"Wait, you actually can?"
Ron was bewildered, looking at the mouse scurrying around on him. He swallowed hard and glanced at Harry for help.
Harry quickly stepped back, averting his gaze, making it clear:
Your bet has nothing to do with me; don't involve me in this.
The boat of friendship can capsize at any moment.
The thought of eating this mouse made Ron's throat tighten with nausea.
It wasn't just the idea of eating a living creature; Ron actually liked mice very much and even had a pet named Scabbers.
Hermione didn't understand but respected his feelings.
With a wave of her wand, she canceled the transformation, and the mouse instantly turned back into a quill, falling to the ground.
"Heh."
With a light chuckle, Hermione left without looking back.
Ron and Harry exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
They knew that there was no mention of Transfiguration in the books available at Diagon Alley before starting school, which meant Hermione had learned it just by watching McGonagall once.
How could they not be impressed?
Even for Ron, who came from a wizarding family, this was beyond comprehension.
What is this?
A genius?
Watching Hermione's retreating figure, Harry and Ron hurried after her.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Hermione did not stop but focused on the magic book in her mind.
Having already impressed the two boys and established some authority, Hermione was more concerned about the two Transfiguration spells she had just learned.
[Transfiguration lv1 (1/1000)]
[Transfiguration: Animagus (Cat)]
She had just used the former, increasing her proficiency slightly.
She could feel that the lv1 Transfiguration could only transform small objects for a limited time. Increasing her proficiency would enhance the effect, but it wouldn't expand beyond this category.
Only upon reaching lv2 might it have other effects and achieve qualitative changes.
As for the latter, Hermione hadn't had the chance to try it yet.
An Animagus is a wizard who can transform into an animal while retaining their magic. The transformation is related to the wizard's body shape and personality, and they cannot choose the animal. Also, they can only transform into one animal for life and cannot change.
Moreover, this transformation is difficult and dangerous to master.
This is evident from the fact that only seven registered Animagi existed in the entire 20th century in the Harry Potter world.
However, based on the magic book's description, Hermione should be able to transform directly into a cat like Professor McGonagall, as Animagus is permanent, so there's no proficiency aspect.
But if that's the case... can she collect other Animagus transformations too?
As Hermione strode forward, two followers appeared on either side of her like bodyguards.
There was no time to dwell on the impact on the two boys. Their next destination was... the Potions classroom!
...
In any classroom, the corner of the last row is prime real estate for strategists.
Hermione had twenty years of experience with this.
But now, this seemingly inconspicuous corner had become the focus of the freshmen's attention.
Because Snape, dressed in a black robe, was glaring at Harry, his expression dark.
"Mr. Harry Potter, the well-known freshman, tell me, what happens when you add powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry was uncomfortable with Snape's tone and looked to Ron for help.
Ron just lay on the table, pretending to be dead.
"I don't know, Professor," Harry replied helplessly. "Where can I find bezoar?"
"I don't know..."
"So... what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"... Sorry."
"Clearly, fame isn't everything." Snape's eyes glinted with disappointment as he sneered, "Isn't that right, Mr. Potter?"
The sarcastic remarks, coupled with his indifferent tone, his greasy black hair, and large hooked nose, always gave people an impression of ill intentions.
The classroom fell silent.
Harry already had a poor impression of Snape. Being targeted so openly, he couldn't hold back his temper and retorted, "Obviously, Hermione knows the answer, but you only want someone who doesn't know to answer."
The young wizards widened their eyes.
Wow, that's bold!
Having a conflict with a professor on the first day, and Snape at that, who was notoriously difficult to deal with.
At the same time, everyone looked at Hermione, who was leaning against the stone pillar in the corner.
Hermione: ???
No, are you serious?
She had retreated to the corner to stay out of trouble and hadn't shown any interest in raising her hand, yet Harry still pointed her out. Hermione understood that Harry genuinely thought she knew the answer.
After all, her earlier display of Transfiguration had left a deep impression, and her cold, confident demeanor made him believe Hermione knew everything.
Upon hearing this, Snape instinctively looked at Hermione.
"Since Mr. Potter claims you, Miss Granger, know all of this, why don't you answer? If you're wrong, points will be deducted from Gryffindor... What are you reading?" Snape noticed the book on Hermione's desk and frowned.
"A History of Hogwarts?"
Snape was momentarily taken aback by the title, then laughed angrily:
"Miss Granger, you're reading the history of Hogwarts in my Potions class? Are you sure your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, or did you bring the wrong book? Or do you think my Potions class is no longer worth your time?"
It's true.
All the potions from the Potions textbook had been recorded in her magic book. As long as she followed the recipes, with the magic book's guidance, success was guaranteed. There was no element of chance.
Unless there were more advanced textbooks or Snape demonstrated something not in the book, the first-year Potions class... truly held little interest for her.
Not as engaging as history.
Upon hearing this, the Slytherin students couldn't help but snicker, their faces gleaming with schadenfreude.
Gryffindor was indeed full of "brave" individuals.
The Sorting Hat didn't lie.
Hermione observed Snape's expression, as grim as a thundercloud, and sighed softly. She calmly replied, "Powdered root of asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. Bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat, which will save you from most poisons. Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant, also known as aconite."
"Am I correct, Professor?"
She looked up and met Snape's gaze.
The magic book could only record potion-making, but even without it, Hermione's talent was exceptional. Combined with the compulsory education from her previous life, her memory was exceptionally sharp. She could easily recall this basic knowledge with just a glance.
With one sentence, she deflected Snape's impending ridicule.