Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Transfiguration

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"Hm?"

Hermione looked up at the cat.

A cat?

No. Professor McGonagall!

Hermione froze for a second. Then immediately understood.

What tipped her off wasn't fuzzy memories of the original story. It was the magic book in her consciousness—suddenly vibrating.

[Spells]

[Transfiguration: Animagus (Cat) (Learned)]

The sudden development made Hermione's eyes flicker. A hint of confusion and surprise flashed across her face—appropriate amounts—before returning to normal.

"Oh, did Mr. Filch's cat wander off?" Hermione muttered to herself. Shook her head. Kept reading.

She ignored it completely.

McGonagall wasn't surprised. In her eyes, Hermione didn't seem interested in fluffy little animals. Not petting it was perfectly normal. The surprise was probably just confusion over why a cat appeared in the classroom.

The cat would never imagine its prized disguise had been seen through entirely.

Professor Cat seemed especially interested in Hermione. Pranced around beside her hand.

A moment later, it looked down at the open book. Human-like confusion appeared in its eyes.

Hogwarts: A History?

Why would this little one be interested in this?

McGonagall didn't understand.

Sure, school history was something every new student had to learn. Even History of Magic covered it…

But most first-years preferred practical subjects—Charms or Potions. Few cared about school history.

What an interesting little one… McGonagall thought.

Seeing Hermione absorbed in reading, McGonagall didn't disturb her further. Jumped onto the podium. Watched the students below.

Before long, the bell rang.

The classroom fell instantly silent.

Is this what wizard schools are like? Everyone studies conscientiously… Hermione listened to the rustling of pages around her. Impressed.

Even Draco's trio in the distance were reading seriously.

You could call them bad. But not incompetent.

As for the only exception…

Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind her. The classroom door burst open.

Harry and Ron charged in, panting. Didn't see Professor McGonagall. Both sighed in relief.

"Phew! Just made it. If McGonagall caught us late, her face would've been terrifying!" Ron whispered to Harry.

Not loud. But in the silent classroom, perfectly audible.

The new students: "…"

Even Malfoy rolled his eyes.

The next second, under their shocked gazes, the cat on the podium leaped down. Mid-air, it transformed into human form. Became Professor McGonagall.

Ron and Harry stood dumbstruck.

The surrounding students wore similar expressions. They hadn't known the cat was Professor McGonagall. Felt grateful they hadn't been late. Hadn't done anything inappropriate.

Like petting the cat.

Only Hermione remained unfazed.

"That was brilliant…" Ron said after recovering. But the embarrassment on his face had already exposed his inner turmoil.

"Thank you for the assessment, Mr. Weasley." McGonagall's face remained expressionless. "Perhaps I should transfigure you and Mr. Potter into a pocket watch. Then at least one of you would respect time."

Harry offered weakly: "We got lost…"

"Then I'll turn you into a map."

Seeing McGonagall's complete lack of humor, the two wisely shut their mouths.

"Go sit down."

Hearing McGonagall's words, the two felt pardoned. Scanned the room. Eyes lit up. Walked straight to Hermione's side. Sat down like old friends.

Hermione didn't look up. The two didn't mind. Even craned their necks to peek at her book.

Though Hermione was aloof, so far among the new students, aside from each other, she was the most familiar face.

For Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall didn't conduct any practical teaching. Just explained the basic principles and various branches.

Animagus. Conjuration. Vanishment. Cross-species transfiguration. Human transfiguration.

She showed off a bit. Drew gasps from the young wizards.

The first class ended pleasantly.

After class, the young wizards walked while discussing the miraculous phenomena.

"Did you see?! A rat just turned into a goblet!" Ron shouted excitedly at Harry.

Harry felt equally incredulous. This was the first time he'd truly felt he'd entered a real magical world.

Seeing Hermione's bland expression, Harry couldn't help asking: "Hermione, don't you think what Professor McGonagall did was amazing?"

He didn't understand why the pretty girl before him remained calm no matter the scene.

They were all about the same age.

A thought struck Harry. "Are you like Ron? From a wizarding family?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. My parents are both Muggles."

Ron's face stiffened. Felt wounded.

He—from a proper wizarding family—was still making a fuss. Meanwhile this girl, who'd never touched magic before, seemed far more worldly.

"Well…" Hermione stopped walking. Thought for a moment. "It is impressive. But once you learn it, you realize it's not that big a deal."

Harry and Ron exchanged glances.

Ron said indignantly: "You talk like you can do it too."

"Mm. I can." Hermione nodded.

The two froze. Eyes widened. Like they'd heard a fairy tale.

Ron was just annoyed by Hermione's attitude of not taking anything seriously. That's why he'd snapped. Didn't expect Hermione to admit it outright!

Left him speechless.

Harry said nothing. But his eyes brimmed with doubt.

Hermione saw their disbelief. Smiled faintly. "What if I really can?"

Ron scoffed. "Hmph. Then I'll eat Harry's quill. Satisfied?"

Harry: ??

Wait, you two are betting, why use my stuff as stakes?

"Fine."

Hermione said nothing more. Just nodded lightly. Drew her wand. Pointed at the quill in Harry's hand.

"Vera Verto!"

As the spell fell, light flashed from the wand tip. Under two pairs of astonished eyes, the quill gradually sprouted a head. Claws. Tail. Finally became rat-shaped.

No trace of quill remained.

The rat hopped from Harry's hand. As if alive, it scurried up Ron's body in two or three steps.

Both boys' eyes bulged. Stared in disbelief at the scene before them. Especially Ron—his mouth hung open wide enough to stuff an egg inside.

Genuinely shocked.

Seeing their reactions, the corner of Hermione's mouth curved slightly. Two words emerged coolly:

"Eat up."