Chapter 12: Seeking the Cause

The three sat down in their chairs; Professor Dumbledore's gaze, through his thin spectacles, fixed on him as he waved his wand. "Something to drink? Pumpkin juice? Milk?" Then he winked. "I also have some fresh Butterbeer here."

Professor McGonagall coughed expressionlessly.

"Ha! You're still growing; a glass of milk it is, then." Professor Dumbledore gave his wand a light flick, and a steaming cup of milk floated before Allen.

Allen took a small sip; the taste was pleasant.

After the drink, the conversation turned to the matter at hand.

"Allen, I believed I understood your previous condition quite well, yet today's events still surprised me. Is there anything you wish to tell me?" Professor Dumbledore's azure eyes regarded Allen through his half-moon spectacles.

Allen recounted their discussion from yesterday regarding the Flying lesson.

"Yesterday's discussion excited me greatly; I have never longed for flight so intensely that I even dreamed of flying last night! Oh, it was flying with wings; I suppose my transformation today may be related to that," Allen concluded.

Professor Dumbledore folded his hands before him, wearing a thoughtful expression. "Oh, strong emotions could indeed be the cause of such anomalies, yet it seems insufficient."

"You experienced several intense emotional fluctuations while previously at St Mungo's, yet we did not observe such drastic changes in you then?" Professor Dumbledore added softly.

Allen gripped his cup tightly, recalling his various experiences at St Mungo's; the emotional turbulence during the period immediately after waking was indeed far greater than yesterday's, yet truly nothing abnormal had occurred.

"Ah, do not rush; think carefully. Perhaps your body has grown stronger recently, initiating more substantial transformations, though these explanations remain unconvincing. Think harder; this concerns your future," Professor Dumbledore guided Allen patiently.

Allen's mind was in turmoil, his thoughts racing. "What could be the reason? Could it be that being with Harry and the others ignited my friendship, thereby triggering the anomaly?" The former science-and-engineering student Allen quickly dismissed this idea; it was indeed somewhat far-fetched.

Allen meticulously recalled every detail from last night and this morning, while Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall waited patiently.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Allen's mind, and he urgently addressed the two professors: "I've got it! When I woke up this morning, I found my hand clutching my wand."

"Er... I cherish my wand immensely; every night before sleep I carefully place it in the bedside drawer, but yesterday I was so excited chatting with classmates that I fell asleep mid-conversation, leaving my wand on the bedside table, and this morning I discovered my hand resting upon my wand at the bedside," Allen added incoherently.

Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged a glance, each sinking into deep thought.

The Headmaster's office fell silent once more.

It was a long while before Professor Dumbledore regained his composure.

"That seems plausible," Professor Dumbledore said, choosing his words carefully. "Do you know the history and function of wands?"

Allen responded with a bewildered look.

"Well, no one knows who invented the wand, yet its emergence enabled many wizards to cast spells; before wands appeared, wizards performed wandless magic, a casting technique that remains difficult to master even now," Professor Dumbledore explained.

"The advent of the wand significantly lowered the threshold for casting magic, granting many wizards with less potent magical talent the opportunity to master magic."

"As for your situation, this is my inference: if we regard your daily random transformation as a single casting, then previously you were performing wandless magic; since you never truly mastered wandless casting, the spell's potency remained weak, thus limiting the transformation to your head organs."

"However, during today's transformation, you held a wand in your hand, which greatly amplified your casting power; consequently, the transformation was no longer confined to your head," Professor Dumbledore summarized swiftly.

This was a logical explanation, Allen mused, slightly distracted.

Professor McGonagall rose to her feet, gazing at Allen's wings, her eyes filled with admiration. "What a magical wonder! Allen, do you know that, in all recorded history, no wizard has ever transformed such enormous wings upon their own body? You have accomplished something no one in the Wizarding World has ever achieved!"

Professor Dumbledore also observed Allen's wings and exclaimed in admiration, "Ah, observe: these are wings truly capable of flight. Because Allen's body has not evolved for flight like a bird's—such as weight reduction in various parts or hollow bones—the transformed wings must be much larger than those of a bird of similar size to enable flight. I never imagined such magic existed!"

No one knew when he had awakened, but Fawkes the phoenix, having watched the entire spectacle for quite some time, emitted a cry of agreement.

"You had best not attempt flight with these wings; birds fly by instinct, which you lack. Although you now possess the conditions for flight, you must exercise extreme caution regarding flying; at the very least, master the Levitation Charm thoroughly before considering flight," Professor McGonagall added with some concern.

"Very well; I value my life more than anyone!" Allen assured Professor McGonagall.

"Professor Dumbledore, could you explain the function of the wand once more?" Allen's thirst for knowledge surged again.

"The wand, ah, current magical theory holds that its function is to forge a tighter connection between us and this world," Professor Dumbledore said lightly.

Allen drained the milk from his cup in one gulp. "Very well; thank you, Professor, for clarifying this. Upon my return, I shall never again sleep while holding my wand!"

Professor Dumbledore interlaced his fingers, fixing Allen with a scrutinizing gaze. "Allen, please cease evading the issue!"

Allen froze instantly, momentarily at a loss for words.

"In truth, I have observed you for quite some time; I have noticed that you harbor a pessimistic attitude toward your condition, constantly seeking to evade it. The best way to resolve your bodily issue is to confront it directly. Only after we accumulate more transformation samples can we better treat you," Professor Dumbledore said, his azure eyes sharp and piercing, bearing no trace of a centenarian's gaze.

Allen broke into a sweat and hastily defended himself: "I am not evading; I merely fear that some unfavorable transformation might harm me."

Professor Dumbledore interrupted Allen: "Why do you believe this talent of yours would harm you? Surely you have studied the four elements of casting a spell, and you have also learned the Transfiguration Charm; then tell me, what is the decisive element of the Transfiguration Charm?"

"The caster's subjective consciousness regarding the spell's effect," Allen replied after a moment's thought.

"Ha, precisely! If we regard your random transformation as a spell, then that spell is influenced by your subjective consciousness!" Professor Dumbledore explained.

Allen listened with some hesitation.

"Does not today's event prove all this? Yesterday you desired flight, and this morning you transformed wings capable of flight. This demonstrates that your innate transformation is influenced by your subconscious! Would your subconscious harm you? Do you possess any tendency toward self-destruction? If neither exists, then why would a transformation influenced by your subjective consciousness harm you?" Professor Dumbledore stared intently into Allen's eyes.

Allen opened his mouth as if to speak, yet no words emerged.

"Therefore, I advise you to bravely confront all this, strive to explore the mysteries of your own body, do not evade, but face life courageously; only thus can you be a true Gryffindor!"

Allen was convinced, and also provoked by Professor Dumbledore; he felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head and declared loudly to the two professors: "I understand now; the best way to dispel fear is to confront fear."

Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged smiles of relief, and McGonagall admonished, "Wand-assisted transformation appears to consume considerable stamina; perform transformations only within your body's limits, and exercise moderation!"

Although it sounded somewhat strange, Allen nevertheless expressed gratitude for Professor McGonagall's concern, then took his leave.

Shortly after Allen's departure, a wild roar echoed from outside the office:

"Olllllllllllieeeee!"

Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged a puzzled glance...