Fog filled the air, and dense bushes grew everywhere.
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the visible area was slightly wider than in its depths. Pale golden sunlight filtered through the dense layers of leaves, breaking into dappled patterns that intertwined with the white mist.
It looked like a delicate veil woven with golden threads. As the mist drifted, the veil seemed to dance in the air.
Beneath a tall oak tree, Hermione and Professor McGonagall were engaged in a conversation.
"As I mentioned during my previous Transfiguration lesson, Animagus transformation is an extremely difficult form of magic. Learning it requires tremendous perseverance, exceptional talent, and a little luck."
"Becoming an Animagus requires great perseverance. The first stage is particularly difficult. During the first month of the lunar calendar, you must keep a Mandrake leaf in your mouth at all times. Under no circumstances may you swallow it or spit it out. If it leaves your mouth, you must begin the entire process again."
"So, Hermione, you should first practise getting used to having something in your mouth. Otherwise, you might accidentally swallow it while eating, causing all your efforts to go to waste."
"Then, during the full moon…"
Professor McGonagall continued explaining patiently.
"There is one particularly important step. If a sufficiently powerful storm does not appear to serve as the trigger for the final stage, you will simply have to keep waiting."
"If you are lucky, a storm may appear once you are fully prepared, allowing you to complete this step. If you are unlucky, however, you may have to wait several years."
"This is not an ordinary rainstorm. The storm must be extremely powerful. The heavier the rain, the greater your chances of success."
"This holiday may only be enough for you to become proficient in the earlier stages."
"Transforming into an animal requires considerable effort. That is the price you must pay."
"Of course, you are one of the most intelligent students I have ever taught, and I believe you can master it."
Perhaps sensing that her explanation was dampening Hermione's enthusiasm, Professor McGonagall abruptly changed the subject and began encouraging her.
"I will guide you through most of the process, at the very least ensuring that you do not go astray."
"After all, some people spend years attempting this transformation, only to turn into monsters or become unable to return to their human forms."
Since this was a teaching session, Professor McGonagall did most of the talking while Hermione listened quietly.
"That is all for today's first lesson. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me after you have had time to think it over."
"All right, Professor McGonagall."
Hermione mumbled the response, but the Mandrake leaf in her mouth made speaking difficult and left her looking rather awkward.
The area where they practised had gradually moved farther away from the centre of the Forbidden Forest. The deeper they ventured, the stronger the evil atmosphere became, until breathing normally was almost impossible.
For some reason, after explaining the key points, Professor McGonagall frowned and peered into the depths of the forest.
Then she sighed.
"Firenze was not exaggerating, but I still haven't found the source of the problem."
The oppressive pressure was almost maddening, and the air was saturated with an evil stench.
"You may need to find another place to practise in the future. This area is truly unsuitable."
Professor McGonagall frowned as she surveyed her surroundings. The sinister atmosphere of the Forbidden Forest was clearly making her increasingly uncomfortable.
She had ventured deep into the forest but had gained nothing. In the end, she had been forced to retreat by the steadily intensifying pressure.
The biggest problem was that she did not know where the source of the disturbance lay.
If an evil creature was responsible, it should at least possess some kind of physical form.
She had even tried using the spell "Reveal Your True Colors!" to dispel any concealment, but it had produced no effect. She had been forced to give up.
"By the way, have you become accustomed to living alone in the dormitory?"
Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses and asked Hermione with concern.
During private conversations, she did not deliberately maintain her usual stern and resentful expression.
"I'm all right, Professor McGonagall," Hermione replied softly.
Next year, she would become a sixth-year student.
Growing up and learning to endure loneliness were necessary parts of life.
I might become even lonelier in the future.
"That is enough practice for today."
"Come to my office with me. I have something for you."
The initial stages of learning to become an Animagus were tedious and dull. In fact, they could hardly be considered practice at all; they were merely preparations for meeting the necessary conditions.
Hermione followed Professor McGonagall back to her office.
Once there, the older witch pulled an envelope from beneath a large roll of parchment.
"These are your examination results. Since your parents are travelling abroad, I will not send the results to them. I will give them directly to you instead."
"Look. Both your parents and I are proud of you."
Hermione opened the envelope with anticipation. Her hands trembled slightly with nervousness.
Then she covered her mouth in disbelief, almost screaming.
"Eleven Outstanding grades. I'm very satisfied."
Professor McGonagall rarely offered such praise. A faint smile appeared on her wrinkled face.
Hermione felt even happier than she would have been if she had received twelve Outstanding grades.
Everyone knew that she disliked Professor Trelawney's Divination class.
If a student selected every available subject, they would have to sit twelve examinations in total.
The fact that Hermione had achieved eleven Outstanding grades spoke for itself.
She held up her report card and examined it repeatedly beneath the dim yellow light.
"I made a mistake in Arithmancy, and there was also the practical component of Defence Against the Dark Arts. I thought…"
Hermione counted the results again, so happy that she almost burst into tears.
She wanted to share this joy with her parents, but that was impossible.
"Silly child."
Professor McGonagall assumed that Hermione was crying only because she was happy about her results.
"Even excellence can contain a few imperfections. You have done extremely well."
The old witch smiled warmly.
After that, Hermione spent what could be described as a relatively leisurely period at Hogwarts.
Everything became harmful when taken to excess, and Animagus transformation was not a skill that required her to spend every waking moment practising.
With a Mandrake leaf in her mouth, Hermione decided to pass the time in the library.
Although it was the holiday period, the library remained open.
Madam Pince, the librarian, was reclining in a red upholstered chair with wooden side panels. She was engrossed in a popular Muggle romance novel, occasionally sobbing and wiping away her tears.
The moment she saw Hermione enter, Madam Pince quickly hid the book behind her back.
This did not surprise Hermione. Professor McGonagall had already spoken to the librarian about her training.
Hermione had considered recommending several classic Muggle books to Madam Pince. However, after giving it some thought, she realised that popular literature had its own charm as well, so she decided not to say anything.
She casually chose a place to sit, settled down, opened her book, and began previewing the knowledge she might learn in the future.
For example, in Advanced Potion-Making, Snape still seemed particularly fond of targeting Gryffindor.
He often asked his own students simple questions, while posing difficult questions to Gryffindors—questions that frequently went beyond the textbook.
Harry was the student he tormented the most.
Even when Hermione's hand was raised almost to the ceiling, Snape would pretend not to notice it.
Of course, what Hermione did not know was that Severus Snape would no longer be teaching Potions to her sixth-year class.