A/N: Hello everybody. Sorry this took so long, but I had a death in the family, and that, on top of struggling through finals and term papers, pretty well knocked me out. But I'm graduating from college in a few days, so hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently, for those of you who haven't jumped ship. I don't expect this fic to go on much longer than a few more installments, but nevertheless, you have my word that I'll actually finish it soon. Anyhoo, enjoy.
"Oh holy hell," Harry growled, pulling up tight on his broom to avoid a bludger that had his name written all over it.
"Sorry, Harry," Wynn shouted as he flew past, though the grin on his face made him look anything but sincere. "I really wasn't aiming for your head, you know."
"I find that bloody unlikely," Harry muttered, regaining his balance in time to witness his teammate Blake, a Ravenclaw seventh year, get a goal past Johnson, the opposing Keeper. It was Christmas morning and Harry and Wynn had rounded up six other players for a pickup game of Quidditch. Wynn's team was filled out with Johnson, Crane and Allen, both seventh year Hufflepuffs. Harry was a chaser along with Blake, while Remus was the Beater and a sixth year named Grant struggled in the Keeper position. So far, they had been playing for nearly an hour, having set a ridiculously high match point of 200. With Blake's goal, it now stood at 180 to 160 in Harry's favor, but oddly enough it was Remus's doing that they were so far ahead. The man had a deadly aim with the Bludger.
"Heads up, Harry," Blake called, tossing the Quaffle across the pitch and over the heads of Crane and Allen. Harry caught the ball and took off for the goal post, pinning his body close to the handle of his broom to increase his speed. A quick and cold whistle of air against his right ear let him know that his head had nearly been taken off by Wynn's bludger. He dimly heard Remus shout, "Son of a…", just as he dimly heard the cheers from the crowd below. Dumbledore, Minnie, Pomfrey, and some of the students had come out to watch, not to mention the little dark cloud that is Severus Snape, hovering in front of the stands. Harry pulled left to avoid the Bludger that had come back for another shot and sped on to the goal post, stopping up short in front of Johnson and tossing the Quaffle through the hoop.
"Good shot, Harry!" Remus called, before thumbing his nose at Wynn, who was still grinning like a maniac, full of pride for his godson.
Johnson caught the Quaffle and hurled it to Crane, who then proceeded to toss it down the pitch with Allen. Harry chased after them and watched to his horror as Blake tried to intercept the Quaffle only to be hit in the arm with the Bludger. Wynn hadn't been putting much force behind his hits, but the impact was strong enough to loosen Blake's hold on his broom and he fell from his broom, nearly sixty feet above ground. Harry was sure that Remus, as well as the professors on the ground, all had their wands out in seconds to slow Blake's fall, but Harry still sped towards the boy, stretching his arms out and grabbing Blake around the waist. A great rush of breath from the Ravenclaw let Harry know that he was fine, just winded, and Harry quickly descended to the ground, gently let Blake go, and was back in the air in the blink of an eye, racing towards Crane and Allen, who were volleying the Quaffle towards the goal, having only paused the play long enough to make sure Blake wasn't injured.
Seeing that Harry was back in the game, Remus aimed a Bludger at the Quaffle rather than the Chasers, hoping to upset their rhythm and give Harry the chance to catch up. His tactic worked, and the Quaffle went careening off in Harry's direction. Crane dove to recover the ball, but he was impeded by Allen, who had decided on the same course. The two Chasers had to swerve to avoid collision, and the extra time allowed Harry to catch the Quaffle and turn around to fly towards his goal post. Looking behind him, he saw that Remus was keeping Wynn busy by returning the Bludger each time Wynn hit it. The field was clear for Harry and within moments he had scored the game goal.
"You would think you'd let an old man win for Christmas," Wynn laughed when all of the players had landed.
"I think he did," Remus grinned, gesturing towards the stands, where Dumbledore seemed to be collecting on a wager. "You were wonderful, Harry."
"Thanks," Harry smiled, still breathless from the game. "You alright there, Blake?" he asked.
"Yeah, fine thanks," the Ravenclaw smiled.
"Sorry 'bout that, mate," Wynn grinned apologetically.
"Don't worry," Blake shrugged. "My fault for not hanging on. Meanwhile, I'm freezing. I'm going inside to open my presents. See you later in the Great Hall," he said, waving goodbye and turning towards the castle. The other student players followed his example, but Harry went with Remus and Wynn to the stands, where Dumbledore and Severus were still waiting.
"Good game, boys," Dumbledore beamed. "Won myself five knuts from Madam Pomfrey, who was sure that young Harry here would do himself a harm."
"You bet on that?" Harry asked, incredulous.
"I was given good odds," Dumbledore smiled.
"Which would be reasonable, considering your…limitations," Severus added, giving Harry a searching look. "Of course, I doubt that any of us realized that you've found a way around them."
"What's he talking about, Harry?" Wynn asked.
"Yes, what are you talking about Severus?" Harry asked, deciding to let Severus show his cards first.
"Only that you used your thighs to hold on to that broom when you caught Blake," Severus answered.
"Well, go ahead and spoil the surprise," Harry sighed melodramatically. "Merry Christmas everybody," he added, making a show of lifting his foot, swiveling it at the ankle, and placing a none-too-gentle kick against Severus's shin.
"Merlin, Potter, act your age," Severus scowled.
"Oh, you know you liked it," Harry grinned.
"Harry, what does this mean?" Wynn asked, trying not to laugh as Snape bent to brush the snow from his robes.
"How is it possible?" Remus asked, looking closely at the way Harry was holding himself. He wasn't just floating there like a ghost. He was actually standing.
"Let me show you something," Harry said, holding out his hand. The three men watched as Harry closed his eyes, stretched his fingers, and then –
"Harry! Your hand!" Wynn gasped. In truth, they were no longer even looking at a hand. They were looking at a wing.
"You've learned how to localize your transformations?" Albus asked, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at the wing.
In answer, Harry changed his wing to a reptilian claw, the long grasped arm of a Grindylow, the paw of a basset hound, and the flipper of a narwhale.
"But-" Wynn began. Before being silenced by a look from Harry.
"Watch," Harry said, and they all looked on as Harry turned his arm human again. "Look familiar?" he asked. Dumbledore was laughing, Remus and Wynn were looking sorely confused, and Severus was just…looking.
"Your arm, it's darker then the other," Severus mused aloud. "This hand is rougher, like it works out…" and then he understood. As did Wynn.
"That's my arm!" he squawked.
"Don't sound so concerned," Severus said. "You still have your own."
"But, human?" Remus asked. "I didn't think it was possible."
"The vanity of man," Severus snorted. "Thinking we're somehow above the beasts."
"Why Severus, I didn't know you cared," Remus teased.
"So what, you're using someone else's legs?" Wynn asked.
"No, someone else's spinal cord," Harry corrected.
"How long can you sustain it?" Dumbledore asked.
"I've been working at it for a few days now. The longest period I've gone so far is six hours, but I didn't have to stop. It's much less draining than levitation."
"Harry," Remus began, but Harry anticipated his question and in seconds, Remus was staring at a mirror image of himself.
"Oh my god," Wynn whispered. Then shouted when Harry transfigured himself into Severus Snape and made to hug his godfather. The real Severus Snape did something just as shocking then. Laughing.
"Harry, I think you're doing injury to Wynn's heart," Remus grinned, so Harry transformed back into himself, but kept his hold on his godfather.
"This is the best Christmas present ever," Wynn beamed.
"I agree," Dumbledore added, smiling but his eyes were distant, calculating.
"Headmaster-" Severus began, his voice carrying an unspoken warning.
"No, of course you're right, Severus. Why don't we all go inside, open presents?" Albus smiled. "It's beginning to snow again."
So the four men all started for the castle, Harry and Wynn throwing the occasional snowball at each other, and then at Remus, as Severus and Albus had a whispered conversation.
"What are you planning, Albus?" Severus asked.
"I have no plans as of yet, Severus. You know how I feel about sending Harry to Voldemort unprepared."
"I understand that, Headmaster. But I also understand the way you were looking at him just now. He has the ability to turn into another person, Albus. He can become you. He can become Voldemort, for Merlin's sake! He's not as ill-prepared as we thought yesterday, and I know that you're thinking about how best to use him. Now, with the news from the front…" Severus trailed off then, watching as the others entered the main hall.
"I know. With the Death Eaters slowly abandoning their now mortal lord, this could be our chance. The war could be over within the month," Dumbledore continued.
"Yes. It could very well be. Don't you think we can find another way? And not send Harry into this mess after all?" Severus asked.
"You've really come to care for him, haven't you?" Dumbledore smiled.
"He's my student," Severus answered defensively. "No, he's my friend. Albus, he gave me a Christmas present," he whispered in a pained voice.
"Well, don't let it ruin your holiday," Dumbledore chuckled. "What was it?"
"A very nice bottle of wine, and…what did he call it? A Tea Shirt," Severus answered. "Grand gestures all in all, but I am serious about what I say. Sentimentality aside, if we send him off to war and he should fail, I'm afraid that the tide will turn."
"I knew there had to be a practical side to your argument," Dumbledore laughed. "Very well, Severus. I give you my word not to involve Harry in the war unless it becomes absolutely necessary to do so."
Severus didn't seem too happy with that, but he let the discussion drop as he joined the others in the Great Hall for a late breakfast. The remaining students were scattered about, playing with new sets of Gobstones and wizard chess, showing off fresh robes and passing about candy that would spoil breakfast and the feast planned for that evening. Over at the Gryffindor table, Remus was thumbing through a book on Roman mythology that Harry had ordered for him, while Wynn was tinkering with one of the presents he had received from students, a yo-yo. Harry laughed as his godfather made a mess of it and, seeing Severus at the doorway, waved the Potions master over. After a moment of internal debate, Severus joined Harry at his table, swallowing his shock when Wynn moved over to make room for him. As Harry looked about the great hall, at the kids playing around with genuine smiles, at Dumbledore blushing upon receiving socks and a peck on the cheek from Minnie, at Remus laughing as he tried to untie the knots that had ensnared Wynn's fingers, at Severus asking politely to look at Remus's book, Harry was sure that this was the best Christmas he had ever had.