Chapter 674: Autograph Book
The time for the Third Tournament had finally arrived.
The dawn came with unusual slowness. A heavy layer of ashen-gray clouds pressed down upon the turrets, and a thick, suffocating fog clung to the castle’s exterior. The air was thick with oppressive heat.
Wade was already awake long before sunrise. Following his usual routine, he began his morning exercises, then meticulously polished his wand and tucked his spare wand into its pouch. Next came the potions—Healing Elixir, Antidote, Stimulating Elixir—all carefully prepared and ready.
Then came food. The house-elf had already prepped a generous bundle of bread, sausages, roast chicken, and vegetables—potatoes and carrots. Thankfully, Wade could use magic to lighten the parcel’s weight; otherwise, he doubted he’d make it far into the Forbidden Forest.
By the third task, many of the restrictions from the first two tournaments had been lifted. Given the inherent dangers of the Forbidden Forest, champions were now allowed to carry any items that might aid them in the competition. Bagman had specifically warned competitors: the forest’s environment was far more complex than expected. They might not finish within a single day. If the tournament stretched into two or even three days, the ability to replenish strength would become a decisive factor in determining the winner.
A well-crafted Magic Puppet could serve as an invaluable assistant. If a champion brought along dozens of them, it would be no different than marching onto the battlefield with an entire army. In that case, the tournament would devolve into a test of wealth rather than skill—exactly the kind of thing the organizers wanted to avoid.
Thus, Magic Puppets remained on the banned list. However, the Ministry of Magic had issued a special clarification: they did not prohibit champions from crafting their own Magic Puppets during the tournament.
Other items were also strictly forbidden—Curse-Deflecting Vest, Curse-Deflecting Hat, Dark Magic Curse Items, Glory Hand, Muggle Ammunition—any use of these would result in immediate disqualification. Everyone had been briefed on this beforehand.
The entire third task would be broadcast live. Containers like the Pencil Case, which expanded their internal space, were not allowed to be brought out. But Wade, remembering the painful lesson from his kidnapping by Gellert Grindelwald, still slipped the Pencil Case into his pocket.
Once everything was ready, the sun finally broke through the cloud layer. Sunlight pierced the sky, scattering the fog and glinting across the surface of the Black Lake. The rippling light shimmered like a vast, glittering gemstone laid across the earth.
Wade took a deep breath, calming the restless energy churning in his chest, and walked toward the Great Hall.
Breakfast time. Students in the Great Hall yawned as they smeared blueberry jam onto toast or peeled boiled potatoes. Their faces bore the hollow, exhausted look of those who had been worn down by days of relentless exams.
Today was the final day of the last final exam at Hogwarts—so many students had forgotten entirely that the Third Tournament was also happening today.
Wade was placing a sandwich onto his plate when a tall, graceful figure settled beside him.
“Good morning, Wade,” Natalia said, her voice bright and warm. Her golden hair glowed like honey in the morning light.
“Morning, Natalia,” Wade replied with a smile. “Looks like you got a good night’s rest.”
“Naturally,” she said, slicing open a boiled egg with swift, elegant precision. “I’ve already prepared myself for today’s challenge.”
She looked at him directly. “I’ll do my best to beat you, Wade Gray. But don’t hold back out of courtesy—leaving your opponent no chance is the greatest insult of all.”
Wade met her gaze, then let out a low chuckle. “If you don’t want to be champion, why even step onto the stadium?”
“Um…” A first-year Hufflepuff timidly approached. “Excuse me, Mr. Gray… Miss Petlova, the professor said—after breakfast, the champions should gather in the meeting room next to the Great Hall.”
“Got it. Thanks for passing the message,” Wade said with a polite smile.
The young Hufflepuff blushed, glanced around nervously, then fumbled quickly in his pocket and pulled out a notebook. “Mr. Gray… I’ve always admired you so much. Could you… sign my book?”
Wade glanced down at the notebook, his tone gentle. “The tournament isn’t over yet. Signing now would feel a bit too bold. If I win the championship, I’ll sign it then—much more meaningful, don’t you think?”
The boy leaned forward eagerly, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mr. Gray, no matter what, you’re the greatest champion in my heart! So… could you just—”
“Ah,” Natalia suddenly cut in, her voice light and teasing. “I suppose I’m not good enough then? A Kodostoriz competitor? Is that what you’re saying?”
The Hufflepuff froze. “I—I didn’t mean it like that!”
“Come on,” Natalia laughed, pushing her plate aside. “I know you just admire Gray. Let’s go, Wade. Time to head to the meeting room.”
Wade gave the boy a brief, apologetic smile and followed Natalia out.
After walking a short distance, Natalia turned back. The boy stood motionless where he’d been, staring blankly. After a moment, he finally turned and left, shoulders slumped in quiet disappointment.
She lowered her voice. “Just a signature… what’s so wrong about that?”
“After learning Alchemy,” Wade murmured, keeping his voice low, “I learned one truth: never enter into any covenant lightly—whether it’s a written promise or a careless spoken vow.”
Natalia understood. “So you’re worried… the notebook has some kind of hidden contract written in invisible ink?”
Wade nodded. “Maybe I’m overthinking it. But if it’s real… signing your name could bind you.”
Natalia arched a brow, genuinely surprised. “Hogwarts is this dangerous? Or is it just you?”
She thought of the new professor this year—Alastor Moody, infamous for his paranoid vigilance. She’d heard him shout at seventh-years more than once: “Stay alert! If you’re this careless, you’ll be buried in under three months!”
Was it contagious?
Wade noticed her disbelief. He simply smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
Natalia studied him for a few seconds. There was something in his smile—something hidden. Not arrogance. Not mockery. Something deeper, darker, more unreadable.
“Ah, Miss Petlova!” A young journalist sprinted over, eyes shining with excitement. “I came all the way from Russia especially for this! Your performance in the tournament has already won the hearts of millions back home! Could you sign my notebook? I’ll put it on the front page of the newspaper!”
Natalia blinked. Her gaze flicked to Wade.
The boy stood still, eyes clear and calm, watching her with quiet stillness.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice sharper than she’d intended. “We have to go meet the others.”
Before the journalist could respond, she grabbed Wade’s arm and strode toward the small room beside the Great Hall.
The journalist stood frozen, staring after them, his expression utterly crushed.
Suddenly, a hand tugged at his arm.
“What are you doing?” a photographer snapped, his camera hanging around his neck. “Didn’t you hear? We were told not to disturb Miss Petlova before the tournament—any distraction could affect her focus!”
“Ah… I just wanted to—”
“A signature? No,” his partner snapped, dragging him away. “Not even a signature! How unprofessional can you be? If you keep this up, you won’t be covering any international events with me again!”
“I’m sorry! I know I messed up! Please give me another chance!” the journalist stammered, hurrying after his partner—only to drop his autograph book without noticing.
A hand reached down, picked it up, and brushed off the invisible dust with a soft sigh.
“What a pity… just a signature. Why be so stingy?”
(End of Chapter)
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