Battle Transfiguration?

Thursday November 17 1:15pm.

"As you can see Mr. Potter, there are plenty of options outside of the spells and hexes you learn in Defence Against the Dark Arts in a duel or fight. I am sure Filius has been showing you some such examples in your training sessions with him, but for the next little while I will be focuses simply on how it is possible to integrate transfiguration into combat. Battle transfiguration as your father called it." Professor McGonagall explained to Harry as the sheep she had transfigured out of the empty classroom's chairs continued to circle the student.

Harry was trapped as six sheep hedged him in, not allowing him to move in any direction. The professor had caught him of guard when she transfigured some quills into birds that started divebombing his head. Before he could get rid of the pesky birds, she had made the sheep and penned him in. The irony of that was not lost on him. "Do you always use sheep Professor?" Despite getting caught so easily he was still in a good mood as it was an interesting way to surprise your opponent that he had never even considered before.

"Actually horses are my preferred animal, but they are larger so take longer to transfigure, and also tend to bruise the person they surround, or tramp on his feet. Your father used stags, I guess I know why now, which had the added benefit of antlers for prodding your adversary. I have also been known to use dogs, which can nip at the person, or bite their wand arm which has caused more than one individual to drop it. While this tactic is not the most aggressive, it is great for delaying your opponent, and many Aurors use their own variety on low risk, non-violent targets." She directs all the animals back to their originating locations before reverting them to normal. "We will start with practicing the incarnation for the doves, and when I am comfortable with your precision we will fork on the speed. If we can make enough progress to get to the point where I am happy with both we will move on to sheep."

The next forty minutes were ideal in Harry's opinion. It was all practical, with none of the stupid theory that took up so much time to learn. He understood the reason why it was taught, and that it was important to understand why it worked as it did, but to Harry at the end of the day he only wanted to know how to do it and how to undo it. He of course would not be telling Hermione that because the shock may actually kill her. She wouldn't understand not wanting to know every minute detail about the spell, whatever spell it was.

When Harry could transfigure 3 birds and get them all attacking a chosen target in under 5 seconds McGonagall let him rest. "Very good Mr. Potter! While you do not have the natural affinity to transfiguration that your father did, you are a very skilled caster which more than makes up for the lack of theoretical understanding you have. I have another half hour or so spare so will teach you how to configure sheep." She then proceeded to do that. Not having to go into much detail on the theory Minerva was able to proceed much quicker in the lesson then she thought was possible. By the end of their time together Harry was able to distract his opponent with the birds and then get three sheep circling them in a minute flat, faster then many students at the start of their NEWT year would be able to.

"Excellent effort today Mr. Potter! Your parents would be very proud. If you would be able to come to my office after dinner tonight we will go over the animagus incantation in more detail, and you will practice it. It will not be tonight that you will attempt to become one, as a word of warning, this will be simply preparation." She guided him to the door and exit with him, separating as they both went different directions towards their next class. "Oh and before I forget, thank you for attending your classes yesterday and this morning Mr. Potter."

That stopped Harry dead in his tracks. "Um, Professor, how did you know I went to classes?" Harry didn't think the staff would discuss something as boring as attendance.

"I am your Head of House Mr. Potter. I am kept up to date on the attendance records of all Gryffindor's." She turned and continued on her way so that her pupil would not see the smirk on her face at Harry's shocked expression. Students could be such fun to tease.

/

Friday November 18 7:42am.

By the time of your fourth year the arrival of the owls at breakfast in the mourning had lost it wonder, unless you were expecting a letter or parcel of course. As such Harry didn't even notice the owl until it landed right in front of him. Taking the letter off of its leg he gave the owl a piece of bacon before reading the message.

Mr. Potter.

Several interesting developments have arisen that we believe you will want to deal with sooner rather than later, as such a meeting with us and your Gringotts representative has been set for tomorrow mourning at 9:30. If this time does not suit you please inform us immediately as to when you would prefer the meeting to occur. If this time is acceptable please meet us there. We will discuss other important developments after our meeting with the goblins.

With regards,

A.O.

After reading the message twice, Harry scribbled a response on the bottom of the note and tied it back to the leg of the owl who had originally delivered it. The owl grasped the offered galleon in its talons before taking to the sky with Harry's affirmation to the time and place of the meeting. Looking at his watch, Harry decided to head to class early as it was Care with Hagrid and the young Gryffindor was looking forward to talking with his friend.

/

Friday November 18 7:07 pm.

Harry was running a little late so opened the classroom door without knocking as he usually would, and therefore was completely caught of guard when it wasn't the professor he was meant to be meeting waiting in the room. "Sorry professor Flitwick. I was told meet professor McGonagall here, would you be able to direct me to her whereabouts?"

"Ah Mr. Potter there you are, I was starting to wonder if you were not going to show this evening. Minerva asked me to help with training this evening as it has been a fair few years since she actually put into practice the stuff she is teaching you. I, however, still partake in the odd casual duel or tournament during the summer while I have plenty of spare time on my hands so can be of assistance. Hopefully." The diminutive professor seems excited for the evening, and Harry got the distinct feeling that there weren't as many summer tournaments as he would like.

"What is the plan of attack then Sir?" The young Gryffindor didn't want to waste time, especially given how nice the professors were being offering up so much of their free time to help him. He also was very aware of the looming first task.

"Well I thought we could start with you showing me what Minerva taught you yesterday and when she arrives we will continue from there." The charms professors excitement just continued to grow.

Harry looked around before pointing out a table on the other side of the room. "Should that be my target?"

"No, no Mr. Potter. You have to practice on a live target. In this instance that target will be me." Flitwick seemed to gain a lot of enjoyment from Harry's shock at having to target a teacher.

Taking a second to centre himself, Harry let out the string of incantations that would lead to the professor being trapped in a ring of sheep. To the teens consternation the part-goblin did nothing until Harry was finished and then simply vanished everything.

"Very good Mr. Potter. Very good indeed. And Minerva only taught you this yesterday? In a few weeks or months you will be incredibly quick with that, you are respectably fast as is. A simply distraction tactic that can pay off well. I can't wait to see your own personal flair on it in a few years time. A great start! I wonder what Minerva plans for tonight?" Filius seemed quite excited about Harry's wand work, even though it had not proved difficult for him to escape.

"Defence, Filius, defence. Transfiguration is a superb skill to have in your defensive arsenal. Shield charms are great, but they can break, and there are some spells which even the strongest shields can't block. A wall of steel, or marble, will stop even the killing curse. A wall however takes time to erect, time that you may not have with a killing curse flung your way, but there are shortcuts. A block of marble in the right place can be as effective as a whole wall. Marble will be above you at your level, but we can start with wood today." McGonagall finished off her long-winded introduction with a smile at the student.

The two professors spent an hour making sure Harry could first produce a small wooded wall, one plank thick, and then a solid block of wood. When they were satisfied with his speed and strength of the transfigured wood they decided to up the ante. They pair took turns casting different hexes and charms at the student, while he had to decide if the wall or block was the right defensive move.

"I think that will suffice for the evening Mr. Potter. Half an hour of consistent spell fire from two individuals and you were only tagged three times. I believe I owe you a bottle of firewhiskey Filius as per our arrangement. I still can't believe I didn't tag him once. Good night Mr. Potter, I will see you tomorrow afternoon as we decided last night. I am looking forward to seeing what your animagus form is Harry." With a final wave at her pupil, Minerva and Filius sat down at the desk to catch up.