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Transfiguration—back in Augustus's original world, this wasn't considered a particularly advanced spell.
Once you reached a very high level of magical skill, you could easily learn all sorts of transfiguration spells. But in this world, it seemed like only a few people could master this skill, and they were known as Animagi.
Augustus, who had only read about Animagi and had never actually seen one in this world, clearly found some interest in the rat, Scabbers, on the table.
Under his inquisitive gaze, a transparent image of a short, balding man with graying hair, a mouse-like face, and a sharp nose appeared, faintly clinging to the plump rat.
Normally, animals transformed by an Animagus are almost impossible to detect, but under Augustus's keen perception—thanks to his unique ability—this fat rat was not escaping his sight.
"Does anyone in your family happen to be an Animagus?" Augustus asked Ron with obvious curiosity.
"Nope," Ron replied, looking confused as to why he was being asked that. "Animagi are pretty rare in the wizarding world. No one in my family has that kind of talent."
Seeing Harry's puzzled expression, Ron continued explaining, "An Animagus is someone who can transform into an animal, but still keep their magical abilities as a wizard."
"That sounds really cool," Harry mumbled, clearly lost in thought after hearing Ron's explanation.
Since Ron clearly didn't realize anything was odd about the rat named Scabbers, and Augustus had only just met them, he wisely decided not to bring it up any further. Instead, he casually picked up a book and began reading.
Outside the train window, the scenery flew by—desolate fields, neat farmlands, followed by a forest, winding rivers, and dark green hills.
Bored, Ron glanced at the sluggish Scabbers on the table and muttered with some disdain, "It's probably already dead. Doesn't really matter either way."
He then looked up at Harry and Augustus. "Have you guys ever practiced magic before? George told me a spell—how about I show you guys? Watch closely..."
He fumbled around in his suitcase for a while before pulling out a very old wand, part of it peeling, and the tip glowing with a faint white light.
Just as he raised his wand, the compartment door opened. Standing in the doorway were the round-faced boy Augustus had just passed in the train and a young girl now dressed in Hogwarts' new robes.
"Have any of you seen a toad? Neville lost one," the girl said arrogantly, looking down her nose at them. She had thick brown hair and a pair of large front teeth.
Harry and Ron both shook their heads, while Augustus kept his attention on the book in his hands. The girl looked at the wand in Ron's hands. "Oh. Are you trying to do magic? Let me see."
She sat down. Augustus seemed a little interested now, putting down his book and turning to watch Ron. Ron, clearly surprised, seemed at a loss for what to do.
"Okay—uh, sure."
He cleared his throat.
"Daisies, sweet cream, and sunshine, turn this silly fat rat yellow."
He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers remained gray, still asleep.
"I think you might be doing it wrong," before the girl could start mocking him, Augustus calmly drew his silver wand and said to Scabbers, "kriwromonh."
A strange sequence of syllables left his lips, followed by a soft pop. In an instant, the fat gray rat on the table was transformed into a tiny white sheep.
The sheep bleated frantically, lying on the table in a panic. It looked like it might transform back, but nothing seemed to happen.
Indeed, it appeared that performing transfiguration on an Animagus was not an issue.
Like he'd completed some sort of experiment, Augustus waved his wand again, and with another pop, the sheep was back to being that ugly old rat.
"That's advanced transfiguration magic," the girl said, looking at Augustus in awe. Her previously haughty expression had clearly softened a little. "Only upper-year students can master this."
"My name's Hermione Granger. I've tried a few spells at home—though, of course, nothing as complex as this—just some basic ones to practice. They all worked, though. By the way, what are your names?" She was asking all three of them, but it was obvious she was mainly interested in Augustus.
"Augustus." Augustus replied casually.
"Ron Weasley," Ron mumbled.
"Harry Potter," Harry said.
Hermione, who had previously ignored Harry and Ron, suddenly looked up at Harry as though she'd just discovered a new continent.
"Wait, is it really you? You're mentioned in a bunch of books! I bought extra reference books because of you." She then turned to Augustus. "Of course, the Augustus family, with their prominent connections in the Ministry, are mentioned in many books too. For someone so young, being able to perform such advanced magic must have something to do with your family's influence."
Augustus gave a noncommittal smile.
"Well, we should be arriving soon. I suggest you all get changed. Augustus, see you at school!" Hermione waved at them with a little more friendliness before heading out with the boy who lost his toad.
"Self-centered, arrogant—ugh, what a nightmare. When we get sorted, I don't care which house I'm in, but I definitely don't want to be with her,"
Ron grumbled, throwing his wand into his suitcase. He then looked up at Augustus. "So, what did I do wrong with what George told me was a spell, Augustus?"
Augustus chuckled lightly. "It's pretty obvious, Mr. Weasley. That might not have been a spell at all."
"I knew it was useless. George told me that. I bet he knew it was a dud from the start," Ron grumbled, cursing under his breath.
The scarlet train continued steadily along the tracks, the green scenery outside flashing past Harry's eyes. The train whistled sharply, a sound that seemed to come from far away. They must be arriving soon, Harry thought to himself.
"....."