Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

Evening, Third Floor of the Castle

A cold corridor, only about a hundred meters long. There were no classrooms, no professors' offices, not even a decent room.

But in this corridor, a tall figure was present, seemingly searching for some clue, moving very slowly.

...

Transfiguration Club

In a hidden classroom, there was a bit of a lively atmosphere.

"Who do you think the new person will be from? Could it be a first-year student?" Cho asked curiously, sitting in her exclusive hanging chair.

As soon as Cho spoke, Cedric straightened up reflexively.

"It shouldn't be a first-year student because I inquired in Hufflepuff, and none of this year's new students have been specifically praised by Professor McGonagall."

"Maybe!" Cho replied casually, then added, "You shouldn't be snooping around like that. It's not gentlemanly."

"Of course, I won't do it again!" Cedric quickly promised.

Although he was being scolded, he still showed a blissful expression.

Watching the two interact so nonchalantly, Ino really wanted to turn around and leave.

Madam Puddifoot's, it seemed, had set up shop in Hogwarts, and the sweet scent filled the entire hidden classroom.

After a while, Cho remembered there was another person in the room, someone who also gave her a sense of regret.

"Ino, what do you think? Will it be someone from Slytherin?"

"I think it will be from Gryffindor," Ino said, shaking his head slightly.

This wasn't based on divination but rather a basic rule of deduction.

The private club of the Gryffindor Head of House had students from three different houses, but there was no one from Gryffindor. In the interest of fairness, Professor McGonagall would most likely want a Gryffindor student to join the club.

...

Third Floor Corridor

Hermione had been pacing back and forth several times.

She had checked the floor, the beams, and the armor but still hadn't found the hidden classroom Professor McGonagall had mentioned.

With only about twenty minutes left, she couldn't help but reach into her pocket, where there was a small bottle of Felix Felicis.

Remembering this made her feel amazed.

A few days ago, in an abandoned display case in the Potions classroom, she had found this precious potion.

But what was more surprising was that when she handed it over to Snape, a professor who never favored Gryffindor, he had unusually said a lot.

Not only did he explain the uses and identification methods of Felix Felicis, but he also generously stated that anything found in the Potions classroom could be kept without worry.

Thus, Hermione had somehow obtained a whole bottle of Felix Felicis.

To test its effects, she had immediately drunk a spoonful of the lucky potion, and as a result, her extraordinary performance in the next Transfiguration class had caught Professor McGonagall's eye.

Naturally, she had been invited to join the Transfiguration Club.

As for Hermione's rapid progress in Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall didn't want to guess, or if she vaguely guessed, she didn't want to interfere.

She only needed to invite students based on their classroom performance, fairly and justly.

...

Time ticked away.

With the appointed time nearing seven o'clock, Hermione grew anxious.

A tabby cat was quietly crouching in a dark corner of the third-floor corridor, more anxious than the person involved.

But when Hermione's gaze landed on the painting on the wall, Professor McGonagall finally sighed in relief. For a moment there, she had almost given a hint.

After all, she couldn't let the only Gryffindor miss out on the invitation.

...

Hidden Classroom on the Third Floor

Five minutes before seven, the classroom door finally opened from the outside.

"Hermione?" Ino stood up in surprise.

"Mm-hmm!" Hermione replied with a nasal tone.

Meeting here was a bit unexpected for her too.

Their conversation brightened Cho's eyes, as Hermione's response sounded like a pouting complaint.

Similarly, Cedric showed a meaningful smile.

...

"First, transfigure yourself a chair! Any style will do."

As a friend, Ino quickly explained the rules to Hermione, ignoring the other two who were eager to watch.

Hearing this, Hermione waved her wand, producing a plain but sturdy chair.

"Thank you!"

Sitting down, Hermione turned to Ino and whispered.

"It's nothing, just surprising to meet you here," Ino replied casually, then stood up to introduce Hermione. "This is Cho Chang from fourth year and Cedric Diggory from fifth year."

They were all of the same age, so after a brief introduction, they quickly got to know each other, making the atmosphere very harmonious.

Especially Cedric, who seemed to exude a cheerful sense of relief, as if a hidden worry had been lifted.

Evening, Seven O'clock.

Professor McGonagall entered the classroom on time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stop your chit-chat, as it's now time for our Transfiguration discussion."

As Professor McGonagall's words fell, everyone stopped talking and picked up the latest issue of Transfiguration Today they had brought along.

"Duplicato!"

Seeing Hermione empty-handed, Ino decisively waved his wand and handed her a copied magazine.

Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly, "Now, please turn to page 165. Today, we will discuss the conversion of material bases and shape transformation."

Well, no one present was foolish. Faced with such basic, almost review-like discussions, everyone knew the reason.

But no one voiced any objections because they had all been newcomers at some point.

Sometimes, such consideration is necessary.

Moreover, strictly speaking, a discussion on the basics of Transfiguration isn't just a review. It's like an impromptu piano performance, where new inspirations can burst forth and create beautiful melodies.

After about fifteen minutes, when everyone had finished reading the article, Professor McGonagall's gaze shifted to Hermione.

"Miss Granger! Let's start with you. Tell me your views on the shape and material transformation in Transfiguration."

As if anticipating she would be called upon, Hermione thought for a moment before speaking slowly: "Transfiguration isn't creation, nor does it involve permanent change, so material transformation is actually based on a wizard's understanding of the transfigured item..."

Her answer was textbook-perfect, impeccable.

However, such a perfect answer made a trace of disappointment flash in Professor McGonagall's eyes.

But since Hermione was already here, many things couldn't be changed.

She just hoped that this only Gryffindor could keep up, otherwise, the Transfiguration Club wouldn't be much help to Hermione.