When Kevin pushed open the heavy oak door of the Transfiguration classroom, a group of Slytherin freshmen in green robes were already seated, and Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the room. The witch, who was known for her strictness, did not appear in the form of a cat as in the original book, but wore a dark green robe, her silver hair meticulously tied into a bun. She looked through her square glasses at the students who entered one after another.
"It's a pity that Professor McGonagall didn't turn into a cat today," Wesley sat down next to Kevin and whispered. "I heard from senior students that she sometimes waits for students in the form of a cat."
Fabian Brian smiled gently, closed his book, and placed it on the table. "That would be more interesting, but I think Professor McGonagall looks scary enough now." He pushed his round-frame glasses up his nose, his voice so soft it was almost as if he was talking to himself.
The corners of Kevin's mouth rose slightly. As a time traveler, he certainly knew that the cat form was Professor McGonagall's Animagus form, but he simply said calmly, "Transfiguration is one of the most dangerous courses at Hogwarts, and it should be taken seriously."
"You talk as if you've been taking Transfiguration classes for years," Ernesto Griffith said as he took his seat, elegantly adjusting the cuffs of his dark blue robes.
Kevin didn't answer, just blinked calmly.
The class bell rang.
"Good afternoon, students," Professor McGonagall's voice was stern and unquestionable, and the classroom immediately fell silent. "Today we will begin to learn the most complex and dangerous magic in Hogwarts courses—Transfiguration."
She waved her wand, and the chalk on the blackboard began writing automatically, listing a few basic principles. "Gamp's Basic Law of Transfiguration, No. 1: Transfigurations are not permanent. Over time, all transformed objects will gradually return to their original state unless a powerful fixing spell is cast…"
Kevin listened attentively and quietly opened the Eye of Truth. In his vision, the flow of magic in the classroom became clearly visible. Professor McGonagall was surrounded by a stable and powerful magic field, like a silver-blue flame; the magic on the students was like candlelight of varying sizes, flickering gently. The most interesting thing was that he could see how the magic flowed precisely along a specific trajectory and transformed when Professor McGonagall cast magic.
"…Transfiguration is more elegant and superior to other types of magic," Professor McGonagall continued, "because it requires the wizard to have a deep understanding of the nature of magic, rather than just waving a wand and chanting spells." She suddenly turned the podium into a living pig, and then restored it to its original shape in an instant, causing a burst of amazement.
"Before you try to transform, we need to learn how to untransform. Next, please watch my movements carefully." Professor McGonagall tapped her wand, and a wooden teacup appeared in front of everyone.
Then Professor McGonagall chanted the spell, drew a small circle with her wand, and tapped it to cancel the Transfiguration.
Kevin looked at the magical patterns wrapped around the teacup. The blue light was like a membrane, shaping the object into the form of a teacup. He imitated Professor McGonagall's movements and easily removed the Transfiguration on the teacup. Around him, his classmates were trying frantically, and the sound of spells came one after another.
"Well done, Mr. Hawthorne," Professor McGonagall had walked to Kevin's side without him noticing. Looking at his perfectly restored object, a hint of approval appeared on her serious face. "Three points for Ravenclaw."
Wesley leaned over and whispered, "How did you do that? I tried three times and it didn't work."
Kevin lowered his voice and said, "The key lies in the stability of the magic output. You can't just chant the spell, you have to imagine that the magic wraps around the entire teacup like a stream of water…" He paused, and seeing Wesley's confused expression, he changed his words, "Just like you want to gently hold the teacup with both hands, and then slowly let go."
"Oh!" Wesley's eyes lit up and he tried again. This time the teacup was successfully restored to its original shape.
Professor McGonagall returned to the front of the classroom and waved her wand, causing matches to fall in front of each student. "Our goal today is to turn matches into needles. This may seem simple, but it involves the basic principles of Transfiguration, which is to change the form and partial properties of an object."
She demonstrated a perfect transformation, and the match turned into a silver needle in her hand. "Remember, Transfiguration requires you to concentrate completely, clearly outline the target form in your mind, and have absolute confidence in yourself. Remember that doubt is the biggest enemy of Transfiguration."
Wesley muttered, "That sounds a lot harder than Charms."
Ernesto snorted, "Transfiguration is the subject that tests a wizard's talent the most."
Kevin picked up his match and thought of Professor McGonagall's transformation. In his vision, the silver needle that Professor McGonagall had just transformed was actually the result of wrapping the match with magic to reshape it. After the match was transformed into a silver needle, the magic wrapped around the match would temporarily give it the characteristics of a silver needle, and this time would last until the magic disappeared.
Taking a deep breath, Kevin concentrated and imagined the shape of the needle: a slender metal body, a sharp tip, and a needle eye at the tail.
He waved his wand, and magic flowed out of his body, along the wand, and wrapped around the match precisely. With the help of the True Eye, he could see how the magic changed the shape of the match, and then turned into a silver needle according to his will. In the blink of an eye, the match in his hand had turned into a perfect silver needle, shining in the light.
"Excellent!" Professor McGonagall's voice made the whole class turn their heads. "Mr. Hawthorne succeeded in one try, and the Transfiguration was perfect. Three points for Ravenclaw!"
There was a burst of applause in the classroom, but also a few discordant murmurs. Kevin saw several Slytherin students whispering to each other, staring at him with gloomy eyes from time to time.
"Now, everyone try it," said Professor McGonagall. "Remember Mr. Hawthorne's demonstration. Focus your attention, use clear imagination, and have firm faith."
For the next twenty minutes, the classroom was filled with spells, occasional cheers, and constant sighs. Kevin noticed that Fabian had managed to make one end of the match pointy, but the other end was still wood; Wesley's match had become a strange curved shape that looked neither like a needle nor like an original match.
"I have absolutely no idea what this is," Wesley said in frustration. "Is there something wrong with my wand?"
Kevin moved closer to him. "It's not the wand. You were too tense when you were reciting the spell, and the magic output was erratic. Try to relax and think of it as if you were painting. Remember that you are not forcing the match to change, but guiding it into a new form."
Wesley took a deep breath and tried again. This time at least half of his match turned to metal.
Fabian looked at his half-finished product in distress: "I think I have seen the needle in my mind, but I just can't fully translate it."
"Maybe you're thinking about too many details at once," Kevin suggested. "Focus on one feature first, like making the entire match metal, and then think about the shape."
Just as Kevin was helping his roommates, a cold voice came from the Slytherin table: "It seems that Ravenclaw's 'genius' is not only good at Transfiguration, but also likes to play the role of professor."
Then another voice echoed: "Maybe he should just stand on the podium?"
Ernesto turned his head immediately, his grey eyes narrowed. "At least he relies on real ability," he said in a cold voice, "not his family's reputation."
A Slytherin student blushed: "Griffith, you actually helped a—"
"Quiet!" Professor McGonagall's voice ripped through the classroom like a whip. Her stern eyes swept across the two houses: "Classroom is a place to discuss Transfiguration, not a place for house disputes. Five points deducted from Slytherin. Mr. Griffith, sit down. Now, everyone continue practicing."
Kevin looked at Ernesto in surprise. Although he knew that Ernesto was not as prejudiced against Muggle-born wizards as those pure-blood wizards in Slytherin, he still did not expect that his pure-blood roommate would refute other pure-blood families for him.
After Ernesto sat down, he whispered to Kevin, "These so-called 'holy pure-blood' families are always so unpleasant. Being pure-blooded doesn't mean you can be rude, especially when you rely on your family's reputation rather than your own strength."
As the class drew to a close, only a few students had successfully completed the Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall summarized the main points and announced, "Homework: Read Chapter 1 of the Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration and write a twelve-inch paper on the first three of Gamp's basic laws of Transfiguration. Next class we will continue to practice turning matches into pins."
The bell rang and the students began to pack up their books. Professor McGonagall stopped Kevin and said, "Mr. Hawthorne, I was impressed when I first met you. I didn't expect you to be so talented. Professor Flitwick has already boasted to me that Ravenclaw has welcomed a genius this year." A trace of regret flashed in her eyes, "It's a pity that you were not sorted into Gryffindor."
"Thank you, Professor," Kevin replied politely. "I'm just sensitive to the flow of magic."
Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through his secrets: "This sensitivity is a gift, and you have a rare talent in Transfiguration. If you are interested in Transfiguration, you are always welcome in my office."
After leaving the classroom, Wesley patted Kevin's shoulder excitedly: "Did you hear that? Professor McGonagall said you are a genius! This is the second time a professor has said that."
Fabian pushed his glasses up. "It's rare indeed. But Kevin does have a unique way of understanding magic."
Ernesto suddenly spoke up: "Don't take those Slytherins' nonsense to heart, they are just jealous of your talent."
Kevin looked at his pure-blood roommate and nodded slightly. "Thank you for speaking for me, Ernesto." He stroked the match that had turned into a needle in his hand, and his voice was gentle but firm. "But don't worry, I have long learned to distinguish between valuable criticism and unnecessary jealousy."
Wesley on the side suddenly hugged Ernesto's shoulders, his reddish-brown curly hair bouncing happily with the action: "Ernesto, the way you responded to those Slytherins just now was so cool!" He turned his head and winked at Fabian, "Right, Fabian?"
Fabian gently closed the Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration in his hand, and the corners of his lips slightly raised: "It is indeed wonderful. As my father always said, the true gentleman's character often shines at the most unexpected moments."
Ernesto twisted his shoulders awkwardly and said nothing, but the tips of his ears were slightly red.
The setting sun shone through the stained glass windows, illuminating the Ravenclaw emblem on the school uniforms.