Diagon Alley: Trust Misplaced Again

"So, Transfiguration does not create life. As magic drains away—oh, well, as the spell wears off, the Transfigured object will gradually return to its previous form."

"And the creatures that have been Transfigured usually have not lost their lives either. Once the spell wears off, they will return to their original forms, while everything added to them will be rejected by the magic..."

Professor McGonagall's explanations were simply too brilliant. Andrew, who had exchanged another sixty Galleons at Gringotts, could only follow along mechanically, trying to remember every word and almost completely ignoring Diagon Alley, this little world made of magic.

Professor McGonagall had to be one of the finest users of Transfiguration in the entire Wizarding world. He would bet there were very few people who could so easily sort through these wild thoughts and answer them.

He could always come back to Diagon Alley on his own later, but who knew when he would get another chance like this, with someone answering his questions so attentively? What Vice Principal would set aside so much time just to clear up one student's doubts?

If it had not been admissions season, he could forget about something like this.

What a shame I've never read any Transfiguration theory from the Wizarding world... As for having my own questions and insights, that's even more impossible...

Luckily, when I mistook magic for telekinesis back then, I did come up with a few ideas. Otherwise, this would have been a shameful waste.

That was what he thought, and that was what he did.

"You said you can sense the power of magic, and that power is still increasing?"

After hearing Andrew's question, Professor McGonagall organized her thoughts slightly. "According to current magical theory, this is called a magical surge period. After a young wizard's magic first manifests, it will go through a period of rapid growth, and magical phenomena will appear more and more frequently as well."

"As for controlling it, that is normal too. Some traditional wizarding families even begin trying to teach their children the dangerous magic their families have mastered after their first magical surge. But before the age of eleven, such behavior can easily lead to injury. I personally do not advocate this approach, but some traditional families do have children who master many destructive spells before school—spells that some wizards cannot control even by graduation."

"As for casting without a wand, that is perfectly normal. Usually, however, the magic is not powerful enough. With a wand's assistance, a wizard can use their magic more skillfully and precisely. At the beginning, due to issues of familiarity and compatibility, it may even be inferior to casting directly with magic, but as time passes, the advantages of wand-casting will become increasingly clear."

"In other words, a wand is a new weapon that might cut your hand at first," Andrew said, nodding as he interpreted it in his own way. "But as you grow more skilled with it, it becomes far more dangerous than fighting barehanded?"

"A wand is not a weapon, Taylor." Professor McGonagall shook her head. "It is a wizard's best friend. You must learn to feel your wand's emotions so that you can work with it, rather than simply treating it as a tool."

That's very magical. Looking at Transfiguration, I need to get used to the influence of magic instead of forcing my existing way of thinking onto it.

Andrew warned himself once more. He did not know how long it would work, but he persisted.

"I'll remember that firmly, Professor." As he conveyed that sentiment, he raised another question. "When casting with a wand, is the upper limit of a single spell increased through training or through greater magical power? Are there any ways to increase magical power?"

"Excellent question, but first, we need to buy your textbooks."

That answer made Andrew pause. Only then did he notice that they had turned into an alley. A banner hung crookedly outside a shop that barely received any sunlight. Several letters were leaning against each other, asleep, and he could only make out the words "Buying Used Books," with half the phrase lying down.

Given its location, the shop probably sold used books as well.

Of course it only had used books. While used books were theoretically highly profitable, the owner would never put a bookstore in a prime location. And because of the long sales cycle, a used bookstore requiring a large, long-term inventory would not rent a very good storefront either.

After a brief discussion of prices, he bought the textbooks he needed, which were still fairly clean after some simple selection, along with several basic Wizarding world books recommended by Professor McGonagall, at a slightly lower price in exchange for buying more.

Every one of these books could be borrowed from the school library, but there was still a long time before term began. Compared with laying a solid foundation before school started, he could afford this expense.

But his money was already in a precarious state. Even secondhand professional books still came with rather beautiful price tags.

Next came robes, scales, basic potion ingredients, a brass telescope, glass vials, and other miscellaneous items.

Andrew's questions barely stopped. Every so often, after thinking for a while, another question would arise from the last, but not a single one stumped Professor McGonagall.

This is incredible...

As he considered and analyzed Professor McGonagall's answers, Andrew marveled inwardly.

"All right, you've asked enough questions."

Just as he was about to ask another, Professor McGonagall stopped answering. "I just told you that hair growth is one of the simplest forms of human Transfiguration for wizards. So, what fields do you think this branch of Transfiguration can extend into?"

"Hair volume, hairstyles, color, toughness, and texture."

After thinking for a moment, Andrew quickly added, "If extended into other fields, it could apply to ropes, animal fur, the lushness of certain plants... and... disguises?"

"That is fairly comprehensive. Though there are some obvious errors, those concern parts I have not explained yet, so they are very easy mistakes to make."

"And what did I say about the introduction to Transfiguration?"

"The most basic Transfiguration is usually partial Transfiguration of inanimate objects. Generally speaking, it involves turning small stick-like objects into needles and similar partial transformations."

"What else?"

"One must pay attention to the incantation, gestures, wand movements, and firm belief."

"More or less correct."

After several questions, Andrew, who had been preparing his next answer, realized Professor McGonagall had stopped. He paused, only then noticing that they had come to a halt before a tiny, shabby shop.

Matching the rundown store was a sign with gold lettering that was beginning to peel away. Yet the words on it were anything but ordinary.

"Ollivander: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC."

"Wands?"

Andrew paused before reading what was so unusual about the sign.

"Yes, wands." Professor McGonagall nodded with a faint smile. "All right, it is time for your most important purchase. Go find your partner."