Author's Note: Hey everyone. I've decided to write something other than my Root of Darkness story because writing about 130k words worth of one story in less than two months wore me down and I find myself stalling on it a little. So in order to keep the creative juices flowing I've written this and I had fun writing it the last two days. Have fun reading but don't expect regular updates on this.

'Where am I?' I looked around the vast prairie that surrounded me. My last conscious thought was… Ah, I see. I looked down at my hands as I flexed them without any of the pain that had plagued me for so long. It would seem that the surgery wasn't a success or I was hallucinating.

The former.

A deep voiced that seemed to shake my entire being spoke from above. Startled at the sudden noise I let out a yelp and ended up tripping on an uneven portion of ground. The ground was soft so my fall didn't hurt but it did knock the wind out of me and I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

Looking up at the source of the voice as my cheeks glowed red I saw… I saw something impossibly beautiful. Shapes and swirls moved together in a chaotic yet orderly pattern, but they also seemed to move backwards and forwards at the same time. I felt my mind begin to crack just looking at the being and without conscious effort my hands went towards my eyes as a mad cackling filled the fields around us. Then there was pain, so much pain and my laughing grew louder and louder until it cut off suddenly.

Enough.

I blinked and slowly moved my hands away from my face before blinking again. 'What just happened? Is that blood on my hands?'

I apologize. It has been many eons since I have last interacted with a mortal.

I looked upwards and had to shield my eyes from the shining ball of light before I looked back down at my bloody hands. "Did I just-"

Yes.

My hands began to tremble and I leaned to the side as I began to dry heave. Whatever the thing was waited patiently for me to finish as I furiously wiped my hands on the ground to clean them. I wasn't able to remove all of the blood from my hands but it was soothing to my battered psyche to try and once I had mostly recovered I turned back to the glowing ball of light. "So I assume I'm dead then?"

That would be correct.

I hung my head at the conformation. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would as I had been prepared to die for a while now. Cancer would do that to you and the odds of success for the surgery had been quite low going into it. My brow scrunched in thought and I looked around at the seemingly never ending plains surrounding me. "So you must be God then? Have you come to judge me?" There was a pause before the being of light spoke.

I am a God, but one you are not familiar with and I have come with an offer.

'An offer?'

Yes. I offer you the choice to move on to your final resting place wherever that may be or be reborn into another world.

'Of course it can read my mind.' I thought bitterly before I spoke up. "What's the catch? There must be some downside to choosing to be reborn."

There is someone on that world that will struggle against the darkness that is coming. I would have you stand with her as a soulmate.

I scoff at that. "A soulmate? Are our eyes going to meet and we'll instantly love each other for the rest of time."

No, that is a soul bond. Think of a soulmate as you would a random stranger you meet on the street yet you would both instantly feel as though the other could be your best friend. That will not make you automatically best friends but when you are together things will just click and anything further will be on your own initiative.

'That doesn't sound so bad although the stand against darkness is kind of vague and unsettling.' I hummed as I thought about it some more. "Do I have any knowledge of the place I'm going?"

No, only that it is one of magic and technology although they are separate from one another.

"Oh drat, foreknowledge would be useful." I paused for a moment and then asked my next question. "Do I have to decide now or can I take some time to think about it?"

We are Nowhere and Everywhere. In this place Time is meaningless.

'So that's a yes I suppose.' With that answered I laid back down on the grass to think for a while. After an indeterminate amount of time later my eyes opened and I sat back up. "Alright, I'll do it."

Good. Go then with my boon to help you on your journey.

The prairie and the God disappeared as I was sucked into a void of darkness. Panic clawed at my mind yet in the distance I saw a light that seemed to be growing closer and as something seemed to squeeze me I entered the light. It blinded me and the next thing I knew I felt myself being lifted and a sharp pain on my butt. The pain was so sudden and unexpected that I let out a sharp cry before I felt something wash over me and then something soft wrap around me.

"Congratulations, it's a boy." 'Ah, I was just born.' My mind supplied as I felt myself grasped by someone and a sharp gasp.

"Oh honey look, he's just like our little Nym." My vision was still blurry but I was able to make out the strong aristocratic features of the sweat drenched woman holding me along with her long brown hair. 'My new mother I suppose.'

"I can see that love. What should we name him then?" A deeper male voice came from behind me and I couldn't see what I assume to be my father.

"Eros, Eros Tonks." 'What an odd name.' I thought as I felt myself slipping away into sleep. Apparently dying and being reborn really takes it out of you. The last thing I heard was my new mom humming at me.

When I next woke up I was momentarily confused as to where I was and why I couldn't see well or move before it all came flooding back to me. I laid there for a while trying to process everything before an almost involuntary sob wracked through me as it truly hit me what I had lost when I had died. I don't know how long I was there in that crib crying before I felt a strong pair of arms lift me up and a soothing voice started speaking to me.

I was still too distressed to really listen to what they were saying but the next thing I knew something was shoved into my mouth and I involuntarily started sucking. Of course it hit me just what I was sucking on when I felt liquid start flowing into my mouth. I wanted to stop, I really did, but in the end it was necessary no matter how odd I found it to be. A short while later I heard another voice coming from behind me.

"Mum, is that the baby?"

"Nym, what are you doing up this early?" I heard some shuffling and then the voice spoke again closer.

"I heard crying and I wanted to see what was happening. Can I hold him?" There was a moment of silence before my new mom answered.

"In a bit after he's done feeding and only if you sit down first."

"Okay." I was feeling full anyways so I pulled away from her nipple.

"Oh, it's seems like he's done already. Why don't we go over to the couch and I'll let you hold him." We made our way over to it before I felt myself being handed off to what I assumed was my sister. "Careful now. Make sure you're supporting his head."

After a careful handoff I was able to finally see who my new mother had been talking too. A young girl beamed down at me but that wasn't what I concentrated on. The most fascinating thing about her was the fact that her hair was rapidly changing color as I looked at it. "Look mummy, he can change his hair too." 'I can? How? I don't feel anything changing?'

"We're going to have so much fun together." My new sister declared loudly and gave me a beautiful smile.

~5 Years Later~

I stood next to my mom, Andromeda Tonks, as my dad, Edward Tonks, fussed over my sister as we stood at the King's Cross Station. Her hair was flickering between colors but it was usually settling on a light red which I knew meant that she was reaching the end of her patience.

"Dad, it's fine. Stop fussing." He let out a sigh and pulled her into a hug.

"Just let me have this, alright? It's not every day that I get to see my one and only daughter off to Hogwarts." I didn't hear her reply as it was kind of loud with everyone around us and her face was buried in my dad's growing gut. Whatever it was he stepped back and gave her one last pat on the cheek causing her to roll her eyes as she turned to us.

I walked over and gave her a hug as well. I would miss having her around the house. It was fun trying to find the boundaries of our talents together but on the other hand I would be able to get some peace and quiet once she was gone. If I had to describe my sister in one word it would be boisterous which could be tiring after a while. "Bye Dora, come back soon." Her arms wrapped around me as she returned the hug.

"I'll only be gone for a bit." I gave her one more squeeze and then stepped back as my mom took my place.

"Have fun dear and do make sure to write. Do you need any help getting your trunk onboard?"

Dora shook her head as she stepped back towards her trunk. "I will and no thanks I can handle it myself." She picked up her trunk and wobbled a bit under the weight. I saw my dad slip out his wand out of Dora's view and cast something on her trunk. 'Probably made it lighter or something.' Was what I thought as she seemed to be able to lift it easier than before.

Sending a beaming smile our way Dora boarded the gleaming red train after we had said our goodbyes. Not a minute later the train gave a piercing whistle and everyone seemed to scramble as the ten minute countdown started. My mom grabbed my hand as the train started to pull away and I waved back at Dora who was sticking out the side of a window waving at us. We stood there until the train was out of sight and as the crowd started to break up we went off to the side to allow other people to go through the barrier first.

"Well I'm off to work than." My dad gave my mom a kiss and ruffled my hair. "You be good for your mum."

"Alright." He gave me a grin and then disappeared with a crack.

"I guess it's just the two of us then. Let's go back home." We left the station and after an extremely uncomfortable bus ride on that monstrosity that they called a bus we were back at our little two storied house. Well actually it had more than two stories because magic is awesome but it looked like a normal brick house surrounded by a forest from the outside.

We passed through the wards, which felt like walking through a thin spider web to me, and entered the house. "Do you want to do anything after lunch Eros?"

"Read." I said without hesitation. The whole concept of magic fascinated me and we had a decent sized library that I was working my way through at the moment. Of course I wasn't able to cast anything at the moment without a wand but I resolved to work on that. If I could change my entire body wandlessly I was positive I could eventually perform external magic without a wand.

"My little Ravenclaw." She tweaked my nose as she said that and then guided me into the kitchen where she began to prepare lunch. I'm sure I had amazed my parents by my apparent genius for reading at such a young age as well as being so well spoken. Although it didn't help that I still mixed up terms because I was an American and we were in Britain. For example I said 'Mum' now, but I grew up before saying mom and several other things that made them wonder where my terms were coming from. I finished my lunch and ran off to the library as my mom went to go brew potions for St. Mungos because she was a potioneer that worked for them.

Stopping briefly at the entrance of the library I took a deep breath and let the smell of parchment and paper wash over me before running my hand along the book spines searching for a good one. 'An Introduction to Magical Theory' stood out to me so I pulled that one out and curled up in an armchair as I began to read.

~5 Years Later~

Three pebbles spun unsteadily above my hand as I glared at them. I had just recently attended a Yule celebration with my family and there had been a little shite by the name of Draco there that just irritated me to no end. Sure he was only 10 but he had called my mom a two bit whore for running off and marrying my dad. If that wasn't bad enough he had also called my sister and I mistakes that dirtied the Black family name by existing. It took everything I had not to punch the smug little shite in the face and I knew that Dora mirrored my thinking if her blood red hair and the furious scowl on her face was any indication. He had been saved from a beating by his mom pulling him away with a stern look on her face.

My thoughts were broken as I heard a quiet sound coming from the next room over. The pebbles fell to the floor as my concentration was broken and I frowned at them before focusing on the sound more. It sounded like, crying? Growing a little concerned I made my way over to Dora's room and knocked on the door. "Sis, are you okay?" There was no reply but the sound cut off. "I'm coming in."

I opened the door to the sight of her usual messy sprawl of a room along with several large sized portraits of the Weird Sisters jamming along to unheard music. Dora herself was sprawled out on top of her bed with her face buried in her pillows and a letter next to her. I made my way over to her and sat down on the bed while taking a glance at the letter. 'Ah, that would do it. Boy trouble.'

"Do you want me to get you anything? We have your favorite caramel flavoured ice cream if you want some?"

There was a quiet snuffle before she said, "Yes." Standing up I raced downstairs and pulled out a tub of her favorite ice cream before grabbing a spoon and running back upstairs. She hadn't moved from her spot and I plopped back down on her bed then nudged her with the tub of ice cream.

She inhaled sharply from the cold before turning and glaring at me. "You brought the entire thing?"

"Er, yeah." She looked between me and the tub of ice cream before shrugging and taking it from me. Now that I could see her face I could see the redness in her eyes and her hair was drooping whilst blue. 'Never a good sign that.' Dora had sat up and was eating small spoonfuls of ice cream while I watched. I let the silence grow between us until I thought she would be comfortable enough to talk about what happened.

"So," I began cautiously, "what's got you in such a tizzy? Was it that blonde ponce? I reckon I could kick him once or twice if it is." She let out a chuckle before her hair flared red.

"No, it's my ex-boyfriend Bruce. He just broke up with me, although I wouldn't mind if you did kick that little shite Malfoy." She glanced around nervously immediately afterwards. "Don't tell mum I said that." I nodded seriously before my face morphed into an expression of confusion.

"Why would he break up with you? You're the best." Her hair turned pink before turning back to red.

"Thanks, I think so to." I rolled my eyes at that and she giggled. "He kept on trying to get into my knickers and telling me to change things about me, but I kept on saying no. Now I'm apparently a prude because I didn't so he broke up with me and the worst thing about this is all the girls talking behind my back calling me a whore because all the boys are drooling over the fact that I'm a metamorphmagus." She viciously stabbed the spoon into the ice cream. "Stupid cows that they are."

Silence fell between us again as she continued to stab the ice cream and eat it angrily. I wasn't quite sure what to say in this situation. It's not like I could apologize for the fact that she could turn into a supermodel on demand or tell her to be uglier. That would be just stupid. My nose wrinkled before I spoke again. "They're just jealous."

"I know that, you know that, everyone knows that. It doesn't make what they say less hurtful when they say things like that." There was more than a hint of bitterness in her voice as she said that.

"I'm sorry."

"For what? You can't help that they're spiteful. In fact you'll probably deal with the same problems I have when you're older." She glanced up at me as she said that and then sighed as she put the ice cream to the side before motioning me to sit next to her. I scooched over and she wrapped an arm around me. "If that ever happens to you come tell me about it. I'll be a super Auror by then and I'll arrest them."

"I think that would count as abuse of authority." I said cautiously.

"Eh, I'd still do it for you lil' brother." She flopped backwards pulling me with her and the bed gave a creaking sound as we hit it. "Thanks for this. It helped to vent."

"You're my sister of course I'd come to help you when I heard you crying." She didn't say anything but her arm tightened around me and I listened to her heartbeat as we laid there. I don't know how long we were there until Dora spoke up again.

"So what were you doing before this then?" I didn't really want to talk about my attempts at wandless magic. My new family already thought I was a genius and I didn't want to exacerbate their notions anymore for now.

"Practicing." She nudged me to continue so I did. "I think I have the buck bill down now."

"Really?" A note of curiosity entered her voice. "Let's see it then." I concentrated for a moment and felt my lips stretch then thin out. There was a rustling sound as Dora moved and then a whistle of appreciation. "Looks good. Of course I always knew you were a quack."

'Oh no she didn't.' I reached across her waist and started tickling both her tickle spots at once. She was extremely sensitive to tickling and she immediately started squirming while laughing hysterically. "Hahaha, oh no you didn't." She went on the offensive and my own peals of laughter joined hers as we both struggled to gain the upper hand. Unfortunately she had me outclassed in terms of strength and weight and I was soon pinned beneath her as she mercilessly tickled me.

"Haha, Dora stop. Hehe, I give, I give." She stopped, eventually, and I laid there panting, trying to catch my breath after laughing for so long as she raised her hands in the air victoriously.

"Yesss. I'm Queen of the tickles. Bow to me my minion." She looked back down at me and her eyes narrowed as her fingers started to wiggle again. "I'm not hearing any praise from you minion. Do I need to reiterate the lesson?"

I shook my head feverously back and forth as I caught my breath. "My Queen, you are the ruler of the tickles." She stuck her nose up in the air and struck a posh pose.

"And don't you forget it." With that said she flopped down to the side of me. "Thanks again for taking my mind off this thing, but could you leave me alone for a bit now?"

"Are you sure you're okay now?"

Letting out a sigh she rolled on her side and propped herself up so she could look down at me. "I'm good for now I just want some time alone." I searched her face as she said that and eventually nodded.

"Alright, but if you need anything I'll be in my room." She nodded and I hopped off the bed and left the room, shutting the door behind me. By the time Dora had to go back to school for the spring term she had seemed to have recovered her good mood and I was grateful for that.

~1 Year Later~

'It was a beautiful day.' Was the first coherent thought that ran through my mind after I had zombied my way out of bed and downstairs for breakfast. The sun was shining, there was not a cloud in the sky and the rabbits where probably going at it like, well rabbits really. All in all a rather unusual occurrence in Wales but a happy one.

"Wotcher, little brother! Are you ready to get your school supplies today? Oh, it'll be so much fun having you at Hogwarts this year as my lil' minion." I turned my attention away from the window at my sister's happy exclamation. I took in I-will-gut-you-with-a-rusty-spoon Tonks' appearance today. Not that it really mattered of course, she's always changing things around or at least she used to before she settled down on a more permanent appearance. Today at least her hair was light pink, which I knew meant she was excited, with a neither beautiful nor ugly face while wearing her Weird Sister's t-shirt and sapphire blue eyes.

"Morning sis, I can't wait. Are you going to be dragging me around for shopping or is mum going to do that?" I sat down at the table and starting buttering a toasted piece of bread.

"Hmm, mum I think. I'll be there but I'll be getting my own supplies and I'm meeting up with a few friends as well."

"Sounds reasonable. At least this way it'll only take a few hours instead of days to get all the shopping done."

"Hey watch yourself mister I'm not that bad." She brandied a butter knife in my direction. I just glance at her with the deadened eyes of males everywhere when they are forced to go on a shopping trip with a female.

"So that time when it took you 4 hours to choose one shirt was just my imagination then was it?" Really it was horrible. It's bad enough when they're just looking for that one thing that will fit them but when they can change their sizes on a whim it becomes a game of showing off.

Her nose turned into a pig snout as she snorted, "Of course dear brother. Alas it is such a shame, my poor baby brother gone insane at such a young age."

"Driven to insanity by his sister what a way to go." I managed to dodge the first hex but the next one hit me square in the chest and I started giggling helplessly as the tickling charm went to work.

"Nymphadora dear, what have I told you about hexing your brother?" My mom glided into the room every inch a poised noble. Even after all these years she can't seem to drop all those habits she learned as a child.

"Don't call me Nymphadora." One elegant eyebrow is raised. "Not at the table." She grumbled out and canceled the charm.

A sigh and a quiet, "Close enough," is all she said as she started flicking her wand causing the dishes to fly through the air and start cleaning themselves in the sink. I feel like I should take offense to this but it's not like she ever does anything bad to me. It's just prank spells for the most part or completely harmless ones like that tickling charm. I enjoy them, for the most part, and I think Dora enjoys casting them on me to make me laugh. It's all in good fun really.

"Eros go get ready and then we'll leave for Diagon Alley as soon you're ready."

"Don't call me Eros." I said as I got up from the table to get ready. It was more of a reflex response than any actual dislike for the name. I actually thought it was kind of funny how my parents named the two metamorphmagus' in the entire country names that referred to sexual people or things. I just kind of went with the flow after I heard my sister complain so much about her name.

I quickly changed out of my pajamas and threw on a set of jeans and t-shirt before hurrying back downstairs. My mom and sister were waiting for me by the Floo when I got down.

"Remember it's Diagon Alley. Make sure you pronounce it clearly." I rolled my eyes at that.

"I know that mum it's not like I haven't done this before." I take a pinch of Floo powder and throw it into the flames before stepping into them as they turned green. "Diagon Alley," I call out as I step forward and I was pulled into the flames. I've always hated Floo travel. It always feels like you're spinning around on the spot while you catch glimpses of other Floo connections as you zip by before you seemingly come to a complete stop at your destination. Over the years I had gotten used to the feeling yet I still stumbled as I exited the fireplace. I counted my blessings that I didn't make a fool of myself in front of everyone at the bar as I landed on my feet this time. Obviously I had counted my blessings too soon as Tonks came barreling out of the Floo with all her usual grace and slammed into me sending us both onto the ground.

"Wotcher, brother of mine, fancy meeting you here."

"Dora get off, you're heavy." I groaned from my position beneath her. Before we could start squabbling I could hear the cool voice of our mom coming from behind us.

"Eros, you should know by now a lady is never heavy and Nymphadora get off your brother." A quick grumble about our names was in order as we untangled ourselves and brushed off any dust that had stuck to us from our impromptu trip to the floor. Seeing that all was in order Andromeda led the way towards Diagon Alley passing by Tom as we went.

"'Ello there Miss Tonks, Tonks and Tonks." The barkeep Tom sent a wide smile our way as we walked towards him.

"Wotcher Tom." My ever cheerful sister sent a wide smile right back at him, probably amused at his greeting.

"Oh, ye just missed young Rose Potter. She came in here with 'Agrid for her school supplies. Looked like a twig if you ask me and I think she was wearing some weird muggle fashion. Maybe you could catch a glimpse of her in the Alley."

"Thank you Tom we might just do that." My mom strode past and started tapping her wand in a pattern on the brick wall. Even though I've seen it before it's always interesting seeing the wall fold itself out of the way as you catch your first glimpse of the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley. It seemed like it was especially packed today what with school starting up soon and all.

"Now dear do you want to come with us or do you want to go buy your thing by yourself?"

"I think I'll go by myself."

"Alright then, when you're done lets meet up at Florean Fortescue's for some ice cream. This should be enough for all your school supplies." My mum handed over a small pouch to my sister. "Have fun now."

"I will, thanks mum." She ambled off in the direction of the bookstore. I sighed when I saw her stumble on the flat ground as she was walking away. I just don't get how she can be so clumsy sometimes. The amused chuckle from my mom confirmed that she was thinking the same thing. I turned as I heard the crinkling of paper and saw my mom looking at my school supply list.

"Let's get your robes done shall we." She rolled the parchment back up and took my hand, pulling me deeper into the Alley. People were hustling about and further down the street I could see small fireworks coming from Zonko's the prank shop. I had to duck as an owl swooped down to land on an outstretched arm of a wizard and he didn't even apologize for it. 'Fairly inconsiderate of him really.' Finally we arrived at Madam Malkin's Fine Robes and let ourselves in.

The interior was darker than the outside and I had to let my eyes adjust a bit to the change in light. As soon as they did I wanted to groan at the sight before me. That blonde ponce of a cousin was here talking down to a red headed girl next to him. Before I could ask to leave the clothe store for later a perky saleswoman had dragged me over to where the two were standing and started measuring me for my robes.

"So three sets of Hogwarts attire for you today?" I wanted to sigh but I held it in.

"Yes please, and could you please put an expansion charm on them as well." I let my hair flicker between colors. "I sometimes like to change shape and it would be a bother to have restrictive clothes."

"Oh, you're one of those. Can you do Gilderoy Lockhart's face?" I mentally frowned but let out a cheerful smile instead.

"Sorry, I haven't seen his face."

"Oh." She seemed disappointed but got on with my measurements. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the red headed girl staring at me. I turned my head towards her and caught sight of the most brilliant green colored eyes I have ever seen. As soon as I saw her eyes an odd feeling spread through me. 'I'll have to try that shade of eye color later, it could be fun.' I thought as I shook off the feeling.

"You know it's rude to stare." A huge blush spread across her face at my blunt statement.

"I-I'm sorry it's just I've never seen someone's hair change like that. How are you doing that?" Oh, it must be a first generation witch. I don't really mind explaining my ability to others if they don't know I just dislike when people request me to change to other people.

"I'm a metamorphmagus." I quickly change my lips into a duck bill and back again. "I can shape and control my body to change how I look." Her eyes are as wide as saucers now.

"That's so cool. Can anyone become a metamorphmagus?" Well at least she gets points for not asking me to change for her. I let out a gentle smile.

"Sorry, but it's something that you're born with."

"Oh,' she seems a bit downcast, 'is there some way to tell if you are one?" I let myself think for a moment.

"It depends on how strong your talent is I guess. My sister and I were changing basically from birth. If you had a lesser affinity for it the most likely areas that it would show up would be your hair. If you've ever wanted to change your hair and it suddenly did or it doesn't change shape or length at all you might have a small affinity to be a metamorphmagus."

Her brow furrowed as she thought. "One time my Aunt cut my hair and the next day it grew back." A frown appeared next. "I've also never cut my hair. It has always been this length I think or at least I haven't had to ever cut it before." She ran her fingers through her curly red hair absentmindedly.

I perked up at that. "Really? That would be amazing if you could. Metamorphs are extremely rare you know. My sister and I are the only ones in all of Britain. Try changing the color of your hair. It might make it easier to look at it when you do." She brought her hair up to eye length and seemed to glare at it.

"Think about what you want to accomplish when you change. It's all about visualizing and willpower." I urged her on. The seconds ticked by as we both stared intently at her hair and slowly, ever so slowly, her dark red hair turned black.

We were both staring at it in amazement when the whiny voice of Draco cut through our joy. "Well, well if it isn't my blood traitor cousin." I grimaced at having to deal with the little bastard so early in the morning.

"Shut up Malfoy, at least my dad didn't kiss the feet of a murderer." I could see the blush spread across his face before anger overtook him.

"My father is a great man and besides he was under the Imperius curse." A sneer crossed my face.

"Sure he was and the large donation to the minister that just happened to be right before his trial had nothing to do with his acquittal." He sputtered and his face took on an interesting hue but he had no rebuttal to my words and eventually stormed out after throwing out a parting "My father will hear of this," as he left the store.

There was an awkward silence between the girl and I before she tentatively started up the conversation again. "What does blood traitor mean?" I gave a huge sigh and turned back from glaring at Malfoy's retreating back.

"It's a term purebloods came up with during the last war. It means those who betray the ideals of pureblood society or those who stood against You-Know-Who. He called me that because my mum came from an old pureblood family called the Blacks and she was kicked out of the family after eloping with a muggleborn instead of being forced into a marriage contract with the Lestrange family. My Aunt Bellatrix married in her stead and now she's in Azkaban for her crimes during the war along with the Lestranges."

I finished my speech and just let her absorb everything for a moment. "Enough about unpleasant things though let's move on," My excitement leaked into my voice. "You're a metamorphmagus. You have to meet my sister, she'll be so jealous that I have a friend that is a metamorphmagus as well. She's one to, of course, but she got kind of lonely being the only one in school and now there is one more of us."

"F-Friend?" I draw back a little hurt.

"Do you not want to be friends?"

"No, no I just haven't had many friends before." She withdrew slightly into herself as she said that and I kind of got the vibe that she hasn't had friends period. You get pretty good at reading body language when you and your sister play lying games to help control muscle groups. I smile widely.

"Then it's always good to get new friends, but where are my manners? You can call me Tonks. What's your name?"

"I'm Rose."

"Nice to meet you Rose." I grin once more and reach out to shake her hand. Tentatively she does the same and as soon as our hands touch a jolt not dissimilar to a static shock goes through me.

"Haha, sorry about that must have built up a charge or something." I glance around to make sure my mom or sister isn't nearby. "Just don't mention this when you meet my mom or sister or the teasing will never end."

She laughs it off and we just chat about how excited we are for Hogwarts and other inconsequential things until they finally finish our orders and we go to the counter to pay. My mom glides up behind me as we arrive and purchases my order.

"So I see you've made a friend then. Who is this?"

"Hey mum, this is Rose, we just met and the best thing is she's a metamorphmagus as well."

"Really? How interesting? I thought my children were the only ones in Britain." She pauses to examine Rose for a moment. "When did you find out young lady?"

Rose scuffs her shoe on the ground and stares at the ground bashfully. "Yes, ma'am. I just found out after Tonks explained it to me. I was able to turn my hair a different color afterwards."

"Oh how lovely, and there is no need to call me ma'am just call me Andi dear."

"Yes ma'- I mean Andi."

"I would love it if you and your parents could come over for dinner sometime. Metamorphs are so rare they almost never meet." I could physically see her winch at the statement.

"Uh, I live with my Aunt and Uncle and they, well, they don't like magic very much. It took them a week filled with hundreds of Hogwarts letters and one of the staff coming to get me before they let me go here." I could see a glimmer of a plot form in my mom's eyes after Rose said that.

"Well then, it's absolutely a must that you at least come over for dinner tonight. After all who better to explain your new found abilities than those who already have them? You can continue shopping with us as well if you like since your escort seems to have wandered off somewhere."

"Oh, er,' she looked around as though trying to spot her escort, 'alright at least until we find Hagrid." I saw the glimmer explode into a full blown twinkle at that and my own mind connected the dots from Tom's gossip to the fact that this must be Rose Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived. The only outward sign that I gave to this revelation was a twitch of an eyebrow. My mom had always believed that the Potter's must have enacted a ritual that saved Rose and not that she was a magical messiah that people seemed to have turned her into and I thought so as well. That still wouldn't stop her from having her befriend the family it would seem.

The next few hours were a blur as we waded through the crowds and gathered everything we needed for Hogwarts along with some extra books for Rose on Magical traditions and such after the revelation that she had been living with her muggle relatives. We were by no means big on pureblood traditions or highborn etiquette but the books were useful primers on Magical culture for muggle raised witches or wizards. We did meet up with Hagrid after the first hour and after a brief talk he agreed to tag along. 'Like anything else was going to happen when my mom was on a mission.' I thought as I say her swiftly verbally spar poor Hagrid into submission. Finally we came to the last thing on the list, our wands. Hagrid dipped out on us again and we entered the store without him.

My first impression of Ollivander's store was that it was packed. Everywhere I looked there were boxes that I presumed held wands. There must have been hundreds if not thousands of boxes scattered around the shop. I was so focused on the store itself I received quite a shock when a soft male voice came from right behind us. "I've been awaiting you Miss Potter. It seem only yesterday when your parents came here to buy their first wands as well. Ah, and you must be Mister Tonks. Your sister was a tricky customer indeed. And you Miss Tonks, 13 ½ inch willow with a core of Welsh dragon heart. How is your wand treating you today?"

"Quite well Mr. Ollivander."

"Good, good now who will go first then?" I turn and look at Rose with a raised eyebrow but she motioned me to go ahead.

"I guess that will be me sir."

"Excellent, which hand is your dominant one?"

I shrug, "I'm ambidextrous, but I mainly use my right hand." A tape measure flew out from behind his desk and started measuring everywhere as Ollivander moved back into his shop.

"Tricky, but we'll find one for you." Just as I was getting annoyed with the tape measure it flew back behind the desk and Ollivander approached with a box. "Let's see if you take after your mother then. This is a 13 inch willow wand with a dragon heart core." He removes the wand from its resting place and places it in my awaiting hand. "Try giving it a wave then." I do so only to lurch back as a gout of flame roars from the tip and strikes the wall. "No, no not that one at all." He snatches the wand out of my hand and wanders back into the store to pick up another box. "Now try this one."

On and on it goes until, finally, 30 minutes later he brings one out and as soon as it touches my hand I know that this is the one. A set of red sparks flies from the wand and it feels like it belongs there in my hands. "Excellent, 10 inches of Ash with a phoenix feather core. A wand with the ability to heal as easily as it can destroy, use it wisely." He looked me straight in the eye as he said this and I can't help the shiver that goes down my spine.

"Now then it's your turn miss. Step right on up here." And so the entire process was repeated for Rose except for right at the end where Ollivander glanced our way as though judging us before stepping close to Rose. Delicately, he brushed aside her hair, revealing her scar, and touched it lightly before saying. "I'm sorry to say that I sold the very wand that gave you this scar, had I but known what I know now... Yet we cannot change the past now can we?" Rose shuffled awkwardly as he continued speaking. "It is curious that this very wand chose you as it is the brother of the very one that gave you this scar. I expect great things from you Miss Potter. For the Dark Lord did terrible things, yes, but they were great." He stepped back from Rose and walked behind his desk, yet he seemed older somehow than he did before.

"For the 10 ½ inch holly wand with a phoenix feather core that will be 7 galleons and for you mister Tonks that will be 7 galleons as well. Will that be all?" In the end we convinced Rose to buy a wand holster and cleaning kit for an extra 3 galleons and I did as well. The mood of the group was quite subdued as we walked out of Ollivanders and into the street where we were met by Hagrid holding something behind his back.

"'Ello there Rose. I reckon I missed your birthday present so I went and got you this." He moved a cage into view with a beautiful snow white owl within. Rose seemed to be visibly moved to tears by the gift.

"Thank you Hagrid she's beautiful." The owl preened at this. "What's her name?"

"O' she doesn't have a name yet so you'll have ta' name her yourself." Rose stared into the amber eyes of the owl then suddenly declared her name was Hedwig. We went to get lunch and mom had another long talk to Hagrid about Rose being invited for dinner and how of course we would be able to get her home later. This was of course after the fact that Rose had accepted our offer of dinner.

Finally Hagrid broke down under my mom's unrelenting force and left to go back to Hogwarts while we left for Florean Fortescue's to get some well-deserved ice cream. I spotted Tonks sitting at a table by herself eating ice cream and dragged Rose over to her.

"Hey sis, this is my new friend Rose. I bet you'll never guess what she can do?" I had a larger than possible grin on my face after I said that.

Tonks looked up from her ice cream as I was introducing Rose. "Wotcher Rose, names Tonks, just Tonks thank you very much." Rose looked between us very confused.

"I don't get it. Why are you both named Tonks?" Dora let out a sigh before she explained.

"Our mum must have been on something when she named us so we just go by our last names. If we're together the squirt is Tonksie and I'm Tonks. Anyway what can she do?"

"Ah, come on can't you even take a guess?" I pouted then dodged a bit of ice cream she flung at me. "So violent. Fine then, I found out she's a metamorphmagus when I met her." I timed it just as Dora was taking a bite then started laughing when she started coughing on her ice cream.

As soon as Dora got her breath under control she sent me a glare and when a metamorphmagus sends you a glare they mean it. It was full on red eyes and spiky hair that moved to an unfelt breeze. "I'll get you for that brat." She went back to 'normal' and turned to Rose. "Seriously though?" Rose concentrated for a couple seconds and her hair turned brown then almost immediately turned back. "You have the strangest luck sometimes Tonksie. What's next a phoenix for a familiar?"

"Not today that's scheduled for next week after I become King of Britain." I quipped.

Tonks ignored me with an ease of practice. "So when did you learn you were a metamorphmagus and what can you do?"

"Oh, I just found out today so I don't know yet."

"Well then I guess we'll be seeing each other a lot if you want to have an instructor for your talents." A cheerful grin was on her face as she turned to me. "Did mum invite her over for dinner or something?" A nod was my response. "Wonderful we could have our first lesson tonight if you want to."

Rose gave a shy nod and Tonks prattled on about how wonderful it was to have a new minion because her old one was dreadfully boring sometimes and how astoundingly lucky it was to have three metamorphmagus' in one generation and all in the same place. I purposefully ignored her calling me a minion, it wouldn't do to feed her delusions after all. In all seriousness though it actually was indeed extremely lucky. The last time we had checked there was a recorded fifty metamorphmagus' in the entire world. I didn't have time to fully explore the thought before my mom was shooing us out of the shop, ice cream in hand, and back towards the Leaky Cauldron.

We exited Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron before my mom raised her wand and with a pop the Knight bus appeared before us. "Come along children," she ushered us onto the bus while Rose was still bug eyed at the sudden appearance on the triple stacked blue bus.

"Welcome to the Knight bus, means of transportation for all stranded witches and wizards. Fare is 7 sickles for a ride and 12 for a complementary toothbrush and hot chocolate."

"Just the ride today." My mom handed over the necessary amount. "Can you get us to the Tonks Residence in Wales, please?"

"Sure thing. Need any help with the luggage?"

"Yes, if you could be a dear." A wave of his wand later and all our luggage had floated onboard and stowed itself under the beds. I hopped on one of the unoccupied beds and made sure I had a firm grip on it before I motioned for Rose to join me.

"Way to go lil' brother, inviting a girl to bed before you even get to Hogwarts." She wiped a fake tear away. "They grow up so fast." I sputtered and out of the corner of my eye I could see Rose turning the color of her hair as I'm sure I was. Unfortunately before I could come up with a witty reply the Knight bus was off and I was too busy holding on for dear life as the bed we were on spun and collided with other beds in a horrible parody of bumper cars. I did see Dora stumble and collapse onto another bed with a sort of vindictive glee reserved for sibling.

Hearing something that sounded like a whimper next to me. I turned to see Rose clutching the bed post so hard both of her hands were white. "Isn't this fun?" Rose turned towards me her eyes wide with terror.

"Fun?" She said in a tone of voice reserved for those who suddenly find themselves confronted with a crazy person. "How can this be fun?"

"Why not? It's not like we're in any danger really." Oh, that's a good glare but it still has nothing on my sister's glare. Maybe in a few years I mused. My only warning was a squeak and then everything seemed to compress inwards giving the impression of being stretched. As quickly as it happened the sensation ended and we were once more flying down the road.

"See fun." I could practically feel Rose willing me to die for that statement and for the rest of the trip she didn't speak to me. As soon as the bus stopped she staggered off of it and collapsed onto the ground. The rest of us walked off the bus in varying states of disarray with Dora being the most ruffled and my mom not having a hair out of place.

My mom walked past us and then turned back to Rose as our baggage floated behind her. "I formally invite you into our home." Rose just looked confused by her statement until I bent down and whispered the correct response in her ear.

She stood up unsteadily and then formally spoke. "Um, I humbly accept your invitation." I felt the magic in the air twist as she was keyed into the wards surrounding our home as a guest. The wards were some of the best you could buy without being an Ancient and Noble family on the Wizengamont due to a variety of reasons but the main one I suppose is the fact that my sister and I are metamorphmagus'. I'm sure that our kind were right up there alongside Veela for our desirability to less fair minded folk.

With that out of the way we walked up the small drive way towards our seemingly small brick house but as soon as we entered Rose looked around in wonder. "It's bigger on the inside."

"Yep, magic is great like that. Do you want to practice to see how extensive your metamorphmagus talents are?" She just sort of numbly nodded and I dragged her along upstairs as Dora followed along. We reached my room and I threw it open to reveal a quite orderly room filled to the brim with books as they lined the shelves. I also had a big comfy armchair and a footrest as well as a desk.

"Right, before we begin do you want anything to drink at all? Water? Tea?" She shook her head and gingerly sat down on the armchair while both my Dora and I sat down on my bed. "Dora do you want to?" I trailed off as she gave me a nod.

"So, um, where to start?" She tapped her chin for a moment and then snapped her fingers. "Right, let's start by clarifying the degree at which you can be a metamorphmagus. To start there is the least talented called a minor metamorph. They are limited to superficial changes such as hair, nails and possibly skin color. Then you have the next level up called a partial metamorph. They can do everything a minor can but also change their bone structure." She took a breath and I saw that Rose was listening intently.

"Now for the final level a full metamorph can change anything about their body even changing into nonhuman parts as well as gender." Dora's nose wrinkled. "A full metamorphmagus, which both myself and my brother are, don't really have a gender or 'base' form like the other two levels do." Dora changed into a copy of myself and then back to how she was before disregarding the wide eyed stare from Rose. "I prefer to be female and Tonksie prefers to be male but either of us could change our genders and have everything work properly."

Dora must have seen something in Rose's confused look because she elaborated on the last part. "You, um, do know what I mean when I say everything works properly with males and females?"

"Um, my Aunt said that if a boy," she blushed and then gestured lower on her body, "touched me there that I would get pregnant and be worthless like my mum was. Is that what you mean?"

"That's…" Dora trailed off and we both shared a look. I got up off the bed and grabbed a book on Anatomy to give to Dora before hightailing it out of there. No way was I staying there as Dora explained the Birds and the Bees to Rose. I would let Dora handle it and I was irked that someone would call a child's mother worthless to their face. I also hadn't missed the fact that her clothes were several sizes too big and men's clothes to boot. She did look smaller than an eleven year old should as well but I didn't know if that was the result of malnourishment or if she had made herself smaller.

I wandered on down to my mum's lab where I could hear her moving around in. Sticking my head in I saw her brewing some type of potion. Seeing that she wasn't in a crucial step I spoke up. "What are you making?"

"A Nutrient potion along with a Bone Strengthening potion for Rose. The wards informed me about her general health but nothing specific so I'm going with a broad spectrum. Why aren't you with Rose and Dora?"

"Rose was misinformed about some things that she needs to know about if she's anything more than a minor metamorphmagus." Her head tilted to the side.

"Sex education?" There was a loud cry from above and then the sound of Dora's laughter.

I looked up at the sound and then back at my mom. "That and the fact that if that isn't her base form she'll have to do some extensive clean up what with the nails and hair everywhere." She made a humming noise and went back to preparing the potions. A couple hours later I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and I looked up to see both Dora and Rose walking down. Putting a bookmark in the book and setting it aside for now I greeted them. "Hey guys, how did it go?"

Rose took one look at me and then immediately looked to the side as a severe blush spread across her face. I think she grew a couple of centimeters or so but other than her now gaunt look nothing else had really changed. Dora on the other hand gave me a wide smile. "Everything went fine brother of mine. Rose here is at least a partial metamorphmagus. She just has some control issues to work on."

"Oh?"

She shrugged and then slumped onto the couch. "She's been trying to stay in the one form for so long she just reverts back to it almost automatically at this point. We got her to her base form but she reverted back with a couple of centimeters almost immediately afterwards. Then we got to the Birds and the Bees." There was a choking sound from Rose as she still refused to look at me.

Before we could continue I heard a sharp crack from outside and then my father's voice calling out, "Hello family, I'm home."

"Wotcher dad."

"Hey dad." There was the noise of a closing door and then my dad stepped into view, blinking at the still blushing Rose.

"Well hello there miss. What's your name?"

She floundered for a bit before answering. "Oh, ah, Rose sir."

"Oh, no need to call me sir. Call me Ted." She nodded as my mom came in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hello dear. How was work?"

"Eh, same old, same old. Greengrass is suing the Malfoys for butting in on their import business. Hopefully I can wring as much money out of the Malfoys as possible, but how about dinner first before I tell you about the rest of my day. I can smell one of your lovely meals from here and I'm starving." Indeed the smell of cooked chicken had been wafting out of the kitchen for the last few minutes making me kind of hungry.

We relocated to the dining table where mom had cooked a lovely meal of biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and chicken. Rose took a seat next to Dora although I noted that she seemed unsure of herself as though unused to sitting down for dinner with others. Still as the meal progressed she seemed to relax and take slower bites of her food until everything on her plate was gone yet her stomach still let out a loud rumble. 'That would be the Nutrient potion making sure as much food as possible is absorbed as quickly as possible.' Rose looked mortified and seemed to be trying to hide under the table but my mom just smiled and set another plate in front of her.

"Don't be shy. I do love it when I see people appreciate my food." She sent an encouraging smile Rose's way until she began to nibble at her new plate of food. The rest of the dinner progressed without a hitch and Rose seemed like she was going to try to wash the dishes before they floated off the table and started cleaning themselves in the sink. My mom gave me a look and I cleared my throat.

"Ah, Rose would you like to stay for the night?" A myriad of expressions crossed her face at my offer before settling on a dash of hopeful and wary.

"I don't want to intrude at all and I only have this for clothing," she paused and then amended, "Well besides the robes."

My mom spoke up at that. "You wouldn't be intruding at all. We have plenty of spare bedrooms and I'm sure we could find an old set of Nymphadora's clothes for you to change into if you really want to stay." We all ignored Dora's grumbles at being called her name.

"If you're sure that I won't be a bother."

"Quite sure, but if you're uncomfortable about it then we can call up the Knight bus and it'll take you home." She went a little green at the mention of the bus and shook her head.

"I'd like to stay."

"Great. Do you want to go flying?" I butted into the conversation and was rewarded by seeing Rose's eyes light up at the prospect of flying.

"You can do that?" I nod and motion her to follow me.

She did so and my dad calls out as we leave the room. "Make sure to stay inside the clearing."

"Alright." I call back as I open the broom closet and pull out two Cleansweep fives. A good solid broom capable of up to 40mph or 64kph as our superior system would say. 'Ugh, they've infected me with their way of thinking. Next thing you know I'll be saying 'Tally Ho!' before downing my tea and riding into battle.' Shaking off the strange thought I hand one of the brooms to Rose and we made or way outside to the large clearing behind the house.

"Right. First things first." I put the broom down and then leapt forwards to do a belly flop onto the ground. It felt like jumping onto a soft bed and I let out a laugh when I turned around to see Rose's incredulous expression. "There's Cushioning charms layered all over the clearing. As long as you stay inside the clearing falling off your broom won't hurt a bit. Try it out first."

She hesitantly did so and then gasped at the feel of it. "It's so soft."

"Yep." I stood up and retrieved both of the brooms. "Now look at my grip on the actual broom." I mounted the broom and lightly kicked off the ground to float there. She did so as well and the sheer delight at floating was heartwarming to see. There was a hoot from above us and I looked up to see Hedwig flying in circles above us. Rose apparently saw her as well because she shot off like a rocket after her whooping the entire time.

I watched as she took to the sky with the ease of a bird of prey. Swooping down next to the ground and pulling up at the last second then soaring high once more. Indeed both Hedwig and Rose seemed to dance together to an unheard tune that took them all over the clearing. I didn't even try to intervene as I watched, mesmerized at the sight.

All things end though and coming out of one last dive Rose flew up into the sky to hang there as Hedwig took the opportunity to perch on her shoulder then nuzzle her. I flew up next to her to see her flush with exertion and twin tear tracks running down her face as she gazed over the tree tops. "Are you alright?"

My voice seemed to startle her and she hastily wiped the tears away. "Today just feels like a dream to me and I don't want to wake up." I remained quiet at that and let her continue. "Why are you guys so nice to me anyways? I'm no one special."

"That's not true at all. You're Rose Potter." She looked at me sharply and I continued onwards. "There is only one Rose Potter on this planet just as there is only one Eros Tonks on this planet. One person out of billions may seem like you're insignificant but there's only one you and no one else like you on this Earth." I flashed her a grin.

"I wasn't let out of the house much for safety reasons, but today I found my first friend and if you can't treat your friends right then what sort of person are you?" She was silent at my declaration and Hedwig took the opportunity to launch herself from her perch and into the darkening night sky. "We can still call the Knights bus if you want to leave. It runs 24/7." She shook her head and leisurely floated down to the ground as I followed her.

She didn't say anything as we walked back to the house and put away the brooms but as I was showing her the guest bedroom she stopped me when I made to leave and I heard her whisper, "Thank you," before she closed the door. It put a smile on my face for the rest of the night and I went to bed happy.