Draco froze, and not just him; everyone else in the classroom froze too.
No one noticed that the pupils of the cat on the podium also contracted slightly, as if its tail had been stepped on.
None of them had expected Aaron to go this far for a Gryffindor girl, as this was a favor given in the name of his family.
If used well, this favor could even play a significant role in the future; a favor from a reclusive Wizard family was not something to be trifled with.
"So, will you take this bet with me?" Aaron asked confidently, certain that Draco couldn't refuse.
"Yes, how could I not agree?
But, Aaron, are you serious?"
"I trust my judgment. Hermione's background may not be noble, but she is absolutely the most outstanding Wizard I have ever met.
However, before the end of this semester, I require you to show Hermione some respect. You can manage that, can't you?"
"Yes, no problem," Draco said, delighted.
After settling things with Draco, Aaron walked over to Hermione. "Are you feeling better now? I've given you a perfectly legitimate chance to prove yourself."
"Hmm!" Hermione nodded, asking somewhat nervously, "What if I disappoint you? I mean, what if I lose, then…"
"You won't lose. When it comes to studying, you might only be a tiny bit weaker than me."
"But what if?" Hermione said. This was the first time in her life she had doubted her own abilities.
"Don't worry about that either. Even if you lose, Draco will rein it in a lot. At least he won't casually insult people with those three words, 'Mudblood.'
As for the family favor, it doesn't matter. Malfoy sees the situation more clearly than anyone; they won't make any unreasonable demands."
"Thank you," Hermione said, blushing, then handed Abeyback to Aaron.
"Draco isn't a bad person, really. It's just that his father instilled too many bloodline-related ideas in him since he was young, so he might be a bit arrogant and probably won't change anytime soon. I hope you don't mind."
After Aaron finished speaking, he walked over to another Gryffindor. "What's your name, classmate?"
"Susan Bones," the girl said, her cheeks slightly flushed and a little embarrassed.
"All right! I don't want this bet to be known by others. You can keep a secret, can't you?"
Susan nodded repeatedly, indicating that she would absolutely not say anything.
"Thanks."
Time passed minute by minute, and students gradually arrived in the classroom and opened their books to begin self-study. Strangely, even when it was time for class, Professor McGonagall did not appear.
Just then, the classroom door suddenly opened, and Harryand Ron rushed in, flustered.
"Finally here. If we had been any later, her face would have scared us to death," Ron said, somewhat relieved.
The moment his words fell, a cat on the podium jumped down and transformed into Professor McGonagall, dressed in green robes.
She walked straight over to the two of them, looking at the two late students with amusement.
"That trick was really brilliant," Ron said, stunned, not knowing if he meant Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration or her use of Transfiguration to catch them.
"Thank you for your assessment, Mr. Weasley.
Perhaps I should turn Mr. Potter and you into a pocket watch, then at least one of you two could be on time."
"We got lost," Harry said.
"Then turn into a map," Professor McGonagall said unceremoniously. "You don't need a map to get to your own seat, do you?"
The two exchanged bitter smiles, then sat down at an empty table.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin the class.
Transfiguration is the most complex and dangerous magicamong the subjects you will learn at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, then she glared at Ron and Harry, "Anyone who misbehaves in my class will be asked to leave and never allowed back in."
Aaron's expression was a bit strange, and so were Draco and Hermione, among others. After all, while their bet itself wasn't an issue, having an additional Professor as a confidante made things a little different; at the very least, the pressure on both sides would be a bit greater.
"Professor, that…" Aaron stammered, his words trailing off.
"I don't know what happened before class. You handle your own affairs, understand?" Professor McGonagall said with a smile.
"Understood," Aaron nodded, relieved.
Professor McGonagall began teaching. magic was not simply a matter of waving a wand and reciting a spell.
She lectured on theory for a long time, and incidentally checked a few students' notes. Only after confirming there were no problems did she begin the Transfigurationexperiment.
Professor McGonagall gently waved her wand, and the matchbox on the desk opened, its matches flying onto each student's desk.
"Everyone try to turn this match into a needle before the end of class."
As her words fell, every student drew their wands, eager to try.
But the effect was not as good as they had imagined; most people's matches showed no movement at all.
Hermione tried several times in a row, and the match gradually turned into a toothpick. Although it was a bit odd, at least the match had changed.
"Very good, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall praised.
Draco glanced at Hermione, a stubborn glint in his eye, then waved his wand with even more effort.
The match quickly changed, its tip beginning to sharpen, but before he could rejoice, smoke began to rise from the tip of the match, a small flame suddenly lit up, then quickly extinguished.
"Mr. Malfoy, your performance is also good, but it would be even better if you could control your emotions a little," Professor McGonagall said with a smile.
Draco didn't speak, just stared at the match, which was nearly a quarter burnt, and sighed deeply.
He had tried his best, at least better than most students, including Harry Potter, but he also understood that he probably wouldn't win against that Mudblood Granger in Transfiguration. However, there were other things; with so many courses at school, he didn't believe he would be outdone by a little girl everywhere.
At this moment, he noticed another match on the table and looked at Aaron, who was playing with his cat, with some surprise. "Aren't you going to try?"
"Sorry, I was just watching you work hard," Aaron gently waved his wand and lightly tapped the match.
The next moment, the match's shape changed, both sides rapidly sharpening, the middle quickly shrinking, and the tail even gaining a tiny eye of a needle.
Although it was still wooden, it could at least be considered a wooden needle.
"You… this… so amazing, successful on the first try," Dracosaid incoherently.
Professor McGonagall heard the commotion and walked over. Upon seeing the wooden needle on the table, she showed a hint of delight, "It seems Slytherin has received a very talented student this year.
Aaron Gaius? Five points to Slytherin."
Professor McGonagall's voice was clear, and everyone in the classroom could hear it. They all looked at Aaron with envious eyes.
"Thank you, Professor, but could you teach me how to turn it into an iron one?"
"I'm afraid not. I believe in your talent, but being overly ambitious is not what a first-year should be doing," Professor McGonagall said with a smile, then she changed the wooden needle back into a match. "Before that, you need to completely master the magic of changing an object's shape. Keep practicing!"
"All right!" Aaron nodded with some regret, then once again waved his wand, turning the match into a wooden chicken leg, which he tossed in front of his pet.
Abey immediately became excited, eagerly jumping to the chicken leg and sniffing it with his nose.
Whack!
A moment later, Abey showed an angry expression, and a white dragon claw slammed down, turning the chicken leg back to its original form and leaving a shallow claw print on the table.
"Wow!" Professor McGonagall looked at the scene in astonishment. "I think I might have to retract what I just said, Mr. Gaius, you've already gotten the hang of Transfiguration.
However…"
Professor McGonagall pointed her wand at Abey, who was harmless and even grimacing in pain from hitting the table too hard, "Are you sure it's just an ordinary cat?"
"Uh…" Aaron immediately hugged Abey, "Of course, I'm very sure."