"How do you do that?" Harry asked, looking at Tonks with surprise as she opened her eyes.
"I'm a Metamorphmagus," she replied, still examining herself in the mirror. She tilted her head, studying her hair from different angles, and occasionally stroked it gently with her hand. "In other words, I can change my appearance at will."
"Metamorphmagus?" Harry gaped, his face showing a puzzled expression.
"It's one of the branches of Transfiguration, like becoming an Animagus," Ivan explained, looking at Tonks. "Metamorphmagi are mostly born with the ability. It's an innate talent."
Transfiguration was a vast magical discipline, and young wizards at Hogwarts typically learned basic transformation spells to change the shape of objects. With more advanced study in the subject, wizards could achieve more profound transformations, turning objects into knives, pythons, flames, and more. However, these changes were temporary and would revert to their original state once the magic wore off. True transformation of an object's essence was not Transfiguration but alchemy.
Some individuals possessed unique talents within the branches of Transfiguration, like becoming an Animagus or being a Metamorphmagus, but they were relatively rare and typically not taught at Hogwarts. Animagi, for instance, could learn the skill after their Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.Ls). Metamorphmagi, on the other hand, were born with the innate ability to change their appearance.
"Yes, I'm an inborn Metamorphmagus," Tonks said in a soft voice, glancing at herself in the mirror with satisfaction. "During Auror training, I didn't need to study hiding and disguising spells much because of this."
"You're an Auror?" Harry asked, clearly surprised. Up until that point, he had only considered the role of Aurors as those who apprehended dark wizards.
"Yes!" Tonks replied, her tone proud. "Kingsley is one too. His rank is a bit higher than mine. I earned my qualifications last year. I struggled with the stealth and tracking classes. Remember when you heard a crashing sound downstairs when we first arrived? That was me failing the test."
"I saw you in Lupin's office when I was learning Apparition," Ivan added as he sorted through Harry's textbooks. "You must have just become an Auror then."
"Yes, but I'd been studying for quite a while before that," Tonks continued. "With the help of Sirius and Remus, I finally passed the stealth and tracking classes. They both excel in that area."
Sirius, with his ability to break free from Dementors and the Ministry of Magic, was not an ordinary wizard. Lupin, being a werewolf, had honed his tracking skills as a means of survival in the dark wizarding world.
"By the way, can someone learn to become a Metamorphmagus?" Harry asked, intrigued by the concept.
Tonks smiled gently, her gaze focused on Harry's lightning-shaped scar. "I think you already have that covered, don't you?"
Harry didn't like others staring at his scar. "I'd rather not."
"Oh, you'll need to study hard for that," Tonks said. "Metamorphmagus abilities are extremely rare, typically inborn, and can't be learned. Most wizards can change their appearance only with a wand or potion."
"It's quite difficult to achieve," Ivan added in a low voice as he moved closer to Harry. "But you can start by diligently studying to become an Animagus. That should be possible. Hermione was working on becoming an Animagus before."
"Really?" Harry looked at Ivan with surprise. "What's her Animagus form?"
"She's also a cat, but a white one," Ivan replied. "Cats may not have powerful abilities, but they're quite practical."
"Very practical indeed," Harry agreed with a nod. He wasn't entirely sure what Ivan was hinting at, but he felt a sense of anticipation. "So, can I learn to become an Animagus?"
"You can, but before we begin, I'll need to test your fundamental knowledge," Ivan said. "I can help provide you with some additional magical power during the transformation process using the Philosopher's Stone, but it'll mainly depend on your own efforts. This magic is quite dangerous."
"Okay, let's not get into intimate conversations now," Tonks interjected, shaking herself back into action. "We need to make the most of our time. Mad-Eye and the others are still waiting downstairs. Ivan, Harry, let's pack our bags."
"Alright," Harry said, grabbing a few books. He felt a little guilty; his room was in complete disarray.
"Don't act innocent; you could help a bit more," Tonks scolded, and then waved her wand. The books, clothes, telescope, and other items levitated into the air and flew into Harry's trunk in a chaotic flurry.
"Isn't this tidy enough?" Tonks asked, peering into the box piled high with items.
"My mother had a knack for making things neat," she continued, shaking her wand with hope in her eyes. Harry's socks swayed gently in the air, returning to the chaotic pile in the box.
"I think you should make your wand movements larger," Ivan suggested, pointing out Tonks's mistake. "And try to wave your wand faster."
"Really?" Tonks followed Ivan's instructions and waved her wand quickly. The next second, Harry's dirty socks neatly folded and dropped into the box.
"It's really unbelievable. I thought this was my mother's exclusive secret. How do you know?" Tonks asked.
"Just reading," Ivan replied. "I recommend you take a look at the book '100 Kinds of Common Household Spells Used in Detail.' It has some practical tips on household magic."
Ivan had found Hermione's booklist for their studies, and this book was on it. He had read it before and was quite interested in various practical magical tips that could enhance daily life. He planned to use statistical inference to discover rules that could be applied to other areas of magic. He had experimented with many skills, but it was still in the early stages of exploration.
"It's helpful to read, but I can't always find the time," Tonks said, closing the box with a flick of her wand. She then pointed her wand at the Hedwig basket and said, "Scourgify." Several feathers and some droppings disappeared instantly.
"Things are much better now, but honestly, I'm not an expert at incantations for household chores," Tonks admitted. She glanced at Harry and asked, "Okay, Harry, did you pack everything neatly? Your leather suitcase? Cauldron? Broom? Firebolt?"
Her gaze landed on the Firebolt that Harry was holding in his hand, and her eyes widened.
"This is from Sirius," Harry began but hesitated.
As Ivan had explained earlier, Tonks and Sirius had a familial connection—she was his niece.
"The wealthy Black family," Tonks said with envy. "This broomstick is probably worth as much as my entire net worth. I ride a Comet 260."
Harry felt a bit uncomfortable as Tonks expressed her envy. He had received the Firebolt as a gift from Sirius.
"Sirius gave it to me..." Harry finally said, sounding somewhat embarrassed.
Moody then interrupted, "We don't have much time. Black wrote a letter to your aunt and uncle in the name of your godfather. He's explained the situation and asked them not to worry. They won't worry when they return and find I'm gone. They'll probably be happy."
"I don't really understand Muggles," Harry admitted.
"Don't worry about that now," Moody said. "But don't put your wand in your pocket. What if it catches fire? You know wizards are more likely to have their buttocks burned than Muggles."
"Do you know about burned buttocks?" Tonks asked, her curiosity piqued.
"That's none of your business," Moody replied sternly. "But don't put your wand in your pants pocket, Potter. You know it's not safe."
With that, Moody cast a Disillusionment Charm on Ivan and Harry. His wand lightly tapped their heads, sending a strange sensation as if something cold and icy was flowing over their heads from the tip of his wand. Ivan realized that he and Harry had been Disillusioned to blend in with the surroundings, like human chameleons, becoming the same color and texture as the kitchen appliances behind them.
Before leaving for this mission, Moody had discreetly helped Ivan cast the Disillusionment Charm, which didn't require much effort as Ivan guessed Moody had considered the consequences of Harry's wand-waving mishaps.
Moody grumbled about the "sunny nighttime sky" and had a quick look around with his magical eye while his normal eye remained fixed on Harry. "We'll fly in a tight formation, and you two will be in the middle. Don't disrupt the formation for any reason. If anyone in our group is killed..."
"Is that really a possibility?" Harry asked nervously, but Moody didn't pay him much attention.
"The rest of you, keep flying ahead. Don't stop, and don't break formation. If the worst happens, you can use magic," Moody continued. "Ivan, you stay close to Harry and do your best to protect him. If they drop one of us, make sure you're the one who survives. Harry, be prepared to take over as the rear guard. Keep flying east; they'll meet up with you."
"Don't sound so gloomy, Mad-Eye, or he'll think we're not taking this seriously," Tonks remarked as she tied Harry's trunk, cauldron, and Hedwig's cage onto her broomstick.
"I was just explaining the plan to this young one," Moody grumbled. "Our job is to safely escort him to headquarters. If any of us don't make it..."
"No one is going to die," Kingsley Shacklebolt said in a deep, soothing voice, trying to mediate the situation.
"Harry, can you lead me on your Firebolt?" Ivan asked, deciding to speak up. "You know I'm not very skilled at riding a broomstick, and there might be some incidents ahead. If necessary, I can Apparate you to safety. It's better than risking being caught by the Ministry for underage magic use, right?"
Harry nodded, his face filled with concern.