Chapter 6: Scaling the Unscalable
The next day at break, Harry met Ginny and Rose as they came out of class with McGonagall. The professor had graced Harry with a rare smile and nod as he glanced into her classroom. Harry and Ginny led Rose outside for some fresh air. They sat in the courtyard talking about the first task. At the very mention of the task, Rose was almost beside herself.
"You have to do what?" Rose stared at Harry with wide eyes. Her face was pale. She clamped onto his arm with a death grip.
"You heard me," Harry frowned as he took his sister's hand, loosening her grasp so she won't bruise his arm.
"Are they mental?"
"Rose, I've already had to calm Harry down about this twenty times," Ginny sighed, placing a hand on the arm Harry was holding. "What we need are ideas about getting past the dragon, not hysterics."
Rose blinked as she got control of her emotions. Yes, she was still scared, but Harry needed clear thinking. Not a sister that was out of her mind with fear. She took a deep breath. "Right, sorry."
"There you are," Hermione stated as she and Ron walked up to them. "How is your first day, so far, Rose?"
"Not too bad," Rose nodded. "But I haven't had Snape yet either."
Harry turned to see Cedric walking by with some of his friends. Ginny had told Harry about seeing the Durmstrang Headmaster lurking around the night they had seen the dragons with Hagrid. Fleur had already confirmed that Madam Maxime had told her about them. The only one that didn't know was Cedric. Harry and Ginny had agreed it was only fair to tell the other Hogwarts Champion. He turned to his friends, sister, and Ginny. "Hold that thought. I'll be right back."
Harry heard Ginny explain to them what he was doing quietly as he jogged after the older Hufflepuff. "Cedric!"
Cedric turned. Seeing Harry, he told his friends he would catch up with them later. He waited as Harry caught up to him.
"Hey, Harry," Cedric smiled. "Congrats on getting your parents back and sister." He extended his hand. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," Harry smiled as he shook his hand. "Listen, Krum and Fleur already know what the first task is. Hagrid let me know."
"You sure they know? No one's told me anything," Cedric looked at him confused.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Look, we have to find a way past a nesting dragon."
"We what?" Cedric asked weakly. He swallowed, turning a pale green.
"Yeah, I know," Harry nodded. "Ginny's brother Charlie brought four with him. One for each of us." Cedric listened, he gulped again, turning a shade darker green. "Thought it was only fair that I told you, so you're not in the dark about this."
"Uh…thanks…I think," Cedric swallowed again. He took a deep breath. "Right. Thanks again, Harry." Cedric nodded with a wide-eyed look of shock before turning to walk after his friends slowly.
Harry went back to the others, sitting next to Ginny. "Well, that went well."
"Didn't take it well, did he, love?" Ginny asked with a knowing look as she put her arm around Harry.
"No," Harry answered. "Did you tell Ron and Hermione?"
"Yeah," Ginny nodded. She glanced at Hermione who was still staring off into space in shock. "As you can see, she didn't either." Ron was trying to form words but nothing was coming out. "And I think I broke Ron."
"Harry, what are you good at?" Rose suddenly asked.
"Flying a broom, but all we can take with us is our wands," Harry answered.
"That's it, Harry!" Ginny looked at him. "You can fly."
"But…" Harry started confused. The exchange finally broke Hermione out of her shock.
"You need to learn the Summoning Charm," Hermione pointed at Harry with a look of certainty. "We'll learn it with you. It's a very useful spell."
Harry smiled. "There's the Hermione I know." She smiled at him. "Alright. Go do your research on it and we'll find a place to learn it. And, Ron, grab Neville, so he can learn it too."
The morning of the first task dawned clear and cool. Harry awoke with a sense of fear in the pit of his stomach. He knew some of it was his own, but a large part of it was Ginny's. After dinner the night they had thought about the Summoning Charm, they had met in an unused classroom on the third floor. Hermione had instructed them on the mechanics of the spell before they had each started practicing it. In the two weeks, they had before the first task, they had each finally mastered the charm. Neville and Ron had taken the longest to finally get it right, but they had, after a bit of encouragement from the others.
Harry rolled out of bed, taking a deep calming breath to settle his frayed nerves. He dressed quickly in his task clothes that looked a lot like his Quidditch robes before heading down to meet Ginny and Rose to go to breakfast. Neville and Ron were just waking up as Harry finished dressing and started down. Ginny greeted him with their usual hug and kiss, Rose with her usual hug. Rose had squeezed a little tighter than normal, but Harry knew she was as scared for him as Ginny was.
As they entered the Great Hall, James and Lily waved them over to the end of the Gryffindor table. Sirius and Remus were sitting with them. Fleur waved to them as she looked up from the Ravenclaw table. Cedric gave Harry a nod that told Harry he was ready to at least attempt the task. Lily crushed Harry in a hug before he could sit down.
"We got it figured out, mum," Harry reassured her as she let him go. "Rose and Ginny came up with the idea and Hermione helped us with the spell I'll be using. Relax."
"Maybe when you're a parent you'll understand, Harry," Lily placed a hand on his cheek. "But until this is over, I will not relax."
Ron, Neville, and Hermione joined them soon after they sat down. Lily smiled a nod of thanks to Hermione for her work on the spell. Hermione smiled and blushed her appreciation. Ginny and Lily encouraged Harry to eat something as the thought of facing a dragon turned his stomach suddenly. They finally got Harry to eat a little toast shortly before the Champions were called to make their way to the arena.
Ginny walked with Harry down to the Champions' tent near the arena. Harry could feel her fear and her hand trembling slightly. James had given Harry a good piece of advice before they walked out to the tent. He told Harry to face his nerves for the task as if it was just another Quidditch match. It had helped settle Harry's fear, mostly.
Harry stopped Ginny just outside the tent, pulling her into a hug. "I'll be fine,"
"Don't promise me that," Ginny sniffed. "Not with this."
"You heard my dad," Harry told her. "The more afraid I am, the worse my spell work will be." He lowered his voice after glancing around. "And with our bond, I can feel your fear. Try not to worry too much, for both of us."
"Oh, Harry," Ginny gulped before pulling him into a tight hug and deep kiss.
They broke apart as they heard and saw a camera flash. Standing in the doorway of the tent were Rita Skeeter and her cameraman. They glared at her as she smirked at them.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" Rita simpered as she pulled out her acid-green quill.
"None of your concern," James growled as he pulled the camera out of the hands of the cameraman. He drew his wand, setting the quill and parchment under it on fire. "I told your editor; that you are not to cover this Tournament. And as a majority shareholder," he paused as he stepped to within inches of her face. "My word is law at the paper you work for. You're on thin ice as it is, Skeeter. Don't make me regret not firing you sooner."
"Of course, Lord Potter," Rita spoke with a quake in her voice.
"You're lucky it was me and not my wife that caught you here," James glared at her. "Your replacement is already in the stands. I'd leave before my wife sees you."
Rita squeaked a little before she and her cameraman run for the gates. James stood there to make sure they left before turning to Harry and Ginny. "Lily wanted me to escort you to the stands, Ginny. One less worry for Harry right now."
"Thanks, dad," Harry nodded.
"Thank you, James," Ginny smiled weakly at him. She turned back to Harry after a deep breath. She grabbed the front of his robes, kissing him one more time. James saw the slight glow that came from their bond before Ginny backed up a step, but still held Harry in a firm grasp. "Good luck. And be careful."
"I will, Gin," Harry nodded. Ginny finally let go of Harry before nodding and letting James escort her away with an arm around her back. Ginny turned one last time to give him a worried smile. Harry took a deep breath before entering the tent.
"Ah! Mr. Potter, finally," Ludo Bagman grinned as he waved Harry over to the other Champions. The former Quidditch star had a gleam in his eyes as if he knew Harry would do well in the task. Harry ignored him as he walked over to the other Champions. Fleur smiled knowingly at him as Harry stepped between her and Cedric.
Mr. Crouch, the other Ministry judge, was holding a bag that was squirming in his hands.
"Now, each of you is to reach into this bag and draw a model of what you will be facing," Bagan began. "Attached to each model is a number to determine the order you will take your turn. After you have completed the task you will gather in the other tent for a word about the second task when you have each taken your turn. Questions?"
No one spoke. Harry noticed the other Champions were all looking a bit pale. He was sure he was as well.
"Ladies first, Miss Delacour," Bagman nodded as Crouch extended the bag to her. Fleur gulped as she reached in, pulling out a little dragon. "The Swedish Short-Snout, and the number three."
Crouch held out the bag to Krum.
"The Chinese Fireball. Ooh, a hot one. With the number two," Crouch stated with a mystified look.
Crouch turned to Cedric. Cedric gulped as he turned a shade of green again as he reached in. "The Welsh Green, with our number one," smiled Bagman.
Crouch turned to Harry.
Harry knew what was left. He sighed. It was just his luck.
"That means the fourth slot is yours, Mr. Potter," clucked Bagman, "with the Hungarian Horntail. A right nasty one!"
"Now," Crouch began. "When you hear the whistle, proceed to the entrance of the arena. Good luck."
Harry caught a strange, cloudy gleam in Crouch's eyes as he nodded to Harry before he and Bagman left for the judges' table. Harry shrugged it off. He had more important things to worry about at the moment.
The Champions moved toward the entrance of the tent that led to the arena. Cedric flashed Harry a weak smile as he swallowed hard again. Krum took to pacing on the left side of the doorway. Harry sat on the small bench by the door, waiting. Fleur sat down beside him. She patted his knee with a weak smile.
"I know, 'Arry," she tried to comfort him.
They jumped slightly when the whistle blew for Cedric to enter. Fleur watched Krum for a few seconds before leaning over to Harry, lowering her voice.
"Trust een votre bond, eet vill 'elp vous out zhere," Fleur told him.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked a little confused.
"Dragoons are very smart creechures, 'Arry," explained Fleur. "Eet vill zee votre bond vith Jinny."
Harry nodded not sure of what to make of that information. They sat in silence as the crowd cheered for Cedric. They heard the whistle for Krum's turn. Harry thought he heard a great wail as the crowd cheered for Krum. He wasn't sure what that could be.
"Good luck, cousin," Harry told Fleur before she stood.
"Good luck to vous, too," Fleur smiled. "And remember vhat I told vous."
Harry nodded as the whistle blew. After Fleur left, Harry took a deep breath to try to calm his nerves. He felt Ginny touch his mind with hers. It was comforting to feel her presence even if he couldn't see her right then. Harry stood to pace by the door to await his turn to face his dragon. As the crowd cheered for Fleur, Harry tried to focus his mind on calming thoughts. The first thought that came was of kissing Ginny. Something clicked as those thoughts entered his mind. He could feel her presence even stronger in their bond. He felt her realize this as well. Ginny reached out to him with what felt like a hug around him. Harry smiled as he returned the feeling to Ginny.
The whistle blew and he had to focus on the task.
Harry entered the arena cautiously. He saw large boulders he could use for cover if needed. A gate at the other end clanged open. Harry stood frozen for a moment as the enormous dragon lumbered out of the pen it was being kept in. Harry's eyes flicked around, seeing the nest on the far side of the dragon. In the center of the eggs was one that was gold and not the whitish ivory color of the rest.
The dragon roared with a deafening sound. Harry jumped behind one of the boulders as fire surrounded it. The heat was so intense, he broke out in a sweat. As soon as the fire passed, Harry jumped behind a cooler rock. He raised his wand before the dragon could breathe more fire at him.
"Accio, Firebolt!" Harry called. Now all he had to do was wait for his broom to arrive, and stay alive!
"Insect! Stand still so I can kill you!"
Harry was taken aback by the voice. He looked out from behind the boulder to see the dragon watching him with a glare. It was about to breathe fire at him again, but Harry had an idea.
"Mighty dragon, please don't!" Harry hissed out in Parseltongue. The dragon looked shocked at this. Harry saw the chain around its neck. A new plan formed in his mind quickly. "Mighty dragon, if I might have a word with you in private?" Harry asked as his broom arrived. He wasted no time mounting it and kicking off the ground.
Harry flew straight up to hover for a second as he saw the dragon swing around to smash the stands where Snape and a few of the teachers were sitting. He had to snicker as the dragon's tail spikes narrowly missed Snape. Harry heard the twins yell encouragement at the dragon for this. The dragon spread its wings. With a mighty flap and pull, the chain broke. Harry nodded as he flew toward the Black Lake away from prying eyes in the arena.
As he landed but stayed on his broom, Harry watched as the Horntail followed. Harry could feel Ginny's fear and confusion through their bond. Harry sent her reassuring thoughts as he watched the dragon fly closer. She landed with a heavy thud, staring curiously at Harry.
"You are bound to one in the arena," the dragon stated.
"I am," Harry nodded. "My cousin told me you would be able to see it."
The Horntail sniffed the air slightly. "The part Veela is your cousin. And you are bound to the hatchmate to our most respected handler."
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "None of us mean you or your eggs any harm. This is a contest. One I should not be in. Someone entered me falsely into it."
"I see and hear your honesty, Chosen One," the Horntail nodded. "The other, the one who made our sister crush her young, he is not from your learning place?"
"No," Harry shook his head. That explained the wail Harry had heard while waiting. "And I express my deep regret to your sister."
"I shall pass this on to her," nodded the Horntail. "You and your mate have great dangers in your future, Chosen One. I wish you good fortune in them."
"Thank you," Harry bowed. He didn't like the sound of that but knew he would have to wait to find out its meaning. "As to this contest, they have placed a false egg in your nest. No, not to harm your young, but for us to retrieve. Despite this, we must make them believe in the danger of it all."
"Quite correct, Chosen One," agreed the Horntail. "What do you suggest?"
"You chase me back to the arena, miss me with your fire. I take the egg, and you guard your nest as if I was going to harm the rest of your young," Harry told the Horntail.
"I agree."
"Before we do so, what are you called?" Harry asked curiously.
"I am Straka," she bowed slightly.
"A pleasure to meet you, Straka," Harry smiled. "Shall we?"
"Yes."
Harry flew at top speed back to the arena as Straka followed him at a distance. She roared out a warning to Harry as he crested the top of the arena to dodge her flames. Harry made sure to make it look good as he swerved. He flew into the arena, quickly heading for the nest. He slowed only enough to grab the golden egg, then away from the nest as fast as he could. Straka landed by her nest, placing one of her wings over it. She gave a roar for good measure as Harry raced to the exit.
As he landed on the other side of the gate, Harry heard the pounding of feet over the screams of the crowd. He felt Ginny approaching him quickly and knew she was making a mad dash for him. Harry turned in time to have Ginny jump into his arms. She crushed his lips with hers in a searing kiss that was more intense than any they had shared before.
The pounding of feet stopped as Lily, Rose, and Hermione skidded to a stop. A bright glow surrounded Harry and Ginny as they kissed.
"What in Merlin?" Rose gawked.
"What the…" Hermione gaped.
"Later, girls," Lily told them before clearing her throat. Harry and Ginny looked up, startled. Lily didn't wait for Ginny to step away, just rushed to her son, hugging them both. Rose and Hermione joined in crushing Harry.
"Mr. Potter, if you please," Bagman called from the tent. The girls and Lily let Harry go so he could join the other Champions in the tent. Fleur gave him a smile as he stepped in. He nodded in thanks for her tip.
"Now, to continue on in the next task, you must solve a riddle that is contained in the egg," Mr. Couch stated. "The next task is not until February, so use your time wisely to solve the riddle."
As the judges left, Harry turned to Fleur. "Thank you. It helped."
"Ov course, couzin," Fleur smiled as she hugged him.