Professor McGonagall's Shock

"Come in."

Professor McGonagall's slightly weary voice came from the office.

Charlie pushed the door open and entered. McGonagall was sitting behind her desk, holding a stack of parchment, apparently grading assignments.

"Mr. White, please have a seat." McGonagall gestured to the chair across from her.

Charlie sat down obediently. An incompetent ruler didn't mean asking for death—being called to the office meant he'd better behave or else.

McGonagall set down the parchment, removed her glasses, and rubbed her temples with her fingers.

"Mr. White, I know Professor Snape's behavior today was indeed somewhat excessive."

Her tone was much gentler than Charlie had expected.

"But that's not a reason for you to insult a professor."

Charlie nodded. "I know, Professor McGonagall. I admit I was impulsive."

"In light of your insult to a professor, I'm giving you a month of detention." McGonagall pursed her lips as she spoke.

"Every Wednesday and Friday evening this month, you'll report to my office."

Charlie's face fell. This wasn't good.

After announcing the punishment, McGonagall's expression softened considerably.

She put her glasses back on and studied Charlie carefully.

"However, I'm curious about one thing." McGonagall said. "What level is your Transfiguration at now?"

During the first lesson, McGonagall had been astonished by Charlie's talent in Transfiguration.

Now she wanted to gauge his depth, so she could tailor her teaching accordingly.

Otherwise, teaching a genius with the same methods would be a waste.

Charlie was a bit surprised. "You'd like to see?"

"Of course. I'm the Professor of Transfiguration, and I'm very interested in my students' abilities."

Charlie stood up and pulled out his wand.

He first waved his wand toward the corner of the office: "Accio spider!"

A small spider from the corner flew into Charlie's hand.

Then he waved his wand again, and the small spider transformed into a button lying in his palm.

Though the button's appearance was crude, it was indeed a complete button.

McGonagall's eyes widened, her face filled with shock.

She slowly stood up, walked over to Charlie, and picked up the button to examine it closely.

"Merlin's beard." McGonagall murmured.

"You've only been enrolled for a week!"

Although the button's appearance was indeed rough, proving Charlie's Transfiguration wasn't yet refined, this level was enough to earn an O (Outstanding) on the first-year final exam.

And that Accio spell just now was also quite impressive.

"No wonder you always daydream in class, even doze off." McGonagall realized with sudden clarity.

"The material in class is too simple for you."

Thinking this, a wave of guilt surged in McGonagall's heart.

For a gifted student like Charlie, she hadn't fulfilled her duty as a teacher.

"Wait a moment, Mr. White."

McGonagall walked to the bookshelf and took down a thick notebook from the highest shelf.

The notebook looked a bit old, its cover slightly yellowed, but it was well-preserved.

"This is my Transfiguration Notes." McGonagall handed the notebook to Charlie.

"It contains my understanding and insights on Transfiguration accumulated over many years. I hope it will be helpful to you."

Charlie took the notebook, feeling its weight.

Though he didn't need these theoretical knowledge, McGonagall's kindness warmed his heart.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall." Charlie said sincerely.

A gratified smile appeared on McGonagall's face.

"Remember, talent is only part of success. Effort and character are equally important."

Charlie nodded. And cheating was too.

"Good." McGonagall nodded in satisfaction.

"That's all for today. Remember, report here promptly at eight o'clock next Wednesday evening."

Charlie hugged the notebook and bid Professor McGonagall farewell, stepping out of the office.

Watching Charlie's retreating figure, Professor McGonagall's eyes were full of admiration.

This child was not only exceptionally gifted but also very polite—Snape must have gone too far with his words to have provoked him.

"It's just a pity he's not in Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall sighed softly.

If Charlie were a Gryffindor student, she would have had more chances to talk with him and guide him.

But this was fine too—at least she could still instruct him through detention.

Charlie left the office, his stomach growling loudly.

Dinner time was long over; there probably wasn't a single soul left in the Great Hall.

Now he could only hope that his good roommates Ernie and Justin had saved him something to eat.

Pushing open the door to the Hufflepuff Common Room, Ernie was playing Wizard Chess with Justin.

Charlie walked over to them, his face full of expectation, staring at them eagerly.

Ernie looked up at him, utterly baffled:

"What's wrong with you? Constipated?"

Justin also gave Charlie a once-over, as if something had occurred to him, and shuddered with disgust.

Bro, what are you even thinking?

Charlie instantly deflated, flopping onto the nearby sofa:

"Nothing, just hungry. Do you guys have anything to eat?"

Ernie smiled mysteriously, setting down his chess piece:

"As a Hufflepuff student, how could we ever lack food?"

He beckoned to Charlie: "Follow me."

Puzzled, Charlie followed Ernie out of the common room.

Ernie stopped in front of a still-life painting of fruit and gently tickled the pear in the image.

Something magical happened—the pear turned into a green doorknob.

Ernie pushed the door open, and Charlie followed curiously.

The scene behind the door made Charlie's eyes go wide.

It was a hidden world—a massive kitchen with a high ceiling, gleaming copper pots and pans hanging on the walls.

A group of creatures, only reaching Charlie's waist, were bustling about inside.

They had pointed ears, tennis-ball-sized eyes, and wore clothes made from tea towels of various colors.

Setting aside the clothes, they looked a lot like the Goblins Charlie had seen at Gringotts.

"These are House-elves," Ernie explained.

"They handle all the daily cleaning at Hogwarts, and all the meals too."

Seeing young wizards enter, the House-elves dropped their tasks and swarmed over enthusiastically.

"Does the young wizard need anything?"

"Billy is happy to serve you!"

"Are you hungry? We can make any food!"

A chorus of voices left Charlie flustered.

"I missed dinner, so I'm a bit hungry."

The House-elf named Billy immediately stepped forward:

"What would you like to eat? Anything! English, French, Italian, or Chinese?"

Charlie was a little surprised.

"Chinese too? Then I want the Manchu Han Imperial Feast."

He expected the House-elf to be puzzled by what that was, but instead it asked back:

"The Manchu Han Imperial Feast! Which dish would you like?"

Charlie froze: "You can make it?"

Billy puffed out his chest proudly.

"Of course! A student from China once left us the complete recipe. That wizard said a chef who can make the Manchu Han Imperial Feast is a true chef!"

Charlie swallowed.

"Then I want duck."

"One Eight Treasure Wild Duck!"

The House-elves shouted in unison, then immediately sprang into action.

Charlie looked at the Chinese-style cookware in the kitchen and felt a sense of dissonance.

In less than twenty minutes, with the help of magic, a fragrant Eight Treasure Wild Duck was brought to the table.

The duck's skin was roasted to a golden crisp, its belly stuffed with glutinous rice, mushrooms, chestnuts, and various other fillings—just the smell alone was enough to whet anyone's appetite.

"Is there anything else you need?" the house-elves asked, looking at Charlie expectantly.

"Some rice and soup, please," Charlie said without hesitation.

Soon, steaming rice and sweet Pumpkin Soup were set out as well.

Ernie stood nearby, drooling.

"I just had dinner, but this smells way too good."

"Eat with me," Charlie invited.

"This duck is huge; I can't finish it alone."

The two sat down to enjoy this unexpected late-night snack.

Charlie tore off a piece of duck leg and put it in his mouth, instantly conquered by the savory flavor.

"This is amazing!" Ernie praised without restraint.

"I never thought Chinese food could be this delicious!"

Charlie smiled.

"There's so much more to Chinese food that's good. I wonder if the house-elves can make it all."

Billy said proudly from the side:

"Billy and his companions can make any food you can imagine, as long as you can describe it."