The Transfiguration lesson was nothing special; they were simply reviewing what they had learned in the previous lesson—turning a match into a silver needle.
Under Professor McGonagall's guidance, most of the students in the class were able to make matches transform. Ethan Jones, of course, went a step further and finally managed to completely transform a sewing needle.
"Excellent, Mr. Jones, Slytherin gets a point!"
Ethan Jones calmly accepted the gazes of his classmates, and in the second half of the class, he tried to change the deformed silver needle into different shapes, transforming it into more difficult forms such as pins and paperclips.
Of course, this is not something a mere wizard like him could do; it requires much more advanced knowledge of Transfiguration.
However, Professor Flitwick gave him a surprise during the Charms class.
"Students, you have already learned some of the magic theory in the last lesson. In order to better demonstrate your mastery and understanding of this theory, in this lesson we will learn a simple spell - Lumos."
This spell makes the tip of your wand glow, illuminating your path at night, so it's one of the basic spells every wizard must master.
The diminutive Professor Flitwick stood atop his stack of books, introducing the basics of the spell: "Of course, we will also learn about the Wand-Extinguishing Charm—Nox."
"I'll demonstrate it for you first. Watch my movements carefully and listen to the pauses and rhythms when I recite the incantation."
He picked up his wand and chanted the spell, "Lumos!" The wand swung in a specific motion, and instantly, a bright light appeared at the tip of his wand.
"Look, this is the effect of the Wand-Lighting Charm. Now I'll show you its counter-charm."
After moving the wand in a fan shape in front of him to ensure everyone could see the light at the tip, Professor Flitwick continued chanting: "Nox!"
At the same time, the wand was waved in another motion, and the bright spot on the tip of the wand went out.
"Well, everyone, did you see it clearly?"
Seeing the Slytherins still shaking their heads below, Professor Flitwick immediately repeated the action he had just performed.
Actually, this simple spell is clearly written in the textbook The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), which includes both the spell and the actions. Ethan Jones also learned it during the summer vacation.
He was somewhat distracted, thinking that he had already learned it and was considering what books to borrow next time he went to the library. However, Professor Flitwick's spell teaching made him realize a very important issue—the two spells had completely different effects.
He compared the light on the tip of Professor Flitwick's wand after he cast the spell with his own memory of the results of his spellcasting, and found that his own light was even brighter.
He didn't believe that Professor Flitwick, a Hogwarts teacher, could cast a weaker Wand-Lighting Charm than he could, so there was only one explanation—Professor Flitwick was deliberately controlling the effects of the spell.
He immediately sat up straight and watched Professor Flitwick cast the spell a second time.
"The actions and results of the two spells were exactly the same. Doesn't this prove that the professor is controlling the effects of the spells? Then why can't I do it? The magic I cast can only be fixed at a certain brightness, without any decay."
His expression was serious as he pondered this very important question.
While the professor let them practice on their own, Ethan Jones couldn't wait to start verifying his conjecture.
He waved his wand and chanted a spell. Although he lit up his wand immediately, earning Professor Flitwick's appreciation and winning three extra points for Slytherin, he wasn't very happy.
Because he clearly felt that he had no control over the spell at all; he could only perform the spell in a simple way, but could not make any changes to it.
While everyone else was still practicing, he raised his hand for the first time in class: "Professor, I have a question!"
"What's wrong, Mr. Jones?" Professor Flitwick turned his gaze to him.
"Professor, I just successfully cast the spell, but I found that my spell effect was brighter than yours. I think this is the result of your deliberate control. I wonder if my idea is correct?"
He worried that he was overthinking things, so being cautious, he wanted to confirm his own thoughts first.
Professor Flitwick nodded: "That's true. Too bright a light isn't good for your eyes, so I controlled the brightness of the tip of the wand so that it's visible to you but not dazzling."
Having confirmed that his idea was correct, Ethan Jones then asked the question that concerned him most: "How did the professor do that?"
The professor smiled slightly and said, "This is not something you first-year wizards need to worry about for now. What you need to do now is to solidify your foundation and learn how to cast some basic spells."
Before he could ask another question, the professor gestured for him to sit down, indicating that he was not going to discuss the issue further with him.
He clapped his hands to draw the attention of all the students: "After practicing so many times, I think you have a certain understanding. Now I will demonstrate it for you again. Think about it yourselves and see where the differences are between our movements, tone of voice, etc."
Ethan Jones listened intently as Professor Flitwick chanted incantations and waved his wand, but he couldn't discern the difference between his own movements and those of the professor.
He wished he had a video recorder to record all of Flitwick's movements, play them back bit by bit, and study how he did it.
After repeated practice, most people have fully mastered this simple spell and its counter-spell.
Time was almost up, and after assigning homework, Professor Flitwick announced the end of class.
The assignment wasn't difficult, but it took some time to search for information in the library.
As Ethan Jones packed his things in disappointment, he suddenly noticed a meaningful glance from Professor Flitwick.
"What does the professor mean? Does he want me to stay? To continue with the previous question? If the professor taps me on the head three times, I'll understand." His mind was racing.
However, he wasn't sure if it was as he thought, so he deliberately slowed down and tidied up slowly until the classroom was empty. Only then did he quickly pack up his things and walk towards Professor Flitwick, who hadn't left yet.
"Professor, were you waiting for me?" he asked directly.
He stroked his long beard and said slowly:
"That's right. The question you asked in class was very good, but it's not applicable to most first years. Explaining it too much in class would waste their time."
"Come to my office. Your classes are finished for today, and you probably don't have any other classes, right?"
"No, no." Ethan Jones quickly caught up with him.
After walking a long way, they finally arrived at the office in the West Tower.
"What would you like to drink? Black tea? Coffee?" Professor Flitwick sat on his modified stool, looking Ethan Jones straight in the eye.
"Black tea, Professor."
Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a canister of black tea opened automatically, with a small pinch of tea leaves flying out and landing in an already opened teapot.
A small stream of clear water was drawn out and fell into the kettle.
Then, with just a light touch and without uttering any incantation, Professor Flitwick lit up the stove beneath the teapot on its own.
Ethan Jones watched all of this unfold. Despite the shock he felt at the Great Hall at the start of the school year, he was still amazed by the wonder of magic.