New Abilities

(I don't own anything that belongs to JKR)

This chapter includes a new OC, but she probably won't be a main character, just a fill in.

I sat on the stairs leading to the Astronomy tower finishing homework. Occasionally I would hear a group of students pass the stairwell on their way outside or to the great hall for breakfast. I glanced up at the thin window above me. It was a beautiful October morning, and most students were out enjoying their Saturday. Sadly, I was stuck inside finishing Potions homework.

Only a few more centimeters and I would be done with my essay on the properties of Pufferfish. Professor Snape had assigned me almost two feet of homework for dropping a flask of scalding potion on his desk, resulting in a very mad, very blistered Snape. On the bright side, it wasn't detention.

Finally finished, I stood and grabbed my bag, already planning the quickest route Ravenclaw tower. After nearly tripping down the stairs, I started down a hall.

The door to the commons demanded an answer before anyone could enter. I hadn't heard todays riddle, so it took a few moments before I could enter.

Some try to hide

Some try to cheat

But time will show

We always will meet

"Hmmm… Is it, er, lessons? No?" Stumped, I repeated the riddle. "Oh! Death! Dying!" The door swung open and I sighed with relief. The first week I had been locked out quite a few times until someone came along and guessed correctly.

Sitting in the biggest chair was Rowan. She had a book in her lap and one of her many inventions on the table. She looked up when I dropped my stuff in the floor by a couch. "Hey, Brin, Professor McGonagall told me to give you this." She tossed me a small scroll and went back to reading.

I broke the seal and read the short message:

Miss Jones,

Meet me in my office to discuss a very important matter.

Professor McGonagall

"Oh, great. I bet she found out that George let me in the Gryffindor dorms last week. Great, just great." I stuffed the scroll in my bag and slung it back over my shoulder. "See you later, Rowan. If I'm not in detention, that is."

Before I even knocked on the door, Professor McGonagall opened it and motioned me to sit.

"I swear I didn't do anything bad, Professor. George said it would be okay and I-" McGonagall stopped any further speech with a fixed stare.

"I did not call you here to discuss your misbehavior, Brindle. Although I would not advise doing anything George Weasley claims to be 'okay' by any means." She pulled a stack of books off a shelf and continued. "I asked you here because of your extra abilities. I have information that you possess metamorphmagi qualities. Is this true?"

I was shocked. I knew I could sometimes change my eye color, but I never thought it was anything special. "I think. Bee said something about me being a metamorpha-thingy."

She nodded. "Metamorphmagus. It is a fancy word for a witch or wizard that can change their physical appearances. Both Mrs. Willow and Professor Dumbledore wish for me to help you control and master this ability." She placed in my hands. "Flip through these and come to me if you have any questions. We will have lessons every other Saturday at 6:00." She opened the door and waved me out.

I lifted the heavy stack of books and left the room, still slightly confused. "Thanks, Professor. Starting when?" I shifted the weight to my other arm.

"Ah, yes. Let us see," she sifted through some papers and looked up, "Next Saturday should give you ample time to study a bit." She turned away and picked up a quill and started to write something. I took this as a chance to leave.

A few minutes later I was back in the common room, dumping all five (heavy) books on the table. Rowan looked up at me with the obvious question. I shrugged and simply said, "I'm special." Then I climbed the stairs to my dorm. I collapsed on my bed and drew the curtains for some privacy.

I can WILLINGLY change my appearances. I could really freak some people out. I lay on my bed for a full hour before someone came up to interrupt my thoughts. Of course, it was Raine.

"Brin? Rowan said you was up here. Helooo- Ah, there you are." She pulled back my curtain and plopped down on my bed. "Hey. Want some food?" She reached into her robe and brought out a cloth full of cookies.

I glared at her but took one anyways. "You DO realize that when someone crashes into someone else, that someone else might be a little mad, right?" I was referring to the incident that had occurred a few days earlier. Raine had stolen a class broom and slammed right into me. Madame Pomfrey used at least four different potions to make my head stop pounding.

She tossed her head and smiled. "Yeah, but I apologized. Like, six times. Seven if you count the hug. And anyways, you should have moved." She raised her eyebrows and took a bite of her cookie. "See my point?"

I most certainly did not. "Get. Out."

She sighed and stood. "Fine, but you have to get over it sometime." She tossed the cookies on my bedside table. "Keep 'em."

Once she had left, I closed the hangings back and went back to daydreaming of lime green hair and a smaller nose. And maybe pink eyes, and curls, and…

[A/N] More reviews, people! I'm running out of resources for characters, so the next few chapters will have some new OC introductions. I'll take requests, so PM me. I need two boys names and a girl name, so make 'em good! (After-after note: after this chapter, I am going to try and make the chapters longer so it might be longer periods between chapters. Thanks for your patience :) -Brin)