Transfiguration: Animagus

"Hmm?"

Hermione looked up at the cat.

...A cat?

No, Professor McGonagall!

The sudden development brought a slight change to Hermione's gaze. A fitting flicker of confusion and surprise crossed her eyes, then vanished a second later.

Hermione simply ignored her.

No petting. Definitely no petting.

McGonagall was not surprised in the least. Hermione had never struck her as someone interested in small, furry animals, so it was perfectly normal for her not to reach out and stroke her.

She could never have imagined that the young witch before her had already seen straight through her disguise.

The cat seemed particularly interested in Hermione and began padding around beside her hand.

A moment later, she lowered her head to look at the open book on the desk, a distinctly human look of puzzlement in her eyes.

A History of Hogwarts?

Why would this little girl be interested in something like that?

McGonagall was puzzled.

Although every new student had to learn the school's history, and it was even covered in History of Magic, most first-years preferred practical subjects like spells or Potions. Very few took an interest in the school's history.

What an interesting little girl... McGonagall thought.

Seeing Hermione engrossed in her reading, McGonagall left her alone and jumped onto the teacher's desk, watching the students below.

Before long, the bell rang.

The classroom instantly fell silent.

I suppose this is what you'd expect from a wizarding school. Everyone studies without being told... Hermione marveled inwardly as she listened to the rustle of pages around her.

Even Draco and his two companions nearby were reading diligently.

As for the only exceptions...

Suddenly, a noise came from behind her, and the classroom door swung open.

Harry and Ron rushed into the classroom, panting. Seeing no sign of Professor McGonagall, they both sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness, we just made it. If she'd caught us being late, the look on Professor McGonagall's face would've scared us to death!" Ron muttered to Harry.

His voice was quiet, but it still carried clearly through the silent classroom.

The first-years: "..."

Even Draco rolled his eyes.

The next second, under their astonished gazes, the cat leaped off the teacher's desk and transformed in midair, taking Professor McGonagall's human form.

Ron and Harry gaped.

The other first-years looked much the same. They had not known that the cat before them was Professor McGonagall either, and were thankful they had neither arrived late nor done anything they should not have.

Like petting the cat.

"That was amazing..." Ron praised her after recovering his senses, though the embarrassment on his face had already betrayed exactly how he felt.

"Thank you for your assessment, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall said expressionlessly. "Perhaps I should turn you and Mr. Potter into a pocket watch. Then at least one of you might be on time."

"We got lost..." Harry explained in a small voice.

"A map, then."

Looking at Professor McGonagall's utterly unsmiling face, the two boys wisely shut their mouths.

"Go and sit down."

At McGonagall's words, the two felt as though they had been granted a pardon. They looked around, their eyes suddenly lighting up, then went straight over to Hermione and sat beside her as though they were old friends.

Hermione, however, was still in a daze.

The instant Professor McGonagall had transformed back, the magic book in her consciousness had suddenly trembled.

[Spells]

[Transfiguration: Animagus (cat) (learned)]

Seeing Hermione ignore them, neither boy was offended. After spending the previous day with her, they had gained a rough understanding of her personality.

She was aloof, but not impossible to talk to.

Besides, apart from each other, she really was the first-year they knew best so far.

During the lesson, Professor McGonagall did not provide any practical instruction in Transfiguration. Instead, she gave a general explanation of its basic laws and various branches.

Animagus transformation, Conjuration, Revelio, Cross-Species Transfiguration, Human Transfiguration, and so on.

She also gave a small demonstration of her skills, drawing a chorus of astonished cries from the young witches and wizards.

Their first lesson ended on that cheerful note.

After class, the students walked along, eagerly discussing the wonders they had just witnessed.

"Did you see that? A rat turned into a glass, just like that!" Ron exclaimed excitedly to Harry.

Harry found it just as incredible. This was the first time he had truly felt that he had entered a real magical world.

Seeing Hermione's expression remain as placid as ever, Harry could not help asking, "Hermione, don't you think what Professor McGonagall did just now was amazing?"

He could not understand why the pretty girl before him looked so calm, no matter what happened.

She was clearly about the same age as they were.

"Hmm..." Hermione stopped walking and considered for a moment. "It's certainly impressive the first time you see it, but once you've actually learned it, it doesn't feel all that special."

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance.

"You make it sound as though you've already learned it," Ron said indignantly.

"Yes, I have." Hermione nodded.

Both boys froze, their eyes widening as though they had heard something utterly absurd.

Ron had only snapped at her because he disliked the way she seemed unimpressed by everything. He had never expected Hermione to simply admit it!

Now he had no idea how to respond.

Although Harry said nothing, his eyes were full of doubt too.

"Really? I don't believe you."

Hermione had been about to tell him to suit himself when something occurred to her. Her eyes shifted. "What if it's true?"

Ron curled his lip. "Hmph. If it's true, I'll eat Harry's quill. Satisfied?"

Harry: ???

Wait, why are you betting with my things?

"All right."

Hermione said nothing more. She merely nodded, drew her wand, and pointed it at the quill in Harry's hand.

"Flavido!"

As the incantation ended, light flashed at the tip of her wand. Before two pairs of astonished eyes, the quill gradually grew a head, paws, and a tail, finally taking the shape of a rat.

Not a trace of the quill remained.

The rat jumped out of Harry's hand and, as though it were alive, scampered onto Ron in a few quick steps.

Both boys stared at the sight before them in disbelief. Ron in particular had his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.

Seeing their reactions, Hermione's lips curved slightly, and she calmly uttered two words:

"Eat it."