An Exceptional Student

When Kevin arrived at the Transfiguration classroom, there were still a few minutes left before class. Several students were already seated in the classroom, enthusiastically discussing topics related to transfiguration, and no one paid attention to the tabby cat on the podium.

"Kevin, maybe we should sit a little further back so that there's a lower chance of being called on by the professor... Uhm, why are you covering my mouth?" Stephen had just started to speak, but Kevin had covered his mouth upon noticing that the cat on the podium had glanced in their direction.

Once Kevin had pulled Stephen to sit down, Stephen realised something was amiss: "You've been staring at that cat all this time. Is there something wrong with the cat?"

"That's Professor McGonagall. There are only seven registered Animagi in the Ministry of Magic, and she's one of them," Kevin explained.

"Wow, how did you figure that out?" Kevin praised.

"Pay attention to the cat's eye patterns; they're identical to her glasses. Besides, the cat maintains a sitting posture without grooming, clawing, ear, or tail movements, which are typical cat behaviours," Kevin calmly analysed. His friends looked at him with increasing admiration.

"Finally, and most importantly, during the summer, Professor McGonagall was responsible for my enrolment. Back then, she transformed into a cat right in front of me."

"Oh, so you've actually witnessed it." The two friends were speechless, realising that Professor McGonagall was right on the podium. Their behaviour became more uncomfortable as they feared making a mistake that would earn the professor's reproach.

Simultaneously, they watched the other students who took advantage of the teacher's absence be mischievous and naughty.

After a while, another familiar face entered the classroom. It was Hermione, who was clearly a cat lover. Upon entering, she even attempted to stroke the cat's head, but was agilely avoided by Professor McGonagall. Poor Hermione, how would she react if she found herself wanting to pet the professor's head?

Kevin was already starting to anticipate her reaction. Time passed, and class had already begun, but Professor McGonagall continued to maintain her cat-like appearance. Two more people rushed into the classroom.

"Harry, great! Fortunately, Professor McGonagall hasn't arrived yet," Ron exclaimed happily. Harry nodded, relieved.

Just then, the British shorthair cat on the podium gracefully leaped forward and, before landing, transformed into Professor McGonagall.

This sudden transformation left Ron and Harry astonished, their mouths wide open. "That's amazing!"

"Thank you for your assessment, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps I should transfigure Mr. Potter or you into a pocket watch so that both of you can be on time for once," Professor McGonagall said, her stern gaze behind the glasses focused on them.

"We got lost," Harry said with a hint of helplessness.

"In that case, should I transfigure you into a map? I believe you can find your seats without a map, can't you?" With this, both of them quietly followed Professor McGonagall's instructions and took their seats.

Meanwhile, a bewildered Hermione Granger, who hadn't figured out what she had almost done, still sat in a daze. Completely shocked, she didn't dare to understand what had nearly transpired.

Under the gaze of the students, Professor McGonagall used her wand to knock on the table. "Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous course you'll have in your first year, so I don't want anyone causing disturbances in class. Otherwise, I will have them removed, and they won't be allowed back. I hope you all keep that in mind."

Saying that, she waved her hand and said, "Take a look at this." A glass cover flew over, containing a box with four frog legs.

"This was a mistake made by a young wizard in the past. He transfigured his pet frog into this state, and it can never be changed back. This serves as a good warning for students who don't understand the complexity and danger of transfiguration."

"You wouldn't want anything strange growing on your own body, would you?" Everyone nodded quickly, shivering inside. Kevin heard Ron mumbling to himself while patting the pocket in his robes, "Don't worry, I will never transfigure you into something like that."

That's right; cups and boxes are two completely different things. On the podium, Professor McGonagall officially began the lesson.

"Everyone, please turn to the first page of 'A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.' Today, we will discuss the fundamental principles of transfiguration." Kevin took out a pen and a notebook and cast a [Copying Charm] on the pen.

The pen immediately started scribbling down Professor McGonagall's lecture notes, making it a breeze. It was way more convenient than the Quick-Quotes Quill in this world. After all, the former was a simple 0-level cantrip, whereas the latter was an expensive magical item. Kevin suddenly thought that making a business out of a self-copying pen would be a fantastic idea.

Well, he'd better make a note of that for the future. Filled with curiosity about transfiguration, the students were engrossed in their lesson. They couldn't wait to start practising, but they soon realised it would take a long time to transfigure furniture into animals.

[You have listened to the introductory Transfiguration class, gaining a profound understanding of Transfiguration. Your proficiency in the Transfiguration school of magic has increased.]

[From Transfiguration, you have gained insight into the power of change, and you have comprehended the magical attributes of Bear's Resilience, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Eagle's Dignity, Fox's Cunning, and Owl's Wisdom.]

The above six magics are classic attribute enhancement spells in the Transfiguration school of magic, which can respectively enhance the recipient's durability, strength, agility, charm, perception, and intelligence.

After half an hour of theoretical class, Professor McGonagall began to assign tasks. The task was for young wizards to try to transfigure a matchstick into a needle. She distributed a matchstick to each student, and they began to experiment.

As all of them were new students with limited control over their magical powers, even with well-defined spells to guide them, their attempts were often uncooperative. Transfiguration, a magical discipline relying heavily on will and imagination, was particularly challenging.

The young wizards waved their wands at the matchsticks, but most of the matchsticks didn't budge, let alone transform. Of course, there were students whose matchsticks reacted differently, like...

"Sizzle!"

Kevin heard a faint explosion, followed by a strong smell of sulphur. Turning around, he saw that Simon Finnigan's matchstick had turned into a pile of ashes. Truly a pyrotechnic prodigy from the Harry Potter world.

However, this task was not enough to challenge Kevin, who had just enhanced his Transfiguration school talent. On his first try, Kevin turned the matchstick into a wooden needle, and on his second attempt, the wooden needle completely transformed into a metal needle, indistinguishable from a real one.

"Excellent. Very few young wizards can achieve this level in their first class. Five points to Ravenclaw," Professor McGonagall praised.

Kevin's performance surprised Professor McGonagall. While it was not uncommon for a young wizard to successfully complete a challenge during the first lesson, most of them came from wizarding families and had the opportunity to practise at home. However, she was well aware that Kevin was not one of them. He had only been introduced to the wizarding world this summer. From this perspective, his talent far exceeded her expectations.

"Mr. Green, why don't you demonstrate for everyone?"

The new students gazed at Kevin with great anticipation. Kevin remained calm and transfigured another matchstick into a large-headed pin. The flammable matchstick head had become a white, round pinhead. This scene elicited a round of applause.

Professor McGonagall became increasingly aware of the young wizard's talent. By the end of the class, besides Kevin, only Hermione Granger and two other Ravenclaw students had successfully achieved some transformation in their matchsticks.