Chapter 125: True Flights of Fancy

The small classroom of the Transfiguration Club.

Perhaps it was because they were all the same age, or maybe because the professor wasn't present, but the atmosphere here was quite pleasant.

"By the way! Is it just the two of you here? I initially thought there would be more people," Ino asked softly while sitting on an ice-transfigured armchair.

Yes, there were no seats in the classroom; everything depended on the students' skills. If you lacked the ability, you would sit on the floor or conjure a small stool. If you were skilled enough, you could even transform a bed.

Of course, no one would be foolish enough to lie on a bed in front of Professor McGonagall.

"There were five of us last year, but three graduated this year!" Cho said, sitting in a semi-circular hanging chair, gently swaying it, looking somewhat cute.

"Alright! It seems this place is really strict," Ino casually remarked. "At first, I thought Prefect Weasley would be here, as it's said his grades have always been perfect."

"You mean Percy?" Cedric took over the conversation, smiling, "Percy's grades are indeed excellent, you could even say he's very versatile. But Professor McGonagall values transfiguration talent, or rather, those moments of inspiration. Perfect grades in Transfiguration are just a basic requirement; talent is the most important."

As the few chatted, footsteps could be heard coming from the hallway.

"Click!" The wooden door was pushed open, and Professor McGonagall walked in, holding three parchment scrolls.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Let's pause our chatting and start today's discussion. The author of our discussion topic is someone you are all very familiar with..."

At this point, Professor McGonagall paused deliberately, as if to keep them in suspense.

"The 1897 'Today's Transfiguration' Best Newcomer Award winner, Hogwarts Student Council President, Albus Percival... Dumbledore's paper 'The Possibility of Spellcasting in Animagus Form'."

Seeing the three of them look dumbfounded, a glimmer of amusement flashed in Professor McGonagall's eyes. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

"Read the paper first! But before that, let me state one thing. If you want to learn to become an Animagus, just tell me, I won't stop you. Don't follow the example of some students from a few years ago, who prepared everything secretly. By the time I found out, they were just short of drinking the potion!"

Ino shifted his gaze slightly, knowing very well who she was referring to, despite her using "a few years ago" to obfuscate.

No surprise, he would likely become one of those "certain students" mentioned by Professor McGonagall in the coming years, leaving a legacy at Hogwarts.

He shook his head lightly and then focused his attention on the old parchment in his hand.

As they read, the small classroom fell into absolute silence.

Time passed quietly.

About half an hour later.

Professor McGonagall clapped her hands lightly, "Now, share your thoughts. No need for theoretical basis or to conform to logic. Feel free to be as imaginative and absurd as you like."

After a while, seeing the three young wizards still silent, Professor McGonagall could only call on someone, "Ino! You start. You're the only award-winning newcomer in recent years, set an example."

"Alright, I'll share my shallow thoughts." Without any hesitation, Ino cleared his throat and said:

"Professor Dumbledore's paper, in my view, is feasible! Where does magic come from? It isn't something learned later in life, otherwise, there would be no Muggles in this world. So I believe magic comes from blood, an innate talent."

"But speaking of talent, there are many examples: the Seer's vision, Parseltongue of the Slytherins, even natural Occlumency, too many to count. This leads me to a hypothesis, what if a wizard could still use these talents in Animagus form?"

At this point, Ino deliberately slowed down his speech.

"If, and I mean if, a Seer saw the future while in Animagus form, then Professor Dumbledore's hypothesis would hold true."

"If innate magical abilities can be used, why not integrate magic into ourselves, making it our talent? Like how a Thunderbird creates lightning when it flies, or how a Nundu breathes out toxic gas…"

"Transforming magic into a talent would make the Animagus form not just ordinary animals but extraordinary creatures, creating a new kind of magical animal…"

The more Ino spoke, the more inspired he became, like a river breaking through a dam, initially difficult but then flowing endlessly.

After a quarter of an hour.

With the final word, the small classroom fell silent again.

Seeing Cho and Cedric looking bewildered, Ino suddenly felt he might have been too fanciful and instinctively looked at Professor McGonagall.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Professor McGonagall didn't hold back her applause, clapping and saying:

"That's the spirit! Speak boldly, don't let existing knowledge constrain your thinking. Progress and the emergence of new spells rely not on exam scores but on the free-thinking minds of wizards."

"Thank you for your approval, Professor! Sometimes, when inspiration strikes, I don't even know what I'm saying," Ino said modestly.

"Relax! This is not a classroom, it's my private club!"

Professor McGonagall smiled and waved her hand but then turned serious, saying:

"But I must tell you one thing, as Adalbert Waffling's 'Magical Theory' states: 'Tampering with the deepest secrets—the source of life and the essence of self—must be done with the utmost caution and preparation for the most extreme consequences.'"

Ino nodded solemnly, "Professor, I will remember."

"That's good!" Professor McGonagall replied, then turned to Cho and Cedric.

"What about you two? Who's next? We're short on time, if we don't finish today, it'll be pushed to next week."

…

9 PM.

There was one hour left until the castle's curfew.

On the third floor, a few figures appeared in the quiet corridor.

"It was wonderful! Looking forward to our meeting next week." Cho stretched lazily as she spoke.

"Me too! I learned a lot today," Cedric said in agreement.

"Sometimes, learning requires thinking and discussion. I'm also looking forward to the next meeting!" Ino sighed.

At the end of the corridor, the three parted ways, each heading towards their respective common rooms.

The difference was that Ino and Cedric headed downwards while Cho approached the upward-moving staircase.

Down the third floor, second floor, floor by floor.

Glancing at Cedric, who had been hesitant to speak, Ino chuckled, "I need to head the other way now, good night!"

He roughly guessed Cedric's dilemma. After all, Cho had been very active during the last two hours.

But he wasn't Amos Diggory, always worrying about his son! If Cedric wanted to talk, he would listen as a fellow club member.

If Cedric didn't want to talk, there was no need to force it, even if Cedric's behavior was obvious throughout, Ino would just pretend not to notice.