36 Chapter 36 Transfiguration Class

After being severely scolded by Professor McGonagall, Harry and Ron hurriedly found two seats together and sat down. The Transfiguration class officially began.

Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the classroom with a serious expression. Even without saying anything, the atmosphere she emanated immediately silenced the whispering students.

"Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous subject you will study at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "So, if anyone dares to misbehave in my class, I will ask them to leave and never return. Remember what I'm saying today."

With a wave of her wand, her desk transformed into a pig, then back into a desk. Clearly an experienced professor, she not only impressed the students but also ignited their enthusiasm for learning Transfiguration.

The class officially began, and Professor McGonagall instructed the students to open their textbooks and began her lecture.

At this moment, Bell awkwardly realized that he had forgotten his "Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration" in his pocket. Perhaps his mind was too foggy in the morning, causing him to forget to put it in his pocket? After all, he hadn't looked at that book for many years.

Fortunately, Bell was sitting in a corner of the classroom. As long as Professor McGonagall didn't come over to look, no one could tell what book was on his desk. So he casually picked up a book of similar size and pretended to read it.

Although the first-year curriculum was too simple for Bell, who had mastered this knowledge years ago, there's a saying that goes, "You can always learn from others' strengths." There must be a similar proverb in Britain, right?

So, Bell listened attentively to Professor McGonagall's lecture, comparing it with his own understanding and trying to see if he could gain any new insights.

Overall, there didn't seem to be any use for now. But Bell didn't mind. He considered it as spending time with Shanna at home. Being too tense all the time wasn't good; one must learn to relax appropriately.

While other students despised the class time, it turned out to be a relaxing time for Bell. Would they want to drown Bell in the Black Lake if they knew about his thoughts? 

Soon, Professor McGonagall finished explaining the key points of the lesson. Initially, many magical concepts weren't complicated, but mastering them required diligent practice.

"Now, I'll give each of you a matchstick, and your task is to turn it into a needle," Professor McGonagall said.

She walked around the classroom and handed out a matchstick to each student.

Looking at the matchstick in front of him, Bell felt a little worried. For him, such a trivial matter didn't even require a wand. However, he didn't want to attract attention, nor did he want to waste time. It would be foolish to just stare blankly at a matchstick.

Fortunately, before Bell could dwell on it for too long, Professor McGonagall's voice sounded again.

"Very well, Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor."

Professor McGonagall picked up the needle transformed by Hermione and demonstrated it to the other students.

It could be seen that Hermione's transformation was not very successful. The resulting "needle" was barely passable as one, as it was too thick to sew with. However, as a first-year student, being able to complete the transformation in the first Transfiguration class after school started was already quite impressive.

With the first place taken, nobody paid attention to the second place. So Bell confidently took out his wand, pretended to wave it, and turned the matchstick in front of him into a needle. Then he picked up "The Ultimate Transfiguration" again and, incidentally, applied Transfiguration to the book cover, turning it into something that resembled "Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration".

"Why didn't I think of that earlier?"

Bell felt a bit regretful. His mind must have been too foggy, causing him to think slowly. At the same time, he decided to promote Transfiguration further. He could do this in future classes too. Professor McGonagall really should give him 100 points.

Soon, Professor McGonagall walked over to Bell. She looked at him quietly reading and then glanced at the needle on his desk.

"Mr. Minster, did you successfully transform the matchstick into a needle?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Yes, Professor."

"Very good. Could you demonstrate it again for me?" Professor McGonagall said, handing another matchstick to Bell.

As a seasoned professor with decades of experience in dealing with young wizards, she knew one thing: there was nothing these kids couldn't do if they put their minds to it. So, although it was a bit unpleasant, she asked Bell to prove that the needle was indeed his creation and not something he had prepared in advance. After all, this needle was even better than the one Miss Granger had transformed.

"Of course, Professor."

Bell once again pretended to wave his wand, deliberately controlling the speed of the transformation.

"Excellent Transfiguration. Apart from being a bit slow, everything else was perfect. Five points to Ravenclaw."

Professor McGonagall looked very pleased.

"Remember to practice more at home. Once you become more proficient, your speed will increase."

Hearing Professor McGonagall's praise, the other students looked over. Most of them looked at Bell with envy. Only Hermione, sitting at the front, seemed a bit unhappy for some reason.

After that, Bell sat quietly at his seat and minded his own business.

Soon, the bell for the end of class rang. After Professor McGonagall assigned homework, she announced the end of class. The students gradually left the classroom. After reading the last paragraph, Bell stood up and prepared to leave. At this moment, he noticed Hermione walking towards him with a determined expression.

"Bell, I have something to ask you," Hermione said to Bell in a voice that contradicted her demeanor.

"What's the matter?" Bell was puzzled. He recalled what he had done today and realized that it was barely noon yet. Besides daydreaming and attending class, he hadn't done anything else, let alone upset Hermione.

"Your Transfiguration skills are obviously so good. Transforming a matchstick into a needle should be easy for you. So why did you only complete the transformation after me?" 

Hermione felt insulted! Bell should have been able to transform successfully first, so Bell should have gotten 10 points, and she should have only gotten 5! Although she was happy to earn an extra 5 points, she didn't need this kind of charity score. She would earn more points for Gryffindor through her own efforts!

So Hermione was unhappy, very unhappy, extremely unhappy! If Bell couldn't give her a reasonable explanation, this matter wouldn't be over!