Intermediate Transfiguration

"Learning Transfiguration requires tremendous diligence, because it is more rigorous and more scientific than other subjects.

In Transfiguration, only complete correctness counts as success."

Professor McGonagall stepped down from the podium and tapped Harry's book.

"Now, please turn to page five.

I will repeat the points above once more:

When performing Transfiguration, it is extremely important to wave your wand firmly and decisively.

Do not flick or rotate your wand unnecessarily, or the Transfiguration will certainly fail.

Before using a Transfiguration spell, clearly picture in your mind what you want the object to become..."

Professor McGonagall went through two key points in succession. After introducing a counter-spell called Reparifarge,

she had the Young Wizards turn the matches on their desks into Silver Needles.

The Young Wizards eagerly began trying, but very few succeeded.

Even after changing their gestures and chanting the spell in all sorts of ways, their matches did not change in the slightest.

They scratched their heads in frustration, their brows tightly furrowed.

Hermione, meanwhile, kept her eyes fixed on Sean.

Sean's gaze flickered.

He was recalling and thinking.

Transfiguration,

known as the magic that best embodied a Wizard's will,

its very existence perfectly illustrated one truth—

magic

was a miracle by nature.

And Wizards

were gods who controlled miracles.

With only clear intent, unwavering faith, and sufficient mental strength,

even a first-year Young Wizard could alter an object itself.

...I know the structure of a match, and I have enough confidence to succeed.

Sean thought.

Perhaps I could study the match's construction more deeply, or give myself stronger suggestions of confidence,

but...

I'm more curious about something else,

something mentioned in Magical Theory.

When one mastered a form of magic, sufficient mental strength was still needed to truly unleash its greatest power.

If the emotion behind casting the Lumos Charm was the desire for light,

then what emotion was needed to cast Transfiguration?

"It's command,"

Sean said.

"I am a god.

Transfiguration!"

You practiced basic Transfiguration to an expert standard. Proficiency +30

Light burst from the tip of Sean's wand. In an instant, the match became a Silver Needle, its point gleaming coldly, with a small hole at its tail end.

This scene immediately drew the Young Wizards over.

"Merlin! He did it!"

"How did he do that?!"

"Who was it? Who was it? Sean... huh?!"

Beside Sean,

Hermione's mouth fell open. She was sure she had not missed a single detail,

but why could Sean succeed when they had both waved their wands and spoken the same spell?

"Mr. Green..."

Professor McGonagall hurried over, her eyes locked firmly onto the Silver Needle, an approving and relieved smile appearing on her face.

Just as she was about to continue speaking, her expression shifted slightly.

"Get away from Mr. Green, at once!"

Her sharp reprimand sent the Young Wizards gathered around him scattering at once.

Sean did not notice anything happening around him. His eyes remained focused and resolute.

"I can do more,"

Sean told himself.

"Transfiguration!"

With a forceful sweep of his wand,

the rat in the cage beside Sean actually turned into a Snuffbox. Though it had not fully succeeded—the rat's tail was still moving—

it still drew a unified "Wow—" from the Young Wizards.

You practiced Intermediate Transfiguration to a beginner standard. Proficiency +50

"Mr. Green,"

Professor McGonagall's eyelids trembled slightly, and the sternness in her voice changed.

"An unsettling talent..."

She paused and saw the somewhat exhausted Sean glancing at her shyly and cautiously.

Her pursed lips softened, and genuine delight appeared in her eyes.

A reassuring holder.

"Transfiguration beyond the curriculum. Because of your performance, Mr. Green, I will award Ravenclaw ten points!"

Professor McGonagall smiled with satisfaction and approval.

"That's amazing!"

Michael thrust a fist into the air, taking Terry's match from the desk in front of him while he was at it.

Terry came back to his senses and had not even begun to get angry when he heard Michael say:

"Look at Sean's Transfiguration, Terry. Ravenclaw got ten points!"

Terry looked at Sean, froze for a moment, then smiled bashfully.

Michael, meanwhile, snickered while holding the match, making Anthony, who had started the applause, shake his head slightly.

You practiced Intermediate Transfiguration to an Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10

You practiced Intermediate Transfiguration to an Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10

You practiced Intermediate Transfiguration to an Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10

Before class ended, Sean, having recovered a little energy, continued grinding proficiency.

When his energy ran dry once more, Sean panted and glanced at the System Panel:

Transfiguration: Apprentice Level (113/900)

Advance: Beginner Transfiguration; can unlock the Beginner Transfiguration Title

The progress was incredibly fast.

As expected of my Pale Purple Talent.

Although Sean really wanted to see what the Beginner Title was, his most urgent task now was reaching the level where he could brew potions.

That meant he had to at least understand how to process potion ingredients

before he could grind proficiency through practice.

"Where's my match?!"

Before class ended, Sean heard Terry, who was usually shy and quiet, let out a small roar.

Then Michael dashed out of the classroom like the wind.

As he passed Sean, he even found time to say, "That was incredible, Sean."

Sean glanced at Terry giving chase and chuckled softly.

Then he headed toward the Greenhouse.

In the corridor outside the Greenhouse,

Sean spotted a familiar figure.

"Senior Bruce."

Sean hurried over.

"Ah, Sean."

Senior Bruce gave him a gentle smile.

"Heading to the Greenhouse together?"

"Mm."

Sean responded, and the two walked down the corridor together.

Sunlight streamed down, bathing Hogwarts Castle in warmth.

The corridor was filled with the slanting shadows of suits of armor and statues, while the portraits were still visiting one another.

Sean watched curiously as a lady turned away and ignored an approaching knight.

"Do you know why Professor Sprout has us process things like snake fangs?"

Senior Bruce raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

"For the first-years' potion brewing?"

Sean voiced his guess.

"I can see why you were sorted into Ravenclaw..."

Senior Bruce spread his hands helplessly.

"Then you must be able to guess what we'll be doing today?"

Sean thought for a moment, then said, "I don't know."

"Aha!"

Senior Bruce looked as though he had finally found something Sean did not know.

"We'll be processing slugs—ones with tentacles and ones without;

and Porcupine Quills. If we're quick, we can finish them today."

Sean nodded, unable to stop anticipation from rising within him.

If he could learn to process all those ingredients today, he would complete the first step of preparation.

Carrying that joy with him,

Sean pushed open the Greenhouse's wooden door.