A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 78: Visiting

Chapter 78: Visiting

Hospital wing.

"Madam Pomfrey, I've come to check on Miss Hermione Granger," Felix Harp said.

"Oh, her," Madam Pomfrey grumbled at him, "Young wizards these days are causing so much trouble, using magical potions recklessly, showing no respect... Given her condition, she'll have to stay in the hospital for at least three weeks."

Felix was quite intrigued as he inquired, "Can you determine the effects of the potion?"

"It appears to be a concoction of mixed cat hair, utterly absurd. I have no idea where they found such magical ingredients," Madam Pomfrey remarked while pouring out half a cup of potion from a large bottle, "On Christmas night, those two young wizards brought her here, and I was taken aback. I almost thought it was irreversible magical harm."

"Concoction of mixed cat hair..." Felix pondered on those words. After a few moments, he gently suggested to Madam Pomfrey, "Madam, I'm heading in that direction, shall I bring the potion to her?"

Felix pushed the door open and entered the ward.

There were seven or eight beds in the room, but only one was concealed behind a white curtain. As Felix approached, the curtain opened from the inside.

"Madam Pomfrey? Have you come to deliver the potion?"

A furry head poked out, and the voice was unmistakably his assistant.

Hermione and Felix's gazes met, and she froze instantly.

"Ah!"

The young witch let out a terrified scream, immediately retracting and pulling the curtain shut forcefully, causing the entire bed to tremble.

But in that fleeting glance, he had already seen what his assistant looked like now.

Her face was covered with deep brown cat fur, intermingled with her own hair. Several cat whiskers adorned her cheeks, and her eyes had turned ginger yellow. On top of her head were two upright pointed ears.

"Miss Hermione Granger, I heard about your predicament from Potter and Weasley and came to visit you," Felix said with a tone that couldn't help but carry a hint of amusement.

He waited quietly for a few seconds, and a shaky voice came from behind the curtain, "Professor, hello."

"I've brought your potion, and well..." Felix said, "If you don't mind, I can take a look and see if I can be of any assistance."

"Professor, you mean... you might be able to help me?" Hermione's voice from behind the curtain was full of hope.

Felix's mind was replaying her appearance, but he managed to maintain his composure, "I can only say, let's give it a try. Your situation is quite rare."

Hermione slowly opened the curtain, briefly lifting her head to glance at him before burying her face in her hands.

Felix placed the potion on the nearby table and carefully studied the young witch's current appearance.

This situation is truly quite rare. The preparation of the Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair is already difficult, and even the Potion Masters don't have much stock of it. It wouldn't be used lightly—especially with such a low chance of mishap.

Hermione felt his probing gaze and asked softly, "Professor, do you have a solution? Madam Pomfrey said I'll need at least three weeks to recover. Merlin, how many classes will I miss?"

"Um, the misuse of the Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair, correct?" Felix Harp pondered seriously. This situation was indeed challenging.

He extended his wand and lightly tapped Hermione's forehead, causing a circle of golden light to emanate from the tip.

The young witch's face showed no change.

"Hmm, Human Transfiguration isn't working, possibly conflicting with the potion's effects... Interesting, well, I mean, troublesome. Alright, let's try a more obscure spell."

In Hermione's eyes, Professor Harp enthusiastically cast spell after spell, even taking out a piece of parchment to record the effects of various spells.

"This one won't do!"

"This one has a slight effect, but it's not very noticeable."

"How about trying this?"

Hermione stared at Felix Harp, her expression indicating, Are you doing this to help me? I see through you, Professor!

Finally, a rather obscure spell began to work.

Her brown fur rapidly shed and disappeared from her face, revealing skin that became fair and clean once again. Hermione sensed this change, first touching her face and then picking up a small mirror from beneath her pillow to examine carefully.

"Oh, my goodness." Hermione covered her mouth.

At this point, her appearance had greatly improved. Most of the thick, lush brown fur on her face had disappeared, although the cat whiskers and the pair of pointed ears on top of her head stubbornly remained.

Yet even this effect was enough to fill Hermione with immense delight.

Hermione happily looked at herself in the mirror.

"Professor, what magic is this?"

"A form of Minor Cosmetic Transfiguration, able to modify minor imperfections on the body. Of course, it's temporary. The magic effect should last for about two hours," Felix explained.

"Is it Human Transfiguration?" Hermione said with insight. She had intended to study that magic, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed now, as Human Transfiguration was an exceedingly complex magic.

Difficult to the point that most adult wizards couldn't master it.

"You could say that, but its effects might not be as impressive as you imagine—it can only modify specific areas. You see, this spell was actually invented by a vampire. Its original purpose was merely to conceal their fangs."

"A vampire?" Hermione asked with keen interest. With most of her trouble resolved, even if only temporarily, her mood had improved significantly.

"Yes, in the medieval era, vampires were quite despised. In order to blend in among humans, they devised this magic. But I must say, the effect is quite modest. It can't compare to Human Transfiguration or Polyjuice Potion. Nowadays, hardly anyone uses it."

"Professor, I heard that Polyjuice Potion can completely change one's appearance at will."

"Yes, indeed. One of my younger schoolmates possesses that talent. It's truly convenient." Felix glanced at her. "That way, you wouldn't have to risk consuming the Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair."

Hermione lowered her head, and her pointed ears drooped.

"Professor, I..."

"You three brewed the Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair in secret, right? I'm referring to you, Potter, and Weasley."

Hermione lifted her head, looking at Professor Harp with a surprised expression.

"Yes," Felix played with his wand, casually remarking, "That was quite easy to deduce, especially when I recalled that you had specifically asked me for information about unusual potions. I introduced a total of six potent potions, but you clearly showed more interest in the Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair."

"The Concoction of Mixed Cat Hair can change a person's appearance, which indeed could be used to gather information discreetly—"

"So, what I want to know is, who are your suspects?" Felix Harp gazed at Hermione.

After a prolonged silence—

"Malfoy," Hermione whispered. "We suspect him of being the Heir of Slytherin."

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