#202 - Chapter 202: Sebastian's reputation was damaged

Hogwarts Castle was exceptionally lively today, with young wizards busying themselves with grooming, preparing for their student ID photos.

On ordinary days, they mostly went without makeup, but today, they were all pulling out all the stops, vying to make themselves look their best.

Most of the boys had taken a shower and styled their hair handsomely.

But the girls had a much more complicated task.

Since they were only allowed to wear their school uniforms, they put a lot of effort into their hairstyles and makeup.

Hermione stood in front of the mirror, looking at her front teeth and hair, feeling rather dejected.

Her hair was so bushy, and no matter how she combed it, it wouldn't stay neat.

The photo notice was too sudden; otherwise, she could have bought some hair products to manage it.

And these two front teeth, as big as rabbit teeth, were really unsightly.

Sigh...

If only someone could help her with magic.

Suddenly, Hermione's eyes lit up, and she thought of a suitable person—Professor Mia Swan.

At Hogwarts, she was recognized as the youngest and most beautiful female professor, and her makeup was always exquisite.

Perhaps she would have a solution for dealing with her teeth and hair.

No sooner said than done, Hermione set off immediately and found the young and beautiful professor in the St. Mungo's training office.

She was surprised to find that she wasn't the only student with this idea; there were already many young witches lining up in the room.

They stood in the queue, chattering about how to make themselves even more beautiful.

Mia smiled sweetly, considerately helping the students achieve the look they desired, and throughout the process, she showed not a hint of impatience, appearing extremely elegant.

Hermione waited patiently in line, and soon it was her turn.

"Professor, my hair is too bushy, could you help me with my hairstyle?" Hermione asked cautiously, "I really don't know what to do; I've been combing it for ages without any effect."

"Of course, Miss Granger," Mia smiled gently, waving her wand lightly.

Instantly, Hermione's bushy and unruly hair became smooth and supple, falling neatly over her shoulders.

"What hairstyle would you like?" Mia asked kindly, "Leave it loose like this, or should I braid it into an elaborate plait, or put it up in a bun at the back of your head?"

Hermione thought for a moment and decided, "I'd like a bun, it looks more elegant that way."

Mia nodded and waved her wand again, creating an elegant bun for Hermione.

"Professor," Hermione said shyly, opening her mouth slightly, "Could you make my front teeth a little smaller?"

"They're too big and don't look very nice."

"That's easy," Mia told Hermione to hold up a mirror, "Look in the mirror, and tell me to stop when the teeth have shrunk to your satisfaction."

As she spoke, she raised her wand and cast a spell on Hermione's front teeth.

Soon, Hermione's slightly protruding front teeth became petite under the magic, almost perfectly matching her face shape.

Hermione put away the mirror and looked at Mia gratefully: "Thank you for your help, Professor."

She was overjoyed.

To be honest, she had wanted to shrink these two front teeth for a long time.

However, she was afraid of wearing those orthodontic braces.

So, even though her parents were dentists, she insisted on using magic to fix her teeth.

Now it seemed that magic was more convenient.

Hermione couldn't wait to let her friends see her transformation.

Before she even left Mia's office, she was drawn in by the words of the next student.

It was a seventh-year student, who looked up at Mia with gossip in her eyes.

"Professor, I heard that you and Professor Swan got married right after graduation, is that true?"

"Yes," Mia nodded with a smile, confirming the statement.

"Professor, you've been married for so many years, why haven't you had children?"

The surrounding students immediately quieted down, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Hermione also stopped, wanting to hear the answer to this question.

Mia smiled slightly, put away her wand, smoothed the folds of her long dress, and said softly.

"Having children is a matter that needs careful consideration. The arrival of children will change the lifestyle of the couple. Personal time will be compressed, and much freedom and self-development may have to be temporarily given up."

"Because raising children requires a lot of time, energy, and resources. For the healthy growth of children, parents need to provide sufficient emotional care and support."

"Therefore, before deciding to have children, both parties should seriously consider whether they are willing to make corresponding sacrifices and adjustments for the growth of the child."

"As for Professor Swan and I," Mia smiled happily, "We decided to enjoy a few more years of being just the two of us, and then talk about having children."

"We are wizards, and our vitality is much stronger than Muggles, so it's perfectly fine to have children a little later."

Oh, I see!

The young witches suddenly understood.

They wanted to enjoy their life as a couple.

That made perfect sense.

It seemed that the professors had a very good relationship.

The young witches chatted and laughed, and the office was filled with laughter again.

The conversation that took place in this office inevitably spread throughout the school.

After all, the tall and handsome Professor Swan was not much older than many students' parents.

The students were very interested in the real reason why Professor Swan didn't have any children.

However, in the mouths of the young wizards, some words completely changed their meaning as they were passed around.

"Did you hear? Professor Swan and his wife don't want children because they want to enjoy their life as a couple."

"No wonder they don't have children; it turns out it's because they don't want to have children yet."

"Breaking news, Professor Swan can't have children."

"Ah, where did you hear that news?"

"Don't you know? It's all over the school."

"Really? You're slandering the professor, aren't you."

"What slander? I have evidence. Remember that the professor has a resounding nickname—Two-Minute Man."

With a whoosh, the student took out an old newspaper from two years ago.

"See, this is the evidence. The Daily Prophet wrote it clearly."

"Ah? Isn't that describing how fast the professor is at catching the Golden Snitch?"

"Who knows? Where there's smoke, there's fire. Those reporters have sharp noses. They must have heard the news somewhere and then expressed it implicitly in this way."

"I see, Professor Swan is so pitiful."

Sebastian was unaware of the students' rumors.

He was leading the Alchemy Club students in making the final preparations for the school ID cards.

After all, this project involved hundreds of teachers and students, their pets, and hundreds of house elves, and a slight carelessness could lead to a major mistake.

Soon, the first-year wizards, organized by their respective prefects, came in an orderly manner to have their student ID photos taken.

Gradually, Sebastian noticed that in addition to excitement, the students' eyes held an indescribable emotion when they looked at him.

Upon closer inspection, that emotion seemed to be pity.

Pity?

Sebastian frowned, feeling a little confused.

Why would the students feel pity for him?

......

...

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