"Come in."
Professor McGonagall's slightly weary voice came from the office.
Charlie pushed the door open. Professor McGonagall was sitting behind her desk, holding a stack of parchment, seemingly grading assignments.
"Mr. White, please have a seat." Professor McGonagall gestured to the chair opposite her.
Charlie sat down obediently. A foolish monarch doesn't equate to courting death; if he's already been called to the office, he should just wait for his fate.
Professor McGonagall put down the parchment, took off her glasses, and rubbed her temples with her hand.
"Mr. White, I know Professor Snape's behavior today was indeed a bit excessive."
Her tone was much gentler than Charlie had expected.
"But that is no reason for you to insult a Professor."
Charlie nodded: "I know, Professor McGonagall. I admit I was impulsive."
"Given that you insulted a Professor, I've decided to give you a month of detention," Professor McGonagall said, pursing her lips.
"You will report to my office every Wednesday and Friday evening this month."
Charlie's face fell, muttering, "I can't take it."
After announcing the punishment, Professor McGonagall's expression softened considerably.
She put her glasses back on and scrutinized Charlie.
"However, I'm very curious about one thing," Professor McGonagall said. "How advanced is your Transfiguration now?"
In the first class, Professor McGonagall was already surprised by Charlie's talent in Transfiguration.
Now, she wanted to gauge his level to better tailor her teaching.
Otherwise, teaching with the same methods would surely hinder a genius.
Charlie was a little surprised: "Would you like to see?"
"Of course, I am the Transfiguration Professor, and I am very interested in my students' abilities."
Charlie stood up and pulled out his wand.
He first waved his wand towards the corner of the office: "Spider Accio!"
A small spider in the corner flew into Charlie's hand.
Then Charlie waved his wand again, and the small spider transformed into a button, resting in his palm.
Although the button looked very crude, it was indeed a complete button.
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened, her face filled with shock.
She slowly stood up, walked over to Charlie, picked up the button, and examined it carefully.
"Merlin's plucked beard," Professor McGonagall murmured.
"You've only been enrolled for a week!"
While the button's appearance was indeed rough, indicating Charlie's Transfiguration wasn't yet refined, this level was perfectly capable of earning an O (Outstanding) on the first-year final exam.
That Accio just now was also quite impressive.
"No wonder you're always distracted, even dozing off, in class," Professor McGonagall realized.
"The things in class are too simple for you."
Thinking of this, a wave of guilt washed over Professor McGonagall.
For a genius student like Charlie, she had not fulfilled a teacher's proper responsibility.
"Wait a moment, Mr. White."
Professor McGonagall walked to the bookshelf and took down a thick notebook from the top shelf.
The notebook looked quite old, its cover already yellowing, but it was well preserved.
"These are my Transfiguration notes," Professor McGonagall handed the notebook to Charlie.
"They contain my understanding and insights into Transfiguration over many years. I hope they will be helpful to you."
Charlie took the notebook, feeling its weight.
Although he didn't need this theoretical knowledge, Professor McGonagall's kindness made him feel warm.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," Charlie said sincerely.
Professor McGonagall's face showed a relieved smile.
"Remember, talent is only part of success; effort and character are equally important."
Charlie nodded, and so is cheating.
"Very good." Professor McGonagall nodded with satisfaction.
"That will be all for today then. Remember, report promptly at eight o'clock next Wednesday evening."
Charlie, holding the notebook, bid farewell to Professor McGonagall and walked out of the office.
Watching Charlie's departing back, Professor McGonagall's eyes were full of admiration.
This child is not only extraordinarily talented but also very polite. It must have been Professor Snape's overly harsh words that angered him.
"It's just a pity he's not from Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall sighed softly.
If Charlie were a Gryffindor student, she would have more opportunities to communicate with and guide him.
But even now it's fine; at least she can still guide him through the opportunity of detention.
Charlie came out of the office, his stomach rumbling loudly.
Dinner time was long past; the Great Hall was probably deserted.
He could only pray that his two good roommates, Ernie and Justin, had saved him some food.
Pushing open the door to the Hufflepuff common room, Ernie was playing wizard chess with Justin.
Charlie walked over to them, his face expectant, looking at them eagerly.
Ernie looked up at him, his face full of bewilderment:
"What's wrong with you? Constipated?"
Justin also glanced at Charlie, as if he'd thought of something, and shivered, looking disgusted.
No, buddy, what are you thinking?
Charlie instantly deflated, slumping onto the nearby sofa:
"Nothing, just hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"
Ernie smiled mysteriously and put down his chess piece:
"As a Hufflepuff student, how could we ever be short on food?"
He beckoned to Charlie: "Follow me."
Charlie, puzzled, followed Ernie out of the common room.
Ernie stopped in front of a still-life painting of fruit and reached out to gently scratch the pear in the painting.
Something magical happened: the pear transformed into a green doorknob.
Ernie pushed the door open, and Charlie curiously followed him in.
The sight behind the door made Charlie's eyes widen.
It was a different world within, a huge kitchen with a high ceiling and shining copper pots and pans hanging on the walls.
A group of creatures, only reaching Charlie's waist in height, were bustling about inside.
These creatures had pointed ears, tennis-ball-sized eyes, and wore clothes made of tea towels of various colors.
Aside from the clothes, they strongly resembled the Goblins Charlie had seen at Gringotts.
"These are all House-elves," Ernie introduced.
"They are responsible for Hogwarts' daily cleaning and all the meals."
Seeing Young Wizards enter, the House-elves all put down their work and eagerly swarmed forward.
"Does the Young Wizard need anything?"
"Billy is very happy to serve you!"
"Are you hungry? We can make any food!"
The cacophony of voices made Charlie flustered.
"I didn't have dinner, and I'm a bit hungry."
The House-elf named Billy immediately stepped forward:
"What would you like to eat? Anything! English, French, Italian, or Chinese?"
Charlie was a little surprised.
"There's Chinese too? Then I'd like to eat a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."
He expected the House-elf to be confused about what a Manchu Han Imperial Feast was, but instead, it asked:
"Manchu Han Imperial Feast! Which dish would you like to eat?"
Charlie was stunned: "You can make it?"
Billy proudly puffed out his chest.
"Of course! There was once an exchange student from China who left us a complete recipe book. That Wizard said that only a chef who can cook a Manchu Han Imperial Feast is a true chef!"
Charlie swallowed.
"Then I'd like to eat duck."
"One Eight-Treasure Stuffed Duck!"
The House-elves shouted in unison, then immediately became busy.
Charlie looked at the Chinese kitchen utensils in the kitchen and felt a sense of incongruity.
In less than twenty minutes, with the enhancement of magic, a fragrant Eight-Treasure Stuffed Duck was served.
The duck's surface was roasted golden, and its belly was stuffed with sticky rice, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, and various other ingredients. Just smelling it made one's appetite soar.
"Do you need anything else?" The House-elves looked at Charlie expectantly.
"Some more rice and soup, please," Charlie said without hesitation.
Soon, steaming hot rice and sweet pumpkin soup were also placed on the table.
Ernie watched from the side, drooling.
"I just had dinner, but this smells so good."
"Eat with me," Charlie invited.
"This big duck, I can't finish it alone."
The two sat down and began to enjoy this unexpected late-night snack.
Charlie tore off a piece of duck leg meat and put it in his mouth, instantly conquered by its delicious flavor.
"It's so delicious!" Ernie exclaimed.
"I never thought Chinese food could be this good!"
Charlie smiled.
"There's so much good Chinese food; I wonder if the House-elves can make all of it."
Billy said proudly from the side:
"Billy and his companions can make any food you can imagine, as long as you can describe it."