27 Chapter 27: Challenging Tom
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You're getting two versions of this chapter and the next - the original, faithful translation and a rewritten version. Why the rewrite? Azazel thought the original was too silly and I kinda agree. Scroll until the next disclaimer if you only want to read the rewritten version. Otherwise, enjoy!
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"Despite the relative tranquility within our isolated wizarding community, an abundance of unseen threats lurk in the forms of both other wizards, as well as dark magical creatures that inhabit the world beyond," Professor Sherlock Forester confidently declared to his class.
"Regardless of their unique abilities, the creatures all share a common attribute: a physical prowess which significantly surpasses our own."
"It is paramount for each of you to understand how to harness your magical abilities against potential adversaries that might certainly prove to be stronger and faster."
"Unfortunately, these magical creatures will seldom volunteer themselves to serve as practice dummies for you in class."
"However, fear not," he reassuringly said, "for we are wizards, ingenious problem solvers by nature."
"With the help of Transfiguration, I have procured a being perfectly suited for our sparring sessions."
Nonchalantly, Sherlock shifted to the side of the classroom, revealing his newly conjured sparring partner, a creature emanating an aura of speed and strength.
Expressions of bemusement, however, spread amongst the student wizards as they gazed at the unusual manifestation from Sherlock's magic. Their faces retained barely suppressed laughter.
"I wonder if Professor Sherlock made a mistake during the transformation, it doesn't look like a beast at all" whispered Dean, sharing his humorous observation with fellow dormmate Harry.
Inspecting the bipedal creature with a touch of fascination, Hermione's roommate, Lavender Brown asked, "Exactly what is this supposed to be? A tiger? Or perhaps a cat? Admittedly though, it's quite adorable!"
Hermione herself, staring through her scholarly lenses, recognized with some certainty the identity of the furry, blueish-gray creature that Sherlock had conjured.
"Hmm, doesn't it look like Tom from Tom and Jerry?" she wondered.
Ever since the transformation was completed, Harry's stare had not strayed from Tom.
Having spent most of his twelve years of life in a Muggle household, he was more than familiar with this iconic character, just as recognized in the Muggle world as Harry himself was in the magical realm.
"Professor Forester actually enjoys watching Tom and Jerry!" mused Harry excitedly.
However, the fact that his professor was cognizant of the character was less astonishing than the fact that he chose this character as their sparring partner.
Only Ron, his red hair reflecting his confusion, queried, "How come the cat is called Tom? I've never heard of Tom and Jerry either.."
A desk had been transfigured into an upright, blue-grey feline by Sherlock, its resemblance to Tom Cat from "Tom and Jerry", complete with the iconic cunning smile, strikingly uncanny.
Students who were unfamiliar with the comic character found the feline's appearance absurdly farcical. Far from threatening, the sight was almost laugh-inducing.
Meanwhile, those who recognized the character had lost any sense of fear or tension. What's to be feared? It's just the hapless Tom, cartoon cat who can't even catch a mouse.
Sherlock had attentively observed their reactions. No surprise there, any opponent viewing Tom as their adversary wouldn't consider him a significant threat.
But was the character Sherlock crafted for the second-year students as simple as they supposed?
"I see you consider it ludicrous for him to serve as a practice partner." Sherlock calmly articulated, interrupting their mild chatter and shared mirth.
"Let's set up a little incentive! Anyone capable of defeating him in this lesson, will earn twenty house points, and an exemption from homework for the next month!"
With that announcement, understandably, a burst of excitement rippled through the pupils.
A bounty of twenty house points and a month of homework-respite was no paltry offering!
Students soon were clamoring and jostling to be the first contenders for the challenge.
Sherlock chose a keen male student from Hufflepuff for the first round.
The young wizard gripped his wand confidently, as though the promised reward was already his.
"Are you ready?" Sherlock queried the enthusiastic student.
"Certainly, Professor."
"Then let the challenge commence."
As Sherlock made the announcement, everyone's gaze sharpened with anticipation. The Hufflepuff boy, moments after Sherlock's voice fell silent, directed his wand towards his opponent.
"Dif..."
Before he could complete his spell, a swift blue-gray shadow had already reached him!
Panicked, the young wizard aborted his spell and had barely taken a step back when Tom pounced, effortlessly lifting him off the ground, while simultaneously swiping his wand.
The entire event was over in less than three seconds with the Hufflepuff lad subdued by Tom! Tom, victorious, threw a silent, mocking laugh to the other students, triggering a wave of laughter throughout the classroom.
It was clear to see, the young Hufflepuff wizard was overly cocky which had led to his swift defeat. Hoisted in the air, his face red with embarrassment, the Hufflepuff student appealed to Sherlock, "Professor, I wasn't quite prepared. May I have a rematch?"
Sherlock, however, did not entertain this request.
"Overconfidence is one's worst enemy in battle. If this were a real fight, losing your wand would almost certainly guarantee your demise. Besides, each student is only allowed one attempt."
Under Sherlock's direction, Tom gently lowered the defeated boy to the ground, who then had to reluctantly join his grinning classmates. Next up, Sherlock picked Ron from the group of eager challengers.
Taking center stage with a confident stride, Ron borrowed Hermione's wand, determined not to repeat the mistake of the Hufflepuff contender. He had observed and analyzed Tom's movements closely.
As Sherlock's voice again faded out, the second challenge was underway.
Ron chose to dodge instead of casting his spell. He anticipated Tom's attack, swiftly side-stepping the feline, and aimed his wand at the spot where he had stood moments before, exactly where Tom had just landed.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Ron was successful; his spell ejected a dazzling red light beam, which bolted towards Tom with remarkable speed. All the pupils held their breath, their hearts pounding with exhilaration; they were convinced Gryffindor was about to bag those twenty points.
Tom, however, had other plans. His body elongated, twisting into a peculiar question-mark shape, he miraculously evaded the incoming spell. Before anyone could register the surprise, Tom had caught hold of Ron and snatched his wand too!
The classroom fell silent, shocked at the surprising outcome. Tom, once again victorious, swanked a triumphant laugh, pounding his chest in glory.
Sherlock, merely a passive spectator till now, offered a gentle smile, reassuring himself that the time he had invested in perfecting Tom's transformation had not gone to waste.
Having said that, he knew his Transfigured Tom was not quite as mighty as the cartoon character, but it was still a formidable adversary for young wizards, especially those relying solely on lower-level spells.
Only when they began utilizing their magic to the fullest, would they stand a fighting chance against this formidable foe.
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So yea ^that^ was the original, following will be the rewritten version
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Swathed in the comfort of their antiquated yet intriguing Academy of Magic and Sorcery, Professor Sherlock Forester was addressing his class of bright-eyed young wizards.
"Present all around us lies the unavoidable presence of countless fierce magical beasts. You might think yourselves safe in the relative tranquility within our isolated wizarding community, but make no mistake, beyond society's artifically constructed safe haven lurk beings that boast of abilities unprecedented and strength unparalleled." he explained, letting each syllable carry the profoundness of his statement.
"These fantastical creatures are all distinctly varied in appearance, yet share a fundamental quality: physical prowess far superior to ours. It is therefore imperative that, as future wizards, you master utilizing your magical powers effectively against such opponents," his crisp voice echoed in the resonating silence.
Feeling the weight of their professor's words, the students stared at him in rapt attention.
"Regrettably," he continued, the corner of his mouth rising slightly, "these magical creatures will seldom volunteer themselves to serve as practice dummies for little wizards like you."
"Fear not however" Winking, he spared no grievance at the lack of suitable stunt creatures. "We wizards are nothing if not resourceful. With the help of a some clever Transfiguration, I've summoned a creature that's ideal for our dueling sessions."
Nonchalantly, Sherlock shifted to the side of the classroom, revealing his newly conjured sparring partner, a creature emanating an aura of speed and strength.
The students, however, broke into softened giggles, unable to hide their disbelief as they gazed at the unusual manifestation from Sherlock's magic. Immediately a wave of whispers spread across the room .
"I suppose, Forester must've botched his enchantment. That looks like the least threatening entity I've ever seen," Dean barely suppressed a chuckle, whispering to Harry.
Inspecting the bipedal creature with a touch of fascination, Hermione's roommate, Lavender Brown asked, "What exactly is that supposed to be? It looks like a little garden gnome."
Upon rigorous scrutiny, Hermione successfully identified the creature for what it was - a Cornish Pixie. A creature no taller than an apple, this pixie, indigo in color, projected a mischievous charm.
The appearance of the pixie kept the students mesmerized, their collective laughter offering a warm reception to this new enigma. Disbelief and amusement forged a harmonious chorus, underpinning the atmosphere with an infectious jovial spirit.
Those less versed in magical lore were openly entertained, incapable of perceiving any tangible threat from the tiny creature. Yet, even those with better knowledge found nothing intimidating about the pixie wrapped in its cloak of hilarious innocence.
Ron and Harry too joked among themselves, "Professor Forester must think we're absolutely incompetent if that's his choice of opponent" mused Harry.
"No kidding, if he knew we fought a Troll and a faced off against a three-headed dog last year he'd be so embarrassed.", Ron chimed in.
The consensus was clear, none of the little wizard took the Cornish Pixie as a serious opponent. After all what's to be feared? The thing is tiny, at most it could prove to be annoying to hit.
Forester's sharp gaze swept across the room, catching every reaction. A familiar glint appeared in his eyes. "I see you all find this very humorous", he began.
"Don't forget however, appearances can be misleading." he reminded them, letting an impish grin seep into his expression.
"Excellent! Then I'll pose a challenge for the lot of you." he announced dramatically, "Twenty house points to the individual who manages to best this pixie, and an exemption from homework for the next month!"
A potent wave of gasps swept across the students, as anticipation ignited a twinkle in the students' eyes. With the tempting reward laid out, they hastily aligned themselves in an orderly queue, a barrage of hands souring into the air, the students jostling lightly for their chance to be the first to engage in combat with the pixie.
Sherlock, ever impartial in his judgment, signaled to a robust Hufflepuff boy. The chosen Hufflepuff student took a sturdy position, gripping his wand securely.
His eyes glinted with arrogance as if victory was already his. "Are you ready?" asked Forester, his voice echoing in the excited silence.
With an air of confidence laced with over-ambition, came the answer, "To fight this little Pixie, absolutely, Professor"
"Then let the challenge commence!", the Professor announced.
As Sherlock's words fell, everyone's gaze sharpened with anticipation.
The Hufflepuff boy, moments after Sherlock's voice fell silent, directed his wand towards his opponent.
"Dif..."
But before he could complete his spell, a swift blue shadow had already reached him!
Befuddled, the young wizard aborted his casting and had barely taken a step back when the Cornish Pixie pounced, swiping his wand in one swift swoop, before effortlessly lifting him off the ground.
In the split seconds following his incomplete incantation, the bluish-gray blur of the pixie streaked towards him, lifting him off his feet effortlessly, and whisking his wand away in one swift swoop.
Dean had barely contained his laughter, and Hermione gasped in wonder, entranced by the victorious pixie, their expressions reflecting across the classroom.
From the pixie's lips rang a triumphant cackle, adding to the raucous laughter tearing through the room at their bewildered classmate's expense.
His inflated confidence had led to his missteps, leaving him vulnerable to the quick, cunning pixie.
In the midst of laughter and puzzled exclamations, Professor Forester instructed the pixie to gently lower the confused and embarrassed contender.
His face red with embarrassment, the Hufflepuff student appealed to Sherlock, "Professor, I wasn't quite prepared. Can't I have a rematch?"
Sherlock, however, did not entertain this request.
"Overconfidence is one's worst enemy in battle. If this were a real fight, without your wand, you would be defenseless. Besides, each student is only allowed one attempt."
Sweeping his eyes over the students once more, Sherlock decided upon the next candidate, "Weasley, you're up next."
Taking center stage with a confident stride, Ron borrowed Hermione's wand, determined not to repeat the mistake of the Hufflepuff contender. He had observed and analyzed Tom's movements closely.
As Sherlock's voice again faded out, the second challenge was underway.
Steeling himself, a determined Ron met his opponent's gaze. Having witnessed the pixie's agility in the previous battle, he cleverly dodged the anticipated attack instead of casting right away.
"Petrificulus Totalus!", he chanted.
An quick red beam of light launched towards the tiny adversary, yet the Pixie, with its incredible agility turned in mid-air, dodging Ron's spell with ease. Then, before Ron realized his genius plan had failed him, it swooped towards him, snatching his wand out of his hand too.
A collective silence engulfed the room as they witnessed the pixie's swift second victory. The sight of the tiny creature, alternating between roaring laughter and triumphant poses, sent a ripple of shock through the shell-stunned students.
Moments prior they had confidently proclaimed to their Professor that a mere Pixie posed no threat to them. Now facing the reality of the situation, they were unequivocally ashamed, they felt they had underestimated their Professor's insight.
Professor Forester couldn't help but feel vindicated, as he looked at the fallen hands and smiles in the room. It was true; in the magical realm, size seldom mattered. What stood supreme were cunning, skill, and experience.
