Chapter 17

Time was passing faster than I had expected, and before I knew it, the bachelor's exam was upon me. Confident in my preparation, I felt ready for the challenge. I had already swapped my warm cloak for lighter clothing, packing it away deep in my bag, as the weather had become noticeably warmer, though it wasn't quite summer yet.

I was heading out alone since both the headmaster and Professor McGonagall were too busy to join me. The headmaster was dealing with the aftermath of the battle with the coven of Dark Wizards—a major event that was making headlines worldwide. In the Muggle world, however, it was as if nothing had happened, and an entire city hadn't been erased from existence.

Dumbledore was preoccupied with meetings, interviews, and various other responsibilities. Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, was juggling three roles—headmaster, deputy headmaster, and Transfiguration professor. She wasn't focusing much on our house, trusting us to manage ourselves.

To support her, I took on the responsibility of teaching the first, second, and third-year students. Initially, they were a bit surprised and tried to test my authority, but after I set clear rules, expectations, and consequences, they settled down. From there, it was straightforward: lecture, practice, homework, and repeat.

Lost in thought, I found myself on the road leading to the village, where I would Apparate to Diagon Alley and head to the Transfiguration Guild. I had canceled today's lesson on Spatial Magic with Isolde and Dorsani, needing to take the exam first before continuing to teach her this skill.

Once I stepped beyond the anti-Apparition barrier surrounding the school, I felt a slight spatial disturbance. From there, it was all about technique: visualize the destination, twist, and transport myself there with focused intent.

With a faint pop, I materialized in a small, cluttered alley—a hidden corner of Diagon Alley often used by wizards when no other Apparition points are available.

I stepped out onto the main street and made my way directly to the guild. With all my documents in hand, I felt prepared and confident. The guild building hadn't changed since my last visit; it was still the same grand and magical structure, designed to awe anyone who entered.

An old man sat at the registration desk, giving me a scrutinizing, cold look as I approached.

"What brings you here today?" he asked.

"I'm here for the bachelor's exam," I replied.

"Please provide your documents," he said, his expression remaining unchanged. I briefly considered using Legilimency to gauge his emotions but decided against it. Knowing his feelings wouldn't offer me any real advantage.

"Here you go," I said, handing him a small folder containing my registration documents.

He quickly reviewed them and nodded.

"Thank you," he said. "Please proceed to the second floor using the stairs behind that column."

I followed his gaze and noticed the stairs, which I hadn't seen before.

"Thank you," I said, grateful for his clear directions.

I quickly ascended the stairs to the second floor and immediately spotted a small group of about twenty wizards and witches gathered in front of another desk, similar to the one downstairs. Some were chatting about unrelated topics, others were reading notes, while a few simply sat with their eyes closed.

"Excuse me," I said to an elderly wizard nearby.

"Bugger off bozo," he snapped. "You're in my way."

I raised my hands to show I meant no harm and stepped back. His aggression was surprising, but I wasn't bothered. As the saying goes, the world is round—we might cross paths again.

I then approached the desk where a wizard and a witch were seated, engaged in conversation.

"Excuse me," I interrupted. "Is this where I register for the bachelor's exam?"

"Yes," the witch replied lazily. "Your documents, please."

I handed her the documents. The witch quickly scanned them before pulling out a list, finding my name, and placing a checkmark in a small box.

"Wait here," she instructed. "You'll all be called into the exam room soon."

"Thank you."

I stepped aside and began observing the other wizards with interest. The first thing I noticed was that no one appeared to be under thirty. This made sense and aligned with the statistics I knew. Most wizards earn the rank of apprentice between the ages of twenty-four and twenty-six, and it usually takes about five more years of study to reach the next rank—many don't pass on their first attempt.

Some of the wizards were already acquainted, while others kept to themselves. No one paid much attention to me, though I did catch a few mocking glances. It was clear they thought I was inexperienced, trying to break into the big leagues. But their opinions didn't bother me.

After half an hour, a door appeared in the wall and slowly opened. A wizard in a black cloak with faint white stripes, small glasses perched on his nose, and a cold, slightly disdainful expression stepped out.

"Candidates for the bachelor's degree, please come inside," he said in a calm, slightly detached tone, stepping aside to allow the group to enter the spacious room. Inside, tables were set up, each with question sheets on them.

Without rushing, I took one of the last available seats. The others continued to chat among themselves, but their conversations were quieter and less bold. I glanced at the examiners, but none of the wizards were familiar to me. They, too, wore bored expressions, revealing little.

"We will begin now," announced the wizard who had let us in. "Many of you are already familiar with the bachelor's exam process, but for those who are new, I'll explain. First, you will have three hours to complete the theoretical portion. After that, you will be called one by one for the practical exam. These esteemed wizards will serve as your practical examiners."

He gestured toward the wizards with blank expressions.

"Your results, and your rings if you pass, will be available two hours after the practical exam," he continued. "Any questions? No? Then, begin."

He spoke so quickly that no one had a chance to ask anything, even if they had wanted to. I didn't have any questions myself, so I started on the theoretical exam. Answering the questions was surprisingly easy. All the topics were familiar to me. Spells, formulas, diagrams, and long-form answers came to me effortlessly, which was somewhat surprising.

Confident in my knowledge, I focused on providing the most detailed responses to the long-form questions. When a diagram was needed, I drew it, ensuring all the necessary information was included.

I finished in two hours, which seemed to catch the attention of the examiners.

"Are you done with the theory?" the wizard conducting the exam asked quietly, careful not to disturb the others. Let's just say... some of them looked incredibly stressed.

"Yes," I replied, just as quietly.

"Then how about we move on to the practical part?" the wizard suggested.

"I don't mind," I nodded.

He approached the table where the practical examiners sat. After a brief conversation, during which he nodded in my direction, he waited for their response. The wizards discussed it for about a minute, then nodded. The exam proctor returned to me.

"They're ready to conduct the practical part," he said. "Take your papers."

He nodded toward the theoretical sheets where I had written my answers. I had no choice but to follow his instructions. I felt the angry gaze of the aggressive old man on me, but I simply ignored it. Maybe that anger is why he can't advance in ranks?

Two wizards from the practical examiners got up and gestured for me to follow them into a separate room just behind a door in the hall. Once the door closed behind me, I was ready for almost any question.

"My name is Jesse Corridon, Master of Transfiguration," one of the examiners introduced himself.

"And I'm William Walgren," the second introduced himself, adding, "also a Master of Transfiguration."

"Timothy Jody," I responded.

"Ah, so you're the youngest apprentice in England," Jesse mused. "An impressive achievement at such a young age."

"Thank you," I nodded. These wizards seemed friendlier than the examinees.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has trained you well," the wizard nodded. "But we're not here to discuss that. We're here to assess your practical skills and determine if they meet the bachelor's level."

"I'm ready."

"Good," Jesse nodded. "You can give your theoretical papers to William. He'll check them right away so we can provide a quick answer."

I did as he asked. William took my papers and moved to another table, which I hadn't noticed before. There, he began reviewing them, making some notes.

"And now, for the practical part of the exam, you will need to perform several transfigurations," said the wizard. "Without being at a bachelor's level, you won't be able to do this. So... demonstrate for me..."

The spells I had to perform weren't simple in the context of Transfiguration. No, they were complex, requiring advanced magical technique, an understanding of the fundamentals of magic, and a deep knowledge of Transfiguration basics. If you lack any of these, the spell simply won't work. Fortunately, I had all of this, though I had to exert myself a bit to do everything as perfectly as possible. Even so, after completing the spells, I immediately saw areas where I could have done things differently, more efficiently.

William also joined in observing my practical exam, though he didn't assign any tasks, just watched closely.

"Excellent," Jesse said when I finished the final transfiguration. "Your practical skills are indeed at the level required to become a bachelor. What do you think, Master William?"

"The theory is brilliantly written," he praised me. "There are some questions I wouldn't have been able to answer with such clarity myself."

"Well then," Jesse grinned and nodded at me. "Congratulations, you are now a Bachelor of Transfiguration, Timothy Jody. Wait two hours, and your documents and ring will be ready."

"Thank you very much, masters," I replied with deep gratitude. They could have easily failed me if they wanted to. They just needed to give me a practical task at the master's level, and I would have crumbled. But as it stands, I'm very happy. A heavy weight that had been hanging on my soul finally lifted.

They sent me back into the corridor to wait for my new documents and ring. The other wizards were still finishing their theoretical tests, so they didn't pay much attention to me. To avoid standing out, I moved a bit deeper into the corridor but kept myself in a position where I could see who was coming, and they wouldn't notice me right away. I had no desire to interact with these old-timers.

As it turned out, this was a wise decision. Some wizards and witches failed and wanted to vent their anger on someone. That someone could have been me, but since they didn't see me, they had to leave and blow off steam elsewhere.

"Timothy Jody," a house elf addressed me. I didn't expect to see one here. "Here are your documents and ring."

He handed me a folder with documents and a small box. Then he simply vanished, using his own magic. Well, okay. I pulled out the documents and immediately smiled. They stated that I was now officially a Bachelor of Transfiguration, bringing me one step closer to mastery.

The ring was also interesting. It looked slightly more ornate than the apprentice ring but was still understated. I put it on my finger, admired it for a moment, and then used magic to make it disappear. If needed, I could reveal it and show it off.

Nodding to the wizards who saw me through the door, I headed for the exit. There was nothing more for me to do here. Outside, it was sunny. It almost seemed as if the sun was trying to blind everyone. I thought for a moment and then transfigured myself a pair of sunglasses. Walking down the street was a bit more comfortable with them.

I had no desire to return to Hogwarts, so I decided to wander around Diagon Alley and maybe stop by Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour to celebrate my new title. The ice cream parlor was open and drew attention not only with its design but also with the smell of high-quality ice cream.

Seated at one of the tables, I waited for the waitress to approach me. Then I noticed a familiar witch sitting with another woman and a young girl, also enjoying their ice cream.

"Good afternoon, sir," the petite waitress smiled at me. "What ice cream would you like to order?"

"Vanilla," I answered immediately. I always liked vanilla because it's simple and tasty. Maybe some would call me a plain person, but I don't care. I like vanilla ice cream.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked.

"I think I'll pass," I replied after a moment of thought.

"Alright," she nodded. "The ice cream will be ready in ten minutes."

I leaned back in the chair and began to relax, but it didn't last long. A paper bird landed on my table. As soon as I took it in my hand, it transformed into a small note. The note invited me to join the two women and the girl I had noticed earlier.

Looking over, I saw Lady Narcissa Malfoy with her friend and daughter. The family resemblance was unmistakable.

I got up and walked over to them, curious to know why they were inviting me to their table.

"Good afternoon, ladies," I greeted them as I approached.

The women stood up, waiting for the greeting to continue. I knew what to do next, having familiarized myself with the local etiquette. First, I took the hand of the witch I recognized.

"Lady Malfoy, you look stunning," I said, making a gesture as if to kiss her hand.

According to local etiquette, I should have actually kissed her hand, but I wasn't going to do that. Kissing someone's hand? Which has been who knows where... No, thank you. During sex, sure, but not like this... I'll pass.

"Thank you, Mr. Jody," she replied. Surprisingly, she knew my name.

"Allow me to introduce you to my friend Joan Greengrass and her daughter, Daphne Greengrass," she said, kindly nodding to the woman and the young girl. "This is the young hunter who, along with his partner, helped rid the Great Park of a dark creature. His name is Timothy Jody."

"Nice to meet you," I said, "kissing" both of their hands as well. Although, when I did this with Daphne, I felt a bit awkward. It seemed somewhat wrong to kiss the hand of a ten-year-old girl. But etiquette dictated that this was the proper thing to do.

"Nice to meet you too," Joan replied in a calm tone. "Are you the youngest apprentice?"

"Let's sit down," suggested Narcissa Malfoy.

We sat down, and I once again sensed the women's interest in me.

"Yes, that's me," I nodded.

"Amazing," she nodded. "I also heard you defeated an opponent in a deadly duel. That's an achievement worthy of praise."

"Thank you," I nodded to her. "I achieved all of this through hard work."

Joan just smiled. Daphne, on the other hand, kept looking at me, trying to hide her interest behind a cold mask of indifference. But I could tell she was watching me closely.

"How is Hogwarts?" Narcissa asked.

It was time for some small talk. Maintaining this conversation wasn't easy, but I tried, and it seemed to be working. The ladies were interested in hearing about life at Hogwarts and what was happening there. Eventually, the conversation shifted to my participation in the Olympiad.

My ice cream arrived, but I didn't have much time to enjoy it. The women were curious about everything and asked me even the smallest details. It turned out they were loosely acquainted with the parents of some participants or were distantly related through a cousin's cousin, who was the brother of a great-uncle's cousin... In short, they were connected in some way.

"Mr. Jody," Narcissa said as we paused in the conversation to enjoy our ice cream.

And I have to say, the vanilla ice cream here was simply fantastic. I've never tasted anything like it.

"May I ask what brings you to Diagon Alley?"

"It's simple," I replied, raising my hand to reveal my bachelor's ring. "Today, I became a Bachelor of Transfiguration."

"My goodness, congratulations," Narcissa said.

"So young and already a bachelor," Joan added. "I also offer my congratulations."

"Was it difficult?" young Daphne asked.

"Well, let's see," I cleared my throat. "If you prepare and put your all into training, earning this title isn't that hard. It just takes time."

"So you're aiming to become a master?" Narcissa inquired.

"Perhaps," I replied. "We'll see how this summer and the next year go."

I wasn't about to tell them outright that I planned to become a master by the end of this year. There was no point in doing so, as it would only bring unwanted attention and expectations. I didn't need that right now.

"I see," Narcissa nodded. "And what are your plans for this summer?"

"I'll be studying," I replied. "I won't be in England in June, for sure. As for August, I'm not sure..."

"I understand," she nodded.

They asked me a few more questions, then said their goodbyes and left to attend to their own business, not forgetting to pay for themselves. I quickly paid as well and left the ice cream parlor. The street was crowded, but that didn't bother me.

I walked into one of the alleyways, then Apparated to Hogsmeade. I appeared in a similar alleyway. Leaving it, I headed back to the school. Students glanced at me curiously but, seeing nothing of interest, returned to their own affairs.

Filch gave me a scrutinizing and somewhat unpleasant look, then returned to what he had been doing—stroking his cat. Sometimes I think that cat isn't ordinary, but I haven't had the opportunity or the desire to check.

I headed straight to the headmaster's office, figuring he should be back by now. And indeed, he was. Since I didn't know the new password, I had to wait a few minutes. Then the gargoyle slowly moved aside, as if inviting me in.

As I climbed up, I was surprised to see that the headmaster's office was occupied by other professors, specifically the heads of the houses.

"Mr. Jody," Dumbledore greeted me with a sly smile. "How was your day?"

"Good afternoon, Headmaster, Professors," I greeted them. "Overall, the day went excellently. I became a Bachelor of Transfiguration."

To back up my claim, I revealed my new ring and handed the documents to the headmaster. He quickly looked them over and smiled broadly. It was clear he was very pleased. Very pleased indeed.

"Then we can congratulate you, Mr. Jody," said Professor Flitwick. "It's a significant achievement to become a bachelor before even reaching your seventh year."

"It truly is an impressive accomplishment," Snape added. He was reluctant to acknowledge that a Gryffindor could be a talented wizard, but he still did. "If only you showed such results in Potions, you'd be invaluable."

"Severus," Professor McGonagall sighed. "Mr. Jody, well done. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, everyone," I said.

"Then, Timothy, why don't you come back in two hours?" Dumbledore suggested. "We can discuss what comes next. How does that sound?"

"Of course, Headmaster," I nodded. "I'll return in two hours. All the best."

I left the headmaster's office. Now that the heads of the houses knew about my achievement, I was sure it would change their attitude toward me because the title of bachelor is not something that can be ignored. It's a title that qualifies one to work as a full-time assistant professor at Hogwarts, not just a quarter-time or even less like I had been doing. But never mind, I won't think too much about it for now, as it serves no purpose.

To relax, I climbed to the highest tower, which was above the eighth floor. It offered an incredible view, perfect for sitting and unwinding. There were a few benches, covered in dust, and some moss growing in certain spots. This tower wasn't a popular place because it took a long time to climb up. The students simply didn't have the patience or strength to make it up here. Although the views were worth it.

When the time came, I returned to the headmaster's office for a more substantial conversation.

"What can I say," Dumbledore said, drawing out his words as I sat down at the table. "Once again, congratulations. To be honest, I always believed you would achieve a commendable result. So, I think we should talk about what's required to attain the title of master. Shouldn't we?"

"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore," I agreed. "I'm indeed interested."

"To become a master, you need to become a professional Animagus," the headmaster explained. "That is, to transform into several different animals. One should be able to fly, another to swim, and a third to walk on land. This is necessary for the practical exam, but overall, you need to be able to transfigure various things within your own body. For example, transfigure your heart into kidneys and your kidneys into a heart. But it's important to understand that there's a significant difference between Animagi who can transform into only one creature and those who can transfigure themselves. You probably already understand what that difference is?"

"Yes, a Master of Transfiguration can transfigure themselves into various forms, both living and non-living."

"Correct," the headmaster nodded approvingly. "That's why becoming a master is much more challenging than becoming a bachelor."

"And what do you advise me to do?" I asked.

"Well," Dumbledore began, "first of all, you need to study human anatomy thoroughly to understand what, why, how, and in what order. After that, start studying the anatomy of the animals you want to transform into. I advise you not to rush your choice. It's better to think it over carefully."

"Headmaster, what animals do you transform into?" I asked.

"An eagle, a dolphin, and a fox," the headmaster quickly listed. "Besides that, I can transform into a bird with properties similar to a phoenix, but that's a higher level. You should understand one important thing—without a high level of Occlumency, you shouldn't attempt to transform into animals, because an animal's body can affect the mind. For instance, a person who transforms into a deer might end up living like one."

"Have you known someone like that?"

"Yes, a Gryffindor student decided to ignore my advice about Occlumency," Dumbledore sighed sadly. "But that's not important right now."

To be honest, I was curious about whom he was talking about in such a tone. But if he wasn't going to tell me himself, I wouldn't press him for information. If it becomes necessary, he'll tell me. If not, so be it.

"For studying human anatomy, I suggest you talk to Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore said, then pulled out a piece of paper with some text on it. "Give her this note."

He handed me the paper. I took it and put it in my pocket.

"All right, Headmaster," I said. "Is there anything you'd recommend I read?"

"Not for now," he shook his head. "I understand that you want to dive into learning new Transfiguration skills as soon as possible, but I wouldn't advise rushing. First, focus on anatomy. After the healer is confident in your knowledge, you'll receive further instructions."

I had no choice but to thank him for his help and head straight to Poppy Pomfrey. The healer was surprised by my request, but after reading the headmaster's note, she provided me with a list of twenty books that I needed to study. These were anatomical atlases, books with detailed explanations of how various organs work, and books on how magic relates to all of this.

"Moreover, this will be enough to start studying healing magic in practice," she said. "But for now, don't overload yourself with that. When you've studied all the books, and if you're still interested, you can come to me with that question."

"Thank you again," I said to her.

Then everything returned to how it was before. I headed to my room, found the necessary books, and started analyzing them. The books were massive, and it sometimes took more than a few days to analyze each one. But for me, this wasn't a problem, so I gradually familiarized myself with human anatomy.

Neither Nymphadora nor Isolde knew that I had become a Bachelor of Transfiguration. I didn't see the point in telling them, so we continued to interact as usual without them knowing. Isolde continued studying Spatial Magic when we went to Hogsmeade, but I noticed her interest was waning. I think when we finish this, she'll just push the acquired knowledge to the back of her mind and focus on something new.

I spent the entire month of May fully studying the books on the list Madam Pomfrey gave me. However, to avoid drawing too much attention, I continued to pretend I was reading the books and taking notes, but I was already doing something different. I decided to expand my knowledge of medicine by starting to analyze more specialized literature directly related to patient treatment. These included collections of medical spells, methods of dealing with certain diseases, and treating injuries from minor to severe.

I also understand that I can't consider myself a healer because I have no practical experience. I only had the opportunity to test a few spells, and even then, with significant risk to myself. For example, a spell to enhance the body's recovery after intense physical exercise. This was a pleasant addition to my life and directly impacted my physical training, which I had somewhat neglected. Preparing to earn the bachelor's title consumed a lot of time. Besides that, I began training intensely in dueling in that room on the eighth floor. Some knowledge of healing magic allowed me to push myself harder than ever before. Along with this, my magical skills continued to grow, becoming not just usable but at the level of reflexes.

I also continued to substitute for Professor McGonagall in Transfiguration lessons, particularly with the younger years, which somewhat increased my "influence" among the younger students. They understood perfectly well that I was capable of much more than any ordinary sixth or even seventh-year student. Even the head boy or girl, not to mention the prefects, couldn't do anything to me.

With such power and influence came a certain responsibility. When a younger student asked me for help with a subject, I had to assist them. It was also advisable to explain things to others if they didn't understand something or to direct them in the right direction.

Eventually, the exams arrived, and I had to take them. Even I wasn't exempt. Of course, Transfiguration was waived for me, but all the other subjects required at least some attention. The books were loaded and studied, so I was ready for the final sixth-year exams.

Other students were in a state of great anxiety, although it was nothing compared to what the fifth-years were going through with their O.W.L.s. They knew they needed high marks if they wanted to continue their education, and I'm sure many of them did.

After the exams, there was the End-of-Year Feast, where the winner of the House Cup was announced. It was Slytherin, which didn't make anyone particularly happy except for those in the green house. As for me, the House Cup and victory didn't matter at all. I fully understood that I would soon be heading off to study under a master.

I resumed correspondence with Brock, who was wondering if I wanted to continue working with him. I would have liked to, but first, I had to spend a month studying with the master. So I wrote to him about this, and he agreed. I could develop my skills as a hunter later, but studying with a master—even if it was only for a month—was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

"Timothy," Isolde addressed me as we sat in the Gryffindor common room. "What are your plans for this summer?"

"Well," I began, "as I mentioned before, I'll be busy next month."

"Doing what?" she asked.

"I have some business to finish," I replied without going into details. Even though I consider her a comrade and even a friend, I fully understand that she might try to gain some advantage from me. The memory of her offer to give me Dorsani was still fresh. "And in August, I'll probably be hunting with my partner."

"Are you going to take jobs with the Hunters' Guild?" she asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "That's what I did last year."

"And are you hoping to earn a lot?" she asked, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger.

"Not particularly," I shrugged. "My main goal is to gain experience and make interesting connections. The money will come later."

"I see," Isolde said. "Then I invite you to visit me in August for a few days. I want to introduce you to some interesting wizards and people."

"Then I won't refuse," I said.

There was no reason to refuse because that might offend her. I think I'll grow significantly in skills over the next month, so August and any dangerous or non-dangerous maneuvers on her part won't bring me any harm.

"And will you be seeing Nymphadora this summer?" she asked, testing the waters a bit.

They seemed to have become some sort of friends. But I'm not sure if that's because they resolved their differences or if it's due to my influence, as I told them I didn't like their conflicts. It's hard to say because I haven't used mental magic on them. I see no reason to.

The next morning, we all had breakfast and boarded the Hogwarts Express. The group in my compartment was the usual one—me, Nymphadora, Isolde, and Dorsani. The girls were playing wizard's chess while I just watched them.

Wizard's chess is an incredibly interesting artifact. It's fully animated, and even the pieces, when they move, are animated. Moreover, the pieces can give advice to the players. When one piece knocks another out, it looks somewhat brutal, but without any blood. For example, when the king takes out a pawn, he stands up from his chair and uses the same chair to crush the pawn with a powerful blow to the head. Or when the queen takes a piece on the other side of the board, she stabs it with a small dagger. Everything looks very interesting.

Creating such an artifact is not a simple task. Of course, you can just transfigure the board and pieces. You can even give the pieces some individuality, but that won't allow them to give advice to the player.

"By the way, Timothy, Isolde, and Dorsani," Nymphadora addressed us. "Would you like to go somewhere to relax together?"

"Relax together?" Isolde repeated, thinking for a moment. "I wouldn't mind. Although I can't say for sure when I'll be free."

"The next month is completely booked for me," I immediately informed Nymphadora. "After that, I'll be helping a hunter from the Hunters' Guild. So, August, probably, but it's better to discuss it when August arrives. Right?"

"Yes, I think that would be the best decision," Nymphadora agreed, looking a bit hesitant.

"Then that's settled," I smiled at her. "I'd gladly go sooner... but I have some things that can't be postponed."

"I understand," she nodded.