Magic is a force akin to "wishing come true," and Transfiguration is its most typical manifestation.
Many students seemed to think their Transfiguration attempts failed because their incantations weren't clear or precise enough, or their wand movements weren't decisive enough, so they tried various approaches. But when Professor McGonagall turned the desk into a pig earlier, there were no special movements or incantations; she simply touched the desk with her wand, and it transformed.
Wade raised his wand, pointing it at the matchstick.
In his mind—a clear image;
Firm belief; And unwavering confidence.
If the concept of a "needle" in his mind was blurry, or if he thought—"This is really hard," "Can magic do this?" "I can't do it," "I'll definitely fail at first..."—such thoughts would make the spell very difficult to succeed.
The wand was like a conductor for the wizard's magic, making the magic more compliant and gentle. As for incantations, gestures, or magical rituals, they were more like methods to strengthen belief, a form of self-hypnosis for the wizard.
A skilled wizard could change the world according to their will without any superfluous actions.
"Excellent, Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall suddenly praised. "Very clear change, one point to Gryffindor."
The surrounding students couldn't help but lean forward to look. The matchstick in front of Hermione had not only become very pointed at one end but its color was also closer to silvery-white. It now looked somewhat like a needle.
The brown-haired girl tried to suppress her excitement, her eyes sparkling.
Professor McGonagall said, "Miss Granger, perhaps you'd like to demonstrate the Transfiguration process to everyone again? Given that..."
Professor McGonagall hadn't finished speaking when she heard gasps of astonishment from the other side of the classroom.
Wade's matchstick had suddenly become long and slender, with a fine hole at one end, and its surface gleamed with a metallic luster.
Professor McGonagall quickly walked over, used her wand to levitate the needle, and inspected it meticulously. A look of satisfaction and gratification spread across her face: "A perfectly executed Transfiguration. Three points to Ravenclaw!"
She restored the needle to its original form and then had the young wizards gather around to watch Wade demonstrate. Under everyone's gaze, Wade softly uttered the incantation, and with a gentle tap of his wand—
The matchstick rapidly elongated and changed color. In an instant, a slender silver needle appeared on the desktop.
A collective "Wow!" escaped from everyone.
Wade looked up, his gaze sweeping over Hermione's slightly frustrated face, then met a pair of emerald green eyes.
The messy-haired black-haired boy smiled kindly, his eyes full of wonder and admiration. Beside him, the red-haired, freckled boy wore a goofy expression.
"They say Ravenclaws are the smartest," Wade heard red-haired Ron tell Harry as class ended. "I'm starting to understand why."
After Transfiguration class, Charms class followed immediately, with only ten minutes to change classrooms. After Professor McGonagall assigned homework, the group rushed towards the Charms classroom—Charms was still a combined class for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
"Wade." Hermione ignored the house distinctions and sat directly next to Wade, asking, "Do you have any other plans after class?"
"I'm heading to the practice room," Wade replied.
"Good then," Hermione said, relieved. "I was planning to go there to continue practicing Transfiguration too. How did you succeed so quickly? Any tips?"
"As for tips, you have to firmly believe you can do it. That's the most important thing—"
Wade hadn't finished speaking when Professor Flitwick entered.
Charms Master Filius Flitwick, the Head of Ravenclaw House, was only a meter tall, about the same height as a three or four-year-old child, but he had long white hair and a fluffy white beard. To teach students who were taller than him even when seated, Professor Flitwick's podium had a thick stack of books arranged like steps, and he climbed to the very top.
Some students in the class couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Alright, alright, children." Professor Flitwick held his short wand with his tiny hand. "Perhaps some of you are wondering, why is this little teacher teaching us?"
Many students laughed heartily at the professor's self-deprecating remarks. It seemed the professor didn't mind being joked with.
"—Or rather, what can he teach me?"
As Professor Flitwick spoke, he waved his wand, and a flock of small birds flew from its tip, circling over the students' heads. He then tapped his wand again, and two books grew slender, bamboo-like arms and legs, levitating in the air and dancing.
The students applauded enthusiastically and were utterly convinced. Although it was only two short minutes, they had already grown fond of the small professor—he was neither timid like Quirrell, nor boring like Professor Binns, nor as terrifyingly strict as Professor McGonagall or Professor Snape. The Ravenclaws couldn't help but think proudly—Our Head of House must be the best professor at Hogwarts!
"Thank you! Thank you for your applause," Professor Flitwick said in a high-pitched voice. "I believe that Charms—is the most interesting subject. A wizard who cannot cast charms cannot truly be called a wizard. Of course, before we begin, I must first call the roll and get to know my lovely students—"
Professor Flitwick called names from the roll. Everything went smoothly until—
"Harry Potter!"
Before he could even get a reply, the professor let out a squeak and tumbled headfirst off the stack of books.
The students were immediately dumbfounded, looking at each other, many glancing at the black-haired boy. Harry Potter awkwardly raised his right hand, hesitantly saying to the empty stack of books, "I'm—I'm here, Professor."
A small squeak came from behind the books again. After a good while, Professor Flitwick, with his beard disheveled, climbed out, muttering, "Oh, of course—you are, of course, in my classroom—of course, I should have known—"
The elderly professor stroked his beard, cast a Scourgify on himself, and then looked at Harry Potter with excitement, saying, "It's good to see you, my boy."
Harry nodded, smiling shyly.
Wade wondered if Professor Flitwick saw someone's reflection in Harry Potter, as he fell silent for a moment before continuing to call names.
The first Charms class, naturally, also began with theory. They only learned the simplest spell, Lumos. This spell was something young wizards could learn if they practiced it a couple of times at home before term started, so by the end of class, everyone had successfully mastered it. Professor Flitwick also generously awarded roughly equal points to both houses. The homework he assigned wasn't much either, only three inches, which was roughly a summary of the key points covered in class. If Wade had been a bit lazy, submitting his class notes would likely have been sufficient.