"Interesting and profound. You can tell that the author of this paper has quite a deep understanding of both Transfiguration and Alchemy. The paper is excellently written, and the angle chosen is very unique. It's completely qualified to be published in this issue of Animagus. Who wrote this?"
The editor-in-chief of Animagus was a female wizard. She stamped her magical seal on the paper, confirming its acceptance. At this point, she was qualified to see the paper's author.
Actually, this was one of the differences between Animagus and The Golden Cauldron in their paper review processes. The Golden Cauldron used multiple editors for review, making decisions based on combined opinions, while Animagus used anonymous review, only revealing the author after deciding the paper's fate.
"Editor-in-chief, this paper's author is from Hogwarts, named Sean Bulstrode. There's also a letter here from the Hogwarts headmaster..." At this point, the female associate editor couldn't help but exclaim, then said somewhat nervously in fragments, "A recommendation letter from Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. According to Headmaster Dumbledore's status as honorary editor at our Animagus, he has the qualification to recommend papers to us, and he has recommended this one as well."
Normally, honorary editor recommendations should be reported to the editor-in-chief first, but since the recommendation letter arrived at the Animagus editorial department later than Sean's paper, there was a small oversight. Fortunately, it had almost no impact on the result, so it wasn't too important.
A paper doesn't get published just because someone recommends it if the quality isn't high. Recommendations only make reviewers prioritise and carefully review it. Beyond that, there isn't much additional influence.
Of course, the honorary editor system was also designed to prevent editorial staff from abusing their power for personal gain. Most historically established journals have such mechanisms, but let's not elaborate on the specifics.
"Alright, this paper has already been reviewed and doesn't need another review. Take it for typesetting."
"Yes, editor-in-chief."
The young female associate editor took the paper and prepared to go to the typesetting department.
But just then, the female editor-in-chief suddenly remembered something and immediately called out to stop the associate editor.
"Wait, what's this paper's author's name?"
Pausing, the associate editor looked somewhat puzzled at the paper's byline and answered confusedly, "Sean Bulstrode." This paper's author is named Sean Bulstrode..."
At this point, the associate editor also realised.
"Is this the Sean Bulstrode from The Golden Cauldron? The one who won the Best Paper Golden Cauldron Award?"
Slowly nodding, the editor-in-chief's face showed a trace of a smile. "It should be that Bulstrode. After all, there should only be one Bulstrode currently studying at Hogwarts.
Interesting. Just after winning the Best Paper Golden Cauldron Award, he's advancing into the Transfiguration field again, and the paper is excellently written. No wonder. Someone who could write a Best Paper Golden Cauldron Award winner would naturally write excellent papers.
Moreover, there's Dumbledore's recommendation."
"Editor-in-chief, do we need to change the typesetting here?"
"Of course we need to. Although our Animagus is the top journal in the Transfiguration field, compared to The Golden Cauldron in Potions and The Philosopher's Stone in Alchemy, we've always been overshadowed, with poor sales. This time there happen to be no strong papers worth highlighting, so let's put this paper called...
Called 'On the Correlation Between Particle Changes in Transfiguration Processes and Particle Alteration in Alchemical Processes' directly on the front page headline. Also include that the paper's author just won The Golden Cauldron's Best Paper Golden Cauldron Award and Dumbledore's recommendation. Put it all there. I want everyone who sees this issue's cover to be unable to resist their curiosity and buy it to investigate.
Go. Go quickly!"
"I understand, editor-in-chief."
The associate editor left quickly. The female editor-in-chief immediately leaned back in her chair, murmuring to herself, "This issue of Animagus should be able to break sales records. Bonus money incoming!"
As mentioned before, Transfiguration was easy to learn but hard to master. Most people only reached the first or second stages before graduating from school. A few elites could reach the third stage by graduation. Many things that advanced Transfiguration could accomplish could be achieved with the same effect using simple spells.
So there weren't many people who deeply studied Transfiguration, which made Transfiguration journals have considerably lower sales than other journals, with weaker influence. For example, The Golden Cauldron could hold a Golden Cauldron Award ceremony every three years, but Animagus didn't have this capability, because The Golden Cauldron's award ceremonies received donations and support, while Animagus's ceremonies received far insufficient donations and support.
This created a vicious cycle.
After typesetting the sample review three times later, the sample was finally confirmed.
Then immediate printing and advance copies were sent to the authors whose papers were accepted.
Sean naturally also received his advance copy.
During lunch, a snowy owl flew into the Great Hall, delivering the advance copy and a monetary award that was considerably less than The Golden Cauldron's to Sean.
Just as Sean was about to open the package, Professor McGonagall had somehow appeared beside him.
"Sean, is this from the Animagus editorial department?"
Professor McGonagall's sudden appearance startled Sean, but he quickly recovered and nodded. "That's right, this is from the Animagus editorial department. Would you like to look at it first, Professor?"
"Thank you very much."
With an unstoppable smile on her face, Professor McGonagall immediately took the package and quickly unwrapped it. Ignoring the gold coins and other miscellaneous items inside, she directly took out the advance copy from the package. Seeing the paper that made the front page headline, Professor McGonagall's face finally showed a satisfied smile.
In the future, I can finally hold my head high in front of Professor Snape.
With this thought, Professor McGonagall looked at Sean with increasingly kind eyes, finding him more and more pleasing. The only pity was that Sean wasn't a Gryffindor.
Blast that Sorting Hat!
Someone who punched Malfoy on the first day of school actually got sorted into Slytherin!
Given the chance, she'd throw it in the boys' washroom for two days as a washcloth.
"Sean, I'll apply for house points for you as encouragement for this achievement."
"Thank you, Professor. This is also thanks to your help. I couldn't have written my paper without it."
"This is all your own achievement. However, I hope you'll continue your efforts. Your next paper should also be on the agenda, shouldn't it?"
Sean remained silent.
Professor, why repay kindness with resentment?