Harry had been working and focusing all his energies on the coming Task. So much so that he'd inadvertently isolated himself. Between classes, he had his nose stuck in the pages of Advanced Transfiguration, trying to memorize incantations for the Task. He always sat at the end of the Hufflepuff or Gryffindor tables, as they were closest to the door, and eat as fast as he could so he could rush back to the Library to catch up on his homework and look up more Transfiguration and Charms spells.
Hermione Granger was often seen with him in the Library, and more than a handful of rumors started that the two were seeing each other romantically. Hermione always told anyone who asked that she was only helping Harry do research and that he barely spoke to her while they worked.
The only people other than Hermione that Harry spoke to at length were Neville and Cedric during their morning runs. Though Harry was only really half present during those times, as his mind kept creating images of giant fire-breathing dragons chasing him while the whole of Hogwarts laughed and pointed at a smoldering Harry Potter.
Harry had been so deeply focused that he'd managed to actually upset a few people whom he'd ignored over the past week, which was brought to his attention the afternoon before the First Task.
Harry was walking towards the Great Hall for Dinner, his eyes focused on his Transfiguration book as he examined a chapter on creating walls. Harry thought it a good idea to be able to conjure up stone walls to hide behind when the dragon decided to roast him alive.
"Harry?"
"I can't use a wooden wall, that's stupid. I may as well just tie myself to a spit and let the dragon rotisserie me." Harry thought.
"Harry."
"I need brick or stone. But the main thing is to make a place so I can hit the damned thing."
"HARRY!"
"What?" Harry looked up in exasperation, nearly dropping his book as he turned to face whomever was calling him.
Tracey Davis was standing there looking very angry. Daphne Greengrass was standing behind her looking very apologetic.
"Tracey, you're being ridiculous." Daphne hissed.
"Two weeks, Potter. Two weeks." Tracey snapped, her eyes narrowed as she pointed her finger at Harry. "I know that you're a boy, and as such can be a little on the slow side, but TWO WEEKS?"
"I, uh…I…" Harry stammered, looking to Daphne for some sort of clue. Unfortunately, the blonde could only shake her head.
"Did I do something wrong?" Tracey asked her eyes pleading. "I mean, I thought we had a good time together. But then, you stopped talking to me!"
"I did?" Harry looked surprised. "I didn't mean to. I just got really busy."
"But not to busy to flirt with every other pair of breasts in the school." Tracey said accusingly. "I even heard that you snogged Luna Lovegood…AGAIN!"
Harry couldn't help but smile. Luna had once again cornered him last Friday. He had been on his way to his room to work on his homework before Dinner, when Luna had stepped out of an alcove in his path.
"Hello, Harry Potter." She had smiled in her dreamy sort of way.
"Hi, Luna." Harry said looking up from his book, starting to pass her by. Luna immediately stepped in his way. Harry bumped into her and apologized quickly.
"My apologies, Harry, but it's been pointed out to me on several occasions that when I kissed you I may have done it wrong."
"Uh, I don't think that's true." Harry smiled, remembering how she had lunged at him and locked her sweet, soft lips with his.
"That's very nice of you." Luna said, cocking her head to the side, a the barest hint of a smile on her face. And then, just like before, she lunged at him, her arms wrapping around his neck and her lips connecting with his. Harry felt his hands go limp, his books falling to the floor as he clutched her waist.
This time, Luna's lips massaged Harry's gently, and after a few seconds, her tongue sought entrance. Harry wrapped his arms around Luna's waist. The kiss lasted a very long time, and Harry began to really enjoyed Luna's hands in his hair.
And then, just as quickly as it began, the kiss ended, leaving Harry a bit breathless.
"So?" He asked expectantly.
Luna looked at him thoughtfully for a few moments before shrugging. "Very nice, but still… I don't know what the big deal is about. Maybe we should try it with no clothes on, like Su Li said."
Harry felt his face burn and he quickly bent to pick up his books.
"Luna, I think you did it perfectly. Maybe you're just not attracted to me in that way? Maybe that's why you're not feeling anything."
Luna thought about that for a few moments before slowly nodding. "I suppose that's a possibility." She said after a few minutes. "It could also be that I'm suffering from wrackspurts. Goodbye."
Harry watched her go, bemusement on his face. It was clear that he was never going to get used to Luna, and he only hoped that if he did get a girlfriend, she would not ambush kiss him like that. It could make things very difficult for him.
Harry realized too late that his smiling over the memory was the wrong thing to do. Tracey's eyes narrowed at once and she stepped closer.
"So, it's true? You kissed that freaky little wench?" Tracey snarled, which made Harry take a step back from her, his eyes widening in fear.
"Um…actually she kissed me. But, what difference does it make?" Harry asked, still confused.
"What difference?"
"Oh, boy." Daphne heaved a sigh, her hand going to her forehead.
"I'll tell you the difference. I have been waiting very patiently for you to ask me out, or at least ask me out on another date. But you've completely ignored me for the last…"
"Two weeks?" Harry asked unhelpfully. Tracey's eyes narrowed more dangerously.
"Am I not good enough for you? Is that it? Do you only go after girls who surprise you in the halls and snog your brains out?"
"Could you just calm down and explain to me exactly what it is you're talking about?"
"US! You and me!" Tracey shrieked. "Are you just some jerk who dates a girl and dumps her because you didn't get to second base or whatever bizarre metaphor you neanderthals use?"
Harry looked over Tracey's shoulder to see Daphne still shaking her head in exasperation. He turned back to Tracey, who had all but closed the gap between them.
"What is it that's going to open your eyes?" Tracey snapped. She suddenly grabbed the front of Harry's robes and kissed him very hard. She held him for a long, tense moment and released him, huffing. "There! Maybe that got through that thick head of yours!"
With that, she brushed past him and went into the Great Hall Leaving him even more confused than he had been when she'd initially started yelling at him. Daphne stepped a bit closer to Harry, who was watching the auburn haired girl stomp into dinner.
"Just so I'm clear here…" Harry said not looking at Daphne, who had her arms folded over her chest.
"She's been waiting for you to ask her out, yeah. You haven't talked to her since your date, and she's been getting herself all riled up, thinking you just wanted to use her or something."
"I didn't…" Harry began, turning to Daphne, who shrugged.
"I tried to tell her that. Any boy who wanted to just use her wouldn't have tried to fix the date that got screwed up by someone else, or hex the person who had actually caused the date to go wrong in the first place. I also pointed out that you've barely talked to anyone this past week."
"Does she know that she could have come talk to me at anytime?" Harry asked, starting for the Great Hall with Daphne in tow.
"Don't think I didn't tell her that. She's proud. And extremely stubborn." Daphne stopped Harry, grabbing his arm. "She's my best friend, and I don't want her to get hurt. So, if you're just stringing her along…"
"Stringing her…" Harry looked dubiously at Daphne. He sighed and let his shoulders fall a bit. "Look. I didn't realize that she took the date so seriously. I thought we were just having a nice time getting to know one another."
"I think she was fine with the date." Daphne said flatly. "It was the fact the you stood up for her with Pansy. That meant a lot to her."
"I would do that for any of my friends." Harry said emphatically and Daphne smiled a soft smile. "And besides, I'm only going to be here for the Tournament. How could she, or any other girl, want to start a relationship that's doomed to begin with?"
"Because it's better to have loved and lost and all that." Daphne shrugged than she looked pointedly at Harry, who was watching Tracey spoon roast potatoes on her plate. "Harry, just keep in mind that a lot of girls who you talk to or spend time with might be thinking the same as Tracey. You're going to end up breaking a lot of hearts, Harry. Try and keep it in mind in the future."
Daphne turned and went off to the Slytherin table, leaving Harry completely flummoxed.
"Harry?" Hermione grabbed his shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." Harry said, then shook his head. "No. I don't know. Hermione, do you want to date me?"
"What?" Hermione asked, looking stunned. "Are you asking me out?"
"What? No." Harry shook his head, then felt really bad at the sight of Hermione's expression. He took a deep breath and attempted to center himself before he tried again. "No, that's not what I meant." Harry said apologetically. "I just… Tracey just yelled at me because I haven't asked her out again, or to be my girlfriend. I didn't even know she liked me that way. I just thought we had a nice time together, and then…" Harry made and expanding gesture with his hands while making an explosion sound.
"Oh." Hermione's smile returned. "I thought you weren't sure how you felt about her."
"I'm still not, but according to Daphne, she's been waiting for me to ask her out. She's also mad that I haven't talked to her since we went out last time."
"Does she know that she could have talked to you?" Hermione looked puzzled.
"That's what I said." Harry replied shrugging. "The more I learn about girls, the less I actually know."
"We are a highly complex and ever changing creature." Hermione smiled superiorly. She headed towards the Gryffindor table where Ginny and Neville were already eating and talking. Hermione sat down and Ginny passed her a platter of pork chops.
"You know, this wasn't a problem at Salem." Harry grimaced. "I was never this popular, and I was always pursuing the girls. Or rather, one girl."
"You had a girlfriend?" Ginny asked. Harry only now noticed that the redhead was sitting next to Hermione, and she was looking very interested. Harry wasn't really sure how he felt about Ginny. She was nice, there was no doubt. But she always looked at him like a lost puppy. It was rather annoying.
"No." Harry shook his head. "I thought I was close, though. I've been friends with Stacy for like a year, and right before my life got turned all upside down, I was trying to get up the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. Everything felt simpler then."
"I don't know what you're complaining about." Ginny said. "Just about every boy in this school would give their arm to be so sought after by the female population."
"I guess." Harry shrugged. "But, what does it matter if you end up hurting people's feelings and they all end up hating you in the end?"
Ginny and Hermione sat back, neither of them knew what to say to that. Harry grabbed a couple of dinner rolls and got up. "I'll see you guys later."
"Once again, he ends up making me think." Ginny said. "It never occurred to me that by picking one girl to be with, he'd end up ruining the friendships he's been cultivating."
"Well, only the people who weren't truly his friends to begin with." Hermione said sadly. "Tracey should have at least waited until after the First Task. I'd be willing to bet he ends up wasting time trying to figure out what to do about the Tracey situation when he needs to keep focused on tomorrow."
"You're worried about him, aren't you?" Ginny sighed.
Hermione simply nodded, and Ginny grabbed her friend's hand and gave a reassuring squeeze.
"Me, too."
The morning of the First Task dawned with a overcast sky and a thick frost on the ground. Harry, Cedric and Neville had all agreed to skip their workout that morning, so Harry had a bit of a lie in, though he had barely slept the night before.
At eight o'clock the previous night, Professor Dumbledore had come to his quarters to give Harry his uniform for the Task, which consisted of something similar to running pants, a pair of boots that were very similar to his sneakers and a jersey with the Salem Academy Crest on the front and his name on the back. He had also received a letter from his Headmistress, which said that she and the rest of the school was firmly behind him and wished him the very best of luck.
Harry wished that Mark and Stacy and a few of his other friends could be there, but Dumbledore had said it would be a bit difficult to get them here to Hogwarts by the time the Task started, but that they would work on it for the next task.
Harry was excused from classes for the day, which he was quite thankful for, as he knew he'd be unable to concentrate with the task looming over him throughout the day. He decided to linger in his room at least until classes started, then he headed to the kitchens for a light breakfast.
When he finished his meal, Harry returned to his room, where he started another letter to Mark. He got as far as addressing the letter when he realized he had nothing new to tell his best friend, having written him just a few days ago. Harry was sure that Mark would enjoy the pictures, especially since they were mostly of the girls. Little Colin Creevey had proven to be most willing to take pictures, and had developed them and returned them to Harry, even going out of his way to create doubles, so Harry could keep some for himself.
Harry spent most of the day going over his plans in his head. He tried to imagine every kind of scenario that involved a dragon, and how he might handle it. He felt unprepared, despite having what he considered to be a solid plan.
At nearly five in the afternoon, there came a knock on his door. Harry rushed to the door and felt a wave of relief when he saw Sirius and Remus standing there beaming at him.
"How are you feeling, kiddo?" Sirius asked, embracing Harry firmly.
"Nervous." Harry answered honestly. "I just want to get it over with."
"Understandable." Remus said, also embracing Harry warmly. "But, you told us your plan last weekend, and like we told you then, it's good."
"Thanks." Harry said taking a seat on the couch before the fire. Remus and Sirius following, taking up the empty chairs. "But, I'm still nervous."
"It's okay." Sirius said. "Actually, I'd be more worried if you weren't nervous. The key is to keep your focus. Tune out the crowds and concentrate on what you need to do here tonight."
Harry nodded. And his godfather and Remus turned the conversation away from the coming Task. An hour later, a house elf arrived with platters of food for them, much to Harry's surprise, until Sirius explained that he and Remus had spoken to Dumbledore before they'd come to his room, and that the Headmaster had promised to make sure they had a private dinner.
Harry didn't eat much, being far too nervous, though Sirius and Remus did try to get him to eat more.
Finally, at a quarter to seven, Professor McGonagall arrived to escort Harry down to the grounds where the First Task was to take place. Harry, flanked by Sirius and Remus, followed the Deputy Headmistress down to a large tent. He got firm hugs from both men, who were told they could not enter the tent, and Harry entered to find the three other champions, all wearing similar uniforms to his own, each emblazoned with their school crests and their own names on the back.
"Hi, Harry." Cedric gave a nervous nod to Harry, who returned the gesture. Harry found the tent had a large open space, as well as four small rooms, each with a cot set up. Harry went and sat down on one and watched the three others.
The French girl, Fleur, simply sat on a cot, her legs crossed primly, one arm laying across her knees. She was nervously chewing on the nails of her other hand as she stared blankly at a spot on the ground.
Viktor, the Durmstrang champion, paced back and forth, rolling his shoulders and twisting his waist and moving his head, loosening himself up, Harry guessed. Occasionally, Viktor would glance at Harry, nodding at him when Harry would try and smile at him.
Cedric looked as nauseous as Harry felt. The tall blond boy kept standing and then sitting after a quick pace about the tent.
They could hear the noise of the crowd awaiting the beginning of the Tournament. The tent flap was flung open, and the Champions all turned to look as Rita Skeeter and her photographer entered.
"Well, now." She smiled her simpering smile that Harry felt didn't quite reach her eyes. "Here we are, moments away from what promises to be a very dangerous and exciting event. Hundreds of people prepared to chant your names and scream with ecstasy when you are victorious, or weep over your corpses. What must you all be feeling?"
"Now, Rita!" Ludo Bagman said entering the tent followed by Dumbledore, Karkaroff and Madame Maxime. Once again Harry felt a pang of jealousy that his own Headmistress wasn't there. He would have liked it if she were there to stand beside him like the other champions.
"Miss Skeeter, I'm sure you know that the Champions Tent is off limits to the press." Dumbledore said pointedly.
"Indeed." Rita smiled and swept out without another word, though she winked at the champions. Harry thought her gaze had lingered on him a few moments longer than the others.
Once the annoying reporter was gone, Ludo Bagman gathered the champions around him, holding out a large sack in front of him.
"Inside this bag is a model of what you are about to face, attached with a number which will dictate the order in which you will go. Your task is simply to get the Golden Egg by any means you can. Now, ladies first."
Ludo held out the bag to Fleur, who looked nervously at her Headmistress before reaching into the bag and pulling out the model of the dragon, which turned to look at her scathingly as she opened her hand. It had a tag with a number two around it's neck.
"The Welsh Green." Bagman nodded approvingly as he held the bag out to Krum, who stuck his hand in the bag and pulled out his own model dragon, a number three around its neck.
"The Chinese Fireball." Bagman smiled offering the bag to Cedric, who took a great breath and fished in the bag drawing out a rather sleepy looking model dragon with the number one.
"Swedish Short Snout, very nice." Bagman said turning to Harry Potter. "Which leaves…"
Harry stuck his hand into the bag and gripped the tiny animated model of the dragon he would face. He opened his hand and stared at the tiny dragon, which shook itself out and stretched it's tiny wings before turning to Harry and eyeing him coldly.
"The Hungarian Horntail. Now, when the gong sounds, Mister Diggory, just head out that way and when you have completed your task, you'll exit the other side of the arena. Then Miss Delacour, Mister Krum, and finally, Mister Potter. You will get your scores right after while the arena is being set up for the next champion. That's it, and good luck. Remember, the sound of the gong."
Bagman left, with the Heads of each school following. Harry went back to his cot and stared at the tiny Horntail in his hand, looking it over carefully. As it was supposed to be an exact model, Harry felt it wise to get a good look at it so he had some clue what he was about to face.
The tiny dragon in his hand was a deep black with sinister gold eyes and loads of bronze colored spike along it's spine and tail, which Harry felt would be just as dangerous as it's front end. Harry wondered what it's temperament would be like, as he knew that a few species were rather friendlier than others, though somehow, as he stared at the model, which was watching him in return, was likely not to be one of the nice dragons.
A gong sounded, and Harry looked up as Cedric rose from his own cot, pulled his jersey down, pulled his wand from his wrist holster, and without a glance back, march out of the tent.
For a moment, Harry thought about going to the entrance and seeing if he could watch, but he wasn't sure if it was allowed. That, and his legs felt shaky and he wasn't sure if he would be able to stand.
Ludo Bagman's voice came to them from somewhere outside the tent. He was commentating on the Task, though it was very bad. Harry and the others had no clue what was happening, though they heard the occasional angry roar of a dragon. The commentary was punctuated by light applause and cheers, until, after fifteen minutes, the crowds erupted in very loud cheers and Bagman shouted, "He's done it! He's done it!"
Harry felt a bit of relief. Cedric had made it past his dragon. Harry hoped that Cedric received good marks for his performance and that he would be in the lead by the time this was over. He really wanted Cedric to win, though Harry was a bit biased as he thought of Cedric as a friend.
After ten minutes, and Bagman announcing that Cedric's score was being posted, though he didn't announce them, the gong sounded again and this time Fleur rose to her feet. Harry found it amazing that, as she sat waiting, she had looked so nervous and fidgety. Yet, when the gong sounded, and the French Champion rose, her anxiety seemed to melt off and she looked as if she were made of stone. Just as had happened with Cedric, Harry heard Bagman commentating on Fleur's performance. This time however, the crowd was strangely silent, though Harry heard a few whistles. Even more surprising was the lack of noise from the dragon.
It seemed to drag on and on, and Harry found himself gazing at his watch. Finally after nearly twenty five minutes, the crowds erupted in cheers, and Bagman was heard saying, "I doubt our other champions will use such a unique way of dealing with their dragon. No doubt about that."
On the next gong, Viktor Krum took a deep breath and turned to Harry.
"Good luck to you." Viktor said in a low rumbling voice, before he exited the tent, leaving Harry alone to listen to the raucous cheers of the crowd as the world famous Quidditch player took to the arena.
The roars of the crowds were nothing compared to those of the dragon. Bagman seemed quite worried that Krum was going to get himself killed. But then, after fifteen minutes, the cheers of the crowds and Bagman's exclamations of "Well done!" told Harry that Krum was now through.
Harry rose from his cot and shook himself out, hoping some of his anxiety would fall away. However, when he bent over to touch his toes, Harry felt like he was going to throw up. Taking several calming breaths, Harry stepped towards the tent's entrance and pulled his wand from his wand holster and closed his eyes, trying to center himself as he often did when trying to master a difficult spell. That's all this was. Mastering a very difficult spell.
The gong sounded and Harry opened his eyes. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached through the tent flaps and exited the safety of the Champions Tent.
Harry found himself in a small arena-like setting that was covered in sharp, craggy rocks. Harry turned and saw the stadium-like seating filled with students and spectators, all watching him in silence. Harry couldn't see the dragon, as the tent opened into a small pit. Harry needed to climb a small hill before he saw the dragon, who was apparently waiting for him.
Harry barely made it behind a large boulder when the Hungarian Horntail let loose a torrent of fiery breath that heated the boulder Harry was hiding behind to near molten. Harry's arms got burned from leaning against the stone.
Harry chanced a glance around the glowing stone and caught sight of a clutch of granite colored eggs that the Horntail was standing over protectively. In the center, Harry spied a hint of gold.
The Horntail stretched out it's neck and roared angrily at Harry, it's gold eyes watching him very closely. Harry knew what he had to do now. Giving the incantation, Harry pointed his wand around the boulder at some of the broken rocks on the ground.
Harry's confidence fell when he saw the long, thin chain that looked like it was only good for decoration. Harry had to move as the dragon let loose another blast of flame. The stone he'd originally hidden behind was still very hot, and Harry didn't like the idea of being cooked on it.
While the dragon was still attempting to melt the boulder Harry had been behind, Harry came round his new shelter and tried the incantation again, focusing harder to get the results he needed. Harry felt a rush of glee as a thick chain was formed from the broken stones near him. Harry levitated the chain up so it would wrap around the dragon and Harry could pull it away from the nest it was so protectively guarding.
The chain flew at the beast, which opened its mouth and caught the chain, shaking its head angrily, trying to kill the chain, which it saw as another threat. To Harry's great horror, the dragon managed to break the chain with it's claws and teeth.
"Ok. I need something stronger." Harry said to himself. Moving fast as the Dragon turned it's great head, roaring as it rearranged itself between Harry and the nest. It raked it's great front claws on the ground, leaving long tears in the stone. It began moving its head back and forth watching the boulder Harry was now trapped behind, waiting for the intruder to show itself again.
Harry's heart was pounding in his chest now. Harry closed his eyes and took three deep breaths. Clutching his wand, he aimed it at the ground and very softly yet firmly spoke the spell one more time.
At once the mess of broken stones at his feet linked, expanded and formed a very heavy, long iron chain. Harry grinned and got to his feet, and began to guide the new chains to fling around the dragon's neck, and begin to pull it away from the nest. The dragon reacted exactly as Harry had expected, and began roaring and clawing hard at the ground, trying to turn towards Harry, who had become a bit braver now that the dragon was being drug away and was coming out from behind his hiding place.
Unfortunately, in all his satisfaction at getting the spell just right, Harry forgot about the dragon's tail. The Horntail twisted and it's long, spiked tail came crashing down, just grazing his shoulder, tearing his jersey and opening a long gash along his arm. Harry's concentration wavered, and the dragon broke loose from the heavy iron chain that had managed to drag it away a few feet from its nest. The Horntail turned and opened it's mouth, a burst of fire issuing forth, singeing Harry as he ducked out of the way and scrambled behind the largest boulder.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid." Harry thought, lightly touching his arm which stung badly. The dragon roared angrily and Harry felt the ground shake as it moved back to the nest. Harry knew he couldn't sit here forever and got to his feet again, flicking his wand at the heavy chains he'd conjured and watched from behind the safety of the boulder as he directed it to wrap around the dragon's neck again, this time making it pull the dragon down to the ground.
The Horntail shrieked and it's tail whipped around to flatten Harry. The teen was ready for this, though, and with another flick of his wand, the end of the chain not currently holding the dragon's neck shot up and wrapped itself around the tail, also pulling it to the ground.
Harry struggled to keep the dragon in check as the beast fought against the chains he was trying to subdue it with. Harry had never done anything so difficult, and found himself tiring with the effort. Harry wanted to transfigure more chains, but wasn't sure it would be wise to do so, as he thought the dragon would break free while he made a new chain.
The beast stamped and clawed, trying to get out of the thick heavy chains, twisting it's head trying to get a clear shot at Harry, wanting nothing more than to burn him alive for daring to get near it's young.
"Come on, you big bitch." Harry said to himself, still struggling to make the chains hold the dragon down. "Stay down, please!"
Harry was sweating hard now, and he felt like he'd sprinted around the Quidditch pitch a thousand times. He'd never exerted himself this much in his life. Harry prayed that the dragon would just give up and let him take the damned egg so he could just go back to the castle and call it a day.
As if answering his prayers, the Horntail suddenly rolled over, it's struggles lessening up. Harry nearly fell over as the pull on his magic slackened. He thought the Horntail had just given up and Harry was about to shout out, but in the next moment, he realized what the beast had done.
It was exactly like he'd seen some nasty people do before in a game of tug of war. They had waited until the other team was pulling its hardest and then, they just let go, making the opposing team fall backward. The dragon had just done the animal equivalent, and when Harry's magic slackened, the dragon rolled back onto it's feet and turned towards Harry, who had been inching his way towards the nest all during their struggle.
Harry didn't pause or turn to run. He pointed his wand at the ground and changed a mess of rocks into long, thick steel bars that rose up and drove themselves into the ground. Stopping the dragon from charging. More and more stones were altered and quickly followed their fellows, driving themselves into the ground, encircling the Horntail. The beast was displeased and roared loudly, smashing it's head into the first bars. And then, eyeing Harry angrily, spread its wings.
Harry was breathing hard now as he once again used his wand to grab a hold of the chain still wrapped around the dragon's neck, and transfiguring a few more stones, drove the new steel bars through the links of the chain, nailing it into the ground, keeping the dragon down.
Having only one weapon left to it, The Horntail began spitting long pillars of flame at Harry, who chose not to wait around. Harry darted towards the nest and snatched up the heavy golden egg and sprinted over the uneven ground. His foot slipped and he crashed to his knees, tearing open the legs of his pants and cutting up his knees pretty good. Harry got his feet under him again as he heard the gut wrenching shriek of teeth and claws on steel as the furious dragon tore at the metal spikes keeping it away from its nest.
Harry ran through the exit, slamming hard into someone, who staggered back, but clutched Harry's arms to keep him from falling. Harry looked up and saw a look of sheer amazement on the face of Viktor Krum.
"I got it." Harry said stupidly as the Hogwarts matron came rushing up to him and began to check him over.
"Vell done." Krum said in his deep rumbling voice. He still had Harry by the arms, and it was a good thing, as Harry was swaying on his feet.
"Help me to get him to one of the beds." The nurse said worriedly. Harry felt his head swimming, and a chill that started in his spine and surged up to his brain.
"Harry!" Sirius shouted and Harry turned to look for his godfather, but everything was becoming dark, and Harry felt his body falling. A deep fathomless blackness embraced him a second later as Harry passed out.
The voices were distant at first. He couldn't understand them. There were many. Though at times there was only two. He could also see a faint light in the distance. It was rather inviting, and he thought he'd like to see it up close.
It turned out that the light and the voices were connected somehow. The closer he got to the light, the clearer the voices became, until he could actually make out what the voices were saying.
"I wish he'd just wake up." A girl said. She sounded very familiar, though he couldn't identify the owner. "I'd feel so much better if he woke up. Then at least I'd know he was ok."
"Well, you heard Madam Pomfrey and the others. He exhausted himself. He was using some really advanced techniques. I'm still amazed by it all." Another voice said. Another girl.
"Ladies?" A third female called, much older sounding. "It is now dinner time. Off you go. You may return afterwards."
Dinner? Food sounded really good to him. He'd really like a hamburger. A huge, juicy burger with cheese and bacon and everything on it. And fries. A whole mess of fries. Wow that sounded amazing. Yeah, he was going to get a hamburger and fries. And a milkshake. How long had it been since he had a huge chocolate milkshake?
"Can you believe that?" Another voice asked. A male. Very familiar. In fact, he knew at once that it was Sirius. "He's got nearly every girl in the school checking in on him. Shame he's been asleep for it all."
"Yes, but those five have come everyday, and stayed for hours. Those five are very devoted to him. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them became his girlfriend before the end."
Remus. Remus was here as well. Sirius and Remus were here, and there were five girls who kept coming in to see him, and by the gods, he really wanted that hamburger.
The light became very clear and his eyes actually stung from it.
"Burger." Harry mumbled.
"Harry!" Sirius said, and Harry felt a weight settle on the bed next to him. "Merlin, you gave us quite a turn there, lad. How are you feeling?"
"Hungry." Harry said sounding much more awake now.
"Move aside." Madam Pomfrey, a rather fussy looking witch said, pushing Sirius off Harry's bed. Harry tried to sit up, but the witch, who looked like she'd fall over if a good stiff breeze came along, showed a surprising amount of strength and held him down.
"You magically exhausted yourself, Mister Potter. You've been asleep for nearly three days now."
"Three days?" Harry asked, looking imploringly at Sirius and Remus who both wore identical looks of relief.
"You really overexerted yourself out there, kid. Using your magic to subdue that Dragon with magical chains. Incredible, but foolish. You should have just used the Conjunctivitus curse we told you about." Sirius said. "Still, you did put on one hell of a show."
"You took second place. Even Karkaroff gave you high marks. That's saying something, as he scored both Fleur and Cedric low." Remus remarked.
"Dumbledore was really impressed, as was the majority of the spectators. You've had a parade of visitors everyday since the Task." Sirius said as Madam Pomfrey stepped away.
"You'll need plenty of rest, and food, but I think you should be able to leave tomorrow evening. I wish to keep you hear one more night and make sure you don't exert yourself." Pomfrey said sternly, before turning her back and walking away from the three men.
"The only thing I want to exert is my mouth. I need a big cheeseburger with bacon and everything on it, fries and the biggest chocolate milkshake you can get me. In fact, make it two." Harry said looking to his godfather.
Sirius threw his head back and roared with laughter, while Remus chuckled along.
Half an hour later, Harry wrapped his hands around the biggest burger he'd ever laid eyes on and moaned in glorious satisfaction as he took his first bite. Sirius had gone to the kitchens and made a special request of the House elves. Though he didn't get two milkshakes, Harry was quite satisfied with the one Sirius showed up with. Sirius remarked that it would have been small to Hagrid.
As he ate, Remus and Sirius told Harry about all that had happened after the Task had finished. His godfather had thought he'd seen the first signs of Harry exhaustion when he began transfiguring the giant steel poles which kept the dragon back. Remus had know it before then, but had hoped he was wrong, as he'd never seen Harry cast anything before.
He'd received perfect marks from Dumbledore, Madame Maixme and Bartemius Crouch, while Igor Karkaroff gave him a seven. Sirius commented that the Durmstrang Headmaster had scored Cedric and Fleur at three, while his own student had gotten a perfect ten.
They then told Harry of the many students who'd come to look in on him.
"One of the girls kept apologizing. If I heard her correctly, she thinks that she's at fault for you being here. Something about yelling at you the day before the Task." Sirius quirked an eyebrow as Harry took a long, fulfilling slurp from the bucket containing the very tastiest milkshake he'd ever had in his life.
"I'm going to guess that was Tracey." Harry said, letting out a very obnoxious belch. "She was mad because I hadn't asked her out again, or really talked to her. I just got so busy with the Task that I kind of ignored a lot of people."
"Well, I'd try to do better this time." Sirius said, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat.
"Speaking of which." Remus said. He nodded at the Golden Egg on Harry's bedside table. "The clue for the next task is in that. It's going to happen early in the morning on February the twenty-forth. I'd suggest you begin working on it as soon as possible."
Harry nodded and, as he finished his meal, listened as Sirius and Remus told him about what the other Champions had done to get past their own dragons. Harry made a mental note to open the egg and start working out exactly what he was going to do so that he could spend the next two months getting ready.
Despite the roaring fire, he felt cold, and couldn't stop shivering. He desperately wished he could move himself closer to the fire at least, but He was most unfortunately dependent of his servant, who was off somewhere, most likely defiling the Jorkins woman. Ever since he'd destroyed her mind, his servant had spent nearly every night with her, the disgusting pervert.
Still, for now, he would allow it. So long as he continued to serve him correctly, he would not allow his serpent to feast upon the Ministry witch.
Suddenly the fire flared up and the flames turn green.
"Wormtail!" He called out. He heard the fat weakling running from somewhere below, his feet sounding heavy on the steps as he approached.
"Master?" Wormtail called as he entered the room, bowing low and averting his eyes as he came around the large chair.
"My loyal servant calls. Bring me closer to the fire so I may hear his report."
Wormtail gave a jealous look over his shoulder, noticing that the flames were now green. He quickly moved behind the chair and began sliding it forward towards the fire.
"Careful Wormtail. I will be most displeased if you cause me to fall." His voice was cold and threatening. He looked into the green flams and saw the face of his loyal agent looking very pleased. He bowed his head.
"My lord. The First Task is finished."
"It was over three days ago." He snapped angrily. "Why has it taken you so long to make your report."
"I beg your forgiveness, milord. I feared our plan had failed. The boy exhausted himself during the task. I feared he'd killed himself, but I have just gotten word that the boy is well. He is in second place now."
He listened to the report and thought very carefully about what he'd just heard. It wasn't the boy's power he wanted, but it was worth taking note of. After all, the boy was supposedly destined to be his end. He knew there was only one place to get his answer for the question that constantly repeated itself in his mind.
"Continue to monitor the situation, and report to me should anything change. Do not harm the boy or draw attention to yourself."
"As you wish, Milord." The servant bowed his head and withdrew from the flames. At once the green changed back to the warm orange and yellow fire it had been before.
"Milord, May I speak?"
"You may Wormtail." He said, breathing deeply as the fire warmed him now that he was much closer to the fire.
"Please do not misunderstand me, you're plan is a good one. My only concern is that you must wait so long. Surely if we found another suitable wizard, you could return to your full strength much sooner. It seems a waste of time for you to remain here as you are, suffering in this form."
"You would have me select any wizard? Any wizard would do, according to your thinking?" He asked, loving how Wormtail cowered under his glare.
"Surely we could find a powerful wizard suitable to your needs."
"It is true that I could select a powerful wizard and fashion a new body for myself. But I need the boy. For reason far to complex for your simple mind to comprehend, the boy must be the one. I only suffer because of your incompetence. Now, it is time for my feeding. You will milk Nagini at once. No go."
Wormtail bowed and left his master to his thoughts. He was now one step closer to reaching his goal. He would be resurrected and he would destroy the boy, solidifying his power once and for all. Then, he would finish what he'd started thirteen years ago. Very soon the world would tremble once again at the name of Lord Voldemort.