Chapter 11: First round and task

November 24, Hogwarts great hall

The day of the first task had finally arrived. Everyone was eating in the great hall and everyone was looking exited. Not only would the first task being hold today. Today was also the start of the other tournament.

Looking back Harry thought about the things that happened between the visit to the chamber of secrets and the present.

Of course the most important thing that happened was the trial of Lucius Malfoy. It had been interesting to say the least since different people had different interests in the case. There were of course those who wanted justice for the murder. Then there was the group that supported Dumbledore and believed his excuse and pleaded for a low punishment. Then there were those like Fudge who don't want their financial backer in the prison. And finally there were those who absolutely despised the man and would gleefully sentence him to the highest possible sentence. Unfortunately for the man a good majority of the most Ancient and Noble houses belonged to the last category. Harry doubted he would ever see the man again.

Then there was how everyone reacted when they found out that Lucy was a Parselmouth. Overall everyone reacted rather well considering the stigma that is attached to the language. The only thing noteworthy was the brief look that passed Ginny's face he couldn't completely decipher, it was somewhat between fear and revulsion. He figured hearing the langue brought back some bad memories.

Finally there was the matter of preparing for today. It was sad thought really that he wasn't even scarred anymore of the thought of facing a dragon. After having fought in several chaotic battles throughout the war, the thought of facing a single enemy in a controlled environment didn't scare him at all. Of course they had checked up if the dragons were still where they were supposed to be. After having confirmed that the only difference was that there was one more dragon they figured that the task was the same and that the organizers didn't have any time to change it. Of course there was the other tournament to prepare for, but he thought his team was somewhat ready for that too. They would soon see as Dumbledore had stood up and the hall quieted down.

''May I have all of you attention,'' The headmaster asked and when everyone was silent he continued. ''Good, now as everyone probably knows today is the day of the first task of the tri-wizard tournament. But that is not the only thing happening today. Today for the first time in history we start the interschool team duelling tournament!''

Upon hearing the words everyone in the hall applauded loudly. When the applause had died down somewhat, Dumbledore continued. ''Now just like the tasks the duelling matches will be open for the public,'' He gave a slight sweep with his wand and the previous closed door of the great hall swung open and great number of people entered the room.

''Welcome,'' Dumbledore exclaimed after the group had entered. ''Welcome to Hogwarts, we will be starting the duelling tournament momentarily. I will go over the rules one less time to make sure everyone knows what is going to happen before we begin. The tournament is a knockout style tournament that means when a team loses they are out of the tournament. A team has three players of which one a captain. The teams consists of everyone capable of magic currently staying at Hogwarts for the tournament except the judges and those not capable of magic. Only one adult, meaning everyone older than seventeen is allowed per team. A match consist of three rounds of ten minutes the teams are allowed to choose who to send out for which round at the beginning of each round, but a contester is only allowed to participate in a single round. You win a round if your opponent forfeits, loses his or her wand, get stunned or otherwise incapacitated or exited the duelling circle. If the ten minute mark is reached then the round is counted as a draw. If after three round it is a draw then the two captains get to dual another round. If this is one too results in a draw then it will be counted as a double knockout. There won't be a time limit in the finale, semi-final and quarter finals. Finally the use of enchanted artefacts or potions are forbidden and everyone will be checked before the dual. Of course the winner of the final will receive the prize money generously provided by lord Black. Now if everyone seated could please stand up and make their way over to our guest.''

All the students stood up and followed the instructions. Once everyone was out of the way Dumbledore banished the four tables to the side of the room and transfigured them into tribunes. He then waved his wand again and three large circle appeared on the ground. Finally he waved his wand and two large screens appeared above the hall, both facing one of the tribunes.

''Those are the duelling circles. The one closest to me, circle one will be judged by me. Circle 2, that is the one in the middle, will be judged by Madame Maxime. And the last circle will be judged by headmaster Karkaroff.'' He then gestured to the floating screens. ''Those will show who will duel where at the end of each round. Now please make your way to the tribunes so we can start the first round of the tournament.''

Harry looked around to see if he saw anyone familiar in the crowd of guests. Spotting his godfather and the Greengrass parents a bit ahead he waved them over. He also spotted the Weaslys and realized he still had to talk with them, but since the topic most likely ended with someone shouting he decided it wasn't the greatest idea to talk with them now with all the public around. Speaking of Weasley it was kind of weird that the youngest male Weasley never confronted him or Hermione over the team change, not that he was complaining. Finally he spotted a couple looking around with awe in their eyes.

''Hermione, Emma, those people might need some help they seemed to be looking for someone.'' Harry said before warmly greeting his in-laws and godfather.

Emma looked over to where Harry had pointed and saw to her shock her parents. ''Hermione there are mom and dad.'' She said enthusiastically.

''What?'' She replied, ''But it is impossible for Muggles to enter the Hogwarts ground...'' She then saw that her sister had indeed been right and her parents, her Muggle parents were standing in the middle of the hall both wearing some kind of amulet she was positive she had never seen them wearing.

She walked over to them, closely followed by her sister and said. ''Mom, dad, why are you here? How are you here? I thought you can't enter the ground? What are those amulets? Are they new?''

Jane Granger looked at her daughter in amusement. ''You are rambling, sweetheart and it's nice to see you too.''

Hermione blushed upon hearing that. Her blush grew when her sister joined the group and said. ''Hey mum, hey dad it is great to see you.''

''It's great to see you girls too.'' Dan Granger said and hugged both his daughter, afterwards his actions were mirrored by his wife.

''So, how are you able to get in here?'' Hermione asked after she had greeted her parents properly.

''You friend Harry send us a letter and these two amulets. He wrote that there would be some kind of school completion and that parents were allowed to visit. The letter also stated that these Amulets were something called Portkeys and they were some kind of teleportation devices to get us here and as long as we were here something he called Muggle-repellent wards wouldn't work on us.'' Dan explained.

''And of course we wouldn't miss the opportunity to finally visit your school after hearing so much about it. I have to say it looks very impressive. But I think we need to find a seat as we are one of the few left standing.'' Jane said.

Hermione nodded and looked to the tribune for a free seat. She saw Harry waving and gesturing to four seats close by his group who now consisted of Harry, Daphne, Lucy, Astoria, two people who were most likely Daphne and Astoria's parents, Tracey and two people who she assumed were her parents. Getting the hint she led her parents to the group were introductions were made and Dan and Jane thanked Harry for the letter.

Once everyone was seated the screen lighted up and the next three matches appeared on it.

Round 1 matches 1-3

Duelling circle 1 team Pure vs. team Nargle

Duelling circle 2 team Chimera vs. HP4ever

Duelling circle 3 team Lions pride vs. team Puff power

''Chimera was your team right?'' Harry asked Daphne.

''Yeah,'' She said. ''Tori came up with it. Something about me showing lion tendencies instead of solely snake ones due a certain bad influence.'' She then took off all the rings she was wearing save two and gave them too Harry.

''Good luck,'' He said before giving her a kiss even though she didn't really need it with this level of opponent.

''Thanks,'' she said before spotting the three witches already waiting in the second circle. ''Ah it's those fan girls that explains the team name.'' She then got a smirk on her face and said. ''I call dibs on Vane.''

''Good luck mommy.'' Lucy said.

''Thanks,'' she kissed the little girl on the forehead and walked to the circle followed by Astoria and Tracy.

''Doesn't a Chimera consists of lion, a snake and a goat?'' Emma questioned after they had moved out of earshot.

''Yes, just don't mention that to Tori. She will realise it in time.'' Harry said. He then looked up the board again. ''Team Nargle?'' he muttered . 'Why does that seems familiar.' He looked over to the ring where that team would dual and saw a very familiar blond. ''Luna,'' He muttered, feeling a pang of sadness seeing her.

Hermione who had heard him followed his gaze and asked. ''Do you know her?''

''We become friends in my fifth year. Her name is Luna Lovegood.'' Harry replied.

''I have heard of her they say she is a bit weird.''

''Luna is unique not weird.'' Harry said somewhat fiercely.

Hermione looked a bit shocked at the tone that Harry used. Seeing this Harry apologised. ''Sorry for reacting like that, but Luna was a good friend who died to young and is kind of hard to see her like this again.''

''What happened to her?''

Harry was silent for a moment and said, ''Her father owns a paper and published a article about a terrorist. The terrorist apparently wasn't happy when he read it and decided to burn the home of the owner of the paper, no one in the house survived.''

There was a awkward pause for a moment and Hermione was glad that the matches had began so she could focus on that. She then went wide eyes when she saw that Daphne's opponent was blasted out of the ring mere second after the start signal was given.

''It seems she is still a bit mad about Vane's attempt at using a love potion on me during my sixth year.'' Harry commented after seeing the third year fly out of the ring.

Hermione decided it was better not to ask and focussed on the other two matches. In the first ring there was the girl Harry had identified as Luna casting the most varied assortment of charms on her opponent she had ever seen. She was facing off against a Slytherin Hermione was pretty sure was in his third year. She then looked at who her two team mates were; Ginny Weasley was easy enough to recognize. The other girl however she didn't recognize, in fact she looked far too young to be down there, at best she looked seven or eight. Deciding to voice her confusion she said. ''Does anyone know who that small blond girl is over at the first ring? Surely she is too young to duel?''

Unsurprisingly it was Harry that answered. ''That is Gabrielle Delacour, the younger sister of the Beauxbatons champions and I strongly suggest you don't underestimate her, she is older than she looks. Trough I wonder how Luna managed to convince her to join her team. Then again it's Luna so its probably better not to think about it.''

''How old is she then?''

''Twelve.''

''How can she look like that then?''

Harry 's look turned sombre. ''Do you know what she and her sister are?''

''Considering that how men react when Fleur is around is similar to how the men reacted at the world cup I'd say that they are either Veela's or have Veela blood in them.''

''It's the later. As for why she is so small, it is a genetic trait all those of Veela decent have. They stay that way until they mentally feel they are ready to protect themselves, usually that is around when they are fourteen.''

''Protect themselves from wh...'' She didn't have to finish the question as she noticed a large group of male staring lustfully at the Beauxbatons champions who was sitting a bit further along the tribune. Seeing this she could come up with the answer herself.

Deciding to turn her attention to the final circle she saw that Ron had teamed up with Neville and second year Gryffindor whose name she couldn't place. Ron was currently facing off against a second year Hufflepuff and managed to disarm him in the eight minute.

The other two rounds weren't that interesting. Both Tracey and Astoria won without having to put in too much effort. Ginny was stunned by her sixth year opponent and Gabrielle managed to win her match against a fifth year after he made a lewd comment about her sister by throwing a fireball in his face. ''And that is why you shouldn't underestimate her.'' Harry commented upon seeing it. Neville and the second year both managed to make the full ten minutes resulting in a win.

Harry looked up and saw that the screen had changed.

Round 1 matches 4-6

Duelling circle 1 team Raven vs. team Puddlemere

Duelling circle 2 team Athena vs. Team Creevey & Summer

Duelling circle 3 team Pouvoir vs. team Gewalt

Seeing that it's their turn Harry, Emma and Hermione made their way down to the circle. On the way there Harry gave Daphne her rings back and handed his own over. Then after another good luck kiss he made his way to Madame Maxime. Already standing there were the two Creevey's and a kid whose name he didn't know, but he assumed his last name was Summers.

''We are beginning the first round, both teams send out your first dualist.''

Dennis stepped in the ring and Harry said. ''Emma show them what you can do.''

Emma nodded and she too stepped into the ring. Hermione looked worried as she saw her sister enter the ring. ''Are you sure she will be all right?'' Hermione questioned. ''I know you trained her for a day, but she can't have learned that much in a single day.''

Harry smiled at hearing the question. ''I haven't taught her a single new spell.'' He admitted. ''There was too little time to start teaching her combat related spells. So, instead I focused on dodging, aiming and speed. Believe me she is skilled enough to win against a second year, just watch.''

And so Hermione did, she watched how her sister dodged several of the hexes thrown by her opponent. It was hard to ignore her natural instincts to step in between them, but she had faith in her little sister. Suddenly after dodging jet another hex, Emma aimed her wand and fired a single hex.

Manny males in the public cringed when they saw the stinging hex hit home. Denis dropped his wand and fell to his knees. His face clearly showing pain.

Harry felt some sympathy for his number two fan boy, but then again all is fair in battle and this should learn the boy that he should dodge or learn a shield charm.

''This is what you taught her.'' Hermione hissed.

Harry shrugged. ''No I taught her how to dodge and aim properly. The hex she already knew. Besides it seems your father approves.'' He said while motioning to the man who was sitting with a look of pride on his face.

''Winner by incapacitation Emma of team Athena.'' Maxime said after Dennis hadn't stood back up after several minutes.

''So, who do you want to go up against?'' Harry asked Hermione after Emma had rejoined them and he had congratulated her on her win.

''I think I should sit this round out.'' Hermione said. ''My sister and I have some things to discuss.''

Harry shrugged and entered the ring, but not before leaving the parting words. ''For the next set of matches I will teach her some real spells so she won't have to resort to that.''

Entering the ring he stood still and waited for his opponent. Honestly speaking he couldn't care either way which one they send out. Neither was a challenge and he had nothing against either of them. Well there was the stalker part of Creevey, Harry suddenly grinned maybe the boy would leave him alone if the boy got scared enough during the match.

It turned out that luck was on his side for once and Collin entered the ring. ''Hey Harry its exiting isn't it. Me duelling against you. I can barely believe it.''

Turning out the rambling he began formulating what to use on the boy. When the sign was given to start he started to move out of the way of the hexes and started to chant nonverbally and moving his wand in complex pasterns.

Up in the tribunes the lord Greengrass gained a look of surprise when he recognised what Harry was doing. ''He is capable of that branch of magic?'' He half questioned half stated.

His oldest daughter nodded. ''You taught him it yourself. You thought it was a necessary edge he needed.''

Meanwhile many in the hall were confused that nothing had happened yet even trough Harry had been waving his wand for over a minute. The confusion only grown when Collin suddenly completely stopped moving.

Collin meanwhile was confused what was happening. One minute he was in a fierce battle with his hero the next his vision blurred for a second and Harry was replaced by the girl who his brother faced. To his complete horror he saw her take aim the exact same way she had against his brother and instead of hearing the Incantation for the stinging hex he now heard, ''Reducto.''

Harry after seeing that his opponent stopped moving returned his wand back to its holster and watched on in amused how Creevey's expression turned from confusion to slight fear to absolute terror before he finally fainted.

''Winner by incapacitation Harry of team Athena.'' Maxime said with a hint of confusion mixed in her announcement, she too wasn't sure what exactly happened.

Harry stepped out of the ring while Collin was moved out on a stretcher. He was instantly greeted by questions from his two teammates. Harry merely smiled and stated. ''Trade secret,'' When asked what he had done.

After that there was the last round it was Hermione against the other third year. The fight lasted less than a minute, a well placed stunner and he was down.

After being declared the winner the team made their way back to the others where Harry struck up a conversation with Samuel while watching the next set of matches.

''So how is the situation at the ministry?'' Harry asked. ''The minister has been awfully quiet lately. I honestly expected that something would have happened after Malfoy's trial.''

The Greengrass lord shrugged. '' According to the rumours Fudge remains cooped up in his office the entire day, they say he is making plans to ensure that he remains in his position of power, but no one really knows for sure.'' He said. ''Not that anyone really cares anymore it is only a matter of time before someone puts up a vote of no confidence for the man. The only reason he is still there is because those who want to be his replacement are still gathering support before they make their move.''

Harry nodded he knew from experience that politicians tended to make sure their own arses were covered first before making a move that could possiblybackfire.

Harry and company spend the time until it was time for dinner watching the duals and talking with each other. The duals themselves were a rather sad sight to see. It was sometimes hard for Harry to look as people who he had trained himself and fought alongside in the future looked so pathetic, but that was to expected as the level of DADA had been bad for years and the DA hadn't been founded yet. Of course not everyone was a bad dualist. The three Tri-wizard champions and their team proved to be very impressive and the tinny charms professor reminded everyone that he once was a duelling champion when he entered the ring and effortlessly defeated a seventh year Durmstrang student.

When it was time for dinner several extra tables were added to the hall and everyone seated wherever they wanted except the teachers who remained at their own table.

Midway through dinner they were approached by professor McGonagall who told them it was time for the champions to gather.

Harry and Daphne said their goodbye to everyone and told Lucy to stay with her grandparents before following the deputy headmistress.

When they were outside the professor began speaking and Harry noticed she looked rather pale. ''Harry I know you have done this task before and I might have given you this warning once already, but I want you to try to remain calm out there. Daphne, you might not be in my house, but you are still a student in my care. No doubt you know what you are facing, but I still wish to wish you luck.''

Upon that point they had reached the tent and Harry and Daphne entered it while McGonagall remained outside.

Upon entering Harry spotted a pale looking Fleur sitting in a corner, the look of confidence she wore when she duelled earlier was gone. Cedric was pacing and Harry inwardly cursed when he realised he forgot to do something he had done the first time around. He had forgotten to warn him of the dragons.

'Oh well, there is nothing I could do about it now,' He thought. 'and at least with this task people are stepping in if things go wrong.'

Bagman dressed in his bright coloured Wasp uniform had spotted them and happily exclaimed. ''Harry!, Daphne! There you are, come in, come in, make yourselves comfortable.''

The Potters nodded and Harry sat down on the only remaining seat while Daphne sat down on his lap.

''Now that everyone is gathered I am going to explain the task so listen carefully. Once the explanations is done I will hold before each of you this bag.'' He showed a small purple coloured bag. ''Out of it you will have to pick a model of what you will be facing during the task. There are several eh types.'' He looked thoughtful for a moment and added. ''Oh yeah and you have to get the golden egg.''

Harry after the instructions ended looked around and immediately noticed that at least Fleur and Krum still knew about the task. The other Hogwarts champion however didn't look too well. Not that Harry could blame him really, not many people would take it well if you were told that you would be facing a dragon in a couple of minutes.

''Now then, let's begin shall we?'' Bagman said happily. ''Ladies first,'' He said before holding the bag before Fleur Delacour who with shaky hand pulled out a perfect miniature replica of a Common Welsh Green with the number two on it. He then held out the bag in front of Daphne who pulled out a replica of a Swedish Short-Snout with number one on it. Harry then pulled next since the bag was basically already in front of him and he pulled out the replica of a Chinese Fireball with the number three on it. Next was Krum who pulled out a model with the number five, Harry didn't recognise the dragon species, but they were told it was a Peruvian Vipertooth. Finally the bag was held before the Hogwarts champion and Harry really felt sorry for him as he saw him pull the dragon Harry faced the first time around.

''Now that that is settled,'' Bagman said in ever high spirits, not even looking bothered that five people were about to face off against some of the toughest magical creatures alive. ''Everyone has chosen the dragon he or she will face and the numbers indicate the order in which you will be facing the dragon. I have to go now because I am commenting. Mrs. Potter you are the first to go. When you hear the sound of whistle go into the dragon cage, okay?''

He then lowered his voice a bit and looked slightly uncomfortable as he addressed Harry. ''Eh Harry?'' He began while trying to avoid Daphne's gaze. ''Can I speak to you for a moment? Outside?''

''Why?'' Harry questioned while putting an arm around Daphne's waist. ''I am sitting rather comfortably here and surely you have nothing to say to me that the other champions aren't allowed to hear right?''

Bagman upon hearing this looked even more uncomfortable, but luckily for him he was saved by the whistle.

''Dear me, I have to go, Mrs Potter it is time for you to go.'' He said before moving out of the tent.

Harry and Daphne stood up and Harry gave a lingering kiss on the lip before quietly muttering. ''I know we have faced worse, just don't underestimate it and be careful.''

Daphne smiled at his concern and replied in a equally quiet tone. ''Don't worry it will take more than an overgrown lizard to take me down.'' She then grew serious and jerked a finger at his chest and said in a warning tone. ''And you if you do something as suicidal as trying to outfly a dragon like you did the first time again then it is the couch for a week.''

Leaving the treat hanging Daphne strode out of the tent. Moments later the public applauded loudly as Daphne had entered the area.

Harry sat back down in the chair, closed his eyes and focused his attention on the commentary made by Bagman.

''The summoning charm! A good effort, but the egg is protected against it!''

''Ooh that was close.''

''What is she doing now?''

''Oh, simply igneous. The first champion has the egg and it took her only ten minutes too!''

Harry opened his eyes when he heard the task was finished. They hadn't discussed how they were going to handle the task since both had their respective strengths and weaknesses so it was best that each focused on their own strategy and their would most likely be a point reduction if they were to have similar strategies. But even then Harry was reasonably sure what Daphne had done after listening to the commentary and knowing her so well. After her failed attempt at summoning she most likely found some relatively safe place in the area and dismantled the protections against the summoning and tried again and now with success.

''Excellent,'' Bagman exclaimed. ''And now for the point from the jury.'' There was a moment of silence before he continued. ''And now it is time for the next champion, Ms. Delacour, please enter.''

Fleur stood up shakily and walked out of the room, but not before giving a nod in acknowledgment to Harry's ''Good luck.''

After she had left the tent Harry noticed that Cedric had sat down on Fleur's former seat and wasn't looking too well. Feeling slightly guilty Harry decided to help the boy a little. He walked over to him and leaned against the wall next to him. ''You okay, Cedric?''

The Hogwarts champion gave him a look in return that clearly stated that it was a rather stupid question.

Harry chuckled slightly ''Right, stupid question.'' He then gained a look of serious and said. ''Do you have a strategy for all this?''

Cedric looked unsure if he should answer this. He may be trusting by nature, but this was still a completion.

Harry seeing his conflicted look said. ''Look I don't ask you to tell me your entire strategy just 'yes' or 'no'.''

Cedric was silent for a while, but he saw no harm in answering this and said. ''I have somewhat of a strategy. I did some research and found out that the first task usually involve some magical creatures so I have devised some strategies to distract them, I just don't know if it will work on something like a dragon.''

Harry nodded and just then he heard Bagman say that it was his time to go so he left the other boy with some last advice. ''A diversion is good, just make sure that the diversion is a more attractive then yourself for the dragon.''

Walking confidently out of the tent he entered the dragon cage. Upon entering he looked around; the stage was still the same with the dragon sitting in the middle, but now the it was another dragon that was guarding the eggs. Harry would never admit it out loud so that he didn't offend the other champions, but compared to the Hungarian Horntail the Chinese Fireball didn't look all that intimidating. Of course he remembered his own word to Daphne and didn't underestimate the creature in front of him, it was still a very deadly creature after all.

Harry moved in a as non-threatening way as possible around the outside of the cage until he was on the opposite side from where he began. He noticed that although the dragon was observing him warily he didn't seem to inclined to move. Remembering his words to Cedric he decided on his strategy. He pulled out the miniature animated dragon out of his pocket and placed it on the ground.

Seeing that the real dragon hadn't reacted yet Harry began his spell work. First he cast and disillusionment charm on himself and used another spell on himself to mask his scent. Then he cast a Geminio twice to quadruple his dragon. He pocketed one to keep as a souvenir and on the other three he placed a significant more powerful variant of the Engorgement charm.

After casting the charm Harry quickly ran as fast as he could away from them as they started growing rapidly.

The result of Harry's charm work was that in a couple of second the three miniature dragons turned into three animated dragon lookalike that stood at almost half the height of the original.

Of course the original dragon wasn't too happy with the three literal growing threats to her eggs. Harry had just barely made it out of there before she had lunged forward and started attacking the dragon imitations .

The lookalikes didn't last partially long considering they weren't made for combat. But the fact that there were three of them gave Harry more than enough time. He sprinted to the nest and picked up the golden egg. He gave a quick glance toward his distraction and saw that two were already down so he quickly put a disillusionment charm on the egg and moved away from the nest. He sprinted toward the exit and just before he was about to leave he looked over his shoulder to the dragon and winced when he saw how the fireball viciously literally ripped the head of the final decoy and followed it up with a burst of fire to the three downed imitations dragons.

Harry dropped the charms that hid himself from view, briefly raised his egg in triumph and left the area. He was just glad that after seeing what the dragon did that his diversion exited out of more than a single dog that was smaller than himself.

A/N: if everyone wants to see certain match ups in the duelling tournament leave a review or send a PM. The judges of the Tri-wizard won't participate and I have already decided on certain matches. Other than that feel free to leave a suggestion.

A/N 2: I used my Dutch copy of this book to check if I remembered certain things correctly and I have to say it was weird to see the changes in names the book made now that I got used to the English names.

A/N 3: Neither Harry nor anyone messed with who would face which dragon. Adding Daphne and a fifth dragon to the mix resulted that the chance that someone would draw another dragon immensely.

A/N 4: next chapter will have the talk with the Weasleys.