Mysterious Journey

Chapter 926 Professor McGonagall in Second Stage

Hogwarts, Charms classroom.

This is the classroom where students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry take their Charms class. In front of the teacher's platform is a desk specifically for teachers. Since the "Lion Incident" last year, each student now has their own individual desk.

It is long past Hogwarts' dismissal time, but the Charms classroom is still brightly lit.

Professor McGonagall is giving an academic interview on "New Charms" at the podium.

The classroom is filled with reporters and editors from various well-known and unknown magical newspapers and magazines. They are all intently focused on the ongoing Q&A, with magical quills, cameras, and recorders all pointed towards the front.

The editor-in-chief of the most authoritative Charms journal in the magical world, Scott Byrne, the current helmsman of "Today's Charms" magazine, stands up straight, looking at Professor McGonagall with a serious expression, like a defense attorney preparing to fight in court.

On the desk in front of him are several pieces of parchment covered in messy handwriting and short sentences.

He is in a debate with Professor McGonagall after the first stage of her academic presentation.

"You said that my new theory has three fatal problems?" Professor McGonagall says, looking sharply at Scott.

Scott Byrne says in a deep voice, "This new theory is more difficult to learn than the old theory, Professor McGonagall."

McGonagall nods, without refuting.

"What else?"

"Although it solves the five major exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, it introduces alchemy magic as an explanation in the field of transfiguration... and the mystery and accurate definition of alchemy magic, how much reference value is there in this day and age, that remains to be considered."

"Very good, not using a question to answer a question... then the last one?"

Scott Byrne looks away, surveying the classroom, which is somewhat different from his memory but still filled with familiarity, and says softly.

"Your theory has not yet been universally recognized by the academic community, so it can only be regarded as speculation, not as teaching—if it is to replace the former theoretical knowledge, then it must at least show the value of such replacement, not some magical truth, but persuasiveness in terms of magical ability."

"In fact, that's what I'm working on."

Professor McGonagall sighs helplessly and flicks her wand gently.

The next moment, all the classroom chairs under everyone's bottoms instantly turn into red, soft armchairs.

"The difficulty of multi-transfiguration lies in the sharp increase in magic power requirements and the demanding magic control, but the new theory can break through these limits..."

The classroom instantly falls into silence, followed by a chaotic sound of astonishment.

Even some wizards who do not study the field of transfiguration deeply understand from the surrounding discussions of their colleagues how terrible the magic Professor McGonagall just demonstrated is: simultaneously transfiguring multiple objects—to be precise, twenty-seven objects—has far exceeded the traditional definition of transfiguration. It can even be regarded as a miracle rather than understandable, learnable magic.

"Y-you... Professor McGonagall, how did you do it..."

Scott Byrne props himself up on the desk with both hands, as if he has returned to his first class, stuttering.

Perhaps powerful wizards can even transfigure huge objects such as houses and bridges, but they have never broken the theorem of transfiguration since ancient times—wizards cannot simultaneously transfigure more than three objects, at least never in the past.

"Oh, it's not that complicated, if you have seriously understood what I said—"

Professor McGonagall says with a gentle smile, casually waving her wand again.

Amidst the exclamations of the people, the armchairs all turn back into the hard, cold, familiar wooden classroom chairs that Professor McGonagall has seen and dreamed of almost every day for decades. She can recall their texture, weight, and appearance without opening her eyes.

And all she did just now was precisely lock onto all the targets and then replace them with Gryffindor armchairs in an instant.

Well, if she had a little more time, people would have found that they were all the same armchair.

This was the advice given by the researchers when Professor McGonagall was sorting out lesson plans and improving transfiguration theory at the research institute on the weekend.

Although it is still transfiguration, it also involves some rudimentary mathematical knowledge. For example, locking multiple classroom chairs at the same time uses the concept of "sets," and the many-to-one multi-transfiguration relationship refers to a part of the knowledge about "mapping"...

Of course, due to the short amount of time, Professor McGonagall has not fully understood the whole picture of this rudimentary mathematical knowledge.

However, with only some simple explanations and familiarity with the Charms classroom, she can barely make some difficult attempts.

Professor McGonagall calmly puts away her wand, flips through the lecture notes on the desk, and continues.

"Now, I will briefly talk about the principles and limitations of this magic, and explain about the new transfiguration—"

Before Professor McGonagall can finish the opening remarks of the second stage, the door is suddenly pushed open.

Gilderoy Lockhart rushes in, followed by a nervous Bill Weasley.

"Professor McGonagall, there's a problem. I just saw Professor Umbridge and—"

Bill Weasley stutters, his eyes wandering over the crowd of adult wizards in the classroom, as if he didn't expect to encounter so many people, so that his voice sounds as if he has just been shocked by the multi-transfiguration of the "Today's Charms" editor-in-chief.

"Oh, Weasley, let me say it. Now is not the time to slowly explain the causes and consequences."

Gilderoy Lockhart shakes his head, quickly takes another step forward, and looks at Professor McGonagall with a serious expression.

"Professor Umbridge led the Aurors into the school, they plan to secretly arrest Quirinus! I have asked Filch to notify Professor Dumbledore, and before Professor Dumbledore arrives, maybe we should do something first..."

"Ministry of Magic Aurors?! Secret arrest... Professor Quirrell?!"

Professor McGonagall is stunned for half a second, and then quickly puts down the lecture notes in her hand and walks quickly towards the door.

"Umbridge, Ministry of Magic... this is Hogwarts, oh, how dare they?! Where are they, where is Quirinus?"

"I saw them going up the stairs on the third floor, I guess they should be almost at Quirinus's office now..."

"Then what are you waiting for! Let's go over there quickly—"

Professor McGonagall frowns deeply and strides towards the door.

Just as she is about to reach the door, she suddenly stops and looks helplessly at the somewhat dazed guests in the classroom.

"Sorry, there's an emergency—everyone may have to wait here for a while, I'll go see what's going on first..."

"It's okay, it's okay, school matters are important!"

"Professor McGonagall, we'll go with you, maybe there's something we can help with?"

"Yes, yes, the main thing is important, there's strength in numbers..."

Along with Professor McGonagall's voice, the wizards who are still processing the sudden information instantly "come alive," hurriedly stand up, while tidying up their magical quills and magical cameras, they righteously follow Professor McGonagall's steps and walk out.

As media people who have been fighting on the front lines of various magical information for many years, they can be said to be the most sensitive wizards to hot spots.

The subversive theory of transfiguration is certainly a hit, but compared to the Ministry of Magic openly breaking into Hogwarts to arrest people, it is obviously still a bit lacking.

This is a once-in-a-century first-hand information, if they can take a few heavyweight photos, and grab the person involved to interview a few words—even if the other party does not accept the interview, any words, expressions, and actions can be used as an answer—then the sales of the next issue will definitely soar!

"Sorry, everyone, but this is Hogwarts's..."

Professor McGonagall frowns and looks at the reporters and editors behind her who are full of excitement, and is about to say something.

"Deputy Headmistress, we have to hurry, Professor Umbridge led at least four or five Aurors up there—"

Gilderoy Lockhart says hurriedly, while not forgetting to show his white teeth to a reporter in the back who is holding up a camera.

"Four or five Aurors?! What on earth does that woman want to do?!"

Hearing this, McGonagall has no mood to pay attention to the sharks behind her who seem to smell blood.

When Sirius Black was arrested, it may have been this kind of lineup, which is almost equivalent to treating Quirinus Quirrell as an extremely dangerous follower of a dark wizard—this is simply outrageous! She must go over there immediately to find out what is going on!

What's more...

Secret arrest, an out-of-the-ordinary lineup, and Dumbledore being tied up—all these pieces of information reveal strangeness.

If she is not mistaken, this is a well-planned conspiracy against Hogwarts.

…………

At the same time, the Muggle Studies professor's office.

Quirinus Quirrell is propped up on his desk, carefully grading the homework that the students handed in today.

And on the sofa and coffee table not far from his desk, the Weasley twins are curiously looking through a book, and next to them on the small stool, Ravenclaw's "Miss Peach" and Angelina are quietly discussing a few Muggle photos.

Unlike the lower grades who exchanged for "fishing and picnics" privileges, after repeated discussions, Miss Peach chose the teaching privilege.

According to the description on that special reward, she and George could bring two people to Professor Quirrell's office, and each person could choose Muggle goods worth no more than 200 Galleons—Hogwarts' logistics procurement would complete the reward delivery within a week after the order was submitted.

And when they arrived at Professor Quirrell's office, they found that the real treasure or reward was not just those goods to be selected.

"Wow, mate, look at this: Muggle glider, this is so cool!"

"Well, but I kinda wanna buy this car—don't you think it's way better looking than Dad's?"

George and Fred are quietly discussing, they are looking through a Muggle magazine, which is also the "shelf" for them to choose from. A dazzling array of various non-magical industrial products that have never been seen before and have a domineering appearance attract their attention at the first moment.

The twins have no doubt that if their dad saw this magazine, he would definitely be ten thousand times more excited than they are now.

On the other side, the Weasley "girlfriend group" is admiring and struggling with other things.

"This dress looks really beautiful, I don't know if it suits me..."

"Meriel, it definitely suits you, you have such a great figure—but you definitely can't wear this kind of dress at school, otherwise before the professors deduct your points, George will have to die with those boys who come to confess to you first. Well, I like this one."

"Looks good, but the skirt is a bit short, I'm a little worried about the boys."

"Don't worry, look here—it says here that it comes with two pairs of safety pants... I don't know if I can buy more of these, so we can wear them more easily in the Quidditch field in the future... let me see, there seems to be a separate introduction and options in the back..."

“You're going over budget, aren't you? 200 Galleons can't buy that many clothes—if you're planning to buy some for your teammates too."

"It doesn't matter, Fred will help share the gift part, after all, he is also a member of the team."

Angelina says carelessly, stretching her body tiredly, and tilting her head to the side.

Miss Peach's eyes light up and nods in agreement.

"Hmm? Makes sense... it seems I can add a few extra pretty dresses..."

Just then, the door to the office is suddenly opened. Umbridge, Scrimgeour and four other Aurors walk in.

Quirinus Quirrell looks up and sees who is there, frowns, and says with some dissatisfaction.

"Hmm? Professor Umbridge... perhaps you should remember to knock before entering, and, I don't have time to discuss your guidance now. I still have to finish grading the students' homework tonight, and you should notice that I still have some students waiting for me to finish..."

"Oh, I will, Mr. Quirrell—if there is a next time—"

The Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic walks to Quirrell's desk and shakes the document in her hand high-handedly.

"But on the other hand, I'm afraid you can't worry about homework and guiding students now. And, I think you can call me Undersecretary Umbridge now, as for you guys—" Umbridge glances at the students standing aside in a daze and says with a sweet smile.

"Dear, Professor Quirrell has to leave school for a while tonight. So, you should go back to the dormitory now..."

"Sorry, huh—sorry, Professor Quirrell isn't going anywhere tonight—"

Before Umbridge can finish speaking, a rapid voice mixed with gasps suddenly comes from behind her.

Professor McGonagall quickly walks up from behind, looking sharply at Umbridge and Scrimgeour, and repeats in a cold voice.

"Professor Quirrell isn't going anywhere tonight, I'm very sorry, you should be the ones leaving the school!"

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Yay!