Thank you for 600 followers! As always, leave a review and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 5

Despite agreeing to talk about the First Task after classes, Harry didn't fail to notice that Daphne seemed to be more focused on what he had told than on their assignment. There was a subtle difference in her appearance, and just a week earlier, Harry wouldn't be able to see it. Her icy blue eyes lacked its usual focus that was always there each time she was working on something, and her gaze wandered around the classroom from time to time. It surprised him, to be honest, to see her reacting in such a way to the news about the dragons.

Still, it didn't stop the Slytherin girl from working on the Sleeping Draught. As soon as the initial shock wore off, Daphne resumed working on the shortened description and justification why they assumed their potion was the one they had chosen. She used both his and her notes, taken by surprise that Harry had some information that she failed to include. She approved it with a nod of her head.

"Professor," Daphne addressed Snape, walking through the classroom towards the teacher's desk; Harry was right behind her, deciding that it would be best if the Slytherin girl remained at the front while they were presenting their work to Snape. "We think we have figured out what potion we were assigned," she informed her Head of the House when all he did was raise an eyebrow, surprised by their sudden approach. Daphne presented him the piece of parchment on which she wrote down all their observations and other notes. Snape's second eyebrow joined the first one high on his forehead.

"Really?" he asked, accepting the parchment. His black eyes scanned the neatly written lines of text so fast that Harry doubted he was reading it. He glanced backward, feeling numerous stares on his back. Ron was glaring at him as it was the case recently; the badge he noticed in the morning was proudly present on his chest, and Hermione, just like at the beginning of the lesson, quickly turned her head away after meeting his gaze. Her behavior was becoming stranger and stranger with each day. For three years he knew her, Hermione has never been the one to shy away from anything, let alone from him. After a few seconds of thinking, Harry shrugged his shoulders. If their friendship meant so little to them, then he wasn't going to waste his time on saving something that was nothing more than an illusion. And they knew about the dragons. They knew.

"Not a single line was written by Potter," Snape commented, drawing Harry's attention back to himself and their work. "I remember specifying that it is a group assignment," he said, lifting his eyes from the piece of parchment he was holding in his hands.

"My handwriting is more readable - that's why I've written everything here," Daphne replied. "But I assure you, Professor, that Potter contributed to this as much as I have," she said.

"I've been dealing with Potter's handwriting for the past three years; I would be able to do it now as well. And what exactly is it that he has done?" Snape asked skeptically, once again raising an eyebrow.

"He figured out what the potion is, for example," Daphne replied simply, surprising both Professor and Harry. Luckily for the duo, Snape didn't notice the effect Slytherin's words had on the young wizard. If he did, he would undoubtedly assume that what he had heard was a lie.

"I'll inform you during the next classes if you are allowed to start brewing," he announced after a few seconds of thinking. There was no doubt that his words meant 'leave me alone.' It was something that Harry obeyed gladly, turning around immediately to leave the Potions classroom as soon as possible. Daphne was quick to follow him; they both collected their stuff from their table as the class has already ended.

"Didn't think you would admit to Snape that I have figured out the potion," Harry commented as they were leaving the classroom.

"Why?" Daphne replied with a question, gripping her books tightly. The other students were passing them by without any comment, which was something new for Harry. He guessed that classes with Snape were capable of destroying the mood of everyone, even the students of his own House.

"You didn't like the fact that I did it before you," he replied, smirking slightly. Daphne huffed at that, correcting her hair that was falling into her face. Hermione would have said that she has figured it out, he thought dryly. That thought wiped away the smirk from his face. At least she wasn't wearing that badge, unlike Ron.

"The fact that I didn't like it doesn't mean I would lie about it," she countered. "Do the other Champions know what you do?" Daphne asked. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not sure," he admitted, wiping his face. "I know that Madam Maxime knows about the dragons, so I guess that Fleur knows too. As for Krum, I have no idea. I intend to tell Cedric today, though."

"Why?" she countered simply. Harry blinked twice in surprise.

"What 'why?'"

"Why do you want to share with him that information?" Daphne clarified. "The Tournament is a competition if you don't remember."

"I couldn't care less what it is," Harry countered, shaking his head. "I have enough 'eternal glory' to last me a lifetime, and maybe I'll be able to convince at least Cedric that I didn't want to be a part of it. Besides, it's only fair. This Tournament is about the competition between three schools, and since Cedric and I both represent Hogwarts, we both should have equal chances."

"Didn't think about it that way," Daphne admitted after a few seconds of thinking. "I'll see you in the Library after classes," Daphne announced before hastening her pace and leaving the dungeons. Harry only nodded his head, though the blonde Slytherin couldn't see it.

Hours later, after lunch, Harry was heading to the courtyard, having spotted the other Hogwarts Champion in there when he was checking the Marauders' Map. There really was no time to waste. He doubted he would be able to catch Cedric in the Castle any other time, and each second passing was getting them closer and closer to the First Task. Just as he had decided that morning, Cedric also had the right to know about the dragons if Harry did. And perhaps, just perhaps, it would be enough to convince the rightful Champion that he didn't want to be a part of this Tournament.

"Got your badge, Potter?" one of the Hufflepuffs asked him, standing in his way in the archway that led into the courtyard. He presented his own one proudly to him, almost pushing it right into his face. Harry rolled his eyes. He's been taunted with the badges so many times that day that it already got boring.

"Might get one later. Excuse me," he muttered, pushing his way through the crowd of five Hufflepuffs; their laughter followed him into the courtyard.

On a bench in the middle, surrounded, most likely by his friends, laid Cedric Diggory. As Harry approached them, one of the students accompanying the Hogwarts Champion nudged his side, alerting him of Harry's presence. The young wizard watched as the badges on their chests turned from 'Cedric Diggory' to 'Potter stinks' as the distance between them decreased.

"Read the badge, Potter!" one of them called out to him.

"Can I have a word?" Harry asked Cedric, ignoring the other Hufflepuffs. The older boy looked stunned for a split second before standing up.

"Alright," he replied hesitantly, surprised by his sudden approach. He allowed Harry to lead him away from the bench and his friends.

"You stink, Potter!" one of the Hufflepuffs shouted after him. Harry rolled his eyes, not looking at the one who said that comment. He couldn't help but notice, though, that Cedric chuckled slightly.

"Dragons," Harry said simply when he was sure they were out of earshot. Cedric stood in front of him, furrowing his eyebrows. "That's the First Task," he clarified. "They've got one for each of us."

"Come on, Ced!" one of the Hufflepuffs shouted after them. The older boy gestured at him to wait; his previous mirth was gone, completely wiped away by Harry's words.

"Are you serious?" he asked, looking at the younger Seeker with wide eyes. Harry nodded his head, gripping his bag nervously, still shaken by what he had seen the previous night. "And uhm… Fleur and Krum… do they know?" he asked. Once again, Harry nodded his head, not looking at the other boy.

"I know that Madam Maxime has seen those dragons, so I bet she has told Fleur. I'm not sure if Krum knows, but it is still possible that yes," Harry said nervously, correcting his glasses that were sliding off of his nose.

Cedric nodded his head as well. He grabbed Harry's arm after noticing that he started walking away, preventing him from leaving. "Hey, listen, about the badges… I've asked them not to wear them, but…"

"Don't worry about it," Harry interrupted him, releasing himself from his grip.

"I'll tell them again not to wear them," Cedric promised, biting his lower lip. "And uhm… thanks, Potter," he said, also turning around to join his friends. Despite how ridiculous Harry's information might have sounded, Cedric seemed to believe him if his sudden drop of the mood was anything to go by. Harry muttered a small 'no problem,' but the Hufflepuff Seeker apparently didn't hear that as he was already heading back to his group of friends.

Harry watched with a small smile as the older boy said something to the other Hufflepuffs. Due to the distance separating them, he couldn't make out the words, but his smile grew wider after noticing Cedric's friends' mood dropping and them taking off their badges reluctantly. Harry actually smirked after seeing how the Hufflepuff Seeker tore away the badge from one of his friends, who wasn't willing to take it off.

"Do you like the badges, Potter?" Harry heard the voice he knew all too well. Malfoy, he thought, rolling his eyes in annoyance. He really should have expected it, though. It would have been too beautiful to go on for so long without any interactions with the Slytherin boy. Harry raised his head to look in the direction from where the voice came from. He found Malfoy sitting on a branch of a nearby tree; of course, Crabbe and Goyle were there as well, always around the other boy like loyal dogs. "I've got a few spare ones if you didn't get one for yourself yet," he offered with a tone that suggested that he considered his words to be the funniest joke anyone could possibly say. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, but I think I'll pass," he replied, correcting his bag and heading towards the Castle.

"My father and I have a bet, you see," he continued as if he didn't hear Harry's response. "I don't think you're going to last ten minutes in this Tournament," Malfoy started explaining, effectively stopping Harry from leaving the courtyard. Although he knew he shouldn't have, he started listening to the Slytherin boy. "He disagrees," he continued, leaping off of the branch. "He thinks you won't last five," he finished, earning himself a series of chuckles from the other Slytherins.

"I don't give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy!" Harry snapped at him angrily. "And you're just pathetic if you think that mentioning your dad every day makes you look better," he added before starting to head back to the Castle.

"Pathetic?" Harry heard Malfoy from behind his back, though he didn't pay him any attention at all. He corrected his glasses, hastening his pace. He was sure that Daphne was already waiting for him in the Library.

"Oh no, you don't, sonny!" someone yelled from one of the corridors that surrounded the courtyard. Harry stopped in his tracks after hearing the sudden shout, followed quickly by Malfoy's squeal. He turned around, thinking he would see Draco in the middle of his cronies. However, right between Crabbe and Goyle, where Malfoy always was, at that moment was a small white ferret. Harry's eyes widened at the sight. "That'll teach you to cross someone when their back is turned!" the same voice from before yelled. Once again, Harry turned around, only to see Professor Moody stomping towards them. He wisely took a step back to avoid finding himself in the middle of the strange teacher's path. He quickly directed his attention to the transfigured Slytherin. "You stinking, cowardly, scummy…" Moody started trotting out while at the same time making the small ferret levitate with his wand. Harry chuckled slightly, completely sure that the teacher would continue calling Malfoy different names if another teacher didn't join them at that moment.

"Professor Moody!" McGonagall screamed, running towards them as quickly as she could, followed by other students who were attracted by the unusual sight. "What are you doing?" she exclaimed in disbelief, looking between the Professor and the ferret.

"Teaching," he spat at her, never stopping to control the ferret's movements.

"Is that a… is that a student?" she asked. Her face started forming into a mask of outrage that Harry was all too familiar with. He took another step back to avoid being somehow connected to Malfoy's current fate.

"Technically, it's a ferret," Moody replied. With the speed that no one would suspect from him, the Professor approached Crabbe, who was only standing there and staring in disbelief, and raised his robe, throwing the transfigured Malfoy inside. Harry laughed again, unable to control it anymore. He looked around, noticing that he wasn't the only one who found this amusing.

"Get it out!" Crabbe yelled, helplessly observing as the ferret disappeared in his robes. Goyle ran up to him and tried to pull Malfoy out of their friend's pants. He quickly stopped, though, when the ferret bit his finger.

Harry continued watching the spectacle, laughing with the other students. After a few more seconds, the ferret left Crabbe's pants. With a quick movement of her wand and without a word, McGonagall transfigured the animal back.

The Slytherin boy stood up immediately with a terrified look on his face. He turned around, only to find himself standing less than three meters away from his tormentor. He gritted his teeth.

"My father will hear about this!" he promised, slowly backing away, all the time observing Moody in order to see if the teacher would attack him again.

"Is that a threat?" the Professor asked as if he wanted to make sure he heard him correctly. He took a step forward. "Is that a threat?" he repeated before hastening his pace. After seeing the sudden movement, Malfoy started running around the tree to avoid his tormentor, who was chasing after him. Fortunately for him, the Professor wasn't as fast as he, and he soon managed to escape him, followed closely by his cronies. "I can tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair, boy!" Moody yelled after him, taking a few more steps, although he knew that he wouldn't be able to catch the Slytherin boy. "It doesn't end here!"

"Alastor!" McGonagall yelled at him again, standing right in front of him and blocking his path. "We never use transfiguration as punishment!" she reprimanded him. Harry chuckled again, seeing how his Head of the House didn't hesitate to treat another teacher like a disobedient student.

Following the others' example, Harry realized that the spectacle was over and it was wiser to leave. Blending in with the crowd, he retreated to the Castle, only hearing the remnants of the two Professors' conversation.

"You're late," Daphne greeted him, not even raising her head from the book she was holding on her lap.

"Yeah, I just wanted to get this whole Cedric thing out of the way," Harry informed her, sitting down in one of the armchairs and tossing his bag on the small table. He flinched slightly when it landed with a soft thud that in the empty Library seemed deafening. Daphne sighed and shook her head. "You started saying something at the beginning of the classes today," Harry said, glancing over at the book she was holding. It wasn't the same one they'd been studying the last time they'd met in the Library. In fact, Harry wasn't sure that it even was a Potions book. "About Professor Lupin, I mean," he clarified.

"And here I thought you weren't listening to me," Daphne commented, raising her head to look at him. She brushed away the lonely strands of hair that were falling on her face. "What about it?" she asked him.

"It's just… I'd like you to finish what you started saying," Harry replied, scratching the back of his head. "That your father said that your family owes Professor Lupin and then you…"

"And then you've interrupted me," Daphne finished for him with a small nod. She shrugged her shoulders. "Honestly, that's the majority of the information. What I didn't manage to say was that my father has said we owe our lives to Professor Lupin and Black," she informed him; Harry's eyes widened at that, and his eyebrows shot upwards.

"Black?" he asked, wanting to make sure that he had heard her correctly. "As in Sirius Black?" he added. Daphne shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know - my father never said the name," she admitted. "I'm sorry, I know it's difficult for you to listen about him, but it's just something I've overheard," Daphne explained.

"It's okay," Harry replied, remembering in the last second possible that she didn't know the truth about Sirius. He bit his tongue to prevent himself from saying too much. "Did you hear your father explaining something more?" he queried. Daphne shook her head.

"It was just a piece of an argument between my parents that I've overheard this summer," she answered. "I've tried asking my father later about the details, but he dismissed me. However, I know my father to be an honest man, especially if he's talking only with my mom, and I don't have a reason not to believe his words," Daphne explained. "And what about you? Why are you so interested in the topic of Professor Lupin?" she asked him. Harry shrugged his shoulders, opening the Potions textbook.

"I've told you before, he was my parents' friend," he replied, quickly finding the page about the Sleeping Draught. "It's just… I've heard so many stories about my parents from other people on how brave they were and so on, but Professor Lupin was the first one to tell me what they were like when they were my age," Harry said, smiling softly. "He told me that my dad was unable to keep himself from getting into trouble by pranking someone for longer than a few weeks and that the Weasley Twins' ideas are nothing compared to what he and his friends have done. I don't know, it's just… it's nice to have a different perspective on them, you know? To know that at some point in their lives, they were just kids like me," he said, still smiling.

"Your family didn't tell you more about your parents?" Daphne asked him. "The ones you spend the summer with, I mean," she clarified after noticing his puzzled expression. Harry shook his head.

"No," he replied; the smile vanished from his face. "They've never talked much about my parents. Or anything associated with the magic, to be honest."

"What?" she asked quickly.

"What 'what?'" Harry queried, not understanding the question.

"What do you mean by saying that they've never talked about magic?" Daphne clarified her question. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, they are Muggles, and they hate everything that's at least a little linked to the magic," he replied, watching as one of Daphne's eyebrows rose high on her forehead. "I've honestly found out that I'm a wizard a month before going to Hogwarts," he said, chuckling slightly. Daphne's second eyebrow joined the first one on her forehead.

"So, what you're saying is that for eleven years, you had no idea that magic exists?" she asked, wanting to make sure that she had understood him correctly. Harry nodded his head slowly, not understanding her sudden outburst. "And you've never noticed anything strange happening?"

"Well, sometimes strange things did happen," Harry admitted after almost a minute of thinking. "I remember I was quite surprised when I've found out that snakes could understand what I was saying and even reply. And sometimes some things would just… disappear," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"And you've never thought that there might be something more serious going on?" she asked, once again causing Harry to shake his head. "Dear Merlin, you're basically a Muggle-born," Daphne commented. "That would explain some things."

"What things?"

"Well, sometimes you tend to act like a babe in the woods, especially if it involves magic happening," Daphne commented. "I used to think that you were just… somewhat stupid, but… I guess I could see now where this was coming from."

"Thanks," Harry muttered, once again scratching the back of his head, although he wasn't sure if he should be offended by her words or not. "You're not reading about the Sleeping Draught?" he asked, changing the topic. It was only at that moment that Harry had realized that the book Daphne was holding had nothing to do with the Potions. Daphne looked at him as if he had suddenly grown out a second head.

"We're pretty ahead with our assignment, compared to the rest of our year," she replied. Harry nodded his head slowly. "And I think that what you have told me about the First Task is much more interesting than memorizing the entire ingredients list. So, I've allowed myself to search for something linked to the dragons if that's okay by you."

"Sure," Harry commented, leaning closer to her to see what she was reading about. "I certainly don't mind getting help," he added with a chuckle.

"I've noticed it by how Granger used to be doing your homework for you," Daphne countered swiftly, effectively erasing the smile from Harry's lips. "Sorry, I intended it to be a… some sort of joke. I guess I should practice them before I try to say one again."

"It's okay. I'll get over her," Harry replied. "So, why don't you tell me what you have found out about the dragons?"

"I've actually found a few of their weaknesses," Daphne informed him, placing a small piece of parchment with her notes on top of the book. "Apparently, dragons can be somewhat controlled if you attack their eyes with a Conjunctivitis Curse or cast an incredibly strong sleeping spell on them."

"Do you think that the Sleeping Draught would do the job?" Harry asked, chuckling slightly.

"It's possible, though I doubt we would manage to brew it in time," Daphne replied. "I can tell you right now that both those spells are N.E.W.T. level, so I also doubt you would be able to master them in time. Actually, both curses aren't mandatory to learn, and only those who are extremally talented can learn them."

"Great, then I'll just ask Professor Flitwick to do with me four years of material in two weeks," Harry said, faking enthusiasm.

"There is another possibility, though," Daphne continued, ignoring his small comment. "Tell me, how is your Transfiguration?"

"Well, I don't want to boast or anything like that, but… it's terrible," Harry admitted, causing Daphne to roll her eyes in annoyance. "I'm lucky if I don't end up causing any permanent harm to my surroundings during classes."

"Too bad," Daphne commented. "You could always transfigure something into an animal. I think that the dragon would be more interested in some fat sheep than you. But if you say that Transfiguration also is not an option, then we have to figure something out."

"Like what?" Harry asked. His optimism faded away as he saw the opportunities slipping away from his hands.

"I don't know. You'll simply have to outsmart that dragon somehow or best it," Daphne commented.

"Yeah, best the dragon," Harry said sarcastically, nodding his head a few times. "Maybe I should outfly it?" he suggested with a nervous chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I can beat the creature that was born with wings," he added.

"It might be an opportunity, though," Daphne muttered slowly after almost a minute of sitting in silence and thinking about his words. "You're not that bad on the broom if I recall correctly," she added, turning her head to look at him.

"I doubt I will be allowed to bring in the Firebolt," Harry countered quickly, reading the book that he took from Daphne.

"Maybe," Daphne agreed slowly. "However, I don't think anyone would forbid you to summon it to you."

"Summon it?" Harry asked in disbelief. "How?"

"Has Professor Flitwick taught you the Accio spell already?"