Draco Malfoy stood there, mouth agape, utterly stunned by Tver's words.
His eyes unconsciously followed Tver's movements as he watched him straighten up, still dazed.
Ever since he was a child, Draco had been taught that from the very moment he was born, the blood flowing through his veins carried nearly a thousand years of Malfoy honor.
Everything about his upbringing told him to take pride in the Malfoy family, to take pride in his pure-blood lineage.
And that had always matched reality.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, wherever he went, as long as he revealed himself as the Malfoy heir, he was met with endless flattery and deference.
Yet now, someone was telling him that strength could exist without relying on bloodline.
That obsession with bloodline could even obscure what true strength really was.
Draco's emotions twisted into a knot.
On one side was everything he had been taught since childhood.
On the other was the living legend he had seen with his own eyes.
He felt lost. Even a little afraid.
Which direction was he supposed to walk in from here?
As if sensing his inner turmoil, Tver reached out and lightly patted his shoulder.
"Don't see your identity as a burden. Enjoy it. Use it. Let it support you while you fully develop your own talent."
"If your strength isn't enough yet, trying to distance yourself from your family will only invite criticism."
"But once you're strong enough, no one will care about your relationship with your family anymore."
Draco finally felt his racing thoughts settle.
He sneaked a glance at Tver, then looked at him with open anticipation.
"Pro… Professor, can you teach me how to become stronger?"
"That depends on you."
"I'll work hard!" Malfoy clenched his fist, his resolve visibly firming.
"No, no," Tver said with a soft laugh. "What I mean is, you'll need to start by serving your detention."
"…"
Malfoy choked, momentarily speechless.
He had almost forgotten about that part.
Still, in a way, it was a blessing. The castle was currently full of Gryffindors celebrating their Quidditch victory.
Some of the younger students weren't satisfied with staying in their common room. They insisted on showing off in front of students from other houses, especially Slytherin.
As Malfoy followed the professor back toward the castle and eventually toward the common room, they ran into no fewer than three groups of little lions eager to flaunt themselves in front of him.
With the professor present, they didn't dare get too close. They only laughed loudly from afar, even imitating the way Malfoy, wrapped in his black robes, had been scared senseless and knocked to the ground by the Patronus.
"Professor," Malfoy said quietly from behind, testing the waters as much as trying to distract both himself and Tver. "The spell Potter used earlier… that was the Patronus Charm, right?"
Only now did he truly realize just how crude and foolish his little scheme had been.
"Yes," Tver replied, nodding thoughtfully.
Even without the title of savior, Harry's talent in spellcasting was undeniable. More importantly, the effort he put in was the real foundation of his strength.
Yet so many people took that talent and effort for granted.
Just like Draco himself. When he performed well, it was seen as only natural. When he faltered, he was mocked.
Seen that way, the two of them were actually quite similar.
The difference was that Harry had Dumbledore's guidance, allowing him to grow into a true savior.
And you?
Tver glanced back at Draco, who was walking with his head lowered, lost in thought.
With my guidance… what will you grow into?
"The Patronus Charm is extremely advanced magic. Harry was able to learn it because he genuinely wanted to overcome his fear."
"So I hope you study magic for your own sake, not just to compete with him out of spite."
Draco gave a faint, sulky pout.
"That wolf… Lupin could teach Potter the Patronus Charm. I just think that spell isn't really that amazing."
He almost let it slip.
He knew about the connection between the professor and Lupin. Otherwise, he wouldn't have paid Lupin so much attention in the first place, let alone noticed his werewolf identity.
If he accidentally blurted it out and caused Lupin to lose his job, then forget about most of the students in the castle. Even the professor would end up hating him.
Tver chuckled softly, not surprised at all that Lupin's identity had been exposed.
Snape's pettiness had its uses after all, and Hogwarts was never short of clever students. It was just that Lupin's excellence had made them all keep quiet.
"Being able to acknowledge someone else's excellence is a necessary step toward becoming strong, even if that person is your enemy."
"And besides, Lupin is your professor now."
"Professor Lupin… Professor Lupin is excellent," Draco hurriedly added, then quickly piled on, "but I still think you're the most outstanding of all!"
"Even if you say that, I'm not reducing your detention," Tver replied calmly.
He suddenly stopped walking, nearly causing Draco to bump straight into him.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Tver tapped lightly on the door three times.
Lupin soon opened his office door.
"I didn't expect you to really get involved with students…" He frowned and glanced at Draco standing behind Tver.
"Wait. You're not planning to use him as detention, are you?"
"Isn't it perfect?" Tver raised an eyebrow with a smile. "It eases your workload and punishes Draco at the same time."
"So that's why you suddenly cared so much," Lupin muttered, curling his lips before turning back into the office.
Not long after, he returned carrying a large bag.
"Everything's in here, including the upper-year ones," he said, still eyeing Draco suspiciously. "If he helps out, aren't you worried something might go wrong?"
"Don't worry. I'll supervise personally. Nothing will happen."
Tver took the bag and waved Draco along as they headed back to his own office.
Draco listened to the exchange in complete confusion.
It wasn't until they entered the professor's office and he'd finished a glass of pumpkin juice that he finally asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Professor… what exactly is my punishment?"
A bad feeling crept up in his chest.
Lupin might not like him much, but his professional ethics were solid.
If even Lupin thought this punishment wasn't suitable for him…
Could it be dangerous?!
Draco's face went pale at once, though with his naturally fair complexion, it wasn't very noticeable.
"Feeling scared now?" Tver said with an amused smile as he untied the bag. "Don't worry. It's not dangerous, but it is very difficult. You'd better prepare yourself mentally."
He pulled out a thick stack of exam papers and placed them in front of Draco.
"Grade all of the students' papers from this week. Try to finish within two days. Otherwise, you'll be staying up late."
"One more thing. Since this is punishment, I won't be giving you an answer key."
Draco's lips trembled as he stared blankly at the ever-growing pile of papers. By the time Tver finished pulling them out, they had completely blocked the professor's face.
"But… I don't have enough knowledge to grade these properly."
"That's your problem," Tver said, pointing to the full set of textbooks laid out on the desk. "You can consult these, and I'll answer questions that the books don't cover."
"But keep this in mind. If your grading has too many mistakes or omissions, your detention will continue next week."
Looking at the professor's gentle smile, Draco felt as if he'd fallen straight into an ice pit.
Professor, I don't want to study anymore ┭┮﹏┭┮.
...
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