"I would be happy to oblige. Pay close attention to what I tell you. I may question you about it afterwards."
That instantly sharpened everyone's focus.
McGonagall began telling them, "The Ministry of Magic is divided into several departments, each responsible for maintaining order, secrecy, and stability within the wizarding world."
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement oversees the enforcement of magical law, the capture of dark witches and wizards, and the protection of the wizarding public."
"The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes handles magical mishaps, memory modification, Muggle deception, and containment of accidental magic."
She told them about Magical Transportation, Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, International Magical Cooperation, and Mysteries.
When she finished, she looked directly at them.
"Now, let us see how well you listened."
She turned to Penny first. "Which department is responsible for maintaining the Statute of Secrecy after magical incidents involving Muggles?"
Penny answered carefully, recalling McGonagall's words. "The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Professor."
"Correct."
McGonagall's gaze shifted to Cassie. "Which department oversees magical law enforcement and the capture of Dark wizards?"
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement," Cassie replied confidently.
"Very good."
She looked at Merula next. "And which department regulates magical creatures?"
Merula smirked slightly but answered without hesitation. "The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
McGonagall nodded once, satisfied.
Finally, her eyes settled on Soren. "And which department is the most secretive, and why?"
Soren paused, then said, "The Department of Mysteries, Professor. Because its work involves magic that even the Ministry doesn't fully understand."
A faint glimmer of approval crossed McGonagall's expression.
"Excellent, you have all listened well."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"Knowledge of magic does not end with spells and wands. Understanding the wizarding world, its systems, its laws, and its history, is just as important as mastering Transfiguration."
The group exchanged impressed looks.
It was now undeniable.
Professor McGonagall's brilliance extended far beyond the classroom.
With that, she turned and walked away between the towering shelves.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Then Merula scoffed.
"All right," she admitted reluctantly.
"The professor is brilliant at Transfiguration, and she knows a lot about the wizarding world."
She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "But she can't be good at everything. I want to see what else she can do."
"Merula," Soren said, in an irritated tone.
"Why do you always look for excuses? Fine, tell me. What exactly do you want to ask?"
Merula's eyes suddenly lit up.
"I've got it," she said, and before anyone could stop her, she spun around and ran off down the corridor.
"What just happened?" Jacqueline asked, blinking.
"I… I don't know," Penny replied, looking uneasy.
Cassie frowned. "Let's follow her, before she takes things too far and gets herself into serious trouble."
"Yeah," Soren agreed, already moving.
They hurried after Merula, their footsteps echoing through the halls. She led them out of the castle and toward the Training Grounds, slowing only when she thought she was out of sight.
They stopped behind a stone archway.
Penny suddenly inhaled sharply.
"What's going on?" Soren whispered.
Penny looked pale. "It's terrible, simply terrible," she said quietly. "Merula was trying to test Professor McGonagall's flying skills. She planned to pretend she was in danger."
Soren's eyes widened.
"But of course, the plan backfired. Now Merula's in real danger!"
They rushed forward and froze.
High above the Training Grounds, Merula was flying wildly on her broom, swerving sharply through the air. Two Bludgers were chasing her relentlessly, whizzing past her shoulders as she narrowly dodged one strike after another.
"That's insane," Cassie breathed. "Those Bludgers are out of control!"
"I'm going up," Soren said instantly.
Before anyone could stop him, he mounted his broom and kicked off the ground, shooting upward toward Merula.
"Merula, pull higher!" he shouted.
But she didn't hear him.
A Bludger slammed into her broom with a sickening crack. Merula screamed as she lost balance and was thrown from the broom, tumbling toward the ground.
Just before she could hit, a streak of green shot through the air.
Professor McGonagall appeared on her broom, moving faster than any of them had ever seen. She caught Merula effortlessly, securing her under one arm while guiding her broom into a controlled hover.
Soren exhaled sharply, but the danger wasn't over.
The Bludgers were still loose.
She'll never be able to land with those things chasing her, Soren realized. I'll have to redirect them.
He flew straight toward the Bludgers, drawing their attention. The moment they locked onto him, he swerved hard, leading them away from McGonagall.
"Penny, Cassie, now!" he shouted.
Soren dove toward the ground, the Bludgers roaring after him. At the last second, he shot straight upward.
Cassie swung her bat with perfect timing, striking one Bludger hard. Penny reacted instantly, slamming the enchanted box shut around it. Cassie knocked the second Bludger off course, and Penny sealed that one as well.
Silence fell over the Training Grounds.
Professor McGonagall landed smoothly, setting Merula down. Her expression was cold and furious.
"Well done, Mr. Whitlock," she said to Soren. "That could have been far worse for Miss Snyde."
Merula stood stiffly, shame flickering across her face.
Professor McGonagall turned sharply. "Why were Bludgers pursuing you in the first place?"
Cassie stepped forward. "Merula wanted to test your abilities, Professor. She… set up the situation herself."
Merula's head snapped toward her, eyes blazing. "You didn't have to say that!"
"Enough," McGonagall said sharply.
She rounded on Merula. "You are lucky I arrived when I did. Those Bludgers could have seriously injured or killed you."
Soren stepped forward. "Merula, you knew how dangerous that was."
"I was only trying to get one Bludger to chase me. The second one broke free by accident!"
Professor McGonagall's voice hardened.
"I appreciate your interest in my abilities, Miss Snyde, but this has gone far beyond curiosity."
Merula clenched her fists. "Now we'll never know how powerful you really are."
Soren shook his head. "We know more than you think, Merula."
He turned to the others. "Let's regroup in the Great Hall."
As they walked away, Merula followed in silence.
And one thing was now undeniable, they had witnessed Professor McGonagall's power where it mattered most.
---
The Great Hall slowly filled as students returned, the usual hum of conversation rising beneath the floating candles.
Penny spoke first, still sounding amazed. "Professor McGonagall used to play Quidditch. That's why she's so incredible at flying!"
Jacqueline nodded. "Merula won't admit it, but we all saw Professor McGonagall save her."
She glanced toward Merula. "It was really bad that she tried to trick the professor… and it completely backfired."
Merula scoffed, masking her embarrassment with irritation. "That's enough, Haywood. My plan worked precisely as intended."
Soren folded his arms. "You definitely put Professor McGonagall's skills to the test, but you also put your own life at risk."
Merula shot him an angry look. "Yes, and she would've thought it was an accident if you hadn't blabbed to her about it."
She crossed her arms again. "Sure, Professor McGonagall is powerful, but I'm still not convinced she's that powerful."
Soren shook his head. "I said from the start that the professor was extremely powerful, and I was proven right."
He stepped forward. "Let me convince you that Professor McGonagall truly deserves that Witch Weekly article."
He began listing her achievements, her mastery of Transfiguration, her work with the Ministry, her discipline, her judgment under pressure.
Cassie added proudly, "And she's an excellent chess player! She helped me win the Walter Aragon Wizard Chess Competition."
Soren nodded. "I already knew she played Quidditch during her Hogwarts years, from the Teacher Appreciation Celebration."
Merula finally threw her hands up. "All right, all right! I admit it, Professor McGonagall is incredibly powerful!"
She paused, then smirked. "It's just a shame all that talent is going to waste."
"What are you talking about?" Soren asked.
Merula's eyes gleamed. "She's using her power for good."
She straightened, voice full of arrogance. "When I'm that powerful, I'll make sure everyone knows it, and fears me."
She sniffed. "Until then, I'll settle for being the most powerful witch at Hogwarts… not counting professors."
Soren looked at her calmly, and fed up her ego, since he doesn't want to argue with her again, "You are powerful, Merula."
Merula smirked instantly. "See? Soren already knows how powerful I am, and fears me."
She raised her wand slightly. "Maybe I'll give a demonstration right here in the Great Hall for anyone who still doubts."
"No more tests required."
The voice cut through the room.
Everyone turned.
Professor McGonagall stood behind them, expression unreadable.
"I came to check on Miss Snyde after her accident," she said coolly, "but she appears to be fully recovered."
Merula stiffened.
"I suspected the Witch Weekly article might spark discussion, but I did not realize it would go quite this far."
She looked at the group thoughtfully. "Still, it seems to have motivated you all to become better-informed witches and wizards, even if it involved revealing certain… experiments."
Soren stepped forward. "Thank you, Professor."
McGonagall turned to him. "Mr Whitlock, thank you for your assistance at the Training Grounds."
She allowed the faintest smile. "I have a feeling you may be featured in a respected publication someday."
She handed Soren a magazine. "In the meantime, I'd like you to have my personal copy of Witch Weekly."
Soren's eyes widened. "Wow, you even autographed it!"
McGonagall inclined her head. "It also has a practical application."
She fixed the group with a knowing look. "Next time, instead of testing my abilities… you may simply read the article."
With that, she turned and walked away, her robes swishing softly behind her.
The Great Hall fell silent for a moment.
No one doubted it anymore.
Professor McGonagall's power spoke for itself.