Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 200: Conference Time

January passed in continuous rain and snow.

Sheehan's days at Hogwarts became unusually regular.

He was always testing his new rituals in Hagrid's Hut or practicing Transfiguration in the Forbidden Forest.

Since his arrival, Hagrid has had plenty of time to go to the Three Broomsticks pub for a drink or to queue up at the Weasley & Green Magic Tricks shop to buy the Animal Party series.

The only downside is that no matter how early he goes, he can't get a turn.

Because many "shopping wizards" have recently appeared in Diagon Alley.

Hagrid was so angry that he almost got into a fight with the same few wizards who were always at the front of the line.

Finally, the freckled shop manager thanked him and gave him a series of products, telling him to always keep that vitality.

This made Hagrid feel rather embarrassed.

"She hired you as a bodyguard using a series of cookies?"

Sheen asked.

"How can you call me a bodyguard... Sheen, I volunteered..."

Hagrid said casually, but a moment later, a thought struck him...
“Oh, I mean, Sheen. If I agree to keep watching, will you pay me? Oh… some cookies will do…”

Sheen looked at Hagrid and suddenly realized that although Hagrid appeared rough on the surface, he was actually very meticulous.

"Ah."

Sheen nodded.

Hagrid happily made a big pot of rock cakes, and after casting a softening spell, Sheen ate until he was stuffed.

"I'm so glad you like it... Most people can't appreciate its deliciousness..."

Hagrid wiped his eye.

Sheen nodded, then raised his hand, where there stood a small creature with limbs made of thin, branch-like structures.

Tira, the Bowtruckle chosen by Sheen, really liked Sheen's pockets and arms.

Since yesterday, it has even followed Sheen out of the Forbidden Forest.

Correspondingly, Sheen also chose Bowtruckle as his next Fantastic Beast Cookie.

It possesses excellent camouflage capabilities, making it extremely useful in special circumstances.

For example, after casting a smoke spell, the wizard can transform into a Bowtruckle and hide in some corners, something that people who don't know about Transformers would never think of.

The ritual for it has become a problem for Sheen. He has discussed it with Professor Terra several times recently, but they still haven't been able to finalize it quickly.

Sheen recalled that the source of his last success was actually the imitation and modification of polymorphic potions. Recently, he had been carrying "Advanced Potion Making" with him, and soon he had inspiration.

Hogwarts has another Thursday.

The biting cold weather remained unchanged. The atmosphere in the Ravenclaw common room was even more somber.

Their match against Hufflepuff was drawing ever closer, but the morale of the entire Quidditch team was not high.

They could certainly defeat Hufflepuff, and although Cedric was a tough opponent, Roger was confident he could keep him in check.

But once they get past Hufflepuff, they'll face Gryffindor and their first-year Seeker—Harry Potter.

He displayed exceptional skill in the last match, catching the Golden Snitch within five minutes.

"Will he come?"

Roger asked Prefect Penelope in a low voice.

"Will do."

Prefect Penelope gazed out the window at the eagle soaring high, then looked at the exact schedule for the Quidditch match—next Wednesday.

The corridor on the third floor.

Sheen knocked on the door of the Transfiguration office, carrying a box of wondrous cookies.

"Come in, child."

Professor McGonagall was reading a newspaper-like journal.

Even a professor who was at least a master in the field of Transformation never stopped researching Transformation. Influenced by the professor, Sheen read many books on the subject.

On Thursdays, the professor will share a recent manuscript from the journal with Sheehan.

That is "Transfiguration Today," which focuses on the latest developments in the field of transfiguration, including scholarly papers and industry news.

Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both wrote articles in it. Bathilda Bagshot, the author of The History of Magic, publicly expressed her admiration for a paper Dumbledore published in it during his student days—a paper about transmutation between species.

Professor McGonagall also received the Most Promising Newcomer Award.

"Child, are these... some civet biscuits?"

Professor McGonagall asked with a gentle smile.

Sheen shook his head.

This is actually a cat slang cookie he recently developed, and he has reached the "beginner" level of proficiency.

It lasts long enough for one minute.

"That is?"

Professor McGonagall seemed to take it in; she always encouraged whatever Sheehan was doing.

"It's cat slang."

Sheen said softly.

"Cat lizard, um...cat lizard—?"

Professor McGonagall's voice became trembling.

ten minutes later.

"The field of transformation hasn't seen such a major breakthrough in hundreds of years..."

Professor McGonagall, now back to her original form, muttered to herself as she looked at the bewildered Sheehan, who seemed completely unaware of the magnitude of what she had done.

The acquisition of magical powers from fantastic beasts is a remarkable achievement, even within the broader history of transformations.

Wizards have coveted the power of magical creatures for millennia, and so far, all they've been able to do is use their fur and blood to create potions...

Is it that they don't want the power of magical creatures?
No, it's just that they can't do it.

Fantastic creatures have existed almost as long as magic itself; some powerful ones can even predict danger, control storms, and be reborn from the ashes…

No matter how much the envious wizards did, they could not steal their power.

For example, why would a compound decoction say "can only transform into a wizard"? The reason is obvious—wizards originally wanted to use it to transform into magical creatures, but later found that it was completely impossible.

"Don't let anyone know, child."

Professor McGonagall inexplicably heard her own heartbeat, and she spoke with utmost seriousness.

Sheen fell silent for a moment:

“Professor Terra, she knows…”

"She doesn't know, silly child."

Professor McGonagall finished speaking softly and walked out of the Transfiguration office without expression.

This transforming cookie was enough to prove the child's amazing talent in transformation. She was absolutely certain that the child would eventually surpass her, or even... Albus.

How could such talent be wasted by those mystical alchemists?!
In the principal's office, the giant stone beast jumped aside on its own.

"Albus—"

Professor McGonagall's voice was urgent.

“Look at this—”

Sheen stood alone at the door of the Transfiguration office, and the professor's reaction was much greater than she had expected.

He suddenly felt a burning sensation in his palms. Looking down, he saw that the invitation to the International Alchemy Congress had somehow floated out of his bag and into his hand.

What awaits us in this magical land...?

The wind blows across the snowfields and deserts.
Ancient symbolic flags fluttered in the wind atop the mountain.
Every bend in the runic script holds an undiscovered legend.

Someone got lost in the deep forest.

Some people are reborn from the flames.

And we—

Where should the inscription be engraved?

The International Alchemy Congress will be held three months later.
wait--

The Arrival of a Legend]

(End of this chapter)