[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker":3,"chapter-hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-chapter-94":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hogwarts: Don't Call Me a Wandmaker",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2292346,4482,"Chapter 94: Professor McGonagall","hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-chapter-94",94,"\u003Cp>Dumbledore seemed to notice the students’ exhaustion; as the last plate of orange pudding vanished, he swiftly announced a few reminders, led everyone in a hurried rendition of the school song, and then declared the feast over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven followed the others back to the familiar Gryffindor common room, arriving at the door of his old second-floor dormitory, now bearing a sign reading “Second Year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dorm hadn’t changed, and Silven was glad—after all, he had taken apart and reassembled the furniture here so many times, he’d grown attached to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the familiar circular room, his trunk had already been delivered and sat beside the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven had intended to write his grandfather a letter as usual, but after pulling out parchment and ink, he abandoned the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Grigovich were probably already deep in some forest by now; the distance was too great for owls to reliably deliver, better to wait until he returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven lay on his bed and fell asleep quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the entire school remained immersed in cheer, though some students were furious at Lockhart’s behavior at the feast, most still had full confidence in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Hermione, for instance—on this matter, her view was the exact opposite of her friend Ron’s; she insisted Lockhart was a truly capable wizard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had argued fiercely in the common room that morning and now refused to speak to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven naturally sided with Hermione, and through her, he met more of Lockhart’s admirers, eventually selling the signed, officially licensed first edition of “Me, the Magician” to a Ravenclaw seventh-year witch for fifty Galleons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven had only meant to show off, but the buyer adored it so much—and was so generous, offering ten times the price outright with unmistakable sincerity—that Silven found no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The transaction took time; to avoid being late, Silven skipped breakfast and rushed toward the greenhouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first class of second year was Herbology; Professor Sprout was a plump witch with flowing hair topped by a patched hat. She had a kind nature and said nothing when Silven ran in after the bell, only told him to quickly find a spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Silven, panting heavily from his run, Hermione couldn’t help saying, “Couldn’t you have waited until lunch to give her the book?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also loved that meaningful book, but her pocket money couldn’t match the seventh-year witch’s wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, she wouldn’t spend fifty Galleons on a book originally priced at five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do it as early as possible,” Silven said after catching his breath, whispering. “Once they’ve had a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, that thing won’t sell anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing,” Silven shook his head. “I was asking what Professor Sprout just said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She asked us about mandrake properties,” Hermione said, raising her hand high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was incredible—Silven tilted his head to avoid her elbow—she could be talking to him while still paying attention to the professor’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But mandrake—he was no stranger to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven touched the cuff of his sleeve; he’d used mandrake juice when crafting his shapeshifting lizard-skin pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bought from a herb shop in Diagon Alley, a tiny vial cost five Galleons—he’d used only a few drops, and the liquid had decreased by about a third; it was even pricier than dragon’s blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten points to Gryffindor,” said Professor Sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Hermione had answered correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was truly generous—only three points for correct answers in Transfiguration, five in Charms, no deductions in Potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Professor Sprout awarded ten points at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mandrakes are dangerous. Who can tell me why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione’s hand shot up again. “The sound of a mandrake’s cry is fatal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect. Another ten points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was twenty points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than one class had passed, and they’d already gained twenty points—Harry had only earned fifty points total for killing Voldemort once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hufflepuff was wonderful—students were good, and their Head of House was even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Silven also earned Gryffindor ten points—he was the first to complete the task of repotting the mandrakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven felt a little embarrassed; when pulling the mandrake out, he’d unconsciously calculated how much juice it could yield, then instinctively squeezed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One tendril snapped off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven hadn’t meant to—it was accidental—but the mandrake clearly didn’t see it that way. While others struggled violently, refusing to be placed in new pots, this one didn’t need his help—it crawled in on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so Silven became the first student to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After class, the little lions struggled to hide their good moods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty points in one class! At this rate, the House Cup is definitely ours this year!” Ron exclaimed, grinning broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t forget Snape,” Harry said, less optimistic, sighing. “Deductions are far easier than points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron’s face froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—he’d forgotten about that biased git. The points earned in Herbology might vanish entirely after the next Potions class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a sad story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, they didn’t have Potions today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The muddy little lions trudged wearily back to the castle; some rushed to bathe, others cast a Cleaning Charm on themselves, then hurried off to Transfiguration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven paid unusually close attention in this class, taking diligent notes with his quill, absorbing every word Professor McGonagall spoke—so much so that Harry and Ron stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that really Silven?” Ron nudged Harry. “I feel like I’m seeing two Hermiones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Funny—I thought the same,” Harry said, removing his glasses and wiping them hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Silven had always been merely well-behaved in class—not disruptive, but never diligent. Most times he sat in the corner, sketching incomprehensible symbols on parchment while the professor wasn’t looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Silven—sitting upright, eyes focused, scribbling down every word—wasn’t even Hermione at her most studious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after class, Silven approached Professor McGonagall to ask questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had fallen—was this boy trying to become a model student?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron’s heart pounded. He didn’t mind Hermione topping the class—he was used to it. But if Silven did? He simply couldn’t accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Ollivander, I admire your ambition, but I advise you proceed gradually,” she said, glancing at a button in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it lacked a beetle’s leg, its pattern was identical to that of a beetle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must warn you seriously: Animagus transformation is no trivial matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall said seriously, “It is an extremely dangerous form of Transfiguration. Many wizards, due to failed transformations, permanently retain animal traits—tails, animal pupils, even some never regain human form.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fully understand how dangerous Animagus transformation is, Professor McGonagall,” Silven said. “And I never expected to master such a complex spell in days. I merely wish to prepare in advance… I mean, could you recommend relevant books?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall stared at Silven, then said, “Can you tell me why? How did you come to want to learn Animagus transformation? This magic is rarely useful in daily life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I want to become an excellent wandmaker,” Silven explained. “In the future, I’ll likely visit many different forests—being able to transform into an animal at will will be essential.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall said nothing. She suddenly thought of Silven’s grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only seven wizards in the twentieth century had registered as Animagi with the Ministry of Magic—Garrick Ollivander was one of them, and his name appeared before hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remembered Garrick’s animal form was the white-fronted langur—the perfect form for navigating forests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Professor McGonagall gradually accepted Silven’s explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her experience, wandmakers must interact with forests and various magical creatures; Animagus transformation truly benefited them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But understanding didn’t erase her concern—Silven was too young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garrick Ollivander registered in 1930—he was nearly thirty when he mastered Animagus transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silven was only twelve, a second-year student who had no need to consider such things yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well,” Professor McGonagall said after thinking. “I can recommend useful books. But you must promise me—you will not attempt Animagus transformation on your own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course,” Silven nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you the list this afternoon,” she said, adding, “Absolutely no self-experimentation. When the time is right, I’ll help you complete the transformation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall left the classroom with mixed emotions; two furtive figures darted past the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weasley? Potter?” she glanced at their retreating backs, not overly concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had planned to return directly to her office, but halfway there, she changed her mind and left the castle through the first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall found Professor Sprout tilling soil in the greenhouse and warned her to keep a close eye on the mandrakes—especially to prevent certain students from secretly plucking leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Animagus transformation required one essential condition: holding a fresh mandrake leaf in the mouth for a full month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Silven had promised not to attempt it, Professor McGonagall still felt uneasy—no one knew better than her how fragile a Gryffindor’s promise could be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why she had come to Professor Sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh mandrake leaves were hard to preserve; most on the market were dried or ground into powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Silven had dangerous intentions, the school greenhouse was his only possible source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing this, Professor McGonagall felt slightly reassured—for the first time, she thought a student’s excessive diligence might not be a good thing. Hermione’s approach was perfectly fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1539,"2026-06-20T04:03:11.805Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d45088735b339dd09e77811b004fc67f3902da7d2f446c9e87856ce499631248","hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-chapter-95","hogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-chapter-93",149,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-don-t-call-me-a-wandmaker-cover.jpg"]