During the usual SSC activity time, Neville stood in front of his desk, where a fluffy yellow chick was anxiously shaking its feathers, its black bean-like eyes searching the tabletop for food.
"Snufflifors!"
Neville recited the Transfiguration Spell's incantation and tapped the yellow chick's back with his magic wand. The chick jerked on the table as if being kneaded by invisible hands.
A few seconds later, the chick transformed into a mole with two wings, flapping confusedly and skillfully moving with its four paws.
"Failed again..."
Neville slumped his shoulders in frustration and muttered, "My Transfiguration Technique is still so terrible."
Vid sighed.
Though he could guide those in need of precise spells and gestures, like Magic Spells and Defense Against the Dark Arts, disciplines relying on the wizard's own imagination, such as Transfiguration Spells, offered little he could help with.
"You're too tense, Neville."
Vid pointed his magic wand at the mole trying to fly away, transforming it back, and said, "The key to species transformation is imagining the essence of the target creature and establishing a mental connection with it. Success depends on your focus."
"…Focus?"
Under Vid's gentle gaze, Neville seemed even more nervous, attempting to construct a mental image of the mole, yet the winged mole image grew clearer in his mind.
Vid saw Neville's breathing become rather rapid, sweat beading on his forehead, while his eyes darted under his eyelids.
Suddenly, Vid lightly tapped Neville's forehead, startling the boy, causing the mental image to vanish. He stared at Vid with wide, bewildered eyes.
"Stop thinking about it, have a rest," Vid said. "Successful Transfiguration will naturally occur when you're relaxed."
"But..."
"Go have a rest."
"…Alright." Neville hesitantly glanced at Vid, laid down his magic wand, and walked towards the Umbrella House's rest area.
Michael was enthusiastically building a new nest for his poppet pet, calling out as he saw Neville, "Pass me that board, Neville!"
"Sure." Neville handed over the thin plank, asking, "Are you constructing a small building?"
"Yep!" Michael cheerfully replied, "I finally saved enough allowance to buy this three-story building! Check it out—"
He showcased the tiny cabinets the size of thumbs, with drawers smaller than fingernails that could be easily opened.
Michael: "Once finished assembling, Pippin will be able to use all the furniture inside, isn't it great?"
From his pocket, the fox poppet Pippin poked its head out, eagerly surveying its new home.
The puppets sold at Aslan Magic Workshop might have diverse personalities, but one common trait is their fervent desire and love for "nests."
When these delicate little things lift their faces and grab onto their owner's fingers with shiny, worshipful eyes, sweetly requesting a beautiful new home, few owners can resist.
According to Vid, the sales of poppet-related merchandise now vastly surpass poppet sales themselves, with various tiny clothes priced higher than Hogwarts students' uniforms, some miniature nests costing enough to buy a dozen magic wands at Olivander's shop. Yet many buyers are willing to spend a fortune.
Hence, Machioni is planning to promote and distribute a batch of miniature poppet pets for free, through a lottery system, to further open the market.
"Vid!"
Harry suddenly pushed open the door, looking as if he'd swallowed a doxy, and walked straight to Vid. "You didn't attend Transfiguration Class today."
"I didn't!" Vid said, confused. "You know, sometimes I attend other grades' classes. Besides, today's lesson was transforming guinea fowls into guinea pigs, which I've already mastered."
Harry took a deep breath as if preparing to announce bombshell news, speaking heavily:
"Then you don't know... We can't go home for Christmas. The school is hosting a ball, and we have to wear dress robes."
Vid glanced at the others in the Umbrella House. "I've heard. If you came ten minutes earlier, you'd have seen Michael bouncing around the room."
"Hey, Vid! I only spun twice at most!"
Michael, who was assembling furniture for his pet, heard this and immediately turned around to protest loudly.
"There's one more thing..." Harry's expression grew more serious. "As Champions in the competition, you have to invite a dance partner... Traditionally, the ball opens with Champions and their partners dancing."
Harry looked at Vid, hoping to see a similar despair to his own in Vid's expression—making him feel better knowing he wasn't the only one struggling.
Moreover, Vid was reputedly even more adverse to social gatherings than he was, having rarely attended Ravenclaw's internal events.
However, to Harry's disappointment, Vid's face showed no surprise. He merely touched his chin and said, "A dance partner... Better invite early to avoid leaving someone unasked."
"You... You..." Harry asked, shocked and dismayed, "Do you know how to dance?"
"I know a bit of the basics... Isn't the school planning to teach everyone how to dance?" Vid asked.
Harry shook his head in frustration. "Professor McGonagall hasn't mentioned anything."
Vid blinked, puzzled, having vaguely recalled Professor McGonagall might be teaching everyone how to dance… But he could be mistaken.
"No big deal, if you don't know, I can teach you," Vid generously offered. "Have you decided who to invite?"
"I..." Harry, with a flushed face, pretended to be nonchalant, "I haven't decided yet..."
"Alright." Vid gave him a glance, emphasizing again, "Still, Harry—if you want to invite someone, do so early, so your ideal partner isn't invited by someone else."
"Got it..."
Harry nodded distractedly, originally intending to ask Vid who he'd invite. At the moment, he completely forgot, absent-mindedly leaving the classroom.
Michael turned back to ask, "Vid, who are you planning to invite as your dance partner?"
"Hmm..."
Vid paused, hesitating.
He initially considered asking Hermione or Padma. If the two girls didn't have partners, Vid believed they'd accept his invitation.
But after reconsidering, he felt that attending such events together was quite suggestive. Everyone was good friends; introducing extra emotions might jeopardize their friendship.
So he shook his head and said, "Haven't decided yet."