"Learning Transfiguration requires extraordinary diligence. It is more rigorous and scientific than any other branch of magic,"
Professor McGonagall said as she stepped down from the platform, tapping Harry's textbook.
"To begin, turn to page five.
I will repeat what is written there:
When performing Transfiguration, your wand movements must be firm and decisive.
Do not swing or twist the wand unnecessarily, or the spell will certainly fail.
Before casting, clearly visualize what you wish the object to become…"
After explaining two key principles—and the counter-spell used to reverse transfiguration—Professor McGonagall tasked the students with transforming the matchstick on their desks into a silver needle.
The classroom erupted into frantic attempts.
Wands waved, incantations sputtered and stumbled, but the matchsticks remained stubbornly unchanged.
Groans, sighs, and frustrated muttering spread across the room.
Hermione, however, wasn't watching her own matchstick—she was watching Sean.
Sean's eyes were bright and deeply focused.
Transfiguration—the branch of magic said to reflect a wizard's will more than any other.
Its very existence proved something profound:
Magic is a miracle.
And the wizard…
is the one who commands miracles.
With clarity of intent, unwavering belief, and enough mental strength,
even a first-year could reshape the nature of matter.
I know the structure of a matchstick. And I believe I can do it.
Sean thought to himself.
He could study the details more thoroughly,
he could build up confidence through repetition,
—but something far more intriguing was calling to him.
Something from Magical Theory:
To fully unleash the power of a spell, one needs sufficient spiritual force.
If Lumos draws power from longing for light…
Then what emotion drives Transfiguration?
"It's command," Sean whispered.
Authority. Dominion. I am the one who decides.
"I am the one who commands.
I—am god."
"Trans—figura—tion!"
[You performed Basic Transfiguration at an Expert standard. Proficiency +30]
Light burst from the tip of his wand.
The matchstick shimmered—
and instantly transformed into a silver needle, gleaming sharply with a tiny eye at the end.
The students gasped.
"He did it!"
"How in Merlin's socks—?!"
"Who was that—Sean?—WHAT?!"
Beside him, Hermione's jaw dropped.
Same wand movement.
Same incantation.
Why—how—could he succeed like that?
"Mr Green—"
Professor McGonagall strode over quickly, eyes locked on the perfect silver needle.
Her stern face softened into something like pride—
But then her expression changed sharply.
"Stand back from Mr Green. Immediately!"
Her voice cracked like a whip.
The surrounding students scattered in alarm.
Sean barely noticed.
His eyes were steady, intense, unwavering.
"I can go further,"
he murmured.
"Trans—figura—tion!"
His wand slashed through the air.
In the cage beside him, the squeaking mouse warped—
its body twisting, shrinking, reshaping into a small ornate snuff bottle.
It wasn't perfect—the tail still twitched feebly—
but the room exploded with unified, awed voices:
"Wooooah—!"
[You performed Intermediate Transfiguration at Initiate standard. Proficiency +50]
"Mr Green,"
Professor McGonagall's voice trembled—not from anger, but from the weight of real astonishment.
"A deeply unsettling level of talent…"
she murmured, pausing.
Sean, exhausted by the drain on his magic, looked up shyly from the desk.
And the professor's stiff expression softened completely—
her stern gaze warmed by genuine delight.
A dangerous gift, perhaps… but in the right hands.
A reassuring bearer.
"For surpassing the expected level of Transfiguration—
Ravenclaw earns ten points!"
Her smile was proud.
"Yes!"
Michael punched the air, snatching Terry's matchstick in his excitement.
Terry snapped his head up to protest, but froze when Michael shouted:
"Sean did it, Terry! Ten points for Ravenclaw!"
Terry looked at Sean for a long second—
then smiled, embarrassed and amazed.
Michael continued cackling as he ran off with the stolen matchstick, forcing Anthony to shake his head with a sigh.
[You performed Intermediate Transfiguration at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10]
[You performed Intermediate Transfiguration at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10]
[You performed Intermediate Transfiguration at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +10]
Sean pushed himself through a few more attempts before his strength gave out.
Panting, he glanced at his panel:
[Transfiguration: Apprentice (113/900)]
[Advancement: Reach Initiate-level Transfiguration to unlock Transfiguration Field Title]
A rapid rise.
As expected of a pale-violet talent.
He longed to see what the new title would bring—but now wasn't the time.
He still needed to reach functional potion-brewing level—which meant mastering full ingredient preparation first.
Across the room, Terry suddenly shouted:
"Where's my matchstick?!"
And Michael bolted from the classroom like a fleeing hippogriff.
As he sprinted past Sean, he yelled breathlessly:
"You're amazing, Sean!"
Sean chuckled softly and headed toward the greenhouse.
In the corridor outside the greenhouses, he spotted a familiar figure.
"Senior Bruce."
Sean walked over quickly.
"Ah—Sean,"
Bruce smiled warmly.
"Off to the greenhouse together?"
"Mm."
Sunlight streamed through the castle windows, throwing long shadows of armor and statues across the floor. Portraits chattered loudly to one another—a noblewoman turning her head away indignantly from a persistent knight.
"Do you know why Professor Sprout handles things like snake fangs?"
Bruce asked with a raised brow.
"For brewing potions for the first-years?"
Sean offered.
"Well… now I understand why you were sorted into Ravenclaw."
Bruce sighed dramatically.
"In that case, can you guess what we're doing today?"
Sean thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Aha!"
Bruce grinned triumphantly.
"Slug processing—both with tentacles and without.
And porcupine quills.
If we're fast, we can finish today."
Sean nodded, excitement rising.
If he could master these materials today, he'd complete step one of his potion plan.
Full of anticipation, Sean pushed open the wooden greenhouse door…
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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