If there is a training effect in increasing magical strength, and or improving concentration, keeping the rock transfigured works that way too, without being Transfiguration specific.
Quirrel’s armies help too—would normal classroom activity exhaust magic that much?
Harry could try a controlled experiment over the Easter holiday if he thinks about it.
With McGonagall’s permission, ask his classmates to keep a loop of cord transfigured into an unobtrusive platinum toe ring (or more than one) over the holiday when they’re not otherwise allowed to use magic. Then compare deltas in transfiguration scores on the next test between those who did & didn’t attempt it.
Is Harry getting letters back from his parents? He doesn’t yet seem to be thinking about measuring magical strength, but a tool to compare would permit some kind of scale—if it could use embodied magic in magic items as markers. That could argue for faster access to later year charms.
Similarly of pre-electronic tech that may be useful, that his parents may remember.
(Slide rules, Curta calcs, Microfiche & hand held readers, …)
In canon, the detection spells can’t even tell the difference between Dobby’s use of magic and Harry’s. Telling the difference between a kid’s magic and his parents’ would appear to be even harder. For the wizarding kids, if their use of magic can’t be told apart from their parents, there would be no way to sanction them. At that point the detection spells are only effective for muggle-borns. I’m not aware of any in-canon detection of children living with magical parents. (This would also let the wizarding families train their kids even when not at school, as a convenient way to bolster their status).
If there is a training effect in increasing magical strength, and or improving concentration, keeping the rock transfigured works that way too, without being Transfiguration specific. Quirrel’s armies help too—would normal classroom activity exhaust magic that much?
Harry could try a controlled experiment over the Easter holiday if he thinks about it. With McGonagall’s permission, ask his classmates to keep a loop of cord transfigured into an unobtrusive platinum toe ring (or more than one) over the holiday when they’re not otherwise allowed to use magic. Then compare deltas in transfiguration scores on the next test between those who did & didn’t attempt it.
Is Harry getting letters back from his parents? He doesn’t yet seem to be thinking about measuring magical strength, but a tool to compare would permit some kind of scale—if it could use embodied magic in magic items as markers. That could argue for faster access to later year charms. Similarly of pre-electronic tech that may be useful, that his parents may remember. (Slide rules, Curta calcs, Microfiche & hand held readers, …)
The toe ring test probably wouldn’t fly, the Ministry detects underage magic outside of the vicinity of Hogwarts and responds harshly.
In canon, the detection spells can’t even tell the difference between Dobby’s use of magic and Harry’s. Telling the difference between a kid’s magic and his parents’ would appear to be even harder. For the wizarding kids, if their use of magic can’t be told apart from their parents, there would be no way to sanction them. At that point the detection spells are only effective for muggle-borns. I’m not aware of any in-canon detection of children living with magical parents. (This would also let the wizarding families train their kids even when not at school, as a convenient way to bolster their status).
I’m pretty sure that I read somewhere that Wizarding families themselves are expected to keep an eye on their children when at home.