Their backs aching and their bodies and minds exhausted, the little Gryffindor lions trudged to the Transfiguration classroom. That Herbology lesson had truly drained almost all their strength.
Harry even felt that he lacked the strength to lift his wand. Ron beside him was in much the same state. At the thought that their next lesson was the hardest of all, and taught by their own Head of House, both looked as though they had nothing left to live for.
Only Neville and Hermione were doing a little better.
When the little lions arrived at the Transfiguration classroom, Professor McGonagall was already waiting inside. She seemed to have just finished teaching a lesson and was sitting behind the desk at the front, leafing through a hefty book.
After the previous year, the students already knew just how strict Professor McGonagall was in class. So they dispensed with unnecessary chatter and obediently found seats.
The little Slytherin snakes sharing their lesson had arrived a little earlier than the little Gryffindor lions. Seeing Harry and the others utterly exhausted, Draco wore an unmistakably mocking expression.
Just you wait. Once you've finished that lesson, I'll be waiting at the door to laugh at you.
Harry and Ron silently made up their minds.
Professor McGonagall knew nothing of their private thoughts. Seeing that everyone had arrived, she closed her book and stood. "Last year, we spent an entire school year learning to transform inanimate objects."
Professor McGonagall's voice was cool and clear. Though she did not speak loudly, every student in the room could hear her perfectly:
"Unfortunately, however, even after an entire school year, only six students in your year could truly turn a stone block into a soft sofa: Miss Granger, Miss Padma Patil, Mr. Potter, Mr. Goldstein, Mr. Zabini, and Mr.