Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 34 – The First Task

To say that Sirius and Remus were incensed that instead of nulling the contract the Goblet of Fire had instead emancipated Harry so he could compete was an understatement. Remus demanded to see the rulebook and anything Crouch or the other organizers might have on how the goblet's magic worked, while Sirius called Madam Bones. The head of the DMLE looked into the matter from the Ministry's perspective and came back saying there was nothing she could do. Harry's emancipation had been registered with the Ministry so he was an adult, legally speaking, while not even her contact in the Department of Mysteries knew of a way to counter the magic of the Goblet of Fire, which meant that Harry had no choice but to compete. Remus and Sirius' ire then turned on Harry who they informed, in no uncertain terms, was still underage as far as they were concerned. He may be allowed, and even required, to sign his own permission forms, but there would be dire consequences if he tried to exert his new legal power beyond what they would allow him to. Considering that Harry hadn't been counting down the days until he turned seventeen and it was actually quite rare for him to want to do something, or buy anything, which Remus and Sirius wouldn't approve of, Harry was ok with this.

However, there was one thing that they could not control, and that actually had them quite scared. Harry joined them in their fright once told what it was: he was now the legal guardian of Ginny. As they were technically married, Harry, upon being emancipated, became Ginny's next of kin above her parents, so the Ministry, as well as Hogwarts' own ledgers, recognized him as her guardian. That conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone about how they had expected, and the Weasley parents had also made it clear that they expected nothing to change. If she ever needed a form signed or if there was ever a legal matter concerning Ginny they would call Harry as they had no choice, but they would be telling him what to do. Harry quickly agreed simply to end the conversation, though he told Ginny afterwards that it would always be her decision even if it was his signature. They didn't truly expect it to be a problem, and they certainly knew that Ginny's parents would always do what they thought was best for her, but given how her mother could be sometimes there might come a time when what they thought was best for her was not the same as what Ginny thought was best for her. Harry's emancipation also gave him full control over the Potter family vault and any properties or investments that his parents had left him. He didn't do anything with this though and left everything as it was. He knew most of the properties already and trusted Girphook to continue to oversee the investments, while only the gold in his family vault had been closed to him before, and he had plenty of that already. Griphook did inform him that as he was now technically of age his trust vault had been closed and all the gold within was return to the family vault where it would remain until the time came to open trust vaults for his own children one day.

With everything seemingly sorted as far as his sudden emancipation went, there was still one unsolved mystery: who had put his name in the Goblet of Fire, and why? Madam Bones said that her department would be investigating while Moody said the same and that he'd cover the investigation at the school as he was a guest for the rest of the year. Apparently Sirius had made such a stink at a former Death Eater being allowed into Hogwarts that even Fudge treaded carefully and promised auror protection for Hogwarts so long as Karkaroff was there. Dumbledore had requested that his old friend, one of the best aurors who was responsible for filling many of the cells in Azkaban, be put in charge and Madam Bones had agreed if Dumbledore could coax Alastor Moody out of retirement. He had, after all, trained her himself when she was a rookie auror, and it was her trust in the man, not Dumbledore's, that had finally calmed Sirius. So Head Auror Moody, who took his title back for this year and this year only, was a permanent fixture at Hogwarts in the days, weeks and months following the start of the tournament. It was also him who stepped in when the other students, though especially Hufflepuff house, called Harry a cheat in the early days. While the Puffs were usually quite easy to get along with, their house wasn't exactly known for prestige so they viewed Harry being in the tournament a deliberate attempt to upstage Cedric, the REAL Hogwarts champion.

"Like the badges, Potter?" Harry rolled his eyes and pushed passed the Hufflepuff. Someone in their house had charmed badges to flash between 'Support Cedric Diggory, the REAL Hogwarts Champion' and 'Potter Stinks.' Or, at least, someone in their house had commissioned them. In a fit of anger Hermione had loudly declared in the great hall on the day the badges first appeared that no Hufflepuff was smart enough to have charmed the badges themselves. Her suitors had since gone out of their way to hex those who wore the badges, but only when she was around to see their heroics. Draco would have done more and seen to it that the badges were well and truly gone, but they didn't really bother Harry and he thought it was better to let them run their course naturally, so instead Draco teased him endlessly.

"Why so tense, Potter?" He called out one day as Harry passed through the quad without Hermione present. He wasn't stupid after all, and while they might know it was harmless teasing, as the cousins often engaged in, no one else could know so he had to keep up appearances and tow the line enough to not risk his chances with Hermione; the other Slytherins would only be too happy to run to her with tales if he was too mean. "Fearing you won't last long in the tournament?"

"Yes, Malfoy, that's exactly what I'm thinking." Harry responded sarcastically. "My pre-occupation can't possibly have to do with the fact that I forgot my potions text and so have to run all the way up to Gryffindor tower and back again or I'll be late for Snape." While Harry didn't mind Draco's teasing, and usually gave as good as he got, he had actually forgotten his textbook and knew Snape would be only too happy to take points from Gryffindor if he was late.

"Allow me to help you then." Knowing that tone meant Draco was probably going to try and trip him up Harry rapidly turned with his wand drawn but still wasn't fast enough to beat the Head Auror.

"Oh no you don't, sonny!" Moody had suddenly appeared and shot off a spell at Draco who seemed to disappear into the ground. However, when the commotion settled they saw that he hadn't gone anywhere, but rather had been turned into a ferret. "I'll teach you to curse someone when their back is turned." He muttered as he levitated Draco around rapidly, no doubt making him feel quite sick. Still, it was very funny and Harry couldn't help but laugh along with the other students; Draco's face just before Moody's spell hit had also been quite comical and Harry wouldn't be letting him forget it anytime soon.

"Auror Moody?" McGonagall's voice called, the commotion having drawn her attention. "Auror Moody? What are you doing?"

"Teaching." It took a moment for his meaning to sink it.

"Is that a student?" She all but shrieked.

"Technically it's a ferret." That was all the confirmation the Deputy Headmistress needed. Pulling out her wand McGonagall reversed the spell and Draco re-appeared sprawled on the ground, though he wasn't there long.

"Wait until my father hears about this!" He said as he jumped up and wiped the leaves from his robes. That above all else amused Harry, as he hadn't heard those words in many years. That particular threat had been used quite often when Draco was a child. At a very young age he had learned that his father was powerful and many people were scared of him, so it was a logical threat whenever someone was mean to him or did something he didn't like. He'd stopped using it as he'd grown, but apparently it was his go to in moments like these, when he was tormented or humiliated and powerless to do anything.

"Is that a threat?!" Moody growled and lunged forward, his wand still drawn. Draco then did the smart thing and ran away even as Moody began to give chase.

"Auror Moody…Alastor!" McGonagall's tone had gone to its sternest, and even an old wizened auror wasn't stupid enough to not listen to her when she used that particular tone. "We never use transfiguration as a punishment. Surely Dumbledore went over the school rules with you?"

"He might have." Came the mumbled reply.

"Well you would do well to remember them! I'm also certain he told you that it is not your place to discipline students. If you witness anything you are to come to me or any other staff member and we will deal with it. Am I perfectly clear?"

"Yes, ma'am." McGonagall stared him down for another moment before nodding and shooing the spectators away.

"Thank you, sir." Harry said when she was gone. "I don't ever think I'll forget Malfoy: The Amazing Bouncing Ferret." Moody cracked a smile.

"I noticed you were quick on your feet, Potter. Had your wand out and was ready to defend yourself before he'd even started to cast his spell. Such skill will serve you well in the tournament."

"Thank you, sir." Harry accepted the compliment.

"You'd make a good auror one day too, I can see you have the instincts for it." Moody continued. "Have you ever thought of getting a head start? I can train you, teach you the ins and outs of being an auror, since I'm here at the castle anyways. Maybe you'll learn something useful for the tournament too."

"We're not allowed help in the tournament, sir." Harry didn't like that this supposedly great auror was suggesting he break the rules.

"But I'm not training you for the tournament, am I?" He said with a sideways look. "No one can complain about you getting a head start on your career." Harry didn't say anything and so Moody backed off. "Think about it. The offer is always there." Harry watched him go with an odd feeling in his stomach. However, it was quickly replaced by dread as he realized he was now officially late for potions.

-H/G-

The First Task of the Triwizard Tournament was planned for the end of November with the other two following in the New Year. It was a bitterly cold day and Harry was cursing whoever had the great idea to hold the task outside. A tent had been set up for the champions and everyone who could publically support him was there; Draco and Uncle Lucius had wished him good luck over the mirrors that morning.

"Drink this, Mr. Potter." A cup was all but shoved into his hands by his aunt, who was here assisting with the task. Narcissa then turned and continued to ignore him for the most part. He could smell that she had given him a cup of her jasmine tea that had some special ingredient to help calm people that she'd never divulge. Uncle Lucius swore it was simply a few drops of calming drought, though he'd never say so in her earshot or fear of his life.

"Just keep calm, pup, and you'll do fine." Harry thought that Sirius should take his own advice, he was probably more nervous than Harry himself was.

"We've researched all we can." Hermione was just as nervous as Sirius. "Traditionally the first task is some dangerous magical creature that you have to fight. We've gone over every spell we can and…"

"I'll be alright, Hermione." With a strangled cry Hermione launched herself at Harry and held on for dear life. A bright flash went off behind them and everyone turned to see two people, a blonde woman and a man holding a camera.

"Young love!" The woman cried. "How…" She paused before turning to the quill hovering beside her. "Stirring."

"Who are you?" Harry demanded. The woman looked surprised.

"I'm Rita Skeeter, I write for the Daily Prophet." He had, of course, heard of Rita Skeeter, though he'd never met her before. She was well known for her exposés that no other reporter could seem to get, but she was really just a gossip columnist and loved to stir up drama where there was none. Rita held out her hand for him to shake but Harry didn't move to touch it. "Right. Well, Harry, here you are, a mere boy of twelve, about to go up against three students not only vastly more emotionally mature than yourself, but who have mastered spells that you wouldn't attempt in your dizziest daydreams. Are you concerned?"

"I'm going to stop you right there, Ms. Skeeter." Harry said before Sirius could pounce and tear her to shreds. "Firstly, as we have only just met you may address me Lord Potter. Second, I have no comment on the tournament so you can put your quill away, and thirdly, before you get any ideas of making up a story to go with that photo your camera man just took, this is my sister, Miss Hermione Black." Harry thought he had said enough. To anyone who knew anything about the hierarchy in the wizarding world, they knew that writing about the daughter of a noble and ancient house without the lord's permission was practically suicide, though with Rita, Harry wasn't so sure she was smart enough to back off. Still, he'd give her the benefit of the doubt and let Sirius handle it if she wrote a derogatory story anyways. Turning away Harry effectively dismissed her and thought no more on it.

"I'll be fine, Hermione." He said again and she nodded, though her worry didn't abate. They had been training for the task. The rule of outside help was meant to not give any champion an unfair advantage over the others. All of them were expected to train with someone though; they just had to do it the right way and accepting Moody's inside help wasn't it. Harry supposed that as he had Godric's knowledge and magic he did technically have an unfair advantage, but it was one he couldn't help, he hadn't accepted Godric's magic solely to help him win the tournament. Besides, it was assumed that the other three had an advantage over him simply by being older and having completed more years of school and no one thought that was in anyway unfair.

"We know you will be Harry." Said Remus reassuringly. "But remember, to fulfill the contract you must only attempt the task, there is nothing in the rules saying you must succeed, nor-"

"Nor that I even have try to the point of getting hurt, or dying." Harry recited. "I know, Remus, and I promise that I'll give up before putting myself in unnecessary danger."

"We're going to hold you to that, Harry." Said Ron. Initially the youngest Weasley brother had been angry at Harry for entering the tournament without telling him. That had lasted all of five minutes though before he realized that he knew Harry well enough to know that there was no chance of him having entered himself, even if for no other reason than that Ginny wouldn't have let him. For her part Ginny had practically attached herself to Harry for the last week. The more physical contact they had the stronger their bond was and the better they felt, and she was determined to charge Harry up as much as possible before the task. At least that's what she told her brothers when they noticed she barely left Harry's side nowadays. While what she said wasn't a lie, Ginny was also terrified for Harry and needed to be near him. She wouldn't even leave with the others when Crouch and the judges came to explain the task to them, wanting to be with him until the last possible moment, and knowing of their bond, Dumbledore said nothing.

"Champions, in a circle around me." Crouch said as he produced a bag that released a puff of smoke when he opened it. "Miss Delacour, if you will?" Fleur reached into the bag and grabbed one of the objects within, pulling out a miniature dragon. "The Welsh Green. Mr. Krum, you next." Krum pulled out a miniature of a Chinese Fireball while Cedric got a Swedish Short-Snout. When it was Harry's turn he reached in and pulled out the only one left, a Hungarian Horntail. Ginny grabbed his arm and he could feel her fear, not just for the task in general, but at him having gotten this dragon in particular.

"Charlie says Horntails are really nasty." She whispered. Harry squeezed her hand tighter but otherwise gave nothing away.

"Each of these represent a very real dragon, which have all been given a golden egg to protect." Crouch explained. "Your objective is simple: collect the egg. This you must do as the egg contains a clue without which you cannot hope to proceed to the next task." They each nodded and Harry felt at least a little relieved that he didn't actually have to fight a dragon, just get passed it somehow.

"Right, Mr. Diggory you are first." Said Dumbledore. "At the sound of the canon you may-" A canon blast cut him off and shook the tent, causing them all to stumble. Dumbledore shot a look up at Filch who simply shrugged. "Come, Mr. Diggory." With his Headmaster by his side, Cedric braced himself and went out into the arena. Hearing what was going on but not seeing it didn't help any of the remaining champions. There were roars, gasps, cries of panic even, and it was several minutes later that the roar of the crowd grew to its loudest and the next champion, Krum, was called forth. Fleur followed him and finally Harry and Ginny were alone.

"You will come through this unharmed." Ginny all but ordered. Harry nodded, not quite trusting his voice. "You will come back to me." This was more of a plea and as the crowd roared their approval once more, signalling that Fleur had completed the task, Ginny launched herself at Harry much as Hermione had, though unlike his sister, Ginny kissed him soundly. They pulled apart when another flash went off behind them and turned in time to see Rita and her cameraman rushing from the tent. That was all the attention she got though, as Ginny finally left Harry's side and he entered the arena. Wooden stands had been built high above the arena floor, which was completely covered in rocks, and Harry could see why: across from him loomed a giant Horntail. It had a chain around his neck acting like a leash but it did not diminish the ferocity of its glare, and Harry didn't delude himself into thinking the dragon any less dangerous because of it. The dragon roared when Harry took a few steps forward, moving to stand protectively over a group of eggs, in the middle of which Harry could see the golden egg he had to collect. Another step and the Horntail released a stream of fire that had Harry diving for cover. Even when the fire stopped he didn't move, trying to think of a way to get passed the dragon, though knowing it would incinerate him in half a second if he stepped closer. It was then that Harry heard it, a voice, which did not seem to be coming from the stands.

"My eggs…the human will not get my eggs…my children…" The voice could only belong to one person, or rather one dragon. The Horntail had talked! He could feel Ginny's surprise and knew that she had heard it too, but it didn't appear as if anyone else had and Harry understood: the dragon spoke Parseltongue. Wracking his brain, or more specifically Godric's brain, Harry searched for an answer and found it in a conversation Godric remembered having with Salazar before he'd left the school

" 'Tis not something one can simply be taught, Godric." Slytherin insisted. "Parseltongue is a gift bestowed by magic itself, 'tis not a skill thou can learn."

"Very well, Salazar, thou hast made thine point." Gryffindor conceded. "At least doth tell me all so I might understand Parseltongue even though I canst ever speak it."

"There is little to tell, Godric, truly. Though I suppose the first thing to know is that the supposed scholars on the subject art wrong, mostly. 'Tis from them that thou assumed I could teach thee?" Godric nodded. "As I said, 'tis not a skill to learn. 'Tis also not the 'language of serpents' as so say the scholars; at least not entirely. Parseltongue wouldst more correctly be called the 'language of reptiles' for 'tis not only snakes to whom Parselmouths can speak."

"Truly?" Godric seemed surprised and Salazar scowled at him.

"How often doth we tell our students to think for thineselves? Thou canst possibly believe that all thou hast read is true simply because 'tis written." Godric had the decency to blush and Salazar chuckled having caught his usually studious and thoughtful friend taking things at face value. "Doth thou think that of all the animals in this world, only one can speak with humans? Snakes art simply the most common reptile in England that humans doth come in contact with. Most other reptiles are said to have their homes in warmer climates and doth not live near us. Think also that with Parseltongue being such a rare gift, it canst be surprising that those who study it doth not fully understand it. As travelled as I myself am, I have only come in contact with one other reptile to speak to. A dragon." He said when Godric's brow furrowed. " 'Tis true that were I so inclined to search a swamp I could like find a toad to speak to, but I have no such desire. While Parseltongue is truly the 'language of reptiles' 'tis serpents that matter most, and with whom I can speak easiest. I understand, and can speak with others, as I said, but they speak as if in a different tongue. 'Tis Parseltongue, to be sure, but not as I am used to speaking it."

And there it was. Unknown to most, as Parselmouths were so rare and their gift so understudied, it was all reptiles, not just snakes that Harry could speak with. As Salazar had told Godric, it was like a different dialect, and perhaps not one that Harry was completely fluent in, but he certainly knew enough to communicate with the Horntail.

"Dear lady!" Harry spoke as he stepped out from behind the rock. The Horntail turned to him in surprise and prepared to attack, but didn't as he continued to speak to her. "I mean you no harm. I'm not here to hurt your eggs either, I promise you." The Horntail was silent but as it didn't move to attack, Harry stood his ground.

"No human has ever spoken to me before." The dragon finally said, sounding suspicious.

"I'm not surprised. Parseltongue, the language we are currently speaking, is a very rare gift among my kind. It is rare enough that although I knew of my gift I didn't know I could speak with you. People assume it is only to snakes that Parselmouths can talk to, and I thought the same until now." The Horntail mulled that over for a moment before speaking once more.

"You swear you mean me and my eggs no harm?"

"On my life, I so swear." A huffing sound was heard and Harry realized it was a dragon laughing.

"It will be on your life, human. My fire burns hotter than most of my kind and is more than enough to leave you as nothing but a pile of ash if I so desire." Harry chuckled and everyone in the stands save Ginny looked at him like he was crazy.

"That is fair enough. If I had eggs of my own I would protect them just as fiercely." Realizing what he'd just said Harry blushed and he could feel Ginny blush as well.

"What do you want then, human?"

"Among your eggs there is one that doesn't belong. It has the shape of an egg but it is metal." The dragon's eyes narrowed and it moved to closely inspect its eggs. It hadn't done this before as it had been on high alert from the moment it was brought into the arena. Eventually the Horntail's snout came across the golden egg and it growled. This egg wasn't one of hers, wasn't even a real egg. Carefully so as not to harm any of her children, the dragon picked the golden egg up in its mouth and carried it over to Harry, dropping it harshly to the ground.

"Take it, if this is what you want." She sounded angry, and understandably so. "First the humans cage me then they invade my nest and take my eggs away. Then when finally I have my children back they fool me and place a false egg among them…they will pay."

"Please don't hurt them." Harry said a bit frantically. "They didn't mean any harm, I know your eggs weren't actually in danger."

"And how do you know this, dragon speaker?" The Horntail's narrowed eyes turned on him.

"One of the ones who brought you here, the redheaded one, is my mate's brother. He would never do anything to hurt you or your eggs, and I'm sure he didn't understand how cruel this has been to you or he never would have agreed to bring you here." The Horntail stared him down for a moment, but eventually decided in his favour.

"Very well then, dragon speaker, I will not harm your mate's brother, or any of the others. Usually they are good to us, they leave us alone mostly and when we see them it is usually only when they bring us offerings of food, then sit for hours and observe us. They even healed me once, when another of my kind came too close to my nest and I got injured defending it. Because of this I won't harm them…for now. But you will explain to them that should they ever take my children from me again they will burn." Harry gulped knowing that even if he had all the magic and training in the world, Charlie wouldn't survive if this Horntail really wanted him dead.

"I will." He promised as he bent and picked up the golden egg. "You have my gratitude, dear lady, and I will make them understand." The Horntail growled again though this time Harry could tell it was in approval.

"Tell them also that we will not be caged as we were on the way here. I will fly home, and no doubt the others will as well." Her eyes narrowed on Harry again. "That is, if we are done here?" Harry couldn't help but laugh. The dragon's tone made it clear that they were done here, though due to whatever respect he had earned she had posed it as a question.

"We are done here. I will tell them that you wish to fly home on your own so they can come remove the chain."

"That will not be necessary." With a single sharp pull of her neck, the Horntail was free, much to the horror of those gathered. Charlie, along with the other dragon tamers, made to jump in to get the dragon under control again, but Harry held up his hand to stop them.

"It was nice to meet you." Harry said as the Horntail scooped its eggs into its mouth.

"You as well, dragon speaker. You may visit me one day, should you wish." Spreading its wings, the Horntail took flight and with a few powerful flaps disappeared into the clouds above.

A/N - I always found it odd that out of all the thousands of animal species in the world only snakes had their own language. I mean, maybe others do exist and Rowling just hasn't told us so yet, but I'm doing with this version instead.

And yes, for those who are wondering, the Goblet of Fire emancipated Harry. The Goblet has old and powerful magic that's main purpose is to help facilitate the tournament, though it has to follow the rules. When one rule made a champion unable to compete, the old magic rectified that. And no, having only three champions is not in the rules (at least not in my version). It is stated that each school can only have one champion, but as it's the Triwizard Tournament it was kind of assumed people would know its supposed to be three champions.

Review please!