If he put aside his pursuit of power and had to choose the subject that interested him most, Vaughn would undoubtedly choose Transfiguration.
Its vastness, complexity, and versatility touched nearly every aspect of the magical world.
If there were a single discipline that could represent magic itself, Transfiguration would unquestionably take first place.
Especially its advanced branch—Animagus transformation.
After casually brushing Neville off, Vaughn and Hermione took seats in the front row.
From the moment they sat down, Vaughn’s eyes remained fixed on the tabby cat perched on the teacher’s desk.
Hermione found his behavior rather strange.
“Vaughn, is there something wrong with that cat?” “Nothing.” Vaughn certainly wasn’t about to expose Professor McGonagall’s little trick.
Honestly, if he hadn’t read the original story and known her routine in advance, there was no way he could have recognized the cat as an Animagus transformation at his current level with only a quick glance.
It was simply too natural.
The distribution of colors, the amount of fur, even the growth patterns of the hair—all of it appeared completely authentic.
Only through deliberate observation could one notice that the tabby lacked certain animal instincts, and even that was the result of Professor McGonagall consciously suppressing them.
She merely wanted to give the new students a memorable introduction, not secretly spy on anyone.
Hermione didn’t think much of it.
Professor McGonagall, however, was inwardly surprised.
Throughout her years of teaching, she had encountered plenty of students who stared at her cat form because they liked cats.
But after exchanging a single glance with Vaughn, she immediately understood.
This cat-loving Weasley was looking at her with curiosity and amazement.
He had recognized her identity.
Perhaps another promising Transfiguration talent…
Even if he was a Slytherin.
Unable to help herself, Professor McGonagall gave Vaughn a slight nod.
Vaughn responded with a respectful bow of his head.
Their silent exchange startled Hermione.
“Vaughn, it…
no, she…” “Shh.
It’s the professor’s surprise.” Hermione quickly covered her mouth and stared at Professor McGonagall with curiosity.
As class time approached, students gradually filled the classroom.
A few noticed the tabby cat sitting on the desk, but none paid it much attention.
Then the famous Harry Potter and his dormmate Ron Weasley entered last.
Professor McGonagall leapt from the desk, dispelled her Animagus transformation, and returned to human form.
The entire classroom erupted in astonishment.
It was undeniably a successful entrance.
One only had to look at the bright-eyed first-years to know that.
Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall was not pleased.
Because two students had managed to be late to the very first lesson.
“Mr.
Potter, Mr.
Wea—Ron Weasley.
Perhaps I should transform both of you into pocket watches to ensure you remember class times?” “We got lost, Professor,” Harry explained weakly.
“Then perhaps I should turn you into maps?” Professor McGonagall’s expression became even sterner.
“Why aren’t you taking your seats?
Do you require a map to find those as well?
And because you are late, Gryffindor loses five points.
I hope you’ll remember this lesson.” The two boys fell silent and hurried over to sit beside Vaughn and Hermione.
It was the only empty space left in the classroom.
Apparently, no matter where you were, the seats closest to the teacher were never popular.
“Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will study at Hogwarts.” Professor McGonagall waved her wand, transforming her desk into a pig.
As the students collectively gasped, she declared loudly, “Anyone foolish enough to misbehave in my classroom will be punished.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Harry and Ron immediately turned pale.
“She’s just trying to scare you,” Hermione whispered.
“Hogwarts hasn’t allowed professors to punish students with Transfiguration for years.
I read it in Hogwarts: A History.” Before the two boys could relax, Vaughn casually added, “But nobody supervises the professors.
If she secretly turned you into pigs, no one would ever know.” Ron shot Vaughn a gloomy look and seemed about to say something, but eventually swallowed his words.
Harry, on the other hand, still liked Vaughn and didn’t mind the joke.
Ever since learning about the wizarding world, everyone around him had talked about how terrible Slytherin was.
But he had never experienced it firsthand.
Therefore, when Professor McGonagall continued, “Before we begin, I would like to commend Mr.
Vaughn Weasley.
He was the only student in this class who recognized my Animagus transformation.
Therefore, Slytherin receives five points.” Harry and Hermione immediately applauded enthusiastically.
“Traitor,” Ron muttered under his breath.
Nobody paid him any attention.
Professor McGonagall then began the lesson.
Vaughn opened his textbook, A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
Hermione noticed that nearly every page was filled with notes.
“You’ve already tried it?” she exclaimed.
Vaughn nodded.
“Only object transfiguration.
And I still have plenty of questions.” Noticing the look of admiration on Hermione’s face, he felt compelled to add, “I wouldn’t recommend experimenting on your own, Hermione.
If you have questions, ask me or the professor.” Based on his own experiences, Professor McGonagall’s opening warning had not been exaggerated in the slightest.
Transfiguration truly was the most complex and dangerous branch of magic.
Simple changes to the shape of an object were one thing.
For example, the dried fish snack Vaughn had transformed into a mouse the previous night had still been object transfiguration rather than true living transfiguration.
That mouse had been fake.
It wasn’t actually alive.
Living transfiguration involved changing a living creature into an object or into a different type of living creature altogether.
The moment one began altering forms of life and states of existence, even temporarily, countless unpredictable dangers arose.
Imagine turning a rabbit into a teacup.
Then, when the spell was reversed, it failed to become a rabbit again and instead became a twisted mass of flesh.
Worse still, imagine it surviving for a time, writhing and screaming in agony.
The horror of such a sight…
After witnessing something similar once, Vaughn hadn’t been able to eat properly for several days.
And that was because he was mentally mature enough to exercise caution and restraint.
If an inexperienced young wizard carelessly attempted human transfiguration and produced such a result…
The consequences would be catastrophic.
The lesson officially began.
First came Professor McGonagall’s lecture.
For students with no foundation, her explanations were both complicated and difficult.
They could only frantically scribble down key points as quickly as possible.
For Vaughn, however, it was an excellent opportunity to verify his own understanding and theories.
Throughout the lesson, he continuously took notes, comparing her explanations to his own and carefully marking every similarity and difference.
At the end of class, Professor McGonagall handed each student a matchstick and instructed them to transform it into a needle.
She also taught them a spell: Transform Quickly.
Everyone learned the incantation.
However, the spell merely served as an aid.
It was not the key factor behind successful transfiguration.
As a result, by the time class ended, Vaughn was the only student who had completed the task.
Hermione had managed to alter her matchstick somewhat.
One end had already become pointed.
“Excellent, excellent!
Mr.
Vaughn Weasley and Miss Granger.” Professor McGonagall raised their results for the entire class to see.
“As you can all observe, Mr.
Vaughn Weasley’s transfiguration is flawless.
Miss Granger has not yet completely succeeded, but she has already met my expectations.
I am confident that another ten minutes would have been enough for her to produce a proper needle.” “Slytherin and Gryffindor each receive ten points.
Very well, your homework is…” After assigning an essay and dismissing the class, Professor McGonagall stopped Vaughn before he could leave.
“Mr.
Vaughn Weasley, please stay behind.
There is something I would like to discuss with you.”