His gaze slowly shifted to Hermione, looking at the reliable little Witch who had been helping him since his first year. Harry smiled slyly, and feigning seriousness, reached out and took Hermione's hands.
"I support you so much, Hermione, I absolutely support you. It would be inexcusable if I didn't support you."
Not support Hermione? Who else would he support? It couldn't possibly be that useless Minister for Magic, Fudge, who's practically non-existent, could it? With his incompetence, even a portkey designed to pick out only the most worthless junk wouldn't choose someone as worthless as him.
Fudge's capabilities really make one doubt everyone else in the Ministry of Magic... So, of course, Harry resolutely supported his good friend. Let alone just showing his support.
He could even directly organize a speech to rally support for Hermione, as long as he didn't have to write the speech.
After Charms Class in the afternoon, Amanda walked out of the classroom with her backpack and immediately saw Harry approaching her with a man and a woman.
"Harry, good afternoon."
Amanda looked at Harry, nodding indifferently, and then turned to the lady beside him, greeting her with an unchanging expression.
"Good afternoon, Senior."
The woman standing beside Harry was startled, looking at Amanda with some surprise.
"How did you know I used to be in Ravenclaw?"
Amanda definitely knew this; the Witch was so certain, after all, she only greeted herself and hadn't greeted the man next to her yet.
A gentle smile touched Amanda's lips, and she said in a stiff yet firm voice, "I can recognize everyone from Ravenclaw, including past graduates."
"So that's how it is."
The Witch showed a heartwarming smile. To be recognized at a glance by the person they supported, and to recognize each and every one of them, honestly, it was quite moving.
Edgar, standing next to the Witch, waited until she finished her conversation with Amanda before politely greeting Amanda.
There was nothing he could do; he was from The Daily Prophet, and The Daily Prophet had offended Amanda before.
Although they later deliberately tried to curry favor with her, compared to a Ravenclaw graduate, a Ravenclaw graduate would definitely be more important in Amanda's heart.
"Hello, Mr. Reporter." Amanda's eyes calmly swept over the camera around Edgar's neck, the quill in his hand, and his notebook.
The Senior had also been dressed like this just now, so both of them were reporters.
As for which newspaper they were from, Amanda knew in her heart. Her Senior must be from the Wizarding World Gazette; this newspaper, since its inception,
has almost always spoken from her perspective and the perspective of the British Wizarding World's populace.
The founder behind it was also a Ravenclaw Senior; if Amanda's estimation wasn't wrong, this Senior should be that founder.
As for this gentleman, from his cautious attitude towards her and the occasional flicker of guilt in his eyes, he should be from The Daily Prophet.
Sure enough, the next moment, both of them extended their hands.
"Hello, Junior Lin Yue, I am the founder of the Wizarding World Gazette and a reporter for this event. You can just call me Karina."
"Hello, Miss Amanda, I am a reporter from The Daily Prophet. You can just call me Edgar."
Amanda nodded emotionlessly, shaking hands with them in turn.
"You must be here to record the wand inspection process for the four champions and interview them. Why are you looking for me?"
"It's like this," Edgar spoke first, eagerly handing over his notebook, "I heard that one of the four champions this time is your friend, Miss Amanda. So after finishing the draft, I wanted to ask you to take a look and see if it's acceptable. If not, I'll revise it immediately, right in front of you."
Amanda took the notebook and looked up at Harry. Harry waved his hands vigorously, indicating that this wasn't his idea, and he hadn't told Edgar to ask for Amanda's opinion.
He hadn't even mentioned that Amanda was his friend; it was Edgar and Senior Karina who insisted on dragging him along.
Silently retracting her gaze, Amanda looked at Karina again, her voice as cold as a clear spring, "Senior Karina, are you also here for this?"
"Of course not," Karina shook her head without hesitation, "I will truthfully complete my manuscript; this has nothing to do with Junior Lin Yue. I just came to see you, and by the way, I wanted to ask if I could have the opportunity to do an exclusive interview with you?"
Exclusive interview? Amanda's brain quickly retrieved the definition of an exclusive interview, then she mechanically shook her head, "I don't think I have the ability or qualification to accept an exclusive interview."
"Junior Lin Yue is too modest." Karina smiled and waved her hand.
After two seconds of silence, seeing Karina's sparkling eyes fixed on her, Amanda added in a flat tone.
"If Senior Karina insists on doing an exclusive interview with me, please wait until the end of this school year."
"Okay!" Karina's eyes sparkled as she nodded in agreement. Being able to do an exclusive interview with her Junior really excited her.
Amanda retracted her gaze and, without even looking at the notebook in her hand, handed it back to Edgar.
"Mr. Edgar, The Daily Prophet is the newspaper of the Wizarding World, the newspaper of the Wizarding World's populace."
"It should report facts as they are, not false information, and certainly not unilateral statements."
"I don't need to read your report. As long as what you write is factual and contains no rumors or defamatory content, it's fine."
"That will certainly be the case."
Edgar took the notebook back with both hands, nodding vigorously to assure her. Ever since The Daily Prophet building was bombed last time,
the internal staff of The Daily Prophet had shown a more cautious attitude towards Amanda and those around her. They absolutely would not say anything they shouldn't, and fabricated news, especially, could not be directed at her.
This was also why he was here for the interview this time, and not Rita Skeeter.
Amanda nodded impassively, then, after bidding farewell to the two, she shouldered her backpack and prepared to go to the Great Hall.
Harry quickened his pace and walked beside her, apologizing sincerely, "I'm sorry, those two insisted on dragging me to find you. I couldn't stop them."
Amanda's expression remained unchanged, her voice slow and calm, "No need to apologize, I'm happy to see Senior."
"That's good." Harry breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that he had caused trouble for Amanda because of himself.
Based on Harry's past experiences and personal character, Amanda analyzed his current thoughts almost without thinking.
Turning to him, Amanda's icy expression subtly softened, "Don't overthink it, Harry. You're Hermione's friend, and my friend too."
"You can rely on me more, rely on Hermione and the others, rely on the Professors a bit. We are all by your side, you don't have to be afraid of bothering us. Your matters are not a bother."
After Amanda finished speaking, she nodded slightly as a signal, then strode into the Hogwarts Great Hall.
Ever since the people from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived, Hogwarts' already lavish three meals had become even more abundant.
Now that eating was no longer just for maintaining life activities, Amanda naturally had to eat actively.
Sitting at the Ravenclaw Table for dinner, Hermione swallowed her steak and leaned towards Amanda, "Why are you late? Did something happen?"
"Something did happen." Amanda nodded, concisely recounting what had just occurred.
"Tsk," Hermione clicked her tongue, "When you're powerful enough, even the newspapers that dislike saying good things will chase after you to praise you."
Amanda tilted her head and took a large sip of French consommé, "I can also have the newspapers praise Hermione. Does Hermione need it?"
She spoke with utmost seriousness. As long as Hermione said she needed it, she would write to Senior Karina and Edgar as soon as she returned to her Dormitory, asking them to write a report praising Hermione, and have it published tomorrow.
Not letting the newspaper become her unilateral statement was for her own sake, and did not include Hermione's matters.
"Uh, forget it," Hermione waved her hand awkwardly, "Having others praise me at my own request, it sounds embarrassing just thinking about it."
"When Hermione becomes the Minister for Magic, she'll have to get used to praise, because everyone in the British Wizarding World will certainly praise you."
Amanda said, then lowered her head again, earnestly 'dealing' with her dinner.
Hermione pursed her lips and smiled, then bit into a piece of bread. Actually... compared to being praised by everyone in the British Wizarding World.
When she became Minister for Magic, she would rather have a certain person give her a kiss every time she issued a correct decree.
Of course, regular kisses shouldn't be missing either~ Now it just depends on when this certain person will give her a kiss.
Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor Table, Harry had just barely managed to withstand Hagrid's back-patting greeting without plunging his face into his plate.
"Eight o'clock tonight, come find me, and remember to wear your invisibility cloak." Hagrid leaned down and whispered to Harry, then quickly walked away.
Only Harry remained seated, watching his retreating figure, completely bewildered.
Hagrid suddenly sought him out... What could it be about?
A few hours later, Harry, cloaked in his invisibility cloak, looked at the four flame-breathing Dragons, his heart tightening repeatedly.
Oh, he knew now why Hagrid had suddenly sought him out: to show him his first suicide mission... no, what the competition project was.
"Pass through the mother Dragon during its incubation period and retrieve the golden egg hidden within the dragon eggs."
Harry silently repeated the sentence from under his invisibility cloak, feeling a sense of death pervade his entire being as he spoke it.
Looking at the Hungarian Horntail, which Hagrid said was the most dangerous, he felt as if there was a figure in a black robe holding a large scythe waving at him from above the Horntail's head, telling him to surrender his soul in a few days.
Yes, he was sure now that the Dragon he had to face would definitely be the Hungarian Horntail.
With his luck, who else but him would face the most dangerous Dragon?
He, Harry Potter, would step up to danger without hesitation!
"So that's why you have such a long face?" Hermione, looking somewhat sympathetic, handed Harry the juice she had taken during breakfast.
The seven children, who had no classes on Saturday, gathered once again in an empty classroom and listened as Harry finished explaining the first task he had to face.
"Yeah, Dragons," Harry sighed. Although he knew Headmaster Dumbledore and Amanda wouldn't let anything happen to him, he added, "But maybe I'll get a roasted leg."
"It shouldn't be that bad, Harry," Cho Chang tried her best to comfort him, "I mean, Madam Pomfrey's medical skills are pretty good..."
Well, maybe it wasn't a great comfort, but she tried her best.
Amanda sat expressionless, her voice without the slightest fluctuation, "According to the Triwizard Tournament rules, champions shouldn't know the task content in advance."
However, considering that three out of the four champions now knew what the first task was,
she somewhat suspected that the Triwizard Tournament organizers had forgotten to hand over some hidden rules to her, the event's investor.
"This is a tacit understanding among everyone, Amanda, no need to be so serious." Marietta Eckmore smiled and ruffled Amanda's small head, and Penelope nodded in agreement beside her.
"That's right, whether one can get information in advance is also one of the key points of the champions' competition. As for how to pass the Dragon... Harry, you can try the Conjunctivitis Curse."
"A Dragon's eyes are relatively vulnerable, and the Conjunctivitis Curse will cause them intense pain, so it won't have time to bother with what you're doing."
Harry nodded as he listened, seemingly wanting to take out a small notebook to jot down Penelope's point.
Amanda, on the other hand, blinked. According to Senior Penelope, if the ability to obtain information in advance was also a test for the champions,
then she could tell Harry the content of the second task right now. But first, she should help him prepare for the first task.
"I don't really recommend the Conjunctivitis Curse," Amanda shook her head sincerely, not letting the fact that Senior Penelope suggested it stop her from thinking critically, "The Conjunctivitis Curse can indeed effectively prevent the Dragon from bothering Harry."
In her mind, she was rapidly simulating the Dragon's reaction after being hit by the Conjunctivitis Curse.
"But according to data simulation analysis, this would cause the Dragon to enter a frenzied state, highly likely to crush ordinary dragon eggs, resulting in point deductions and casualties among the dragon eggs."
"Then perhaps..." Cho Chang lowered her eyes, thinking carefully for a moment, "Transfiguration Spell? Harry could transfigure something and have it distract the Dragon."
Harry gave a wry smile and pointed to himself, "Me? I don't know such advanced Transfiguration Spells."
"Indeed, you haven't learned it yet." Cho Chang patted her forehead, saying with some vexation.
Just as Amanda was about to state the method she had analyzed as having the highest efficiency, highest safety, and best suiting Harry's strengths, Marietta Eckmore raised her hand first.
"Maybe Harry can ride a flying broomstick? I mean, he's such an excellent Seeker. Distracting the Dragon and then retrieving the golden egg should be possible, right?"
After she finished speaking, she glanced at the others present. Amanda's lips curved into a smile, and she gave her a thumbs-up, as it was the same result as her own analysis.
The other five children reacted only after two seconds of silence.
Cho Chang rubbed her cheek, lightly exclaimed, "Marietta Eckmore, you're amazing!" then excitedly ran over and hugged her tightly.
However, to others, this action's motivation seemed less about being excited that Marietta Eckmore had found the most reliable way for Harry to pass the Dragon challenge.
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