjacent bed and revealed the only stirring figure at St. Mungo's.

Propped upright by a few pillows sat a peculiar being. Atop the head of the individual was a nest of matted hair in every color, texture, and length that it hung off the bed and trailed onto the floor. The arms and legs were covered in spots and rashes of all sorts. Colors and patterns swirled across its skin and in its hands was a letter.

The corners of the note were dented and the sides heavily wrinkled form multiple readings. Although the contents of the letter should have brought great joy to its reader, the news only reassured Lyra Tonks that she was anything but a normal witch.

Unlike her older sister Nymphadora who was happily awaiting the coming September to start her sixth year at Hogwarts, Lyra was in no condition to even think about attending the prestigious wizarding school. Her acceptance letter taunted her. She folded it up and stuffed it into the drawer of her nightstand. Her body stung and itched and ached as she blew out her candled and lie down on her bed.

Tonight was like any other night for Lyra. She had been in and out of the hospital since the age of seven. Nymphadora had been blessed with the ability to control her metamorphmagus; Lyra had not. As her body twisted, changed, and shifted as it pleases Lyra was helpless to stop it. No matter how hard she concentrated she was unable to control her power. When it became a risk to her health, her parents had her rushed to St. Mungo's.

Five years later and she was still waiting upon a cure. The healers who looked after her were some of the finest in the world, but metamorphmagus is such a rare talent that little is known about it. Lyra's case being even the more extraordinary made it unthinkable to find a cure.

Preforming magic was out of the question too. She was so sensitive to the slightest emotion that if she were not careful she would find herself covered in hives or sprouting hair from unreasonable laces. This also made it extremely difficult for Lyra to get on well with other people because she was aloof that her hair would shield her face and her lips would close shut; making it impossible for social interaction.

However, she found peace in making trinkets. Because she had nothing better to do than lie in bed all day Lyra spent her time tinkering away or researching new ideas. There was always some new to learn or some new problem to solve. She promised herself to do all that she could to not make herself anymore of a burden to people.

With her mind filled with plans for her next invention, Lyra quickly forgot all about Hogwarts and drifted off to sleep.

The next afternoon Lyra was pleasantly surprised by an unexpected visitit from her sister. She seemed to be of unusually high spirits.

"Lyra, my dear, your troubles are over!" Her sister rushed to hug her and nearly knocked over Lyra's lunch in the process.

"They're what?" Lyra gasped through the aches of skin irritation her sister's embrace caused.

"Mum and dad got a package by owl this morning straight from Dumbledore!" Nymphadora exclaimed.

Lyra pushed her sister away at the news. "Dumbledore? Why would he send something to us?"

Nymphadora gave an obvious look, "For you silly! I said your troubles are over! He sent us something to make you better!" She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a palm sized bundle. "It's in her." She placed it in Lyra's lap.

Lyra stared at the parcel in disbelief. "There's no way whatever is in there is going to fix me," she whispered skeptically.

Nymphadora grew frustrated, "What are you waiting for sis? -For it to come up and bite you? Open it already!"

Lyra did as she was told and slowly open the package. She could feel her body react to the nervous thoughts circulating in her head. Underneath the brown wrappings was a lavender box. Apprehensively, Lyra plucked off the lide and peered inside. There was a note that read:

Dear Lyra Tonks,

It has come to my attention that your abilities as a metamorphmagus have hindered you to consider not attending your first year of Hogwarts.

I'm quite sorry that it has taken me nearly four years to develop this, but I believe you will find it a solution to your problem.

Inside this box you will find a ring. When placed upon your finger a charm will activate and will then nullify your uncontrollable transformations.

I look forward to your arrival on September 1st to start your first year of Hogwarts.

Enjoy the rest of your summer holidays.

Your's most sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Lyra could hardly believe what she had read. An answer to her terrible predicament so easily resolved seemed impossible. How unworthy was she to be given a cure out of the blue by the great Dumbledore. Despite her unworthiness she wanted the chance to be normal and any insignificant feelings she felt at that moment she pushed from her mind.

"So what is it?" Nymphadora asked impatiently. She tried to identify the object in the box.

"A ring. I'm supposed to put it on," Lyra answered as she took out the ring and twiddled it in her fingers. She looked to her sister and sighed. "Wish me luck." Holding her breath Lyra slipped the ring upon her left index finger.

Immediately Lyra felt a surge of tingling from the ring that spread from her finger through her whole body. She and her sister viewed in amazement as her skin healed and even, her hair tamed and shorted, and her aches and pains ceased.

When the tingling and metamorphing subsided the sisters sat and stared at the transformation in astonishment. For the first time in a long time Lyra was herself.

"It really worked," Lyra gaped.

"Of course it did. Dumbledore made it himself. Now come on. We'er getting you out of here," Nymphadora beamed as she pulled Lyra by the hand and down the halls of St. Mungo's. "You can leave here forever! From now on things will be different sis."

"Yes. Yes, they will."