Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

Chapter 824 195: Autograph Book

The time for the third competition has finally arrived.

The dawn of this day came exceptionally slowly, with layers of light gray clouds heavily pressing on the top of the tower, dense fog shrouding outside the castle, and the air filled with suffocating heat.

Vid still got up early. He followed his usual routine of exercising, then carefully cleaned and polished his magic wand, and stuffed the spare wand into his magic wand bag.

Next were his usual magic potions—healing potion, antidote, energizing potion, and others.

Finally, food, a large bag of bread, sausages, roasted chicken, and vegetables like potatoes and carrots prepared in advance by a house-elf.

Luckily, Vid could use magic to lighten the package, otherwise, carrying so many things, he might not be able to walk far in the forest.

By the third task, many restrictions from the previous two competitions were lifted; considering the dangers of the Forbidden Forest, champions could bring various items to help themselves in the competition.

Bagman specifically reminded the contestants: The environment of the Forbidden Forest is complex, they might not finish the competition within half a day, and if it lasts for two or three days, timely replenishment of strength becomes critical to winning.

However, well-made poppets could completely serve as additional helpers. If a champion carries a large number of poppets, it's like carrying an army with them, what's the difference?

This way, the competition turns into a contest of financial prowess among schools, losing the original intent of the tournament.

Thus, poppets remain on the prohibited items list, but the Ministry of Magic also explained that they don't prohibit champions from creating poppets during the competition.

Besides that, items like anti-curse vests, anti-curse hats, Dark Magic cursed items, Hand of Glory, Muggle ammunition, and so forth are on the prohibited list. Use of these results in disqualification, which everyone knew beforehand.

The entire third-level competition is broadcast live, so containers like notebooks with expanded space naturally can't be taken out. But Vid learned from the lesson of being kidnapped by Grindelwald and still stuffed the notebook into his pants pocket.

After all preparations were done, the sun was out, piercing through the clouds, dispelling the thick fog, and shining on the Black Lake's surface, making the sparkling waves seem like a dazzling gem added to the earth.

Vid took a deep breath, suppressed the vaguely boiling emotions in his chest, and walked towards the hall.

During breakfast time, students in the hall yawned while spreading blueberry jam on toast or peeling boiled potatoes, faces wearing blank and fatigued expressions from consecutive days of exams.

This morning, Hogwarts students still had their last final exam, causing many to forget that the third competition also took place today.

Vid was placing sandwiches onto his plate when a tall figure sat down beside him.

"Good morning, Vid."

Natalia, full of spirit, said with a smile, her blonde hair glowing with honey-like luster in the morning light.

"Morning, Natalia." Vid smiled, "Looks like you rested well last night."

"Of course, I've already prepared to face today's challenge."

Natalia elegantly and forcefully cut open a boiled egg.

She said, "I will strive to defeat you, Vid Gray. I hope you won't hold back on the field—that's the greatest insult to the opponent."

Vid looked into her eyes, chuckled softly, "If not aspiring to be champion, what's the point of stepping onto the field?"

"Um..." A lower-year Hufflepuff student approached timidly and said, "Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gray, Miss Petrova, the professor said... After breakfast, the champions should gather in the conference room next to the hall."

"Got it, thanks for passing the message." Vid smiled.

The Hufflepuff's face slightly flushed, glanced around, then swiftly pulled out a notebook from his pocket like a thief, and asked quietly:

"Mr. Gray, I... I've always admired you, could you sign this for me?"

Vid glanced at the notebook, his tone gentle, "The competition isn't over yet. Signing now feels a bit too presumptuous. If I win the championship, wouldn't signing it then be even more meaningful?"

The Hufflepuff student eagerly stepped forward, his cheeks slightly reddening with excitement: "Mr. Gray, whether you win or not, you're the most outstanding contestant in my eyes! So could you..."

"I can't pretend I didn't hear that, am I as a Kodostorian contestant really that bad?"

Natalia suddenly said in a joking tone.

"I..." The Hufflepuff student was flustered, stammering, "I, I didn't mean that..."

"Alright, alright, we know you just admire Gray." Natalia smiled, pushing her plate away, "Let's go, Vid. We should head to the conference room."

Vid gave the lower-year student an apologetic smile and followed Natalia to leave.

After walking a distance, the girl turned to see the young boy standing dazedly for a while, before leaving dispiritedly.

She asked softly, "Just a signature... or is there more to it?"

"After studying alchemy, I've understood one thing."

Vid lowered his voice too, "Never rashly enter into any contract with anyone, be it a written promise or a hastily spoken vow."

Natalia understood: "So you're worried... that his notebook contains invisible ink with contract terms?"

Vid nodded, "Though it might be overthinking... but if it's real, signing it would bind you."

Natalia raised an eyebrow, finding it incredible how cautious he was: "Is Hogwarts really that dangerous? Or is it only around you?"

She recalled the new professor at Hogwarts this year... It's said that Alastor Moody is famous for his "extreme vigilance and paranoia," and when attending classes with seventh-year students, she's heard him shout more than once:

"Stay alert! If you go to be an Auror like this, you'd be holding a funeral within three months!!"

—Is it that contagious?

Vid noticed her disapproval, merely smiled slightly, and didn't speak much.

Natalia watched him for a few seconds, inexplicably feeling that his smile held something she couldn't decipher—not disdain or arrogance, but deeper, more obscure...

"Oh, Miss Petrova!"

A very young journalist ran over, saying enthusiastically, "I came specially from Russia, your performance in the competition has already won over countless viewers in our country! Could you give me a signature? I'll put it on the front page of the newspaper!"

Natalia: "..."

The girl was stunned and instinctively glanced at Vid beside her.

The boy stood quietly there, his gaze transparent and serene as he looked at her.

"Sorry." Natalia said unconsciously, her tone harsher than expected, "We need to gather now."

Without waiting for the other to say more, she grabbed Vid and walked briskly towards the small room beside the hall.

The journalist seemed surprised by the refusal, standing dazed for a while, watching their backs, looking quite disappointed.

Suddenly, his arm was grasped by someone.

"What are you doing?" The photographer hanging a camera around his neck asked urgently, "Didn't we agree before coming? Not to disturb Miss Petrova before the competition to avoid affecting her state!"

"Ah, I..." The journalist replied, bewildered, "It's just a signature..."

"No signatures either!" His companion decisively pulled him away, scolding as they walked, "Why are you behaving so unprofessionally? Don't think of going abroad to interview with me next time!"

"Ah? Sorry, I realize my mistake! Please give me another chance..."

The journalist hurriedly pleaded for forgiveness, and while catching up, his signature book fell without him noticing.

A hand picked up the book, gently dusted off the nonexistent dust, and sighed regrettably.

"What a pity... just a signature, why so stingy?"