Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 28 - Gray to Green

"You have done well," Harry's voice hissed to a cloaked figure bowed low on one knee before him. "If your holiday is successful, you will be rewarded greatly. Fail, and..." Harry held out his wand with gnarled, white fingers, "Crucio!" he whispered. The figure fell to the floor screaming in agony. A smile spread across Harry's face as he left the room, but when he went through the door he found himself in the middle of a field. The fog was thick, but he could see that the grass all around his feet was dead and he could feel that the air was cold. He exhaled and his breath billowed before him in a smoky cloud. Somewhere to his left there was the trickling sound of water. Slowly, he walked toward the sound. The fog began to clear when there was a loud scream. From the haze a darkened figure came rushing toward him. It crashed into his chest knocking him to the ground. He gasped for breath.

Harry opened his eyes to a face full of red hair. He was in his bed, but for some reason, Ron was on top of him, the back of his head planted against Harry's nose.

"I'll rip you to shreds Ron!" Dean yelled out and soon Dean was on top of Ron, on top of Harry. Harry gasped for air as Ron and Dean flailed at each other on top of him. Goyle reached down and grabbed Dean lifting him off of Ron. Freed from his attacker, Ron stood up and reached for his wand, but Neville grabbed him from behind pulling him back as best he could. A quick glance to the window told Harry it was early morning, the faintest hint of the day's promised sun was striking a hint of gold on the clouded horizon. Harry stood up between the two adversaries, rubbing his eyes. They were both struggling to free themselves.

"Stop it!" Harry yelled, but they continued to struggle. "Ron, what's going on?" he asked.

"He... he...." Ron yelled, "Let me go, Neville!" he continued to struggle.

"He hexed me!" Dean yelled out. "In my sleep! He hexed me!" The side of Dean's face was dotted with orange blisters. "I'll kill him!" Dean began kicking at Goyle, but was having much less luck at freeing himself than Ron.

"Hold still," Harry said taking his wand from off the table, "Cicatra," he whispered. "Blue light bathed Dean's face and the blisters faded away. "Goyle, get him downstairs to cool off. I need to talk to Ron." Goyle turned to Ron for affirmation. Ron stopped struggling and nodded his head. A few moments after Goyle and Dean disappeared, Neville reluctantly released his grasp.

"Neville," Harry said, "can I talk to Ron alone?" Neville nodded back.

"My gram always says to take a deep breath when you're mad Ron. Give it a try," he replied heading to the exit. "I'll be just outside if you need a hand." Ron took in a deep breath of air. The tension in his face began to recede.

When the two were alone, Harry sat back on his bed rubbing his nose. "You almost broke it," he said. Ron followed suit and sat down on his own bed.

"Sorry," he said in a low voice. He began to rub his temples.

"Well?" Harry asked. "What happened?"

"As if you care, Harry," Ron snapped. Ron stood up and began pacing the room.

Four weeks had passed since Ron had started getting help. When he was in large crowds, he could now stop the voices from penetrating his thoughts. The new treatments and his skill at Occlumency had eliminated his headaches, improving his mood considerably. On the Quidditch pitch, he was impenetrable. His side of the field had been nicknamed the Weasley Wall. In fact, Katie often subbed Sloper as Keeper so the team could get some practice scoring.

"I care if you're going to break my nose!" Harry snapped back. His shoulder ached. The mark on his forearm had not disappeared after his night with Snape. It would fade, but never completely, and now it was burning. If Ron's mood was improving, Harry's was getting worse. But, there was no reason for it. He'd started writing to Gabriella again. Each new post brought word that Soseh was slowly improving, and life in Little Whinging returning to normal. Yet, whenever Gabriella would mention having fun with Duncan, or Emma, or even Wes, who seemed to be helping her through her homework, Harry grew angry. It wasn't fair that she could be having any fun without him. He wanted her to be as miserable as he was, and she wasn't, and that made Harry angrier. Of course, he knew he didn't want her to be miserable, but that only stoked his self-hatred. To make matters worse, or better (Harry didn't know), he'd been spending more and more time with Cho. Guilt was gnawing at him, but he kept pushing it aside. They had grown comfortable holding hands, or even giving each other friendly kisses, but in Harry's mind, it wasn't serious... nothing really. But he knew it wasn't fair to Cho... to Gabriella. Every day that passed, though he never would say it out loud, Anthony became more and more upset at the time Cho was spending with Harry. Harry pushed the thoughts aside.

"He was sleeping Ron!" Harry started again. "What could he possibly do to you if he was sleeping?" Ron stopped pacing the floor to look out the window.

"Dream," Ron whispered. "He can dream."

"Ron, you didn't..."

"I was asleep myself," Ron shot back. "It was there before my eyes... the two of them... the two of them... Argh!" He kicked his table breaking the leg out from under it and spilling books and papers to the floor.

"It was a dream, Ron," Harry tried to stay cool. "Dean's dream. It wasn't real."

"I'm takin' a shower," Ron said grabbing a towel. "I need to cool off."

"Ron, prefects can't go around hexing their classmates. You owe Dean an apology, or he might see you lose that silver badge of yours."

"And you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Ron sneered heading off to the showers. As Ron stomped off, Harry noticed a loud rhythmic thumping noise coming from the common room.

"What now," Harry whispered to himself. Still in his pajamas, Harry started down the stairs. He could hear Ginny's voice before he saw the scene.

"And if I ever..." she cried out followed by a loud thump, "see you..." thump. Harry entered the room to find Dean sitting on the ground dazed and Ginny holding out her wand at Goyle who was levitated into the air and being pounded against the stones above the fireplace mantle. There was a flash of light as Colin Creevey snapped a photograph. The other few Griffindors that had risen this early were standing all around not sure what to do. "...touch one hair..." thump. Goyle's nose began to bleed. "...of another Griffindor..." thump. "...I swear I'll..." thump.

"Ginny!" Harry called. She broke the spell and Goyle fell to the floor landing half in, half out of the fireplace. Quickly, Harry pulled him out.

"Let him burn," Ginny yelled. "He nearly choked Dean to death! If I hadn't..."

"That's because," Harry cut in, "Dean was about to annihilate your brother." Harry's words seemed to stem Ginny's venom toward Goyle, or at least redirect it. She turned to Dean who was just getting to his feet.

"What's he talking about?" she snapped.

"He... he hexed me!" Dean stammered trying to regain his composure. "In my sleep!"

"For what?" she queried again.

"I don't know," Dean replied rubbing his throat. "Ask him!"

"I will!" Ginny yelled and charged up to the boys' dormitories.

"Ginny he's in the shower," Harry called out. "You can't..."

"As if I care," she howled back. "It's time for a family meeting!" And she disappeared up the stairs. Harry helped Goyle to his feet.

"Looks like our Beater's taken quite a beating," Harry smiled. Goyle glowered holding his nose. Drops of blood fell to the floor. Dean started up the stairs. "Stop there, Dean," Harry called out. "You heard Ginny. This is a family matter." Dean stopped for a second and started up again. "Thomas!" Harry yelled. "I fixed your face this morning. I can put it back again!" Dean stopped and sulked back into the common room flopping into one of the overstuffed chairs. Harry turned back to Goyle who was still dripping blood onto the floor.

"Here," Harry sighed holding up his wand to Goyle's face, "let me see that." Goyle's eyes widened and he stepped back. "Merlin's beard, Goyle, let me fix your nose." Goyle stepped back again falling over the couch by the fireplace and nearly landing in the embers again.

"What's the commotion?" Hermione called out just emerging from the girls' dormitory. She walked over to see Goyle bleeding and shot Harry a vicious look. "Come on Greg. Let me fix that." Goyle got to his feet and let Hermione stop the bleeding.

"It wasn't me!" Harry said defiantly. He pointed to the loosened stones above their heads. "Ginny was smashing him against the wall."

"Ginny?" Hermione asked confused.

"Yes," Ginny's voice echoed in the room. She descended the stairs and walked over to Goyle. "I owe you an apology Greg. I'm sorry." She held out her hand to his. "Forgive me?" Slowly, he reached out and held her hand in his.

"Only if you score at least forty against Ravenclaw," he smiled, shaking her hand.

"Deal," Ginny replied smiling. "Where's... There you are!." She walked over and sat on Dean's lap, whispered something in his ear, and kissed him on the forehead. "Promise?" she asked out loud. Dean nodded.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked Harry. Goyle started up the stairs as Harry walked Hermione to the side of the common room. Colin snapped another photo of Ginny on Dean's lap.

"Creevey!" Dean yelled. But Colin simply smiled and left for breakfast stepping through the portrait of the Fat Lady. At the corner of the room, Harry told Hermione all that had happened.

"For what he was dreaming?" she asked incredulously. Harry nodded.

"HARRY!" Goyle yelled from somewhere upstairs. It was the first time he'd ever used Harry's first name. Harry left Hermione and darted up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"Goyle! Where are you?" he yelled out of breath.

"In the shower!" Goyle called back.

Harry ran into the bathroom to find Goyle shaking at the entrance to the showers.

"What is it?" Harry asked pulling his wand. Goyle just pointed and stammered. Harry entered to see Ron stuck a good three feet up the wall with what looked like a huge spider webbing. Except for his horrified face and bare feet, he was completely encased with his arms and legs extended. Creeping across the ceiling and along the floor were about a dozen black furry spiders the size of small poodles. One had just put its leg on Ron's bare foot and hoisted itself up onto the web in which he was encased.

"G-G-Greg, g-g-get rid of it!" Ron stammered. Slowly the spider made its way up Ron's web covered leg toward his belly. "Greg!"

"Brilliant," Harry whispered with a smile.

"Don't just stand there!" Ron's screeched. "Get it off! Get it off!" Plastered to the wall, Ron could barely move, although he was stretching his neck as far from the spider as he could. Harry walked casually to Ron's side watching the creature's hairy legs work their way up Ron's chest. He could hear its three-inch long pincers clicking back and forth.

"What's the matter, Ron," he said with a mild voice. "Don't tell me. Prefects don't like black spiders." Creeping ever so slowly, its front legs were finding footing at the base of Ron's neck. The spider's fur began to brush Ron's exposed chin. Ron began to whimper. Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at the spider, but then stopped and began to walk away. "But then, I wouldn't know. I'm just a pratty, know-it-all, glory seeker who wants nothing more than your prefect's badge."

"Harry!" Ron screamed.

"Your friend Goyle can handle things." Harry looked at Goyle who held his wand high darting his eyes from one spider to another. But, he was too petrified to move. "Can't you Goyle?" A long point passed Ron's right eye as the spider's leg brushed across his face. Harry started to leave the boys' showers.

"Please," Ron whimpered nearly in tears. Harry spun and held his wand straight at Ron's face.

"Arania Exumai!" he whispered. A narrow beam of white light shot from his wand striking the spider squarely in the thorax. Either the spider, or Ron, gave a small screech as the creature fell to the floor and shriveled into a ball. Goyle was still shaking while three of the remaining spiders began slowly advancing on him. Harry sighed.

"Goyle come here," Harry said walking over to the Slytherin. He held Goyle's arm up for him and said, "Snap your wrist down, and repeat the spell." Goyle's eyes glanced at Harry and then back to the closest spider. "Go on."

"A...Arania Exumai!" Goyle yelled. His wand erupted with a broad blast of white light and took out two spiders. "It worked! I... I don't believe it. I did it!"

"Excellent," Harry praised. Ron stared, white as a ghost and eyes wide as another spider made its way to him from the ceiling above. "Okay, now those two." While Goyle finished dispatching the other spiders, Harry sliced Ron from his bindings on the wall. As he was finally cut free, he began to fall and Harry caught him in his arms. Ron was shaking and could barely stand.

"Come on," Harry said. "Grab a towel and sit for a bit." The two left Goyle blasting at spiders in the shower. In the restroom, Harry stood against the wall while Ron leaned against a sink and looked in the mirror, pulling web out of his red hair. Harry couldn't help but stare at the scars on Ron's back. If they were getting better, he couldn't tell.

"I'll kill her," Ron breathed flicking a piece of web into the dustbin. "I was defenseless! I swear... I'll... I'll..."

"And who will we get to play Chaser?" Harry smiled. Ron looked back to Harry and slowly smiled back. It was the first time Harry had felt any warmth at all toward his best friend in over six weeks. For a moment, there was silence and then Goyle yelled out he'd killed the last one.

"Well, get rid of them now and clean the place up!" Harry yelled back. Ron was struggling for something to say.

"You know, Harry," he said. "I didn't mean it." Ron went back to the mirror, but then looked at Harry. "Any of it. I swear." The smile from Harry's face faded.

"You attacked him in his sleep Ron," he said walking toward the redhead. "He was defenseless." Harry shook his head. "I don't care what the jab of the day is. You just don't get it. It's not about me. It's about us... ALL of us." Harry washed some of the webbing from off his hands into the adjacent sink. "You think it's just two roommates... that's all. But if two dormmates can't find peace with each other and work together against Voldemort, how will four separate houses join together? How will mudbloods, and half-bloods, and pure bloods come together? How can wizards, and witches, and house elves, and goblins, and centaurs, and giants, and all the other sentient beings of the world rise together against this evil? You think it's only about two peas in a pod... black and white, rich and poor, strong and weak. Pick the difference Ron, we can always find a reason to hate."

Harry began to walk out the door, but as he started to leave he found Goyle standing at the entrance to the showers listening intently to his words. "Good job Greg," Harry said hitting Goyle firmly on the shoulder. The Slytherin smiled.

"Thanks," he said. As Harry started out to get his own towel, he passed James Cho on the way in.

"Harry, can I go?" he asked.

"Go where?" Harry returned.

"Tonight..." James said through gritted teeth as if Goyle shouldn't overhear. "You know." And then Harry remembered. Tonight was to be the first meeting for Dumbledore's Army.

"James," Harry said, "it's not a secret. Anyone can come, even if they're from Slytherin."

"What?" Goyle asked. "What's goin' on?" Harry couldn't believe Goyle didn't know. Everyone was constantly stopping Harry in the hallway for details. In fact, so many students were inquiring that even Hermione was worried they wouldn't all fit in the Room of Requirement.

"You were a member of the Inquisitorial Squad last year Goyle," Harry said. The eagerness in Goyle's eyes dimmed, but Harry wasn't saying it to be mean. "You tried to grab us all coming out of the room. Do you know what we were doing?" Goyle's large eyebrows curled up forming a solid brow across his forehead. He shook his head no.

"Practicing," Harry said. "Preparing."

"Harry was teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts when Umbridge wouldn't," Ron added. "He was fantastic." The eagerness in Goyle's eyes began to burn bright again. James kept looking back from Goyle to Harry. His expression was one of concern, as if telling this Slytherin anything, much less one who's father was a Death Eater, would lead to certain disaster.

"I wouldn't get to excited yet Greg," Harry said in a very serious tone. "If you walk in the door, it means a commitment to support Albus Dumbledore and Hogwarts. It's a commitment to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eater's." Harry raised an eyebrow. The name of the Dark Lord made Goyle flinch much as it did Ron. James remained focused on Goyle's reaction. Goyle's face grew dark.

"I'm not my father, you know," he said in a slow deep voice. He slid down the wall and sat on the tiles of the bathroom floor. Even seated he was nearly as tall as James standing at his side. "My dad was always sniveling after Draco's dad. 'Lucius said this, Lucius said that.' Merlin it was disgusting." He let out a heavy sigh. "A year before I ever came to Hogwarts, my dad was telling me 'Be sure to look after Draco now Greg. He'll need your help.' Usin' me to suck up to Malfoy Manner. Well look where it's got him," Goyle spat kicking a dustbin and flying it across the room into the sink next to Ron. Goyle stood up to put the dustbin back.

"I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed around here, right?" Nobody spoke. "But I can fly. If I can get through another year here, I have a decent shot at turnin' pro. I can make a little money on my own, and not have to go dippin' for hand outs," he sneered slapping his hand against the wall with a large thud. "It's my only ticket out of hell, Potter. That's why you won't be gettin' a Bludger to the head week after next. We'll put Ravenclaw to shame, but don't go lookin' for any mercy when I'm wearin' green again," he smiled.

At the same moment, both Ron and Harry said, "We won't." As Harry walked out to get his things, he heard Goyle whisper to himself.

"I'm not my father."

* * *

That night, Harry and Hermione left early to the Room of Requirement. They paused when they got to the front door.

"Well," Hermione said before they entered, "it'll be a little cramped. Maybe we can work in shifts or something."

"It was a bit bigger for your party," Harry replied. "Let's have a look."

Hermione was first to enter, and when she did she stopped in the doorway in front of Harry and gave out a little gasp. The sound seemed to echo as if she'd entered a large cavern.

"What is it?" Harry asked reaching for his wand. She moved in and Harry followed her. His jaw fell and his eyes went wide. "This is impossible," he murmured. The room was enormous. It was larger than the Great Hall itself. At the end near the entrance through which they'd just walked stood five rows of textbooks twenty-feet long all dealing with Defense Against the Dark Arts. Cushions lined the floors, but there were day-to-day items as well including statues, suits of armor, desks, and chairs. At the far end, the room turned into a small forest that resembled an outdoor setting much like Firenze's Divination class. Here were all the components Harry had thought of in the days leading up to their first meeting. He wondered how they could make the battles more realistic and less sterile. He knew not all the fights would be inside. The Room of Requirement was, once again, providing everything he could think of including what looked like a small street corner outside Hogsmeade.

"I was thinking about what Tonks has been teaching us," Harry said to Hermione who was just now recognizing the treasure in books at her side. "You know, use the environment around us. I was picturing what those environments might be... and here they are." He shook his head in disbelief. "It'll be pretty silly... all this with only five people showing up."

"Come-on Harry," Hermione said, opening Defense Without a Wand. "We put up loads of posters, I'm sure people will show up. I already told you that most of Griffindor said they were interested."

"Interested?" Harry snorted. "That doesn't mean they..." The door opened and in walked Luna Lovegood followed by about ten Ravenclaws.

"Hi Harry!" she said. She was completely un-phased by the change in the room, although it could hardly be called a room any more. "I saw you talking to Greg Goyle today at lunch. Are you becoming friends now?" Before Harry could answer, another group of about ten entered. Again they were mostly Ravenclaws, but James and Cho were both with them. Harry smiled at Cho as Anthony Goldstein walked up to him.

"Kind of expanding aren't you Harry?" he asked amazed at the sight before him.

"Anthony you need to know..." Harry began, but more students arrived, this time from Hufflepuff. Within fifteen minutes, nearly a quarter of the school had filled the room. Hermione, Ginny and even Luna were trying to gather them together in some organized fashion. Harry was about to speak when Ron and Goyle walked in.

"What's he doing here?" Anthony yelled pointing at Goyle the only Slytherin in attendance. A few of the Ravenclaws began to jeer. Three of them pulled their wands and began to jog toward Goyle standing near the front door. Ron pulled his wand. The room was large and Harry was extremely far away when he raised his own wand.

"Immobulus!" he called in a loud and commanding voice. A yellow-white light shot out of his wand and struck the three, freezing them in their tracks. The sheer distance, accuracy and power of the spell immediately gathered everyone's attention.

"Rule number one in Dumbledore's Army!" Harry called to them all. "We are here for one common goal... to defeat Voldemort and those who stand at his side." A murmur of agreement rippled through the large crowd. "We will never turn a wand in anger against those who would join us, whether in or OUT of this room! Ron, get them out of here." Ron cast a locomotion spell and soon had the three headed toward the door.

"Wait a second!" Anthony yelled. "You can't..."

"Rule number two!" Harry called out again. "I decide who stays and who goes. If there are those of you here who can't abide by these two rules, leave now." A few of the Ravenclaws cast glances to one another. Even Seamus seemed upset, but none left. Soon Ron re-entered shutting the door behind him and the first lesson began.

Those present were broken out into groups based on class year, not by house. Members of last year's DA began instructing a review of the basics they had all learned. Harry walked in and out of each group offering suggestions. But his greatest effect was on the morale of those he was near. In each instance, they seemed to focus better, or try harder. When he neared Cho, he could see, needing to cast spells with her left hand, she had lost some of her skill from the year before. She was teaming with Anthony trying to show fourth years how to cast a hex-deflection charm.

"Here," Harry smiled holding her hand. "You're trying to turn your wrist the wrong way. Spin it like this." And he gently twirled her wrist in the proper motion. "Come on Anthony, give it a go." Anthony held his wand up and cast a hex in their direction. Cho twisted her wand and spoke the incantation and a golden translucent shield appeared deflecting the hex up into the air. The fourth years cheered as Cho grinned.

"Super," Harry smiled gently rubbing Cho's back. He lingered for a moment until Goldstein asked if they could get on with the lesson, and then sheepishly started for the next group. They'd only been half an hour into it, but already Harry was feeling exhausted. There were far too many for him to help them all. He let out a deep sigh and started toward the group of seventh years when the door opened and in walked Tonks. Almost immediately everything stopped as they waited for the professor to send them packing.

Her look was different than that of the Tonks from Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Instead, she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt emblazoned with then name of a band that Cho had earlier told Harry about, The Howling Heads. Her hair was black, jet black, and she certainly had an edgy look about her.

"Well, get on with it!" she called out smiling. "Let's see what you've all got!" A hundred grins returned hers and the students began where they left off. Tonks strode over to Harry and Hermione walked over to join the two of them.

"Hello Tonks," Hermione beamed. "It's nothing formal really. A few students thought it might be fun if..."

"Don't worry, Hermione," Tonks interrupted graciously. "You're not hurting my feelings. I know about last year, and I think it's great!" Tonks scanned the room. "By the way Hermione, I think your calculations might be correct. I'm two for two now."

"Really?" Hermione exclaimed. "If it works all the time, we'd have the upper hand then, wouldn't we?" Tonks smiled back but Harry was too busy watching the crowd to pay much attention. Ron, helping a second year with a wand movement, ducked just in time to avoid being hit in the back with a spell from a first year.

"'Bit dangerous out there, wouldn't you say?" Tonks grimaced.

"Yeah," Harry sighed. "I didn't dream there'd be this many people." Tonks smiled back at him.

"I did," she grinned. No sooner had the words left her mouth than Madame Guérir, one of the new healers at Hogwarts, walked into the great chamber. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as the door closed behind her. "Madame Guérir!" Tonks yelled. "Over here!" she called waving. Soon Tonks had explained the situation and Madame Guérir was running in and out of the various groups helping those who hadn't shielded properly or who were the victims of errant spells.

Tonks walked over to Goyle who was casting a tremendously strong stunning spell, but unable to hit the target. He'd already shattered one of the statues to pieces. "Greg," Tonks said in a very casual tone, "can I suggest something?" Goyle shrugged his shoulders and nodded. For some time Tonks worked with Goyle, until finally he started to hit his partner, Pavarti, every time. Pavarti was exceptional with her shielding charm; particularly having the advantage of knowing the spell was coming. Goyle's face began to light up. But no sooner had he smiled than he suddenly turned grim.

"Fighting the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters won't be this easy Professor," Goyle said sending another streak of red light at Pavarti.

"No Greg," Tonks replied holding one hand to her chest where she'd been hit last year. "No it won't."

After a while, it was clear that Goyle had mastered the skill. Tonks came back to speak with Harry and Hermione as Pavarti sent red light Goyle's way.

"Hermione," Tonks started. "Do you mind if I have a word with Harry?"

"Not at all," Hermione said smiling. "I'll watch things from here. Go on."

"Harry?" Tonks asked. Harry followed Tonks to the far end of the chamber where the room began to turn to forest. Once they were under the foliage, the clamor and noise of the practicing students all but disappeared.

"How have you been?" Tonks asked with a gentle face, taking hold of Harry's right hand. "You haven't stayed after class for quite some time."

"Fine," Harry said simply. There was a faint rustle in the trees above them as if from an invisible wind. His answer was almost honest. Guilt about Cho had been gnawing at his insides. But there was something else, something he didn't understand himself.

"That doesn't seem to convincing, if you ask me," she replied. "How's Gabriella?"

"She's great," he sighed. "Everything in Little Whinging is perfect."

"And Cho?" Tonks asked drawing out the question for emphasis. "I've seen you two together around school quite a bit."

"She's getting better," Harry said simply, but he could feel his face redden. Tonks held Harry's hand up closer to her.

"You need to tell them Harry. You can't live a lie."

"I better get back," Harry said but Tonks held his hand tight as he tried to leave.

"Wait," she insisted. "Tell me Harry. You're teaching all these students to prepare for the battle. Who's preparing you?"

"I already know where my path lies, Tonks," Harry whispered back watching the leaves in the trees rustle.

"I know you're great with a wand, Harry. But if you could change your appearance at will, it would be a huge advantage." Reluctantly, Harry nodded his head. Tonks smiled.

"Have you practiced any more?" she asked.

"Not really," Harry replied glancing back at the students on the far end of the chamber.

"Come on," Tonks said pulling Harry deeper into the woods. Soon they were out of sight and Tonks took both his hands in hers. "Okay, think of someone you know. Someone you're very familiar with. Pick someone about your own size and build. Can you think of anyone?" For a moment Harry hesitated. Thoughts of Ron and Seamus flashed into his mind... even Neville now that he was thinner. Finally he locked on the face and nodded his head with his eyes closed. "Start at the top of your head and work down. Think about their hair, face, and stance. Try to become that person."

In the darkness, under the rustle of leaves, Harry's hair began to straighten, falling only a bit further down his shoulders. His nose narrowed and his eyebrows lightened. His chin began to protrude ever so slightly as his own cleft disappeared. It took all of about three minutes with Tonks prodding suggestions along the way, especially once she realized who he had picked. Finally, he was done and opened his eyes to look at her.

"Well?" he asked nervously.

"You've done this before Harry," she answered with a questioning smile. "I can tell."

"Well... never him," Harry said. "Am I close?"

Tonks leaned in gently holding his narrow face in her hands, and then stroking his long blonde hair. "Almost," she smiled holding his hands again. "My... what green eyes you have, Draco."