The Legendary Young Master Who Was Just Along for the Ride
Halfway through breakfast, a crisp sound of plates slamming against the Slytherin table rang out.
Draco's face turned ashen, clearly from watching Rita's news program.
The Gryffindor table twins were about to take the opportunity to make a few sarcastic remarks, but a new video notification came in.
When the projection screen is turned on, Rita is wearing a light yellow robe this time, so the two videos must have been filmed on different days.
"Dear viewers, this is Rita Skeeter's personal channel."
She seemed to be struggling to suppress a laugh, and through her jewel-encrusted glasses, one could clearly see the barely concealed amusement in her eyes.
"Today is June 24, 1995. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be holding the final event of the Triwizard Tournament."
The twins glanced at Vincent instinctively.
Ever since they found out that he had something on Rita, they found her more and more pleasing to the eye.
Last episode, the show launched a sarcastic attack on the Ministry of Magic and the Malfoy family. Who will be the unlucky one this time?
Whether on purpose or not, Rita burst into laughter in a very unladylike manner.
"Sorry, I just couldn't hold it in any longer."
She took a handkerchief from her robe pocket and gently wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes. "It's all those idiots in the Ministry of Magic's fault. I just couldn't help but laugh when I heard the news."
As for the specifics of the news, she kept it a secret, telling everyone to stay tuned.
"The British Ministry of Magic has never disappointed when it comes to being disappointing."
After her usual sarcastic remarks, she gently adjusted her glasses and said, "Alright, in this episode, let's take stock of the situation of the four Champion."
Viktor Krum was the first to be mentioned. Rita bluntly said that his brain was made of muscles, and that apart from his decent appearance, his only advantage was Quidditch.
"Viktor Krum Champion was seriously injured by the Chinese Fireball Dragon in the First Task. In the Second Task, he finally figured it out and used Transfiguration to turn his head into a shark's head, so that the underwater Magical Creatures in the Black Lake of Hogwarts would think of him as one of their own."
Rita clicked her tongue. "That's a very smart move. I hope he can keep up the good work and successfully complete the last project."
Next was Phoebe. Rita lowered her head and pondered for almost half a minute. "Well, the Champion Delacour has one particularly great advantage, which is that she is a beautiful vase."
Phoebe, who was having breakfast at the Griffin table, suddenly turned pale.
"Without the Champion Delacour, I believe many wizards would have completely lost interest in this year's Triwizard Tournament. Don't you think she's incredibly great?"
Phoebe laughed in exasperation, "Is she praising my charm?"
Hermione, standing beside her, nodded with a wry smile. "Rita Skeeter is just that kind of person. I remember you said that at the Wizengamot youth representative election ceremony two years ago, didn't she want to write an article about the France representative having a crush on the Britain representative?"
The two of them looked at Vincent across from them at the same time.
That did happen, but the article was never published; it can only be that Vincent stopped Rita.
In other words, he had at least something to hold against the other party since at least the year before last.
Calling Phoebe a pretty vase is already being kind; Rita's assessment of Draco was just one sentence:
"The Malfoy Champion is the legendary runner-up who always ends up being a runner-up, so please don't have any expectations of him."
The sound of plates being smashed echoed from the Slytherin table once again, both offensive and insulting.
Finally, the last Champion arrived, and Harry was so nervous that he dared not continue eating breakfast.
"Potter Champion... well, I think he's very lucky."
Rita changed her expression, a faint sadness in her eyes. "Fourteen years ago, he narrowly escaped the You-Know-Who's Killing Curse, leaving only a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead."
She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips. "He was also the only Champion successfully retrieved the Golden Egg under the protection of the fire dragon. The other three Champion were able to find a way to breathe underwater beforehand, thanks in part to him."
She then changed the subject, "However, I don't think much of Potter Champion; I only have one word for them: 'naive.'"
The Triwizard Tournament was a competition between the three major magic schools in Europe. He naively believed that the other three Champion would compete fairly with him, but in reality, no one was willing to lend a hand when he was attacked by the Merpeople.
Rita smiled dismissively, her smile full of mockery. "I hope Champion Potter can come to reality soon; your good luck won't last forever."
Harry clenched his fists, panting heavily, his heart pierced by the sharp and venomous words.
"That's all for the Champion's update." Rita suddenly leaned closer to the camera. "By the way, do you guys think there might be an accident during the last event tonight? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section, and I'll give a reply during the live stream later tonight."
At the end of the second episode, she didn't forget to ask the audience for a like, comment, and share, as well as their attention.
Her final mention of the live stream piqued the interest of many wizards, who left numerous comments in the comment section.
McGonagall then walked into the Great Hall and called the four Champion into the meeting room next to the Great Hall.
Their relatives were invited to watch the final program of the evening, and from afar, they could hear the heated arguments coming from the conference room.
"Are you an idiot? Malfoy, our Prongs brand is doing great, it's your Nobili brand that's going to go bankrupt!"
"Black! Don't be so happy. What does the domestic market prove? If you're so capable, go to the international market!"
It was Sirius Black and Lucius who stopped arguing until McGonagall opened the door.
Four relatives of the Champion were sitting in the small conference room. To Harry's surprise, his aunt and uncle were also there.
Viktor Krum inherited his father's hooked nose, and he spoke rapidly in Bulgaria to his dark-haired parents in a corner of the room.
The Delacour couple were both very good-looking. Gabrielle held her parents' hands and led them toward Phoebe.
Lucius and Narcissa were still the same as always, looking all smiles, but in reality they looked down on everyone in the room.
The Dursleys were unusually reserved, while Petunia seemed to be subtly excited.
After a brief chat in the meeting room, the Champion took their families on a tour of the castle.
Breakfast time is over, and now it's time for the intense and exciting year-end exams.
Harry, along with Sirius Black and the Dursleys, quietly walked down the corridor through the classrooms, the wonders of the magical castle eliciting gasps of amazement from the Dursleys.
Vernon looked at Harry, who was introducing the castle, and a hint of concern appeared on his face. "Harry, everyone is taking exams, don't you have any?"
Harry smiled and shook his head. "No, Uncle. The only advantage of becoming Champion is that you don't have to take exams."
The Dursleys seemed to want to say something, perhaps some words of concern, but neither of them said it until the very end.