The analysis ended there, leaving everyone desperate for answers.
"What's next? What does Tom plan to do? What was he going to do?"
"This analysis is cruel! Cutting it off halfway—what kind of torture is this?!"
"I'm dying to know what decision Tom made. Maybe it really was him who framed Hagrid and let Hagrid take the blame."
"Aren't you curious about the Question & Answer Space's evaluation? 'A famous wizard on par with Dumbledore'—but I've never heard of any famous wizard named Tom Riddle."
Once again, the young wizards erupted into heated debate.
"Aiden, what do you think?" Cedric asked curiously.
What do I think?
What else can I do besides stand here and watch?
Aiden truly wanted to roll his eyes at him.
"Maybe Tom Riddle changed his name later in life," Aiden said calmly. "That could be why there's no famous wizard by that name today."
"That makes sense."
Cedric nodded thoughtfully, satisfied.
Aiden let out a relieved breath and turned his attention back to the [Live Broadcast Q&A System].
"Mr. Dumbledore's answer was very accurate, and the events he recounted from the past were fascinating. If there weren't more questions, I imagine everyone here would want him to continue."
"If you wish to listen more, sir, you may come to my office for a chat."
Dumbledore winked at Aiden, looking far too sincere.
"I don't believe you," Aiden muttered internally. "You probably want to know my true identity—or who controls this Question & Answer Space!"
"Besides, I've read the original story. I already know what happened back then. Do I really need you to explain it again?"
Aiden's smile stiffened. Thankfully, his glowing humanoid form hid his expression.
"We'll talk about that another time. Now, let's begin the official second question."
He cleared his throat. The hall fell silent.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still fixated on Dumbledore's earlier revelations.
"Contestants, please listen to the question."
Aiden noticed some distracted faces and raised his voice slightly.
Question: Why is Severus Snape so special to Harry?
A. Because Harry is Severus Snape's illegitimate child.
B. Because Harry's childhood experiences are almost identical to Severus Snape's.
C. Because Severus Snape was instructed by Dumbledore to treat Harry specially.
D. Because Harry has the appearance Severus Snape dislikes most—and the pair of eyes he loves most.
The moment the options appeared, Dumbledore snapped his head toward Snape.
Snape was staring at the glowing figure in the centre—Aiden—with an expression that looked like he wanted to flay him alive.
"Something's about to happen…" Dumbledore thought, his earlier joy vanishing.
Harry, on the other hand, froze.
This question hit straight at something he'd wondered ever since his first year.
Why did Snape hate him so much?
Snape belittled him constantly, glared at him every class, and seemed to hold a personal grudge against him.
This was an unsolved mystery in Harry's heart.
He looked over at Snape anxiously.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of violent green light shot out—Snape had raised his wand.
But Aiden merely lifted a hand.
The Killing Curse vanished like smoke.
A crack of lightning followed, striking Snape squarely on the head and making his entire body tremble.
"First warning," Aiden said gently. "Just a small punishment."
Black smoke drifted from Snape's mouth. He didn't attack again, but he kept glaring daggers at Aiden.
"I absolutely cannot reveal my true identity," Aiden thought, eyelid twitching.
Snape's reaction confirmed his suspicions—there was something deeply personal hidden in this question.
The entire audience erupted in shock.
"There has to be some huge secret behind this question! Otherwise, why would Professor Snape react like that? He's never been so reckless!"
"Do you think Professor Dumbledore secretly told him to treat Harry specially? That might explain it!"
"Why don't you just say Snape hates Harry's face but loves his eyes or something insane like that?"
"What the hell are you talking about? Snape's a moody old bat. Saying Harry is his illegitimate child sounds just as ridiculous."
Harry stared at the card again.
When he saw option A, his brain short-circuited.
What the hell?!
I'm Snape's illegitimate child?!
Impossible.
No way.
At this point, no one in the world would believe that! …Right?!
He turned to look at Snape's greasy hair and sallow face.
Harry would sooner jump off the Astronomy Tower than believe that was his father.
"Severus, calm down."
Dumbledore stepped in, sounding genuinely distressed.
This [Live Broadcast Q&A System] really wasn't a good thing—it exposed people's darkest secrets directly, ripping open wounds people kept buried.
A sudden chill ran down Dumbledore's spine.
"…There might be questions about me later too."
His gaze toward Aiden changed instantly.
Snape finally lowered his wand after one last venomous glare, and both Dumbledore and Aiden exhaled in relief.
Truthfully, when Snape used Avada Kedavra, Aiden nearly had a heart attack.
Good thing he was invincible inside the Question & Answer Space.
If this had happened outside… he would've died instantly.
"Since everyone has calmed down, let's move on to the speed round."
"3… 2… 1… speed round begins!"
Three green lights shot upward.
The audience blinked.
Snape didn't participate.
Lockhart didn't either—he sat stiff as a board.
And Dumbledore? Of course he wouldn't participate, even knowing the answer.
That would be… inappropriate.
"Alright," Aiden announced, "The contestants this round are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Draco Malfoy."