On the very first day of formal classes, most Ravenclaws had arrived at the classroom remarkably early.
Sterling yawned deeply. He had deliberately visited Vivian's realm the previous night to review Transfiguration theory, so his head still felt somewhat dizzy from the magical exertion.
"Look, whose cat just wandered in here?"
Terry Boot tapped Sterling's arm lightly, and when Sterling followed his gaze, he immediately straightened in his seat with sudden alertness.
It was Professor McGonagall.
Sterling felt absolutely certain of this because the tabby cat's eyes displayed far too much intelligence. She sat regally on the podium, surveying the classroom with an awareness no ordinary animal could possibly demonstrate.
The distinctive markings around her eyes resembled spectacles, and remembering that she served as their Transfiguration professor...
Sterling wondered if all masters of Transfiguration enjoyed such theatrical demonstrations.
He vividly recalled when he first entered the dream world years ago. The Fairy Godmother had performed something remarkably similar. She had transformed into a delicate butterfly, then shifted back to human form the moment Sterling made her land on his finger... He had been barely six years old at the time.
That particular incident had actually made young Sterling temporarily afraid of sleeping.
"Hey, what's gotten into you? Why are you sitting so perfectly upright all of a sudden?"
Terry asked with obvious puzzlement. Sterling was about to share his suspicion when he noticed those stern feline eyes fixed directly upon him. He sensed that Professor McGonagall probably didn't want too many students figuring out her identity quite so quickly.
"Nothing particularly significant, but I read in our textbook that Transfiguration represents the most dangerous form of magic. I want to review some theoretical foundations before class begins to make a favourable impression on our professor."
Sterling deliberately emphasised the word "Professor", though Terry probably missed the underlying implication entirely.
"Oh... alright, now you're acting exactly like Granger..."
Terry muttered under his breath, then turned his attention to chat with Anthony Goldstein about the day's Daily Prophet headlines.
Speaking of Hermione, she was currently reciting the final chapter of their textbook from memory.
Perhaps Sterling's advanced Transfiguration abilities had created significant pressure for her. After spending half an hour struggling under Robert's watchful gaze yesterday, attempting to transform a simple match into a needle, she had flatly refused to partner with Sterling for any future Transfiguration exercises.
Consequently, Sterling could only sit alongside his desk neighbour Terry.
To establish a positive impression with their instructor, he casually flipped through the theoretical sections of their Transfiguration textbook. These were portions he hadn't studied before because he preferred starting with the highest academic requirements at the back before reading from beginning to end.
The most advanced requirement in their first-year Transfiguration textbook involved only transforming inanimate objects.
Sterling had already mastered this level completely thanks to Vivian's comprehensive instruction.
He then set the Transfiguration textbook aside. The theoretical section covering Gamp's Fundamental Law of Transfiguration was indeed his first encounter with this material.
Transfiguration cannot create food... what?
Sterling's gaze froze on this particular restriction. If he remembered correctly, every time Vivian hosted him in the dream world, all food and beverages were created through Transfiguration magic.
That was definitely genuine Transfiguration, not mere illusion, since Vivian had personally promised that once Sterling's Transfiguration skills reached sufficient proficiency, she would teach him those exact techniques.
Vivian never lied about magical instruction.
This might represent yet another fundamental difference between the dream world and waking world magical systems.
Sterling felt genuinely excited. Beyond his previous insights derived from studying potions, he had finally discovered another angle to explore the mysteries of the dream realm.
Sitting up straighter, he resolved to maximise his favourable impression and thoroughly question Professor McGonagall during their Transfiguration classes.
Time passed swiftly while Sterling browsed Transfiguration theory, and soon the soft chiming from the tiny bell hanging beside the classroom door announced the official start of their lesson.
Neville sat with the Gryffindor students, waving enthusiastically to Hermione and Sterling, who had finally lifted their heads from their books. Beside him sat a curly-haired boy, presumably his dormmate Seamus.
But... where were Harry Potter and the Weasley boy?
As Sterling searched for the distinctive black- and red-haired duo, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. Ron Weasley's head appeared first in the doorway.
"Harry! The professor isn't here yet!"
Speaking to the smaller figure of the famous saviour behind him, Ron strutted proudly into the classroom, scanning for available seats toward the back rows.
"Harry Potter! Ron Weasley!"
A stern voice boomed from behind them. They turned in alarm to see the tabby cat leap gracefully down from the podium, transforming upon landing into the imposing figure of their green-robed professor.
"Pro... Professor McGonagall..."
Harry stammered helplessly, completely uncertain where to place his hands. Ron displayed a similarly flustered reaction.
"I believe class time has officially begun. Mr. Weasley? Mr. Potter? I distinctly remember providing you both with your schedules. They should clearly indicate class times and locations, correct?"
Professor McGonagall appeared thoroughly displeased. Arriving late for their very first Transfiguration class! And these were her own Gryffindor students, no less.
"Yes, Professor..."
Harry answered with obvious timidity, while Ron mumbled his quiet agreement.
"In that case, Gryffindor loses five points. Now hurry along and find your seats immediately!"
McGonagall commanded sternly before climbing onto the podium and writing elegant calligraphy across the blackboard.
"What I must emphasise is that Transfiguration ranks among the most complex and dangerous branches of magic you will study at Hogwarts."
"Anyone who misbehaves in my classroom will be asked to leave permanently and never return. Consider yourselves warned."
Her sharp gaze swept over Ron and Harry, both now sitting rigidly upright like wooden boards.
"In my class, you must cultivate absolute rigour and discipline. Only then can you unlock the door to Transfiguration and witness the most beautiful phenomena in the wizarding world..."
As she spoke, she waved her wand and lightly tapped the wooden podium, instantly transforming it into a pink piglet that snorted and panted energetically on the floor.
Many students' eyes lit up with wonder and excitement... except for Sterling. He had already demonstrated the ability to animate supposedly inanimate objects to Andrew when he first received his Hogwarts acceptance letter.
Professor McGonagall observed her students' awakened interest with satisfaction and knew the perfect moment had arrived to temper their enthusiasm with reality.
She transformed the pig back into the podium and retrieved their textbook.
"Let's turn to the opening chapter. Who can tell me the most fundamental rule governing Transfiguration?"
Initially looking toward Sterling, the professor maintained a favourable impression of this clearly intelligent and studious child. However, like previous Ravenclaws she had taught, he seemed to dislike showing off publicly.
Therefore, she shifted her attention and called upon Hermione, whose hand shot up eagerly.
"Miss Granger?"
"Professor McGonagall, it's Gamp's Fundamental Law of Transfiguration!"
Hermione stood proudly with her head held high. The professor smiled approvingly and gestured for her to be seated.
"Excellent answer. Ravenclaw earns two points."
"Gamp's Fundamental Law of Transfiguration states that Transfiguration cannot create food, cannot create genuine life, cannot create magical substances, cannot create intricate magical objects, and cannot create abstract concepts."
McGonagall wrote these five restrictions clearly on the board, then circled the phrase "cannot create genuine life".
"Some of you might wonder... wasn't the little piglet I transfigured just moments ago actually alive?"
Many young wizards nodded in agreement, sharing this obvious confusion.
The professor emphasised the crucial word "genuine".
"The key distinction lies here. The piglet I transfigured will immediately revert to being a podium once the Transfiguration spell is lifted or the magical energy I invested becomes depleted."
"Genuine life refers to beings capable of existing long-term and independently. Transfigured creations simply cannot achieve this permanence."
Seeing Professor McGonagall preparing to continue with the lesson, Sterling quickly raised his hand.
The professor looked mildly surprised but acknowledged him.
"Professor, why exactly can't Transfiguration create food?"