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Chapter 13: Transfiguration

Wade had assumed that with proper guidance, mastering most spells would be straightforward, but reality proved otherwise. Magical proficiency ultimately hinges on innate talent.

Simple spells like cleaning and repairing didn't show much variation when cast by multiple people. However, as the spells grew more complex, Theo encountered difficulties. Despite practicing the levitation spell over a dozen times, his results remained inconsistent. Ryan and Michael fared better but had their occasional missteps, while Hermione managed success once but struggled with heavier objects.

For students newly initiated into magic, even successfully mastering a simple spell brought immense satisfaction. As they walked towards the Great Hall for dinner, Michael continued to boast to Theo, "Did you see my last repair spell? Flawless! The chandelier looked just like new! Bright as if it had just been hung!"

Ryan, still murmuring and waving his wand, inadvertently set sparks flying from its tip, nearly singeing Hermione's hair.

"Oh, please! Don't aim your wand at people," Hermione chided, then asked eagerly, "What are you practicing?"

Her expression seemed to invite inquiry.

"The levitation spell," Ryan replied calmly, understanding the girl's eagerness despite her commanding tone.

"But you did it just now!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ryan shook his head. "It never feels quite right."

Arriving at the Great Hall, the sumptuous aroma of dinner greeted them, reminding everyone of their hunger.

Theo muttered, "Merlin! I could eat a whole cow right now!"

---

The sense of achievement in mastering a spell was rewarding, yet the effort was demanding. After dinner, Michael eagerly left the study group to meet Terry, his dorm mate, for a game of Gobstones in the courtyard. Hermione and the others returned to the common room for homework, while Wade took advantage of the library's late hours to borrow two books he'd been eyeing since noon.

Earlier that afternoon, they had cleaned the practice room, repaired tables and chairs, and arranged them along the walls. The empty cabinet was repurposed as a bookshelf. Wade lit a lamp, stowed away his ink and quill, the distant laughter of young wizards faintly drifting through the window as he immersed himself in reading.

*Magical Theory* — "Manipulating the deepest secrets at will — the fount of life, the essence of self — comes with the gravest and most perilous consequences."

*Analysis of Basic Spell Mechanisms* — "Magic is the embodiment of a wizard's will."

Young wizards often gravitated towards flashy spells, craving power or seeking to impress friends. They preferred learning two charms like "Incendio" over delving into dry, arcane texts like *Magical Theory*.

But Wade differed. Perhaps due to habits from his previous life, where teachers emphasized understanding principles over memorization, he thrived on grasping the why behind the what. It liberated him from rote learning and equipped him to tackle new challenges efficiently.

Understanding the 'what' was important, but understanding 'why' was essential.

This approach had made Wade a 'study god' in his previous life — rising early, playing sports, and still outperforming peers who struggled under academic pressure.

Wade maintained these habits in his new life. Whether science or magic, golden finger or not, he believed a solid foundation was invaluable to learning.

---

Defense Against the Dark Arts proved more disappointing than anticipated.

Wade had heard Professor Quirrell, an erstwhile Ravenclaw renowned for his Muggle Studies, was intelligent, young, handsome, and popular among students despite hosting Voldemort on his head. Wade expected some residual wisdom despite the parasite.

However, reality proved disappointing. Quirrell stuck rigidly to his script, his words confusing and voice unclear. From afar, his garlic-infused breath irritated nearby Slytherins even through masks.

Empathy helped Wade understand Quirrell's predicament. No one with an evil soul parasite would prioritize lesson planning. Yet understanding didn't equate to acceptance. During the second Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Wade sat at the back, engrossed in self-study.

---

"Transfiguration is the most intricate and potentially hazardous subject in Hogwarts' curriculum. Misbehavior will result in immediate expulsion!"

Professor McGonagall's stern warning echoed through the Transfiguration classroom. With a flick of her wand, she transfigured a desk into a pig and back, mesmerizing her students.

"Transfiguration epitomizes elegance in magic. To understand it, you must first grasp Gamp's Law of Transfiguration... Take notes, students! Don't be daft."

"—Before casting a Transfiguration spell, visualize clearly what you want the object to become—no distractions. Chaotic thoughts will lead to failure, as history illustrates..."

"Firm and decisive wand movement is crucial... Skilled wizards can transfigure without uttering a spell..."

"Incomplete transfiguration is reckless and perilous, especially with living beings. It involves three principles... Should a transfiguration fail, promptly revert it using *Reparifarge*. Practice with me now—"

Wade filled parchment with notes and practiced *Reparifarge* several times before Professor McGonagall instructed them to begin transfiguring. She distributed matches, instructing them to transform them into needles. Some students recited spells loudly, jabbing their matches without success.

Wade hesitated. A passage from a book he read yesterday flashed in his mind — magic is the embodiment of a wizard's will.