"Albus—"
Professor McGonagall strode to the door of the headmaster's office, only to find an uninvited guest already there.
Professor Tella's silver hair contrasted sharply with Dumbledore's beard—two bright whites against ancient stone walls.
"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore, it's been so long I can barely remember…"
Tella sipped her tea. With a flick of her fingers, the steam blocking her view twisted into thin wisps and drifted out the window.
"Back then they called me Wagadou's youngest alchemist. I was proud—too proud. Missed out on meeting so many great masters.
Not learning from them is my life's regret. Some lives are meant to burn bright and short.
So my student—he cannot miss this."
Dumbledore squinted, like he was just humoring an old friend's ramble.
In truth, their history went back to the last International Alchemical Conference—seventy years ago. Dumbledore had attended as Nicolas Flamel's friend; Tella was just a wide-eyed girl.
Since starting at Hogwarts, Tella had mostly been disappointed. She rarely talked this much.
That piqued Dumbledore's interest.
Especially since someone was eavesdropping at the door.
"Olivia, last time we met, you were complaining today's students are nothing like the old days…"
Dumbledore laced his fingers, a teasing glint in his eye.
"An alchemist always finds a few gems…
Headmaster, when I met him, I knew seventy years had been worth it.
Like Nicolas Flamel dreaming of the angel with the book, I've read this era's Book of Abraham the Jew."
Tella ignored the jab, speaking solemnly.
"Please, go on, Olivia. I'm fascinated by this rising star."
Dumbledore raised a hand lightly. Behind his half-moon glasses, blue eyes gleamed with thought—and mischief.
"Albus—"
McGonagall entered, face blank.
"Professor Tella."
"Professor McGonagall."
Tella greeted her warmly.
"I'm truly grateful. It's Professor Minerva McGonagall's work in Transfiguration that made this alchemical breakthrough possible."
Her tone was calm, but there was a ripple in it.
McGonagall didn't look pleased.
Was Tella… challenging her?
"I'll be taking him to this year's International Alchemical Conference…
He must meet the greatest alchemists—
The Egyptian master who invented Floo powder; Beauxbatons' headmistress with the secrets of two-way mirrors and vanishing cabinets; the Wagadou family behind Remembralls and magical portraits…
Then—he will usher in a new era!"
Tella sounded like she was announcing the Second Coming.
McGonagall's mouth pressed into a thin, angry line. She could feel the provocation.
Using some mystical alchemy and a bunch of gold-obsessed weirdos to steal a once-in-centuries Transfiguration prodigy?
"If you'll pardon me, Professor Tella, I believe he should focus on the theory of magical creature transfiguration."
The second Tella finished, McGonagall fired back.
Tella's eyes flashed. The two women locked gazes—Dumbledore's beard practically curled with amusement.
…
The talk started fast and ended faster.
Tella's claim of "my student" crumbled under Dumbledore revealing he was the boy's legal guardian.
She stormed out, fuming. Right under her nose—that blasted ritual had happened, and she'd known nothing!
Back in the office.
Dumbledore watched a cookie purr "grr-grr" with interest.
"Minerva, you know this is alchemy's doing. He needs to keep studying—until he truly understands those rituals and applies them to Transfiguration."
It clicked for McGonagall, who'd been too worried to think straight. She pressed her lips together—she'd nearly lost her usual poise.
"Love and reason can't coexist, can they?"
Dumbledore squinted, tapping the desk lightly.
"Olivia won't mind… but I want you to know, Minerva—what's wrong with being a little clumsy?"
His deep gaze drifted to the window. When reason wins, love mourns.
…
Edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Sean stood by the pumpkin patch. Ever since the magical creature transfiguration cookies appeared, he'd been deep-diving into how the Transfiguration worked.
Two big hurdles stood in his way.
First: alchemy used ancient runes. Modern Transfiguration had no clear link to them.
Sean figured maybe ancient wizards did use spells and incantations for Transfiguration—like "Piertotum Locomotor," a full spell with pronunciation.
To let wizards freely turn into magical creatures, he'd need to master ancient rune Transfiguration.
Second: ritual magic was way more powerful than solo casting.
Take Skele-Gro—ritual potion magic regrew bones. Healing spells couldn't touch that.
Or Felix Felicis—no spell changed luck.
Another long road ahead.
Good thing Sean had patience—and time.
"Come on in, Sean—I'm sayin' we gotta be careful now. If Professor McGonagall finds out…"
Ever since Harry and the others caught them last time, Hagrid had gotten cautious.
Bowtruckle Tila poked out of Sean's pocket instantly—the castle was too noisy; it had stayed hidden.
Sean waved his wand. In three seconds, his book became a little wooden nest from a tree trunk. He tipped in some beetles.
Tila scampered up his finger and into its new home.
[You've gained Bowtruckle (Tila) affinity at Skilled level: Proficiency +10]
[Bowtruckle Tila: Affinity (Skilled) (9/900)]
Seeing it hit Skilled, Sean knew Bowtruckle cookies were next on the list.
But first—he needed to unlock the Beginner title in magical creatures.
"Let's go, Sean—"
And off went loud, cheerful Hagrid with quiet Sean—into the Forbidden Forest.