Chapter 148: Transfigured Biscuits
Snow coated Hogwarts Castle in a thick layer of frost, and the distance between people seemed to sharpen the longing for home.
But Sean had no letters to send, and he expected none in return.
A week passed. Sean shuttled between the dungeons, the Transfiguration office, and the Alchemy classroom.
Alchemy was unlocked, but his talent remained dormant.
[Levitating Quill: Apprentice (1/300)]
[Create three Apprentice-level Alchemical items to unlock the Apprentice Alchemy Title.]
Like most magical disciplines, Sean needed to complete a few basic projects to progress. Professor Terra had assigned two tasks: create a Howler, and choose one alchemical creation of his own.
The Weasley twins were eager to influence his choice.
"Check this out! Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder!"
Yesterday afternoon, Fred had sprung out from behind a portrait, hurling a black ball. The corridor plunged into impenetrable darkness, resistant to Lumos and even fire spells.
Sean, however, could navigate to the Great Hall blindfolded. The twins' ambition was thwarted.
"I told you the smell of dinner was cheating!" Fred wailed theatrically.
"So, why do you want me to pick one of your inventions?" Sean asked, amused by their antics.
"Because old-school stuff is boring! But if you use our invention—" Fred said excitedly.
"—Then maybe Professor Terra will be interested too!" George finished.
"If she's interested, we can get investors! All she has to say is, 'It shows promise'!" Fred was practically bouncing.
"And witches and wizards from Beauxbatons to Uagadou will be throwing Galleons at us!" George winked.
"You'll understand Professor Terra's status in the alchemical world someday!" they chorused.
In the end, Sean chose Canary Creams (or some other transfigurative food) as his project. Coupled with the Howler, he had to complete both by Christmas. This meant mastering the materials, fusion rituals, and runic arrays for two separate creations. His schedule was tight once more.
December arrived. One morning, Hogwarts awoke to find itself buried under several feet of snow, the lake frozen solid.
Sean walked out of the castle, clutching Professor Terra's notes. The grounds were filled with students playing in the snow, chasing and laughing. Sean, though now capable of running and jumping, preferred to watch quietly from a corner.
He used his newly learned Novice-level Fire-Making Spell to light some dry grass in a fireproof jar, summoning two fire salamanders. They skittered across the snow, leaving scorched trails before their flames died out, buried in the Hogwarts winter.
Sean spent a long time considering his transformation project. Advanced Transfiguration involving "animate to animate" changes was complex; given his time constraints, he could likely only master one form quickly.
The animal he had observed most closely, and the most interesting choice, was undoubtedly the wizarding messenger—the owl.
He pulled out a sheaf of loose parchment. With a wave of his wand, a flock of paper owls took flight from his hand.
"Merlin's beard—" Ron stared, mouth agape.
"It's normal. Sean's Transfiguration is beyond even some of the upper-years," Justin explained calmly.
"Beyond 'some'? I'd say all of them..." Ron muttered.
Since the Room of Hope pact, the six first-years had become inseparable. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville stuck together, their destination always wherever Justin was, because finding Justin usually meant finding Sean.
[You have practiced an advanced intermediate Transfiguration to the Expert standard. Proficiency +100]
The Panel chimed. Sean knew that even "advanced intermediate" proficiency was a drop in the bucket compared to the tens of thousands of points he needed. Only by exploring Advanced Transfiguration could he accelerate his progress. He hadn't forgotten the massive boost he'd received from practicing at the Expert standard last time.
His current task: transform a living creature into an owl.
Professor McGonagall had given him some beetles to practice on and repeatedly emphasized the nuances of Advanced Transfiguration.
As he studied her notes on owl anatomy, Justin and Hermione, inspired by the swirling snow, seemed to awaken some primal instinct. Soon, a snowball fight erupted.
Wizarding snowball fights were different. Justin dodged Hermione's first snowball, only to see her wave her wand and send a barrage of them flying towards him. Knowing his Adept Levitation Charm was no match for hers, Justin improvised, using Aguamenti to create a rapidly freezing wall of ice.
Seeing this, Harry and Ron quietly dropped their snowballs and drew their wands. Their own Levitation Charms were improving with every practice session.
"Um... Sean?" Hermione whispered during a ceasefire, looking at Sean, who was still reading nearby.
"My mother says everyone's happiness is different, but true friends can share in each other's joy," Justin said with a wink. Sean happened to look up just then. Seeing Harry and Ron attempt to ambush Hermione, only to be turned into snowmen by her superior magic, a small smile touched his lips.
Through the white blur, a few owls battled the wind to deliver mail, exhausted. They would need Hagrid's care before flying again.
"Eat snow, Great Green!"
A familiar voice yelled. Beside Sean, a fire salamander instantly swelled, swallowed the incoming snowball, and charged at Fred.
"We're doomed—" Fred ran in circles, pursued by the fiery lizard.
George laughed so hard he doubled over, until he saw Fred sprinting towards him. Soon, both twins were running for their lives from the relentless salamander.
"Fred—!" George shrieked.
"George—!" Fred yelled back.
(End of Chapter)
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