Chapter 48: 48. The Difference Between Shaping And Deforming
"Subjective transformation begins with the wizard, who uses their own thoughts and insights to analyze objects and alter them according to their own ideas."
On the other hand, "objective transformation is rooted in the wizard's understanding, which allows the transformed object to interact with the world around it."
To illustrate this, consider an example: Ivan has tasted a particular flavor of ice cream before. With this knowledge, he can use magic to turn ordinary water into that specific ice cream flavor. In this transformation process, the more advanced a wizard's thinking ability is, the broader the range of objects they can work with, and the more accurate their transformations will be.
This skill is also crucial for tricks like deceiving Muggle devices. A wizard must grasp the underlying principles of the objects they wish to transform in order to create convincing changes. For instance, Professor McGonagall, despite being a powerful witch, does not fully understand the complex workings of Muggle electronics. As a result, while she can turn electronic devices into small animals or plants, she cannot transform a stone into a fully functional TV. If she attempted such a transformation, it would only appear to be a TV on the outside, while the inside would be empty or unstable, similar to something caught in a state of quantum uncertainty.
"Thinking."
At that moment, Ivan realized the critical importance of the thinking attribute in magic. This trait is most prominently displayed in the art of Transfiguration. It serves as a powerful tool for exploring the world, facilitating calculations, and fostering understanding.
If one day Ivan were to master both magical transformation and permanent transformation—combined with a sufficiently high level of thinking—he might even reach a level of power akin to that of a god, capable of creating and shaping the world around him.
"I have one last question, Professor," Ivan said, feeling a surge of curiosity.
As he spoke, he and Professor McGonagall continued their discussion, while the other students looked on, some confused, but Hermione, who sat nearby, could barely follow along. She struggled to comprehend the complex ideas being discussed, but her fascination with magic kept her engaged.
"Can air be transformed?" Ivan asked, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Uh..."
Professor McGonagall hesitated, her expression thoughtful. She realized that Ivan's question was indeed quite unique. It wasn't a trick question, but it required deep knowledge of the foundational principles of Transfiguration.
"No," she finally answered, shaking her head. "Transfiguration cannot change air."
Ivan pondered this. "But what about 'wind'?" he countered.
In Ivan's understanding, there were spells in the wizarding world that could summon wind or create clouds, fog, and storms. If air couldn't be transformed, what were these magical effects?
"Ivan, what you're asking about isn't Transfiguration," McGonagall clarified. "Transfiguration isn't simply about changing the outward appearance of something; it's about changing its very essence."
If Ivan's goal was merely to alter the shape of gas, that would not fall under the category of Transfiguration. Instead, it would be more like elemental magic, involving control over natural forces like fire and water. True transformation of air would mean changing it into solid matter like water, food, plants, or animals—but such feats might only be possible for deities.
"I just mentioned that Transfiguration cannot increase or decrease the number of objects involved. Have you thought about how we define quantity?" McGonagall looked directly into Ivan's eyes, her tone serious. "For example, we can't take two separate apples and turn them into one single entity. There is always something in between them."
Some might assume that the space separating physical objects is what defines quantity. However, in Transfiguration, the concept of separation doesn't quite reach the level of manipulating space itself. The separation involved here is limited to the air that exists between objects.
Moreover, this limitation means that wizards cannot transform individual molecules, such as an oxygen molecule or a water molecule.
Ivan felt a wave of contemplation wash over him. He wasn't sure where the upper limits of Transfiguration lay. However, he was certain that while bacteria and viruses might be an exception, the transformation of molecules and atoms was definitely beyond the capabilities of ordinary wizards.
After the Transfiguration class ended, Ivan stood up and prepared to leave, while his classmates created a path for him to exit. They watched him and Hermione walk away, filled with admiration and respect for their intelligence.
"What's going on?" Ivan wondered aloud, surprised by the attention he was receiving. He was not a solitary person by nature, but it seemed that his classmates held him in high regard.
The young Gryffindors, especially, seemed to view Ivan as a leader among them, instinctively rallying around him. Even the Ravenclaws expressed admiration for the knowledge Ivan had displayed during his exchange with Professor McGonagall.
"That's so cool!" Ronald exclaimed, following Ivan alongside Harry. Ronald felt a pang of envy, wishing he could command the same level of respect and awe that Ivan inspired.
Harry, too, had his hopes set on Ivan. He wished the older boy could teach him a few spells. Harry didn't aspire to be just like Ivan; he would be satisfied if he could learn just one or two spells that worked well for him.
"Ivan, you're incredible!" Hermione chimed in, her excitement evident as she gushed over his insights. The twelve-year-old girl looked up to Ivan as a role model and mentor.
"It's nothing, really," Ivan replied, offering a humble smile.
As they walked, Ivan noticed Neville lingering nearby, looking a bit timid. He decided to invite Hermione to join them later in their dormitory. He wanted to continue teaching her magic and hoped that she could help Neville as well. Despite being somewhat clumsy and shy, Neville came from the Longbottom family, which had a strong wizarding heritage. He just needed a little more confidence and practice.
Though Neville often seemed doubtful about his abilities, Ivan valued his sincerity and loyalty. Since he aimed to become a formidable presence in the wizarding world, Ivan recognized the importance of having strong allies by his side. Hermione and Neville were two of the closest friends he had at Hogwarts.
"Do you think I can really do it?" Neville asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. Hermione quickly stepped in to support him. "You can do it, Neville! You just need to trust in Ivan's teaching."
Although Hermione thought it might be asking too much for Neville to excel right away, she believed he should at least have faith in Ivan's ability to teach.
"Yeah!" Neville responded, feeling bolstered by Hermione's encouragement. The admiration he felt for Ivan grew stronger as he considered the possibility of learning from him.
That evening, the three friends gathered in the Great Hall for dinner, enjoying their meal together. Afterward, they headed to the boys' dormitory as they had planned to continue their magical studies.
At Hogwarts, it was standard for girls to be allowed in the boys' dormitory, but not the other way around, which made things simpler for them. Besides, there were only two beds in Ivan and Neville's dormitory, which meant there wouldn't be much chance of trouble arising.
As they entered the dormitory, they were greeted by the sounds of playful chaos. Yumi and Crookshanks, the two cats, were engaged in a spirited playfight on the floor, while Leif, the raccoon, perched on a nearby shelf, intently watching the door. Meanwhile, Neville's toad sat quietly, feeling a bit left out among the lively feline antics.
"Ahem," Ivan called out, gathering everyone's attention. He arranged three chairs and a small table in the open space of the dormitory. On the table, he laid out their textbooks on Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, and Potions, ready for their study session.
"Neville, try not to be nervous," Ivan said, sensing Neville's apprehension. "Hermione and I have had many study sessions together. You can do this."
"Yes, Neville," Hermione chimed in, smiling at the shy boy. She was confident that with Ivan's guidance, there was no reason Neville wouldn't be able to learn effectively.
As they settled in, Ivan felt a sense of excitement. This was the start of something special—a chance for all three of them to grow stronger together as friends and wizards.
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