Chapter 173: Three Problems
The Animagus transformation was a landmark achievement, even within the vast history of Transfiguration.
If a wizard believed they could complete the ritual with mere luck, they were gravely mistaken.
For instance, when chanting the incantation and visualizing the transformation, if the wizard's will wasn't strong enough, they risked becoming trapped in a half-animal state, unable to return to human form.
And at the very end, the wizard would experience intense pain and a frantic double-heartbeat. The image of the beast they were to become would flood their mind. If they faltered, if they showed fear, it would be too late to escape the change.
In short, it was a lengthy, arduous ritual magic.
Its length and rigor made it unsuitable for a wizard to attempt alone. Even the most resolute wizard would have moments of weakness.
James Potter and his friends had succeeded by supporting each other.
Minerva McGonagall had succeeded under Albus Dumbledore's guidance.
So, when Sean left the Transfiguration office, Professor McGonagall told him they must prepare all the materials and choose a prudent time.
She also gave him a notebook filled with her own insights, urging him to read it as soon as possible.
Sean became busy again.
He had to select materials for Intermediate Alchemy, study more complex runes, and memorize McGonagall's notes to ensure no mistakes in his future Animagus transformation.
Room of Hope.
Sean found himself in a rare predicament. Only after unlocking the affinity with Mrs. Norris did he truly realize the monumental difficulty of transforming into a magical creature.
First, standard materials couldn't bear the strain, and many runes failed to produce sufficient effect.
Second, beyond these basic issues, a wizard's own magic conflicted with the inherent magic of a magical creature. The two were almost irreconcilable.
This was likely why no wizard Animagus had ever transformed into a magical creature.
Similarly, no spell in the history of Transfiguration had ever successfully turned a wizard into a magical beast.
Even the owl Sean had transfigured was just an owl, stripped of any "magical creature" designation.
Finally, there was the problem of maintaining the wizard's will. Insufficient materials, magical conflict, loss of will—three problems told Sean he was treading a path no wizard had walked before.
He was forging a new road.
The fire in the hearth seemed to roar in response to his challenge.
Sean had many ideas.
Magic should be connected by a fundamental thread.
If Potions could produce Polyjuice Potion, which maintained the user's mind and magical ability, why couldn't Alchemy achieve something similar?
He pulled out a slip of parchment:
Miranda Goshawk... mentioned in the Book of Spells:
When a wizard has a need, a charm arises. If not, it simply means the charm has not yet been discovered.
And now I assert: When a wizard has a need, a potion arises. If not, it simply means the recipe has not yet been discovered.
And now, Sean thought silently—When a wizard has a need, an alchemical creation arises. If not, it simply means the creation has not yet been discovered.
Magic was power born of will.
Putting aside his doubts, Sean prepared to find Professor Terra to study advanced Ancient Runes.
The corridor was filled with Hufflepuffs looking this way and that. Sean set down his biscuits and walked briskly into the hallway.
At the end of the corridor, a headless wizard in long robes burst out from under a portrait.
"Fred," Sean greeted him politely, attempting to bypass them on his way to the Alchemy office.
"Amazing! I'm wearing a Headless Hat and didn't even speak! How did you know it was me?"
Fred removed the hat, his head instantly reappearing.
"I bet Mum couldn't even tell," George chimed in.
The Headless Hats were their own invention—a pointed hat adorned with a pink feather that made the wearer's head (and the hat) disappear.
Sean stared at Fred's sweater for a second. The blue wool bore a large, yellow "F".
"Alright, we're talking about... Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," George said, his eyes shining as he produced a short letter signed with a large "Green".
"Mm," Sean nodded.
"You're not going to ask how many Galleons we need?!" Fred gasped.
"How much?" Sean asked.
"A thousand... no, eight hundred! You know... we want a shop in Diagon Alley," George said, a little embarrassed.
"Mm," Sean nodded.
"What?!" The twins shouted in unison.
"You agree?!"
They were perfectly synchronized.
Sean found it strange. Before, the Weasleys wouldn't leave him alone. Now that he agreed, they seemed afraid to accept.
"We know Galleons are hard to come by..." George said, wide-eyed.
"Even though we're like brothers, even though you're the Great Green... we've only known each other for a term!" Fred tried to explain, though the logic was failing him.
"I agree," Sean repeated. He felt he had known them for longer than a single term.
"You... trust us? Am I crying, George?" Fred felt something cold on his cheek.
"Feel it yourself, I can't see, Fred," George said, pulling the Headless Hat over his face.
"You really trust us? Even though we've never opened a shop, don't have enough products yet, and might waste all your Galleons?" the twins asked together.
"Always," Sean said, staring ahead as a pouch floated out of his bag. He walked away.
"The Great Green—your friend Fred offers you his most loyal respect!" he heard someone shout behind him.
"The Great Green—your friend George will follow your will forever!"
Sean quickened his pace, pretending not to hear. One could eat carelessly, but one really shouldn't speak so recklessly!
Deep in the corridor.
Hufflepuffs crowded around the black cat statue. Opposite them, sunlight streamed through a stained-glass window onto an oil painting of a quiet girl.
Beneath the painting stood an old wizard with a long white beard, his eyes holding deep amusement and a flash of surprise.
He admitted he had misjudged things more than once.
A lucky black cat, indeed?
(End of Chapter)
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