Introduction To Transfiguration [Years 1-2] Lesson 1

[Harrison Shaw]

The weather was particularly Scottish today and streams of water cut rows down the stained glass windows that surrounded the Transfiguration classroom. Harrison arrived early and made sure the torches on the walls burned brightly as well as stoking a large fire in the back of the room to make sure it was nice and warm. The work would be challenging enough without a cold and damp environment.

While Harrison was glad to be back at Hogwarts it might take him a moment to become used to the fact that he was no longer and student and was now Professor Shaw. Just off his classroom, he’d spent a good deal of the morning practicing his opening speech for the new students. It was a new term and he was nervous but very much looking forward to this. He’d studied transfiguration his entire life, now he could share it with a younger generation.

Now, standing in front of his very own classroom, he took a deep breath and allowed his students to file in and take their seats. He gave each pupil a good looking over as he slowly walked back and forth across the front of the room,

“My name as you know is Professor Shaw. This is Introduction of Transfiguration,” he stopped abruptly in the center of the room, “I will say first thing that this subject can be very dangerous and I will not tolerate any behavior that may put your fellow classmates at risk. I will also not hesitate to remove house points and assign deletion to those that break the rules.”

Harrison looked out the windows at the grey and rainy day then pointed his wand at the torches on the wall causing them to burn brighter before he continued,

“As with all classes here at Hogwarts the more you participate the more house points you can acquire.”

The class seemed ready. This was always an exciting class for him when he was a student and he hoped it would be that way for many of those who sat before him now.

“This introduction coarse can be a bit heavy in terms of data but I promise that it will become far more hands-on as we move along in the term.”

Harrison took a wooden chest out from under his desk that was about the size of a normal cigar box. Inside were a collection of match sticks which, as he continued speaking, he placed one on each students desk.

“Now, with all magic, intention and visualization is key,” he pulled his wand from his robe, “the first task you will attempt is turning a simple match stick into a sewing needle. So, as each of you takes a long look at the match I placed before you I want you to think very hard about how you would describe it using all of your senses,”

Wanderin looked down at the match on his own desk as he continued,

“Once you have that, you are going to imagine the match shifting into the needle and how that effects its interpretation by your senses which doing the following,” he pointed and jabbed his wand directly at the match while firmly stating, “CONMUTOCUS!”

And before the eyes of the class, the wooden match stick became a shiny metal needle.

“This is the most basic of the basic, class and I while there is much more to learn in terms of theory I want you to all give this spell a try. If it doesn’t work the first time don’t be discouraged. Clear your mind, focus your senses and try again.”

Harrison sat down on a stool near the side of the room and watched his class, “ The first person to successfully complete their transfiguration will win 10 house points. Additionally, if anyone can tell me who was believed the have created the Conmutocus spell will get an additional 10 house points. Begin.”

  

[Sisse Thompsett]

Following her classmates into the room Sisse took her seat in the middle and listened as Professor Shaw introduced himself. He looked a little like her father and she felt a small twinge of homesickness that she ignored. It was only the first day of classes and she didn't want to consider herself anything less than the young woman she was.

Professor Shaw made the task sound and appear so easy yet when Sisse, with her overactive imagination, when to envision such a thing, all she needed up with after casting the spell was a wooden match stick sitting resolutely on her desk.

  

[Irene Fudge]

Irene liked transfiguration, and Mister Shaw, the new professor wasn't any thing like the former teacher. The Transfiguration mistress from last year was intense and scary, but Mister Shaw was handsome if also a little intense.

Irene listened to the instructions of the school master and then set about her own school tasks determined to impress in the class and make a good first impression. Irene visalised as she imagined she was supposed to and with her wand attempted to mimic the wand movements and saying “CONMUTOCUS!” in a rather loud voice.

  

[Hwan Moon]

Hwan didn't have any idea who was believed to have invented the spell so he simply focused on the task at hand. He cast the spell with a few unsuccessful tries. Eventually though, he was looking happily down on a needle though it looked a small bit wooden in some parts of it.

  

[Sebastian Urquart]

Bash wasn't sure how to feel about this new professor. Sure, he seemed intelligent and ready to engage, however his disclaimer regarding the punishments he was ready to dole out seemed somewhat unnecessary. The majority of the class had been first years, so maybe it wasn't without decent thought, but it still was off-putting.

The task at hand prompted the Slytherin to observe the match carefully. He imagined many ways in which a small flick could result in a slight flame that, with just a little effort, could grow immensely and torch the whole room down. It would have been a fun sight, at the very least, to witness all of the children scramble around whilst they pat their heads to relieve themselves of the flames, and Bash could even blame his inexperience for causing such a disaster. What a treat! Despite his devilish thoughts, he instead actually tried to transfigure the match into a needle. His first attempt saw the match turn into a frog's leg, the next a fairy's wing, but finally he found a result that, to the best of his ability, resembled a needle. Quite proud of himself, he whispered Yes! and bounced in his seat.