Reporter Interview, the Noise in the Golden Egg

"I've gathered information about you, including your age of fourteen, your sister's high-ranking position as a special referee, and so on. This makes me suspect that you're just someone who got in through connections and is pursuing fame."

You may be considered outstanding among your peers, but there is still a certain gap between you and the students in higher grades.

In short, that's how misunderstandings happen. "Phoebe said, her eyes softening slightly, "Thank you for helping me on the field."

"No need for thanks." Aaron waved his hand dismissively. "If it weren't for not wanting to put my sister in a difficult position, I Harry n't have been able to be number one."

The next project shouldn't be as dangerous, so I hope you do well.

Phoebe's eyes twitched slightly, and the gentleness in her eyes turned into an indescribable complexity.

After a moment of silence, she chuckled, "I know how to do this without you telling me."

"That's good, otherwise I would probably have to clean up the mess again." Aaron said, quite understandingly.

Phoebe gave a soft snort and turned to leave the tent.

"Gaius," Cedric looked at him speechlessly, "Where did your emotional intelligence go? Can't you see that Delacour treats you a little differently?"

"You don't know anything," Aaron said bluntly. "Nothing is more troublesome than women."

I'm already overwhelmed by two girls, and I don't want to get involved with a third.

"Two?" Harry leaned closer, his face full of curiosity, and asked, "I know one is Adrian, who's the other?"

Aaron's face darkened. "That's a personal matter, I don't want to talk about it, and besides, it doesn't seem to concern you, does it?"

"Tell me!" Harry winked and grinned. "We're so close, what can't we tell you? I promise I won't tell anyone else."

Aaron rolled his eyes. He'd be out of his mind to believe that.

He was about to say something when the two of them rushed into the tent: Hermione and Ron.

"You're insane!" Hermione yelled angrily at Aaron, her eyes red-rimmed. "That's a five-headed dragon! Even if you want to show off, you don't have to take such a huge risk!"

"Uh... I know what I'm doing, nothing will happen."

"That won't do either. What if something unexpected happens?" Hermione said with lingering fear. "When you were hit by that pillar of fire, I thought you were going to die."

"It's true," Ron added. "It's the first time I've ever seen her face so pale, and she's been crying so much..."

"I didn't cry." Hermione interrupted Ron with a grim expression, then looked at Aaron with a serious face. "There are still two more competitions to go. You have to promise me that you absolutely, positively, positively will not take any risks."

"Oh, this..."

Aaron wanted to say that whether or not to take a risk was not up to him, but seeing the other person's angry yet pleading eyes, he could only nod helplessly.

Harry and Cedric exchanged a glance, tacitly agreeing that Hermione was the second woman who would cause Aaron trouble.

"Harry." Ron looked at him awkwardly. "I don't think you'd be crazy enough to sign up yourself."

"Have you finally figured it out?" Harry said coldly. "It's taken you so long to understand?"

"I'm not the only one who thinks this way; everyone is talking about you behind your back."

I think I should...

"No need to say anything more," Harry interrupted Yu. "It's alright, just forget about it!"

Hearing him say that, Ron felt a little ashamed and timidly said, "At least I was the one who reminded you of the dragon."

"What?" Harry paused, as if he had thought of something, then suddenly realized. "Charlie was also in the Dragon Trainers. He told you that, and then you had Hagrid tell me?"

"Otherwise what?"

"So you two are back together?" Hermione felt a sense of relief. She had spent the last few days in the cold war between Harry and Ron, and felt exhausted every day.

"This is really baffling." Aaron shrugged, then asked Yu, "What score did the referee give you?"

"I think I got 40 points, which is lower than yours," Harry said somewhat embarrassedly. "I'm tied for second with Krum."

"That makes me feel awkward." Cedric shook his head with a wry smile. "I only scored in the thirties, tied for third with Phoebe."

"What about the Golden Egg?"

Adrian said there would be Second Task clue inside the Golden Egg.

"What clues could you possibly have from just getting hold of this?" Cedric was speechless.

"That's true, I was too impatient."

After dinner, Ludo Bagman told the five Champion to gather in the room behind the Great Hall.

"You've both done very well, really very well," Ludo Bagman said excitedly. "Especially the two fourth-year Warlock, no one would have thought you two would be so outstanding."

"Can we get down to business, Ludo Bagman?"

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Gaius- senpai."

However, I understand that many people are waiting for you to go back and celebrate. Ludo Bagman gave an understanding smile and continued, "Getting back to the point, the Second Task will be held at 9:30 a. m. on February 24th, 2020."

You have about three months to unravel the clues of the Golden Egg, which will tell you what the second project is.

Okay, that's all I wanted to say.

As soon as they left the room, they saw someone they didn't want to see standing outside the door: the unscrupulous reporter, Rita Skeeter.

"Mr. Bagman, may I interview one of the Champion?"

"No problem." Ludo Bagman finished speaking and immediately winked at everyone, "I'm leaving first, you guys seize the opportunity to become famous."

Krum paused for a moment, then quickened his pace and left.

Cedric and Phoebe followed closely behind him.

Skeeter didn't stop them, but when it was Harry and Aaron's turn, she blocked the entrance to the Great Hall.

A stenographer and a notebook flew out of her handbag and landed above her shoulder.

"Would it be convenient for you two outstanding Champion to do an exclusive interview?" Rita Skeeter asked with a smile as she approached.

"Inconvenient."

Harry glared at her angrily and stormed out.

"Go on! Then you'll be all alone, Mr. Gaius."

"Are you sure you want to interview me?" Aaron asked meaningfully.

Rita Skeeter clicked her tongue. "To be honest, I've thought about it, but you are Dragon Speaker, which is much rarer than Animagus."

Even if I don't interview you, I can't argue with you, and the headmaster will be dissatisfied, right?

But don't worry, I'll let you see the manuscript first, and I'll only publish it after you approve it.

"I see! I understand."

Rita Skeeter was immediately delighted, and her Quick-Quotes Quill seemed eager to be used.

"Mr. Gaius, what did you feel when you faced those Dragon? How did you communicate with them, and what did you discuss? What magic did you use in the competition...?"

"Look me in the eyes," Aaron said directly.

Rita Skeeter glanced at him subconsciously, then froze on the spot like a puppet, a strange purple light flashing in her eyes.

"I don't want this to happen either, but you're just too annoying!"

From now on, do not interview me in any way.

"Yes," Rita Skeeter said blankly.

Aaron nodded in satisfaction, then left with Abei and the Golden Egg.

A moment later, Rita Skeeter snapped out of her daze and shuddered, completely bewildered.

"Where's Harry Potter? He's running way too fast!"

Upon arriving at the Slytherin common room, deafening applause and cheers erupted.

Niall pulled Aaron to the middle of the common room, then coughed and said, "Headmaster Snape meant not to disturb your rest, but there are some reasons why we must hold out until you arrive."

"So... is there something wrong?" Aaron looked at the dozen or so students surrounding him, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Although the number of people was small, they were all representatives of their respective grades; in other words, they represented the entire Slytherin House.

"An autograph!" Graham, a first-year student, piled a stack of autographed papers in front of Aaron and said with admiration, "I'm sure you won't refuse a request from us freshmen!"

"Heh! I refuse." Aaron sneered and turned to walk towards the dormitory.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Draco chuckled as he stopped him. "Forget about autographs, but at least say a few words so we can pass them on to the others!"

"This is indeed somewhat necessary." Aaron narrowed his eyes and said thoughtfully, "First, don't bother me unless it's absolutely necessary. I won't answer any of your questions."

Second, I don't want to hear Slytherin comparing me to others; it's too annoying.

Third, I will win the Triwizard Tournament on behalf of Slytherin.

"Understood." Niall nodded. "As Prefect, I can guarantee that Slytherin will fully cooperate."

Thanks.

"There's one more thing," Draco said, rubbing his hands nervously. "Could we take a look at that Golden Egg?"

"Of course, no problem." Aaron readily placed the Golden Egg on the table. "Inside is a clue to the Second Task, but I haven't opened it yet."

A dozen or so people were observing the Golden Egg with curiosity. Draco couldn't contain himself and turned on the knob at the top.

The golden eggshell bloomed like a flower, revealing an oval-shaped amber piece that seemed to be bubbling inside.

But the next moment, an extremely piercing scream came from inside. The few junior Warlock who were closest to the sound turned pale with fright, and the others hurriedly covered their ears.

"Malfoy, turn it off right now."

Without needing anyone to remind him, Draco closed the Golden Egg the moment he heard the sound.

"What is this thing? I bet every prisoner in Azkaban could make such a miserable scream."

"Aaron," Niall picked at his ear and said solemnly, "You can definitely crack the clues to the Golden Egg, but don't open it in the dorm, okay?"

Aaron nodded. Turning this thing on in the dorm would be a serious disturbance to the neighbors, and the sound he just heard was a dozen times more jarring than a cat scratching at a window. He didn't want to experience it again.