After lunch, Loren and Hermione, as usual, took a nap and woke up around one o'clock, getting ready to head to the Transfiguration classroom early.
Before leaving the common room, Loren made some preparations. Today was probably his only chance to pet Professor McGonagall's Animagus form. He remembered that Professor McGonagall liked to intimidate new students by sitting as a cat on the desk and then leaping down at the start of class, giving them a striking Animagus demonstration.
That would be his chance. He told Hermione about his idea—Hermione could only describe it as madness. Still, her adventurous side was stirring restlessly, pushing her to join Loren in this reckless plan.
Loren had a strategy: since the classroom would certainly be empty now, once he and Hermione arrived, McGonagall in her office next door would surely notice their presence. She would then slip into the classroom in her Animagus form to investigate, and that was when Loren would strike.
As they left the common room, Loren whispered the details of his scheme to Hermione. Though she thought his "play dumb" plan a bit foolish, she agreed nonetheless, and the two hurried to the Transfiguration classroom.
Inside, as expected, no one else was there. Loren and Hermione chose seats near the door and took out "A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration" to study.
Sure enough, in her office, McGonagall noticed students had arrived far too early. Ravenclaws were studious, yes, but not this studious. Her curiosity piqued, she entered the classroom quietly in her Animagus form to observe.
She immediately spotted Loren and Hermione—both Gryffindors she remembered well, especially since she had personally introduced them to the wizarding world.
McGonagall leapt gracefully onto their desk, watching carefully. To her surprise, the two weren't sneaking in an early "date" but were actually reading and revising. She was pleased.
Thinking about the praises Professors Sprout and Flitwick had recently given them, McGonagall felt even more gratified. True, Loren had made some unusual displays born of ignorance about the wizarding world, and he was far too young to already be dating—but his talents and diligence were undeniable. Pleased with Gryffindor's future, she let her mind drift into bright imaginings.
But Loren and Hermione had already noticed her. Especially once she sat motionless on their desk, lost in thought, they realized this was their moment. The two exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. Loren moved first—reaching out to grab her while loudly saying to Hermione:
"Whose kitten is this? How adorable—much cuter than Filch's cat, almost as cute as your Crookshanks!"
By the time McGonagall jolted back to awareness, she was already caught in Loren's hands. She tried to struggle free, but there was something strange about the scent clinging to Loren's hands. It sent a rush of feline instinct through her—an urge to lick that she had to fight to suppress. Frozen by the overwhelming sensation, she found herself stiff and unable to move.
Loren and Hermione stroked McGonagall's Animagus form from head to tail twice before setting her back down, pretending they had just discovered a cute stray cat.
After Loren placed her back on the desk, it took quite a while before McGonagall regained full control of herself. She then leapt down swiftly and dashed out of the classroom, only transforming back into her human self after finding a deserted corner far away.
Shaken by the memory of that strange scent, she felt awkward knowing she would soon be teaching Loren and Hermione again. She wandered around the castle for a long while before finally returning just in time for class.
Once McGonagall was gone, Hermione whispered, "What exactly did you do? Why did she freeze up like that?"
"I rubbed catnip on my hands—the one I bought for Crookshanks," Loren murmured back.
Hermione remembered Crookshanks' first reaction to catnip, then imagined McGonagall in the same position. She shivered, whispering, "You really are a devil."
"Thanks for the compliment, Hermione. This was the best way to keep her from bolting," Loren replied calmly without lifting his head.
As they were speaking, Loren's sharp ears picked up approaching footsteps. He quickly warned Hermione, "Don't ever bring this up in front of Professor McGonagall. Just act like we petted some random cat passing by. Even if she realizes we knew, let's keep it unspoken."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You taught me that principle—'know but don't say'—when we were six."
Loren scratched his nose to cover his embarrassment, then nodded toward the door. They both bent over their books just as the door opened and several Ravenclaws walked in. Surprised to see people already there, they quickly relaxed when they saw it was Loren and Hermione. Of course the famous Gryffindor couple might come early for a quiet moment together.
After exchanging greetings, they found seats. Soon more students filed in.
McGonagall returned precisely at class time, followed by Harry and Ron, whom she had picked up on her way through the castle.
"Looks like our stunt saved them from being late," Loren mused to himself, remembering how in the original story they had been tardy to their very first Transfiguration lesson.
McGonagall, now at the lectern, began roll call. She showed no change in tone when naming Loren and Hermione, and both responded as if nothing had happened.
Afterward she addressed the class sternly:
"Transfiguration is among the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone who dares misbehave in my classroom will be sent out and never allowed back."
Her severe words cast a shadow over the young students, who sat stiffly. Satisfied but aware that teaching would be impossible with such tension, she swiftly transformed her desk into a pig and back again. This display instantly captivated her audience, especially Loren, who longed to begin practicing.
Once all eyes were fixed on her, McGonagall began her lesson. The students soon realized that transforming objects into animals was far beyond their current level. For now, they were tasked with complex notes and given matches to attempt turning into needles.
Loren quickly succeeded, producing a slender, polished embroidery needle gleaming with metallic luster. Delighted, McGonagall awarded Gryffindor five points and held up his needle for everyone to see.
Hermione immediately asked for his secret, since she could only sharpen one end of the matchstick, unable to change the wood into steel.
Seeing everyone's expectant eyes, Loren explained:
"When transforming a match into a needle, you must picture the needle vividly—the details, the feel of it, even the exact material. Then, when you cast the spell, you must believe it will work."
"Another five points to Gryffindor—for generously sharing that tip," McGonagall said, clapping along with the other students.
Loren's transformed needle then passed hand to hand among his classmates, giving them a real reference. With such an example, their progress improved dramatically. Loren even asked McGonagall for more matches, transformed them into needles, and distributed them.
By the end of class, Hermione was the second to succeed. Most others managed at least to shape the matches into needles, even if the material remained wood. Neville and Ron lagged behind, barely managing a sharpened tip due to their wands, and Seamus fared worst of all, accidentally setting several matches aflame.
Satisfied with their progress, McGonagall assigned no homework, only warning them not to practice transfiguration unsupervised, as it could be dangerous.
The students, thrilled by the lack of homework, rushed off.
But Loren stayed, with Hermione by his side. Once the classroom emptied, he approached McGonagall, who was gathering her teaching materials.
"Professor, I have some questions about Transfiguration. May I ask you?"
McGonagall gave him a long, searching look.
"Loren… you already knew how to perform Transfiguration, didn't you?"
"Yes, Professor. I practiced before term began and can already perfectly change one object into another. But I've encountered some issues I wanted to consult you about."
McGonagall put away her teaching tools, then walked to the door, leaving only her voice in the air:
"Come with me. We'll discuss this in my office."
Without hesitation, Loren took Hermione's hand and followed her.
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