Animagus

After entering their third year, the Transfiguration textbook changed from "Beginner" to "Intermediate."

The Intermediate Transfiguration Guide no longer focused on transforming inanimate objects, but on the more difficult transformation of living things.

For example, turning a beetle into a pipe, or a textbook into a tabby cat.

"Even more difficult than transfiguring living things is human transfiguration." McGonagall glanced at the clock on the wall.

Having covered the main points, she could briefly mention the sixth and seventh-year curriculum.

"The most profound technique in human transfiguration is the extremely difficult Animagus."

After saying that, she transformed into a tabby cat with square markings around its eyes, right in front of the whole class.

But the students didn't react much, clearly preoccupied with Trelawney's seven predictions.

With a "pop," McGonagall transformed herself back.

"I say, what's gotten into you all today?"

She seemed a little disappointed. "This is the first time my transfiguration hasn't earned applause from everyone. It seems I need to work harder in the future."

The students chuckled.

Vincent, who was laughing the loudest, raised his hand. "Professor, we just came from Divination class. Professor Trelawney, she—"

"Ah, I understand." McGonagall pursed her lips. "Wayne, are any of you going to die this year?"

The students all looked at Vincent and Harry.

Enduring countless trials and painful journeys was one thing, but the omen of death was terrifying.

"I see," McGonagall said, no longer pursing her lips.

"Ever since Sybill Trelawney came to work at the school, she's given a death prediction for one student every year.

But so far, none of them have died.

She loves to greet a new class with ominous signs and misfortune. If I didn't make it a rule never to speak ill of a colleague—" McGonagall suddenly stopped.

She quickly calmed down. "Divination is the least precise branch of magic.

I don't mind telling you that I don't have much patience for it.

True seers are few and far between, and Professor Trelawney..." McGonagall paused again.

She glanced at Vincent. "You all remember the Quidditch match from the year before last, right?

Professor Trelawney predicted that Wayne would lose miserably, but the reality was that Flint lost face completely."

The students chuckled again.

Literally losing face.

"To be honest, I'd rather believe that something good will happen to you two."

Amidst the laughter, the first Transfiguration class of the new semester ended.

McGonagall picked up her textbook. "Wayne, please come to my office for a moment."

Vincent stopped laughing, wearing a bitter expression as he followed her away.

Lavender stood up and suddenly shrieked, "The prediction has come true!"

The students who were preparing to leave the classroom stared at her blankly.

"Vincent has been called to the professor's office! This must be the beginning of his 'journey'!"

"Impossible," Hermione retorted, turning back. "Professor McGonagall isn't petty."

Lavender was speechless, muttering under her breath, "Then what about Neville's teacup..."

Hermione looked at the few who were starting to panic and explained:

"Professor Trelawney simply used simple psychological suggestion and guidance to make Neville unconsciously believe that he would break the teacup..."

From a psychological perspective, a person can influence the psychology and behavior of others in a subtle or indirect way.

Suggestion is divided into suggestion from others, self-suggestion, behavioral suggestion, environmental suggestion, verbal suggestion, etc.

In terms of effect, it is divided into positive suggestion and negative suggestion.

For example, before a child goes to bed, the mother tells him, "You've been playing all day, be careful not to wet the bed."

As a result, it comes true, but this is just a negative verbal suggestion.

"Think carefully, hasn't Professor Trelawney been giving all sorts of suggestions from the very beginning?"

Lavender was speechless.

Her former longing for Divination class shattered like a mirror falling on the ground.

Ron, who was at the door, said disdainfully, "Harry, I told you she must be a fraud."

Was she?

Probably.

Harry was visibly relieved. "Let's go, we have Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class after lunch."

After a reasoned explanation, the good mood returned.

The students bustled off to the Great Hall downstairs.

Transfiguration Professor's Office, Vincent wasn't worried about McGonagall docking points for petting a cat at the lectern, but rather if there would be extra homework in the new semester.

"Am I that scary?"

"No, Professor, you're the best. Why would I be afraid?"

McGonagall shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated. "How is your human Transfiguration practice coming along?"

Vincent breathed a sigh of relief. "I've barely scratched the surface. I can maintain two or three body parts now."

"For how long?"

"About an hour, maybe."

McGonagall nodded. "About what I expected. You're ready to begin Animagus training."

Animagus is the most profound magic within Transfiguration.

Once learned, one can transform completely into a fixed animal form without time constraints.

The benefits are numerous, of course, but if the transformation fails, one can become a mindless beast like a Blood-Curse Werewolf.

Without the existence of a Time-Turner, to reduce the risk, even the most talented would need to prepare for three to five years.

Vincent's eyes gleamed.

Five years could be shortened to four.

Four years could be two, and even one year wasn't impossible.

McGonagall pursed her lips, pouring cold water on his enthusiasm.

"I must remind you, Vincent, the use of the Time-Turner requires strict adherence to regulations."

Vincent immediately straightened his face. "Professor, I will absolutely not be discovered, absolutely not change the past, and absolutely not go back more than 5 hours."

His solemn guarantee made McGonagall relax her pursed lips.

"You should be well aware of the steps, but I believe the first thing you need to ensure is that there will be no accidents."

The deeper the understanding of human Transfiguration, the safer the first Animagus transformation will be.

"Professor McGonagall, you know my personality."

Merlin wouldn't always favor the same person.

He had only just reached the learning threshold; it wasn't a guarantee he'd learn it.

McGonagall's lips curved slightly upward. "Vincent, my Animagus transformation was completed under the guidance of Professor Dumbledore."

"While you were at school?"

"Yes."

Vincent suddenly felt like he was being played.

Dumbledore hinted to him at the end of last semester to obtain the right to use the Time-Turner this semester.

Based on what that old codger Dumbledore knew about him, he could definitely guess that he would make reasonable use of the Time-Turner without violating the rules.

The user is reverting time, but they themselves cannot revert.

Learning future courses in advance wasn't a problem, rapid progress in magic wasn't a problem, and shortening the growth time was even less of a problem.