For some very sensible reasons, before heading back to McGonagall's cottage, Sean stopped by the joke shop and grabbed a bunch of materials.
Manager Gert lit up like a Lumos spell and tried to cram half the inventory into his trunk—only to freeze mid-air when she realized it was already stuffed. She stood there like a statue that had just cooled.
"Felix Felicis?! Where'd you even get that? I haven't seen a potions master sell this stuff in ages."
"Professor gave it to me."
Sean said.
Gert pictured Snape storming in like a hurricane, shuddered, and shook the image out of her head.
"You're saying… you're good at potions too?"
No way Snape would hand that over otherwise.
"I know a little."
Sean said, then left the shop.
"Just a little…"
Gert repeated helplessly.
Guess that's what genius looks like?
She wouldn't know.
…
A farm not far from London.
Sunshine, golden wheat fields, everything green and perfect. Except every so often, a blood-curdling animal scream echoed from the pasture.
The little McGonagalls stared down the dusty path, eyes wide. Their parents chatted happily, watching them.
Sean had barely stepped off the carriage when Marcus tackled him in a bear hug.
"Tell me everything about Hogwarts…"
Marcus said, bursting with energy.
In a blur of noise, night slipped in quietly.
By the calm lakeside, Sean raised his wand. A seven-foot fire dragon roared into existence, spitting a fireball that hit the water and sent up a hiss of steam. Look close—its scales had fire-salamander patterns.
Sean frowned. His advanced transfiguration still had issues: casting took too long, and the dragon only lasted three seconds before vanishing.
Bad news for his future plans.
Second year's big plot? The Chamber of Secrets.
If the timeline stayed on track, Harry would handle it.
But what if it didn't?
No mirror trick—look a basilisk in the eyes, and you're dead.
Sean had made tons of plans. The one that thrilled him most—and scared him—was the Basilisk Cookie.
Tame the snake? He'd get a cookie that was insanely useful. In a fight where the other guy had no clue what it did? They'd eat dirt.
The lake ripples faded. A cheerful chime rang in his head:
> [You practiced advanced transfiguration to a Master's standard. Proficiency +3000]
> [You have stepped into a new domain]
Sean focused. First time hearing that.
The panel shifted—everything went black.
One second… two… three…
A wand appeared in the dark. Jet-black, but light shimmered over deep purple and crimson veins beneath.
His wand. Elder and phoenix feather.
Images flashed around it:
- First match into silver needle.
- First fire-salamander.
- First time grafting fire-salamander magic onto a fire crab…
Heavy, rune-etched text appeared:
> [Follow this arduous path, and become a Master]
> [Transfiguration has opened its gates. The hall of glory awaits a legend—]
> [Master-level ascension unlocked]
> [Ascension begun. Master is no longer the limit]
> [Panel upgraded]
Sean stood frozen, heart racing. He scrolled down.
> Title: Transfiguration Master
> Greatly enhances unique perception in all transfiguration fields
All?!
> Transfiguration Categories:
> - Material Transfiguration: Novice (0/300)
> - Magical Transfiguration: Novice (0/300)
> - Soul Transfiguration: Locked
> Evaluation: A wizard newly entered into Master-level transfiguration. Combat power among Masters: less than 5.
> Advancement: One Legendary transfiguration spell + two Master-level spells → Unlock Legendary title in transfiguration
Legendary title…
Combat power under 5…
After the rush, Sean quietly closed the panel.
Master-level transfiguration had transformed the system.
Material was probably living ↔ non-living swaps.
Magical made sense—he'd just turned fire into a magical dragon.
But Soul?
What did that mean?
Something told him—this might be the answer he'd been chasing.
Far away in Africa—Wagadou—wizards turned into cheetahs or elephants and kept their minds.
His cookies couldn't do that. Soul transfiguration might be the key.
If he cracked it, he could transform into magical creatures and stay sane.
The thought lit a fire in him.
Professor Tayla was from Wagadou. She might guide him…
But first—test the upgrade.
Wand flick. Another fire dragon rose.
> [You practiced magical transfiguration to an Apprentice-in-Master standard. Master proficiency +1]
Magical transfiguration ticked up. At the same time, his spell leveled up. He felt the magic flow clearer, stronger.
Guided by instinct, the dragon lasted five seconds.
And that was with layered transfiguration.
No upper-year student could touch him now.
Most adult wizards either.
Professors? His weak physique and magic reserves were still his biggest flaw.
With prep and no limits—he might trade a few blows.
Just a few. But still thrilling.
Stars shone bright in the countryside. Beech trees rose and fell, framing a deep, quiet night.
Sean tapped his wand to his head. His form melted into shadow.
He slipped back to McGonagall's cottage without a sound.
The panel upgrade had clarified his path in transfiguration—direction, progress, everything.
This summer, alchemy and transfiguration had leaped forward.
At this rate, second year? The basilisk probably wouldn't stand a chance.
Then he could really study that Basilisk Cookie.
And so, the night grew deeper.