Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

Transfiguration Class Club.

On the third floor, in a hidden classroom, the atmosphere grew a bit subtle after Hermione answered a question.

Cedric and Cho exchanged glances, seeing a flicker of confusion in each other's eyes.

It wasn't entirely their fault. As the club's longest-standing members, they had witnessed the brilliance of the previous generation of graduates and also seen Ino's performance when he first joined.

Therefore, Hermione's textbook answer took them by surprise. Fortunately, they weren't harsh individuals. After a brief exchange of looks, they didn't comment further.

After Hermione finished her answer, Professor McGonagall discreetly glanced around. Seeing that the other three had no significant reactions, she silently sighed in relief.

Right now, she was just worried that the others might think the invitation was unfair.

"Standard answer!" Professor McGonagall commented on Hermione's response after some thought, then decisively shifted focus: "Alright, it's your turn. Ino!"

"Yes, Professor!" Being called, Ino put down the magazine he was holding.

"Although the topic is the transformation of substances and shapes in Transfiguration, I focus more on the transformation of elemental forms or the imbuing of spirituality to transformed objects. This inspiration came from the snowman greeting people in Hogsmeade…"

Ino had always paid special attention to elemental transformation. Due to his own reasons, he knew that ice and fire were fundamental.

Other forms of magic primarily served as auxiliary tools.

"… Currently, I can only imbue snowmen with spirituality, but transforming fire always results in a rigid and lifeless form."

As he spoke, Ino waved his wand, casting two elemental transformation spells of ice and fire.

At the same time, a lively little snowman appeared on the classroom floor, even waving to everyone.

However, the flame-transformed Rune Snake stood motionless with three heads protruding like antennas.

"As you can see, the transformation of elements results in a significant difference between the two. This makes me wonder if the nature of the material directly affects the outcome of the transformation…"

After posing his question, Ino quietly sat down, waiting for Professor McGonagall's response.

This precious learning time, occurring once every fortnight, was not something he wanted to waste.

Professor McGonagall's gaze swept over the floor. The transformation of two extreme elements at once surprised her.

What surprised her was that Ino had performed the transformations simultaneously with a single spell, managing two transformations of opposing elements at the same time.

"We'll discuss this question later!" A hint of appreciation flashed in Professor McGonagall's eyes as she turned to Cedric and Cho.

These two seasoned club members didn't disappoint her either. Each analyzed the issue from different perspectives, using their unique insights to outline an exceptionally brilliant thesis.

As the four answered in turn, it became clear without much need for words who excelled.

Hermione, never one to be considered foolish, felt ashamed of her previous answer after hearing the different perspectives and points made by the others. She lowered her head in embarrassment.

But soon, a gentle voice reached her ears.

"Try again! This time, let go of the textbooks and use your own ideas, whether it's Muggle physics or chemistry. Just avoid using the textbooks."

Ino turned, gently encouraging her while also seeking approval from Professor McGonagall.

He understood Hermione's current feelings well. Being the top student in an ordinary class but falling behind in an elite club could create a stark and difficult contrast.

Listening to the encouragement, Hermione looked up.

For some reason, she felt an urge to hold tightly onto the person beside her.

"Miss Granger! Do as Ino suggests and show us how Muggles understand the transformation of substances."

With a smile in her eyes, Professor McGonagall spoke, and Cho and Cedric also showed a keen interest.

In this encouraging atmosphere, Hermione gradually moved past her earlier embarrassment. She glanced at the person beside her and then raised her head to reorganize her thoughts, beginning to answer the question from a different angle.

...

In a pleasant atmosphere, time always seems to fly by unnoticed.

An hour and a half passed in a blur.

After Professor McGonagall's final summary, the first Transfiguration Club meeting of the second semester came to an end.

Third-floor corridor.

This time, the three weren't walking together.

After a polite farewell, Cedric naturally held Cho's hand, and the couple descended the stairs together.

Seeing this sugary scene, Ino felt a bit helpless!

For a moment, he really wanted to suggest to them that if they liked being so close, they could transform a double bed or a two-seater for the next club meeting.

Watching the hand-holding scene, Hermione's expression was different, with a hint of envy.

The hallway was short, and they reached a corner in a few minutes.

"There's half an hour until curfew." Ino turned to Hermione.

Hermione's performance had been impressive. While she might currently seem a bit lacking, she had adapted to the atmosphere and discussion mode of the club on her first try. Keeping up with the pace was only a matter of time.

"So, are you heading back?" Hermione looked up and asked.

Before Ino could answer, she continued:

"Actually, regarding the elemental transformation you mentioned, I think you should consider the nature of fire. Emitting light and heat makes it not just an element but also energy, similar to the Odberic nuclear power plant."

Hermione's words gave him a vague grasp of something but not a firm hold.

"Are you talking about energy dissipation?" Ino asked, unsure.

"Not entirely," Hermione nodded and explained:

"Like your snowman, it seems lifelike because its energy dissipates slowly. But the flame Rune Snake is different, constantly emitting intense light and heat…"

At this point, he fully understood the issue.

Unlike Professor McGonagall's magical explanation, Hermione used Muggle physics to dissect the problem.

The energy of fire dissipates too quickly. Though magic maintains its burning, preventing it from extinguishing, the flame itself, akin to rapidly dividing cells, changes constantly.

Naturally, cellular renewal is normal; just like a person's cells renew every seven years without altering their essence.

But fire is different. The elemental transformation of the Rune Snake might possess the snowman's spirituality in the first second, but as energy continues to dissipate.

The Rune Snake of one second differs fundamentally from that of the next second.

"A core is needed for protection…"

In a moment of clarity, Ino thought of the essence of phoenixes and blazing fires.

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