Chapter 8: CH: 8 Start of Hogwart's Semester
Since that day, Dracula had never eaten in the Hogwarts Great Hall.
Although Dracula, as the oldest vampire in existence, did not possess the weaknesses of lesser vampires and was immune to sunlight, silver, and garlic, he still had an inherent aversion to these things.
Fortunately, since 1811, when Grogan Stump served as the Minister of Magic, a new definition of "Beasts" had been established. Goblins, vampires, hags, giants, house elves, veela, and werewolves in human form were all classified under the "Beasts" category.
As a result, food and drinks suitable for the tastes of magical creatures such as goblins and vampires gradually flourished over the past 200 years.
Since Dracula's awakening, he discovered that there were numerous drinks and foods specifically catered to vampires in the Wizarding world. Examples included blood-flavored lollipops from Honeyduke's, blood-flavored ice cream from Florean Fortescue's, and various blood-based products.
It was precisely because of these foods that better suited his palate that he had no desire to visit the Great Hall and encounter dishes like Godlja...
In the month leading up to the start of the semester, Dracula delegated all the preparations, such as lesson plans, to his teaching assistant, Quirrell. Meanwhile, he traveled throughout Britain in search of various interesting things.
To be honest, Dracula didn't quite possess the consciousness of being a professor.
Before he knew it, September 1st had arrived.
This day marked the beginning of the school year at Hogwarts.
One by one, the returning students disembarked from the Thestral carriages, bypassed the square teaching area of Hogwarts Castle, and made their way to the grand Great Hall in the southwest direction.
Inside the Great Hall, four long tables extended, with thousands of candles floating in the air above them, casting a warm glow throughout the space. Gleaming golden plates and goblets adorned the tables. On the elevated platform at the front of the Great Hall stood another long table—the High Table.
"Lee," One of the red-haired twins spoke up, his mischievous eyes gleaming with excitement, "Would you like to make a bet with us?"
Seated at the long table of Gryffindor, two identical red-haired boys leaned in close to each other, speaking in hushed tones with the dark-skinned boy beside them.
"If you're not up for any other bet," George Weasley, one of the red-haired twins, suggested, a mischievous glint in his eyes. With a playful wink, he continued, "Let's wager on how long this year's new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will last in their position!"
Lee Jordan, the dark-skinned boy, turned his head, seemingly uninterested in their proposition. His voice carried a tone of knowing skepticism as he responded, "I won't bet with you two shrewd businessmen!"
"Hey, don't be so quick to dismiss us, mate!" Fred Weasley insisted, his arm draped around Lee's shoulders as he pulled him back into the conversation. "Just listen to our terms first. We bet that the new professor will only last six months!"
Lee Jordan's eyes widened, the contrast of his dark skin against the vividly white eyeballs giving him an almost ethereal appearance. They glowed like oversized light bulbs floating in the air, mirroring his surprise at the audacious wager presented before him.
"Are you serious?" Lee exclaimed, his disbelief evident in his tone. "Then count me in! I'll wager nine months!"
Fred chuckled, a confident smirk spreading across his face. "Oh, Lee, you're doomed! In just six months, even if you were to put a dog in that position, it wouldn't stand a chance!"
Undeterred, Lee Jordan's confidence shone through as he slapped a gleaming gold Galleon onto the table,
Fred and George exchanged knowing smiles.
They had already decided that if, by the end of six months, the professor hadn't been dismissed, they would lend a helping hand for the professor's departure!
Just as the twins were eagerly contemplating how to spend the Galleon they would earn, a slender hand, pale as snow, gracefully emerged and placed a sturdy stack of Galleons next to Lee Jordan's bet.
Fred and George's eyes widened in astonishment, their exclamations caught in their throats as they shared a remarkable moment of stunned silence. They could swear on Merlin's beard that they had never laid eyes upon such a grandiose collection of Galleons in their entire mischievous lives.
The twins turned their heads in sheer shock, their gazes drawn to the mysterious owner of the hand. Before them stood a silver-haired wizard, enigmatic and poised, wearing a playful smile upon his lips.
"I, too, have a wager to offer," Dracula stated confidently, his voice carrying an air of intrigue and amusement. "I bet 20 Galleons that the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will not be dismissed."
Fred and George's expressions transformed from astonishment to pure elation, their spirits lifted by Dracula's unexpected addition to the bet.
As everyone knew, there had never been a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who lasted for the entire year, just like there has never been a man who isn't a bit of a flirt! They had won this time!
"It's a splendid decision, no regrets!" The twins exclaimed in unison, their voices brimming with exhilaration.
Euphoria coursed through their veins as they high-fived each other, their jubilant energy radiating through the Great Hall. Their exuberance knew no bounds as they began jumping up and down, their fervor making it seem as though the additional twenty Galleons had already been won.
However, amidst their celebration, Fred and George sensed a peculiar shift in the surrounding atmosphere. The boisterous noise that had previously filled the hall suddenly dissipated, leaving an unnatural silence in its wake. Perplexed, the twins turned to their side, their eyes meeting the mischievous gaze of Lee Jordan. He continued winking at them, his sly demeanor merging seamlessly with his unassuming complexion making it difficult for the twins to notice....
"Ahem...!"
A sharp, resounding cough cut through the air, instantly capturing the attention of the Weasley twins. Slowly, they turned their heads to find Professor McGonagall standing beside them, her normally composed features etched with disapproval. Her lips were tightly pursed, forming a thin line of sternness.
"Mr. Weasleys," She admonished, her voice laced with a mix of anger and disappointment. "How dare you openly gamble during the opening ceremony, and on a professor no less!"
Professor McGonagall's anger radiated palpably, causing her to tremble with fury. Her hands clenched into fists, a clear indication of her frustration and disdain.
Only then did the twins realize that the Great Hall had filled with people at some point, and they were the only ones still bouncing around as if no one else was present.
On the High Table, where the professors sat, two seats remained vacant. One was next to Dumbledore, who was cheerfully observing them, and belonged to Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.
It goes without saying that the other vacant seat belonged to the silver-haired wizard who had just made the bet with them! In this situation, anyone with a bit of common sense could see that he was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!
Fred and George widened their eyes in shock, staring rigidly at Dracula. Who maintained a playful smile on his lips, unfazed by the unfolding situation.
"Professor..." George faltered, his voice barely audible as he spoke, "Would you believe us if we said it was intentional?" He hesitantly uttered, his tone filled with a feeble attempt at justification
Fred, his smile slightly strained, chimed in, "We saw that Lee was feeling a bit down and wanted to make him smile," He explained, hoping to shed light on their true intentions.
Lee Jordan, who had been pretending not to be involved, suddenly turned his head upon hearing their words, looking at Fred in disbelief.
"Quiet, Weasley!" Professor McGonagall's patience waned, her tone stern as she scolded both of them. With a firm motion of her hand, she directed them to retreat to the Gryffindor table. "Save your excuses for later. After the Start-of-Term feast is over, you will meet me in my office. There will be enough closed-door discussions in the coming month. I'll be keeping an eye on you!"
With those final words, Professor McGonagall turned on her heels, her back resolute, and left the Great Hall without casting another glance. Her duty called her to the entrance courtyard, where she awaited the arrival of new students.
Dracula glanced at the Weasley twins, an intriguing gleam in his eyes, before offering them a knowing smile and gracefully making his way towards his seat.
"Professor, your Galleons are still...um," Fred began, his voice trailing off momentarily as he attempted to address the matter of the 20 Galleons with Dracula. However, before he could proceed, Lee Jordan's lightning-quick reflexes came into play as he swiftly covered Fred's mouth, seeking revenge for the incident that had just occurred.
George joined in the playful scuffle, and the three of them engaged in a brief tussle before separating and sitting up straight at the long table.
This was because Professor McGonagall returned with a group of eager first-year students.
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