What gibberish are you muttering?
Eat my Alohomora!
Ron couldn't help but picture the bloody scene of Clark using his fist to 'open' a bad guy, and he subconsciously shivered.
No one spoke.
In the deathly silence, Professor Quirrell staggered to his feet, his face full of surprise: "Mr. Cavill, you... how did you do it... I put a special spell on that lock. Theoretically, it shouldn't... shouldn't be pulled off by brute force..."
"It was the Unlocking Charm, Professor. I used the Unlocking Charm you taught me." Clark didn't bat an eyelid and asked politely, "Now, can I have my points? After all, you said earlier that whoever could open the cage would get twenty points."
"Ah... I did... indeed say that." Professor Quirrell had a strange expression.
But in the end, he fulfilled his promise: "Then, Mr. Cavill, congratulations on winning tw... twenty points for Gryffindor!"
Clark chuckled.
At this moment, the students below gradually reacted.
Although shock still remained on their faces, for the sake of the twenty points, they decisively gave Clark warm applause.
Professor Quirrell was also clapping.
Of course, if one observed carefully, they would notice the flash of solemnity in his eyes.
After class.
Quirrell sat in the empty classroom, holding his forehead with one hand, wondering what he was thinking.
After a long time, he picked up the lock in front of him and examined it carefully.
"Very thorough destruction. Leaving aside the factor of the locking spell, this lock is made of refined copper. How could it be destroyed by brute force? Could it really be magical power?"
While talking to himself, Quirrell didn't stutter at all, and the timid expression usually hanging on his face disappeared.
"Clark Cavill..." Quirrell muttered Clark's name, carefully recalling various anomalies that occurred at the banquet last night.
Did the Sorting Hat really malfunction?
Why is Clark Cavill so special?
What are Dumbledore and McGonagall hiding?
After thinking for a long time without a result, Quirrell smiled slightly: "Interesting."
But soon, he retracted his smile and replaced it with a respectful look, whispering, "Great Master, are you awake?"
No one responded.
Quirrell was not discouraged and asked three times in a row.
However, there was still no response.
Quirrell was shaken, an idea emerged in his mind, and his breathing unconsciously quickened a bit.
He seemed to have found a way to break the deadlock of certain death!
...
After the 'bare-handed lock picking' incident, Clark unsurprisingly became a celebrity among the Gryffindor freshmen.
Although Clark tried his best to explain that opening the lock relied on magic, not brute force, very few people were willing to believe him.
This made Clark feel a bit annoyed.
Why did no one affirm his magical talent as a wizard?
"It doesn't matter, there's 'Transfiguration' in the afternoon." Clark comforted himself softly, "I will definitely prove to everyone that I am an excellent wizard, not a barbarian with an empty head who only knows brute force."
Hearing this, Harry said cautiously, "There's nothing wrong with being a barbarian. Anyway, didn't that lock open?"
Ron nodded in agreement: "Exactly, exactly. Whether it's magic or brute force, since it achieves the same effect, why bother with those details?"
Neville reacted a beat slower and was clumsy with words, not knowing what to say, so he just laughed dryly: "Harry and Ron are right."
Clark glared: "No, I must clarify this misunderstanding!"
Harry and the other two looked at each other.
Ron hesitated for a moment and asked uncertainly, "Clark, you don't really think opening that lock relied on magical power, do you?"
Clark asked back, "Yeah, what else?"
Harry and the other two fell into silence.
Clark explained patiently, "My wand never responds to the magic in my body, so for me, wandless magic is more reasonable than using a wand."
Ron was speechless.
Harry tugged at Ron's robe and whispered, "What do we do? He seems to really think he's a magical genius."
Ron remained speechless.
Time finally came to the afternoon.
Clark strode into the 'Transfiguration' classroom and deliberately chose to sit in the first row.
Ron, Harry, and Neville were very loyal and braced themselves to sit next to Clark.
There were very few students in the first row.
Besides Clark's group of four, only Hermione was left.
Seeing Clark, Hermione smiled: "Hi."
"Hello, Student Granger." Clark nodded to Hermione, swept his eyes over the podium, and asked casually, "What's with that cat?"
"Don't know. When I was the first to arrive in the classroom, that cat was on the podium. I guess it's Professor McGonagall's pet." Hermione shrugged and suddenly asked, "Did you use some special magic this morning?"
"Ha! You also think that was magic, right!" Clark instantly perked up, looking as if he had found a kindred spirit. "I told Ron and the others that it was wandless magic, but no one believed me."
"Theoretically, wandless magic doesn't require..." Hermione considered her words carefully, mimicking Clark's action vividly, specifically that violent yank on the lock, "...so much force. Didn't you see Professor Quirrell was pulled down by you?"
Before Clark could speak.
Ron and the others' eyes lit up.
Brilliant.
Why didn't they think of this loophole?
Now, how will you, Clark Cavill, explain this?
Clark was speechless for a moment.
After pondering for a while, he said in a deep voice, "Is there a possibility that I attached the Unlocking Charm to my hand, and the magic only takes effect when touching the lock? As for Professor Quirrell being pulled down by me, it should be because his body is too weak. Didn't you see Professor Quirrell bundled up tightly? He should be the type who is born weak."
Hermione was instantly speechless.
She looked at Ron and the others.
Ron pouted, wrote a line on his notebook with a quill, and showed it to Hermione:
"Whatever, just go along with it for now."
Hermione: ???
Five minutes later, the class bell rang on time.
The tabby cat elegantly jumped off the podium and turned into Professor McGonagall herself in the blink of an eye.
Such a magical scene made all the young wizards, including Clark, drop their jaws.
Professor McGonagall looked calm and began today's lesson very naturally: "Let me state in advance, the Transfiguration I teach may be the most dangerous and complex magic you will encounter at Hogwarts. No matter who it is, as long as they dare to be mischievous in my class and not listen carefully, I'm afraid I will have to ask them to leave the classroom."
Hearing this, the little lions all sat up straight, their breathing unconsciously becoming lighter.
Seeing this, Professor McGonagall showed satisfaction and continued: "Transfiguration, as the name implies, is magic for transformation. This magic can change the form of objects. It can not only turn inanimate objects into living things but also turn living individuals into inanimate objects.
Of course, there are more advanced contents such as partial transfiguration, timed transfiguration, transformation curses, etc., but these are things you will encounter later.
Today, let's briefly understand the concept of Transfiguration. Listen carefully, because every sentence I say is a key point in the book. Remember to take notes; all this content will appear on the final exam paper."
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
A group of Gryffindor freshmen took notes non-stop on parchment.
After spending a small half of the class on the theoretical part, Professor McGonagall waved her wand and gave each student a matchstick: "You have all noted down what I just said, right? Very good, now let's try some practical work."
OK, it's my favorite spellcasting segment.
Clark revealed a confident smile.
He pulled out his wand, recalling the knowledge just now, and couldn't wait to point his wand at the matchstick.
Regrettably...
Nothing happened.
Clark took a deep breath and tried again.
Still, nothing happened.
The matchstick lay quietly on the table, not even a burr sticking out.
Clark twitched the corner of his mouth.
Looked left and right...
It's okay, it's okay.
Ron and the others didn't succeed either.
It seems Transfiguration is not as simple magic as the Unlocking Charm.
Clark calmed down and tried again and again.
"Transfigure at will!" (Note: This seems to be a conceptual incantation or mental focus rather than a standard spell like Vera Verto, based on context he might be trying to will it.)
"Transfigure at will!"
"Transfigure at will!"
After trying for more than ten minutes, the matchstick was still that matchstick.
Clark finally wavered inside.
Could it be...
He really has no magical talent?
But what about this morning?
Wasn't that lock impossible to break by brute force?
In that case, what took effect could only be the Unlocking Charm he applied to his hand...
Clark's face turned green and red.
Just then, Hermione raised her hand in surprise: "Professor McGonagall, I think I succeeded!"
Clark: !!!
Turning his head to look.
Sure enough, the matchstick in front of Hermione had turned into a needle.
The needle was extremely similar to the matchstick, but the red match head was gone.
Professor McGonagall walked over and nodded approvingly to Hermione: "Well done, Miss Granger, five points to Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled, a brilliant smile.
Clark pursed his lips.
His own failure was uncomfortable, but others' success made him even more anxious.
Clark patted his face, forcibly expelling those subconsciously selfish thoughts, and focused all his attention on the matchstick in front of him.
Perhaps noticing something wrong with Clark's expression, Professor McGonagall thought for a moment and said loudly: "Transfiguration is a subject that relies heavily on talent. Failure to succeed may just be due to poor compatibility with transformation magic. Everyone, don't be anxious."
Compatibility?
The speaker has intent.
The listener takes heed.
Clark got the key point in Professor McGonagall's words.
If there really is such a thing as magical compatibility...
Everything makes sense.
"No one is perfect. Although I mastered the Unlocking Charm instantly, my compatibility with Transfiguration is too poor, so I can't succeed. I understand, I completely understand!" Clark thought to himself, his eyes regaining their luster.
However.
Even if the compatibility is poor, Clark will never give up easily.
Until the end of class, he practiced the Transfiguration spell very hard.
As for the result...
Let's not talk about it.
...
Dinner was still sumptuous.
Under everyone's gaze, Clark once again displayed his amazing talent for eating.
After eating and drinking his fill, Clark, Ron, and the others walked towards Gryffindor Tower talking and laughing.
Halfway there, they were blocked by a figure.
"Dumbledore is looking for you." The short Argus Filch, with a long face, said to Clark grumpily, "Follow me."
Clark hesitated for a moment and waved to Ron and the others: "You guys go ahead, I'll be back later."
Before Ron and the others could reply, Filch roared irritably: "Don't dawdle, hurry up and follow!"
Helpless, Clark had to quickly catch up.
All the way to the eighth floor of the castle.
During the journey, neither Clark nor Filch spoke.
After delivering Clark to the place, Filch snorted coldly and went downstairs on his own.
Clark felt a bit baffled.
He didn't remember when he had offended this Hogwarts caretaker.
Forget it.
No need to get angry with such a person.
Clark calmed down and walked towards the oak door guarded by the stone gargoyle.
The door was open.
The stone gargoyles on both sides turned a blind eye to Clark.
Entering the door, Clark found that besides Dumbledore, there was also a black-haired wizard sitting on the sofa with his back to the door.
"Clark, you're here. We just happened to be talking about you." Dumbledore gave Clark a friendly smile and introduced him, "This is the Head of Slytherin House and Potions Professor, Severus Snape."
Accompanying Dumbledore's words, Snape turned his head slightly, revealing half of his face covered by long hair.
Clark let out an "Oh" and then politely greeted Snape: "Hello, Mr. Snape."
"Not Mister, but Professor," Snape stood up and said gloomily.
Clark immediately corrected himself: "Okay, Professor Snape."
Snape twitched the corner of his mouth, as if sneering silently.
Dumbledore had a headache but still explained to Clark: "Given your special situation, Clark, I specifically asked Severus to teach you a special magic called Occlumency."
"Occlumency?" Clark looked puzzled.
Dumbledore nodded gently: "Yes, this is an obscure magic that can prevent the mind from external invasion. Once mastered, it can effectively resist control by others."
"Only ordinary control..." Snape crossed his arms, like a big bat folding its wings: "If you encounter advanced magic like the Imperius Curse, Occlumency is useless."
"The Unforgivable Curses are too early for Clark. Being able to block Legilimency and resist ordinary control is completely enough for now." Dumbledore stroked his beard and smiled at Clark: "What do you think? Are you willing to learn from Professor Snape?"
Clark scratched his face: "Willing is willing, it's just..."
"Just what? You still want to negotiate conditions with me?" Snape narrowed his eyes slightly, emitting a dangerous aura: "Mr. Cavill, if not for Headmaster Dumbledore's great influence, I wouldn't bother with you."
Clark quickly waved his hand: "Professor Snape, you misunderstood. I don't want to negotiate conditions, but I want to ask, there's no fee for this extra tutoring, right?"
Snape: ...
He looked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and said gently: "As I said before, Mr. Cavill is a sensible child."
Snape was noncommittal.
Turning his head, meeting Clark's clear green eyes, his heart suddenly softened, and the sarcasm on his lips miraculously turned into "No fee."
Hearing this, Clark finally felt relieved and expressed his willingness to learn Occlumency with Snape.