HP: Transmigrating as an Obscurial

For perhaps the first time in class, Vizet found his mind wandering.

His thoughts kept circling back to what he'd seen earlier — the Devil's Snare's sudden transformation still etched vividly in his memory. The way its magic circuit had shifted, expanding and twisting into something far more complex, left him unsettled yet intrigued.

Despite his growing understanding of magic, Vizet knew he'd missed something — a vital detail concealed by the limits of his current abilities. He had an undeniable feeling that whatever he'd glimpsed could deepen his understanding of Transfiguration.

After weighing the decision carefully, Vizet resolved to invest the remainder of his primordial magic power into the Eye of Insight, hoping to unlock its next level.

As the magic surged through him, the world began to distort.

Cracks splintered through his vision like shattered glass, and from these fractures poured a kaleidoscope of shifting colors and swirling lines. The lines coiled and crisscrossed, weaving themselves into intricate patterns that folded over one another, multiplying in complexity until they became impossible to follow.

For an instant, Vizet felt as if he were drowning in a storm of endless symbols and shapes.

Then, as suddenly as it began, the world snapped back into focus — the greenhouse reappearing in clear detail.

His classmates stood in orderly rows, wands in hand, practicing spells under Professor Sprout's watchful gaze. The Devil's Snare remained locked in its dark box, quiescent yet menacing.

Vizet let out a long breath.

When he'd first unlocked the Eye of Insight, it had felt like gazing down from a great height, observing the world in vast, sweeping patterns. Now, that perspective had shifted — his vision sharpened, focusing not on the grand design but the smallest details.

The page from A Wizard's Practical Guide had changed as well:

Eye of Insight (Intermediate)

Allow all to enter your sight... Perceive the circuits of magic... Discover the ancient magical power distilled through time... Absorb it to nurture the Eye of Insight..."

"Vizet! Over here!" Anthony's voice cut through his thoughts.

Vizet blinked back to the present and hurried to join his friends.

"You looked miles away just now," Anthony said, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Still thinking about last night?"

Vizet shook his head slightly. "No... I just didn't sleep much. I was up until sunrise."

"Couldn't sleep?" Michael leaned closer with an exaggerated grin. "Too excited after taking down that troll?"

"Not exactly," Vizet replied. "I was writing a reply to Luna."

"Wait — Luna's sweets?" Michael groaned theatrically. "Don't tell me you actually ate that toffee with the... gummy heart?"

Vizet chuckled. "It's not as bad as you think. The gummy heart's flavor is more like onions — Gurdyroot, actually. Once you get used to it, it's not too bad."

Chris winced. "And that's supposed to be toffee? Your sister's taste is... creative."

Vizet shook his head, smiling fondly. "That was Mr. Lovegood's idea. He wanted to surprise me."

Anthony hummed thoughtfully. "My aunt says Mr. Lovegood's... well, peculiar. Bit tricky to get along with."

Vizet's expression turned serious. "He's an incredible man. After Luna's mum passed away... he's done everything for her. And she's one of the happiest people I know."

There was a quiet respect in his voice — the kind that comes from understanding someone's unseen strength.

"Alright, alright!" Michael groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. "This is too sentimental. I can practically taste that sour smell getting stronger!"

A smile tugged at Vizet's lips as he turned back toward the Flitterbloom plant.

With his newly enhanced Eye of Insight, the magic circuit glowed brilliantly — clearer than he'd ever seen before.

Unlike potion ingredients, where magic seemed scattered and inert, the Flitterbloom's circuit pulsed with purpose. The delicate lines meshed like clockwork gears, tiny mechanisms turning in perfect harmony to create the plant's graceful sway.

It was mesmerizing — like watching the heartbeat of a living spell.

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"Mr. Lovegood, are you ready? Please take out your wand."

Professor Sprout's voice rang out, drawing Vizet abruptly from his thoughts.

"Vizet! Vizet!" Michael's elbow jabbed his shoulder, jolting him further awake.

"Sorry... I was distracted," Vizet mumbled apologetically, stepping forward to face Professor Sprout.

Her expression softened with concern. "You didn't get much sleep last night, did you?" she asked knowingly. "It's understandable — facing a troll is no small thing."

Then her voice turned firm again. "But I need you to stay focused now. The Devil's Snare may look like an ordinary plant, but in the wrong conditions, it's just as dangerous as that troll — perhaps even more so."

She fixed him with a steady gaze. "Now try to defend yourself properly. Knowing how to counter a Devil's Snare can save your life — and others."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll do my best," Vizet promised, tightening his grip on his wand.

"Good," Professor Sprout said approvingly. "I'll open the box. You'll have about ten seconds to react. Don't force yourself — you can cast Lumos or Incendio if needed."

Her hand rested on the box's handle, her wand raised in the other, ready to cast a protective spell if things went wrong.

"Ready?"

"Yes!"

The box lid snapped open.

This time, the Devil's Snare didn't bother with disguise — its dark green vines coiled and writhed like a nest of serpents, eager to strike.

Vizet felt a flicker of regret. He'd hoped to observe its transformation once more — something told him that witnessing the disguise process again would unlock a deeper understanding of Transfiguration.

But there was no time to dwell on that now.

The Devil's Snare lashed out with unnatural speed, its vines darting forward like hungry tentacles, eager to ensnare him.

"Lumos!"

Vizet's voice rang clear as his wand flared brilliantly, light bursting forth like a miniature sun.

The Devil's Snare recoiled at once, its vines snapping back in panic. Within seconds, it had retreated entirely into the box, curling in on itself like a frightened spider.

The greenhouse, silent just moments before, now filled with a chorus of impressed murmurs from his classmates.

"Excellent!" Professor Sprout beamed. "As expected of a Quidditch player's speed, Mr. Lovegood! Very well done indeed."

Vizet exhaled, feeling the tension leave his body. The pulse of magic still buzzed faintly in his fingertips, and despite his exhaustion, there was a quiet satisfaction in knowing he'd handled the challenge — and that perhaps, in time, he would unravel the deeper secrets hidden within that elusive tangle of vines.

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Herbology class had ended, yet students lingered outside the greenhouse, their chatter still buzzing with excitement. Compared to the usual routine of watering, fertilizing, and transplanting, today's hands-on practice had left them energized.

"Isn't there a flying lesson next?" Professor Sprout called out cheerfully, humming a little tune as she tidied up her workstation. Then she glanced up at Vizet. "Before you go — do you have any questions?"

Vizet hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward.

"Professor Sprout... I wanted to ask — how does the Devil's Snare disguise itself as a Flitterbloom?"

Professor Sprout paused, then chuckled warmly. "You always manage to ask the most unexpected questions, Mr. Lovegood."

She wiped her hands on her apron before continuing. "When a Devil's Snare senses danger — or when it's preparing to hunt — it disguises itself. Sometimes it takes the form of something smaller and less threatening, like an ordinary vine or a creeping plant. But when it mimics a Flitterbloom, its attack speed is far faster."

Her eyes twinkled as she added, "After all... they are the same magical plant."

"They're the same?" Vizet asked, surprised. "Like... a wolf and a dog?"

Professor Sprout's face lit up. "That's a wonderful comparison! Yes, exactly — the relationship between Devil's Snare and Flitterbloom is much like that of wolves and dogs."

"In ancient times," she continued, "the Devil's Snare was a serious threat. Wizards who ventured into swamps or dense forests often had to travel in groups, watching out for each other.

"But over time, as magical knowledge advanced, spells were developed to weaken the Devil's Snare's influence. Eventually, some wizards even attempted to tame it — and that's how the Flitterbloom came into being."

Vizet tapped his quill thoughtfully against his notebook. "But... that doesn't quite add up. If Flitterblooms are descended from Devil's Snare, then how did Devil's Snare know to imitate the Flitterbloom's shape? Flitterblooms didn't exist back then."

"Ah!" Professor Sprout's eyes brightened with delight. "That's the clever part. The Flitterbloom's appearance is actually one of the Devil's Snare's natural disguises. Long before wizards cultivated the Flitterbloom, Devil's Snares were already using this disguise."

Her smile grew fond. "I suppose the wizards who first noticed that disguise thought, Wouldn't this make a lovely houseplant... if it weren't so deadly? So they refined that harmless appearance — and thus the Flitterbloom became its own distinct magical plant."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "Don't you think Flitterblooms are quite charming?"

Vizet couldn't help but smile. He suddenly realized how similar Professor Sprout was to Hagrid — both had a fierce affection for the magical creatures and plants others might consider dangerous.

"Yeah," he agreed quietly. "They really are."