The next morning, all the newspapers carried advertisements for Gwent.
Even the niche song "The Quibbler" is no exception.
The Gryffindor table.
"Sorry." Hermione picked up the magazine from Lavender's hand.
"Hey, I haven't finished watching it yet!"
"Let's watch it together then."
The two little witches were increasingly astonished as they looked.
This advertisement didn't contain any personal bias; it even elevated Gwent to the status of the greatest invention of the 20th century.
It's the one without a doubt.
"Through exquisite and profound Transfiguration, you can fully appreciate the brilliance of those legendary wizards—"
With a near 100% accuracy in reproduction, this is a priceless heirloom that every wizarding family should treasure.
Lavender didn't understand, but Hermione did.
This seems like a case of praising someone to death, but it also seems like there's an ulterior motive.
"Who knows what they're up to?" Vincent put down the Daily Prophet.
"Whether they're praising us to death or not, as long as the desired effect is achieved, that's fine."
Neville glanced at the feature article Rita had written. "I didn't know you had so many titles."
The most challenging Sorting Hat problem in Hogwarts history has emerged.
The freshman who received the most bonus points in a single week;
The nightmare of dark wizards;
Founders of Gwent;
Champion of the first Hogwarts Tournament;
Recipient of the Order of Merlin, Second Class;
Wizengamot's Britain Youth Representative Nominee...
Vincent picked up the newspaper and continued reading.
Rita, for reasons unknown, was promoting his deeds extensively in the newspapers.
He's handsome, has a great personality, and excels in both academics and sports.
This template is definitely someone else's perfect child.
The most crucial point is to promote his Muggle family background, which is like going against the grain of those rich old men.
To please?
Vincent would rather believe that Gu Gu deliberately losing weight than believe that Rita, that weird little beetle, was trying to please him.
"I believe she would dare to take money to smear me, but what about taking money to praise me?"
Neville scratched his head. "I heard from my grandma that when the Ministry of Magic makes a big blunder, they always create a big news story to divert attention."
Vincent, who had been skeptical, suddenly nodded seriously.
In a sense, Fudge, the Minister for Magic, is quite capable.
The immediate cover-up of the Gringotts theft, the timely suppression of news of Voldemort's reappearance, and this latest diversion of attention.
It seems that some major trouble has arisen again in the Wizarding World Britain.
"Could it be that Quirrell escaped from prison?"
Harry immediately perked up his ears.
Neville gave an awkward laugh. "That's impossible, isn't it? He doesn't even have legs anymore."
"That's true." Vincent glanced casually at Harry, who looked tense. "If he can get out, Azkaban might as well be turned into a hotel."
"Pfft, hahaha—" James and Alfred were laughing so hard they almost fell off their chairs.
A slightly slow-witted Neville asked blankly, "Why a hotel?"
"Just come and go as you please."
He thought for a moment, then suddenly leaned back and burst into laughter.
"Thud—" He had only laughed twice when he collapsed under the chair.
Vincent couldn't hold back any longer and reached out his hand to Neville, his fingers trembling.
Harry gave a forced smile.
If I'm not mistaken, the Ministry of Magic is probably trying to cover up Quirrell's affair.
Fortunately, Dumbledore had already taken the person back, otherwise it would have been much more than just flattery.
The actual situation is pretty much the same.
However, Quirrell never actually escaped from prison.
The Ministry of Magic, located beneath London, is bustling with activity today.
Whether it was the Auror were out on missions or the Werewolf Control Division who seemed flustered, all the staff gathered in the Minister's Office on the first floor for a meeting.
The originally cramped room was temporarily transformed into a conference room nearly the size of a football field using Undetectable Extension Charm.
A huge round table was surrounded by people, about four hundred in total.
Fudge pressed a Magical Runes on a small device, and a huge screen slowly appeared in the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a video sent by the Magical Congress of the United States of America yesterday."
This is a memory of someone, located in a very large port.
On the calm sea, a tentacle almost half the size of a harbor suddenly appeared.
Before it even landed, the figures that appeared among the small black dots pushed it back into the sea.
Fudge paused the video. "Their Minister of Magical Safety announced that the Kraken had been driven away, heading towards the Norway Sea, which is north of Scotland."
"We must condemn them severely!" Umbridge said vehemently. "These damned creatures always bring these troublesome Magical Creatures to us!"
"Mr. Minister, I suggest we escalate this to the International Confederation of Wizards and let them taste our wrath!"
"Calm down, Secretary Umbridge." Fudge turned his gaze to the men dressed in crimson robes.
"I have informed Chief Warlock Dumbledore, and he has suggested that Mr. Scamander. Newt Scamander be in charge of guiding the Kraken safely back to Iceland."
A very old witch nodded slightly to the nearby Wizengamot members.
"Since it's Albus Dumbledore's suggestion, I don't think any of us have any reason to object."
Kraken, also known as the "Kraken" in Muggle terms, is officially called the Giant Squid.
There is a domesticated one in the Black Lake at Hogwarts.
But this one is clearly not.
If it were accidentally exposed, even a single tentacle could trigger a tsunami in Muggle society.
The old gentlemen of their Britain Empire would never do something as simple and brutal as America's rush back.
"Director Scrimgeour— " Fudge looked at an Auror wearing gold-rimmed glasses, "I hope you can personally lead the team to help Mr. Scamander."
"No problem, Mr. Minister," Scrimgeour solemnly agreed.
Umbridge asked Fudge with a very subtle look in his eyes.
After receiving a very slight nod, she made a suggestion that would be most beneficial to the Minister for Magic.
"Regardless of whether the matter can be resolved smoothly, I think we should first block the news and then shift the public's attention away from this matter."
The old witch frowned slightly. "I'm sorry, Dolores."
You mean we need to keep this secret not only from the Muggle government, but also from our own situation?
"Yes, Marchbanks Supervisor." Umbridge seemed to have great respect for her.
"The Quirinus Quirrell incident had already caused a huge uproar, so we need to make all the necessary security preparations in advance."
Preparing for the safety of the Wizarding World is a pretense; the real purpose is to prepare for the safety of the Minister's backside.
"What are you planning to do?" Marchbanks's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Umbridge's momentum waned again. "I intend to publish detailed information about this year's Order of Merlin recipients in the newspapers to build momentum for the ceremony two months from now."
"Those six children?" Marchbanks's expression softened somewhat, but he was still somewhat dissatisfied.
"Isn't it excessive to push the children onto the stage and subject them to this kind of attention?"
Umbridge's lips curled up slightly. "Not at all. I intend to promote a more eye-catching wizard."
Who is it?
"Gilderoy Lockhart, this year's recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class."
"Oh!" Marchbanks suddenly widened his eyes. "If it's him, then he certainly has that kind of popularity."
Fudge was completely relieved.
If anything were to happen to Kraken, this writer, most popular with witches, would surely be able to keep it under control.
Even if that's not possible, there are still six rising stars in the Wizarding World.