The Limits of Transfiguration

After saying that, Professor McGonagall returned to the lesson.

Though the other Young Wizards were curious, quite a few looked at Sean with a hint of schadenfreude.

No matter how they thought about it, being kept after class by the strict Vice Principal could hardly be a good thing, right?

Returning to the lectern, Professor McGonagall picked up her wand and gave it a light flick. Before everyone's eyes, the lectern turned into a huge fat pig! While the pig was still grunting and snuffling, Professor McGonagall changed it back to normal.

This display completely stirred up the first-years. Everyone was eager to experience Transfiguration for themselves.

However, they soon realized just how far they still had to go. Only after taking a huge pile of notes did they begin trying to turn matches into needles.

"Remember, when you attempt to transfigure an object, you must first form an image in your mind of what it will become. The more detailed, the better." Professor McGonagall moved through the classroom, constantly reminding everyone of the key points of Transfiguration. "Once the needle has appeared in your mind, connect with your wand and focus your attention entirely on the match."

"Remember, what is the essence of Transfiguration? Trans-form-ation! Remember that word. Are you changing an object's essence? No. What you are changing is its form and structure—a reversible transformation of an object for a certain period of time. You can turn a desk into a lion. It may have golden fur, long whiskers, a swaying tail. It can roar like a lion, even hunt like one, but it can never possess the soul of a lion."

"Students, focus. I do not expect anyone to succeed in a single lesson. I only hope you understand this: always remain cautious, and maintain a sense of reverence for Transfiguration."

Professor McGonagall continued reminding all the students in her authoritative and highly persuasive voice.

Sean took a deep breath and tried his best to construct the image of a needle in his mind. But no matter how hard he tried, the match before him remained unchanged.

He had tried Transfiguration on his own at home. He had thought that, with his talent, he might be able to figure out a few tricks, yet he had never completed a single transformation.

And now, even under the guidance of a top Transfiguration professor, it was still this difficult.

From this alone, one could imagine just how challenging Transfiguration truly was.

Looking across all of Hogwarts—even the entire Wizarding World—advanced Transfiguration was not something often seen. And who were the people who truly used Transfiguration in battle?

Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Voldemort...

The comparison made it obvious. The depth and power of Transfiguration exceeded even Sean's imagination!

He turned his thoughts back to the match in front of him, desperately trying to picture that damned needle in his mind.

How was it supposed to transform...? Sean's imagination began to wander.

What was a match made of? The matchstick was soft wood soaked in a phosphoric solution and coated with wax, while the match head consisted of combustible materials, oxidizers, and some adhesive substances?

Then what about a needle? Low-carbon steel wire went through polishing, drilling, and a series of other processes. At its core, it was simply iron with a low carbon content...

Did that mean he had to transform the elements themselves? After staring blankly for a moment, Sean suddenly smiled. What a joke. I'm a wizard, and you want to talk science with me?

He slowly outlined the shape and form of a needle in his mind, then tried to overlap it with the match before him. In an instant, Sean felt something strange.

Beneath his wand, the match slowly began to change shape. It grew thinner and thinner, its rough surface taking on a metallic sheen. At the same time, the round, clumsy match head gradually sharpened.

"Phew..." Sean let out a breath.

Before him, a sharp needle gleaming silver lay quietly on the tabletop.

"Very good, very good, very good." Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses, her eyes filled with disbelief. She lowered her head to examine the needle carefully, even reaching out to touch it.

When Professor McGonagall looked up again, she could no longer hide the admiration in her eyes.

"Well done, Mr. Wallop. Ten points to Ravenclaw!"

Beside him, Hermione said softly, "Sean, you're amazing."

Then the girl gave his needle an unwilling glance before turning back to tackle her own match.

By the end of class, most students had failed to make any changes to their matches. Hermione had only managed a slight transformation: the match head had clearly become smaller and thinner.

Even so, she received a rare smile from Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Wallop, come with me." Professor McGonagall picked up her textbook and gestured for Sean to follow.

At once, the first-years who had been somewhat pleased at Sean's misfortune changed their tune. Their eyes held envy and admiration as they watched his retreating back.

"I'd bet Professor McGonagall saw Sean's talent at a glance," Ron declared confidently.

"Don't be stupid, Ron. Sean earned Professor McGonagall's favor with his own performance," Harry said in Sean's defense, though he too was deeply envious—perhaps even a little jealous.

Sean, following Professor McGonagall, knew nothing of what was happening behind him. He was only curious about what Professor McGonagall was going to say to him next.

Professor McGonagall's office was located in a corridor on the second floor of the castle. It was a small study, with an unlit fireplace inside and a clear view of the Quidditch pitch through the window.

After entering the office, Professor McGonagall took out her wand and tapped it. A hidden door appeared in the wall, and Sean could only see a floor paved with rubble inside.

She went in and searched around for a while, then emerged carrying a book.

Professor McGonagall placed the book on the coffee table, then looked at Sean. "Mr. Wallop, let's sit and talk."

"Yes, Professor." Sean sat in the soft armchair, only half his backside resting on the seat as he maintained a proper posture.

Professor McGonagall glanced at him. "Let's discuss your question first."

Sean nodded. "Yes, Professor. I don't quite understand. After all, not every wizard is a good person."

"I understand what you mean." Professor McGonagall pushed up her glasses. "You mean that if a wizard had malicious intentions and turned a solid into a liquid or gas, then as long as they maintained the magic for a period of time, many people would end up in the terrible state I described, correct?"

"Yes, Professor."

Professor McGonagall gave a rare smile. "That would indeed be a disaster, but in fact, no one can currently do that."

"Why?" Sean's eyes widened.

"Actually, even turning something into food is difficult. Such food carries a strange taste and is easily detected. As for liquids and gases, Transfiguration seems to have some sort of limitation. As far as I know, even the liquids Professor Dumbledore creates can only last for a few seconds."