"Mr. Scamander," Professor McGonagall paused, finally speaking, "Are you telling me you completed every exercise in this book in a single week?"
Resting on her desk was a copy of The Extension of Form: Advanced Applications of Switching Spells, a book that could be purchased outside the school.
There was no doubt Rock had bought his own copy, but the notes and key points scribbled in the margins proved to Professor McGonagall that he had indeed done the work.
Rock had read the entire book cover to cover, and just moments ago, he had demonstrated each exercise for her.
"Yes, Professor."
Rock scratched his head. "I practiced during my free time. I also asked Penelope for help when I got stuck on a few things."
McGonagall pursed her lips, reaching out to pick up a button from the desk.
This was the final exercise: The Triple Transformation. It required transforming an object three times in succession. Each transformation had to be complete and perfect, and the magical connection had to remain continuous to ensure it could be precisely reversed back to its original form.
"No loss of material or structural integrity."
McGonagall examined the button, her head bowed in thought as the seconds ticked by.
She had watched Rock's casting process closely. It was clear he had genuinely absorbed the material and executed the spell with skill, not luck.
She set the button down. with a wave of her hand, a quill and parchment flew over.
"Mr. Scamander, this is the book list you will need moving forward."
The parchment floated gently into Rock's hands. It was densely packed with titles, but the most eye-catching one was Intermediate Transfiguration Theory.
"From now on, every thought you have regarding Transfiguration—whether a success or a failure—must be recorded. Don't just write down the incantation and the result. Record the casting process, the resistance you encounter, the feeling of the magical flow..."
"And your analysis of why you failed or what the key to your success was. Hand it in every Monday. I will annotate it."
McGonagall looked Rock in the eye, making sure he understood her requirements clearly.
Rock straightened up, a smile spreading across his face. "Yes, Professor."
---
Walking out of the library, Rock looked down at the copy of Intermediate Transfiguration Theory in his hands. He had just returned all the other books he'd borrowed.
Suddenly, Fred and George appeared behind him. Flanking him on both sides, they steered him toward a quiet corner. Fred leaned in close, staring right at Rock. "If it isn't our very own Mr. Scamander?"
"We heard that besides patrolling the Forbidden Forest, you even had detention with Snape last night?" George lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"Gentlemen," Rock rubbed his temples, looking between the twins. "Just spit it out."
"Was the Forbidden Forest fun?" Fred's eyes were practically glowing.
"Did Snape try to poison you? You did take down a Slytherin, after all," George raised an eyebrow.
"Poison... that's a bit of a stretch," Rock said.
"Hey! You don't know how Snape treats us Gryffindors!" George protested.
"Exactly!" Fred nodded in agreement. "Zero moral compass."
"Maybe... that's just reserved for Gryffindors?" Rock grinned at them.
"This conversation... is officially dead, thanks to you," Fred's eyes widened as he vigorously ruffled Rock's hair. "Come on, Mr. Investor. You've never been to our workshop."
"I suspect you've been brainwashed by Snape's potions," George said with a grave expression.
Rock rolled his eyes. "If by 'brainwashed' you mean subjected to Professor Snape's venomous tongue, then yes. Last night I definitely contemplated setting his storeroom on fire."
"Beautiful!" The twins chorused.
"Ravenclaw really doesn't suit you. You belong in Gryffindor!" Fred looked genuinely regretful.
"Thanks, but I prefer Ravenclaw." Rock walked alongside them, rejecting the transfer offer. "So, what's up? I don't have much time lately."
"Don't worry, it won't take long," they said in unison, practically dragging Rock toward their destination.
Fred and George led Rock to a massive oil painting. Fred checked behind them to ensure the coast was clear, then reached up to the frame. On the top left corner, he found the third decorative flower carving and rotated it clockwise three times.
The entire painting slid aside like a door, revealing a narrow passage in the stone wall behind it—just wide enough for one person.
"Another secret chamber?" Rock was dumbfounded.
"Pretty hidden, right? Took George and me ages to find it," Fred turned sideways, gesturing for Rock to enter.
"Definitely hidden. But doesn't this location feel a bit weird?"
Rock pulled out his wand and incanted clearly, "Lumos Explorator!"
A swarm of golden specks, like fireflies, erupted from the tip of his wand, dancing lightly into the tunnel. Once inside, the specks dispersed evenly, clinging to the walls, cracks, and ceiling, illuminating the entire space.
"Cool!" The twins exclaimed.
Seeing that the spell had banished every shadow and blind spot, Rock finally lowered his wand and ducked inside.
After climbing a short ladder, Rock got a good look at the layout.
The ceiling was very low. The twins had to hunch their necks to fit, though Rock, being shorter, could stand upright and walk around comfortably.
"Is this... a crawlspace?" Rock asked, looking at Fred and George.
"Smart lad. Now, guess whose office is directly below our feet?" Fred grinned mischievously. "You'll never guess."
Rock retraced their path in his mind, comparing it to his mental map of the castle.
"Filch's office!" Rock couldn't believe it.
Based on the route the twins had taken him, combined with his experience from late-night wanderings, this spot had to be directly above Filch's office.
Fred and George exchanged a look. "Testing a Ravenclaw is just asking to be humiliated."
"Come on, even I can barely believe it." Rock ignored the teasing and started examining the crawlspace. "The most dangerous place is the safest place."
The space wasn't very large and was covered in dust. Rock even spotted a few ancient rat skeletons in the corners.
The only clean spot was where they were standing, which was covered by an old rug.
"Scourgify!"
The dust vanished instantly. Rock felt his nose clear up a bit, though the air still carried a stale, musty smell.