After spending considerable effort explaining the situation to Professor McGonagall, Aiden walked with cheerful steps toward Ravenclaw Tower.
Meanwhile, in Gryffindor's common room, the twins lifted Harry high up in triumph.
All of Gryffindor were celebrating enthusiastically for Harry because they all believed he had used clever technical means to bypass Dumbledore's Age Line.
Everyone except Ron, who firmly believed Harry had secretly entered the competition behind his back.
Jealousy, envy, and regret intertwined painfully in his heart as he erupted into his first serious quarrel with Harry.
On the other side, Ravenclaw seemed quite uninterested in Aiden becoming a champion.
"After all, it's Aiden." "Yeah, exactly." Such casual comments kept coming.
Professor Flitwick happily set off a few congratulatory fireworks for Aiden, and that was the extent of the celebration.
Walking back to his dormitory, Aiden felt the treatment was no different from usual.
"Aren't you all curious?" Aiden asked his roommates with slight disappointment.
"When you put your name in, you broke Dumbledore's Age Circle in front of everyone, so the little Ravenclaw wizards have already been properly amazed," Edmund said, shaking his head.
"Besides, the most rational Ravenclaws have already given you all their attention. What more reaction do you want?" Ethan added.
"I feel like it's just like married life—bland with only daily necessities," Aiden complained.
"You'll get used to it," both said in unison, then lay down on their pillows and covered themselves with blankets.
The next day, at the Gryffindor table, Harry met Hermione again.
"Hermione, can you help me explain to Ron? He seems to be throwing a tantrum," Harry whispered desperately to Hermione.
"No, I can't do that. If you two want to make up, you must explain yourselves clearly."
Last night Hermione had seen Harry's genuine confusion and believed he hadn't done this for attention.
Unfortunately, Harry tried several times to talk to Ron, but Ron just snorted coldly and ran away.
At the Great Hall entrance, Aiden walked in with his two roommates. Ron passed by Aiden and gave him a cold snort as well.
"???" Aiden instantly read Ron's thoughts, and question marks appeared over his head.
Because of Aiden and Harry being selected as champions, Slytherin and Hufflepuff, who usually couldn't stand each other, actually united in their hostility.
Draco was sparing no effort to spread malicious rumors about Harry, though he didn't dare provoke Aiden because the Dueling Club still maintained its fearsome reputation.
For the next two days, Harry was made miserable by the Goblet of Fire incident.
Unsettled, he even cast the wrong spell in Charms class, accidentally blowing Professor Flitwick away and receiving extra homework as punishment.
Fortunately, Hermione gave Harry much comfort, and Hagrid also secretly told Harry during class that he would always believe in him, which made Harry feel marginally better.
The cold war between Harry and Ron continued until Monday, at the entrance to the Potions classroom.
Draco brought badges reading "Potter Stinks" to distribute everywhere, blocking Harry at the door while Ron watched coldly from the side.
"Like this, Scarhead?" Draco provoked with obvious malice.
"Get lost, Malfoy!" Hermione stepped up to defend her friend.
"None of your business, you Mudblood."
Malfoy's slur enraged Harry. He drew his wand and fired the Furnunculus Curse at Malfoy.
Malfoy ducked, and the spell flew over his head to hit Goyle instead.
The angry Malfoy drew his wand to retaliate, but was pulled back by Goyle, causing his Densaugeo curse to hit Hermione instead.
Hermione's front teeth immediately grew down to her collar, while Goyle rolled on the ground in agony.
At this moment, hearing the commotion outside, Snape pushed the door open from the Potions classroom. "What happened here?"
"Malfoy was bullying a girl!" Harry spoke first.
"Hmph, I see no difference," Snape coldly uttered with cruel indifference.
Hearing this, Hermione covered her face and ran away, while Harry and Ron both cursed Snape loudly.
"Gryffindor insulting a teacher, fifty points deducted, plus detention," Snape said, leaving in an obviously good mood.
After class, Snape wanted Harry to stay behind to test the effects of antidotes, thoughtfully preparing various poisons for him.
In that instant, Harry's hatred for him reached its absolute peak.
Unfortunately, this experiment didn't continue because Aiden walked in.
"Oh, very sorry to interrupt your father-son bonding time, but Harry needs to go to the champions' lounge for a Daily Prophet interview," Aiden said, leaning against the doorframe and raising his eyebrows.
"Hmph." Snape snorted coldly, and Harry rushed out of the classroom like a rescued hostage.
Aiden was about to turn and leave but was called back by Snape.
"Help me protect that child. Whatever compensation you need, I can pay it, even if it costs me my life."
Professor Snape's voice was barely audible, but as a Manipulator, Aiden's senses far exceeded normal people's, and he just barely heard it.
"You still have feelings for Harry?"
Last night in the headmaster's office, Snape's cold words had truly made Aiden think Snape had given up on Harry.
"Always."
On the other side, Rita Skeeter entered Hogwarts with complex, worried feelings.
Because she had been making some small investigative moves recently, she was very afraid of meeting the relevant parties.
"What a wonderful... foursome," Rita said, her voice trembling slightly.
"It seems Miss Rita has some different opinions about us," the heterochromatic dragon said, staring at her intently.
"Oh, nothing at all. All of you are excellent champions. Let's quickly start our interview," Rita said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her cold sweat.
"Then let's start with the youngest," Rita said, bowing to Aiden and leading him to the interview room.
Entering the interview room, Rita closed the door tightly and cast a Silencing Charm.
"Sit," Aiden commanded, leaning on the sofa and picking up Radha to stroke her fur.
"Master, how should I write this interview?" Rita asked, lowering her head submissively.
"Of course in your usual style, Rita," Aiden said, narrowing his eyes.
"But my usual style isn't..."
Rita showed a slight smile, but seeing those deep heterochromatic pupils, she shivered involuntarily.
"Rita, oh Rita, did I do something wrong to make you have such thoughts?" Aiden said, placing Radha on the table and standing up.
"Look at this Dark Lord-like title. You see, Rita, is this how lowly you think of me in your heart?" Aiden said, turning his back to Rita.
"No, Master, no... sir, I was wrong. Please give me another chance," Rita pleaded anxiously.
"You see, Rita, I preserved your own will for you and funded the Daily Prophet to help you maintain your popularity, and how did you repay me?"
Aiden pulled out a stack of intelligence that Astoria had collected in Knockturn Alley and threw it on the table.
It recorded Rita's whereabouts over the past year—she had tirelessly investigated various Prewett information, trying to make certain things public.
But intelligence is bidirectional, just like sight—when you see the other person's eyes, they can also more easily see yours.
"There's no second chance, Rita." Aiden turned back, and a virtual personality climbed onto his consciousness island.
Then the interview proceeded as normal, and no one noticed that a reporter had already lost her sense of self.