8: You Can't Have A Pet Dragon
The day of the first trial has the entire castle buzzing. During breakfast Dumbledore announces to everyone the event will be held in the forbidden forest.
"Stick to the marked path lest you incite the centaurs into attacking," he reminds them cheerfully.
This warning dulls the excitement only for a moment before the students are adamantly talking again, speculating what the first trial will be.
Some forego eating altogether and head out to the trial even though it won't start for at least an hour.
[The twins come over to their table taking bets. A majority of those who partake put their money on Viktor but a few love-struck fools bet on Fleur Delacour. The prefect asks Annabeth who shell put in for. She doesn't gamble, she lies. In truth her existence is a gamble.
"No faith in your Hufflepuff pup?" Graham asks, earning a few laughs.
Since the day she dismissed him as anyone of consequence he has had it out for her. She's not worried. Though he is a prefect, his status within their house grants him dominion only over the first years.
Annabeth dismissed the comment and finishes her breakfast quickly in order to avoid further conversations with her fellow Slytherins. They have a knack for weaving double meanings and ulterior motives into every sentence and while she can appreciate the talent, she isn't in the mindset to throw in with these vipers.
As she is leaving, walking along the length of the Slytherin table, Malfoy says, "Tell Jackson I wish him luck."
Annabeth nods, choosing to ignore the insincerity of the comment.
Heading into the not-so-forbidden forest she passes more timid students who are keeping a weather eye on the trees and is one of the first to arrive at the makeshift stadium.
Rather than taking a seat she decides to take a look around and make sure there are no surprises during the trial. She circles past the stands, past the judge's podium, and into the trees beyond where she knows the dragons are held.
All four are held in cages, securely chained and muzzled. The dragon nearest to her flares its nostrils and thrashes in the cage, hissing at her through the muzzle.
The agitation of the dragons draws the attention of one of their caretakers.
"Woah there! Sign said student aren't permitted in this area," the red head says, jogging in her direction
"Did it?" she asks. Her attention still partially on the dragon. It hisses at her again and Annabeth decides real dragons are much scarier than metal dragons.
"You're riling them up!" he exclaims.
The man pets the dragon through the bars in what she considers a brave move. It can't bite with the muzzle but a well aimed thrashing can have his bones breaking.
The animal stills and settles back down. He is very good with them. She and Percy have seen him caring for them during their entire stay and he treats them with an unprecedented amount of compassion and gentleness.
"The dragons really don't like you," he observes.
"The feeling is very mutual." She sticks out her hand. "Annabeth Chase, nice to meet you."
"Charlie Weasley," he replies, shaking her hand. "You're really not supposed to be in this area."
"I thought I'd come and take a peek at the trial before it begins. I don't like surprises. Will they fight the dragons?"
"Take your seat and you'll find out in twenty minutes."
"A rule follower," she muses, "that's unexpected for a Weasley."
He laughs. "You know my brothers then."
"Unfortunately. We have classes together, and the occasional detention."
He notices the green of her scarf then and the friendliness of his smile ebbs away some.
She wrinkles her nose. "You were a Gryffindor, huh?"
"I'm not biased," he replies. "Students aren't allowed back here."
"I've already seen the dragons," she argues. "And if you send me off right now I'll just tell everyone about them and you'll be fending off a hoard of students."
"A Slytherin indeed," he replies. "Your threats won't work on me. Off with you."
She does a quick reassessment and wisely changes tactics.
He may have been a Gryffindor, but he is also gentle with the beasts, a straight shooter, and most importantly: a Weasley. If there's one thing she's seen they have in common, it's their core values of family and friendship.
"Okay, I'm sorry. It's just that my boyfriend is in the tournament and I'm really worried about him." She waits a beat and when he seems to soften she asks, "Can you tell me . . . How dangerous will this trial be? The dragons clearly aren't tamed."
"Dragons can't be tamed," he informs. "The best anyone can hope for is to *train* them."
"Are they trained?"
"Er, sort of." He glances at the cages. "I offered to bring some well trained ones but they insisted on three females who just laid eggs--which only serves to make them more violent."
"What's to keep them from just flying? You'll have to let them out of their cages eventually."
He gestures to a pile of chains. "Made of the strongest iron, and spelled by Mr. Crouch himself."
"A little barbaric, don't you think? Killing the dragons for sport?"
Charlie looks alarmed at the idea. "Merlin, no! Headmaster Dumbledore has assured me the dragons will come to no great harm and then it's back to the sanctuary for them and their eggs."
That's a relief. While the question of weather or not the dragon would turn to dust is an interesting one, she'd rather not have it be answered in front of the entire school.
The snapping of branches draws their attention. From the direction of the stadium emerge Fred and George Weasley.
George points dramatically at Charlie. "There he is! The dragon conquer! He who doesn't quake at its mighty roar, nor cower when faced with its fire breath!"
"All hail!" Fred cheers.
"Hail, hail!" the twins say together.
"Does no one here heed warning signs anymore?" Charlie shakes his head but grins all the same.
"I can't read," George says.
They hug Charlie, then notice Annabeth with him.
"Sneaking a peek?" George asks her. "You should have done that days ago."
She makes a face but doesn't respond.
"Don't touch the dragons," Charlie says, eyeing his brothers for signs of mischief. "Where's Ron? Haven't seen him for three days."
"He's pouting, but he'll watch the trial. He thinks Harry is going to loose."
"He'd be right," Annabeth says, retaining the attention of the three Weasley's.
The twins chuckle. "Oh, you think so? Our Harry has got this in the bag. He may be small but he's got a knack for making it out on top."
A smile tugs at her. "He wouldn't be the only one, but Percy is anything but small."
"Your boyfriend can't cast a spell to save his life."
"Maybe," she concedes, "but Harry is out if his depth, competing against students years ahead of him."
George grins. "If you're so confident, why won'tyou place a bet? This will be your last chance. We stop accepting as soon as the trial starts."
"You know mum doesn't like you two betting," Charlie warns.
"Ten Sickles," Fred says.
"I don't need your money," she replies.
"A true Slytherin's bargain then," Fred decides.
"Am I invisible?" Charlie asks.
"Secrets?" George asks.
Annabeth considers this but decides on, "A favor. Who ever looses owes the other person a favor. A favor to be determined at a later date by the winner." Seeing the glint in their eyes, she adds, "Within reason."
"Define within reason."
"Will not result in expulsion if caught."
The brothers glance at each other and grin. She knows they're thinking the same thing she is. It's always good to have someone oweing you a favor.
"Deal."
"I'm invisible," Charlie decides.
To seal their deal she shakes both their hands and leaves them with their brother. The tournament will be starting soon but before she goes to find her seat she decides to wish Percy luck first.
He, along with the other champions, are at the two tents to one side of the rickety stadium. They're preparing for the trial but she decides to sneak in anyway. When she gets there she sees she's not the only one who had the idea. Hermione is talking to Harry who has his head poking out of a hole in the tent.
Annabeth puts on her invisibility hat in order to get inside easier. The inside is bigger than the outside lead her to believe.
She pauses, stepping back outside to calculate the dimensions. Definitely bigger on the inside. It's fascinating but she shoves it all away to the back of her mind, adding it to the ever growing list of curiosities she idly wonders about.
She finds Percy sitting on a couch fiddling with his pen.
She crouches in front of him, whispering, "Percy, it's me."
He reaches out and she catches his hand.
"I don't think you're allowed in here," he says, glancing to make sure no one is near. The other champions are all minding their business, no one even notices Harry half hanging out of the tent.
"That's why I'm invisible," she whispers. "You all set?"
"Yep, good to go. They haven't told us who's fighting which dragon but looks like they're getting everything ready."
"Good, now remember not to let the flames touch you. They can easily travel across your skin and reach your Achilles heel."
"I know, you told me like ten times before I got here."
"I'm sorry. I got a little paranoid visiting the dragons just now. They are much more intimidating up close, and I get the feeling they don't like half bloods."
"I've fought a dragon before," he reminds her.
"There were four of us then, and these dragons don't have an off switch."
"I'm basically invincible now though."
"Just don't let the fire g--"
"Annabeth." He reaches out blindly and pulls her cap off. He looks her in the eyes and says, "I'll be fine."
"You better be, because if you die out there I'll resurrect you and kill you myself."
He kisses her cheek and puts the cap back on her head. "Love you too."
Sneaking back out of the tent she goes to the stands. In her time visit the dragons and Percy the stands have been filled to the brim.
Cedric Diggory waves her over. Of Percy's Hufflepuff friends, he was the first to warm up to her. He actually reminds her of the children of Apollo, with his sunshine smile and charming charisma that has many people swooning.
"Is he nervous?" He asks her, meaning Percy.
"Cocky, I'd say."
"I hope so, I've got ten Sickles saying he'll take first place." He glances at his seat sheepishly. "The trial will start any minute now, we'd ask you to sit but there's no room . . ."
"That's okay, I'll find someplace," she assures.
She ventures deeper into the stands, feeling like it's the first day of school and there's no one to eat lunch with.
Oddly enough, she is saved humiliation by an unlikely student.
"Chase! Over here," Draco calls, nodding to a seat he has just ordered another student to vacate.
She hesitates only for a second before sitting. "Thanks."
"You left the great hall long before we did and still hadn't found a seat," Draco casually observes. "What have you been up to?"
"Looking around. Seeing what there is to see," she replies.
From the spot just in front of them a tall boy with black hair says to Draco, "Are you going to introduce us to your friend or should we guess the name?"
She hasn't heard anyone talk to Draco in that way before. Most hedge conversations with him or are clamoring for his attention.
"Annabeth Chase, this Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Daphne Greengrass."
"Nice to meet you," she says.
Daphne smile politely, and Theodore nods by way of greeting. Daphne has gloss black hair styled to perfection and the robes of all four of these students are made of a finer quality fabric than most other students, telling her they are of the same high social class.
Although they are all around fourteen they exude an air of superiority.
"You're the one who's got her claws in the Hogwarts Champion," Blaise says.
"I don't have claws."
"Fangs?"
"Unless you want to find out I'd let her be about it," Draco says. "The Hufflepuff is a touchy subject."
It's meant as a warning but this only seems to intrigue the dark haired boy. Annabeth catagorizes these students in her mental files and does some reevaluating on Draco. He seems to have moved on from fearing her to trying to befriend her.
She's lucky he's decided she'd make a useful ally because she was thinking the same of him. His sway over the Slytherin population seems to have no end.
She's also recently learn his father works at the Ministy of Magic and on the board of Governors, all of its members who are present today, in a private seating area beside the judges table.
She can distinguish the boys father by their identical shade of platinum blonde hair. She wants to get an audience with him and Draco is exactly the person she needs to make this happen.
So far she and Percy have been exposed to this tiny crumb of the wizarding world but she wants to know more. She needs to know everything about it.
"I wonder why we aren't having the trial at the quidditch stadium," Daphne says, staring at the stadium beneath her feet with concern.
Annabeth shares her concern. The whole thing feels like it's about to collapse beneath them.
Most of the effort has gone towards constructing the arena before them. It's a pit littered with strategically placed boublers and stumps. In the very center of this pit sits an empty circle Annabeth knows to be a nest.
"They probably didn't want it getting ruined."
"Tell us Chase, what is this first trial?"
She glances at Malfoy, surprised. "You don't know?"
"Why would I?"
"It can't be hard for someone with your influence to find out," she says, deciding she should butter him up a little
"It isn't, but it was also in no way beneficial to know."
She wisely avoids mentioning his rivalry with Harry Potter, instead saying, "It could effect the bet you place."
He snorts and Daphne laughs, saying, "We don't place bets. It's unbecoming for wizards of our names."
Prestigious families then. What was it Malfoy had said to her weeks ago? His blood is among the purest she will find in Hogwarts.
She wonders what this means. Do he and his have more magical ability compared to others?
"What will the trial be?" Theodore asks, speaking for the first time.
Annabeth can't say for sure but he seems significantly more broody than his company. In fact if she were forced to come to conclusions, she'd say he's not fond of his company at all.
She nods toward Mr. Bagman who has move to stand on the platform across the arena, just in front of the judges table. "You're about to find out."
All attention shifts to the old wizard who has lifted his hand to gather their attention. Amplifying his voice with some spell. He says, "Welcome, welcome! Now that our Champions have gotten sorted, let us get the competition underway! For the first trial of the Tri-wizard Tournament our Champions must collect a golden egg from the arena."
There's a gleaming egg nestled in the rocky terrain of the arena. With it are four other very real eggs.
"Not as easy as it sounds!" Mr. Bagman assures, when the task is received poorly. He gestures with a sweeping hand towards a ruckus at the edge of the arena where Hagrid and Charlie are bringing in a covered cage.
They've somehow managed to silence the creature which makes the announcement and reveal all the more thrilling for the audience.
"For the eggs will be protected by a fearsome dragon!"
Hagrid pulls back the fabric and the dragon in the cage is revealed to all. The animal roars and the crowd cheers.
"A dragon," Draco breathes.
Charlie and Hagrid chain the dragon to a large stone before releasing it from its cage. This one the smallest of the four, almost eighteen feet long. It's reptial skin is a rich green, like summer grass.
"Facing the Common Welsh Green will be the Beauxbatons Champion, Fleur Delacour!"
After Mr.Bagman has taken his seat at the judges table Fleur steps out of the Champions tent and rather timidly makes her way through the arena before settling behind a large Boulder where the dragon has yet to see her.
The dragon sniffs the air then turns sharply to the rock she is hiding behind. Wand out, Fleur mutters an incantation that seems to lull the dragon. She steps out into the open, continuing to weave her spell and the dragon falls into slumber, curling up around it's eggs and Fleur's prize.
She inches closer until she's practically on top of the dragon and delicately reaches into the nest and grabs the golden egg. She very nearly makes a clean getaway but as she is walking away the dragon snorts in its sleep, sending flames toward her and catch her skirt on fire.
With a yelp she puts out the flames and runs the rest of the way to the healing.
Applaude breaks out and Mr. Bagman rises. "Excellent work! Nearly a clean getaway!"
While Charlie and Hagrid place the dragon back in it's cage the judges tally their scares and present them. The five judges give Fleur a combined score of 35 out of 50.
These wizards have a strange idea of what passes for entertainment, then again she's not one to talk.
Camp Half Blood specializes in death defying stunts. Chariot races and capture the flag have been known to claim a life every once in a while. Then of course there is the maiden quest every demigod takes in order to prove themselves to their godly parent.
"Up next we have Victor Krum of the Durmstrang Institute, facing the Chinese Fireball!"
This dragon is bigger than the last with scarlet skin. Unlike Fleur, Viktor takes a head on approach to get his egg, as one would expect from someone of his reputation.
Right out of the gate he charges the dragon. His heavy steps immediately put the dragon on alert. Before it can react, he hits it with a spell that makes its yellow eyes turn milky white.
His boldness insights the crowd into cheering which he relishes in. The sudden noise though makes the dragon stumble. It nearly crushes the golden egg but Viktor manages to swipe it before its foot comes crashing down.
The crowd goes wild. In the end he gets a combined score of 40 and walks away with only minor scratches.
"Splendid, just splendid!" Mr. Bagman says, clapping along with the audience. "Next we have a Hogwarts Champion. None other than Harry Potter, facing the fearsome Hungarian Horntail!"
The entire audience, although still thrilled, seems to get tense when this dragon is brought out.
It's twice the size of Viktors and easily the most hostile dragon of the lot. Annabeth is equal parts relieved Percy didn't get this one and concerned the least skilled Champion did.
When Harry steps out he hesitates. Lingering near the edge of the arena he climbs up onto a pile of scorched rocks and lifts his wand to cast a spell no one can hear.
For several long moments, nothing happens. Blaise mutters something about a faulty spell and Annabeth almost agrees--until something zooms over their heads and into the arena.
Harry has summoned his broom. A brilliant move on his part. He is lacking in all areas when measured up against his competition but from what she heard he's a flying prodigy.
Not missing a beat, Harry snatches his broom but instead of stopping it, he follows its momentum and mounts the broom in one smooth motion.
He circles the arena once, causing cheers. The Dragon has its deadly gaze set on Harry. He darts around it a few times, looking for an opening.
The presence of a flying opponent insights the dragon into also taking flight. When on the ground the things it massive but with its wings outstretched it truly is monstrous--so monstrous it breaks free of its restraint with ease.
Reactions vary here. Some launch to their feet while other sink to the floor.
No longer held back, the dragon snaps at Harry. He dives from the reach of its jaws and they fly from the arena, the dragon hot on Harry's heels.
Annabeth watches until they're out of sight then turn back to see the judges have risen from their seats but made no other moves.
"Is no one going to do anything?" Annabeth demands.
"Rules of the tournament," Blaise says, rising from the floor with some dignity. "Once the trial begins there can be no outside intervention unless the champion completes their task or forfeits it."
"We'd hardly know if he's chosen to forfeit!" she argues.
She looks around for any sane person but no one seems to share her instinct to go help. Perhaps she was too hasty in thinking their definition of fun was the same as a demigods.
Are they really going to follow these rules all the way to death of one of their own, especially under such extenuating circumstances?
"I'm going to help him," she decides resolutely, already searching the audience for Hermione Granger. Surely she wouldn't let her friend die in this tournament.
"Don't be stupid, Chase. Intervening will get you expelled," Draco tells her.
"What are you so worried about anyway? Harry Potter is the boy who lived," Blaise drawls. "If a killing curse didn't do him in a dragon won't."
Draco glares at him but offers reluctant agreement.
Even if he's wrong, Annabeth reminds herself it doesn't matter if he gets killed. Harry is her enemy. They all are.
The month they have spent here is whittling away at her. She needs to take her own advice stop getting so involved.
So she sits.
And waits.
Ten minutes later, Harry returns. He flies low and scoops up his egg then takes two victory laps around the arena. He holds his egg up proudly but his smile is shaky and his clothes are tattered.
The dragon is no where to be seen, though she doubts he managed to kill it. He touches down and disappears into the healing tent.
The judges award him 45 points. It puts him in first place, much to the irritation of Draco and company.
Fred and George Weasley cheer the loudest, mocking those who lost bets. Annabeth squints in their direction, irritated.
"What are they celebrating for? The trial isn't over yet."
All four friends share a look and Blaise says to her, "Your Hufflepuff will be lucky to even get his egg."
Annabeth smiles. "He'll do more than that."
They don't believe her.
This will be the first display of Percy's skill they will get to see. After today the entire school will be rooting for him, her house especially. Slytherin responds to power and Percy is certainly that.
The last dragon brought out is the Swedish Short-Snout. It's a silver-blue, like the sunlight on ocean waves. Annabeth debates to herself weather this is an odd coincidence or the Fates idea of a joke.
The other Champions had the students at the edge of their seats, thrilled to see what they would do. Once Percy steps out the atmosphere changes.
Now it seems the entirety of Hogwarts is holding their breath for the incompetent Hufflepuff, sure to get himself killed.
Annabeth is offended on Percy's behalf yet at the same time impressed by the reputation Harry Potter has for the majority to not have feared for his life.
"Don't die," she mumbles under her breath.
Lending to their view of him, instead of first turning to his opponent, Percy looks to the audience and waves excitedly with one hand and, when he finds Annabeth, blows an exaggerated kiss at her which serves to drag a smile from her.
He's going to be fine. She knows this. But there will always live in her the fear of loosing him. Yet whenever she sees him standing there as he is, all power and confidence, the fear is shoved to the back of her mind.
He's Percy Jackson.
He's going to be fine.
Finally he turns to his opponent. Up until now, The dragon has been curled around the nest with its head turned away from Percy. Annabeth finds it hard to believe it doesn't know he has entered the arena. Dragons have an excellent sense of smell and Percy is a demigod.
When it feels Percy's gaze on it, the dragon stands and positions its entire body in front of the nest as if sensing a challenge. It throws its head back, spewing blue flames into the air. A warning.
Percy leans down and grabs a rock and waves his wand at it in the motion of a transfiguration spell. His sword grows in his hand, and Annabeth hopes no one has notice the rock he tucked into his robe pocket with his wand.
The crowd murmurs. A sword is an unusual choice given the surplus of spells.
"He can't mean to take it on without his wand," Daphne says, straightening in her seat.
"Don't say this was your idea," Blaise says, glancing at her.
"It was," she replies with a smile.
"I thought you liked him," Draco says.
Gasps from the audience draw their attention back to the arena. Percy is running straight st the dragon, maneuvering the rocky terrain with ease.
Once he's in range the dragon shoots fire at him. The heat off them can reduce bone and flesh to ash in seconds of contact. Percy ducks behind a rock and the second the flames stop, he jumps back out and closes the rest of the distance.
He slashes it's leg, then dances out of its reach. His sword cuts the dragon scales easily. When it tries to roast him again he runs forward and slashes it's other leg.
He ducks a swipe of the claws and quickly scales the length of its tail but the dragon whips around, sending Percy hurtling straight up in the air.
As he falls, the dragon lifts its head and opens wide to swallow Percy whole. No one can alter their trajectory when falling such a short distance but Percy manages to rotate and go feet first. He skids the mouth of the dragon and pushes to side.
The dragons snaps its teeth, missing Percy by mere inches, sending the crowd to its feet.
Percy lands back on the ground and doesn't waste a second before charging again. This time when he s ales up the dragons tail he makes it all the way to its head, where he stabs the dragon in the eye.
Then it occurs to Annabeth that Percy might try to kill it, as it was never clearly stated they couldn't kill it in order to get the egg.
She mentally readies herself in case it does turn to dust. Manipulating the mist on large scales requires intense focus and intent. It was hard enough doing it in the great hall but their heightened emotions will make it more so..
But it turns out she's worried for no reason because Percy is way ahead of her.
After burying his sword to the hilt he releases it and launches away, doing a back tuck and landing back on the ground. The dragon roars and claws at the sword.
Percy grabs the golden egg and strolls over to the healers tent with the goofiest grin on his face.
The cheers are deafening.
It only take a minute before Percy's score is announced. He is awarded a total of 47 points.
"Let's hear it for our Champions for giving us a spectacular show! And a special applause for the standout winner of this first trial: Percy Jackson!"
The little group of Slytherins Annabeth is sitting with all stare at Annabeth, as if demanding answers.
"That was . . ."
"My heart stopped twice," Daphne says, slouching for a second before straightening again. "I thought he was dead for sure!"
"That was incredible," Blaise says.
"I'm impressed," Theodore agrees, and they aren't the only ones who think so. The entire student body is chattering excitedly.
"It didn'teave a mark on him!"
"Did you see how fast he climbed up? It almost wasn'thuman! What spell did he use to increase reflexes?"
This is the first display of Percy's skills anyone has seen and now that they have no one will be underestimating him again.
"Where did he learn that?" Draco demands.
"It's a hobby," Annabeth says dismissively. "Excuse me."
As she heads down to meet up with Percy she sees the Weasley twins sitting with their shoulders slumped.
"Pleasure doing business with you," she says, sauntering past.
Instead of responding, Fred offers her a cream puff. She refuses, both because it's hexed and because he was carrying it around in his pocket.
Gross.
Once she gets down to the healers tent she sees all the champions are inside, each on them with their own cot in the makeshift hospital that is again bigger on the inside.
Inside, most everyone is staring at Percy in awe. The other champions have been bandaged up but Percy sits on his cot, his legs dangling off the side, blissfully unaware of all the stares he is getting.
He's playing with something in his hand. She takes a seat beside him and he holds his hand out to her.
"Look!"
Rolling around on the palm of his hand is a miniature version of the dragon he just fought. The little thing spits out a tiny stream of fire then spreads it wings out, looking up at Percy with its white belly to the sky.
"They said I can keep him," he tells her happily. "His name is Sebastian."
A smile tugs at her mouth seeing him gleefully rubbing the little things belly but she says all the same, "You can't have a pet dragon, it's impractical. The thing will be massive!"
"It's not real," Hermione pipes up. She is hovering beside Harry who is having a conversation with Ron. "It's an animation spell, perfectly harmless."
Annabeth nods her acknowlement and Hermione turns back to the two boys she's with.
"Congratulations," Annabeth tells her boyfriend, "you got the highest score. You fought really well out there."
Percy shrugs sheepishly. "Maybe not." He points to the judges having a heated argument on the other side of the tent. "They might change my score."
Annabeth turns her attention to them. The others in the tent do a horrible job of pretending they can't hear every loud word.
"--y student points for crushing a few eggs but that boy permanently blinds the dragon and doesn't get marked down? This will not stand! It's a clear sign of favoritism!"
As Kakaroff waves his hands in an angry gesture the sleeve of his robe bunches up at his elbow, exposing his forearm. Annabeth gets a peek at a black tattoo there, a skull with a snake coming out of its mouth.
The Russian actually halts his tirade in order to conceal it again which she finds interesting and makes a mental note of.
"Mr. Jackson did not loose points in that aspect because the dragon was the opponent to be faced," Mr. Crouch says. "Unlike the eggs Mr. Krum crushed."
Karkaroff storms over to his champion and starts speaking to him in a low voice. Judging by their postures, Victor is getting a serious talking to.
Mr. Crouch gets everyone's attention and says, "The first trial is complete. Congratulations to you all. It's a good thing you all succeed because that egg hold the clues to your next trial which will take place on the 24th of February."
AN: I know it's trash but I've been working on this chapter for so long, so this is fine.