Romance Festival - Hogwarts Mystery

Outdoor Spectacles

The following morning, the fifth year Gryffindors met with the Ravenclaws in the courtyard for their first outdoor lesson--Transfiguration. 

As it was early in the morning, the heat wasn't stifling and Sarah enjoyed feeling the pleasant warmth of the sun on her face. She wasn't the only one. There was an excited tension as everyone gathered around Professor McGonagall where she stood in front of the fountain. It was amazing how a little change in atmosphere could do so much to lift everyone's spirits. 

As there were no desks, everyone found a place to stand where they could see. McGonagall stood next to a large barrel, but Sarah couldn't see what was inside. 

McGonagall called them to quiet so she could begin the lesson. "It is fortunate that we are meeting out of doors today, because the transfiguration you will be attempting is best practiced in the open air."

She reached into the barrel and held up three large marbles with green-black liquid swirling inside them. 

"Gobstones?" said a voice from somewhere behind Sarah. 

"Correct, Mr. Billingsley," said McGonagall. "Today you will be transfiguring gobstones into skunks."

"Why would we want to do that?" asked Badeea. The same thought had just crossed Sarah's mind. 

McGonagall gave Badeea a stern look. "In the world of magic, one never knows what spells they will need to preform, so it is best to practice them all. I once was able to drive away a particularly unpleasant suitor with the skunk transfiguration spell. Now, listen carefully, everyone. This spell can be disastrous if performed incorrectly. I'd hate for anyone to arrive to the festival smelling of skunk spray and stink sap."

McGonagall spent quite a while going over the incantations and how to perform them. Sarah had never seen her so insistent that they get a spell right. After her lecture, the students split into groups to practice the spell. She made sure each group stood well away from the others. 

Rowan and Sarah joined Badeea, Andre, and Talbott. Fortunately, none of them had trouble with the spell, apart from Andre. His gobstone didn't transform, but shot it's putrid liquid all over his robes. 

"Ugh!" he bellowed. "I hate gobstones! I smell like garbage!"

"Better than getting sprayed by a skunk, mate," said Talbott. 

"I still don't see why we need to learn this spell," said Badeea. 

"Like McGonagall said: to chase away unwanted suitors," said Sarah. "Who knows? We might see these little guys running around all over the quidditch pitch at the festival."

Badeea gulped. "I hope not. I don't want to worry about stepping on one when I'm already worried about stepping on my dance partner's feet."

"Does that mean you're going to the festival?" Talbott asked Sarah. 

"Isn't everyone?"

"I've heard people are only going if they have a date," he said. 

"It is a Romance festival after all," said Badeea. It looked like everyone had forgotten that wasn't what the celebration was actually called. 

"I also heard you weren't going to bring a date," said Talbott. 

"I wasn't planning on it..." said Sarah quietly. Maybe Penny and the others had been right. If everyone going to the festival was planning on bringing a date, maybe she should ask the right person before it was too late. 

"Looks like I may not be going then, either," said Andre. "No dates for me this time. So many people have asked me to design outfits for them that I'll be busy all week with it. Don't worry," he added, before Sarah could ask, "I'm already working on something for you. You are my fashion muse, after all."