Both involved Transfiguration.
One could only change the shape of an object.
For example, during last night's battle against Alexia, he turned splinters of wood into birds and buttons into snakes.
His transfigurations looked similar to Professor McGonagall's, but Argus himself knew the truth.
The essence of the object remained unchanged.
Wood was still wood, and buttons were still buttons.
In Professor McGonagall's hands, the pig that was transformed from the lectern seemed to have a soul.
Its expression and movements were indistinguishable from those of an ordinary pig!
Argus's thoughtful gaze caught Professor McGonagall's attention.
Compared to the surprise of other freshmen, she appreciated students like Argus who could spot problems in the details and think critically.
Unfortunately, she wasn't just Argus's teacher.
As the Hogwarts Transfiguration professor, her primary concern was the progress and ideas of most of her students.
"Alright, little wizards."
"Transfiguration is far more mysterious than you can imagine."
"Now, open your textbooks. Today we're going to learn how to turn a match into a silver needle."
Professor McGonagall handed out a match to each person in turn and demonstrated the steps according to the textbook.
This included the hand gestures for casting spells, the angle and force at which the wand was waved, and so on.
Only after confirming that all the new students had mastered the material did she feel comfortable letting them try it on their own.
"Your next task is to turn the match in your hand into a silver needle."
"Don't rush, think through the steps and the order!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the eager freshmen couldn't wait to take out their wands and wave them at the matches in front of them.
Unfortunately, no matter how they waved their arms or used the limited magic they had learned, it was all in vain.
The matches didn't change at all!
"Argus, can you help me? Why can't I get anything working no matter how I wave my wand..."
"Merlin's flowery shorts! What are you doing!"
Draco, having failed in his efforts, turned to Argus, only to see the silver needles on the other's table constantly changing into various shapes!
One moment it was a silver needle, the next it was a little pig.
What was horrifying was that the pig's body wasn't completely transformed; its limbs were actually four slender silver needles!
"Argus!"
Professor McGonagall was terrified when she saw it.
With a forceful flick of the wand, she dispelled all the transmutation spells on the matches.
Argus breathed a sigh of relief and was about to explain something when he heard Professor McGonagall's serious voice.
"Argus, have you forgotten what I just said?!"
"No misbehavior is allowed in my class!"
"I'm sorry, Professor," Argus said obediently, bowing his head in apology.
"I've completed the task you assigned; I'm just practicing how to transform a desk into a real pig, just like you."
"A real pig!" Professor McGonagall keenly sensed the meaning behind Argus's words.
A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
"That's right, I once turned wood into a bird, but later I found that it was just a change in shape."
"The body is still just wood, unable to give it life like you do."
"Mr. Grindelwald, your talent for Transfiguration is even better than I imagined."
Professor McGonagall had originally thought that if Argus's talent for Transfiguration was about 70-80% as good as his talent for Spellcasting, she would have been satisfied.
After all, a person's energy is limited, and it is impossible to be perfect in every aspect.
She never imagined that Argus would come into contact with the essence of metamorphosis, and even the level of the soul, when he was only a first-year student!
Her annoyance gradually subsided, and she put the wand back into her sleeve.
She replied to Argus, "The question you raised touched upon a crucial aspect of transfiguration."
"A change in the essence of an object."
"nature?"
"That's right. The prerequisite for turning wood into flesh and blood is that you need to understand the essential transformation between the two. This is something that only advanced Transfiguration techniques can cover, and it's too early for you at this stage."
"You can try turning the wood into stone or iron first."
"This would be much easier for you."
"I understand, Professor McGonagall! Thank you for your guidance!"
At that moment, Professor McGonagall looked at Argus with the same gaze a master craftsman would give to a perfect piece of rough jade.
She simply couldn't suppress the urge to carve.
"If you'd like, you can come to the Transfiguration Club every Sunday morning to learn about the essence of things, and I'll explain it to you in detail."
"Of course I'd like to, thank you so much for your guidance!"
"There's one more thing I need to remind you, Mr. Grindelwald!"
Professor McGonagall then changed the subject, her tone becoming serious again.
"Because of your breach of classroom discipline, I have to deduct five points from Slytherin as a warning."
"As for your beautiful shapeshifting..." she announced to the crowd with a slight smile.
"Slytherin gets five points!"
"A just verdict!"
Argus smiled slightly, indicating his agreement with Professor McGonagall's approach.
Merit was merit, and fault was fault; rewards and punishments should be clearly distinguished.
No wonder she would be the top choice for headmaster of Hogwarts in the future.
"Mr. Grindelwald, if you don't mind, could you please help the other young wizards with their tasks for this lesson?"
"It's my honor, Professor McGonagall!"
A cheer erupted from the Slytherin crowd, and Draco eagerly pulled Argus to his side.
"Argus, come help me! Why are my matches always so unruly!"
"Try it once and let me see."
Under Argus's watchful eye, Draco waved his wand and tried again.
"Stop! I know where your problem lies."
Where?
"Draco, you must understand that the power of magic originates largely from within you. Only when you truly believe it is a silver needle will it change."
Argus patiently explained to Draco, demonstrating with his wand again and again.
The new Slytherin students surrounded the two, asking them about the problems they had encountered while casting spells.
With Argus's help, the Slytherin group made rapid progress.
Pansy, Daphne, Theodore, and others who were making faster progress were already showing signs of sharpening matches.
Some of the Gryffindor freshmen looked at their matchsticks, which had made no progress, and hesitated for a long time.
One approached Argus hesitantly and asked him a question.
Argus didn't care and treated students from both colleges equally.
He not only gained the friendship of Gryffindor, but also received the admiring glance of Professor McGonagall.
Harry really wanted to ask Argus for help, but Ron was extremely averse to the suggestion.
"Harry, you actually believe Slytherin's nonsense?"
"They're always so hypocritical. They pretend to give you pointers on the surface, but in their hearts they've already cursed you countless times!"
"His father is a dark wizard, so he must be one too!"
"Hermione, am I right?"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"
Seamus, who had just returned from seeking knowledge from Argus, had no intention of paying him any attention.
He didn't even hear what he said clearly, and just nodded casually.
After one class, with Argus' help, most of the students' matches showed a noticeable change.
At the very least, they could sharpen one end of the match.
It was just Harry and Ron.
The two matches remained unmoved.