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During Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
"Now, Mr. Finnigan, would you be so kind as to demonstrate the Crabapple spell?"
Seamus gave a start. "Er…what, Professor?"
McGonagall sighed. "Finnigan, please pay attention during class, or I'll be forced to deduct House points. Please perform the spell that we have been practicing since the beginning of class."
He nodded and pointed his wand at the small crab on his desk, clearing his throat. "Cancepomum!" The crab gave a start; before it could scuttle away, the spell hit, turning it instantly into a small crimson crabapple.
The Transfiguration teacher nodded her approval, turning to face the rest of the class. "Can anyone tell me why this spell is important?"
As expected, only one student raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"A law of magic states that wizards can't simply create food out of thin air. One must have the right conductor—in this case, the crab—to create any type of sustenance, whether it be fruit or otherwise," Hermione said, as if she had the textbook memorized. Dean actually had his book open to the chapter…he gaped at her.
"How can she memorize that word for word?" he muttered, luckily not attracting the attention of McGonagall. Hermione looked pleased with herself.
"Now, an important factor in creating food items is the impossibility of it," Professor McGonagall was now saying. She smiled at the snickers. "A contradiction, yes, but one you all must understand…should you continue onward with this subject during N.E.W.T. years, this is especially studied. You can enlarge, or shrink, food, or use spells to copy the original item. You can summon food, if you know where it is…however, most agree that food gained by magical means loses many distinguishing properties, such as taste and the effect of the nutrients in the body."
Ron and Harry were dueling each other with a pair of the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' toy wands, purposely ignoring the class. Dean was looking wistfully at the various food items mentioned—lunch was next period. Seamus was arguing with Parvati as to whether or not Trelawny would get the sacking, and Lavender and Neville were copying Hermione's last page of notes.
McGonagall stopped talking, watching the students perform their various activities. Her lips pursed. Raising her wand in the air, she let loose a turret of red flame, capturing everyone's attention.
"Blimey, Professor…what was that for?" Ron asked, trying not to look guilty.
"Mr. Weasley, that was a warning. Duel, albeit with fake wands, in my class again, and I'm sure Mr. Filch will have a suitable punishment. Same goes for you, Mr. Potter." Both boys looked down, muttering 'Yes, Professor.'
"Mr. Thomas, if you are hungry, perhaps you should eat a larger breakfast. Mr. Finnigan, Ms. Patil, please leave rumors out of the classroom. Nothing will come of trying to predict the future. And Ms. Brown, Mr. Longbottom…while it is admirable that you two are trying to study, please stay on task and save copying yesterday's notes for a free period." The class gaped at her, and quietly listened to the remaining lecture.
As the class packed up to go to lunch five minutes later, Ron said, "You wouldn't think it, but she's scary when she's angry. I thought she'd give us detention." He smirked slightly.
"Don't think I'm not considering it, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, winking. "At least you learned a part of Transfiguration. How to go from loud to silent in a matter of moments."