Harry read the letter and looked at Hagrid. The half giant glanced at him and attempted to wink. He ended up just blinking but Harry gave him a thumbs up.
"What's that, Harry?" Susan asked curiously and he held the letter to his chest.
"Hagrid wants to have a midnight rendezvous. I think he's going to confess his love for me." Tonks started choking on her dinner and Cedric was quick to pound on her back.
"Merlin's tits, Harry!" She gasped out before saying "can I come watch?" He gave a sniff before declining.
"I'll have to let him down gently, of course but Draco is the only one for me. Did you see what he was wearing today?" Ernie rolled his eyes and said "Wasn't he wearing one of your shirts? A bit too small for the bloke." Harry squealed and said "yes! It was practically a crop top. I thought I was dreaming when I first saw it but he just kissed me and left. It was so romantic." Tonks looked at Cedric before a wicked smile crossed her face. He instantly shook his head.
"I don't know what you want but the answer is no."
"C'mon babe! I haven't even asked for anything yet." Harry got up and wandered out of the Great Hall. Hagrid had asked to meet in the forest so he decided he would just go wait for the other man. He hated to break the gentle Professor's heart but he would not be swayed! Ron had told him that Hagrid's class was interesting. They got to pet nifflers yesterday and Harry was so jealous.
"Mama, it's dark." Snappy hissed from his bag. He had been rather clingy today and spent the afternoon napping in his satchel.
"We're meeting a giant in the forest." He explained and Snappy whined out "daddy won't like it." He probably should have told Draco but he shouldn't be long. As he waited for Hagrid, a burst of flames came over the tree line. He snuck forward before gasping out loud. Dragons! They had dragons in the forest. A twig breaking had him twirling around to find Hagrid escorting Madame Maxime. It was rude to invite someone without telling him!
"They brought dragons from the reserve in Romania! I thought you might appreciate their beauty." Hagrid was speaking loudly and looking around.
"I think it's a little overkill for the first task but they didn't ask for my opinion!" Hagrid joked and the Headmistress laughed.
"Perhaps they should." Harry couldn't believe he had become the third wheel! Was this how his friends felt when they were around him and Draco? The two adults left and Harry decided he was going to get a closer look.
"Let's go see some dragons, Snappy! They'll love you!"
"Oi! Skullcrusher is throwing a fit!" One of the handlers cried out and Charlie set down his cup of tea. He hadn't been able to finish a single cup since this damned Tournament was announced! He couldn't believe the ministry had demanded they bring four nesting mothers for children to battle. Oh, they said the mothers would be safe and no harm would come to the eggs but he knew better. He had tried to refuse but they threatened to fire him. If he was fired, there would be no way he could even try to protect the poor dragons. He rubbed his face and one of his coworkers patted his shoulder.
"It'll be okay, Weasley. We just need to get through this Merlin forsaken Tournament and then we'll be back on the reserve." They went up to Skullcrusher's enclosure and he heard hissing. They shared a look before getting closer. Harry was standing in front of the irate dragon with a pumpkin sized crocodile strapped to his chest.
"Harry?" He wheezed out and the boy turned around.
"Charlie! Skullcrusher is very upset. Why did you drag her here with her clutch? She's worried something will happen to them." He had his hands on his hips and Charlie couldn't help his hysterical laughter at the picture he made.
"We had no choice, kid. They wanted dragons for the Tournament so they got dragons." Evan explained next to him and Harry frowned.
"But what about the babies?" Charlie flopped on the ground.
"They promised nothing would happen but wizards have never really cared about the extinction of dragons. If we lose even one egg, it would be devastating." Harry scowled before turning back to Skullcrusher. He started hissing and then his arms were moving wildly. She gave a growl that came from her chest and he answered. She wrapped herself around the eggs and Harry blew her a kiss. He shimmied his way through the bars and straightened his shoulders.
"I explained the game to Skullcrusher. She isn't happy but she will let the other Champions take the egg. Now take me to the other ones and I'll tell them what's about to happen so they won't be frightened." Charlie gave a sniff and hugged Harry tightly.
"Thanks Harry. I've been so anxious that my hair had been falling out." He held a chunk in his hand to show the younger boy.
"Don't worry, Charlie. We'll get it figured out! Don't tell anyone I was here though. I think there's some weird rules about it." Charlie didn't care about following the rules and apparently the judges didn't either if they let a thirteen year old compete. When Ronnie had told his parents, they had been outraged. Harry was family so they had written a formal complaint and had it filed at the ministry. Madame Bones had been the one to take it and she had added it to her investigation. It would help punish whoever put Harry's name in, once they found out. Not that that would be necessary since the Black cousins would murder them. Charlie was just happy his dragons would be safe.
Cedric bit his nails nervously. Harry had been following him for the last twenty minutes and he didn't know why. Why hadn't the other boy called out to him? If Draco found out, he would feed him to his pet inferi! It would be for the best. He was trying to convince himself he shouldn't run away. Sure, losing his magic would suck but Tonks had enough for both of them. She wouldn't care if he became a squib.
"Hi Cedric!" He gave a scream as Harry appeared in front of him. Holding his chest with one hand, he clutched the wall with the other.
"Merlin Harry, if you want to take me out of the games, just do it already!" Harry gave him a concerned look.
"Are you okay, Cedric? Tonks said you've been having a hard time." He snatched Snappy up and cuddled the crocodile as he tried to steady his breathing.
"I'm scared, Harry. I didn't think I'd be chosen and now I'm afraid I'm going to die!" He felt like a coward admitting his fears to Harry. The other boy was younger and hadn't even put his name in! He wasn't trembling at every loud noise. Harry took his hand and said "it's okay, Cedric. You have nothing to be ashamed of. It is scary! Don't worry, I won't let you get murdered and if you do, the Black family has a ritual to revive you. It just has to be within two days or you start to smell." Cedric felt himself relax slightly.
"You'd really revive me, Harry?" The younger boy grinned at him and said "of course! You're basically married to Draco's cousin and that makes us family. I always watch out for my family." He gently set Snappy down before crushing him into a hug.
"That definitely makes me feel better!" He wouldn't run away. If anything happened, Harry would bring him back. He was sure Tonks would love it if he was a zombie.
"Oh! The first task is dragons. That's what I was trying to tell you." His vision blurred and he collapsed in a heap. Dragons! He was a goner.
Draco burst into the tent. Ludo Bagman was attempting to make some grand announcements that he ignored. He focused on Harry and couldn't help his coo. The other Champions were wearing track suits but Harry had on a spandex jumpsuit with a quarter zip over the top half. It was green and silver with his last name emblazoned on the back. His hair was in two braided buns on top of his head with a green headband.
"Heir Malfoy! You can't just burst in here!" Bagman shouted and he gave him a nasty look.
"Keep your mouth shut, you imbecile. The goblins outside are looking for you." He informed the man and was pleased to see him pale before running in the opposite direction.
"Draco!" Harry launched himself into his arms and he stared tenderly into his eyes.
"Please be careful, darling. If you need anything, call out to me and I will come." He swore and Harry kissed him. Once they separated, he noticed the other Champions were staring at the ceiling.
"It will be fine, Draco! I've got it all figured out." Harry gave him a sly smile.
"If I win, do I get something special?" Viktor gave a snort and Draco flipped him off.
"If you come out safely, you can have whatever you want." Harry had a dangerous gleam in his eyes before he agreed happily.
"Go find a good seat, babe! I'm gonna kick some arse."
He clutched Lord Black's arm as they watched Fleur go first. She strode forward and started singing. Her voice was enchanting due to her Veela heritage. The student watched with bated breath as the Dragon yawned before laying her head down. Fleur snuck forward and grabbed the fake egg before holding it up. Draco noticed the dragon watching Fleur from her cracked eyelid. What was that? Cedric was next. He tried sneaking forward like Fleur but tripped. He stayed on the ground long enough for Draco to worry that he knocked himself out. He started slowly crawling towards his dragon before stopping a couple of feet away. The dragon shook her massive wings out before using her tail to tap her nest. Her tail accidentally nudged the fake egg and it rolled right into Cedric's arms. He held it up before staggering toward the nurse's tent.
"Is it just me or does it feel like the dragons are giving the fake egg up?" His Mother asked and Aunt Andy nodded.
"It's almost like they know this isn't real." Draco gave a gasp.
"How brilliant! Harry must have talked to them!" The HFC came running over and Neville announced "Harry planned this, didn't he?" No wonder his love hadn't been nervous! He knew they were facing dragons. He was curious as to when he would have found out.
"That little sneak. I promised I'd do anything if he came out of this safely." He said fondly and Herm snorted.
"I bet he wants to snog." Lord Black's hand squeezed tightly around his and he yanked it back.
"Oi! I'm just following Harry's orders." His Uncle sat between them before they could start fighting.
"Perhaps we could watch Krum?" Draco rubbed his hands together.
"Maybe he'll get burnt by dragon fire?" He could only hope! Krum came out of the tent and walked straight toward the female dragon. He stated loudly "Great Lady! You have an imposter in your nest. I would take it, if you will allow me?" The dragon sneezed and let Krum take the fake egg. The girls around the arena went wild as he bowed elegantly towards the dragon.
"Thank you, Mistress of the Sky! I hope your clutch brings you honor." He left and it was finally Harry's turn. His dragon was a Hungarian Horntail and she watched Harry approach. Draco held his breath as Harry hissed loudly before the dragon answered. He turned his back on her and took his wand out. Harry started making lines in the sand before Herm gave a shocked laugh.
"Is he drawing a tic tac toe board?" They all watched as Harry drew a circle in the corner before the Horntail shot a flame in the middle. Twenty minutes later, Harry was tied with the dragon. She gave a loud shriek before spitting out a flame to make three in a row. Harry bowed his head in defeat and reached into his pocket. He enlarged it to show a giant ham. The dragon kicked the fake egg toward him and chewed on the meat in satisfaction.
"Thank you for watching!" Harry casually threw the egg to the side before making eye contact with him.
"I have a boyfriend to snog!" The student body went wild with catcalls and whistles as Harry started climbing up the stands to him.
"Hello babe, time to pay up." His Uncle restrained Lord Black as Harry gave him a toe-curling kiss. Merlin, he didn't know what he would reward his beloved with for the second task!
