Chapter 274: Preparation Time
Chapter 274: Preparation Time
Following Nick's directions, Liam hurried to the Library. It was clear that Madam Pince was very familiar with the Library. After Liam asked, she quickly retrieved several scrolls from the Restricted Section for him.
"These are some of the things left behind by the predecessors, but to be honest, I don't think it's a good idea for a wizard to fight with an axe, spear, or sword", Madam Pince said as she placed the scrolls on a tray for Liam.
"Of course, I understand. But I believe these scrolls can help me improve my Alchemy skills", Liam replied, taking the tray. "After all, no matter what the competition entails, I should try to enhance my own abilities. Learning about Alchemy is a great way to do that."
For the rest of the day, Liam spent his time studying these scrolls. By poring over the materials, he learned several new rune combinations, which gave him another strategy for dealing with the dragon. It also meant he had an additional plan for the competition without revealing more of his capabilities. After all, the enemies were like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, and having more hidden cards could provide an advantage later.
Liam wasn't the only one spending the Halloween break in the Library. The Champions from the other two schools also came to look for materials. However, Liam noticed the negative effects of adding a second Champion.
Beauxbatons, under the intimidation of their half-giant Headmistress, maintained a superficial peace. However, Liam could see that the students had formed two small groups centered around their two Champions. They only pretended to be united when dealing with outsiders.
Durmstrang, on the other hand, openly displayed their division. Whether in the Library or during meals in the Great Hall, they split into two groups. If they weren't at Hogwarts, they might have already come to blows. The bruises on some of their faces and hands suggested that they had already engaged in private duels.
Hogwarts, however, appeared very harmonious. Apart from some Slytherins who created badges insulting Harry (Liam noticed that these badges didn't support him, likely because the Purebloods looked down on Liam as a Mudblood), there were no other conflicts. One Champion spent his days hiding in quiet places to study and practice, while the other, having become a Champion by some strange turn of events, preferred to stay in his dorm to avoid being pointed at and criticized.
When classes resumed after the break, Harry found his situation even worse. Especially after seeing the Slytherin badges, he was grateful for Ginny's comfort during their free periods.
But for Liam, these days were going well, although he found the sudden increase in fans a bit unsettling.
"I didn't get this much attention when I received the Order of Merlin", Liam said one day after Care of Magical Creatures, while walking a Flobberworm and preparing to have lunch in the Great Hall. He had just politely declined a request for an autograph from a first-year Hufflepuff girl and was now complaining to Hermione, who sat across from him. These fans were really starting to affect his daily life.
"It's not that the Order of Merlin is too distant or too grand, but being chosen as Hogwarts' Champion is something that affects everyone directly. People always care more about things that are closely related to them", Hermione said, putting down her cup of Pumpkin Juice.
"Alright, you're right, but I can't help feeling like I'm that guy in the London Zoo, wearing sunglasses and being gawked at by everyone", Liam said with a shrug.
"If you were sitting there eating bamboo, it would be even more accurate", Hermione joked.
The afternoon class was Potions, but things turned chaotic right at the door of the Potions Classroom due to that insulting badge. Potter immediately drew his wand and started dueling with Malfoy.
Liam had been reading a bit longer at lunch and arrived late. As he reached the Potions Classroom door, he saw a beam of light flying toward him.
"Stupefy!" Liam instinctively raised his wand. The beam of light from his wand met and canceled out the incoming one. Only Goyle was injured in the attack, and Professor Snape, who arrived to handle the situation, promptly deducted 50 points from Gryffindor.
The conflict made the classroom atmosphere extremely tense, but fortunately, the class hadn't been going on for long when Colin Creevey approached Liam and Harry, telling them to go upstairs for a photo session.
On the way, Colin chattered non-stop, bombarding Harry with questions until they reached the staircase. Once they arrived at the room's door, he finally quieted down.
It was a smaller classroom, with most of the desks pushed to the back, leaving a large clearing in the middle. Three desks were placed in front of the blackboard, covered with a long velvet cloth. Behind the covered desks, five chairs were arranged, one of which was occupied by Ludo Bagman, who was conversing with a witch Liam had never seen before.
The witch wore a magenta robe, her hair styled into elaborate, stiff, and somewhat bizarre curls. Her thick fingers gripped a crocodile-skin handbag, and her nails, painted a bright red, were about two inches long. Though he had never met her, Liam immediately recognized her from her distinctive appearance and accessories.
Rita Skeeter, a journalist known for her knack for sensationalism. She could spin a mundane statement into a web of scandalous stories, and her Quick-Quotes Quill was even more adept at exaggeration. Given the monotonous life in the Wizarding World, countless people eagerly awaited her latest fabricated tales.
Once everyone had gathered, Bagman began explaining their next steps, "We need to check if your wands are fully functional and in good condition, as they will be your most important tools in the upcoming tasks", he said. "The expert is upstairs with Dumbledore. Then we'll take some photos. This is Rita Skeeter", he added, pointing to the witch in the magenta robe, "who is writing a small article for the Daily Prophet about the Triwizard Tournament..."
A small article? Liam thought Bagman was being overly optimistic. The woman in front of them could turn a single sentence into a best-selling novel filled with sensational elements. Honestly, with such talent, why not emulate Lockhart and become a celebrity instead of a journalist? It seemed like a waste of her abilities.
Fortunately, she had already found her target. Just as Liam was silently criticizing her, Rita Skeeter made her move.
"Before we start, could I have a word with Harry?" she asked Bagman, but her eyes remained fixed on Harry. "The youngest Champion, you know... to add some color to the article."
Her gaze was like a predator eyeing its prey.
Harry, lacking experience, naively agreed to the interview. Rita then pulled him into a small broom closet for a one-on-one session. Liam could only silently pray for Harry, hoping that tomorrow's newspaper wouldn't contain too many explosive headlines.
(End of Chapter)
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