Harry sat in the tent with Cedric and Fleur as Victor Krum was taking on his dragon. Harry was ready. He was known for his flying in France and he thought of using that to his advantage. Trying to outfly a dragon normally would be almost impossible. However, this dragon was chained to the ground, maybe he could get through and get the egg. He was one of the best flyers in Beauxbatons, why not test his abilities against a dragon?
Next up was Fleur. She smiled confidently at the boys and strode out to the arena. A few seconds later the dragon roared followed by some cheers. Harry hoped she was okay.
Cedric smiled weakly at him while Harry continued to look grim. Five or six minutes later, Fleur was victorious and next was Cedric. Harry looked longingly at the flap of the tent. He wasn't sure which was worse, waiting for the dragon or actually facing the beast. Soon, Harry was called out.
Harry felt a thin line of sweat slide down his temple and his jaw. He slowly wiped his face and faced the dragon. It looked at him with cruel curiosity and snorted. Without warning, the dragon's maw opened and a raging inferno blasted towards Harry.
Quickly, Harry waved his wand and a boulder flew in the way of the flames. The fire warmed the rock up and Harry avoided touched the smoldering stone. He waved his wand and called out, "Accio Firebolt!' It was a three minutes until the broom managed to get to the arena. Suddenly with a blast of flames, the Firebolt was reduced to ashes. Harry looked dumbstruck.
"Ooh! Harry Potter's Firebolt is destroyed before he can mount it! What will he do in this tight situation?!" One judge, Bagman, he remembered, announced. Harry looked around and didn't see much for transfiguring. The only thing he could really use are the eggs, and the boulder.
Harry quickly banished the large rock at the dragon's maw which was about to let loose another spout of fire. The fans in the stadium were cheering like mad. He bolted for the eggs. Distracted with the large object that was lodged in it's throat, the dragon didn't pay attention to the small human who weaved through it's legs towards the eggs.
Harry was ten feet from the eggs when the dragon's tail smashed into his back. He landed in a ditch and groaned. Once he blinked the spots out of his eyes, he became aware of his surroundings. He glared at the damned egg that got him into so much trouble.
He tried casting an Accio and a Wingardium Leviosa but the egg didn't budge. He groaned frustratingly then paused and grinned. He cast a Wingardium Leviosa and levitated the other eggs which thankfully weren't spell proof in front of the dragon which finally managed to spit out the Boulder.
By the time the dragon turned to him, he managed to float the last egg to another pile. The dragon lumbered over to the real eggs where she curled around then and growled at Harry. Before the dragon decided to torch him, bite him, or maul him, he dashed for the egg and scooped it up. He held the golden egg up victoriously and headed to the medical tent. He definitely needed some medical attention.
Fleur hugged Harry tightly while sniffling, "My God Harry! I was watching the whole thing! You should be lucky aren't harmed or worse!" She cried. Harry patted her back.
"Don't worry Fleur, I'm the Boy-Who-Lived! I can't die! That would ruin the title!" He answered. Fleur laughed and punched his arm.
"Leetle boy." She smirked. Harry was about to retort when a flood of movement made him stumble backwards. With all the reporters from the newspapers from France, Britain and Bulgaria, Harry was barely able to hear himself think! It seemed like Fleur and Victor enjoyed the attention while Cedric seemed nonchalant. Harry just felt really uncomfortable.
"For the last time, I do not have a love interest!" He shouted at a young reporter who was turned red from embarrassment. He felt a little bad for shouted but marched out of the tent with his egg. Outside was Luna with a reporter's hat on. She clicked a pen and smiled.
"Hullo Harry. Fancy meeting you out here. Would you do me the pleasure of giving me an exclusive interview? I promise I won't be as annoying as those other reporters. I only write sensible things like the wrackspurts that infect the Slytherin dormitories." She said convinced. Harry gave her an odd look and nodded.
"I suppose so Luna." She walked him over to the edge of the Forbidden Forest and plopped down on a log. He sat across from her on a tree stump. "So Luna, what do you want to ask me for your exclusive interview?" Harry asked.
"Well, I was wondering about the breeds of crumple-horned snorkacks in the wilds of France. Are they different from the breeds that roam around England?" Luna asked. Harry frowned and scratched his chin, deciding to play along.
"Well, they're about eight feet high and don't really like sunlight. Their teeth are razor sharp-"
"Harry, don't you remember? Snorkacks are herbivores." Luna corrected. Harry laughed and nodded.
"Oh yes, right but the ones I saw did have sharp teeth! They seemed to like to eat whatever they can get their hands on." Luna nodded thoughtfully.
"Now that you mention it, I think I remember reading somewhere that snorkacks are sometimes omnivores. Thanks Harry. That's all I wanted to ask you." She stood up and stretched. "I am very hungry. Do you wish to join me in the Great Hall for some lunch?" Harry shrugged.
"Sure Luna, I could eat." Harry said. The two walked up to the castle and opened the doors to the Great Hall. Most of the students were there and talking excitedly of the tournament. He plopped himself down on a seat next to Luna and began to eat.
The girl from the other night, Cho Chang, sat down across from Harry and smiled. "Oh Harry I just loved how you battled the dragon! You were so brave." Harry smiled and nodded in thanks. She brightened and continued, "So I was wondering if-"
Fleur materialized behind Harry and grabbed his shoulders. "Oh 'Arry! I am so proud of you! I can't believe you improvised zat entire zing! Even if you're in last place, you did well." Harry shrugged.
"Well, I'm not really worried about winning. I'm more or less worried about surviving this year. Hogwarts has been one surprise after another." Harry shook his head and laughed, "it's no wonder my parents loved it here!" Cho pridefully smiled while Fleur frowned slightly.
"Of course, Beauxbatons is still ze best, non?" Fleur asked hastily. Harry didn't notice, still admiring the Great Hall. Harry nodded without much conviction.
"Of course." Harry answered. This didn't help Fleur's worries.
Soon, it was wintertime. Ice and snow coated almost everything that wasn't sheltered by the buildings. Harry absolutely loved winter. Christmas was his favorite holiday ever since he was actually being paid any attention by those around him.
Many students stayed indoors during this time. Harry however, loved walking through the grounds with the soft crunch of snow under his shows and the light snow fall. This left Harry to his thoughts about this champion business.
Of course, Madame Maxime had told everyone about the Yule Ball which was in a week or two. Harry never really worried about it since he wasn't going to compete be a champion. Now that he was chosen as a plot to get him killed, along with the struggles of surviving a deadly tournament, Harry had to find a date. He sighed and started heading back to the carriages. Maybe Fleur would be able to help. Heck, she might even go to the ball with him.' As a friend of course' he added as an afterthought. Fleur was very attractive but he'd already said it, she was way too old. She also was way out of his league in his opinion.
He found her in her room reading some spellbook and muttering under breathe the spell she was currently learning. He smiled, "hey Fleur."
She looked up and smiled, "Hey Harry! Have you figured out that egg riddle yet?" She asked. She figured it out a day ago and had hoped to help Harry if he hadn't figured it out.
"Unfortunately I haven't. Fleur I-" Harry started. Fleur put a finger to his lips.
"Follow me then Harry! I figured it out yesterday! We Beauxbatons must stick together!" She shouted triumphantly and dragged him by the arm. He was going to protest and get to the question in his head however Fleur kept cutting him off.
Finally they reached the lake and she dipped the egg in the water and opened it. Instead of the horrible screeching that usually came out a melodic voice echoed as if through distorted microphone.
"Wow..." He said breathlessly. "Merpeople then?" He asked. She nodded. He shook his head getting back to the reason he sought her out. "Fleur I was wondering if you'd like to go to the ball with me..." He said quickly, forgetting his French.
Fleur looked like a deer in front of headlights. He looked down and Fleur put a hand on her shoulder. "Oh I am so sorry 'arry! A boy from Ravenclaw, Roger Davis, asked me and I said yes. I'm really sorry!" She smiled reassuringly, "I am sure you'll be able to find someone! You're the Boy-Who-Lived!" She punched his arm lightly and he chuckled.
"Yea, I suppose... Anyways, thanks for the tip on the egg! I'll see you at the ball!" He shouted as he walked away with his egg. Fleur smiled and waved however felt guilty. She shook it off. She was asked fair and square by Davis! Harry understood. Didn't he? This didn't make her feel any better.
Harry cursed this boy, Roger Davis, and shook his head. Luna walked up next to him. "Hullo Harry." She said with her usual dreamy stare. Harry waved and then snapped his head up.
"Oh! Hey Luna! I was wondering, do you have a date for the Yule Ball." He asked. He was a little nervous for no apparent reason to him. She shook her head.
"No one has, in fact. Do you want to go with me?" She asked him. He nodded.
"Actually, yeah." She nodded.
"Then it's a date." She confirmed. She skipped away to her dorm room to owl her father of dress details.
"Wait! It's not an actual- and she's gone..." He muttered.
Cho Chang rushed up to him breathlessly. "Hello... Harry... Wanted to see if... You'd come to... Ball with me...?" She asked. He looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry but I just asked Luna if she'd go with me and she accepted. Maybe I can save a dance." Cho's emotions flashed from angry to a thoughtful expression and finally to a evil smile.
"It's okay Harry. I'd love to have that dance." She smirked and walked away. Harry shook his head.
Finally it was the night of the ball. Harry dressed in a muggle suite which fit his frame very well. The tie was an emerald green with the suite being black. His eyes really popped with the tie which he thought was his best feature. He smirked and straightened his tie.
"They'll love it dear. Knock 'em dead sweety." The mirror said. Harry nodded and opened the door to the carriage into the brisk Winter air. He charmed the roses on the school grounds to entwine themselves into a corsage. He assumed Luna would like it. He strode up to the main corridor that lead into the Great Hall. Fleur and her date walked sprung the corner and Fleur waved while Roger looked a little dazed.
"Ah! 'Arry! Did you find a date?" Fleur asked and Harry nodded. Just then Luna walked down the steps of a nearby staircase. She looked stunning. Her dress was silver with white flower designs that reflected in the light. Her hair was pulled into a lazy bun. She smiled and nodded to Fleur and Roger.
"Hullo Harry. Ready to dance?" She asked and held her arm out. They followed the other three champions to the dance floor. Just then, the music started.