Unofficial Portkey Archive

Dinner at Hogwarts on this particular evening was far from ordinary. Gone were the masses of students and the cacophony of voices, differing in pitch from the high, squeaky voices of first year girls to the deep baritones of seventh year boys. Instead, the Great Hall had been occupied by the resident professors, Harry, Hermione, Ron, the aurors who were training the trio, and the now returned Tonks.

"Everything will turn out fine, Hermione," Harry said sympathetically as he turned her dispirited face to his. "I know it'll be tough over the next few years, but Tonks did say they'd be watched and protected."

"I know," Hermione replied quietly, "but it still hurts that they won't miss or remember me at all." A tear left her eye and Harry gently wiped it away.

"You remember them and you know they'll be returned to normal once the war is over," he whispered in her ear.

"That's right 'Mione," Ron said around a mouth full of Yorkshire pudding. He swallowed quickly and flinched at the use of the nickname she hated so much and let out a breath of relief when she didn't do anything about his slip of the tongue. "Harry will beat You-Know-Who and your parents will come back as good as new."

Hermione nodded absently and pushed her plate away, obviously tired of pushing the food around the golden platter. "I think I'm going to the library for a while," she announced mechanically.

Harry glanced at his watch after he kissed her cheek tenderly. "I'm going to fly for a bit," he said after a moment. "Care to watch?"

"I'm going to finish studying," Ron said as he grabbed a few rolls and a bowl of fruit. "I need to pass this test tomorrow or I won't be able to live it down," he said with a glare to Hermione, who didn't notice. "I'll be in the common room."

Harry waved goodbye and stood with Hermione, taking her hand in the process and the two of them left for the Astronomy Tower.

"Do you mind if I just head to the library, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly while they walked down the corridor. "I don't feel much like watching you fly around today..."

"I guess you forgot about our meeting with Tonks," Harry said softly. "I know you miss them and I wish I could bring them back for you..."

"Thanks," Hermione said in a whisper. "I did forget about the meeting... I'll be there but I need to spend some time alone, if that's ok?"

Harry stopped and turned her to him before wrapping his arms tightly around her slender waist. "That's perfectly fine, Love," he said tenderly, tipping her face to his. "Just remember that you don't have to deal with this alone, I'm always here for you."

Hermione smiled slightly then, rising to the tips of her toes, kissed him tenderly on the lips. "I know," she said with a sigh. "I just need some time by myself," Hermione explained as she buried her head against his chest. "I'll be there before Tonks and you start though."

Harry held her close for a few moments longer then released his girlfriend so she could leave. "I love you, Hermione," he said quietly, resting a hand on her cheek.

Hermione smiled a bit wider and kissed the palm of his hand. "I love you too," she whispered before she smiled reassuringly at him. "I'll be there shortly," she promised then turned towards the library.

Harry watched after her until she disappeared from sight then started up the stairs to the tallest tower of Hogwarts. Once at the top, he walked slowly to the ramparts that overlooked Hagrid's hut and the forbidden forest. He frowned, remembering the events of the previous year when Dolores Umbridge had attempted to take over the school for Fudge. His blood boiled when he remembered the attack the night he took his Astronomy O.W.L. but he caught it before it went too far out of control.

He took several deep breaths and felt his heart rate begin to drop to normal levels before he opened them again and looked off to the horizon.

"How many times did he get into my head when I was angry?" Harry said aloud as his eyes caught sight of a Thestral pop out after a bird. "I wonder if Professor Dumbledore will teach me Legilimency..."

"Legilimency too?" Hermione asked as she walked up to him from the stairwell. "Harry, it's not good to burden yourself with all this extra work. Look what happened to me in third year..."

Harry turned to her and caught her in a hug. "Are you feeling better?" he asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"Only slightly," she admitted, "and don't change the subject."

"I think I can handle it," Harry said confidently. "If things get too tough, I'll back off, ok?"

"Harry, just because you have to face him, doesn't mean you need to know everything there is to know..."

"I know, but there might be something that could save my life, or somebody else's," he replied quietly. "I should have listened to you when it came to class work."

"You should have listened to me on any number of things," she teased in return. "But with the stress of everything -"

"As long as you're with me, I'll be fine," Harry said, cutting her off. "I know it's going to be rough, I really do, but I'm not going to give up."

"You're a stubborn one," Hermione said cheekily. "Alright, I'll stop lecturing you. Just promise me you'll take breaks and not let the pressure get to you."

"I'll do my best," Harry said with a slight grin. Hermione rolled her eyes and the two of them looked to the top of the stairs when they heard someone clear their throat.

"Wotcher, Harry, Hermione?" Tonks said cheerfully as she conjured a chair for each of them in the center of the room. "Are you ready to take your tests?"

Harry and Hermione nodded as they each sat down in front of Tonks.

"Now, I'm going to give you a little bit of background on Metamorphmagi," Tonks said as she leaned forward in her seat. "Not many people are aware that there are four levels of proficiency that a witch or wizard can obtain," she explained quickly. "The first level is unofficially called the chameleon. As you can guess, it deals with colors. Chameleons can change their hair, eye, and skin colors and it's the easiest branch of Metamorphmagi around.

"The second level we call the impressionist. They're able to change facial features. They can't do anything really drastic, just the shapes of their nose, lips, overall facial shape, and hair length. This also applies to hands and feet, but not as detailed as changing dental patters, fingerprints, or the like.

"The third level is where I am. I'm a mimic. Height, weight, fingerprints, and the rest are what I can do. I'm limited, however, because I can only shift to other female forms. That's where the fourth level takes over. Metamorphmagi are rare, but doppelgangers are extremely rare."

"They're rare because of the sheer number that were hunted down and killed, by both Muggle and wizarding communities," Hermione said knowingly. "Even today, a level four Metamorphmagi has to be branded and registered with the Ministry..."

"That's right," Tonks said with a swift smile. "I decided to stop the tests at level three because I didn't want to be branded and shunned. The fact that I can do what I do was enough to alienate me from most of my classmates."

Harry nodded, taking the information in and processing it for future reference. He looked up with a curious look and asked, "What happens if a level four doesn't follow the law?"

"If he or she is found out," Hermione said immediately, "they are looking at life in Azkaban or death."

"That's drastic," Harry replied evenly.

"Those who are in power have an inane fear of someone taking that power from them by being kidnapped or assassinated then replaced with a doppelganger," Tonks explained. "The Doppelganger Massacre of 10 B.C. was instigated because of such an attempt."

"Are there any spells that can detect a Metamorphmagi?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"None that I am aware of at this moment," Tonks replied. "It's just as difficult to detect an Animagus as well. Most Metamorphmagi don't register, though I had to because I work for the Ministry."

"When can we begin?" he asked, eager to test his theory concerning possible new abilities.

"We can start right now, though you'll need to learn a meditative technique to help you control your transformations," Tonks replied just as eagerly. "Close your eyes and concentrate on tranquility. It could be a place, a face, a feeling, or some type of object. Once you've found your calm, keep it in focus..." Tonks continued her explanation of the same meditative state she used when transforming and after a few minutes told Harry to open his eyes.

"Do you still have it in your mind?" she asked and smiled at Harry's nod. "Good. Now, we're going to start with something easy, I want you to concentrate and picture yourself with blonde hair. Don't think about the style, just the color."

After a few moments of concentrate, Harry heard Hermione gasp as his hair slowly shifted from its natural raven-black to a pale blonde color. He looked in the mirror that Tonks handed him and his eyes went wide.

"This is so surreal," he whispered as his hair returned to its normal state. "Why did it change back?"

"At first, your body will return to normal shortly after a transformation," Tonks explained excitedly. "You're not used to the changes yet, but eventually, you'll be able to keep them for months or even years at a time. Be careful though," she said warningly, "because you can get stuck in a new form if you can't return to meditation or concentrate. It's not permanent and there are potions that will help you revert to normal but it can be quite a shock to your system.

"You're definitely a chameleon so why don't we see if we can bring out that impressionist in you. Concentrate just like before, only I'd like to see a pig's snout and very curly hair."

"Why a pig's snout?" Harry asked as he got his mind ready.

"To show you just how difficult it is," Tonks said with a wide smile.

Harry chuckled but concentrated on the new features. There was a small pop and Tonks had him look in the mirror again. Sure enough, he had curly hair and a pig's snout.

"It feels strange," he said with a laugh as he wrinkled his nose and looked to Hermione. She stifled a laugh as it slowly shrunk to its original form.

"You're catching on quickly," Tonks said with a laugh. "Only one more level to go..."

"Two," Harry said as he set the mirror back down.

"Harry, do you know how dangerous it'll be if you go all the way?" Hermione said quickly. "Even if you are 'The-Boy-Who-Lived', being a doppelganger on top of that would cause many people to turn on you!"

"Then we'll have to keep it a secret," Harry replied just as quickly. "I only want you two to know I have these abilities anyway," he added softly.

"What about Ron?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"You know how he is," Harry said with a sigh. "If he found out that on top of everything, I was a Metamorphmagus, I'm not sure if he'd be able to keep quiet..."

Hermione nodded at his reasoning and looked into his eyes. "Don't keep too many secrets from him either, Harry," she said quietly. "That'll have the same effect in the end..."

"I won't," he reassured her.

"Right then, shall we see if you can morph into another bloke?" Tonks asked after a moment of silence. "We'll keep it easy and have you shift to a five-year-old version of yourself."

"Same meditation?" Harry asked as he got to his feet. Tonks nodded and Harry concentrated on what he looked like at that age. He could never forget the baggy clothes, the broken glasses Dudley had snapped when he sat on him and worst of all the bruises from his uncle's brand of discipline. He felt himself shrink in much the same way as he did when he transformed into an owl and he looked up to the much taller Hermione and Tonks.

"How did his clothes transform?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"Metamorphmagi transformations are magical in nature," Tonks replied. "Just as clothes transform with an Animagus, so do the clothes a Metamorphmagus wears."

Harry looked himself over and winced when he touched his arm. Hermione looked at him in concern and before Harry could pull away, she'd slipped the over-sized sleeve up his arm to reveal several large bruises.

"What in the world?" she asked concernedly as she checked his other arm to find more of the same.

Harry felt himself return to his normal size and he quickly pulled the sleeves down over his arms. "I didn't think old injuries would be part of the transformation," he said nervously as he retook his seat.

"Non-threatening ones can be, like bruises or scars," Tonks explained.

"What were those bruises from, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly as she placed a gentle hand on the very one she'd first seen.

Harry winced instinctively and bowed his head. "My punishment was a little harsher when I was younger than it is now," he admitted. "I'd broken a plate when I was setting the table and Uncle Vernon disciplined me then sent me to my... room."

The look on Hermione's face made Harry uncomfortable and he cleared his throat nervously. "It seems I can reach level three... How about we try the last level?"

Hermione frowned at his change of subject but didn't stop looking at him with what Harry perceived as pity. Tonks nodded and motioned for Harry to stand again.

"It's going to be the same drill, only a level four is able to change their sex at will. This is a complete change in your body structure and type," she explained cautiously. "The hormonal changes are not easy to deal with and a man changing into the form of a woman can become pregnant and bear children. This is not a transformation to be taken lightly, Harry."

"I understand," Harry said confidently as he readied himself.

Hermione looked at Tonks briefly then to Harry as he started to concentrate.

"Choose someone you know well and can easily picture them in your mind," Tonks coached quietly.

Hermione's eyes went wide as she watched her boyfriend slowly, but surely, transform into a woman she'd never seen before. When Harry opened his eyes, he stumbled and fell into his chair.

"I feel strange," he said in a familiar voice as he held his head to keep the room from spinning.

"It's the female hormones coursing through your body, Harry," Tonks said as she handed him the mirror.

He took it from her and his eyes went wide when his mother's image was revealed in the silvery depths of the mirror.

"Who is this?" Hermione asked quietly at the look in Harry's eyes. She suddenly noticed their color and her mouth dropped open.

"My mother," Harry said reverently as he reached a hand to his cheek. "I see her every night, usually screaming, but there are a few where she's jus talking to me.

"Change back to normal, Harry," Tonks said quickly. Harry did as commanded and he looked to his friend curiously. "If anybody happened to walk up here, you could have gotten into trouble. You're a doppelganger..." she said, her voice trailing off to a harsh whisper. "We're the only ones who know and it has to stay that way!" Tonks hissed. "I don't want to see you executed because of this ability!"

"Neither do I," Harry said evenly. "I had to know, I had to try..." He reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it gently. "Are you ok with this?" he asked concernedly.

Hermione nodded. "You're still the person I love," she said with a slight smile. "You've just discovered a new form of magic you can do... Harry, don't push yourself too hard! You've got so much on your shoulders and I'm sure this training is going to just add to that weight!"

"I'm going to be fine," he reassured her with a quick kiss. "Don't worry about me... this is just one more thing I can use to defeat Voldemort."

"Don't say his name, Harry!" Tonks hissed quickly.

"I'm not afraid of him," Harry replied. "Why shouldn't I use his name?"

"There are some wizards who can hear what's being said for a few minutes after their name is spoken," Tonks whispered hurriedly. "Dumbledore has that ability, so does You-Know-Who. People started calling him that so that they wouldn't be overheard! It was more the fear of him finding out their plans than fear of his name."

"That explains a lot," Harry said after a moment. He glanced to Hermione as a trickle of fear coursed through his body. "How long does this ability last?"

"With normal people? A few minutes," Tonks whispered. "With you? It could last longer..."

"Would Occlumency help defeat that power?" Hermione asked quickly.

"Both work with the mind, but I'm not sure," Tonks said as she mulled the possibilities over in her mind. "I'm not an expert on either so you might want to talk to Dumbledore about that one."

"I'll visit him as soon as I can," Harry said after a moment. "It might explain a lot of what happened in the past, how he seemed to know what was going on with me. Can you feel if he's hears you or not?"

Tonks shook her head. "Not that I've heard of," she admitted. "I'm assuming that if people felt him listening in, they wouldn't have been taken by surprise when he attacked."

"I think I remember reading something about that," Hermione said after a moment. "I can research this ability..."

"I have a feeling it's tied into Legilimency," Harry said softly, comparing the abilities between his headmaster and the Dark Lord. "If he can tell when you're lying, there's a good chance he's advanced enough in the art to have this ability as well..."

"I'll see what I can find in my spare time," Hermione said determinedly. "You talk to Professor Dumbledore and see what he has to say on the matter."

"Don't let anyone see you practice," Tonks said as she stood from her chair. "Hermione and I are the only ones who should see you and DO NOT abuse this!" She added in grave tones. "It's a rare gift and there will be hell to pay if anyone finds out!" She waited a few more moments as Harry and Hermione rose from their chairs then she dismissed the furniture. With one last look at Harry she said, "If it gets out that you've achieved as much as you have, there won't be much help from those around you. If you must share anything, make sure it's with someone you trust with your life!" With that, she disappeared down the stairs.

Harry walked back to the ramparts he was using as his observation point earlier and felt Hermione wrap her arms around him from behind. He smiled as her warmth flooded him and he marveled at the feelings she caused to bubble forth.

"Now can you tell me what those bruises were from, Harry?" she asked quietly from behind him.

His smile disappeared as he turned to regard the young woman who he'd come to love. She looked up to him with her caring, chocolate colored eyes and he returned her embrace quietly.

"Please tell me, Harry," she whispered from his chest. "I can't tell you that I understand what happened..."

"No, you wouldn't understand it," he replied softly. "Ron wouldn't either... both of you had loving families when you grew up," he said with a sigh. "Ron is still jealous of what I have," Harry said with a hint of irritation. "Fame, fortune, recognition... He doesn't believe me when I told him I'd give it all up for what he has."

Hermione listened intently as Harry talked. He could feel her nod against his chest and hug him tightly from time to time, letting him know that she was there for him.

With a great sigh, Harry explained his life to her. "For almost eleven years, I lived in a cupboard under the stairs at my uncle's house," he began. It was late when he'd finished the shortened version of his life's story, leaving out the really bad moments but telling her about the abuse and neglect he'd had to endure. Several times, he'd had to stop to comfort her and wipe her tears away, especially when he explained why he'd gotten the bruises that she'd seen.

"I'd broken the plate, it was one of Aunt Petunia's expensive pieces of china," he said quietly. "They kept telling me that all I did was ruin what was good in their lives and Uncle Vernon disciplined me," he finished with a shrug as if he deserved what he'd gotten.

"You didn't deserve a bit of that, Harry," Hermione scolded as she pulled away from him. "That was way over the top! Spanking, maybe, but he left bruises all over your arms!"

"There were more places, but it was worst there," Harry admitted. "Look, I know that what they did was extreme..."

"There are no buts about it, Harry!" Hermione said evenly. "It's a good thing that the Weasleys' adopted you! You can leave that awful place!"

"There you two are!" Ron said irritably from the stairwell. "I've been looking for you for an hour when Tonks told me she'd seen you here!"

"Hey, Ron," Harry said nonchalantly as he turned to his other best friend. "We were talking, sorry about that."

"You still have time before we get to the Room of Requirement," Ron replied hastily. "Mum and Dad are here and they wanted to talk to you in Dumbledore's office. Actually, they wanted to talk to all three of us."

"Is everything ok?" Hermione asked as the trio headed back to the headmaster's office at the quick pace that Ron had set for them.

"I don't know, Mum didn't look happy and neither did Dad, come to think of it," Ron replied as they approached the gargoyle. Ron spoke the password and the statue jumped out of the way, allowing them passage to the office above. "I really wish he wouldn't use food as a password," Ron grumbled as they stepped in front of the thick, oak doors that separated them from the office beyond.

They entered when Dumbledore's voice invited them from the other side and took the seats that their headmaster offered them. Harry looked to Mrs. Weasley and a growing feeling of concern flooded him when he saw her puffy eyes and reddened cheeks.

"What's wrong?" He asked slowly as his gaze switched between his soon-to-be-parents and Dumbledore. "Is Vol... err... he back?"

"No, Voldemort isn't back," Dumbledore said quietly.

"What is it then? Has someone gotten hurt?" Harry asked a bit more quickly, afraid that one of his friends might have been attacked by Death Eaters.

"Harry," Mr. Weasley said quietly, placing a strong hand on the boy's shoulder. "We were stopped from adopting you."

"What?" Harry, Hermione, and Ron said in unison, each one displaying their trademark emotions. Harry was shocked, Hermione surprised, and Ron angry.

"But you're the Minister of Magic!" Harry said quickly, turning to look at Mr. Weasley. "How can they deny you anything?!"

"I'm not above the law, Harry," Mr. Weasley said sadly. "We thought for sure that your Muggle relatives would be more than happy to sign the papers, but they tore them up and threw them back in the currier's face."

"Uncle Vernon refused to let you adopt me?!" Harry bellowed as he shot from his chair. He clenched his fists and paced back and forth a few times in frustration. "They've never wanted me to be happy..." he growled angrily.

"We can't force them to release you to us," Mr. Weasley said comfortingly. "But once you're seventeen, you'll be of age and can choose where you want to live."

"We tried everything we could, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said sadly from her chair.

"Can I at least leave earlier this year?" Harry asked as he slumped back into his seat. "Do I even have to go back?"

"You'll need to spend forty-eight hours in the house," Dumbledore replied. "That should be enough for the final year of protections to continue working. After that, you'll go into hiding as we discussed earlier."

Harry nodded while his elation at discovering his new abilities ebbed away at the new news. "So I'm not going to have a family..." he said quietly, his anger spent as he let out a resigned sigh.

"You're always going to be a member of our family, Harry," Mr. Weasley said gently, patting the younger man's shoulder in a fatherly matter.

"I've always considered you my brother, Harry," Ron said sympathetically.

Hermione took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "You're not alone, Harry," she said quietly as he turned to look at her. Harry could see the concern and caring embedded in her gaze and he smiled slightly before nodding.

"Thank you," he said softly, turning to look at the three Weasleys. "It means a lot to me that you'd consider me a part of your family, even if it isn't legal."

"Sirius was just as angry as you were," Mrs. Weasley said after she'd rushed over to him and crushed him in a motherly hug. "Though it seems that the Dursleys' claim to guardianship overrules his claim when it came to your custody," she explained angrily. "Your aunt has blood ties and that was the final ruling of both Muggle and wizarding adoption laws..."

"I understand," Harry said quietly. "Thanks for trying..."

"Harry, I believe you and Hermione wanted to speak with me about something," Dumbledore said after a moment. "Mr. Weasley, you and your wife are welcome to stay the night if you wish, we have accommodations for the Minister and his family when they visit..."

"We wouldn't want to put you out..." Mr. Weasley started.

"Nonsense," the headmaster said with a soft chuckle. "There's ample room for your entire family to stay if you should happen to visit during a Holiday, or even during a school event. Professor McGonagall can show you the way."

Arthur looked to his wife who, still angry and saddened by their denial to adopt Harry, nodded quietly. "Thanks, Albus," he said with a disbelieving grin and a handshake. "Come along, Ron."

Ron looked at his two best friends and sighed. "I'll see you later," he said as he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "There's still time for weight training if you're finished soon."

Harry waved to his best friend and his parents as they stepped through the door and closed it behind them. He sighed heavily and looked to the weathered face of his headmaster.

"I guess it's true then," Harry said suddenly. "Is it Legilimency based?"

"It is," Dumbledore affirmed with a nod.

"It why Professor Snape didn't want me saying his name while we were training and the reason why he lured me to the Department of Mysteries..." Harry surmised.

"There are wards in this office which block Voldemort's abilities," Albus said with a slight smile. "But yes, when you said his name during your Occlumency lessons, he knew what was happening and tried to lure you out before you could complete the training."

"If Harry hadn't used his name so often, Voldemort wouldn't have been able to know he was training and sending those visions to him..." Hermione pieced together.

"That's correct, Miss Granger," the wizened wizard said with a sad smile. "Now you know why I insisted you learn the art."

"I know it now," Harry said quietly. "Is there any way I can learn Legilimency?"

"With your current training schedule and request for more classes?" Dumbledore replied. "You're spreading yourself rather thin, Harry."

"I know there's a lot on my plate at the moment," Harry said with a sigh. "Along with Quidditch and studying..."

"And your D.A. club..." Dumbledore added with a slight smile.

"And with the D.A.," Harry confirmed. "Is there a possibility I could train in Legilimency one or two days a week?"

"Training in Legilimency is a draining experience. Do you think you have enough time and energy to do everything?" Albus asked in reply.

"It's not going to be easy..." Harry said confidently. "But I think I might be able to pull it off."

"This is getting to be too much, Harry," Hermione said evenly beside him. "With everything you want to do, you'll be lucky if you get more than four or five hours of sleep a night. You're going to have to skip lunch every day and you'll be lucky if there's time for breakfast and dinner as well."

"Not to mention some of those classes will overlap," Dumbledore finished. "If you can handle what you have scheduled now and still pass the O.W.L.s for the additional classes you wish to take next term, I will begin your Legilimency training during the summer," the headmaster said with finality. "And you'll be able to take the classes you wish to next year, we'll work out a timetable that will fit your increased coursework.

"During the final term of this year, you will teach Occlumency to Misses Granger, Weasley, and Lovegood along with Misters Weasley and Longbottom," he instructed. "They know information that would be easy for Voldemort to pluck from their minds that could be dangerous in his hands."

"But I've only told Ron and Hermione about the prophecy..." Harry said with concern. "True, the others have seen a lot of the Ministry..."

"Everyone, including you, has heard several prophecies, some of which would be dangerous information in the wrong hands," Dumbledore explained as he rested his long, steepled fingers on his desk. "When you -"

"Smashed the shelves to get away..." Hermione finished. "But I don't even remember what they said, it was all jumbled."

"They were jumbled, yes, but if someone were to force your memories of that evening into a pensieve..." Dumbledore prompted.

"They could pick out each and every prophecy that was shattered that night, even the one about me and Voldemort," Harry said with wide eyes.

"Calm yourself, Harry," Dumbledore said with a reassuring smile. "As you know, Miss Weasley is already here. Neville and Luna will be arriving via portkey from undisclosed locations, along with your friends Dean and Seamus."

"Did anyone else from the dorms overhear Ron's and my conversation?" Harry asked quickly.

"Only your three roommates and Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said with another reassuring smile. "I believe your friend Ron is waiting for you in the Room of Requirement. I've made sure that the entire castle and its grounds are covered by the same wards against Voldemort's prying ears that my office has," he said as his two charges stood from their seats. "Be careful about using his name away from school, but you should be able to safely speak his name now."

Harry and Hermione took their leave then and walked quietly to their nightly meeting with Ron. Each were deep in thought, mulling over the same, yet different, thoughts and the questions and answers their ponderings brought forth.

They began their nightly exercise ritual with their redheaded best friend and explained what they'd jus discussed with their headmaster to Ron. He wasn't entirely happy that Voldemort could hear what people said about him and he shuddered when they told him how he was able to find the connection between Harry and Sirius.

"But I thought it was when Sirius chased after the train in his dog form," Ron said confusedly.

"That might have been part of it," Harry said after setting down his weights and spotting Hermione. "Of course, with Wormtail on their side, they would have known what to look for, but Sirius wasn't afraid to say Voldemort's name either..."

"I thought you said he could hear you if you said his name!" Ron hissed but to Harry and Hermione's surprise, he didn't shiver.

"Ron, you didn't shiver when I said Voldemort," Harry pointed out with wide eyes.

"So?" Ron retorted angrily.

"Ever time someone has said Voldemort's name, you'd shiver," Hermione added then after a second of thought corrected herself. "Everyone would shiver, except for the person saying his name..."

"That's how it works!" Harry said as he caught his fist in his palm.

"That's how what works?" Ron asked in irritation.

"Haven't you been listening?" Hermione hissed in reply. "Voldemort could hear what we were saying after one of us said his name because he used everyone around the speaker as a listening device... like an extended ear."

"You mean to tell me that You-Know-Who used my ears to listen in on conversations when his real name was used?" Ron asked in a stutter as his face took on a pallid, green sheen.

"Well, not his real name," Harry said with a grin, "Tom Riddle is his real name and he doesn't associate himself with that one..."

"That's why everyone called You-Know-Who, You-Know-Who..." Ron said with a look of understanding on his face.

"That's what we just explained to you, Ron..." Hermione said in irritation.

"I tend to tune you out when you're explaining things," Ron said with a shrug. "Call it a reflex."

"Honestly!" Hermione said in exasperation. "That's why you do so poorly on exams!"

"Not on tomorrow's," Ron retorted quickly. "I listened to you enough of the time to pass this make up exam."

Harry saw Hermione's temper was about to blow and he quickly intervened. "That's enough," he said as he sat between them on the floor. "I think we've had enough of a workout tonight, why don't we call it a day?"

"Sounds good to me," Ron said with a grin. "So, when do we start Occlumency training?"

"Start of term, you still have a few days to go before our first meeting of the year," Hermione said quickly. "You best get some sleep so you'll be rested for tomorrow."

"I will," Ron said cheekily. "I get to stay with Mum and Dad in the V.I.P. suites!"

"That sounds like a fun time," Harry said with a smile. "I guess we'll see you tomorrow at breakfast then?"

"You bet!" Ron said with a grin. "See you in the morning." With a wave he left Harry and Hermione alone in the Room of Requirement.

Hermione looked deep in thought as Harry put the training gear away. He sat behind her on the bench she was occupying and began to massage her shoulders. "What's on your mind, Love?"

Hermione let out a soft moan as he massaged a decidedly knotted muscle into relaxation. "I was wondering if I might be able to try the Metamorphmagi tests," she admitted after a moment.

Harry finished her back in silence and they traded places for her to work on him. "I don't see why not," Harry said lazily as she worked out a tough spot in his shoulder. "Did you want to talk to Tonks about it?"

"You've taken the tests, now all you need is practice," Hermione said slowly, working her way down to the middle of his back. "Maybe we could keep this between the two of us? I already know about the meditation and the background..."

"What if something happens and you get stuck?" Harry asked quietly, a low groan escaping his lips shortly afterwards. "I wouldn't know what to do..."

"Madam Pomfrey would, and as you said when I had the Polyjuice Potion problem, she doesn't ask questions," Hermione argued.

"Are you sure?" He asked one more time after she'd finished working out the kinks in his back.

"Would I have asked for your help if I wasn't?" she retorted with a dazzling smile, one she knew he couldn't resist.

Harry shook his head in defeat and grinned back. "Ok, I'll try, but I'm not as experienced as Tonks is..."

They left the Room of Requirement then walked up and down the hall once more. When they reopened the door, they were presented with two chairs, a full-length mirror and an enchanted wall that behaved like windows. They looked to the scene beyond and smiled at the sunset that was just beginning.

"Well, we don't have much time," Harry said with a sigh as he took one of the chairs. "Let's see how far we can get tonight."

Hermione sat across from him and they began with the meditation as Harry had earlier that day. Hermione announced she was ready and they began with the first test that Harry was presented. She was able to change her hair to blonde rather quickly and they waited until her body's natural state resumed before trying facial features.

She wasn't too happy with having curly hair and a pig's snout, but Harry insisted she do the same thing he did for each test since they were aware of the results from his experience. Hermione quickly passed the level two and level three tests, the second accomplished by mimicking her little sister.

Her body took a bit longer than Harry's to revert to normal and it was getting rather dark by time her normal form had asserted itself again.

"I think we should wait for the last one in the morning," Harry said cautiously. "It's almost completely dark outside and you just changed back..."

"The last test won't take that long," Hermione said excitedly. "And I can change back to normal when we find out... please, Harry!" she pleaded.

Harry sighed and nodded. "Let's get you calmed down since I don't know what'll happen if you're excited when you transform."

He waited patiently as Hermione slipped into the meditation and his brow furrowed when she said she was ready.

"You're still smiling," Harry said as Hermione slowly began to change into a young man that looked increasingly familiar.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked to the mirror to see Harry standing behind himself. "I DID IT!" she squealed excitedly and turned around to face her boyfriend. She threw her arms around him and planted her lips directly on his.

Harry's eyes widened in shock to see himself launch at him and even more surprised when he was kissed by an exact replica. It felt strange but he was just able to keep from pulling away in disgust when Hermione realized what she'd done. With one quick move, she released him and stepped back, her face burning red with embarrassment.

"I'm glad you were able to do it, Love," Harry said with a shaking voice, "but I think you should change back, I'd rather kiss you in your normal form," he finished with a cheeky smile.

Hermione blushed even harder then looked up with a frightened look in her eyes. "Harry..." she said in a terrified stutter. "I can't change back, something's wrong!"