52. Bouncing
The last few days had been busy ones. After leaving the security of the Pale Lady's embrace, he set out to fulfill his promise to the best of his abilities. Foremost, he gathered all of his friends in the castle: Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna.
Each one had shown their own form of worry. Ron had been the oddest, he looked pulled between what to do. Then he had really looked at Harry, maybe he saw the traces of tears or maybe his frustration was bleeding through, but the Weasley had looked grimly determined and equally ashamed.
He had explained his situation in greater depth and asked for their help. He had made it clear that victory wasn't the focus. If he wanted to survive, they needed to be crafty, they needed to help him cheat.
Luna nodded as though that was the only logical choice. Ron was thrilled. Neville was predictably nervous. It was Hermione that ended up being the issue. It took convincing on the others' part, but she reluctantly decided to help Harry on the grounds that his health was paramount.
Ron grouped with Luna to question people on their predictions on the events and listen to rumors. Hermione and Neville would attempt to see any suspicious changes to the school grounds. Harry would use his cloak to stalk the competitors and guest teachers. Their plans barred fruit when they learned that the challenge was going to involve dragons.
Harry had then invited himself into one of tournament staff meetings and found that he would have to steal an egg from a dragon. While it was breathtaking to see a live dragon, he was less than pleased to take the challenge. None of the dragon appeared to appreciate being in the cages.
Much time was spent devising a plan, thank goodness for Hermione's intelligence and the other's creativity. So, now he stood with the other champions. Harry paid little attention to the performance of the champions before him. It was risky to change his plans now and get confused.
Finally, it was his turn. As luck would have it, he was paired with a Hungarian Horntail, the one species he hoped not to get. This made things even more difficult. With black scales, the dragon narrowed its yellow eyes at him. He idly noticed that its bronze spikes covered tail swaying behind it.
Swallowing his fear, he gritted his teeth and ran straight at the dragon and towards the prized egg. Enraged at the wizard's bold actions, it roared furiously and released a mighty stream of fire. Harry in turn pulled out his wand. "Glacius!" A blue light radiated from the tip of his wand. Harry's eyes grew bright green as magic surged through his wand. The air around his wand grew frigid in seconds.
Scorching heat assaulted chilling cold as the two initiated their assault. An explosion of steam erupted with them in the epicenter. The dragon was pushed a few inches as Harry was sent tumbling backwards. Great chunks of ice laid scattered on the ground.
Shaking out of a light daze, the dragon spread its wings and prepared for flight. Enacting the next part of the plan, he chanted, "Immobulus!" A duo of blue lights shot out of the wand and hit the dragon on its two largest wing joints. Like a pile of bricks, the dragon fell to the ground, shaking Harry's footing. "It's not over. Wingardium Leviosa!"
All the rather sizable pieces of ice rose from the ground. They swirled around Harry as he launched them directly at the dragon, pelting it. Harry noticed that it was preparing another wave of flames and enacting the final phase of the plan, "Draconfiors!" A fiery red light came from his wand and engulfed all the ice.
Each piece of ice became moderate sizes dragon, and following Harry's command, they rushed at the true dragon. Due to the dragon's territorial nature, it could not resist the call to battle. As it had a great clash against Harry's legion, he controlled one of the dragons to snatch up the egg and drop it in his hands.
Harry could scarcely hear the sounds of the cheering crowds over his rapidly beating heart. With shaky legs, he barely walked away. He didn't bother to hear the judgement; they were trite silliness in his opinion.
Even as he walked, he could recall the harsh flames licking his skin. And his hair had been shaped into messy spikes from the steam explosions. Areas of his flesh had been thoroughly scorched. But, he felt little desire to walk to the medic area and deal with crowding.
Harry sat on the cool surface of the stone bench. Sweet tranquility, how he loved it, this wasn't a too popular spot so he wouldn't have to deal with dissenters for a bit.
"Would it be too bothersome to keep you company?" The Pale Lady questioned as she appeared before Harry.
Chuckling, "I'd be foolish to think that. Make yourself comfortable."
She put away her personal umbrella as she took a seat. "Looks like you've had a rough day. Why don't you take a load off?" She patted her lap. It looked so comfortable and enticing.
Taking the invite, he slowly laid on his back, his head resting on her lap. Already he felt himself cooling off from her presence. What a welcomed change it was.
The Pale Lady carefully removed his glasses as she placed them on the bench's armrest. Her slender fingers softly massaged the steam and heat damaged portions of the forced champion's face and neck. Although it ached for a moment, that faded to a pleasant tickle as they healed.
"How was it?"
Eyes closed shut, he sighed tiredly, "Terrible, foolish, and horrifying. This was too dangerous."
"Dangerous? I seem to recall a certain child fighting water demons and a basilisk. You give the dragon much credit."
Harry chuckled a little bit at that, "Those were different. I was always defending and protecting. This time I was the instigator and didn't have that spark of doing the right thing. I can't blame the dragon for following its nature. I was saved from everyone bouncing ideas for the plan. Having friends is wonderful." Years ago, this wouldn't have been feasible.
"I agree." Silence engulfed them as the wind blew delicately. "Harry", the Pale Lady called out.
"Yes?" He asked, his mind finally easing.
"Thank you for coming back", she said with a smile.
"Always", he stated with his own smile.
Under the shade and with the comfort of her slowly rising and falling lap, Harry drifted to sleep. There was still much to do, so he would treasure this small moment.
