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Since discovering how quickly time flew by when teaching seriously, Dracula had completely changed his teaching attitude—no longer perfunctory as before.
And Professor Dracula, with his dedicated teaching, naturally possessed remarkable teaching abilities and unmatched, profound experience. Soon, he gained the recognition of almost all the students at Hogwarts.
The students were very happy. After many years, Hogwarts finally had a reliable Defence Against the Dark Arts professor!
Next, the gossiping students began to discuss Professor Dracula's appearance, and later they began to discuss his strength.
First-year students claimed Professor Dracula could casually throw 5 Quirrells—adult wizards, mind you—out the door. Third-years insisted Professor Dracula was immune to spell damage. Fifth-years swore Professor Dracula could instantly release dozens of spells…
In the beginning, they were still analysing and speculating about the new professor's strength based on existing evidence and classroom achievements. But later, these speculations became more and more outrageous among the various gossiping students:
Some people swore that Professor Dracula could have single-handedly challenged Voldemort during the war. Some people said they had personally seen Professor Dracula subdue a ferocious large dog with one hand. And even more outrageous, some even speculated that Professor Dracula was a demon who had been dormant for thousands of years, ready to stir up trouble when the time was right…
The professor's supporters argued fiercely with those making the wilder guesses, feeling that this kind of speculation was too outrageous. The professor was so handsome—he was definitely not that kind of evil demon!
During a lively lunchtime, Fred and George were holding court near the Gryffindor table, pacing back and forth with an air of importance.
'Quietly tell you,' Fred began, leaning in conspiratorially, 'our first class after the start of school was taught by Professor Dracula himself.'
They mysteriously described the scene of the first class to students of other years.
'Wood, I'm telling you,' George said, slinging an arm around the shoulder of a strong Gryffindor student, 'Professor Dracula didn't even blink when he withstood the attacks of all of us—he didn't even sway!'
'That's old news, Weasley. Can you say something new?' Wood looked at the 2 of them disdainfully and pointed towards the Slytherin table.
At that moment, a Slytherin wizard was vividly describing Professor Dracula flying into the sky to his companions. The scene was so detailed and realistic that it sounded like it had really happened.
'Look at what you're saying!' Fred said, unhappy, and jumped up from the bench. 'We'll immediately bring out the latest first-hand news, so be prepared to be amazed!'
'We just took 2 jugs of—ah—refreshment to Professor Kettleburn to get some information,' George said triumphantly. 'From him, we learned even more explosive news. Do you want to hear it?'
The Gryffindor students nearby gathered around, excitedly looking at the twins, trying to get a share of this more explosive news.
'According to the information obtained from Professor Kettleburn,' Fred announced, successfully piquing everyone's appetite, 'Professor Dracula once had a brief exchange with Snape! According to him, the 2 professors had a small contest at the entrance of the Great Hall.'
'Open the betting! Everyone come and bet on who is more powerful—Professor Dracula or Snape! Odds 1 to 2!'
Before Fred could finish speaking, George produced a patched-together betting board from somewhere, with a line drawn down the middle, dividing it into left and right sides.
'I knew it, Weasley! It turns out this is another money-making scheme of yours!' Wood rolled his eyes. But, in order to hear the latest news, he still placed a silver sickle from his hand onto the betting board.
The twins looked at the betting pool and found that most of the Gryffindors had bet on Professor Dracula being more powerful. They looked at each other, quite dissatisfied.
So they turned their attention to the Slytherins. 'How about it, Slytherin's rich young masters? Aren't you going to bet on your Head of House? Or are you afraid of Professor Dracula?'
Hearing Fred and George's provocative words, someone at the Slytherin table could not sit still.
A proud-looking first-year boy took the lead to come out. He had neat platinum blond hair, a pointed chin, silver-grey eyes, and a tall, thin figure. 2 chubby followers trailed closely behind him.
'Why are Professor Dracula's odds so much lower than Professor Snape's?' he raised his head and asked with a dissatisfied expression.
'Because Professor Dracula's support rate is obviously much higher than Snape's,' Fred said with a cheeky smile.
'You 2 ignorant Weasleys! I'll show you what the Malfoy family's financial resources are!' Saying that, he took out several gold Galleons from his pocket and threw them into the pile of copper and silver coins.
Seeing that the young master of the Malfoy family had placed a bet, the other pure-bloods were not to be outdone. One by one, they took out gold Galleons and bet on their own Head of House.
In the blink of an eye, under the financial onslaught of the Slytherin pure-blood wizards, the odds ratio of Dracula and Snape became 1:1—almost equal.
When everyone had bet almost all their money, the twins mysteriously gathered together.
Fred secretly mouthed to George—'Made a killing.'
George smiled knowingly and collected the various coloured coins.
'Everyone listen up! The final result is—Professor Dracula wins! His record is forcing Snape back with a single glance!'
A burst of fierce cheers rang out in the Gryffindor area, while there was silence on the Slytherin side.
'No! You have no evidence!' Draco Malfoy said, unconvinced. 'Why should I believe your nonsense? You cannot guarantee that this news is correct!'
The twins looked at each other—this was just as they expected. They suddenly took out a large, flesh-coloured ear from their pockets.
They pressed a small button on the ear, and immediately, Professor Kettleburn's voice boomed out.
'Oh, you're talking about Dracula, are you? He just used one look—one look, mind you—and drove Snape away!' Professor Kettleburn's tone was very heroic. 'I really didn't expect that with the notoriety of Defence Against the Dark Arts now, Dumbledore could still recruit such a reliable professor for it.'
Draco Malfoy walked away angrily, leaving only the glittering gold Galleons shining in the wooden bucket below the betting board.
This little bit of money might not be anything to the Malfoy family. But for Fred and George, it was more than their family's income for several months.
The 2 of them were admiring these Galleons with fascination.
Just then, an angry voice rang out in the twins' ears, almost echoing throughout the entire hall:
'WEASLEYS! HOW DARE YOU SET UP A BETTING GAME AGAIN?!'
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