Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 59 Monday Night Detention

Upon hearing Professor McGonagall's question, Karen's heart tightened. Was she referring to the measures Castor had taken against the Selwyn family?

"I don't quite understand what you mean, Professor."

"The Cruciatus Curse, Mr. Hawthorne," Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly turned stern. "For a professor to use an Unforgivable Curse on a student at Hogwarts is absolutely unacceptable."

Karen understood what Professor McGonagall meant: using the Unforgivable Curse was harmful, but she couldn't deny that Castor's actions had indeed protected him and his family.

"I understand, Professor," he replied cautiously, "but Selwyn and the other three ganged up on me, and first used a curse..."

“I’m not talking about Mr. Selwyn’s actions; their actions were undoubtedly heinous,” Professor McGonagall shook her head. “I’m talking about a professor’s responsibility and role model. There’s a reason Unforgivable Curses are called ‘unforgivable’; they corrupt the caster’s soul.” She gave Karen a meaningful look. “Especially when young people witness their respected teachers using these spells, what kind of impression will it leave?”

Karen lowered his head, staring at his clasped hands. Professor McGonagall's words were like a mirror, reflecting some issues he had deliberately ignored these past few days. He admired Professor Castor's knowledge and power, but wouldn't those ruthless methods and skillful use of dark magic... affect him?

"I... I've never thought of it that way, Professor," he finally said honestly.

Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly. "Thinking about these questions is part of growing up." With a wave of her wand, the graded assignments automatically stacked up and flew neatly into the drawer under the podium. "You have half an hour left in your detention. During that time, you can ask me some questions about Transfiguration. I noticed you always seemed hesitant to speak when we discussed it before."

Karen's eyes lit up; she hadn't expected her little scheme to be seen through. "Indeed, Professor, I have a question. About shapeshifting that grants inanimate objects temporary life..."

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows practically flew into her hairline: "Advanced NEWTs level Transfiguration content. Why are you interested in this?"

“Last week… uh, during that conflict, I used discarded tables and chairs as weapons,” Karen explained, gesturing in the air to represent the scene. “But controlling them required continuous spellcasting, which was distracting. I was wondering if there was a way to give them brief moments of autonomy? Like… Peeves, but still under the caster’s control.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Professor McGonagall's eyes, quickly turning to admiration: "A very insightful question, though the analogy isn't quite right." She took an exquisite wooden chess piece—a knight—from her desk drawer. "Look closely."

She lightly tapped the chess piece with her wand and chanted a complex incantation: "Vita Artificialis!"

The wooden chess piece immediately unfurled, transforming into a three-inch-tall knight, its silver armor gleaming in the candlelight. The little knight strutted confidently across the table, even brandishing its longsword and mimicking several standard fencing moves.

"This is a technique that combines Transfiguration with life magic," Professor McGonagall explained, her wand guiding the little knight through a series of complex movements. "The key is understanding the nature of 'life.' A master Transfiguration can imbue an object with a temporary spark of life, but this state cannot last."

Karen stared in fascination at the miniature knight. He could see how Professor McGonagall's magic precisely constructed a simple life cycle system—silver-blue magic flowed through the knight's body, forming veins like miniature blood vessels and nerves.

"This is amazing..." he murmured, unconsciously extending his finger. The little knight immediately assumed a defensive stance and lightly tapped his fingertip with his longsword, the force just enough to cause him a slight sting.

"It's also very dangerous," Professor McGonagall added seriously, waving her wand and turning the knight back into an ordinary chess piece. "Incorrect life transformations can have unpredictable consequences. In the fourteenth century, a German wizard attempted to give his armor eternal life, resulting in the creation of the first 'living armor,' which nearly destroyed half a castle."

She pushed the chess piece toward Karen: "I suggest you master everything in 'Intermediate Transfiguration' before trying this advanced technique. However..." She took a dark blue-covered notebook from the bookshelf and handed it to Karen, "These are some of my insights. You can refer to them when you're ready."

Karen took the notebook, surprised by Professor McGonagall's trust. The cover, embossed in gold lettering, read "Advanced Transfiguration Applications: Theory and Practice of Life Endowment."

"Thank you, Professor." He carefully tucked the notes into the inner pocket of his robe. "I will study them carefully."

Professor McGonagall nodded slightly. "I believe you will. Now, the confinement is over. You can go back."

Karen rose to take his leave, but as he reached the door, Professor McGonagall suddenly called out to him, "Mr. Hawthorne, there's one more thing."

He turned around and waited, his hand still on the doorknob.

"Professor Eisenberg..." Professor McGonagall carefully chose her words, her gaze behind her square glasses unusually complex. "Without a doubt, he is a brilliant wizard, highly skilled in alchemy and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I can see that he values ​​you highly, but I still have to say that some of his ideas are... too extreme."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I learned from Albus that his childhood environment shaped his current behavior and beliefs, so I want to tell you to choose your mentor and learning materials carefully."

Karen's heart skipped a beat, realizing that Professor McGonagall might have noticed something. But did she know Castor's true identity? Or did she merely have doubts about his teaching methods?

"I'll remember that, Professor." He finally just nodded politely and then gently closed the door.

Stepping out of the classroom, the castle corridors were quiet. Moonlight streamed through the high windows, casting a silvery glow on the stone walls. Karen's thoughts jumped back and forth between tonight's conversation and her talk with Professor Castor.

For now, he might lean more towards Professor Castor's philosophy: only by acquiring sufficient power can you command respect to speak of love and justice. Otherwise, without power, empty talk of love and justice won't make you the next Dumbledore; it will only be a joke. But right now, all he wanted was to quickly return to the common room, carefully study Professor McGonagall's notes, and then rest and sleep.

Suddenly, Karen heard footsteps and a cat's meow. He immediately realized that Filch had arrived. He then cast a silence spell on himself and hurried toward the Ravenclaw Tower.

Turning a corner, Karen suddenly stopped. In a portrait on the wall, a girl wearing a flower wreath winked at him and then pointed to a small door that almost blended into the wall. It was a shortcut to the Ravenclaw Tower, rarely opened.

"Thank you." Karen smiled at the portrait and pushed open the door to enter.