Every Saturday at 8 PM is the "Transfiguration" tutoring session – exclusively for Aileen.

On the other hand, tonight also happens to be the first lesson of the semester.

Perhaps following some mysterious tradition, or simply to ensure a peaceful night's sleep for himself, the previous Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts volunteered to act as a guide, personally escorting Aileen to the Transfiguration professor's office.

"Actually, I can manage on my own, Professor Dumbledore. I really know the way –"

Aileen said, seemingly feeling a little aggrieved, "Besides, there are so many portraits, ghosts, and ubiquitous house-elves. I'm not a ten-year-old kid anymore. Even if I get a little lost, I can just ask someone. It's really not necessary—"

"Of course, of course, I believe you. You are the most outstanding little witch I have ever met."

Dumbledore smiled gently, speaking with utmost sincerity.

"Then why is Professor McGonagall teaching me, instead of you teaching me personally?"

Aileen pouted, her lake-blue eyes shimmering with curious, innocent light.

"Before Professor McGonagall came to teach at Hogwarts, you were the Transfiguration professor, weren't you? I heard that Professor McGonagall's Animagus transformation was also completed under your guidance—Are you嫌弃(xian qi-dislike) me because I'm too clumsy, or do you think I might be too much trouble? I promise to be obedient and not cause any trouble this time, Professor Dumbledore. Could you reconsider?"

"Oh, Miss Kaslana, you must understand an old man. My mind and body are no longer what they used to be."

Dumbledore sighed softly, his voice filled with melancholy.

Perhaps Grindelwald would enjoy teaching Aileen, but that doesn't mean he would make the same choice. This kind of troublesome darling is better left to younger forces to deal with. He still wants to retire alive.

"As one of the most accomplished wizards in Transfiguration in the magical world today, Professor McGonagall is obviously much more powerful than I am. People always like to describe magical strength in general terms, but in reality, I am not the best in many areas..."

For some mysterious reason, Minerva McGonagall has yet to join the Foundation.

This also means that in front of this strict and conscientious lady, the illustrious identities of [Miss Fool], the favored darling, and the Fairy Queen don't hold much weight. To Professor McGonagall, Aileen is just a student.

A Hogwarts second-year student with some privileges, some talent, and a bit of a handful.

Nothing more.

"...Well, okay, but aren't you worried about something unexpected happening?"

Aileen raised an eyebrow, quickly switching from pure and adorable mode to a mischievous imp.

"I feel like I've become more irritable and willful lately. If I'm alone with Professor McGonagall for a long time, it would be terrible if something unpleasant happened. In comparison, you might be more suitable—"

"I trust Minerva's abilities, and more importantly, I trust that you won't let any accidents happen, Miss Kaslana."

Dumbledore continued with a smile, as if he didn't hear the threat in the girl's words at all.

"Oh, really? Your trust has changed quickly."

Aileen snorted dismissively, her voice full of dissatisfaction.

"You didn't have such touching trust when you told Bill to 'protect' me."

Since the beginning of the semester, under the close protection of the little wings and Bill Weasley, she hasn't even had a chance for a reasonable counterattack—Heaven knows how suffocated she is, and she has to force a smile to express her gratitude every time.

"If you wanted to act, Bill couldn't stop you…He might not even see you."

Dumbledore looked at Aileen gently, and said calmly.

"The reason he can watch over you and protect you is because you allow yourself to be 'protected', isn't it?"

"...Annoying."

Aileen turned her face away, grumbling softly.

"Anyway, in short, I just don't want to have tutoring in the same room with that old cat lady."

"You will soon change your mind, believe me. In the entire United Kingdom, you probably won't find a second witch more skilled in Transfiguration than Professor McGonagall—decades ago, her attainments in Transfiguration surpassed mine. Especially in the Animagus field, there are many experiences that I can never tell you—"

As he spoke, Dumbledore suddenly stopped.

"Oh, we're here!"

…………

This is a small study located on the second floor corridor of the castle.

A brass nameplate hangs on the door—[Minerva McGonagall].

"Alright, although this sentence is a bit redundant, I'm still going to repeat it one last time—"

Dumbledore turned his head and looked at Aileen earnestly.

"When the knowledge in the textbooks, or what you hear from other professors and elders, including what you hear from me...When these things are inconsistent with the knowledge Professor McGonagall tells you, follow Professor McGonagall's guidance—In the field of Transfiguration today, Professor McGonagall is recognized as the most rigorous, safest, and knowledgeable witch—"

As Dumbledore spoke, he raised his hand, preparing to knock on the door to tell Professor McGonagall that they had arrived.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, but I haven't heard that 'recognized' assessment from anyone else."

Professor McGonagall walked out of her office, looking serious and slightly tired.

"Have you really thought it through, Professor? And, Miss Kaslana…"

She frowned, stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, and pondered.

"Animagus is an extremely complex magical technique. You should know its dangers. Although this is Mr. Nicolas Flamel's suggestion, I still have some doubts, not about the theory, but whether we need to learn and try this magic so urgently? Perhaps…I mean, waiting a couple of years wouldn't be too late."

Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze wandered between Dumbledore and Aileen.

Although Dumbledore had explained it before, Minerva McGonagall still planned to confirm it one last time.

"We have discussed this issue before, more than once."

Dumbledore nodded, glanced at Aileen standing behind him, and said seriously.

"Considering Miss Kaslana's current special physical condition, and the Hogwarts teaching goals, a dual approach is clearly the best choice at the moment—and before the final step is implemented, we still have plenty of time to adjust."

"Of course, there is another reason…"

Dumbledore rubbed his brow with a headache, and sighed softly.

"As a wizard, Miss Kaslana still has to learn Transfiguration after all. If she can't distinguish the difference between Alchemy and Transfiguration, as her magic gradually increases, when she doesn't faint one day, perhaps something even more terrible will happen…Specifically, Flamel should have demonstrated it to you once, right?"

"...I understand."

Professor McGonagall pondered for a moment, recalling the "testing ground" that had turned into hell.

Just a simple large-scale alchemical magic made her completely understand why the Ministry of Magic had sealed this discipline for hundreds of years. Even with the addition of the Philosopher's Stone, it was enough to inspire fear.

She took a deep breath and walked into the office.

"Come with me, Miss Kaslana, we're going to start the lesson."

…………

This is a very small study.

There is a roaring fireplace in the room, a small sofa next to the fireplace, and a hinged window with good lighting next to the sofa. From the window, you can see the Quidditch pitch, and opposite the window is a desk.

Behind the desk is a fixed bookcase embedded in the wall, with an old broom decorated on the top layer.

Apart from that, there are no other furnishings in the room.

"Please close the door, Miss Kaslana. And…"

Professor McGonagall returned to her seat and looked curiously at Aileen, who was looking around the room.

"I'm sorry, is there something strange about my office?"

"...It's not quite what I imagined. I thought it would be bigger and more spacious."

Aileen gently closed the door, frowning as she looked around.

This is probably the smallest room she has seen in Hogwarts Castle.

Not to mention the offices of other professors, in Aileen's impression, even the office of the caretaker, Argus Filch, might be slightly more spacious than this. Learning magic in this kind of confined environment seems a bit dangerous.

"Bigger? Why would you think that?"

Professor McGonagall asked with interest, not in a hurry to start teaching.

Her tone was completely different from what Aileen was familiar with. It was no longer so agile, crisp, and goal-oriented, but relaxed and divergent. In short, it seemed more humane than usual.

"Obviously, you are the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, the Head of Gryffindor, and the Transfiguration professor for decades…"

Aileen counted her fingers, listing Professor McGonagall's titles seriously.

"So…Do these have any necessary connection with the size of my office?"

"People with higher authority and ability should enjoy better resources—unless you voluntarily give them up, but to be honest, I don't think this solitary monk lifestyle is correct. It will make most people feel out of place…"

"Miss Kaslana, it seems you still haven't understood what contentment is, and the limitations of material pursuits."

Professor McGonagall frowned, then quickly relaxed, and pointed to a box on the table helplessly.

"Anyway, have a biscuit first, Miss Kaslana—"

"There aren't any strange things inside this time, right? I can taste them, you know—"

Aileen walked to the chair opposite Professor McGonagall and sat down, jokingly, as she picked up a biscuit from the checkered biscuit box on the table and put it in her mouth—Hmm, it really is the legendary Ginger Newt biscuit.

"Of course not. Therefore, I hope you can also control your bloodline abilities, okay?"

Professor McGonagall said calmly, waving her wand.

Two glasses of chilled apple juice appeared on her desk.

With Professor Flitwick's reminder and observation over the past year, McGonagall had also found the trick to talking to Aileen.

On the other hand, since that less-than-pleasant visit a year ago, her vigilance and sensitivity to certain magical tricks have also been much higher than before—with the appearance of apple juice, the atmosphere quickly eased.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it for a moment…"

Aileen blinked, dispelling the [Charm: Irritation] magic she had "accidentally" activated.

Plan A failed, so she can only have some snacks first and then improvise—the legendary Veela bloodline is not so unsolvable. It mainly works on those who are not wary, otherwise Veela would have ruled the world long ago.

Whether it is amplifying or guiding any kind of emotion, it is more like psychological suggestion than the Imperius Curse.

"...So now, it's 'couldn't help it' again?"

Professor McGonagall was silent for a moment, staring at the little half-Veela who was sipping apple juice obediently.

As one of the top wizards in the magical world today, she could clearly perceive that change.

With Aileen's not-so-sincere apology, this little fellow who originally seemed a little annoying instantly became cute and well-behaved. If it were normal, McGonagall would not have been able to help but show Aileen a gentle smile.

But the premise is that this is not the result of some damn magical ability!

"Eh? What do you mean 'couldn't—help—it'—"

Aileen was stunned for two seconds, looked at Professor McGonagall's somewhat gloomy face, and sighed helplessly.

She certainly knew what the Deputy Headmistress was thinking, but she could swear on her conscience that she hadn't activated any magical abilities this time. She wasn't bored enough to release [Charm: Increase Affection] on an old cat lady.

As for the reason, it's not complicated. After mastering the Flame Runes, she is now roughly equivalent to a half-adult Veela.

Aileen swallowed the Newt biscuit, put down the glass, and said seriously.

"Would you believe me if I said it was a passive skill—I can swear on this Ginger Newt biscuit—"

————

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Hooray!