Chapter 12- The First Task
The first task would be taking place in two more days but Harry wasn't sweating much. He was confident of his abilities. He can be thrown into any situation and he would find a way out of that spot.
Gone was the boy who was weak willed and shy of attention and rushing into every situation without thinking. He was a proud young man. Lord of the oldest and the most prestigious family. He had been trained to be the best by the best.
The same couldn't be said to the other champions. They all seemed extremely nervous for some reason. Harry paid no mind to it but he tried to comfort Elena and Fleur due to their increasing nerves.
His mind drifted to Elena. She was a very intelligent girl. Her knowledge, her abilities combined with that beauty of hers is probably the most deadly weapon known to Harry.
He was genuinely surprised when he heard about her spell knowledge. She had an excellent arsenal of spells. He found himself opening up to her more and more. She was different.
Fleur was a bit different. She was feisty. She too was a very intelligent girl and was very dangerous with her wand. She was an excellent duelist. She had been trained well by her father who is a very powerful man in the French Ministry.
She was extremely knowledgeable as well. He had spent time around her and he truly enjoyed her company.
Daphne was another matter. What wasn't there for him to not like the girl?? She was a goddess. He was surprised at how improved she had become. He dreaded for anyone who would be at the receiving end of her wand. She strives for knowledge. She took information like fish to water.
He didn't know why, but he felt intelligent and well mannered girls strangely endearing. He liked them all the more if they didn't brag about themselves.
He entered the great hall and sat down as he took a book. Sometime later, Elena arrived and sat down next to him. Harry grinned as he placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
He then clearly observed her. She was clearly scared of something and was paler than usual. He was about to question her when Fleur and Daphne sat down along with Blaise and Tracy.
" Hey guys." He greeted them.
" I need to tell you something." Fleur, Daphne and Elena said at the same time.
Harry raised his eyebrows. " And… that would be??" He asked them slowly.
The girls looked at one another and Daphne took it upon herself to tell him.
" About the first task." She said as Harry nodded.
" I know what it's about. You guys will…." She was cut off by Harry who shook his head as he waved his hand.
" I don't want to know, Daph." He said and she was now frantic.
" But Harry, it's …."
" Tch..tch… don't Daph. What's the purpose of this tournament if you start to cheat??" He questioned.
Fleur and Elena looked down in guilt and shame and Harry smiled.
" There is nothing to be ashamed of girls. Trust me, I am not mistaking you for a mistake that's not yours. I hope that it was your Headmistress??" He asked and the two nodded.
" I might be a big believer in Fair Play, but I trust myself in choosing my battles carefully. If it's something out of reach, just be careful. This shit isn't worth losing your life over. " He said as he kissed Elena again and this time it was a bit long and passionate.
Harry smiled. " Just because I play this way, doesn't mean you must play this way too." He said.
" Don't worry, I will be more than fine. Now let's do something interesting." He said as he got up.
" Oi Blaise.." he called the boy.
" It's been ages since we played Chinlone. Let's go, you lazy git." He said as he got up and walked out of the great hall with the others joining him.
He put his arm around Daphne's shoulder.
" Thanks Daph. I am privileged to have people around me who care." He said as he kissed her next to her mouth.
The poor girl looked red in her face but still managed to smile.
The others smiled at him. Even Blaise.
&&&--
As the group moved out, they came across Draco Malfoy and his lackeys.
"Saint Potter. Did you know what the task is? My father told me you know. He also has a bet going on with me. I bet that you won't last ten seconds."
He said grinning like a fool.
" He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five." He finished with his companions laughing along with him.
Harry smiled at him. Blaise flicked his wand to his hand but Harry stopped him.
" No. He isn't worth it." They turned to move out.
Malfoy was not done yet.
" I don't know if you are worth it." He said and the group stopped.
" How can a girl like you be with him??" He asked Elena.
" Or maybe you were a filthy whore all along." He said and that froze Harry.
His voice came out dangerously low.
" As I said before, I can take all your shits but mess with mine, you won't like the consequences." He hissed.
" Let's go." He said as he took Elena's hand.
That irked Malfoy. He threw a cutting curse at the girl.
Harry felt the spell and immediately put himself in its path. He let the spell hit him and drew blood.
He hissed in pain as bleeding started.
" Harry!!!" Screamed Daphne. The others gasped as they saw the blood.
Harry turned towards Malfoy and stared at him with a cold expression that made the boy fall back in fright.
Harry stalked towards him. He stared at the boy with those brilliant eyes of his.
" I will destroy you, Malfoy. I will destroy you." He hissed.
He got up to see Dumbledore and the staff arriving towards him.
He stared coldly at the boy.
" What happened to Mr Potter??" Asked a worried Dumbledore. He then saw the blood that was flowing out and was shocked.
" Why is there so much blood here??" He asked.
Harry spoke coldly.
" This bastard saw fit to throw a cutting curse at my betrothed. I stepped in its path." He said.
" You must get that checked." Dumbledore said but Harry waved him off. He placed his wand near the wound and the wound started to knit and seal itself.
" Call his father. Tell him what's happened. I want him here at Hogwarts. Tell him it's related to house Potter." Harry walked back to the great hall.
" Make it quick ." He snapped. And that made the headmaster move to do the task.
&&&--
A very serious looking Harry Potter was seen in the great hall that day. He didn't speak much.
The doors of the great hall opened and Lucius Malfoy strutted in. His wife followed behind him as well.
He came to a stop next to Harry.
" Lord Potter. What is the meaning…." He was interrupted by Harry.
" Zip it Malfoy." He got up and moved towards Narcissa. She smiled at him and gave him a warm hug. Harry returned the hug with a smile.
" How are you, Aunt Narcissa??" He asked her.
" I am fine Harry." She smiled.
Harry then grew serious.
" What will you have me do??" Asked Harry.
She sighed. " Is it true??" Harry nodded.
" I tried my level best. But it seems like it was all a waste of effort." She said sadly.
" Do what you must. But annul my marriage. I have no need for that man anymore in my life." She said and Lucius's eyes bulged.
" Narcissa!! What the hell are you talking about??" He asked.
The woman didn't say anything.
" I seriously hoped that you would change Draco. But you are becoming like that bastard each passing day." She said sadly.
Draco was staring open mouthed at the scene. " So you are ready to leave us for that Half blood bastard??" He sneered.
" Between you and him, Draco. I will choose him every single time, for the kind of man he has become. I sincerely hoped that you would at least learn a thing or two from him. You.." she said as she pointed at Draco.
" You aren't the child that I , when I gave birth." She said sadly.
" I still love you son. I will always love you, but I am disappointed. I failed in bringing you up." She said with a sad shake of her head.
Harry held the woman as she let a few tears fall.
" I, Harry James Potter Black, the heir of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Black, in place of acting Lord of The Blacks, annul the marriage of the daughter of house Black, in relation to the continuous danger the Lord of house Malfoy has put the heir to the house in. I call upon the magics to judge the ill actions of Lucius Malfoy. Mote it be." He said loudly.
A bright blue flash surrounded both Lucius, Narcissa and Harry. And some time later, the glow receded.
Narcissa had lost the ring in her hand and Lucius had lost the engagement ring.
He was enraged. His anger had grown extremely high.
" Potter!!!" He roared.
" I will kill you. Personally. By my own hands." He growled.
Harry grinned. " I don't think your master will be so pleased with you." He said.
The Malfoy patriarch blanched at Harry's reference.
" I will see your end, Potter. Mark my words." He spat with venom in his voice.
" And you," he turned to Narcissa. " I am glad, I am rid of a bitch like you. You should be proud that you were a member of such a powerful family." He growled.
Narcissa couldn't help but chuckle.
" You.. powerful.." she chuckled.
" I know that you are a coward, Lucius. You flaunt your wealth and blackmail and bribe to be in a position you are. I knew that I would not last long. You are driving your house to shambles.
But I came from a very powerful family. A family which has been on the top of the hierarchy for centuries. I am a proud member of the House of Black and your house stands where it stands because of that stupid marriage contract. I am free of it. I still love my son, but if he's anything like you. A threat to society, I would rather be away from him than with him." She finished.
Lucius was now absolutely furious.
" You dare??" He hissed.
His hand moved to his wand and before he could cast at Narcissa, his wand was yanked away into the waiting hands of Harry.
Harry twirled the wand in his fingertips as he caught it with his hand. He observed the wand.
" Hmm. Good wand you know. Thirteen inches, dragon heartstring and ebony. Fine wand. Difficult but excellent in dark arts." He said as he used it to conjure a handkerchief and handed it to Narcissa.
" You know Malfoy. Some have power in their arms." He said as he indicated his biceps. " Some have power in their brains." He said as he tapped his temples with his index finger.
" Some have power in their vaults and some have power in their wands." He said as he threw the wand back to the man, who was staring at him with confusion.
Now, Harry's grin was positively feral.
" But some have power on their fingertips." He said.
" Don't believe me??" He asked the man and snapped his fingers.
He kept staring at the man who was grinning at him.
" Oh, and where is this power Potter??" He asked.
Harry smiled. He then indicated his finger towards the doors of the Great hall and the doors banged open to admit three goblins.
" Grimclaw. Wonderful to see you again." Harry greeted the goblin.
He then turned to an old goblin.
" Barchoke. Greetings." He bowed to the goblin.
The goblin returned the bow with equal respect.
" Greetings Warrior Potter Black. You honour us with your respect." He said with a deep bass voice.
The purebloods gasped as they understood what Harry was being called by the goblins.
Harry smiled. "The feelings are mutual, Account Manager Barchoke." He said and bowed again.
" We got your summons, Lord Potter Black. We even bought the Account Manager of the Malfoy family to speed up the proceedings." He said.
" What the fuck are you talking about??" Lucius sneered.
" Simple Lord Malfoy. Your reparations to Lord Potter for the offence you have made against him." The goblin said and Lucius frowned.
" But, when did that happen?? I don't think I did anything of that sort." Lucius said but the two goblins grinned.
" Let me explain. Your heir had challenged the heir of a family that is the oldest on the land. He pulled out of the duel and thereby made a mock of a powerful warrior family. It was a slight against the Lord of Potters." Grimclaw explained.
Lucius Malfoy turned around furiously to look at his son who had paled considerably.
" And not to forget the attempt to murder the heir of three Most Ancient and Noble houses two years back, by placing a dangerous and forbidden object in a school and attempting a killing curse to the said heir." Grimclaw continued. Lucius Malfoy was not afraid.
' Hook.' Harry thought in his head.
" The next offence, working against the Lord of the House you were married to, even though you knew of his innocence and thereby, attempted Line Theft on a Most Ancient and Noble House." He said and Malfoy was now positively shivering.
" The last attempt, arrived in the form of your heir attacking a Lord of My client standing and his betrothed verbally with no proof of his baseless accusations and claims. And lastly attacking Lord Potter Black and his betrothed with a dangerous curse to their backs and trying to commit a murder." Barchoke finished with a smile.
' Line.' Harry thought with a grin.
Lucius looked at the goblin who handled his account with pleading eyes.
The goblin sneered at the man.
" I can't help you anymore human. You should have been aware of pulling more than you can hold onto." He said and turned away from the man.
The two goblins of Potter and Black families looked discreetly at Harry who gave a subtle nod.
" Although, you have a chance to prevent the punishment." Barchoke said to Malfoy who perked up.
" A fight. A duel, right here and right now against you and Lord Potter Black here. You win, your family affairs stay put. If you lose, Lord Potter Black will decide as to what he wants to do to your estate and monies." Grimclaw finished.
Lucius stared at the boy with utter contempt. His eyes turned dangerously bright. ' He will show the brat for messing with me. I will then teach that bitch some lessons as well.' he thought.
' I'll duel. " Malfoy announced to the entire hall.
' And slinker!!!' Harry cheered internally.
He played the man right to where he wanted.
" Excellent. Let's start." He said.
" Right now. To incapacitate." He said and Lucius didn't waste any time in making his move.
Dumbledore immediately put a huge dome around the two. He couldn't interfere. The moment it became a family affair, it was out of his hand. He would have told the men to take this outside but they started all of a sudden.
Lucius threw three blood boiling curses and Harry calmly sidestepped those. He knew that Lucius was a fair hand with a wand. But he also knew that he would have the man at his mercy, very soon.
He started to walk forward. Lucius continued his assault. His curses were fast and accurate. He fired all varieties of spells. Harry grudgingly agreed that he had good spell knowledge.
Lucius grew frustrated when his spells didn't hit the boy. His spells slowly became more dangerous in nature.
He started casting with reckless abandon.
He finally had enough and threw a cruciatus curse.
The great hall was horrified about the kind of curse that Malfoy used. The hall was silenced when Harry used his wand to swat the spell back to Malfoy.
The man thought that there was no escape for the boy but wasn't expecting what happened. His own cruciatus hit him right on his chest and the man went down, screaming in pain.
Harry smirked.
" As you sow, so you reap." He said as he stood in front of the man. He caught the man's hand as he lifted his hand to curse Harry. Harry bent the man's hand suddenly and an audible snap was heard. Lucius screamed in pain. Harry caught the man's other arm and broke it with a snap against his elbow.
He then moved onto his legs. They met a similar fate.
Lucius Malfoy was a pampered man and physical pains were not something that he had not endured. This was too much for him. His screams rang through the great hall and many girls covered their ears in fear.
" How ironic??" Drawled Harry. " When you, in the masks as death eaters, do this very thing, don't you think that you should have the courtesy to return the favor?" Asked Harry.
He crouched down next to the man.
He started punching the man like he would a punching bag. Every hit drew blood. Blood was oozing out of his nose and mouth and Harry was pretty sure that he had lost a few teeth.
" Harry. Please stop." He heard the voice of Narcissa. He turned towards her and saw his mother and Godfather holding Narcissa as she spoke to him.
" Let him be. I can't see it anymore." She said.
Harry nodded. " Next time, you won't be so lucky." He whispered.
" How a man like you could get a woman like that is beyond my dreams. You were a right bastard and probably the biggest dick head, for letting her go." He said and walked back to the group.
He turned to the Malfoy family goblin manager.
" How much does he own??" He asked.
" In and around ten billion galleons." The goblin replied." He also owns a few properties in England and two holiday homes and a few grapevine yards in France. " He said.
Harry thought for a while.
" Leave them with two million galleons and also their family home." He said and continued.
" Seize every other property. Make sure you go around each of the properties with the best curse breakers and make sure that all the curse breakers are the best you can afford. Move all those artifacts and dark items into the Black and Peverell vaults.
Pay each of those curse breakers as high as possible. I need a neat job. Let their grimoire take away all the books from the vault and place it in my vault." He said to the two goblins.
" Take twenty million galleons among the three of you and split it up after the job is done. Use five million and pay the curse breakers as well." He said and the goblins grinned ferally.
" Now, I want you to distribute two million galleons to Ms Ginevra Weasley for the trouble this shit had caused and for nearly killing her in the process." He said.
Ginny gasped at those words and stared at Harry with wide eyes.
" And pay a million galleons each to all the students who were affected by the chamber incident. Also make sure that Hagrid is paid two million galleons for the injustice he suffered because of that incident." He said.
Dumbledore couldn't help but smile at the young man in front of him.
' You truly are a very special man Harry. Thank you.' he greeted the young man in his head.
" And make sure to pay five million galleons to Myrtle Warren' s family." He said and the goblins nodded.
" Contact Madam Bones, Sirius. Ask her if there is a need for funds. If that buffoon Fudge tried to interfere, send word to me. Or better yet, just kill the man. The nation will be a better place without that idiot." He said with a grin that had Sirius laughing as he nodded.
" And Headmaster. See if there is anything that is needed in St Mungo's. Stocks of potions, equipment or anything. Tell them to contact Grimclaw. " He said to the aged man who nodded.
" Set aside thirty million galleons each for that purpose and make sure that the funds pass through me." He said.
" If that buffoon touches a penny, tell him that I will personally end him." He growled.
He really hated Fudge.
" And lastly, make sure you work with the headmaster for this. Take one of the big properties of Malfoy here and set up powerful wards. No chinks or mistakes. Perfect ones. Ask the old man to find out about all the magical children in the muggle world and check on them if they are being treated fairly. If there is a hint of abuse, get them away. Bring them to that place. Take care of them. Feed them. Teach them. I'll let Mom and Sirius find suitable people for that position. Just help kids like those. They need it very much." He said with a sigh.
He then stared at the old Headmaster.
" I sincerely hope that you won't make the same mistake again, Headmaster. I hope so." He said and turned back to the goblins. " The remaining amount, put it in my vault. We will find something to do with it." He said.
He then looked at Lucius.
" I have taken away everything you own. I could have taken everything but I decided to give it a chance. You shits won't be able to worm your way anywhere. You will suffer. You will work your arse off and earn money. I will see you two struggle. Take care Lucius." He said and got up.
He then walked to the Malfoy heir.
" It would have been a lot better if you had just listened to me. You dug your own grave. Now, lie in it." He said and walked to his family.
" Take her home. Just stay with her for sometime. And we will decide what to do after Christmas. " He said to his mother.
Bellatrix smiled. " You were wonderful Harry. You made me very proud." She kissed the top of his head.
" Excellent, pup. My grandfather would be laughing in his grave at that performance." He said and smiled.
" And Moony??" He asked.
" He is doing well now. It was a full moon, remember??" He asked.
Harry nodded. The days following the full moon were extremely unpleasant for Remus and Harry hated that.
" Mad eye will be back this evening. " Sirius told the boy who grinned.
" About time. He would have loved it today."
" Take care Harry. We will see you later for the first task." Bellatrix gave him a tight hug and exited the hall with her sister.
" Take care old man." Harry grinned. Sirius frowned at his godson.
He then saw Elena coming near them and grinned mischievously.
" How are things going between you two??" Sirius nodded towards Elena. Harry nodded and smiled.
" Very good. " He said and his face took on a goofy look.
Sirius laughed.
" Trust me. I know. You will be very happy, if she is anything like her mother, the things that woman could do with her mouth…" Sirius grinned at Harry.
The boy was horrified by what he was about to hear. He turned to see that Elena was about to arrive near him.
He turned towards his godfather, still wide eyed and a bit scared but when saw the mischievous smile on his face, he growled.
" You stupid mutt." He said and sent a stinging hex at his running godfather.
" I'll see you. Take care." He called back as he ran away.
" What happened??" Asked Elena as she came to a stop next to him.
Harry shook his head and smiled as he pulled her into his arms.
" Nothing. You know how he is." He said and tucked an errant strand of blonde hair behind her ears.
" No need for that. But I have something that needs your immediate attention." He said.
" And what is that??" Asked Elena with a raised eyebrow.
Harry leaned forward and captured her lips in a very heated kiss. Elena gripped his collar and returned the kiss with enthusiasm.
As the kiss deepened, their hands began to wander. Harry's hands travelled down from her hips to her round bottom. He squeezed them ,eliciting a moan of pleasure from the girl.
Her hands travelled underneath his shirt and roamed about his well defined abs.
They broke apart for air. Their faces were flushed and breathing heavily.
" Wow. Brilliant." Harry said as they stared at each other.
" Yes, it was." Elena smiled at him.
" Let's go somewhere for dinner, shall we??" He asked her.
" Of course." She nodded as she gave a brilliant smile at him.
Harry took her hand in his and led her outside.
&&&&--
It was the day of the first task. The atmosphere was positively electric. Stakes were running high and there had been a lot of betting as well.
Harry sighed as he sat down for breakfast. Daphne who was next to him clutched his hand in worry.
" How am I supposed to eat my breakfast if you hold my hand like that?" He asked with a grin.
" Harry." He looked surprised when he saw tears in her eyes.
" Are you crying, Daph??" He asked.
" Please. Please stay safe." She cried.
" Please come back to me safely. I am really feeling scared." She said as she clutched his hand tightly.
" I can't lose you. Not now." She said and Harry smiled.
" And why can't you lose me??" He asked.
" Because I lo.. because you are very important to me." She said and her cheeks reddened a little.
" I will. Don't worry." He smiled at her and exited the great hall to the champions tent.
As Harry entered the tent, he observed all the other champions pacing around the tent with worry.
Harry raised an eyebrow. ' These guys know about the task and are still scared. What is happening??' he thought.
" Ahh. The last champion is here. Ludo, if you will." Dumbledore indicated to the former quidditch player.
The squat man held up a bag.
" This bag here contains what you will face for your first task. The first task will be dragons." He said dramatically and waited for a reaction but none came.
" Ahhh." Harry said to himself. ' Interesting.' he thought.
" You will have to take a golden egg among the other eggs placed in the nest that the dragon is guarding. You must retrieve that egg without harming the real eggs. The quickest will get the highest." He said and held out the bag.
" Ms Anderson. If you will", he held the bag to the dark skinned girl who gulped and put a hand in tentatively.
She pulled out a miniature dragon that had
dark green scales and two enormous glittering gold horns on its head.
" Romanian Longhorn." Ludo said and the girl nodded grimly.
" Mr Yusa." The Japanese boy who looked paler than usual reached into the bag.
His dragon had smooth copper-colored scales and short horns on their heads.
" The Peruvian vipertooth." The man said dramatically.
" Mr Kamara. You're next." The dark skinned boy put his hand in the bag.
He pulled out a Norwegian Ridgeback. Harry knew this well as he had seen it with Hagrid and he had helped them take it out of the School.
"Mr Krum." The Bulgarian git put his hand inside the bag and drew a dragon with
smooth red skin fringed with golden spikes.
" The Chinese fireball. Particularly nasty." Bagman shuddered.
" Ms Delacour. Step forward please." The girl was paler than usual but Harry strangely found her very hot. She glided gracefully to the man who had now gone slack jawed at her presence.
She pulled out a green dragon.
" Common Welsh green. Good luck Miss Delacour." The girl nodded and went back to her place.
" Ms. Zabini." Harry watched with interest and was pleased by the mask of confidence the beautiful girl wore as she walked up to take her pick.
The dragon she pulled out gave Harry a bit of lurch in his heart.
Dark scales and an arrow-shaped tip on the end of its tail and brilliant purple eyes.
"Oh...Hebridean Black. G..good luck Ms Zabini." The girl was now pale white and Harry was extremely worried.
He gave a sideways hug as she came back next to him. Harry gave a small kiss on her forehead.
" Don't worry. If the dragon even touches you, I will change it into Sirius Black." The girl snorted at that and even Fleur chuckled albeit nervously. Dumbledore was laughing as well.
" You will be fine??" He asked as he stared into her brilliant blue eyes.
She nodded.
" I'll be fine. I swear. I have someone to come back to." Harry smiled and captured her lips in a chaste kiss.
" Lord Potter." Harry broke the kiss.
" Sorry dear. Duty calls." He said and walked to the bag.
" We had to pull a lot of strings to make sure that we had another dragon for you. But since it would have been unfair for the others, we decided to hand over your dragon to you." The man placed a dark dragon on Harry's palm.
Jet black. Brilliant amber eyes. There was only one dragon that was that beautiful.
" The Egyptian Black." He finished with wonder.
Elena and Fleur gasped when they heard that. Krum, Cedric and Kamara were watching with glee and Yusa and Anderson were still worried.
" No. Impossible. How can you bring that here?? That's the most dangerous dragon." Fleur stuttered.
" Please Harry. Don't. " She begged. Harry watched as her eyes had started to fill with worry. Elena had gripped his hand tightly.
" You two trust me right??" He asked. The two nodded without hesitation.
Harry smiled. " And that means more to me than this stupid competition. I cannot promise that I won't be uninjured. What I can promise is that I will certainly be fine and safe." He said.
The two nodded reluctantly. Dumbledore watched the entire thing sadly.
" For what it's worth, I am really sorry Lord Potter. I have no intention to ask forgiveness, because frankly, I don't deserve it. I can only tell you this. Good luck." He said and exited the tent.
The other heads nodded at each other and exited the tent, wishing their respective champions in the process.
Harry sat down and closed his eyes. He let out a deep sigh.
" You thinking, to run away Potter??" A gruff voice asked. Harry looked up and saw a smirking Krum.
" Why would I do that??" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
" Nothing much. Only that no person has escaped the clutches of that beast you are facing." He smiled.
" Personally, I think that you should run away. It might save your face." Krum grinned.
Harry didn't say anything for a while.
He then smiled at the young man.
" Want to bet on it??" He asked the man. Krum was slightly surprised by his response. He still grinned and replied.
" How about a thousand galleons??" He asked.
Harry grinned." How about my entire Potter Family Vault??" He asked with a smile and shrug.
Now Krum was positively taken aback. He took a few steps back in surprise and shock.
" What do you say?? Ready??" Harry asked the Bulgarian.
Before he could answer, a cannon sounded and Krum was called out. He stood up and gulped when he saw Harry's green eyes.
He left without saying a word. " That was damn hot." Whispered Fleur.
It was not meant for Harry to hear but he heard it. His eyes turned mischievous.
" You really haven't seen anything yet, love. I am much hotter than you can ever imagine. " Harry smiled in triumph when he got the necessary reaction he was looking for. The girl went wide eyed and blushed mumbling incoherent words.
" I can attest to that, you know. He is telling the truth." Elena said from Harry's side.
Fleur was literally burning brightly right now and Harry chuckled at her predicament.
The champions sat down hearing the gasps and cheering from the crowds. It only added to their tension.
After some time, Kamara walked out and the next thirty minutes were spent by him.
The next was Anderson. Harry smiled at the girl and nodded his head in greeting.
Harry liked the girl. She was intelligent, bright and was a very good and honest woman.
She took another twenty minutes to complete the task. Then, Yusa was called.
" Good luck, shorty." Harry called as the boy was leaving.
The boy shot Harry a glare.
" I swear if the dragon lets you go, I will kill you." He growled.
Harry snorted.
" Yeah. Get in line." The Japanese boy just shook his head and smiled.
" Thanks mate." He said and disappeared.
It was some time later that the cannon sounded again. Fleur got up.
" Go get him, Fleur." Harry wished.
Fleur smiled at him and her expression turned haughty.
" Of course I will do Potter. I know I will win this round." She said.
Harry grinned. He walked up to her. His hands went to her waist and pulled her towards him.
Fleur's eyes widened when she felt his strong arms around her waist. Her breath caught itself in her lungs when she saw that his face was just an inch apart from her. She was having trouble focussing.
Her eyes constantly drifted to his lips.
" Tempting??'' he asked her.
" Y...uh…" Fleur stammered. Harry rolled his eyes.
" Come on, Frenchie. I don't have all day." He said and squeezed her waist as he came all the more closer to her.
" Say yes, love. Say it." He said softly as he blew hot air into her neck that made her shiver.
Fleur couldn't take it any longer. She was losing control.
" Yes. I want you. I have wanted you from the moment I saw you. I want you to hold me and kiss me like you kiss Elena. I want you to see me like you see Elena and Daphne. I want to be yours." She blurted out.
Harry grinned. " That's better." He dipped her forward and gave a searing kiss on her lips. The girl responded with equal passion. She pulled him towards her and continued kissing him.
They let go after another bang was heard.
" You were mine from the moment I laid my eyes on you, Frenchie." He said softly as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
" Get going, firebird. There is another fire breathing monster waiting for you, out there. Go on. I'll be waiting for you." He said and gave a chaste kiss on her lips.
The Veela's smile could brighten up the entire castle. She nodded and exited the tent.
Harry sat next to Elena. He saw that she was watching him with raised eyebrows.
" What??" Asked Harry defensively.
" Really. You choose to do that now. I thought you two would have sex on the spot." She said dryly.
Harry looked scandalized.
"My very own betrothed, speaking such crass words. You are a very naughty girl Ellie. Such forbidden words. My, my, I have to teach you a lesson." He said as he smacked her arse playfully.
Elena gasped in surprise and blushed at what Harry did. She then smirked at him.
" Looks like you have your eyes set on those." She said as her eyes shot towards her arse. Harry didn't expect her response. His eyes widened when she took his hand and placed it fully on her behind.
He started to blush and stutter and immediately retracted his hand.
" I am sorry. I didn't…." He was interrupted by a kiss from Elena.
" Don't be. It's fine. I rather like you doing it than some other bastard." She shrugged.
Harry nodded and Elena leaned into his shoulder and closed her eyes.
They just sat silently enjoying each other's company all the while hearing screams, exclamations and cheering from the crowd.
After a few minutes, it was Elena's turn.
" I know you can do it. Good luck Elli." He said as he kissed her forehead.
She smiled and got up to move out of the tent.
It was some time later that Harry walked into the arena. He observed the entire arena and the destruction evident there.
The crowd had gone silent waiting in anticipation. Harry walked forward and was suddenly stopped by a majestic roar of the beast.
He watched as the dragon sat up from its place of rest.
" Beautiful." He thought.
He had thought of a plan. It's a very dangerous plan and he knew that his friends and family would kill him but it seemed like a proper one, especially for him.
Harry started walking up to the dragon. He locked his eyes with the beast. He didn't waver. He just kept walking towards the dragon. He stopped when he was just a few feet away from the dragon.
He let his power leak from his body. The magic rolled off in waves and literally bombarded the entire arena.
The dragon roared as it felt his magic and charged forward. His friends and family screamed in warning. But then, to their surprise, the dragon stopped inches away from Harry.
It was now watching Harry from up-close.
Harry smiled. He patted the snout of the dragon and the dragon leaned into his touch and growled in happiness.
Harry smiled. He continued rubbing the dragon's snout. " You have done a lot for my family. You have protected my family legacy. You are the representation of my family. I am very pleased to have met you." He said and stepped back.
He raised his hand upwards, gesturing the dragon to stand up tall, and the dragon obeyed his command to the surprise of the audience.
He walked forward and approached the nest of the dragon. The dragon whined in desperation. Harry took the golden egg.
" This is not your egg, mighty beast. This is a fake. Check it out." He said.
The dragon sniffed the egg that Harry held out.
She nodded her head and snorted again.
Harry brushed her snout again.
" Thank you. I'll come and see you again after sometime." He said and started to walk back to the entrance hall.
The dragon snorted and lowered her head. Harry raised his eyebrows.
" You want me to climb on top of you??" He asked and the dragon nodded.
" Fine." He said. He stepped onto the back of the dragon and the dragon stood up tall and fired a blast of red hot flames, with its wings spread wide and standing majestically.
" One for the newspapers." Harry chuckled as he stood on the dragon with his hands on his hips.
He got down from the dragon when it put him down near the tent. He patted the beast and turned back to be assaulted by his friends and family.
He found himself in the arms of his mother.
" Hey mum. I know I was wonderful out there. But still, how was it??" He asked.
Bellatrix slapped his shoulder.
" Shut up Potter. I should ground you all your life for that." She growled and then her face turned soft.
" But that was beautiful. Simple, deadly and powerful. Just like you." She hugged him again.
"You gave us a mighty scare, pup." Sirius said as he patted Harry's back.
" But seriously, that was amazing Harry." He praised his godson.
" Lily would have a fit if she saw this. But you were amazing there Harry." Remus Lupin smiled at his honorary nephew.
"Thanks Moony." Harry smiled. He was then hugged tightly by three blonde heads that held his midsection tightly.
Harry grinned.
" Can't say I can complain. Three extremely beautiful girls, all over me. I am living every teenager's dream." He was rewarded with three slaps on his head.
" Ouch. Okay, now that was cruel." He said as he grimaced in pain.
" Cruel. And you call what you did as excellence??" Asked an irate Daphne.
Now, Harry could do a hell lot of things but facing an ired Daphne was not something he would ever want to do.
He gulped as he saw her eyes narrow.
" But it was a good plan." He mumbled.
" It was a stupid plan Harry." Fleur chastised him. Harry was horrified. Not the fire ball throwing Veela as well. He turned his pleading eyes on Elena who had narrowed her eyes and now paled slightly.
" Uhm.. sorry??" He said with a silly grin but was hit with three stinging hexes.
" Ow.. okay. I am really sorry. Ow." He rubbed his shoulder again.
" Stupid prat." Daphne growled as she hugged him.
Harry sighed. ' Finally.' he thought as he hugged Daphne back.
The moment Daphne released him, Astoria collided with him.
" Harry!! That was the best performance. You controlled the most powerful dragon. I knew that you would win this round. I will rub it in Draco' s face when I see him again." Astoria babbled, her eyes filled with awe.
Harry smiled at the girl. She was his sister in all but blood. He would always make time for her and had become extremely protective of her. Everybody in Hogwarts knew that if they mess with Astoria Greengrass, you are messing with Harry Potter himself.
" I know. It was a great plan right??" He asked her. The girl nodded enthusiastically.
Harry let out a dramatic sigh. " At Least someone is supporting me. " He then lowered his voice.
" Did you know that those three are very scary??" He asked.
" What was that Potter??" Asked Daphne.
" I told her that it's a very beautiful day. Ain't I right Astoria??" He asked and the girl giggled.
" Let's go and get your scores Harry." Tracy called him as she dragged him back to the arena.
The crowd went bonkers the moment they saw him. Many were looking at him with awe and respect and also a hint of fear.
The judges started giving his scores.
Harry had been the quickest, effortless and most attractive with his performance. And without a scratch on his body and no losses at all.
Dumbledore smiled brightly as he gave Harry a ten. Bagman repeated the old man's action. Karkaroff raised his hand reluctantly and gave him an eight.
Maxine gave him a nine and the remaining judges awarded him with nine points as well.
" I am in the first place." He said brightly.
" Of course, wonder boy. You would be first." Blaise said with a roll of his eyes.
" What about you two??" He asked Fleur and Elena.
" I used some difficult charms and with my allure turned on. The dragon fell asleep but breathed a bit of fire at the end.
Elena here transfigured two boulders into wolves to distract the dragon. She then used a disillusionment charm and walked to the dragon. She managed to get the egg but one of the real eggs was damaged.
We both sit in second position along with Yusa. Martha is third by just one point short. Kamara and Krum are fourth and Diggory is the last one." Fleur explained.
" Well done Elena. You too Frenchie." He smirked.
The Veela grinned and leaned forward and captured his lips in a searing kiss.
" Thank you, wonder boy." She said as she let him go. They were interrupted in their moment by an amused cough.
Harry went wide eyed as he saw the elders watching him with raised eyebrows.
" Uhm… I don't know what you guys were thinking but this was all Frenchie's idea. I am not responsible…." He went on a rant but was stopped by a giggling Gabrielle.
" What's wrong Gabby??" He asked the girl. " They already know, Harry." She giggled again.
Harry released a breath.
" Uhmm.. well. I seriously don't know what's wrong with me. I really need to get to Madame Pomfrey. " He said softly to which the adults chuckled.
" Finally. I knew the boy was crazy. I have been trying to tell you to listen to me but you people didn't." Blaise snorted.
Their conversation was interrupted by a shrill scream that had Harry groan.
He turned around and saw Hermione rushing towards him with her hands wide.
Harry took a step back and the running girl was stopped by Bellatrix who stood in front of Harry.
" Stay away from him." She hissed.
Hermione recoiled in fear. She was caught up by Ron, the twins and Ginny.
" Harry. We knew you could do it." Hermione continued although her voice had reduced and she sent frantic looks towards Bellatrix.
" Harry, mate." Ron spoke but was stopped by Harry who growled.
" So now I am your friend??" He growled.
" You made a mockery of me behind my back. You insulted my parents' death. You insulted my friends and family and you have the nerve to come and speak to me like I am very familiar to you." Harry hissed.
He turned to the twins.
" I never thought that you two would speak like that. My heart literally crumbled when I heard you two speak like that." He said sadly.
He shook his head. " Go. Just get lost and don't you ever dare to become familiar with me again." He hissed and turned back.
" You bastard. After all my family has done for you, you insult us." Ron screamed.
Bellatrix growled and raised her wand but stopped when a bludgeoning curse connected with his arm. The redhead screamed in pain and fell to the ground.
They turned to see Elena standing with her wand with barely restrained fury. Her blue eyes were glowing and Harry had to admit that he had not seen a more beautiful sight.
" How dare you?? After all the things you said and did, you come here and try to act like nothing has happened." She hissed.
" What did you do?? Provided shelter to him for two or three weeks and fed him. Other than that, you didn't do a thing. Your father, bless the man, is held in a very high opinion by Harry. But if he did that expecting something in return, he is not the man we think he is." She growled.
" He has been hurt many times and it will be when hell freezes over before I let you hurt my Harry again. Get lost." She barked and the four Gryffindors scrambled away.
Harry watched Elena with awe. He felt something warm in his heart when he heard her words. He smiled.
They were about to leave when they were stopped by a gentle cough.
Harry turned to see Ginny Weasley standing there awkwardly.
" Can I speak to you, Harry??" She asked.
Harry nodded.
" Why did you give me so much gold??' she asked. " That's a lot of money Harry." She said.
Harry smiled. He always respected and liked Ginny. She was a good girl. She took after her father. A very pleasant girl.
It also didn't help that he almost saw his mother in her except for the missing green eyes.
" You were the one that was highly affected by that debacle. You could have also died Ginny. It took a lot of courage in trying to free yourself from him. I won't begin to understand what you went through, because I honestly have no idea. But the least I can do is make sure my friend receives a little compensation." He smiled.
Ginny couldn't help but chuckle.
" Thank you. Thanks a lot. It really means a lot to me. I had hoped that someday, something more could have happened between us, but it doesn't matter anymore. I really am glad that I could have you as my friend Harry." She smiled as she slowly approached Harry and hugged him tightly which Harry reciprocated happily.
" You are always welcome to join us Ginny. Always welcome." He said as he let go of her. Ginny waved goodbye and walked away from the group.
Sirius broke the silence. " Another one. My my Harry. That's one hell of a harem you are building there." He grinned.
Harry chuckled.
" It's not like that. She is a brilliant girl. Very intelligent, powerful and she will grow up to become extremely beautiful. In any other universe, I might have fallen hard for her. But not here.
But as I said, she is a great girl. She will be a great friend to me. She kind of reminds me of my mother from what you and Moony have told me Padfoot. Kind, fiery, passionate, intelligent, beautiful. So it would have been kind of weird." He chuckled.
" Any man would be lucky to have a girl like her. But I am content in having her as a very good friend. She is different. Different from the remaining Weasley kids. That's what makes her more special." He said and started to walk back to the castle.
The others around him smiled. He can be so very understanding. They really didn't know how he did it, but he wormed his way into every single person's heart.
&&&--
Unknown to the group, Ginny stood behind a tree and listened to what Harry said. Her heart warmed at what Harry spoke of her. She was surprised when she heard that he saw his mother in her.
She smiled sadly.
" What I wouldn't give to be with you Harry. You are special. You are different. You are the best." She sighed.
She had always wanted to marry the boy who lived. He was perfect. Her mother had spent a lot of time telling stories about Harry Potter. But this Harry was way better than the book Harry.
She hoped that he would notice her. The irony is that he did notice her. But just not in a way that she wanted him to.
But she was pleased that he saw her as a very good friend. She sighed.
" Maybe in another world. Another universe." She spoke softly to herself.
" No matter what happens, I love you Harry. I will always love you.
You may see me as your friend and I may too, with some effort. But, what I feel for you, the love, it will never change and I will never forget it. I love you." She said and sat down on the banks of the Black Lake, wiping away a lone tear that fell as she watched the sun setting beyond the mountains.
TBC--
Hey guys. It's been a long time. With my classes and also being a part of the college sports team, it's difficult to concentrate on this fanfiction as well.
I won't stop writing. It may take a lot of time to publish but it will continue. You people have given me a lot of love and I am thankful for that.
Please continue supporting me and keep those reviews coming.
Enjoy. Stay tuned…..