The "simplicity" of the Transformative Potion did not apply to everyone. The stringent requirements for the timing of the spell made mistakes all but inevitable.
Strictly speaking, as long as the sequence and ritual were correct, the Transformative Potion could not fail.
But if the timing of the spell was off, there was no telling what effect the potion would have.
And so, amid cries of surprise from every corner, the classroom became a stage for all manner of bizarre transformations, like a riot of dancing demons.
Dean Thomas had failed to cast his spell at precisely the right moment. His nose remained unchanged, but a beard kept sprouting across his face, growing so thick that only his eyes were visible.
Seamus Finnigan had got the timing right, but his emotions had not been strong enough, throwing off the spell's effect.
His nose did not grow longer. Instead, one of his arms lengthened by two feet, and its bones seemed to soften, leaving it dangling like a snake.
Their situations were not even the worst. Crabbe and Goyle had developed animal features: Goyle acquired a pig's snout, while Crabbe grew a wolf's tail.
Watching the bizarre spectacle, Ron turned a little pale, terrified that he would end up like them after drinking his potion.
"Don't worry. At least our spells won't go wrong. The timing was just a bit off, so I think it'll probably make our hair grow," Harry said, sounding as though he was reassuring himself as much as Ron.
"Are you sure?" Ron's eyes were full of doubt. He did not think Harry was much better at Potions than he was. Gritting his teeth, Ron drank his Transformative Potion too.
His scalp itched, and his chest felt swollen, but neither sensation was particularly strong. Apart from the