Harry Potter and the Obscurus

Chapter 124 Transformation

During Charms class, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy sat alone at the last table the professor was at against the wall.

Today, the fourth-grade students will practice the reverse spell of the Spell of Attraction—the Spell of Expulsion.

Similar to the Accio Firebolt spell, the Expello Firebolt spell is usually preceded by a specific incantation for more precise application. For example, the incantation to summon fire bolts is Accio Firebolt, while the incantation to send them flying is Expello Firebolt.

Because summoning and manipulating objects to fly around in the classroom is extremely dangerous, Professor Flitwick prepares a large number of pillows and cushions before class. This way, even if someone's magic goes out of control, the students are unlikely to be injured.

However, unforeseen events can happen at any time, and misfortune can strike at any moment.

Professor Flitwick's theoretical ideas were indeed very reasonable, but when put into practice, everything changed.

Among the current fourth-year students at Hogwarts, there are two exceptional talents: Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnegan.

One of them was too inaccurate with his spellcasting, and the other was too inconsistent. As a result, after an explosion, a large number of feathers from the pillow began to fly out like snowflakes. While Professor Flitwick was trying to clean it up, he was hit by Neville's spell and began to run around the room wildly.

“Finite Incantatem!” (The curse stops)

Pfft!

“Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Finnigan, are you two first-year students? How can you make mistakes even when waving your wands and chanting spells?”

"I'm sorry, Professor, we..."

"Alright, that's enough! You two, deduct 5 points from Gryffindor each!"

"But professor, there is no Academy Cup this year."

"..."

“Expello Pillows!” (Pillow Expulsion)

Hermione waved her wand, sending the three pillows flying towards her back. The three pillows flew over the classroom, through the feather-covered students, and landed precisely in the box Hermione had been aiming for.

“Harry, shouldn’t you double-check with Professor Dumbledore? I know your abilities, but improving such a complex and difficult transformation spell is far too risky. Even the slightest mistake could lead to unpredictable consequences.”

Hermione, who had been holding mandrake in her mouth for a month, spoke somewhat awkwardly, but her concerns were undoubtedly correct.

Harry's current situation is actually similar to that of Robert Oppenheimer, the American Jewish physicist, decades ago, who was about to complete the "Manhattan Project" as the chief scientist.

When theoretical magic is transformed into applied magic through firsthand experience, Harry, walking alone on an unknown path, must prepare for the worst. Beyond failing to master even a normal Animagus, he also needs to consider how to avoid the most dreaded possibility of death. This bears a striking resemblance to Oppenheimer's fear that the nuclear fission chain reaction would continue indefinitely and ultimately destroy the world.

Fortunately, his research project will not pose a danger to his family and friends.

“I understand what you mean, Hermione.”

Harry waved his hand casually as he spoke.

Without a spell or a wand, the same three pillows flew straight over the classroom and landed steadily on the pillows Hermione had chased away.

“But I still stick to my original idea. Professor Dumbledore has said everything he needed to say. From now on, I can only rely on myself.”

Silence lingered among the four for a moment.

Unable to offer Harry any real help, Hermione and Ron were somewhat speechless. Fortunately, Malfoy's thought process was rather peculiar, and the group managed to steer the conversation back to the Shalnark Tournament.

"It's okay, if we can't transform, we can't transform. There's still time. We can always find another way to get in the water."

"It's not as simple as you say. What if something goes wrong along the way..."

"I think Malfoy has a point."

Harry interrupted Hermione softly:

"The simplest way would be to get a diving suit from the Muggles, but I'm not sure how long their oxygen tanks will last me. If it doesn't last an hour, I might have to use a head-diving spell."

Hermione, who was most worried about Harry, wanted to say something more, but when she saw the gentle look he gave her to soothe her, she immediately realized that her previous behavior was inappropriate.

"Since I can't find any way to help Harry optimize the ritual, I shouldn't create anxiety, otherwise I'll just be making things worse."

With this change in understanding, Hermione immediately changed her tune and joined Malfoy's discussion.

She said:

"Hmm... okay, but if that's the case, then I should write to my parents now and ask them to buy me a scuba gear. Otherwise, if Harry happens to conjure up a diving suit and oxygen tank with magic as the competition approaches, that would violate the International Code of Magical Secrecy! Just imagine, a humanoid suit of equipment flying through the city and countryside toward Hogwarts, that would be quite a sight."

"Hahaha!"

Harry, amused by Hermione's description, burst out laughing, much to the bewilderment of Ron and Malfoy, two pure-blood wizards.

They first exchanged glances, and after confirming that the other also didn't understand the meaning of "diving suit" and "oxygen tank," they asked in unison:

What is scuba diving?

......

After Charms class, the fourth-year students from Gryffindor and Slytherin walked in twos and threes from the castle to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Unlike before, most of the young wizards wore expectant and happy smiles.

Thanks to Rita Skeeter's revelation, Professor Grapple has been temporarily taking over the Hogwarts Magical Creatures Protection class for the past few weeks. Moreover, unlike the monsters created by Hagrid through crossbreeding, Professor Grapple introduces students to magical creatures that represent nobility and purity—unicorns.

To borrow Parvati's words:

“I really wish Professor Glapland could stay! She teaches the kind of magical creature conservation I envision, you all know what I mean? I mean, we should be learning about respectable magical creatures like unicorns, not these weird monsters…”

Without a doubt, what Parvati said reflected the sentiments of many students.

That's why, when the lion cubs and snakes saw the unicorn and Hagrid appear at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, they were overwhelmed with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, and speechless with astonishment.

Good afternoon, Professor Hagrid! It's a pleasure to see you back!

Hagrid, still struggling with personal troubles, waved sheepishly to Harry, then loudly announced to the students:

"Professor Glapland left me a letter saying that you have already gained a basic understanding of unicorn habits. I think it's a good idea for everyone to continue learning about unicorns, so today I've found more unicorns for you to observe. Okay, students, please form groups of four to six, and make sure each group has at least one girl to observe these beautiful creatures."

Hagrid's voice was so loud that Harry felt distinctly uncomfortable when he later heard Hagrid whispering to him.

"Dumbledore instructed me to lure all the magical creatures within a two-mile radius of the Forbidden Forest, towards the castle, elsewhere. He said you might need them. Oh, and Dumbledore also said he came to see you 'cold.' I didn't understand what he said, but you probably will..."

"I see... Thank you, Hagrid."

Harry replied, slightly surprised.

In this new timeline guided by Moran, Sirius Black has finally moved into his home at 12 Grimmauld Place with him. However, "Cold" is the alias used by his godfather, and only a few people know it. In other words, while Dumbledore appears to have been at Hogwarts hosting the Triwizard Tournament this school year, he has been actively contacting various parties behind the scenes.

First, he ordered Hagrid to clear the Forbidden Forest, and then he "smuggled" Sirius Black into Hogwarts.

Sure enough, Dumbledore not only found a way to put Harry at ease, but also avoided the trouble that would have arisen if Professor McGonagall had taken on the task.

In other words, as the headmaster of Hogwarts and the leader of the white wizards, he is secretly helping his students become illegal Animagus.

That's truly amazing...

......

The daytime flew by.

As the sun set as expected, the four people, who were pointing the tips of their wands at their hearts, simultaneously felt a second heartbeat within their bodies.

Boom!Boom!

"I succeeded!"

Ron and Malfoy exclaimed in unison.

Both worried about losing to the other, they first breathed a sigh of relief, and then quickly put on disdainful expressions and started mocking each other.

Hermione had no interest in dealing with these two childish kids. Before her heart could even calm down, she leaned close to Harry and whispered:

Did you succeed?

"Of course!"

Harry said firmly, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Once the moon comes out, I will immediately have the Thunderbird gather water vapor and create a downpour. You can then lead Ron and the others, along with Sirius, to the Forbidden Forest to complete their transformations."

"how about you?"

"I can't go with you; I have to go somewhere else to complete my transformation. This is for your safety and also a necessary guarantee for me to be undisturbed by the outside world."

Harry's words made Hermes feel sad. She couldn't accompany him to complete the difficult and dangerous magical ritual, and she even felt a sense of guilt.

She added:

“You can do it, Harry! You definitely can! I believe in you! I’ll remind Ron and the others to do every step perfectly, so relax and just focus on yourself!”

"Ok, I know!"

Harry replied with a smile.

Everything is ready except for the east wind.

Harry's successful substitution of Mandrake with Polygonum multiflorum undoubtedly marked the first step in the transition from theory to practice. But regardless of the outcome, the full moon and the approaching storm will be the ultimate test of truth.

at last.

Night gradually fell.

Raindrops fell one by one.

After meeting and hugging Sirius, Harry smiled as he watched him transform back into a big black dog and lead his friends toward the Forbidden Forest.

After that, his first Quidditch match, his first face-to-face encounter with Voldemort, his first battle against the Basilisk, and his first duel with his nemesis without Mo Ran's help... many memories that had once made him tremble were awakened from the depths of his mind.

After several months, Harry once again entered a state of adrenaline rush.

Snapped!

The figure in front of Hagrid's hut disappeared, and in the blink of an eye, Harry, completely enveloped in giant bubbles, arrived at a certain place at the bottom of the Black Lake.

“Relax, Harry. Training in Animagus isn’t about fighting. While your focused state will certainly help you use magic, you also need calmness and peace when you’re controlling your soul. Don’t forget, Fuzhu’s temperament is usually gentle and pure.”

Hearing Mo Ran's voice coming from beside him, Ha took a deep breath to calm his wildly beating heart a little.