[HPforGrownups] Re: Metamorphagi

[Helen R. Granberry]

No: HPFGUIDX 86035



<SNIP>
> > > Is it possible that Harry could be a metamorphagi and the 
seemingly
> > > unimportant anecdote from Book 1 is really a huge clue? 
> 
<SNIP>

On one hand, it's not the kind of detail JKR would throw in without 
it having some much greater meaning later in the series.  But at the 
same time, it seems unlikely that Harry could be a metamorphmagus 
without knowing it.  And just the regrowth of his hair doesn't seem 
like enough evidence to support the theory, compared with Tonks's 
ability to change herself into an old woman and such.

</SNIP>
 
erm, but how would Harry recognize this ability? When has he had the
chance to use it, except that time Petunia cut his hair? It is exactly
like with the Parseltongue... we got a small hint of it in PS/SS when
Harry could talk to the snake, but Harry didn't recognize this at all in
himself -- he thought it was just one of those weird things, perfectly
explained by him being a wizard. Of course he hasn't changed his hair
color or made himself look old -- he hasn't had a reason to. 

Notice also that as Tonks is about to tell Harry more about
Metamorphmagi, she interrupts herself. Now... my brain was going in over
drive at this point, and I was screaming 'tell her about your hair!!!'.
I wrote the following back in August:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/lizardlaugh/19750.html

Metamorphmagus!Harry and Harry Stu


I've received a few complaints, or rather, a few concerns about the fact
that I write Harry as a Metamorphmagus post-OotP. I have seen quite a
few messages on various HP boards and on HP4GU saying that Harry
shouldn't be one, that it makes him a Gary Stu, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyway, despite being quite fond of Harry Stu as a fanon cliché (let's
not forget, two of the most popular fics in the fandom feature blatant
Harry Stu's *cough* wandless magic *cough*), I don't think it is Harry
Stu-ism at all. In fact, I think there is some pretty strong canon
evidence that Harry *is* a Metamorphmagus, and the whole purpose of
Tonks as a character is to introduce that magical ability (well, that,
and to teach young Harry the ways of the world -- thanks Jo!). 

What canon evidence you ask? Well, in PS/SS Harry recounts an incident
in which Aunt Petunia, so frustrated with his crazy hair that never
looks like it has been cut, cuts every bit of it off except for his
bangs/fringe. He goes to bed, afraid of how the kids at school will make
fun of him, wishing it would grow back. The next morning, it is exactly
like it was before. Sure, Harry does other wandless, accidental magic,
but much like the Parseltongue, this is a bit different in that it is
something that not just any witch or wizard can do. 

Remember what Tonks says to Harry when he first meets her? Wizards can't
just change their appearance at will. Unless they are Metamorphmagi,
they must use complicated spells and potions. Harry doesn't need this to
grow his hair back. While he does do other externally focused wandless
magic, magical transfiguration on yourself is particularly difficult and
potentially dangerous (note how long it took WPP to become Animagi and
how often this idea of difficult self-transfiguration is re-enforced). 

Also note, the first bit of Metamorphmagi magic we see is Tonks changing
her hair. Even on my first read of OotP, I was mentally kicking Harry,
screaming 'tell her about your hair!!!' (I was also mentally shipping
the two, but, heh, that is another topic for another day). In that same
scene, Tonks says something along the lines of 'I bet you'd like to get
rid of that scar' and Harry thinks about how he doesn't like people
looking at his scar. The very last word of the very last chapter of the
very last book in the series is 'scar'. Interesting, no?

ETA In the scene where Tonks is explaining to Harry about Metamorphmagi,
JKR interrupts her with 'we've got to pack'. She never finishes
explaining how it is discovered or really anything else about the
ability (extent someone can change, etc.). This is a classic JKR
diversionary tactic. She needs to lay a clue, but she can't give away
too much, so she interrupts the flow and diverts the reader's attention
elsewhere (in this case, packing).


Helen, who loves Metamorphmagus!Harry