https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-365-Give-Us-One-Reason-Not-to-Kill-You/12538625/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-367-The-Monster-Bird-and-the-Illusion/12538627/
Chapter 366: Gengar's Team
Chapter 366: Gengar's Team
The next day was Thursday, and after breakfast, Kyle and Connor set off from the Great Hall together, ready to attend their next Transfiguration class.
When they arrived at the classroom, Professor McGonagall was already waiting by the door, stopping the pair as they were about to enter.
"Miss Prince, would you please go in first?" she said to Connor.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall," Connor replied, nodding and stepping into the room without further question.
Professor McGonagall then led Kyle to the adjacent corridor and, with a smile, asked, "Do you remember the essay you sent me a month ago?"
"The one for the 'Most Promising Newcomer' award from Today's Transfiguration magazine?" Kyle inquired. "Have the results come out already?"
"Not yet," the professor replied, "but I've received an inside scoop... good news, in fact."
McGonagall seemed to be in high spirits. "The editor-in-chief of Transfiguration Today, Ms. Herse, is a friend of mine. In our correspondence a few days ago, I inquired about the situation, and though she didn't say it outright, she gave me a hint... Gersdamachi-ban admired your essay."
"Mrs. Gersdamachi..." Kyle pondered for a moment, confused. "The Mrs. Gersdamachi from the Wizarding Examination Administration?"
"I didn't expect you to know her," Professor McGonagall said, a bit surprised. After all, Mrs. Gersdamachi was over a hundred and twenty years old, a figure from the last century, and she rarely made public appearances. Only at the end of each term would she visit Hogwarts to oversee the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s for fifth and seventh years. Hence, not many young witches and wizards below the fifth year knew of her.
"Charlie mentioned her before," Kyle explained. "He said that after the O.W.L.s, he saw Headmaster Dumbledore see an old lady out of the school."
"And then Mr. Weasley told us it was Mrs. Gersdamachi, who had worked at the Ministry for a hundred years and was the chief examiner when Dumbledore graduated," Kyle continued.
"That's true," acknowledged Professor McGonagall. "Mrs. Gersdamachi has indeed overseen the examinations of many individuals, including Headmaster Dumbledore."
The professor went on, "But that's not her only claim to fame. Mrs. Gersdamachi is most renowned for her influence in academic circles. She holds significant positions in both Today's Transfiguration magazine and the Extraordinary Potioneers' Association."
Kyle nodded in understanding. It made sense that someone who even Dumbledore respected would have more than just the role of an examiner.
Moreover, the Wizarding Examination Administration could be considered one of the most tedious and monotonous jobs in the Ministry, with minimal pay—only about half of what other departments offered. Most people would consider three to five years in that position a long stint, but Mrs. Gersdamachi had been there for a century.
"So now you understand," Professor McGonagall continued. "Having her approval means your essay is most likely in the clear. I estimate that after Christmas, someone from Today's Transfiguration will come to the school. They'll ask you some questions as a final test, and if you pass, your essay will be featured in the next issue of the magazine... on the front page, no less!"
Just then, it was time for class to begin. Professor McGonagall quickened her pace as she spoke, hurrying back toward the classroom. "Prepare well, Kyle. Their questions won't be easy to answer."
"What happened?" Connor whispered, "Did they find out about you selling high-priced jewelry?"
"It's not related to that," Kyle began, intending to tell her about the essay, but Professor McGonagall started speaking, so he could only shake his head and whisper, "I'll tell you after class..."
The moment they entered the classroom, the smile on Professor McGonagall's face seemed to vanish, replaced by her usual stern expression.
"Fourth year is crucial. Next year, you will be taking your O.W.L.s, so I expect you all to focus and not be as lackadaisical as you were in the previous years."
"Today, we will be learning about cross-species transfiguration, which will definitely appear in your O.W.L.s examinations. Remember, not just possibly, but definitely.
As what we've learned before are the most basic concepts, only by mastering cross-species transfiguration can you truly be considered proficient in Transfiguration."
Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze swept across the classroom.
Everyone immediately straightened their backs and dared not breathe a word.
"Very well, open your books, and let's start with something simple... Unlike static objects, when performing cross-species transfiguration, the Transfiguration spell must be adjusted accordingly..."
After explaining the key points to take note of, Professor McGonagall took out a pearl-colored chicken and transformed it into a chubby guinea pig.
"This is your task for today. If there are still feathers left on your creature, it will be considered a failure!"
The classroom soon filled with the flapping sounds of the pearl chickens' wings, interspersed with occasional shouts of surprise from those who had been pecked by their subjects.
At the end of the Transfiguration class, only three people had successfully completed the task, while most of the others submitted guinea pigs that were still covered in thick feathers, which was obviously unacceptable.
Professor McGonagall's face turned grim at the results.
Kyle and Connor left the Transfiguration classroom and made their way up the stairs.
Along the way, Kyle briefly recounted the story of the essay to her.
Connor was initially surprised but then thought that it wasn't so strange, considering it was Kyle.
Compared to the Second-Class Medal of the Order of the Merlin and the three perfectly lined-up Special Contribution Awards in the trophy cabinet, the 'Most Promising Newcomer' award from Today's Transfiguration seemed rather mundane.
"I knew there wouldn't be a problem..."
Connor patted Kyle's shoulder encouragingly and smiled, "I'll buy a few extra copies of the journal after the Christmas holidays as a show of support for you."
"That would be embarrassing..." Kyle whispered, "How many copies are you planning to get? Five hundred, perhaps... I could ask Professor McGonagall to arrange for extra printing in advance."
"You wish," Connor retorted, "At most, five copies. Today's Transfiguration is expensive, you know. I don't have that kind of money."
Kyle thought about it and realized that made sense; such academic journals would surely be more expensive than the Daily Prophet.
"Alright then, but remember to give a copy to Professor Snape," he said, "Not for any particular reason, but I'm just curious to hear what Professor Snape thinks of my essay."
Connor glanced at Kyle, her intuition telling her that this guy was up to something, but upon further thought, it didn't seem like a problem, and even if Kyle didn't mention it, she would have shown the essay to Professor Snape anyway.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
