Transfiguration class

"Huh? Upperclassmen, why aren't you laughing anymore?"

"Don't you like laughing?"

Hermione put on a thoroughly puzzled expression.

Ever since Argus had walked in, these people had been making analyses, thinking themselves clever.

Every one of their conclusions had been the same-Argus would be doing well to make it through the third-years!

Fourth-years?

Not a chance!

As one of Argus's little fangirls, Hermione had been extremely displeased!

Now, though, Argus had delivered a resounding slap to their faces through his actions!

The more confident they had been before, the harder their faces were slapped now!

Beside her, Cho Chang covered her mouth and snickered.

Not far away at the Gryffindor table, the Weasley Twins, who had also been slapped in the face, looked utterly dumbfounded.

"So... who won this bet?"

Harry scratched his head and looked at the Weasley Twins.

Their mouths were now open wide enough to fit an ostrich egg.

They had expected Argus to be strong, but never this strong!

A first-year had brought down even fifth-years who were about to sit their O.W.L.s!

Was that something a human could do?

Ron seized his chance and snatched Scabbers back.

"Give him here!"

At the staff table in the Great Hall.

Professor Flitwick waved his arms and stamped his feet in excitement.

"A genius! To think a first-year could get this far! I'm very much looking forward to his performance in Charms!"

"I just wonder how the boy's Transfiguration is. I hope it's as outstanding as his talent for charms."

"Don't worry, Minerva. Though I've had little contact with him, I can tell he's a very intelligent boy."

Professor Flitwick worked to smooth the hem of his robes, which his vigorous movements had rumpled, and continued.

"A boy like that is sure to recognize the importance of Transfiguration at a glance!"

"Let's hope so!"

Professor McGonagall's feelings were complicated.

As a teacher, an extraordinarily gifted student held no less appeal for her than a Quidditch match!

She looked forward to seeing Argus's talent.

Yet she also worried that his talent lay only in Charms, and that he knew nothing whatsoever about Transfiguration.

Anticipation and worry intertwined in Professor McGonagall's heart.

They made her keep glancing at Argus's back.

At the Slytherin table.

"All right, everyone, listen for a moment."

Seeing that everyone had more or less finished eating, Argus stood up.

"In a little while, a few upperclassmen and I will accompany the first-years to find the various classrooms."

"That should prevent any first-years from losing points because they can't find their classrooms."

"I hope everyone will set aside some time beforehand."

"Yes, Chief!"

"Go and get ready first. If you haven't brought your textbooks, go back to the dormitory and get them. In ten minutes, we'll head to the first classroom."

Argus waved a hand, signaling for everyone to get on with their preparations.

By the time he led the Slytherins to the Transfiguration classroom, quite a few Gryffindors were already seated.

They chatted, laughed, and fooled around, not one of them paying attention to the tabby cat on the lectern.

"Argus, I'm going to catch up on some sleep at the back with Goyle and Crabbe."

"Remember to wake me when class is over!"

Draco came up to Argus, yawning.

Quite a few of the Slytherin first-years were in the same state.

After returning to the dormitory last night, many of them had still been too excited and had spent several whole hours chatting.

The price was having absolutely no energy for class the next day.

When Draco finished speaking, Argus distinctly sensed the cat on the lectern glare at him.

Only then did Argus remember.

Wasn't Professor McGonagall's Animagus form a tabby cat?

An older catgirl!

What a shame I'd transmigrated too late. Otherwise...

He shook his head, forcibly clearing the jumble of thoughts from his mind.

Argus approached the lectern and bowed to the cat.

He pulled Draco and the others along to sit quietly in the front row.

Puzzled as to why Argus had bowed to a cat, Draco looked it over several times but could find nothing unusual.

"Argus, that cat..."

"That's Professor McGonagall! There are currently only seven Animagi registered with the British Ministry of Magic, and Professor McGonagall is one of them," Argus said softly, giving Draco a hint.

"Look closely around her eyes. Don't those markings look like Professor McGonagall's glasses?"

"They really do!"

Draco's legs went weak with fright.

If Argus hadn't been standing in front of him just now, he would almost have reached out to stroke her.

Thank goodness he hadn't!

If he really had done it, heaven knew how many points Professor McGonagall would have taken from Slytherin!

Creak!

Just then, a red-haired head poked inside, scanned the room, and let out a long sigh of relief.

He pushed the door open and walked in, panting.

"Oh, finally made it!"

"If Professor McGonagall were here, the look on her face would scare us to death!"

Ron and Harry looked relieved and were about to find seats when the tabby cat on the lectern sprang up and leaped off.

As she fell, she transformed into a stern-looking woman in emerald-green robes.

"That was incredible!"

Ron's eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he backed away two steps in awe.

Professor McGonagall spoke expressionlessly. "Thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley."

"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.

"A map, then?" Professor McGonagall surveyed the classroom. "You shouldn't need a map to find your seats in this classroom, should you?"

Before the two could sit down, Professor McGonagall's icy voice sounded behind them.

"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, because of your tardiness, I must deduct five points from each of you."

"I hope this will teach you to remember."

"And Mr. Grindelwald!"

When she addressed Argus, Professor McGonagall's voice became much gentler.

"You are the first and only student among this year's first-years to recognize me."

"It's clear that you know a great deal about Transfiguration and are very observant."

"Thank you for the compliment, Professor McGonagall," Argus replied with a smile.

"For your careful observation, five points to Slytherin."

Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly and walked to the lectern, her robes trailing behind her.

"Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous magic you will study at Hogwarts."

"Anyone messing around in my class will leave and never be allowed back."

"You have been warned!"

"Now, take out your wands and textbooks. I will show you what true Transfiguration is."

Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and the lectern behind her turned into a little pig that grunted and squealed!

It drew gasps of wonder from countless young wizards.

Argus, however, was focused on something different from everyone else.

Looking at the little white pig before him, he unconsciously sank into deep thought...