If it had been any other young witch or wizard with such intentions, Professor McGonagall would definitely have given that student a lesson on the spot. But if it was Hermione and Glenn...
Their talent exceeded her own.
This was Professor McGonagall's thought.
Though there was an element of modesty in it, in reality, when it came to actual comparison, that's just how it was.
At least Professor McGonagall didn't believe she could have cooperated with someone at Glenn and Hermione's age to face a Basilisk in direct combat.
Heaven knows how excited she'd felt when Dumbledore "accidentally" let it slip—if the old bee hadn't held her back, Professor McGonagall probably would have charged straight into the library to arrest those two "lawless" ones who had performed such a dangerous act.
Fortunately, Glenn and Hermione hadn't been injured, otherwise Professor McGonagall definitely wouldn't have let the two little ones off so easily.
But looking at it from another angle, Professor McGonagall removed her spectacles of worry and could see two bright, brilliant new stars in the future of British wizardry.
"Give them more freedom and room to grow. Those two children both know their limits..."
At the time, Dumbledore had said this to Professor McGonagall.
"...Well, at least Hermione knows her limits. She'll keep Glenn in check—you should know this too, Minerva."
If that old bee hadn't added that last sentence, Professor McGonagall might have felt even more at ease.
However...
"Sigh... Never mind. Those two children really don't need me to worry too much about them."
Professor McGonagall scattered the chaotic thoughts in her mind and began to concentrate on teaching again.
"Now then, can anyone tell me what characteristics Animagus transformation has..."
As soon as she finished speaking, several small hands shot up in the classroom with a whoosh, but obviously, the fastest hand belonged to that woman.
The forever unreachable hand-raising speed, Hogwarts' fastest hand legend and the most ferocious tiger! Hermione Granger!
"What?!" "How can she be so fast!" "Just missed it again!" "Damn!" "Next time for sure..."
Scattered voices came from around the classroom. Those slower-raised hands were reluctantly withdrawn, and in their eyes could be seen flames of fighting spirit and determination.
Although they might not have figured out how to answer Professor McGonagall's question, this didn't prevent those young witches and wizards from wanting to beat Hermione in the hand-raising segment of classroom questioning.
There was no helping it—young witches and wizards in their adolescence naturally developed competitive spirits, but Hermione's dominance in all aspects of learning was witnessed by all the young witches and wizards at Hogwarts. The only thing that was slightly related to learning but not too beyond their capabilities was "raising hands."
As for answering questions?
They really hadn't thought much about that. They'd think about it when their hand-raising speed could surpass Hermione's.
Just raise your hand first and be done with it.
Hermione gave a delicate snort, stood up proudly with her hands behind her back, and began confidently answering Professor McGonagall's question.
"Animagus cannot arbitrarily transform into any animal, and the transformed animal is related to the wizard's personality and body weight. Generally speaking, each wizard can and can only transform into one kind of animal. So far, no wizard has been discovered who can transform into two or more animals through Animagus."
"At the same time, Animagus transformation is usually limited to non-magical creatures, while transformation into magical creatures will bring unpredictable consequences. As far as I know, this is perhaps because there are fundamental differences in how wizards' magic and magical creatures' magic operate."
"After Animagus transformation is completed, during the spell's duration, the wizard's body will truly become that animal the caster can transform into—from outside to inside, from surface fur to bones and internal organs, completely identical to that animal's physiological structure, and will not emit any magical fluctuations, unable to be detected by magical means."
"Moreover, the animal that an Animagus transforms into always seems to be the same as the Patronus form created when they cast the Patronus Charm, but currently there are no known cases that can prove an Animagus's animal form will change with changes in their Patronus, so this point can only be considered supplementary."
"That's all I wanted to say, Professor McGonagall."
Hermione finished what she wanted to say.
"Mm, a very detailed answer, Miss Granger. For this I'll award ten points to Gryffindor."
"You may sit down now."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
Hermione respectfully nodded to Professor McGonagall, straightened her robes, and sat down.
"How was it? Wasn't my answer really good?"
As soon as her bottom touched the seat, Hermione eagerly leaned close to Glenn's ear and whispered.
"Mm, covered all the key points in the textbook, and even some knowledge that Intermediate Transfiguration doesn't record..."
"But I think you've been tricked."
Glenn said flatly.
"Ah? Tricked? What do you mean?"
Hermione asked in confusion.
Glenn didn't reply. He raised his left hand, extended his index finger, gently hooked Hermione's soft left cheek, and pulled it to the right.
Then Hermione's gaze met Professor McGonagall's scrutinizing look that carried some other unclear and meaningful intent.
The old cat lady's eyes seemed to say: I knew you girl wanted to secretly learn Animagus! I've caught you red-handed!
"?!"
Oh no! It's a trap!
The hair on Hermione's head immediately stood on end, but her face only showed emotional fluctuation for an instant before the little girl swallowed it in her sea of thoughts, and Hermione's expression returned to calm.
That said, she was still panicking terribly inside.
What to do! What if her most beloved professor discovered she was doing something against the rules!
Waiting online, quite urgent.
Glenn! Quick, save me!
"It's fine."
Glenn softly comforted the inwardly turbulent little girl.
"It looks like Professor McGonagall doesn't seem to intend to stop us from learning and transforming with Animagus."
"She probably just wanted to confirm her own guess. After all, you've also asked her about Animagus-related matters through letters before. Maybe she already had suspicions about your behavior and motives at that time."
"Eh, is that so?"
"Just guessing."
"Guessing!?"
"Eighty or ninety percent certain. I read it through cold reading."
"Phew... That's good then."
"But the remaining ten percent probability event isn't impossible either."
"Ah?!"
"But you also have a corresponding solution."
"...Glenn, I'm begging you, give me a quick answer."
"You can get by with your cute appearance."
"Ah, ah... Is that so..."
Hermione suddenly became embarrassed.
"Ahem."
A coughing sound suddenly came from in front of them.
Then Hermione saw the old cat lady's glasses reflecting light.
Terrible, caught in the act.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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