On October 30th, all afternoon classes were cancelled without explanation.
Harry felt extremely excited because the afternoon Potions class was actually cancelled. His obvious joy made Aiden look at him with sideways confusion.
"Did you finally work up the courage to talk to Cho Chang?" Aiden asked with curious amusement.
"Ah, what? No, I didn't," Harry stammered incoherently, his face reddening.
Shaking his head at this hopelessly innocent boy, Aiden walked through the corridor toward the main entrance.
Coming to the edge of the Black Lake, Dumbledore was already waiting there with obvious anticipation.
"Professor Dumbledore, if you're really that bored, I recommend you go find your old lover to reminisce, rather than tormenting students."
Obviously, Aiden was displeased at being dragged out of his productive laboratory work.
"You're now Hogwarts' showcase student, and need to be displayed properly. You can't stay cooped up in the laboratory all the time," Dumbledore said with a mischievous wink.
Feeling puzzled by the old headmaster's inexplicable competitive spirit, but since foreign visitors were arriving, Aiden still had to preserve some dignity for the school.
"Quickly, they're coming. Take off your hat," Dumbledore instructed.
Then Aiden removed his hat, and the wizard with distinctive dragon horns by the Black Lake immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.
"Wow, so he really has horns." "This is the legendary dragon-man." "Truly worthy of being Ravenclaw's Rose..."
Aiden had no time to pay attention to these Hogwarts gossip-mongers.
Twelve magnificent Abraxan horses pulling a gray-blue carriage plunged down from the sky. The Abraxans had golden fur, silver manes, and fiery red eyes that gleamed with intelligence.
In the Black Lake, a magnificent warship also broke through the water surface, slowly sailing over with impressive grandeur.
From the elegant carriage, Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, stepped down gracefully.
By Aiden's estimation, she should be as tall as Hagrid, with attractive features and a naturally elegant bearing.
The students behind her wore thin blue silk uniforms, and were immediately educated by Britain's harsh October climate upon stepping off the carriage.
The Durmstrang students had obviously come prepared, wearing thick, practical overcoats.
That evening, Hogwarts held a grand banquet to welcome the guests who had traveled from afar.
Students from both visiting schools performed unique entrance ceremonies for everyone's entertainment.
Viktor Krum's appearance made all the young wizards in the Great Hall practically swoon over the famous Quidditch player.
After the impressive performances, the Beauxbatons students were arranged at the Ravenclaw table, while the Durmstrang students were placed strategically at Slytherin.
Draco looked at Krum sitting before him, respectfully offering flattery, which made Aiden, who was observing these students from all directions, laugh out loud.
"Oh, hello there. I'm Fleur Delacour, and this is my younger sister Gabrielle Delacour." Aiden's laughter plus his distinctive dragon horns had attracted Fleur's immediate attention.
"Hello, I'm Aiden Prewett," Aiden said politely, extending his hand to shake hers.
"You're a dragon-man, aren't you? A Prewett dragon-man. I heard from my grandmother that your family was active throughout Europe fifty years ago," Fleur said, looking at him with obvious curiosity.
Aiden was about to respond when Dumbledore above began his speech.
"Students, I'm delighted that we can gather together again to hold the legendary Triwizard Tournament. Please believe me, this competition is absolutely not suitable for the weak."
Through his half-moon glasses, Dumbledore surveyed every eager young wizard until his gaze met a pair of dim heterochromatic eyes.
"Regarding this competition, I need to introduce..."
As Dumbledore was speaking, George suddenly stood up and loudly questioned whether he was joking about the age restriction.
"Oh, speaking of jokes, I do know a rather funny one. A troll, a hag, and a leprechaun walk into a bar together, and then..."
"Ahem!" Just as Dumbledore was preparing to enthusiastically complete this joke, Professor McGonagall interrupted him with pointed authority.
"Ahem, the glory of the Triwizard Tournament will belong to the young wizard who completes three tasks, three extremely dangerous tasks. For this purpose, the Ministry of Magic will introduce new safety rules. Please allow them to come up and announce them."
After speaking, Dumbledore stepped aside from the podium, and Barty Crouch walked up with official bearing.
"After careful consideration by the Ministry of Magic, we have decided that students under seventeen years of age are not allowed to participate in this competition. This decision is final and unchangeable."
As soon as the restriction was announced, the students below began cursing loudly with obvious displeasure.
"Unfair!" "Rubbish decision!" "Complete nonsense!"
Similar protests echoed throughout the hall.
"Quiet." Seeing that Barty Crouch had endured enough verbal abuse, Dumbledore came forward to maintain order.
Dumbledore took out his wand and melted the protective packaging around the Goblet of Fire. An ornately decorated goblet appeared before everyone with mystical presence.
Aiden sensed a powerful contractual force emanating from the ancient artifact.
An imitation of the Silent Slabs? Aiden thought, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"It seems everyone is dissatisfied with this restrictive rule. I will set up an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire. Young wizards under seventeen who have the heart to challenge it can certainly try. Use all your wisdom, exhaust all your courage, and strive for qualification to participate!"
After speaking with theatrical flair, Dumbledore waved his wand. "Let the feast begin!"
At the four long tables, food began appearing continuously in abundant variety. To accommodate the guests who had traveled from afar, the house-elves had even prepared French bouillabaisse and delicate blancmange.
Karkaroff hovered around Krum protectively, showing excessive care and concern, even ordering house-elves to bring hot wine for his star student.
But when he turned to face other students, he showed an extremely cold, dismissive expression.
Aiden shrugged and looked away from the obvious favoritism.
"Hello, Mr. Prewett, I have a question I'd like to ask you," Gabrielle Delacour said, leaning over with childlike curiosity.
"Mm, go ahead," the hungry dragon replied while enthusiastically gnawing on a perfectly cooked steak.
"Do you also have Veela blood?" Gabrielle asked with innocent directness.
"How is that possible? Have you ever seen a three-way mixed bloodline?" Aiden raised an eyebrow with amusement.
"Gabrielle, don't be rude to others. I'm very sorry, Mr. Prewett. She's usually spoiled at home," Fleur apologized with gentle embarrassment.
"I'm not spoiled," Gabrielle protested, taking the bouillabaisse and returning to her seat. It seemed she hadn't come over just to chat.
Aiden, who had his bouillabaisse stolen, stared in disbelief. "..."
Since he was sitting very close to Fleur and Gabrielle, Aiden felt burning gazes coming from all directions.
These gazes were primarily directed at Fleur, with a few also involving Aiden as an object of curiosity.
This made the dragon, whose peaceful meal was being constantly disrupted, somewhat displeased. He slightly released his natural intimidation, and the burning gazes looking their way quickly turned to nervous fear.
This gave the three of them much more comfortable peace.
"Mr. Prewett, did you just do something?" Fleur asked, having noticed the sudden change in atmosphere.
"Gave those who don't know how to restrain themselves a gentle warning. Sometimes being a bit assertive can save yourself considerable trouble, isn't that right, Miss Delacour?" Aiden said with a knowing wink.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Dumbledore once again stood at the podium with renewed energy.
"I'm sure everyone has already satisfied their stomachs adequately. At the conclusion of the feast, I need to introduce the tournament judges to you."
Dumbledore stood in the center and pointed dramatically to the ceiling with one finger. The flames from the Goblet of Fire flew into the air and formed several glowing words.
"They are respectively: Beauxbatons Headmistress Olympe Maxime, Durmstrang Headmaster Igor Karkaroff, Department of Magical Games and Sports Director Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation Barty Crouch, and myself."
After Dumbledore finished his introduction, warm applause erupted from the assembled students.
"Well then, the feast has concluded."
With Dumbledore's final words, the young wizards began heading to their respective common rooms for the night.
The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students were respectively housed with Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Perhaps it was for this very strategic purpose that they had dined at the corresponding tables from the beginning.