Chapter 268: Animagus Transformation (Third Update)
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Meanwhile, on the other side, George's duplicate at the real Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was diligently studying magic.
In the second-year Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall was explaining the complexities of human transfiguration.
George had already mastered the knowledge from the textbook, but there was a key difference between reading theory and attending class. Professors often expanded beyond the textbook, providing valuable insights and additional details that couldn't be learned from reading alone.
His Transfiguration skills were already at the level of an average adult wizard.
But he wasn't satisfied with just that—he wanted to become a master. He aimed to thoroughly understand every nuance of magic so that, in the future, he could refine and integrate it into other magical systems from different worlds.
A solid foundation was crucial. Just because he was ahead didn't mean he could afford to skip class.
Besides, with the help of his Time-Turner, he could always revisit this period to continue practicing and studying other forms of magic, so there was no conflict.
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"Human transfiguration is one of the most difficult and dangerous branches of Transfiguration," Professor McGonagall explained, her sharp gaze scanning the classroom. "Unlike inanimate objects, humans possess intelligence, and their subconscious minds instinctively resist transformation. This mental resistance makes the process extremely challenging.
Until you have developed sufficient skill and control, do not attempt to transfigure another person, nor should you try it on yourself."
She paused for emphasis before continuing.
"In ancient Greece, there was a witch named Circe who lived on the island of Aeaea. She was particularly skilled in human transfiguration—especially in casting the Pig Transformation Curse.
Sailors who became lost and wandered onto her island would often find themselves turned into pigs. Once transformed, they lost all human awareness and could only act according to the instincts of their new forms.
Because the spell was never lifted, many of them were permanently trapped as animals, unable to return to their original selves.
Such actions are now considered highly illegal. If the consequences are severe, the offender will be sent straight to Azkaban."
At the mention of Azkaban, the young wizards instinctively recoiled in their seats.
Azkaban—the prison guarded by Dementors.
At the start of the school year, they had seen Dementors firsthand on the train and experienced their terrifying presence. Now, Dementors were stationed at various entrances of the school, constantly patrolling.
Remembering this, several students couldn't help but glance at George.
Unlike the others, he wasn't afraid of Dementors. In fact, he had even killed one.
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"Professor," one student raised their hand hesitantly, "when you say transforming oneself, do you mean something like how you turn into a cat?"
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"Exactly. When a wizard transfigures themselves into an animal, it is known as Animagus transformation. You will encounter this subject in your fifth-year textbook.
However, I strongly advise against attempting it on your own. If done incorrectly, you could permanently transform into an animal and never regain your human form.
Additionally, the process itself is extremely complex and difficult. Many skilled wizards have tried countless times and still failed to complete the transformation, forcing them to abandon the effort entirely."
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"But why is it so difficult? Is the incantation really long?"
Another student raised their hand curiously.
"But, Professor, I've never seen you use an incantation when you transform."
Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment before deciding to explain further.
"Since you're curious, I'll give you a brief overview so you can understand just how intricate the process is.
The difficulty of Animagus transformation does not lie in the spell itself but in the intense preparation required."
She set down her textbook and began listing the steps.
"First, for an entire month—from one full moon to the next—you must keep a single mandrake leaf in your mouth at all times.
You must not swallow it, nor remove it from your mouth for even a second. If the leaf is lost or taken out, you will have to start over from the beginning."
The students looked at each other, already realizing how tedious the process would be.
"Second, on the night of the full moon, you must take the leaf from your mouth and place it in a small crystal vial filled with your own saliva. This vial must then be left under direct moonlight to absorb its energy.
However, if the sky is cloudy that night and the moonlight is blocked, you will have to start over with a fresh mandrake leaf and repeat the process from scratch."
Murmurs of disbelief spread through the classroom.
"Once the moonlight has properly infused the vial, you must add a strand of your own hair, a single silver teaspoon of dew, and a chrysalis of the Death's-Head Hawkmoth.
The dew must be collected from a location that has remained untouched by sunlight or human presence for seven consecutive days.
This mixture must then be sealed in a dark, undisturbed place and left untouched until the next thunderstorm with lightning arrives."
Professor McGonagall's tone remained firm, but the students could hear the sheer difficulty in her words.
"Third, while waiting for the storm, you must perform a specific ritual every sunrise and sunset.
You will need to point your wand at your heart and recite a special incantation each time."
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The students sat in stunned silence.
Just hearing about the process was exhausting.
Some of them had once fantasized about becoming Animagi, imagining how cool it would be to turn into an animal at will.
But after hearing these steps, many were already reconsidering.
Becoming an Animagus wasn't just about learning a spell—it was a rigorous and dangerous undertaking that required immense patience, discipline, and magical skill.
Fourth Step: The Final Preparations
During the waiting period for the thunderstorm, the crystal vial must remain completely undisturbed and shielded from sunlight at all costs.
Exposure to sunlight will cause severe mutations, leading to catastrophic consequences.
If the incantation is properly repeated at every sunrise and sunset, there will come a moment when, upon touching the wand to the chest, the wizard will feel a second heartbeat—sometimes stronger than their natural one, sometimes weaker.
Despite this unsettling sensation, everything must proceed as usual without any deviation.
The spell must be recited the precise number of times required—missing even one repetition will result in failure.
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Fifth Step: The Storm's Arrival
The very instant lightning splits the sky, the wizard must immediately retrieve the buried crystal vial.
If every step has been executed correctly, inside the vial, there will now be a small dose of deep red potion.
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Sixth Step: The Transformation Ritual
The wizard must then move to a wide, secluded, and safe location, ensuring that the transformation process won't be disturbed or put them in danger.
With their wand pointed at their heart, they must recite the spell while drinking the potion.
If everything is done correctly, they will experience intense pain and two violently beating hearts. Their mind will be flooded with the image of the animal they are about to transform into.
At this moment, their willpower must be unwavering.
Any hesitation or failure to maintain control will result in a permanent transformation into that animal, causing the wizard to lose all human memories and consciousness.
Many wizards throughout history have mysteriously disappeared, only to have unknowingly transformed into ordinary animals, living purely on instinct. Some have even been hunted and eaten by Muggles, never realizing they were once human.
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"That's… incredibly difficult."
Listening to Professor McGonagall's explanation, George couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration.
No wonder so few wizards in the magical world ever became Animagi. It wasn't just a test of power and determination—luck also played a huge role. Even the smallest mistake could force one to start over.
Forget about the later steps—just keeping a leaf in one's mouth for an entire month without speaking was already an insurmountable challenge for most people.
Many wizards likely avoided Animagus transformation not only out of fear of failure but because they simply didn't want to waste so much time and effort on a single spell.
This realization made the success of James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew all the more remarkable. They hadn't just been talented—they had been incredibly lucky to succeed on their first attempt.
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"But for me, this is nothing."
George had already made up his mind—he was going to become an Animagus.
After fusing with Dragon Crystal, he had a strong premonition: his Animagus transformation might surpass the limitations of this world.
The common belief was that Animagi could not take the form of magical creatures. But George suspected that he might be able to break that rule—transforming into a Magical Dragon, a Graulon.
Compared to ordinary wizards, George had zero difficulties with this process.
- Keeping a mandrake leaf in his mouth for a month? No problem. He could use telepathic communication instead of speaking.
- Cloudy skies blocking moonlight? He'd just fly above the clouds and collect the moon's energy directly.
- Waiting for a storm? Even easier—he could summon one himself with ancient magic. Lightning and thunderstorms could happen whenever he wanted.
- Strong willpower? His mental fortitude was far beyond that of normal wizards. The risk of losing himself in the transformation didn't even exist.
For George, the only inconvenience was the time investment.
The only real uncertainty was whether he could actually take on the form of a Magical Dragon.
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(End of Chapter)