While Professor McGonagall was being thoroughly bewitched—courtesy of the Beast-Taming Sect's refined methods—the class erupted in delighted squeals. Theodore scooped the tabby off the lectern and scratched under her chin.
The tabby obligingly tipped her head back, purring like a tiny engine.
Eyes sparkled across the room.
"So cute!"
Even Hermione's gaze glittered. "Theo, can I—can I pet her?"
Theodore's mouth quirked. "Of course. Look—if she's still up on the lectern right before class, she clearly loves an audience. A cuddle-seeking kitty, through and through."
"Maybe Hogwarts arranged this to ease first-day nerves," he added, deadpan. "If you're anxious, pet therapy is now in session."
He stroked the tabby's head and beckoned Hermione closer. Hermione touched tentatively, then breathed, "Her fur is so silky."
That opened the floodgates. More girls reached in; even a few boys couldn't resist. In moments, the tabby—who was very much Professor McGonagall—had become the class mascot.
Inside the purr-drunk haze, McGonagall's mind was a howl of mortification. Her pupils trembled; regret hit like a Bludger.
Why did I transform?
Never again will I demonstrate Animagus on the first lesson!
And henceforth—ban all cat-teasing items from Hogwarts!
She could only pray no colleagues happened to pass the door. Otherwise… blackmail material for life.
All she had to do was wait for the bell; students would scatter to seats, she could slip away and reappear human, and dignity might yet be salvaged.
Then Theo casually lifted his wand. A matchbox on the desk stretched—longer, longer—until it became a tidy bundle of teaser wands.
"Merlin's beard!"
"Theo, how did you—?"
Even the wizard-born gaped. Their parents had warned them: of all branches, Transfiguration was the most abstruse and unforgiving. Those who excelled at it tended to be the very best of their generation. (Unwritten rule: Hogwarts heads of Transfiguration were prime headmaster material.)
Class hadn't even started, and Theo was already… doing that.
"And Hermione," Theo said, glancing at the minimalist bundle, "would you decorate? My aesthetics are criminally plain."
Hermione pressed her lips together, pleased. In this life—with Theo's pointers—she was miles ahead of canon. Where she'd once barely turned a match into a pin by lesson one, now her wandwork flowed.
A flick, a flourish—stars and ribbons shimmered along the teasers, tasteful and bright.
Jaw after jaw dropped. Harry and Ron traded looks of pure despair.
We met two monsters on the train, didn't we? Are we the only small fries here?
Theo wasn't done. He waved again; a front-row desk reshaped, rose, and locked into place as a tall, sturdy cat tree.
He sighed, just a touch. That strained the current ceiling of his magic. Transfiguration had a thousand pitfalls; even with Seven-Apertures Heart, there was only so much a first-year could self-teach from a book.
Still, it was more than enough to set the room buzzing again.
Even the thoroughly-petted Professor's pupils flashed with reluctant awe. Hermione's talent mirrored her own youthful brilliance; Theo… was a problem.
"Ten points to Gryffindor!" slipped out of the tabby in a very feline chirrup.
To the class, it was simply an adorable meow.
"Did you hear? The kitty's happy!"
"She likes the teasers—and the cat tree!"
"Let's play with her!"
Theo grinned and handed out teaser wands. McGonagall found herself bounding up and down the cat tree after twinkling lures, breath quickening despite herself.
What was I just pleased about?!
The Transfiguration is excellent—on props designed to torment me!
"Mr Ashbourne! I shall remember you for this!" came out as an indignant, breathy mrow.
While the room dissolved into giggles, a pale, translucent pane flickered before Theo's eyes:
[While Cihang Daoist preaches the Way of Transformation, you display superior aptitude for change. The Daoist takes note of your name.]
[Relationship with Cihang Daoist: Acquaintance.]
[Reward available — Talent: Ten-Thousand Transformations.]
[Claim now?]
Theo dispelled his transfigurations one by one. Earning Acquaintance on the very first lesson was plenty. If he pushed further, he might actually break the Professor.
Just then, the bell rang; the scrum loosened. McGonagall seized her chance, shook off the haze, and fled the classroom in a streak of tabby.
Students blinked at the door.
"The bell rang… where is Professor McGonagall? She's never late."
A minute later, an owl swooped in with a note:
"Due to overwork, Professor McGonagall is unwell. Today's first period is a self-study session. Please read Chapter One of your Transfiguration text and prepare a three-inch essay for the next lesson.
Additionally, Theodore Ashbourne earns +10 points to Gryffindor, and Hermione Granger earns +5 for exemplary demonstrations.
Since Mr Ashbourne's Transfiguration is so… advanced, his essay should naturally be nine inches."
Theo pinched the bridge of his nose, smiling despite himself.
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