The Risks of an Animagus

Headmaster's Office.

Sitting opposite Lucien Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.

"Heh, Lucien, I called you here to ask if you've been having any difficulties with Transfiguration lately?"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Lucien immediately began to think.

Transfiguration?

If you want to talk about this, we can do it over afternoon tea next time. There's no need to make Fawkes pick you up.

However, if we specifically mention Transfiguration...

Could it be that Dumbledore knows about what happened last night?

Did you realize you defeated a Troll using Transfiguration?

That's why I specifically asked about Transfiguration.

Yes, the castle is full of ghosts and portraits; they're like the headmaster's magical cameras.

So it's highly likely that it was some kind of ghost that witnessed last night's events from some unknown corner.

Then he told Dumbledore, and that's how this impromptu conversation came about.

"Thankfully, Principal, I'm planning to start experimenting with Transfiguration soon."

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at these words. Dumbledore had spoken with her that morning about what had happened with the Troll last night and Lucien's performance in the incident.

McGonagall generally wouldn't believe that a first-year wizard could defeat Troll single-handedly.

But if this person is Lucien, then she feels she can trust him a little more.

In just two months since enrolling, Lucien has already given McGonagall many surprises.

Oh no, from the home visit before the start of the school year, McGonagall had already begun to see how special and extraordinary this child was.

"Lucien, so you've already mastered the art of turning inanimate objects into living things, haven't you?"

"Last night, a ghost told me he saw..."

Dumbledore lemon -Honey Water and began to recount the experiences of Ghost Nearly Headless Nick.

Listening to these details and the description of the whole process, Lucien understood.

It really was the ghost's doing. Tsk tsk, nothing in the school can escape Dumbledore's notice.

The fact that Dumbledore could say "Hogwarts is the safest place" suggests he had the confidence and ability to control the situation.

His eyeliner filled the entire magic castle, and his own strength surpassed that of his contemporaries.

Well, of course, excluding the trials and tribulations for Harry.

Since Dumbledore had made it clear and even summoned Professor McGonagall,

He probably just wanted to test his own Transfiguration and, incidentally, guide him a little to prevent him from becoming arrogant and going astray.

"Principal, Professor, what the ghost said is pretty much true. Would you like me to demonstrate it again?"

Dumbledore. He enjoyed talking to Lucien, who was always very intelligent and mature, and it was very easy to have a conversation with him.

Professor McGonagall's eyes showed a hint of anticipation; she was already very curious just from Dumbledore's description.

Lucien then took out his wand and cast Transfiguration on his teacup.

The Chimera that appeared this time was smaller and its appearance was not as ferocious as the last one.

It's just about showcasing results, not about starting a fight.

Looking at the strange creature with many features on the table, Dumbledore stroked his beard.

He had discussed this knowledge and application with Lucien before, but this was the first time he had seen such a complete Transfiguration.

Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, was clearly much more surprised.

"This... this shouldn't just be a fusion of appearances, but also of the internal structure, right?"

As a professor of Transfiguration, McGonagall had dedicated her life to the subject, and she quickly noticed something amiss.

Lucien nodded, flicked his wand, and cast a small spell from the Chimera Manual.

Like a X-ray, it reveals the internal structure of the small creature on the table.

"Professor, I thought at the time that a simple fusion of appearances wouldn't be very practical, so..."

Professor McGonagall listened to Lucien's account with repeated amazement.

I am pleased with Lucien's patience and dedication to research, and am amazed by his talent and hard work in turning his brilliant ideas into reality.

"Lucien, your progress in magic is really fast, really fast."

"As for Transfiguration, you are probably the best student I've ever taught."

"To have learned to this level in such a short time is truly..."

Professor McGonagall gave a wry smile as she spoke, momentarily unable to think of a word to describe Lucien.

"This is also thanks to the teachers' excellent teaching. Professor, if I want to try Transfiguration into a living being, what should I be aware of?"

Upon hearing Lucien's question, McGonagall answered without much hesitation:

"Compared to the Transfiguration inanimate objects, the biggest difference in the Transfiguration living objects is consciousness; it requires suppressing the consciousness of the living being itself."

"The difficulty levels, in ascending order, are: Plants, Animals, Muggle, and Wizards."

"Wizards are special; aside from the issue of consciousness, the magic within a wizard's body continuously counteracts the effects of Transfiguration."

Lucien nodded, then asked curiously:

"But why can't Transfiguration on Magical Creatures? Is it because their Magic Circuit are different from those of wizards?"

"That's right, that's why wizards can't turn objects or themselves into Magical Creatures."

The difference in Magic Circuit... If you want to innovate and create Magical Creatures using Transfiguration, shouldn't you first try using Transfiguration on Magical Creatures?

If we can solve this first step, it will be a good start, and subsequent research will be much easier.

"Understood, thank you."

"And, Professor, what do I need to prepare if I want to try to become Animagus?"

Lucien's question caused McGonagall and Dumbledore to exchange a glance.

Animagus is one of the greatest achievements in Transfiguration today.

Every Animagus even needs to register with the Ministry of Magic.

Otherwise, Animagus, who has been found to have violated the rules, will be directly imprisoned in Azkaban.

To be honest, even young wizards with exceptional talent in Transfiguration are usually only able to attempt it around fourth or fifth grade.

Most people don't actually try to become Animagus.

This matter is very risky!

If any other junior wizard had asked this question, Dumbledore and McGonagall would have immediately dissuaded them, thinking they were being overly ambitious.

But what about Lucien...?

The two of them thought at the same time that perhaps the child would soon be exposed to this matter.

"Lucien, the risk is still quite significant regarding Animagus..."

Listening to Professor McGonagall's explanation, Lucien basically understood the biggest problem with the Animagus.

It's alright if the initial preparation phase fails.

The key is in the final step, after truly transforming into an animal, you need to remain calm and not lose yourself as a human being.

But once you've come this far, it's too late to back out.

Either succeed, and you can freely switch between human and animal forms.

They either retain some animal characteristics for a long time and simply continue living that way.

In the worst-case scenario, they might turn into animals and live out the rest of their lives in a daze.

Therefore, many students don't need to take any risks at all.

Everyone here is just here to study, hoping to find a good job in the Wizarding World and make a living.

Aside from those who are truly passionate about Transfiguration, who would be willing to take such a huge risk?

Hmm, it seems that Harry's father, James Potter, and his friends were really loyal and devoted back then.

For their friend Lupin, James, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew all became Animagus.

This was to help Lupin get through the painful night of the full moon, and to accompany him on his adventure on the day he turned into Werewolf.

Perhaps it was a case of youthful fearlessness, but a few students dared to attempt Animagus Transfiguration on their own without seeking guidance or assistance from a teacher.

He was talented, but also incredibly lucky.

"Of course, if you're ready and truly determined to become Animagus by then."

"You can come to me, or Professor McGonagall; we're both happy to offer you help and guidance."

Seeing Lucien's attitude toward the Animagus, Dumbledore said gently.

Having witnessed Tom's unforgettable example, he now understands even more clearly that the more gifted a student is, the more confident they are.

If you truly believe you can do it, then you will do it, regardless of how others try to dissuade you; you'll only feel that others don't understand you.

Therefore, it's better to guide than to block. Rather than letting Lucien take risks alone, it's better to let him seek the protection and guidance of his teacher.

"By the way, Lucien, I heard you just had a duel with a classmate, Draco Malfoy, before you came."

How are you feeling?