Lockhart's booming opening announcement instantly made all the young wizards tense up.
Even Hermione Granger, who was currently ranked first and had secured a place in the top ten, couldn't stop her breathing from quickening. She kept taking deep breaths, quietly telling herself, "Don't get cocky. I have to come in first. I have to come in first. I have to give it everything I've got!"
What a rare opportunity this was: a chance for a young witch from a Muggle family like her to step into the spotlight and compete with all the pure-blood wizards on equal footing.
If she couldn't win the championship under these circumstances, she would never forgive herself!
She knew what a disadvantage she would be at in the future, competing against people from pure-blood families.
Even Harry Potter, who seemed to have no one to rely on, had the most powerful organization in the Wizarding World, the Order of the Phoenix, standing behind him. He also bore the title of "The Chosen One," a role the Order of the Phoenix had spent who knew how many years building up for him.
And that was nothing compared to young Master Malfoy, whose family's influence put them at the very pinnacle of pure-blood society.
With a background like hers, even gaining the slightest advantage was incredibly difficult!
Winning the Top 100 Tournament would be an eye-catching stepping stone, bringing unimaginable possibilities for her future. It could absolutely make up for the disadvantages of her background!
She was proud. She would not accept failure.
But clearly, some young masters from the Sacred Twenty-Eight didn't know how to seize an opportunity. They just lazed around and indulged themselves, like a lump of rotten mud!
That's right. She meant him—one of Hermione's best friends, Ron Weasley.
"Could you please