Chapter 29
The First Task
Author's Note: I have two personal milestones to announce that is simply selfish boasting. I have realized I recently passed – in the past couple of days or so – 4 Million published words on FFN. I have been publishing on FFN for about a decade now. Also this story passed 1000 reviewers in less than 30 chapters. Thank you all who reviewed!
Imagine most of what Ludo Bagman says is in CAPS LOCK. It got too annoying, so I stopped before I started, and wrote normally.
"You haven't been bit till a dragon does it."
― Tamora Pierce, Emperor Mage
Tuesday, November 24th, 1994
Katherine "Katie" Bell, one of Hogwarts Champion Angelina Johnson's two best friends was sitting on an uncomfortable wooden bench, one of the several seats, as she stared at the Colosseum-like arena. Surrounded by several wooden benches, which sat hundreds upon hundreds of spectators, was a large open space where the Champions would be facing their creatures. There were large boulders scattered around the arena in strategic places. Obviously for hiding behind. Katie didn't like the sound of that. One one side of the arena, there was a long open tunnel, leading into the arena. On the other side, there was a large iron-wrought gate, and behind it a darkened space. Katie didn't like how big that gate was either.
She wanted to complain about something, so she wouldn't worry about Angelina.
"This seat is so uncomfortable," she whined, moving her hips to stop her butt from going numb. "It is like they want to make us stand up and cheer for the Champions the thing hell-bent on killing them."
"Are you a witch, Katie?" Alicia Spinnet – Katie and Angelina's other best friend said.
She tapped the bench with her wand and Katie suddenly felt more comfortable.
"Cushioning Charm," Katie said. "Right. Sorry! My mind is too occupied worrying about Angie. Why didn't she tell us what she's facing? She knows! She said so!"
"She knows," Alicia agreed, "She also knows if anyone found she knew, she'd get in trouble. I wish we knew what she knows. That gate over there is just too damn big. Way too big."
Katie agreed, but before she could say so, she was interrupted by a loud voice.
"Good afternoon!" The Sonorous enhanced voice said, "and welcome, one and all, to the First Task of the 1994 Triwizard Tournament here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The arena roared in applause and cheers.
"I am Ludo Bagman!" Ludo said, "Judge and Commentator for this Tournament! Before we the First Task underway, it is time to make introductions! Beauxbatons Judge and Headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime! ... Ilvermonry Judge, Lady Lily Potter … Hogwarts Judge and Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore … and Bartemius Crouch, Judge and Head of the Department for International Magical Cooperation!"
Cheers were heard around the crowd from various groups as each name was said – no cheers and little applause for Crouch, however.
"It is my honor to introduce our three very special guests from the British Ministry of Magic!" Ludo said, "Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones! … Senior Undersecretary for the Minister of Magic, Dolores Umbridge... and British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge!"
Various levels of respectful applause for the Ministry guests.
"And all the way from France!" Ludo said, "The French Minister of Magic – and father of Beauxbatons Champion, Fleur – Pierre Delacour!"
The Beauxbatons crowd cheered, as many others applauded respectfully.
"The First Task of the Triwizard Tournament pits Champions against the unknown!" Ludo said. "Until a few minutes ago, none of the Champions knew what they were facing -"
"Oh, really?" Katie quipped.
"- and they have come in unprepared," Ludo continued.
"Doubt it," Alicia said.
"It is natural for humans, including wizards and witches, to fear the unknown," Ludo said, "Can they overcome the fear and challenge today? What does everyone here believe!"
More roaring cheers and applause.
"Well, let's see!" Ludo said.
He cast his wand toward the iron-wrought gate. Silence reigned, as the gate slowly rose, and vanished from sight. Eight wizards came in, but it wasn't them everyone was looking at. A green Dragon was being pulled along, snapping and growling at its handlers. Several shrieks, screams and also cheers and applause were heard around the arena.
"No," Katie said, "No, no, no! Not a Dragon! ARE YOU BLOODY MENTAL YOU JERKS?!"
Katie had stood up by the end of her rant. Alicia pulled her back down, and the two girls held onto each other in a hug. Two of the handlers set a nest of eggs down, while the others chained the dragon at the nest.
"Great Merlin!" Alicia was screaming, "NESTING MOTHERS?! ARE YOU ALL INSANE?!"
Katie held onto her best friend, and watched as the handlers walked backwards, wands at the dragon, as they headed back out of the arena, and the gate closed.
"Witches and Wizards!" Ludo said, "Feast your eyes, upon the Common Welsh Green Dragon!"
"Please don't be first," Katie whispered, as Ludo gave some features of the Dragon, as if he was talking about a broom during a Quidditch match. "Please don't let Angelina be first..."
She winced as a whistle sounded. Then she looked toward the tunnel. And waited.
Please don't be first...
More seconds passed.
Please don't be Angelina...
"The first Champion, witches and wizards!" Ludo announced, "Hogwarts Champion Angelina Johnson!"
Katie and Alicia swore. Then they whimpered as they saw Angelina. All around them, people were cheering. Why were they cheering?
Angelina looked around the arena, then her eyes locked onto the dragon. She raised her wand at the sky, and said something the girls couldn't hear. She then ran over to a boulder and hid behind it, away from the dragon.
"She did a Summoning Charm!" Ludo said, "What is she summoning into the arena? Will it work?!"
Katie and Angelina shrieked as the dragon snorted a ball of fire. The aim was off, and it hit the ground several feet from the boulder Angelina hid behind. Katie winced as she heard a sizzling sound.
Then she heard a whooshing sound and looked up. A broomstick – Angelina's broomstick – was flying through the air. Angelina climbed up onto the boulder, and caught the broomstick, and flew off into the air, just as another fireball from the Dragon hit true, and the boulder was surrounded in flames. Angelina had been there seconds earlier. Now she was climbing high in the air upon her broom.
"Flying!" Alicia said, grinning as she looked up at Angelina. "We should have known!"
"Come on, Angelina!" Katie said, "You got this!"
Please don't die...
Elsewhere in the arena – Ten minutes later
Rose Potter cheered with everyone else as Angelina Johnson's task was over. Ten minutes after she began, her finally was able to grab the golden egg. The display was impressive. She had been flying around the dragon trying to make it dizzy. Finally, after several minutes, the Dragon made a mistake. She waved her tail like a baseball player ready to hit a home run, and swung. And she missed. The momentum of the Dragon's tail, caused it to fall over onto its back, away from her eggs. Then Angelina had dived. The Dragon tried to spit a fireball, but from the gagging sound that followed, it choked on the gaseous liquid that kindled the fire. That made it dizzy.
Angelina then grabbed the golden egg, and went back into the air. Then she dived toward the tunnel. The Dragon had gotten up as Angelina made it to the top of her arc in flight. And as Angelina flew toward the tunnel, the Dragon spat a fireball at her. The fireball missed, because Angelina swerved... but she couldn't course-correct, and she crash-landed, entering the tunnel. The landing as she crashed made everyone wince. It sounded like she hit a wall in the tunnel, then the ground. Thankfully, the dragon couldn't reach her, and a handler had come in, just as the Dragon spat a fireball at the tunnel, and had used an impressive shield to block it from going down the tunnel.
Angelina was safe, though possibly injured. The crowd gave a sigh of relief... then had cheered.
"What a showing from our first Champion!" Ludo said, "As the Healers bring out the Common Welsh Green, and bring back in the next dragon, let's talk about Champion Johnson. Her performance shows why she plays Quidditch. She loves to fly! She's probably alright, don't worry. The Hogwarts Healer will tend to her. I think she landed right outside the Medical Tent which has an entrance in the tunnel... or maybe she landed inside the Tent."
He gave a nervous chuckle then cleared his throat.
"The points will be announced after everyone has had their chance!" Ludo said, "Goodbye, Common Welsh! Thanks for taking part!"
He laughed again.
"And thanks to the Dragon Dome in Wales for lending us their beautiful dragon!" Ludo continued. "Now, everyone knows now what our Champions our facing. So let us present the next Dragon. Coming all the way from the – ah – I can't pronounce that name – well, coming from a reserve in Sweden – the Dragon which calls the Country home, and is named after it. Witches and Wizards! The Swedish Short-Snout!"
"Fleur's next," Gabrielle said, nervously, frowning as she watched the Swedish Dragon being escorted in.
Rose wrapped an arm around her girlfriend, and held her close.
"She's got a good strategy," Rose said.
"Now she does," Gabrielle said, "She changed it at the last minute. You didn't see her practice that. She didn't like the first one."
"Oh," Rose said. "Well, I'm sure she's going to do awesome. If she changed it, she likes her new idea better."
"Yeah," Gabrielle said.
The Swedish Short-Snout was now chained up above its nest.
A whistle sounded. Rose kissed Gabrielle's cheek.
"She'll be okay, mon Ange," Rose said, the last two words in French.
She had given Gabrielle a new nickname recently. "Angel" - because she looked like an Angel when the sun shone down on her hair. Gabrielle loved it, and she loved it more that Rose could say it in French. Gabrielle smiled, then looked down at the tunnel.
"Witches and Wizards!" Ludo Bagman said, as Fleur appeared in the tunnel entrance, "I present to you, the second Champion! From Beauxbatons – Fleur Delacour!"
Fleur stepped out of the tunnel. She summoned forth a large fireball in one fist. The Swedish Short-Snout shot a fireball toward her. And Fleur shot her own. The Fireballs met in mid-air in the center... and exploded in a great fireball. As the fire exploded, and everyone cheered, Rose and Gabrielle were looking at Fleur. She was raising both hands up into the air. And then she began to transform.
A few moments later, she was now in her Harpy form. Rose's eyes widened as she looked at Gabrielle's sister, as if it was the first time she had ever seen her. Because it was the first time she had seen the Harpy. This is what her girlfriend would be able to turn into when she turned seventeen.
Fleur cast another quick fireball toward the dragon. Then she flew high up into the air above the crowd, and above the dragon.
"Good Merlin, she's a Harpy!" Ludo Bagman exclaimed.
"Well, duh, you English buffoon," Gabrielle quipped.
Rose and the rest of the crowd watched, as Fleur began casting different types of ice magic at the Dragon. Freezing Charms, Ice Shards, Ice Showers – she seemed to know all the ice magic in the book. The Dragon panicked, trying to dodge the ice, and shoot fireballs at the ice. Fleur would shoot precise, tiny balls of fire from her free hand at each fireball from the Dragon, and the ice still fill on it. It growled and began to back away into the corner, back from the eggs, as Fleur continued her onslaught of fire and ice. Each time she cast with wand and hand, she moved a few feet further toward the nest. When she neared the nest, she cast a very large ball of ice at the Dragon.
And the Dragon fainted into unconsciousness, the ground below quaked as it fell. Fleur landed, grabbed the golden egg, then flew back into the air, and landed at the tunnel. She bowed, and walked back into the tunnel.
She was finished in less than five minutes.
The crowd was shocked into silence, before it began roaring into applause.
"What a Dominating Performance from the Beauxbatons Champion!" Ludo announced. "Handlers! Get in here! And make sure this dragon is alive! Nobody doubt a Harpy against a Dragon! Especially one who knows Ice Magic!"
"And that is why Veela are commonly hired at Dragon Reserves," Gabrielle commented, "Fire-proof, and talented in Ice Magics."
"Wow," Rose said, "I can't wait until you can do that!"
Gabrielle blushed prettily.
Nearby – Arena
Sitting behind Rose and Gabrielle were Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
"That... was impressive," Remus said. "Fire and Ice. A fine combination. And perfect for Fleur."
"Hmm," Sirius said.
"You're staring at the Judge and VIP Booth, Sirius," Remus said, "Go see her."
"Lily?" Sirius asked.
"Amelia!" Remus said, "I know you're upset she didn't tell you she was coming."
"I'm thinking of Lily," Sirius said.
"Amelia will be pissed," Remus quipped, "And Lily will hex you."
"What?" Sirius replied, "No, not like that. She needs to sit next to Bagman."
"Trying to hook those two up?" Remus asked.
"What?" Sirius asked again, "No! Bagman is going to be commentating during Harry's task."
"Yeah," Remus said, slowly, "And...?"
"And... he might tell the Dragon where Harry is," Sirius said, "You know Harry's strategy! If Ludo tells the Dragon where Harry is during... I need to go to Lily and tell her to do something!"
"Well, stop wasting time!" Remus growled. "Go!"
"I'm going, I'm going!" Sirius said, "Thinking I'm dumping Amelia for Lily, and thinking Lily likes Ludo. Screw you, Moony."
Remus snickered. Sirius rolled his eyes and stood, then hurried off. The dunderhead Bagman was not going to be the reason Shadow got squished by a ton of Dragon.
The Ilvermorny Champion – Three minutes later
Harry was now standing at the entrance to the tunnel. He had heard cheering and ran over to the tunnel, and nearly screamed. A Harpy had been standing in the tunnel. She then transformed back into Fleur. Fleur blew him a kiss, when she saw him, and walked into the Medical Tent. Harry was worried. Why did she go in there? She didn't look hurt... Angelina was hurt. He knew that. Madam Pomfrey said she'd be fine. Fleur looked okay, however.
A whistle sounded. Harry inhaled and exhaled, and barely heard Neville wish him good luck. He slowly walked down the tunnel, going over his strategy in his head. He walked to the end of the tunnel, but not at the very end. He didn't want the dragon to see him yet. The sky was still cloudy. So he would need to take care of that obstacle. But maybe not first. He needed to distract the Dragon. He saw the very large boulders and grinned.
And then he walked into the arena amidst loud cheers and applause. Harry glanced at the Hungarian Horntail. It was enormous. Which wasn't a bad thing. Not at all. Ludo was absolutely silent. Why wasn't he saying anything? He was talking during Angelina and Fleur's Tasks.
Harry hurried over to the nearest boulder. There were at least six there. Good. He would need all of them. He raised his wand in the air, then started casting the Patronus Swarm. He had been working on this for several days. This was a part of his strategy long before the Dragon was revealed to be the Task. Back when he thought it would be Dementors. Seven Shadow Panthers emerged from his wand, one after another and started to scatter around the arena as distraction. Had it worked.
Fireball at one of the Patronuses. Yep. Distraction worked.
He cast a few more Patronuses, mindful of exhaustion. He needed to be careful. He then pointed his wand at a nearby boulder and concentrated as he cast. He grinned when the boulder transformed into a black panther. Not a Shadow Panther, but it looked like him. He then repeated it four more times. Leaving his boulder the only one untransformed. Five transfigured Shadow Panthers ran around the arena, with their ethereal clones. The Dragon was roaring in annoyance. Harry pointed his wand up in the air.
"LUMOS SOLEM!" Harry screamed.
He grinned as the whole arena above him became bright as day. A large shadow – or rather, connected small shadows covered most of the arena. He backed away from the boulder, cast another Transfiguration, and the panther joined its mates.
Then Shadow joined the pack.
Whether the crowd around the arena gasped at the revelation that Harry Potter was an Animagus was unknown. Probable, but Shadow didn't hear them. Ludo may or may not have been talking. Harry didn't hear him. He merely concentrated, glancing at his destination, then sank into shadows.
This would be the riskiest Shadow Jump he would probably ever do in his life. He was not leaping from shadow to shadow. He was venturing through the Shadow dimension, and going to one destination a great distance from where he entered. It was dark. It was chilly, and every moment passed by only became chiller. He knew he would have to spend a bit of time in the Hospital Wing after this. Frostbite, cold chills, other ailments were all possible. But it was the only thing that would work.
Finally he reached where he hoped was his destination. He didn't leap. He crawled out of the dimension, and found himself face-to-face with a Dragon.
Well, the underbelly of the Dragon anyway. Exactly where he wanted to be. Right next to the nest. From the sound of the fireballs, going everywhere but on him, the distraction was still working. He transformed quietly as he could back into Harry. Then he found a stone nearby, and transfigured it quietly into a sling. He found his prize, the golden egg, in the center of the nest of eggs. He took it, wrapped it in the sling, and transformed again. He picked the sling up and into his mouth.
Uh-oh. No. No, no, no! The Lumos Solem spell was done. The shadows gone.
What to do? What to do?
Run, Shadow, Run!
He slunk backwards behind the dragon, making sure not to touch it with his fur. When he was free, he started running toward the exit. The Patronuses were gone. Three panthers were boulders again. Three panthers left.
Nope. Fireball. Four down. Two left.
Run!
Shadow ran. And ran. Fireball. Another boulder reappeared. More running. Fireball. Another... nope, everything was getting hotter. It was coming at him. The dragon had found him.
Shadow leaped away from the fireball. He dodged more fireballs. Serpentine, Shadow! Serpentine! Out-serpent the serpent!
Run! Fireball! Heat!
Tunnel. Safety. Loud cheers. Victory!
He slunk toward the Hospital Tent. Then when he entered. He growled at Madam Pomfrey, dropped the sling with his prize, turned back into Harry.
And fainted from the chills wracking through his body.
Judges and VIP Booth
Lily Potter could have kissed Sirius Black. She had told him his fears about Ludo ruining Harry's strategy, so she had walked over to him as the Horntail entered.
Her conversation with Ludo went something like this.
"Hello, Lady Potter," Ludo said, after canceling his Sonorous Charm. "Shouldn't you be seated with the other judges?"
"I'm going to sit with you, Ludo," Lily said; adopting a fake, flirty manner, and hoping it worked. "And maybe guest commentate for my son."
"Sure, I guess that might be okay," Ludo said.
Lily conjured a chair and sat down.
"Just one problem," Lily said. "I don't commentate well."
She jabbed her wand into his ribs. He yelped.
"And neither do you," she said, "Listen. You are going to be silent throughout my son's Task. He is going to be doing a risky strategy. And if you alert the Dragon of his presence, the Dragon will squash him. Then I will squash you, and throw you to the Dragon. Understand?"
Ludo nodded. He was silent for Harry's whole task. Which was terrifying, incredible, horrifying, awesome, hard to watch, and hard to look away from. Lily was going to yell at her son.
After Harry escaped into the tunnel, she could see Hermione, Remus, Sirius, Rose and Gabrielle leave their seats to go see Harry and Fleur. They would take care of Harry. She still had a job to do.
"Excellent commentary, Ludo," Lily said, "Best one so far."
"I didn't say anything – that was the most brilliant thing I ever saw – and I didn't say -" Ludo said.
"And yet everyone heard you," Lily said. "You were so inspired, you stayed silent. And everyone loved it."
Lily stood up and walked back to her seat, leaving Ludo stammering.
"Was that necessary, Lady Potter?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Lily said, simply.
"So... your son is an Animagus," Albus said.
"Didn't predict that, did you?" Lily said, "Just shows you don't know everything. Looks like we were the one to give you a gift this time."
Albus frowned and stared back at the arena. Lily smiled and turned to Madame Maxime, who began commenting on her son's performance. She did notice Bartemius Crouch was still wide-eyed as he stared into the arena. Obviously he didn't expect that. Good points from him, perhaps?
In the Arena
"Ginny?" Fred said.
"Shut up..."
"Neville's next," George said.
"Shut up..."
"He's going to face a dragon," Fred said.
"SHUT UP!" Ginny growled, "Stop talking! I know he's next. I know he's facing a dragon. Now shut up, or go sit with Katie and Alicia."
"They're with Angie," George said.
"So go see her too!" Ginny growled. "Don't you want to make sure she's going to be able to dance at the Ball?"
"I haven't asked her yet," George said.
"So go do that!" Ginny growled. "You're more annoying than Ron."
"Thanks!" Ron said, behind her.
"SHUT UP!" Ginny growled. "I will place Bat Bogeys on all three of you, and tell Mum to send Howlers to all of you for a week, simply telling you to shut up! Unless. You. Shut. Up!"
She was nervous. She was upset. Her boyfriend was about to face a dragon. And she was surrounded by idiots.
Another idiot had decided to start talking again. Ludo Bagman, who had been silent during Harry's Task, was now introducing the last Dragon. Ginny stared at the gate, and her eyes widened, at what she saw.
"It it is red," Fred said.
"And fiery," George said.
"A Chinese Fireball!" Fred and George said, "Just like Ginny!"
"Shut up," Ginny said yet again.
"But it looks just like you!" Fred said.
"Neville will fall in love with it!" George said.
"Howlers," Ginny said, "For a week. Telling you to SHUT! UP!"
The dragon was soon chained above its eggs. Oh Merlin. Oh God. Oh Merlin. Oh God.
Ludo was introducing Neville. Ginny stood up and leaned against the railing in front of her.
"She's going to jump!" Ron said. "Stop her!"
She turned and cast a Bat-Bogey Hex on Ron. He fell out of his chair, and onto the ground, screaming. Dean and Seamus seated beside him, exchanged looks, and stood up and started clapping. For Ginny, then for Neville, as everyone joined in.
Neville entered the arena. And then he started taunting the Dragon. Ginny's eyes widened. What the bloody hell was her boyfriend doing. The Dragon shot a fireball at Neville. She shrieked, but Neville dived behind a boulder. The Fireball missed. Neville stood up, and started taunting the dragon again. Then he ran toward a boulder closer to the dragon.
The dragon was getting angry.
"Neville, stop angering it!" Ginny yelled.
"No!" Fred said, "Keep at it!"
"He knows what he's doing, Ginny," Fred said, "He obviously wants to get her from her nest."
Ginny almost told the twins to shut up again. Then her eyes widened as the Dragon started moving toward Neville, away from her eggs.
"Terra Vita!" Neville growled.
Vines. Great, thick, green vines pushed up out of the ground, and wrapped themselves around the dragon's snout.
"Herbology Magic!" Fred and George exclaimed.
Ginny grinned as the vines dragged the Dragon by its snout onto the ground.
"Terra Vita Maximus!" Neville exclaimed.
Gigantic Vines emerged on either side of the dragon, and wrapped around its wings and body. It was pinned to the ground. It cried and whinged.
Neville walked by it and and over to the nest. He picked up the Golden Egg, then started walking back to the tunnel. Then he turned to the dragon, and showed it the Golden Egg. The Dragon calmed down, obviously noticing the egg was a fake. Its babies were fine.
Then Neville turned and walked into the tunnel.
"That..." Fred said.
"Was the best thing..." George said.
"Neville has ever done," Fred said.
"When's the wedding, Ginny?" Fred and George asked.
Ginny grinned. "Shut up..."
Ginny was happy. Her boyfriend, Betrothed, and future husband was a Dragon-Slayer. Her own knight in shining armor.
–giggles- And that is how you defeat Dragons everybody. Perhaps not Angelina's Task. She was okay. But the other three. I loved writing this chapter.
Pierre Delacour was a last minute addition. Which is why he wasn't in the Tent last chapter with his daughters.
Next Chapter: The Aftermath. Medical Tent stuff. And the points are revealed. And other stuff. There is a reason I had VIPs visit. Um... I have no idea how the points are going to go. This is tough!
