Chapter 26: Five Points to Gryffindor

Professor McGonagall was stunned.

She had spent many years attending the first Transfiguration lesson for new students in the form of a tabby cat. Because this little maneuver was kept under strict confidentiality—much like the Sorting Ceremony—she had been able to observe class after class of freshmen from a feline perspective for years.

It was quite amusing.

The vast majority of new students could not discern the secret of this cat, assuming the teacher had not yet arrived, and would carry on with loud, reckless chatter, refusing to quiet down or show restraint even after the lesson was scheduled to begin.

This year was no exception.

Perhaps due to the arrival of Harry Potter, the little lions this year were particularly restless, stealing a glance toward Harry every few sentences. Observing their behavior, McGonagall had already prepared her concluding remarks for the end of the lesson:

"You are the worst class I have ever taught!"

But she never imagined that one day, she would actually be grabbed by the scruff of her neck by a student.

It was inconceivable!

Anyone familiar with petting cats knows that our feline friends have one fatal weakness: as long as the scruff of their neck is pinched, no matter how wild or unruly they may usually be, they become docile and submissive, allowing you to manipulate them at will.

Cats in the wizarding world are no different. Furthermore, any witch or wizard who transforms into an animal via the Animagus method adopts the characteristics of that creature. This tabby cat happened to be Professor McGonagall’s Animagus form.

And so, caught off guard and without a defensive spell, she was ambushed by Sherlock.

She wanted to resist, but the feline instinct held her fast. By the time her human consciousness overcame her bestial nature and regained the upper hand, Sherlock had already released the fated scruff and pulled her into his arms, transitioning from a firm grip to a rhythmic stroking.

Sherlock’s petting technique was remarkably skilled—a gentle, soothing touch—that quickly caused Professor McGonagall to succumb, unable to extricate herself.

"Sherlock, don't you think the markings around this cat's eyes look just like Professor McGonagall's glasses?"

Since Sherlock had explained the difference between looking and observing, Harry had been practicing. Upon discovering this detail, he was quite excited. He had long heard that if you keep a pet long enough, the owner and the pet begin to resemble each other. Sherlock had just said this wasn't the Professor's pet, but it seemed he was wrong this time!

Harry felt a slight sense of triumph, though he didn't voice it aloud. After all, Sherlock was so clever, he surely understood what he meant.

Unexpectedly, before Sherlock could answer, the cat seemed to understand the remark as well; it suddenly struggled, leaping from Sherlock's arms onto the floor.

The next moment, the tabby cat vanished, and a stern-looking woman appeared in the sight of all. She wore a deep emerald cloak, her black hair pulled back into a tight bun. The square spectacles she wore looked identical to the markings around the cat's eyes.

It was none other than the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor House, and Professor of Transfiguration—Minerva McGonagall.

The freshmen were stunned. Harry and Ron, having watched Sherlock pet the cat, had their mouths hanging open so wide a bezoar could have fit inside. Ron could barely find his voice: "Pro-pro-pro-pro... Professor McGonagall!"

McGonagall first cast a grateful glance at Harry, then fixed her gaze intently on Sherlock. "Mr. Holmes, did you recognize me all along?"

Upon their first meeting, Sherlock had deduced that Hogwarts was in Scotland based on the texture of the acceptance letter and an analysis of her person. Facing a young wizard with such extraordinary deductive abilities, she had every reason to be suspicious.

Seeing the serious expression on the Professor's face, Harry and Ron suddenly realized what Sherlock had just done. They broke out in a cold sweat. Their gaze toward Sherlock shifted from admiration to worry, and they silently fretted on his behalf.

"Not at all," Sherlock said with a calm face. "But I have never seen a cat sit quite so stiffly."

Seeing the clarity in Sherlock's eyes, which did not suggest he was lying, Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly. He was, after all, just a young wizard longing for the magical world, newly enrolled—what ill intent could he possibly have?

"If you had to watch your students behave like this, you would go stiff too."

McGonagall’s transformation had already captured the students' attention, but this remark made everyone fall into a deathly silence.

"The Professor's Transfiguration is so seamless, with no trace of magical aura; it is truly marvelous!"

Only Sherlock remained in awe of the Professor's performance, as if he were not the one who had been handling her just moments before.

"Mr. Holmes, this transformation is called an Animagus. It allows one to truly become an animal and is a highly difficult form of Transfiguration. During practice, one might even become unable to turn back due to cognitive confusion; it is far too dangerous for the likes of you at this stage! Now, everyone back to your seats—I am going to begin."

Hearing that Sherlock had not noticed her awkwardness, McGonagall breathed a silent sigh of relief. The truth was, her own performance had been... rather embarrassing. Initially, when Sherlock began petting her, she had resisted, but while in her Animagus state, she had unwittingly succumbed to feline instincts.

Coupled with Sherlock's masterful touch, she had soon found herself purring uncontrollably. It was only when Harry mentioned the markings around her eyes that she snapped back to reality, struggled to transform, and managed to avoid further humiliation.

However, the fact that she had been petted by a student remained. She had to divert their attention, and fortunately, that was not difficult for her. She transformed her desk into a pig and back again. The students were instantly captivated, eager to start learning immediately.

Yet, her very first words threw a bucket of cold water on them: "Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous magic you will study at Hogwarts."

Her gaze swept over everyone, lingering briefly on Sherlock and Harry, as she continued slowly: "Anyone who causes mischief in my classroom will be asked to leave and never return—I have already warned you."

Seeing the students sitting up straight, McGonagall was satisfied and began her lecture. This lesson made it clear to everyone that turning furniture into animals would take a long time; they had to start with the basics.

The task for this lesson was to turn a matchstick into a needle. Yet, even this seemingly simple task baffled almost everyone. By the end of the class, only Hermione’s matchstick had changed—while one end remained a match head, the other had become quite sharp.

McGonagall offered her a smile.

Seeing the Professor, who had been stern throughout the entire class, offer a rare smile, Hermione held her head high, like a proud swan. This was the true spirit of Gryffindor—one must possess a talent for Transfiguration!

Then...

"Five points to Gryffindor!"

Hermione was stunned. That shouldn't be right! She had heard that Professor McGonagall was always stingy with points; while she had performed well, earning a smile from the Professor was already a victory—surely it wasn't worth points as well?