Chapter 32: Detention with Professor McGonagall

Chapter 32: Detention with Professor McGonagall

Wednesday's Herbology and Transfiguration classes passed without incident.

The only slight difference was that although Professor McGonagall remained friendly towards Leon (he was, after all, always the first in class to complete the transformation, and to an exceptionally high standard), she didn't award points with the same wild abandon as she had in their first lesson. Leon only earned five points for Slytherin this time, leaving the House hourglass still depressingly empty.

After Transfiguration, Leon prepared to head down to Snape's office, resigned to his month (and six days) of detention. However, just as he was about to leave, Professor McGonagall called him back.

"Professor Snape is occupied with other matters at the moment," she said, adjusting her square spectacles, her expression surprisingly gentle. "He has asked me to supervise your detention in his stead."

Leon was taken aback. He briefly wondered if his words the previous day had cut Snape a little too deeply.

"Very well. Follow me," Professor McGonagall said. She then crouched slightly and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a tabby cat. She led the way out of the classroom, padding silently ahead.

Leon followed, genuinely remarking, "Your markings are very beautiful, Professor." The cat let out a pleased mrow and seemed to walk with an even prouder gait.

Before long, they arrived at a stone door on the second floor. The cat elegantly lifted a front paw and tapped the door lightly. It swung open.

In stark contrast to Snape's gloomy dungeon, Professor McGonagall's office was bright and welcoming. Everything was impeccably tidy and organized. In one corner stood a fireplace, and in front of it lay a small, round cushion. It took Leon a moment to realize it must be the Professor's cat bed. To the right of the cat bed was a small, inconspicuous door.

"That leads to my private chambers," Professor McGonagall's voice said. Leon turned to see her shimmer back into her usual form, the stern witch in black robes.

"So," she began, tapping her teacup with her wand and conjuring a steaming cup of milky tea for herself. "What did Professor Snape have you doing during your detentions? Would you care for something to drink?"

"Just water, thank you, Professor," Leon replied politely, scratching his head slightly. "Professor Snape had me copying An Encyclopedia of Toadstools."

With a flick of her wand, a glass of water floated over to Leon.

Professor McGonagall considered this for a moment. "Transfiguration is a practical discipline, unlike others. Mindlessly copying from a book serves no real purpose."

Leon felt Professor McGonagall was being almost excessively kind. He decided to test the waters. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble... perhaps you could teach me something about Transfiguration instead?"

Meeting her sharp gaze, he quickly added, "The material covered in the first two classes wasn't particularly challenging for me. It felt like a bit of a waste of time."

"What did you have in mind?" McGonagall asked, her voice soft.

"Animagus transformation," Leon stated boldly.

SMACK. Professor McGonagall gave him a light slap on the back of the head.

Leon considered this rationally and concluded it was probably not an invitation to meet her at one in the morning for private lessons.

"Let's stick to the syllabus for now, Mr. Shelby."

"First-year Transfiguration is merely an introduction."

"The practical skills you are required to master involve simple transformations between inanimate objects, such as turning a match into a needle, or from animate to inanimate, like turning a beetle into a button."

"Frankly, even these basic transformations take most first-years the entire year to master." She gave Leon a look of genuine admiration. "But you managed it in just two lessons. You possess a remarkable talent, Leon."

Leon simply nodded his thanks, accepting the compliment.

"Unlike first-year, second-year Transfiguration begins to introduce transformations from inanimate to animate."

"For instance," she tapped the teapot on her desk with her wand, "turning this teapot... into a tortoise."

Professor McGonagall drew her wand and began a detailed, meticulous lesson. Leon, naturally, paid rapt attention, absorbing every piece of knowledge and advice like a sponge.

They worked for the entire afternoon, only realizing how much time had passed when the setting sun cast long, golden shadows across Professor McGonagall's desk.

She looked at the collection of tortoises currently crawling over her paperwork and let out a heartfelt sigh. "One afternoon. Just one afternoon. Mr. Shelby, you could likely sit your second-year final exams right now and achieve a respectable grade."

She sighed again, this time with a hint of regret. "If only you were a Gryffindor."

"The patterns on the tortoise shells don't match the pattern on the teapot exactly," Leon observed, dissatisfied with his work. "My control is still imperfect."

He stood up, stretching slightly, then asked eagerly, "Professor McGonagall, may I come back for detention with you again tomorrow?"

"I have a rather full schedule tomorrow," she replied, sounding genuinely disappointed. Teaching such a gifted student was clearly a pleasure. "However, Professor Flitwick has graciously agreed to take over. He has a much lighter timetable this term."

She paused, then added, "Until Professor Snape returns, whichever professor is available will supervise your detention."

With that, Professor McGonagall stood, signalling the end of their session. The moment Leon stepped out the door, she transformed back into her cat form, leaped onto the cushion by the fireplace, and curled up contentedly.

Thursday morning brought another Herbology lesson. Leon still found the nearly identical plants incredibly dull but endured the class nonetheless.

After lunch in the Great Hall, he made his way up to the eighth floor.

Several students were already waiting for him by the staircase, their faces alight with anticipation when they saw him approach. These were his customers, the ones who had bought or rented firearms. Today was the day for their scheduled training session.

Finding a suitable place to practice shooting within a magical school had proven difficult. The noise was too loud; even the Forbidden Forest risked attracting Hagrid's attention.

Fortunately, Leon had thought of the perfect solution.

"Alright, follow me," he called out, leading the group down an eighth-floor corridor.

He stopped in front of a section of blank wall between two large tapestries. Closing his eyes, he concentrated for a moment, then walked back and forth in front of the wall exactly three times.

A moment later, to the gasps of the students behind him, a large, solid-looking metal door materialized out of the stone wall.

Leon grabbed the handle, pulled the door open, and smiled at his clients.

"Welcome," he said, "to the Room of Requirement."