Magical Origins

Year 4: The Hidden Task

The students of Hogwarts felt strange, hosting two schools as guests as they were hardly seen except for meal times. In most cases, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang ate their meals at different times. They were seen exploring the grounds and talking to one another. In some cases, they would speak to the fifth, sixth, or seventh years about the school. Usually, though, the Durmstrang students were on their ship while Beauxbatons were in their flying house that had settled near the edge of the Great Lake.

However, with the students getting all cramped up for the Tournament, the School allowed a special Hogsmeade trip just two weeks from the First Task. It wasn't just Hogwarts that was coming. Both the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were coming too. They weren't allowed inside the Village without the approval of Dumbledore and during Hogsmeade trips.

When the day arrived to go to Hogsmeade, Harry got dressed quickly and put on his winter cloak. November tended sudden and harsh winter winds. Making ones' bones rattle so hard it would feel like they might shatter like glass if you weren't careful. Harry and Blaise went towards the Common Room, where Daphne was waiting for them. She, too, was wearing her winter cloak. The Common Room was generally kept cool all year round. So, while they were feeling a bit too warm underneath their cloaks right now, it would be a different story once they stepped outside.

Daphne and Blaise said nothing as Harry took the lead and walked them outside. They walked through the dungeons before reaching the Great Hall. They waited by the Entrance Hall, where Filch was checking the names of those who had permission to enter the village with a nasty look on his face. It was a common fact that Filch hated the students. He was at war with almost every student inside the castle. However, he really couldn't do anything as it soon became common knowledge he was a squib — a wizard without magic.

Harry's expression hinted at nothing as Filch had a nasty look on his face when he cleared Harry. It seemed for some reason; Filch seemed to hate Harry more than any other student. It could be since Percy was Filch's errand boy. Percy loved getting students into trouble for even the smallest of infractions. That's why he loved being both Prefect and Head Boy. Percy also seemed to be under some impression that Harry was the worst sort of student at Hogwarts. He must have told Filch the things Ron told him. Harry swore that one day he would get even with Percy and do something to upset him in his life. He still remembers the time Percy kept interfering during Harry's quality time with Artemis.

Harry cleared his mind of that matter and walked with Blaise and Daphne towards the village. As expected, the winter winds were strong and blowing hard. Even with their winter cloaks, they could still feel the chill in their bones. All except for Harry, who loved this weather due to the fact he was a water elemental. His abilities with ice worked best during the winters. So winter to him felt more like summer. The colder, the better.

Harry looked up to see countless students from all three schools heading towards Hogsmeade.

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. It's freezing." Daphne said with her teeth chattering. Harry did not comment on the cold but did start leading the way to the Three Broomsticks.

Once inside, Harry could readily tell countless students from all three schools were trying to see the reputable Three Broomsticks.

"I don't fancy sitting with the crowds. Let's get a room in the back." Daphne said, suggested.

"Madam Rosmerta, a backroom, please," Harry called out as he reaches the counter.

"Ten galleons." Madam Rosmerta said.

Harry paid swiftly and grabbed the key before snatching a menu as he headed upstairs. They enter the back room and sit down. It wasn't big, but it was big enough to hold the three of them. Harry sits down and sighs.

"What can I get for you?" A house-elf asks.

They each order their food as the House-Elf takes it and pops off to the kitchen.

"Any luck preparing for the First Task?" Daphne asks the moment the door closes.

"I don't even know what the First Task is," Harry replies.

Blaise said nothing as he drinks his butterbeer.

Daphne was about to say something when they heard voices speaking outside their door.

"Come on, Ludo, give us a hint. What is the First Task?" A man's voice said.

"I really shouldn't be saying anything. It's going to be a real treat to watch." Ludo Bagman said as footsteps could be heard from the stairs.

"Yeah, but you have put a hundred Galleons that Harry Potter will win First Place in the First Task. How do you expect us to make a bet if we don't know what they're going to be facing?" Another man said.

"If someone hears, I could get into serious trouble." Bagman mutters petulantly. Harry, Daphne, and Blaise were as silent as statues. They were taking in every word that was being said.

"Look, we won't tell a soul. However, it's not fair that you're making bets while knowing what the First Task is, and we don't." A third companion said.

"Oh, alright. I'll say, don't tell anyone. Especially the competitors." Ludo Bagman said. They didn't hear what he said as they assumed he whispered the word to prevent anyone from eavesdropping in.

"Merlin's Beard! You can't be serious, Ludo! You can't expect children to fight off a dragon, do you?!"

Harry's blood turns cold as soon as he heard the word 'dragon.' Daphne and Blaise turn to look at Harry in shock.

"Merlin's beard, no! We're not that cruel, nor will we endanger children like that. Especially untrained children who have never handle a dragon before. They merely have to get past the dragon to collect an egg. The egg holds a clue to the Second Task. All they have to do is find a way around the dragons." Bagman explains.

"Still, hard to see Harry Potter get first place from facing a dragon. Alright, Ludo, you got yourself a bet. I'm betting Victor Krum will get past his dragon the quickest. He does have the advantage in this tournament." The first man said.

"Well, Harry Potter is known for surprising people." Bagman said merrily. "I'm sure he'll surprise you at the First Task." Bagman chirped.

They said nothing more as they walk away. Assumingly, to another of the rooms. However, no door was heard closing, but all was quiet.

"Harry?" Daphne questioned softly as she looks at Harry.

"Dragons. They've lost their marbles. Even grown wizards have a tough time dealing with dragons. What are they thinking?" Blaise said.

"Bagman said we've only had to get past a dragon. Which means the objective isn't to overpower a dragon, but rather to get around it." Harry said.

"How do you expect to get past a dragon? They're tough. Heavily magic resistant. Few spells are even known to so much as scuff their scales. And if you do get a spell to work on it, it doesn't mean it will stay down. In the worst case, you'll anger it." Blaise said.

"I hate to do this, but there is one person in Hogwarts who can help me," Harry said.

"Who?" Daphne asks.

"That oaf, Hagrid. He knows a lot about dragons. However, he's…" Harry began.

"We know," Blaise said.

Rubeus Hagrid was a professor and the resident Game Keeper of Hogwarts. He had a strong tendency to take care of all manner of dangerously illegal breeds. Dragons were something Hagrid particularly excited in acquiring, and he had already gotten in trouble for caring for an illegal dragon before. Harry may not like the oaf due to the simple fact that he was a deplorable professor and always in some muck about vexing trouble, but he would know a lot about dragons.

They ate their meals in silence before walking out and back to the castle. Harry knew he would have to get on top of this assigned task as soon as possible. He only had two weeks to prepare for the task. The first thing he did, when he got back to the castle, was sent off a summons to his vassals.

It took some time for all of them to assemble. Harry walks into a closed classroom. Since everyone was still in Hogsmeade, no one would overhear them.

"You've summoned us again. What happened?" Ruby Pearce asks.

"Dragons," Harry said. He then launches into what he overheard about the First Task from Ludo Bagman and some people he was betting with, which proved Ludo was incapable of running things without betting.

"This is insane. I thought the Tournaments were going to be safer. They're going to be using a dragon?" said Artemis.

"From the sounds of it, I don't have to beat the dragon, just get past it," Harry said.

"You could try to learn the Conjunctivitis Curse. Dragon's eyes are very powerful but also very sensitive. It would momentarily blind the dragon allowing you to achieve your objective." Sirius said.

"That would work. However, it's also too aggressive." Samuel said.

"The goal is to get past the dragon. I know full-grown dragons don't have many predators. But don't the young have predators that would feed on them if given a chance?" Artemis said.

"This… is true." Isabelle Morgan conceded.

"Perhaps you should ask the Care of Magical Creatures Professor." Ethan Pearce said.

"We're not allowed to seek help from our Professors," Harry said bitterly.

"Wolves would go after the young if they could get away from the adults. Falcons and eagles too," Sirius said as he gave it some thought.

"Bagman said, I would have to collect an egg. So I need to distract the dragon long enough to get an egg and escape without getting hurt." Harry said.

"That will not be easy. For one, the moment the dragon sees you getting near the nest, it will attack you with fury. You're going to need speed." Artemis said.

"If only I could use my Firebolt," Harry mutters.

"That's it." Olivia Wynter said. Everyone turns to look at her. "Harry, you have to master the Summoning Charm. Summon your Firebolt to you, and at the same time, transfigure a few wolves to distract the dragon. Once the dragon's attention is away, you can get the egg with speed. If you get into trouble, you'll have the Conjunctivitis Curse to fall back on."

"So, wolves, flying and the curse. Three things to use in case I get into trouble." Harry mutters.

"We'll send our house elves to you with books and parchments for you to learn. However, you should get to work right away. Your priority is to master the summoning charm." Samuel said.

"Any news on your end? Did you find anything?" Harry asks.

"I did speak to Madam Bones, but Fudge intervened and was against the idea of having Aurors search for an elderly Muggle man who was supposedly murdered by a dark wizard in a muggle town. He was against the idea of any dark wizard is on the loose after recent events at the Quidditch Cup, and even less so with the recent attention of foreign officials with the Tournament. Madame Bones did mention she was going to provide security for the upcoming Tasks. Due to the simple fact, Death Eaters and Dark Wizards are being sighted more than ever now."

Harry sighs. "Fudge is becoming a problem. If he's sheltering dark wizard activities, then isn't that a crime? Can't we get him out of office?" Harry asked, gruffly.

"Right now, Fudge still has a lot of support in the office. It will not be easy to get rid of him. However, we could try to get it in motion, but we need something solid, not suspicion." Isabelle Morgan said.

Harry gives another sigh. Fudge was a real problem and pain in the neck. His actions lately only seem to have benefited the Death Eaters and other dark wizards.

Harry bid his vassal's goodbye, and immediately starts went to work. He went to an unused classroom and placed several books on the table before he walks back to the other room. He holds his wand high before saying, "Accio."

The book began slowly drags across the surface towards Harry before falling off the table on the ground. Harry's face fell at what he saw. The summoning charm was harder than it looked.

Harry huffed softly as he got back to work and attempted to cast the summoning charm once again. He was practicing for so long he nearly missed that it was dinner time. Harry puts the books back before heading for dinner.

Harry was nearly halfway to the Great Hall when Lily walked up to him.

"I need to speak to you," Lily said.

Harry was curious to know what made her want to talk to him. She waited till the coasted was clear before speaking in a low voice. "Dragons."

Harry raised an eyebrow about her statement, wondering how she knew about the first task.

"How do you know what the first task is?" Harry asked.

"Hagrid took me last night to see four dragons they're keeping in the Forbidden Forest. They got one for each champion." Lily said.

"That oaf is stupid as hell. However, I should be thanking him. His stupidity has given the champions an advantage."

"Well, Fleur and Krum will know by now too. Madam Maxime and Karkaroff have both seen the dragons as well."

"So the only champion who doesn't know is Cedric. Did you tell him?" Harry asked.

"I thought you should know more," Lily said.

"I found out earlier, but I'll pass the message to Diggory when I see him," Harry said.

"You already knew?!" Lily said in surprised.

"Yeah, I overheard Bagman speaking about it yesterday in the Three Broomsticks," Harry said.

"Do you have a plan already?" Lily asks.

"Working on it. Trying to fully master a couple of spells that should help me get past my dragon." Harry said.

Lily looked at him very carefully.

"Who put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Lily asked.

"I don't know. I have suspicions, but I don't know. Many of my Vassals think it may have been Karkaroff." Harry said.

"The Durmstrang Headmaster? From what I understand, he was upset that Hogwarts has two champions." Lily said.

"Well, he can be an amazing actor. That's how he got the Ministry to let him go after he was captured in the war." Harry said.

"Wait, what do you mean by captured?" Lily asked.

So Harry explained that Karkaroff used to be a former Death Eater, and after Mad-Eye Moody captured him, he sold out his fellow Death Eaters to avoid a prison sentence.

"I never would have thought the Durmstrang Headmaster would be a Death Eater. I heard Durmstrang students get to learn the Dark Arts, but this is unexpected. Why would he suddenly go after you? It doesn't make sense he would target you. There is more going on with this tournament than we know." Lily said.

This was true. Harry was starting to think Karkaroff may not be the culprit. For one, he would gain very little. After selling out his fellow Death Eaters, he doubted any of them would be speaking to him. That was probably why he went to Durmstrang in the first place. For safety, to get away from the Death Eaters in case they decided to kill him. Harry also knew there could only be a few suspects. For one, the only person who would have access to the Goblet of Fire and had the magic to hoodwink it was to a few.

None of the Hogwarts Professors would put his life in danger. Harry was sure Dumbledore was very selective in choosing his teachers. That meant only a few people could be suspect. Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Filch, and Mad-Eye Moody.

Harry quickly dismissed Ludo Bagman as a suspect as he overheard Ludo betting that he would win the Tournament.

He didn't know much about Crouch to take him off the list but didn't mean he was not a suspect.

Filch hated all the students. But Harry quickly dismissed him as a suspect due to the simple fact the squib wouldn't have the ability to hoodwink the Goblet of Fire.

Then there was Mad-Eye Moody. Harry heard how the retired Auror captured Death Eaters left and right. Harry couldn't see a motive for the former Auror in putting his name in the Goblet of Fire. Mad-Eye also didn't seem the type who would work for the Dark Lord.

Harry sighs before he looks at Lily. "The only way we'll know is if I compete in this tournament. Don't go looking for trouble, keep your head down and watch from afar." Harry said.

Lily nods her head before she walks back to the Gryffindors.

Harry pulls out the Marauder's Map and quickly looks to find Hufflepuff champion. He didn't know Cedric very well, definitely not enough to know his usual haunts off the top of his head. He didn't particularly dislike Cedric, but he also didn't like him. Still, Harry knew telling Cedric about the upcoming First Task would mean the Hufflepuff Seventh year would owe him a favor. One that he would do his best to repay. From what Harry understood, Cedric liked to be a man of his word. Harry found him in the courtyard. He was surrounded by those he recognized as his fellow other Hufflepuffs. It looks like they were doing some study sessions together.

Harry puts away his map and quickly takes off and heads to the courtyard. Getting there was no trouble. Students were walking all over the place.

Just as Harry was about to enter the courtyard, Ernie Macmillian and Hannah Abbott both appeared blocking his path into the yard. They were both wearing 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges.

"Hey, Potter," Ernie said, looking at Harry in the eyes.

Both Hannah and Ernie presses their badges, so their badges now said 'Potter Stinks.'

"Isn't this beneath you?" Harry said as he pushes them aside and walks where Cedric was lying on a bench. Harry didn't even bother to hide his intention to speak with him as he approached Cedric.

"Diggory," Harry said as he stood before Diggory. Harry could see out of the corner of his eyes. He could see several Hufflepuff's were drawing their wands as if fearing Harry would attack their Hufflepuff Champion. Cedric looks up to look at Harry. "We need to talk," Harry said.

Cedric sighs as he flips himself upright before getting up to follow Harry near the tree.

"Scat," Harry barked to the third year Hufflepuff students who quickly grabbed their things and bolted.

The moment the coast was clear and Harry was sure they weren't going to be eavesdrop, Harry said in a low voice. "Dragons."

Cedric was confused.

"What do you mean by Dragons?" Cedric asked.

"The First Task is to get past a Dragon; they got one for each of us. I'm not the only one who knows. Fleur and Krum know too. As we speak, they are no doubt preparing to get past their dragons." Harry said.

Cedric swallows a lump in his throat. He looks down as if he was suddenly regretting becoming champion.

"How do you know?" Cedric asked.

"I overheard Bagman speaking about the First Task. Also, that oaf Hagrid took a couple of students and the Beauxbaton Headmistress to see them. Karkaroff knows because he followed them." Harry said.

Cedric gulped and stood there.

Having said his piece, Harry walked past Cedric to leave.

"Hey Harry," Cedric said as Harry turns to face him. "about the badges, I'll ask them not to wear them."

"Don't worry about it. I've dealt with worse by your peers," Harry said as he turns to leave.

He still had to master the Summoning Charm. As well as practicing transfiguring rocks into wolves. The two short weeks were going to go by quickly.


Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! Now some of you are wondering why Harry doesn't speak to the dragon with Parseltongue. The answer is simple. In this story, there is a language known as dragon speak that allows you to talk to a dragon. Parseltongue can't speak to dragons. Dragons aren't precisely snakes, and I find it stupid Harry could talk to a Dragon.

First Task is next. Please like and review.