Sunday, 24th February, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
"Expelliarmus!"
The moment Eagles 1 lost their wands and were eliminated, the entire Duelling Hall, except for some Gryffindors, broke into cheers that would have shaken the sky.
"Serpents 8: Altair Cillius Black and Gemma Porpentina Dumbledore have won the Geminus Cup 1990 to 1991 with a perfect score. 100 out of 100!" Professor Flitwick proudly announced, even though it was his House's team that had lost the final.
"Altair Cillius Black has become the youngest Duelling Cup Champion in history! He's twelve years and eleven days old!" Professor Colin Fletcher's voice reverberated in the Hall, and the students grew even more excited.
Even the Ravenclaws were celebrating their victory, for it was not just a win, but history in the making.
They were only the third Geminus Pair in history to win the Cup with a perfect score, and the smiles on the pair's faces showed they were truly happy.
Upon the platform, Altair and Gemma walked to the centre to greet their opponents, and the Geminus pairs observed the etiquette, bowing to one another and shaking hands.
The runners-up received their medals from Professor Flitwick. Then Professor Victoire Montclair handed Professor Tonks the Geminus Cup up in the Staff Balcony.
It was Professor McGonagall who put the winners' medals around their necks, full of praise for them. Given how happy she seemed, it was almost as if her own House had won the Cup.
This did not sit well with a few lions. However, after the embarrassment they caused her during the Quadrivium Cup, they did not dare mention it.
Andromeda Tonks proudly stepped onto the Duelling Platform and handed the Geminus Cup to Gemma and Altair. Their names were now engraved upon it. She then left them alone to pose with their trophy as Professor Flitwick set off the fireworks in the Hall.
Both of them had already decided on their pose. After putting the Cup under the Levitation Charm, they suddenly began floating in the air along with it, circling around it, then grabbing it together and grinning at each other as they gracefully descended onto the platform.
Their celebration was elegant and magical, and truly showcased their talent. The crowd loved it and made sure Altair and Gemma knew how happy everyone was for them.
They next posed with the staff, their Head and Deputy Head of House, their Housemates, and then all of the Hogwarts students who gathered under the platform to celebrate their victory.
Later, Altair and Gemma gave interviews to the Daily Prophet, Hogwarts Weekly, The Quibbler, and The Magical Times. The last was an international newspaper.
The day was not over yet, though. Not for Altair, at least.
All of Hogwarts gathered in the Great Hall a couple of hours later for the Hogwarts House Chess Championship Final. Altair was up against Ignatius Selwyn, Cordelia's older brother, a Seventh Year Ravenclaw and the reigning Hogwarts Chess Champion as well as the British Chess Champion.
And history was made again.
Seven out of seven games of magical chess were played, and the match ended after Altair drew the last game. He remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and even in the final, drawing six games and winning one.
It was not easy at all, and both boys were immensely relieved when the match was over.
Ignatius was not even sad that he lost. He was happy, as it had been a while since he had felt such pressure, and he was already focused on retaining his title of British Magical Chess Champion later in the summer.
Altair also became the youngest Chess Champion in Hogwarts' history. His name was personally carved into the Chess Cup by his Head of House.
His victory earned Slytherin eighty House Cup points, and under raucous applause, he received his medal from Professor Fairwind and the trophy from Professor Sinistra. She was a multiple-time British Magical Chess Champion and also a multiple-time European Champion. She was also the mentor of Ignatius Selwyn, but she was truly happy for the young Black.
Altair later had to pose with both the trophies and medals he had won that day and give another interview. Thankfully, dinner time came and he was allowed some respite.
When he returned to the Slytherin dormitory, his housemates celebrated again, and the entire common room was filled with confectionery, sent by their Head and Deputy Head of House.
The Serpents celebrated for hours, chatted about the Geminus Cup, the highlights, and also the Chess Cup. Eventually, he excused himself to his suite to get some rest.
In the morning, when everyone gathered in the common room, they found their Prefects sitting in the corner, looking a little concerned as they were discussing something important.
"Is everything all right?" Altair approached them and glanced at the forms on the table.
"We don't have anyone to cover the Transfiguration discipline, which is the hardest in the Tri-Spell Relay this May. Cordelia participated in the Healer's Challenge last year, so she cannot take part again. Darius is our next best Healer at Slytherin, and also our Transfiguration ace. If he participates in Transfiguration, we are less likely to win the Healer's Challenge." Damien sighed. "Professor Tonks will be very disappointed in us."
"Why is there no champion for Transfiguration?" The young Black frowned, looking at the seniors and then at Damien.
"The Transfiguration challenge is the hardest, Altair. It's terribly exhausting, and this year Edmund Blackwood from Gryffindor is participating. He's a Transfiguration prodigy."
"There are no scores, but grades, and in each discipline, they are comparative. So, we need to send someone at least as good as Edmund, or not lacking much. Otherwise, he will pick up the best grades in Transfiguration, and we won't be able to make up the difference in Charms and Defence."
"I am good at Transfiguration, but Darius is better than I am, and Edmund is better than both of us."
Damien and Darius explained.
"I cannot cover Transfiguration, as I participated in it the year before," Gemma informed him when he glanced at her, and she was the most worried about the results.
After all, she had to win this Tri-Spell Relay.
"Tri-Spell Relay is not limited to Sixth and Seventh Years. So, write my name down in the Transfiguration discipline," Altair said after a while, much to their surprise. Many would have doubted his ability had they not seen him perform in the Geminus Cup.
"Are you sure? We don't need to make decisions in haste," Damien said seriously, and seeing him nod, the Prefect picked up the enchanted quill and wrote down the name. "Too late for second thoughts now."
They all chuckled at his words, and Altair just shrugged.
"We are winning it. Don't worry."
Seeing his confidence, both Gemma and Cordelia, especially the latter, became very excited.
Darius also promised that Slytherin would retain the crown of the Healer's Challenge, showing confidence in his and his team's ability.
Everything was fine until the end of the Transfiguration class in the afternoon, when Professor McGonagall asked Altair to come with her to her office.
The young Black calmly followed her, keeping up with her brisk pace, attracting a lot of attention from the students they passed by.
A lot of them felt he had fallen into some trouble, but since it was Altair, they refrained from spreading any wild rumours about him.
"Sit, Mister Black," she said as she waved her hand and closed the door.
For minutes, she did not speak as she sat in front of him, going through a book, and Altair stayed silent as well.
Eventually, he realised it was some kind of test or punishment, and he stopped waiting for her to speak, losing himself in his own thoughts.
When an hour had passed, Minerva curiously looked at him, and seeing him completely at peace, she smiled.
"I hope it is not overconfidence in your abilities that has led you to choose to participate in the Tri-Spell Relay, Mister Black."
"I would never make such a decision if I do not have the ability to back it up, Professor."
"It's not going to be easy." She smiled even more when the most genuine of smiles curved on his lips.
"That's what I want."
"You shall have it, then." She promised. "You may leave now, Mister Black."
"Thank you, Professor, but there's something else I was planning to approach you for." He said, and she nodded and put the book aside.
"Yes, Mister Black?"
Altair regarded her for a few moments, and when she raised her brow at him, he finally revealed what he was planning.
"I have reconstructed certain magical theories regarding Transfiguration. The things I could test on my own have already been tested, but if I ever want to publish my work and submit my research, discoveries, and inventions before the Wizengamot, I need a renowned and decorated witch like you, who happens to be my Transfiguration Professor, to oversee my experiments. After all, I am underage," he said, smiling in his heart at the disbelief on her face.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I was hoping you would agree to become my supervisor, Professor. I plan to publish a book on my magical theory of Transfiguration in the coming two years, at most."
Minerva turned very silent as she digested his words.
"You mentioned research, discoveries, and inventions."
"Yes."
"What inventions?"
"Spells."
Her heart thumped hard against her chest, and she leaned back in her chair.
"Show me," she asked, almost hopeful, and Altair nodded as he stood up and looked around the room.
His eyes landed on a set of hats, and he picked up two.
He set them on the desk, then tapped both with his wand, encasing them in magical domes. Under the Professor's eyes, they started changing, soon becoming a mixture of each other before completely replacing each other.
"My theory of Transfiguration is based on Switching, Professor," he said, and then wore one of her hats and tapped on the one on the table.
Minerva shot up to her feet as she witnessed the astonishing speed at which the two hats replaced each other, transforming into each other's perfect image.
To shock her even more, Altair approached her and, under her curious eyes, touched her robes with his wand.
Within a few seconds, they were wearing each other's robes, and Professor McGonagall's mouth dropped open in shock.
He walked around the room and decided to switch the two chairs next to the fireplace, and again, the Professor was shocked at how easy he made it look.
"Switching, as the world knows right now, is severely limited and arduous, but I think it is perhaps the field of Transfiguration with the most utility and benefit. The magical society will benefit a lot from my magical theory."
He returned to her side and changed back their robes, and stayed silent as his Professor magically inspected everything.
"They are all permanent..."
"Yes, Professor. And there's more."
"More?" She looked at him in amazement.
"May I?" He picked up a diary on the table and then asked for a blank book, preferably of the same material.
Thankfully, she had one, a copy of the diary which was still blank, and she watched him place them side by side on the table.
"I did not open that diary, Professor." He said, and when she nodded, he tapped the two, encasing them in magical domes.
Moments later, when they shattered, he asked her to open both, and watched her look at the pages and contents in disbelief. They were identical!
"No charms or enchantments... Perfect copies... effortless..."
"About that, Professor. It's not effortless. It's a highly advanced and complex magical theory. Only someone with a head for it will be able to make these spells work. Otherwise, they will only create a mess." He said seriously. "I need to test these spells on magical things and living things to make sure they are not too dangerous. Theoretically, they shouldn't work on Magicals or Muggles or any living thing, as I have designed this theory and these spells with that in mind, but it is important we understand the consequences before I publish anything. If there are issues, I will rework some things to make it safe for use by the masses."
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath as she realised how dangerous these spells could be, and she solemnly nodded.
"I will be your supervisor, Mister Black, but we will also need Professor Flitwick and Professor Tonks as witnesses who can vouch for you. I will talk to them."
"Thank you, Professor." He bowed to her, and she stared at him as her heart raced.
He terrified her. Truly terrified her. His talent was incomprehensible, and it was almost like he was the second coming of his ancestor, Morgana.
However, at the same time, he gave her hope, and her expectations for him soared to new heights.
He was undoubtedly destined to change the world forever, and having observed him closely since his arrival at Hogwarts, she was certain he was a kind child. She had even seen him treating House-elves with care and respect.
However, the mere thought of something bad happening to him, a tragedy, sickened her. She knew if the world's darkness touched him, the star of Hogwarts could turn into an evil star who might doom the entire world.
The Black blood was, after all, known for its madness and powerful magic. And even Morgana... the Morvaine... le Fey... was a Dark Witch...