"So what do we do?" Tonks asked. Seeing how calm Alan remained, she knew he must have a solution.
"My idea is to tackle this from two angles. I've recently been developing a highly penetrating observational alchemy tool. If I can complete it, I'll be able to study your magic flow directly from outside your body and trace it back to its source. The other method relies on you. If your magic sensitivity is low, then we must find a way to improve it. You can train with me to enhance your perception. With your talent, progress shouldn't be slow. Once your senses strengthen, you'll be able to feel the source that allows you to transform."
This was Alan's initial plan: to train Tonks and have her help him uncover the secret of the Metamorphmagus. If he succeeded, it would be far superior to Polyjuice Potion and wouldn't be vulnerable to revealing charms or potions.
"So, you'll teach me how to control this ability?" Tonks didn't fully grasp the technical side, but she understood his general meaning.
"Exactly. This talent should be connected to Transfiguration. Besides perception training, improving your Transfiguration skills should also help. However, I hope that once you fully master this magic, you can share the insights with me. I'm quite interested in new magic," Alan clarified.
"No problem. As my Professor, if I can truly master this ability, I naturally won't be stingy," Tonks said, her expression changing quickly; she was already calling him 'Professor'.
Alan nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Bill. "Tonks's basic training will be with Charlie. You'll be responsible for supervising them. I'll teach her Transfiguration separately."
After reaching an agreement, Tonks's mood improved significantly. She joined the group beside the Forbidden Forest cabin to enjoy some roasted pork chops. In the following days, Tonks came to the cabin after classes to train with Bill and Charlie. Alan also took one or two days a week to instruct her in Transfiguration. Under his guidance, her physical fitness and skill improved rapidly, fueled by her strong innate talent.
Meanwhile, through prolonged contact, Alan collected more data on her abilities. Frequent use of this transformation magic consumed magic, but less so than standard conversion charms. As her magic sensitivity and Transfiguration level improved, Tonks could alter more specific parts of her body. Initially, it was just the color of her pupils or the shape of her eyelids. Later, she could adjust her ears, cheeks, cheekbones, and even her teeth. Eventually, she could completely change her face.
By the end of the term, Tonks often wore Alan's face to scare Slytherin students, which made her realize once again how much the House feared him. Despite the significant height difference, as long as she wore Alan's face, every Slytherin would stand at attention and salute. If Alan hadn't caught and reprimanded her, she would have continued to play the part indefinitely.
However, after long-term research and feedback from Tonks's self-perception, Alan discovered that being a Metamorphmagus was more like a bloodline talent. If this was the case, it likely had no magic rune. The biggest difference between bloodline magic and other forms is that it essentially lacks a rune and is difficult to form into a spell, meaning it cannot be learned in the traditional sense. Most bloodline magic in the wizarding world is passed down through inheritance and is more common in magical creatures.
Throughout history, research into bloodline magic has mostly focused on using blood or tissue for curses, potions, and encryption. Few wizards have learned to replicate such magic. Currently, only two methods for actively mastering bloodline magic have been passed down. The first is a Bloodline Contract. By forming such a bond with a magical creature or intelligent being, there is a chance to master related magic. Alan suspected Dumbledore had such a contract with his phoenix, but this method created an intensely close connection. He only wanted to study the ability; it wasn't worth forming such a contract with Tonks, and she likely wouldn't be willing anyway.
As for the second method, it was one he found in the Travers family magic book. Alan opened the metal-bound book and fell into deep thought as he looked at the technique described as 'Bloodline Alchemy'.
The ancestors of the Travers family were undeniably geniuses, particularly in the fields of Dark Arts and curses, though their methods were often cruel. As described, Bloodline Alchemy could replicate a certain inherited magic or characteristic from a magical creature or wizard.
The specific method involved extracting blood and fur from the target, mixing them with one's own, and adding Mandrake, the fruit of a Dirigible Plum, tender branches of a Venomous Tentacula, flowing sap harvested at the full moon, and powdered unicorn horn. These were mixed in a crystal vial, ensuring all materials were submerged in the blood. The mixture had to sit in a dark place for seven days without being disturbed or even looked at.
After seven days, the liquid would turn colorless and transparent. This liquid was highly volatile and would evaporate within minutes of opening the vial, requiring subsequent steps to be fast and efficient. Once the liquid was obtained, it was used to draw a 'Bloodline Alchemy Array' according to the book, with the caster continuously inputting their own magic to maintain its shape. The best medium for this was leather.
Once the array was drawn, one would use the Imperius Curse or a Confusion Spell to compel the target to use the specific bloodline ability. While they were using it, the target had to be bled so that magic-infused blood covered the array. When the array was saturated and the magic flow could be sensed within it, the ritual was complete. Afterward, the markings would hide, and the person who contributed their own blood could then use the corresponding bloodline magic through the array. Besides replicating magic, this ritual could also replicate physical characteristics, such as the strength of a magical creature.
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