Although her tone was serious, Felix could still sense her enthusiasm, which might be related to the recent consecutive publications by Professor Snape and Professor Babbling. Not to mention Babbling, Professor McGonagall and Snape, as heads of two different houses, were usually quite competitive.
McGonagall seemed much more proactive now than at the beginning.
Two weeks had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was another full moon night. The students from the "Animagus" class were gathered and headed towards a secluded edge of the Forbidden Forest. Felix brought some candles from the Great Hall and let them float in the air. The dim flames danced continuously, much like the emotions of the students trudging through the darkness.
After nearly a month, only 11 out of 23 students remained, less than half of the original number, but McGonagall seemed very pleased, admitting that she had never seen such a situation in her teaching career. The group finally reached their destination.
With her back to the Forbidden Forest and facing the students, McGonagall spoke in the ankle-deep snow and ice.
"In order, step forward – Weasley, you're first. Hurry up, and remove your hand," McGonagall said sternly. Ron complied with a pained expression. "Your leaf is missing a corner, so it's unacceptable."
"Really? Just that little bit," Ron said in despair.
"No, unless you're prepared for a horn to grow on your chest," McGonagall said regretfully. "Next! Hannah Abbott –" a witch with two large braids and a rosy complexion stumbled out of the crowd, holding her Mandrake leaf out for inspection.
"You're qualified," McGonagall said gently.
Hannah burst into tears, her tears flowing uncontrollably, but her hands remained steady. Neville helped her to the side to let the inspection continue.
"Cormac McLaggen, not qualified."
"Susan Bones, not qualified."
"Draco Malfoy, qualified."
"Ernie Macmillan, not qualified."
...
Soon it was Harry's turn. He spat the Mandrake leaf from his mouth, carefully wiping away the saliva with his sleeve. For a moment, he felt like something was missing from his mouth. He glimpsed Ron, who was grinding his Mandrake leaf into a ball with a stiff expression.
"The ones who fail have a second chance. But giving up means nothing," McGonagall said, glaring at Ron. "Potter –"
Harry held his breath as he stepped forward. His feet seemed disobedient. McGonagall didn't speak. She leaned in and nudged his square glasses. Harry stared at the flickering candlelight reflected in the lenses, suddenly forgetting how to breathe.
It seemed like an eternity had passed when McGonagall's voice came from a distant place, "Pass, qualified!" Harry felt dizzy for a moment. Hermione, standing behind him, was pale with nerves, pinching her arms incessantly until she heard the word "qualified" from McGonagall's mouth and began to breathe rapidly, hurrying to the side and sobbing quietly.
The students who had failed long ago were despondent; they could empathize the most, after all, the suffering they had endured was the same. But it was undeniable that those who had just been declared failures until now were the most miserable. After the inspection, only Harry, Hermione, Hannah, Neville, Draco, and two seventh-year students met the requirements and were allowed to proceed to the next stage of learning.
Harry looked up at the full moon. Every successful student here had paid a huge price, especially in terms of mental pressure. In the last few days, Neville had not slept at all, his eyes bloodshot; Hermione was sickly all day, not answering any questions or wanting to talk.
Hannah Abbott had almost broken down several times, the most diligent among them all in experiencing the Daydream Charm.
As for himself – recently, his title as Gryffindor's "Ghost Captain" had become quite famous. He spoke softly with a Sonorus Charm, not just the players, even the audience in the stands couldn't stop getting goosebumps.
McGonagall began to distribute crystal vials, letting them fill them with saliva and then put Mandrake leaf pieces inside. Hannah's hands were shaking badly, almost knocking over the bottle several times. Professor Hagrid conjured up a few small square tables from the ground and branches.
"The rest of you, don't just stand there, come around. If you want to continue learning Animagus Transfiguration, there will always be a need for it one day," McGonagall shouted.
The students crowded around to observe. The ones who had been declared unqualified on the spot were deeply saddened. Harry didn't have time to console the despondent Ron. Following McGonagall's instructions, they each added a strand of their own hair and a teaspoon of dew from a place untouched by sunlight or human contact for a whole seven days (provided by Professor Hagrid).
As the seven students completed the final step - placing the Boggart Moth's chrysalis into the crystal vial, Professor McGonagall instructed them to seal the bottles and hide them in a quiet, dark place.
"That would be the edge of the Forbidden Forest," Felix explained. "Find a place you can remember and bury the bottle. I suggest you dig deep to prevent it from being dug up by wild animals."
The seven students ventured step by step into the Forbidden Forest, and McGonagall waited until their figures disappeared from sight before turning to the remaining students.
"Students who still wish to try, step forward to receive new Mandrake leaves. The school will provide them free of charge twice," she said.
Half an hour later, the leaders returned.
McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief, her clenched fists quietly loosening.
"From today onwards, no one is allowed to come near here—"
"Additionally, even though you already know, I'll repeat it: for the next period of time, each of you should perform the following action at sunrise and sunset, pointing your wand tip at your heart and chanting the incantation: 'Amado, Animo, Animado, Animagus.'"
"If everything goes well, at some point after chanting the incantation, you will feel a second heartbeat, sometimes stronger than the original heartbeat, accompanied by palpitations and shortness of breath. This is a normal phenomenon. You must persist in chanting the incantation, not skipping it once, but you must report to the teacher immediately afterward."
"Understood?"
McGonagall looked sternly at everyone. "I am not joking." The seven people in the center of her gaze nodded repeatedly. "Very well," she said, revealing a hint of a smile. "You are very close to success. I don't want to see anyone fail. You can go back now. I've talked to Filch and asked him to keep an eye out for you—"
"Professor? But what about you?"
"Professor McGonagall and I will set up protective spells around the area."
After completing all this, the two professors returned to the castle. Felix did not go back to his office but knocked on the door of the Headmaster's office.
"Felix?" Dumbledore, wearing pajamas and glasses, looked up and asked.
"Riddell is becoming suspicious. He's starting to actively engage in dark magic," Felix said briefly. "I can't change his mind—either we advance the plan or I destroy his personality and start over. But that will take more time."
"I understand," Dumbledore said slowly, taking two Horcruxes out of a drawer and handing them to Felix. When there was only Dumbledore left in the office, he took off his glasses and tiredly rubbed his eyes.
The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black hanging on the wall spoke with a slick voice, "No need to rush, Dumbledore. That little devil's suggestion is actually not bad."
"I don't expect you to see it either, Phineas," Dumbledore replied. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "But it must be done quickly. Harry doesn't have much time left."
Fawkes, perched on a branch, buried his head in his wings, softly purring.
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