Class

As I sat in the library, lost in thought about my newfound power and heritage, I overheard a group of students having an unusual conversation.

"I heard they just stopped fighting all of a sudden," one student said, her eyes wide with excitement. "Like, the armors just froze in the middle of their swing."

"Someone must have cast a powerful spell," another student chimed in. "But who could have done it?"

As they continued to speculate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing my identity hasn't been found out. But my thoughts were quickly interrupted by their next words.

"Oh no, we're going to be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" one student exclaimed, looking at her watch in a panic. "We better hurry!"

I watched as they gathered their things and rushed out of the library, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.

'Guess I will have to continue my research later.' I thought while standing up from the chair and putting the book back in its place. 'It would be suspicious and counterproductive not to participate in the classes.'

I check my schedule and find out that my next class is Transfiguration. I head towards the classroom. Upon entering, my eyes catch a glimpse of a girl sitting at the end of the class, waving at me in a casual manner. I nod in acknowledgment and quickly make my way to a seat near the door, aware that the class will start soon.

As I take my seat, I observe that the classroom is filled with students, all eagerly chatting and laughing with their friends. Some students are studying their textbooks, while others are busy practicing their wand movements. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves before the class begins.

Just then, the professor walks into the classroom.

"I think this would be Professor McGonagall, based on what I remember from the movies," I thought, unsure if my assumption was correct.

Her stern gaze fell upon the students. The room falls silent, and all eyes turn towards her as she starts the class.

Professor McGonagall clears her throat, catching the attention of the students. "Miss Nielsen and Mr. Nielsen, may I inquire as to where you have been all day?" she asks sternly, her eyes narrowing.

I feel a lump form in my throat as Emma and I exchange a nervous glance. "We were in the library, Professor," I reply, hoping that my answer would satisfy her.

She nods slowly, but her expression remains skeptical. She looks out in the middle of the class. "Remember, it is not safe to go anywhere alone. Always make sure to have a companion with you," She warns and clears her throat again.

"Last lesson, we were able to successfully transfigure a matchstick into a needle. Today, we will be taking it a step further. I hope you've all studied the principles of transfiguration well, because you'll be turning a wooden cube the size of a hand into a statue of an owl."

*SFX sound of wooden object hitting table*

She paused and looked around the classroom. "And remember, the principles we learned in the last lesson still apply. You need to concentrate, visualize the end result clearly, and enunciate the incantation with precision. Any deviation in these steps could result in an incomplete or botched transfiguration."

The students shifted in their seats, some looking confident, while others appeared apprehensive. Professor McGonagall continued, "I also want to remind everyone to work together and assist your classmates if needed. And most importantly, never attempt transfiguration spells outside of the classroom." She said looking sternly at a certain student at the back of the class

With that, she flicked her wand and a wooden cube appeared on each desk. "You have the entire class period to complete the task. Begin."

"I guess I'll try my best," I thought nervously.

I closed my eyes and focused on the magic coursing through my veins, trying to feel every single fiber of it. I took a deep breath and held it, my mind racing with images of an owl statue. For the next two minutes, I concentrated, my wand held firmly in my hand, trying to channel the magic and direct it towards the wooden cube in front of me.

Finally, I opened my eyes, raised my wand, and with a swift flick, muttered the incantation.

"Mutatio Forma!" I said with a firm tone, pouring all my energy into the spell.

The wooden cube began to twist and contort under my wand movements until it had transformed into a beautiful statue of an owl. "Perfect!" I said in triumph, a feeling of satisfaction washing over me as I admired my work.

As I looked around the classroom, I could see that many of my classmates struggled to transform their wooden cubes into anything resembling an owl. Some of them even ended up with statues that looked more like twisted creatures than graceful birds.

The professor approached my desk, her eyes falling on the beautiful owl statue I had created. "Well done, Mr. Nielsen," she said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "That is quite an impressive piece of transfiguration."

"Thank you, Professor," I beamed with pride at the professor's words.

McGonagall nodded and gestured towards the owl. "Transform it into a sparrow this time."

"Ah, yes, of course, Professor," I stuttered, startled by the sudden request.

I focused once again on the magic flowing through me, visualizing a small, delicate sparrow in my mind. With a deep breath, I pointed my wand at the wooden owl and chanted the incantation.

"Mutatio Forma!"

The wooden owl began to shift and warp under the force of the spell, slowly taking on the form of a tiny bird. It was a more difficult transformation than the owl, and I could feel the strain in my arms and the tension in my mind as I worked to maintain the spell.

But after a few moments, the transformation was complete. A beautiful sparrow perched on my desk. I let out a sigh of relief and grinned at the professor.

"Well done, Mr. Nielsen," McGonagall said, a hint of pride in her voice. "You are a natural at transfiguration."

All eyes were on me as Professor McGonagall praised my work. I felt a sense of pride wash over me, but I knew that I couldn't bask in my success for too long. The professor's next words made that clear.

"Mr. Nielsen, since you seem to have a good grasp on the concept, I would like you to assist your fellow classmates who are struggling with the transfiguration," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded in understanding, knowing that this was not a request, but an order. I made my way around the classroom, offering guidance and tips to those who needed it. It wasn't long before my classmates' envy turned into appreciation as they began to make progress with their own spells.

As the class came to a close, Professor McGonagall once again approached me. "Well done, Mr. Nielsen. I am pleased with your performance today," she said, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Excellent work today, class. Class dismissed."