Transfiguration ((NEWTs))

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione awoke with a start, sitting up so unexpectantly that she knocked Crookshanks off the end of the bed. He gave an undignified yowl, hissing up at his mistress as she blinked her heavy eyes into focus. Her mind was on alert, but her body was still reeling from fatigue. After all, five hours was hardly sufficient sleep, even for a workaholic like Hermione Granger. As usual, she had lain for several hours in bed, waiting desperately to drift off, yet afraid of the nightmares that would inevitably assault her. Yes, they had lessened over the last few months she had been at Hogwarts, despite her old school bringing back haunting memories of her childhood with Harry and Ron. Still, her nightmares of flashing green and echoing calls of horror continued to plague her sleep. Hermione had long ago adapted to her insomnia, however, and grimacing in determination, she threw back her bed covers, leaving Crookshanks to crawl grouchily back into its warmth and curl into comfortable, dreamless sleep for another two or three hours. For Hermione, it was the beginning of another work day.

Three hours later, after getting ready in her cottage in Hogsmeade and briefly popping into the Staff Lounge, Hermione was seated at her desk in her classroom, waiting for her class to begin. Students were milling around the castle, most eating their breakfast in the Great Hall. Hermione herself had had a small morsel to eat; as usual, she had little appetite, but she forced food down anyway. Shuffling through her lesson plans for her NEWT class, Hermione's attention was caught when the first student entered the room. She flashed a quick, small smile and a nod of greeting to the pupil. Soon, most of the Sixth and Seventh Years had filed in, and Hermione stood up to announce the start of the class. "Good morning, class. Turn your textbooks to page 327. Today we will make a start on human transfiguration. Human transfiguration is the next level of transfiguration after inanimate transfiguration and animate transfiguration. Whereas in the lower years you transfigured 'dead' objects in inanimate transfiguration and 'living' objects in animate transfiguration, human transfiguration involves living and breathing objects, for example, humans and other creatures like animals."

Hermione paused so the class could digest her fast-paced, quick-firing shots of information, but then continued briskly. "Sixth Years will be transfiguring inanimate objects into animals. Seventh Years will be doing the opposite. I trust Professor Thorne or Professor McGonagall attempted human transfiguration with you last year?" she addressed the eldest students.

Hermione gazed around at the individual faces expectantly. "Before we start the practical, who can tell me the dangers of human transfiguration?"


((As many students can answer this question providing they give a sensible answer! You have one week to post, so get posting in class and earn some house points!))

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Transfiguration. Oscar was like a little kid again. Like himself on his first day. Although then he had been jumping up and down on the Express, indifferent to the curious stares and glares from older students who had passed that excited stage and forgot how happy they once were at the slight mention of ‘magic’. Odd how quickly that state passed. How quickly the students became adjusted to Hogwarts. The castle never lost its magic (although perhaps that isn’t the best word to use…) but you became used to it quickly. It almost irritated Oscar to think like this and to think that he’d lost that wide-eyed eleven-year old expression of awe and wonder forever. At least he didn’t love the castle and its contents any less over the years, for which he was thankful for. He knew that some students couldn’t wait to get out and escape, a concept he himself found odd. Oscar didn’t like thinking about leaving – he had over a year left and was determined to make the most of it. And the subject he could make the most of was first that day. Transfiguration.

He arrived early and without Theo Darke – both amazingly novel things for him that term. He was normally late and normally with his boyfriend. But turning up first had appealed to him, and when it came down to it, putting the notion into action wasn’t really that hard. He just had to get out of bed when everyone else did. Oscar was definitely not a morning person. Unfortunately however, he was not to be the very first that morning. As he walked cheerfully towards the classroom he felt a presence to his side and turned, curious. A tall and clearly disgruntled Ravenclaw was striding behind him, long hair covering much of her face. Ooer… was Oscar’s first thought. What an angry-looking seventh year. She was rubbing her shoulder moodily. With anyone else, Oscar may have asked what was wrong and attempted to cheer the sad student up… but Ruth looked as if she would eat him should he do so much as wish her a good morning.

Instead of greeting Ruth in that manner, Oscar turned his ‘good morning!’ to Professor Granger, beaming happily at her small smile in response. It was going to be a good day. He chose his seat in one of the centre rows and shrugged off his shoulder bag casually. In his mind he played around with the image of his boyfriend and the surprised expression that might shoot on his beautiful face upon seeing Oscar early for once. He chuckled lightly as Theo himself walked through the door after a few minutes and, just as he had guessed, a flash of surprise was shown before happiness washed over it. The Gryffindor kicked the chair beside him casually and smirked when Theo fell gracefully into it. Before long, the two were joined by the rest of the class and turned to the page in their books as instructed. As Oscar turned the page he nudged his hand gently against Theo’s and left it lying there, his fingers absent-mindedly touching the back of the Ravenclaw’s palm. He listened with a grin to Professor Granger’s words, his eyes twinkling at the new challenge. When the question was asked, he paused before putting up a hand slowly.

“If the caster does not concentrate fully or something else is not in place within the spell, can the results be only half-and-half?” For a moment a hint of a smile twitched at the corners of his lips when the image of an angry half-ox, half-Ravenclaw-seventh-year-girl flashed in his mind. But he didn’t smile, recognising that what he was talking about could be dangerous, and not at all amusing. “So the spell doesn’t complete itself, leaving an unfinished outcome – a winged girl, or a boy with a beak… maybe?” His voice lifted an octave with the last word as his voice trailed off. He was confident in his answer and didn’t stop because of that- but because he was suddenly aware of a soft, playful pressure on his left hand. He smiled at his professor and nodded ever so slightly as if to finish.

[Julius Lionheart]

Julius had arrived at Transfiguration a little early. It was an odd thing for him, as he wasn't the usual punctual student. He had however noticed that Gryffindor was in dead last in the standings, something had to be done. Still outside the door, he pulled it open, and walked inside. He saw that Professor Granger was already there, but nobody else seemed to have beat him there. He walked to the back of the classroom and took his usual seat in the back.

When the rest of the class arrived, Julius heard Professor Granger ask a question. He was about to answer when his fellow Gyffindor, Oscar Flynn, beat him to the punch. He liked his answer, but he thought that he hadn't explained the entire problem in scale. After Oscar finished talking, Julius piped up, " Another problem would be the enviroment you're in when you transfigure. If you mess up, like Oscar says, and become half and half, then if you turn into half a fish, and have no bodies of water around, you can't possibly breathe." He paused for a breath, and continued, " You could also tranfigure to far and not be able to use your wand to rectify the mistake. On the whole I'd have to say becoming an animagus would be best, although I know it is extremely difficult." He finished his statement, and hoped it had been a good answer.

[Danelle Gregory H6]

She mustn't be late.

Danelle bit her lip as she flicked her wand, not bothering to see how the magic twisted her hair up into a bun, she had done it enough to know how it would turn out. Besides, she was too busy buttoning up her gray Hogwarts sweater (one handed) and hurrying up the stairs from the Hufflepuff common room, trying to make it to Transfiguration on time. Danelle wasn't the best of students. In fact, she was often late, and had troubles with doing her assignments in general, but the start of the second semester had meant a new promise to herself - something that said "I really do want to graduate!" And thus, Danelle had tried very hard the past couple of weeks to be on time and to do her homework to her best abilities. Perhaps she needed a tutor. Maybe E would be willing to help her out with that. She made a mental note to ask him.

She tucked her wand away and fixed her shoulder bag as she scrambled up the stairs to the floor with the Transfiguration classroom on it, which usually took forever but with how fast Danelle was going...well, she didn't really notice how long it took to go up all those flights of stairs. Her eyes widened and she smiled when she saw students still filing into Professor Granger's classroom, and she quickly followed them in - slipping into one of the closest seats in the back and finally taking a deep breath. Slowly, everything began to return to its normal pace - her heart, her breathing, her pulse, etc. Danelle tapped her finger at a steady rhythm on the table top as Professor Granger began starting the class.

Having trouble concentrating when she was trying to calm down, Danelle tried to focus on Granger talking about inanimate transfiguration, animate transfiguration, and then human transfiguration. It all went right over her head. Maybe Danelle had a learning disability. Then there was a question, and two answered, but because Danelle wasn't exactly paying attention to the question - she couldn't really answer. It probably wouldn't have been any good, anyway.

[Damara Hemingway S6]

“Thanks Mara.” Vincent said snatching the apple from Damara’s hand before she could take a bite. Damara eyed her younger brother sternly and then smiled the most brief, sincere smile she could muster. “Watch it kid. Remember what happened to Dustin .” She said raising an eyebrow. Vincent laughed. Damara always knew how to hold her own and while Vincent’s older sister did scare him from time to time, she was still his big sis. Vincent smiled widely. “What did you do to our big brother?” He asked curiously. Damara smiled a devious smile. “Let’s just say I didn’t like it much when he hid my Potions Book so I accidently slipped a love Potion in his drink. He still dreams about Cindy Harwood, mutters her name in his sleep.” Damara smiled the same smile again. Vincent laughed loudly. “Cindy Harwood, the Ravenclaw who believes that we are all vampires just waiting to be woken by our vampire king?” He asked laughing wildly. “Priceless Mara.” He grinned before dropping the apple back in his big sis’s hand. “Good boy. Saves me a trip to Hogsmeade.”

Damara walked her baby brother to class. She was feeling strangely nostalgic. In Damara’s first days of school, Dustin would walk her to class and Damara would protest and whine all the way. She hated her family always wanting to protect her. Mum was the worst. She made Damara take bodyguards everywhere besides school. And even then, Damara knew Luciana had some ways of keeping her children safe at Hogwarts. Damara shook her head as she stood outside the classroom. “Study, stay away from for the Merciano’s, and you have my personal permission to hex demon.” Vincent laughed knowing that she was talking about Angela Merciano. “I know. Bye Mar.” He said turning around and vanishing from her site. Damara’s calm mood was weird, but it would only last for so long as it always did.

Damara silently made her way into Transfigurations. The subject was actually one of her favorites. She liked a challenge and Transfigurations never failed to challenge her. She took a seat in the back as always. Students didn’t really talk to her. Damara didn’t have friends. Besides, of course rumors flew about the feuding Hemingway and Merciano families and other gang rumors were always around school. No one had any real proof but the darkness in Damara’s eyes scared everyone all the same. Damara only cared about her family, the Entourage, and herself. Damara took the seat next to Trent North and another future Entourage member. Trent greeted her warmly, he had always had a soft spot for the red-head. Damara merely nodded and turned her attention to the instructor. They were future gang members and they would be high up in the gang too, but Damara didn’t feel any real sense of loyalty to them. They would be good leaders in the gang but they brought no current personal gain to Damara. She didn’t need them now and she wouldn’t really respect them until she did. The Professor Granger explained that they would begin on human transfigurations. Damara nodded. Finally. She had only been waiting six years for this. Damara took out her textbook and turned to the page. The professor asked for some students to list the dangers of human transfigurations. Two Gryffindor students had fairly good answers so Damara didn’t feel the need to speak up. She merely eyed the professor and read a couple lines from the page and looked back to the front of the class.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Why was she always late to class? Cassandra didn't understand why she just couldn't get up when the alarm blared, throw on her clothes, smooth out her matted hair, and then go to class. No, it always had to be some ordeal. On a normal day, Cass let the alarm blare unyieldingly until all of her other dorm dwellers started throwing pillows at her. It usually only took Cass a few minutes to get the message to turn off the alarm. Then, she would normally flip on her other side, groan, and go back to sleep. That was normally how her morning began. It was only last year when Cass would wake up early, jog two laps around the castle, and have breakfast before any of the other students even thought about getting out of bed. Things had changed quickly in a year. She was sick of Hogwarts, sick of the memories, and sick of the people. She no longer relished every new day at the school. She no longer looked forward to her lessons.

It was almost shocking to her that she was now going to NEWTS Transfiguration led by Hermi-, oh wait, Professor Granger. Cass didn't harbor any ill feelings toward the girl, but it was hard to take instruction from someone who had been your classmate not three years ago. Hermione was competent to teach the class, but nobody would be as good as Professor McGonogall. The Gryffindor had become close to the new Headmistress during her Cass' extracurricular activities. McGonogall had an unhealthy quidditch obsession. It was nothing new for Cass and McGonogall to talk shop while the girl attempted to make switch into her animagus form. She would miss it. Luckily, Cass had achieved a full transformation at the end of last year. She wouldn't have to suffer through any lessons with Hermione.

Swooping into the Transfiguration classroom, Cass took her normal seat at the front of the class. She watched as Hermione took her position in front of the chalkboard waiting for the rest of the class to take their seats. Hermione began taking eager answers from all the other students. Should she answer? Was it fair? McGonogall had covered all of this stuff in her third year when she began taking her animagus lessons. Would it be wrong of her to be the know-it-all for us? She raised her hand and rattled off an answer as soon as Professor Granger acknowledged her. " When done wrong, a human transfiguration can be very painful." She winced at a very painful memory from last year. "Not only can you effect your skeletal structure, but you can cause damage to internal organs if not done correctly. It can also hinder the growth patterns in younger witches and wizards if done too early in life."

[Ariane Chan]

They stared at her as they walked past. Ariane stared blankly in return until they turned away in embarrassment, then disappeared from sight into the Hufflepuff Common Room. Ariane sighed, shook her head and checked her watch. She had been waiting for five minutes. Where was she? Eventually, after a few more Hufflepuffs had come and go, Aurora appeared, smiling apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Ari, I was talking to Kael about something and then forgot to get my textbooks..." As Aurora chattered on beside her, Ariane began to walk away and led her best friend with her. She was half listening to Aurora; her other half of her attention was focused on today's Transfiguration lesson. Ariane preferred Transfiguration to Charms, though she knew not why. She didn't find the latter harder; actually, she found Transfiguration more challenging, but she never struggled, and that was perhaps why she liked it more - it made her think more. For Aurora, though, it was Charms she preferred.

The two girls arrived at the classroom. Aurora shushed and Ariane smiled in mild amusement. Her best friend would never change and she didn't want her to. She didn't mind that she had waited for Aurora for about ten minutes... For one, it was no rare occurence; and secondly, Aurora was happy, talking to and about Kael... So it irked Ariane just a little; perhaps she felt rather neglected. Then again, she deserved it, in all fairness. Hadn't she been neglecting Aurora for the past few months? Ariane's guilt and desire to reach out to her best friend again had cemented their friendship once more. Now things were totally back to normal... and it was as if Tristan had never descended into her life... But Ariane could never forget him, however hard she tried.

Ariane and Aurora sat in their usual place - the second row from the front. Professor Granger began the lesson and outlined the tasks they would attempt today. Ariane listened carefully with interest. Human transfiguration was her favourite; she had only tried a little of it the year before, but it was more challenging, and Ariane liked a good challenge. As Oscar, Julius and Cassandra answered, Ariane was pleased to see that the Gryffindor students were making more of an effort. A glance at the house points told all - Gryffindor were still trailing dismally, with only ten points. Frankly, it was atrocious, and no matter how many notices Ariane put up in the Common Room, people paid no notice. It really was quite frustrating, so Ariane was pleased to see the older Gryffindors making an effort.

However, upon hearing Julius' and Cassandra's answers, Ariane raised her hand with a frown. Julius was talking about animagi and she was sure that was not what Professor Granger meant. That and she wanted to earn more points... though really, Ariane would've preferred to keep silent. "But that's only for animagi transfiguration. Human transfiguration isn't necessarily transfiguring one's physical body. It's a general term for transfiguring living objects like animals and other humans. Transfiguring humans is harder. Like... Oscar said," Ariane glanced briefly at the younger boy, "a lack of concentration could cause a transfiguration to go wrong, very much like when apparition goes wrong and you splinch your body into separate pieces." She gestured quickly at Cassandra. "Despite the dangers, though, most transfigurations that go wrong are reversible. However, it may leave permanent damage." Again, referencing Cassandra's answer.

[Aurora Chan]

Aurora laughed and swatted Kael playfully on the shoulder. "Shut up," she grinned, before a reminder from her friend caused her to jump in alarm and glance at her watch. "Oh damn, Ari said she'd be waiting for me outside... I'll see you later, Kael." Smiling as she gave a small wave with her hand, Aurora ran up to her dorm to get her books, then ran down again. She left the Common Room and found Ari leaning against the wall alone, looking indifferent as per usual. Aurora quickly apologised and the two of them started to move away, to their Transfiguration lesson. "Harmony wants me to pass on a message," Aurora talked animatedly beside Ari. "She says she'll be going to that Valentine's Blind Date Ball." She gave a small smile and looked towards her best friend for her reaction. "Don't worry," she quickly assured. "I'll keep an eye on her. At least she won't be with Rex, right?"

Rex Carter was still a sensitive topic with Ari, but Aurora was slowly but surely desensitising her to him. The more she mentioned him, the more she was beginning to get used to the inevitable and ummistakable fact that he and Harmony were friends. And he was good for her... Well. Not always, but he hadn't pushed her off a cliff yet, so Ari had no excuse to oppose their friendship. Aurora grinned. She and Ari had been getting along better recently, which in turn had bettered her own moods. Not that Aurora was ever in a particularly bad mood, though she did often feel down. Still, she had been upset more than usual lately. If it hadn't been for Kael and Lynne, and her playful antics with them, Aurora didn't know how she would've coped these last few months - not as happily and contentedly, that was certain.

The classroom was half full when they arrived. Aurora and Ari took their seats near the front. When the lesson began, Aurora flicked through her textbook to the correct page. She skimmed the introduction on human transfiguration with interest, then listened to the rest of the class answering Professor Granger's question. Aurora was not surprised when Ari spoke up - she was doing so more and more, most likely motivated by the lacking Gryffindor house points. Aurora felt no need to contribute a lot, because astonishingly - but wonderfully - Hufflepuff were in the lead! Aurora knew Ari was glad of that too; losing to Slytherin in the House Cup title really was distressing for her Gryffindor pride. Still, Aurora liked to participate as much as possible in class anyway; she had always been such a chatterbox. Yet, there was not much more for her to add in answer to Professor Granger's question, so Aurora decided to remain silent.

[India Nightingale]

India glanced suspiciously around her from her seat in the front. She was the first one to arrive - almost ten minutes early - but she had an ulterior motive to her supposed eagerness for her Transfiguration lesson. Being so early, she had taken a seat at the very front of the classroom - and this meant she didn't have to see anyone as they walked in. Cyrus, for one. Drake, another. India wasn't in the mood to hug Cyrus - not in front of teachers and students alike; and she didn't have the energy to face Drake right now. Frankly, she was in a bad mood. She hadn't slept much last night, for it had been filled with nightmares of burning houses and looming figures that reeked of Duke's cologne, and India had broke into cold sweat. At 1 a.m. she had started awake, and for the rest of the early morning she had lain in her bed, staring expressionlessly at the ceiling. All she had wanted was sleep; if only she knew a sleep-inducing spell, or owned a sleeping potion. Therefore, in light of her terrible, snappish mood, India really did not want to see the two men who wanted to make her life extremely difficult. India knew she would easily punch Cyrus in the stomach and bark at Drake to leave her the hell alone because he was a manipulate little...

Her angry thoughts trailed away by the beginning of the class and India listened boredly. She had read all about human transfiguration ahead of everyone else at the start of the year before, when her NEWT class had first begun, and India had no desire to participate. So she sat there, motionless, aware of several eyes on her back. It made her feel uncomfortable, but India tried to ignore it. Normally she liked to sit at the back of the classroom, but India was determined not to look at Cyrus or Drake if she did indeed have this class with them - for she couldn't remember, having never noted who she shared lesson with. She had learnt, alarmingly, that she had many of the same classes as Cyrus... A terrible coincidence, for India had had to hug the slimy older boy several times in the last week or two. It was beginning to sicken her. But at the same time, India was getting used to it... A horrible thought, but at least she didn't flinch visibly when she hugged him anymore. India wondered if Drake cared. Did he care? She wanted him to care, right? Her conscience growled angrily and India scowled before she could help it. Drake.

[Theo Darke]

Oscar was so enthusiastic. Theo shook his head knowingly with a smile. Could he even say Oscar preferred Transfiguration to him?

No. Never. Theo almost laughed out loud, but shushed himself with an amused chuckle and continued towards his Transfiguration class.

Theo knew he was Oscar's number one... Or at least he'd better be! Because, certainly, Oscar had become his...

Oh dear, Theo thought absently. He had become so mushy recently... and it was all Oscar's fault. Theo had to punish him later...

He groaned again. His thoughts were off again. Damned imagination. Not that Oscar would complain, but Theo wasn't so used to... to what? To these feelings, to this affection.

But he didn't mind. Not at all.

Theo entered the classroom and his eyes immediately fell on Oscar. A flash of surrpise jumped onto his face, but then it fell away into a grin. He knew Oscar by now - knew his love for Transfiguration. And anyway, just seeing him made Theo's face light up. It was that simple.

He made his way over and fell into the seat Oscar pulled up for him. He grunted a thank you and smiled, then pulled his books out. When Oscar's hand fell against his, Theo resisted the urge to lean into his boyfriend's body... but they were in class and they couldn't. Biting down his frustration, Theo listened to Professor Granger begin the class. He was unsurprised when Oscar piped up to answer and smiled to himself. Theo only had eyes for Oscar... Though he did keep an ear on the happenings in class. Mostly, though, Theo's eyes lingered on Oscar, until his boyfriend turned and caught his stare, and Theo forced himself to stop flushing in embarrassment and amusement. Instead, he smiled and gently moved his hand against Oscar's, completely unnoticeable.

[Hermione Granger]

Oscar Flynn spoke first. Hermione watched the Gryffindor boy carefully. He was usually quite vocal; she got the impression he liked transfiguration. The boy sitting next to him, Theo Darke, was also very adept at the tasks she set. Once Oscar had finished, Julius Lionheart picked up quickly after, and Hermione turned her attention on him. He was in his Seventh Year and was also usually willing to contribute in class. Then Cassandra was speaking, and Hermione found herself slightly amused. The Gryffindors were, after all, trailing by quite a few points against the other houses, so she was glad to see them begin to make an effort. Really. If she were in their position she would've been working her socks off to earn more house points in classes. Finally they were living up to their Gryffindor name. Then again, Hermione mused to herself, she had lost quite a few points too for her house back in her school days. Professor Snape still hadn't warmed to her. Perhaps he never would.

Hermione listened to them all intently. To round off the eager Gryffindors, Ariane Chan also spoke up. Hermione observed the Chinese girl with neutral eyes, but she was glad of her being vocal. Of the four, she was normally the quietest, always kept to herself. Aurora, the girl sitting next to her who happened to have the same surname as her, was the more talkative student. Today, their roles had been reversed. Finally, once Ariane had finished, Hermione gave an agreeing nod. "Five points apiece for your correct answers. Twenty points to Gryffindor," she said with a ghost of a smile.

((SIXTH YEARS))

Without further ado, Hermione moved onto the main activity of today's class. She was conscious of the time constraints and wanted to finish the transfiguration activities before the bell rang. "Today you will attempt your most challenging transfiguration yet," Hermione warned grimly. "Firstly, Sixth Years." She turned to directly address the younger students. "You will be learning how to transfigure a wand into an animal." She assessed their responses with slight amusement. "It's difficult. I've warned you. But with perserverence and practice you will find it easier." Hermione used her wand to distribute several more wands to each Sixth Year student. "I will demonstrate the transfiguration first. Then you can try it for yourself. The spell to use is 'Bestium'. Repeat after me." Hermione watched the Sixth Years chant the word back to her, then wrote it clearly on the board. "Because this is your first attempt at human transfiguration, we'll start with a simple animal," she explained as she turned to another wand lying on her desk. "Bestium," she said loudly, flicking her wand and causing the other stick of wood to increase and change in size. Eventually a small brown mouse sat, quivering on the table.

If only Crookshanks were here now. And that traitor, Scabbers. Or rather, Wormtail.

Dismissing such thoughts, Hermione looked at her class again. "A mouse," she declared. "To transfigure the wand, you need to hold the image and thought of a mouse in your head. You must concentrate, or it will fail. We have already mentioned the dangers of human transfiguration gone wrong." Hermione turned back to her frightened, perfect mouse again and looked upon it sympathetically. "Once you have successfully transfigured your mouse, you will attempt to change its colour..." She flicked her wand again; the colour spell was one that they had learnt in their Fourth or Fifth years, so she need not repeat it. The mouse began to alter from a jet black to a maroon red - then a shocking bright pink. Many of the students began to laugh and Hermione allowed herself to smile at their amusement. "Your turn," she told them as she turned the poor mouse back into a wand. "If you have any problems you can ask me after I have explained to the Seventh Years what they'll be doing... And... don't lose the mice."

((SEVENTH YEARS))

With that, Hermione turned to the oldest students in the school. "You will be attempting to transfigure an insect into any edible substance similar to bread," she explained with a challenging glint in her eye. "It is the most useful transfiguration. It'll keep you alive during times when... you don't have anything to eat," she then pointed out. Her wand revealed a transparent glass box of crawling insects. Hermione fought to keep her face straight; she had never liked creepy crawlies her. Warily, she distributed an insect to each student in a box. Hopefully the girls weren't too squeamish. "The spell to use is ‘Crustumus’," she informed them, writing the word beside 'Bestium' and asking the class to again repeat after her. "Watch carefully." Concentrating on her own insect, Hermione slowly but perfectly transfigured the small insect into a large loaf of bread.

She looked up triumphantly at the Seventh Years. "It is the most difficult transfiguration for a NEWT student. You can't just transfigure your insect into an object that merely looks like food. It has to taste like food too." Hermione opened the cage that once held the insect and extracted the loaf of bread. She pulled a piece off and held it up as evidence. "Once you have completed the basic form of the transfiguration successfully, you will have to change the texture, size and colour." Hermione waited to hear the groans about how much she was giving them to do... But it no less than what she had done in her NEWT year. "Remember, keep the image of bread in your mind..." Hermione binned the bread. "Okay, so... let's begin."


((Students, you have two weeks to post. Points will be awarded according to how well you complete the tasks. Good luck!))

[Ariane Chan]

Ariane watched Professor Granger transfigure the wand into a small brown mouse with expressionless eyes. She had done that last year and her first few attempts had been poor, to say the least. Having to move up from animate transfiguration - using plants and the like - had been a big leap, for human transfiguration was very different. It had taken Ariane a while to create a perfectly normal and undeformed mouse. She had been one of the faster learners, though. After Professor Granger had finished with the Sixth Years, she addressed the Seventh Years, and Ariane listened with interest. Transfiguring an insect into food? Ariane had heard older students discussing this before. Despite the fact that animals were difficult to make since they were living, food was equally hard because of the taste and so on. Ariane was not deterred. She was determined to get this spell right. Professor Granger made it look too easy, but one day, with practice, Ariane knew she would be just as fluent as that... She had the patience and perserverence to stick it out, as her teacher had said.

After Professor Granger's instructions, Ariane looked upon her insect with her usual indifferent expression. She neither liked nor disliked insects, but she could see Aurora blinking a little distastefully. Without waiting for her best friend, Ariane began. She spoke the incantation - 'Crustumus' - at her insect, and watched as it enlarged and bloated. Its colour remained a darkish brown, though, and Ariane frowned. It had not the form of a loaf of bread; it looked caught between the square shape and an insect's many legs. Gnashing the back of her teeth together at the sight, Ariane jerked her wand again and repeated the spell. This time the legs shrunk away, but the colour of the 'bread' was still dark. At least it had stopped wriggling. Barely feeling sympathetic for the insect, Ariane scrutinised her creation carefully. Maybe it was the way she was flicking her wand? She thought back to Professor Granger's demonstration and tried to envisage her hand movements. Again, Ariane tried it, this time speaking clearer.

It took another three attempts and a short consultation of her textbook for Ariane to transfigure her insect fully into a large loaf of bread - plus remembering she actually had to think about bread. She took it gingerly out of the transparent box to feel it between her fingers; yes, it felt like bread. But did it taste like bread? Ariane didn't want to find out or try to find out. Instead, she put it on the table and boredly began to change its colour and shape. She enlarged it to twice its size, then made it into brown bread - a realistic choice. Then it was texture. Ariane's brow fell as she concentrated on pulling the bread in half and observing the doughy insides. Muttering the spell under her breath, she began to alter it from coarse to soft to very hard. Her finger prodded it throughout to ensure she had changed it properly. She refused to eat it. She believed in her skill for Transfiguration, but she would stick with real bread that wasn't tarnsfigured from insects until she was starving and alone.

[Julius Lionheart]

Julius nodded his head along as Cassandra too answered the question. However, when Ariane answered, he smiled and stuck his tongue out playfully at her. Sure she wasn't the playful type, but he was, and she knew it, so he hoped she knew he was playing around. He heard the Professor talk, and barely contained his mirth at the recieving of the points. Sure Gryffindor was still behind by quite a few points, but twenty was a big boost. Smiling, he listened intently as she went on, explaining todays class objectives. The sixth years were to turn wands into mice, something that admittedly had had trouble with last year, having blown up the first wand that he had gotten, not knowing how it had happened. Shaking from silent laughter at himself, he watched as the Prof turned the wand into a mouse, and grinned at the looks of uncertainty on some of the sixth years faces. Now, the seventh years lesson sounded interesting; turning an insect into food, what could go wrong with that?

Julius looked down at the insect on his desk, an overly large grub that was the size of his fist. Really what the hell had this thing eaten? He smiled though, for if he thought that the thing looked disgusting, he could only imagine what the girls in class would be thinking. Taking his wand out of his pocket, he began to twirl it in his fingers, wondering whether or not he could possibly make it look like bread and taste like chicken. It was what everyone said when they ate a bug, it tasted like chicken, but they were dead wrong, or had eaten some horribly mutated chicken. Focusing on the image of bread, and the taste of chicken, he pointed his wand at the grub, he flicked his wand, and using the nonverbal spellwork he was so good at in place of words, thought 'crustamus'. The grub seemed however not to react, but it did a flip, that couldn't be right. Thinking it over, he realized he had used the wrong word. Rolling his eyes at himself, he decided to try again.

With a point and then a flick of his wand, and the word 'crustumus'. He watched as the grub grew larger, and began to resemble a loaf of bread, yet it wasn't exactly the right look, for it was still wriggling. Hanging his head in fake dispair, he grinned, and got set to try it again. Doing the incantation once again, he managed to turn it wholly into a loaf of bread, but the taste was what he trully wondered about. He would taste it after he was done with the other stuff. Remembering the smell for changing the color of something, he pointed his wand and thought the word, changing the bug bread from off white to a very sunny yellow, then he turned it deep blood red, and left it like that. Moving onto changing it's size, he thought, 'engorgio' and made the loaf grow to four times it's normal size, maybe he could use the left overs and get someone to taste it. He smiled at the thought.

Next he would have to change the texture of the bug bread, and cast around his mind for the right word to use. It took a few minutes, for it had been a while since he had used that spell. Finding it in one of the farthest corners of his mind, he pointed his wand once again at the huge loaf, and made it turn hard as stone, then as soft as just made bread would be. Now though, it was the moment he had both anticipated and dreaded the most. Carefully pulling off a piece of the bread, he took a bite out of it. Much to his delight, it tasted like chicken, how had he actually managed that? He didn't know, but he had. Smiling, he hummed a song from the only Disney movie he had ever seen, singing the lyrics in his head....'hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase....' His work was done, he wondered how the others had fared.

[Damara Hemingway S6]

Damara eyed Professor Granger as she explained the sixth’s years task for the day. Damara played close attention to the instructions. She hated to fail at anything and would get it right the first time no matter how hard she had to work at it. The sixths years would be transforming a wand into an animal. Damara glanced at the wand placed in front of her. It was an inch or so shorter than her wand and it was a lot lighter in color. A mouse? Well that couldn’t be too difficult. It wasn’t like they were being ask to transform a wand into an elephant. Damara could do this easily. She had no doubts. Damara always worked hard in her classes to avoid ever being thought of as weak. She liked to prove her strength. This made the accuser look like an idiot when the truth was revealed. Plus being underestimated only made Damara more sure and confident of herself. Damara could handle this task at hand just as she did waith her Entourage work. Damara never slacked nor do any less than her best. She wouldn’t let another Entourage member look more talented than herself. She had to prove herself from the beginning to one day gain leadership of her beloved gang.

The professor finished her instructions and Damara got straight to work. Beside Damara, Trent started on his assignment of course eying the red-head every now and then much to Damara’s dismay. She simply ignored him for the time being. The only thing Damara truly found annoying about Trent was the fact that her family would love for her to wed him. Luciana had never talked of an arranged marriage for Justin. But it had been mentioned as the best thing for Damara a couple of times. Still, Luciana made it clear that Damara wouldn’t be forced into anything. Vincent was the only one of family really wanted an arranged marriage for. The whole family loved Brinkley North. She would make a terrific new addition to the family and she could defiantly be trusted. But if Brinkley and Vincent worked out on their own, then a marriage wouldn’t be force on them of course. Damara would like Trent a lot more if the obligation to marry him wasn’t there. But it was so Damara tolerate him and nothing more.

Damara straightened herself in her chair. She pointed her wand directly at the one on the table. “Bestium.” Damara commanded smoothly. She had practiced the word a few times before performing the spell. The first time, the wand on shook back and forth much to Damara’s dismay. She shook her head. “Oh no you don’t.” She said pointing her wand directly at it with a look of vigor on her face. “Bestium.” She repeated this time was more force in her voice than before and thought of nothing but a little grey mouse. The wand shook and instantly changed form. Now instead of a wand, that same little grey mouse she had pictured peered up at her. Damara nodded. One part of the assignment was completely. Now for the easy part. Damara then pointed her wand directly at the little mouse again and spoke the color charm. Instantly the little mouse’s eyes widened as he changed from blue to black to green and with a flick of Damara’s wand landed on aquamarine. Damara smiled little. Then the little menace began walking about the desk. As he was just about to go over the edge, Damara shook her head. “Impedimenta.” She said soundly. The mouse slowed at first and the stopped moving. “Accio.” She said summoning the frozen, motionless mouse back to her before sitting it straight in front of her. The mouse twitched a bit but couldn’t really move. “Good mouse.” Damara muttered as Trent snickered beside her. Damara turned and glared at him. He quickly ceased his laughing and looked away. Damara smirked and then turned back to the frozen, ocean-colored mouse.

[India Nightingale]

India had never attempted human transfiguration or witnessed it in person, despite having read widely on it the year before. She was mildly interested and took in the professor's instructions with her head staring in front of her. She was adamant she would not look back. Ever.

India mouthed the word 'Bestium', then watched the tiny creature that was the mouse the professor had transfigured sitting innocently on the table. Since she sat at the very front, India had a good view of the creature. She could see how frightened it was and felt a sudden desire to protect it. It was vulnerable, weak... used. Resentment and anger clouded India's thoughts before she brushed them away with a firm hand. No. Not now. Not in her Transfiguration lesson. It was taking all her strength to keep thoughts of her past - of her mother and Skye and her father and Duke - out of her mind, along with those confused ones for Drake and scornful ones for Cyrus.

India watched the wand land on her table before her. The professor's instructions were clear and she felt ready to tackle the task. India did not find the colour change of the mouse as amusing as her classmates; she thought the brown suited the mouse just fine and pink was frankly a hideous and uncomplimentary colour.

Pointing her wand at the innocent-looking stick of wood on her desk, India spoke the word 'Bestium' with clear diction and an exaggerated flick of her wrist. The wand began to change shape before her eyes, twisting into a rounder form. It was beginning to look like a mouse - sprouting small, pert ears and a twitching black nose. They were good signs that her transfiguration had succeeded, as India took a quick look to her left and right and saw many students' first attempts, though resembled a mouse in form, did not look alive at all. India's transfiguration was not complete, though - it took her two more attempts with better sweeps of her arm for her transfiguration to be perfect. She assumed it was perfect, at least. Her mouse had four tucked legs, claws small but sharp; it also had two beady black eyes, a few whiskers and large front teeth. India eyed it indifferently. Again, she felt a pang of sympathy for the creature as it sat there, alert on her desk. Unlike the professor's, this mouse was much bolder. India had to use a spell to freeze it as it tried to scuttle off the table.

Now it was time to change the colour of the mouse; this was the easy part. Almost boredly, India held out her wand again and turned her motionless mouse a forest green, then a teal blue, and finally a dark grey. It was, at least a dignified, suitable colour for a mouse. In fact... India flicked her wand once more and its fur turned black. That was perfect.

[Theo Darke]

Oscar was a distraction, but Theo wouldn't let his boyfriend hinder his work in class. His attention was focused solely on Professor Granger as she began to explain today's activity. Theo's ears perked up at the mention of transfiguring an object into an animal. He had never tried it before. He caught Oscar's eyes and grinned challengingly. Bring it on. He knew his boyfriend's skill for Transfiguration so Theo had no doubt he would probably master this spell faster than himself, but Theo would do his best nonetheless.

Theo picked up the wand the professor placed before him and looked at it. It was beech, a light colour and rather worn. He was glad he wasn't going to be transfiguring an expensive piece of wood with a rare magical source inside it. It would be a waste of a wand, and although Theo had no doubt Professor Granger could reverse his attempts back into its original wand shape, he did not like the thought of attempting to ruin it in the first place. He had faith in his transfiguration skills but he was no genius, and Transfiguration was not his favourite subject. For Oscar it was, but for Theo it was Charms and Herbology.

After taking in Professor Granger's instructions, Theo turned his wand on the other wand. He formed an image of a mouse in his mind - small and brown - and murmured, "Bestium." Immediately the wand began to change shape, growing fatter and morphing into the shape of a mouse. The colour remained the same but limbs were beginning to form. It was not complete, though. Theo glanced over briefly at Oscar to gauge his progress, before continuing with his own task. He repeated the spell but nothing happened. Theo frowned. He watched Oscar's movements and decided he wasn't flicking his wrist properly. After a few more tries, the wand eventually became a proper mouse, twitching nervously on his table. Theo smiled triumphantly and scooped the tiny creature up in his hands. "Hello little buddy," he murmured gently, brushing down its brown fur.

Theo then remembered he had to change the colour of the mouse. Holding it firmly but carefully in his left hand, Theo pointed his wand at it and murmured the colour spell. He didn't want to alarm the creature too much so he chose one colour and stuck with it. He only needed to demonstrate his ability to change its colour once. So he chose blue, the colour of the sky, and chuckled to himself as he looked upon the pale-coloured mouse. It was a right sight to see. Theo nudged Oscar and showed him the mouse nuzzling in his palm. "He's a cute thing," Theo said quietly, a small smile on his face.

[Aurora Chan]

Hermione Granger really was an enigma, Aurora thought to herself as she watched her professor explain to the Sixth Years their task of today. She was intellectually a genius, they said, completely composed and always prepared. She didn't seem to put a foot wrong, and no doubt many of the younger students were in awe of and admired her. However, Aurora had known Hermione long before she had become the Transfiguration professor. They had attended Hogwarts together, after all, for Hermione was only two years older than Aurora. From what little she remembered of Hermione, she looked the same, except older, sadder. She smiled less often. She wasn't surrounded by her friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley anymore. Harry Potter was dead. Ron Weasley - who knows? Aurora sympathised with Hermione. She was so young, barely older than herself and Ari. What she had witnessed in her short life was no worse than Ari's own suffering. There was so much grief in this world... It was frightening.

The biggest change Aurora had noticed about Hermione, though, was that she did not exude the same confident air she once had. True, she was always composed, but never quite confident in the same way she had been in her youth. Aurora remembered her as coming across as rather haughty to some of her older classmates who shared lessons with her. At the time, Aurora recalled feeling for Hermione and finding the rumours about her unfair. They didn't know this girl - how could they judge her? Who were they to talk about her as if they knew her? Aurora certainly didn't, and wouldn't.

What Aurora was sure of was that Hermione was a strong individual. She didn't know her, she wouldn't make an image of her in her mind from the things she had heard about her, but anyone who had had so much taken away, had been battered so severely, and could still stand up in front of students in her old school and teach had to be a strong person. And Aurora was glad she was. Maybe she was rebuilding her life, like Ari was now. Aurora glanced at her best friend and smiled a little. She hoped Ari was happy... She hoped she would always be happy.

'Crustumus' looked difficult but Aurora was determined to try, at least. Transfiguration was one of her favourite subjects, second only to Charms. She and Ari were both equally good at it - the only one where Aurora evenly matched her best friend. Aurora was probably better at Charms, but for everything else, Ari probably beat her at. Then again, her best friend was some sort of genius... very much like Hermione Granger. Aurora cocked her head to one side as she watched the professor transfigure the insect into a loaf of bread. Impressive. But not impossible. Aurora received her insect half eagerly, half reluctantly. She didn't like insects; she especially hated spiders. Staring at the bug and grimacing, Aurora glanced over to Ari, who had begun to transfigure it. Sighing, she also pointed her wand at the insect and said the spell.

The first attempt, as expected, was not successful, but it wasn't bad either. After a few adjustments, Aurora had transfigured the insect into a square shape that certainly looked like bread. She took it out of the cage carefully, making sure it was no longer an insect, and set it on the table. A part of Aurora didn't want to tear it apart because it was as though she was ripping the insect. So she pinched the corner of the loaf and it felt like bread enough. Shrugging to herself, Aurora began to play with the colour and size, then realised she would have to 'hurt' the bread if she were to tell if she had changed the texture. Sighing, Aurora sliced off a piece of the loaf and made the dough softer, until it felt fresh and light. It was probably edible, but seeing the look of Ari's face beside her, Aurora didn't quite want to risk it either.

[Oscar Flynn G7]

Oscar listened, for the first time a little detached, as Julius, Cassie and Ariane added their words to his. He did grin as Professor Granger issued the house points. Although the smile that followed the tutor’s words was vague Oscar knew that she was pleased with the strong Gryffindor response – no doubt she had been disappointed to see the house points for Hufflepuff and Slytherin climb, while Gryffindor’s stayed low. Perhaps this lesson would serve as the perfect time to change those standings. As Professor Granger continued with the lesson Oscar listened with a hand still touching Theo’s, taking in her words carefully. The word challenge instantly widened Oscar’s grin and he couldn’t help but be glad that his tutor wasn’t giving them the average monotone tasks. It really did sound like a big step but Oscar accepted the subject wand she gave him with a determined expression. He didn’t pay any attention to her words directed to the seventh years; his time for that topic would come. For now he just wanted to ace this one.

Returning the competitive playful smile that Theo sent him, Oscar paused just for one moment as he watched his boyfriend prepare. He realised that they were turning the wands into… into mice. “Umm… Theo?” The syllables fell softly from his mouth but he was too quiet, the murmurs not enough to be heard over the noise of the classroom. ‘Oh, Merlin…’ With a mental shake Oscar turned his eyes to the wand once more and shifted a little away from Theo, determined to take this on properly. Mouse. Mouse. Mouse. They were weird. Twitchy and dirty, with sharp little fangs hidden beneath that ‘cute’ exterior…

With a sigh Oscar picked up his own beloved wand and gave a gentle flourish – before freezing mid-flick. The thought of turning a wand, something he adored, into one of those awful twitching rodents, was just too much. He would not do it. And so it was not a mouse that he thought of when he finally spoke the incantation in a clear tone. And when the wand began to squirm and shift, bulging in random places and spouting tiny claws, it was not into a mouse-form. When the spell was complete Oscar picked up his transformed ‘wand’ with a satisfied smile. In his arms now sat a tiny white dwarf hamster. Oscar grinned at it happily before considering the next task. The fair white fur on his hamster was cute, but Oscar wanted it gone. “Niger!” He spoke aloud and a fine black crept from the white roots, reaching the tips and resulting in an entirely black little furball in Oscar’s hands.

It was here, finally finished, that Oscar noticed Theo had completed the task successfully too and was… cuddling the rat-like thing he had produced. “Oh, god…” Oscar stared, disgusted, at the thing. He clutched his adorable hamster closer to him and edged his seat further from his boyfriend. “How is that cute, Theo?!” His voice peaked at the ends as his wide eyes kept a careful eye on that eerie twitching nose. Attempting calm, Oscar shoved Theo’s hands away from him – careful not to touch the thing he held – and returned to his own transfigured ball of fur. Gently stroking it’s soft black ears, he sulkily ignored Theo in his embarrassment, all the while making sure his boyfriend didn’t put the rat-thing anywhere near him.

[Ruby Lehane]

Ruby Lehane sat at attention in her seat, taking notes. Transfiguration was one of her more enjoyable classes, even though the teacher was hardly tolerable. However, that was not something that Ruby made reference to. As far as others were concerned Ruby didn’t have a problem with ‘mudbloods’, though in all reality that was far from true. However, right then in that class that thought seemed to be one of the further ones in the back of her mind. No, Ruby was far more concerned with the assignment at hand. She was a good student, a very good student, who took as many classes as she could. Like her brother their love of knowledge stemmed from a deeper reasoning, one that Ruby couldn’t help but smile softly about whenever she had a moment to think about the future.

Blue orbs slid up from the wand lying in front of her to the professor as she transfigured it into a small mouse, almost cruel if you thought about it. Giving life to something that was inanimate to only kill it moments later when you returned it back to its original object. What kind of statement was that? Ruby smirked lazily at the thought as she quirked a brow at the mouse. There was only so much one living creature could take…could the shock of life really destroy the original aura of the object? It was something that deserved being looked into and for a moment Ruby wondered if this spell would come in handy in the future. Would they really need something like this? Would transforming wands into mice be necessary? She half laughed at the thought in her mind before the professor turned her attention to the 7th years in the class.

Ruby quirked a brow over at her brother who seemed to be already going at it…transforming away. Her brother was good at Transfiguration, but it wasn’t his best subject. On the other hand Ruby excelled in this class and sure enough she turned her attention away from her brother, blue orbs returning to the wand in front of her. The image of the small delicate mouse was almost too easy to draw in her mind. It was small enough to fit in her hand, with beady red eyes, white fur, and a thin long tall. The tiny paws of the animal were perfectly proportionate in her mind and she smiled at the cheery image. Digits slowly wrapped around the 8 inch almond oak wand, her fingers twirling it for just a moment as she solidified the image in her mind. “Bestium,” Ruby said, she flicked her wand at the other and watched with amusement as the tiny white mouse she had envisioned sprang to life from the wand. The shock of suddenly bursting to life didn’t seem to distress the poor creature and Ruby wanted to show some humanity as she slipped her finger out and ran it down across the small mouse’s back. At least it deserved some kindly nature before it was returned to a piece of wood. “What colour would you like to be?” she asked in a soft voice…much the type of voice she used when addressing her cat. Flicking her wand again with a bemused smile the small mouse changed to an ocean blue. “Perfect.” Ruby was thoroughly impressed with herself. It was a complicated spell, but she had pulled it off without a hitch. Of course Transfiguration was her best class and she’d been practicing this spell since she first read about it sometime back in her 4th year, but at that time it had been far too advanced for even her and it had resulted poorly, now however it was a different story. She glanced over at her brother as she petted the small mouse once again keeping it content to sit there and not run away.

[Wynd Lehane]

Tap tap tap tap tap... Wynd listened to his nervous tick of tapping his fingers against his desk. He sat in mostly silence at the first part of the class but as time waned on his got more and more antsy. Ever since Professor Granger had taken over the Transfiguration class he had found himself not wanting to participate in class. He would do the class activities and the homework but he would not earn 'extra credit.' Wynd often wondered if Professor Granger thought of Harry Potter anymore. They were the best of friends. Everyone knew that. Now he was gone. And Neville Longbottom was the hero that saved the wizard community. What had happened to the world? An almost squib taking on one of the most powerful wizards and winning? Unbelievable.

He vaguely listened to the other students shout out their answers to her questions. Everyone seemed to love Miss Granger. She had barely graduated. What would she know of the world or how to teach it? Everyone knew that she was the perfect student and that all the professors loved her but did that really give her the knowledge or the experience to teach class? Tap tap tap tap. Hopefully if the Headmistress saw potential in her, there was some.

Finally the wands were passed out and the students were able to work on their own. Wynd was adept at Transfiguration but he did not hold a candle to his sister. She was better at this subject. But to be fair, he was better at some things too. But their thirst for knowledge made them excellent pupils. They had recently turned seventeen and so they got a lot of practice outside of class. He was not worried about this particular spell. "Bestium," he told the wand in front of him. It changed slowly at first but then gained momentum into a black little mouse. Letting the new life climb into his hand, he looked over at his sister and saw that she had made a perfect white mouse. Neither one had talked about it but without realising it, they both had made mice that were exact opposite in colour but needed each other to balance. The ying and yang of life. With the delicate life in his hand, Wynd pointed his wand at it and changed the colour of its fur first to red then to emerald green. He smiled down at the creature then at his sister.