With Great Power...

When they reached the summer home of Rolanda Hooch, Nymphadora could no longer contain her frightened tears. They ran down her cheeks as she sniffled silently, clinging to her mother’s robes like a toddler. At least she wasn’t still half-giant sized.

Andromeda knelt down beside her daughter, smoothing the little child’s currently red hair. “Nymphadora, don’t fret. I know that you’re going to Hogwarts. We’re talking to Ms. Hooch right now. If there are special rules, then we’ll either learn them or challenge them with the board of governors. Don’t cry.” Nymphadora looked up, gave a few final sniffles, and then squinched her eyes shut and balled her fists. There was a soft pop, and her hair was back to its “natural” brown color. Andromeda knocked upon the door. It was opened by a wiry witch with spiky grey hair and yellow hawkish eyes.

“Ahh, Andromeda, I thought it might be you. Got that bloody postscript, then?” Rolanda ushered them inside.

“Rolanda, you know I hate it when you swear in front of Nymphadora. But yes, what is the meaning of such demands? Special rules? There’s nothing wrong with my daughter, she doesn’t pose any threat to any other student!” Rolanda quietly let Andromeda rant, the woman would eventually run out of angry things to say, and then would better listen to reason. After a few more sentences on where the school administration could stick their wands if they thought Andromeda wouldn’t use her maiden name to get her daughter into that school, the woman was finished and sat on the couch with a huff. Nymphadora spent the rant time openly admiring all the cool things that Ms. Hooch owned. Ms. Hooch used to play for the Harpies, and her broom and trophies from that time were in a special glass display case. Nymphadora never tired of looking at them. Maybe she’d be a Quidditch player someday.

Rolanda sat down and conjured some tea with honey. She poured three cups. “Nymphadora, peel your eyes away from that Comet 260 and come over here. I have something that both of you need to hear.” Nymphadora complied and climbed onto the couch next to her mother. “The special rules phrase applies more to the werewolves and half giants. Yes, Nymphadora has one special rule. She may not use her Metamorphing ability to give herself an edge in classes not based on transfiguration. For example, she may not impersonate a teacher to gain access to their office to read written exams. She may use her ability during classes where they are learning to Transfigure items. If becoming rat-like in appearance will help you turn a rat into a teacup, then you are perfectly welcome to do so. To quote an American Muggle comic book: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Nymphadora must learn to be responsible with her abilities.” Andromeda was ready to rant again, but Rolanda held up her hand to indicate she was not finished. “And since you’re already here, we’ll go through the process I would have taken Nymphadora through during the first week of school. She must re-register her abilities, now that she will start using magic. This will help the Ministry know when she is using her natural ability outside of school or if she is using illegal magic. There is also the option of one extra class per week, with me, on her skills. While most children in the situation Special Rules need extra health care or sometimes counseling to deal with certain aspects of that need, Nymphadora will likely not need counseling, as her ability is generally regarded as highly desirable and easily controlled. The extra lessons would include a history of Metamorphagi, advanced uses of her innate abilities, and assistance with classes that may prove difficult for someone whose magic is more inclined to Transfiguration.”

Andromeda nodded, and Tonks smiled. “I get to take extra classes with you, and my only rule is that I have to play fair?” Rolanda nodded, smiling warmly. She was glad to have found another Metamorphagus after all these years. “Mum, is it okay with you? I still want to go to Hogwarts; I can be a good girl and play fair!” Andromeda looked at her daughter's shining, excited eyes, and said yes. The three finished their tea and then completed Nymphadora’s paperwork.