Rock wasn't even a little surprised by Hagrid's reaction.
Theo and Adam, on the other hand, calmly sipped their milk tea. After all, when they found out last night, their reactions were even more dramatic than Hagrid's. Theo had grown up hearing stories like these, and Adam practically treated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as his personal leisure reading.
Hagrid immediately dove into a barrage of questions, asking Rock about all the magical creatures Newt had encountered during his travels. Whenever Rock mentioned a creature Hagrid had only read about in books, the big man couldn't help clapping his hands in excitement.
The back-and-forth went on and on, with Theo and Adam listening like they were enchanted—no surprise there. Most wizards could go their entire lives without seeing even a handful of those creatures. Many were already endangered.
After a long while, Rock finally paused. He pulled out the pocket watch Theseus had given him and took a look.
Huh?
It was already that late?
He jumped to his feet. "Hagrid, that's it for today. We need to head back to the castle—we've got class soon."
Theo and Adam snapped out of their trance and stood up as well.
Hagrid smacked his lips, clearly reluctant to let them go, but he couldn't delay their schooling either. With a regretful nod, he walked them outside, calling after Rock even as they left.
"Rock, drop by anytime!"
Rock didn't look back; he just waved a hand. The three of them hurried to the Great Hall for a quick meal, then rushed straight to the Transfiguration classroom.
When they pushed open the door and saw only a few students inside, they all let out a sigh of relief.
Theo glanced around the room and patted his chest. "Good thing—we're not late. And the professor isn't here yet."
Rock's attention, however, went straight to the tabby cat sitting beneath the lectern. Choosing a seat, he sat down.
So Professor McGonagall used this trick every year with first-years—to check who arrived late?
As Rock continued watching, several Hufflepuff students came in behind them and immediately pulled snacks out of their pockets to bribe the cat.
Good grief…
Did every Hufflepuff carry emergency snacks?
Well, living right next to the kitchens had its perks.
Rock just shook his head. He was more interested in grinding skills than feeding cats. With the panel tracking his progress, learning felt like a game—never boring. Every little improvement felt rewarding.
When class time arrived, everyone returned to their seats, waiting quietly for Professor McGonagall.
Except… she didn't show up.
Minutes passed. Students started whispering to each other—mostly about what Transfiguration would be like, and where the professor was.
Then—
"Merlin's beard!"
Theo, who'd been staring at the front of the room, let out a gasp before slapping a hand over his mouth.
The tabby cat under the lectern leapt into the air—and transformed into Professor McGonagall, dressed in her emerald-green robes. She walked calmly to the back of the room, her sharp eyes sweeping over the students.
"Not bad. Unlike the Gryffindors and Slytherins this morning, none of you were late."
Her tone was level but carried unmistakable authority.
Many students immediately straightened their posture.
"Good afternoon. I'm Minerva McGonagall, your Transfiguration professor."
"Transfiguration is one of the most complex—and most dangerous—branches of magic. Any display of carelessness or foolish behavior in my classroom will not be tolerated."
Her stern words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering every student who'd breezed through Charms earlier.
Rock couldn't help thinking:
So this is why Newt and Tina wouldn't let me practice Transfiguration at home?
They'd told him the world's best Transfiguration expert was here at Hogwarts, and that he'd learn properly once he arrived.
And besides McGonagall, only Dumbledore rivaled her skill.
"A solid foundation in theory is essential for successful practice," McGonagall said, walking to the board and beginning to write.
Principles of Transfiguration, wand-movement patterns, mental concentration, the importance of visualizing the intended result—line after line appeared in chalk.
"Do not dismiss theory as boring. Transfiguration is not simply waving a wand and chanting. You must deeply understand what it means to change, and maintain proper respect for that concept."
She turned, sweeping her gaze over the students again. Seeing no one distracted, she gave a satisfied nod.
"Open to the introduction of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration—from the start through page four. You may take notes."
"The key is understanding the meaning of change."
The room filled with the sound of pages turning.
Rock didn't let pride get to him just because he'd read it before. Every reread was progress—and McGonagall had emphasized the idea of change multiple times. That alone made him pay close attention.
Class went on in peaceful silence. McGonagall paced the room, occasionally stopping to answer questions.
Rock's finger paused at a line he'd highlighted in yellow:
> "Remember Gamp's Elemental Law of Transfiguration:
> You cannot conjure edible food from nothing. Any attempt to bypass this limitation is futile. You cannot create a true soul, nor can you resurrect the dead…"
Rock frowned.
It was contradictory.
Earlier, the book had stated that a wizard's power wasn't infinite.
So… did that imply that if their magical power were limitless, these things might become possible?
The thought startled him.
He pushed it away immediately.
Not because he lacked curiosity, but because the idea was dangerous—reckless.
Transfiguration wasn't illusion; it altered the underlying rules of matter through intention and magic. Temporary, yes, but real.
Like turning a ladybug into a piece of bread.
It would taste like bread…
But when the magic wore off, the bread would turn back into the ladybug.
Except it would already be chewed up.
And swallowed.
No wonder McGonagall insisted on respect—and caution.
> [Understood and heeded the teachings of Transfiguration — Spell Affinity +2]