Chapter 26
DeVero checked his watch. There was little time remaining before the lesson began. The classroom was already becoming crowded with students, and the noise level was increasing. DeVero waved to Hermione, indicating he was going to the Slytherin table, then turned and walked away.
His presence clearly surprised the first-year Slytherins. They stared at him, wide-eyed, likely remembering how he hadn't even finished his meal the day before before being taken away by Snape. They had all assumed his expulsion was certain. Yet here he was, standing in front of them, very much alive!
Whispers about DeVero started to circulate among the students.
"What's happening? He wasn't expelled? I thought we wouldn't see him today!"
"Yeah, maybe it's some other punishment? Like detention?"
"I can't understand this!"
But DeVero was indifferent to the students' chatter. He had no interest in their views. The "entries" he could gather from them had already been collected yesterday and stored in his entry library.
He casually took a seat near the front. Although he hadn't yet obtained any Transfiguration-related entries from others, he wanted to experiment with something. Was his talent truly as ineffective as it appeared? Today, he refused to accept that!
So DeVero was unusually concentrated, determined to demonstrate his capabilities.
Sitting in the front row also allowed him to closely watch Professor McGonagall execute her most advanced Transfiguration—the complete Animagus transformation.
He hoped to understand its complexities using only his "Magical Prodigy" entry.
Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. As the class bell rang, the tabby cat resting on the desk jumped down. Its body twisted and shifted rapidly.
Before DeVero could catch even a single detail, a stern woman in a black-green robe stood at the front of the room.
Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House, and officially registered Animagus—Professor Minerva McGonagall!
DeVero was astonished.
That process wasn't merely magic—or rather, magic was just a small part of it!
As a self-proclaimed magical prodigy, he could assert that while McGonagall had utilized a considerable amount of magical energy, it wasn't nearly enough to accomplish such a drastic transformation, given his limited understanding of Transfiguration.
Unless… The caster had altered their own body!
DeVero recalled fragmented information from the original books about Animagi.
He vaguely remembered that the process involved consuming an extremely complex potion under strict conditions. In other words, becoming an Animagus was a combination of Transfiguration and Potions! That clarified the effect.
His eyes brightened at the realization. He might not excel at Transfiguration, but as a "Potions Spirit," he was an expert at creating potions!
His mind quickly conjured several ingredients that could produce the desired effect, mentally organizing and combining them to deduce the potion's recipe on the spot.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
The sound of knuckles tapping on the desk jolted DeVero from his thoughts. He looked up, startled, to see Professor McGonagall glaring at him with a serious expression.
"Mr. Alexander, care to share what you're thinking about?"
DeVero sat up straight, alarmed. A cat with its fur standing on end was genuinely frightening!
"Professor, I was contemplating whether becoming an Animagus is a multidisciplinary process."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback to hear a first-year mention Animagi. "Because, from my observation, you used relatively little magical energy during your transformation, which doesn't seem sufficient for such a complex change. So I'm guessing advanced human Transfiguration isn't just about the spell itself."
McGonagall's stern expression softened, replaced by a hint of surprise. Not only had he used the obscure term "Animagus," but he'd also noticed her minimal magical consumption. This was unprecedented. Intrigued, she probed further. "Indeed. So, what are your thoughts on achieving human Transfiguration?"
DeVero exhaled in relief and continued. "My current theory is to merge Transfiguration with Potions. In Potions, the creation of the Polyjuice Potion draws on the rare transformation principles of a Metamorphmagus. Perhaps this approach could be expanded for Animagi, but this time, the potion would need to permanently change the drinker's physical structure, unlike the temporary effects of Polyjuice."
McGonagall nodded slightly, a rare smile breaking through. "Your reasoning aligns with mainstream academic views. Advanced human Transfiguration does indeed heavily integrate with Potions. However, becoming an Animagus is extremely dangerous. While potions and Transfiguration can achieve the transformation into an animal, they don't address other issues that arise in the process—something you'll learn about in your sixth year."
"Listen carefully. You have much to learn at Hogwarts. Don't try to take on more than you can handle." With that, McGonagall returned to the front of the class.
DeVero nodded in gratitude, realizing she'd let him off without punishment, likely because it was his first offense and his thoughts were somewhat relevant to the lesson.
But the other young witches and wizards were completely baffled.
"What were they discussing?"
"Yeah, what's an Animagus? Never heard of it!"
"Didn't the professor say it's sixth-year material?"
"Wait, did I walk into the wrong classroom? Is this still a first-year Transfiguration class?"
"No way this is first-year content!"
"They're already talking about sixth-year topics in the first lesson? What's left to learn?"
Even the Slytherins who'd been gossiping about DeVero began to question his identity.
"Is he some pureblood family's secret heir?"
"Could be! How else does he know so much?"
"And he hit Mal… and still wasn't expelled?"
"Yeah, so should we…"
Malfoy, overhearing this, was seething, his mouth twisting in anger. Seeing DeVero steal the spotlight was worse than being insulted himself!
Clearly, these naive young witches and wizards were experiencing their first taste of being overshadowed.
"Transfiguration is the most intricate and perilous subject you'll study at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall announced from the front.
"Anyone who misbehaves, dozes off, or daydreams in my class will be asked to leave and never return. Consider yourselves warned."
She cast a pointed look at DeVero, who shrugged helplessly.
The formal lesson commenced. McGonagall transformed her desk into a pig and back again, performing several transformations in quick succession.
The roomful of young witches and wizards instantly became excited, perhaps even more so than when they'd seen her change from a cat into a human. Maybe turning into animals didn't interest them as much? Regardless, their enthusiasm was palpable.
DeVero watched with keen interest. As expected of a teacher with the "Master Educator" entry, McGonagall had a talent for engaging her students. She then began explaining various precautions.
"Transfiguration is an extraordinarily complex magic, and with that comes great danger. Why is that?"
With a wave of her wand, colorful powder shot from its tip, forming a 3D projection-like image.
The powder morphed into distorted human forms—bodies fused with animals, or even collapsed into grotesque masses of flesh. The gruesome scenes turned the students pale.
DeVero, however, observed thoughtfully. Was this the result of failed Transfiguration? The risks were indeed high. Attempting it recklessly could turn him into some kind of monster. Learning to become an Animagus would require careful planning.
"These are tragedies caused by forgetting the greatest principle of Transfiguration," McGonagall stated gravely.
"That principle is caution! These individuals, unprepared, used Transfiguration on themselves or others, leading to horrific outcomes!"
"Legend has it that Anubis, the protector of Egypt, was a powerful wizard capable of bringing people back from the dead. Yet even he, through reckless human Transfiguration, couldn't revert his head from that of a jackal, losing half his sanity!"
"There are countless examples: the half-human, half-lion Sphinx; the bull-headed Minotaur; the half-human, half-horse Centaurs, who sought the stamina of horses. And so on."
"I urge you to approach Transfiguration with caution and focus."
DeVero nodded slightly. When he'd seen the "Transfiguration Prodigy" entry before, he'd wondered why caution was the most critical quality for a master of the art. Now he understood. Without caution, one might meet Death before becoming a master.
The eager young witches and wizards visibly deflated, clearly intimidated by the consequences.
After laying the groundwork, the lesson transitioned into theory. As described in the original books, Transfiguration notes were painfully dry and obscure. Even with his "Academic Genius" entry, DeVero found them challenging, though he performed far better than his fellow first-years. Glancing back, he saw Malfoy chewing his quill in frustration, which lifted his spirits slightly.
Finally, the moment DeVero had been eagerly anticipating arrived—the practical session. It was time to test just how much Transfiguration talent he truly possessed!