Chapter 74

"Now before you children scurry off to your next lesson, I will issue some homework that must be handed in to me at the start of the lesson. And no, you will not get an extension if your dragon eats it. And yes, it contributes towards your final grades this year," Professor McGonagall said as she walked towards the podium. "Your homework is to read about Gamps' Basic Law of Transfiguration and write me a five-page summary about your findings." And no, you cannot use the essay mill inside Hogwarts to do it. And yes, I will make sure you see your homework again and make sure it doesn't vanish out of existence."

"Before I forget, I will need you all to have turned a matchstick into a needle and vice versa. We will finally move on to more complex inanimate-to-inanimate transfiguration next week. If by Monday you have not done it, I will set up an extra class so you can receive the help you need," Professor McGonagall said as the class relaxed. "With Professor Snape and the children from Slytherin. And just so you know, Professor Snape hates for his time to be wasted. So I highly recommend those of you to whom this may apply to practise over the weekend."

As soon as Professor McGonagall mentioned that Professor Snape would lead that class, they flew into panic. They had already witnessed Professor Snape in action, and imagining him somewhere he didn't want to be alongside children made their spines shiver.

The students had come to a realisation: the number of classes at Hogwarts was overwhelming, leaving little time for leisure and relaxation. Magic requires relentless practise and dedication, leaving most feeling a tinge of regret. Why hadn't they devoted more time to their studies in the previous week?

But amidst the sea of worried faces, there was one exception—a figure engrossed in organising his books. Albert stood out as the epitome of ease among his peers. He had completed his homework and even nailed down Transfiguration, outshining his classmates. He had no worries about being locked up inside because of unfinished homework.

While the majority struggled to find free time within the castle's walls, Albert seemed to possess a surplus. He revelled in exploring Hogwarts, capturing its enchanting beauty in photographs that he then sent to his family.

Lee, Fred, and George, noticing Albert's leisurely demeanour, turned their heads in unison, their gazes fixed on the young wizard packing his books. Albert's ability to effortlessly manage his workload intrigued them. In a school filled with anxious students, he stood as an oasis of calm.

"What should we do?" Lee Jordan fretted, running a hand through his hair, his face etched with anxiety.

"What can we do?" Albert slung his backpack over his shoulder and led the group out of the Transfiguration classroom.

"Homework!" Fred lamented, realising the enormity of the task ahead.

Seizing the opportunity, Albert teasingly withdrew a parchment from his bag and prepared to read out his assignments to the three friends. However, before he could utter a word, George snatched the parchment from his grasp, his expression wilting upon scanning the many rows of written tasks to be completed. The sheer volume overwhelmed him, as if he were sinking into a quagmire of never-ending homework.

Fred and Lee Jordan leaned in, their faces mirroring George's despondency. Albert couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement rise within him. "We can go to the library later," he suggested.

"But..." Fred's voice trailed off; his words were tinged with awkwardness. "Could you lend us your homework to cop...?"

"For reference," George interjected, his hand covering Fred's mouth while he completed the sentence on his behalf.

"Reference?" Albert arched an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"Yes, reference," they chorused.

"Sorry, I can't. I already have plans," Albert said.

Albert proposed an afternoon tea with Hagrid, inviting his friends.

"Don't change the subject," Fred playfully scolded, resting his hand on Albert's shoulder. "You can't leave us behind while you enjoy your time alone. I'll go if Hagrid's doesn't bake his famous rock cakes."

"Forget about rock cakes. You're better off joining us at the library later. You can work on whatever you need to do as well," George chimed in, mirroring Fred's gesture.

"Yeah, join us! I'll help you with your backpack," Lee Jordan offered, sporting a wide grin as he led the way to the library, Albert's bag in hand.

As they entered the bustling library, they discovered a multitude of students engrossed in their own academic pursuits. Finding a quiet corner, they settled down to tackle their respective assignments.

"The homework is quite simple. Once we get to the library, I'll show you a few books, and you can extract the key points. It's all about organising and summarising," Albert explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

The three friends were momentarily speechless, their scepticism melting away as his words settled in their minds. It kind of made sense.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the quartet continued their homework endeavour. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan embarked on their essays for the Charms, guided by Albert's help. They perused books like "The Achievement of the Famous Spell Creators" and "Charms Created: Eighteenth Century Edition," efficiently copying the relevant content onto parchment. What seemed like a daunting task became manageable thanks to Albert's guidance.

As the evening wore on, the ink drying on their parchments, Albert surveyed the progress made by his friends. They had successfully conquered the Luminous Charm essay, their confidence boosted by the realisation that they could achieve their academic goals. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan marvelled at Albert's efficiency, noting how he completed his Transfiguration homework in record time.

"And you did all this without even looking up!" Fred exclaimed, astounded by Albert's continuous scribbling.

"What else can I do?" Albert retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Professor McGonagall tasked us with summarising Gamp's Basic Law of Transfiguration. I had to learn about it before the Transfiguration Club's first session."

Albert's efficiency continued to astound his friends. Within half an hour, he had completed his Transfiguration homework, leaving his companions marvelling at his seemingly endless stream of ideas. He observed them struggling to compose their essays, and the thought crossed his mind that his presence alone could significantly boost their productivity.

With a smirk, he suggested, "You'd better write something original."

"Original?" they echoed in disbelief.

"Write about the challenges you encountered while learning the spells, how you overcame them, and what to watch out for," Albert clarified. "Draw from your own experiences; you won't run out of things to write about."

They took his advice to heart, focusing on personal anecdotes that could lend authenticity to their essays. With Albert's guidance, the daunting task of completing their assignments transformed into an achievable feat.

As the evening drew to a close, the quartet felt a renewed sense of accomplishment. Content with their progress, the group bid farewell to the library, ready to explore other avenues of relaxation.