Harry Potter and the Phantom Thief
Chapter 25
Snow fell lightly along the trail to Hogsmeade, and continued slowly accumulating on the quirky, slanted rooftops of the village. The sky was a light, even gray, the air chill and slightly damp. The buildings were clustered together, slightly decrepit-looking, but seeming very cozy at the same time with their fogged windows and warm lantern light from within.
"It's very… picturesque out here," Daisuke said thoughtfully in German. Hiwatari gave him a sudden, piercing look, and then one of his characteristically subdued and slow smiles.
"That's exactly what I was thinking, Daisuke," he said, his smile ghosting from his features. Daisuke grinned, and spotted the place Risa said they were looking for.
The four former Azumano students stepped carefully into a place called the Three Broomsticks, and Risa immediately pulled back her fur hood, smiling in excitement. "Ohh, it's like a cute little pub!" she squealed.
Riku rolled her eyes as they walked up to the bar. "Since when are pubs 'cute,' Risa?"
"But I definitely think this one is," the younger twin insisted. Hiwatari, at her side, shrugged helplessly at Daisuke. "Anyway, everyone has to order a butterbeer," she continued, naming the drink with good English and pulling her long brown hair from her coat so she could toss it artfully across her back.
"And why is that?" Hiwatari asked, giving the girl a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Because that's what everyone orders here," she replied as if it were a matter of course. "Besides, I think all the other drinks are alcoholic."
Riku laughed, and then the bartender, or whoever she was, appeared in front of them. "And what will it be for you, m'dears?" she asked, her English piercing through their naturally German conversation.
Risa looked at Hiwatari, and he returned a somewhat patronizing smile. A moment later, he looked to the woman behind the bar. "Four butterbeers," he said, and Daisuke thought he could, for the first time, hear how Satoshi's accent was from London. Risa bobbed excitedly.
The woman nodded and turned around for a little while, allowing the four friends to talk in peace. When the butterbeers arrived, they took their seats at a small table in the back of the room, and agreed the warm drinks were delicious. It seemed like it had been a long time since they had gotten a chance to talk to each other all together like this, and if the stories of Risa's escapades were any indication, it had been some time.
Hiwatari had very little to say about living in Ravenclaw House, and although Daisuke had a few stories to share concerning the treatment towards the Triwizard champions (and Harry in particular), Riku knew them all already. So their conversation more or less revolved around Risa (who didn't mind), as she explained all the gossip that occurred in Slytherin House, such as who liked who and who currently wasn't talking to whom, and how so-and-so had done blah-di-blah to such-and-such.
"Risa, how do you even know so many people already?" Riku asked in astonishment when her sister launched into yet another story, this one about a sixth-year from her House who had tried to set her up with a fifth-year Hufflepuff boy who was positively boring.
"I don't know how it is in Gryffindor, but we Slytherins like to talk to each other a lot," Risa said with a shrug and a half-pout. "And besides, I've always been popular."
Riku took a frothy sip of butterbeer and snorted. "Sometimes I can't believe we're related," she laughed.
Risa leaned in, catching Hiwatari's eye before speaking. "Besides, shouldn't we be doing all we can to know what's going on here at school? I mean, we still haven't figured out who's pals with our friend in white," she said in a low voice, holding everyone's gaze for a long moment before leaning back.
Riku frowned, her face puckering in a very cute way. "True, but… I really don't suspect anyone in Gryffindor…." she said slowly, looking to Daisuke for confirmation.
It took him a moment to process her words, seeing as he had been mostly occupied with her adorable expressions and the small line of butterbeer foam on her upper lip. "Uh, right. They all seem nice," he said quickly. He could tell, without looking directly at the boy, that Hiwatari was giving him a flat look, as if he knew Daisuke hadn't really been paying attention.
He looked away, and suddenly noticed Professor Hagrid and Professor Moody entering the Three Broomsticks. Admittedly, it was difficult to not notice Professor Hagrid. He smiled as the teachers passed their table, and saw that they were headed towards Hermione, who was sitting all alone with her S. P. E. W. paraphernalia. He hoped that after hearing Hermione's speech, they too would be interested in Elfish Welfare.
The next morning was a trying one for Daisuke. He had promised himself he would finish one of the Potions books for Professor Snape, and Ginny had offered to help him with a History of Magic essay they were required to do. To make matters worse, the first task was only two days away, and Daisuke was beginning to feel very anxious.
He tried to stay in bed as long as possible, hoping that he could remain peacefully half-asleep and unworried for a good portion of the day. Wiz cuddled close to his cheek as the dormitory slowly emptied.
Daisuke's peace, however, was shattered when a voice spoke from his bedside.
"Uh… Daisuke?" It was, unmistakably, Harry.
Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he gave a sleepy look towards the other boy. "Er, yeah?" he asked, yawning as Wiz crawled into his lap and curled back up. Daisuke felt a slight bit of jealousy at his rabbit.
"Well, um… you see," Harry began awkwardly, clearly having woken Daisuke up without knowing what to say. Daisuke waited patiently for a long moment, and just as he was about to flop back into bed, Harry pierced him with a sudden, intense gaze.
"The first task is dragons," the black-haired boy said. He adjusted his glasses as Daisuke blinked.
"Dragons?" Daisuke echoed, dumbstruck. In the back of his mind, Dark was waking up with a catlike grin.
Harry nodded, glancing to the door. "They've got four, one for each of us, and we've got to get past them."
Daisuke was only slightly relived that he didn't have to slay them like Dark had been suggesting for the past week. But only slightly. It was still a dragon. He didn't want to mess with one of those, not if they could breathe fire and fly and were as tall as his house!
How does he know? Dark questioned suddenly, his tone suspicious.
"How'd you find out?" Daisuke asked, blinking up at his glasses-clad fellow champion.
"Never mind how," he replied quickly. He shook his head and gave Daisuke a stern look. "But we're not the only ones who know. Fleur and Krum will know by now—Maxime and Karkaroff both saw the dragons too."
Daisuke nodded slowly. "So… you've seen them?" he asked, swallowing nervously as Harry nodded grimly in reply. "Well, um, thanks," he said slowly, as he began imagining being attacked by some kind of vicious black dragon as big as the Beauxbatons carriage, with glowing, crimson eyes, and row upon row of jagged, blood-stained teeth.
"I figured it's not cheating if it makes us all… on even footing," Harry finished lamely, and Daisuke smiled and gave him a short nod.
"I think so, too."
As Harry left, Dark commented on how cheesy the entire exchange had been, and then began terrifying Daisuke with everything he knew about dragons.
Daisuke knew Harry had been studying nonstop with Hermione since having told him about the dragons. Riku was worried, but more encouraging and enthusiastic than anything else.
At breakfast on Tuesday, the day of the task, Hiwatari slid into the empty space next to him, completely unconcerned with the social breech it was for a Ravenclaw to calmly eat breakfast at the Gryffindor table.
"You're fine, aren't you," the boy said with a mysterious smile.
"Um," Daisuke said, his stomach rolling as he stared down at his oatmeal. It didn't look very appetizing.
"You're used to not knowing exactly what you're up against, though," Hiwatari continued, as if he were blithely unable to read Daisuke's nervousness. He plopped some raisins into his bowl, and pushed up his glasses. "Wouldn't you agree?"
Ha, Dark laughed suddenly. The Commander thinks he's as tough as a dragon!
You mean… this is going to be more difficult that Hiwatari's traps? Daisuke asked, trying to not let the hand on his spoon tremble.
Dark paused thoughtfully. Actually, getting past a dragon is probably easier, he said sincerely. The little Hikari probably has more brains and more tools than a whole flock of dragons.
Hiwatari seemed to be looking at him knowingly, as if he were aware that Daisuke was now having a conversation with his other self.
Besides, all you really have to do to get past a dragon is be quick and agile enough to dodge the fire and the claws, the thief continued, giving Daisuke some reassurance and advice for perhaps the first time. You're a trained thief, Daisuke. You'll have no problem.
"Good luck," Hiwatari said casually, standing and taking his bowl with him. He glanced to Harry, seated next to Hermione, and then stared carefully at Daisuke. "To the both of you."
Without another word, Hiwatari moved away, his spot almost instantly filled by Ginny, who stared after the quiet, pale boy in confusion. After a small shrug, she waved to Riku and sat down, giving Daisuke a small punch in the shoulder. "Knock 'em dead, Daisuke," she growled, and then began digging into her breakfast.
With a sigh, he allowed Riku to convince him it was best to eat as much as he could.
Two class periods later, he was back in the Great Hall again, and his appetite only felt worse than it had in the morning. Fortunately, he didn't have much time to stare at his food and feel sick, as Professor McGonagall hurried into the hall.
"Potter, Niwa," she called, standing at the far end of the Gryffindor table, "the champions have to come down onto the grounds now…. You have to get ready for the first task." She beckoned them towards her, and Daisuke slowly stood as the echo of Harry's fork clattering across his plate reverberated up and down the long table.
He met Harry's eyes as the two of them reached Professor McGonagall and followed her outside. Harry didn't look as if he knew how he was going to get past a dragon, and Daisuke didn't blame him. Daisuke had been trained in thievery since birth and wasn't terribly confident.
Trust me, Dark said confidently, you can sneak past a dragon.
Professor McGonagall led them out to a tent on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and sent them in with a few words of encouragement. Inside, the other two champions were waiting restlessly. Fleur was tapping her fingers against her knee rapidly and incessantly, while Viktor was pacing back and forth. As usual, Mr. Bagman enthusiasm was apparent, but it felt even more out of place in the tent bursting with anxiety.
Daisuke could hardly pay attention as the man launched into another eager speech. How was he supposed to concentrate when he had the feeling that a large, fire-breathing dragon was waiting for him on the other side of the tent?
"Ah, yes… your task is to collect the golden egg!" Mr. Bagman concluded, clapping his hands together jovially.
Ha, this is going to be too easy. The task is stealing, Daisuke! Dark laughed confidently. Daisuke swallowed, trying to feel as buoyant as his other self.
Footsteps suddenly thundered around them, as if the entire school was tromping on a grandstand above them, laughing and occasionally cheering excitedly.
That's exactly what it is, Daisuke, Dark told him slowly. Snap out of it! We've got a job to do!
Daisuke took a deep breath. Dark was right. He needed to focus! He pressed his hands against his face, covering his cheeks and his eyes, and then pulled them apart. His face was now one of determination, of steely confidence.
That's the spirit! Dark laughed.
Mr. Bagman coughed slightly, giving Daisuke a somewhat alarmed look. "Ladies first," he said, turning to Fleur.
The French girl dropped her hand into the purple pouch Mr. Bagman offered her as the rest of the champions crowded close. After a grimace, she pulled her hand out, opening to reveal a tiny, green dragon.
I thought they were larger! Daisuke cried obstinately. Dark, you had me all worried! In truth, Daisuke realized that he felt more resentment than relief.
They are, the Phantom Thief assured him, directing him to keep watching. Didn't you hear Bagman say that what's in the bag is just a miniature of what's outside?
Daisuke exhaled in frustration, and then waited as Viktor drew his dragon. It was a fiery red, serpentine creature, with long whiskers and tiny, clawed forelegs.
Finally, Mr. Bagman held the bag in front of Daisuke. He resolutely thrust his hand into the bag, felt the scaly bodies of the last two dragons, and tried to pluck on up as gently as possible. Fishing it successfully out of the bag, he opened his hand to reveal…
… what was quite possibly the most adorable dragon he had ever seen. The little thing was a bluish-gray, with a somewhat ugly, squashed snout. It coughed and a bubble of smoke rose from its nostrils. And… around its neck was a small tag around its neck, as if it were a little gift. Daisuke wondered if he could keep the miniature dragon, and what significance the number "1" had, since it was draped across the dragon's neck.
Beside him, Harry glanced down at his palm, and was rewarded with a black dragon, who immediately bared its fangs and hissed at him. Harry eyed it and its tiny number four grimly.
Ouch, that's going to be rough for him. See, its got claws on the front and back, the thief laughed.
Sure enough, upon closer inspection, Daisuke could see that Harry's dragon had a spiked tail along with a clawed and toothed front.
"Well, there you are!" Mr. Bagman proclaimed. "You each have pulled out the dragon you will face, and the numbers refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, I'm going to leave you in a moment, because I'm commentating. Mr. Niwa, you're first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle, all right?" Daisuke nodded, hesitantly at first and then with more confidence, so that he ended up nodding for much longer than necessary. "Now… Harry…" the official continued, turning towards the green-looking Gryffindor and lowering his voice. The two walked outside together and Daisuke swallowed, staring at the exit.
We've got this in the bag, the Phantom Thief announced with his usual good cheer. We'll steal the egg and then kick back and watch everyone else. See? You'll get to cheer with Riku like you wanted.
Daisuke swallowed, reassured himself that he was indeed a top-notch thief, and stepped outside.
He was in a pit below grandstands filled with cheering students. In front of him was a dragon. A large, blue-gray dragon, with a scrunched-up snout and long, sharp teeth. It was probably a thousand times larger than the one wriggling in his pocket, and looked much less cute. Though, if he had to describe it, he'd still call it beautiful and incredible. Here he was, staring at a real, live dragon, watched by a crowd of cheering, happy, magical students. He shook his head and focused. He had a task to complete. Nestled at the dragon's right flank was a gleaming, golden egg.
I guess that's our target, Dark commented with the roguish glee of a thief about to do a bit of thieving. Show 'em what you've got, Daisuke!
Right, the redhead responded resolutely. He concentrated on the egg, thinking of it as his target, imagining sets of Hiwatari's traps laid all around it. If he could get past rows upon rows of security guards and police officers, dodging a dragon should be easy.
Eyes on the prize, Dark laughed. And oddly enough, taking on the dragon reminded him of old times, of breaking into museums while a crowd of fans cheered from the gates. Dark had been right all along—getting past a dragon was going to be easy!
The dragon spotted him and hissed in a deep breath, lunging forward. The crowd gasped and Daisuke jumped to the side, leaping off a nearby craggy wall and landing in a somersault aimed underneath the dragon's neck. He rolled right onto his feet, ducking slightly as he continued moving right past the dragon's front leg.
Careful! Dark warned as the dragon reared up on its hind legs to swipe at him with a clawed front foot. Daisuke dove behind a rock, but was suddenly buffeted by a strong wind.
The dragon rose into the air slightly, beating its wings angrily. It sucked in a large breath.
Fire, Daisuke! Run! Dark yelled, noting the way the bluish dragon was opening its mouth to draw in a deeper breath.
Daisuke didn't need to be told twice. He sped away from the dragon, running up a crag and dropping safely behind it as the air above him suddenly blazed with dragonfire. When the fire receded, the air shimmered in the residual heat.
How do I get closer? Daisuke asked, brow furrowing as he peeked around the crag to see the dragon stomp back towards the golden egg and curl up around it. Should I use some kind of diversion?
That sounds like a good idea. Got anything more specific in mind? Dark returned lazily.
Er, no. Unless we can use a feather-explosion?
He could feel Dark pondering the idea. It might be too fast. We need something to keep holding its attention for a while.
It's too dangerous to use Wiz as a double….
Damn straight, idiot.
Maybe I should just dart in and be quick about it? I mean, that's what we usually do, right?
If you can do it without getting burned, Dark teased. Remember, Riku's watching, he finished in a singsong voice. Daisuke wanted to punch his lights out, but he focused on the dragon instead. Just like old times, indeed.
I'm not sure if I can, Daisuke murmured as he continued peering around the rock to check on the dragon's location. There had to be something he could do to confuse or trick the scaled creature, which was now breathing warming flames along the shining egg and its non-shiny brethren. Wait, why was the dragon even guarding the golden one, anyway? The golden oval wasn't even the same size or shape as the other, rounder, purple-speckled ones.
It's like ducks or chickens, Daisuke—a nesting hen will sit on golf balls if you replace the real eggs, the Phantom Thief explained.
So… she likes children? Daisuke asked in wonder. He knew it was unusual for animals to adopt the babies of others.
No idea, Dark replied. The dragon yawned, showing off rows of narrow, sharp teeth.
Daisuke shook his head. He had to focus on the task, and get through with it, not wonder what the habits of dragons were. Unless… Wait! If we could do something to make her think that there was a hatched baby was somewhere, she'd probably leave the others alone for a moment, right? he asked his alter-ego suddenly.
What have you got in mind? Dark asked eagerly, apparently liking the idea.
Daisuke held his wand tightly, and aimed at a rock on the far edge of the arena. Do you know any spells I can use to throw my voice? he asked, hoping that Dark had learned a spell like that during his many years at Hogwarts.
Transvocis, Dark replied easily. It takes some practice to keep it going, so you may only have about ten seconds before it wears off, the thief cautioned.
Daisuke smiled. If it works at all, ten seconds should be about enough.
Still hidden from the mother dragon's view, Daisuke aimed his wand, listening to Dark's instructions so he could correctly cast the spell.
Imagine that you're going to be literally tossing your voice over there with your wand—yeah, be ready to throw it, he said, as Daisuke pulled his arm back as if he were going to throw his wand. But point instead of actually throwing your wand at it. Ready? On three.
One… two…
"Transvocis!" Daisuke yelled, feeling the words get pulled from his throat and suddenly echoing from the far side of the arena.
Ten seconds! Dark reminded, sounding ready for the action.
Right, Daisuke replied, before yelling at the top of his lungs as he raced around the boulder.
It was the strangest feeling to have hear his own ridiculous baby-dragon noises come from the other side of the arena, even though he was roaring as loud as he could. No sound at all came from his own mouth, and he was otherwise silent as he darted between the craggy outcroppings, keeping an eye on the dragon. He ducked behind another rock, hoping to stay out of her sight until the last possible moment.
The blue-gray short-snout was fixated on Daisuke's strange calls. She leaned away from the clutch of eggs, her bright eyes blinking rapidly as she eyed the rock that was apparently calling to her. Daisuke quietly scaled the side of the rocky wall, peering over the lip as the dragon flicked her tail like a cat getting ready to pounce. He continued roaring in what he thought was the style of a baby dragon, feeling no air come from his own mouth but the strangled cries from across the arena. And suddenly, a gush of wind pushed tiny pebbles and sand through the maze of hiding places, and the arena darkened as the dragon lifted into the air. Daisuke drew closer to the eggs, moving in a silent crouch, hoping she would hurry. He paused to watch her move carefully, only a drop and a short dash from the golden egg.
You're running out of time! Dark called urgently.
"RAAAAAAA—!" Daisuke's dragon-voice yelled until he sharply cut it off, hoping the dragon would fall for the ruse. She immediately drew her wings up and together, thinking that the baby had fallen into some kind of danger.
The moment the dragon dove towards his voice, Daisuke bolted for the egg, leaping off the ledge to roll through the sandy hollow where the eggs lay. He kept his momentum going, diving over the real eggs and scooping up the golden one in the middle of a one-handed handspring. He landed on his feet and bolted around the side of a rock, putting as much distance between himself and the nest as possible.
The getaway's just as important! the Phantom Thief cheered, as Daisuke wall-jumped up a rocky crevasse and nimbly scampered up towards the edge of the arena pit, golden egg in hand. As he heaved himself over the railing, the crowd in the stadium around him erupted into applause, and the amplified voice of Mr. Bagman resounded throughout the entire area.
"Congratulations to Daisuke Niwa of Hogwarts!"
With a pop, Professor McGonagall appeared at his side, taking his arm gently. "Let's get you up to Madame Pomfrey, Niwa. Well done, well done," she intoned, gesturing towards the rocky cave he had used to enter the arena. Several wizards ran out, wands drawn and shouting at the confused dragon. He nodded, and hopped off the ledge, making his way back to the entrance while all around him and above him, his classmates cheered.
After getting a quick check-up from Madame Pomfrey, he was allowed to go out into the stands to check his scores and watch the other champions. He pushed his way out of the nurse's tent, golden egg in hand, and looked up towards the judges and their scoreboards, blinking. In fact, there were no scoreboards. Would they simply announce it?
Madame Maxime raised her wand into the air and a long ribbon of silver looped out, forming a nine.
Not bad, Daisuke, Dark congratulated.
Mr. Crouch was next, giving him another nine. His score from Mr. Bagman was a seven, from Headmaster Karakaroff it was a five, and from Headmaster Dumbledore he received an eight.
Are those good scores? he asked his alter-ego.
They're out of ten. We'll have to see how the other champions fare before we figure out who's in the lead, came the reply. Daisuke peered down into the arena to see if the second champion had started yet.
It didn't seem so, seeing that his own dragon had only just fallen asleep and her eggs were being loaded into a large, straw-filled box. A few people were busily unloading a second set of eggs into the arena, these ones being a marbly green in color.
Feeling quite proud of himself, he made his way up towards the stands, and was suddenly tackled by a quite familiar, squishy hug that nearly made him drop his egg.
"Oh Dai! You have no idea how proud I am of you right now!" came a voice that, despite the familiar lilt of the German, he hadn't expected.
"Mom?" he gasped in surprise, staring in shock as she released him and planted a wet kiss on his forehead.
"So proud," she repeated, eyes nearly brimming with tears.
"You looked good out there," came a gruffer voice, and Daisuke wrinkled his face into a frown of shock as his grandpa waved at him from a nearby seat. Wiz was sitting comfortably in the old man's lap, trying to sneak a sip from whatever hot beverage his grandpa was enjoying.
"G-grandpa!" he said, gasping for a second time. "What are you doing here?" he asked, looking back and forth between his two relatives.
"Like we wouldn't come to see you compete in the tournament," his mother scolded, raising a finger with her other hand on her hip. "And you didn't even tell us you were participating!" she chastised further. "I'm your mother, and I had to hear the news from your Headmaster!"
Daisuke cringed. With everything that had been going on, he had forgotten to send word about the tournament to his family. He looked at his feet. "I'm sorry, Mom… Grandpa. I've just been so busy this year…" he said, knowing his excuse wasn't really good enough.
"Just keep us informed next time, Dai," his mom said, pulling him into another hug and crushing the golden egg uncomfortably into his chest.
"Looks like they're starting again," his grandpa called, and suddenly a few more bodies appeared next to the old man.
"You did great, Daisuke!" Riku called, standing behind his mother. Risa was beaming from right next to her, giving him two thumbs up.
"I said, it looks like the next contestant is starting," his grandpa remarked again, glancing down and shrugging at Wiz.
With a wide grin, Daisuke sat between Riku and his mom, realizing only after he received a tap on his shoulder that Hiwatari was sitting right behind him with a smile.
Damn! Dark said, unnerved and perturbed even as Daisuke turned back around. Creepy kid has no right to sneak up on us like that!
Daisuke ignored him, preferring instead to enjoy the presence of his family and friends as Fleur entered the ring, wand drawn and aimed at the dragon.
"Condormius inscius!" the girl called, her hair fanning out dramatically in the breeze. It still sparkled in the light, but Daisuke found it much easier to ignore her when Riku was holding his hand.
The dragon wobbled slightly, its eyes drooping. Really, the reptiles seemed much smaller when one was up in the stands rather than right in front of them. But, as Daisuke watched, the green dragon yawned, and curled up around the eggs, looking for all the world quite sleepy.
That's because she used a sleeping charm, Dark laughed.
"What's it doing?" Daisuke's mother asked, peering into the stadium while massaging his arm. "I can't tell. Dai, sweetie, what's it doing?"
"Um, she's putting it to sleep," he said, as the dragon settled its head onto the rocky ground and began snoring loudly.
"It's pretty hard to put any spells on dragons, though," his grandpa said conversationally, taking a sip of what smelled like tea.
Dark laughed. He and I learned that the hard way.
Daisuke was instantly curious, but his attention was diverted as Fleur tiptoed up towards the dragon. His mother harrumphed, probably as if to say that the girl didn't have even the makings of a good thief with sneaking abilities like that.
"You looked much better," Riku assured him, squeezing his hand. And just as Fleur reached for the golden egg, the dragon coughed, snored atrociously, and snorted fire. The French girl yelped as the crowd gasped, and everyone could see that her Beauxbatons skirt had caught fire.
She pointed her wand to it in alarm, watching the dragon carefully as water gushed from her wand tip and put the fire out. She quickly plucked up the egg and then dashed back towards the tent, fleeing as her spell weakened and the dragon began blinking sloppily.
The crowd cheered, and everyone could hear as Madame Maxime yelled, "Bonne fille! Bien fait!"
Daisuke clapped along with everyone else, jumping to his feet with Riku and Risa. The dragon handlers entered the arena as the roar of the crowd fell to excited chattering.
In minutes, the next dragon, the beautiful red, Oriental-looking one was ushered into the ring. The dragon was so long it had to twist and coil its snakelike body just so it would fit in the ring.
Fleur's scores were announced in the same manner as Daisuke's had been, and she received 37 as a total, earning a four from Professor Karkaroff and an eight from Mr. Crouch, but nines from both Madame Maxime and Mr. Bagman. Headmaster Dumbledore gave her a seven.
"You're winning!" Daisuke's mother squealed, pulling the twins into a hug.
A whistle blew and the next champion, Durmstrang's Viktor Krum, entered the ring looking slightly angry. Or maybe he was just very determined.
The scarlet-orange dragon raised his head imperiously, staring down at the boy in disdain. It didn't seem to think very much of Viktor, even as the boy raised his wand and aimed at the dragon. In fact, the creature seemed to take offense, hissing and snaking its large, rather square head down back to where Viktor stood.
"Conjunctivitus!" Viktor shouted, and the dragon instantly recoiled, squeezing its eyes shut and thrashing its long tail around. As Viktor rushed forward, the dragon slunk back, hissing in pain.
The crowd gasped and leaned forward as the boy approached the dragon, ducking once under its long, whip-like tail. And then, Daisuke shot onto his feet, aghast as a horrible cracking noise filled the arena, mixing with the dragon's hisses and roars.
She had stepped on a few of her own eggs, blind to where she was going since Viktor's curse, whatever it was—Conjunctivitus Curse, hurts the eyes, Dark supplied—had hit her there.
"Oh, the eyes are certainly a dragon's weak spot," Daisuke heard his grandfather say seriously.
And after a few more minutes, during which the dragon skulked in a corner and coiled up as small as it could go, rubbing frantically at its eyes, Viktor pulled his egg from amid the others and jogged back to the tent.
The crowd cheered, even though the applause was somewhat awkward at first, considering how his victory against the dragon had been somewhat anticlimactic and saddeningly one-sided.
Daisuke sat back down, and waited anxiously to see what Harry would do. He hoped that whatever the black-haired boy and Hermione had been working on lately would pay off.
Soon enough, Viktor's score was announced to be forty points and the final whistle blew. Harry walked a few steps out of the tent, looking slightly dazed as the great, black dragon with a spiked tail sniffed the air as if looking for him.
Suddenly, Harry shot his wand straight up into the air—Daisuke was relieved to see he didn't plan to attack the dragon herself—and yelled, "Accio Firebolt!"
Daisuke half expected a streak of fiery lightning to crash down and blow the poor dragon to smithereens, given the object of the summoning charm, and was relieved when no such thing happened.
In moments, however, a long, thin object zoomed past one side of the crowd and charged straight towards Harry. It stopped abruptly, and finally, as Harry put one hand on it, Daisuke could see what the object was. A… broomstick?
What good would a broom do Harry when he was facing a dragon?
You'll see, Dark said, clearly interested in whatever Harry was going to do next. And, as it turned out, Daisuke was impressed and surprised as Harry swung a leg over the hovering broom and started soaring through the air.
"Wow!" Riku gasped, standing with many of the other members of the crowd as Harry blasted off towards the clouds.
Moments later, Harry plummeted back towards the earth, swooping past the dragon's claws and dodging with skill that even Dark could appreciate. Harry began bobbing around, just outside the dragon's reach, in the same way a person might tease a kitten with a feather on a string. Harry spiraled upwards, the dragon shooting quick bursts of flame, and then dropped.
The dragon's tail whipped around, snagging him in the shoulder and eliciting worried gasps from the stands. Harry hung on, and then tried to pull the dragon's attention away from the eggs, leading her further and further from her impromptu nest.
The dragon spread her black, leather wings, crouched slightly, and then launched into the air. Harry, however, took the opportunity to dive, speeding right underneath her and collecting the golden egg in one fell swoop.
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers as Harry sped away from the dragon, holding his golden egg proudly.
A minute or so later, Harry received his silvery points. It was forty in all, tying him with Viktor for the lead. Daisuke was only two points behind, with Fleur only a point behind him. It appeared that the tournament was going to be very close indeed, despite the obvious differences in age and knowledge.
I'm surprised we're not winning, Dark complained as they hiked back up to the castle. I mean, we've got the advantage of age and knowledge, as well as two minds versus the one each of them have.
"I still can't tell you how proud I am," his mother continued, taking his grandpa's arm. "I always knew in my heart you were a champion."
"Thanks, Mom," Daisuke replied, feeling only slightly embarrassed. But he figured that all moms were cheesy, and especially so when their children did something special.
"I bet you'll win," Riku said seriously. "I mean, you're only three points from the lead!"
Risa added her assent, and Daisuke suddenly looked for Hiwatari. His friend was lingering a short distance away, staring across the silver-black expanse of the black lake.
Leave him, Dark said quietly, trying to push Daisuke's attention back on his family and the twins who were talking loudly about each and every move Daisuke had made.
He likes solitude.
Hiwatari didn't turn towards him, and after a moment Daisuke let his attention be carried away by the people around him. Dark was probably right. Daisuke hurried after his mother, allowing the warmth and affection from his family keep the chill air at bay and to brighten the slowly darkening sky.
Author's Note: As usual, please leave a review! I don't know how I'm managing to keep up this streak, but I hope you are all enjoying the flurry of activity!
The next chapter is one I've been waiting and wanting to write since Harry Potter and the Phantom Thief began. In the following chapter, Satoshi's task will be revealed. Truths about Dark's past will come to light. And an old tale will be retold.