Chapter Seventy-Two - A Thunder of Dragons
Rita Skeeter's article was particularly unkind. As Harry had expected, she did not appreciate his attitude during their brief interview. Most of her column was spent attacking Harry. The other three champions were only mentioned to illustrate how inexperienced Harry was by comparison. It started with the unfounded accusation that he cheated both the Ministry, who arranged the tournament, and Dumbledore himself in order to get into the competition. She even went so far as to insinuate that he'd used his fame to avoid punishment after the fact.
If it had stopped there, it would have been less than Harry expected. But Skeeter had taken things a step farther. Lacking sufficient fodder from her short conversation with Harry, she resorted to attacking those close to him. She was particularly fluent on the subject of Sirius. Her article suggested that Harry had been influenced to enter the Triwizard Tournament by his godfather, who she named as "a former inmate of Azkaban." Naturally, she failed to mention that Sirius had been acquitted with a full apology from the Ministry.
Harry was angry, but he knew that Sirius had faced much worse criticism when he had been arrested. Sirius would consider it all as in the past, and had never much cared for what Skeeter published about him. But then she mentioned Remus.
"Listen to this!" Harry cried in outrage before quoting, "Also among Harry's inner circle is Remus Lupin, a known werewolf and former teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, before he was fired for attacking students."
Harry tossed the paper away in disgust, "He wasn't fired! He resigned! And he did it because of people like her!"
Blaise picked up the discarded paper and noted, "She's not very kind to Dumbledore either. Seems she blames him for hiring a werewolf and not disclosing it to the school governors…"
"It's his business," Harry snapped. He was not in a mood to argue. But Blaise wasn't looking to start a debate. He had continued to skim the article, which included several quotes from Harry that he had never said in his life.
"Oh, apparently you and Millie are in love," Blaise said, brightening considerably.
Harry and Millie were horrified.
"What did she say?" Harry demanded, reaching again for the paper, but Blaise kept it just out of reach.
"A source close to Potter states that he began dating Miss Bulstrode soon after they were both implicated in the affair of the Chamber of Secrets," Blaise read aloud, "Which resulted in attacks on several muggle-born students. A culprit was never identified, though there are many who believe Potter himself to be the so-called Heir of Slytherin."
"Why drag me into this?" Millie asked, bristling with anger.
"I want to know who this supposed source is," said Harry.
Blaise stared pointedly down the table and replied, "Give you one guess."
Draco was seated not far from them. He was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet and was reading it aloud to Crabbe and Goyle. The two friends chuckled thickly to everything he said. Draco glanced up and noticed Harry watching him. He grinned, waved the paper, and called, "Fancy signing this for me, Potter?"
Harry turned his face away. He was certain that if he opened his mouth he'd say something that would get him in trouble if overheard by a teacher. But Draco's taunt gave him an idea. They shared a dormitory. Could Draco have torn his signature off an assignment and entered him into the competition as a prank?
He considered floating this idea to his friends, but then he remembered the baseless accusation he'd levelled at Blaise before. Draco was even less likely to be the culprit. He doubted Draco was clever enough to confound the Goblet of Fire, and he had nothing to gain from such a stunt. Draco's popularity among the Slytherins had only faded in the wake of Harry's rise to prominence.
Harry disregarded his momentary suspicion and instead focused on writing yet another letter to Sirius and Remus. He apologized for Skeeter's article and informed them of when he would be in Hogsmeade. He added a post-script to Sirius, begging him not to give Skeeter any more reason to write about them. He knew how his godfather was. He would accept any slander against him without a word, but if anyone came after Remus… Harry did not like to consider the possible outcomes.
He would have to live with some anxiety until he could see Sirius in person again. Until then, he had enough to deal with as news about the article spread through the school. For some, the negative report about Harry only confirmed the suspicions long held against him, particularly after his second year.. As for his fellow Slytherins, they doubled-down on their support of Harry. Most thought it was impressive that he spent his summer living with the notorious Sirius Black, and Remus had been a favorite teacher during his short tenure at Hogwarts, werewolf or no. There were several students who sought out Harry merely to ask how their former professor had been since his resignation.
There was nothing left for Draco to tease Harry about but the allegation that he was dating Millie. Ironically, out of everything else in the article, this was the least offensive to Harry. Millie was his friend, and he didn't consider the thought of dating her an insult, but he regretted the attention it brought on Millie. She had never been an attention-seeker, and he knew she hated the constant questions she now faced from her fellow students, even if she never complained about it to him.
Fortunately, Millie had a reputation for both physical strength and for being particularly gifted at hexes, so she avoided outright bullying. Instead, she had merely to deal with impertinent questions from the girls in their classes. She was beginning to face the same difficulty that Harry had with not being believed, as it didn't seem to matter how many times she denied the article, there were always those who responded with a knowing smile.
Harry had no idea how out of hand the rumor had spread until Hermione asked him about it during their Care of Magical Creatures class. Draco had just finished congratulating Harry on his new relationship for the third time that day, and wondered openly if they were considering a Spring wedding. Fortunately, Hagrid selected Draco to help him give a demonstration on how to assist a Blast-Ended Skewt with the shedding of its shiny grey scales. Harry was both relieved of his annoying presence, and had the satisfaction to watch Draco's eyebrows get singed by a particularly violent blast from the creature.
Hermione, who was working closely with Harry on their own Skrewt, tentatively said, "Just ignore him, Harry. I think it's wonderful that you and Millie are… together… You have nothing to be ashamed about…"
Harry was surprised. He had no idea Hermione had believed any part of that article, and he hastily set her to rights.
"No, that's… I mean, you have the wrong idea. Millie and I aren't dating. We're just good friends."
Hermione apologized for her mistake, and Harry couldn't help but feel that she seemed strangely relieved to hear him say this. He knew that Millie and Hermione hadn't always gotten along, but he thought that they liked each other better after their adventure last year. He wondered if he misunderstood, but Hermione quickly changed the subject.
"How have you been preparing for the first task?" she asked.
Harry wasn't sure how to answer the question.
"It's hard to prepare when I don't know what it will be," he replied.
"That hasn't stopped Krum," Hermione said, "I've seen him in the library reading almost every day."
Harry was genuinely curious. Krum did not strike him as the academic sort. He was too skilled at Quidditch to be anything other than kinetically intelligent, or so Harry had believed. But he had developed a good rapport with the Durmstrang champion, and he wondered if Krum would consider studying together.
"You can join Neville and I, if you like," Hermione offered, "We've been studying for our OWLs, but we can help you prepare as well."
"OWLs again? But Hermione, our exams aren't till next year!"
"It's never too early to start studying!" Hermione insisted.
He was grateful for her help, though he was unsure if any of the extra study sessions would do anything to help him in the first task. The champions were given no hints as to what they would be facing. Harry invited Krum to join their study group, though he was equally uncertain of what the first task would be.
The week before the first task, Harry finally had a break from studying. It was Hogsmeade weekend, and any student in their third year or above could visit the wizarding village near the school. Harry had made plans to meet Sirius and Remus at the Three Broomsticks, and he made his way to the pub while Blaise and Millie hurried off to visit their favorite shops.
Sirius greeted him with a hug and led him to a table where Remus was already waiting with a round of butterbeers. His godfather's looks had undergone a radical change since his release from Azkaban, and it seemed they had only continued to improve in Harry's brief absence from Grimmauld Place. He was dressed in a warm, fur-lined velvet cloak, prepared for the chill weather as November turned to frost. Remus also looked warm, though as usual he had favored comfort over fashion. His sweater and heavy wool jacket, though certainly cozy, were bland when compared with Sirius' attire.
Harry wondered if he should apologize for Skeeter's article, but Sirius beat him to the punch.
"I have to congratulate you on joining the ranks of people who have been publicly criticized by Rita Skeeter!" he said proudly, raising his butterbeer to Harry in a toast, "If that woman has never written a libelous article about you, then you must be doing something wrong."
Harry smiled and raised his mug before sipping the delicious beverage. Remus followed suit, though it was clear he had more on his mind. The former professor was cautious about showing his concern for Harry, but Sirius wore his anxiety as proudly as he did his velvet cloak. After asking Harry to give them more details about the Goblet of Fire, he urged him to consider who might have orchestrated the scheme.
"If you didn't put your name in, then someone did it for you, and I don't think anyone would go to such trouble with the best intentions in mind. Now, I know that you'll win this competition, but whoever put your name in that goblet won't have shared my confidence. Someone expects you to fail… Perhaps they even want you dead."
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions!" Remus argued, "If someone really wanted Harry dead, then why not attack him directly? It must be someone who is already in the school if they tampered with the goblet…"
"Clearly, they want it to look like an accident," Sirius countered.
It sounded to Harry as if they had had this conversation before, and would continue to argue in circles if he didn't interrupt.
"It's not that I don't enjoy talking about how someone might be trying to kill me," Harry said, "But I've thought about it with Blaise and Millie, too. I just can't think of anyone at Hogwarts who would want to seriously hurt me."
"Karkaroff," Sirius said with determination. Remus merely shook his head.
"Karkaroff?" Harry repeated doubtfully, "Durmstrang's headmaster? Why would he have entered my name?"
"He was a Death Eater," Sirius explained, "The only reason he walked free was because he sold out so many of the others. And let me tell you, he is not popular among the inmates of Azkaban."
Harry felt his stomach churn to realize that one of Voldemort's followers was at the school, invited there by Dumbledore himself. But then he considered Sirius's information, and asked, "But if he sold them out, doesn't that mean he doesn't support Voldemort anymore? What would he have against me?"
"I don't know," Sirius admitted, "But then there's Moody. He arrested Karkaroff himself when he was an Auror. In fact, he's responsible for most of the Death Eaters currently in Azkaban. I don't think it's a coincidence that Dumbledore asked Moody to teach at Hogwarts this year. He probably wants him to keep in eye on Karkaroff… And then there's Snape..."
"Snape?" asked Harry, "What's he got to do with anything?"
Remus interrupted before Sirius could answer, "You don't have any proof. The fact is that we have no idea who put Harry's name in the goblet or why. Everything you've said is mere speculation."
"You may be right," Sirius acknowledged, "But you have to admit there have been other strange things happening. The Death Eaters at the World Cup were just the start. Then Bertha Jorkins' disappearance… You remember what she was like, Remus. She was always getting into scrapes, putting her nose in where it didn't belong…"
"You think it's all connected?" Harry asked.
"Bertha had a job at the Ministry, which could make her a valuable target to some. And they say she disappeared in Albania. A lot of people seem to think that is where You-Know-Who has been hiding."
Harry wanted to ask him more about Jorkins, but they were interrupted by Hagrid and Professor Moody. The pair had been sharing drinks at the bar, but after spotting Sirius and Remus, they couldn't resist coming to say hello. Hagrid greeted them all with a friendly smile and offered to buy another round for the table. Moody was as gruff as always, though he seemed genuinely pleased to see Sirius and Remus. Harry had never learned how his godfather and the former Auror knew each other, and once again he wondered what connection existed between the two men.
"Thank you again for returning my motorcycle, Hagrid," Sirius said with feeling, "Our flight to Hogsmeade couldn't have been more enjoyable."
Remus smiled kindly at Hagrid, though he was less grateful, "How could you bring that thing back into my life? I thought we were friends."
"So, what brings you all the way out here?" Moody asked. His natural eye was fixed attentively on their faces while the magical one had turned toward the back of his head, scanning the room behind him through his skull.
"We were just discussing the first task with Harry," Sirius replied smoothly. Harry was a little surprised. He thought that he and Moody were friends, and he didn't see the harm in telling the professor that they were worried about his nomination. After all, Moody was one the few people who believed that Harry couldn't have entered himself in the contest. However, if Sirius wanted to conceal the real reason for their visit, he would play along.
"We're staying in Hogsmeade this week until the first task," Remus reported, "I hope you'll come see us again if you're free?"
Harry experienced an unpleasant lurch in his stomach, "You mean you and Sirius are going to watch the first task? But I didn't think families were allowed to come watch!"
Sirius laughed and replied, "Harry, if they couldn't keep me out when I was a wanted criminal, I'd like to see them try it now."
"The school is sorely lacking in security," Moody said with a shake of his head.
Harry knew he should feel happy for their support, but he only felt more nervous than he had before. Making a fool of himself in front of his peers was one thing, but to disappoint Sirius…
"You alrigh', Harry?" said a deep but soft voice close to his ear. Hagrid had taken a seat by his side, and he spoke to Harry gently as Sirius and Remus quizzed Moody about the extra security in place at the school during the tournament. Hagrid had noticed Harry's discomfort, and he was doing his best to keep his voice down, so as not to draw unwanted attention to them.
"Yeah, yeah I'm alright. It's just…" Harry paused, glancing at his godfather. Sirius was properly distracted. He had approached the topic of Bertha Jorkins' disappearance with Moody, and seemed to be asking for the ex-Auror's opinion on the matter. He decided it was safe to confide in Hagrid, "It's just the first task. I have no idea what it will be, and I just know the other champions are more skilled, more prepared…"
He expected Hagrid to flood him with well-meant but ultimately useless assurances. He thought that Hagrid, much like Sirius, would put blind faith in Harry's abilities. But Hagrid merely looked a bit uncomfortable as he glanced at the other three himself.
"Come down ter my cabin tonigh'," he said, dropping his voice even lower than before, "An' bring the cloak. I got summat ter show yeh."
Harry was not always obtuse. He knew that Hagrid must want to tell him something about the first task. He wasn't sure how he felt about cheating, but just the thought of Sirius and Remus waiting patiently at the Three Broomsticks, preparing to watch him compete, filled him with dread. He obligingly made his way to Hagrid's cabin that night, as requested.
He had to wait for the other students to fall asleep before slipping under the cloak and out of the castle. Reaching Hagrid's cabin a little past midnight, he knocked on the door. It immediately swung open, as if Hagrid had been waiting for this signal right on the other side. Seeing only empty air on his doorstep, he cautiously whispered, "That you, Harry?"
"It's me," Harry replied, nearly slipping the cloak from his head to look Hagrid in the eye. But the gamekeeper stopped him with a frantic wave, and he pulled the hood back over his face.
"No use showin' yerself now!" Hagrid cautioned, "Jes' stay hidden and quiet, yeh see?"
Harry nodded his head to show he understood before he realized Hagrid couldn't see him. His silence was enough for Hagrid, however, who stepped back inside his cabin for only a moment, returning with a rather large, ugly flower tucked into his buttonhole. It was then that Harry realized Hagrid had tried to comb his hair again, and he guessed correctly that their first stop would be the Beauxbatons carriage.
He wondered if there was something inside the carriage that Hagrid wanted Harry to see, and while he would have been curious to discover how the Beauxbatons students lived, this was not the purpose of their stop. Hagrid was merely meeting with Madame Maxime, who seemed to have expected this visit, though she was equally unsure of why Hagrid was calling her out in the middle of the night.
"Wair is it you are taking me, 'Agrid?" she asked as they traced their way around the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest.
"Yeh'll enjoy this," Hagrid assured her, "Worth seein', trust me. Only don' go tellin' anyone I showed yeh, right? Yeh're not s'posed ter know."
Harry couldn't help but feel this warning was meant not only for Madame Maxime, but for himself as well. He had a difficult time keeping up with their long strides while keeping his footsteps silent. He didn't want to picture the look on Madame Maxime's face if she found him prowling along behind them. At the same time, it was difficult to hold back his sounds of disgust as Hagrid and his date flirted shamelessly as they walked. It felt rather like watching one's grandfather on a blind date.
It seemed to Harry that they walked for a very long time. The school was now far in the distance. Just as Harry was starting to wonder how much farther they were expected to go, Madame Maxime playfully asked the same question. Then they heard the dragons.
A great roar ripped through the still night, seeming to shake the very trees around them. It was followed by the sound of several people shouting instructions to one another. Hagrid made a sudden turn into a clearing, and just ahead of them Harry could see orange flames light up the night.
There were four dragons that he could see, each of them struggling against the thick chains that held them. Torrents of flame poured from their enormous, fanged mouths. There was a silvery-blue one with long, pointed horns. It snapped and snarled at the wizards scrubbing about its legs, attempting to subdue it. Another, this one a smooth-scaled green dragon, was writhing about in all directions, stamping its clawed feet in rage. The third, a long red dragon with an odd fringe of gold around its face, shot mushroom-shaped clouds of fire into the air. The last, seemingly larger than the other three, was all black. It looked more like a lizard than the others, and was swiping at its handlers with a vicious spiked tail.
Madame Maxime gave a cry of ecstasy upon viewing the creatures, and eagerly asked if they could get closer. While she moved forward a few steps, one of the wizards attempting to manage a dragon spotted Hagrid and called out to him by name.
Harry recognized him as a Weasley instantly. He had the same bright red hair and freckles as Ron. Hagrid returned his greeting and addressed him as Charlie. Harry watched as the man, unquestionably Ron's older brother, worked together with a few other wizards to stun the flailing dragons. Harry noted with a sense of foreboding that it took several wizards to incapacitate only one dragon.
"What breeds you got here, Charlie?" Hagrid asked once Ron's brother was free to speak to him.
"The black one is the Hungarian Horntail," Charlie explained. Although the other three dragons had been stunned to sleep, the Horntail was still fighting admirably as the other wizards converged on it, finally sending it down with their concentrated spells. "Then there's the Welsh Green, the Swedish Short-Snout, and the red one down there is a Chinese Fireball."
Harry listened in on their conversation as Charlie detailed the ferocity of the dragons. Apparently, the Ministry had requested nesting mothers in particular, and this made them even more nasty than usual.
"I don't envy the champion who has to face the Horntail," he added, "She's the worst of the lot, and her back end is as dangerous as the front."
He gestured toward the now sleeping dragon and the long, bronze-colored spikes that protruded from their tail. Harry felt like he was going to be sick.
He immediately thought of Sirius and Remus. They would still be in Hogsmeade at that time. He had the cloak, and with it could possibly slip through the passageway to the Shrieking Shack. He would use their advice on what to do against a dragon. But then he thought about Sirius's excitement and his confidence in Harry. What would he say if he knew Harry had cheated?
Charlie had rejoined his fellow keepers, and Madame Maxime was still distracted by the dragons. To Hagrid, she must have seemed merely enthusiastic about the beasts, but to Harry's mind she was looking at each dragon carefully, as if trying to determine a weakness in each. Harry called out to Hagrid while she was thus engaged.
"Dragons!" he exclaimed, "The first task is dragons!"
"Hush now!" Hagrid said with a worried air, though he quickly added, "You jus' have to get past one of them. I shouldn' have told yeh, but… I overheard that Karkaroff tellin' his champion about 'em, and I knew I had to warn yeh."
"Karkaroff knows?" Harry said in shock, "But how?"
Hagrid's massive shoulders rose and fell. He didn't know.
"Bagman or Crouch might've let something slip. Either way, he found out, and I don' think it's fair Krum knowin' and you not. Yer a lot younger'n the other champions!"
"And Maxime?" Harry asked.
Hagrid acted as if he didn't understand him. "She's only interested in the dragons. They're rare, after all. Anybody as interested in magical beasts like her would want ter see 'em…"
Harry didn't argue with him, but he wasn't fooled. Unlike Hagrid, Harry wasn't enamored with Madame Maxime, and he saw through her game. She would certainly tell Fleur to prepare for the dragons. And from what Hagrid told him, Krum already knew. That meant only Cedric was the odd one out. He would have no way of preparing for the danger they would all face. By the time Madame Maxime returned to Hagrid, Harry had already made up his mind. He knew what he had to do.