The first task, being held on November twenty-forth, was drawing nearer. Harry was beginning to feel the pressure of the tournament now more than ever. He was slightly behind on his school work, his mind completely focused on the coming task. Ron still wasn't speaking to him either, making things worse.
Harry was sitting at Gryffindor table with Hermione. Ron was sitting at the very end of the table with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, as far away from Harry as he could get without completely leaving the Great Hall. Harry and Hermione weren't speaking much, Hermione reading the Daily Prophet and Harry thinking hard about the tournament.
"The Ministry is so gullible," Hermione muttered, finally lowering the paper.
"Why, what's up?" Harry asked.
"Well, you know how Kingsley is leading the search for Snuffles?" she asked and Harry nodded. "Well, he's told them he's heading in the direction of Mississippi. So now all these wizards are being sent to Mississippi."
"Wow," Harry chuckled, taking another bite of his breakfast.
They fell silent again, occasionally making small talk. After another ten minutes, the sound of wings entered the Hall causing students to look up and see two identical brown owls. Though the morning post had already come it wasn't odd to see a couple late owls. One of the owls headed for the Hufflepuff table while the other went for the Gryffindors. Harry watched the owl coming his way and frowned when it landed next to him. He didn't recognize the owl and apparently neither did Hermione, as she was looking at him questioningly. Harry took the letter from the owl's beak and ripped it open as the owl took off.
Triwizard champions,
At 9 o'clock a.m., please meet at the Quidditch pitch with your mentors for additional tournament and task information.
Barty Crouch
Head of,
Department of International Magical Cooperation
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
Harry glanced at his watch then grabbed his bag and stood. "I have to go down to the Quidditch pitch with Remus for some tournament information. I'll see you in Creatures."
"Bye," Hermione said as Harry walked away. As he was walking through the oak doors, Cedric Diggory ended up right beside him.
"Hey, Potter," he said.
"Hi, Cedric," Harry said.
"How've you been?" Cedric asked.
"All right, I guess. I mean, I have to do this tournament, so I could be better. How about you?" Harry said. They had stopped in the Entrance Hall since Harry first had to get Remus and Cedric was heading outside.
"I'm getting nervous, but I'm okay," Cedric shrugged.
"Good. Well, I have to go get Remus," Harry turned to head for the Grand Staircase.
"Harry," Cedric called and Harry turned. "I think it's awful you have to compete, but good luck."
"Thanks. Good luck to you too," Harry said and watched as Cedric walked outside.
Harry shook his head then headed up the Grand Staircase. When he got to the third floor landing, he had to wait for the right staircase to come and he searched his bag for the Marauder's Map. He opened it and looked at it. Crouch, Bagman, Cedric, Krum, and Karkaroff were at the Quidditch pitch. Madam Maxime, Fleur, and Dumbledore were walking across the grounds. Ron and Hermione were still in the Great Hall. Then his eyes fell on two dots heading his way labelled Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Harry looked up and saw Remus walking down the stairs in front of him with Snuffles. "Hey. What's up, pup?" Remus said.
"I was coming to get you. We have to go to the Quidditch pitch to get tournament information. Where're you going?" Harry said, petting Snuffles.
"I was taking Snuffles for a walk and we were going to go to Hogsmeade for a bit." Remus said. "Let's get to the pitch." They headed back down the stairs and exited the school through the large oak double doors. They crossed the grounds and joined the others in the field.
"Glad you could join us," Crouch sneered at Harry. A quiet and deep growl rose in Snuffles' throat, but no one heard except Remus. "We have to go over some rules before the first task which is next Tuesday."
"First, champions are not to receive any help from mentors or professors or friends in this tournament." Ludo Bagman said.
"For the first task, champions can bring nothing but their wand." Crouch said.
"And last, a reminder. The first task will be held on November twenty fourth at nine thirty in the morning," Bagman concluded.
"That is all. You may leave. Champions, see you next Tuesday. Good luck," Crouch dismissed them. The crowd dispersed.
"How're you feeling, Harry?" Remus said.
Harry sighed. "Why would someone want me to be in this tournament? What would they gain from it?"
"We don't know. This is a highly dangerous competition. Snuffles and I have discussed it and we've only come up with someone wanting to kill you," Remus said.
"But who? There's only Voldemort but he's thousands of miles away, in hiding, barely alive. It has to be someone in the school. There's Snape…"
"Harry, Snape wouldn't do this. He may not like you, but this he wouldn't do." Remus interrupted.
"Well, whoever it is, they're slowly destroying my life. Ron hates me, I'm behind on my work, and I have to do this tournament." Harry crossed his arms.
"Harry, Ron doesn't hate you. You'll catch up on your work, I should hope. And you'll make it through this tournament," Remus said.
"Remus, you've said yourself this tournament will kill me, that I won't survive," Harry said and Remus sighed.
"I know."
"I have to get to Care of Magical Creatures. I'll see you later," Harry headed across the grounds to Hagrid's cabin.
"Why does he have to make it so hard?" Remus looked down at the dog next to him. The dog barked. "Yeah, yeah. Come on. Let's go to Hogsmeade."
"Harry, I have to tell you something," Hermione said. It was Saturday evening and Harry was doing potions homework in the library.
"What?"
"Ron wanted me to tell you that Hagrid's looking for you. He wants you to meet him at his hut in ten minutes," Hermione told him.
"It's midnight though. It's after curfew," Harry frowned.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him and grinned. "And when have you ever cared about that before?"
Harry grinned back at her. "It's different now because there're people that'll murder me if I break the rules."
"I'm sure it'll be fine. I doubt it'll take long. It's apparently important," Hermione said.
"You're encouraging me to break the rules? You're usually threatening Ron and—" Harry stopped when he mentioned Ron. It had been weeks since they had spoken.
"Harry," Hermione said quietly.
"I don't think he'll ever talk to me again," Harry said.
"I don't know what'll happen. You can only hope," Hermione told him.
"I have to go if I want to meet Hagrid," Harry packed away his things and left the library. He walked through the castle, avoiding all patrolling professors. Finally he made it outside and headed for Hagrid's hut where there were tiny lights in the dark.
"Lumos," Harry muttered, lighting his wand.
"Harry, over 'ere," Hagrid called.
"What's going on, Hagrid?"
"Come on. Got somethin' ter show yeh," Hagrid smiled and they headed into the Forbidden Forest. Harry gazed around the dark forest nervously. The last time he had been in the forest, he was saving himself and Sirius from hundreds of Dementors and running from Remus in his werewolf form. He was also nervous about getting caught out after hours by Remus and Sirius.
"Hagrid, where are we going?" Harry asked. They had been walking for fifteen minutes.
"I shouldn't show yeh this, but I have ter," Hagrid said.
"What are you talking about?"
"This," Hagrid moved a tree branch and Harry's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe he hadn't heard them while he and Hagrid had been walking. Harry stared at the creatures before him in horror.
"The first task. It's dragons. You've got to be joking?" Harry said, watching as dozens of wizards fought against the raging dragons.
"Aren't they magnificent?" Hagrid beamed. Harry looked at him incredulously for a moment before turning back to the dragons.
Harry walked numbly into the Gryffindor common room. He didn't even notice Hermione until she spoke.
"Harry," Hermione said. "Remus and Snuffles know you went with Hagrid. They're furious. They want you to go see them."
"Okay," Harry said.
Hermione frowned. "Are you okay?"
"Hermione, it's dragons. The first task is dragons," he told her and she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "I should go see Remus and Snuffles. Wait, how did they find out?"
"You left the Marauder's Map in your room over there. They saw it and saw you in the forest with Hagrid," Hermione said.
"They're gonna kill me. See you, Hermione."
"Night," Harry left Gryffindor Tower and headed left to find Marauder's Quarters. He walked to the wall in front of the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy and rapped his fist against the stone. Double doors appeared and one opened. Harry kept his eyes down as he entered.
"Sit," Remus ordered. Harry immediately obeyed and sat in a recliner, sitting on the edge. When no one spoke, Harry tentatively raised his eyes and visibly winced at their expressions. "I don't even know what to say," Remus said from where he sat on the sofa. Sirius was standing, his arms crossed.
"What were you thinking? Going out after hours when there's obviously someone here who wants you hurt or dead?" Sirius said loudly.
"I was with Hagrid," Harry said in a small voice.
"And that makes it okay?" Remus said angrily. "This is just like last year when you kept sneaking around the castle, despite the danger. How can you be so reckless?"
"Like you two should talk!" Harry shouted. He glared at them then went to the door to his bedroom. "By the way, if you care. I was with Hagrid because he had to show me something. Dragons are the first task," he entered his room and slammed the door, locking it. Remus and Sirius stared at each other with wide eyes.
The next morning, Harry left Marauder's Quarters with the Marauder's Map without telling Remus and Sirius where he was going. He shoved the map in his pocket and went to Gryffindor Tower. He found Hermione sitting by the empty fireplace.
"Hermione, how do I get past a dragon?" Harry asked.
"Let's go to the library. We'll find something," she said and they walked quickly to the nearly empty library. "I can't believe it's dragons," she whispered as they looked for any book on dragons.
"I just need to know how to get past a dragon," Harry said. He and Hermione had a large pile of books each so they went to sit at their usual table in the very back corner.
"So how did things go last night?" she asked, flipping through her first book like Harry.
"They were mad. Said I shouldn't have gone. Called me reckless. I told them they shouldn't talk. I went to bed," Harry said in clipped sentences.
"Did you tell them about the dragons?" she asked.
"Yeah, but I didn't give them time to say anything," Harry nodded.
"Well, let's focus on getting you past a dragon for now," Hermione smiled at him.
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said. "So, what about transfiguring the dragon?"
"Too advanced. We haven't even learned Vanishing Spells, let alone transfiguring a dragon. There has to be something else," she flipped through a second book.
"It says here that a dragon's weakest point is its eyes," Harry said.
"Yes, but if you think about it," Hermione said and Harry looked at her, "if you hit a dragon's eyes, it'll stomp around. It won't be much less dangerous. We need to go outside the obvious attacks. Something original."
"Like what? I'm fourteen. I can't do nearly as much as the others," Harry said.
"I know and it has to be something you know how to do or can learn by Tuesday," Hermione sighed. "Let's think about your skills."
"Okay. Umm…defence, I guess. Flying. I'm a good flier," Harry said.
"Flying! You can fly," Hermione said happily.
"That's great, Hermione, but I can't bring a broom. I'm only allowed to bring my wand," Harry told her.
Hermione thought hard. "You can do Summoning Charms well, right?"
"Yeah."
"You can summon your Firebolt," Hermione said.
"All the way from Gryffindor Tower?"
"Yes. It'll work. It's the only chance you've got. Having less experience makes it more difficult," she nodded.
Harry sighed. "Who would've guessed I'd be fighting a dragon at fourteen?" he smiled slightly.
"This will work, Harry. I swear," Hermione said.
"I think I'll practice a bit, just to be sure," Harry told her.
"Good. Now that that's done, I think you need to talk to Remus and Snuffles. Just because they're mad it doesn't mean they're not terrified about Tuesday," she said, staring into her friend's eyes.
"Yeah, I know," Harry nodded, sighing. "I'll go talk to them."
"Good," Hermione smiled at him. "I'll put the books away," she added when Harry moved to pick up some of the books.
"Okay. See you, Hermione. Thanks again for the help," he left the library and headed down the hallway.
"Potter," a gruff voice said. Harry turned and his breath caught at the sight of Moody. Had Moody seen Hermione helping him? He wasn't supposed to get help from anyone.
"Hello, Professor."
"Figure out how to handle your dragon?" Moody said, limping towards Harry.
"I—wait. How do you know about the dragons?" Harry frowned.
"How do you? You're a champion. You're not supposed to know about the task," Moody stared at Harry with both his beady black eye and large, magical, electric blue eyes. Harry stared at Moody. He didn't want to get Hagrid in trouble, so he stayed quiet. "Yeah. That's what I thought. So, what have you figured out?"
"Flying. I can fly, so I'm going to summon my Firebolt since I can only bring my wand to the task," Harry said, though he was unsure if he should be telling his professor this.
"Nice idea, Potter. Original. Hey, be careful getting help. Don't want anyone to get in trouble for breaking the rules," Moody said before limping away.
Harry stared after his professor, thinking about Moody's words. Still analyzing his professor's warning, Harry continued down the hallway. He turned a corner and almost ran smack into Ron. They stared at each other in a tense silence. Ron was with Seamus Finnegan who had also been hostile towards Harry since his name had been called on Halloween.
"Good luck on Tuesday," Ron said.
Harry was shocked. Ron hadn't spoken to him in weeks. "Thanks," Harry said and watched as Ron and Seamus walked past him and disappeared around a corner.
He once again resumed his walk, thinking about Moody's warning and Ron's well wishes. Before he knew it, he was on the seventh floor and steps away from the hidden Marauder's Quarters. Harry raised his hand and knocked on the stone. The familiar doors appeared and one opened, revealing Sirius.
"Harry. Come in," Sirius said and Harry entered.
"Where have you been?" Remus asked.
"Why do you care?" Harry snapped. He immediately felt guilty at the expression in Remus' and Sirius' faces. "I'm sorry. And I'm sorry about last night," he sat on the sofa.
"Have you figured out how you're going to face your dragon?" Sirius asked.
Harry looked at them, frowning. "What?"
"Your dragon. What are you going to do?" Sirius repeated.
"I—I'm going to summon my Firebolt and fly," Harry said, still confused.
"Good plan. I never would have thought of flying," Sirius nodded in approval.
"Wait, hold on," Harry said. "What's going on? Last night you were so mad. Now it's like I didn't do anything."
"Harry, we are still angry about what you did, but we thought it best if we put that aside for now and help you get through the task," Remus explained.
"But last night—"
"That was before we found out the fourteen year old we're in charge of has to face a dragon in a few days," Remus interrupted. "Don't worry. You're still in trouble," he added with a smile.
"Who said I was worried?" Harry said, grinning.
"After Tuesday, you are not allowed to fly for two weeks and you can't go to the first Hogsmeade visit," Remus told him.
"What?" Harry gasped. He looked to Sirius for help but only got a head shake. "This is unbelievable," he crossed his arms.
