Professor, I caused trouble. Karl was just helping me. Can't you just deduct points from my house alone?
Nina felt a little panicked; she didn't want to implicate her good friend in punishment.
"I am certainly aware of that, but he does deserve to have points deducted."
Professor McGonagall stared at Karl sternly, "Do you remember what I told you?"
"Of course, Professor."
"Is that so? But judging from this incident, you clearly forgot!"
In the letter before the start of the school year, Professor McGonagall had specifically instructed Karl not to perform Animagus Transfiguration casually, especially in public, as it could easily be known by too many people.
This was not Professor McGonagall favoring Karl and trying to help him cover up the matter to become an illegal Animagus.
Rather, it was because Karl was too young at present, and it would be best for him to register with the Ministry of Magic after studying Transfiguration for a few years.
Good talent coupled with the guidance of Professor McGonagall, a Transfiguration master, made achieving such an accomplishment reasonable and logical.
But if he were to register now…being labeled a genius or even a prodigy would not be a good thing for Karl.
After all, the process by which he learned Animagus was too astonishing, completely different from a natural Metamorphmagus.
Professor McGonagall had consulted Headmaster Dumbledore, but even Principal Dumbledore said he couldn't explain it.
"Professor, I…"
"No need to say more. Your homework is too little and too simple. Starting today, you will come to my office after dinner every day to learn advanced Transfiguration with me."
Professor McGonagall decided to help the kitten speed up his progress, as, logically, with his current Transfiguration level, he shouldn't be able to learn Animagus.
Karl: (⊙_⊙)
He thought he was going to write a self-reflection, but it turned out to be extracurricular tutoring. Professor McGonagall is too kind!
"And you, Nina."
After scolding Karl, Professor McGonagall looked at the girl beside her, surprised that there was such a master among this year's Young Wizards.
When did Animagus become so easy to learn? In a few years, won't there be even more Young Wizards?
It is said that the Uagadou School of magic on Moon Mountain in Uganda, Africa, is currently researching a simplified method for Animagus.
"Sorry, Professor."
"You will also come with Karl from now on. At the same time, I hope you can properly manage the magical creatures you brought to Hogwarts. I believe Mr. Scamander must have told you this, right?"
Nina nodded timidly, "Grandpa Newt told me. This time it was my carelessness, and it won't happen again."
Karl: w(ﾟДﾟ)w
Scamander? Grandpa Newt?
You're not talking about Newt Artemis Fido Scamander, my excellent Hufflepuff dropout, are you?
Karl suddenly remembered Nina's brown leather suitcase. Could that thing be…
Well, that thing really needs to be carried around, otherwise, something big could happen.
He finally knew how Nina's wand got its Zouwu mane and how she obtained the Forbidden Forest map.
But…
Karl was sure that Newt and his wife Tina had a grandson named Rolf, who later married Luna from Ravenclaw.
But what is Nina's relationship with Newt? Her surname isn't Scamander!
Wait a minute! Tina? Tina Goldstein!
And Nina once said on the Hogwarts Express that she had a Legilimency master in her family…
Karl finally remembered that Tina's sister, QueenieGoldstein, was a natural Legilimency master, and after graduating from Ilvermorny School of magic, she worked at the Wand Permit Office of the Magical Congress of the United States.
It all fits! Everything fits!
Now Karl finally understood why Dumbledore knew about Nina's wand and reminded the Sorting Hat.
After all, Newt was Dumbledore's most favored student, to the point where Grindelwald had to ask him: What makes Dumbledore like you so much?
Also… Mr. Scamander, do you think Dumbledore will mourn for you?
Professor McGonagall pointed at the Niffler in the cage, "Now you can take out this little fellow's spoils."
Nina quickly stepped forward and lifted the Niffler out of the automatically opening cage.
The little fellow, who had been lying still and playing dead, immediately flapped its four paws, trying to escape.
"Daisy! If you misbehave again, I'll send you to Rolf!"
The struggling Niffler instantly froze, then allowed Ninato hold it by its two hind legs and shake it.
"Clatter~ Clatter~"
To Karl's astonishment, a large number of Galleons, Sickles, necklaces, bracelets… covered half of the office desk.
Goodness! He was actually a little tempted!
"Chirp!"
Just then, Fire Treasure, who was playing in the heart flame, suddenly gave Karl a warning.
There was a Dark Arts item in this pile of things, and its aura came from Elvis Heller.
Karl pretended to be curious and scanned the pile, spotting a serpentine creature with its tail in its mouth, a metal ring-shaped pendant.
He immediately memorized the shape of this pendant, including a line of ancient text engraved on it.
This seemed to be ancient Greek script…
Headmaster Dumbledore had said that Elvis Heller had been living near Greece before.
Would he get any useful information from this?
"Professor, should Daisy and I go return these to their owners? Otherwise, it might be hard to tell who lost what."
Nina tapped the Niffler's little head, and the sniffling Niffler began to wail loudly.
Large tears flowed continuously, and it certainly looked very sad.
"Never mind, I think this little fellow needs some comforting. Don't worry, Professor Snape will return these items to their rightful owners accurately and without fail, as no Young Wizard would dare to deceive him."
Professor McGonagall reminded Nina, "Could there be… Daisy's own collection among these?"
The Niffler immediately stopped crying and nodded frantically at Professor McGonagall.
However, Nina simply tucked it into her arms, "Perhaps, if anything is left after returning them to their owners."
Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement, "Then I will notify you."
She gently drew a circle with her wand, and the large amount of valuables on the office desk flew into the parcel that the cage had transformed into.
"Alright, I sincerely hope you two remember today's lesson. I don't want to punish you again for the same thing."
"It's still early, you can go watch the Quidditch match. Remember to come to the office later; I'll be waiting for you."
After Professor McGonagall finished speaking, she stood up and left the office, her steps somewhat hurried, with the parcel floating behind her.
She wondered if Gryffindor was leading yet. If it was a crushing defeat, she wouldn't want to meet Severus for several weeks.
Perhaps he wouldn't mock her, but she…
Merlin's beard! When will Gryffindor win another Quidditch championship!
Once Charlie Weasley graduates, the hope of winning seems even more distant.
Merlin above! Please grant Gryffindor a Quidditch genius next year!