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As the door to Professor McGonagall's office swung open, I was greeted by the sight of the stern, yet composed, Transfiguration professor seated behind her desk. The room was lined with bookshelves filled with tomes on various magical subjects, with a particular emphasis on Transfiguration. Her desk was neatly organized, with a quill poised over a parchment, likely her notes from the day's classes.

"Come in, Miss Targaryen," she said in her usual calm, authoritative tone, her eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to her work.

I stepped inside, the door closing quietly behind me as I approached her desk. There was something both reassuring and intimidating about being in her office. It was clear that McGonagall commanded respect, and despite the circumstances, I felt this might be an opportunity to gain her trust.

"Take a seat," she instructed, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk. I complied, sitting down and waiting as she finished her notes. The silence in the room was heavy but not uncomfortable. McGonagall was not one for small talk, and I knew better than to try and fill the silence with unnecessary chatter.

After a moment, she set her quill down and looked at me with her characteristic sharp gaze. "Miss Targaryen, I trust you understand why you're here."

"Yes, Professor," I replied, keeping my tone respectful.

"Good," she nodded. "While I admire your academic pursuits, wandering the castle at odd hours is not behavior I can condone. Rules are in place for a reason, especially for first-year students. You could have been caught by someone less forgiving than myself."

I nodded, knowing it was best to acknowledge my mistake. "I understand, Professor. I wasn't thinking about the consequences."

She studied me for a moment, her expression softening just slightly. "I'm glad you recognize that. However, I also understand that you are a curious and capable student, Miss Targaryen. I've seen your potential in Transfiguration, and I suspect there's more to your talents than what you've shown in class."

I hesitated for a moment before speaking, knowing this was the right time to bring up what I had been considering. "Professor, there is something I've been meaning to ask you about. I've been doing some independent study on Animagus magic, and I was hoping you might be able to help me better understand it."

McGonagall's eyebrows raised slightly, clearly intrigued by my request. "Animagus magic is a complex and advanced form of Transfiguration, Miss Targaryen. It's not something typically pursued by first-year students. May I ask why you're so interested?"

I chose my words carefully. "I've always been fascinated by Transfiguration, Professor, and the idea of transforming into an animal at will is something that intrigues me. I know it requires a deep understanding of both the human and animal forms, and I want to study it further—to explore what's possible."

McGonagall leaned back slightly in her chair, considering my request. "Becoming an Animagus is not without its risks, Miss Targaryen. It's a highly controlled branch of magic, and the process is both physically and mentally demanding. However, if you're serious about this, I would be willing to guide you—provided you understand the commitment it entails."

A spark of excitement lit within me, though I kept my expression composed. "I do, Professor. I'm willing to put in the work."

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Very well. We will begin with the basics, and I will assess your progress as we go. But be warned, Miss Targaryen, this is not a pursuit to be taken lightly."

"Thank you, Professor," I replied earnestly. "I appreciate your guidance."

McGonagall gave a small, approving smile. "Now, as for your detention, I believe some time spent organizing the Transfiguration classroom will be sufficient. Consider it an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the materials we will be working with."

I nodded, grateful for her willingness to mentor me. "Of course, Professor."

With that, she stood, indicating that our discussion was over for now. I followed her to the Transfiguration classroom, ready to serve my detention—and eager to begin my journey into the study of Animagus magic under the guidance of one of Hogwarts' most skilled Transfiguration experts.

As Professor McGonagall and I entered the Transfiguration classroom, the atmosphere was quiet, with only the faint sound of ticking from a nearby clock filling the room. The desks were neatly arranged, but the shelves at the back of the room were cluttered with various objects—candlesticks, quills, and even a few teacups—likely used for practicing Transfiguration spells.

"Your task for this evening, Miss Targaryen," McGonagall began, her voice calm and instructional, "is to organize these materials. Take care to place each item in its correct place. Pay attention to detail; precision is key in Transfiguration, as it is in everything we do."

I nodded, understanding the underlying message. This wasn't just about tidying up—it was an exercise in discipline, focus, and control. Qualities essential for any skilled witch or wizard, especially one interested in mastering something as complex as Animagus magic.

McGonagall watched me for a moment before taking a seat at her desk, where she began working on some parchment, likely grading assignments or preparing lessons. Her presence was reassuring, a reminder that despite this being a detention, it was also a learning opportunity.

I began by sorting through the cluttered shelf. There were various items that needed to be returned to their respective places. Some were simple to categorize—quills and inkpots went together, teacups and saucers in another section. But other objects required more thought, like the small brass scales or the peculiar assortment of glass beads, likely used for more intricate Transfiguration work.

As I worked, I allowed my mind to wander, thinking about the conversation I had just had with McGonagall. Her agreement to guide me in Animagus magic was significant, and I knew it was an opportunity few students were given, especially at such an early stage in their education.

Carefully, I placed a particularly delicate-looking quill in its holder, making sure it was positioned just right. The action reminded me of the precision required in Transfiguration—one wrong move, and you could end up with a half-transfigured object, or worse.

My thoughts drifted back to the Mirror of Erised and Dumbledore's subtle probing. Despite the challenges, I felt confident in my abilities to maintain control, both over my magic and over how much of myself I revealed to others. This confidence was crucial, especially in a place like Hogwarts, where so much was hidden beneath the surface.

As the shelves gradually became more organized, I found myself appreciating the quiet of the classroom. It was a different kind of peace than the solitude I usually sought in the library or the Room of Requirement. This was a productive stillness, one where I could feel myself growing, both in skill and understanding.

After what felt like an hour, I had finished organizing the shelves. Everything was in its place, neatly arranged and easy to find. I stepped back to survey my work, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

Professor McGonagall looked up from her desk, her eyes scanning the shelves before settling on me. She gave a small nod of approval. "Well done, Miss Targaryen. You've shown care and precision in your work, traits that will serve you well in your studies."

"Thank you, Professor," I replied, feeling a mix of satisfaction and anticipation for what was to come.

McGonagall stood and walked over to where I was standing, her expression thoughtful. "I must emphasize, Miss Targaryen, that the path you're choosing to pursue is not an easy one. The study of Animagus magic requires not just skill, but patience and resilience. There will be setbacks, and there will be moments when the work seems impossible. But if you remain committed, I believe you have the potential to succeed."

Her words were both a warning and an encouragement. I knew she wasn't one to offer praise lightly, and the fact that she saw potential in me meant a great deal.

"I understand, Professor," I said, meeting her gaze with determination. "I'm ready to work hard and learn."

"Good," she replied, her tone softening just a bit. "We will begin with the theoretical aspects of the transformation process. You'll need to understand the complexities of the human and animal forms, the magical principles that govern such transformations, and the dangers involved. Only once you've mastered the theory will we move on to practical application."

I nodded, already eager to begin. The thought of delving deep into such a challenging and fascinating subject excited me more than anything else I had studied so far.

"For now, you're free to go," McGonagall said, moving back toward her desk. "And Miss Targaryen, remember—discretion is important. Not all knowledge is meant to be shared openly."

"Of course, Professor," I replied, understanding the weight of her words.

With that, I gathered my things and left the classroom, feeling both the weight of the task ahead and the thrill of the journey I was about to embark on. This was just the beginning, and I knew that with Professor McGonagall's guidance, I could achieve things most students could only dream of.

As I lay in bed, rolling back and forth in an attempt to adjust to this unusually early bedtime, the familiar sound of the system's chime echoed in my mind. I paused, waiting for the list of rewards that always came with it. And then, one by one, the notifications began to scroll through my consciousness, each accompanied by a brief description of the reward.

**[You have entered the Room of Requirement: Apple juice]**

Apple juice? Out of everything, this seemed so mundane, so random. I chuckled to myself, wondering what the system was thinking. But as I reflected on it, my mouth felt a little dry. Maybe this simple gift was more fitting than I initially thought. After all, sometimes, it's the little things that matter. I reached for the juice that materialized next to me and took a sip, the sweet taste refreshing and oddly satisfying.

**[You encounter Dumbledore for the first time face to face: Knowledge about swordsmanship]**

Now this was intriguing. Swordsmanship? It wasn't exactly something I had been pursuing, but as I replayed my encounter with Dumbledore in my mind, the idea of mastering such a skill began to appeal to me. It was a fitting counterbalance to my magic—a more physical, disciplined art that could be useful in unexpected ways.

**[Dumbledore is confused as to why he couldn't read your mind: A necklace bearing the Targaryen symbol]**

A necklace, emblazoned with the Targaryen sigil, appeared in my hand. This, I realized, could be a powerful symbol to strengthen my fabricated lineage. It wasn't necessary, but it would certainly add an air of authenticity to my claims. As I fingered the intricately carved dragon, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of how this could further my goals.

**[Professors are wary and curious about you: Knowledge about how to speak High Valyrian]**

High Valyrian. A dead language in this world, yet one with a certain power and mystique. Perhaps this knowledge would be useful, maybe even essential, in cementing the mythos around my Targaryen identity. Or maybe it would just be a fun trick to confuse people. Either way, it was mine now.

**[McGonagall is considering taking you under her wing: Cube of Desire: Once summoned, the host and their target are swiped inside. Whatever the host desires will materialize inside.]**

This was the most curious of all. A "Cube of Desire"? The implications of such a tool were vast. It wasn't just a means of fulfilling my wishes; it was a way to manipulate others into seeing things my way. I would have to use this with great caution. The power it held could easily mark me as dangerous in the eyes of those around me.

**[You have entered the Slug Club: X-Playing Card: Name Agent S_/ Create up to four copies of yourself, all of which can act as the main body]**

This final gift was a game-changer. The ability to create copies of myself, each one capable of acting independently as if they were me. This was more than just convenience; it was a strategic advantage. I could be in multiple places at once, learn more, and experiment without the constraints of time. It was the ultimate tool for someone as driven and curious as I was.

As I considered each gift, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The system had once again provided me with tools that could propel my plans forward. Some of these gifts, like the apple juice, seemed almost trivial at first, but they all had their place. And with the X-Playing Card in my arsenal, the possibilities were endless. I could push my experiments, my studies, and my plans to new heights.

But with great power came great responsibility. I would need to tread carefully, especially with gifts like the Cube of Desire and the X-Playing Card. Used improperly, they could easily draw unwanted attention or paint me as a threat. For now, though, I would rest. Tomorrow, I would begin to explore the true potential of these gifts, starting with the ones that could help me navigate the complexities of Hogwarts—and its ever-watchful Headmaster—without raising suspicion.

The following day, I initiated my updated plan, ensuring that everything was set in motion. I attended my classes as usual, but my mind was already plotting for the evening's task. As the final class of the day wrapped up, I made my way over to Potter. He was, as expected, surrounded by his friends, the usual group of marauders who were never too far from each other.

"Potter," I called out, catching his attention.

He looked up, a mischievous grin already forming as if he expected me to say something snarky. "Targaryen, what can I do for you?"

I ignored his teasing tone. "I need your Invisibility Cloak. Just for one night."

Potter raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also wary. "And why would I just hand it over to you?"

"Because I have something important to take care of," I said, my tone even and serious. "It's not a prank or anything like that. I just need to be somewhere without being seen. I'll give it back tomorrow."

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "And what exactly do you need to do that requires my cloak? You're not going to get me in trouble, are you?"

"No," I replied, giving him a steady look. "But it's not something I can tell you about. Trust me, though—it's nothing that will cause you any problems."

He hesitated, glancing at his friends as if seeking their input, but they remained silent, watching the exchange. After a few seconds, he sighed. "Fine, but I have one condition—you let me come with you."

I had expected this, but it wasn't part of my plan. "That won't work, Potter. I need to do this alone."

He frowned, clearly not liking the answer. "Why should I trust you with it then? For all I know, you could be—"

"James," I interrupted, using his first name for effect, "if I wanted to cause trouble, I wouldn't need your cloak to do it. This is personal. Let me borrow it just this once."

He studied me for a moment longer, clearly torn between curiosity and concern. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, he handed the cloak over. "Fine. But if you're not back with it by morning, I'll come looking for you."

"Deal," I said, taking the cloak and turning to leave.

"Don't make me regret this, Targaryen," he called after me, still sounding a bit annoyed.

I simply waved without turning back, already focused on the night ahead.

---

As night fell, I retrieved the cloak from my inventory and stood in the Room of Requirement, ready to activate my newly acquired X-Playing Card. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the chance to expand my reach within Hogwarts and to fully utilize the gifts from the system.

"Play... Agent S," I whispered, activating the card.

A moment later, the gloves appeared on my hands, and before me, three identical versions of myself materialized, each one looking just as determined as I felt. We exchanged nods, understanding our roles without the need for words.

One clone would remain behind to fulfill my duties as a top student, attending classes and maintaining the facade of normalcy. The other three would carry out the real work—work that required the cover of night and the cloak of invisibility.

I handed the cloak to one of the clones, and the three of us slipped beneath it, disappearing from sight as we made our way towards the Room of Requirement. It was a strange sensation, knowing that I was in multiple places at once, but also liberating. The possibilities were endless.

As we moved through the castle, I couldn't help but experiment with the card's abilities. I quickly noticed that while the clones were perfect copies in every way, the wand did not replicate. It was a minor inconvenience, but one that I swiftly adapted to. The solution was simple: the wand would be passed between the clones as needed. During the day, the wand would remain with the clone attending classes, ensuring that my magical abilities weren't questioned. At night, the wand would transfer to the clone conducting magical experiments in the Room of Requirement.

The other two clones had their own specific tasks—one focused on Transfiguration and Charms theories, while the other trained in my time loop ability. Each clone was vital to the plan, ensuring that every aspect of my magical development was covered. And thanks to the shared inventory, even simple needs like food were easily managed. The clone attending classes would discreetly store food in the inventory, allowing the others to eat without wasting time searching for sustenance.

From this night onward, there would be four of me, each working tirelessly to push my goals forward. The system had given me a gift beyond anything I could have imagined, and I intended to use it to its fullest potential. The world may have only seen one Hecate Targaryen, but now there were four—each one a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

------

As Hecate walked away with the Invisibility Cloak, James Potter watched her go, a mix of frustration and curiosity on his face. He turned back to his friends, who had been silently observing the exchange.

Sirius Black was the first to break the silence. "You actually gave it to her? Just like that?"

James shrugged, still looking in the direction Hecate had gone. "I didn't really have much of a choice, did I? She wasn't going to take no for an answer."

"Still," Remus Lupin chimed in, his voice thoughtful, "it's not like her to ask for something like that. She's always so independent. I wonder what she's up to."

"Whatever it is," Sirius added, a grin forming on his lips, "it's gotta be something interesting. She doesn't strike me as the type to sneak around without a good reason."

Peter Pettigrew, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up nervously. "You don't think she's... you know, planning something dangerous, do you?"

James shook his head, a slight smirk on his face. "Hecate's smart. She knows what she's doing. Besides, I'll get it back tomorrow. She's not going to run off with it."

"Maybe," Sirius said, leaning back against the wall, "but I've got a feeling she's not just sneaking into the kitchens for a midnight snack. There's more to this."

Remus nodded in agreement. "We should keep an eye on her. She's been attracting a lot of attention lately, not just from us."

James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I know. But whatever she's up to, we'll find out eventually. For now, let's just see what happens."

Sirius' grin widened. "And if it turns out to be something fun, maybe we'll join in."

James chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, maybe we will."

With that, the group of friends exchanged knowing looks, already planning how they might uncover Hecate's latest scheme. James couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and wariness towards her. She was an enigma, but one thing was certain—life at Hogwarts was never dull when she was around.