Harry woke at 6.00am, chores at the Dursleys had it ingrained in him and even though Hogwarts breakfast started at 8 he had never been able to stay asleep and instead found himself jolting awake. He lay still listening to the sounds of the ex-friends snoring for a moment feeling a pang of sadness before brushing it aside and going for a shower, no point in worrying about what had been. 15 minutes later he was making his way outside to the lake, bag slung over his shoulder to avoid having to rush back after breakfast. He'd started it last year while Hermione and Ron were refusing to speak to each other, he'd taken to walking around in the morning to destress before the day, something about the feeling of being the only one up and being able to think clearly before the annoyances started made him feel calmer.
The air was clear and crisp and there was silence as he started walking and decided to move into the overhanging trees of the forbidden forest. The woods, while absolutely terrifying at night with the wind rustling the leaves and one's imagination convincing them of movement; were green and beautiful in the morning sun that only made its way through the thick canopy every now and then. The wooded areas around Little Whining had always been Harry's favourite place to go as he could easily dodge or climb the trees during the games of 'Harry Hunting'; his cousin and friends always gave up after a while deciding to go and bully some other person who seemed meek and easy to pick on. Stopping abruptly at the muffled roar that caused the branches around him to shake he felt an ominous feeling of dread start to settle in his stomach.
Don't do it, he thought to himself, just leave, go back to the castle and stay out of trouble.
Just then another rumble came through the trees and he felt his curiosity get the better of him. After all satisfaction brought the cat back – or whatever the saying was.
Making sure his invisibility cloak was wrapped around him before he started to move, it was then a crack of a branch had him freezing in place. Spinning on his heel his eyes narrowed at the sight of the Headmaster of Durmstrung stalking through the trees towards the roar. Making the decision to follow, Harry made sure to stay about 15ft away and about 20 minutes later came to the source of the noise and his mouth dropped open without him realising it.
Cleared of trees, the open area had men and women rushing around it, smoke was thick in the air and the heat was incredible. Four colossal cages stood around the rocky space each holding a real fire breathing dragon and none of them looked happy. Growls and small bursts of flame were issuing from their mouths and he quickly knelt behind a boulder to avoid some of the sparks. He couldn't believe it. Obviously Dragons were real he'd learnt that first hand but seeing their full grown form caused him to pinch himself a few times.
"Four" He said softly to himself in complete disbelief. "Four champions and four dragons…oh fuck."
He was suddenly grateful for Hagrid's obsession with them as he recognised each of them and he quickly pulled out his notebook from his bag and wrote down each one and what he could remember about it. The Chinese Fireball was the gorgeous scarlet of the sunset sky with golden spikes framing its face, crouched in its cage it was content to growl threateningly at passer-by's who sped up quickly, tail sliding from side to side ready to strike out – tolerant of other dragons, one of the fastest dragons as well as intelligent, likes pigs the best – he recalled watching the puffs of fire escape its mouth. The Common Welsh Green was closest to him and he could make out the green eyes that constantly roamed the area although it remained curled in a corner of its cage, the brownish green of its body melting into the surroundings a rumbling growl always present in its chest – likes sheep the best, keeps away from humans and rather mild, has a musical roar- maybe it likes music…like Fluffy. Harry wondered and resolved to ask Hagrid about it. The Hungarian Horntail was furthest away from the other dragons and placed nearer to a rock face that was to the east of the clearing, the ebony scales reflected the fire stands that were placed around and the bronze horns and claws looked as vicious as the flames that it was spouting to anyone that came within thirty feet of it and it kept on its feet as though waiting for any chance to escape and cause havoc, Harry remembered learning about this one as all the boys thought it was the 'coolest'. He hurriedly scribbled – extremely vicious and fast, fire reaches 50 ft. The fourth was the Swedish Short Snout, the silver blue of its hide a stark contrast to its surroundings and reminded Harry of a winters morning, the fire that it was spitting out was a bright blue that hurt to look at and it lay pressed against the bars not caring unless someone came near it and then it snarled with teeth dripping saliva -fire is the hottest, lives in uninhabited areas, rarely contacts humans- Harry vaguely recalled as he flipped his notebook shut and leant forward to examine them each more carefully. His attention was caught by a red rock in the Fireball's cage and he squinted, leaning even further over the boulder as he tried to figure out what it was, then the fireballs wing moved revealing 4 other rocks as it pulled the lone rock back into its body and covered them with its wing. Harry quickly studied the other cages and caught a few glimpses of other rocks of different colours in them, Rocks? They can't be rocks. He thought to himself as he tried to examine them more carefully.
Eggs! Harry thought in complete amazement and then horror. They had brought nesting dragons and their eggs into the tournament. No no no no no! What the hell is going on! He silently screamed in his mind as his eyes flickered around the dragons in panic.
"Keep her settled, the champions need them bright-eyes and bushy tailed."
The green eyes cut to one of the figures who was double and triple checking chains and locks.
"First task is 3 weeks away, just need to keep them alive until then. Make sure they're connected to the eggs that will make it more entertaining."
Entertaining! I'll be ash! Harry yelled silently as he scowled at an official looking wizard who was standing pretty far away from the dragons talking with another who had no robes on but brown tunic and trousers with dragonhide boots.
"Sir, we've already told you we don't like doing this to our dragons and its because of this governments stupid rules that we have to. The dragons will be well and their eggs protected that was our deal, now shut up and go away."
"Well, they'd better be, Minister Fudge has standards even for these beasts."
"They're not beast!" Half a dozen voices yelled and the official quickly scurried away as the dragons snarled at the extra noise.
Noticing the runes placed around the clearing Harry quickly retrieved his notebook and quickly sketched each one knowing a certain Slytherin would have a better clue as to what they meant and maybe they could help in the task. If the eggs were to already be protected then it wouldn't hurt to make sure they were doubly protected, Harry certainly didn't want any baby dragons to be killed as part of a stupid contest.
Harry's vision started to go black and he sucked in a huge breath. Dragons. Were they fucking insane! His breath started to go faster and his brain stuttered, how was he gonna get out of this one? First he needed Daphne.
Checking the time, he was surprised to realise it was 7.52 and breakfast started soon. Just as he got back to his feet to return to the castle he noticed a familiar mop of red hair. Trying to get a closer look, he felt shock as he realised it was Charlie Weasley; for a long moment Harry stilled, one of the Weasleys were here and there was no way they wouldn't have told their siblings. He closed his eyes and thought of the people that had been like a family to him. Well no more he thought and with one last look around the clearing he strode back through the forest and entered through the doors pushing aside the hurt he felt and concentrating on what he knew about dragons. This time he paid no attention to the mutterings and names that were thrown at him, Harry found himself almost totally uncaring towards people's attitudes towards him, not even Ron's sneering face, Hermione's disappointed one or Seamus loudly proclaiming he hated cheaters could get a rise out of him today; he had far more important things to worry about.
Sliding into a spot at almost the very end of the table, he quickly piled his plate with pancakes and spilled maple syrup over them wanting the sugar rush after the scare. Images of being burned alive and chewed into tiny little pieces went through his mind before he considered the damage that a giant three headed dog could have done or the dead stare of a 60ft basilisk and decided a dragon couldn't be much tougher…right? Eating slowly, he reached inside his bag for his book of Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them and started to read. He was halfway through how Evan Tamaryon made it past a banshee to collect a treasured goblet in 1454 when the high, grating voice of one Ginerva Weasley started up.
"I just don't understand how he could have become so different. Harry used to be so wonderful and charming and the perfect Boy-Who-Lived and now he's become so cowardly and a damn cheater."
"I totally get it Gin, I mean his reputation was amazing and he had us all fooled because of it. The way he has refused to even talk to you or your brothers especially after all your family has done for him, eurgh he's disgusting." Said Olive Silverberry, a third year Gryffindor who used to ask him for help in transfiguration and now preferred to think he didn't exist.
"I know, we've done so much for him and he retaliates by acting as though he's suddenly better than us. He can't even admit to us that he's cheated, Ron feels so slighted by him. Just because he's the Boy-Who-Lived doesn't mean we'll let him off when he says sorry though, he's going to have to really make up for it."
Huh, she only mentioned the famous moniker twice this time, maybe she is getting over it. Harry thought ironically as the voices got closer when two girls rose from breakfast and started to make their way out of the hall and as a result closer to him.
"Whoops!" Exclaimed Olive suddenly.
And Harry quickly felt the cold pumpkin juice start to soak onto his right arm as it spread over his shoulder and start to seep over into his books and bag that rested against his thigh. The two girls moved away giggling as a few others around them also laughed however it faded quickly as Harry got his wand out and waved it quickly over himself and his belongings, muttering a few spells and watching as they dried instantly, he ignored the startled look from Neville and carried on eating, the extra time I've had to read and study over the few weeks had really helped, he thought proudly.
As he finished off the last of the pancakes, he stopped on a page that declared how stupid people had decided to introduce dragons into tournaments and the feats that people had to complete to get past them including the legendary George and the Dragon; keeping an eye on the Slytherin table as he waited for the blonde-haired beauty to leave. He was taken aback when instead of leaving straight away she carried straight past the doors and settled on his right – I guess she really is happy where she is – Harry thought in amusement as he caught the flabbergasted looks from his classmates. Her eyes flicked over the book and he nudged it towards her keeping his eyes on his plate as he waited to see her reaction and he knew she understand the exact second as her straight spine went even more rigid and her hand clenched into a fist.
The silence that had settled around them since Daphne sat seemed to deepen as they stood in sync and made their way out and down to the lake once more, Harry fully believed that the portraits liked to listen and they were in no more of a hurry to people to start questioning them.
"The past tournaments show a similar theme of using the elements for each challenge, this could be fire or air. I found dragons this morning, four of them hidden in the forest."
Cold fingers wrapped around his own and he jumped slightly as Daphne's hand gripped his while they continued around the lake and she let her breath out in a whoosh before nodding and catching his eyes with her own.
"Okay first of all completely, totally, idiotic tournament! What the hell are they thinking!" The rant carried on for at least another five minutes before she silenced herself and asked in a quieter more dignified tone.
"What spells can you use? Are you expected to fight it? Is there a time limit? Can you take other things in?"
"So far I can't find anything you can't use, not even the killing curse is mentioned to be against the rules. I don't think there's a time limit but there might be a points bonus for the less time you use and I'm not taking anything that could be barbequed and that includes the cloak, from what I understand you're allowed your wand and that's it. "
"The last tournament was 1792 everything was still allowed. So we research everything and anything, are you ready?"
"To the library!"
Harry swept his arm back up to the castle and they shared a smile before going through the stone arch way and immediately allowing blank masks to share nothing as they made their way to the library, ignoring the new round of muttering that had swept through the castle as fingers started to point their way. They settled into a slightly dusty desk in the back and had books on dragons spread over the table making thorough notes on each of the breeds before Harry felt compelled to bring up the breakfast joining.
"Daph, at breakfast, I don't expect you to-"
"Harry your problem is you don't expect anything, I said I'd be here. And before you ask I've spoken to the parents. I'll introduce you to Tracey and those I trust and then lunch, you'll be on our table and at dinner we can decide which we prefer. Oh and I have a free period now so don't worry about me missing something." She added as she saw his mouth open to no doubt protest. "Now lets look at those runes you found, I think this one is used for emotional manipulation bizarrely enough."
"What do you mean?"
"Well magical creatures are just like normal ones except they have a more intelligent brain and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Dragons, after Pheonix's are considered the most intelligent creatures of all. Very rarely -apart from the Horntail - will they attack unless completely provoked, they never abandon their young and are probably more in line with sharks. If a human goes near their dens or hunting grounds they might take an interest in you but generally leave you alone. Of course most dragons nowadays are in reserves, its rare to see wild ones and therefore their reactions are different."
"So why is the manipulation odd? They're being kept in cages, surely the handlers will want to keep them calm."
"That's just it, these runes aren't to keep them calm. A few years ago we visited an American reserve and they keep the mood low and emitting calming energy, kind of like cat nip. These runes will keep the dragons on their most basic level of primal instinct. In other words they're keeping them angry and fierce. Then we have the really worrying thing…"
"Yes because a continuously angry dragon is nothing to be scared about."
Daphne sent him a glare and he immediately lowered his eyes to the book that she shoved in his direction about mother dragons.
"You said that they have eggs which means they're still nursing which means they're extremely protective of their babies and when those babies haven't hatched their very territorial especially with strangers. You said the handlers said something about keeping their connection?"
"Yeah, well a lackey of Fudge's anyway he said it would be more entertaining."
"Harry I think from that we can assume they'll want to use the eggs in the task."
There was total silence as Harry stared at her with his brow furrowed as though he couldn't comprehend her words.
"WHAT!?"
Daphne immediately hushed him, looking around in panic for the librarian before she realised that they had a privacy ward up.
"You're telling me that someone wants to put mother dragons and their babies into the task whatever it may be! And that I will most likely be in there with them!"
"That about sums it up. Yes."
Harry's mouth moved wordlessly and he looked at her and she could see the panic begin to settle in his gaze.
"Well I'm dead then, this is it. I'm finally gonna die."
"Oh stop being so dramatic. We have three weeks to think up everything and anything that can be done."
"You really think so?"
Daphne grabbed his hands in hers and held on until his eyes came back to her.
"Harry I swear we're going to get through this."
He nodded shakily and she smiled timidly before returning to the books.
"You might want to make a will though just in case."
"Oh shut up." He said as his blonde companion burst into slightly hysterical giggles.
They made notes for the rest of the hour and by the end of it had composed several ideas on how to tackle the task, including some that Daphne had titled 'the end of the road' used only in emergencies as they were 'completely ridiculous and you'll probably die within 20 seconds of attempting it'. In fact they'd had a ten minute break as she had gone off on another rant and personally, Harry thought, was acting a bit like a mother dragon herself.
"Come on. Potions now."
"Nope, I will see you later."
"Harryyyy."
"Daph, no. It'll be painful for us all and Snape will just yell at me and something will get thrown into my mix!"
"Harry please, you'll sit with me so no one will try to sabotage and if Snape yells just answer back as calmly as possible."
"But I"
Daphne grabbed his hand and tilted her head slightly.
"Please…don't leave me alone with the nasty lions."
Harry's breath caught in his throat as her eyes caught his, they flickered to her lips before he shook himself and pulled away looking at her with a pout.
"I know what you're doing."
She grinned mischeviously.
"Is it working?"
"…a little."
"Please Harry." She asked this time looking him straight in the eye and knew it had worked when he sighed and stated to gather his stuff.
Talking amicably, they headed to the dungeons for Potions, by the time they had joined the few stragglers the conversation had turned to benign subjects and they turned glacial glares onto anyone who looked twice in their direction.
The class that stood outside the dungeon split into green and red, the groups turned to stare at the couple most of their gazes held a mixture of hate, disbelief and confusion probably the only time they'd agree on something.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing with him?" Demanded Malfoy, twin spots of pink rising in his cheeks.
"I do not answer to you Malfoy, do not presume to have a say in anything I decide."
The tone as well as the piercing blue eyes in his direction made Malfoy swallow his words vowing to take it up another time with the girl who had been the only one to ever refuse him and turned to glare at Potter who was smiling a little to smugly at the put down he had received however before he could start on him the Gryffindors started to speak.
"Playing with Snakes now, Potter? Always knew you'd turn evil, you're such a coward can't even admit you're a cheater." Ron sneered.
"Yeah, we should have seen it coming. Always creeping off and doing weird things. And he speaks parseltongue!" Said Seamus pointing a finger in Harry's direction.
"Honestly, he's so quiet too, it shouldn't surprise any of us that he'd turn dark or that hangs around with Greengrass now I mean we all heard the rumours from first year too." Lavender exclaimed her normally pretty face screwed up in disgust.
Harry rolled his eyes and spoke for the first time in defence of himself since Halloween.
"The people that have thrown things at me, accused me of things. People who I have shared a dorm with for three years are only now figuring out that I am evil."
"I told you, Gryffindors are not known for their intelligence." Daphne said fixing a pitying look on her face.
"You've all known that I speak Parseltongue for two years now. Ron, you know the trouble we have both got into. Guys you've shared a dorm with me for years! And yet now you claim not to know me? You think I'm dark? I may no longer be a Gryffindor in your eyes, but you lot sure as hell aren't."
Ron's ears went alarmingly red and he took a step forward only to be stopped by Dean.
"Don't do it, mate. He ain't worth it."
"Oh no, please let him go. Lets see him what damage he can actually do against the Boy-Who-Lived." Said Daphne, crossing her arms with her superior, smug pureblood princess mask firmly in place.
Just as wands were starting to come out of pockets Snape opened the door.
"Well get in then and let's get through this." He snapped at them all. "And we are to be graced by a champion today, how marvellous…Potter what on earth makes you think you will be welcomed back into this classroom?"
"I don't think you've ever been welcoming sir. Although I have been studying privately it has come to my attention that occasionally a professor will impart some wisdom that I would do well to listen to." Harry replied with a bite in his voice.
"Hmph, I expect your attempt will be as dismal as it always is but as a celebrity your rudeness in your assumptions is expected, get in."