Disclaimer; see in Part One.

Hidden Bridges
Ryoko Porter

Part Twenty

'There is no such thing as free will. The mind is induced to wish this or that by some cause, and that cause is determined by another cause, and so on back to infinity.'

Benedict Spinoza

As the weeks went past, Harry and his friends were all working hard on mastering the spell that would give them the power to battle against their enemy. It was hard on their bodies, with the constant shape shifting. Poor Harry and Draco could only rarely be able to share much physical affection. This did mean however, getting to know one another better, which of course is much better for a relationship. And it proved to be a good experience for both. Draco came to appreciate Harry's life before coming into the Wizarding world, having also been mostly unloved as a child. Harry started to understand the brainwashing affect that having obsessed parents could make a child as horrible as Draco had once seemed to be. And soon they found that they were becoming friends, as well as lovers.

It was only a week before the winter holiday started when Draco's body finally accepted a shape. He was the first to succeed with the spell, and everyone was quite impressed, even if Ron didn't want to admit to it. As Harry had predicted, Draco had taken the form of a wonderfully beautiful white dragon. His new form was very sea serpent like, with webbed claws and fins decorating his head and back. There were huge hundred foot wings also, that looked very much like the ones that Julian had. And at the very end of his tail, was a stinger that resembled the ones that stingrays had. His power was most peculiar of all though, breathing a blue fire that was so cold that it burned, instead of hot.

Luna was the next to master the spell, only a day after Draco. The others were amazed to see that she had become a delicate pearl unicorn. Her body resembled more a deer than a horse, with the tail of a lion. And atop her head was a spiraling two-foot horn, which was as sharp as a razor at the tip. Her gallop was faster than any animal the others had ever heard of. And from her horn she could cast a light that would blind anyone looking its direction.

Three day later, it was Hermione's turn to successfully cast the spell. Unfortunately though, her new form was a bit embarrassing. Everyone watched as her body grew eagles wings and the body of a lion, but kept her head and breasts the same. She'd changed into a Grecian sphinx, a clever beast of riddles, wind, and bare breasts. And she could do nothing but silently beg her friends to say nothing about her small size.

Then, not an hour after Hermione's triumph, Ron changed into a wondrous phoenix. His feathers like fire as he flew, and a song that could put anyone to sleep. Not to mention the fire he breathed, and the ashes he would regenerate from if killed.

♦♦♦

Later that night, Harry was irate with frustration. He was happy that his friends would be able to defend themselves, but annoyed that he'd yet to master the spell himself. Of all of them, he was the one who needed the use of the spell the most. Inside the Room of Requirement, he practiced with an almost violent speed.

Draco watched from the small couch that was there for him, staying out of the way. He could after all, understand his lover's frustration. It was a hurt to the pride, for the wizard who was to fight one of the greatest wizards, not to master a spell as quickly as his close friends. So silently and patiently, Draco watched his lover's body contort in some horrible shapes.

'FUCK!' Harry screamed out in physical and emotional pain. Tears started to fall from his eyes, and his breathing was uneven. Hunched over in the stark room, he tried to contain his anger.

'It's okay love,' Draco comforted quietly as he walked over to him. 'You can continue tomorrow. Your body needs rest, and so does your heart,' he said as he placed his hand on Harry's chest. Then pulling his lover up so that he could look into his eyes, Draco smiled gently. 'It'll be okay, Harry. You'll get it soon enough.'

'I know,' Harry sighed. 'I know that I will, but it's hard knowing that I've got to do it, and can't.'

'Then maybe you should stop thinking about having to do it, and just do it,' Draco suggested. With the way he'd said it, he knew that Harry's instincts would take it as a challenge, and would immediately respond.

'Fine! I'll do it then!' Harry growled. 'Monasteriense cruor!'

Once again Harry felt the agonizing pull of his body contorting into odd shapes. Not only were his skin and bones changing shape, but also his organs. And it felt as if he was growing new organs also, an entirely new feeling despite all of the practice that he had. Finally he felt his body settle, and looking over he saw his lover look at him amazed.

'I think you've done it love!' Draco gasped in surprise.

♦♦♦

Harry Potter was the last person Rita Skeeter ever expected to receive a letter from. But there it was in the morning when she awoke, being produced by a beautiful snowy owl. Reading it, she realized that it was an invitation for an interview. And that they would be discussing everything from his love life, to the Dark Lord. Especially the Dark Lord.

Well Rita just couldn't believe it! After the hassle that she'd caused him, she thought he never wanted to see her again. She even performed a authenticating spell to see if it was really written by the "Boy Who Lived". And sure and surprising enough, it had.

There was a condition to the invitation of course, but that didn't worry Rita. So long as it was her that got this story, she would do anything! All she had to do was be at Hogwarts in two days.

End Part 20.

Well another chapter done. Though I've got to admit, I'm not sure what to make Harry yet. But both you and I will know within the next two or three chapters. Also, a reviewer asked if I was going to write a threesome between Harry, Draco, and Julian… I'm sorry, but not in this, it just wouldn't work. But tell me if you guys would want a separate piece of just sex with the three?

Ryoko Porter