Chapter 269: Animagus Transformation
On the other side, the clone of George at the real Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was also diligently studying magic.
In the second-year Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall was explaining knowledge about human transfiguration.
George had already mastered the knowledge in the textbook, but textbooks were textbooks, and class was class. Professors wouldn't just stick to the content of the textbooks when teaching; they would expand far beyond that.
He was quite proficient in Transfiguration spells, having already reached the standard of a normal adult wizard.
But that wasn't enough for him—he wanted to become a master, to fully comprehend this magical knowledge so that he could improve it and integrate it into the magical systems of other worlds in the future.
Therefore, a solid foundation was very important. He couldn't skip class just because he was already quite skilled.
After all, he had a Time Turner. After attending class, he could rewind time and continue with other magical studies and practices without any conflict.
"Human transfiguration is the most difficult and dangerous part of Transfiguration, because humans possess intelligence, and that intelligence instinctively resists the transformation of the body, making the process extremely difficult.
Before acquiring sufficient strength, do not casually use human transfiguration on enemies, and absolutely do not use it on yourself.
There was a witch in ancient Greece named Circe, who lived on the island of Aeaea. She was very skilled in human transfiguration, especially in the Pig Transformation Spell.
She would often transform lost passing sailors into pigs. After being transformed, those sailors would lose their human consciousness and behave according to pig instincts.
Because the spell was not lifted for a long time, they were never able to turn back into humans.
Such acts are considered illegal today, and in serious cases, the offender would be sent directly to Azkaban."
Hearing Professor McGonagall's explanation about human transfiguration, most of the young wizards were so frightened that they subconsciously leaned back.
Azkaban was guarded by Dementors. They had encountered Dementors on the train at the beginning of the term and experienced their horror. Now, many Dementors were stationed at various entrances of the school.
Thinking of this, they couldn't help but glance at George, who was attentively listening in class. This one was not afraid of Dementors—in fact, he had even killed one.
"Professor, using human transfiguration on oneself—is that like how you turn into a cat?"
A curious young wizard raised their hand and asked.
Professor McGonagall nodded:
"That's right. The form of human transfiguration used on oneself is called the Animagus transformation. You will learn about it in your fifth-year textbook.
However, it is not recommended for you to practice it, because if anything goes wrong, you may permanently turn into an animal and never be able to turn back.
And the entire process is also very complex and difficult. Many wizards fail multiple times and are never able to reach the final transformation stage—they can only give up in frustration."
"Why is it considered complicated? Is the incantation very long?
But I've seen you transform, Professor, and you didn't say any incantation."
Another curious young wizard raised their hand and asked.
McGonagall hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Since you're interested, I'll give you a brief explanation so you can understand it.
The complexity of the Animagus transformation lies not in the incantation, but in the preparatory work."
She put down her textbook:
"First, for a full month (from full moon to full moon), you must keep a single Mandrake leaf in your mouth at all times.
You must never swallow the leaf or remove it from your mouth. If the leaf leaves your mouth, you must start over from the beginning.
Second, on the night of the full moon, remove the leaf and place it in a small crystal vial filled with your saliva. Let it soak in the vial and be bathed in pure moonlight.
(If that night is overcast, you must find a new Mandrake leaf and start the process over.)
Add one of your hairs and a silver teaspoon of dew to the moonlit vial. The dew must be collected from a location that has not been touched by sunlight or human presence for a full seven days.
Finally, add the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth. Place the mixture in a quiet, dark place and do not look at or disturb it until the next thunderstorm arrives.
Third, while waiting for the thunderstorm, at every sunrise and sunset, you must perform the following: point the tip of your wand at your heart and recite the corresponding incantation.
Fourth, during the waiting period, the crystal vial must remain completely undisturbed and out of contact with sunlight.
Sunlight contamination can result in the most tragic mutations.
If you continue chanting at sunrise and sunset, there will come a moment when, as the wand's tip touches your chest, you will feel a second heartbeat—sometimes stronger than your natural one, sometimes weaker.
You must proceed as normal and not alter your actions.
The incantation must be recited the exact number of times—no omissions are allowed.
Fifth, at the exact moment when lightning strikes the sky, go to the location where you buried the crystal vial.
If all the previous steps were followed correctly, you will find a mouthful of blood-red potion inside.
Sixth, you must immediately go to a vast and safe area to ensure that the transformation process will not attract attention or place your body in danger. Point your wand at your heart and drink the potion while reciting the incantation.
If all goes well, you will feel intense pain and two distinct heartbeats. A vision of the creature you are about to transform into will flash in your mind.
At this moment, your will must be firm. If the transformation fails, you will permanently become that animal, losing all human memory and consciousness.
Many wizards who mysteriously disappear are actually those who failed in transformation and became ordinary animals, living by instinct—and some were even hunted and eaten by Muggles."
"It's indeed not easy to accomplish."
As George listened to Professor McGonagall's narration, he also felt a wave of emotion.
No wonder there were so few wizards capable of performing the Animagus transformation. It didn't only require strength and determination—it also required luck. A slight mistake meant having to start all over again.
Not to mention the later steps, even the very first step—holding a leaf in your mouth without speaking for a month—would be enough to defeat most people.
Many wizards probably gave up not just because they feared failing the transformation, but because they didn't want to waste so much energy and time for just one spell.
This also showed that Potter, Sirius, and the others were truly fortunate to have all succeeded in the Animagus transformation on the first try.
"But for me, it's nothing."
Indeed, George had already decided to undergo the Animagus transformation.
After fusing with the Dragon Crystal, he had a feeling that his Animagus form might break the world's restriction against turning into magical creatures. He might be able to transform into a magical dragon—Gralon.
In any case, for him, holding a Mandrake leaf in his mouth was no big deal. He could still communicate telepathically, so being unable to speak wouldn't affect him.
If moonlight was blocked by clouds, he could simply fly above the clouds with the crystal vial to absorb the moonlight.
If a thunderstorm didn't come, that was even easier—he could summon one with ancient magic. He could have lightning and rain whenever he wanted.
The final part was about determination. With his mental strength, that was something he could easily ignore.
So compared to ordinary wizards, there was no difficulty for him in performing the Animagus transformation. It was just time-consuming, and the only uncertainty was whether he could actually transform into a magical dragon.
"I'll go to the Mandrake greenhouse tonight and get a leaf."
(End of this chapter)