"What is that?"
"Seven high platforms suddenly appeared! Are those prepared for Professor Dumbledore and the others?"
"Indeed! Look, the professors and Harry's group are walking toward those platforms separately!"
"Could it be that there are treasures on those platforms that require each of them to retrieve them individually?"
The young wizards stared at the glowing projection before them, chattering nonstop.
The remaining professors didn't pay attention to the murmuring students.
Their eyes were fixed on the screen, watching Dumbledore and the others standing before a mysterious, milky-white humanoid figure.
No one even mentioned returning to the common rooms anymore — everyone had completely forgotten about that.
When the seven high platforms rose, a cobblestone path appeared beneath their feet.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to look at Dumbledore, their weak and helpless eyes practically pleading for help.
Draco stood motionless, a blank expression on his face — as if he hadn't yet processed what was happening.
As the quiz began, Dumbledore didn't rush to answer first. Instead, he calmly observed the other six high platforms.
They were occupied by Severus Snape, Gilderoy Lockhart, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The moment he saw Draco Malfoy, even Dumbledore couldn't help but reveal a small, intrigued smile.
After all, the previous question had been about Draco Malfoy.
And what was Draco doing at that moment?
He still hadn't recovered from his shock. His thoughts were in chaos:
Ha! I actually became a player in this Question & Answer Space?
If I answer correctly and get the rewards… I'll finally surpass Harry Potter! I'll make him kneel before me in awe!
As Draco daydreamed about a glorious future where he punched Harry and kicked the Gryffindor trio out of Hogwarts, chaos erupted among the audience watching the live broadcast.
"Look! What is that?"
"It says 'Question and Answer Space' — what does that even mean?"
"Wait, that looks like Malfoy! When did he get in there?"
"Didn't any of you notice the first question? It was about Malfoy and Harry!"
The students below the stage buzzed in excitement.
Their eager faces showed how long they had been suppressing their curiosity.
"Aiden, what do you think?" Cedric asked, his sharp gaze turning toward him.
Aiden, who was focused on the Question & Answer Space, finally tore his attention away to respond.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a headache looking at the mix of cunning professors and confused young wizards who clearly didn't understand the situation.
Dumbledore and the others didn't seem willing to play by the rules — none of them answered, simply staring at the host silently.
But Aiden had another way.
"Does no one wish to answer first?"
"Let me ask again — does no one wish to answer?"
His calm, almost cold tone made Dumbledore narrow his eyes slightly.
He had originally intended to stay silent and observe first.
Dumbledore was cautious — he understood the rules far too well and worried there might be hidden traps waiting for the first to respond.
But seeing no one else make a move, he hesitated. If everyone stayed silent… would something bad happen?
He couldn't afford to gamble.
Placing his hand on the button before him, Dumbledore gently pressed it down.
The huge light bulb behind him glowed green.
Aiden's eyes lit up.
Fortunately, Dumbledore answered — otherwise, it would have been awkward if no one responded.
"Very well, Professor Dumbledore," Aiden said lightly. "Would you like me to repeat the question?"
"I think there's no need, my boy," Dumbledore replied with a kindly smile, the very image of a benevolent old wizard.
"I've heard about Draco provoking Harry many times."
"I understand Draco very well. Although he can be mischievous, his nature isn't bad — so the second option can be excluded."
The audience murmured in admiration.
"Professor Dumbledore is right," Blaise whispered proudly. "Aside from always teasing Harry, Draco's a decent wizard."
The Slytherin students nodded quickly in agreement. After all, he was one of their own.
"Of course — he's a Slytherin! Not like those brainless lions," Marcus Flint sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.
"You bastard! What did you just say?"
It was Oliver Wood, glaring at Marcus with fury. As Gryffindor's Quidditch Captain, he'd always had bad blood with Flint — and hearing him insult Gryffindor was the last straw.
"Oh? Did I say something wrong? Since when did Gryffindors start using their brains?"
"I've been sick of you for a long time, Marcus!"
"Heh, typical Gryffindors — a bunch of hot-headed brutes."
Just as the two houses were about to erupt into another brawl, Dumbledore's calm voice echoed through the Question and Answer Space.
"As for option C, I think that's also unlikely," Dumbledore mused, his eyes flickering with thought.
"As far as I know, Draco is a Slytherin. Slytherins value ambition, prestige, and recognition. Draco desires fame — perhaps that's why he feels jealous of Harry's reputation."
"Therefore, the correct answer is — A!"
Dumbledore announced confidently, smiling as though he had solved a great mystery.
"No one understands Slytherin better than I do," he declared. "No one understands Malfoy better than I do."
"Most Slytherin wizards are ambitious. Their desire for fame and fortune surpasses what ordinary people can imagine."
On another platform, Draco's face turned pale.
It was as though Dumbledore had ripped open his mind and exposed his secret thoughts to the world.
Snape glanced at Dumbledore, a trace of surprise flashing across his usually expressionless face.
As expected of the Headmaster of Hogwarts. No wonder even the Dark Lord once feared him.
Lockhart, meanwhile, looked at Draco with approval.
A promising young man, he thought. Ambitious — like me. Perhaps I should find a time to talk to him…
"So, Professor Dumbledore," Aiden said with a faint smile, "are you sure you wish to choose option A?"
"I am quite sure," Dumbledore replied serenely. "Because no one understands Slytherin better than I do."