Harry's eyes slowly opened, it took him a few minutes but he was eventually able to get up into a sitting position despite the protests or his body which insisted that he stay lying down in the nice and comfortably warm bed. Harry looked around and found that he was sitting in his new room in the Tonks family household, it was a fairly simple room. It had a bed, window, a desk, a cupboard for his clothes, some shelves for books or whatever else he wanted to put on and a muggle lightbulb hanging from the ceiling.
It looked fairly simple but Andromeda had told him that they could decorate it if he wanted. Yesterday had been a rather interesting day for Harry, not only had he left school after finishing his first year, but he had also had a rather long train journey before getting here. It was then that he met Arcturus Black, the man had been silent for a long time and when he eventually spoke it was to insult Harry and threaten Jet. Harry's response was probably not the best he could have come up with but Arcturus apparently liked it.
The man had informed Harry and the others that he had filled out the necessary forms that allowed Harry to perform magic at home, Harry didn't know why but he certainly wasn't going to complain about being allowed to use magic at home. Harry knew that the old man clearly wanted or expected something from Harry, but for now it wasn't a problem so he wasn't going to worry about it.
"You've woken up earlier than usual." Jet hissed as he climbed up Harry's shoulders.
"I think it's because we're somewhere new, I'm not used to sleeping here." Harry guessed before he got up, he yawned and stretched his arms before he walked out of his room and to the bathroom. A few minute later he left the bathroom and walked downstairs, he was about to head into the kitchen when he heard a noise coming from down the hall. Harry frowned and walked in the direction of the noise, it was coming from a door that lead to the basement.
Harry pulled his wand out and began cautiously walking down, when he got there he found out that the basement had been converted into a gym. The basement had a treadmill, a rack full of dumbbells, a gym bench with a barbell, several other gym equipment and a punching bag which Ted was currently punching. Ted was wearing white trainers, blue tracksuit bottoms and a blue tank top.
"Oh, Harry." Ted said when he noticed Harry, he stopped punching and wiped a bit of sweat off his head. "I didn't wake you or anything, did I?" He asked.
"No," Harry shook his head. "I just woke up and was going to go to the kitchen when I heard a noise, just came down to see what it was."
"I can see that, do us a favour and don't blast us." Ted said as he gestured to Harry's wand before he picked up a towel and began wiping sweat off of his face.
"You like exercising?" Harry asked as he put his wand away.
"Yeah, I'm used to it, if I don't exercise for a long time then my body just feels weird." Ted shrugged. "My dad used to be a karate instructor, trained me a little bit in it."
"Most wizards don't care for martial arts." Harry pointed out.
"Most wizards are useless in close quarter combat." Ted replied. "Besides, I think if you want to get stronger in magic then you should keep your body nice and strong and fit."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, better body equals better stamina and power. It's true, many studies before have confirmed it."
"Then why don't more wizards and witches exercise?" Harry frowned.
"Why would they?" Ted snorted. "They think that because they have magic that they are invincible and 'don't need to exercise like muggles'. As for me, I prefer to gain every advantage I can."
"That sounds very Slytherin of you." Harry complimented.
"We've all got a bit of Slytherin in us," Ted shrugged. "But mine was born out of necessity."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, you know how I am a muggleborn?" Ted asked, Harry nodded in response. "Well, Andromeda was a pureblood and back when we were in school discrimination was far worse than it is now. Andromeda and I loved each other, and I knew that if I was going to stay with her then I needed to be able to take care of myself, you understand?" He asked.
"I do actually," Harry nodded after a moment. "when I left the Dursley's I decided to get as strong as possible so I wouldn't go through that again."
"Is that why you like magic so much?" Ted asked in a soft voice.
"Partly," Harry admitted. "I just think magic is...brilliant, you know? A lot of people, pureblood and eventually even the muggleborns, just see magic as a simple tool."
"I get what you mean." Ted said as he and Harry exited the basement. "Right, I'm going to go have a shower now, do you want me to make you something to eat before I go?" Ted offered.
"Nah, it's fine." Harry waved him off. "I've got it covered."
"If you're sure," Ted replied. "just do me a favour and don't mess with something if you're not sure about it. I don't need the kitchen nearly being burnt down...again." He added before walking off. Once Ted had gone up the stairs Harry had gone into the kitchen, he was mildly surprised when he saw a plate of food and some juice ready for him, or at least he was until he saw the one responsible for it.
"Thanks Flipsy." Harry nodded to him before taking a seat.
"Yous be welcome Master Potter," Flipsy said. "Flipsy be getting food from Hogwarts." Flipsy added.
"Hmm, why?" Harry asked as Jet slithered down and began eating some meat that that Flipsy had left for him.
"Flipsy is...not be knowing how to use muggle cookie things." Flipsy said in an a embarrassed voice as he gestured to the muggle kitchen appliances.
"I'll teach you later." Harry sighed before he began eating.
"Hello Harry." Andromeda said as she walked into the room. "Oh, you already have food...and a house elf." She added upon noticing Flipsy.
"Oh, sorry, I got him a short while before leaving Hogwarts." Harry replied. "I thought he could come in handy. Once I teach him how to use the microwave and stuff then he can make food for us."
"Hmm," Andromeda looked at the elf. "what's your name?"
"I's be Flipsy, Mistress." Flipsy answered.
"I will teach you how to use the machines but if I tell you that I wish to cook then you will let me do so without complaint, is that understood?" She asked in a stern voice that let Flipsy know there would be no arguments.
"Understood Mistress." Flipsy quickly nodded. "Is...is Mistress be wanting breakfast?" Flipsy offered.
"Hmm, yes, thank you. And make some for my daughter please, she'll be coming down soon." Andromeda replied. Flipsy nodded before popping away. "So Harry, did you have a good night sleep?" She asked.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I think I think I just woke up early because I'm not used to living here."
"Hmm, yes, I couldn't sleep properly the first time I slept here. You get used to it."
"Wotcher Harry," Tonks yawned as she came in and sat down next to Harry. She ruffled his hair just before a plate of food and some juice appeared in front of her. "huh?" She blinked.
"I have a house elf." Harry informed her.
"And with that I've decided that I'm going to keep you forever." Tonks said before she dug into her food.
"Alright, let's try here." Andromeda said as she, Tonks and Harry walked into a muggle clothes shop. The trio were out shopping to buy Harry some more muggle clothes since Harry would be staying in the muggle world for some time.
"Hmm, this place looks nice." Harry commented as he began following Tonks and Andromeda around the shop. At first he had protested and insisted that they didn't need to buy him anything but even he knew a loosing battle when he saw one. Jet had wanted to come but Andromeda pointed out how it could lead to many question if Harry was seen with a snake in the muggle world, so Harry had reluctantly left Jet in the care of Flipsy who would pop over with Jet if called.
"Yeah, I haven't been in here in ages." Tonks agreed.
"Hello, may I help you?" A young female worker asked as she walked up to them. Andromeda was wearing white shoes, blue jeans and a simple blouse so she didn't look too odd. Tonks did look a bit odd as she was wearing black boots, black jeans, a yellow shirt and a black leather jacket and her hair was pink and shoulder length. Not the oddest looking person in the muggle world, though in this case it was Harry who drew the most attention despite being dressed in simple white trainers, blue jeans and a grey shirt. The reason for that simply being the scar on his face.
"Ahem." Andromeda coughed, bringing the staring worker back into reality.
"Oh sorry." The woman apologized, looking embarrassed.
"It's fine," Harry waved her off. "you're not the first person to stare."
"I'm still sorry, how did it happen? If you don't mind me asking."
"I got it while beating an evil wizard." Harry said in a casual voice, if he looked at Andromeda then he would see her gaping at him.
"Oh...kay." The woman said after a moment. "Do you need any help?" She offered.
"Not now, but we'll tell you if we do." Tonks replied, the woman nodded before walking off.
"Did you really just tell her that you got it from defeating a dark wizard?" Andromeda sighed.
"What? It's not like she'll believe it." Harry shrugged.
"He makes a good point." Tonks agreed.
"Don't encourage him." Andromeda said, wondering how quickly it would take for her grey hairs to appear.
"Alright Harry," Tonks grinned as the two sat in Harry's room, both were cross legged on his bed and facing each other. "time to test your morphing. We'll start with something easy, can you lengthen or shorten your hair?" She asked.
"I don't know," Harry frowned as Jet was sat on the bed next to him. "I've never tried it."
"No time like the present." Tonks replied.
"I don't know, I heard the future's quite nice." Harry joked. "Anyway, what exactly do I do?"
"It's simple, you know how when you cast a spell you feel your magic a little bit?"
"Yeah," Harry nodded to show his understanding. "let me guess, I've got to replicate that, right?"
"Exactly," Tonks smiled. "just sort of focus on that feeling while pushing through your mental desire. Hold on...um...take your wand out and cast a random spell."
"Alright." Harry said before taking out his wand, he cast a low powered wand-lighting spell, causing a small light to hang on the tip of his wand.
"Great, now just focus on that feeling, do you have it?" She asked.
"Hmm, I...I think so." Harry said, it was a very subtle feeling, like a light and barely noticeable wind pressing your body.
"Good, now focus on it and think about making your hair longer." Tonks instructed.
"Alright, give us a sec." Harry replied as he closed his eyes, he focused on his hair and began willing it to be longer. "Anything?" He asked a few moments later after he opened his eyes.
"No," Tonks said as she shook her head. "not really."
"Oh, maybe I'm not a metamorphamaugus after all." Harry said in a disappointed voice.
"No, I really think you are." Tonks said with a thoughtful look on her face. "Just keep practicing, if you don't get anything after half an hour then either we're wrong about you being another member of the exclusive club of shape shifters or we are simply going about it wrong. And considering the fact that you're apparently a genius and the fact that I am definitely a genius, I doubt that we've got it wrong. Just give it another try."
"I defer to your superior genius." Harry said with a dramatic bow.
"As well you should." Tonks sniffed, though the effect was ruined by her smirk.
Harry chuckled as he sat up straight and closed his eyes before he began attempting it again, whenever Harry began getting frustrated by his lack of progress he would find himself soothed by hissing from Jet or words from Tonks.
"Harry! You did it!" Tonks suddenly cheered. Harry opened his eyes and looked into the mirror that Tonks had made for him, his hair was bow much longer than before and stretched down until it was just past his shoulder.
"Cool!" Harry grinned. "I can't believe it. I..." Whatever Harry was about to say was interrupted when Flipsy popped into the room, the odd thing was that he was not alone. With Flipsy was another house elf, one that Flipsy currently had in a headlock.
"Lets Dobby go!" The other elf cried as he tried to push Flipsy off.
"Yous be staying here!" Flipsy shouted before he tackled Dobby to the floor, the two wrestled on the floor for several seconds before Tonks separated the two with a flick of her wand.
"Flipsy? The fuck?" Harry asked as he looked between the two elves.
"Before we continue," Jet hissed. "I think it's very important to point out that it was our elf that was winning."