Magic is a nearly "wish-fulfillment" power, and Transfiguration Technique is the most typical manifestation.
Many students seem to think that their transformation failed because their spells were not clear and accurate enough, or their wand movements were not decisive enough, so they keep trying different methods. However, when Professor McGonagall transformed the table into a pig just now, there was no special movement or spell. She simply touched it lightly with her wand, and the table transformed.
Vid raised his wand and pointed it at the matchstick.
In his mind—a clear image;
Firm belief;
And unwavering confidence.
If the concept of "needle" in the brain is vague, or if you're thinking—"This is really difficult," "Can magic do it?" "I can't do it," "I'm sure I'll fail at first," such thoughts make the spell difficult to succeed.
The magic wand acts like a guide for the wizard's internal magic power, making the magic more compliant and peaceful. Meanwhile, spells, gestures, or magical rituals serve as means to strengthen belief, a kind of self-hypnosis for the wizard.
A skilled wizard can alter the world by their will without any excess.
"Very good, Miss Granger!" Suddenly, Professor McGonagall praised: "A very significant change, Gryffindor gets one point."
The surrounding students couldn't help peeking over, only to find that the matchstick in front of Hermione not only became sharp at one end but also had a color that was somewhat close to silver, looking a bit like a needle.
The brown-haired girl tried hard to suppress her excitement, her eyes sparkling.
Professor McGonagall said, "Miss Granger, perhaps you would like to demonstrate the transformation process to everyone again? Considering…"
Professor McGonagall hadn't finished her sentence when there came a burst of exclamations from other students.
Vid's matchstick suddenly became long and sharp, with fine holes at the end and its surface gleaming with a metallic shine.
Professor McGonagall quickly walked over, used her wand to hover the needle for a careful examination, and revealed a gratified and satisfied smile: "A perfect transformation, Ravenclaw gets three points!"
She restored the needle to its original state and gathered the young wizards together to watch Vid demonstrate again. Under the watchful gazes, Vid quietly recited a spell and tapped lightly with his wand—
The matchstick quickly lengthened and changed color, and in a flash, a slender silver needle appeared on the table.
Everyone let out a simultaneous "wow" in awe.
Vid raised his eyes, his gaze swept over Hermione's face that showed a bit of unwillingness, and then met a pair of emerald green eyes.
A boy with messy black hair smiled kindly, his eyes filled with amazement and admiration. Beside him, the red-haired, freckled boy had a silly expression on his face.
"They say Ravenclaw is the smartest." After class, Vid heard Ron say to Harry: "I guess I'm starting to understand that a bit now."
......
Following Transfiguration Class, it was Spellcasting Class, with only ten minutes to switch classrooms in between. After Professor McGonagall assigned homework, a group of students rushed to the Spell Classroom—it was still a combined class for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
"Vid." Hermione, ignoring the division between houses, directly sat next to Vid and asked, "Do you have any plans after class?"
Vid replied, "I'm planning to head to the practice room."
"Great." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "I also intend to go there to continue practicing Transfiguration Technique. How did you succeed so easily? Any tips?"
"If there's a tip, you must firmly believe you can absolutely do it, that's most important—"
Vid hadn't finished speaking when Professor Flitwick walked in.
The Spellcasting professor, Filius Flitwick, is the head of Ravenclaw College. He is only one meter tall, as short as a three or four-year-old child, but he has long white hair and a bushy white beard. To teach these students who are taller than him even when seated, Professor Flitwick's podium is stacked with a thick pile of books creating a step-like structure, and he climbed to the top step.
Some students couldn't help letting out a light laugh.
"Alright, alright, kids." Professor Flitwick, holding a short wand in his small hand, said, "Some of you might be wondering why such a little teacher is giving us lessons?"
Quite a few students laughed at the professor's self-mocking words, as it seemed he didn't mind being joked about.
"—Or, what can he teach me?"
Professor Flitwick said, waving his wand, a flock of birds flew out from the tip of his wand, circled around the students' heads. Then he tapped with his wand, causing two books to grow thin bamboo-like arms and legs and dance suspended in the air.
The students applauded heartily, convinced. Even though it was only two minutes, they were already fond of this short professor—he wasn't timid like Quirrell, nor dull like Professor Bin, nor severe to the point of intimidating like Professor McGonagall or Snape. Ravenclaws couldn't help but proudly think—our headmaster must be the best professor at Hogwarts!
"Thank you! Thank you all for your applause." Professor Flitwick said softly: "I believe magic spell is the most interesting course; a wizard who can't do spellcasting can't be called a wizard. Alright then, before starting the class, I need to take attendance first, to get to know my lovely students—"
Professor Flitwick began taking attendance by the roster, everything went smoothly until—
"Harry Potter!"
Before a response could be heard, the professor let out a shriek and tumbled down from the stack of books with a thud.
The students were stunned, looked at each other, and many turned to the black-haired boy. Harry Potter hesitantly raised his right hand and spoke to the empty stack of books with some unease: "I'm here—professor."
A small shriek sounded from behind the stack again, and after a while, Professor Flitwick, with a messy beard, emerged and murmured: "Oh, certainly—of course you're in my classroom too—of course, I should have known—"
The elderly professor touched his beard, cast Scourgify on himself, and then looked at Harry Potter excitedly, saying: "It's great to see you, kid."
Harry nodded his head and smiled shyly.
Vid wondered if Professor Flitwick saw some shadow of someone from Harry Potter, as he paused for a moment before continuing with the roll call.
The first Spellcasting class, naturally, started with theory, learning only the simplest Lumos, a spell young wizards can master if they practice it twice at home before school starts, so by the end of class, everyone had mastered it. Professor Flitwick generously awarded both houses a fair amount of points. He didn't assign much homework, just three inches, more or less organizing the key points from the class. Vid could be a bit lazy by handing in the notes he took during class, which would probably suffice.