"That's the idea," Alex confirmed. "Metamorphmagus transformations are likely linked to Transfiguration. The more advanced your Transfiguration skills, the more control you'll gain over your natural ability. Of course, in return, I expect you to share any breakthroughs with me." He met her gaze. "I'm very interested in new magic."
Tonks hesitated for only a second before grinning. "Deal." Then, with a cheeky smirk, she added, "Guess that makes you my teacher now, huh?"
Alex nodded in satisfaction before turning to Bill. "Start Tonks on basic training with Charlie. You'll be in charge of supervising them. I'll handle her Transfiguration lessons separately."
Tonks, now in a surprisingly good mood after their agreement, dug into her grilled pork chops alongside the others, enjoying the meal by the hut. From that day forward, she made it a habit to visit the Forbidden Forest hut after class, undergoing training with Bill and Charlie. Once or twice a week, Alex would personally tutor her in Transfiguration.
Under his instruction, Tonks made rapid progress, not just in her spellcasting but in her overall magical discipline. Of course, much of this was thanks to her exceptional innate talent.
As time passed and he observed her more closely, Alex gathered a wealth of data on Metamorphmagus abilities. His findings confirmed that frequent use of her transformation magic did consume mana, though significantly less than traditional Transfiguration or Transmutation spells. More importantly, as her magic sensitivity improved, so did her shapeshifting abilities.
At first, she was limited to altering hair color and subtle facial adjustments, widening her eyes, shifting her nose shape, changing her lips. But as her training progressed, she began modifying her ears, cheekbones, and even teeth. By the time she reached her fifth year, Tonks had mastered full facial transformations. She took great delight in sneaking around Hogwarts disguised as Alex, frequently scaring Slytherin students who mistook her for their terrifying prefect.
Despite the obvious difference in height, the mere sight of his face was enough to send the younger Slytherins into a disciplined frenzy, standing at attention and saluting before they even realized their mistake. If Alex hadn't caught her and scolded her multiple times, she likely would have continued the prank indefinitely. However, after prolonged research and Tonks' own self-reported experiences, Alex reached a conclusion, Metamorphmagus abilities were not spell-based magic, but a form of bloodline magic.
This revelation was significant. Unlike traditional spellcasting, which relied on magical formulae and structured incantations, bloodline magic was innate and lacked runes. It could not be taught or replicated through traditional means.
Most bloodline magic in the wizarding world was inherited, stronger in magical creatures but occasionally appearing in witches and wizards. Historically, wizards had explored its potential, but research had been limited. Instead of refining and developing bloodline magic, most experiments centered on exploiting it, either for curses, black magic, or potions. Blood rituals, magical seals, and genetic enhancements were common but rarely successful.
Alex reviewed existing studies and identified two known methods of acquiring bloodline magic artificially, the first is The Blood Pact. A wizard could form a magical contract with a creature or another being, binding their bloodlines together. In rare cases, this allowed a wizard to inherit a creature's abilities.
For example, Alex suspected that Dumbledore had formed a blood pact with his phoenix, hence his unusual affinity for phoenix-related magic. However, this method created an inseparable link between the participants, which was far too extreme for simple research. Alex was not about to form a blood pact with Tonks just to study her abilities.
The second one is Bloodline Infusion - The Forbidden Ritual. This method came from an ancient Travers family grimoire, one of the more obscure books Alex had acquired.
As he flipped through the metal-bound tome, his eyes fell on a dark ritual described within, "Blood Forging." Unlike the Blood Pact, this method didn't require a willing participant. It involved extracting and combining blood and tissue samples from a target, mixing them with alchemical ingredients, and creating a blood-infused magical solution. This solution would then be used to imprint a bloodline ability onto another wizard.
The exact steps were meticulously detailed. The process began by collecting blood and hair from the target creature or wizard and mixing them with the wizard's own blood and hair. Essential alchemical ingredients were then added, including mandrake root as a stabilizer, dirigible plum fruit as an enhancer, poisonous tentacle sprigs as a binding agent, moonlight-harvested sapgrass as a mana conductor, and bicorn horn powder as a magical catalyst. Once combined, the mixture was sealed in a crystal vial and left to ferment in complete darkness for seven days, during which it could not be disturbed or even looked at. When the process was complete, the solution would turn entirely colorless and highly volatile. Upon uncorking, the liquid would evaporate within minutes, making the next steps time-sensitive.
The final phase required using the solution to draw a magical circle known as the Blood Vessel Formation Sigil, which had to be inscribed onto organic material, preferably living flesh or preserved hide. The target would then be forced to activate their bloodline ability while simultaneously bleeding over the sigil. If performed correctly, the sigil would absorb the target's magical blood and imprint the ability onto the recipient. This ritual wasn't merely theoretical, it had been successfully executed by a past Travers ancestor who had attempted to imbue himself with magical creature traits.
However, when Alex read deeper into the text, he found something far more disturbing. This particular ancestor, a master of blood magic, had not simply drawn the sigil onto an object. He had tattooed the ritual directly onto his own body. The idea sent a chill down Alex's spine. Even without a detailed account of the results, he could already guess the outcome. If the ritual had been safe, more wizards would have used it.
'So that's why there are no modern records of this technique…' It wasn't just obscure, it was forbidden magic, bordering on dark experimentation. Most bloodline enhancements failed because the wizard's body rejected them, causing horrific mutations or outright death.
Reading through the recorded cases, Alex found disturbing accounts of wizards disfigured beyond recognition, their bodies warped as they tried, and failed, to incorporate the magic of creatures far beyond human capability. Some gained unstable transformations, while others lost control of their magic altogether, becoming crippled or deranged.
Only a handful of successful cases were ever recorded, and even those individuals paid a heavy price, some suffering from permanent physical alterations, others becoming dependent on blood infusions to maintain their newfound powers. 'This isn't something I can use casually…' Alex thought grimly.