"Hey, seniors."
Hermione deliberately blinked innocently.
"Why aren't you laughing anymore?"
"Don't you enjoy analysing things?"
The older students' expressions instantly became awkward.
Ever since Lucien entered the Great Hall, countless upper-year students had confidently begun dissecting the previous night's ranking battle.
Every single conclusion had been the same—
It would already be impressive if Argus Grindelwald managed to reach third-year level.
Fourth year?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Hermione had been thoroughly irritated listening to them act so smug.
And now—
Lucien had slapped every one of them across the face with undeniable reality.
The more confidently they had spoken earlier—
The more humiliating the result became now.
Cho Chang, seated beside Hermione, covered her mouth and giggled softly.
At the Gryffindor table, the Weasley twins looked completely stunned.
Harry scratched his head awkwardly.
"So… who actually won the bet?"
Fred and George still looked frozen in shock.
Their mouths hung so wide open an ostrich egg could probably fit inside.
They knew Argus was terrifyingly talented.
But this?
A first-year student suppressing every fifth-year challenger?
That was no longer talent.
That was outright monstrous.
Ron immediately seized the opportunity to snatch Scabbers back from George's hands.
"Give him back!"
…
At the professors' table, Flitwick looked practically ecstatic.
"A genius!"
"This is unbelievable!"
"A first-year actually reached that position!"
He nearly bounced in place from excitement.
"I'm already looking forward to his Charms lessons."
Professor McGonagall folded her arms thoughtfully.
"I'm more curious about his Transfiguration talent."
"I only hope his spellcasting ability isn't his sole strength."
Flitwick immediately shook his head.
"Impossible."
"Children like him understand the importance of Transfiguration instinctively."
"He's far too intelligent not to."
McGonagall remained silent.
Truthfully—
She was conflicted.
As a professor, there was almost nothing more attractive than an exceptionally gifted student.
Lucien's manners, intelligence, magical control, observation skills, and leadership ability were all nearly flawless.
But because of that—
Her expectations became even higher.
And with higher expectations came greater worry.
What if his talent truly only lay in spellcasting?
What if he neglected Transfiguration entirely?
Those contradictory emotions caused her eyes to repeatedly drift toward Lucien's back.
…
At the Slytherin table—
Lucien stood calmly once everyone had nearly finished breakfast.
"Everyone."
"I have something to announce."
The surrounding Slytherins immediately quieted.
"After breakfast, several senior students and I will escort the first-years to their classrooms."
"This will prevent anyone from losing House points because they cannot find their way."
"I hope everyone prepares in advance."
"Yes, Chief!"
The responses sounded unusually unified.
"Go collect your textbooks if you haven't already."
"We leave in ten minutes."
Lucien waved his hand casually.
The Slytherins immediately began moving.
By the time they arrived at the Transfiguration classroom, many Gryffindors had already taken their seats.
The classroom buzzed with conversation.
No one paid attention to the striped tabby cat sitting quietly atop the podium.
"Argus…"
Draco yawned heavily.
"Crabbe, Goyle, and I are going to sleep in the back."
"Wake me after class."
Lucien immediately sensed a dangerous gaze land upon him.
He glanced toward the podium.
Then remembered—
Professor McGonagall's Animagus form was indeed a tabby cat.
An elderly catgirl.
Unfortunately—
He had transmigrated too late.
Lucien immediately forced those dangerous thoughts from his mind.
Without hesitation, he stepped toward the podium and bowed politely toward the cat.
Then he dragged Draco into the front row and sat down quietly.
Draco looked completely confused.
"Argus…"
"That cat…"
"That is Professor McGonagall."
Lucien lowered his voice slightly.
"She's one of only seven registered Animagi in Britain."
Draco nearly jumped out of his skin.
He instinctively almost reached out to pet the cat earlier.
Thank Merlin Lucien stopped him.
Otherwise—
Professor McGonagall might deduct Slytherin points until graduation.
"Look carefully around the eyes."
"The markings resemble her glasses."
Draco stared closely.
Then nearly collapsed in terror.
"It really is her…"
At that moment—
The classroom door suddenly burst open.
Ron's bright red hair poked inside first.
After confirming Professor McGonagall was seemingly absent, he let out an exaggerated sigh of relief before entering alongside Harry.
"We made it!"
"If Professor McGonagall caught us late, her expression would definitely—"
Before Ron finished—
The tabby cat leapt gracefully from the podium.
Mid-air—
Its body transformed instantly into Professor McGonagall.
Ron's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"That was brilliant!"
Professor McGonagall looked utterly expressionless.
"Thank you for your evaluation, Mr. Weasley."
"Perhaps I should transform Mr. Potter and you into pocket watches."
"At least then one of you might arrive on time."
Harry hurriedly explained,
"We got lost."
"Then perhaps I should transform you into maps instead?"
Professor McGonagall swept her gaze across the classroom sharply.
"I assume locating your seats does not require cartography?"
Before the two could sit down—
Her cold voice sounded again.
"Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley."
"Five points from Gryffindor each for tardiness."
"Hopefully this teaches you responsibility."
Ron's face instantly collapsed.
Then—
Professor McGonagall's gaze shifted toward Lucien.
Her expression softened noticeably.
"And Mr. Grindelwald."
"You are the first—and only—first-year student this year to recognise my Animagus form."
"That demonstrates excellent observational ability."
"And substantial understanding of Transfiguration."
Lucien smiled politely.
"Thank you for your praise, Professor."
"For your keen observation…"
Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly.
"Slytherin receives five points."
Instantly—
The Slytherins looked delighted.
Meanwhile, the Gryffindors looked even more miserable.
Professor McGonagall then returned to the podium, her dark robes sweeping elegantly behind her.
"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will study at Hogwarts."
"Anyone fooling around in my classroom will leave."
"And never return."
Her sharp gaze swept across the students.
"I am entirely serious."
"Now."
"Take out your wands and textbooks."
"I shall demonstrate real Transfiguration."
Professor McGonagall flicked her wand lightly.
The wooden desk behind her immediately transformed into a squealing pink pig.
Gasps erupted throughout the classroom.
Countless first-years stared in amazement.
Only Lucien's attention differed completely from everyone else's.
As he watched the little white pig standing atop the desk—
He slowly fell into thought.
....
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