Chapter 20: Transfiguration

Pushing open the greenhouse door, Wizard Sean felt his heart rate had accelerated significantly.

What if Professor Sprout wasn’t there?

What if she had already finished processing the venomous fangs?

What if…

The thought flashed through his mind and was instantly discarded.

Because he saw the plump professor hard at work.

“Professor Sprout.”

Wizard Sean broke into a light run, his voice trembling slightly.

“Welcome, Green,”

Professor Sprout greeted Wizard Sean warmly,

“Come with me—we have special materials to process today.”

Wizard Sean’s light run turned into a full sprint, as if afraid she might vanish if he hesitated.

A certain plump witch “oh”ed and brushed aside the vines above Wizard Sean’s head.

Professor Sprout walked briskly ahead,

leading Wizard Sean through the familiar bubblepod area.

“Our dear bubblepods are nearly ripe—when the pink pods grow a little larger, the shiny seeds will jump out,

we must harvest them before they leap, or the greenhouse will be overrun with pod-flowers.”

The professor pinched a pod and spoke with the joy of harvest.

“Green, would you like to help pick them?”

Wizard Sean gave a firm “yes,” and the two wizards arrived at the oak table.

Various fangs lay arranged upon it.

“Every year at this time I help process materials…

Ah, look at these fangs—so sturdy, Green. Do you know how they differ?”

Professor Sprout waved her wand, and several fangs hovered before Wizard Sean.

They were sharp and gleaming, cold and clearly distinct.

“Venomous fangs have small grooves inside.”

Wizard Sean studied the fangs carefully and said.

“Exactly right,”

Professor Sprout was slightly surprised,

“Sharp observation.”

She spoke, and a mortar and pestle flew into Wizard Sean’s hands,

“Try grinding them, Green.”

Wizard Sean didn’t hesitate—grinding wasn’t difficult,

especially since the pestle in his hand seemed to possess some magic,

he guessed it was a Shatter Charm or similar, speeding his progress.

Professor Sprout watched Wizard Sean grind diligently, then waved her wand,

and ten mortars and pestles on the table began moving.

"For the wakefulness agent, we grind it finer; for the boils potion, this coarseness is sufficient."

No sooner had she finished speaking,

than Wizard Sean stopped grinding—he had completed ten batches.

Not too slow,

Wizard Sean thought,

then he saw the ten mortars moving together.

Hmm, wizards are just too versatile.

Wizard Sean paid it no mind, instead focusing intently on the grinding state of the fangs and carefully observing the difference between powdered venomous and non-venomous fangs.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find it.

“Oh, Green.”

Professor Sprout saw his eyes nearly pressed against the powder and laughed, her hat tilting crookedly.

She waved her wand again, and the powders filled glass bottles of different colors,

the venomous fang powder in pale red, the non-venomous in white.

Wizard Sean suddenly understood.

“The angle of the sunflowers tells me it’s time for you to go, Green.”

Professor Sprout tapped her five fingers in sequence, making a farewell gesture.

Only then did Wizard Sean realize an hour and a half had passed.

He quickly bid farewell, whispering only:

“Professor, can I come back this afternoon?”

“Of course—the greenhouse welcomes every child who loves nature.”

So Wizard Sean pushed open the greenhouse door.

In the afternoon, Ravenclaw would have their first Transfiguration class with Gryffindor.

He didn’t want to be turned into a pocket watch or a map, so he quickened his pace.

Along the way, he opened his panel:

【Herbology Recognition: Locked (59/90)】

【Apprentice-level Herbology Recognition unlocks the Apprentice Herbology Title】

Fang processing clearly didn’t count as herbology,

Wizard Sean continued scrolling.

【Floating Charm: Apprentice (4/300)】

【Cleaning Charm: Apprentice (70/300)】

【Lumos Charm: Beginner (19/900)】

Lumos was now Beginner level,

Wizard Sean lit his wand—it glowed brighter than at Apprentice level,

and he cast it faster, more effortlessly.

To match the brightness he’d achieved in class before, he’d need to stir up emotion,

though success wasn’t guaranteed.

In fact, he’d tried in class before and could no longer produce such bright light.

The Transfiguration classroom was on the second floor of the castle, not far from Professor McGonagall’s office.

Entering the classroom, he saw a short brown wooden table, behind which sat chairs from the Plantagenet era.

Antiques,

Hogwarts really was rich,

Wizard Sean thought.

Then he spotted Michael, looking conflicted, seated beside a black-haired girl,

now hesitating whether to sit with Wizard Sean.

Wizard Sean shook his head and sat beside Hermione, whose side held a cage with a squeaking rat.

Even though desks were for two, the seat beside her always remained empty.

“Wizard Sean, have you seen the tabby cat on the desk? She’s adorable.”

Wizard Sean looked up—a silver-and-gray tabby cat sat regally atop the table.

“Mm.”

Wizard Sean nodded.

As they spoke, a creaking sound came from behind.

It was Harry and Ron, barging in through the door, breathless.

They were now three minutes late.

Hermione glanced back, then pursed her lips and shook her head.

“Made it—had we been late, McGonagall’s face would’ve scared us to death.”

Ron sighed in relief.

Seeing them delay taking seats, Wizard Sean knew they couldn’t avoid it.

The tabby cat leapt into the air and transformed into a tall witch,

dressed in a deep green robe, tilting her head to study Ron.

Ron’s eyes widened, his lips pressed tight, his expression clearly saying:

“Harry, do you think we’ll survive this?”

“That was amazing.”

Ron tried to deflect.

"Thank you for your comment, Mr. Weasley,

perhaps I should turn you and Mr. Potter into a pocket watch,

so at least one of you could keep time?"

"We're lost."

"Then turn into a map—surely you don't need a map to find your own seat?"

A ripple of low laughter spread through the classroom.

"Two points from Gryffindor."

Professor McGonagall added.

Wizard Sean saw Hermione glance again at Harry and Ron, speechless.

Gryffindor lived up to its reputation,

Wizard Sean thought.

"Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall said sternly,

"Anyone who misbehaves in my classroom will be expelled—and never allowed back. I have warned you."

With a wave of her wand, Professor McGonagall

turned the desk before her into a pig, which wandered about the classroom before turning back.

The young wizards stared, eyes gleaming, eager to begin at once.