Ever since Dracula had discovered that time passed quickly when he taught seriously, his attitude toward teaching had completely shifted. No longer was he the careless professor of past years. With newfound dedication, he had become an excellent and engaging teacher, widely respected by the students of Hogwarts.
Professor Count Vampire, with his unparalleled experience and commitment to his students, quickly gained recognition from nearly everyone at Hogwarts. The students were overjoyed to finally have a reliable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor after years of inconsistent teaching.
The rumors and gossip soon followed. As each student shared their opinion, the tales about Dracula's power grew more extravagant. First-year students claimed they had seen him effortlessly throw five fully grown wizards, such as Professor Quirrell, out of the room. Third-year students swore that Dracula was immune to all magic. By fifth year, some believed he could launch dozens of spells in the blink of an eye, never breaking a sweat.
At first, these speculations were based on observations and some of his more impressive feats in class. But soon, the rumors spun out of control. There were whispers that Dracula had singlehandedly defeated Voldemort during the war, and even crazier stories about him subduing a giant beast with a single hand. Some speculated that Dracula was a sleeping devil, an ancient creature who would eventually rise to stir chaos in the world. The more the students speculated, the wilder the stories became.
Naturally, there was disagreement. Some fans of Dracula fervently defended him against such outrageous claims, insisting that the professor was far too charming and noble to be anything evil. These debates became a frequent source of entertainment for students across all houses.
---
At lunch one day, Fred and George Weasley found themselves pacing back and forth across the Gryffindor table, whispering excitedly about the latest gossip.
"Let me tell you something quietly," Fred said, leaning in to the younger students, his voice conspiratorial. "Professor Dracula taught us our first class after school started, and it was incredible."
George continued, "We attacked him with everything we had, and not only did he stand there without blinking, but he didn't even stagger when we hit him!"
A Gryffindor student, Wood, rolled his eyes and scoffed. "This is old news. Tell me something new."
Fred and George were undeterred. They exchanged a look, clearly plotting something bigger. "Just wait until you hear this," Fred said with a mischievous grin. "We've got fresh intel. You won't believe it. We heard this straight from Professor Kettleburn himself."
Wood gave them a skeptical look but leaned in closer anyway, intrigued despite his earlier dismissiveness.
"You see," George continued, "Professor Dracula and Snape had a little run-in at the entrance to the auditorium."
Wood blinked. "No way. They fought?"
"Not exactly a fight," Fred clarified, "but there was some tension. And trust us, you won't believe how it went down."
The Gryffindor students all leaned in, eagerly listening. Fred and George had captured their attention completely.
"Now, here's the real fun part," George added. "We're going to make a little wager, a friendly bet on who's more powerful—Professor Dracula or Professor Snape."
Fred grinned and pulled out a small gambling table, dividing it neatly into two halves: Dracula on the left, Snape on the right. "Who's got their money on Snape?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Wood scoffed but gave in, pulling out a silver coin and tossing it onto Snape's side. "Fine, fine. Let's hear what the 'Weasley Twins' have to offer."
Draco Malfoy, sitting with his fellow Slytherins, couldn't resist the temptation to join in. He swaggered up to the table, his platinum blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight, followed by his two burly companions.
"Why is Professor Dracula's side getting so much love?" Malfoy demanded, his voice dripping with disdain. "Are you Gryffindors really that blinded by your admiration for this 'newcomer'?"
Fred shot back quickly, "Because Professor Dracula is much more popular than Snape, that's why."
"Well, I think the Malfoy family's wealth should set the record straight." Draco declared, tossing several gold Galleons onto the table with a flourish. The rich Slytherin students followed suit, adding even more to Snape's pile.
Soon, the odds were nearly equal, and the tension was palpable. The betting continued until, with a wink and a nod, Fred and George prepared to reveal the truth.
"Well, well, well," Fred began, rubbing his hands together. "The result is in, and I can tell you that Professor Dracula is the victor! He forced Snape back with just one look!"
There was an uproar in Gryffindor, while the Slytherins fell silent. They couldn't believe it. Draco Malfoy's jaw dropped.
"You're just making this up!" Malfoy spat. "Where's your proof? You can't possibly back that up!"
At that moment, Fred and George pulled out an enchanted ear, and with a flick, Professor Kettleburn's voice filled the air.
"Oh, you're talking about Dracula? Yes, indeed. He sent Snape packing with just a look! I didn't expect it myself. But with all the stories about him, it's no surprise to me now." Kettleburn's voice was filled with admiration. "It seems Dumbledore really outdid himself this time."
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, while the Slytherins sat stunned, unable to respond to the overwhelming evidence.
Fred and George shared a knowing look. Their bet had not only been successful, but they had also further fueled the legend of Professor Dracula, adding to the growing mystique around him. Draco Malfoy could only shake his head, muttering under his breath as he retreated to his seat.
As for Professor Dracula, his reputation had been solidified once again—not just as an enigmatic and capable professor, but as a force to be reckoned with.
----
Draco Malfoy stormed off, leaving behind a pile of shiny gold galleons in the wooden barrel under the gambling board. While the Malfoy family wouldn't think twice about it, for Fred and George, it was more than their family's income for months.
The twins stared at the galleons in amazement.
Just then, an angry voice rang out behind them, almost shaking the whole auditorium:
"WEASLEY, how DARE you set up another bet?!"
----