Chapter 7

Demon's Providence

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Helltanz's notes: Anyway with this posted the first batch of rewrites are now up for the chapters thus posted

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Chapter begin

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Europe, United Kingdom, Alba, Grounds of Hogwarts's school for Wizardry and Witchcraft, Quidditch Pitch

All the champions were once again gathered in the tent they'd met at before the challenge had started. Li regarded the young Potter with an almost lazy eye while the younger boy had his arm patched up. The Chinese champion was absentmindedly washing off the few remaining vestiges of dragon blood off his hands as Mr. Bagman arrived.

"So then thank you for your wonderful participations in the first challenge of the tournament. With that egg you now have the clue to the second task, so off to the feast." The paunchy man stated jovially.

Li walked off heading back to the Asian delegations' 'dorm' if it could be called that, ignoring as Yayoi childishly proclaimed him to be entering what she referred to as E G M, or Evil Genius Mode. The teen flicked his wrist dislodging a metal band from his forearm, a quick phrase in mandarin later the ring glowed a viscous substance forming in the center. It took a few minutes before he got a response.

Sirius Black blinked at the expression that had crossed the Chinese Champion's face that had looked almost exactly like James's plotting face back when they had been in school for the barest of second, suffice to say he was noticeably creeped out by the notion.

A voice emerged from the viscous substance, "A little late isn't it?" The voice on the other end asked.

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Staff meeting

'Why on earth could the lad do something a little less provocative.' The old headmaster thought with a sigh. It would have been so much better if everyone had kept the first task low key, but no people organizing wanted something big and showy. Still all the flare and drama was sure to cause up trouble. Goodness indestructible holy swords, a champion turning into a dragon, another summoning more than one pheonix, and dear goodness everything else, Albus sighed, well the one up cycle had certainly begun.

"Albus how did he do that, I mean it can't be something new," Piped up the tiny charms master in a squeaky voice filled with genuine curiosity. "Did you see the Chinese representative he was so smug?" he continued on for a moment,

The head of Gryfindor looked at her colleague "Now Filius." Began Minerva. "I am sure that it is just like any other Animagi transformation, the only difference between a magical and non magical form is the power needed to transform into that state." Though she wasn't completely sure that had even been a normal animagus transformation.
Another of the staff spoke up. "No wonder the Chinese are so confident about winning, that Dragon was huge." Remarked the rather attractive astronomy teacher.

"Albus you can't let him compete." Screeched Lily Potter filled with maternal emotion intent on having a threat to her spawn removed from such a position.

"Lily dear, its an international competition," McGonagal reminded gently, "We can't stop him from participating." Chided the transfiguration professor. "He's animagus dear its not that big of a deal.

"There is no way he is anything other than a dark wizard trying to hurt my baby." The red head whined.

"He is bloody Chinese Evans," Snape remarked rolling his eyes "he doesn't give a flying booger about that fame crazed brat." Sneered the Potions Master. "I doubt he so much as cares to read our papers much less worry about addled glory hogs."

"Now Severus." Albus began, "really there is no reason to be that way, besides young Li is quite a nice young man I'm sure he and Michael will see this as the friendly competition its meant to be Lily." He remarked before reaching for a lemon drop.

The potions master scowled, "Potter isn't going to win, the only reason he isn't in last place is because the Japanese girl was clowning around." He spat disgusted at the very thought. "It was a mistake letting him enter, but I already said that."

"I liked her method of dealing with the situation. It was peaceful and entertaining with little danger to her or the audience." Albus protested. He had quite enjoyed the creative display, after all there was a reason he hadn't expelled Fred and George Weasly, besides them being Gryffindors of course. "Where is your school pride Severus, your school spirit." Inquired the headmaster pushing the bowl of yellow candy across the table in offering, no one accepted, really why did they not like such wonderful treats, it must be taste, the old man decided sucking on one of the sour candies. "Michael did well with his broom, he played to his strengths and did well, it was just bad luck he got nicked at the end."

"Over shadowed by the fact we haven't got a chance against a dragon animagus, a trio of prominent European purebloods, Egypt's champion, and a girl who can beat a dragon while playing around. We are going to lose. Your golden boy also is a year behind the other students. They've been in school longer, and have no doubt take their schooling far more seriously." The head of Slytherin commented, almost sounding as if he was depressed, but why would he be. There wasn't a Slytherin wasn't competing in the competition after all. He notably left off the fact it was a Potter representing the school as one of the reasons he was sure they were going to loose.

James Potter sneered, time to show grease head up, he thought pridefully, "Not much brains about you Snivelus," Lily scowled at him, "how about a little wager, the loser admits he's inferior to the winner." He declared offering his hand, he was a gryfindor he might taunt his opponent but certain things were sacred among men, betting being one thing amongst that holy list of pastimes. "What do you say Snape, a bet?"
"Your on Potter Jr. Loses." Declared Severus eagerly extending his hand smirking like he was about to make a killing, which from his perspective Michael Potter was obviously going to lose.

The two grown wizards shook, as McGonagal and several others shook there heads embarrassed at the display of silliness.

Sirius reached out to grab James's sleeve, and walked off to get a word with James, leaving the rest of the professors busy.
"As I was saying the first task is complete and it went quite well. Each of the champions demonstrated intelligence and bravery in dealing with their respective dragons." Lily looked to be ready to interject, "Lily please relax, this is all part of the competition. The dragons were selected as the first task by all involved, and the goblet chose Michael to represent Hogwarts. There is still plenty of interaction between the champions to go, the tasks are not the only part of the tournament."

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Durmstrang's Ship
"Don't worry so much Irina." The witch assured her comrade and confidant, "Li's good but I'm still going to win." Stated Isabelle confidently. The Russian pureblood smirked which didn't dissipate in the slightest when the door opened.

"Are you sure about that?" inquired Karkaroff entering.

"Of course professor." She replied none the less frowning at his unannounced entry.

Irina decided to bring up a valid point. "But isn't it one of his talons in you wand." She remarked, nervously wand cores were extremely linked to their origin.
Isabelle smiled. "That's right, but I will still emerge the winner. As long as Li has no personal motivation to win this I will win, in raw power he would win, but power is only half the battle." She commented, supremely confident in her ability to win the game. The witch smirked, "He's not exactly trying to win, what reason would he care for what he regards as some silly tournament?" The young lady asked rhetorically. "His power is directly proportional to how much motivation he has, that is his flaw. Its always been his flaw, the dragon is sleeping right now." She gave a shrug of her shoulders, "Besides these kind of things just don't interest him he's to busy with whatever it is that has him so distracted,"

"If something has him distracted then shouldn't it have your attention."

Isabelle gave an undignified snort, "Not really, he gets caught up in such boring things, its probably a book, or a scroll. Or maybe its a research project. Who knows he's got his mind elsewhere." She settled back, and pulled book down that she'd brought with her. "At least we know what that god awful shrieking is," She pronounced, "Still merfolk aren't likely to be as cooperative as dragons."

"Will you have to fight them then?"

Isabelle looked up at Irina, "It says they'll take something, and I'll have an hour to get it back so perhaps. Still it'll be underwater, we should be able to work things out. Still lets go to the feast."

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French carriages

The champion of Beauxbatons smirked, "So Mr. Li proved to be most interesting." Stated Viktor. "Would you not say so?"

"Yes." Agreed Ion. The Helidae heir paused for a minute. "His other form likely grants him several benefits for his human state as well, much like other animagi. I will need to send a letter to my grand father dragon animagi are rare but this isn't the first I've heard of them.." The Greek remarked, "such abilities are rare that all the benefits must be dredged from sources covered in dust my friend, there was one in the fourteen hundreds in Europe, and a few hundred years before that." Once he got a hold of the books on those other dragon animagi he'd probably have a better idea of what to expect.

"Did you recognize his state as well?" It wasn't really a true question more of a rhetorical one. "It was indeed that Dragon, was it not?" Remarked the Frenchman.

"An Emperor's, Tianlong was it not?" Ion nodded, "It would appear that our new friend was misnamed, it is most impressive August and Jade, that he becomes the dragon of the Emperor of China," the Greek commented most interested in the subject. "a dragon, almost completely unknown in the magical world outside of the east, they are even considered a myth by most ministries in Europe." It was wrong for people to so readily dismiss things because they were rare when they worked magic every day.

The Frenchman nodded, before replying. "Except Russia," He remarked "I do believe on said issue they changed their official stance on the existence four years ago." Commented the French champion pausing briefly. "something that is rather suspicious do you not agree my friend?"

"Yes at the same time as that incident in Russia." Acknowledged Ion. "The one that involved the Ivanoff heiress. You think she's aware of the significance?"

"Yes I would imagine so," his friend replied. "Still it means that the English Champion is not the only one with a Prophecy looming over his head. Just because he's a year younger than us is no reason to underestimate him."

"He flew pretty well. I'll admit I wished the dragon had been more active it might have been a better show."

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The Chinese delegation were settled out in the open air watching the lake. The first task had gone well, "We have things to do before the next task, and there is that silly dance they want to hold. A hold over from the original tournament."

Li drank his tea, "I had heard," Fingers slid over paper, "The scores right now are close," He remarked, his lead was less than he would have liked as well,"
Qin looked up, "A dance is a dance, and there are things to do before then. Besides you have someone watching your home,"

That was true Jun was staying in Hong Kong and using the laboratory for one of his own projects, and as part of that deal Jun was sending Li his results, which always made for interesting reads, and kept him, Jun, out of too much trouble. "So long as nothing blows up."

"I thought it was metal Jun was working with," Li didn't respond, it was still possible to blow things up, to easy actually with that much magic. "But there is more than meter of concrete and packed earth in between it and the main walls," He protested. This didn't make it any less likely for a large scale explosion at atrociously high energy densities. All the protection that would still be pressed for trouble. "And he has to do this in Hong Kong why?"

For a very good reason Jun needed oversight. "So now what do we do Han Qin, bide our time."
"For now, the tournament's other tasks will come after the New Year, its just the gatherings in between." That would be the real showing off by the different groups. It'd be a chance to see who could be the most impressive, or who fucked up first.

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To say the Egyptian Delegation was nervous look was a gross injustice to reality. To say Marik Ishtar was furious was also a severe understatement. "That pompous… that arrogant jackal I'll kill him." Snarled Marik pacing angrily around the room clenching and unclenching his fists rapidly. It was only the gesture and the ranting that was keeping him from rushing off, or causing a rage induced magical discharge.

Ishizu moved to placate her raging younger sibling before he went and did something stupid. "Marik please calm down." Urged Ishizu reaching out a hand only for him to angrily bat it away from him.
"Sister you can't allow that to stand." Her brother objected, "It's a slight against your honor,"

His rant continued for a few minutes further before their teacher decided to intervene in the matter. "Marik sit down." Snapped Kasad finally. "You are being reckless if you were to fight Li in your present state he would kill you easily." Kasad omitted that in his current state Marik likely wouldn't even make it to Li before dying. There were certain things one did not do and charging recklessly into a dragon's stronghold when he was surrounded by friends, and subordinates was one of them.
The chiding from his teacher did not go over well to the emotional, and already totally furious Egyptian. "What?" growled Marik angrily through gritted teeth, shaking with ill concealed rage.

"If you fought him in you present state all it would take is him to let your temper cause you to take a false step and he'd eviscerate you." Kasad chided once again shaking a finger at his pupil... quite literally actually Li had a foul habit of cutting people open when provoked, a tendency Kasad did not approve of in the slightest.

Given what the Champion representing could transform into that wasn't just a figurative expression. "He insulted our ability to win on our own." Protested Marik irately. "You had to see him."
"Marik you are being quite ridiculous." Objected Kasad growing annoyed with his pupil, there were after all bigger things at stake here than some juvenile insult to pride.
Clearly the other Egyptian disagreed on the matter, refusing to bend his neck in the slightest. "It is a matter of Honor!" He roared.

The Egyptian delegation head boxed his student on the ear with all the speed of a striking snake, "We have a more pressing issue than your pride," He hissed, "Or perhaps you would like to return to school, with everyone knowing that you were unable to control yourself." Marik paled at the threat and hastily backed off the subject, if grudgingly. Kasad set his teeth into a grimace, he needed to speak with his friend, it would just take a minute to fetch the coffee beans, and such.

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Li glanced at the sky, the scent had vanished from the down coming rain, dragons, the teen shook his head, if fortune smiled on them, then perhaps the creature had merely been searching to face one of the lesser dragons in a fight. Still with the first task done there wouldn't be any further need to deal with the dragons, he hoped. The Iron Belly's scales were not simply tough it healed quickly, and dragons were intelligent a second fight would not be quite as easy even if he knew he would still win.

"Master, the tea is ready," Saki announced bowing her head respectably.

The sorcerer nodded politely inclining his head, "Thank you." He replied, walking back inside. He settled into a ceremonial position as his attendant poured the tea, leaves taken from a now depopulated ancient monastery's garden. His task was mandated by heaven, service to an Emperor not likely to even be born yet.

Enlightenment was possible, but not all of them were benevolent, but neither did they have to be cold hearted and of foul and hateful disposition and actions. The emperor would rise again, that was his duty to insure the son of heaven came to restore China.

It was a duty he accepted with utmost seriousness, no one would interfere with the mandate of heaven.

The steaming liquid passed his lips, the bones had been cast and all they had accepted the task, Han Qin amongst them, just like Li had accepted the Oath in the Garden. Thus they were brothers united for the good of the middle kingdom. The westerners would not corrupt the mandate of heaven no internal threat would harm the empire as it rose again. It was clear that the Dragon's ascent would begin anew.

Dragon's ascent, indeed with the restoration the farm problems that plagued the land would be remedied, but for now their were preparations to make after all the purpose of this expanded tournament was clear.

Gathering those that would come this tournament would serve as an attempt to work out the relationships between the nations and set the way for future cooperation between all those gathered here. Then there was the hope to use this tournament to continue the tradition.

He had no choice but to allow this after all with out a cause he had no motivation to do anything and such a thing disturbed him greatly. "Saki I'm going to go study if Yayoi comes by don't let her disturb me."

"Yes master," The brown haired girl bowed.

"If Kasad comes by thank him for the coffee, it was quite good." He remarked, he had underestimated how angry Marik would be, that had been a mistake on his part. An angry Marik was a rash Marik, and a rash Marik was dangerously unpredictably violent.

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Li's posture gave no outward sign of his displeasure at the gathering that was ongoing at the moment. The first task had gone well enough and that was a good start all things considered.

This was after all about building ties of international cooperation, saying it was more about who could show off the most would have perhaps been a more accurate description of the challenges themselves. The diplomats were such preening peacocks, though the same could be said of the other side as well... at least Kasad had brought more of that coffee he liked, that had been a nice gift. It nicely compensated for Marik glaring holes in his back.

India had refused to participate in this farce of a good will event, their magical government was in all likelihood still annoyed at the English for the Raj, though it could have been something else as well.
Whether it was a diplomatic meet and greet or not the dragon was still annoyed at having to hold it here, here of all places. He failed to see why they couldn't do this at the school of course this was a gathering that was supposed to be exclusively for the champions and of course their respective governments' representatives, as he had been reminded. Obviously the Champions had brought family and friends, but it still made for a small gathering.

Li brought the cup to his mouth and allowed the bitter tea to pass his lips and he swallowed it down, perhaps he was being paranoid. Then again he had not been taught to relax after all his ultimate mission was clear insure the one who bore the mandate of heaven was found and insure the middle kingdom was restored to prominence. As the dragon in the prophecy he was responsible to guiding the emperor to his destiny so for the time being he'd just have to deal with the present circumstances.

Still he was severly annoyed at the English champion's mother for glaring at him and in his own home, Li's, no less. The response from Michael's father was little better as the man didn't seem to know quite how to act.

Despite being the not the best parents James did take his duties seriously and after Harry had gone missing had spent his time looking over the next two years but slowly it had become apparent that Michael would need to be prepared since he was apparently the chosen one. Still the resemblance between the Chinese Champion, though there were subtle differences obviously, and every other adult male Potter were down right unnerving to him. No doubt existed if the champion had his hair short it would be just as untamable of a mess just as any Potter Male. Still Li was from Hong Kong, and lived there according to his records so maybe there was a Potter who had lived there, but that still made him family.

Li ignored the probing eyes, this was his abode he shouldn't have to deal with this. The dragon palace was being treated as the equivalent of an embassy. Still it was a careful methodical hand with which he was using to handle things after all this was a diplomatic meeting. Hence why he had taken the precaution of sealing off most the rooms beforehand, he'd not allow snooping, this was the same, no more than if this was the Chinese Consulate. Not that anyone had attempted that, not even Marik, or Isabelle, which in itself was surprising. Still it was a pleasant surprise.

He turned departing through a red door before passing through a wall and reemerging in what should have been an empty hallway. It was a welcome distraction if one that still bothered him from the looks. "Mr. Dumbledore,"

"Mr Li, could I perhaps trouble you for the directions to the nearest gentlemen's restroom, I fear I've have a little much to drink." The old, and even by wizard standards Dumbledore was old, wizard asked, looking a bit strained, no doubt from the coffee a little over an hour ago.

Li nodded, and lead the way. It was a bit of a relief for this to be a honest problem. As expected the dragon palace very much resembled a palace that would have been found in the height of the middle kingdom albeit some noticeable differences present. For example bioluminescent corral provided the majority of the lighting for the rooms of the structure.

For whatever reason England was attempting to relive their glory days and reestablish their position of power, maybe it was simple pride, or perhaps destiny had a hand in it. It didn't really concern him after all his primary task as had been elaborated by the prophecy was as clear as the crystal of this palace. He was to restore the mandate of heaven after which he highly doubted whether the English wizards would even matter, after all with an emperor bearing the mandate of heaven China would once more be the unquestionable power in Asia. For all that wizards were able to move around Asia was still far away from the magical strongholds of western Europe.

Still the collaboration between America, Magical America really hated any form of colonialism so wasn't on the best of terms with Magical England, and India might be potential stumbling block.

He pressed a hand to another door and after several minutes the two reentered the main hall.

The elder of the school had authority in the English government as well, and even in certain international bodies but even so he was loosing power. Right now there was bickering in the English government. There was also the Americans who were pushing for him to be removed as Chairman of the International Wizarding Confederation, for their own reasons, and they had no small amount of support in the endeavor.

He watched the other participants carefully recalling their goals, France was pushing along its plans and bolstering its ties economic mainly, with the mainland nations as well as with other nearby nations particularly those in North Africa. For all their disdain of muggles, something they shared with England, they liked the idea of a European economic zone.

Russia was also seeking economic dominance as well something it was working in tandem with its non magical other half.

Egypt and Greece their motives were for their own interests and Li was unsure exactly what it was they were after. Greece, he knew, also liked the idea of Eurozone, but Egypt was more difficult to grasp.

In regards to Japan there were no guarantees to exactly what their motivations were but it was possible that they were here simply as observers, or to insure they were in on the ground floor of a potential new tournament. Even though world war two had ended in their defeat the Japanese were still regarded as wary, and Magical America had been far more generous than their non magical half.

All of this was merely a grand show to facilitate meetings in preparation for larger talks that's what this had become a power play.

Li made his way across the floor tracking were his comrades were in regards to his own position. Han Qin was occupied with one of the French dignitaries. Kon seemed... where was Kon anyway... He focused and the pearl immediately informed him that he was opposite of his present position the view of the man currently obscured by on of the main halls large columns.

No doubt he'd get caught up in some form of mindless banter if he remained with out in the open. Li moved towards the other Chinese dignitary, the hall was so large with so few people it looked empty.

Unexpected was quite the apt word to describe the situation, Kon immediately turned ghostly white and took a step back. Saki in the mean time bowed and gave her usual greeting. Li fixed the English champion with a suspicious look, "Don't go causing an international incident boy." He half growled at the younger champion. In all seriousness though Michael wasn't that much smaller than Li, but he could look a great deal more imposing. Michael puffed out his chest still having to look up though.

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Chapter Conclusion

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Helltanz's notes: Rather large chapter, and had to redo Dumbledore, and others

Next chapter should be more interesting, if I get around to ever finishing rewriting it.

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