"Huh? Hermione? What a coincidence."
Sean's voice was mixed with the whooshing of the train as it sped onward.
Outside the window, the open plains had vanished, sunlight dappled the seats as the train slipped into a forest of yew.
Hermione's ears flushed pink. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Sean frowned, puzzled.
"Oh! She was just saying you managed Transfiguration. That's incredible!"
Justin quickly stepped in to cover for her. He pointed to the silver needle lying on the table, drawing both Sean's and Hermione's attention.
"How did you do it? Hermione said it's a very difficult spell."
As soon as he'd spoken, Justin winced, praying the boy opposite wouldn't take offense.
"The incantation is Transfiguration, with a break between Trans and figura, and the emphasis falls on fi. More importantly, when you move your wand left to right, it must be quick don't stop midway."
Sean carefully retraced his practice, picking out the key details. This was how he always learned: by reviewing and refining.
"Well, of course, you also need to visualize clearly in your mind what you want the object to become. You can see that on page five of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration."
The train burst out of the shadowy forest. Bright sunlight flooded the compartment, glinting in Sean's emerald-green eyes.
"So my failure was because I paused… Anyway, it's good to meet you properly. You may not have heard my introduction earlier, but I'll repeat it. I'm Justin. Justin Finch-Fletchley."
Relief softened his tone.
"Hermione Granger," she added quickly, her voice strong despite the faint blush lingering on her cheeks.
"Sean Green."
Sean still thought Hermione was acting oddly. But he decided not to dwell on it.
He had more important matters to consider.
Though it looked as though he was still flipping through A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, his eyes had already focused on the glowing panel in front of him.
Let's see what level of Transfiguration genius I really am.
He admitted he was nervous far more nervous than he had ever been pulling cards in his past life.
Because game power was fake. This, however, was real talent, tied to his future.
Title: Transfiguration Apprentice
Slightly increases perception of Transfiguration, slightly enhances Transfiguration talent.
Sean held his breath and read on.
Wizard: Sean Green
Transfiguration Talent: Light Purple (boosted by Transfiguration Apprentice title; original talent rating applied).
Note: Average wizards are Green.
Evaluation: You are a true genius in the branch of magic known as Transfiguration. With proper guidance, you may become a pivotal master in the field.
Purple. Epic.
I really am a Transfiguration genius?!
He felt as though gongs and drums were sounding in his ears, heralding fortune.
For someone who had lived as "white trash" before, this glimpse of purple was precious beyond words.
With proper guidance, he could become a master of Transfiguration. Suppressing his excitement, Sean resolved: he had to remain at Hogwarts for all seven years.
And to achieve it, he would need careful planning.
The difference between his Transfiguration talent and Charms talent confirmed one thing:
In the wizarding world, magical talent wasn't uniform. Different witches and wizards excelled in different branches.
Take Neville, for example ordinary in most classes, but unmatched in Herbology.
Or Hermione, brilliant across nearly every subject, yet less adept in Defense Against the Dark Arts than Harry, and an absolute disaster at Divination.
For Sean to achieve excellence in all seven subjects, he would have to pour extra effort into those where his talent was weakest.
At Hogwarts, subject difficulty wasn't just about the material it also depended heavily on the professor teaching it.
Much like at university, where the same syllabus could feel impossible or effortless depending on the lecturer.
By that logic…
The hardest subject of all would be Potions. Not only because of Professor Snape, but also because of the sheer complexity of the material.
The details were endless, the experiments dangerous, and students had to present their completed brews at the end of every lesson. And the essays those were long, grueling affairs.
Just thinking of Professor Snape's gloomy face made Sean's heart sink. Achieving an Outstanding in Potions under his tutelage would never be easy.
He could only hope he had at least a little talent in the subject.
Just a little would be enough.
Next, Sean considered Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Dangerous, unpredictable and the teachers were notoriously unstable.
Two-headed professors weren't exactly common.
Another difficult course. Sean rubbed his temples, his gaze sharpening.
Nothing will stop me from learning. Not even Lord Voldemort.
With the beginnings of a plan forming in his mind, Sean kept ranking the subjects by difficulty.
Third tier: Herbology, Transfiguration, and Charms.
All three required natural talent.
Last tier: History of Magic and Astronomy. These depended mainly on memorisation.
Those, at least, wouldn't trouble him.
"Transfiguration and Charms… my current level should cover them. Astronomy and History of Magic… just rote memorisation. No special problem.
So the real difficulties are Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology."
As he set these goals, Sean was distracted by the rising commotion in the corridor.
Shouts drifted in names like "Harry," "Harry Potter," and "Merlin" carried over the din.
A loud bang followed.
Irritated, Sean lifted his head. At once, his eyes met Hermione's and Justin's.
Justin ducked his head quickly and said, as though nothing unusual had happened:
"Sean, look it's the Levitation Charm. Isn't it amazing?"
Sean followed his gaze. A feather floated gently above Hermione's wand.
The girl lifted her chin proudly.
"Actually, this is just a simple spell. I learned it from Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. It isn't very difficult I managed it after only a few tries."
Her voice carried a note of pride.
Sean, who had needed five hundred tries: Actually, no.
"Justin, you try it too. It's just a small charm. Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 says it's often one of the first spells young witches and wizards master."
Hermione's tone turned earnest as she looked at Justin's eager face.
"You'll have to guide me."
Justin didn't refuse. With a mix of nerves and longing, he raised his wand.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The feather didn't budge.
"You need to flick your wrist," Hermione corrected crisply.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The feather shivered slightly.
"You're doing it wrong again! You have to say it firmly hesitation leads to failure!" she instructed sternly.
Justin tightened his grip, his expression serious.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
This time, the feather rose into the air.
"…It worked! That's brilliant! Hermione, you're such a good teacher!"
Overjoyed, Justin thanked her sincerely.
"You're right, it really isn't all that difficult!"