Thursday, the next day, Kael finished breakfast and then walked out of the auditorium with Conna, preparing to attend the upcoming Transfiguration class.
When they arrived at the classroom, Professor McGonagall was already waiting by the door and stopped the two just as they were about to enter.
"Miss Prince, could you go in first?" she said to Conna.
"Alright, Professor McGonagall." Conna nodded and walked into the classroom without asking further.
Professor McGonagall then led Kael to the side corridor and asked with a smile, "Do you remember the paper you sent me a month ago?"
"The one for the 'Today's Transfiguration' Most Promising Newcomer Award?" Kael asked, "The results are out so soon?"
"Not yet, but I have some insider information… good news."
Professor McGonagall seemed to be in high spirits and said with a smile, "The editor-in-chief, Hels, who is responsible for selecting the Newcomer Award, is a friend of mine. A few days ago, when we were corresponding, I inquired about some details.
Although she didn't explicitly say it, she revealed a little information to me… Madam Geselda Marchbanks admires your paper."
"Madam Marchbanks…" Kael pondered for a moment and asked, "Is that the Madam Marchbanks from the Wizard Examination Board?"
"I didn't expect you to know her."
Professor McGonagall was somewhat surprised, considering Madam Marchbanks was already over a hundred and twenty years old, belonging to a past century and rarely seen in public.
It was only at the end of each academic year when she would visit Hogwarts to oversee the fifth and seventh-year wizarding level exams, the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.
Generally, young wizards below the fifth year knew little about her.
"Charlie mentioned her before." Kael explained, "He said that after his O.W.L.s exams, he saw Professor Dumbledore personally escorting an old lady out of the school."
"Mr. Weasley then told us that it was Madam Marchbanks, who had worked at the Ministry of Magic for a hundred years and was also the examiner during Professor Dumbledore's graduation."
"That is correct, Madam Marchbanks indeed held examinations for many people… including Professor Dumbledore."
Professor McGonagall continued, "But she is not only known for that identity."
"Madam Marchbanks is most famous for her influence in the academic world. Whether it's the 'Today's Transfiguration' magazine or The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers, she holds a significant position."
Kael nodded.
This wasn't hard to understand. Someone whom even Dumbledore respected must have more to her than just being an examiner.
Moreover, the Wizard Examination Board is arguably one of the most monotonous and tedious jobs at the Ministry of Magic, tedious, monotonous… and also poorly paid, with salaries about half of those of other departments' employees.
A normal person might last three to five years, yet Madam Marchbanks stayed in the position for a hundred years.
"So you understand now."
Professor McGonagall continued, "Getting her approval suggests your paper is likely just fine.
I estimate, after Christmas, people from 'Today's Transfiguration' will come to the school, and by then, they will ask you some questions, which will be the final test.
If you pass smoothly, then your paper will be published in the next issue of the magazine… and it will be the headline on the front page, the most prominent spot."
At this point, it was just time for class.
Professor McGonagall accelerated her speech, walking quickly towards the classroom as she hurriedly told Kael, "Prepare well, their questions won't be easy to answer."
The two entered the classroom just as the bell ended.
Conna had saved a seat for him, and Kael walked over and sat beside her.
"What happened?" Conna whispered, "Was your business of selling high-priced trinkets discovered?"
"It's unrelated to that."
Just as Kael wanted to tell her about the paper, Professor McGonagall started talking, so he could only shake his head and say, "I'll tell you after class…"
When they walked into the classroom, Professor McGonagall's smile almost instantly vanished, replaced with her usual serious demeanor.
"Fourth year is important, next year is the O.W.L.s exam. I hope you will focus more and not be as careless as the past two years."
"Today we are learning cross-species transformation, which is a question that will definitely appear in the O.W.L.s exam. Remember, it's not possible, but certain to appear.
Up until now, you've learned only the most basic content. Only by mastering cross-species transformation can you be considered as truly having grasped Transfiguration."
Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze swept across the classroom.
Everyone immediately straightened their backs, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Very well, open your books, we'll start with the basics… Unlike inanimate objects, when performing cross-species transformation, the Transfiguration Spell must be adjusted accordingly…"
After Professor McGonagall finished pointing out matters to note, she took out a guinea fowl and transformed it into a chubby guinea pig.
"This is your task for this class. If there are still feathers on it, it will be marked as a fail!"
Very quickly, the sound of guinea fowls flapping their wings filled the classroom, occasionally interrupted by gasps from those pecked on the hand.
After the class ended, only three people met the requirements, as most guinea pigs handed in still retained thick feathers, which clearly weren't acceptable.
Professor McGonagall looked a bit displeased.
Kael and Conna left the Transfiguration classroom and headed up the stairs.
Along the way, Kael briefly mentioned the matter of the paper to her.
Conna was surprised at first, but thinking about it being Kael, it didn't seem that strange.
Compared to the second-class Merlin Knight Order medal and the three neatly placed Special Awards for Services to the School in the trophy room, the Most Promising Newcomer Award from 'Today's Transfiguration' seemed like just another achievement.
"I knew there wouldn't be an issue…"
Conna encouragingly patted Kael's shoulder, smiling as she said, "After the Christmas holiday, when the new issue comes out, I'll buy several copies to show my support."
"That's so kind of you…" Kael whispered, "How many will you subscribe to, five hundred… I can ask Professor McGonagall to request a reprint ahead of time."
"In your dreams, up to five." Conna said grumpily, "'Today's Transfiguration' is expensive, I don't have that much money."
Kael thought for a moment, and it seemed true. A scholarly magazine like that would surely be more expensive than the 'Daily Prophet.'
"Alright then, but remember to give a copy to Professor Snape," he said. "No other reason, I just want to hear the professor's opinion about my paper."
Conna glanced sideways at Kael.
Her instincts told her that this guy might have an ulterior motive, but after thinking it over carefully, it seemed alright. Besides, even if Kael hadn't mentioned it, she would have shown it to Professor Snape anyway.
...