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Chapter 4

Harry's skill at becoming a Metamorphmagi was improving at a phenomenal rate. Since on Thursdays he had no classes, he practiced all day. At first, he tried while studying his books. That didn't work as he didn't absorb any knowledge nor was he able to change any features. So after an hour, he used his Touch Magic to change his hair red (quite similar to his mother's) and just tried to hold it in place. The first few times he didn't realize that it was fading, but eventually he could feel the magic fading. He just forced it to stay a little longer each time. It strengthened his skill enough to where he could change without his hands. It was a little more difficult, but he eventually was able to change just as quickly. He also found out that since he didn't use his hands, his form would stay longer with less effort, Harry figured it was because it was done naturally through his ability. Towards the end of the day, he could hold his form for a total of thirty minutes before he couldn't keep it up any longer.

He also tried the Anti-Gravity Charm. It didn't go as well, however. During his first attempt, the glass ball the Room of Requirement provided him with shattered when he couldn't control the spell. It shot straight into the ceiling like a bullet. However, when he wasn't practicing his Metamorphmagi abilities, he was finally able to get it to hover at any height he wanted, but couldn't move it towards him.

Harry however found a spell similar to the Anti-Gravity Charm, but a little more up his alley. It was Battering Pincer Hex. It shot three balls of energy at an opponent. One would arc high up, crashing down onto the target, it was slowest of the three, and it usually hit as the target had already been battered by the other two. The other two attacked from the side, usually landing the blows in each side of the rib cage as the third would land on the sternum. The trick was, the caster had to control the energy blasts to a degree. For instance, he would need to send the first blast a little farther than normal so it would land where it was supposed to, instead of where the target used to be.

His lessons with Professor Snape were a little better than usual. Being a Legilimens was harder than Harry thought. Snape was also an extremely proficient Occulmens. The most Harry could get was a faint haze in his vision. The only reason Snape didn't scorn him was because they did it in Dumbledore's office. It hurt Harry's head after the lesson, but he thought that perhaps Snape had been able to corrupt a few attacks, giving him the pain.

His mood got better when he got back to Gryffindor tower one night though. He quickly turned most of his features into Ron, except he couldn't get the height or freckles or change his eyes. When he walked in, no one took much notice of him until he plopped down next to Ron and Hermione. Needless to say, when he finally startled them it got the rest of the house interested. He laughed a bit and shifted back to his normal form. Most of his house mates came up to talk about it and even a few asked him to change into them. He did, but it still didn't look exactly like them.

Ron and Hermione weren't too impressed. Ron eventually gave in and cracked a smile, but Hermione looked a little shaken. When Harry caught her eyes he briefly saw a flash of what looked like a purple flame like whip rush towards him. He understood now why Hermione was frightened. She had thought him a Death Eater in disguise. Harry felt bad about his little stunt now. He thought he might try and cheer her up a bit. He however didn't realize he had performed passive Legilimency on his best friend.

A little later he got his chance and leaned over to her when Ron bent down to pick up a quill and whispered, "Watch this," and he reached over and touched Ron's paper. She looked on inquisitively until Ron made to finish the essay. However, the paper jerked away from him. It kept jerking away until he was crawling on the floor, chasing after it. Harry was pleased when he got a few giggles out of her. The spell faded and Ron finally got it. He just looked a little ruffled before he just started on it again. Again, Harry was reminded about Ron's lack of emotions.

On Saturday, Harry asked Ron if he wanted to go see McGonagall about the Animancer abilities. He was happy about the possibility of finding his 'inner animal.' They arrived and asked McGonagall about it. She agreed, and proceeded to gather the necessary materials. The method was similar to finding their talents. She pulled out a glass chalice. She poured some silver powder in it and lit it on fire. White flames erupted up and she had them insert their names on paper once again and dumped them in. Ron's came out first, which happened to state 'Bull.' Harry only had a few seconds before his name came out. His said, 'Common Welsh Green.' Harry was surprised at this, but McGonagall just said that is wasn't uncommon for an Animancer to have magical properties of a magical animal because they don't change into the whole animal.

McGonagall told them to come see her when they wanted to start learning how to become one. They agreed and left back to the Common Room. Harry left Ron to make it the rest of the way, when half way there, he remembered an appointment with Dumbledore. It wasn't any learning period time, Dumbledore was adamant that Harry had his weekends to relax as much as he could with his other school obligations.

Harry bypassed the stone gargoyle and entered through the doorway to find it empty. Harry wasn't surprised, Dumbledore told him about an 'engagement' before their meeting and might be a little late. He sat in the customary chair and popped a peppermint in. He sucked on it thoughtfully, waiting for Dumbledore. Thing's he really hadn't had the chance to ponder on until now. For instance, where was Voldemort? Dumbledore said he was far enough away that their bond was everything but nullified. Also, what was Rasputin doing? Harry didn't feel comfortable with that thought. In fact, he wouldn't feel comfortable about Rasputin until he could master the Greek Fire Conjuration. Then Harry would be ready to meet Rasputin.

Before he realized that he had two insane wizards after him, Dumbledore came in through a side door. He tipped his hat in Harry's direction by way of greeting before sitting heavily down in his chair. This was a weakness he didn't let many people see, Harry realized. Harry felt his chest inflate with pride knowing that he was in Dumbledore's inner circle of trusted friends. Harry started the conversation off, "What's Voldemort doing?"

Dumbledore rubbed the bridge of his nose before replacing his glasses on his nose before he answered, "Something dangerous to the whole wizarding world, Harry!"

"What sir?" Harry questioned. He hoped it wasn't the wizard equivalent of an atomic bomb.

"He is searching for the Order of the Dragon medallion," Dumbledore said in a voice that seemed to explain it all. Harry, however lacking most of Dumbledore's knowledge asked what it was.

"That, Harry, could prove efforts to bring Voldemort to justice futile. He who possesses the medallion is immune to human laws. For some inane reason, most wizarding governments have agreed that whoever possesses it has all previous offenses pardoned. So, if someone, let's say you, kills Voldemort, then you will get thrown in prison for killing a British citizen. Besides that fact, Aurors can't stop Voldemort in raids. We can only stop his Death Eaters... for now." Harry didn't like that bombshell, needless to say. The end was somewhat ominous too. Harry assumed, once Voldemort found the medallion, he would try to get whatever magic it possessed to carry over to his minions.

AN: And that, folks, was the end of that little seory. Not much interest was shown in it, granted I didn't whey everyone's appeitites very well, but I mostly blame everyone here who has succumbed to obsessive romance disorder: you all only want romance. Of course, if you'ree reading this, then you are in my group (whether you like it or not) of the 'Adventurers' (clever name, no?). I salute you. If you were looking forward to more, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you're barking up the wrong tree. Have no fear though, for I have another whiz banger (yeah right) coming in the next week, where I shall force myself to come up for a name fo that story so you all won't be subjected to the hogwash of romance. In the mean time, I suggest you read the titles under Sloth (if you already haven't discovered him), perhaps the best writer (in my opinion) in Harry Potter Fandom. We should all aspire to be as great as Sloth.

So, until next time faithful reviewers (all two of you),

Jimmy Coin