"As you can see," Professor McGonagall said, "when one's understanding of a substance's internal structural rules is sufficiently profound, when magical power is strong enough, and when the will is clear enough, this kind of transformation can be achieved.
But as you said, it is far more difficult than ordinary Transfiguration because it requires the caster not only to envision the target form but also to understand and reconstruct its internal stable structure, transforming loose layered connections into a sturdy three-dimensional structure."
Regulus asked at the appropriate moment, "Professor, what about the Philosopher's Stone?"
She put away her wand and looked at Regulus. "As for the Philosopher's Stone… that is the pinnacle achievement of Alchemy, transcending the scope of ordinary Transfiguration.
It touches upon the realms of creation and eternity.
The gold produced by ordinary Transfiguration often carries a strong imprint of the caster's magic, is unstable, may revert to its original state over time or under powerful magical interference, or possesses a certain false essence.
Whereas the gold transmuted by the Philosopher's Stone is said to possess truly eternal material properties.
The difference perhaps lies in whether the perfect internal structural rules belonging to gold have been truly created or fixed."
This discussion greatly benefited Regulus.
Professor McGonagall's perspective leaned more towards an intuitive understanding of magic and will.
While his own perspective incorporated the mindset of modern scientific thinking.
The convergence of the two gave him a sudden clarity in his understanding of Transfiguration.
"Your talent and depth of thought in Transfiguration are impressive, Mr. Black."
Professor McGonagall's tone softened a little. She stood up, walked to an old bookshelf, and took down a thick notebook that looked quite aged.
Regulus noticed that its cover was made of deep blue dragon hide, and just by looking at it, one could tell how cherished it was by its owner.
"These are some insights, conjectures, and lessons from failures I recorded in my youth while exploring the higher levels of Transfiguration." She handed the notebook to Regulus, her expression solemn.
"It contains no specific spells or techniques, but rather more thoughts on the nature of Transfiguration, and how to perceive and understand the object you wish to transfigure more clearly.
I think it might be helpful for your current explorations."
Regulus received the notebook with both hands. He could feel the residual, gentle magic on the cover and the accumulated wisdom of decades from a rigorous scholar contained within it.
This gift was of immeasurable value.
"Thank you very much, Professor McGonagall." He expressed his gratitude earnestly and sincerely.
"I hope it guides you in the right direction." Professor McGonagall looked at him, her gaze profound. "Transfiguration is one of the most direct manifestations of magic altering reality.
A powerful will can reshape matter, but one must remember that the will itself also needs to be guided by wisdom and morality.
Never forget that we learn magic to understand the world, not merely to dominate or distort it."
"Yes, Professor, I won't forget."
Regulus nodded in agreement. He understood Professor McGonagall's meaning. He thanked her again and left the office.
After closing the door, Professor McGonagall stood in place, looking at the closed door with a complex expression in her eyes.
The talent and way of thinking this child displayed were exceedingly rare in all her years of teaching.
He was calm, sharp, creative, and yet also knew restraint and respect, at least on the surface.
But precisely because of this, she was even more worried. If such talent and disposition were to take a wrong path, the resulting harm would be immense.
"I can only hope he chooses the right path." She murmured to herself, sitting back down behind her desk, but for a long time, she couldn't refocus on grading assignments.
In the end, Professor McGonagall still stood up and headed towards the Headmaster's office on the eighth floor of the castle.
She spoke the password, the stone gargoyle jumped aside, the spiral staircase rotated upwards, and she knocked on the gleaming oak door.
"Come in, Minerva." Dumbledore's gentle voice came from within.
Professor McGonagall entered the circular office. As always, it was filled with the humming of various peculiar silver instruments. The portraits of past headmasters on the walls pretended to doze but were actually all ears.
Fawkes was preening his feathers on his perch.
"Albus, I need to talk to you about Regulus Black." Professor McGonagall got straight to the point.
Dumbledore looked at her over his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes twinkling with interest. "Ah, young Mr. Black.
I suppose he's posed another Transfiguration question that even my Deputy Headmistress finds challenging?"
"It's not just a question." Professor McGonagall sat down in her usual hard-backed chair, her expression serious.
"His talent… is extraordinary. His understanding of Transfiguration has far surpassed his age, even touching upon aspects I don't often delve into deeply.
More crucially, his way of thinking is very unique, structurally clear, and his perspective… is lofty.
It's very unusual, I mean, this child, Albus."
She recounted in detail the earlier discussion about graphite, diamond, and the internal structural rules of matter.
Dumbledore listened quietly, his hands crossed in front of him.
"And," Professor McGonagall continued, frowning, "I've noticed some of his behaviors.
He no longer asks those overly advanced questions in class, acting like an excellent student focused on building a solid foundation.
But I had a House-elf keep an eye out and discovered he often practices some quite sophisticated magic alone in secluded parts of the castle, including non-verbal spells and extremely precise Transfiguration.
That is far beyond what someone his age should master. Some of the magic is even more powerful than what adult wizards can perform.
He has academic exchanges with Lily Evans from Gryffindor in the library, even teaching her Muggle methods of essay writing.
Towards his classmates… he maintains distance on the surface, but that child named Avery Cuthbert seems to have started following him. And his response to this appears to be a conditional acceptance and guidance, not merely exploitation."
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Yes, Minerva, I've noticed these things as well."
Professor McGonagall looked at him. "You know? Of course, how could you not."
"This castle," Dumbledore said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly slumbering portraits, "is full of eyes and ears.
And indeed, I have paid particular attention to young Mr. Black.
From the day he was sorted, the Sorting Hat conveyed some interesting information to me.
It said he gazes at the stars with a vision that transcends worldly strife, yet he firmly chose the path of Slytherin."
He paused, his voice becoming measured and insightful. "He is different from his brother, Sirius.
Sirius's rebellion is like fire—blazing, bright, direct.
Whereas Regulus is calm on the surface, but his interior may harbor complex thoughts and unknown ideas.
His thirst for knowledge is genuine, his pursuit of power is clear, but he seems to have his own standards of measurement and logic of behavior."
"That's exactly what worries me!" Professor McGonagall said. "He has talent, ideas, knows how to hide and calculate. If he is drawn to those dark ideologies…"
"We cannot choose the path for our students, Minerva." Dumbledore's voice was gentle yet firm. "We can only provide knowledge, set examples, and offer guidance and correction when necessary.
As of now, Regulus Black has not exhibited any behavior that crosses the line.
His interactions with Lily Evans are based on a friendship of mutual respect. His way of restraining Avery Cuthbert resembles guidance more than indulgence.
His exploration of Transfiguration, while deep, has not touched upon dangerous forbidden areas."
He looked out the window at the gradually darkening sky, his gaze distant. "The shadow of Lord Voldemort is approaching. Many ancient families are making their choices. The House of Black is destined not to remain aloof.
Regulus is caught within it. Each choice he makes will affect himself and may affect many others.
We cannot foresee the future, but we can observe, and we can prepare."
"Do you think he… will be different?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The stars the Sorting Hat saw might be a metaphor.
It could represent ambition, or it could represent a broader vision and pursuit.
His way of viewing magic is different from many. This might be a danger, or it could be an opportunity.
Time will give us the answer, Minerva.
Until then, let us continue to fulfill our duties as professors: to teach him, to observe him, and when necessary, to ensure he does not harm others, nor himself."
The conversation ended. The worry in Professor McGonagall's heart did not completely dissipate, but the Headmaster's words gave her some slight reassurance.
At least, Dumbledore was also watching that child.
×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×
Read Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
I have only 1 tier
19$ Tier – Access to 30 advance chapters
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil