KING OF THE WORLD
Chapter 4: The Dragon King
"You seem nervous, Harry,"
Parvati Patil stood at the edge of the Boy-Who-Lived, her eyes dark yet glimmering with curiosity as she held out a tangerine, "you should eat something,"
"I don't think I can," Harry admitted, feeling queasy at the thought of taking on a fully grown, nesting dragon, "I'm going to die,"
"You aren't going to die," Lavender called across the room, "you've already taken on You-Know-Who twice,"
"Lavender has a point," Parvati stated, hooking a loose black curl behind her ear as she shifted the tangerine to her opposite hand, "a dragon can't possibly compare to the Dark Lord himself. Either way, if you get mauled by a dragon, then Dumbledore will get mauled by Hermione,"
Harry smiled crookedly, only to blink and glance around Potter Hall. Hermione had been gone when he woke up, and wasn't in the Great Hall for breakfast. Due to the first task, all Hogwarts classes were excused, so Harry had very little knowledge of where his best friend was – besides the library which he hadn't checked, "Parvati, where is Hermione?"
"Hmm? Oh, she stormed off early this morning. Something about a 'brilliant idea' to help you in the first task."
Just then, the doors to Potter Hall opened wide and Harry's favorite young witch entered the room. All eyes locked on her as she set a rather large pile of black clothing on the end of the table, flicking some wild hair from her face as she sighed contentedly. Eye's meeting Harry's, Hermione beamed and dug about in her pile, only to remove a red and black colored cloak from her pile and hurry towards him,
"Harry, this is for you,"
Hermione held out the robe as Harry raked his eyes across it. The top left breast was embroidered with the Potter family crest (the head of a stag), and on the back was his name in golden letters, "Lily helped me make it early this morning, and then I did most of the charms,"
"Charms? Hermione, what-?"
"This cloak will help you during the first task, Harry. It has a cooling charm on it, so you won't get distracted by the heat of dragon fire, and it's flame resistant."
"Hermione that's amazing, but I can't use this. It's against the rules to have outside interference,"
"Hogwash, Potter." Hermione stated firmly, a mischievous gleam in her eye, "both Krum and Fleur are getting help. Besides, the rules specifically state that no teacher can help the champion. I'm not a teacher, and the rules don't prohibit Professor Potter helping me with my 'charms project'."
Blinking wildly at Harry as the information sunk into his brain, a smile pulled to his face as he took the cloak and threw it over his Tournament clothing. It fit perfectly, and was perfectly cool, "there. You look like a real Champion now,"
Lunging forward, Harry took Hermione up in a large hug as she chuckled and hugged him back,
"This is perfect, Hermione. Thank you,"
Staying in the embrace for a tad longer than normal, the two teens were brought apart by Pansy making a gagging sound across the room, and a fit of giggles following. Blushing scarlet, Harry released Hermione with a smile, not noticing the own pinkish tinge to her face, "if you two are done with the mushy stuff," Pany complained, "can someone explain what all these cloaks are for?"
The dark haired Slytherin motioned to the pile as Hermione nodded and made her way to the table, picking up one of the uniforms. They were perfectly black – like the normal school robes – but had a crimson and gold crest sewn in the corner which resembled the Potter crest on Harry's own robes.
"These are for us to wear while Harry is competing," Hermione stated, "he's going to need all the support he can get out there. I even asked Professor Lily to reserve our own bleachers,"
"It's like were our own school," Luna commented, glancing up from her vanilla pudding with a dazed smile, "isn't that fantastic?"
"Sure is, Luna," Cho said, piking at her own bowl of sugary delight as Luna smiled brightly. Soon enough, Hermione, along with the rest of the group, pulled on their cloaks and grinned at one another.
"I cant believe you would all do something like this for me," Harry admitted, jostling as Neville threw an arm about his shoulders,
"We wouldn't leave you out in the cold, Harry."
"Neville's right," Ginny said, "you'll do great, Harry. No matter what all those other stuffy champions say,"
There was a collective nod from everyone else as Hermione made a movement with her hands,
"The first task is to be starting soon. We should get to the bleachers," Moving to walk away, Harry reached out and took Hermione's arm, causing her to turn as the room emptied out,
"Will you come with me to the champion's tent?"
"Of course. "
Looping her arm through his, Harry and Hermione walked in contented silence. Occasionally, Harry would sneak a glance at his best friend. She was beautiful, her wild hair pulled back away from her face to reveal her sharp features and dark eyes. Knitting his brows in confusion, Harry shook his head slightly. 'When did Hermione become a girl?' Harry thought, 'is she even interested in something more than a friendship? Probably not. I'd have a better chance with Cho, though she and Luna seem to be close...'
"Thinking about the dragon, Harry?" Hermione asked, drawing the Boy-Who-Lived out of his thoughts as they descended down towards the back door. Nodding wildly, Harry swallowed thickly,
"Yeah. Something like that. What do you know about Dragons, Hermione?"
"Well, all dragons have a blind spot, or a place where they can't see. From what I read, the spot is in the corner of their eye, to the far right or left of the head about 45 degrees. Dragons can pick up on any sudden movements or noise,"
"So I should find the blind spot and move slowly,"
"Yes," Hermione nodded, holding open the wooden door which leads out to the back lawn. In the distance, the new coliseum could be seen, and just under it, the white Champions tent, "though if I had my way, you wouldn't be facing a full grown Dragon at all. I'm just so worried about who placed your name in the Goblet."
"I am too," Harry admitted, "but I think I'd rather take on Voldemort right now,"
Hermione laughed lightly as the pair stopped outside the Champion's tent. Just beyond t5e flap, the other Champions could be seen moving about, as well as Crouch Sr. and Dumbledore. Stopping and Taking both of Harry's hands, Hermione looked deep into his eyes,
"You'll be safe, won't you Harry?"
"I...I can try,"
"Oh!" Hermione ferociously threw her arms around Harry's neck, gripping him in a death grip as there was a pop and a flash and she pulled away bewildered.
"Well isn't that just adorable,"
Blinking too, Harry set his eyes on a woman who had a similar appearance to a scarecrow. Floating nearby was a camera, as well as a parchment and quill taking notes, "young love. Isn't it wonderful? Now, kiss her so I can get a good picture,"
"I have to go, Harry," Hermione rasped suddenly, darting off down the lawn as Harry turned to the woman angrily. She was still taking notes as he sneered at her and turned, making his way into the Champions tent. It was busy, And Harry almost wanted to cover his eyes when he saw his mum talking – whispering – to the French champion Fleur Delacour.
Before he could say anything though, Crouch Sr. summoned the four of them. Standing awkwardly amongst the 7th years, the Minister explained the task of rrieving an egg which their specific dragon was given. To choose the dragon, each Champion reached into a bag and removed a miniature. Harry, as the youngest, went last. And of course, he had to choose the most ferocious of all the dragons, the Hungarian Horntail. Waiting for his turn was agonizing, listening painfully to the roars inside the stadium as the other champions retrieved their eggs. Krum came back with a bloody face, and Fleur had some of her hair singed off. Cedric looked alright beside his limp and the blood dripping down his arm. And finally, Harry was walking into the stadium.
There were lots of taunts and geers from the other houses, but in a specific set of bleachers came a monstrous, happy thunder. His girls – and Neville – were all cheering for him. Lavender, Susan, Hannah and Ginny were preforming a funny little dance where they stood, while Luna wove about a little banner with Cho's arm wrapped around her waist. Pansy, Tracey and the Greengrass sisters were making faces at the other Slytherin students, and Hermione was sitting completely still (pale as a sheet) with Neville and the Weasley twins - who had come to sit with them.
"Next up, the Hungarian Horntail! Good luck, Champion,"
Swallowing thickly, Harry watched in horror as three trainers herded out a monstrous dragon. It was beady eyed and covered in spikes. And as Harry held his Hermione's cloak around him, clutching his wand with shaking hands, he reminded himself of what his best friend had said. Stay slow and find a blind spot. As the starting bell rang, Harry ducked behind a rock as a ball of red and yellow came flaming towards him. There were consecutive gasps from the crowd as Harry cursed slightly. 'This might be harder then I thought.'
Exhaling, Harry scooped up a good sized stone which had been knocked off the main boulder. Tossing it in his hand, Harry used all his power to chuck it across the stadium. As the Dragon's attention turned away - busy spitting fire at the movement, Harry slowly came out from behind his tone and scooted along the right side of where the dragon was looking. To his surprise, it didn't seem to spot him there, its eyes completely focused on where he had thrown the distraction.
"You stupid dragon!" the voice cried out from the stands, breaking the tense air of anticipation as Harry glanced towards where Draco Malfoy was sneering. Immedatly, the Horntail turned, and its thick neck knocked Harry to one side as a column of fire raged towards the Slytherin bleachers. As the students all scrambled and screamed in panic, and Dumbledore cast a fire prevention shield with his wand, Harry dove for the golden egg in the nest. Grabbing it, Harry covered his head with an arm as the completion bell chimed. The Horntail though was still active, and as its massive head turned and met Harry's eyes, all he could see was fire,
"Harry!"
The Boy-Who-Lived heard Hermione's voice cry out to him as there was a flash of brilliant light, a sudden aching of his scar and the darkness which soon enveloped him completely.
