Over the next couple of weeks, Harry worked hard in his classes and
learned as much as possible. He used his free time to learn more and work
on what he already knew. He practiced his new powers everyday with
everything he did. Many times, he and the others would fight each other so
they could practice. They didn't fight to hurt each other though as Stacy
made sure of it.
Harry grew close to the others and they became really good friends. They did a lot together. Harry learned more about each of them as they learned more about him. What Harry liked the most was that they treated him like a regular person and not like The Boy Who Lived, which Harry appreciated a lot.
He often exchanged letters with his friends and told them that he was fine but he kept his promise to Stacy not to tell them that he was a shapeshifter. He didn't tell anyone.
Through out the weeks, Harry's appearance changed just like Ashley had said the second he used one of his elemental powers. His hair changed to a light blond but his eyes, which he was happy about, stayed green if not becoming more emerald or bright. Harry often played with his looks by changing his hair back to black but mostly he left it blond liking the new look and receiving complements from the others telling him that his hair looks better messy as blond. Harry had also earned a nickname. The other's nicknames had come from the first animal they changed into. Harry earned the nickname Wolf. Although his nickname's Wolf, Harry can do every other form as well as magical animals. His second form was a dragon, which he loves to change into often.
His birthday came and passed but not without the best party ever. The others gave him a party with food, music, presents and a lot more. For his birthday, Jake gave him a book on how to play chess. Harry had always talked about his friends from Hogwarts and mentioned that Ron always beat him so Jake decided to do something about it. Liz gave him a new photo album. Harry had needed one ever since Matt began taking pictures of everything. Harry didn't mind it because they weren't all of him but of the funny memories as well as events like Quidditch matches. Matt gave him a camera so he could take his own pictures. Caroline gave him a few picture frames to display some of his pictures in his room. All Harry had up was the one taken at the Dursleys, a picture of his parents, a picture of him, Hermione and Ron, and another of him, Jake, Matt, Ashley, Caroline, and Liz. Ashley gave him a silver chain to wear around his neck. She said that all the muggle boys wear them and said they looked good. Ron had sent him candy. Hermione sent him Hogwarts: A History and Harry had promised to read it, which he did. Hagrid sent him some rock cakes. Dumbledore sent them all their supply lists and the group went to Diagon Alley the next day. The best present was from Sirius. Sirius sent him a piece of paper that said Surprise. Harry stared at the paper in confusion before the doors of the eating quarters opened and a figure dressed in robes walked over to them. Everyone looked at the figure as it approached. The figure reached up and pulled off his hood revealing a well-groomed Sirius. Sirius gave him a box of things that he had found in Remus's house that had once belonged to Lily and James. Inside were more pictures, books, clothes, journals and a lot more. Sirius stayed with Harry for the rest of the summer until finally September first came.
****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ******
"Wolf get up! You'll miss the train!" Jake yelled through the door.
Harry woke up and sat up groggily. Looking at his alarm clock he saw that it was only 10:00. The train was at 11. Stretching and getting out of bed, Harry quickly took a shower. Getting out of the shower, he snapped his fingers as new clothes appeared on him. Finally all dressed, he put on his watch (he'd gotten a new one that's not broken) and his silver chain. Quickly combing through his messy hair, Harry turned around to his trunk and shrunk it with a wave of his hand and put it in his pocket.
"I can get used to this," he said.
More banging was heard from the door. "Wolf, are you up yet?" he heard Caroline ask.
"Yea Cat, I'm up," he answered using her nickname.
"Then hurry up. We're leaving in a few minutes!" she said. Harry could hear her excitement.
Harry walked over to the door and opened it up so he and Caroline didn't have to scream through a door. "Why are we leaving so early?" he asked.
"Stacy wants us to get there early," she responded.
"The train leaves at 11. Why are we leaving at 10?" he asked walking back into his room. He quickly grabbed Hedwig's cage and looked around the room for anything else he wanted. Whatever he found, he just shrunk and put it in his pocket.
Walking into the room, Caroline answered, "We aren't going on the train. Remember? Stacy said we're going there a different way and we're getting there before the students." Harry thought back and remembered Stacy saying something to that effect. He was tired at the time so Harry wasn't surprised that he forgot about it. "And remember that you need to wear your elemental robes today. Stacy said we needed to wear them but I don't remember why," Caroline said mumbling the last part to herself as she walked out the door.
"Hey Wolf!" a voice said from the door. Harry looked up and saw Ashley smiling happily.
"Hey Eagle. Happy to be going to Hogwarts?" Harry asked sitting down on his bed.
Ashley walked over to him and sat down. "I've been waiting for this day for the longest time," She responded.
"Do you know why we need to wear our elemental robes today?" he asked.
Ashley thought for a moment before saying, "I think I might know. She wants us to show up in them with our hoods up so no one could recognize us, or should I say you, before we tell them who we are."
"So we're to hide from everyone under the hoods until we introduce ourselves?" Harry translated back. Ashley nodded. "We've changed our appearances. Wouldn't they be unable to recognize us?"
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. "Just in case, I guess. We'll I'm going back to my room to see if I left anything." She stood up and headed for the door until Harry stopped her.
"You've never seen Hogwarts have you?" Ashley stopped at the door and shook her head wondering what Harry was up to. "Now I'm wondering whether to show you or have you wait." Ashley's eyes lit up as he said this. Seeing her face, Harry started laughing. "Ok, ok. Come here," he said pointing to a spot on the bed. She came over and waited for Harry to show her Hogwarts.
Suddenly the colors of the room changed and in no time Hogwarts could be seen in the distance. Ashley's mouth dropped. "That's Hogwarts?" she asked quietly. Harry nodded. She let her look for a few more seconds until he changed his room back to it's dreamy color. Ashley looked at him disappointed.
"I have to change it back or you wouldn't be surprised when you saw the real thing. If you weren't surprised the others will know that I showed you and Jake will dump me in the lake," Harry explained. Ashley nodded her agreement and stood up.
"Now I have to see if I forgot anything," she said leaving the room. Harry took one more look around until he made his elemental robes appear on his bed. Grabbing them, he ran out of his room and down the stairs to the eating quarters.
Walking through the doors to the eating quarters, he saw Jake, Matt, Caroline, Liz, Sirius and Stacy already sitting down and eating. They looked all excited, as they talked to each other most likely about Hogwarts and what they will see. Stacy sat at the head of the table reading the Daily Prophet. Sirius was looking through a magazine. Harry walked over to the table and sat between Sirius and Jake helping himself to some toast. A few minutes later, Ashley walked in and sat on the opposite side as Harry and helped herself to pancakes.
After more talking and eating, Stacy put down her paper and addressed the group. "In a few minutes will we be going to Hogwarts. I want everyone to be wearing his or her elemental robe with the hood up at all times. That is until I tell you to take them down. Albus Dumbledore would like us to talk about different things that a shapeshifter can do to educate the students. He will probably also announce that I'm the new DADA teacher." Everyone looked at her surprised that she never mentioned it. "This will take place in the Great Hall during the feast. I want each of you to talk about something different from each other. You can pick what you want to say there," she said before sitting down.
Sirius looked at his watch. "It's 10:45. Ready to go?" he asked everyone. They all got up quickly.
"Everyone, go out the main doors and walk to the front gate. We're taking a train. It will bring us to Hogwarts fast," Stacy yelled over the noise. "I hope you all have your luggage and supplies!"
While everyone ran ahead, Ashley stayed with Harry who stayed with Sirius.
"Sirius, are you coming to Hogwarts with us?" Harry asked noticing that Sirius was walking with them.
Sirius smiled down at Harry before looking up. They walked out of the eating room and walked out the main doors.
"For awhile yes. I'll be staying as a dog, of course, but I'll be there." Sirius responded before looking up ahead at the others running onto the train.
"I wish you didn't have to go as a dog," Harry remarked gloomy.
"Me either, kido, me either," Sirius responded.
"At least Sirius will be there for all of the Quidditch matches," Ashley added. "You play seeker for Gryffindor right Harry?"
"Yea. I can't wait until the first game," Harry answered wanting to play a real game so much. When he played with the others, they had just enough people for one team so they couldn't play a real game.
"I can't wait for Quidditch. I love playing," Ashley said.
Harry suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Eagle. I think there's a position open on the Gryffindor team."
Ashley eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked. "Which one?"
"Keeper," Harry responded remembering that Oliver Wood graduated two years before leaving the position of keeper open.
"It would be fun to play," Ashley remarked before they finally reached the train. As soon as they hopped on board, the train started to go. They quickly found a seat and continued talking. Harry noticed how fast they were going. The trees and fields were going by faster than usual on the Hogwarts Express.
"So Harry," began Sirius. "There's a position open for Quidditch captain. Think you'll get it?" Harry didn't even think of being captain.
"I really don't know, Padfoot. Maybe but I don't know."
"It would be really cool if you were captain," Ashley remarked before taking out a book on her element Air. She always tried to learn more about everything she could do. Harry and Sirius continued talking, especially about what Harry was going to say at the feast, until Stacy came by telling them to put on their robes. They would be arriving soon.
"I think the train was charmed to go faster," Harry said noticing how short of a time it took them to reach Hogwarts.
"I think so too, Wolf." Harry quickly put on his robes over his clothes as Sirius changed into a dog. Once the train came to a halt, they each walked off the train with their robes on and hoods up. Getting few glances at their faces Harry could tell who was who. Caroline was wearing robes of dark red. Jake was dark green. Matt was dark green and blue. Liz was white with some hints of blue. Ashley was a shimmery blue. Harry had robes of light blue. Stacy was in robes of dark purple. Looking up, he saw that the train had dropped them off in front of the castle before leaving.
"Let's hurry and get inside," Stacy said before walking up to the front doors and knocking.
A few moments later, the door opened revealing Professor McGonagall. She looked at them with a smile before moving aside and rushing them in. Once inside, Stacy removed her hood but ordered the others to keep on theirs. She greeted the professor until they heard more steps to the side of them. Looking around, they saw Professor Dumbledore walking up to them.
'I wonder if he knows I'm here,' Harry asked the others in the heads using telepathy. At first he was rewarded with everyone jumping ten feet in the air and curious looks from the teachers. Harry saw a few of them shrug their shoulders to Harry's question.
"It's a pleasure to have you here at last," Dumbledore said addressing the shapeshifters. "If you would follow me, I would like you to be sorted into houses. At Hogwarts, you will be staying in houses although I have a feeling in which one you will all fit into," he said looking at each of them, especially Harry. His eyes were sparkling behind his glasses. He led them all to the Great Hall where McGonagall set a stool down and grabbed the sorting hat. "That shorting hat won't sing it's song till the other students arrive," she said. "There are four houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I don't know your names so just come up one at a time and I'll put the hat on your head. Harry shot a glance at Stacy and secretly asked if he should put on the hat. She nodded slightly. He then asked her if Dumbledore knew about him being here. She nodded slightly again. Harry turned back to the sorting as each of his friends stepped forward and tried on the hat. They all ended up in Gryffindor.
Still with their hoods up, Professor Dumbledore described what it meant to be in a house and what was expected of them. He just finished talking when the doors opened and students pilled in. Dumbledore ordered them to sit next to him at the staff table. As the students pilled in, he saw many of the looking at them.
"Their staring at us," Ashley remarked quietly.
"Well we look like Death Eaters," Matt responded.
"Not really. They wear black. We have colored robes," Harry said back. Harry looked around at the students and saw many he recognized. He then saw two people rushing toward Dumbledore. It was a red head boy and a girl with brown hair. It was Ron and Hermione. They rushd up to Dumbledore with fear on their faces.
"Professor. Harry wasn't on the train-"
"We couldn't find him anywhere-"
"What if those muggles didn't let him come-"
"What if something bad happened-"
They said at once. Dumbledore silenced them with a wave of his hand. He smiled at them. "I believe that Mr. Potter is fine. I can assure of it. Now go back to your tables. The sorting is beginning." Hermione and Ron turned around and headed back but not without a look in the direction of Harry and the others.
"They care about you," Ashley said.
"That they do, Eagle, but I feel bad. I can't tell them that I'm safe," Harry responded.
"You can tell them in a little while," she said back quietly. "Do you know what you're going to say?"
"Yea I think so."
"Good. So do I." The two of them stopped talking and listened to the sorting. They listened to the hat sing and they waited for the first years to be sorted. There were a few in each house. Finally Dumbledore stood up and the Great Hall got quiet.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. This year is very special. This year we have special guests joining us. We also have a new DADA teacher," Dumbledore said. People shot glances at the robes figures. "I would like to introduce the new DADA teacher, Professor Stacy Miller." There was applause. Stacy stood up and faced the students.
"Thank you," she began. The clapping stopped. "As Professor Dumbledore said, this year is very special. For a long time I was given the job and opportunity to teach and become friends with some very special and talented teenagers. I've taught them everything they needed to know about themselves as well as everything else. I was given the DADA job in hopes that I could teach others what to be ready for and teaching ways to help over come bad and dark times. Today I've brought with me some very talented teenagers that I've taught for many years. Two have had weeks of dealing with me but some have had years," she added with a smile. She looked at the shapeshifters. "These group of people have been taught everything they needed to know about being who they are. About being a shapeshifter. Now I'll let them tell you about what they can go as well as their names." She nodded to the teenagers and sat down. They went in a line. Jake stood up first and removed his hood.
"I've been taught by Stacy for the longest time. Shapeshifters live up to their name. They are shapeshifters. They can change into any animal them want to at any time during the day or night. They can turn into magical or non magical animals easily with just a simple thought." Jake looked around at the group. "My name is Jake Malon," he said before sitting down. This time Caroline stood up and removed her hood.
"Not only can shapeshifters change into animals but also things not classified as animals such as creatures like Vampires. My name is Caroline Andrews." Caroline sat down. Harry looked around at the students. Some were confused while others were amazed. The Slytherin table looked bored while the Gryffindor table looked interested. Harry saw Hermione looked at them in amazement.
When Caroline sat down, Liz stood up. Removing her hood she said, "All shapeshifters have things in common. I think the most important thing we have in common that really helped us with our learning is our photographic memory. We learned everything that is learned in school as well as everything we need to know being what we are. My name is Liz Peterson."
Liz sat down and Matt stood up taking off his hood. "All of us have the ability to use wandless magic. We still all have our wands and at times might use it but not all the time. Most of the time we can do things easily with just a wave of a hand. Most of the time without saying a charm. My name is Matt Keper." Matt sat down and Ashley stood up. Harry was after her.
Taking down her hood, Ashley looked around at everyone before saying what she wanted to say. "It's rare but all of us have been give an element. We all control a different element, which makes us elementals. We can all use different elements that would really help us in whatever we do. We all have personalities that go with our element. My name is Ashley Strone."
It was finally Harry's turn. Slowly, he stood up and faced the students. He saw many faces of the people he knew. He slowly lowered his hood and began to say what he was preparing to say. He had told Stacy what he was going to do and she okayed it. Taking a deep breath, Harry began. "Not only has being an elemental shaped our personalities but it also changed our appearances. The first time that any of us used an element power, our appearances changed to one that suited that element." Harry paused. That was all he was going to say. Now all he had to say was his name but it wasn't as easy as it seemed before. "My name," he began, "is Harry James Potter."
Harry heard everyone gasp as well as some chairs fall to the floor especially from the Gryffindor table. Looking over to the table, he saw Ron and Hermione stare at him in disbelief.
"Harry?" Hermione asked just above a whisper. Harry nodded and decided to change his appearance. His hair slowly changed to black, his scar appeared on his forehead and his glasses appeared back on his face. Hermione rushed over to him and hugged him so hard he couldn't breathe.
"Hermione! He can't breathe!" Ron yelled. Hermione let go just before Ron hugged Harry.
"You weren't on the train! You scared me half to death!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry laughed and changed his appearance back to the way it was.
"Now I will ask you all," Dumbledore interrupted looking at the shapeshifters, "to tell us what element you control." They all looked over to Stacy who nodded back. They then looked at each other. Harry had an idea. He had the group huddle and explained what they were going to do. Each person will one at a time display something they can do and it was up to the students to figure out what they control.
Jake went first. He made the whole room shake as if it was in the middle of an Earthquake. Everyone guessed Earth right away. Caroline went first and lit a bunch of candles that weren't lit yet. Everyone knew what she was. Liz went first by freezing all the flames from the candles. They all knew she was ice. Caroline had to melt the ice on the candles. Matt went next and made it rain. Ashley made wind blow. The students were able to guess everyone's element easy but Harry's gave them trouble. At first Harry made items float and move through the air. He then teleported around the room. Harry even flew around the room. For his final demonstration, Harry used telepathy to talk to everyone in his or her mind. It was Hermione who shouted out "The element of the Mind!" She earned house points for that.
After the demonstration, the shapeshifters sat with the Gryffindors as it was their house also and chatted. They were asked a lot of questions and answered all of them leaving them all tired. Dumbledore soon sent them to bed. They all went up to Gryffindor tower. Matt and Jake had been put in the same room as Harry and Ron. Finally they all fell asleep.
Harry grew close to the others and they became really good friends. They did a lot together. Harry learned more about each of them as they learned more about him. What Harry liked the most was that they treated him like a regular person and not like The Boy Who Lived, which Harry appreciated a lot.
He often exchanged letters with his friends and told them that he was fine but he kept his promise to Stacy not to tell them that he was a shapeshifter. He didn't tell anyone.
Through out the weeks, Harry's appearance changed just like Ashley had said the second he used one of his elemental powers. His hair changed to a light blond but his eyes, which he was happy about, stayed green if not becoming more emerald or bright. Harry often played with his looks by changing his hair back to black but mostly he left it blond liking the new look and receiving complements from the others telling him that his hair looks better messy as blond. Harry had also earned a nickname. The other's nicknames had come from the first animal they changed into. Harry earned the nickname Wolf. Although his nickname's Wolf, Harry can do every other form as well as magical animals. His second form was a dragon, which he loves to change into often.
His birthday came and passed but not without the best party ever. The others gave him a party with food, music, presents and a lot more. For his birthday, Jake gave him a book on how to play chess. Harry had always talked about his friends from Hogwarts and mentioned that Ron always beat him so Jake decided to do something about it. Liz gave him a new photo album. Harry had needed one ever since Matt began taking pictures of everything. Harry didn't mind it because they weren't all of him but of the funny memories as well as events like Quidditch matches. Matt gave him a camera so he could take his own pictures. Caroline gave him a few picture frames to display some of his pictures in his room. All Harry had up was the one taken at the Dursleys, a picture of his parents, a picture of him, Hermione and Ron, and another of him, Jake, Matt, Ashley, Caroline, and Liz. Ashley gave him a silver chain to wear around his neck. She said that all the muggle boys wear them and said they looked good. Ron had sent him candy. Hermione sent him Hogwarts: A History and Harry had promised to read it, which he did. Hagrid sent him some rock cakes. Dumbledore sent them all their supply lists and the group went to Diagon Alley the next day. The best present was from Sirius. Sirius sent him a piece of paper that said Surprise. Harry stared at the paper in confusion before the doors of the eating quarters opened and a figure dressed in robes walked over to them. Everyone looked at the figure as it approached. The figure reached up and pulled off his hood revealing a well-groomed Sirius. Sirius gave him a box of things that he had found in Remus's house that had once belonged to Lily and James. Inside were more pictures, books, clothes, journals and a lot more. Sirius stayed with Harry for the rest of the summer until finally September first came.
****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ******
"Wolf get up! You'll miss the train!" Jake yelled through the door.
Harry woke up and sat up groggily. Looking at his alarm clock he saw that it was only 10:00. The train was at 11. Stretching and getting out of bed, Harry quickly took a shower. Getting out of the shower, he snapped his fingers as new clothes appeared on him. Finally all dressed, he put on his watch (he'd gotten a new one that's not broken) and his silver chain. Quickly combing through his messy hair, Harry turned around to his trunk and shrunk it with a wave of his hand and put it in his pocket.
"I can get used to this," he said.
More banging was heard from the door. "Wolf, are you up yet?" he heard Caroline ask.
"Yea Cat, I'm up," he answered using her nickname.
"Then hurry up. We're leaving in a few minutes!" she said. Harry could hear her excitement.
Harry walked over to the door and opened it up so he and Caroline didn't have to scream through a door. "Why are we leaving so early?" he asked.
"Stacy wants us to get there early," she responded.
"The train leaves at 11. Why are we leaving at 10?" he asked walking back into his room. He quickly grabbed Hedwig's cage and looked around the room for anything else he wanted. Whatever he found, he just shrunk and put it in his pocket.
Walking into the room, Caroline answered, "We aren't going on the train. Remember? Stacy said we're going there a different way and we're getting there before the students." Harry thought back and remembered Stacy saying something to that effect. He was tired at the time so Harry wasn't surprised that he forgot about it. "And remember that you need to wear your elemental robes today. Stacy said we needed to wear them but I don't remember why," Caroline said mumbling the last part to herself as she walked out the door.
"Hey Wolf!" a voice said from the door. Harry looked up and saw Ashley smiling happily.
"Hey Eagle. Happy to be going to Hogwarts?" Harry asked sitting down on his bed.
Ashley walked over to him and sat down. "I've been waiting for this day for the longest time," She responded.
"Do you know why we need to wear our elemental robes today?" he asked.
Ashley thought for a moment before saying, "I think I might know. She wants us to show up in them with our hoods up so no one could recognize us, or should I say you, before we tell them who we are."
"So we're to hide from everyone under the hoods until we introduce ourselves?" Harry translated back. Ashley nodded. "We've changed our appearances. Wouldn't they be unable to recognize us?"
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. "Just in case, I guess. We'll I'm going back to my room to see if I left anything." She stood up and headed for the door until Harry stopped her.
"You've never seen Hogwarts have you?" Ashley stopped at the door and shook her head wondering what Harry was up to. "Now I'm wondering whether to show you or have you wait." Ashley's eyes lit up as he said this. Seeing her face, Harry started laughing. "Ok, ok. Come here," he said pointing to a spot on the bed. She came over and waited for Harry to show her Hogwarts.
Suddenly the colors of the room changed and in no time Hogwarts could be seen in the distance. Ashley's mouth dropped. "That's Hogwarts?" she asked quietly. Harry nodded. She let her look for a few more seconds until he changed his room back to it's dreamy color. Ashley looked at him disappointed.
"I have to change it back or you wouldn't be surprised when you saw the real thing. If you weren't surprised the others will know that I showed you and Jake will dump me in the lake," Harry explained. Ashley nodded her agreement and stood up.
"Now I have to see if I forgot anything," she said leaving the room. Harry took one more look around until he made his elemental robes appear on his bed. Grabbing them, he ran out of his room and down the stairs to the eating quarters.
Walking through the doors to the eating quarters, he saw Jake, Matt, Caroline, Liz, Sirius and Stacy already sitting down and eating. They looked all excited, as they talked to each other most likely about Hogwarts and what they will see. Stacy sat at the head of the table reading the Daily Prophet. Sirius was looking through a magazine. Harry walked over to the table and sat between Sirius and Jake helping himself to some toast. A few minutes later, Ashley walked in and sat on the opposite side as Harry and helped herself to pancakes.
After more talking and eating, Stacy put down her paper and addressed the group. "In a few minutes will we be going to Hogwarts. I want everyone to be wearing his or her elemental robe with the hood up at all times. That is until I tell you to take them down. Albus Dumbledore would like us to talk about different things that a shapeshifter can do to educate the students. He will probably also announce that I'm the new DADA teacher." Everyone looked at her surprised that she never mentioned it. "This will take place in the Great Hall during the feast. I want each of you to talk about something different from each other. You can pick what you want to say there," she said before sitting down.
Sirius looked at his watch. "It's 10:45. Ready to go?" he asked everyone. They all got up quickly.
"Everyone, go out the main doors and walk to the front gate. We're taking a train. It will bring us to Hogwarts fast," Stacy yelled over the noise. "I hope you all have your luggage and supplies!"
While everyone ran ahead, Ashley stayed with Harry who stayed with Sirius.
"Sirius, are you coming to Hogwarts with us?" Harry asked noticing that Sirius was walking with them.
Sirius smiled down at Harry before looking up. They walked out of the eating room and walked out the main doors.
"For awhile yes. I'll be staying as a dog, of course, but I'll be there." Sirius responded before looking up ahead at the others running onto the train.
"I wish you didn't have to go as a dog," Harry remarked gloomy.
"Me either, kido, me either," Sirius responded.
"At least Sirius will be there for all of the Quidditch matches," Ashley added. "You play seeker for Gryffindor right Harry?"
"Yea. I can't wait until the first game," Harry answered wanting to play a real game so much. When he played with the others, they had just enough people for one team so they couldn't play a real game.
"I can't wait for Quidditch. I love playing," Ashley said.
Harry suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Eagle. I think there's a position open on the Gryffindor team."
Ashley eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked. "Which one?"
"Keeper," Harry responded remembering that Oliver Wood graduated two years before leaving the position of keeper open.
"It would be fun to play," Ashley remarked before they finally reached the train. As soon as they hopped on board, the train started to go. They quickly found a seat and continued talking. Harry noticed how fast they were going. The trees and fields were going by faster than usual on the Hogwarts Express.
"So Harry," began Sirius. "There's a position open for Quidditch captain. Think you'll get it?" Harry didn't even think of being captain.
"I really don't know, Padfoot. Maybe but I don't know."
"It would be really cool if you were captain," Ashley remarked before taking out a book on her element Air. She always tried to learn more about everything she could do. Harry and Sirius continued talking, especially about what Harry was going to say at the feast, until Stacy came by telling them to put on their robes. They would be arriving soon.
"I think the train was charmed to go faster," Harry said noticing how short of a time it took them to reach Hogwarts.
"I think so too, Wolf." Harry quickly put on his robes over his clothes as Sirius changed into a dog. Once the train came to a halt, they each walked off the train with their robes on and hoods up. Getting few glances at their faces Harry could tell who was who. Caroline was wearing robes of dark red. Jake was dark green. Matt was dark green and blue. Liz was white with some hints of blue. Ashley was a shimmery blue. Harry had robes of light blue. Stacy was in robes of dark purple. Looking up, he saw that the train had dropped them off in front of the castle before leaving.
"Let's hurry and get inside," Stacy said before walking up to the front doors and knocking.
A few moments later, the door opened revealing Professor McGonagall. She looked at them with a smile before moving aside and rushing them in. Once inside, Stacy removed her hood but ordered the others to keep on theirs. She greeted the professor until they heard more steps to the side of them. Looking around, they saw Professor Dumbledore walking up to them.
'I wonder if he knows I'm here,' Harry asked the others in the heads using telepathy. At first he was rewarded with everyone jumping ten feet in the air and curious looks from the teachers. Harry saw a few of them shrug their shoulders to Harry's question.
"It's a pleasure to have you here at last," Dumbledore said addressing the shapeshifters. "If you would follow me, I would like you to be sorted into houses. At Hogwarts, you will be staying in houses although I have a feeling in which one you will all fit into," he said looking at each of them, especially Harry. His eyes were sparkling behind his glasses. He led them all to the Great Hall where McGonagall set a stool down and grabbed the sorting hat. "That shorting hat won't sing it's song till the other students arrive," she said. "There are four houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I don't know your names so just come up one at a time and I'll put the hat on your head. Harry shot a glance at Stacy and secretly asked if he should put on the hat. She nodded slightly. He then asked her if Dumbledore knew about him being here. She nodded slightly again. Harry turned back to the sorting as each of his friends stepped forward and tried on the hat. They all ended up in Gryffindor.
Still with their hoods up, Professor Dumbledore described what it meant to be in a house and what was expected of them. He just finished talking when the doors opened and students pilled in. Dumbledore ordered them to sit next to him at the staff table. As the students pilled in, he saw many of the looking at them.
"Their staring at us," Ashley remarked quietly.
"Well we look like Death Eaters," Matt responded.
"Not really. They wear black. We have colored robes," Harry said back. Harry looked around at the students and saw many he recognized. He then saw two people rushing toward Dumbledore. It was a red head boy and a girl with brown hair. It was Ron and Hermione. They rushd up to Dumbledore with fear on their faces.
"Professor. Harry wasn't on the train-"
"We couldn't find him anywhere-"
"What if those muggles didn't let him come-"
"What if something bad happened-"
They said at once. Dumbledore silenced them with a wave of his hand. He smiled at them. "I believe that Mr. Potter is fine. I can assure of it. Now go back to your tables. The sorting is beginning." Hermione and Ron turned around and headed back but not without a look in the direction of Harry and the others.
"They care about you," Ashley said.
"That they do, Eagle, but I feel bad. I can't tell them that I'm safe," Harry responded.
"You can tell them in a little while," she said back quietly. "Do you know what you're going to say?"
"Yea I think so."
"Good. So do I." The two of them stopped talking and listened to the sorting. They listened to the hat sing and they waited for the first years to be sorted. There were a few in each house. Finally Dumbledore stood up and the Great Hall got quiet.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. This year is very special. This year we have special guests joining us. We also have a new DADA teacher," Dumbledore said. People shot glances at the robes figures. "I would like to introduce the new DADA teacher, Professor Stacy Miller." There was applause. Stacy stood up and faced the students.
"Thank you," she began. The clapping stopped. "As Professor Dumbledore said, this year is very special. For a long time I was given the job and opportunity to teach and become friends with some very special and talented teenagers. I've taught them everything they needed to know about themselves as well as everything else. I was given the DADA job in hopes that I could teach others what to be ready for and teaching ways to help over come bad and dark times. Today I've brought with me some very talented teenagers that I've taught for many years. Two have had weeks of dealing with me but some have had years," she added with a smile. She looked at the shapeshifters. "These group of people have been taught everything they needed to know about being who they are. About being a shapeshifter. Now I'll let them tell you about what they can go as well as their names." She nodded to the teenagers and sat down. They went in a line. Jake stood up first and removed his hood.
"I've been taught by Stacy for the longest time. Shapeshifters live up to their name. They are shapeshifters. They can change into any animal them want to at any time during the day or night. They can turn into magical or non magical animals easily with just a simple thought." Jake looked around at the group. "My name is Jake Malon," he said before sitting down. This time Caroline stood up and removed her hood.
"Not only can shapeshifters change into animals but also things not classified as animals such as creatures like Vampires. My name is Caroline Andrews." Caroline sat down. Harry looked around at the students. Some were confused while others were amazed. The Slytherin table looked bored while the Gryffindor table looked interested. Harry saw Hermione looked at them in amazement.
When Caroline sat down, Liz stood up. Removing her hood she said, "All shapeshifters have things in common. I think the most important thing we have in common that really helped us with our learning is our photographic memory. We learned everything that is learned in school as well as everything we need to know being what we are. My name is Liz Peterson."
Liz sat down and Matt stood up taking off his hood. "All of us have the ability to use wandless magic. We still all have our wands and at times might use it but not all the time. Most of the time we can do things easily with just a wave of a hand. Most of the time without saying a charm. My name is Matt Keper." Matt sat down and Ashley stood up. Harry was after her.
Taking down her hood, Ashley looked around at everyone before saying what she wanted to say. "It's rare but all of us have been give an element. We all control a different element, which makes us elementals. We can all use different elements that would really help us in whatever we do. We all have personalities that go with our element. My name is Ashley Strone."
It was finally Harry's turn. Slowly, he stood up and faced the students. He saw many faces of the people he knew. He slowly lowered his hood and began to say what he was preparing to say. He had told Stacy what he was going to do and she okayed it. Taking a deep breath, Harry began. "Not only has being an elemental shaped our personalities but it also changed our appearances. The first time that any of us used an element power, our appearances changed to one that suited that element." Harry paused. That was all he was going to say. Now all he had to say was his name but it wasn't as easy as it seemed before. "My name," he began, "is Harry James Potter."
Harry heard everyone gasp as well as some chairs fall to the floor especially from the Gryffindor table. Looking over to the table, he saw Ron and Hermione stare at him in disbelief.
"Harry?" Hermione asked just above a whisper. Harry nodded and decided to change his appearance. His hair slowly changed to black, his scar appeared on his forehead and his glasses appeared back on his face. Hermione rushed over to him and hugged him so hard he couldn't breathe.
"Hermione! He can't breathe!" Ron yelled. Hermione let go just before Ron hugged Harry.
"You weren't on the train! You scared me half to death!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry laughed and changed his appearance back to the way it was.
"Now I will ask you all," Dumbledore interrupted looking at the shapeshifters, "to tell us what element you control." They all looked over to Stacy who nodded back. They then looked at each other. Harry had an idea. He had the group huddle and explained what they were going to do. Each person will one at a time display something they can do and it was up to the students to figure out what they control.
Jake went first. He made the whole room shake as if it was in the middle of an Earthquake. Everyone guessed Earth right away. Caroline went first and lit a bunch of candles that weren't lit yet. Everyone knew what she was. Liz went first by freezing all the flames from the candles. They all knew she was ice. Caroline had to melt the ice on the candles. Matt went next and made it rain. Ashley made wind blow. The students were able to guess everyone's element easy but Harry's gave them trouble. At first Harry made items float and move through the air. He then teleported around the room. Harry even flew around the room. For his final demonstration, Harry used telepathy to talk to everyone in his or her mind. It was Hermione who shouted out "The element of the Mind!" She earned house points for that.
After the demonstration, the shapeshifters sat with the Gryffindors as it was their house also and chatted. They were asked a lot of questions and answered all of them leaving them all tired. Dumbledore soon sent them to bed. They all went up to Gryffindor tower. Matt and Jake had been put in the same room as Harry and Ron. Finally they all fell asleep.