Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 81: The Succession of the Principal's Position
Since falling ill, Sheen has been barely hanging on. The medicine can cure his cold and fever, but it cannot fill the void in his exhausted spirit.

He is getting sleepy more and more easily, and sometimes he feels dizzy even after walking a few steps.

But in contrast, his shapeshifting ability has reached—

[Transfiguration: Expert Level (5900/9000)]

His proficiency at the expert level is sufficient to allow him to flexibly transform "inanimate objects" into "living objects," and the panel describes this as "advanced intermediate-level polymorphism."

Sheen guessed that advanced shapeshifting must involve transforming "living things" into "living things".

Of course, Professor McGonagall also introduced him to a higher level of transfiguration, namely the Vanishing Spell.

The spell is Evanesco (disappear).

It is also one of the most difficult spells to appear in the regular wizarding level exams. In the fifth book, Professor McGonagall had everyone practice this spell using snails.

Because snails are invertebrates, the challenge is not very great. If it were other mammals, the requirements would be much higher.

A fierce fire burned in the fireplace, and Professor McGonagall held a cup of hot tea while Sheehan, sitting in front of her, was writing an extra paper she had assigned—[Resurrection].

Even though Shin had anticipated the vastness of the Transfiguration realm, he was still inevitably surprised.

Logically speaking, transforming a "living thing" into a "dead thing" is an intermediate-level transformation, while transforming a "dead thing" into a "living thing" is a more advanced intermediate-level transformation.

However, if the "self" is transformed into an "inanimate object," the difficulty will increase dramatically.

For example, when the Death Eater Axley visited Professor Slughorn's house under the cover of night, attempting to forcibly take him to see Voldemort, Slughorn transformed into a sofa, successfully evading Axley.

This is also a high-level form of transfiguration because it involves a law, written in the first article of Adbe Wolflin's *Theory of Magic*:
[To arbitrarily alter the deepest secrets—the origin of life, the essence of the self—one must be prepared to bear the most extreme and dangerous consequences.]

This is precisely one of the essences of the self: self-form. Previously, Shin only associated this warning with Horcruxes, never expecting it to also exist in the realm of Transfiguration.

In addition, advanced shapeshifting also involves the transformation of the "self" into a "living thing," such as Krum transforming his head into a shark;
And the transformation of "magic" into "objects", such as Dumbledore's fire rope being turned into a snake by Tom.

Conversely, there is also the transformation of "objects" into "magic," such as Dumbledore turning pool water into a water prison.

However, these all fall under the category of advanced transformation techniques.

But this made Sheen realize that Transfiguration might be the most powerful magic, because it could do almost anything.

For example, the unlocking spell—if Sheen transforms the lock into a small stick, does that count as unlocking?

No wonder powerful wizards almost always master advanced polymorphism, because polymorphism can achieve the same effect when a wizard needs a spell but doesn't understand it.

At Hogwarts, the Transfiguration professor is practically a headmaster in the making.

So Sheen mustered his weary spirits once more and began diligently writing his thesis on resurrection:
【The concept of a clone, even though it originated from a pagan Norse tradition in the history of magic, posits that everyone possesses a clone, which is not only a spiritual clone but also potentially a physical clone, and this is precisely the fascinating aspect when understood in Scandinavian languages.

“The 'reincarnation' has our 'form' (hamr) and follows us; it is our 'consciousness' (hugr).”

Therefore, there is not just "one unique doppelganger, but at least two: one is a physical doppelganger, sometimes in animal form; the other is a spiritual doppelganger, which may also manifest as an animal."

Sheen felt the sound was familiar, and he naturally associated it with Animagus and the Guardian Charm.

On the table, beside Sheen, books such as "Intermediate Transformation Book," "Advanced Transformation Guide," and "The Magic of Transformation" were piled up like a small mountain.

“A deep understanding of a particular period of history is also an important part of the ritual…” Professor McGonagall took a sip of tea, and as she gazed at Sheehan, her gaze became heavy again.

She sighed softly. Even when it was just writing a paper, the boy had given it his all. He hadn't had a proper rest in so long and was practically holding on by his last breath.

“Mr. Green, come here.”

Sheen looked up, somewhat bewildered, and realized it was already six o'clock in the afternoon.

After dinner, Professor Flitwick would take some time to teach himself the Repel Spell.

So Sheen put the book in her bag, tidied up the messy desk, and put the quill pen into the cat-shaped pen holder.

Goodbye, Professor.

Sheen bowed slightly, then found himself enveloped in a gentle warmth. He smelled a pleasant scent and, in his final moments before losing consciousness, heard the professor's voice:
"Don't stop being so persistent, Mr. Green... But get a good night's sleep and get ready for Friday..."

Inside the Transfiguration Office,
Sheen was fast asleep, but time strangely moved to the beginning of the afternoon.

“You’re helping him cheat, Minerva.”

Albus, who had been reminiscing about noon, spoke with a smile.

"I didn't know Hogwarts had such a rule..."

Professor McGonagall's voice was calm and composed.
"Albus, if there's nothing else, please leave my office."

"Oh--"

Dumbledore's smile remained kind.
"I just didn't expect that your application for the time converter would be... Well, well, Minerva, at least let me take another look at my old office?"

He said he was looking around the office, but his wise gaze was actually fixed on Sheen and the steaming turtle that had transformed earlier.
"It seems Mr. Green has learned Transfiguration quite well?"

……

When Sheen woke up, he felt that half of his fatigue had been removed. It was as if there was a magical power in Professor McGonagall's office that relaxed his tense mind.

Most importantly, he rested for so long, but it was only a short break.

He sensed something, and thus stepped into the classroom with even greater determination.

In the classroom, even Professor Flitwick gave him a few extra glances in surprise:
"Looks like you're ready to learn the knockback spell—you've maintained a good mental level, that's good, Mr. Green, looks like Friday..."

The professor seemed to realize he had said something wrong and quickly changed the subject.

"Let's talk about black magic... Mr. Grimm, tell me, what do you think black magic is?"

"Black magic, or dark magic, refers to the types of magic that can harm, control, or even kill people or creatures."

Examples include the three Unforgivable Curses, the concoction of dark potions, and the breeding of dark creatures.

Sheen replied.

"A comprehensive overview."

Professor Flitwick gave Sheehan an admiring look.
(End of this chapter)