Mina smiled as she made her way into the classroom. It was time again for transfiguration and she was looking forward to the lesson as always.

Noticing all the other students already seated, she hurried to her seat near the front and pulled out her parchment and quill.

Fletcher strolled into what was probably his best subject and favorite class and picked out a seat on one end of the horseshoe. Huh. Wonder what's behind that thar curtain.

Still staring at the curtained off area like he could see through it, the boy raised his hand to answer the professor's question. "Knowledge of Transfiguration would be useful for curse-breakers, maybe, sir? They would need to know how to disable any transfigured booby traps and like... transfiguring special vaults could be helpful..."

Right?

The practicality of some kinds of transfiguration? Hmm, hopefully she wasn't one of those people, since, she couldn't remember what she written in her homework and all. Or, what the homework was about.

"It could be used for protection purposes." she said, after raising her hand. "Say, like you can transfigure a rather large statue to be animate instead of inanimate if you somehow find yourself in a fight, or perhaps you want extra protection in your Gringott's vault, you could do that same thing. Or use it as a distraction to get away from something or someone."

However anyone wanted to use their own person fighting statue, it was fine by her. Bahahaha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

Professor Kingsley nodded at the boy. "Good day, Mister Hudson."
----------------

"Alright," Professor Kingsley said, watching the door. "We'll give stragglers a few more minutes before they're late, but I thought we could get a discussion started anyway."
Preston took a look around the room and tapped his lips with his forefinger thoughtfully.
"Some of you, in your homeworks, questioned the practicality of some kinds of transfiguration. Can anyone tell me when or in what circumstances or in what professions transfiguration might be useful?"

Patroclus smiled back, as the first question was asked.

Raising his hand the third year offered up an answer, " Sir transfiguration could be rather helping with Relocation as well as travel." A subject the boy had vast banks of knowledge on, "But tranforming pieces of furniture as well as suit cases and trunks into objects much small, for example coins or thimbles, the wizard or witch could greatly reduce the size and popped them into their pocket than just apparate to the preferred location" sitting for a moment he dwelled on his answer, "I could possible be just as easy to use Evanceso, but perhaps the witch or wizard may feel more comfortable being able to visual locate their belongings, especailly if it is to be a rather long journey."

Eek! Treyen almost stopped at the door and turned back before realizing he wasn't precisely late, everyone else was just early.

Apparently the class wasn't officially 'started', so...he could come in? As he did, he was hoping no points would be taken away, and also that he'd go totally unnoticed because he had no idea what they were talking about in here.

So, he just took a seat, and waited to see what the discussion topic was all about, perhaps he could join in at some point.

Marie ran to class then slowed down to catch her breath just before going in. Hoping she wasn't late she opened the door and instantly noticed the curtain blocking part of the room. Hmm, last time there was a curtain in a room they ended up breaking professors out of crates. But this was Transfiguration, not Charms.

Still wondering what was behind the curtain she went and sat next to Carter who was sitting near Patroclus. "Hey guys," she whispered since it seemed like the class was discssing something already. "What did I miss?"

Crap, they were discussing something already... did this mean she was late? Hopefully not because she had never been late to a class before and she didn't want to start being late now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Marie ran to class then slowed down to catch her breath just before going in. Hoping she wasn't late she opened the door and instantly noticed the curtain blocking part of the room. Hmm, last time there was a curtain in a room they ended up breaking professors out of crates. But this was Transfiguration, not Charms.

Still wondering what was behind the curtain she went and sat next to Carter who was sitting near Patroclus. "Hey guys," she whispered since it seemed like the class was discssing something already. "What did I miss?"

Crap, they were discussing something already... did this mean she was late? Hopefully not because she had never been late to a class before and she didn't want to start being late now.

Still with his mind on travel, Patroclus grinned as Marie sat just off to his side. The girl looked distressed and her whispering informed him why, " Don't worry you are not late," the boy replied in a semi-hushed tone, "I think the rest of us were just early! We are discussing circumstances where the practical application of Transfiguration is helpful, and worth wild!"

Patroclus beamed at the girl, it had taken a year, but Patroclus now had a group of friends he was proud to call his own.

Thank God she wasn't late.

Gold had split her bag and, even though it only took a flick of her wand to repair it, it took more time to gather everything that had fallen out, and vanish the mess that two broken inkpots had created. By the time she finally reached the Transfiguration classroom, Gold realized that one more minute, and class would have been underway.

Taking a seat, she placed her bag down - next to herself - just as Professor Kingsley opened up the lesson with a question.

She raised a hand. "Good healers know transfiguration, sir, and I think it can help cooks, too." They always needed to conjure something or the other. "... as for usefulness, we can take animagi transfiguration as an example. It can be a good form of protection, disguise, or escape, depending upon the situation one is in. Self-transfiguration, correspondingly, can serve the three afore-mentioned purposes, as well. In fact, we have the common, historical example of former Potions Master Horace Slughorn, found by Headmaster Dumbledore in the form of an armchair. Mr. Slughorn was on the run from dark artistes, and made excellent use of Transfiguration, to ensure that he could not be hunted out."

"Transfiguration can be used in duels or for the purpose of defence, too. Take spells such as Draconifors, for instance. One can use one's immediate surroundings, such as statues, to excellent effect. Then there are Vanishing Spells, which can help one safeguard important documents." Gold had a mental image of Xylon trying to grab her pretty, PINK! diary, and her vanishing it before he could touch it. "Or Switching Spells, that can help you obtain an object you urgently need - such as a goblet or needle - but cannot conjure from scratch." In other words, if your magic wasn't good enough for that, yet. Easier to switch something, than to make something out of nothing, no? Though both would eventually fade. Revert or vanish.

She lowered her hand, going through all of the other benefits and uses of Transfiguration. There were so, so many!

Dianna fixed herself as she entered the classroom. She has slipped two times while running and almost got hit by a door.
She slowly got a seat at the back and tried to catch her breath.

"Good, yes," Preston said, tapping the board with his wand. "Disguises" then appeared. Satisfied that the board would record on its own, he retook his seat.

"Yes, another good idea. If an opponent sends something your way, being able to transfigure it into a non-dangerous item can be most effective."

He nodded. "Excellent. Transfiguration is an excellent way to pass magical creatures and items through muggle areas without detection."


Preston turned to a student and furrowed his brow. "Just because students are still arriving, that doesn't mean you can ignore what's going on. If it happens again, I'll take points."

"The curtain was meant to keep our items for today's lesson from being a distraction. Though, I suppose the curtain is a distraction all its own. FOCUS. That goes for all of you." Preston pointed up toward the board.

Professor Kingsley smiled at the two girls as they entered. "We're just talking about when transfiguration might be useful."

He nodded again. "Yes, absolutely. Protecting your own valuables, but also recognizing how others have protected theirs."

"Yes, good. Personal physical protection as well." Preston looked up to the board. Most examples were classic. He wondered if anyone would get a little more creative or obscure.

"Excellent day-to-day example," he said. "Ease of transportation is certainly one of the more mundane, but extremely useful applications."

Preston nodded at the young Lockhart before turning to another student.

Preston's attention was caught by Mister Hudson catching Miss Salazar up. He nodded at the boy appreciatively.

Preston smiled. "Thorough answer as always, Miss Laksh. Yes, conjuring things you need at a moments notice, as well as self-protection are good uses."

Preston smiled at the Malfoy girl as she entered.

------

"Alright, let's officially begin. Thank you for the examples of why transfiguration is useful: protection, both of person and of valuables; secrecy, whether disguising yourself or an object/animal; ease of transportation; immediate need."

Preston leaned forward at his desk. "I wonder, if you can't tell me why particular spells, though seemingly not very useful might be."

Preston waved his wand at the board, erasing their thoughts and adding three sets of things: Tortoise-to-teapot, mouse-to-matchbox, guinea fowl to guinea pig.

"Pick one of those transfigurations and tell me just one reason you think it might be useful. Be creative."


ooc: class HAS officially begun, now. Don't post entering late!

Selena raised her hand. "Well, for mouse-to-matchbox, it would be useful because sometimes if you're in an old building with no light, and you find a mouse, you can transfigure the mouse into a matchbox and get some light," she said, "or if you just don't like mice you can change it into a matchbox," she added.

Iris looked at the board as he put these things on it. She rose her hand "Um... Well, I suppose that some spells could be useful even though they don't look like it because you've realised that there is use to it... " She paused, to try and think of the best example from the things that were on the board. "The Tortoise to Teapot transfiguration could be useful... If you were in need of a teapot." Well DUH, Einstein. "And didn't own one. A turtleshell teapot would look very fine at a Tea party. " Not to mention it would make you look like you had no love for endangered species. On the other hand, it would make you look very wealthy, to be able to afford such a tea pot. Just as long as it didn't change back whilst pouring tea. Hehe. That wouldn't be good.

Realising that her idea was a bit silly, she put her hand up again. "Being able to turn Ginuea Fowls into Ginuea pigs would be useful if you needed to move a lot of them, or needed to prevent them from flying off, too... Ginuea Fowl breeders would probably find it easier to transport teeny ginuea pigs around in cages than big birds."

Patroclus studied the transformations before him. All perfectly done, as was expected by the master Transfigureer...was that a word...?

The Tortoise to Teapot one was an obvious improvement, but Patroclus had taken the be creative part to heart.

"With the Guinea Fowl to Guinea Pig transfiguration, that would be very handing say if you wanted to stop the bird from flying away. If it were in a box, the fowl could fly to freedom easily, but the pig would be trapped in it's carboard prison. Also the guiena pig would be far more friendly and aproachable, say if it were to be a pet." Pleased with this answers the boy grinned and listened out for more from the others!

So that's what they were talking about, she gave the professor a grateful smile and listened as her classmates give exapmles to when transfiguration might be useful.

Arya had to think really hard about the professor's next question. Really, REALLY hard. Mainly because the other half of her candy wand was burning a hole in her robe pocket, but also because she was trying to think of a good use for those spells besides the obvious. "If your in the woods.....collecting beetles," She mused, belatedly remembering to raise her hand. Raising it slowly she focused her eyes on the professor. "And you forgot to bring something to store said beetle. Then you could find a field mouse and transfigure it into a matchbox. They're really good for storing bugs, and you get a pet mouse as a bonus when done with the matchbox."

Which was a sweet deal in her eyes. Too bad she couldn't preform magic at home or else she would have all the matchboxes she would need for her beeltes.

Alex rose her hand after thinking, "You could Transfigure a Tortoise into a teapot if your out by a lake or body of water and needed to collect something to drink because you forgot to bring water or something else to drink.. you could also transfigure A Tortoise into a teapot if it tries to bite you." Alex wondered if Tortoises were the ones that bit or if that was Turtles in general.. she honestly didn't know much about Tortoises at all.

Eirin grumbled as she was reprimanded. Hey, just because someone was being a jerk didn't mean she wasn't paying attention... "I believe ze tortoise-to-teapot would be ze most useful, 'onestly," she said, raising her hand. "It could, of course, be used for making tea. Or, if one was working with a limited supply of materials, it could also be used in potion-brewing - not for ze potion itself, as to spare ze tortoise from any long-lasting damage - but for any docile ingredients that might need 'eating up." Honestly, she wasn't sure what the point of changing a guinea fowl to a guinea pig was, and if one had the wand to transfigure the mouse into the matchbox, they wouldn't need the help of it to make fire.

None of those spells seemed useful. In fact, Evelyn would have preferred to skip over them entirely buuuut, if they must think of a way.

"The tortoise to teapot could be useful in the act of protecting again. I mean, again, if you were in some sort of battle and you find a tortoise next to you, you could totally transfigure it into a tea pot, and then...BAM! Your person is knocked out!" MWAHA! Perhaps, she was still thinking about the battle they had in History of Magic. "Besides, it'll be kinda hard to hit someone with a tortoise, not to mention damaging to the animal itself."

So, there we go! Safety purposes for both the witch or wizard, AND the tortoise!

Oooh why was transfiguration important? There were plenty of reasons for that of course. He copied down the notes on the bpard quickly and then raised his head back up to listen to the Professor speak. The Head Boy glanced at the three choices on the baord and thought of what to say.

"Professor I pick the mouse to a match-box. Say you are a wizard," which he was so it shouldn't take too much imagination, "and you happen to run a resturant which serves muggles too. As all food places must have a check my a health official, what if you restuarant is always clean but somehow a mouse got into the kitchen!" he paused for dramatic effect. "What could you do? The inspector is in the dining area, only a few minutes from the kitchen. Well you could quickly tranfigure the mouse into a matchbox and then when he leaves you can quickly remove the mouse and set him free elsewhere." that could happen! *nod nod*

Emmy raised her hand, "Well, Guinea Fowl to Guinea Pig would be useful, if say you were moving house, and you didn't want it to escape...? Or maybe, if it was being a nuisance, you could Transfigure it, and take it far away, so it couldn't fly back... And totoise to teapot would handy if you were dehydrated, and needed to fetch water from a pool or something, or if you needed water to wash things like clothes - or yourself."
Pretty rubbish answer, but mostly right... ish.

Carter raised his hand. "The mouse to matchbox would be useful if your mum told you that you weren't allowed to have a pet mouse. You could just transfigure it into a matchbox and she'd never know." Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly a logical answer because it would be younger kids trying to sneak mice into their rooms and they weren't allowed to do magic. But hey, if the Professor wanted logic he would have said so.

See? And that was what happened when teachers didn't communicate. She could have sworn over half the teachers this year have used a curtain to 'conceal' something. Professor Vindictus had more than once. Didn't they tell each other how much of a distraction curtains were?

Ellie bit her lip and continued to GLARE at it. How could she focus? HOW?

When the board was cleared, and rewritten on, she averted her eyes for just long enough to read it. Then they shot back at the curtain. Trying to think about the question and simultaneously staring at the curtain was beginning to hurt her head. Again. But she couldn't stop.

The answer Professor Kingsley was looking for, wasn't coming to her. But what did was another question. And teachers always encouraged questions, did they not? "Professor?" might as well try to be polite, since she was already not listening to his 'focus' advice, "Is it possible to transfigure a transfigured animagus? Would it be harmful?" Because then someone could hide easily that way, if they had a friend, you know? Like transfigure into an animal, then be transfigured into a teapot. No one would eeevvveerrr know...

"What if..." she began again, "You..." People took all the good ideas already. POUT. "What if you were out in the wilderness, where there are a bunch of animals, and realized you had to go to a party or something, but never got a gift? You could just pick up the nearest animal, the turtoise, in this situation, would make most sense, and transfigure it into a teapot. Then it's a nice house warming gift." Not to mention if it was for a muggle, they'd probably think it was a very creative and 'hard to find' type of thing. "Of course, it would transfigure back evennntually.. But if you were powerful enough, and preformed the spell well enough, it could last for a good while." And the muggle would be totally unsuspecting cuz they're all unobserving like that and would think some wild turtle showed up on their stove somehow and give it to their son as a pet. It's like a gift that keeps on giving. And if it was a wizard, they'd probably just get a good laugh out of it, and transfigure it back.

She was beginning to think that was actually a practical idea...

Mina glanced up and thought about it. Seriously, she was at a lost over just how she was to answer such a question, but maybe they were all supposed to think outside the box or something. "Well, Tortoise-to-teapot could be useful if you were stuck somewhere like an island of tortoises and wanted a cuppa tea. Or if you had to do a tea reading or something. You would need a teapot and all." she offered with a raise of her hand. Okay, seriously she was making no sense.

Preston's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "I suppose, though lumos would probably be a simpler choice than finding a mouse." He paused. "Though, your point about not liking mice is a good one. What if one was in your room and you couldn't catch it? Turn it into a matchbox and set it aside to be taken out later."

A tortoise shell teapot... he certainly hadn't considered that. It would probably be good for feigning affluence for a brief period of time... Ah, but yes, the guinea fowl. "Absolutely. I think transportation makes perfect sense."

"Also very good. Eliminating a mode of escape, good."

Preston turned and smiled kindly at Miss Lovegoods. "That is a possible use, yes." Perhaps not the most practical, but he didn't ask for practical.

Preston nodded. "Yes, I can imagine being near a body of water and spying a tortoise and transfiguring it in order to scoop out some water." He paused, continuing to nod, with a chuckle. "Yes, absolutely. Much like avoiding a mouse, if a tortoise were causing trouble, turning it into a teapot makes it easier to deal with."

Preston nodded in acknowledgment.

Preston blinked. "Interesting example, Miss Flores." Troubled, girl.

Preston clapped his hands together. "Excellent example, Mister Potter. Quick thinking situation, to be sure."

Preston nodded again. Similar answers to the others, but good, none-the-less.

"If the trace weren't an issue, yes, I can see that." Preston paused. "Though, I suppose it would also be a good way for an of-age wizard to enable a younger one to have a pet mouse."


Professor Kingsley looked over to Miss Stone. "Transfigure an animagus in their animal form? Well, yes, but it would be more difficult. If you'd like to talk more about it, you can see me after class."

To her example, then. "That is also a possibility, though," and he looked to particular members of the class, "I would caution against trying to pass off transfigured items as authentic ones. People feel duped and it is a morally suspect practice."

Preston chuckled. "An island of tortoises, you say? If one were to find themselves in such a situation, then I imagine any number of things could be created just from the tortoises, to allow a more comfortable stay on that island."

------

Preston stood and made his way back over to the board. "Good examples, all of you. Some others would include protecting the original animal from a predator. A mouse from a kneazle, for example. Or, perhaps protecting something or someone from that original animal - a baby, perhaps. There are many situations where having a seemingly impractical spell at your disposal is actually quite useful."

He wiped the board clean.

"One more. Chicken to feather pillow. Uses?"

Oh, what a FUN question.

Gold's hand shot up, of course. "Well, sir, I believe I could use the first combination to get back at some of my sneakier friends." Like Sachie, who had sent her a Love Potion, last term. That one potion had caused a huge rift between Gold and Raven - the Slytherin that the sixth year considered one of her closest friends - when it had ended up being consumed by the latter's boyfriend, who had subsequently 'fallen' for Gold. "When they open the gift, they'll see a teapot. But they won't be aware that the teapot is going to turn into a tortoise and give them the shock of a lifetime, when they wake up the next day." Take that, Sachie Tartan!

Though, now that Gold had lowered her hand, she was beginning to think of even better ideas. But Professor Kingsley had told them to pick only combination to speak on, so Gold remained quiet, piling up her ideas in a tidy corner of her brain, for later [practical] use!

Mina tilted her head slightly and raised her hand once again. "Well, if the chicken was in danger turning it into a pillow would save it, but maybe if all you had was a chicken and you wanted to take a nap. You would so want a pillow. No one wants to have to sleep on a rock." she offered.