!!! WORLD WIZARD TOURNAMENT!!!

Part Four

A/N: I had a typo! There are only three girls instead of two! That's the way the Goblet works though. Sorry ladies! It's Frederica Savage from Leflours, France. Sorry! Jehmie is a girl, (Jamie) too. It's still not even. I don't have this thing against girls or anything. I think this is a bigger deal than it needs to be, but oh well. The story will work and I am the author…just get on with reading! J

The first task would begin two days after the Goblet of Fire ceremony. Harry, Hermione, and Ron decided that they would root for Daryn, not for Malfoy. If either of the two were to win the tournament, it would be great. After all, Malfoy was from Hogwarts.

Daryn wasn't studying in his charm books or anything. He was researching, researching for Bobbles.

"I think I've read over them before. If I did there probably wasn't a whole lot of information about it," Hermione said. The four were sitting in front of the Emeraldon tent. There were chairs and couches there. The headmaster, Alvin Birnstead, didn't mind. Harry though he was a lot like Dumbledore.

Birnstead was younger though. He looked only to be about 36! But he was very smart. Harry could tell. They wanted to keep the Bobbles a secret because it might either be a joke, or something serious. It was a little difficult to keep the issue a secret.

Hermione was paging through the index of Important Magic Events of the Past. "Hmmm, let's see…OOOH! I think I've found it!" She excitedly went to page 756 and found a short paragraph on Bobbles. "Listen guys!" She began to read quietly to the others.

Bobble is the term that Dark Wizards use to call magical plagues and disasters that they strike on other wizards. The Dark Wizards also used "Bobbles" on Muggles to frighten them, knowing that many wizards knew how to reverse the magic. It's no longer used anymore. There are other ways to torment Muggles and good wizards today because of some highly advanced magic. If Bobbles ever do return, they could be quite dangerous and should not be though of lightly. Caution!

"I don't think that that was very informative, Harry," Hermione said. "I think this is just a big hoax or something. Why would someone want to use Bobbles if there are better was to try and rid of Muggles or wizards!"

Daryn thought long and hard. "Hey! Only Dark Wizards use the term. This might indicate that Vol—"

"Daryn! You're right, You-Know-Who is probably behind this!" Ron shouted.

Harry didn't think that this was a Voldemort-type plan. It wasn't clearly like him. The only other thing is that someone else could be doing this through Voldemort.

"I don't know guys. This is pretty serious. We need to tell Dumbledore," Hermione said. Everyone, including Daryn nodded.

When the group reached the tent, Dumbledore was talking to Lupin about something. Snape was with Malfoy looking over something.

"Snape isn't supposed to help him!" Hermione gasped. Malfoy heard her.

"Hey, he's not helping me! I just asked him if dragons can withstand this sort of heat!" Malfoy replied with a grin on his face. Hermione wasn't satisfied.

"Hello guys!" Lupin called.

"Profess—I mean, Lupin, do you know if that remedy worked?" Ron asked.

"I think so, Ron. Tomorrow night I have to judge! I have to review the rules right now though. The first task will be a little tricky I can tell you only that much." Lupin walked away from the tent and headed toward his tent.

Harry advanced toward Dumbledore. "Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Daryn? Yes, Daryn Wilkins. It's nice to see you. You've got a good Headmaster, Alvin Birnstead. I taught him for a couple of years. Then, he moved to America. Now he's been there ever since!"

"Yes, but that's not why were here, Professor," Harry said.

"Is this about Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, it's not," Hermione said. "It has to do with that BOOM that we heard this morning."

"Oh, go ahead." Dumbledore sounded much more serious. He seemed to be more concerned.

Harry began to speak, "After everyone left to see that nothing happened, we stayed around and started to investigate. All of a sudden, words began to form in the dirt! It said BEWARE OF THE BOBBLES!'"

Dumbledore said nothing. Then, after a long pause, he began to talk. "This is something serious. Only Dark Wizards use that sort of language. This means that plagues and other hazards are coming to the tournament. That's what this is suggesting."

"Yes, we know that Professor. It's just that I don't think that anyone will listen to us!" Hermione said.

"Yes, that's also true, Hermione. You kids watch out. Harry, did you bring your—" Dumbledore stated.

"Yep! I have it. I don't think that four of us could fit in it though."

"You don't all have to use the Cloak, Harry. I believe that Daryn has something to work on. He is after all, a champion. Harry, I trust that you won't get yourself into trouble. There also may be someone to help you," Dumbledore said. Harry couldn't figure out who else could help him out. Lupin would be busy with the judging. Hermione and Ron knew no more than Harry did. Who was it?

Dumbledore whistled loudly. Harry heard a rattling. Suddenly a big black dog came from behind the tent.

"Sirius!" Harry yelled. The dog entered the tent and into Dumbledore's room. Then, he turned into a man. That was his true form. He was now Sirius Black.

"Hello Harry. I came late this morning. Dumbledore told me that a sort of spy would be needed in case anything strange happens during the tournament. I don' think that the Ministry will work as quickly. They are pretty slow when they should be fast!"

Everyone seemed to agree.

"Well, there's nothing that we can do now, guys! I think that everyone should stay alert. Daryn, you should get to the studying. Study about this craggy terrain. You'll need it!" Dumbledore gave Daryn a hint? Hermione stood silent.

Black formed back into "Padfoot". Dumbledore put a collar on him also. On the collar, the name Snuffles was engraved. Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled. Snuffles was the codename for Sirius Black. His name hadn't been cleared. Harry feared that it would never happen.

The four left the building and headed back toward the Emeraldon tent. Harry couldn't believe that Malfoy was studying hard. It wasn't like him. Harry figured that Malfoy would get in trouble by his father, the Death Eater Lucious Malfoy, if he didn't do well in the tournament.

* * *

Daryn learned a lot by looking up desert and craggy terrain. It was helpful. Hermione found that a particularly dangerous creature that lived in those areas were Sandfangs. The creatures changed the color of their surroundings and had long, flat, pointed mouths. Sandfangs also had sharp spikes on their backs, going down to their tails.

"You're probably going to have something to do with the Sandfangs and going through their terrain. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a survival task!" Hermione guessed.

"That would be a good educated guess. Don't focus too hard though. You'd be surprised at what the task is. Although, I did know what mine was. Hagrid did show the dragons to me.

"Hmm, what would be a good spell to keep them away?" Ron wondered.

"Maybe we could ask Lupin!" Harry suggested.

"I don't know, Harry. He might think that we're trying to cheat!" Hermione said. "That is cheating! There's got to be another way!"

"Well, we're helping him…" Harry pointed out. Hermione turned red.

"Fine, I think I know a defense for that." Hermione paged through a fully tamed Monster Book of Monsters. She didn't find a thing.

"Oh boy! There is not a single thing about how to stop them! I guess we just have to think of something on our own!" Hermione sounded distressed.

"Well, yeh just have ter find a good water spell. That shoul' do it!" A giant shadow came over the kids.

"Hagrid?" Harry asked excitedly. "What are you doing here?"

"Snape decided that he didn't want to be a chaperone! He's had enough of this climate. Besides, Dumbledore just realized that there wasn't going to be a potion master! There are plenty of subs for Care of Magical Creatures!

"I think that that's a ridiculous reason. I suppose that he's mad that Lupin's here. And if he found out about Black…" Harry said.

"I reck'n dat's another reason, 'arry," Hagrid said.

"Did Snape just leave?" Ron asked? Hagrid nodded. Ron gave out a long and loud howl.

"Well, guys. I got ter leave now. Yeh just keep helpin' dis guy. Don't know how Malfoy got ter be da Hogwarts champ! Oh well. It'll have ter work. Bye!" The half giant left the group.

"Did you hear him? He said a water spell. Sandfangs must be horrible with water. It must hurt them or something!" Hermione said.

"That would sound good. Do you think that Aqualian would be a good spell?" Daryn asked.

"That would be perfect!" Hermione said. It made Harry wonder why Hermione wasn't chosen to be a champion. So many things were going on in Harry's mind. Black came to be a spy. Snape left for some strange reasons. After all, he made the potion for Lupin. The Bobbles warning was a startle. Malfoy was a Hogwarts champion! Some interesting things were going on.

* * *

The next morning, Daryn polished his water sprout spell, 'Aqualian!' Harry decided to hang out with Ron at the recreation stations. Hermione said that she needed to do something. Harry was puzzled.

The recreation stations were interesting. They were little booths with some crafting projects. There was also some carnival games where you had to bounce a ball called a blubdubber into different colored holes, in return for some candy. Ron made a Hogwarts seal patch that excluded the Slytherin snake and had an added tiger for Daryn's house, Tigeriss. Both Ron and Harry decided not to show Hermione it. She would be furious.

In the late afternoon, the people on the grounds all filled the stadium. A large monitor was above for everyone to see. What was going on? The champions were gathered on the stadium ground. Fudge was talking to them about the rules. Then Fudge made his voice louder so the whole stadium could be heard.

"Hey! Viktar's not there!" Hermione shouted. Harry didn't see him either.

"Welcome to the first task in the World Wizard Tournament! I've just explained the process for it. Each champion will get a half-hour to get the Sapphire Gem past the grounds. There will be some barriers though. Hopefully, the champions will be prepared. If anyone is in serious danger, there will be some staff people to help out. Judging will be out of a perfect ten. It will be based upon how much time it takes, the strategy, and how hurt they are.

The first person to go will be Draco Malfoy from Hogwarts! Draco, exit the stadium through there. We will watch what you do on the monitor as will the judges. Let us begin!"

Cheers filled through the stadium. Malfoy had a huge grin on his face. Harry wondered if he knew exactly what he was going. The first task was something that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Daryn knew of. They didn't know exactly what was to expect of them.

A large roar filled the air. Harry glanced at the monitor. It looked like a Sandfang. Malfoy shouted out, "Stupefy!" It wasn't a bad spell. But Harry was wondering if it would be enough to reach the Gem. Malfoy continued to use the stunning spell. It only stunned the Sandfangs for about 30 seconds. It turned out that there were seven Sandfangs in the area. Malfoy kept using the same spell. He didn't seem scared, but the procedure became boring. With 2 minutes to spare, Malfoy finally found the Sapphire Gem.

The other champions were in a room in the stadium where they couldn't see or hear what was going on. Hermione was outraged; half of the champions kept using the stunning spell or something like it. After five champions, Leonardo Mendalson went.

Somehow, he knew what to do exactly! Leonardo used a hovering charm (Sandfangs can't jump and inch off the ground). Hermione didn't like it one bit.

"Hermione, it'll look like Daryn is fully prepared!" Harry said.

"I guess so. It might look bad if Daryn is the only one who does the water sprout charm," Hermione said.

"Like there's a chance that'll happen. I think that these people cheat!" Ron said.

Fudge's voice rang again. "Next up is Daryn Wilkins from Emeraldon!"

An attendant walked Daryn out of the stadium and in to the Sandfang pit.

It seemed to Harry that Daryn was looking for the Gem first. If he used the water sprout charm just anywhere, he may not be able to get the Sapphire Gem. The Sandfangs seemed even angrier. They were ready to SNAP! Daryn seemed to notice this and began to lead them down a small hill. Only six followed. Daryn didn't know that there was another left. Daryn took out his wand. "Aqualian!"

A large burst of water thrust out of the wand. A pit was forming turning it into a pool where the Sandfangs struggled. Daryn raced toward the Sapphire Gem. He was about to catch it when it flew in the air! Daryn found himself right in front of the biggest Sandfang. He froze. What was he supposed to do? "Stupefy!" It didn't stun the beast though. The Gem landed right behind the Sandfang. Daryn jumped. He flew over the creature and grabbed the Gem! The first task "arena" was then filled with attendants who drained the pool and took out the Sandfangs.

Hermione was happy. Harry and Ron were too. So far, Daryn had the shortest time. That would be good for him. Daryn sat on a bench with the other champions who had already performed the task. They congratulated him, everyone except for Malfoy who was dissatisfied.

"Up next is Viktar Krum!" Harry looked to see if he had arrived. He came rushing from the grounds and into the area where the first task was. He knew exactly what to do! In fact, he did the same thing that Daryn did!

"I'll bet Hermione told him this!" Ron hissed in Harry's ear. It was possible, but Harry didn't want to think that. It was a little interesting though. Krum just happened to have the exact same strategy. But he didn't make it as good as Daryn's run did.

After two hours everyone was finished. The scores where then posted.

"Here are the scores for each player," Fudge announced.

"Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts…6

Jacob Anderson, Pyrmidos…8

Frederica Savage, Leflours…8

Jehmie Plours, Beauxbaton…7

Howard Marvin, Freezelyre…6

Leonardo Mendalson, Burntwist…9

Daryn Wilkins, Emeraldon…10!

Viktar Krum, Durmstrang…8

Chow Young, Dragonsling…7

Pamela Hannon, Winehart…8

There you have it! These are the results from the first task. The next task will be on the 20th of September. Enjoy the rest of the night! Oh yes, the Sapphire Gems are just some souvenirs, you can keep them. They aren't clues or anything. We'll notify the champions sometime soon to give them a clue for the second task!

"Hey where's Lupin?" Ron asked. Harry glanced over at the judges' table. Lupin had been there. He wasn't anymore.

Hermione shrugged, then looked up in the sky. "Hey, I think tonight's a full moon! We'll know for sure if the remedy worked or not. Let's go find him."

Fudge began to talk again. "You are now permitted to leave!" The stadium began to exit immediately. Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited to congratulate Daryn.

"Good job!" Harry said.

"Yeah! Viktar did the same thing that you did too!" Hermione said. Ron rolled his eyes.

The three didn't have to walk very far before they heard screams and shouts. Harry noticed that the tents were completely trashed. Dark gray fur was everywhere. Ron looked down on the ground and saw massive teeth or even fangs! There were little puddles of blood scattered. What was going on?

"Lupin! Something must have happened!" Hermione shrieked. It was an interesting scene. The southern ground tents were ok. But the other seven were in horrible condition. They were ransacked. Some schools accused the three clean ones that students vandalized the tents.

Harry heard Dumbledore and Hagrid explaining that everyone was in the stadium the time that this would have happened. Everyone hushed after that. Did something happen to Lupin? Was he a werewolf? Did he get hurt? Or did this have to do with the Bobbles?

A/N: I've just realized that it's called a Portkey not a Portskey! You'll find the mistake in Part Two. I just found that out. Don't ask why I used an 's'. It was just a dumb mistake.

I also realize that this first task resembles the first task in the GoF. The next one will be different and original. I promise! J

Again, I'm sorry about that Frederica girl. The name is a little corny. But that's the way it is. She's not an important character though.

Hopefully, this is the beginning of the "dragless" part of the fic. The last ones really don't have much of a plot and drag considerably. I'm really trying. Although this isn't my first fic, this will be my longest so far. I'm working on it. The next part will have some more mishaps for Harry and the gang to investigate. You know sort of the usual. ::Crosses fingers::

I'm just writing and having a good time! There's one more thing though: you won't see part five for possibly a week. I know sometimes, you'll wait for someone to write the next part to a fic for weeks. But I'm writing this one fairly fast. The fifth part won't come out so fast though. That's it! Get ready for…

!!!WORLD WIZARD TOURNAMENT!!!

PART FIVE