HPS 115

Chapter 115: The Magic of Transfiguration

October was about to end in a storm of wind and rain, and November was fast approaching. Hogwarts Castle was cold as frozen iron, with a layer of heavy frost every morning, and the icy wind cut at hands and cheeks.

The sky and the ceiling of the Great Hall had turned a pale blue-gray, the mountains surrounding Hogwarts wore snow caps, and the temperature inside the castle had dropped so much that many students wore thick dragon-hide gloves while resting in the corridors between classes.

Sean stood outside the corridor, his breath clouding into white mist. He gently knocked on the door.

"Mr. Green, I've said many times, no need to knock, come in, child."

A gentle voice came from behind the door.

Sean pushed the door open. Although the Professor had said it many times, he wasn't going to change his habit.

'Personal space is sensitive and inviolable, and the Professor giving me a key doesn't mean I can always just open the door.'

Inside the room, the fireplace was always burning brightly.

The Professor had been very busy these days. She was sitting on a tall chair, constantly grading assignments or dealing with the mistakes the young wizards had made.

It was as if she were preparing for something.

"Regarding the transformation from a 'self' to a 'living thing,' Mr. Green, that requires greater caution.

So today we are going to learn about—the transformation from an object to 'magic.'"

Professor McGonagall stopped grading. She waved her wand, and in just an instant, the flames in the fireplace burned outwards, the tongues of fire almost licking Sean's cheeks.

The Professor waved her wand again, and the flames immediately morphed into the shape of a lizard, which scampered back into the fireplace.

"This advanced Transfiguration requires a stronger will and a higher level of magic, and importantly, when you inject magic into your chosen object... you must believe that it already possesses magic."

What Professor McGonagall said had already been recorded in the notes she gave Sean, and hearing it now further deepened Sean's understanding.

"Today, what you are to learn, is how to infuse the flames in the fireplace with this 'magic.'"

Professor McGonagall's expression softened.

After all, the student before her had memorized the two notebooks she provided and read through three Transfiguration textbooks in just three weeks.

In the corridor, she had never seen Green empty-handed.

For some sixth-year wizards, reading one book in three weeks would be considered good progress.

Sean leaned curiously towards the fireplace, when the flames suddenly intensified for a moment, making Sean quickly step back.

He held a notebook in his hand, the writing on it turning slightly yellow by the fireplace:

【A specific clear intention, a firm belief, sufficient willpower】—

This was the content of Professor McGonagall's notes, and the constant truth of Transfiguration.

Sean waved his wand. In fact, Transfiguration that has reached the [Expert] level no longer requires an incantation.

This level corresponds to an adult wizard. Of course, some high-grade students might also reach this level, but that's very rare.

The flames jumped more noticeably as Sean waved his wand. Sean tried to imagine them as dancing shapes and, following the guidance in the Professor's notes, he drew the flames out.

This step was completed with ease.

【You have practiced Advanced Transfiguration with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +30】

【You have practiced Advanced Transfiguration with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +30】

...

In no time, Sean was able to make the flames dance with his wand. Although it was only a tiny wisp of fire, it made Professor McGonagall very pleased.

"Very good, Mr. Green, next, you must try to control more of the fire..."

Professor McGonagall said with satisfaction.

Leaving the Transfiguration Office, Sean knew he had one foot in the door of Advanced Transfiguration.

Although he was a long way from the Professor's level of conjuring a fire-lizard, it could nonetheless be called a very good start.

After all, according to Professor McGonagall:

"Most wizards can't get the flames to react at all on their first attempt at this Transfiguration, they have to practice non-stop for over a month at least, to achieve this..."

Sean guessed this was related to the talent brought by his title:

【Title: Transfiguration Master】

【Significantly increases the unique perception from non-magical to magical in the field of Transfiguration】

This perception always helped Sean find the trick to making the flames "obey."

After Sean left, the Transfiguration classroom was still full of firelight.

The Professor waved her wand, and a drawer transformed into a piglet, which elegantly handed Professor McGonagall an envelope containing thick sheets of parchment.

Seeing these parchments, the Professor's expression softened further.

In the corridor.

Sean wore thick gloves and pulled his scarf up a little. This time he could clearly see the notebook in his hand.

—A pure black cover, the first page full of warnings—this was Professor Flitwick's notes on Dark Arts.

Although the Dark Arts could easily make Headmaster Dumbledore... 'uneasy.'

That didn't mean Sean would completely give up learning the Dark Arts. Professor Flitwick had said:

"The Dark Arts are like a blade, those with malicious intent use them in dirty ways, but ultimately they are closely related to the user's purpose."

One reason for this was that his progress in the Dark Arts grew very quickly—after all, you can never have too many aces up your sleeve, and the more spells a wizard learns, the stronger they become;

Another reason was that Professor Flitwick personally took charge of teaching Sean the Dark Arts:

"Excellent! Oh—what astonishing talent..."

In the Charms classroom, Professor Flitwick paced back and forth.

He mumbled to himself, 'Oh, I must be the one to do this,' 'I must keep a close eye on this child,' 'Fortunately it's young Green'... while using his wand to repair the books Sean had blasted away.

During this time, virtually every one of Sean's practice sessions took place under Professor Flitwick's watchful eye, with the Professor supervising.

【You have practiced the Knockback Jinx with Expert Level Skill. Proficiency +50】

【You have practiced the Knockback Jinx with Expert Level Skill. Proficiency +300】

...

"Goodbye, Professor."

As the sun set and the shadows lengthened, Sean left the Charms classroom. In the corridor, he silently opened his panel:

【You are a rare genius in the field of the Dark Arts in history, the Dark Arts will actively embrace you, you are a born King of the Dark Arts】

Sean quickly skimmed over this nonsense entry.

【Knockback Jinx: Expert-Level (10/30000)】

The Expert-Level Knockback Jinx was instantaneous and non-verbal.

Paired with the Levitation Charm, which had various uses, Sean's practical combat skill even astonished Professor Flitwick—underestimate him, and he could very well send an adult wizard tumbling head over heels.

"Filius, unsettling talent, isn't it?"

An old voice sounded in the classroom.

"But a comforting wizard."

Professor Flitwick's whiskers practically stood up when he mentioned this point.

The old wizard beside him did not deny it, only nodding slightly.