"Welcome to Transfiguration class!"
Cedric watched with admiration as Professor McGonagall leapt down from the podium and transformed back into her human form. In that moment, he truly understood one thing: both she and Professor Snape had a method to their madness when it came to managing a classroom of eager — and often unruly — young witches and wizards.
That method? Shock and awe.
Whether it was Snape emerging ominously from the shadows or McGonagall transfiguring a desk into a squealing pig, both professors knew how to capture attention from the get-go. The display of power served as a declaration: Respect this class, or it will make you.
It was a performance of dominance, yes — but also of invitation. After the stick came the carrot. Snape, with his signature theatrical tone, spoke of potions as if they were delicate works of art, something mysterious and lofty, like mountain flowers only the worthy could touch. And McGonagall? She let her spellwork speak for itself, crisp and efficient.
It was in that environment, charged with inspiration, that Cedric made a decision.
He needed to shine.
Especially now, when the room was filled with first-years — or "Traitlings," as the upper years liked to call them. These were the impressionable minds that would shape Hogwarts' next few years. And among them sat the students of Slytherin.
Many had a warped idea of what it meant to be a Slytherin — as if being dark, brooding, and arrogant were the entry requirements. But Cedric, who had read deeper into Hogwarts' history, knew better. Godric Gryffindor had once been best friends with Salazar Slytherin. They had aligned in purpose before they diverged in ideology.
Even the Sorting Hat had suggested Slytherin to Harry Potter, identifying in him the ambition and cunning that the house prized. Glory, it had promised — if only Harry were willing to embrace it.
And who exemplified Slytherin better than Professor Snape himself? A man who had hidden in the shadows, playing both sides, driven by vengeance and love. That was ambition. That was cunning.
Cedric respected that. And he knew that to earn the admiration of Slytherin, one needed to win — to be excellent.
And today, he would show them excellence.
---
The first half of Transfiguration class was devoted to theory. Professor McGonagall went over the rules and laws governing magical transformation, such as the importance of target weight, the magical laws of conservation, and the concept of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration.
Then, finally, came the practical session. Students were handed matches and instructed to attempt turning them into needles — the classic beginner exercise.
Cedric waited patiently until Professor McGonagall approached his desk.
"Professor," he said quietly, "some of my friends are curious about my transformation abilities. May I show the class a demonstration?"
Normally, such a request might have been denied. Professors weren't fond of showboating — especially not in the first week. But Cedric wasn't just any student. McGonagall had already noticed his exceptional grasp of theory and his respectful, composed manner.
She gave a small smile. "Very well, Mr. Diggory. Let's see what you can do."
Cedric strode to the front of the classroom.
"Everyone," he said, projecting his voice just loud enough, "I've had a bit of practice with Transfiguration before coming to Hogwarts. Some classmates were curious, so I thought I'd demonstrate. Hopefully, it'll spark more interest in the subject."
He met Professor McGonagall's eyes once more — a silent confirmation. Then, without hesitation, he tapped into his Animagus form.
With a deep breath and a surge of magic, Cedric began his transformation. Bones shifted, muscles restructured, and fur burst from his skin. A moment later, standing where Cedric had been, was a towering bear-like creature — over two meters tall, heavily built, with round ears and thick, shaggy fur. It was an iron-eating beast, a rare magical creature known for its strength and near-impervious hide.
He roared — a deep, primal sound that echoed through the classroom. It wasn't a threat, but it was felt. It struck something instinctual in everyone present.
Silence fell. Every student was wide-eyed.
Then Cedric stretched out a large paw.
"It's alright," he said, having returned to human form, "you can touch it. It's quite friendly."
The Hufflepuffs were the first to react.
"Whoa! That was so cool!"
"It's so fluffy! What kind of magical creature was that?"
"This is why Cedric's our champion!"
Cedric chuckled and waved it off modestly.
Professor McGonagall, clearly impressed, took a step forward. "What you witnessed just now," she said, her tone crisp with pride, "was a successful transformation into an Animagus form. Animagus transformations are highly advanced and strictly regulated. As of the end of the twentieth century, only seven witches and wizards were officially registered."
She turned to Cedric. "It seems Mr. Diggory is well on his way to becoming the eighth."
Applause broke out, and not just from the Hufflepuffs. Even the Slytherins, often difficult to impress, clapped — some with admiration, others with curiosity, and a few with barely hidden competitiveness.
---
After class, Cedric was instantly surrounded by Hufflepuffs, all chattering at once.
"What's it called again?"
"Can you transform again?"
"Do you eat iron like the beast?"
Cedric laughed, answering questions while slowly making his way toward the exit — only to find a few Slytherins standing there, waiting.
The atmosphere shifted.
The Hufflepuffs immediately went on high alert. Despite their usual laid-back nature, they were protective — especially when one of their own was involved.
They moved in closer, arms crossed, chins tilted up.
Cedric quickly raised a hand. "Easy. They're not here to fight."
He stepped forward, giving the Slytherin group a polite smile. "Can I help you with something?"
A pale-faced first-year stepped out from the green-robed group.
"We just wanted to ask one thing," the boy said. "When you were being sorted — did the Hat suggest Slytherin to you?"
Cedric blinked. "Yes," he answered honestly. "It did."
"Then why didn't you choose it?"
Cedric paused, thinking. The answer wasn't simple — but it was honest.
"I love winning," he said. "No doubt about that. And I respect what Slytherin stands for. But I also love making friends, enjoying food, and helping others. I guess… I felt like I could do all that better in Hufflepuff."
The group of Slytherins exchanged glances, clearly processing the answer.
Just then, another voice piped up.
"If you had the chance to transfer to Slytherin now… would you take it?"
The air went still.
The Hufflepuffs' smiles vanished. Jaws dropped. Did they just try to poach Cedric?
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"Are you trying to steal Cedric?!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Bastard!"
The reaction was instant and furious.
In the long history of Hogwarts, no house had ever attempted to recruit another's student. It was unheard of. Sacrilegious, even.
Hufflepuffs were usually known for their warmth, their camaraderie. But beneath the cheerfulness ran a powerful current of loyalty — and that loyalty had just been challenged.
A storm was coming.
And the Hufflepuffs were ready to defend their champion.
---
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