14

Chapter 14: Charms

Magic, the power to fulfill desires, finds its quintessential expression in Transfiguration.

Many students believed unsuccessful transformations stemmed from unclear spells or indecisive wand movements. However, when Professor McGonagall effortlessly transfigured a table into a pig with a simple tap of her wand, their assumptions were challenged.

Wade lifted his wand and aimed at the matchstick.

Clear visualization in mind;

Unwavering faith;

Absolute confidence.

If the concept of 'needle' wavered in one's mind, or thoughts like 'This is too difficult', 'Can magic really do this?', 'I can't do it', 'I'll fail for sure...' clouded the mind, success became elusive.

The wand acted as a conduit for the wizard's magical energy, enhancing focus and alignment, while incantations, gestures, or rituals reinforced beliefs and self-hypnosis.

A proficient wizard could reshape reality according to their will, without the need for extraneous theatrics.

"Excellent, Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall praised suddenly. "Clear transformation. Gryffindor earns another point."

Curious students craned their necks to see Hermione's handiwork. Her match had not only sharpened to a fine point but also gleamed silvery-white, resembling a needle.

Hermione struggled to contain her excitement, her eyes sparkling.

"Miss Granger, would you care to demonstrate the transformation process for the class?" Professor McGonagall suggested, interrupted by exclamations from the students nearby.

Wade's match elongated suddenly, its end narrowing into fine holes, its surface gleaming with a metallic sheen.

Professor McGonagall hurried over, levitated the needle with her wand, and examined it closely, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "Perfect transformation. Three points to Ravenclaw!"

After reverting the needle to its original form, she gathered the students to witness Wade's demonstration. Amidst their gaze, Wade murmured a spell softly and tapped his wand —

The match stretched and changed color swiftly, forming into a slender silver needle on the table in an instant.

A chorus of "Wow" echoed in response.

Wade glanced up, catching Hermione's somewhat begrudging expression before meeting a pair of green eyes.

The messy-haired boy smiled warmly, surprise and admiration evident in his eyes, while the red-haired freckled boy beside him wore a goofy grin.

"They say Ravenclaws are the brightest," Ron commented to Harry after class. "Now I get it a bit better."

---

Following Transfiguration class, Charms awaited, with a mere ten-minute interval to change classrooms. After Professor McGonagall assigned homework, students hurriedly made their way to the Charms classroom amid a flurry of excited chatter — the divide between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor still evident.

"Hermione," disregarding inter-house distinctions, Hermione seated herself beside Wade and inquired, "Do you have plans after class?"

"Preparing for practice in the common room," Wade replied.

"Great," Hermione sighed in relief. "I was thinking of heading there to continue practicing Transfiguration. Any tips from your success?"

"For me, believing you can achieve it is crucial," Wade began.

Before Wade could elaborate, Professor Flitwick entered the room.

Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor and Ravenclaw House Head, stood at merely one meter in height, appearing akin to a three or four-year-old child with long white hair and a fluffy beard. To ensure visibility to students taller than him when seated, he perched upon a stack of thick books that formed makeshift steps on his desk.

Some students couldn't help but chuckle.

"All right, all right, everyone," Professor Flitwick waved his short wand. "You may be wondering why a diminutive teacher like me is here to teach you."

His self-deprecating humor elicited laughter from the students, indicating they appreciated his lightheartedness.

"—Or, more importantly, what can I teach you?"

With a flourish of his wand, a flock of birds soared out and circled overhead. Another flick, and two books sprouted arms and legs like bamboo branches, floating in the air and performing a graceful dance.

The students applauded, won over in just two minutes. Unlike the timid Quirrell, the tedious Professor Binns, or the stern figures of McGonagall and Snape, Professor Flitwick charmed them with his confidence. Ravenclaws couldn't help but swell with pride — their Head of House was, undoubtedly, Hogwarts' finest professor!

"Thank you! Thank you for your applause," Professor Flitwick acknowledged with a gentle smile. "I find Charms the most delightful subject. A wizard incapable of Charms isn't truly a wizard. Of course, before we begin, I'd like to take attendance and get to know my lovely students—"

Professor Flitwick proceeded through the roll call smoothly until—

"Harry Potter!"

Without waiting for a response, the professor let out a yelp and tumbled from his perch of books with a thud.

Students exchanged bewildered glances, many directing their gaze towards the black-haired boy. Harry Potter raised his hand hesitantly and called out to the empty stack of books, "I'm here, Professor."

There was a muffled groan from behind the pile of books. Eventually, Professor Flitwick emerged, adjusting his disheveled beard, muttering, "Ah, yes, of course — of course you'd be in my class as well — I should've known—"

The elderly professor smoothed his beard, performed a quick *Tergeo* on himself, then beamed at Harry. "Lovely to have you here, my boy."

Harry nodded shyly, returning the smile.

Wade wondered if Professor Flitwick glimpsed something more in Harry Potter. After a pause, the roll call continued.

Their first spell of the class, naturally, commenced with theory. They learned the simplest charm, *Lumos*, a spell easily mastered with practice before the start of term. By class's end, every student had successfully illuminated their wand tips. Professor Flitwick generously awarded similar marks to both houses and assigned minimal homework — a three-inch essay, primarily summarizing the day's lessons. Should Wade be a touch lazy and submit notes taken during class, it would likely suffice.