Nicolina gritted her teeth. She felt like a test subject, but she had no choice but to answer. "Instinct. Just as human babies learn to walk, we're born knowing how to transform. But we need practice to control it precisely and change whenever we want."
"Is there an age limit? Can young Veela transform?"
"Generally, they have to reach their teens."
Will nodded. "When you were transforming, I told you to stop, but you couldn't. Is the process irreversible?"
"Yes." Nicolina thought for a moment. "At least, that's true of every Veela I know."
"All right, let's continue. I've never seen a male Veela. I'd like to know what they're like."
"Uh... actually, we haven't seen one either." Nicolina looked troubled.
"You haven't?" Will frowned beneath his hood. "Then how are Pure-blood Veela born?"
"Well, I've heard that some Veela can't change back after transforming. They remain in bird form, and later they become male..."
"What?" Will stared at her. "That happens?"
"Yes. And... if a Half-Veela can transform, that's always what happens."
Nicolina turned her head away. The whole thing was strange. After all, who would consider a "Wizard" who could never turn human again truly human?
Will recovered from his shock after a moment. There were precedents for this in the animal kingdom, such as Clownfish and Zebra Finches.
And Fantastic Beasts were animals too, so this phenomenon should be perfectly normal... right?
"Now, moving on..." Will was about to ask another question when the Veela beside him woke up.
The moment she realized she was restrained, she eyed Will warily and began gathering flames in her mouth.
Will waved a hand. One of her fallen hairs writhed into a rope and wound around her beak.
"Explain things to her. If she doesn't want to die, she needs