Ron's face turned green. Pointing at the group of people, he nearly vomited blood in anger. "You... you all betrayed us?!"
Nobody paid him any attention.
Ron, after holding back for a while, suddenly puffed out his chest and shouted at Draco with righteous indignation, "Big brother! Once a big brother, always a big brother! You used to take me under your wing, you can't go back on your word now!"
Goyle and Crabbe, who were standing at the Slytherin table not far away, lit up and wanted to join in the shouting.
After holding it in for a while, Ron suddenly puffed out his chest and shouted at Draco with a righteous indignation:
"Big brother! Once a big brother, always a big brother! You used to take me under your wing, you can't go back on your word now!"
The entire table cast disgusted glances at him, making him so embarrassed he wanted to dig his toes into the ground.
Draco feigned hesitation, looking troubled.
"This... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Ron immediately panicked and patted his chest to assure him:
"Just agree! From now on, if you tell me to go east, I'll never go west; if you tell me to walk the dog, I'll never tease the cat!"
As soon as he finished speaking,
Crookshanks, who was happily eating, suddenly perked up its ears, glared at Ron with its cat eyes, and let out a fierce "meow--" as if to say: How dare you look down on a cat?
The whole room burst into laughter. Seeing that he had a chance, Lavender turned to Hermione and pleaded, " Hermione, please put in a good word for us! He listens to you the most!"
"Yes, yes, Hermione, Draco will definitely agree as long as you ask!" Parvati reacted quickly as well.
Everyone instantly realized what was happening and swarmed around Hermione, pleading, " Hermione, you're the best!"
Please help us put in a good word for us!
"We'll listen to you from now on!"
Hermione was suddenly surrounded, her cheeks burning. "Hey, why... are you all dragging me into this again..."
She looked at Draco helplessly, only to meet the smile in his eyes. Hermione immediately understood his wicked intentions.
He did it on purpose.
Having no other choice, Hermione had to plead for them:
"... Stop teasing them, just say yes."
This is exactly what Draco was waiting for.
He smirked, "Alright, I'll take you all with me, since my wife pleaded for me."
The people at the table immediately burst into cheers.
"Anyway, it's just Hermione and me going to Hogsmeade, who's going to eat our dog food?" Draco added insult to injury.
Everyone lurched forward, nearly sliding off their chairs.
But the thought of being able to safely stroll through Hogsmeade made them all seem indifferent; after all, they'd been eating there for two years already.
Hannah and Susan, who were already eagerly listening at the Hufflepuff table in the front row, blushed and stood up immediately when Draco agreed, calling out timidly yet expectantly to the people behind them:
"And us... we want to come too!"
Draco didn't even look up, casually waving his hand:
"Follow along if you want, just don't fall behind."
Hannah and Susan instantly covered their mouths in excitement, clasped hands, and cheered quietly.
Less than two seconds later, Cho Chang and Emock, Ravenclaw table, also walked over with smiles.
They leaned against the Gryffindor table. " Draco, we can't show favoritism, we need protection too."
Draco shrugged indifferently.
"Whatever, it's more fun with more people."
As soon as he finished speaking, George and Fred jumped up from their seats, their faces full of flattery:
"Oh dear, our great Patronus Malfoy, don't forget your most loyal supporter!"
"Take us with you! We'll clear the way, keep watch, and incidentally, help you show off your love!"
Draco glanced at them and gave them a crisp OK sign.
Now, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team members all swarmed around them, with Wood and the others crowding forward, afraid of being left out.
For a time...
The entire Great Hall was a chaotic yet joyful scene, with people packed tightly together.
The tense and serious banquet scene just moments ago has instantly transformed into a " Draco's Guard Recruitment Site"!
In the corner, Percy wore a serious expression, pretending to be dismissive, but he simply couldn't bring himself to do it.
I'll have to wait until later and have Ron plead for me, otherwise how am I going to explain this to my girlfriend?
Many other students also glanced over, pretending not to care, but their eyes were full of longing. They were just too proud to pounce on him like the Gryffindor.
The freshmen, fresh out of college, had never seen anything like this before. They were all utterly astonished.
"That Gryffindor senior is amazing..."
Everyone followed him...
"Does he really know the Patronus Charm?!"
Never before has everyone been so surrounding a Gryffindor boy.
Because of the words "I'll take you away," the panic of being afraid of Dementor turned into a sense of security and excitement for the entire audience.
Hermione sat in the middle of the crowd, watching Draco, who was surrounded but still calmly protecting her, and her cheeks secretly flushed.
She gently touched Draco's hand, and Draco lowered his head and took her hand in return.
The Great Hall was in an uproar, and all eyes on the professors were on Draco.
Dumbledore simply smiled and stroked his beard. He knew Draco's background better than anyone. The Patronus Charm was an insurmountable challenge for others, but it was perfectly normal for Draco.
He not only believed it, but he had even guessed that Draco would.
Professor McGonagall's eyes held a hint of pride. As one of the professors who valued Draco the most, she knew his abilities all too well; what others couldn't do, her student Draco certainly could.
She completely believed it, even felt...
That's more in line with his level!
Professor Sprout nodded gently, looking relieved; she had always favored children who were both grounded and strong.
Flitwick was most sensitive to spellcasting; he could see that Draco's magic far surpassed that of most seventh-year students, and rationally, he believed that Draco could master the Patronus Charm.
Snape's face darkened, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Of course he believes it!
The Malfoy family's education Draco's talent—it's just a Patronus Charm; as long as he's willing to learn, it's no problem at all.
But he just wasn't happy...
Lupin smiled the most gently, and with the most certainty. He had observed Draco on the train earlier.
He was even already planning in his mind: he could ask Draco to help demonstrate for the other students.
The other professors appeared indifferent and tacitly accepted the situation.
At Hogwarts, geniuses emerge every year, so it's not too outrageous for the Malfoy family to produce a third-year student who knows the Patronus Charm.
They simply regarded him as yet another exceptionally talented student, showing neither surprise nor doubt.
As soon as the crowd quieted down a bit, Goyle and Crabbe squeezed through the Slytherin table and stood next to Draco, looking like loyal little brothers.
Draco glanced at them and immediately knew why they had come. "Come along if you want."
"Thanks, boss!"
The two immediately agreed in unison, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
Draco waved his hand dismissively and said, "What's the big deal?"
Just then,
Pansy suddenly stood up from the Slytherin pile.
Her expression was rather unpleasant; it wasn't that she was deliberately picking a fight, but she was genuinely anxious. Most people would have to cling to Draco's coattails to get to Hogsmeade safely.
Only those Pure-blood families who had previously fallen out with Draco were left out in the cold, not even daring to approach him.