Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 206: Little Stone Pier Takes Action
When we emerged from the Forbidden Forest, the snow on the ground was thick and heavy, covering the entire grassy area that connected to the Quidditch pitch.

Amidst the vast expanse of white, Sheen did not feel bored; instead, he felt a sense of tranquility.

The fire in the Transfiguration office melted the snow scattered on Sheen's body. The tabby cat sat on a high chair, looking at Sheen with incredibly gentle eyes.

Even though she perceived things in the form of a magical cat, she could only sense a deep sense of closeness and goodwill.

This is a little wizard whom even owls are willing to linger on for a while longer.

As Sheen's fire lizards ran amok, the tabby cat leaped up and transformed into a tall witch.

“Mr. Green, I think it’s time. Come with me.”

The professor, dressed in a black robe, was the first to leave the Transfiguration office.

Wearing the same black robe, Sheen followed behind her. The wind and snow fell, staining their robes the same white.

Training on the Quidditch pitch is never affected by the weather, and the Ravenclaw Quidditch team and the Gryffindor Quidditch team are the houses that have been training the most recently.

Wood almost got into a fight with Roger recently over a training spot.

The atmosphere between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor is now extremely tense.

Professor McGonagall's destination did not seem to be the Quidditch pitch, but rather she stopped beneath several stone sculptures on the edge of the pitch.

In fact, stone sculptures can be seen everywhere in Hogwarts.

There are two boar sculptures at the top of the gate at the entrance of the castle, and there are also stone sculptures of a one-eyed witch and other figures inside the castle.

But the area that is both open and has many stone carvings is undoubtedly near the Quidditch stadium.

Seeing these stone sculptures, Sheen roughly understood what the professor was going to say.

“For elements that have a definite image and are symbolized by magical creatures, it does not seem difficult to perform magical transformations.”

Professor McGonagall said in a gentle voice,

"But for those elements that don't seem to have any magic, wizards seem to have a hard time finding ways to use them."

Sheen listened attentively; he understood.

Just like his transformation magic from "objects" to "magic," he can skillfully utilize the magical elements of fire lizards, fire crabs, or snowmen to perform transformations. However, transforming a fireplace into something truly difficult becomes particularly challenging.

Up to now, he can only make a small part of the fireplace run and jump.

"Magic seems to favor those elements, but it is the parts that magic does not favor... that truly test a wizard's skill in transfiguration."

Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and the stone sculpture instantly came to life.

The stone knight statue brandished its sword twice in the snow, then bowed to Sheen.

Curious, Sheen placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. The hilt felt icy cold and was soon covered in snow.

"The key is to build your magic circuits. You can give it a try, kid."

Professor McGonagall continued gently, then looked at Sheehan with a hint of expectation.

What she didn't mention is that constructing a wizard's own magical circuits is incredibly challenging.

Sheen waved his wand, and the giant stone statue slightly raised its arm, and then... nothing more.

Sheen fell into deep thought. He thought that magical creatures were indeed providing a concrete form for the elements.

Take the salamander, for example. The wizard knows perfectly well how magic flows within it and how it should move. More importantly, the wizard is certain that flames can come alive in this form.

[Clear intentions, firm beliefs, and sufficient willpower].

The key points emphasized by these transformations can be largely satisfied by a salamander.

So how should he make the stone sculpture move?
Sheen was still thinking about this problem the next day when he was practicing Transfiguration.

—That is, of course, to imagine the stone sculpture as a magical creature, and what he needs to do is to construct the flow of magic for this magical creature.

The stone knight statue trembled again with the swing of the wand. Sheen had failed once more.

Constructing a magic circuit out of thin air is still too difficult.

Professor McGonagall stared at him without blinking, and the noise from the Quidditch pitch did not distract her in the slightest.

It's rare to see a young wizard looking troubled...

Constructing one's own magical circuits is an important process; it gives a wizard confidence in their ability to do it. Therefore, Professor McGonagall patiently waited for Sheen to practice.

For a talented wizard, this process can take at least two or three months.

In the days that followed, Sheen practiced diligently, and fortunately:
[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to a beginner level; proficiency +10]

[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to a beginner level; proficiency +10]

[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to a proficient standard. Proficiency +30]

Inspiration is fleeting, but a control panel can bring it to life.

Sheen kept comparing and contrasting, and his progress was rapid.

When she gets tired from practicing, Sheen will curl up into a black cat.

The one who was tired was the wizard Sheen, not the black cat.

In his black cat form, Sheen focuses on training his control over his body, and now he can even squeeze through the crack in the door of the Transfiguration office.

It was a gloomy and slightly tense Tuesday.

Tomorrow is the Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

The Quidditch pitch is packed with training sessions, and outside the Quidditch pitch...

[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to expert standards. Proficiency +1000]

The stone block moved in accordance with Sheen's will. Although it was only a one-meter-high stone block, it was enough to excite Sheen.

"Incredible progress, child!"

Professor McGonagall stood in the snow, and after the usual surprise, she couldn't help but feel proud.

At this moment, sensing that his magic was about to run out, Shin had already turned into a black cat.

Then a notebook automatically fell off his neck and floated up:
Yes, Professor.

"An interesting invention..."

Professor McGonagall clearly hadn't expected to witness this scene.

The quill pen writes on the floating notebook, and the black cat sitting in the snow beside it nods slightly.

When the writing fades, it floats back to the black cat's neck and becomes a small pendant.

Professor McGonagall belatedly looked at her wrist and realized that the child had given her a necklace yesterday.
It will automatically detach during transformation and then attach itself to the wizard's body.

Sheen explained with a craftsman's spirit.

In the snow, a cat was introducing its invention, and Professor McGonagall couldn't help but smile.

The atmosphere at the edge of the stadium is light and cheerful, but it's quite different inside.

"Defeat Hufflepuff, then take down Gryffindor!"

Roger stood on a chair in the Ravenclaw locker room and threw a punch.

"For the first time in seven years, we've utterly thrashed Ravenclaw! We'll give it our all and make Professor McGonagall look at us with newfound respect!"

Wood raised his arms and shouted from the Gryffindor locker room, which was not far away.

(End of this chapter)