Lively Regulus

This lesson was taught together by Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and students from both houses gathered around to watch.

Avery sat next to Regulus, looking proud.

Alex was both surprised and impressed, his eyes wide open.

Hermes pursed his lips, but his eyes kept glancing this way.

The Hufflepuff students had mixed expressions—envy, curiosity, and even a bit of craving.

Professor McGonagall walked over, and with just one glance, she saw through the essence of the matter.

"This is not Magical Creature," Professor McGonagall said sternly to all the young wizards.

"The Transfiguration of Magical Creature involves the deepest level of change, requiring a step beyond conventional Transfiguration. That's a very advanced field, impossible for you to achieve at your current level."

She carefully examined the winged rabbit, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"Mr. Black merely altered the rabbit's original physiological structure," Professor McGonagall continued.

"Flying Device were added, and the relevant muscles and bones were adjusted. The Transfiguration itself is not very sophisticated, but it requires a deep understanding of the target form."

Knowing the normal structure of a rabbit, knowing how to modify it without disrupting its overall balance, and knowing how to maintain its vital functions after modification.

She looked at Regulus: "Very good Transfiguration, precise control, reasonable structure, full of imagination. Slytherin, 10/10 for a creative Transfiguration."

"Thank you, Professor," Regulus said politely.

Professor McGonagall nodded and turned to instruct the other students.

But as she turned around, a subtle expression flashed across her face, almost one of confusion.

She had a vague feeling that Black seemed... a bit more lively?

It wasn't about personality, Professor McGonagall thought; it was probably a lively mind.

Last semester, his questions were all serious questions about the Transfiguration of matter. The two Diamond and Graphite left a deep impression on Professor McGonagall, even though it was a direction she had never considered.

On the first day of the semester, he asked her that strange question about Cnidarians, and she still vividly remembered the expression on Filius's face as he told her about it.

Now they've come up with these winged rabbits. While the technology is impeccable, it seems to reflect a playful, almost childish, mentality.

Professor McGonagall wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

But she was certain of one thing: something must have changed about Black during this vacation.

Perhaps it was some kind of experience, or perhaps it was some kind of Magic.

She just hoped it was for the best.

Regulus was unaware of Professor McGonagall's profound thoughts; he was simply engaging in practical reflection, a blend of rational analysis and intuitive creation.

Using rational analysis of a rabbit's physiological structure, and using intuition to create the intriguing idea of a flying rabbit.

Then combine the two to create this Transfiguration.

The effect is good.

He planned to ask an advanced question after he had fully digested Professor McGonagall's notes, so as to gain more advanced knowledge about Transfiguration.

He benefited greatly from the previous discussion on turning Graphite into Diamond; next time, he should ask more in-depth questions.

For example, where are the limits of Transfiguration in living organisms? And where is the boundary between Transfiguration and the creation of life?

These reflections deepened his understanding of Transfiguration.

This also allowed his skills to steadily improve.

The Dismissal Bell, and the students packed up their belongings and left the classroom.

Regulus transformed the winged rabbit back into a handkerchief, folded it, and placed it back on the table. Then he walked with Avery and the others towards the Slytherin common room.

The Corridor was bustling with people. Freshmen hurriedly searched for their next classrooms, while older students gathered in small groups to talk.

The portraits on the walls doze or chat in their respective frames, while armored figures stand motionless in their Niche.

As Regulus reached the corner of the stairs on the second floor, he suddenly sensed something.

A subtle perception is the change in space.

About ten meters behind me, a barely perceptible ripple appeared in the air.

Gentle and natural, like water droplets merging into the ripples on the water's surface.

He instantly recognized it as House-elf.

Hogwarts has hundreds of House-elf work in the Kitchen, clean the dormitories, and do various chores throughout the Castle.

It's perfectly normal for them to move freely within the Castle, teleporting instantly using that unique Space Magic.

But Regulus continued forward, and the spatial fluctuation followed him.

Maintaining a distance of about ten meters, he turns when he turns, he goes up the stairs when he goes up the stairs, and when he stops to pretend to tie his shoelaces, he stays still.

Regulus understood; it was surveillance.

But why are they monitoring him?

Several possibilities flashed through Regulus's mind.

The incident at Knockturn Alley during the holiday has been exposed, the Cruciatus Curse?

It's unlikely. In a place like Knockturn Alley, no one would care if a few people died, and besides, Father has already taken care of it.

What was the conversation at the Malfoy family dinner party?

The conversations were all veiled and contained little substance, so they weren't likely to attract surveillance.

What else did I do?

Then another possibility occurred to him: this surveillance might have started last semester.

His outstanding performance at Hogwarts last semester— his Chief ranking, his dominance over fifth-year students, and his discussions of advanced topics with professors—may have attracted the attention of some people.

At Hogwarts, who is most likely, and has the best reason to, monitor gifted students?

Without a doubt, Dumbledore.

Thinking about Dumbledore and Voldemort's past, and Dumbledore's early interest in Tom Riddle and later confrontation.

The headmaster does indeed keep an eye on young wizards who show exceptional talent.

It wasn't out of malice, but more of a precaution, a plan in advance.

Regulus didn't take it to heart; in fact, he thought it was a good thing.

If you want to see, then see. He never intended to hide too much, at least not in public.

In class, he was an excellent student, diligent and eager to learn, and good at thinking.

He was polite and respectful in front of the professor, and humbly sought his guidance.

In front of his classmates, he restrained his companions, prevented conflicts, and maintained order within Slytherin.

These performances are all worthy of scrutiny.

Moreover, it's more accurate to describe it as observation rather than surveillance.

Dumbledore wanted to see what kind of person he was, what path he would take, and what choices he would make.

Then let him watch. Watch him attend classes diligently, watch him study Magic, and watch him maintain basic interpersonal relationships.

Let's see how he grows up as a normal, talented young wizard who may one day influence the landscape of the Wizarding World.

All of these are fine, but not the Dormitory.

Regulus believed that Dumbledore wouldn't go to such lengths to monitor people.

The principal has a bottom line and will not infringe on students' most basic privacy.

Moreover, there are too many things in the Dormitory that cannot be seen by others: the practice of Star Orbit Meditation, the digestion of inherited Magic, the dangerous knowledge learned from the Forbidden Section, and some of his own thoughts and notes.

Dumbledore of this, but it doesn't matter if his roommates see some of it, since they can't understand it.

Then he thought of a place: the Room of Requirement.

He had known about the room for a long time, but had never gone there.

Firstly, there was no particular need, and secondly, I didn't want to get involved in those secrets too early, but now it seems the time is right.

On Halloween night, Bloody Baron said that Hogwarts hides a place that only those who truly understand the nature of Magic can find.

There are clues left by the Rowena Ravenclaw, about wisdom, about the soul, about the possibility of transcending life and death.

Since it's related to Rowena Ravenclaw, the Room of Requirement is very likely one of the entrances.

But Regulus wasn't in a hurry to find those clues. His understanding of soul Magic wasn't deep enough yet, let alone transcending life and death.

Moreover, the Room of Requirement also hides other things: Voldemort's Horcruxes and Ravenclaw's Diadem.

He doesn't want to get involved with those things for the time being.

Now, all you need to do at the Room of Requirement is a simple request: a completely private practice space where you won't be disturbed by anyone.

Regulus didn't want to hide anything, nor did he want to look for anything; he just needed space.

That's enough. It won't disturb the Horcruxes; it's just an ordinary room used for practicing Magic.

Regulus made up his mind to go tonight.

The spatial fluctuation disappeared as they reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room.

The House-elf had roughly completed this stage of observation and returned to report to Dumbledore.

Regulus entered the lounge, where the fireplace was burning. Several seventh-grade students were whispering in the corner, and they nodded as a greeting when they saw them come in.

Narcissa is not here; she's probably in class or the Prefect is on patrol.

He returned to his Dormitory and put down his books.

Hermes had returned and was sitting on the bed reading an old book with no writing on the cover.

Seeing Regulus enter, he glanced up at him, then looked down again and continued reading.

Regulus noticed that the book in Hermes's hand emanated a faint but peculiar Magic Power.

Like a curse, and as for that book, its material might be human skin.

He didn't ask. Everyone has secrets, and he didn't care about Hermes ' secrets as long as they didn't affect him.

After staying in the Dormitory for about half an hour and confirming that the House-elf had not reappeared, Regulus got up and went to the Great Hall for dinner.

After dinner, I'll go to the Library to read for a while, and around curfew, I'll visit the Room of Requirement.