Hogwarts Library

"Remember, how long a transformation lasts depends on the caster's concentration, magical power, the size of the object being transformed, and other factors..."

Jerry had tried Transfiguration at the orphanage over the summer. He'd spent days trying to turn a small wooden stick into a needle, but only its ends had taken on a metallic sheen. The transformation hadn't lasted long before the stick changed back.

Jerry asked, "Professor McGonagall, what would happen if I turned something else, like poison, into food?"

Professor McGonagall gave him a surprised look. "There's a fundamental principle of transformation in the magical world: Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Wizards can transform objects, but there are five major exceptions. Food is one of them. Transfiguration cannot turn anything inedible into food. Not even Professor Dumbledore can do that."

"Professor McGonagall, what about turning a person into an animal? Would they remain conscious? What's the difference between that and being an Animagus?"

"A person turned into an animal has no human awareness. Unless you control them with magic, they'll act on animal instinct alone. That's the biggest difference between that and an Animagus."

After hearing her answer, Jerry nodded and sat back down.

"Listen carefully. Unless you're certain of what you're doing, do not use Transfiguration—especially to experiment with turning people into animals. Not if you want to stay at Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall looked at the students whispering to one another in their seats and warned them once more.

"Now, each of you will receive a match. Your task is to do your best to turn it into a needle before the end of class." With a wave of her wand, a match appeared at every desk.

"You may begin. Remember what I told you: concentrate, picture the needle you want to make, and don't swing your wand too widely." Professor McGonagall stepped down from the platform and walked between the desks, checking on the students.

Jerry did the same, carefully picturing a needle in his mind, one without any markings. Then he waved his wand at the match. In that instant, he felt a strange surge of magic, just as he had during his earlier practice. This time, though, he sensed it more clearly.

Under his wand, the match slowly began to change. Its whole body turned silvery-white, and one end grew sharp.

When he finished, Jerry picked it up to examine it. It was still as thick and long as a match, but one end was pointed, and its surface had a silvery metallic sheen.

Looking at it, Jerry thought, It's a little ugly, but it probably... maybe... counts as a success!

"Mr. Green, your wand movement isn't quite right. Raise it slightly. And don't let your mind wander while you're transforming it. Here's another match. Try again."

Professor McGonagall looked at the needle-like object in Jerry's hand, surprised. She hadn't expected him to have such a talent for Transfiguration. He hadn't quite turned the match into a needle, but he had come close.

With a fresh match in hand, Jerry tried again, following the same steps as before. This time, he concentrated even harder.

The match changed noticeably faster under his wand. It quickly turned silvery-white, grew thinner, and developed a sharper point. Soon, it had become a needle.

"Phew." Jerry let out a breath. At the same time, he heard the system notification: "Transfiguration Lv. 1, 3.9%."

Spotting the needle on Jerry's desk, Professor McGonagall strode over and picked it up. After a quick look, she held it aloft and called out, "Look, everyone! Mr. Green has done it. Five points to Slytherin!"

"Jerry, you have a real talent for Transfiguration. If you're interested in it, come to my office whenever you have questions." Professor McGonagall's usual stern expression gave way to a smile as she spoke to him.

"Of course, Professor McGonagall. I'm very interested in Transfiguration. I even tried practicing it over the summer, though I didn't succeed. I'll be sure to ask you if I have any questions."

Professor McGonagall nodded appreciatively. Then her stern expression returned, and she went to check on the other students.

Before leaving, she suggested that Jerry try adding a pattern to the needle. He gave it a try, and lines did appear on its smooth surface, though none looked the way he wanted. By the end of class, he had only just managed to add a snake pattern.

As soon as class ended, Hermione hurried over and sat beside Jerry. She picked up the patterned needle and said, "Jerry, you're amazing!"

"You did great too, Hermione. Professor McGonagall gave you points as well!"

Hermione looked a little embarrassed. After an entire Transfiguration lesson, only one end of her match had grown slightly rounded. She hadn't come close to Jerry's result.

Seeing that she was still dwelling on the lesson, Jerry took her hand and said, "Come on. We can practice Transfiguration over time. Didn't we agree to go to the library?"

At that, Hermione put Transfiguration out of her mind and left the classroom with Jerry.

The Hogwarts Library was on the second floor of the Castle. Thousands of bookshelves lined its walls, each packed with books of every kind. Arranged neatly by subject, they formed a vast grid of knowledge.

Narrow aisles wound between the shelves like a maze.

At the center of the library stood a huge reading table. Soft, bright light shone above it, illuminating the space.

Old wooden chairs surrounded the table, their surfaces carved with magical runes. They offered students a comfortable place to read and focus.

Deep within the library, a large door led to the mysterious Restricted Section. It held books considered too dangerous or too precious, and only certain students and professors were allowed inside.

As soon as they entered, Hermione's attention was caught by the enormous stone archway. Its surface was carved with intricate magical symbols and ancient incantations.

"Jerry, do you know what this writing is?"

Jerry studied the characters on the archway, then shook his head. "I'm not sure. They look like Runes. We can check while we're here."

"You two. No loud talking in the library. Keep your voices down."

Jerry and Hermione apologized at once.

"I'm Madam Pince, the librarian of the Hogwarts Library. There's no horseplay here, and defacing or damaging books is strictly forbidden. If I catch you doing either, I'll send you straight to Filch. And remember, the library closes at eight in the evening, so keep an eye on the time."