The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 153 Discussion of Transfiguration

Apart from the unpleasantness of Defense Against the Dark Arts and Divination classes, Ada spent the first three days of school quite leisurely. She and the twins even took some time to go to the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor.

This corridor is relatively hidden, and no one usually comes here. But since Dumbledore announced that this place is a restricted area, it has become lively, and several groups of people have come here to visit.

However, none of these people dared to go in and take a look. They just looked at it from a distance. This place has become a restricted area. No one can tell what kind of danger is hidden inside. Everyone is just a little curious, but not yet at the point of risking their lives.

Fred and George planned to scout again at night to understand the situation and prepare for the subsequent exploration into the corridor.

As for why Ada didn't go with them, it was because she had to meet Professor McGonagall. She received the detention invitation before the opening dinner.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Ada showed up in Professor McGonagall's office on time. However, there was no Transfiguration paper for her to read today. Professor McGonagall planned to test Ada to see how good her Transfiguration skills were now.

In the office on the second floor, Ada began to transform objects according to Professor McGonagall's request. At first, she used inanimate objects, which was a simpler method of transformation. Later, she began to transform living things.

With repeated transformations, Professor McGonagall also understood Ada's level. If she is given another two or three years to grow, she will be fully qualified for the position of Transfiguration teacher.

Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms are the three subjects that Ada is best at and are also the top priority of Ada's daily practice. It is no surprise that they receive such high praise from Professor McGonagall.

However, as her understanding of Transfiguration deepened, Ada began to have a question about its application. That is, in actual combat, in addition to creating some auxiliary animals, can Transfiguration be used directly on people to change themselves or the enemy?

"Professor, if I transform a person into a pile of bones or other dead things and do not undo the transformation, does that count as an act of murder?" Ada raised her doubts to Professor McGonagall.

"When did you come up with such a dangerous idea?" Professor McGonagall looked at Ada worriedly, thinking to herself: As expected, the death of Lady Mary and that battle still had such a negative impact on her.

Ada didn't notice Professor McGonagall's worry. She was only thinking about academic matters and had never thought about applying it to actual combat. She said, "I thought about it a long time ago. I was afraid that someone would turn me into an animal."

There are two ways for wizards to transform into animals. One is to be transformed into an animal by humans. However, this method will make the wizard completely become an animal, losing his own magic power and also the human way of thinking, and he will be at the mercy of others.

The other type is Animagus like Professor McGonagall, where wizards actively transform into animals through magic, retaining their magic powers while also retaining human thinking.

This is the biggest difference between the two methods, and why the latter is so difficult to do. There are only seven Animagus registered in the 20th century, one of whom is Professor McGonagall in front of him. Ada once fed her dried fish without knowing whether to live or die.

"Transfiguration can indeed turn people into animals, or objects such as tables and chairs, but there are only a few people who can perform this kind of magic. Moreover, Transfiguration is reversible. As long as the counter-curse is released in time, it will not endanger life." Professor McGonagall explained, "This is also why the Killing Curse is called the Unforgivable Curse, because it has no counter-curse."

"There are many examples of incorporating Transfiguration into actual combat, but most of them are used as an aid, similar to what you did before." Professor McGonagall continued, "Wizards are not animals without the ability to resist. It is difficult for you to use Transfiguration directly on wizards. This requires you to have magic power far superior to that of the opponent, and at the same time have a deep understanding of Transfiguration."

"That's good. I don't have to be afraid anymore." Ada patted her chest, which was beginning to take shape.

Ada had always been worried that someone would perform a transfiguration spell and turn her into an animal or a table, chair, or bench. Her worries reached their peak after she read a paper called "On Whether the Vanishing Spell Can Work on the Human Body."

The Vanishing Spell is a Transfiguration spell that can make living or inanimate objects disappear. It is a part of the Transfiguration class for the fifth grade and is also the most difficult spell in the OWLs exam. Ada has also practiced the Vanishing Spell. She can use this spell to make small animals disappear successfully. In theory, the Vanishing Spell can be used on humans. Once it is successfully cast on a person, what is the difference between this and killing someone?
"So you can be afraid sometimes. Next time you make me angry, I will use Transfiguration on you." Professor McGonagall said. She spoke in a serious tone, as if she was really thinking about what animal to turn the erring Ada into.

"Uh... Professor, the school rules prohibit performing Transfiguration on students." In order to find loopholes in the school rules, Ada was very familiar with them.

"It's true that the school rules are like this, but let me ask you, which college are you from?" Professor McGonagall changed the subject and asked a question that everyone knew the answer to.

Ida didn't understand why Professor McGonagall suddenly asked such a question. She replied, "Gryffindor! Professor Flitwick is still complaining."

"Then who is your dean?" Professor McGonagall picked up the teacup in her hand. The mist made her look a little unfathomable.

"Does this even require an answer? Everyone knows that the head of the Gryffindor household is..." At this moment, Ida realized that talking about school rules with Professor McGonagall was like talking about school rules with an old Gryffindor. In the Gryffindor dictionary, school rules are meant to be broken.

Professor McGonagall had used Transfiguration to scare students many times, but she had never used this form of corporal punishment on students, and she was even more reluctant to use it on Ada.

After making a joke, Professor McGonagall returned to the main topic. She continued, "Because of the various complicated theories and the constraints of the laws, Transfiguration can be said to be the most difficult type of magic, so we will learn it from the simplest to the most difficult."

The experimental material used in Ada's first Transfiguration class was matches. As her studies progressed, the Transfiguration classes now began to use more insects or mice, and perhaps even larger animals would be used in the future.

"What about transforming yourself?" Ida continued to ask, "Not the Animagus-like transformation, but a transformation that is more conducive to actual combat."

Professor McGonagall thought for a while before answering the question. She said, "Transfiguration cannot create magical animals, so it cannot improve combat effectiveness. But in some special cases, you can try partial transformation. For example, in order to be able to enter the Black Lake shallowly, you can turn your feet into webbed feet."

In the magic world, there is indeed a way to enhance strength through transformation, but that is in the realm of black magic, a crazy attempt, and also more dangerous.

"It's getting late, so let's stop here for the discussion of Transfiguration. This is not something that can be explained in one night." Professor McGonagall continued, "By the way, how was your Divination class?"

"It's terrible, so terrible that I can't describe it. As Professor Trelawney said, my third eye is blurry and blinded." Ada said self-deprecatingly.

"I have no intention of speaking ill of my colleagues. Sybil is not qualified for the position of teacher, and I have always been against the opening of this subject." Professor McGonagall hated Divination class. She hated this imprecise subject.

"The thing I regret most this year is choosing Divination." Ada complained to Professor McGonagall, "Can I drop this course?"

Professor McGonagall took out a roll of parchment from the drawer. She said, "Of course, you just need to have two elective courses. And, this is for you."

"What is this? A withdrawal application form?" Ada took the parchment with both hands. The handwriting on it was a thin, circular font. This was not Professor McGonagall's handwriting. After reading so many of her notes, Ada could tell her handwriting at a glance.

"This is what Professor Dumbledore asked me to pass on to you. He knows you want to practice silent spells." Professor McGonagall explained, "This contains some of his experience and insights in silent spellcasting, which can help you practice better."

Thanks to the book friend Zibing Youzhu for the reward
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(End of this chapter)