Chapter 85:
As Leonard finished reviewing the entry on Quintapeds, the classroom door slowly creaked open through the chatter of students.
In an instant, the room fell silent. The scene felt oddly familiar to Leonard—like the days in his past life when the homeroom teacher walked in.
All eyes turned to the doorway. But instead of the stern Head of Gryffindor, what stepped inside was an orange tabby cat.
A tabby cat…
Leonard's gaze turned peculiar as he fixed on it.
As a transmigrator well-versed in the story, he knew exactly who this was. The tabby that had just padded into the room was none other than Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, and the professor of Transfiguration.
She was a registered Animagus.
An Animagus was a wizard capable of transforming into an animal, and such wizards usually excelled in one particular branch of magic: Transfiguration.
In the films, this "cat-lady" had transformed into her feline form while teaching Gryffindor and Slytherin, sitting patiently on the lectern, waiting for the late-arriving savior and Ron Weasley.
The scene matched the plot, but Leonard couldn't help wondering…
Could it really be that comfortable to turn into a cat? Why did this strict professor look so practiced at it?
Already fascinated by Transfiguration, Leonard's thoughts deepened.
Could this be the same reason Quintapeds refused to turn back into humans? Unlike true Animagi, their transformation was unnatural, which might explain the harsher side effects.
And werewolves—could their condition be considered a less severe form of this same phenomenon?
Speculation alone wouldn't answer that. More research and proof were needed.
Leonard ruffled his hair and let the thought go.
The other students, still oblivious, watched the elegant tabby stride to the front. With a graceful leap, it landed on the lectern, sharp eyes sweeping across every face.
After confirming no one was late, the cat jumped again—and in midair transformed into a stern, white-haired witch.
Her face was expressionless, as if masked, and her eyes pierced like needles that could stab through any lie.
Compared to the kind and approachable Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall's manner was rigid, formal, and clearly strict.
Amid the students' wide-eyed stares, Minerva McGonagall nodded. "Good. No one is late."
She began pacing before the lectern. "I am your Transfiguration professor, Minerva McGonagall. You may address me as Professor McGonagall. Before we begin, I must stress one thing."
Her expression grew even more severe, to the point it was easy to wonder if she was angry.
"Transfiguration is a very dangerous branch of magic—the most dangerous and complex you will encounter at Hogwarts. I will not tolerate mischief in my classroom. Anyone who dares will be expelled from my lessons permanently."
It was a stark warning.
Then she paused, eyes sweeping the room again. "There is one taboo in Transfiguration: you must never cast it on yourself. Does anyone know why?"
Leonard raised his hand without hesitation.
McGonagall was someone he needed to cultivate ties with. Not only because Hogwarts seemed to have a peculiar tradition—every Headmaster had served as Transfiguration professor and Deputy Head before assuming the role.
Dumbledore had. And so had Minerva McGonagall.
Forging goodwill with a future Headmaster was never a bad idea.
More importantly, Transfiguration might be the key to breaking the werewolf curse. As a master of the subject, McGonagall would know advanced knowledge others did not. If he could become her favored student, perhaps he could broach the subject directly.
Professor McGonagall's eyes fell on Leonard, the only one with his hand raised. She nodded. "Mr. William, you may answer."
Leonard stood. "Because Transfiguration changes a person fundamentally into another species. It alters their very way of thinking, sometimes leaving them unwilling to return to human form. The Quintaped described in the book was created under exactly such circumstances."
"Very good. I can see you've prepared well." Professor McGonagall gestured for Leonard to sit before continuing.
"Transfiguration isn't just a single spell. It's an entire branch of advanced magic built on its foundation. Once mastered, it can open doors to very respectable careers."
"Now then, who can tell me what spells fall under the Transfiguration branch?" she asked.
Leonard raised his hand again.
Justin and Ernie exchanged odd looks beside him, remembering what Leonard had said in the Great Hall.
He wanted to rack up points—but why?
Hufflepuffs, being easygoing, never put much weight on House points. It wasn't that they didn't care at all, but it was hardly a priority.
"It seems Mr. William has studied thoroughly. Go ahead and answer," McGonagall said, pausing briefly when she saw Leonard's hand, her expression softening just a little.
A Hufflepuff, was he? With such studious drive, he seemed more like a Ravenclaw.
Had the Sorting Hat made a mistake?
No—by all accounts, this boy had clearly chosen Hufflepuff himself.
Leonard stood and answered, "The branch of Transfiguration includes Transfiguration Spells, Untransfiguration Spells, Alteration Spells, Vanishing Spells, Summoning Charms, Switching Spells, Animation Spells, and Animagus Transformation."
Listed out one by one, there were quite a few, and none of them simple.
Animagus transformation hardly needed mention—the most extraordinary form of Transfiguration. The Animation spell could give life to statues or objects. Switching spells could switch one thing into another. The Summoning charm conjured objects out of nowhere, while the Vanishing spell did the reverse.
Alteration charms were often used on newspapers, where changes made to the original would ripple through every other copy enchanted with the same spell.
The truth was, Transfiguration magic had a vast influence across the wizarding world. Any wizard who mastered it was destined for high standing.
No wonder every professor of Transfiguration eventually became Headmaster.
"Excellent. Twenty points to Hufflepuff," McGonagall said approvingly. "Now, let's move on to the key precautions of Transfiguration, starting with Gamp's Laws…"
The class passed quickly. Toward the end, Professor McGonagall demonstrated the incantation and wand movements, then handed each student a matchstick, instructing them to turn it into a needle.
"This will be your homework. I'll be checking at the start of the next lesson. Anyone who hasn't managed it will be sent to detention!"
Before dismissing them, McGonagall gave her stern warning once again.
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