Because most of the people at the Gryffindor table were gathered around listening to Neville and Lavender recount famous Transfiguration scenes.
Even the boys who usually didn't give Draco a friendly look were now crowding in the crowd, listening intently.
Every now and then, people would mutter things like, "Really?" or "That's amazing!"
Gryffindor students who previously disliked Draco have now shown less hostility, replaced by curiosity, admiration, and even tentative attempts to approach and strike up a conversation.
The Gryffindor are known for their stubbornness; once their true abilities are revealed, their attitude changes faster than turning the pages of a book.
The Ravenclaw side was even more packed, with people crowding around in layers.
After all, they had also attended a Transfiguration class that afternoon and witnessed Professor McGonagall's attitude towards Draco firsthand, making them a primary source of information.
They were surrounded by people from other colleges who pressed them for details.
Even several of the top students from Ravenclaw were discussing Draco's mana control techniques with serious expressions, as if they were studying some advanced Magical Theory.
Olivia, resting her chin on her hand, looked at the chaotic scene and said to Draco teasingly:
"Wow, Draco, in just one class period, you've gone from 'the annoying Malfoy ' to ' Hogwarts Transfiguration star'."
Harry sat beside him, twirling a fork in his hand, and the distance in his eyes when he looked at Draco was gone.
He chimed in, "While Neville's praise is a bit over the top, your Transfiguration today was truly amazing."
Draco didn't reply; he felt utterly helpless.
I just wanted to quietly sweep and attend class as punishment, but instead, something as trivial as a needle has thrust me into the eye of the storm in the entire school.
Fortunately, I should be much safer in Gryffindor now.
Professor McGonagall is an authority at Hogwarts and the Head of Gryffindor.
She's clearly someone I value; who in Gryffindor would dare to provoke her so easily?
Moreover, this academy is inherently steeped in hero worship, Draco's genuine Transfiguration had long since overshadowed any previous grudges.
However, they wouldn't rush over to befriend Draco, given that he had given Draco the cold shoulder quite a bit before.
They knew in their hearts that coming now might not necessarily earn them a good impression from Draco.
Let's just observe from a distance for now, but some people have already started to change their tune, saying:
"See that? That's our Gryffindor!"
"I knew he was someone special all along; he really knew he was hiding it well!"
Such words would occasionally drift into Draco's ears.
Although the Slytherin listened intently and heard every word, they remained seated at the long table, unmoved.
However, sarcastic remarks occasionally come from him.
"What talent? I think it's just some kind of unorthodox, evil magic!"
"It's nothing but a publicity stunt to please Professor McGonagall!"
But these words were barely uttered before they were completely drowned out by the discussions from the three houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.
After all, the truly amazing classroom scenes are there for all to see, and a few sarcastic remarks simply don't hold water.
Pansy sat at the other end of the Slytherin table, her gaze fixed on Draco, a complex mix of jealousy and resentment in her eyes.
Draco nudged Hermione's arm and asked, "How was that? Pretty good, right?"
Hermione paused in her scooping of pumpkin soup, rolled her eyes at her, and said helplessly, "I know you're good, but don't show off."
"That's not what I meant." Draco smirked, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.
"Oh? What other amazing abilities do I not know about?" Hermione's eyes flashed with curiosity.
"That's where my brilliance lies." Draco leaned back in his chair, his words carrying a pointed meaning. "Think about it carefully, why did I specifically choose to Gryffindor?"
Upon hearing this, Harry immediately perked up his ears, and Olivia also leaned closer.
The three exchanged glances and began to speculate in hushed tones.
Just as Draco was about to offer a few more words of advice, several footsteps approached, and a few Ravenclaw students came over carrying trays.
The leader was a pretty girl with long, glossy black hair loosely tied back, a few strands falling beside her cheeks, which accentuated her slender and long neck.
She has bright black eyes, an elegant demeanor, and a calm presence that stands out in a crowd.
She was slender and tall, and even in simple Ravenclaw uniform, her outstanding features were undeniable.
Draco recognized her immediately— Cho Chang.
Those following behind her were likely her classmates from the same department.
The book described her as one of the prettiest girls at Hogwarts. Draco glanced at her secretly, but felt nothing in particular; he could only say she was alright.
Perhaps the movie casting failed to capture the charm of the book, or perhaps this is what the Americans really think of China beauties. In the end, it's because they haven't had a good life.
Just like the food in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, it's not much to offer besides filling your stomach.
Draco only dared to take a few bites of greasy roast meat and cloyingly sweet pudding, at most just enough to fill his stomach.
Thinking about this, an idea suddenly popped into Draco's mind.
Anyway, I've accumulated quite a bit of Fortune Points over this period, and exchanging them for a Chinese meal won't cost much. I might as well just eat Chinese food in the Great Hall from now on.
Stir-fried vegetables, sweet and sour pork ribs, Mapo tofu... just thinking about them makes me drool over these British dishes.
" Draco, may we sit here?" Cho Chang asked politely.
Her gaze fell on the empty seat next to the table.
Draco was lost in thought about exchanging Chinese food, his gaze lingering on her, but his mind was elsewhere.
But to onlookers, it looked like he was staring at Cho Chang with a fascination.
This appearance instantly created a subtle atmosphere around the table.
Hermione was the first to lose her composure, tapping her silver spoon against the porcelain plate with a soft sound, breaking the brief silence.
She glanced at Cho Chang, then quickly swept her gaze over Draco, frowned, and said to Cho Chang and the others in a stiff tone:
There are still seats available, please sit down.
After saying that, he lowered his head and started shoveling pumpkin soup into his bowl, never looking up again.
Olivia, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. She rested her elbows on the table, propped her chin on her hands, and glanced back and forth between Draco, Cho Chang, and Hermione with great interest.
Seeing Cho Chang pull her classmate to sit down, she winked at Draco and said, "Wow, Draco, you've managed to snag all the beauties from Hogwarts."
The students nearby immediately quieted down, and several pairs of eyes fell on the table.
They whispered in hushed tones, but their eyes betrayed their gossip.
The Gryffindor huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. Some were envious, some teased, and others secretly watched Hermione's expression, suppressing their laughter.
The Ravenclaw breathed a sigh of relief, a touch of pride in their own backyard's most beautiful girl, after all.