Chapter 655
Mist and Reunion
Chapter 655 Mist and Reunion
In the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, a silver top was spinning incessantly, next to a can of liquid emitting purple smoke, and several scratched viewing mirrors.
The most striking thing was a large cage on the podium, inside which was a curly-haired goat, peacefully grazing with its head down.
Professor Moody had the students put away their textbooks as usual, and then he limped back and forth in the aisle between the desks.
“In the Middle Ages, there was a spell that was very popular among wizards, and I’m sure you’ve all learned about it in books—the Goat Transformation Spell.”
Moody tapped the cage with his cane and said, “This transformation is not Animagus, nor is it the kind of candy you’ve been liking lately; it’s a very vicious form of black magic.”
The students looked at the seemingly docile goat with curiosity, and the classroom echoed with the "swish-swish" sound of quill pens slicing across paper.
“Those under the spell cannot be undoed naturally, and the magical effect does not disappear over time. Back then, dark wizards used this trick to turn Muggles who had offended them into goats, which they then sold at the market. And then… I think you can already guess what happened to the goats.”
Moody's magic eyes darted around, scanning each student. Many showed expressions of disgust and revulsion, while others were filled with longing and fear.
His scarred face remained expressionless as he continued lecturing.
"Of course, this kind of shapeshifting is not limited to goats. It can also turn people into frogs, swans, pigs, dogs... any animal you can think of."
"The outcome of the transformation depends on what kind of animal the wizard wants to turn you into, not what the unfortunate cursed person looks like. Once transformed, his family can forget about finding him..."
"Of course, I won't teach you this evil magic... If you're curious, go ask Professor McGonagall... Now, you need to know how to prevent and resist it... Listen carefully! This isn't some kind of shapeshifting gummy candy for playing games!"
For the rest of the time, the sound of goats bleating could be heard from time to time in the classroom, and sometimes the sounds of other animals groaning, barking, and quacking could be heard.
Draco also experienced being turned into a ferret. After being turned back to his original form by the professor, he heard Professor Moody point out in an unfriendly tone that he had forgotten the third point he had just emphasized, and that his will to resist was weaker than that of a Niffler!
A low chuckle rippled through the classroom, and some Slytherins gave Draco strange looks.
Previously, Draco Malfoy would have blushed with embarrassment at such comments and harbored deep resentment towards Professor Moody.
But at this moment, he simply listened with a cold expression, nodded to indicate that he had remembered, and then sat down calmly.
He wasn't as calm as he appeared, but when he thought of the terrifying image of the Cruciatus Curse, Draco felt that being humiliated like this wasn't such a big deal.
Because he suddenly began to understand, somewhat, why an Auror like Moody would despise him—
The professor didn't hate "Draco Malfoy"; he hated the surname he bore and the deeds of Malfoy's father and grandfather who followed the Dark Lord.
At the same time, Draco finally understood what it felt like when Harry Potter was being harassed and mocked by Professor Snape.
He returned to the Slytherin common room after tidying himself up that day and was not suspected of being the elusive spy, but Draco's situation in the house did not improve much.
During those difficult days, he often sat alone under the beech trees by the Black Lake, watching the giant squid's tentacles stretch out in the water; he also lay in bed all night, unable to sleep, looking out the window at the shimmering, ever-changing waters of the Black Lake.
Looking at the shattered light and shadow, he realized for the first time that the world has countless facets. Re-examining his life, he discovered that the world he had known before was so simple and happy because his parents had packaged it in the best possible light, only letting him see that glamorous side.
But in reality, he never truly understood the girl he thought he would marry, nor did he ever see the true nature of his so-called "friends"... Everything he possessed seemed like luxurious silk, but it was false, frivolous, fragile... and even reeked of a certain rotten stench.
"Jingle Bell……"
The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class. Students pulled out their chairs to leave the classroom. Draco snapped out of his reverie and instinctively glanced at Wade Grey, one of the Ravenclaw students.
Even though he was daydreaming for most of the class, Draco knew that Wade Gray was the only student who had successfully resisted Professor Moody's Transfiguration Curse.
Draco even thought that if Vader wanted to, he could even bounce the spell back.
Vader Grey's ability to transmigrate undoubtedly surpasses that of most adult wizards. Just like that day, when the candy he modified easily turned him into a rabbit, and he remained in that position until the spell was broken.
From that day on, Draco waited anxiously for several days, neither being bothered by Rosen and his group nor being taken advantage of by Wade—
In fact, when they met in the hallway, Wade acted as if nothing had happened, as if the whole experience was just a dream that Draco had.
After only a moment's hesitation, Draco became the last person to pack his bag and leave the classroom. He pursed his lips and walked alone toward the auditorium, when someone bumped into him halfway there.
Draco thought Crabbe was coming to cause him trouble again, and was about to frown and get angry when he saw that the Hufflepuff students who had run into him didn't even notice him.
Some students huddled together in the corridor, tiptoeing and craning their necks to peer out curiously, whispering amongst themselves.
"Look, that's Perth Rosen from Slytherin!"
"And Kelly, Burns, Nelson, Pansy, Blaise... all Slytherin... Oh, look behind, there are two Ravenclaws too!"
"What's wrong with them? I've never seen Professor McGonagall look so pale!"
"And Professor Snape... he's absolutely terrifying..."
Draco was startled, and quickly squeezed forward to finally see the scene ahead clearly—
Not long ago, the people he saw in the underground chamber were lined up, walking forward timidly with their heads down.
Professor McGonagall at the front of the line had a livid face, while Professor Snape at the back had dark, menacing eyes that looked like he wanted to kill someone.
In addition, there were Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor Moody... They were clearly guarding and escorting the students, and everyone's expression was terrifying.
As the group passed by, the whispers in the corridor vanished instantly, and the students hurriedly made way, fearing they might be caught by one of the angry professors.
As Draco watched this scene, he felt a sudden spasm in his stomach and his throat felt so dry it felt like it was on fire.
After the group of people had passed and the students in the corridor had dispersed, he swallowed hard and muttered unconsciously, "Why..."
“Because these idiots caught the person they were looking for—” A hand landed on his shoulder, and a chuckled voice sounded in his ear:
“A young Slytherin student who claimed that he went to spy on them because he admired and longed for them.”
Antoine, pressing on his shoulder, leaned down and chuckled:
"How stupid... They actually believed what that kid said, and then they thought they were invincible again, so they immediately organized a second party. See, they got caught red-handed!"
The voice was unfamiliar... but the tone of voice felt familiar.
Draco suddenly jolted awake and turned around, saying, "You're that fake Blake..."
Upon seeing the person behind him, his eyes widened suddenly.
“You are…you are not…the one from Salem…”
The man flicked his forehead with his finger and said with a smile, "Even if I came from another school, you still have to call me professor, kid!"
He turned to look at Wade, who was leaning against the wall watching from a distance, and asked, "Wade, is this Slytherin really one of the top students in your year? He doesn't seem that smart!"
Draco then noticed that Wade was also nearby, and his expression immediately became somewhat embarrassed.
"He just didn't realize it yet."
Wade looked at Draco and said, "You weren't among those taken away, which shows that sometimes, adversity isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it?"
If Draco were still hanging out with those people, he would not only be taken away in full view of everyone, but he might also be severely punished as the ringleader.
Before Lucius Malfoy's incident, Draco held a position of immense influence in Slytherin for a long time, commanding respect from everyone, even students older than him.
Draco looked at the two of them, a multitude of thoughts swirling in his mind, but they were too chaotic. The last thing he blurted out was:
"How did they catch a 'lower Slytherin student' who was spying?"
—You all knew perfectly well that it was me.
"Oh, actually, that kid went up to him himself."
Antoine said casually, "He overheard a few words and thought it was a great opportunity to join the group, so he stepped forward and claimed it. He also said that he didn't even have time to see anything before they discovered him."
—Really? Are you sure you didn't encourage me to do it?
Draco glanced suspiciously at Antoine, who was unusually friendly for some reason, and then looked at Wade for advice.
Wade nodded: "That student is Milison Burst's brother, and he's also pure-blooded. They trust him more than they trust you. Even if he gets wiped out on his first party, they're unlikely to hold a grudge against him."
"Hahaha..." Antoine said gleefully, "Because that kid got arrested too!"
Draco subconsciously smiled and then asked, "What will happen to them?"
Antoine said, "The mastermind is definitely going to be expelled—teaching a bunch of underage kids the Unforgivable Curse in school, Dumbledore is already being merciful by not sending them all to Azkaban."
“As for the others…” Wade pondered the headmaster’s thoughts and said, “Especially the students below the fifth grade, will it be a matter of deducting points or putting them in solitary confinement? Dumbledore will definitely give them a chance to make amends.”
You can only take the OWLs level exam after you finish fifth grade. The certificate you get from this exam will largely determine a wizard's future career path. This certificate is an important reference when looking for a job, getting married, or even when you are on trial for committing a crime.
A wizard like Hagrid who failed the OWLs exams would likely have become a vagrant in the wizarding world, or even turned to crime, if not for Dumbledore taking him in, and would never have had a decent job.
Now, Dumbledore's decision to appoint Hagrid, who doesn't even have an OWL certificate, as a professor of the Conservation of Magical Creatures class is actually a violation of regulations.
However, Hagrid demonstrated a deep knowledge of magical creatures and taught well, which quelled the various discontents.
If Pansy and her friends are expelled this time—which is perfectly in accordance with the regulations—they will lose the opportunity to take the regular wizarding exams, just like Hagrid did before, and their lives will take an unexpected and difficult turn.
Pansy comes from a well-off family, and her life has a high margin for error; but not every Slytherin involved has a powerful family, and their future immediately plummets after being expelled from school.
Upon hearing this, Draco couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and then felt a deep disgust for his own weakness at that moment.
Wid and Antoine seemed to have stayed in the corridor to ensure the others would be arrested. After their chat, Antoine patted Wid on the shoulder and said:
"Now that this matter is over, I'll head back. As for that other thing... let's talk about it when we meet."
Wade nodded and said, "See you this weekend."
Antoine waved and strode away. Wade slung his bag over his shoulder and headed towards the library.
Draco, who remained where he was, blinked blankly for a moment before remembering that he had originally intended to go to the Great Hall for dinner.
On the way, he recalled the familiar way Antoine and Wade interacted, Antoine's use of Polyjuice Potion to sneak into the Slytherin student gathering, and Wade's sudden appearance to save him...
Draco felt as if he vaguely understood something, but when he tried to express it, it seemed like a thick fog.
The only thing he was certain of was that there was a huge secret hidden within Wade Gray.
The young wizard, his brow furrowed and lost in thought, walked down the corridor when he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps.
“Malfoy!” A first-year Slytherin student came running up, panting, hands on his knees, stammering, “To, to the castle gate! Your father… your father…”
Draco paused for a moment, then dropped his backpack and ran away!
The cold wind stung his cheeks as he quickly passed by blurry figures, his eyes unconsciously welling up with tears as countless unpleasant thoughts surfaced in his mind.
"call!"
Draco burst out of the door, the gust of air he created even causing the robes of the students beside him to flutter. He stopped, staring blankly at the person standing at the bottom of the steps.
Lucius Malfoy, holding the brand-new serpent-headed cane in both hands, was looking up at the towering main tower of the castle. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and chuckled softly.
"Draco!"
(End of this chapter)