Chapter 18 — Rolling in the Profits
Ever since discovering how quickly time flew when he taught earnestly, Dracula had completely changed his approach to teaching, no longer going through the motions as before.
A vampire count professor who taught with genuine care naturally possessed exceptional teaching ability and unmatched life experience. It didn't take long before he earned the recognition of nearly every student at Hogwarts.
The students were thrilled—after so many years, Hogwarts finally had a reliable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!
Soon enough, the gossiping students began discussing Dracula's looks, and later, his abilities.
First-year students said Professor Dracula could casually throw five adult wizards like Quirrell out the door; third-years claimed he was immune to curse damage; fifth-years whispered he could cast dozens of spells in an instant…
At first, they based their speculations on observed evidence and classroom feats. But soon, these rumors spiraled wildly among the gossiping students:
Some swore that Dracula had been able to duel Voldemort alone during the war; some claimed to have seen him subdue a vicious dog single-handedly; and some even guessed that Dracula was a demon who had slept for a thousand years, waiting for the right moment to shake the world…
Fans of the professor argued with those making these wild claims. They insisted such speculation was absurd. The professor was handsome—there was no way he was an evil demon!
---
At the lively Gryffindor lunch table, Fred and George weaved back and forth.
"Let me tell you a secret—our very first class this year was taught by Professor Dracula," they whispered to students from other years, painting a vivid picture of that first lesson.
"Wood, I swear, Dracula didn't even blink while withstanding all our attacks—didn't flinch a single bit!" George said, putting an arm around a well-built Gryffindor student.
"That's ancient news. Can't you give us something new?" Wood said dismissively, pointing toward the Slytherin table.
Over there, a Slytherin student was animatedly recounting to his friends the scene of Professor Dracula flying into the air, narrating it with such detail it seemed it had really happened.
"Listen to this nonsense!" Fred exclaimed, jumping from the bench. "We just got the freshest scoop—get ready to be shocked!"
"We went to Professor Kettleburn and squeezed him for the juiciest info," George said smugly. "Wanna hear it?"
Nearby Gryffindor students leaned in, eager to snag a piece of the latest explosive gossip.
"According to Professor Kettleburn, Dracula once had a brief duel with Snape!" Fred teased, whetting everyone's curiosity. "Apparently, the two professors had a small skirmish at the entrance to the Great Hall."
"Place your bets, everyone—who's stronger, Dracula or Snape? Odds are one to two!"
Before Fred could finish, George produced a makeshift betting board from somewhere, with a line down the middle dividing the two sides.
"I knew it—Weasleys, just another money-making scheme of yours!" Wood rolled his eyes but, wanting the latest scoop, still placed a silver sickle on the board.
Looking at the betting board, the twins noticed most Gryffindors had bet on Dracula being stronger. They exchanged a glance, clearly dissatisfied.
So they turned their attention to Slytherin. "How about it, wealthy Slytherins? Not gonna bet on your Head of House? Afraid of Professor Dracula?"
Fred and George's taunts stirred the Slytherins.
A first-year boy with a proud expression stepped forward. He had neatly combed platinum hair, a pointed chin, silver-gray eyes, and a tall, lean frame. Two chubby followers trailed closely behind him.
"Why are Dracula's odds so much lower than Snape's?" he asked, head held high, clearly displeased.
"Because Dracula's support rate is obviously much higher," Fred replied with a sly grin.
"You ignorant Weasleys, I'll show you the power of the Malfoy family fortune!" the boy declared, pulling several gold coins from his pocket and tossing them onto the pile of bronze and silver coins.
Seeing the Malfoy heir place his bets, other purebloods followed suit, laying down their Galleons on their Head of House.
In no time, thanks to the Slytherins' money onslaught, the odds between Dracula and Snape evened out to nearly 1:1.
Once the bets were mostly in, the twins huddled mysteriously together.
Fred mouthed a phrase to George—"We're rolling in it."
George smiled knowingly and collected the assorted coins.
"Listen up, everyone! The final result—Professor Dracula is victorious! His 'record'? He sent Snape running with just a single glance!"
Gryffindor erupted in loud cheers, while Slytherin fell silent.
"No way—you have no proof!" Draco Malfoy protested. "Why should I believe your nonsense? There's no guarantee this information is accurate!"
The twins exchanged knowing looks, already prepared. From their pockets, they pulled out a large magical ear.
Pressing a button on it, Professor Kettleburn's voice boomed from the device.
"Oh, Dracula? He drove Snape away with just a look!" Kettleburn's voice was bold and hearty. "Honestly, with the notorious reputation of Defense Against the Dark Arts these days, I never expected Dumbledore could still hire such a reliable professor."
---
Draco Malfoy stormed off, leaving the glittering pile of Galleons beneath the betting board's wooden container shining in the sunlight.
To the Malfoy family, this sum might have been trivial—but for Fred and George, it exceeded several months' income combined.
The twins admired the coins, utterly enthralled.
At that moment, an angry voice rang near the twins, echoing across the Great Hall:
"Weasleys! How dare you run another betting scheme?!"
…