Chapter 4

Over the past several days Daphne had been practicing and training hard on what Harry had advised her to work on. The two had not really spoken other than friendly greetings since then, but she was hoping after the first task they could duel again, and he could tell her if she was improving or not, because she felt like she was already taking leaps.

When she had returned the Slytherin common room that night she contemplated Harry's fighting style, and wished she had a penseive to go back and watch it. The casual grace in which he dodged and fired spells was slightly familiar to her, which was impossible of course because she had never seen him duel before, but it was oddly familiar.

Her housemates had even bugged her a bit about the duel, and many had pestered her about what it was like to duel a champ, but she merely waved most of them off, and claimed that he taught her a few tricks and gave her a few ideas on how to improve, because of their similar interest in professional dueling and politics, which she hoped would discourage everyone from bothering Harry for dueling tips.

Draco had pestered the girl about trying to get the two a meeting that way they could discuss politics, but she assured him that she had no idea just where Harry stood on the full political climate, nor would she do anything that could possibly jeopardize any potential partnership she could have with the boy just, so the blonde ferret could have a political big shot meeting with him.

The girls of course had pestered her in the opposite way, and Tracey half-jokingly and half seriously suggested dueling him herself so she could be man handled by him. This caused all the girls to laugh, and Daphne to just roll her eyes, and claim he was very nice.

Pansy of course had been a little conceited about it saying that she was trying to sink her hooks in him early, which was smart, but for now Daphne didn't care for that. If she dueled him and Tracey snogged him after as a reward she could currently care less.

Practicing spell casting every night before bed had been exhausting however, and she could not wait to approach Harry and in fact she may just take a little bit more of his advice and see if Longbottom was worth as much salt as Harry claimed.

Two weeks had passed and only a week was left before the first task. Harry was starting to get nervous. He had no idea what the first task was, and that pretty much meant he had no plan. He had to act soon. His investigation on who put his name in the goblet was still dry even after personally examining the artifact to triple check the Headmaster's work. He had cast enough runes and wards around the thing to not understand just how someone masked their magical signature so well that he could just not understand it.

The classes at school were going well but were boring. The only memorable thing or noteworthy event was Professor Snape quizzing him. Considering who his family was he was well over the NEWT level for potions, so all the questions were answered with ease, and a tinge of disrespect since Harry knew the man was attempting to belittle him, and underhandedly make him look stupid, however two could play it that game, and most of the student body would agree that Harry had won that round. However, the potions master had redeemed himself already in Harry's eyes when he said that he had a lot more of his mother in him then his father and considering the two's history that he had learned from Sirius that was possibly the highest compliment Severus Snape could give someone.

When Harry arrived in Defense against the Dark Arts class that morning he sat with Anthony Goldstein as this was his usual partner in the class, and he kept his wand on his desk in case Alastor Moody tried to curse him again. He learned on day one that you better be ready for anything when it came to the old auror. Not that he was able to hit Harry with the jinx, but he sure did scare the life out of him when he threw a deadly looking green curse at him, which was just a shirt color hex that resembled the killing curse to the Tee.

When the man entered the whole room went silent as usual. This class was shared by the entire fourth year of Hogwarts, so it was a fairly good-sized class, but Moody was usually pretty strict, so no one liked talking if they thought he might say anything.

When Moody reached the front of the classroom he sat down his stuff and turned to face the class with his arms behind his back looking very much like the veteran warrior soldier he was, "Today I have been given permission to go over three of the most infamous curses in our world. The unforgivable curses. I will give a lecture and show a demonstration on a spider. The practical side of this lesson is completely optional as the Ministry would not allow me to force anyone to do it unfortunately..."

The man's eyes swirled around the room, and asked, "Any questions?"

When no one raised their hand he began, "There are three unforgivable curses. The use of any one of them would result in a life imprisonment in Azkaban prison and for good reason. Who could name one of the curses."

A few hands went up, but they were all Ravenclaw, and a few Gryffindor. Harry knew this had to be a touchy subject in Britain and even more so in this class, as many students had parents who had 'suffered' under the curses and some whom had died or worse. Su Li however was the first to offer one, "There is the Imperious Curse sir."

"Its purpose?" Moody asked sharply.

"To give complete control to the caster of the curse. You could ask the victim of the curse to do anything." Su Li Explained.

"Correct, five points to Ravenclaw. However, let me show you the fun and games, and danger to this spell." Moody said calmly.

He pulled a spider out of a jar and placed it into his hand enlarged it. He then cast the spell and commanded it to dance. It did, and many laughed at the spider doing a near jig. Then Moody grabbed a glass of water from nearby and commanded the creature to drown itself...no one laughed then, "Scores of witches and wizards were affected by this curse in the last war. Some did terrible things, but claimed to have been under the imperious curse, my question is how do we sort out the liars?"

No one offered an answer, and his eye even flicked over Malfoy for a moment too long and he looked angry, "Another."

Harry immediately looked at Neville across the room who was pale, but had his hand in the air, "Longbottom isn't it?"

Neville nodded, and spoke clearly, "There is the cruciatas curse."

"Its purpose?" Moody asked sharply.

Neville said nothing, but a girl with bushy hair sitting next to him answered carefully, "It is meant to torture your enemy, and cause them unimaginable pain all over their body."

Moody nodded not saying anything but drawing another spider and casting the curse on it causing it to twitch and make unnatural sounds. After thirty seconds Harry noticed Neville was becoming paler and paler, and he thought he may even have seen the boy blink away a tear. After another thirty seconds Harry spoke, "Enough...I think we get it."

Moody looked at the boy suddenly and everyone held their breath. He walked over to the boy and placed the twitching spider on his desk, "Perhaps you would like to give the class the last unforgivable curse Mr. Potter."

Harry stared at the man defiantly and just as Moody was about to offer an answer or a chance for someone else to answer the question Harry quickly drew his wand, "Avada Kedavra."

A flash of green light went through the room and spider was dead instantly Harry said frostily, "The killing curse."

Everyone stared at Harry in fear, and Mad-eye Moody looked impressed, "Fourteen and capable. The rumors of your power must not be completely unfounded. There is only one person to ever survive this curse..."

Harry said nothing but sat back down. Many people were staring at the boy in awe wondering just how the boy who lived knew how to cast such a dark curse. Daphne Greengrass was one of those few and had to say she was becoming more and more impressed with the boy by the day. Learning everything about a curse that should have killed him was smart, after all who knows the kind of effects it has on him or his magic today.

Moody looked around at the class, "Today's practical now. I have been granted permission to cast the imperious curse on anyone who is willing to participate. I am hoping to see some might show signs of resistance, and if nothing else show people what it is like to be held under such a curse, and the Ministry hopes in the future people might be able to recognize when they are under the influence a little easier."

Moody drew a line, "Gryffindor house first. Who is willing?"

For a moment no one dared to move, but then not much to Harry's surprise Neville stood, "I will do it."

Moody grinned, "Excellent 10 points to Gryffindor. Come come."

Neville walked to the front of the room, and Moody pointed his wand at him, "Just relax son I won't hurt you, just try to resist."

Neville nodded and when the spell was cast Moody commanded him to dance, and Neville didn't move, but only for a second, and then started doing some small jig with his shoulders and his hands, but his lower half of his body seemed to be trying its hardest not to move."

Moody broke the curse after a few seconds, "Not bad for a first attempt Longbottom. I could see you actively fighting it, I think they will have a hard time controlling you in a few years. Well done lad."

After that Moody asked for more volunteers. Neville's partner volunteered a long with Ron Weasley whom he had encountered a few weeks ago and avoided ever since. A few other nameless Gryffindors did as well, and fewer Hufflepuffs did, but when it was Ravenclaw's turn Harry was the only one to volunteer feeling that he needed to show this man just who he was dealing with.

Moody grunted under his breath, "I will make you an example."

Harry said back calmly but loud enough for everyone to hear, "Take your best shot you decrepit cripple."

The man grinned sickly as the class gasped at his insult, but as soon as the curse was cast Harry resisted yawning ever so slightly. This time the man looked at the boy in shock casting the spell again and commanding him to jump. Harry just stared defiantly at the man shaking off the effects almost instantly each time, "No."

Moody stared at the boy in wonder for a moment and then laughed, "You've got a fire in you Potter and I like that. Twenty points to Ravenclaw for fighting the curse. Well done indeed. They will never control your mind like this Potter."

Harry went back to his seat as people clapped politely and Anthony whispered, "How did you do that?"

"Powerful mind magicks. I have worked on them since I was old enough to read." Harry answered honestly, but quietly to the boy.

Mandy Brocklehurst was inspired by Harry's bravery and attempted to do the same, but ultimately failed, and then it was time for Slytherin's turn. No one volunteered and before class was dismissed Daphne Greengrass stood from her seat, "I will try it."

Moody grinned at the girl as she walked to the front, "Very well. Last volunteer then. Do your best and fight it."

Harry decided to offer a friendly tip, "Remember my defense to your attack."

Daphne looked at Harry questioningly for a moment, and then nodded in understanding as the curse washed over her, "Jump."

Daphne fought it. She fought it hard, but in the end, she bounced just a little bit showing that she was resisting the curse the best she could. Moody barked with laughter, "You see that she is fighting it. I could barely get a hop. Dance."

Daphne slowly started to sway, but this time she shook her head hard, "No."

"Run."

This time the girl took off running and clearly was out of steam to fight the curse, "That was the second-best defense all day. Very good. Take ten points to Slytherin. Now who can explain why she resisted the first command, but not the second?"

Neville's partner immediately shot her hand up, "Because Sir Daphne is a proud individual. Asking her to dance would have been embarrassing, and she was able to resist a little easier. Running however is something everyone does, so her mind and magic allowed her to comply with no hesitation at all. Had you given her time to think about the command she may have been able to resist it."

Moody boomed out, "Correct! Ten points to Gryffindor. The Imperious curse cannot make you do something you would never do. It can only put the thought in your mind and amplify what is already there. That may lead you all to ask yourselves this pertinent question. Who is the real bad witch or wizard? I believe that concludes this lesson. Now all of you get out and take this lesson with you forever CONSTANT VIGILANCE."

The class was dismissed in a muttering of discontent over the whole lesson. Harry was watching Daphne carefully watching for signs of magical exhaustion, but she looked okay and he decided to approach her, "Are you okay?"

The girl looked at the boy curiously, "Yes I believe so. I think your last second tip helped me a bit more than the others or even you might have guessed. I tried to brick wall him, which caused a nasty little headache, but it worked for a moment. Perhaps had I taken my wand up with me I could've shaken it enough to get a curse off which could mean all the difference in the world."

Harry nodded carefully, "You did well. Better than anyone else in our class."

"Other than you." Daphne responded with respect, "I would never have guessed, but I also suppose I shouldn't be surprised with the number of magical gifts you seem to possess."

Smiling at the girl he shook his head, "I try to be as well rounded as possible. I was worried my tactic might wear out your mind and put you in a bit of magical exhaustion. I suppose whatever you are doing has already begun to improve your magical stamina."

Daphne nodded happily, "I have been working a lot in the early evenings, and casting as many spells as I can manage before bed. It's a slow process, but I feel the slightest bit of progress already."

"That's great Daphne." The green-eyed boy said softly.

The girl took a good look at the boy with her piercing blue eyes, and it didn't take a natural legillmens to know that he hadn't been sleeping very well, and that he was very tired. She suddenly remembered what had brought the boy to the school and reminded herself that he must be under an immense amount of pressure and anxiety about the whole tournament.

As the two walked out of the class together Harry bade the girl a good rest of her afternoon, and before he could walk away, she gently grabbed his arm, "Harry? I hope you don't mind me questioning because I know it's none of my business, but do you know anything about the first task for the tournament?"

Harry flinched slightly, but covered it up quickly, "The task is designed to test our courage in the face of the unknown, so we have been given no information, and on a personal note I can honestly say as of right now I have no idea."

Reading in between the lines she easily realized that meant he was trying to find out, and that he may actually even already have a lead, "Well if you need anything or might want some help researching or studying feel free to ask me. I owe you one for the dueling tips."

Giving the girl one last smile he nodded, "I may take you up on that after the first task, but until then I will probably be busy preparing, and hoping to come up with a strategy. Until then though..."

Daphne understood the dismissal and bade the boy farewell for now and said a silent prayer that the green-eyed boy she was becoming friends with would be okay.

It was now three days before the task, and Harry was frantically trying to come up with a way to fight a dragon. His Godfather had sent him a Patronus in the middle of the night, and practically demanded that he meet him by Hagrid's hut. Considering it was two in the morning Harry figured it had to be important, and unfortunately it was.

The task was simple in nature, but very impossible to execute it seemed. He had to steal a fake egg from a nesting mother. This meant that several real eggs would be in the nest, but only one fake one. While that may only seem minorly horrifying he noticed a massive dragon that had been brought in at the last moment due to a fourth champion, and he just knew that fate was a fickle thing, and that the Hungarian Horntail would indeed be his.

He was in the library trying to discover everything he could about the magical beasts, but quite honestly, he wasn't sure he had a powerful enough spell arsenal to take one down not straight up at least. He just needed a good plan, but the small fear in the back of his mind was holding back his main line of thinking.

He had books spread across a table and he they all seemed to be open to different sections, and he just stared at them as if they were all a part of a puzzle, and that if he pieced them together his plan would be right there.

Neville had joined him in his research in the library when there was two days left, and they were still having no luck. On the night before Harry was starting to get worried, "We have a rudimentary strategy, but honestly it's just going to get me killed. Blinding the dragon is certainly going to piss it off, and it could even trample over its nest which would not be good. There isn't a spell known to wizards that could freeze one for more than a couple of seconds, unless I could somehow get on its back and blast it in the face over and over again with stunners and blasters to try and knock it out, but I am quickly thinking this situation is about to get completely fucked up beyond all recognition."

Harry didn't swear a lot which gave Neville a small hint at just how agitated he was. They had small privacy wards up that allowed them to talk at normal levels without being overheard, "It's just like with dueling Harry you may just have to trust your magic. This is probably why the task was not supposed to be known to the other champions, Merlin Harry it looks like you haven't slept in a week."

Harry murmured his sarcastic thanks to the boy and just stared at the texts seeming to truly believe an answer would soon just float of the page. However, it wasn't meant to be. Suddenly however two young ladies were standing just outside their privacy bubble, and Harry just about groaned knowing that this was not the time for distractions.

Giving Neville a clear look he nodded and dispelled the privacy wards, "Ms. Davis, Ms. Greengrass what can we help you with?"

Daphne didn't say much at all as she grabbed a chair Harry had pushed aside and grabbed a nearby book, "We are here to help. Harry you been in here for days studying magical creatures, and clearly you are no closer to a strategy then you were three weeks ago, or you would be spending time getting rest instead of living in the library. Now what do we know?"

Harry just stared at the girl in awe for a moment while her other friend rolled her eyes, "My BEST friend seemed to forget that we don't know each other. I am Tracey, Tracey Davis."

Smiling just so slightly but keeping most of his focus on Daphne he said, "It's a pleasure Tracey. Daphne I can't just tell you everything I know it goes against the rules of the tournament, plus I don't even know Tracey. No thanks you seem very nice."

Tracey put her feet up on the table completely ignoring the glare coming from the Librarian, "None taken."

Daphne shrugged, "I am a Slytherin I have never cared for rules that don't benefit me, and you dying in this task tomorrow certainly would not do that. You may be a lot more powerful, and a better duelist than anyone in this room, but what you may need now is just a different perspective."

Neville and Harry exchanged looks, and Neville spoke, "I am on your side in this Harry, but it's not like we have much time. We need a final strategy and we needed it yesterday."

Harry sighed and put the wards back around his area, "We are doing dragon taming tomorrow. We have to steal an egg from nesting mothers and return it safely while also not harming the real nest."

Daphne and Tracey both stared at the boy in awe and with a bit of fear and trepidation. Tracey muttered only loud enough for Daphne to hear, "Might as well snog you now you will be a dead man tomorrow."

Not even gracing the girl with a look at that comment she asked, "What do you have so far?"

"The weak spots of all dragons are the eyes and their faces in general. I thought of blinding it, but that would increase the odds of damaging the nest, and quite honestly, I don't want to permanently damage such a creature for a game that the wizarding entertainment is basically having at their expense. I have thought about summoning a broom, because I am a fair flyer, but that sounds like suicide and leaves a lot up to chance. I have thought about transfiguring a bunch of distractions, but that is also too risky." Harry said.

Tracey offered, "So basically you have nothing."

Neville interrupted Harry's rude retort saying, "Basically."

Daphne stared at text nearby and said nothing for several moments. Then she said, "Okay I may have a plan to get the egg but getting out is going to be the tricky part, and it also depends on your skills in charms and transfiguration."

Neville snorted, "I am sure he knows just about every spell through the NEWT level Daphne what are you thinking?"

Harry didn't say anything as he observed the girl carefully who seem to wither just a bit under his gaze, but held her confidence, "My best thought to get the egg is to use a few of your previous strategies thoughts. You could transfigure a couple of objects, and then make yourself invisible so it's just distracted and making noise. This would mean you would need a good disillusionment charm, and a silencing charm. Are you capable of both of those things?"

Harry nodded liking where the idea was going, "Yes certainly, and then I could..."

The boy's eyes lit up suddenly, and Neville groaned, "Oh no Harry, I know that face. This is not the time."

Both Tracey and Daphne looked at the boy in alarm while he laughed, "I disagree this is the perfect time. I am the son of a Marauder and the godson of another, and I am on their playground this is the perfect chance to show off and wow some people. Daphne, I like your idea of going invisible and silent, but the rest of the plan isn't my style because then its running for my life. I have a much better idea."

He told the group his plan and Neville and Daphne paled while Tracey whispered, "You've got iron balls Potter and I respect the hell out of you for just thinking of this plan."

Neville banged his head on the table slightly, "I will start inviting people to the funeral, should I put Lilies on your casket to honor your mother?"

Daphne stared at the boy with hope that a joke was coming, but when nothing came, she just stared at him, "If you pull this off you will be more legendary than any of those stupid fake stories about you."

Harry just grinned at the assembled teenagers smirking, "That's the plan."

(A/N) I am very happy to see such positive reviews coming into the story! I am a little disappointed that many people have not reviewed yet, but I am hoping as we progress through the stories more will chime in with their input. I have really enjoyed writing this, and hope everyone else is enjoying the adventure. Please to keep my inspiration up for this story read and review, and most importantly enjoy!