Draco, looking at Hermione's still flushed cheeks, said, "Now Miss Granger should be relieved."
"Who's going to be so sure? Stop patting yourself on the back..." Hermione said, continuing to eat without forgetting to retort to Draco.
Susan covered her mouth and laughed, adding:
"Yes, all the girls at our Hufflepuff table were looking this way just now, like wolves and tigers, wishing they could come and sit next to you in Hermione's place right away."
Olivia glanced towards Ravenclaw and said, "You know what, Ravenclaw's the same there over there."
"Oh no, it seems I've accidentally become the school's sweetheart?" Draco sighed and shook his head.
No sooner had he said that than Ron finally lost his temper, slammed his fork on the plate, and grumbled with a sour and disgusted expression:
"That's enough! Can't a person just eat in peace? All you talk about is love and romance all the time, aren't you tired of it? I'm sick of it!"
Hermione immediately seized the opportunity to chime in, "Exactly! Don't listen to his nonsense, let's eat."
The group exchanged smiles and stopped teasing each other. They lowered their heads and quietly ate their dinner, cutting the grilled meat and scooping up their pumpkin porridge.
Before two minutes of silence had passed, Lavender suddenly leaned over and stared at Draco, saying with adoration:
"By the way, Draco, you were so impressive in Defence Against Dark Magic class just now! The whole class was so intimidated that they didn't dare say a word!"
Draco forked a small pie, chewed it casually, and waved his hand dismissively. "Actually, I don't really want to show off."
Everything he said is true!
In his original world, deliberately showing off and putting on airs would only be seen as attention-seeking, earning him disdain and contempt.
But when it comes to Hogwarts, and to this group of Western teenagers, the logic is completely reversed!
Being assertive, confident, capable, and charismatic will actually attract admiration, worship, and make you a leader.
Upon hearing this, everyone at the table looked up in unison, their eyes filled with blatant skepticism.
Harry's lips twitched, Lavender rolled her eyes silently, Olivia scoffed, and even the usually honest Neville secretly pursed his lips; clearly, no one believed his story.
Draco felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, and coughed lightly before adding, "Really, it was just a sudden impulse. Looking back now, it was both childish and domineering, kind of embarrassing."
"Not at all! You were totally handsome!" Lavender immediately waved her hand, her eyes sparkling. "I'm almost in love with you! If all the girls in school saw you like that, they'd all dream of you!"
Parvati smiled and nodded in agreement, "No need for 'if,' it already is."
"In fact, the fact that you commanded the entire classroom and helped everyone with their problems has already spread far and wide; it's being talked about in the lounges of several colleges," Hannah confirmed.
Draco sighed deeply, feigning a helpless and troubled expression, and said:
"Sigh, it seems my desire for a low-key life at Hogwarts is really about to become uncontrollable."
These words, brimming with Versailles-like sentiment, completely broke Ron's guard, who had been holding back for a long time.
He suddenly pursed his lips, slammed his fork on the plate, and couldn't help but complain:
"Don't pretend! Keep a low profile? Every time you steal the spotlight, you're the one who walks right into it. You can't even keep it down? I bet you want the whole school to revolve around you!"
"Stop praising me to the point of self-destruction, okay? I really don't want to be famous," Draco said earnestly.
Harry, who had been listening quietly the whole time, nodded silently upon hearing this, as if he deeply agreed.
Ron, however, disagreed, and curled his lip:
"Others can't even dream of becoming famous! With fame, people listen to you, you're more persuasive, you get resources and support, and you can make money... People like us who are nobody can only lie down and do nothing."
Hermione gently put down her spoon, and her words immediately steered the conversation to a deeper level:
"Being famous has more advantages than disadvantages. First, the reason you become famous determines your public image."
"To maintain one's reputation, one can only act within the bounds of rules and regulations, and may even have to go against one's conscience. Once one does not do so, one's reputation will collapse and plummet."
Secondly, reputation can block out true friendship. You never know whether people are drawn to you for who you are, or for your fame, status, or benefits.
"There are as many advantages as there are disadvantages; ultimately, it depends on your choice."
Her calm and insightful analysis not only silenced the table but also drifted to the next few tables.
Even the Ravenclaw students nearby stopped talking, lowered their heads in thought, and began to discuss quietly.
Draco agreed, saying, "That's true, it all comes down to personal choice. Personally, I don't really want fame."
Ron stroked his chin, hesitated for a long time, and then said seriously, "Then... I choose to become famous first, and then keep a low profile."
Harry couldn't help but glance at him, and muttered, "Look at me."
Draco couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Ron made an "uh" sound, then froze for a moment.
you do not say!
Harry was forced into fame as a baby and never intended to maintain his influence.
He tried to keep a low profile at Hogwarts, but the labels attached to him wouldn't disappear with the new students. The current students would calm down, but the next batch of freshmen would surround him again, and he couldn't shake them off no matter what.
Ron's face fell, and he sighed, "Life is so frustrating, it's so hard to choose no matter what..."
Seeing his conflicted expression, everyone couldn't help but chuckle, and the slightly serious topic suddenly lightened up.
As everyone was discussing, a small commotion suddenly arose from the crowd.
A tall, well-built boy in Gryffindor Quidditch Team walked through the crowd and headed straight for their table.
Before anyone could react, Lavender's eyes lit up, and she abruptly covered her mouth. "Oh my god—so handsome! It's Wood! Oliver Wood!"
Wood stopped and politely smiled at her, his smile bright and genuine.
This caused Lavender to lose control, clutching his chest and screaming.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was full of excitement, attracting the attention of several tables around him.
She immediately turned to Parvati, Hermione, and the others, enthusiastically praising Wood at breakneck speed, extolling his virtues to the skies:
"You guys don't know! He's the Gryffindor Quidditch Team! An amazing goalkeeper! Responsible, skilled, and incredibly handsome, he's led Gryffindor to numerous victories! He's an idol to the entire school!"
Wood was completely unaffected by the infatuated woman beside him; his gaze fell directly on Draco, and he earnestly said to him:
" Malfoy, Professor McGonagall specifically mentioned you to me, saying that your reaction time in the air is extremely fast and you have exceptional Seeker talent."
"Now that Charlie Weasley has graduated and left school, our team is in dire need of a key Seeker."
He clearly stated the time. "Our daily training is on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Come to the stadium this Friday afternoon for a trial; I will personally assess you."
"Okay, thank you, Captain." Draco put down the silver fork in his hand and nodded slightly.