Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the Potter Universe & Characters except for my original characters such as Molly Potter.
Authors Note: The prank you read about in this chapter was not devised by me but by another author. I'm afraid I can't call to mind the exact author or story but if the author is reading this I hope they don't mind me borrowing the prank as I think it is such a fun one to play.
Chapter Thirty Two: Preparations, The First Task & School Wide Prank
The first week of November had passed by quickly in a rush of classes and research and practise of spells as Harry prepared for the First Task on the 24th of November.
It was the first Friday of November and Harry was eating breakfast in the Great Hall with the rest of the New Marauders when Hagrid approached him in the Great Hall.
Oddly enough he didn't say anything he simply slipped a piece of parchment to Harry, patted him on the shoulder and walked past out of the Great Hall.
Harry frowned after him in confusion. It wasn't like Hagrid to not say good morning.
"What was that about?" Ron asked him looking as confused as Harry felt.
"Don't know" Harry said.
"It's not like Hagrid to be silent that" Molly commented "must be a note or something".
Harry thought about this. It made sense though he couldn't understand what Hagrid would need to send him a note about since he could just have invited him and the others to tea by asking them.
He unfolded the parchment and read the words on it growing more bemused by the second.
"Why would he want you to meet him at midnight?" Draco asked over their mental link.
"No idea" Harry answered "but it must be important".
"What does he want Harry?" Ginny asked her boyfriend.
Harry, still frowning, said "he wants me to meet him at his cabin at midnight tonight, told me to come alone".
"But Hagrid knows it's against the rules to be out and about after from midnight!" Hermione exclaimed, scandalised.
"It is odd" Luna said in her soft voice.
"You can't be thinking of going!" Neville said incredulously.
"Of course he isn't" Hermione said sensibly. She then caught the expression on Harry's face "you aren't...are you?" she asked sharply.
Harry looked at the parchment again and said "it must be important. I should at least go down to see what he wants".
"But Harry you could get a detention and lose points!" Hermione shouted.
Oh come on Hermione, you know Harry wouldn't ask unless he felt Harry needed to know something".
Harry made his mind up "I'm going down to see him and that's that" he said decisively.
Hermione looked upset "fine!" she snapped angrily "but don't come to me to bail you out!" she stormed out of the Great Hall for the first lesson of the day.
"Don't worry about her mate. You know what she's like" Ron said "I love her but she's far too much a stickler for the rules".
That day Harry had another Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson and as much as Harry enjoyed learning about trolls he couldn't shake the idea that Moody was watching him especially with the way his magical eye swivelled around madly.
The rest of the day seemed to go well as Harry managed to brew a bone repairing potion and he got a nice sleep in History of Magic. Or rather he had a good sleep until Hermione slapped him on the back of the head waking him up and forcing him to focus on Binns who was droning as usual about Goblin rebellions.
That night Harry had dinner with the other New Marauders as usual and then returned to the common room with them to work on homework and relax.
Harry was forced to wait patiently until late that night.
Other than the New Marauders, the Weasley Twins Fred and George were sat in the common room until late that night talking nearby in hushed voices.
Harry was not sure what they were discussing but it seemed to be pretty urgent and he recalled being told they had had a bet on with Ludo Bagman.
In any case it was none of his concern.
At eleven thirty Fred and George headed upstairs to their common room leaving only the New Marauders sat around near the fireplace.
Harry had already retrieved the invisibility cloak earlier on after returning to Gryffindor Tower and so was ready.
Once Fred and George were gone Harry stood up and headed to the portrait hole "good luck Harry" Ginny said squeezing his hand. Ron and Draco also wished him good luck though Draco would be able to keep up through his mental link.
Even Neville wished him good luck despite his earlier reservations.
Only Hermione refused to wish him luck, still stubbornly insisting that he shouldn't do it and it would be bad for Gryffindor if he was caught.
As he exited the portrait hole the Fat Lady who was clearly drunk again murmured "who...what are you doing?".
Harry ignored her, slipped his invisibility cloak on, unfolded the Marauders Map and headed down the staircase.
As taking many twists and turns he finally reached the Entrance Hall.
He had a momentary fright as he saw Argus Filch the grouchy caretaker. He thought about what he could do.
He slipped into the nearby trophy room and spotted Peeves the Poltergeist.
Peeves had been a massive friend to his Father and Uncles in their Marauding days at Hogwarts and had sworn to help Harry, Draco and the others now they were here "Peeves" Harry called out as quietly as he could.
He took off the cloak for a moment.
Peeves heard him first time and flew on over "Harry!" he said in his shrill voice.
"Peeves I need your help" he told the poltergeist who threw up a hand in salute "Peeves is always on hand to help a Marauder" he said.
Harry grinned "thanks Peeves. Filch and Mrs Norris are in the Entrance Hall and I need to get out of the castle. Can you create a distraction?".
The poltergeist grinned evilly "it would be a pleasure it would!" he responded before zooming off.
Harry waited for a while until he heard a loud roar of anger and a heavy crash from Filches Office.
Harry grinned, guessing that Filch would be kept busy for a while as he heard more crashes and cackling laughter from the poltergeist.
He slipped the cloak on and headed over to the large front doors which swung open for him.
He sighed in relief and headed out into the dark grounds.
As he walked he called out "Lumos" and a bright light appeared on the tip of his wand that illuminated the path ahead "this had better be important Hagrid" he said aloud.
He looked at his watch. The time said: 23:50 'thank god I'm on time' he thought.
Another voice popped into his head "clever idea to use Peeves" his Brother said.
Harry grinned and replied back over the link "I figured Peeves would enjoy doing it".
He heard laughter over the link.
After walking for a few more minutes he reached Hagrids cabin, knocked on the door and waited for a response.
Hagrid answered and Harry gaped in astonishment.
His large friend was once again wearing his old brown suit. His hair had been combed back smartly and he was wearing a large daffodil in the top pocket of his suit jacket "Hagrid why are you dressed like that?" Harry asked the half-giant.
Hagrid grinned "got me a date haven' I" he said.
Harry was stunned. In all the years he'd known Hagrid he'd never known the large man to date anyone not because he didn't want to Harry knew. It was more that Hagrid was worried they would know he was a half-giant and not want anything to do with him.
"If you have a date why am I here!" Harry demanded irritably.
He couldn't believe he'd been summoned from the nice warm common room down into the dark grounds merely to be told that Hagrids having a date "I figured that you'll be able to see what I want to show you if you follow and keep hidden" the large man told him.
Harry sighed "why do you need be with someone else to show me?" he asked.
"Simple" said Hagrid "if anyone saw yeh we'd get in trouble but no one will mind me showin' me date".
Harry couldn't argue with that logic "throw yer cloak back on" Hagrid told him.
Harry did as bid, extinguished his wand and waited next to Hagrid whom he noted seemed very nervous.
After a short while Harry could see a figure approaching, a lit wand in their hands.
For the second time that night he stared in amazement as he saw Madame Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons striding up to Hagrids cabin.
"That's who you're going on a date with?" Harry whispered to him.
"Well..why not?" Hagrid answered.
The Headmistress reached the steps in front of the cabin and said "ah Monsier Agrid what was it you wanted to show me?".
"I've got something amazing for ya ta see" he told her "will you please follow me Madame".
He and Madame Maxime linked arms and began to walk towards the trees leaving Harry, hidden under his cloak, to follow on behind struggling to keep up with the long strides of the taller witch and wizard.
After they had been walking a short time they entered the Forbidden Forest and walked for quite a way. The only sound as they walked was crunch of twigs or the sound of their feet.
Eventually they reached a large clearing in the Forest that had less trees clustered there.
"Here we are" Hagrid said.
Harry, still hidden by the cloak stepped up beside him and looked ahead.
He could see several large enclosures and wondered what on earth could be kept in the Forest and just why he needed to see it.
There was a sound of footsteps and a figure emerged from one of the enclosures.
He had short red hair and many burn marks on his face. It was someone Harry had met many times before when visiting The Burrow. Charlie Weasley, the second oldest Weasley sibling who worked with Dragons in Romania.
'Oh no!' his head screamed.
Harry suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
Charlie approached Hagrid and Madame Maxime "Hagrid!" he said cheerfully and shook the half-giants hand "I don't think I've met you've before Madame" Charlie said to the tall woman as he bowed.
"A pleasure I'm sure" Madame Maxime replied with a small smile "I presume you've brought her here to see the Dragons for the First Task" Charlie said.
Hagrid nodded "this way then" Charlie said brightly before looking to Hagrids right where Harry was standing. He saw Charlie's face break into a grin and thought 'please don't say anything Charlie' but Charlie didn't.
He merely waved Hagrid and Madame Maxime over nearer to the Dragon enclosures, to a distance where they could get a good look at them but would not get hurt if anything should happen.
"On the very left we've got the Welsh Green" Charlie informed them "they're usually 18 feet long and are green all over. They're are a bit more placid than some Dragons. Next we have the Swedish Shortsnout which is silvery blue and can be anything up t 22 feet long, they're very fiery creatures. Have quite a temper on them if roused".
Charlie moved on "next up is the Chinese Fireball, scarlet coloured, 25 feet long with spikes around it's face. Has quite the fireball".
Harry noted that as they moved along the first three Dragons had seemed to be handled relatively easily. Hence his trepidation when they reached an enclosure where a large number of handlers seemed to be busy trying to keep the Dragon at bay "and lastly" Charlie began "is the Hungarian Horntail" he actually grimaced as he said it and considering how much he liked Dragons it was surprising "very vicious creatures. Even when they're not riled up they lash out at anyone nearby" he told them "they have all black skin colour and large sharp spikes protruding from their tail".
Harry gazed in horror at the large beast that seemed to throwing handlers about and forcing them to back away "they grow to 50 feet long..." Charlie was about to continue when a man in soot blackened clothes with burn marks on his face and arms, appeared outside the enclosure and said "Charlie we need your help to sedate him!".
"Uh oh!" Charlie ran towards the enclosure calling out "great to see you!".
Harry stood for a moment gazing in horror at the large beast in the enclosure. That thing was part of the First Task?.
He turned and ran. Ran as fast as his legs would carry him. Ran until his lungs were screaming for oxygen.
As he reached the bench halfway up the sloping lawns a familiar voice shouted in his head "Dragons?!" rather hysterically.
"Calm down" Harry said firmly but kindly to Draco "we'll talk about with the others when I get back".
He reached Gryffindor Tower and muttered the new password for the term "Flamel's Stone".
The portrait swung open and he stumbled in through the portrait hole, his heart hammering in his chest.
He felt exhausted and terrified.
"What did he show you?" Ron asked.
"Why are you so out of breath?" Neville cut in.
"It can't have been that bad can it?" Hermione said.
Ginny said nothing, just sat down next to him and squeezed his arm.
Draco sat on his other side as Ron, Neville and Hermione sat in front of them "it's worse than I thought" Harry declared trying to get his breath back "can I have some water?".
In a second a glass of cool water was in his hand. He downed the contents, wiped his lips and set it aside on a table "Dragons".
"WHAT!" Ron shouted.
"Dragons?" Hermione said in confusion.
Draco nodded.
Ginny's eyes widened.
"Why would Hagrid be showing you Dragons Harry?" Neville asked "I mean...I know you like them but still...".
Harry sighed "the First Task is Dragons".
"That's insane!" Ron jumped up shouting.
"They can't make you fight Dragons!" Neville said just as loudly.
"Well we have to do something against them and I doubt it's tickling them" Harry said miserably.
"They can't have you fighting Dragons Harry" Hermione said reasonably "it would put students in far too much danger".
"You might be right Hermione" Harry said biting his lip "but I'm going to research spells to take one down just in case. I'm going to stay down here a bit. You all go off to bed" he said.
Ron and Neville said goodnight and left and asking if he was ok as did Hermione.
This left only Draco and Ginny "you aren't going to head up to bed are you?" Draco said.
Harry glanced at his Brother "how did you know?" he said trying and failing to keep his tone light.
"A Brother knows these things, especially with our connection" Draco replied.
"Don't worry about Harry Draco, get some sleep. I'll stay up with him" Ginny assured the blonde haired boy.
Draco flashed her a grateful smile and said "alright I will". Turning to Harry he said "if you need anything though, anything at all, let me know".
Harry grinned "thanks Bro" he said.
They hugged "any time" Draco said as he headed upstairs.
Harry didn't go to bed that night. Instead he spent the entire night on the same sofa in the common room.
He wasn't alone however as Ginny stayed up with him.
The two of them talked long into the night on the Tournament and at one point Ginny teared up "what's the matter love?" Harry asked wiping away her tears.
Ginny sniffled "I'm just scared for you is all love" she told him.
Harry smiled "you don't need to be love. This Tournament is no more dangerous than facing Quirrel/Voldemort in my First Year or going into the Chamber in my second and it's nowhere near as dangerous as defending myself against Dementors" he shuddered at the mention of the dark creatures "I'll be fine" he kissed her hand "I promise".
"You'd better be. I love you you great prat" she said as she kissed him on the lips.
"I love you too" he replied reciprocating the kiss.
The curled up together on the sofa, Harry transfigured a blanket and some pillows and they lay there for the rest of the night, lost in each others arms.
Harry was amazed to find that, that night he didn't have one single nightmare and he had a feeling it was all down to the girl in his arms.
Despite the extensive training he'd been doing for the First Task and being consumed with classes and homework Harry and the rest of the New Marauders still had time to plan a school wide prank.
By the second week of November they'd already completed the plans themselves and were in the process of preparing the prank items.
The plan was simple yet effective. The first food item consumed at dinner that evening would transform a student depending on their House.
Gryffindor's would grow lion heads and tails and instead of speaking would roar loudly.
Slytherins would grow snake tongues, hiss and have scaly skin for a short while.
Hufflepuff's would grow black and white fur all over their bodies and their noses would change into the short nose of a badger.
And Ravenclaw's would grow eagle heads and their speech would be replaced with the sound of an eagle calling out.
"It's brilliant!" Harry exclaimed happily "this is the sort of big thing we needed!".
"Well Hermione came up with the spells" Draco said grinning.
"Oh come now Draco you and Ginny solved the problem of when to cast it and on who" Hermione said magnanimously.
Harry laughed "well I'm just glad me, Ron, Neville and Luna have the easy part. Right guys" he said.
Ron, Neville and Luna all chuckled and agreed.
It had been decided that Luna would cast the spell for her own table and the Slytherins who were nearest them while Harry, Ron and Neville would take care of the Gryffindor table and the Hufflepuff table.
"This is going to be our best prank yet!" Harry said.
"And because it will affect us too no one will know who did it" Ginny said smiling.
That dinner found the seven New Marauders in the Great Hall waiting for the opportune moment to carry out their prank.
Their wands twitched as they waited for the last stragglers to reach the hall and take their seats.
When Harry was sure enough of the students were in the Hall he nodded to Luna who nodded back and whispered to Ron and Neville "now guys" his friends nodded and with a deft wave of their wands and Luna's the whole thing was done in mere moments.
They now waited with baited breath to see if the spell would have the desired effect.
They did not have to wait long as people began to tuck in at the four House tables and began to instantly change as soon as they swallowed their first morsel of food.
They watched all round the hall as students began to change into Lions and Eagles and Badgers and Snakes.
Some seemed overjoyed at being transfigured while others looked and sounded either angry or alarmed.
Harry and the others laughed for a short while before tucking into their food and also finding themselves changing.
Harry looked at Ron and the others and all he could see was people with Lion heads.
He laughed long and loud as did the others but thankfully their laughter as with Luna's was disguised by their animal forms.
After ten or so minutes of absolute pandemonium in the Great Hall the spell wore off and all of the students began returning to normal.
Some students clapped or cheered the prank while others laughed heartily about it.
Some such as the perennial misery Theodore Nott merely looked askance at having been transfigured.
The Professors looked amazed. McGonagall looked torn between being stern and impressed by the magic while Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Snape were all howling with laughter as was Hagrid.
Professor Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling brightly and the corners of his mouth twitched up as he stared over at Luna first and then the other New Marauders on the Gryffindor table.
Harry was sure the old wizard knew who had done it and yet he also felt certain Dumbledore would say nothing as he knew the old wizard liked a good prank as well, provided it hurt no one.
The thirteenth of November being a Sunday was very fortuitous for Harry as it gave the opportunity for he and the rest of the New Marauders to spend the morning in the Library using their free time as they had been for more than a week researching spells and other ways of getting through the First Task.
Now that Harry knew he would be going up against Dragons they were all checking for spells that could help take down or get round a Dragon.
"The problem is we don't know whether you have to fight one or just get past it" Hermione said in frustration as she set a book down.
"You could go for a tickling charm Harry" Ron suggested.
"That's a terrible idea Ron!" Draco burst out.
"Oh and why's that?" Ron asked irritably.
Draco laughed "because Ron, the Dragon could sneeze and roast Harry alive!".
Ron turned beet red and looked very sheepish "oh...right. Yeah. Sorry Harry" he mumbled in embarrassment.
Harry chuckled "don't worry about it mate. I appreciate the suggestion".
"Hey this could work!" Neville exclaimed.
Everyone turned to him "a Conjunctivitis Jinx. You could temporarily blind the Dragon!".
"Could work Nev, set it aside with the others. I was thinking actually that it would be a good idea to learn the summoning charm, see...I'm not allowed my broom to start with but they didn't say I can't summon it to me".
"Perfect idea Harry!" Draco said grinning "I think our main priority should be to help Harry learn it before the First Task".
There was a murmur of assent from everyone else.
Just then, the doors to the Library banged open and the waspish voice of the Librarian Madam Pince called out "be quiet this is a Library!" as if no one already knew.
Harry and his friends turned back to their spell books only to hear an awkward cough nearby.
After some time of the coughing Harry looked up and sighed. It was Colin Creevey an overly enthusiastic Muggleborn Third Year that hero worshipped Harry "hey Colin good to see you but we're a bit busy" Harry said flicking through a spell book.
"Sorry to disturb you all but you're needed for the wand weighing ceremony" Colin said nervously.
Harry sighed "alright" he said feeling that it was a much better use of his time to be looking up spells that having his wand weighed.
He picked up his school bag, slung it over his shoulder and said "see you guys later then" and stepped up beside Colin as they exited the Library.
If Harry had hoped to have a peaceful walk he'd been sadly mistaken as Colin talked and talked "I was so surprised to see you be selected Harry. I was thrilled of course!. I bet you'll beat them all, you'll ace it!. Do you think it'll be very dangerous?".
Harry rolled his eyes "yes I'm sure it will be quite dangerous" he replied wearily.
He generally liked Colin it was just that the younger boys exuberance could wear pretty thin after a while.
"Here we are Harry!" Colin said "see you!" the excitable boy went off down the corridor whistling happily.
Harry pushed open the door to the room and found it was a disused classroom.
As he closed the door behind him he saw Cedric Diggory the other Hogwarts Champion and in the eyes of all Hufflepuff's, quite a few Ravenclaws and many Slytherins, the true Champion.
He recalled that a few days after his name was plucked from the hat previously friendly Hufflepuff's had taken to blanking him, given him glares or calling him names.
Rude badges had also appeared that declared "Potter stinks" and then flashed to reveal "support Cedric Diggory the real Hogwarts Champion".
Harry might have grown used to them had it not been for the Slytherins buying them all from the Hufflepuff's and few Ravenclaws that had worn them and charming them to be permanently stuck on "Potter stinks".
A few days days ago Luna, Neville and Ron had grabbed one of these badges and attempted to get it to say "support Potter" but now all it said was "Potter really stinks".
As he caught Cedric's eye the older boy nodded in a measure of respect as he talked to Professor Dumbledore.
Harry then saw Fleur Delacour looking immaculately dressed as always, her long blonde hair tied back today, she eyed him disdainfully and returned to hearing whatever Madame Maxime was telling her.
He knew that she thought him too young.
He also saw Victor Krum standing in a corner brooding alongside his Headmaster Professor Asimov.
The Bulgarian wizard did not see him.
There was a photographer, probably from the Daily Prophet on standby and in front of him was a man Harry had not seen since before his First Year, Mr Ollivander the wand maker and seller.
Harry presumed he was here to weigh the wands.
"Would all Champions please come over to me" Mr Ollivander said in a loud voice.
Harry and the others walked over to the old wizard, took out their wands and waited to be called up.
The ceremony progressed on with Mr Ollivander checking each of the Champions wands to make sure they were in good condition and would work properly during each of the tasks.
He commended everyone but suggested to Harry to polish it a bit more.
Harry, knowing that the wand maker knew more about wands than he could ever hope to learn, promised to do just that.
Photos were taken of each of the Champions with their wands out and then a wholly unpleasant voice spoke in his ear "Harry Potter I presume" said the voice.
Harry guessed the woman speaking had meant it to sound friendly but it just sounded like she was up to something "that's me" he replied cautiously.
"Rita Skeeter" she said extending a hand.
Harry gaped at her "you! you're the one who wrote an article on my Uncle Remus! and you called Dumbledore an old fool!".
The reporter smiled "yes I did, shall we go for our interview now?".
"Yes off you go Harry" Ludo Bagman said brightly.
Rita Skeeter began dragging Harry towards a cupboard over his objections.
They were halfway there when Harry managed to step on her foot and yank her arm free "you are a liar and a fraud!" he said loudly "I don't want to do an interview with you!".
Skeeter looked furious and seemed about to try dragging him to the cupboard again until a calm voice chimed in "ah Harry, now that the ceremony is over I assume you will be returning to the Library. I believe your friends are down there waiting for you".
Harry smiled at the Professor and said "thanks Professor" which he was sure Dumbledore knew was both for telling him where to find his friends and saving him from that awful Skeeter woman.
The thing he hated most was that he knew she would write an article anyway making it seem liked she's interviewed him and all the gullible idiots would believe what she said.
As Harry left he heard footsteps behind him and saw Cedric Diggory walking along the same corridor.
He decided to do something that he knew would probably make the other student suspicious but Harry knew was the right thing to do.
"Cedric" he called out as he stopped.
Cedric walked over to him "yeah?" he said.
Harry took a deep breath "don't ask how I know but the First Task is Dragons".
Cedric gaped at him "Dragons?".
Harry nodded and the older boys eyes narrowed "why are you telling me this?" he asked suspiciously.
Harry rolled his eyes "I'm not trying to trick you Cedric. I just want Hogwarts to bring to the trophy home no matter which of us ends up winning and in any case I happen to know Madame Maxime saw the Dragons too and would have told Fleur by now".
Cedric's suspicious gaze still lingered but he said "thanks" before walking off.
Harry was proven right in his assumption about Rita Skeeter when he opened the Daily Prophet newspaper the next morning and read in mounting fury the story which she had written.
"Eyes sparkling with the ghost of my dead Mum!" he shouted.
It had taken half an hour for Harry's Brother and friends to get him to calm down after the incident and that was only after he'd torn the newspaper into tiny little pieces and spat on them.
It was now the 24th of November and the talk with Cedric seemed to be a lifetime ago.
The eleven days had passed by in a rush of classes, homework, Hogsmeade visits and vigorous preparations for the First Task.
True to their word his Uncles and Dad had come to Hogwarts and secretly helped Harry learn a number of new spells and brush up on other spells that could really help him him when it came to facing a Dragon.
When Harry had voiced his concerns about facing the Dragon his Dad had looked as worried as he had but had told him "I imagine you'll just need to get past it. I highly doubt they'd endanger students by having them fight one".
That still had not quietened the doubts spinning about in Harry's mind and as he stood in the Champions pavilion all he could think was 'what the bloody hell am I doing here? I'm not ready for this!'.
He was vaguely aware of his hands shaking with nerves as Mr Fudge opened the drawstring bag containing the Dragon models 'please anything but the Horntail' Harry thought.
He felt sick.
Fleur was the first one to choose. She reached into the bag and plucked out the common Welsh Green which was one of the more placid of the four Dragons, it also contained the number one meaning she'd be up first.
Victor went next plucking out the Chinese Fireball and the number three.
Then it was Cedric's turn with him plucking out the Swedish Shortsnout and the number two.
Harry's legs felt like jelly as he reached down into the bag and plucked out the only remaining Dragon model.
'Give me a break!' he thought miserably as he plucked out the Hungarian Horntail the most vicious of the four Dragons and with it the number four which meant he'd have to wait until last.
With the Dragons having been selected Bagman and Fudge explained that the Champions each needed to recover an egg from the Dragons who would try their best to protect it.
Harry felt a little better at knowing that he wouldn't have to try killing a full grown Dragon but he still knew it was going to be incredibly difficult.
Then the families came in to wish the Champions good luck.
Harry saw what appeared to be a middle aged woman with blonde hair and also a little girl with the same blonde hair. Both looked a lot like Fleur and he surmised it was her Mother and Sister.
Victor was greeted by a middle aged couple both with greying hair and reserved expressions and he thought they were probably the Champions Parents.
Cedric's Parents meanwhile couldn't be missed especially his boisterous Father Amos who talked as loud as he could and seemed to make Cedric more nervous with his words.
Harry was amazed by the amount of people that came to see him. First came Mr and Mrs Weasley, then came Peter and Celia, then came Sirius and Janice with David, then Remus and finally his Parents along with Molly and Draco.
They all gave him big hugs and words of encouragement. His Sister said "you be careful you prat. I don't care how much honour it is winning it you stay safe" he smiled and promised he would.
"Good luck Harry" his younger Brother David said as he hugged him tightly "you'll do great".
Harry laughed "thanks kiddo" he replied.
Draco was one of the last to hug him and said in an emotional voice "you kick arse out there and get back to safety soon. Don't forget about what we were practising".
"I won't Bro I promise" he assured his Brother.
His Mum then hugged him tearfully and said "oh my sweet boy" she couldn't say any more as she was overcome with emotion and she left the tent alongside the others leaving Harry alone with his Dad.
James looked at his Son and realised with a shock that Harry was almost as tall as he was already.
"Well Son this is it" he said feeling worried "I know you didn't want to be in this Tournament and I don't blame you so just be careful alright?".
Harry felt choked up and could only nod and whisper "I'll try".
His Dad gathered him into a tight hug which he held Harry in for a long time until he was ushered out of the tent as the task was about to begin.
Harry's nerves were heightened when he heard the loud voice of Ludo Bagman, the commentator booming out "Ladies and Gentlemen! welcome to the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament!" the crowd roared out it's approval and the noise became thunderous.
Harry recalled that Bagman had took him aside earlier that day and offered assistance to Harry to help him in the Tournament.
Given that Bagman was supposed to be one of the judges and therefore totally impartial Harry had refused stating that he had friends helping him research spells and that he could handle the rest on his own.
Bagman had slunk away looking very upset and also very worried making Harry certain in his guess that Bagman had taken a massive money bet on him winning the Tournament, whether it was so he could pay the irate Goblins though or pay Fred and George Harry didn't know.
"First up to test her skill is Miss Fleur Delacour!" Fleur strode somewhat nervously through the tent flap and out into the arena.
Harry's nerves were made worse by Bagman's commentary as he commented on every step good or bad "ooh that was a nasty hit!" and "what flying!".
After half an hour the crowd roared and Bagman declared "she has the egg!".
After a short time to most like switch Dragons a voice boomed out "the next Champion Mr Cedric Diggory!".
The older boy strode confidently out of the tent but not before turning to Harry and saying "thanks".
It took less time and judging by the commentary less pitfalls before Cedric grabbed the egg as less than twelve minutes later Bagman shouted "Mr Diggory has done it!".
Again another pause and then "Up next Mr Victor Krum!". Victor slouched out the tent looking his usual grim self.
After thirteen minutes Bagman yelled out "Mr Krum has the egg!".
Harry waited nervously. The tension in his body mounted as the time went by. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to be here but he had no choice.
He was thrown from his thoughts by the booming voice of Ludo Bagman "and now the final Champion Mr Harry Potter!".
Harry swallowed nervously and walked through the tent flap into the sunlight.
A wave of noise assaulted to his ears.
He looked up into the stands where his friends and family were sat all giving him reassuring looks and thumbs up.
He grinned when he saw a large banner being held up by Luna, Ginny and Hermione that read "Harry, Harry, he's our man!".
Harry stared ahead resolutely as he saw not far away, the massive Horntail guarding the precious egg that he needed "I'm sorry" he said quietly and steeled himself to do what he must.
Authors Note: I had intended to show Harry's part of the task in this chapter but as it's already at 6,279 words it's long enough so I shall show Harry's part of the task at the start of chapter thirty three.
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