Chapter 20: The Professor’s Invitation
Professor McGonagall brought Vaughn to her office.
It was located on the second floor, and the Quidditch Pitch could be seen from the window, which was a small privilege as Deputy Headmistress, satisfying her fondness for Quidditch.
Back in her office, Professor McGonagall didn’t seem as stern. She even offered Vaughn a biscuit before asking:
“Mr. Weasley, I couldn’t ask properly in class just now. I assume you’ve practiced Transfiguration privately at home, correct?”
“Yes, Professor, using my brother’s textbook.”
“I believe I’ve repeatedly emphasized to your brothers how dangerous it is,” Professor McGonagall pursed her lips.
Vaughn nodded: “So I’ve only attempted object transfiguration, Professor, starting with small items, just as Percy wrote in his notes. First simple changes, then complex ones… this is part of my experience.”
He took out the Beginner’s Transfiguration Guide filled with notes and handed it to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall flipped through it first: “A new book? Did you review it again before school?”
“Yes, Professor.”
Professor McGonagall stopped speaking and examined it intently. After a long while, she closed the book, revealing a faint smile of relief: “I see, Mr. Weasley, you’ve prepared thoroughly, and your records for each transfiguration are very detailed.”
She didn’t show her surprise but sighed inwardly.
At first, Professor McGonagall thought Vaughn was just dabbling or had some basic knowledge from his brothers’ tutoring.
But after reading the notes, she realized Vaughn’s mastery of Transfiguration had actually reached an advanced level, evidenced by the last page of the textbook:
“…Today I successfully transfigured Guo Guo Cha’s dried fish into a mouse. For a moment, I thought I had created life, but obviously not. The mouse’s behavior was exactly as I had set it, it was just a puppet that looked like a mouse. It lacked the vitality of life, but this aspect is beyond my current knowledge. How do higher-level transfigurations solve this problem?”
“Spells require corresponding emotions. Does Transfiguration also not escape this link? From inanimate objects to living things, and the transformation between life forms, perhaps one needs to start by considering the target’s thoughts and emotions? Or memories?”
It must be said that when Professor McGonagall read that passage, she was deeply moved.
Not because of Vaughn’s progress in Transfiguration, but because of his thoughts and guesses about Transfiguration!
Such a genius… why is he in Slytherin?
After hesitating for a moment, as a Deputy Headmistress who had lived a life of fairness and impartiality, Professor McGonagall finally said dryly: “Mr. Weasley, you know, not all students progress at the same pace. Some students are simply more… talented…”
She had always disliked categorizing students, but this was reality.
She continued: “For students who progress faster, Headmaster Dumbledore encourages professors of each subject to organize clubs for more targeted teaching…”
“Mr. Weasley, would you be willing to join my Transfiguration Club?”
Her face felt a little warm, like she was secretly poaching talent.
But she still looked at Vaughn expectantly.
Because professors had the qualification to invite, the invited naturally had the right to refuse.
Under her eager gaze, Vaughn smiled and said:
“I’d be honored, Professor McGonagall.”
…
“So, you joined the Transfiguration Club?”
In the Great Hall, at the Gryffindor long table, Hermione exclaimed in surprise.
“Of course, Professor McGonagall said my standards were sufficient, and what’s taught in class can’t teach me more. The other members of the club are at least 4th years, so I can continue learning there instead of wasting time in class.”
Vaughn was filling out a form, the club application form, while eating.
Hermione looked at it, her eyes nearly shining. She asked hesitantly: “If, I mean, if I could also perfectly transfigure a match into a needle like you did today, would I have a chance?”
“Not necessarily,” Vaughn thought for a moment, “but you can ask Professor McGonagall to try then.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Hermione grab two pieces of bread and rush towards the library like a gust of wind.
Clearly, she had found new motivation to strive!
Sitting next to them, Harry and Ron, who had been eavesdropping, exchanged bewildered glances. These two were already showing their lazy student nature.
Everything at Hogwarts was novel to them.
Studying? Wasn’t playing around more fun?
They didn’t quite understand Hermione’s admiration and goals.
Nor did they think it was a cause for celebration that Vaughn joined a club or took extra classes.
At least Ron was more bothered by the Serpent Shield Badge on Vaughn’s chest.
Seeing Vaughn still sitting at the Gryffindor table and even snatching a piece of roast meat from him, he finally couldn’t help but retort: “Why aren’t you at the Slytherin table? Why come steal from ours? Are you picking on Harry because he’s easy to bully?”
Harry: “?”
I don’t really understand you Weasleys…
Vaughn didn’t say anything. He slowly finished his roast meat, then took out a small pouch from his bag and opened it.
Inside was a brand new, complete wand care kit!
Ron’s eyes widened, and Harry seemed to hear him swallow.
This tactic was too familiar!
Ron’s face turned red, a mix of longing and anger. He desperately wanted to snatch the pouch and throw it at Vaughn’s detestable face.
But years of being oppressed, and the expensive price of the care kit, made him lack the courage.
Based on his past experiences, Vaughn, the devil, would definitely exploit his desire again and lure him into submission.
He decided that no matter what, he would not give in today. This was the belief of a Gryffindor facing a Slytherin!
Then, he felt a hand pat his head:
“Here, Ron, you’ll need this for Charms class this afternoon… study hard, and don’t be so playful anymore!”
When Ron looked up again, Vaughn had already walked away, leaving only the open pouch on the seat.
Ron watched his retreating back until he disappeared around the corner.
Harry, who had witnessed all of this, suddenly noticed Ron’s eyes were red. The usually boisterous companion was sniffling like a primary school student, tears streaming down his face. He reached out, clutched the care kit to his chest, and held it tightly.
Sobbing, he asked, “Harry, Slytherins aren’t all bad, are they?”
Harry suddenly understood that Ron had actually been worried about his brother’s potential changes, he just didn’t know how to express it.
Gently patting his shoulder, Harry nodded firmly: “Yes!”
On the other side.
Vaughn, walking towards the Slytherin Common Room, hummed a happy tune.
Who said he only had one tactic?
