Chapter 427 Preparations of All Parties

"Miss Granger is stunningly beautiful..."

At Mrs. Puddieff's Teahouse, the holy place for couples to date in Hogsmeade, Qiu looked at Harry with an unfavorable expression - he was three minutes late because he was delayed in reviewing with Hermione Granger and Ron in the library.

The above classic quotation is not original to Qiu, but comes from Rita's report.

This statement made Harry blush, but he didn't dare to refute anything.

Being late... He is really...

‘Who should I consult about this kind of thing? What else can I do besides telling the truth? ’

He was frantically thinking of a suitable target to inquire about—Sirius? Lupine? Or Professor William?

None of them were appropriate. Putting aside whether he would be laughed at, he always felt that he had not gained any reliable experience...

'Ask Ron? More inappropriate, right? ’

He struggled, and finally found a slightly more suitable target for consultation—Hermione.

But that will definitely happen later. The most important thing he has to do now is to get through the current difficulties.

"Mr. Bagman always talks about the fear of the unknown, but I would rather face the basilisk again than face the autumn now..."

However, he was saved by the sudden appearance of a figure outside the venue. Rita Skeeter and her photographer friend passed by the window and naturally attracted their attention.

"there."

"Rita Skeeter?"

Qiu stared at the two people walking by outside the window, her eyes hesitant, she looked at Harry, then looked out the window, and the expression on her face gradually became gentle.

"Well, it's that annoying woman—she's been watching you."

She shook her head, "Let's be careful not to be seen by her."

The next moment, she moved to the position next to Harry, and then whispered to Harry, "Lower your head, don't look at her."

Harry suddenly felt his hand being held, and subconsciously tried to shake it off and then pulled out his wand to cast a spell, but he quickly reacted and stopped the urge.

Then, he realized something, his face started to turn a little red, but his hands quietly used a little strength.

He wasn't quite sure why Qiu's mood suddenly improved, but he didn't have the time to think about it now.

——

"What did the newspaper say?"

Rita asked proudly.

"The newspaper sold so well that day that it even had to be reprinted once. Owls crowded the windows of the newspaper office, and everyone was impatiently waiting for more reports."

The photographer naturally boasted.

"Of course, of course, no one doesn't care about Harry Potter, not just in the UK, but also in other countries," Rita said proudly, "Follow-up reports will be available soon, and we can definitely dig deeper message."

"For example - the story of Potter and Miss Granger, and another example, the other professors' evaluation of Potter, before the Triwizard Tournament starts, we can even come up with a column about unlimited hype. news."

The photographer's assistant spoke by analogy, his eyes full of longing for the future.

"No, no, no," Rita shook her finger, "We don't need those bland news, we need breaking news that attracts people's attention, not the kind of step-by-step reporting that second-rate reporters do, we want to dig out Big news, big news!"

"Let's hide that Moody guy for a little while, and we'll find out the big news from that lucky professor in the next issue - didn't he go to Azkaban? I think I might be able to dig out some dirty information this time. "

"But, where is the ministry?"

The photographer asked nervously - an errand like the Triwizard Tournament is not something that a disobedient reporter can easily get.

"The competition is a competition, and the professor is a professor. It is unwise to mix the two. Besides, why should we publish it immediately? When the Triwizard Tournament is over, these news will no longer be news?"

"We have enough time to sort out the news and send it out, and the professor is just doing it casually - before there is any real breaking news, I'm afraid we still need to follow that Potter for a while."

"You're always right, news queen."

"I like that title."

Rita laughed, wildly.

——

"Unknown danger, unknown danger...what unknown danger?"

In the Hufflepuff common room, a group of senior students were sitting around having a tea party, but no one was thinking about dessert.

Cedric's notes helped everyone a lot last school year, so now they are working together to try to solve the mystery of the so-called unknown danger.

Unfortunately, nothing can be done.

There is too little known information. With that little information, who can guess what it is?

"We have consulted a lot of traditional information from the past. According to the available records in "Hogwarts: A School History", during the 1792 Hegemony Tournament, a chicken-bodied snake-tailed monster that the warriors were trying to catch ran amok out of control. , all three principals were injured."

"That must be considered an unknown danger, but we can't continue to use that dangerous creature now, right?"

"If it weren't for it, what would it be..."

Everyone was lost in thought, with confusion on their faces.

For a moment, the corner of the common room became extremely quiet, with only subtle clicking sounds coming from time to time.

"Selma!"

The sixth-grade female prefect shouted helplessly, then stood up, walked over, took down the food in her hands, and then moved the plates closest to her one by one with her wand out of her reach.

"How long has it been and you still want to eat, eat, eat!"

She poked Thelma in the head with her hand, showing no mercy.

"I didn't even eat lunch! Just to go to the library to look for information!"

"That won't work either, we must find a way out!"

Despite the reprimand, the two plates of pastries were silently brought over by magic.

"eat!"

Selma, who didn't notice the pastry, said quickly, "No matter what unknown fear it is, you always have to eat, right?"

"Have a meal?"

"Yes, eat."

Thelma suddenly figured it out, "No matter what they want to bring over, they can't transfer it temporarily. They have to send it to Hogwarts and check the living conditions of those unknown creatures, right? If you get sick on the way, it's because the environment is not suitable for getting sick. Now, how can we compete?"

"It takes at least four or five days to adapt to the coming and going. You can't go without eating for such a long time, right?"

"Eh?"

The eyes of the senior students around him lit up, "Yeah, let's eat. Why didn't I think of this problem?"

"The deterrent power of most magical creatures is actually related to their appetite. Its appetite cannot be small!"

"Then, in this case, its meals at Hogwarts must be specially provided, just like those Pegasus. It doesn't want to drink - what should it drink?"

“Only single malt whiskey!”

"Yes, let's check the ingredients processed in the kitchen! I bet those ingredients must have passed through the hands of the elf!"

"That's right. As long as we find out what it eats, can it still hide from our eyes?"

The speaker's tone was full of confidence, as if he had cracked the monster's code.

"Don't talk too much - what did the basilisk eat?"

"Rat that eats... sewers!"

The answer was very unconfident.

"Tch..." The objector rolled his eyes, but was still very interested, "Then, we only need to find out from the elf that there was an abnormal increase in ingredients on that day, what the main increase was, and then compare it with the menu. The dining area of ​​that unknown creature has been determined!”

"It makes sense. Although we don't rule out the possibility that the other party is an omnivore, there is a high probability that in order to maintain their good mood, they will give them some food they like."

"Very good, then, let's divide the work!"

"One group goes to the library to investigate the recipes of dangerous creatures, one group checks with elves, one group analyzes the ingredients used in the menu in recent days, and then one group calculates the body size and determines the range based on food intake!"

"That's it. Before the first competition begins, I will put the unknown dangers in front of everyone and tell them that we, Hufflepuff, are not a house that is lagging behind!"

The group of people happily clapped their hands, but Thelma silently changed her position and began to deal with the pastries seriously - she was really hungry.

——

"Or a confidentiality agreement?"

"Can you do it or not?"

In the Slytherin lounge, the seventh-grade prefect started to curse angrily—the owls that flew in today cost three large bags of owl food. As a result, all the information those students received from their parents or other channels was kept confidential. protocol.

"One by one, when bragging in the break room, they usually say that they are well-informed. They got information from the director of the department and knew that authoritative person. When it comes time to inquire about the information, all of them are restricted by confidentiality agreements!"

"With you guys like this, how can Mrs. Meng establish prestige and make those guys obediently acquiesce that he is the captain?"

"How are we going to tell the dean afterwards that we have a whole school of Slytherins who can't find out any information?"

"Keep asking, whether it's rumors or just a few words, we can get some useful information!"

——

"Come on, you guys!"

"We are going to solve the problem today!"

"Guessing the unknown secret of the Triwizard Tournament is a great challenge!"

"Prefect—"

"Um?"

"Can you be quiet? If we can't solve the door knocker problem today, let alone going in to help Nancy consider unknown dangers, I'm afraid even returning to the lounge will be a problem."

"oh…"

The first-year students on the side couldn't stand it any longer and whispered to the seniors they knew well in the club.

"Doesn't everyone have to wait here if the puzzle can't be solved? Doesn't the academy have backup measures?"

"Ah...yes."

The third-year student in question nodded.

"Then why haven't you used it yet?"

"It won't be time."

"Not in time?"

The first-year students were stunned. It was almost evening and there were a bunch of people outside the lounge.

"Well, the sleeping bag is enough. It's still early to rest."

The third grader said sincerely, "You'll get used to it after that."

…

——

"Facing the fear of the unknown! Cheers!"

"cheers!"

"George, Fred, you two can't drink, you're not of age yet!"

"We passed the adult exam!"

"That makes sense, cheers!"

The seventh grader smiled very happily and clinked glasses with the twins.

"Potter seems to be on a date today, right?"

"Yes, with the girl named Qiu from Ravenclaw?"

"So, wish them good luck on their date?"

"Okay, cheers!"

The seniors drank extremely happily. No one took the first Triwizard Tournament seriously. Isn't it the spirit they admire to step forward bravely in the face of danger?

As the only warrior in Gryffindor selected by the Goblet of Fire, and with their usual trust in Harry, everyone thought that Harry was fine - something like the Golden Snitch, which almost determines the life or death of the game, could be handed over to Harry. Special, what else can't be trusted?

——

"The dragon is coming, the dragon is coming."

Hagrid was busy in his hut, making sounds that only he could recognize from time to time.

Due to the confidentiality agreement, he could not tell anyone about caring for the dragon, especially since Harry had become one of the Academy's Warriors.

'However, if Harry happens to be present when the dragon is handed over... then...'

Hagrid was cautious. He would not usually use these ideas, but that didn't mean he didn't have them, especially since William had complained about the various leak traditions of the Triwizard Tournament during the summer drinking.

'The dragon is coming...'

'Well, Madame Maxime is coming too...well, a date...a very good date...'

He smiled even wider.

What could be happier than two happy things happening together?

——

"Did you find out anything?"

"Not in time, Mr. Principal."

In the tent area of ​​Ilvermorny, Egilbert responded with a little shame.

"It doesn't matter. I don't blame you. We pay too little attention to this side."

The old principal smiled and said, "Well, you haven't revealed your identity. Asking for information is almost cheating. We are new here..."

"No, absolutely not, principal, I'm very careful, it's just..."

Professor Gilbert hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether to tell the shocking discovery that overturned his views.

"Just what, Amber?"

"It's just...it seems like countless people are inquiring about related matters at the same time, making the entire market very, very confusing..."

"Countless people?"

"Yes, countless people, people from various schools seem to be asking about it. They are simply cheating openly..."

"It seems that we are the only ones who are secretly inquiring, and the rest of the people are trying their best to break through the so-called confidentiality agreements..."

After Gilbert said these words, he clearly observed that the face of the old principal who had been facing everything with a cheerful expression froze, and his whole person fell into deep contemplation and disbelief.

"Are they all trying to cheat?"

"Yes, they are all inquiring, and there is only a little bit of cover-up, and I don't even bother to do anything to cover up..."

"..."

"..."

"How about we add some Galleons and see, don't be too arrogant, no, don't be too arrogant, let's do some more digging..."

The old principal's words were full of uncertainty. He really wasn't sure about the Triwizard Tournament now...