บท 124: 3
Chapter 3: The Secret of Transfiguration
"Mr. Adrian, I'm Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress, Gryffindor House Head, and Transfiguration Professor," introduced Professor McGonagall promptly.
As Hogwarts' deputy head, she was among the most reliable professors, tasked each summer with visiting Muggle families of new students.
Over the years, Professor McGonagall had encountered many skeptical families, often pointedly challenging her. She had developed a routine.
Families completely disbelieving, dismissing the acceptance letters as pranks, usually ignored them outright.
For such families, McGonagall showcased her abilities during visits—transforming doors into lions, among other feats.
Families skeptical yet responding within the stipulated timeframe received visits as per protocol, confirming times and demonstrating her skills.
Her experience was vast.
"Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please come in and take a seat," Philemon Adrian greeted respectfully, facing the formidable wizard.
"Professor McGonagall, while we have faith this isn't a prank, could you demonstrate?" Nitia couldn't resist asking, believing in magic but needing reassurance as a mother.
"Absolutely. That's one reason I'm here—to validate magic's reality, confirm young Mr. Adrian's enrollment, and assist with school supplies," McGonagall replied, smiling as she withdrew her wand.
With a gentle wave, the fruit plate on the coffee table transformed instantly. Seven apples became British shorthair cats—eight in total, one large and seven small. Restless, they leaped off the table.
Philemon and Nitia were awestruck. Magic had unfolded before their eyes.
"Professor McGonagall, is this Transfiguration?" Ethan picked up a cream-colored kitten, examining it closely.
The short, dense fur was elastic, its robust body muscles palpable under Ethan's awkward handling. The cat wriggled and mewed.
In every aspect, it seemed a genuine British shorthair, behaving exactly as expected of a cat—not the dull image Ethan had anticipated.
No wonder Gamp's Laws of Transfiguration stipulated food could not be transformed.
Transfiguration was indeed remarkable.
"Yes, Ethan, this is Transfiguration. With your talent, you could join my club in the future," McGonagall said, pleased by Ethan's fascination.
Ethan ventured further, "Professor McGonagall, are these cats under your control?"
"Only insofar as their actions are concerned. Their behavior—like scratching the sofa—is instinctual," McGonagall replied seriously, noting Ethan's unique query.
This young wizard was different, encountering such a question for the first time in her years as a receptionist for new students.
"No, I do not control their transformed behavior. It's entirely their natural instincts," she clarified.
"So, until you reverse the Transfiguration, they are cats in every sense?" Ethan sought confirmation.
"Exactly," McGonagall affirmed, satisfied with Ethan's grasp. Such acute sensitivity to Transfiguration suggested Gryffindor material.
Recalling recent years, McGonagall couldn't help but think of the Weasley twins, whose antics had tested Gryffindor's patience.
"Professor McGonagall, did you program their post-transformation behavior?" Ethan inquired. "No, the behavior is inherent to Transfiguration. Clear intent and deep understanding are vital for perfect transformations," McGonagall explained.
Content that Ethan had no further queries, McGonagall turned her attention to Philemon and Nitia.
Demonstrating magic was merely the first step.
They needed answers about Hogwarts—its environment, holidays, and family communication.
One couldn't rely on a magic show alone to entrust their child to Hogwarts. Who knew if their child might be used for experiments—a veiled threat?
Ethan, absorbed in thoughts on Transfiguration, barely registered McGonagall's discussion with his parents.
His understanding of Hogwarts' education, combined with two days of experimenting with dark magic, revealed Transfiguration's reliance on intent and magical prowess.
Unlike dark magic, which harnessed negative emotions, or the Patronus Charm's reliance on positive ones, Transfiguration depended solely on cognition and intent.
In one's subconscious, the transformed object's characteristics and form determined its final state.
With sufficient magical power, cognition, and Transfiguration comprehension, one could transform not only magical animals but also mythical creatures, retaining their essence as envisioned.
Truly, Transfiguration demanded mastery.
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