Chapter 14 : First transfiguration class

After History class, both Slytherin and Gryffindor had Transfiguration together.

I headed down to the first floor, where the Transfiguration classroom was, reflecting on my lecture in History. I consoled myself it was worth it, considering the 5 points I was awarded.

Being one of the first students in the class, I walked into the empty classroom. On Professor McGonagall's desk was a green and black cat watching me intently.

Knowing that the cat was Professor McGonagall, I looked forward to seeing her transform. After all, she is an Animagus, the apex of the transfiguration subject.

As my fellow students trickled in, the cat watched the clock tick down like a hawk.

AI brings up information on transfiguration.

[Transfiguration: Unlike charms, this branch deals with the 'changing' of a target's composition.

The first spell of changing a wooden matchstick to a metal needle takes months because the spell temporarily breaks the existing bonds of atoms or acts as a substitute for additional atoms so that the material changes. The rest is arranged so that they change shape. This information is generally given to Owl students studying for NEWTs, as the majority can't contemplate changing atomic configuration.

By this time in education, wizards will have already done the spells enough times for it to become instinctive.]

Now it is the reason transfigured objects take longer, from days to weeks, to change back to their original. It reverts by consuming the magic imbued into the target.

'Transfiguration is the magic cast on a target with the intent to change.'

Starting Transfiguration is tough, but as long as it is started, the same concept is applied everywhere in the field of transfiguration.

That's the reason Hogwarts students do not show much use of transfiguration until the OWL year. It is in the OWL year that all the basics from the first four years are brought together, showing a marked rise in various applications, especially in combat.

By the end of the fifth year, an OWL-aspiring student can change a thimble-nail clip to a Thestral.

But the professor sitting in front of me is a transfiguration master. One who can understand the significance of breaking the fabric of atoms and rebuilding them, albeit temporarily. Meaning for her, it should be possible to make anything, even a Philosopher's Stone, on the condition she knew enough about its properties and suitable materials.

Suitable materials as targets, vastly decrease the cost in complex transfigurations like that.

As my fellow students trickled in, the cat watched the clock tick down like a hawk.

THUD

I felt Draco sitting beside me again.

I internally thought that Harry and Ron were not late now. The first change brought by me. It feels kind of trivial.

At 2:30, after everyone took their seats, students began whispering to each other, seeing how there was no teacher present.

I said to my fellow snakes, "Shh, you don't want to miss this."

WHOOSH

On cue, the cat leapt off the desk and transformed into Professor McGonagall. It was strange to see. Her transformation involved a lot of twisting and whirling; it happened so fast I couldn't see the transformation. One second, she was a cat, the next, after a blur of movement, she stood before a dumbstruck audience.

Seeing how amazing and fluid the transformation was, I swore right then and there that no matter how long it took, I would become an Animagus before I graduated. I don't know why Europeans seem to have such a big issue with Animagi; it's crazy that only seven people have legally become Animagi in the past century.

Professor McGonagall's voice shook me from my thoughts. "Transfiguration is one of the most difficult and demanding aspects of magic you will be learning; it is very different from charms, where there is room for creativity. Transfiguration is a much more exact branch of magic; there isn't room for personal creativity when it comes to transfiguration; any deviation can have drastic and dangerous consequences. If done incorrectly, whatever you're transfiguring may get permanently stuck halfway between forms. On that note, any tomfoolery or mischief in this class will see you banned, and you will not be returning to class."

As she issued her threat sternly, seeing that her point was understood, she went on, "The art of transfiguration is that of change. I will teach you to alter the form of an object by transforming it into a different form." To illustrate her point, she waved her wand at her desk, and it became a pig.

OINK

OINK

Seeing that the pig had everyone's full attention, she smiled and said, "There are four main branches in transfiguration. The first is transfiguration, which we have already discussed. Next is untransfiguration, which, like it sounds, returns objects to their original form." Once again, to illustrate her point, she waved her wand at the pig, and it transformed back into a desk.

THUD

She continued, "The final two are Vanishment, which is extremely advanced and won't be studied until your fifth year, and Conjuration, which is learned in your sixth and seventh years should you achieve the required grade."

Professor McGonagall continued her lecture on the subject for an hour before giving each person a match. "We will be starting small. Before you are a match. The goal of this transfiguration spell is to turn it into a silver needle." she said.

I was slightly intimidated, looking down at the match. If I remember correctly...

I grabbed my wand and pointed it towards the match and chanted while pouring the intent, remembering the properties of the matchstick and the needle, and my desire to change the matchstick to a needle. "Aculeus."

I saw a silver pointy needle with a snake carved on it.

I started watching my classmates, each trying to change their matchsticks. I saw progress in Hermione's matchstick which turned pointy. I am thankful for my training in wandless magic. It helped me master pouring my intent into magic.

AHEM

A stern voice rang out from behind me, "Mr Prasad, shouldn't you be working on your match rather than watching your neighbours work?"

Turning, I found Professor McGonagall standing behind me with a stern expression on her face. Before she could continue, I realized she couldn't see the needle beneath my hand, so I moved my hand quickly. "I'm done, I was able to do it."

Her eyebrows rose for a moment in shock. After a moment, a small smile emerged on her face. "Well done," she congratulated me. "It's rare to see someone succeed on their first day. Five points to Slytherin for a job well done."

I saw my peers staring at me, with an unspoken urge for me to answer them. So why not, "Just imagine everything you know about the matchstick and needle, and command it to change. The more you want it the better. That's all it is with magic. The more you pour your intent, the more it responds."

"Good advice, Mr. Prasad. Take a point for that. You see magic is enforcing our will on the world. There is no place for doubt. Trust it, and it will answer."

Before letting us go for the day, Professor McGonagall gave us a ton of homework on the subject. She left us with a final warning, "While other classes may encourage you to try spells outside of class, transfiguration spells outside of the class are prohibited until your third year."

THUD

With that warning, the door slammed shut.

It was time for me to visit the place I had been itching to since my mishap with the first Incendio in the park back home. I am in dire need of your Room of Requirement.