Chapter 37 – Beware! Here be…Pigeons?

The five other Champions soon met up with Harry in their study room in the Hogwarts library. Most bought their closest friends with them to Harry's surprise. Cho Chang showed up with Cedric, Marie Lafitte walked in with Fleur, Asim showed up with his sister Neith and Dietrich Mielke followed Viktor Krum. Harry thought about saying something about keeping some secrecy but realized that he would look hypercritical in the face of his wives that had went and brought this group together.

"Ginny said you had some important news for us" Fleur asked.

"Yes. Everyone have a seat and I hope you don't mind missing a class or two this morning. It's.. more than important. I've found out that the first task involves dragons."

"Dragons?"

"NO!"

"What? How did you find this out?"

"Calm down everyone. We're not going to make plans by panicking. Most of you saw that Wolf Owl that dropped off a message to me a little while ago right? It was a letter from a… friend of a friend. Basically it was from the chief of the Centaur Tribe that lives in the Forbidden Forest. He just informed me that 6 dragons with human handlers appeared yesterday in a clearing not too far from Hogwarts."

"What kind of dragons are they?" Viktor asked.

"The letter didn't say unfortunately."

Fleur thought for a second and offered up a hopeful idea. "If they are all of the same type we could find a common strategy to approach them."

"I hope we're not supposed to kill them" a very quiet Benito said nervously.

"Their protected by International Magical Law", Harry said, "even I know that. Maybe we have to get past them or to steal something from their treasure trove."

"Wonderful" said Cedric a little gloomily. Cho leaned over and rubbed his back slowly. Everyone was silent for a few moments and then Daphne spoke up. "Harry there's five nights left before the task is scheduled to happen right?"

"And…?"

"Couldn't you and Viktor or anybody go flying over the forest or walk into it and check and see what kind of dragons there are?"

Smiles came to a few of the Champions as Harry leaped up and swept Daphne around in a hug. Harry turned back to the table with a smile. "So who wants to go for a ride tonight after supper?"

A number of hands appeared and Harry nodded. "Let's meet down at the Quidditch pitch about 7."

"They've probably put wards up to keep the dragons a secret" Viktor said.

"I doubt anyone thought of warding them from being seen from the air. We should at least able to see something if we walk up near the place where they are keeping the dragons" Harry proposed. He didn't disclose to the others that he could sense wards.

'And the dragons now that you know they are there' Daphne added.

"The rest of us could do some more research dragons in general while they are away" Hermione said. Asim, Marie, Cho, Fleur and Daphne all agreed to start researching that evening while the majority of champions were checking out their first opponents.

"Wait a minute" Harry turn to look at Hermione. "More research?"

"Well, I just took a few notes here and there while the rest of you were busy doing other things."

"How much is just a few notes Hermione?" a suspicious Viktor asked.

"Not so much" Hermione said. She reached into her bookbag and rummaged around and brought out four or five pages of handwritten notes clipped together. She handed them to Harry who glanced through them and whistled. He laid them down on the table and then looked back up at the brunette.

"But it's not finished" Hermine protested as she looked around the table at the others that had gathered.

"I suspect your 'partial' notes will save us many hours of research apiece Hermione."

"It's not that I don't mind making copies for all of you Benito. I just…"

Harry interrupted his wife. "It's okay Hermione. Nobody is going to say you haven't done a thorough job."

A blushing Hermione pointed her wand at the small stack of notes. "Duplico Quintus!" The other five Champions picked up their copies and Fleur came over to hug Hermione. "This helps everyone Hermione. You shouldn't be embarrassed that you didn't have enough time. Nobody suspected that there would be dragons."

Harry felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around. Viktor Krum's friend Deet had a smile on his face. "Permission to express my gratitude to your wife Harry?"

"No snogging!" Harry said with a smirk.

"I wouldn't dare!" Deet rushed over and hauled Hermione up in a loose hug and swung her around saying "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" over and over.

Hermione pretended to be outraged. "Put me down you big dolt! Durmstrangers are not allowed to pick up someone else's spouse!"

Deet smiled. "Only on the condition you don't short sell yourself on any effort you make from now on. Besides Harry said I could."

"Really?" Hermione regained her feet and looked at her husband who was trying to look surprised. Hermione took one step toward him after slapping Dietrich Mielke on the stomach hard. Harry winced and grabbed up his bookbag. "I'm sure we're all late for class or something. See all of you later!"

Harry headed out the door followed by a bunch of laughter. Hermione slowed down and picked up her bookbag. "I guess I'll meet the rest of you non-flyers down on the Quidditch pitch at 7 to give them a send off."

"What about Harry?"

"What about Harry? Oh, he'll be the one explaining why we are out in the corridors to Professor McGonagall."

That brought another round of laughter to the group and everyone headed out from the room and then the library. The Champions were surprised again as Harry sprung out from behind the library doors, grabbed Hermione, threw her over his shoulder and ran up the nearest set of stairs. Ginny and Daphne hurried after the pair calling out for Harry to halt and that they were coming to help Hermione. Cedric was chuckling as he said that they were sure to get points taken for inappropriate behavior if a teacher caught them out in the hallways.

Viktor turned to the other Champions and laughed. "However we do against the dragons, I feel much better for having gotten to know the Potters."

Everyone agreed that life and the Challenge would be a lot more boring without having Harry and his wives around. The group separated to head out to their own classes and activities but with a sense of relief and nervousness about facing the First Task and the dragons.

Xxxx xxx

It was finally time to leave. Harry was surprised later when they foursome exited the Hearth that a number of students were waiting for them. Almost all of the Gryffindor witches and witches were there and a lot of the 4th year Gryffindors and below were carrying brooms. Harry saw that Astoria and Gracie were in front of the rest of the crowd.

'Why are they carrying brooms Harry?'

Harry passed along Hermione's question. "Why are you lot all carrying brooms?"

"You didn't read the notices that went up around the school this afternoon?"

"I had my mind on other things than the bulletin boards I'm sorry to say. So … obviously not Tori." Astoria reached into her pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper and handed it to her sister. Daphne unfolded it and Harry and the others read the posting over her shoulder:

SPECIAL LESSON

For 4th Years and Below

Night Flying and Navigation - 7 PM at the Quidditch Pitch

Sponsored by Professor Sirius Black

Assisted by Professors Hooch and Flitwick and Madame Pomfrey

Possible Chance to see the Champions Race?

"Wait? What?" Harry's mouth had fallen open and everyone in the corridor was giggling at the expression on his face. Harry felt a tug on his sleeve and looked at a suddenly grinning Ginny.

'So what did you and Sirius actually talk about when you stopped in to see him after morning classes?'

'Nothing like this. I only told him we found out that there were dragons and we were thinking of going to go scout them out tonight.'

'Guess he thought of a nice diversion so we could slip away.'

'Yeah but…'

"So are you and Viktor going to race?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know Neville. I'm not sure if Viktor's going to be there or not. I think some of the other Champions have a research project going on in the library."

"Guess we'll have to see who shows up then. You must have shrunk your brooms down then right?"

"Right Neville." Harry looked at Ginny. She was planning on flying with the Champions over the Forbidden Forest but she was having a hard time keeping a straight face in light of the situation her husband found herself in.

"So which if the other Champions brought brooms Harry?"

"I know Viktor has his Nimbus 2000 and Fleur, Benito and Neith had their brooms with them as I've seen them flying around."

"Sirius said that anybody that didn't have any brooms of their own could borrow a Hogwarts broom since 'someone' bought two dozen Cleansweep 7's to replace the old ratty ones they used for flying lessons."

'Good idea that Mister husband.'

Harry flashed a small smile at Daphne but wondered about the possible upcoming race. He knew Viktor was a superb flyer but had no idea about the others. Whether they wanted to race or had even spent much time on their brooms was a question that had to be determined when they showed up at the pitch.

The crowd of Gryffindors ended up joining the Hufflepuffs as they walked down to the Quidditch pitch. Harry soon found himself walking with Luna and Ron to his delight. Ron thanked Harry for helping him again and asked if he should bet on his friend or not for the upcoming race. Harry replied he wasn't sure there would be a race and Ron was quick to say that the twins had already started a betting pool and were holding off closing it until they got the final count of participants. Harry shook his head and Hermione rubbed his back and whispered that she would make sure that George and Fred wouldn't try anything like that for the real tasks.

As they entered the stadium the Potters saw that the stands were rapidly filling up with students from all four houses. Hermione pointed out that Sirius was standing off to one side talking to Viktor, Cedric, Benito and Neith. All of whom were carrying brooms.

"Ugh" Harry hung his head in resignation and started heading for his father but was stopped by the three girls around him.

"Good luck Harry" said Hermione as she gave him a kiss to his cheek.

"Go get them tiger". Ginny winkled before she grabbed Harry's bum when no one could see her.

Daphne just grasped his hands and peered up into his eyes. "Please don't hurt yourself. It's only a race and you need to see about the you-know-what's in the Forbidden Forest."

Harry sighed but nodded. The race would… should be fun for everyone but the Champions first concern should be getting away and seeing what the size and type of dragons were. Daphne kissed the back of his hand and while she and the other two girls turned toward the stands Harry went to where his dad and the others stood.

"So this is the race huh?" Harry said as he reached the others.

"So what kind of broom do you have Harry?" Neith asked first before saying the 'hellos' everyone else said back to him.

Harry reached into his pocket, brought out his broom and expanded it. "It's a Firebolt. Present from somebody important in my life" he said with a nod toward Sirius.

Neith took one look at Harry's broom and then sighed. "Nope, can't do this. I'd be totally embarrassed on my broom out there. You have a good race."

Harry held up his hand to stop Neith from leaving. "We can work something out if you want to compete Neith. What's everyone flying?"

"A Nimbus 2000" Viktor said a little proudly as he held up his broom.

"Mistral 27" Benito said holding up a sleek racing broom.

"Cleansweep Seven" said Cedric.

"I've only a Comet 180" said Neith slowly.

Harry nodded and thought for a few seconds. He turned, put two fingers to his mouth and gave a shrill whistle. Hermine and Ginny turned around and hurried back to where the champions were standing. Sirius had gone a little ways off and was having a discussion with Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Headmaster Bishara from the Egyptian school. All were looking around at the Quidditch pitch and making elaborate motions with their hands in their discussions.

Ginny passed Harry with only a small exchange of words and came right to Neith. "Harry told me you're pulling out of the race."

"It would be silly of me to try competing with my broom when the other four have some of the best racing brooms in the world."

"We can't have the only girl racing drop out." Ginny reached into her pants pocket and brought out a small broom. She made a wave with her wand and the broom expanded.

"It's a Nimbus 2000 and you can borrow it if you'd like."

"Oh Ginny no I couldn't!"

"Oh Ginny yes you could. Err …you can. Harry would like you to be on an even keel with him and the others. Besides, it's time somebody took the 'boys' down."

"Really?"

"Really. Go ahead and have a good time and don't worry about it. Just give it back to me after you win."

Neith looked at Ginny and then at a nodding Hermione. She squealed once and almost brought Ginny down with a huge hug. "I'll take good care of it Mrs. Potter."

Ginny gave her a raspberry in return and exchanged brooms with a smile. They two wives waved goodbye to the Egyptian Champion and hurried off to rejoin Daphne. Neith was still staring at the new friend who had made such a generous offer when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked and saw Harry looking at her with a small grin. "How about we take a lap or two so you can get used to handling the Nimbus and while the grownups get organized?"

Neith nodded quickly and she and Harry mounted up and started around the Quidditch pitch. Harry started talking about how the Nimbus handled and kept even with her as she tried accelerating, cornering and braking with the unfamiliar broom. They did two slow laps together and then Harry urged her to 'go for it'.

Neith whooped loudly as her broom took off down the long side of the pitch and the pigeons andcrows on the ground took off in alarm. Harry watched as she broke off in a tight overhead turn and floated back beside him. "This is fabulous. If I needed any other incentive to win the entire Challenge this is it."

"A new broom?"

"Yes and a chance to thumb my nose at my brother."

"You wouldn't share with Asim? Your nice supportive brother Asim?"

"Well, I wouldn't charge him too much for a turn on something like this."

Harry laughed and started to tell Neith that she sounded just like Ginny with that comment but a loud whistle rang out over the pitch. The two flyers looked to see that they were being waved down to land next to McGonagall as the crowds in the stands were being told to settle. They landed just in time to see Sirius moved his to wand at his throat and hear his magnified voice as a result of the 'SONORUS' spell.

"Ladies and gentlemen… and the rest of you lot." Sirius grinned and waved as the crowd chuckled at his opening. "Tonight a lesson in night flying and navigation will be given to all those interested parties courtesy of Madam Hooch, Headmaster Bishara, and myself. Night flying offers a range of different challenges and opportunities than flying by daylight. We will try to instruct anyone that wants how to avoid common obstacles that you might encounter in getting from Starting Point A to Destination Point B without getting lost or violating the Statute of Secrecy Act. I will leave it to your imaginations to think of the various reasons for self-preservation, business and occasional fun (like a romantic moonlight ride with your sweetheart) you might undertake during a darkened evening."

'Like flying to somebody's window with a bouquet of flowers on Valentine's Day Harry?"

'Shush Hermione, Sirius is still talking.'

'Phtttt to you too. Our romance has apparently died.'

'Feeling a bit peckish this morning Mrs. Potter?'

'Did you not get any of EM recently Nonnie?'

Harry smiled as he felt Hermione turn and slap both Daphne and Ginny to get the smirks off their faces. Sirius was looking back at the Quidditch pitch and the Champions saw that both Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were waving their wands and structures were being created.

"I've managed to talk, beg, intimidate and threaten withholding weekly allowances from a certain messy-haired fourth year (A grimace from Harry at that!) into getting some of the Champions to put on a little exhibition tonight. I'll let Headmaster Bishara explain the race and the course that is being set up."

Fasir Bishara cast the same charm on his voice that Sirius did and took over. Ginny' told' Harry that the other headmasters and Dumbledore had just arrived at the teacher's box in the stands. Harry elbowed Viktor and Cedric and pointed up. Dumbledore and Kemina Madrigal waved to their respective representatives but Karkaroff just nodded a little at Viktor but uncharacteristically brought his hands up to his waist and gave him two thumbs up. Viktor seemed a little surprised but nodded back.

"This is a relatively simple competition for a little fun and excitement to get the Champions out of the library for a bit. This will be a five lap race around the Quidditch pitch. Professor McGonagall has set up the turning poles even as I speak."

Harry and the others turned and looked as six white and red striped masts appeared at the four corners of the pitch and one placed about 30 feet behind each of the goals to make an oval circuit.

"This race will not be one of just speed. The competitors will be tested on balance, maneuverability and crowding to get the best position coming into and exiting the corners of the racecourse. In addition…"

'Oh rats – there's always an addition!'

"…we are placing a few obstacles in the course to test their thinking abilities, coordination and nerves. Professor Flitwick?"

The tiny professor bowed to the stands and turned back to the pitch. He waved his wand twice and two sets of 12 foot poles appeared. One was set vertically and the other horizontal; each one of the poles was set up about 15 feet from the other in the set. The horizontal ones were set up in the middle of the back straight and the vertical pair was set up just before entering the first turn. They were long (or tall) enough for three flyers to pass through together comfortably or four in a pinch.

"In the tradition of some earlier tasks from previous Tournaments and some mundane downhill skiing races we are creating some gates to fly though. In the first gate the competitors will have a choice of flying inside or outside the first standing pole. They must however fly on the other side of the matching pole in the set. For example if Mr. Diggory flies inside the first pole he must go outside the second pole to successfully pass the obstacle. Those that fail to comply with the rule will have a three second penalty added to their time. A competitor also has the option of reversing their course and entering the gate and passing it in the correct order instead of taking the penalty."

"That would be about the same amount of time I think" Viktor said thoughtfully.

"For the second gate there is no option. The racers must fly under the first bar and over the second. Failure to do so will result in a similar three second penalty or the option of flying back and traversing the gate successfully."

"For a little added excitement, a pair of additional gates will be created after the completion of the third lap by the leading competitor. We won't be announcing exactly where the additional hurdles will be but they will not be within 25 feet of the start and finish line."

'Lovely – and all at racing speed too!'

'Sounds like it favors you and Viktor Harry.'

'Let's not forget Cedric has been playing seeker also and Neith and Benito are unknowns for the most part Daphne.'

"We are letting the Champions take one practice lap to see the course and set up their strategies."

"I guess its show time then" Benito said as he mounted up and started flying slowly to the first obstacle along with Viktor. Harry nodded at Bento and Neith and they joined the others in looking at the first obstacle.

Viktor and Benito were riding slowly around the second corner after making the pass through the obstacle. Cedric did a slow pass through the gate and then looped back around to make the run at a higher speed. Harry and Neith had slowed to a hover as they watch the Hufflepuff figure out his angle of attack.

"I guess the conventional wisdom would be to go outside the first bar so you could go inside the second part of the gate to cut the corner as close as possible" Neith said mostly to herself.

"That's right but a case could be made for going at it the opposite way as the outside position might give you a better angle for the second corner of the pitch and entering the backstretch. Thank goodness the gates are tall and wide enough for three or four of us to go through at the same time."

Neith thought about for a second and then nodded. "That's right about the course choice. So what are you planning on doing Harry?"

"I have no idea yet. It kind of depends on what everyone else does; I'm going to try and stay out of collisions though. But we better get going – we don't want to get the others too far Ahead or too much time to plan their strategy."

Harry rushed through the first gate going the preferred course and ducked under the first part of the second (horizontal) gate and was watching the turn ahead when a laughing Neith passed him going over the second bar. Harry leaned into his broom and the two flew around the last corner side by side with Harry trying to edge ahead of the girl.

The three other Champions were waiting at the finish line and the voice of Headmaster Bishara was heard again as Harry and Neith drifted to a stop. "The lane assignments such as they are will be in the order of the Champions choosing. That means that Mr. Diggory (Cheers from the stands!) from Hogwarts will have lane Number 1 on the inside. The rest of the placements are this: Miss Ganem from Egypt in Lane #2 (more cheers!), Harry Potter representing the Mt. Fuji Academy will be in the 3rd lane ('Choice spot Jamie!'), Mr. Dorantes from the Barcelona School and finally Mr. Krum from the Durmstrang Academy."

The flyers moved around and went to their assigned lanes as the crowd cheering rose higher and higher. Bishara raised his wand as the contestants lined up and he got nods from the competitors.

"ON your marks!"

"GET SET!"

"GO!" A cannon blast shot from the Egyptian Headmaster's wand and the Champions brooms accelerated toward the first gate that was located in the 3rd lane. Pigeons and other birds were startled off their roosts in the Owlery and on the Quidditch goals. Cedric and Neith started moving over towards the center of the course as did Benito. Harry pressed forward even as he saw that Viktor hadn't adjusted his direction much at all. There was no time to think about that strategy as three other racers were crowding closer to Harry's lane.

Cedric move higher and Harry could see that he was planning to enter the gate at the highest position to avoid crowding the middle. Harry kept his Firebolt and his eyes on the middle of the gate as he had a slight lead as they got closer. He sensed rather than saw Neith drop a little lower as she took a trailing position a few feet just below his right knee. ThE FOUR brooms were separated by about a dozen feet when Harry saw Benito dip under him and swing back a little to his right. Harry shut down the screaming that was coming over his connection from the three girls and concentrated on his turn through the gate. Just as he passed the first pole to his right, Benito ducked under Neith and around the other side of the pole and headed for the outside edge of the second. Harry slowed down as he heard a yell from the girl and it was at that time that Viktor took the extreme angle from the right and cut left across the front of Harry's broom and headed directly at the first turn pole. Cutting almost diagonally through the first gate save Viktor some important time and distance and he passed the first marker clearly in the lead. The rest of the field was strung out in a loose pack just behind him. Cedric has managed to avoid the other flyers by sticking to his high line and he was a half dozen feet behind the Bulgarian. Harry and Neith were racing almost side by side in 3rd and 4th while Benito had misjudged his speed in his opposite traverse of the gate and swung too wide to take advantage of the distraction.

The five passed the second pole and headed down the backstretch with Harry urging the Firebolt to catch up to the two flyers in front of him. He had almost caught up to Cedric as they came to the second gate. Harry was just a couple of feet behind him when he tucked down to barely brush under the first pole and rise to go over the second. Cedric had taken a slightly lower approach and he had further vertical to climb to pass over the second pole. That small difference was just enough for Harry to draw almost even with the older boy as they leaned into to enter the second and last turn. Cedric had the inside position but glanced over his shoulder once to see who was behind him. Harry smiled back at him and ducked his body closer to the Firebolt to encourage a little more speed. The two had almost completed the curve when Neith and Bonito appeared. The girl had taken an outside course from Harry and Cedric but Benito was right on her heels and in a position to take what little advantage he could in drafting after her. The pair was closing a little on Harry despite their wider position.

The five competitors crossed the starting line with Viktor having a twenty foot lead over the other four. The other two were coupled up with Harry and Cedric and then Neith and Benito flying almost neck and neck down the front straightaway.

Viktor took the first gate the second time like Harry and most of the others had done. The other flyers gained a few feet on his lead as he slowed down to maneuver through the gate but he rocketed off again as the others jockeyed for position to pass by the obstacle. Harry was next to Cedric when they passed the pole but dipped down underneath him to cut the corner closer. Harry had no idea where Neith and Benito were but somehow Benito showed up next to Harry as they started the back straight again. Harry would have to ask how he had gotten closer after the race. They flew side by side under then over the second gate but the Spaniard managed to cut down in front of Harry to get an inside position going into the turn. He misjudged his speed though and his course carried him a little wide. Harry leaned into the corner and almost brushed his shoulder against the pole as he started the turn. He came out of the turn leading Benito and now fifteen feet behind Krum.

The second and third laps were almost a repeat of the first with Viktor's lead not increasing nor decreasing as the other racers pushed their brooms and their bodies as much as they could. The jockeying continued for the second through fifth positions with everyone taking over second place at one point or another. Viktor still had a lead but the foursome behind him were bunched a lot closer together and racing side by side or tried to get some vertical advantage as they tried to catch up with the leader.

As Viktor crossed the starting line completing the third lap two new gates appeared. The first was another vertical gate that appeared about forty feet closer to the starting line. But the new gate appeared in another lane and at a different height. Viktor adjusted his course flawlessly. Cedric, on the outside of the trailing four, didn't have much time to react to the new positioning heading down right side of the straight so he had to brake a little and make an extreme cut to the left to position himself to enter. The other three flying with him saw the new obstacle and shifted over to where the gate was in lane two. Cedric had to cut across and reacted badly to the change in the course. He passed by the first pole of the new gate before realizing he had to make an extreme cut to the left to pass by on the inside of the second pole. He cut over but he was going too fast and passed the second pole on his left instead of his right.

A number of the people in the stands groaned when they saw Cedric hesitate for a split second in deciding whether to refly the gate or take the penalty. That miniscule hesitation let the threesome of Harry, Benito and Neith gain a few precious yards over him. Cedric gritted his teeth and flew off after them, neglecting to reenter the gate with as much speed as he could get his Cleansweep to fly.

Harry gained ground on Viktor on the back straight and had a chance to see where the new horizontal gate was. It had been placed right after the first gate making the exit right of the beginning of the curve. Harry fleetingly thought of a roller coaster as he prepared to go through the consecutive dips and climbs. Viktor slowed down minutely as he was trying to figure out the right speed to go and remain in control of his broom.

Harry glanced over his shoulders for a split second and saw that both Neith and Benito were closing rapidly on him with Cedric barely a dozen feet behind them. Then Harry, Neith and Benito were flying through the obstacle. Benito bounced over the second rod of the first gate but his speed carried him too far up and he had to cut his speed to dive back down to get under the third crossbar in the set. That left Neith and Harry flying side by side through the turn. Harry glanced over at the girl and saw the look of intensity on her face that probably mirrored his own.

Then the two looked ahead saw that Viktor had made an apparent mistake coming out of the turn. He came out of the curve almost into the fourth lane and lost some time and (lead) moving back for entrance to the vertical gate that had appeared at the beginning of the lap. Harry and Neith passed by the starting line with everyone in the stands standing and cheering the racers on. Harry climbed a few feet and saw that Neith had dropped down under him so that they could enter the gate together. Harry had no idea that Cedric and Benito were flying a mere 10 feet behind them.

Viktor Krum was barely a dozen feet in front of them when they exited the 1st set of poles. Viktor drifted a couple feet to the right so he could cut close to the corner pole again. Harry wondered if Neith was going to draft after him but he glanced down and saw her lower herself closer to the broom to get more speed out of it. Harry, trying to be cautious, climbed a few feet further up so he wouldn't accidentally become entangled with her path.

They flashed through the gate following Viktor's course – outside the first pole and hugging the inside of curve one flying a few feet over the other. Whether it was fate or the swirling winds Neith ended up first on the back straightaway and took the inside position. Viktor was now only five feet in front of them as they almost overtook him on the straightaway.

Viktor ducked under the first pole and Harry thought he saw Viktor's back scrape the bottom of the pole as he flew under it. He pulled back on his broom to climb the few feet up as Harry passed under the same bar.

'HARRY WATCH OUT!'

Four pigeons had suddenly risen from the ground and flew directly into the path of the competitors. Harry saw two pass over him but the other two veered away. To his horror Harry saw something grey and white suddenly veer over front of him and impact Viktor at the junction of his neck and shoulder!

The wayward pigeon exploded in a deathly explosion of feathers and blood and Viktor and his broom jerked off the course with Viktor collapsing and only holding onto his Nimbus with a few fingers.

Harry had a split second to react to the accident in front of him. He hauled over on his broomstick and darted after the Bulgarian without a spare thought for the race. He yelled "I've got him!" to the wind and his competitors just as Viktor lost his tenuous grip and fell toward the ground twenty five feet below.

Harry closed on the falling wizard as the screams of the crowd rose in his ears. Harry managed to grab Viktor's collar with one hand but the additional weight almost caused Harry to lose control of his own broom. He managed to haul back on the broomstick with one hand as he called on some of his bond magic to keep Viktor's limp body from slipping out of his grasp. He managed a clumsy landing but he laid Viktor gently down on the grass before he rolled off his own broom to tumble head over heels twice.

By the time he had scrambled back to his hands and knees and stumbled back to where Viktor laid all sorts of people were running toward where they were. Harry found Viktor lying face down on the grass where he had placed him and saw a bunch of blood flowing from his face and neck. He was about to try turning him over when a few shouts stopped him.

Looking up Harry saw Neith, Cedric and Benito all landing their brooms and racing toward him. A mental shout from Ginny brought Harry's face around and he saw the redhead racing ahead of the crowd of people heading across the pitch. Harry didn't know whether to be amused or scared that Ginny was using some of the bond magic available to her to outrun everyone that had left the stands.

It seemed an incredibly long until Ginny reached his side and they looked down at their stocky friend. "Keep everyone back Harry" she said and Harry only had to look up once and see that the other three flyers were waving their arms trying to warn the huge numbers of people approaching.

Harry looked over at his wife as she laid hands on Viktor's upper back. She closed her eyes for a second then blew out a breath. "He's got a cracked vertebra in his neck and a broken jaw. That's all. Well, also concussion and a horrible headache when he wakes up"

The three others looking at Harry and Ginny and Neith celebrated with a pumped fist in the air and a loud announcement that Viktor was alive.

Harry watched as Ginny carefully laid her hands on both sides of Viktor's neck. A yellow glow came from Ginny's hands and she held the spell for about ten seconds until she was sure that the main damage had been repair in the man's neck.

Ginny sat back on her heels and nodded to Harry and Benito who had come to kneel at Harry's side. "You can turn him over now. Be careful with his head though."

Harry wasn't too surprised to see Viktor's friend Deet break through the ring of observers, kneel down and hold onto Viktor's head as Harry and Benito rolled Viktor slowly to his side and then his back.

A few gagging girls hurried away quickly when Viktor's bloody face came into view. It wasn't so much Viktor's face as Harry thought that most of the red came from the dead pigeon. What was really kind of gruesome was the site of the bird strike itself. A few inches below and in front of the left ear of the Durmstrang Champion the flesh was stripped away down to the bone and a lot of blood was still flowing from the damaged flesh.

Hearing a commotion in the crowd, the people surrounding the injured Viktor saw and heard Dumbledore, Bishara and Madam Pomfrey yelling for people to get out of their way. Kommandant Karkaroff didn't waste his breath shouting. He simply shoved people out of the way until he broke through the crowd. He gasped in horror at what he saw but by then Madame Pomfrey had asked Ginny for a report.

"Viktor is unconscious from the bird strike but basically okay. He had a fractured vertebra but I healed that already. What's he's left with is a broken jaw and some tattered skin. I made sure he would sleep for a while so you could work on him Madame Pomfrey."

"Twenty points for Gryffindor" came from the newly arrived Professor McGonagall. "Is Mr. Krum all right?"

"He will be thanks to Mrs. Potter." Ginny blushed but moved to Harry's side as Madame Pomfrey conjured up a stretcher and levitated Viktor's sleeping form onto it. She reached into a pocket of her robes and brought out a thick pad of absorbent cotton and blotted the blood away from the injury site.

"Remember this Ginny! Reglutinavi!" The onlookers watched as Madame Pomfrey waved her wand in a complicated manner over the wound. Harry smiled as he watched the spell reverse the effects of the bird strike. The blood vessels and muscles reformed together, the nerves rejoining and then the skin moving back together to display no indication that it had ever parted.

"For those that may have seen this spell, do NOT try it yourself. It takes many years of practice and a certain level of power and subtlety to make it work successfully. Ginny you will be coming back to the Infirmary with me."

"Of course Madame Pomfrey." 'Darn it I wanted to see the dragons!'

'I'll take your place Ginny and watch Harry's back in your stead. We let you see what we find of course.'

'You don't have to do this Daphne.'

The glare Harry received from three girls convinced him his protests were being ignored. He watch as Ginny walked away with Madame Pomfrey with the stretcher between them. Kommandant Karkaroff was trailing a few feet behind them and still looked to be in shock.

The Headmaster and the other teachers were dispersing the crowd and asking them to regain their seats for the lesson that was apparently still going to happen. Pretty soon the only people left in the area were the four Champions, Daphne and Professor Flitwick. Deet had retrieved Viktor's broom and was jogging across the pitch to try and catch up with his unconscious friend.

Professor Flitwick called out softly for attention as the five started walking back. "I have already explained to Dumbledore and Kommandant Karkaroff of the error I made that led to the injury. Professor McGonagall and I established wards to keep any sort of interference from entering the race from the outside. We neglected to establish an inner boundary for that and I am heartily sorry that the race ended this way."

"It's okay Professor" said Benito. "We didn't see any of those fowl little creatures when we took our warm up lap. You couldn't have known."

"It was an accident; that's all" Neith said in reaction to the crestfallen look of the Charms professor.

"And if I know Madame Pomfrey and Ginny," said Harry, "Viktor will be fully healed and anxious to leave the infirmary right off in the morning."

"I'm still going to the Infirmary and remain with Mr. Krum and the Kommandant until Poppy kicks us out." The short teacher nodded to the remaining students and then hurried across the pitch on a course directly back to the school.

The three wizards and two witches followed them back to the side of the grandstand as Sirius watched them carefully. When they had crossed successfully Harry nodded back up to where his adopted father stood.

The five noticed almost half the people had left the stands and were heading back up to Hogwarts or to their magical conveyances. Harry peered at his friends a little nervously. "I will understand it if nobody wants to go with me to check out the dragons."

"No we owe it to Viktor to find out our opposition."

"It's the least we could do to help him out now."

Sirius' amplified voice rang out over the Quidditch pitch and stands "For those of you that have stayed thank you. Now that the excitement is over we can proceed with the lesson for tonight. The first part of the lesson is getting used to not having any light at all. NOX!"

Lights that lit up the evening around the pitch suddenly went out and there was a great deal of confusion and shouting from the stands.

Harry whispered to the others. "That's our cue to mount up and leave. Standard disillusionment spells for everyone. Daphne who do you want to ride with?"

The other Champions heard a small slap and Harry quickly apologized. They laughed as Harry said he was 'just kidding'. The five mounted up and headed slowly toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Xxxx xxxx

It was about 10 o'clock when Harry and his wives walked into the Hearth and settled wearily into their chairs.

"I'm going to kill Charlie" Ginny said first.

"No you're not. Charlie probably had to swear an oath that he wouldn't contact anyone in his family to keep the dragons secret until the task was unveiled."

"Not even Dad?"

Harry looked uncomfortable. "I'm not saying one way or the other about Arthur. He might have known but he…"

"Wasn't allowed to tell anyone either" Daphne tried explaining.

"Let's review real quickly before we head for bed. Get that smirk off your face Mr. Potter. Sleep and cuddling will be all that we will be doing."

"Shucks Hermione; you sure know how to spoil an evening."

Hermione stuck her tongue out at her husband but her eyes flew wide open when he grabbed it and held it briefly. She sputtered to say something but Ginny and Daphne were already giggling.

"Yes, Super Seeker Potter… Anyway here's what we managed to find in our research when you sent back the identities of the dragons." She laid a stack of papers on the hassock and Harry picked them up and thumbed through them. This is a lot more than what we had in first year with 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.

"Of course you hadn't the fantastic researcher turn her attention to a specific topic that year."

Hermione smiled shyly at Ginny for the complement. "That's just basic knowledge of the six types. Not the way to combat them."

"But this gives all of us, the Champions I mean a starting point."

Harry looked at the pictures and descriptions in Hermione's research. There were six different breeds of dragons hidden in a glade in the Forbidden Forest. A Welsh Green, Scarlet Chinese Fireball, Hebridean Black, Ukranian Ironbelly, Swedish Short-Snout and a Hungarian Horntail were going to face the Champions. Harry didn't know if there was a common weakness that would apply to all of them or not but each Champion would have to think of something that might work against each specific breed.

Daphne nudged Harry. "So have you thought about what you're going to say in Parseltongue by way of introduction yet?"

"Huh? What?"

Hermione actually rolled her eyes as she came over and sat on Harry's lap. "You haven't thought about speaking to which ever dragon you get and speak to him or her? Dragons, however large they may be, are still a type of snake."

"And at least the idiots didn't bring a basilisk for you" Daphne said teasingly.

"Yeah we know how that went don't we?"

The three girls giggled again and Daphne stood up. "I'm going back to my suite. Can I get an escort?"

Ginny stood but Harry waved her back down and carefully moved Hermione off his lap. "I've forgotten to send an answer to Magorian so I need to go to the Owlery after seeing Daphne Potter back to the Greengrass suite."

"Remind me of that one more time and you'll get cut off Mr. Potter" the blond threatened.

Harry stood up, stretched and Robb Loxley suddenly appeared. "If Harry was here he would offered his abject apologies to you ma'am. I could try to talk the lad into having you move in here where the pretty Astoria could have her own room."

Daphne pouted at Lord Gryffindor. "Don't think I haven't thought about that every night I end up sleeping in my bed alone."

"Robb!" came the mental shout from Hermine and Ginny.

"Yes?"

'Harry can spend the night with Daphne. It's okay occasionally.'

Daphne squealed once and then went and hugged Ginny and Hermione. She ran to Robb's arm then turned around to run back and kiss both girls on the mouth. "Thank you both!"

"Send him back before Astoria catches him in bed with you!"

"Again!" Ginny said laughingly as she saw Daphne tugging a not complaining Robb Loxley up their stairs. The two watched as Robb threw a happy glance back at his two other wives before leaving though the door.

Ginny turned to Hermione. "I guess it's just the two of us again Nonnie."

"I'll wash your hair for you."

"Sounds like a plan." The two girls leaned into a long hug and then held hands as they headed for the bedroom and shower.