In the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, a silver top spun continuously, alongside a jar of liquid billowing purple smoke and several scratched-up Peeping Mirrors.

Most strikingly, there was a large cage on the podium, containing a curly-haired mountain goat, peacefully grazing.

Professor Moody instructed the students, as before, to put away their textbooks and limped back and forth in the aisle between desks.

"In the Middle Ages, there was a spell quite popular among wizards, which I believe you’ve studied in your books—the Mountain Goat Transfiguration Spell."

Moody tapped the cage with his cane and said, "This transformation isn’t an Animagus, nor is it the candy you’ve recently fancied. It’s a very vicious piece of Dark Magic."

Students curiously eyed the seemingly docile goat, the classroom filled with the sound of quills scratching across paper.

"The bewitched cannot naturally dispel it, nor does the magic fade over time. Dark Wizards of the era used it to transform Muggles who offended them into goats, then sold them at market. And... I think you can guess the goat’s fate."

Moody’s Magic Eye swirled, scanning each student; many showed expressions of disgust and distaste, some of longing, others of fear.

His scarred face bore no expression as he continued his lesson:

"Of course, this Transfiguration technique isn’t limited to goats; you can change someone into a frog, a swan, a pig, a dog... any animal you can think of."

"The result of the transformation depends on what animal the wizard wants you to become, not the unlucky one who looks like something. Once transformed, family shouldn’t expect to find them again..."

"Certainly, I won’t teach you this evil magic... If you’re curious, then ask Professor McGonagall... Now, you need to know how to prevent and resist... Pay attention! This isn’t some Illusion Gummies meant for play!"

In the remaining time, the classroom occasionally echoed with the mountain goat’s "baa", sometimes mixing with other animals’ "oink", "woof", "quack" sounds. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Draco has experienced being transformed into a white weasel before; after being turned back by the professor, he heard Professor Moody pointedly stating that he forgot the third key point he’d just emphasized, and that his resistance was weaker than a Niffler!

A low laughter echoed in the classroom, some Slytherins gave Draco strange looks.

Previously, Draco Malfoy would be flushed red with shame from such remarks and would nurture deep resentment towards Professor Moody.

But now, he just listened with a calm demeanor, nodded to show he noted it, and quietly sat down.

Inside, he wasn’t as composed as he appeared; thinking of the terrifying image of the Cruciatus Curse, Draco felt being humiliated like this was not such a big deal.

Because he suddenly slightly understood why someone like Moody, an Auror, would detest him—

The professor didn’t hate "Draco Malfoy", he despised the surname he bore, the deeds of Malfoy’s father and grandfather following the Dark Lord years before.

Simultaneously, Draco finally understood what mood Harry Potter was in when Professor Snape picked on him, and when he was laughed at by them.

That day, he only returned to the Slytherin Common Room after tidying himself up, without being suspected as the elusive peeper, but Draco’s situation within the academy hadn’t improved much.

During these difficult days, he often sat alone under the Beech by the Black Lake, watching the tentacles of the Giant Squid stretch in the water; also spent sleepless nights lying in bed, through the window seeing the shimmering transformation of the Black Lake’s water gleam.

Observing those broken light and shadows, he first realized this world has countless facets. Re-examining his own life, discovering the previously simple joy was because his parents wrapped it in the finest way, only showing him the glamorous side.

But in reality, he hadn’t genuinely understood the girl he thought he’d marry one day; nor had he truly seen the so-called "friends" around him—everything he owned looked like flashy silk, yet false, frivolous, fragile... even emitting a certain corrupt stench.

"Ding ding ding..."

The class bell rang, students pulled out chairs ready to leave the classroom; Draco awoke from his contemplation, subconsciously first glanced at Vid Gray among the Ravenclaw students.

Even having zoned out for most of the class, Draco knew that Vid Gray was the only student who successfully resisted Professor Moody’s Transfiguration Spell.

Even... Draco thought, if Vid wanted, he could even reflect the spell back.

Vid Gray’s capability with Transfiguration surely surpassed most adult wizards. Just like that day, his candy easily transformed oneself into a rabbit and maintained until he lifted the spell.

After that day, Draco waited for several days anxiously, neither being troubled by Rosen nor extorted by Vid—

In fact, when passing by in the corridor, Vid acted as if nothing had happened, as if that experience was just a dream Draco made up.