"Excellent," Mikey said, propping the book open on his desk and grinning. The sixth years were going to love him for this. "Just don't go up in a burst of flames and come back as a baby, okay? That might be difficult to explain to your parents." And Schechter. And the authorities. "Oh, and try not to teleport anywhere if you can manage it." Not that he didn't have experience in chasing rogue animals through the school, but he did have classes to teach and there was a Ministry official around somewhere whose attention he didn't want to draw.
He rolled up his sleeves, pulled out his wand, and then fixed the image from the book firmly in his mind. One strong flick, nice and calm, he told himself and then he was going through the movements just like that. There was a definite shift of magic and Nate started shrinking away. A few seconds later there was a rather beautiful bird standing down at his feet instead.
The plumage had come out quite nicely he thought, leaning down a little to peer. Lovely long glossy tail feathers, shorter ones over the back, sturdier ones in the wings. He was always surprised by the tiny details that somehow managed to manifest correctly with Transfiguration spells. And that he seemed to be able to manage them. In fact it was a pity he couldn't just pick Nate up and take him to the Staff Room. He kind of wanted to share.
But nevermind, Nate's wishes and welfare were his priority when he was like this and being toted around the school as a showpiece was definitely not something they'd agreed on. He'd just have to try and memorise the specifics for some notes later.