[a/n0]re:#106 alix33&vukk totally contradicted each other "not nearly enough punishment" vs "should be punished lightly" It was especially perfect that one followed the other. I laughed. To the points they raised, I believe a teacher would have done about what McG did. HAD something actually happened to Hermione with the troll, I could see harsher punishment. As it is, I'd think she'd probably drop the affair after the 1st detention MW's howler was infinitely worse than the official sanctions

[a/n00]Lots of 'in defense of Ron' comments. Interesting thought was what happened those 1st 2 months of 1st Year?

[a/n]My take on a common theme.

Harry Does Different CCCDVII

Snakes Speak Poor Dragon

"Zey iz trooly magnifique!" the giantess from Beauxbatons gripped the shoulder of her smaller companion "Hagreed I canot zank ye enough for showing me zem!"

A young man approached the pair. He greeted the Gameskeeper with a hearty handshake, the Headmistress with a polite nod "Yes, they're dragons." he acknowledged "A Horntail, a Short Snout, a Fireball and a Welsh Green. We brought them for the Tournament."

"Ahh I zee." Maxime was nodding thoughtfully.

Harry was initially stunned by someone ANYone towering over his massive friend. Then one of them, he didn't know which, roared and spewed a fireball. He instinctively recoiled.

"Thank ya Charlie! Thank ya verra much." Hagrid was about as much taller as the man as the giantess was taller than him. In his enthusiasm, he pounded his shoulder.

Harry was amazed he didn't simply crumple, but the hat bounced off his head revealing a shock of red. Harry'd never met him but knew instantly "Must be Charlie Weasley!"

"My pleasure old friend." His former friend's older brother neatly kicked the fallen headgear with a foot and it landed on his head. He made a discreet 'follow' gesture with a forefinger, saying aloud "They're getting a little antsy, so if you'll excuse me."

Harry complied and once they were away from the giant pair, removed his Invisibility Cloak, sheepishly he shrugged "I need to learn to keep my voice down. Wonder why Maxime and Hagrid didn't hear."

"Their ears are tuned to a lower pitch." He explained casually and offered a hand "Let's see, dark hair, scar. Knew me. You must be Harry Potter."

The boy nodded "Got it in one. This must have something to do with the Tournament."

"Got it in one." The man returned the words "Officially, of course, no one is supposed- - -"

Humans heard a mighty *roar* from three of the dragons. It wasn't what Harry heard it was "WE ARE HUNGRY!" he automatically repeated "They're hungry."

"How did you know that?" asked Charlie once he and his fellow handlers fed the mighty creatures.

Harry looked irritated "Could you have fed them any less? Maybe give them a Cornish Pixie each? I said they said they were HUNGRY!" ~~I am sorry noble ladies~~

"You can speak to dragons?" all the handlers were astonished "And understand them?"

As if it was an everyday thing, Harry nodded "Sure I speak Parseltongue."

~~Your accent is atrocious, hatchling~~ said the Fireball.

The Horntail added ~~However, it is rather offensive to say we speak snake. It is more accurate to say snakes speak dragon. Or rather, a bastard version of it.~~

Harry translated this for the ever more shellshocked handlers, then demanded "Why are you keeping them hungry like that?"

"Sorry, orders." Replied a sheepish Charlie "They're for the Tournament, but I guess I really shouldn't tell you that."

Harry came to the only logical conclusion and told the dragons ~~They're going to make us champions fight you for something. I see you have eggs. It must involve them.~~

~~Threaten my clutch and I will roast you!~~ declared the Fireball.

The other three snarled angrily ~~Then we will tear you in apart and devour you!~~

"Harry you'd best back away." Warned Charlie "We can't control them when they're like this."

All four roared, Harry translated "They're angry because they're hungry and you're endangering their families. Personally, I can't say I blame them. This whole tournament is stupid." ~~Great dragons, there is a whole lot of spiders, many bigger than horses, over that way. If, during our contest, you just let us take whatever is NOT your eggs. I promise nothing will happen to them."

~~Acromantulas!~~ all the dragons were delighted ~~We agree!~~ They effortlessly snapped the chains supposedly imprisoning them, and flew off.

The handlers stood with their mouths hanging open. Finally Charlie complained "What did you tell them? How did they break those? They're magically reinforced."

"To that, Hermione would say something like Guess they're not as good as you thought they were. Are they now?" Harry was plainly snarky "Don't worry, they'll back after they've had a snack. Good meeting you, Charlie, even if your brother is a git."

The redhaired man watched the boy leave with a bemused expression.

Abcij

"The Horntail, of course." Harry wasn't the least surprised he'd managed to draw the meanest nastiest looking dragon of the bunch. Even the shrunk version looked capable of eating him.

Mr. Crouch looked suspicious "How could you know?"

"I think the four of us deserve some privacy." He didn't even try to answer. "Delacour? Krum? Diggory?"

The other three Champions gave suspicious looks, but Cedric yielded first telling his father "Go on Dad. He's not near as dangerous as a dragon. Besides he played fair telling about them."

"Vat iz zis about, leetle fils?" the Durmstrang Champion was as unimpressed with Harry as ever.

Harry snorted, unaffected by her veela charm "I've half a mind to let the Fireball cook your arse, but it would endanger everyone else. Just time enough to tell this. Short version, I'm a parselmouth and can talk to dragons too. They promised to let you have anything in their nest EXCEPT their eggs. All you have to do is walk CALMLY and take it. Do NOT touch any egg."

"Vy did you not tell us zooner?" demanded Viktor.

Harry shrugged "No reason to. Besides, it was fun watching you run around like chickens with your heads cut off."

"Zat iz all vee do?" Fleur looked skeptical.

He nodded, just as the Games Master entered "Don't do anything stupid." Then as one by one, the Champions were announced, he simply listened to the disbelieving noises the crowds made.

"LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE YOUNGEST TRIWIZARD CHAMPION IN HISTORY! HARRY POTTER!" eventually came the announcement.

Harry pushed the doorflap aside and went out, not even pulling his wand ~~Hello Madam Dragon~~ he hissed.

~~You have kept your word, young human.~~ the Horntail hissed back ~~No eggs have been lost. None of your fellows were harmed.~~ A claw plucked the non-egg from the nest and flicked it at the boy.

With his Quidditch skills, Harry easily snatched the egg-shaped object as it rocketed toward him ~~Thank you for your understanding.~~

The audience watched the whole affair with amazement. Nothing like this had ever occurred in the history of the TriWizard Tournament.

~~Why did your elders create this?~~ asked the Horntail.

Harry answered with contempt ~~Entertainment. Somehow a great test of wizardry.~~

The dragon was angry ~~Make hatchlings dance for amusement?!~~ **roars**aims flame at judges' podium. A concentrated line of flame engulfed it. And they died most unpleasantly.

"Clearly we cannot announce any point awards at this time." Minerva McGonagall spoke as the next most senior official available "I will be meeting with the other schools' faculty to discuss what next to do. Students to your rooms. Guests will leave and await an owl with updates."

Very subdued witches and wizards complied.