Hogwarts: The Child Who Improves Too Much!

"Mr. Adrian, I am Minerva McGonagall, the Vice-Principal of Hogwarts, the Head of Gryffindor House, and the Professor of Transfiguration," she introduced herself promptly. 

As the Vice-Principal of Hogwarts and one of the most reliable professors, Professor McGonagall was responsible for meeting many new students from Muggle families every summer. 

Over the years, she had encountered countless Muggle families, enduring everything from skepticism to outright disbelief.

She had even been rudely dismissed a few times.

Through these experiences, she had summarized the types of families she might meet. 

Some families dismissed the admissions notice as a prank and ignored it entirely.

In these cases, Professor McGonagall had no choice but to demonstrate her magical abilities during her visit—turning a door into a lion was a favorite tactic of hers. 

Other families, more skeptical than dismissive, would reply to the invitation within the given timeframe.

For these families, Professor McGonagall would follow protocol, schedule her visit, and also demonstrate magic to reassure them of its authenticity. 

She had become exceptionally experienced in handling such situations. 

"Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please, come in and have a seat," Philemon Adrian said, trying to maintain composure.

Facing a witch of extraordinary power, he dared not be impolite. 

"Professor McGonagall, while we trust that no one would play such an elaborate prank, could you demonstrate some proof of magic for us?" Nitia asked after greeting her.

Though she believed in the possibility of magic, as a mother, she felt it necessary to fully understand the situation. 

"Of course, Mrs. Adrian. That is one of the reasons I am here—to prove the existence of magic, confirm that young Mr. Adrian has indeed been admitted to Hogwarts, and help him prepare by purchasing his school supplies," Professor McGonagall replied with a kind smile. 

Taking out her wand, she waved it gently toward the fruit bowl on the coffee table.

In an instant, the bowl and its seven apples transformed into eight British Shorthair cats—one large and seven kittens.

The cats, lively and curious, jumped off the table, causing a minor commotion. 

One kitten climbed onto the curtain, attempting to scale it like a mountain.

Another batted at the corner of a throw pillow, claws snagging the fabric.

The chaos brought the scene to life, with meows and the tiny thuds of paws filling the room. Ethan couldn't help but marvel at the realism. 

This display left Philemon and Nitia stunned, as it was undeniable proof of magic performed right before their eyes. 

"Professor McGonagall, is this Transfiguration?" Ethan asked, picking up a cream-colored kitten.

He examined it closely, trying to detect any differences from a real cat. 

The fur was soft and dense, the body firm, and the movements of its muscles were palpable.

However, Ethan's handling made the kitten uncomfortable, and it began to struggle and meow. 

Every aspect of the creature—from appearance to behavior—was indistinguishable from a real cat.

It wasn't as lifeless as Ethan had initially imagined. 

No wonder Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration explicitly stated that food couldn't be created or transformed.

After all, if something as complex as this cat could be created, food would be impossible to distinguish from the real thing. 

"Yes, this is Transfiguration. If you find yourself talented in this area, I'd encourage you to join my club in the future," Professor McGonagall replied, pleased by Ethan's interest. 

"Professor McGonagall, are these cats under your control?" Ethan asked, gesturing to the kitten in his hands and two others scratching the sofa. "I mean, are you consciously directing their behavior?" 

Professor McGonagall, surprised by the question, adopted a more serious tone. It was rare for a first-year student to inquire so perceptively. 

"No, Mr. Adrian. While I could control their actions, I am not doing so. What you see is their own natural behavior," she explained. 

"So, you're saying they've become real cats, exhibiting the instincts and reactions of actual cats, at least until you reverse the Transfiguration?" Ethan clarified. 

"Precisely," she confirmed, impressed by his sharp observations. She began to think this boy might be well-suited for Gryffindor. 

"Professor McGonagall, during the transformation process, did you add these behaviors intentionally?" Ethan pressed further. 

"No, I did not. Transfiguration works this way inherently. To achieve a perfect transformation, one requires clear focus and a deep understanding of the object being transformed," she answered. 

Ethan nodded thoughtfully, his mind already processing the implications of her words. 

As the cats continued their antics, one even pawed at the pocket of McGonagall's robes, eliciting a rare smile from her.

Despite her usual stern demeanor, she seemed genuinely pleased by the scene. It was a testament to the balance between discipline and warmth that made her a beloved figure at Hogwarts. 

With Ethan momentarily satisfied, Professor McGonagall turned her attention to Philemon and Nitia, addressing their concerns about Hogwarts.

She explained the school's learning environment, holidays, communication protocols, and other essential details. 

It wasn't enough to simply dazzle them with magic—parents needed reassurance before entrusting their children to an unfamiliar world.

After all, they needed to know Hogwarts wasn't some dangerous experiment. 

Ethan, meanwhile, paid little attention to their conversation.

He was still pondering Transfiguration, already connecting Professor McGonagall's explanation with his recent experiments in black magic. 

From what he had observed, Transfiguration relied heavily on consciousness and magical energy.

It was fundamentally different from black magic, which required negative emotions, or the Patronus Charm, which drew upon positive emotions. 

In Transfiguration, the object's characteristics and form depended entirely on the caster's mental image.

If the caster's knowledge and understanding were thorough, and their magical reserves sufficient, they could theoretically transform anything—even mythical creatures—into the forms envisioned in their mind. 

The potential of Transfiguration, Ethan realized, was remarkably vast and incredibly high-level.