The Daily Prophet scattered down like snowflakes. The young wizards each grabbed a copy, all staring at the large headline spanning the front page:
"The Rise of a Demon! Hogwarts first-year student, Ethan Vincent... Dominated the challenge with some brutal and terrifying method, causing the greatest casualties in centuries of competition!"
"Almost all contestants were sent to St. Mungo's, resulting in only three final winners! According to insiders, the renowned Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was actually complicit with the organizers!"
"A certain Durmstrang seed contestant said: He's not even as good as Ethan Vincent's dog."
"A certain Beauxbatons seed contestant cried saying: Ethan Vincent cruelly deceived her feelings...?"
Harry looked up, genuinely confused: "Is this reporter completely mad? What kind of mental state must one be in to write such fabricated nonsense?"
"There's even more explosive stuff later," Ron said in a daze, pointing at the report and reading: "Moreover, Ethan Vincent cruelly tortured fellow student Hamburg Carrow from Slytherin! Causing the latter to be permanently disabled!"
"However, this demon somehow infiltrated the Ministry of Magic... ultimately turning the tables and sending the judge who was trying him to Azkaban?! A certain Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement expressed support for this, which is shocking..."
"There is ample evidence that Hogwarts is secretly conducting a talent cultivation program, and Ethan Vincent is the product of this grand plan... Reporter Rita Skeeter will continue following this story..."
The trio looked at each other after reading. Hermione hesitated, then said hopefully: "So Ethan is part of Hogwarts' secret cultivation program? No wonder he's so amazing... can I join too?"
Harry and Ron stared at her: "..." No no no! Don't just accept everything!
Just then... "I absolutely refuse to believe that brat Ethan Vincent got first place!" A Slytherin suddenly burst out in fury, slamming the newspaper to the ground and panting heavily.
That first-year brat got first place? Impossible! If that were true, wouldn't that overshadow our Slytherin's Miss Gemma Farley! Absolutely unacceptable!
Following his outburst, the Great Hall fell silent. Every student looked at each other with stunned expressions.
Not only had Ethan Vincent won the championship, but he'd also sent Ministry officials to prison along the way. This was too outrageous! In just a few days, he'd lived more excitingly than they would in a lifetime!
The returning contestants had all gone to recover, so they had no way to ask whether what this crazy reporter had written was actually true.
At the staff table, Snape said slowly, his eyes fixed on the line about "permanently disabling Slytherin's Hamburg Carrow": "Wow, Ravenclaw is truly full of talent."
Countless gazes focused on Ravenclaw's Head of House, Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick stared back helplessly: "..." No, I don't know anything!
Ethan returning safely would be wonderful. Ethan achieving a ranking would be even better... he's a genius who should be well rewarded. Ethan getting first place... we need to study this carefully.
What? You're saying Ethan beat up other contestants and went straight to Ministry trial after the competition? And ended up sending the judge who tried him to Azkaban? Hogwarts really needs to check Ethan's records.
Just as everyone was in chaos, suddenly there was a loud "BANG!" in the center of the Great Hall. A magical portal appeared in midair, and three figures emerged from it, landing gracefully on the ground.
It was Ethan Vincent returning from the competition, along with Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.
As soon as Ethan landed, he looked up to meet gazes from all directions. The looks were full of conflicted curiosity, like worried parents who suspected their child was hiding something but weren't sure how to ask.
Ethan paused, then pulled out the gleaming golden trophy from his leather bag. Under everyone's suddenly widened eyes, he held it high and smiled: "I won."
After several seconds of stunned silence, the Great Hall suddenly erupted in earth-shaking cheers!
"OHHHHH!"
Countless students surged toward him. The Weasley twins cleverly squeezed to the front, lifting Ethan up and tossing him into the air again and again!
"Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!"
"Ethan is our king!"
The students chanted excitedly. Countless hands reached up, desperately trying to touch Ethan, to touch this little hero who had brought glory and miracles.
Surrounded by the crowd, Ethan couldn't help but grin widely. The golden trophy he held seemed to finally have real meaning at this moment.
While being tossed up, Ethan spotted the trio squeezed outside the crowd. So he raised his hand and waved at them.
"Oh!" Ron clutched his heart dramatically, his face flushing red as he muttered, "Ethan waved at me; I'm going to faint..."
Harry elbowed his best friend, also grinning from ear to ear. What made him happiest was the extremely ugly expressions on the Slytherins' faces.
The first-year wizard Ethan Vincent had truly achieved first place in the competition. Surpassing the second-place Slytherin prefect and the third-place Ravenclaw. Becoming the biggest winner among not only Hogwarts but all the other magical schools.
"Harry," Ron called out. Looking at the star-surrounded Ethan, there was no longer envy in his eyes. Because the gap was simply too vast.
"We're going to be rich. George and Fred told me privately that if Ethan really won, I'd get at least seven Galleons." Ron turned to look at his best friend, tears glittering as he showed his big white teeth. "I can have a new wand."
After the excitement died down, Ethan was put down and returned to the Ravenclaw table. He listened absent-mindedly to Dumbledore's celebratory speech about the competition:
"Therefore, I award Mr. Ethan Vincent eighty points, celebrating his outstanding performance in this competition... though I hope next time, Mr. Vincent can be more restrained, or Hogwarts will become seen as a base for mysterious grand plans and breeding evil Dark wizards."
Dumbledore playfully winked at Ethan. Good-natured laughter rang out below.
The Ravenclaws all straightened their backs, sharing in the glory and high spirits. The proud expression on Prefect Robert's face made the other prefects gnash their teeth with envy.
"Second place, Slytherin Prefect Gemma Farley, fifty points... excellent performance. Third place, Ravenclaw's Penelope Clearwater, thirty points... equally outstanding, congratulations."
"Finally, I award twenty points to all four houses. Whether they achieved rankings or not, every contestant showed their courage and wisdom!"
The students applauded vigorously. Especially the Hufflepuffs, who clapped until their hands were red. It had been so long since they'd had any honor worth boasting about.
Although Cedric hadn't achieved a ranking this time, that was the normal result. The children were very proud.
As the applause gradually subsided, Dumbledore's expression grew serious: "A very tragic accident occurred during this competition. Slytherin contestant Hamburg Carrow fired a Killing Curse at Ethan and was counterattacked to St. Mungo's. Well, I believe you've all seen the Daily Prophet's report."
At these words, the hall immediately erupted in uproar! Students from three houses all turned to look at the Slytherin table!
"I knew it!" Ron banged his goblet, shouting quietly, "They're just scum! A bunch of Dark wizards!"
Now the Slytherins looked even more uncomfortable.
"Idiots," Malfoy cursed under his breath, angrily trying to recall what Hamburg Carrow was all about. Just a family that couldn't make it to the big stage. How dare he attack his big brother Ethan... truly a disgrace to pure-bloods!
"Quiet!" Dumbledore's authoritative voice immediately suppressed the clamor in the hall.
He looked around and said: "We will continue investigating this accident. I believe the Killing Curse is not magic that a student can simply decide to use and then use. At the same time, I guarantee that whether inside or outside school, Hogwarts will not let any young wizard be harmed. You can all rest assured."
So he would ensure my safety and not give Quirrell another chance? Ethan thought.
He glanced sideways at Quirrell at the staff table. Although the latter tried hard to hide it, his pale face and shifty gaze revealed his panic and fear.
When Ethan inadvertently made eye contact with Quirrell, the latter instinctively shrank back, a flash of resentment in his eyes. Ethan gave him a brilliant smile.
Quirrell trembled violently, forced a smile with difficulty, and his expression relaxed somewhat.
It seemed he thought Ethan hadn't noticed that he was the one behind everything.
Quirrell, I really need to control you properly.
Ethan had a plan in mind. During Christmas, he would go to that goblin-hosted art exhibition to see if he could learn goblin craftsmanship. This would undoubtedly be very helpful for creating second-tier murals.
The mural's style could imitate the famous designer Master Miyazaki's "Spirited Away." He could let Quirrell have a good time playing inside...
Thinking of this, Ethan's lips curved up pleasantly. This made the student across from him, who had wanted to congratulate him, quietly swallow their words. Looking down, they silently ate their meal.
Ethan... was still so scary...
December 25th, Christmas Day.
"Hoooo..."
The train let out a deep, melodious whistle. Ethan carried a square leather suitcase, holding down his felt hat in the wind, his shiny leather shoes clicking as he stepped down from the platform onto the station.
In the bustling crowd, his figure was very conspicuous. Wearing a thick brown overcoat, with a soft, delicate light-colored turtleneck sweater visible through the turned-up collar, and simple, clean dark straight-leg trousers below.
Like a little nobleman from some distinguished family. His handsome and outstanding features drew constant glances from young girls. And those beautiful cobalt-blue eyes radiated a steady and serene temperament.
When his gaze fell on one particular spot, his face suddenly broke into a bright smile. Like warm sunlight streaming down in winter, making those girls' hearts melt along with it.
However, when they saw clearly who Ethan was walking quickly toward, their hearts immediately shattered.
"Luna!"