Persuading Professor McGonagall

Professor McGonagall wasn't the type to take her anger out on her students. Gryffindor defeat was due to the team's own poor performance, not Tom's fault.

But she still felt awkward, especially since she hadn't forgotten how that kid had stirred things up on the court that morning.

"Mr. Riddle, what do you want with me?" Professor McGonagall asked, her face stern and her tone distant.

Tom chuckled and leaned closer, "Professor McGonagall, I'm here about the duel this morning."

Professor McGonagall's face darkened instantly. So this kid was here to attack her head-on?

She lost everything in Gryffindor this morning, and now they're trying to rub salt in her wounds this afternoon?

"Professor, please don't misunderstand, I'm not here to show off." Tom quickly suppressed his smile when he saw that she was about to explode.

He quickly said, "I just wanted to talk to you. Actually, you don't need to be too disappointed. The gap between the two teams isn't as big as it looks."

Professor McGonagall scoffed. "Mr. Riddle, I'm not so fragile that I need a student to comfort me."

"Of course I know the difference lies in combat experience, but a loss is a loss, there are no excuses."

"If you really encounter a dark wizard, they won't show any mercy just because you're students."

She paused, her face full of helplessness. "We're both Hogwarts students, so why are Slytherin's children so adept at handling battles, while my students just throw themselves into disarray?"

"Sigh..." Tom deliberately dragged out his words, trying to recall the grievances of being bullied, hoping to make himself sound more sorrowful.

After thinking about it for a long time, he realized that all he had ever done since childhood was bully others, and all the emotions he had been building up were wasted.

There was no other way but to put on an act, so Tom put on a bitter and resentful look.

"Professor, you know the rules of Slytherin. You can probably imagine how difficult it was for me there."

Professor McGonagall noticed his sudden sadness and was somewhat puzzled, but she nodded instinctively nonetheless.

Who doesn't know what Slytherin is like? Forget about Muggle-born, even Half-blood will be looked down upon and ostracized there.

"When I first entered Slytherin, apart from Daphne, no one in the entire Slytherin was willing to say a word to me."

"Later, Malfoy even led the charge in causing me trouble." Tom embellished the story, recounting how Malfoy had picked a fight with him, deliberately exaggerating the incident.

Professor McGonagall grew increasingly angry as she listened, and slammed her hand on the table with a loud bang.

"Outrageous! Bullying classmates just because of your family background, Mr. Riddle, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Professor..." Tom smiled bitterly, feigning helplessness, "Even if I told you, you could only help me for a while, could you help me for seven years?"

"This is a Slytherin tradition, deeply ingrained."

Professor McGonagall fell silent instantly, her face grave.

"I'm going to find Malfoy right now!" Professor McGonagall said resolutely, grabbing her wand and heading out.

"I need to give him a good warning. If he dares to target you because of your background again, I'll show him what real punishment is!"

"No, no, no, Professor, you don't need to trouble yourself." Tom quickly stopped her, suppressing a laugh.

"Actually, I solved it that very night. I cornered him in the hallway and used a bunch of spells to beat him into submission."

"From then on, he never dared to cause me any more trouble."

As Tom recounted the story, Professor McGonagall's expression gradually shifted from anger to bewilderment.

So this kid wasn't bullied, he killed someone in retaliation?

"Professor, do you understand now?" Tom said with a smile, "The difference lies in competitiveness and the competitive environment."

"Once motivated, students will study and train spontaneously."

"The Slytherin Shadow Prefect, only feel a sense of urgency when a group of students are watching their positions."

"Ordinary students are ambitious, competitive, and work incredibly hard, which creates a virtuous cycle."

"This is much more effective than secretly giving them a few extra training sessions."

Professor McGonagall blushed slightly, inwardly marveling at how this young man knew what she was thinking.

She was actually considering secretly giving Gryffindor extra lessons so that he wouldn't lose so humiliatingly next time.

Before it could be implemented, Tom saw through it.

She said earnestly, "Riddle, I admit that the Shadow Prefect system suits Slytherin, but it may not suit the other three houses."

"Perfect for Gryffindor!" Tom said confidently, patting his chest.

"Those lion cubs are the most competitive; how could they possibly admit they're inferior to others?"

"We can't control those who give up, but at least we can give ambitious students clearer goals and motivation."

He paused, then leaned closer. "If you just loosen the restrictions on fights between students and give them more opportunities for real-world interaction, things will gradually improve."

Professor McGonagall frowned and shook her head. "I can't make this decision on my own; I need to discuss it with Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Professor, you're too modest," Tom said dismissively.

"Who doesn't know your prestige at the school? When has Headmaster Dumbledore ever refused a suggestion you made?"

"Isn't it you who takes care of all the thousands of students at Hogwarts?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and glared at him, feigning displeasure.

Her ears secretly turned red; she seemed to enjoy the boy's flattery.

Tom, knowing when to stop, didn't continue his flattery, "Professor, I said all this today, firstly to ease your discomfort, and secondly for the sake of the school's development."

"The quality of Hogwarts students represents the future level of the Britain Wizarding World."

"The world is at peace now, everyone's just lazing around, so the differences aren't apparent. But if we compare it to magic schools in other countries..."

"If we were to lose miserably in an international competition someday, we would lose face internationally."

Professor McGonagall's heart skipped a beat. Albus Dumbledore indeed been in frequent contact with other magic schools lately, as if he were preparing for an ancient competition.

She couldn't help but feel anxious when she thought of the scene Tom described: Gryffindor students being beaten to a pulp by students from other schools.

"Alright, Riddle, I'll consider what you've said," Professor McGonagall waved her hand.

"Thank you for your suggestions to the school. Have a great weekend."

This was clearly a signal to see him out, and Tom, sensing the situation, said "Thank you, Professor" and turned to leave the office.

His plan was to change the school system so he could earn a lot of credits and achievement points.

The duel that morning was deliberately orchestrated by him. Only by making Professor McGonagall fully realize the gap in skill would his proposed solution be taken seriously.

Judging from Professor McGonagall's expression just now, she was clearly already tempted.

However, she is a cautious person, and she will definitely think about how to modify the Shadow Prefect system to suit other houses before discussing it with Albus Dumbledore.