Parts of this are word for word from the first book which I own a copy of but nothing more in case you thought I did.
Then Professor McGonagall tells them that their next task is to transfigure a match into a needle. She demonstrates, picking up the small splinter of wood and tapping her wand to it. It thins out, a small hole opening in one end. This is a simpler transfiguration due to the similar sizes and shapes and Harry thinks he could handle it fairly easily. She turns the object back into its original form and then back into a needle again.
The Professor hands out the matches.
"Do not worry if you cannot complete the transfiguration this lesson. Transfiguration is one of the most complex types of magic you will learn at Hogwarts so it may take several lessons before you make any progress." She begins walking around the room, stopping at various desks to give pointers.
Harry tries to recall what McGonagall did. Gently he places the tip of his wand on the match and pushes his magic through it, letting it loop and curl around the piece of wood as he imagines the needle it will become to guide him. He pulls the threads tight and they tuck themselves somewhat messily into the perfectly formed needle.
He looks to either side of him. Neither Ron's nor Neville's match has had any change- in fact Ron's wand is directing his magic to the left of the match and Neville's just doesn't seem to be doing anything.
Hermione in front of him is having more success. Her match is a dull silver and is slowly becoming more pointed. Her magic wraps carefully around the match, entwining itself similarly to his own but more cautiously. Harry wonders if this is because she hasn't been exposed to magic or because she's focusing too much on getting it right.
McGonagall comes along their row, advising Ron to adjust his grip (to compensate for the quality of the wand thinks Harry) and Neville to put slightly less power into his wand. A small trickle of energy starts to wind its way around his match in response.
She looks down at Harry's needle and smiles, showing it to the whole class.
"A point for Gryffindor Mr. Potter." Then more quietly just to him, "If you would please meet with me after dinner Mr. Potter. You are a natural in Transfiguration and I would like to ascertain your skill level. If you could keep practising for now." Harry nods, pleased with his progress and the Professor resumes monitoring everybody's work.
Ron watches him pull the spell apart, leaving a match laying on the desk.
"How did you do that? I can't get my match to do anything." The boy sounds slightly envious.
"I just thought about what I wanted the needle to look like and let the magic do the rest- I can help you if you like." The boy goes red.
"Nah- that's okay thanks."
"Oh- are you sure? I wouldn't mind." Ron nods.
"Yeah, I'm sure I'll figure it out." Harry is doubtful due to the state of Ron's wand but says nothing, merely nodding and going back to work on his match.
Before the end of the lesson Harry has managed to tuck a few more strands of magic into his transfigured needle, Ron and Neville both have the original match still on their desks and Hermione has managed to turn her match fully silver, each end finishing with an obvious point. She seems somewhat dismayed by her efforts despite the Professor's smile.
"Harry!" She catches up with him as they leave the classroom, "Would you be able to give me some tips later? I can't believe you managed to turn a match into a needle just like that!" Hermione smiles awkwardly. Ron groans at the reminder of the lesson.
"Of course- maybe after eating? And you did well too- you managed to turn the match silver and pointy- it's not much further from there." The girl practically beams at the praise and the thought of doing better.
The four of them make their way to the Main Hall and eat their fill. Ron almost elects to stay behind but follows them in the end, whether out of not having other friends or genuinely wanting some help Harry is unsure.
It doesn't take them long to find an abandoned classroom.
"I just realised we don't have matches." States Harry. Hermione almost jumps out of the seat she had settled in to.
"I'll ask Professor McGonagall if we can borrow some!" The girl immediately rushes from the room. Ron watches wide-eyed.
"What's her problem?" The door swings back to closed.
"I think it's just because she's Muggleborn," Says Neville diplomatically, "This must be more exciting for her than for us." Both boys seem to forget Harry's own muggle upbringing and his enthusiasm for lessons.
"Can't wait for Defence next- I wonder what we'll do first." Ron grins excitedly, "Maybe we'll get taught how to get rid of Trolls!" Harry isn't sure what kind of school would let creatures like trolls near the students but he hopes it isn't the kind Hogwarts is. He reminds himself to ask Sam if he can do some research on monsters from his copy of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' because he needs to know how to get rid of them or keep them away.
Neville seems to share his trepidation.
"Aren't they kind of dangerous? They're really strong and vicious."
"Yeah- that's why we'd-" At that moment Hermione bursts into the room again, followed by Professor McGonagall holding a box of matches. She does not seem impressed.
"If you are determined to practise something so dangerous outside of lessons you must come and find a teacher for that subject first. I am very disappointed that any of you would be so foolish even on the first day." Hermione looks at the floor.
"I'm sorry Professor- it was my idea but I just got so excited to learn more." The Professor does not smile but does open the match box.
"Yes. That is why I have come to observe until I can be reasonably sure that nothing dangerous will happen. Luckily as it is the first day everybody is still settling in but in the future this may not be possible. I hope you understand this Miss Granger." The girl nods, face red. McGonagall hands out a match to each of them.
Harry isn't really sure what to do- whether the Professor would lead the session now or if he was still meant to.
Everyone focuses on him. He presumes that means he is meant to do something.
"Um." Harry starts, mind blanking, "Well- the first thing I did was visualise what the needle would look like. Then I directed my wand at the match and let my magic go through it. I wrapped the magic around the needle as similarly to Professor McGonagall's as I could and then, when the match looked like a needle, I cut off the flow and tied the transfiguration closed." Three faces stare at him blankly, one passively.
"I believe you may be unable to help them Mr. Potter." All three of his friends go red.
"We can't be that bad, Professor!" Complains Ron. The Professor nods.
"No. That is not the case. The problem is something I will have to discuss with Mr Potter later. If you could each practise the transfiguration I will watch over you for ten more minutes however then I must go and eat. If I think you will be safe enough by then I will allow you to practise for the remainder of lunch if you wish." The three place their wands against their matches. Ron's immediately misfires towards the door. Before it can touch the wood Harry redirects it and it dissipates harmlessly against the wall. Professor McGonagall advises Ron to alter his grip again and the magic hits the match this time. Harry looks to Professor McGonagall who nods at him and transfigures his own match again, coiling the magic up tighter than before.
By the time the ten minutes are up Hermione's match has assumed a silver colouration and the ends are sharp with a small dent where the hole would be, Neville's has started to turn a dull grey and Ron's has slightly pointier ends.
Professor McGonagall nods sharply.
"I am willing to allow you to practise for another twenty minutes as long as Mr Potter remains vigilant." Harry nods at this, "If could return all four matches to me this evening." Again Harry nods. Professor McGonagall picks us the box, stowing it in an inside pocket of her cloak.
"Yes Professor. Thank you for your help." The Professor leaves then but Harry swears he sees a flicker of a smile on her face as she gently closes the door behind her.