Clubs and Animagi

"Everyone, I've always had an idea."

Eli returned the wands to the twins and said seriously.

"Now we all listen to you, Professor Hall."

Eli ignored the twins' teasing and rolled his eyes at them.

"I want to establish a Dueling Club!"

The people before him exchanged looks, then the twins suddenly cheered. "That's a brilliant idea!"

Eli laughed at the twins. "Oh? Tell me, what makes it so brilliant?"

The twins chimed in one after another. "We can prank people openly!"

"It's like the Colosseum. That's definitely cool!"

He had thought those two might come up with something worthwhile, but after all that, they were still thinking about pranks.

I'm doing this to help improve the standards of Hogwarts students, okay?

Shouldn't Dumbledore thank me properly when the time comes?

Besides, since he knew the plot, he knew that if things continued according to the original course of events, a Battle of Hogwarts would break out several years from now!

The students would suffer heavy casualties.

This could also count as preparation for a possible future war. Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime.

The proposal for a Dueling Club was also supported by Harry and Ron Weasley.

Sure enough, the adventurous little lions were always quite interested in novel things like this.

But a club could not simply be established on a whim. Just like at a Muggle university, an application was required.

"Looks like I'll have to find time to visit Professor McGonagall."

He also happened to want to ask Professor McGonagall about how to train as an Animagus.

He had been craving this amazing magic for a long time. He just wanted to experience turning into a small animal; it had nothing to do with the girls' bathroom.

Since the Dueling Club plan had officially been finalized, today's lesson came to an end.

Better sooner than later. Eli decided to go find Professor McGonagall right away.

It was Christmas break, and some professors were not at school, but Eli knew Professor McGonagall was still there.

When he arrived outside Professor McGonagall's office, Eli knocked on the door.

Before long, the door opened. Professor McGonagall was not wearing her usual severe bun, and her hair was tied back rather casually, making her look much kinder.

"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall."

Eli greeted her very politely, looking every bit like a well-behaved child.

After all, you didn't hit a smiling face.

"Eli? What is it?"

Professor McGonagall seemed to be in a good mood without work to do.

"Professor, it's like this. I want to establish a club."

Eli did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

Professor McGonagall had not expected that. Hogwarts truly had very few clubs, and it had been a long time since a student had applied to establish one.

"Come in. Let's talk inside."

Professor McGonagall invited Eli in.

The moment he entered the office, one glance was enough to reveal Professor McGonagall's meticulous nature.

The room was arranged with impeccable order. Many books sat neatly on the shelves, even organized alphabetically.

Eli also noticed quite a few Quidditch magazines on Professor McGonagall's desk.

He had heard before that Professor McGonagall was an avid Quidditch fan, and now it seemed that was indeed true.

Eli obediently sat down in a chair.

"Mr. Hall, why don't you tell me what type of club you wish to establish?"

"It's like this. My friends and I hope to create a Dueling Club to help students exchange their magical insights."

Eli felt a little nervous. The Dueling Club was rather special in nature, and he did not know whether it would be rejected.

Sure enough, the moment she heard the club's name, Professor McGonagall frowned.

Eli's heart immediately sank.

It was not that Professor McGonagall was being unreasonable. The school did not actually stop students from establishing clubs. If Eli had proposed a study group or even a Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans exchange club, Professor McGonagall would have agreed readily.

Unfortunately, Eli had said Dueling Club.

The club was far too dangerous. If students were allowed to fight freely, no one could guarantee that nothing would happen.

What Professor McGonagall feared most was students getting hurt.

She thought for a moment, her expression turning serious again. "Mr. Hall, I must tell you that the school has had precedents of dueling clubs before, but all of them were forced to disband due to safety incidents. So can you tell me what method you have to guarantee everyone's safety?"

Eli froze. He had only just decided to establish the Dueling Club. How could he have considered such things?

That was careless.

Unprepared, Eli could only come up with something on the spot. "Perhaps we could invite a professor to be responsible for dueling instruction?"

It was a safe enough method. There should not be a problem with a professor present, right?

Professor McGonagall nodded. "That is indeed a good idea, but professors all have their own teaching duties. Can you persuade one to take charge of your dueling instruction?"

Eli froze again. Right! Where would a professor find the time to teach a bunch of troublesome children how to duel?

A second bucket of cold water had been poured over Eli's head.

But he still did not want to give up. Establishing the Dueling Club was part of his plan, and he had to fight for it.

"Professor, we will try to persuade a professor."

Eli looked seriously at Professor McGonagall.

Perhaps she was moved by Eli's persistence, or perhaps she hoped the students would interact more. At the very least, Professor McGonagall gave him a chance.

"Very well. If that is the case, I can promise you this: if you can persuade at least one professor to help you, I will agree."

Professor McGonagall smiled at Eli. "Speaking of which, I would like to recommend Professor Flitwick. He was once a dueling champion, so there could be no one more suitable to guide you."

Seeing Professor McGonagall relent, Eli finally let out a sigh of relief. At least there was hope.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. We will try to persuade Professor Flitwick!"

"In that case, I will also write Professor Flitwick a letter of recommendation. As for the rest, I wish you good luck!"

Eli was overjoyed. With Professor McGonagall's help, they were practically halfway to success. She had already done everything she could.

Eli stood up excitedly and bowed to Professor McGonagall to express his gratitude.

Professor McGonagall was very satisfied with this intelligent, studious, and polite student.

"Does Mr. Hall have anything else to discuss?"

Eli calmed himself down. Aside from the Dueling Club, he still had another important matter!

He tried his best to look serious. "Professor McGonagall, I would like to ask about Animagi."

At that, Professor McGonagall's expression changed, becoming extremely serious.

"Mr. Hall, I must tell you that being an Animagus is an exceptionally dangerous and advanced form of Transfiguration. It is absolutely not something a first-year student can attempt. In fact, most adults cannot accomplish it!"

Even before asking the question, Eli had anticipated Professor McGonagall's reaction.

This magic really was extremely dangerous—dangerous enough to cost someone their life!

"No, Professor McGonagall. Although I do want to work hard to master this magic, for now I only hope to learn more about it."

Professor McGonagall's expression eased considerably. At least this little fellow had not said something ridiculous like wanting to try it immediately.

"It is very good to have such aspirations, Mr. Hall. As your Transfiguration professor, I am also obligated to help you learn better Transfiguration. But before that, I would like to test you."

Eli immediately became confident. This would not be a problem!

"Professor, I am willing to accept the test!"

Professor McGonagall took out a cup and placed it on the desk. "Please transform it into a toad to the greatest extent possible. A living one."

Eli drew his wand and slowly channeled his magic.

The cup began to change slowly as well.

He was extremely cautious. Transfiguration already tested one's control over magic to an extraordinary degree, let alone transforming an inanimate object into a living creature. Even at his current level, he had to be careful.

As she watched the cup slowly begin to transform, Professor McGonagall's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Eli withdrew his wand. The original cup had become a croaking toad.

"Excellent, Eli. I dare say your Transfiguration is no worse than that of upper-year students now!"

Professor McGonagall took out a book titled Animagus Transformation Guide.

The author was actually Professor McGonagall.

"Go back and study this book first. Come ask me anytime if there is something you do not understand. Also, submit a related study report every two weeks."

Eli had beamed with delight when he received the book, but the moment he heard "study report," his smile froze on his face.