"Remember, how long a Transfiguration lasts depends on the caster's concentration, magical strength, the size of the object being transformed, and other factors..."
Jerry had tried Transfiguration at the Orphanage during Summer Vacation. He had spent days trying to turn a small wooden stick into a needle, but only its ends had taken on a metallic sheen. Even that had not lasted long before it changed back.
Jerry asked, "Professor McGonagall, what would happen if I turned something else, say, poison, into food?"
McGonagall gave him a surprised look. "The wizarding world has a fundamental principle of Transfiguration: 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 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 them and an Animagus."
After hearing Professor McGonagall's answer, Jerry nodded and sat back down.
"Listen carefully. Unless you're certain of what you're doing, do not use Transfiguration, especially for experiments that turn people into animals. Not unless you want to be expelled."
Professor McGonagall looked at the students whispering to one another over their desks and repeated her warning.
"Now, I'll give each of you a matchstick. Your task is to do your best to turn it into a needle before this class ends." With a wave of her Wand, a matchstick appeared at every seat.
"Begin. Remember what I told you: concentrate, picture the needle you want to make, and don't move your Wand through too wide an arc." Professor McGonagall stepped down from the platform and moved between the desks, checking on the students.
Jerry did the same as the others, carefully picturing a needle in his mind—a plain needle without any decoration. Then he waved his Wand at the matchstick. In an instant, he felt a strange surge of magic, just as he had during practice. This time, though, he sensed it much more clearly.
Beneath his Wand, the matchstick slowly began to change. It turned silver-white all over, and one end grew sharp.
When it was done, Jerry picked it up for a closer look. It was still as long and thick as the matchstick, but one end was pointed, and the whole thing had a silver-white metallic sheen.
Looking at it in his hand, Jerry thought, It's a little ugly, but surely it probably counts as a success... right?
"Mr. Green, your Wand movement isn't quite right. Lift it a little higher, and don't let your mind wander while you're transforming it. Here's another matchstick. Try again."
McGonagall looked at the needle-like object in Jerry's hand, a little surprised. She hadn't expected him to have such a talent for Transfiguration. He had not quite turned the matchstick into a needle, but he had come close.
With a fresh matchstick in hand, Jerry repeated what he had done before. This time, he concentrated even harder.
The matchstick changed beneath his Wand noticeably faster than before. It soon turned silver-white, grew thinner, and sharpened at one end. Before long, 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%."
When McGonagall spotted the needle on Jerry's desk, she strode over and picked it up. After a glance, she raised it for everyone to see. "Look, everyone! Mr. Green has done it. Five points to Slytherin!"
"Jerry, you have a real talent for Transfiguration. If it interests you, you can come to my office whenever you have questions." Professor McGonagall's usual stern expression had given way to a smile.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall. I'm very interested in Transfiguration. I even tried practicing over Summer Vacation, though I didn't succeed. I'll definitely come to you if I have any questions."
McGonagall nodded approvingly. Then her stern expression returned, and she went to check on the other students.
Before she left, Professor McGonagall suggested that Jerry try adding a pattern to the needle. He gave it a try, and markings did appear on its smooth surface, but none were what he wanted. It was not until class ended that he managed to put a rough snake pattern on it.
As soon as class was over, 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 a whole Transfiguration Class, only one end of her matchstick had become slightly rounded. It was nowhere near what Jerry had managed.
Seeing that she was still dwelling on the class, Jerry took her hand. "Come on. You can practice Transfiguration at your own pace. 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 Castle's Second Floor. 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. Runes were carved into them, providing students with a comfortable place to read and concentrate.
Deep in the library, a large door led to the mysterious Restricted Section. It held books considered too dangerous or too precious for general use, and only certain students and professors were allowed inside.
As soon as they entered, Hermione's attention was drawn to the enormous stone archway. Its surface was carved with intricate magical symbols and ancient spells.
"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 look them up here in the library."
"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 Hogwarts Library. No roughhousing, scribbling in books, or damaging them. If I catch you doing any of that, I'll hand you over to Filch. And remember, the library closes at eight in the evening, so keep an eye on the time while you read."