Man of Archives

Chapter 23

Abruptly folding my wings, I savored the feel of the wind pushing against them, the way it hit hard. I swooped through the bedroom window. In the next second, I had already begun my transformation back into human form. Taking a deep breath in and out, I adjusted my clothes as the adrenaline slowly faded, leaving behind a pleasant aftertaste.

With a flick of my wand, I restored my clothes to their original state and headed toward the Great Hall for breakfast. After that, I would be heading to my Transfiguration mastery exam.

Upon entering the Great Hall, I realized I didn't particularly feel like eating. A subconscious nervousness I hadn't noticed before began to creep to the surface. To calm it, I poured myself a glass of cold water. After downing it, I forced myself to eat something—preferably something chewy to distract me from my anxious thoughts.

"Good luck, whatever you're up to," said Isolde. She immediately noticed my state but didn't pry. She knew I'd tell her everything when the time was right.

"Thanks," I replied with a soft sigh. I closed my eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and exhaled again. Only then did I realize that the time had come.

Leaving the Great Hall, I returned to the Gryffindor common room once more. The portraits followed me with their quiet and meaningless chatter. In the dormitory, I grabbed a few last things, opened the window, and transformed into a bird.

After a short flight, I reached the edge of the school grounds, where the anti-apparition barrier no longer applied. Returning to human form, I spun on the spot. One more second passed, and with a barely audible pop, I appeared in Diagon Alley.

Spring was in full bloom, and the trees were beginning to blossom. Without hesitation, I headed toward the Transfiguration Guild building. The place greeted me with its usual calm and quiet. A few older wizards eyed me with curiosity before returning to their conversation.

At the reception, I silently handed over my invitation. The young man working there took it just as silently, verifying its authenticity with magic. Once confirmed, he returned it and said:

"Fourth floor, room five."

"Thanks," I nodded.

There was no need to linger, so I headed toward the room I needed. Climbing the stairs slowly, I mentally prepared myself for the moment I would stand before truly experienced and powerful wizards who would decide whether I was fit to join their ranks.

Mastery in even a single discipline was a status and recognition achieved by only a select few.

The fourth floor felt subtly different from what I had seen so far. It was a strange sensation, difficult to describe. From a magical standpoint, I didn't even want to delve into it—there was so much going on here that it would take a good dose of Hagrid's mushrooms to make sense of it all.

Two wizards in black robes, bearing the Ministry of Magic insignia, stood outside the room. They eyed me with interest but said nothing and made no move. Curious—what were they doing here?

Entering the room, I immediately spotted Professor McGonagall, sitting with a few other wizards and witches, engaged in conversation. As soon as I walked in, they stopped talking and turned their attention to me.

"Ah, Mr. Jody," McGonagall said. "You're a bit early."

"Good morning," I greeted them. "I can wait if necessary."

"No need," Gryffindor's head of house waved it off. "I'll send a Patronus to Dumbledore."

She waved her wand, and a silvery cat shot out, quickly bounding off on its errand. I had a feeling it was heading straight to the professor.