Chapter Five: Animagus transformations
Harry turned to see himself, only with longer hair.
"Let's begin," said Godric.
"Why do I have longer hair?" asked a confused Harry.
"Well, you seem to be a Metamorphmagus. When you form a duplicate, it brings out knowledge of any hidden abilities. Only so far, it seems you only know how change your hair length. Unfortunately I know little about Metamorphmagi. I'm sure there's a book in the library that can help your duplicate to learn the basics. Now what would you like to learn first?" asked Godric.
After pondering a little bit, "I want to know how to apparate," said Harry.
"Excellent. Now, first you must know that magic is everywhere, the earth, the air, animals, even muggles. Now to apparate, you just have to will your magic to combine with that of the air's magic. Now, just imagine yourself at the other side of the chamber, and then will yourself there," taught Godric.
"Ok," said a nervous Harry. He began to imagine his magic mixing with that in the air's magic, and then he pictured himself at the other side of the chamber. Harry felt a pleasant breeze, opened his eyes, and realized that he was at the other side of the chamber.
"Excellent, now come on back," said Godric.
Harry apparated back, eager to learn more.
"Now, do you know why I told you the theory behind apparation?" asked Godric, "No? Well, I find that if the mind knows the theory, doing the action is much easier. Now, you know how Hogwarts has numerous anti-apparation charms on it? Well, even places such as Hogwarts can be apparated into, just through a different method. Now, just like with regular apparation, imagine your magic mixing with another's, only this time imagine it mixing with the earth's. Got it?"
Harry imagined his energy mixing with that of the grounds, pictured himself across the chamber and was there but without the breeze. He went back to Godric.
"Now that you have apparation down, what else would you like to learn?" asked Godric, knowing the answer.
After thinking for a while, his mind fell on his father and his friends. "I want to learn to become an Animagus," said an eager Harry.
"Good, now if you were that quick to learn apparation, this should be easy for you--" said Godric.
"But it took my dad and his friends three years to learn!" interrupted Harry.
"My boy, that is doing it the hard way. There is an easier way. The Ministry of my time felt it was too dangerous that people might misuse this power, so they instituted a harder way. I will teach you an easier way. Now, sit down. Good, now enter your mind and find the door to your mind. Push all thoughts aside."
After what felt like a lifetime, Harry found a door that looked much like the cupboard door at the Dursley's. 'This is the door to my mind?' thought Harry. He then heard the faint voice of Godric.
"There? Good, now feel for a presence, that of the spirit of your Animagus form," instructed Godric.
Harry felt with his mind until he heard a faint song, a very familiar song. 'I'm a phoenix," thought Harry. He held out his arm and a beautiful red and gold phoenix landed on his arm. He noticed that the phoenix had green eyes and a black lightning bolt scar on it's forehead. Harry locked eyes with it and felt a peculiar sensation throughout his body as feathers sprouted all about him. He felt incredibly light and noticed that his eyesight was much more keen. 'So this is what its like to be a phoenix," thought Harry. He took a lap around the chamber and landed back where he was, entered his mind and transformed back to his human form.
"Well done, Harry. A phoenix. A wizard who can become a phoenix is very rare," praised Godric.
"Thanks, but I thought that people could only become non-magic animals?" asked Harry.
"Ah, well normally they only can with the new way to do it but the old way allows for two forms, a magical and non-magical animal. My magical form was, as you could probably guess, was a griffin, a mix of an eagle and a lion. However, griffins like to keep to themselves and thus can transform into either of the two. As Rowena Ravenclaw was already an eagle, I chose to take on the form of a lion. Now, that's enough for today. Tomorrow, I think your duplicate could teach you to manipulate your hair and you should go to muggle London and learn to use the equipment that you've brought into the chamber. Then we will continue the Animagus transformations," instructed Godric, "Now, I suggest you get something to eat, take a nice run or a swim, and go to bed. Oh, and think of your duplicate as someone else, it'll make it easier on the both of use. My duplicates name was Harold."
"I think I'll name him…John." said Harry, "Good night Godric."
Outside the chamber, Harry found Dobby standing patiently.
"Harry Potter sir, Dobby has finished his task. Would Harry Potter sir like anything else?" asked Dobby.
"Yes, I would like a sandwich then you may go back to Hogwarts, I'll call you if I need anything else. Oh, wait. I have something to give you for your hard day's work," said Harry. He went upstairs and pulled out two pairs of socks, interchanged them, and returned to the kitchen, where Dobby was making Harry a sandwich.
"Here you go Dobby, two pairs of socks," said Harry, giving Dobby the socks, "And thanks for your hard work today."
"Oh thank you so much Harry Potter sir. You truly are too kind," thanked Dobby and with a crack was gone.
That night, Harry went to bed and had none of his customary nightmares. The next morning, Harry thought he must have been too tired to dream the night before.