The Second Task allowed the entire hostage "rescue" process to be seen live worldwide.
Saying it wasn't good would be a bit of an exaggeration. It was thrilling, but it certainly wasn't as exciting as the wizards had imagined.
However, the hype surrounding the Triwizard Tournament quickly died down as a flood of Wizarding series emerged.
Although most of them are rather poorly made, a careful search can still reveal one or two well-made ones.
For example, the big spenders invested heavily in the production of "The Merlin Legend," and the wealthy Nobili brand held a premiere event in Diagon Alley, even sponsoring a top-of-the-line set of equipment for a simultaneous live broadcast of Hogwarts.
The guests present were all prominent figures in the Wizarding World, and even Fudge brought a large group of people to show their support.
The twins booed at the Gryffindor table.
With such a grand setup, it would be hilarious if it turned out badly.
Vincent, who was watching the premiere while having dinner, hoped that the show would become a global hit, so that more well-made dramas would appear in the future.
Once all the guests had arrived, the 300-inch projection screen went dark.
The screen lit up again, and the golden title of "The Merlin Legend" appeared.
The film opens with a magnificent medieval manor, and the details reveal that it was filmed on location.
The students were clearly shocked; only Pure-blood men could pull off such a lavish spectacle.
The following scenes flashed past one valuable magical item after another, instantly raising everyone's expectations to the max.
The investment of nearly 200,000 Gold Galleons was indeed not just boasting; this pile of priceless artifacts alone is something that an ordinary wizard would only see a few times in his entire life.
The scene suddenly shifts rapidly to a study filled with precious magic books, where a thin figure stands from behind.
Not only Vincent found it familiar, but many students also subconsciously looked toward the Slytherin table.
The thin figure was flipping through a thick magic book. As the camera moved, everyone could finally see clearly who he was.
Black hair, high cheekbones, narrow, slightly slanted brown eyes, and a confidence on his face that bordered on arrogance.
Blaise Zabini, sitting at the Slytherin table, raised his chin high, thoroughly enjoying the gazes cast upon him by the students.
It's standard practice for the main character to appear at the beginning; now it's time to see their acting skills.
"Merlin — Merlin —where are you?"
On the projection screen, Blaise Zabini closed the magic book, took it with him, and walked out of the study. "Grandpa, I'm here!"
The students' expressions were particularly stiff, especially the twins at the Gryffindor table.
That's Merlin, after all! Blaise Zabini, this nepotism hire, is acting way too exaggerated. What makes him worthy of playing this mythical figure who represents magic?
And what kind of ridiculous plot is this? There's still no evidence to prove Merlin's true bloodline, so why is he set up as Pure-blood Wizard right from the start?
A fictionalized account is not a fabrication, and an adaptation is not a random rewriting.
The actor who plays Merlin's grandfather is also an old acquaintance, Hafra, the president of the International Alchemists Association.
Through the conversation between the grandfather and grandson in a corridor filled with exquisite oil paintings, the Ambrosius family is established as an ancient Pure-blood Wizard family, whose members are now reduced to only two due to the continuous wars waged by Muggle.
Merlin, who grew up relying on his grandfather, was extremely obsessed with magic, and he was exceptionally talented, having already learned many profound spells by the age of 15.
Fortunately, the story takes place in the early Middle Ages, in the 5th century, and the protagonist Merlin is not a Slytherin student.
Rather than students discussing whether the series' setting was historically accurate, Vincent was more concerned with when the gentlemen became involved with the International Alchemists Association, and whether the Ministry of Magic mole replaced by the Death Eaters was related to them.
Chairman Hafra doesn't seem like the kind of person who would resort to underhanded tactics. The gentlemen have no vested interests and wouldn't intentionally damage Wayne Enterprises' equipment.
The more I think about it, the more my head aches. Let the Order of the Phoenix worry about it.
With an appreciative look in his eyes, Vincent watched the first episode of the Merlin Legend.
Objectively speaking, setting aside the heavily modified versions with personal biases and the extremely exaggerated acting of the lead actor, Blaise Zabini, the overall quality of the series is not excellent, but it is far above average and worth watching.
Audience reviews are mixed, with some liking it to the extreme and others hating it intensely. If it weren't for the masterpiece "The Gryffindor Legend" preceding it, "The Merlin Legend" would likely have been a huge hit.
After the first episode aired, Blaise Zabini's popularity on campus rose at an alarming rate, catching up with Viktor Krum's, despite his somewhat arrogant and conceited personality.
The 200,000 Gold Galleons weren't wasted; some are happy, but others are naturally sad.
Almost every actor in the Merlin Legend is a well-known wizard in the Wizarding World. When Babajide Akinbad, the vice president of the International Confederation of Wizards, made a cameo appearance in the fourth episode, Sirius Black and Shafiq finally couldn't sit still.
"Me?" Vincent stared in shock at Sirius Black on the projection screen. "No, I'm still a student. How could I possibly be acting? And playing Pure-blood Wizard who despises Muggle? That would definitely cause a huge controversy."
"The Zabini kids are students too." Sirius Black confidently held up a thick script. "Believe me, no one is more suitable for this role than you, and you don't really care what others think of you."
Vincent's lips twitched. "Weren't you supposed to be looking for clues in Uncle Arthur's memories? How come you have time to mess around with those Pure-blood men?"
"One thing at a time." Sirius Black walked out of the room and pointed the camera at Lupin, who was carrying the camera equipment and filming. "We have our own work. If it weren't for your little device being so useful, we wouldn't have time to start a new show."
Not only can you drag the progress bar at will, but you can also speed up and slow down the playback, making it incredibly convenient to use.
Vincent didn't know what to say.
They invited presidents and vice presidents of international associations; in terms of seniority and reputation, how could I compare to them?
"Have you considered Professor Dumbledore?"
Sirius Black nodded casually. "I invited him, and he accepted."
The president of the International Confederation of Wizards, along with an apprentice of the legendary Alchemy Nicolas Flamel, is clearly aiming to dominate the men.
Vincent thought about it carefully, nodded and then shook his head, "I'll take the role, but let me make it clear first, I won't be filming the whole series, I'll just make a cameo appearance when I have some free time."
Sirius Black put down the thick script in his hand with a hint of regret. "Alright, I'll go find the screenwriter to revise it later."
Suddenly, he stared intently at Vincent, his eyes growing brighter.
"Since it's a cameo role... Hermione seems quite suitable..."
"Huh?" Vincent was full of questions. "Suitable for what?"
Sirius Black smiled. "Rowena Ravenclaw."
"Oh." Vincent was only slightly surprised.
The Sorting Hat did consider sorting Hermione into Ravenclaw, and she does indeed possess the Ravenclaw's thirst for knowledge.
It would be perfectly fine for her to guest star as the young Rowena Ravenclaw, after all, Sirius Black gave Vincent the role of Salazar Slytherin.
If we add Helga Hufflepuff Hufflepuff, then Four Founders of Hogwarts will be complete.