Are You Ready to Step Onto This Stage?

"Where is Damon?"

Faced with Dumbledore's question, Professor McGonagall suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

"I left him in the office."

She realized she should have brought Damon along—after all, he was the inventor of this theory and the one who understood it best. She had been so excited that she'd actually forgotten that?

"Oh? What did he say?" Dumbledore asked this with a deep, probing gaze.

Professor McGonagall didn't notice his expression. After calming down slightly, recalling Damon's reaction, she found it somewhat amusing:

"He said he wants House Points."

"House Points?" Dumbledore's eyes suddenly became clear and sharp. "You mean—he wrote this paper for House Cup points?"

"Yes, House Cup points. He said to give him back the points deducted from the House Cup."

Seeing Dumbledore's somewhat stunned expression, she reassured him:

"Don't you find it absurd? This kid still doesn't seem to grasp the situation. At a time like this, he's still fussing over House Cup points. He has no idea how extraordinary his paper is—"

"Why didn't you give them to him?"

"—What?"

"The points—why didn't you give them to him?"

Professor McGonagall, who had just calmed down, felt confused again.

Was it her imagination? Why did Dumbledore's tone sound strange, almost accusatory?

"Of course I'll give them to him, but more importantly, what are you planning to do with his paper? Are you really going to publish it in Transfiguration Today? I'm afraid the letters from Owls could drown Hogwarts."

"Why not—if he wants to publish it."

"Actually, this paper isn't as terrifying as you think. Not to mention that even I don't fully understand some of its content, even if someone could grasp it all, as long as Damon keeps those two Charms confidential, no one with ill intent will be able to wield its power."

Dumbledore looked at his pet beside him and said gently:

"Fawkes, please go and call Damon here, will you?"

The phoenix nodded and vanished into flames.

"Then, while we wait, Minerva, I hope you can tell me more about your interactions with him—how exactly did this child come up with such an idea?"

"To be honest, I'm surprised too. Although his progress has been very fast, he never mentioned anything related to this topic to me before."

A quarter of an hour later, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Damon pushed the door open. Phoenix Fawkes stood on his shoulder, diligently preening its feathers, which caught Dumbledore off guard—he hadn't expected this.

He had never seen Fawkes get close to anyone else.

Even Newt Scamander could only establish basic contact with Fawkes. To achieve such intimacy was utterly impossible.

"Thanks, buddy. I'm here."

Fawkes nodded, rose from Damon, and flew back to its perch.

"I rarely see Fawkes so affectionate with anyone."

"Oh, it says I smell nice, and it gives it a special sense of calm."

Dumbledore assumed Damon was just making things up and asked:

"Would you like tea or pumpkin juice?"

"Black tea, thank you."

Dumbledore waved his wand, and tea and pastries appeared before Damon—though he had already eaten at Professor McGonagall's, out of politeness, he didn't refuse.

"So, shall we get straight to the point?"

"I have no objections."

"Regarding your White's Transfiguration Law, I have some questions I'd like you to answer for me."

"Already named, Professor?" Damon smiled. "Ask whatever you want."

"What are molecules and atoms?"

"They are microscopic particles that make up objects. Anything, you could say, has molecules and atoms, but our naked eyes can't see them."

Damon pointed at his own eyes:

"Actually, it's fine if you don't understand. I just used a convenient metaphor. Strictly speaking, the essence of this theorem is understanding the composition of all things—Muggles call everything 'matter.'

In fact, even if you don't understand the principles of molecules and atoms, it's okay. You can also approach it from a magical perspective."

"Can you elaborate?"

Dumbledore grew more and more intrigued—this kid seemed very knowledgeable about the Muggle world. The constant collision and fusion of the two worlds—was that what gave birth to such a remarkable idea?

"Of course."

Damon casually waved his wand, lifting a piece of paper, and asked:

"Professor, what do you think is the most important thing about magic?"

"Hmm—that's a truly difficult and complex question. If I had to give a less-than-perfect answer, I'd say it's love."

"A meaningless answer."

Damon rolled his eyes, not believing for a second that Dumbledore actually thought that in his heart.

What met his eye-roll was Dumbledore's beaming face.

"Love is partially correct, but I believe the root of magic still comes down to a wizard's cognition and will."

"In my understanding, this piece of paper isn't just a piece of paper—it has a more complex composition within. By altering that composition, I can achieve a fundamental transformation in Transfiguration."

"But is my idea necessarily correct and unique? I don't think so."

"It's the cognition I've always held that forged my unwavering conviction—a kind of faith. The Muggle world calls this cognition 'science,' but I believe science is actually the most fervent faith in the world."

"And when that faith is applied to magic, it becomes the miracle of making anything happen just by willing it."

"In short, it's the power of 'belief.' But a mere thought, no matter how firm, is like a castle in the air. It's only when you have a whole system of thoughts—even rigid, dead-set patterns of thinking—that you can actually achieve this miracle."

Damon spoke unhurriedly, his reasoning clear. Dumbledore watched him with a smile, nodding continuously.

"Remarkable ideas. It's clear you've already developed a complete personal understanding of magic."

"I have no more questions. It's an honor to have heard you share all this with me today."

Dumbledore paused, then continued: "Now, let's discuss how this theorem of yours will be unveiled—I heard from Minerva that you want to send it to Transfiguration Today?"

"That's right. Actually, this idea wasn't entirely my own. A certain issue of that journal gave me the inspiration to do all this—since I gained something from it, I naturally want to give back."

"Oh—I like that warm way of putting it."

The smile on Dumbledore's face brightened a few degrees, his eyes even narrowing slightly.

Though this child, like Tom, came from a Muggle orphanage, was equally brilliant and polite, and was just as fixated on power, at the very least, he was far warmer than Tom was now.

"But, as Minerva said, let's wait a little longer—a theory as remarkable and groundbreaking as this deserves a stage to match."

Dumbledore stood up, walked over to Damon, and placed a hand on his shoulder as a sign of respect: "I'll vouch for you. The next issues of Transfiguration Today and the Daily Prophet will both run previews for your groundbreaking theory. Before long, the entire wizarding world will know your name."

"Are you ready to step onto that stage, Damon?"

"It would be my honor, Professor."

I see some friends seem disappointed that Transfiguration can only change appearance but not essence. Honestly, when I first saw the complete Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, I felt the same way—if you can't even change the essence, what's the point of hyping Transfiguration as so amazing?

But let me clarify: I wrote it according to the source material. That's not my personal setting. What I'm changing now is my personal setting.