Scoring, the Death Eater's Mark

Dumbledore squatted by the lake, apologetically tending to the Merpeople leader's arm injury, before returning to the judges' table to discuss scoring with the other judges.

A few minutes Ludo Bagman's voice rang out. He pressed his Wand against his neck and used Amplification Charm to amplify his voice, ensuring that everyone in the room could hear him clearly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now announcing the score of each Champion in their first event."

Miss Delacour demonstrated excellent skill in using the Bubble-Head Charm and successfully rescued the hostage in the last minute of the time limit. We give her forty points.

"This is a bit too high for me." Phoebe shook her head with a self-deprecating laugh. "If it weren't for someone's help, I wouldn't even be able to get past Grindylow."

"Uh..." Aaron touched his nose a little embarrassedly, "Didn't I warn you that there are dangerous creatures in the Black Lake? Don't you know that Grindylow used to like hiding in the seaweed?"

"Bad luck," Phoebe said dejectedly. "I encountered Giant Squid on my way down, and while trying to avoid it, I accidentally wandered into that patch of seaweed."

"Tsk! That's pretty tragic."

"Viktor Krum used Transfiguration, though not entirely complete, and managed to return with the hostages within the allotted time."

He was the third one to come out, so we decided to give him forty points.

"Harry Potter took Gillyweed and achieved amazing results."

He was the first to complete the task within the allotted time and rescued the hostage. After deliberation by the referees... he scored forty-seven points.

Hermione and Ron were thrilled and laughed heartily.

Harry lowered his head guiltily. He knew how he got this score. The source of the Gillyweed was somewhat dishonorable, especially since Snape's cold gaze from the audience made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Cedric Diggory, he also used the Bubble-Head Charm and was given a time limit to complete the task, so we also give him 47 points."

The Hufflepuff students cheered enthusiastically, and everyone clapped excitedly.

In their view, Cedric should have been number one, and Harry Potter had only eaten a precious herb and had not demonstrated any real ability.

"Finally, there's Aaron Gaius." Ludo Bagman's tone rose a few decibels. "We all saw his performance. He used a high-level magic, remaining completely dry in the icy Black Lake. He had to save two hostages, made a wise choice, and ultimately chose to help the fourth Champion, rescuing her from the encirclement of Grindylow."

Although he exceeded the allotted one hour, his performance was impeccable, and the judges decided to award him 49 points.

The Slytherin students shouted excitedly, Phoebe and Hermione clapped enthusiastically, and Luna cheered for him.

"Finally, the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament will be held on the evening of the 14th of this month."

The Champion will be informed of the game details a month in advance. Thank you for your support.

Ludo Bagman's voice trailed off, and the audience gradually left their seats. Cedric, Phoebe, and Krum also decided to go back and get some rest.

Aaron took Abei back from Adrian, then looked at her with a resentful expression, "Are you satisfied now?"

"Very satisfied." Adrian clapped his hands. "You made a choice, but the way you chose it was unexpected."

"You really are my sister." Aaron smiled wryly.

"Cousin."

"Okay! Cousin, how are you planning to mess with me for your next project?"

"You'll know when the time comes, but the last challenge is even more exciting than the first two combined. If you can't handle it, our agreement is null and void."

However, you'd better be prepared, because that means Clea will be visiting you after your vacation starts.

Aaron:...

This really caught me completely off guard.

"What I dislike most is giving up halfway."

"We'll see, do your best." Adrian patted him on the shoulder, smiled, and turned to leave.

Aaron gritted his teeth and took several deep breaths to suppress the urge to curse.

"Um..." Harry called out somewhat nervously from behind him, his face bearing a look of grim determination, "Let's go see Professor Snape."

"Hmm?" Aaron looked surprised. "I have to admit, you have a bit more backbone than I thought. I thought you would drag this out indefinitely!"

Harry gave an awkward laugh; he had indeed had that idea at first.

Aaron dislikes trouble, and if he can delay for ten days or half a month, he will gradually forget about it.

No, that won't do. Professor Snape Snape's face was horribly dark just now; he must know that his gill Gillyweed has been stolen.

If he takes the initiative to admit his mistake, and with Aaron's help, he won't be punished too severely.

But when Snape comes knocking, he'll be in for a world of hurt. After all, Potions Class is an unavoidable hurdle for them, and it wouldn't be too difficult for Snape to punish him.

The two entered Hogwarts Castle, turned dozens of times in the long corridor, and stopped in front of Professor Snape Snape's private storeroom.

Just as Aaron was about to knock on the door, Karkaroff's voice came from inside.

The Durmstrang principal appeared extremely anxious, his tone revealing not only urgency but also boundless fear.

"This is a sign, Severus, and we both know what it means."

You must have noticed, it's never been this noticeable before, ever since..."

"Hide now," Snape said viciously. "If you don't want to face it, you can try to run away. I'll try my best to deal with it for you."

I'm not in a good mood today, let's talk later, Karkaroff.

The door suddenly opened, Aaron remained in the position of knocking. Harry stood awkwardly behind him, sweating profusely with nervousness.

When Karkaroff saw someone outside, he hurriedly pulled down his sleeve, and Aaron clearly saw the pattern on his left arm, and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

The Dark Mark, the mark of the Death Eater.

The Dark Lord has been gone for over a decade, yet you still retain this mark. Your loyalty truly stands the test of time!

"Aaron, what... do you want to see me about?"

"Yes, a little, but it seems we've come at the wrong time."

Karkaroff's lips twitched, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace, before he quickly left Snape's private storeroom.

"Now you can speak." Aaron shrugged, making way for Harry Potter behind him. "He's the one who's contacting you, Professor."

"Potter." Snape gritted his teeth and sneered, "Congratulations, you performed exceptionally well at the Black Lake."

"Gillyweed, is that right?"

"Yes, sir."

Snape nodded. "A brilliant idea, just a bit too daring."

He turned and went into the storeroom, climbing a ladder. "That's a rare herb, Gillyweed. You can't find it in ordinary gardens, and you can't find this either."

Snape climbed down the ladder, carrying a small crystal bottle in his hand.

Do you know this?

Harry shook his head. "It's not Pumpkin Juice."

"This is Truth Serum; just three drops will make you reveal the deepest secrets of your heart."

"Professor," Aaron interjected, "the Ministry of Magic forbids the use of this thing on students."

"Do you think I don't know?" Snape said irritably. "I just wanted to tell Mr. Potter not to steal from my private storeroom anymore, though I might accidentally spill it in someone's Pumpkin Juice."

"I'm sorry, sir," Harry said humbly. "I stole the Gillyweed, and I apologize to you."

"Hmph! At least he's honest, though not entirely honest."

Harry's heart skipped a beat, thinking that Snape had discovered that Dobby had Dobby the Gillyweed. Just as he was feeling uneasy, Snape's next words reached his ears.

"The Gillyweed is harmless, but the African Tree Snake and Lacewing Flies have also disappeared."

Are you and your friends preparing Polyjuice Potion?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said, frowning. He admitted that the Gillyweed Polyjuice Potion absolutely nothing to do with Knut.

"Just wait! I'll find out why."

Harry felt guilty before, and always felt guilty when facing Snape.

Hearing this, he felt nothing but intense anger. He thought Snape was just trying to pin the blame on him, and that the materials might have been perfectly fine on the counter, not stolen at all.

Harry glared coldly at Snape, then turned and left without a word.

"Quite the temper," Snape said dismissively. "Looks like our savior got cocky after successfully passing the two challenges of the Triwizard Tournament."

"Um... Professor Snape, is it possible that he just stole the Gillyweed?"

"Who else could it be but him? The Gillyweed, the African Tree Snake, Lacewing Flies were all stolen on the same day."

Aaron blinked and stopped speaking up for Harry.

He didn't think Harry and his friends had stolen the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion, because there was no need for that. The theft was probably just a coincidence, since Hogwarts never lacked students who enjoyed playing pranks.

He didn't need to explain; Professor Snape's prejudice against Harry Potter was extraordinary.

"Professor, if I may ask, what was your relationship with Professor Karkaroff before?"

Upon hearing this, Snape's face immediately darkened, and he said coldly, "This is none of your business, don't pry."

"I see." Aaron said meaningfully. "He has the Dark Mark on his arm, Death Eater, right?"

"Shut up."

"I won't say anything, you don't need to worry so much," Aaron said seriously. "My respect for you will not change because of your previous status."

Snape took a deep breath and looked at him seriously. "I really want to cast a Oblivion Charm on you."

"Excuse my bluntness," Aaron chuckled, "You... might not have that kind of luck."

"Alright! I used to be on Karkaroff's side, are you satisfied now?" Snape said helplessly, then pulled up his sleeve, revealing a Dark Mark on his arm. "Just like Karkaroff said, this mark has never been so prominent before, it's some kind of omen."

If the Dark Mark is added to the Quidditch World Cup, the day when the You-Know-Who returns may not be far off.

"Forget about what you listen to and watch; this isn't something you can interfere with, is it, Ai Bai?"

Aaron:...