The Transfiguration Club and Final Exams

Only after Linley was utterly exhausted and his magical reserves completely depleted did Professor Green finally call, "Stop," and take him back to Hogwarts Castle.

Back in the Slytherin dormitory, Linley fought off his drowsiness and finished reading the Transfiguration notes Professor McGonagall had given him before falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, Linley got up early and reviewed Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration notes once more, especially the sections on applying Transfiguration in actual combat.

Linley even experimented in the dormitory. Only after successfully turning his blanket into a venomous snake and controlling it as easily as an extension of his own arm did he transform it back and head to the Great Hall for breakfast, thoroughly satisfied.

Christmas break was among the happiest days of the year for young wizards, but for Linley, it was utterly grueling. Every day in practical combat class, Professor Green refused to stop until Linley could not even cast a Lumos.

During those days, Linley suffered and rejoiced in equal measure. The magic within him was repeatedly drained, replenished, then drained again. His strength improved imperceptibly, and under Professor Green's special training, both his spellwork and Transfiguration had reached the level of an ordinary Auror.

And Linley was only a first-year student!

Before long, Christmas break came to an end.

In the first Transfiguration class after the holiday, Professor McGonagall taught them how to turn living things into inanimate objects. She then gave each student a cockroach and instructed the young wizards to turn it into a quill.

Linley's Silent Spellcasting Transfiguration effortlessly turned his cockroach into a quill covered in exquisite patterns, greatly astonishing Professor McGonagall. She generously awarded Slytherin ten points.

"Excellent work, Linley. If you have nothing else to do after class, could you stay behind for a while?"

Professor McGonagall praised Linley happily, then spoke.

Linley nodded slightly and agreed. "No problem, Professor."

This Transfiguration class was the last class of the afternoon, and there was still some time before dinner afterward. Naturally, Linley had nothing else he needed to do.

After class, the young wizards filed out of the Transfiguration classroom, while Linley remained in his seat.

Professor McGonagall walked over and asked, "Linley, to what extent can you currently use Transfiguration?"

Linley waved his Wand and cast a Silent Spell. Five or six nearby tables instantly transformed into five or six lions, while the chairs beside them became venomous snakes that stared fixedly at Professor McGonagall.

Linley flicked his Wand again. The lions and venomous snakes rushed toward Professor McGonagall, only to revert to their original forms as tables and chairs just before reaching her.

"Professor, I have thoroughly studied the Transfiguration notes you gave me and can already put them into practice," Linley explained.

Professor McGonagall had weathered many storms, so the lions and venomous snakes did not frighten her. Yet she was truly astonished that a first-year student like Linley possessed such mastery of Transfiguration.

Professor McGonagall's gaze softened as she looked at Linley. Anyone would like a gifted student who was diligent and eager to learn.

"Linley, would you be willing to join my Transfiguration Club? Under normal circumstances, my Transfiguration Club is only open to sixth- and seventh-year students, but you are an exception. Your Transfiguration skills are already no weaker than those of the older students in the Transfiguration Club!"

Turning living things into inanimate objects was part of a first-year's curriculum, but transforming objects into large animals such as lions and controlling them in battle was not something ordinary young wizards could accomplish.

Linley's talent in Transfiguration stirred Professor McGonagall's appreciation for talent, and she hoped to recruit him into her Transfiguration Club.

Linley was delighted to hear that.

Many Hogwarts professors had their own clubs, such as Professor Flitwick's Charms Club mentioned in the original work, and Professor Slughorn's Slug Club.

Joining these clubs not only meant that Linley could further improve his magical abilities, but also that he could build more connections.

That was right—connections!

The reason Slughorn had founded the Slug Club was to cultivate connections among these students, who might one day become extraordinary.

"I'd love to, Professor! What activities does the Transfiguration Club usually have?"

Linley quickly asked.

Professor McGonagall looked at him approvingly and said, "The Transfiguration Club is not as demanding as our classes. We gather every Sunday morning to discuss topics related to Transfiguration. Our meetings are very free-form; everyone can speak their minds, without too many restrictions!"

After explaining the meeting time for the Transfiguration Club, Professor McGonagall gave Linley another new set of Transfiguration notes containing new Transfiguration knowledge.

Linley even found some theoretical knowledge about Animagus transformation within them.

And so, Linley successfully joined Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration Club.

Unfortunately, Professor Flitwick had not invited him into his club in advance as Professor McGonagall had. Perhaps it was because Charms prodigies were common, while Transfiguration prodigies were not.

Linley was not disappointed by this. After all, many members of Dumbledore's Army in the original work had mastered Silent Spellcasting, so Linley's ability to cast some spells silently would not overly surprise Professor Flitwick.

Perhaps a silent, wandless Incendio could serve as Linley's ticket into the Charms Club, but he did not wish to reveal his trump cards too early before anyone other than his family and teachers. Even before the Weasley twins, he had only revealed his Silent Spellcasting ability.

Besides, Linley believed that Professor Flitwick would surely invite him in a few years, so there was no need to rush.

Day after day passed, and Merlin's wool socks were replaced by lace stockings once more.

Under Professor Green's weekly practical combat classes, Linley's strength continued to advance by leaps and bounds. The discussions of Transfiguration casting techniques in the Transfiguration Club also benefited him greatly.

It was already June, and Hogwarts' final exams were fast approaching.

During this period, even the Weasley twins were not as mischievous as usual. It was as though the entire Hogwarts Castle had fallen into the tense atmosphere of exam revision.

At last, final exams arrived.

The weather was oppressively hot, and the examination rooms in Hogwarts Castle, which had no air conditioning, were even more unbearable.

After the written portion ended, the practical examinations began.

However, while the practical exams made nearly every candidate groan in misery, they were as easy as pie for Linley.

After all, compared to facing Professor Green every week, being tested on controlling a pineapple to tap-dance across a desk could not have been easier!

(PS: Some readers have said that this book's title lacks a hook and is difficult to make appealing. The author is asking for title suggestions here and hopes everyone can offer some ideas. If a submitted title is adopted or used for reference, the author will send that reader a small red packet! Thank you all for your support!

Also, this section will be deleted after seven days and kept only in the author's notes, to avoid accusations of padding the main text.)

Some readers have said that this book's title lacks a hook and is difficult to make appealing. The author is asking for title suggestions here and hopes everyone can offer some ideas. If a submitted title is adopted or used for reference, the author will send that reader a small red packet! Also, thank you all for your support!