"The most important thing about Transfiguration is that your belief must be firm enough, and you must also have a sufficient understanding of the target."
In the Room of Requirement, Kai transformed a table into a half-meter-high small stone statue and controlled it to chop the apple in front of it in half.
Not far away, Hermione seriously noted down Kai's words, and even took notes...
In fact, Kai initially wanted to go to the greenhouse to check on the Poisonous Tentacles, but he definitely couldn't say that in front of Hermione, so he casually found an excuse, saying he wanted to practice Transfiguration.
But Kai forgot that Hermione is different from Harry and Ron; she is a top student with a strong curiosity.
Hermione had already witnessed Kai's abilities in Transfiguration at the Dueling Club.
That was also the first time Hermione intuitively felt how great the gap between her and Kai really was.
Perhaps out of curiosity, or maybe worried that Kai might discover their secret of brewing the Polyjuice Potion, Hermione immediately expressed her wish to follow along for a visit and study.
And her attitude was very sincere.
Kai was a bit stunned, but to avoid arousing suspicion, he could only agree to Hermione's request.
So it turned into this... he was forced to practice Transfiguration for more than half an hour in an empty room.
"It's actually not as difficult as you think."
Kai picked up half of the apple from the ground, took a bite, and handed the other half to Hermione.
"I suggest that you observe the things around you more often, understand their specific structures in depth... Of course, I don't mean just seeing with your eyes, but using Magic Power."
Hermione took a bite of the apple as well and said thoughtfully, "Like the statues you transform?"
"More simply, things like apples or tables, slippers are enough."
Kai shook his head, "Those statues are some kind of magical creations, involving even ancient Alchemy, it's difficult to analyze their structure using Magic Power... At least I can't do it yet."
"In fact, what I transformed wasn't statues, but armor in the form of a statue."
After Kai's reminder, Hermione finally noticed many gaps on the half-meter-high "statue" similar to armor, hidden well and difficult to spot without careful observation.
"Did you learn all this from the Transfiguration Club?"
Hermione asked, "I heard from Fred and George that you joined Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration Club, what's it like... is it similar to the Dueling Club?"
"The number of people is much less, and it's only for students above the third year. Professor McGonagall teaches a lot that's beyond the exams; you could say it's an advanced Transfiguration Class."
Kai explained, "As for other things, I can't say much, otherwise it would be leaking information, which Professor McGonagall does not allow."
Hermione looked a bit regretful.
"I'm planning to head back." Kai simply packed his belongings and asked, "Do you want to stay here?"
"No." Hermione shook her head, "Harry, Ron, and I planned to go to the library to do homework today."
Both left the Room of Requirement together.
Initially Kai planned to return here once Hermione left, but as soon as he reached the stairs, he encountered Fred and George.
Both were carrying a large batch of food, presumably just having returned from the kitchen.
"Kai, what are you doing here!"
Fred said in surprise, "We went to the Hufflepuff Common Room looking for you."
"And ended up drenched in vinegar!" George wrinkled his nose, "That feeling was awful, I don't like this Christmas gift at all."
The two had a faint sour smell on them, but their clothes and hair were dry, likely cleaned with a Charm earlier.
"Perfect timing that you're here, come with us."
"Christmas is only fun when everyone's together!"
The two came on either side of Kai, and led him forward without a word.
The Gryffindor Common Room is also on the eighth floor, close by, and soon they reached a large portrait.
The portrait showed a plump lady, looking amiable.
"Password," she said.
"Heavenly Melody."
"Thank you for the compliment..." the Fat Lady opened the passage, quite pleased.
"What did she just say?" Kai asked, puzzled.
"The Fat Lady loves singing," Fred said, "But she definitely doesn't have the talent for it."
"So she changed the password to this," George laughed, "Every time we come back, it's like we're complimenting her singing."
"Forget about it, Kai."
Fred was the first to step through the passage, spreading his arms and laughing, "Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room."
Normally students are not allowed to visit another house, but since it's holidays... nobody minds.
Kai was pushed inside by George.
It's a bright circular room, predominantly red, ceiling high, surrounded by soft-armchairs.
"How does it feel?" Fred asked with a smile.
"It's great," Kai said, "Though it's smaller than I imagined."
"Is the Hufflepuff Common Room large?" Hermione, who was the last to enter, asked curiously.
Kai nodded, "Much larger than here, though the ceiling is lower."
"Considering different locations," George sat on an armchair.
They knew a little; down that area only had the kitchen and Hufflepuff Common Room, a larger place is surely normal.
Hermione nodded and didn't mind.
She glanced around and asked, "Where are Harry and Ron?"
"No idea, probably not yet awake." Fred said, "I think they plan to sleep until noon."
"Oh, that won't do! We have lots of homework to finish."
Hermione frowned and rushed to the boys' dormitory.
"I don't think Ron would want to do homework on the first day of break."
George handed a sandwich to Kai, "By the way Kai, we've already looked into what you told us earlier."
"What is it?"
George took a bite of his sandwich, "Remember when you mentioned the actions of the Chamber of Secret's heir would surely change from before?"
Kai nodded.
He remembered mentioning it casually during chit-chat, didn't expect Fred and George to actually investigate it...
"Did you find out who it is?" Kai asked.
"No… or maybe impossible to find out."
Fred sighed.
"There've been three attacks in the castle, due to panic everyone behaves differently than usual... can't say they're all the Chamber of Secret's heirs."
"Like Ron..." George glanced towards the dormitory, "They almost never went to the library except for homework..."
"But recently, as soon as class ends, he runs there, only returning before curfew... I even suspect Ron's under the Imperio Curse."
"Shut up, Fred!"
At this moment, Ron rubbed his eyes arriving at the Common Room, sat on an armchair and said irritably, "If everyone viewed you as the one who opened the Chamber, you'd go to the library too... At least there, no one keeps staring at you oddly."