Author's Note:
I have a busy week ahead and will not be able to post a chapter until the weekend so you are getting 165 early. Hope you all enjoy my little changes.
Reviews and Comments: To scrappy8: Thank you! To Menna Taha: Um, because the chapter was getting a big long? LOL. Good luck on your finals! Thanks for thinking Ginny's first date was so cute, I quite agree. Ginny and Hermione are definitely teenage girls and experiencing their first kisses, they deserve to have those moments. What will Michael say about Ginny going to the Yule Ball with Neville? we shall see. Harry's reaction to Ginny having a boyfriend all I can say is… chapter 167. As to Ron and the Yule Ball, well let's just say there's another wrench thrown in there. Thank you! Thanks for the second review! I agree with you on the finale. To Moony The Sheep: Thank you for saying 164 was a soft, but hugely important chapter. Thanks for noticing the dog tag reference, I felt it was fitting. Thank you! To Guest: Sorry, I can't post all I have finished as then you will have nothing to read. Thank you. To epicwazoo: Thank you. I do plan to continue. To iKingAnomalyII: Thank you! I do think Hermione and Viktor were adorable! He was obviously smitten with her in canon and I wanted to show that happened. I'm glad I have made Corner impossible to hate, I want you to like him. I always thought Hermione and Viktor had more going on than was told in the books. Thank you!
To SHolmes34: Thank you! I hope you like it! To LeglessFishOnRollerskates: Hermione sees how Harry looks at Zee and she knows that he's come to love her like a mum so it makes sense that she would reference her as such. Thank you! To Leaf Ranger: Thank you. I hope so. Ginny doesn't want to get her hopes up over Harry. And she's just looking at the girls he's been with him and thinks they are all nothing like her. Thank you! To cha-chris: Thank you! I know that I made Viktor have a heavy accent, but I like to think that the more he talks to Hermione, the more it becomes less heavy as he learns to speak better English. To 90: Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Hermione was definitely keeping her voice low in the library, yes. The Yule Ball has not been formerly announced, but Dumbledore mentioned it in passing at the beginning of the school year. I like to think that it's one of those things that people kind of know about, as it's rumoured to be happening as Neville mentioned in chapter 161 and spoke about how he is nervous that no one will want to go with him. Thank you!
To ClarieRoss: Thank you! I'm glad your excited! To Lost: There will be a lot more perspective shifts as the story goes on. I love delving into different characters POVs as I feel that it brings more to the story. Thank you! To geekymom: Thank you! To coloredwords; Thank you! I think Hermione and Viktor were very cute. I do think that Harry was raised right and he would want to be a good sport no matter what happens. Sirius might definitely have a few more white or grey hairs when this task is over LOL. Thank you! To Magic Black Jaguar: Thank you! I appreciate you saying it's lengthy without dragging on, I know some people don't agree. As to "I have always liked the idea of Harry and Neville's mothers be the other's godmother, and the boys bond over being godbrothers." I've always loved that idea as well. As to casting a "reparo" on Alice and Frank's brains. I think it's a lot more complicated than that or they would be healed by now. Thank you!
To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! To Steelcode: Of course I had to stop there, the chapter was getting too long. As to Viktor staying around after the tournament, we shall see. Thank you! To Tmriddle: Harry and Ginny will be together before sixth year but as I said, this is a slow burn and it won't be anytime soon. Thank you! To purplevictory: Thank you! To speedsONEandONLY: Viktor was trying to work up the courage to talk to Hermione! Just because he's famous doesn't mean he's not shy. Hermione would tell Harry over Ron, that's true. Harry is such a good sport! Thank you! To Guest: Hermione is oblivious to Viktor liking her because she doesn't see herself as a girl boys would like and she deserves that! Thank you! To leolion6363: Thank you! Thanks for saying it's currently one of your favourite fanfics. I love Theo and I am so glad other people love him too. No, this will not be a Dramione fic. Thank you!
To Guest: Thank you! Yes, Harry is subtitling noticing Ginny, but not noticing her LOL. I love Ginny and Hermione going to wish him luck and yes, Rita Skeeter will definitely have something to say about it. Hermione knows how much Harry loves Zee so definitely. Thank you! To trekkifulron: Ha, go horntail! I love that! Thank you! To alix33: Thank you! I loved Harry's family hugging him close and wishing encouragement. He deserves it! To leflemmeenrose: Thank you! To Jmcglynn522: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the behind the scenes with Hermione and Viktor. Do you realize you keep calling him Michael Connors? Is that intentional? And poor Ginny, someone definitely shouldn't tell Fred and George! To HPfan12: I have the scene written, but I haven't officially decided where it will fit into the story yet, but it will not be in fourth year. Thank you! To Bigmike33321: Thank you!
Thank you to my Beta — SilverStarwolfe!
My posting schedule: Once a week and sometimes on weekends.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE:
The One Where Harry Outflies A Dragon… Almost
Tonks was holding Remus' hand tightly in hers as they watched each champion face off against a dragon in an attempt to steal the Golden Egg from the nest. They were holding their own and each was doing a splendid job of distracting the dragon. But when Krum came out and was paired with the Chinese Fireball, she couldn't stop the gasp from escaping her lips.
"What?" Remus asked her, squeezing her hand. "What is it, Nymphadora?"
"Harry's been paired with Ilka."
Sirius turned at her words, raising an eyebrow. "Who the hell is Ilka?"
Zee's hands were wrapped around Sirius' hands as she stared at Tonks. "The dragon? Do you know what kind it is?"
Tonks nodded, her eyes wide. "Charlie told me that they had these three in mind, but when they got the call for a fourth dragon last minute, they only had one nesting mother left. Charlie was telling me how she would have been their last choice to let be in this tournament, but they didn't have any other dragons available."
Remus' breathing had quickened along with his heartbeat in the necklace between her breasts and Tonks kissed his fingers in reassurance. "What kind of dragon is Harry going to be facing, Nymphadora?"
They watched as Krum hit the Fireball with a Conjunctivitis Curse, temporarily blinding her and she roared in anger.
"A Hungarian Horntail," Tonks said, quietly.
All of the blood drained out of Sirius' face and Zee wrapped her arm around his waist, moving closer to him for his comfort as much as hers.
Remus was simply staring, eyes wide. "A Hun… but they… but that…" his fingers curled possessively around hers and she slipped her arm around his waist as well.
"It's okay. He has a plan, remember?"
Sirius swallowed, wincing as he watched the dragon below stumble around blindly almost crushing its own eggs in the process as the dragon tamers ran out to save the eggs. "He has a plan, she says. He's about to face a fucking Hungarian Horntail!"
Zee kissed his cheek. "Our boy has a plan and he's got this. We trust him, right?"
Sirius snorted. "Like we have a bloody choice!"
Remus let out a slow breath as the judges gave Krum his score, the highest so far of the champions. The crowd cheered as the dragon tamers saved all of the dragon eggs and helped bring the mother and her eggs away from the crowd as Krum headed out of the arena, his head held high. Remus held Tonks tightly as Bagman spoke.
"And now for our fourth and final champion, facing the most dangerous of dragons, the Hungarian Horntail, is… Harry Potter!"
The crowd cheered and they watched as Harry, dressed in his red and gold uniform stepped into the arena, his wand in his thigh holster, looking slightly green.
"Oh Merlin," Remus murmured.
Sirius reached out and touched his friend's arm. "He can do this, Moony. It's just a dragon, right? He's already conquered a Basilisk and a Mountain Troll."
Zee chuckled, nervously. "Well, now he can add a dragon to that list."
And the four of them looked down at their boy, eyes wide, as they waited with bated breath to see what Harry had planned.
~ ASC ~
Harry glanced around briefly at the looming crowd, the sound of the door behind him being sealed shut rather ominous. The feeling of being locked in with the creature wasn't exactly reassuring. The sunlight was high and he couldn't distinguish faces among the crowd which made him feel slightly better. He'd rather not personally know who was watching even if he suspected.
His eyes moved across the arena. It was built to look like a mountain top; full of rocks and tall green grass. The dragon was waiting for him at the opposite end of the arena. He could see her gleaming black scales shining in the afternoon sunlight. Her dark wings nestled around her, bronzed spikes on her tail in a deadly fashion.
He took in his surroundings carefully before he tugged his wand out of his thigh holster and shouted, "Accio Firebolt!"
The sound of his voice had alerted the dragon and he threw himself to the ground, rolling just in time, as a jet of fire shot out across the arena, narrowly missing him. The heat of it making his skin flush. He dove behind a rock as the Horntail roared and he snuck a look up at the sky in search of his broom, but saw nothing. Gryffindor Tower wasn't exactly next door he reminded himself reassuringly: It would come.
"Looks like Potter has decided that hiding is the key! He's not going to find the egg like that folks!" Bagman said loudly and making Harry scowl.
"I'm finding my bearings, you git," he muttered under his breath.
The Horntail had moved a few feet away from the nest now, eyes searching for him. She knew that there was a threat nearby and she wasn't going to let him out of her sight. His shadow alerted her and Harry had to duck and roll again to avoid being burnt to a crisp and he heard the crowd gasp.
And then he heard it and a grin shot across his face.
He rolled a third time as the flames came barrelling towards him and he jumped, landing smoothly on his Firebolt as if he had been born to it and took off as the crowd cheered.
"Merlin's beard! Potter can fly!" Bagman shouted.
And then he heard nothing. It was just him and his broom; it was just another game. He was flying and he was free.
He flew high into the sky, circling the arena for a moment before he dove back down into the pit towards the dragon.
He swerved left and then right, doing a sloth-grip roll when the dragon aimed it's massive teeth in his direction and the sound of her teeth clasping together made his bones tremble from the thunderous sound and then he dived towards the nest.
But the Horntail was faster and her tail shot out, tall spikes aiming for his head. He jumped, surprising himself as his broom shot out from under him. He dove towards it, catching it with his left hand, and swinging his leg back onto it so seamlessly that it felt like the action had been planned. He could hear the crowd cheering in the distance, but he tuned it out.
He needed to find a way to get down to that egg, he thought.
The Horntail kept her eyes on him now and every time Harry attempted to distract her, her yellow eyes watched him, suspiciously. When he went left, her tail followed, the spikes staying a little too close for comfort and when he went right, her jaws opened and flames shot out. He pulled his broom up and flew high up into the sky, trying to think of a way to get around her. Her chain was holding her in place, but if he could just get her to lift from her nest just a little, he could sneak in and around.
But the Horntail wasn't stupid.
She had six dragon eggs nestled below her and she had no intention of letting the wizard near her young. Every time Harry swerved, she followed him. When he shifted, her head moved with him and when he got too close, her flames set him on another path. He dove below her fire, pulling an incredible dive up from the ground at the last minute and slipping into a seamless loop-the-loop as he flew around the dragon.
He changed directions and began to fly faster, circling the dragon around and around in an attempt to make her dizzy. At first, he thought that it was working, but then her tail smashed into the side of him and he winced as a bronzed spike sliced through his arm. The pain of it took his breath away and he clenched his teeth as blood dripped down his arm.
The dragon was pissed off now, he thought as she roared at him, her wings fluttering around her.
Harry's arm felt like it had been ripped apart by a Basilisk fang and he grinned to himself. You survived that, Potter, he thought, you can do this.
He closed his eyes for a moment as the wind ripped through his hair and then he dove back down towards her head and her yellow eyes followed him, narrowed in annoyance as if he was a particularly annoying fly that she longed to swat. She roared flames again and Harry felt the heat, wincing at how close it was. He needed more of a distraction, he thought as he remembered Zee's advice, distraction was the key.
And then it came to him.
He pulled his wand from his holster, eyes on the dragon as he thought of his happiest memory and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"
Three blindingly blue-white animals emerged from his wand. The stag came first, running straight down from the air, barreling at the dragon head on and fearlessly. The dog came second, circling her spiked tail and making her boom in anger and when the wolf ran at her as Harry soared around her head, she clamoured in frustration; her long tail swinging at the wolf and making it disintegrate into nothing. She lifted her head, her wings flapping behind her and stood up from the nest in an attempt to reach the stag that was floating near Harry, twenty-five centimetres above her head. The stag kept charging at her, through her and around her and she was truly pissed off now.
"Come on," he murmured. "Come on."
The stag continued to circle her head as the dog danced into the air to work with the stag as if it knew the stag needed assistance. The dog and stag met halfway and then both charged head on at the dragon as the wolf reappeared at the dragon's feet and soared up to help its brothers.
The Horntail roared in anger, her yellow eyes narrowing as the stag, dog, and wolf ran through her and emerged on the other side unscathed.
"Come on," he said again, still circling her slowly, his eyes darting down to the nest where the Golden Egg was waiting.
And then she was off the ground and her massive jaws clamped around the stag successfully.
Her outcry when she realized that it was made of magic and not of flesh and bone resulted in an explosion of fire high into the sky and straight at Harry, but Harry was already diving, his broom flying to the ground towards the Golden Egg.
He scooped up the heavy prize, a grin on his face and the spiked tail slammed into his back. He bit his tongue to stop himself from crying out at the pain of it. He felt the spikes stab deep into his flesh, fiery hot and burning as if they too, were made of the flames that she shot from her mouth. Then he heard the suction sound as they left his back and he felt like the breath had been knocked right out of him. He only just managed to keep his fingers on the egg as he grabbed hold of the broom with his other hand and shot away from the dragon as she exploded fire and thunderous rage, feet stomping in fury as she lay herself back down over her nest to protect her young.
He landed gracefully on the grass in front of the judges, the Golden Egg tucked under his arm and his broomstick in his hand. The dragon tamers erected a magical barrier between Harry and the Horntail and he saw Charlie grin at him as they turned to calm the Horntail and usher her out of the arena and into her cage for safe keeping.
He could feel the blood dripping down his back, but he kept his eyes firmly on the judges, determined to stand tall. His arm was on fire and now his back felt like he'd been stabbed and boiled alive, simultaneously. His heart was pounding a jig in his chest as he tried not to pass out and suddenly the sound of the arena seemed to swoop in around him in an uproar of noise as the crowd wailed and hollered in delight.
"Harry Potter has successfully managed to capture his Golden Egg!" Bagman shouted.
Harry's bloody fingers were slipping on his broom handle and he clenched his teeth from the pain, his hands trembling, but he kept his eyes on the judges, not making a verbal sound while inside his body was screaming.
Bagman was beaming at him. "What a fantastic show from Mr Potter! Who knew he could fly like that, folks? I hope Mr Krum took stock of that! Now, let's see what our judges are saying! As we know, the score is a maximum of fifty points!"
Dumbledore waved his wand into the air and a fiery number nine appeared; Maxime an eight; Karkaroff a six; Crouch a seven; and lastly Bagman gave him a 10, surprising him. He was injured, he knew that he didn't deserve a ten and wondered briefly on it as he heard Bagman shout out again.
"Potter and Krum are tied with 40 points, putting them both in first place! Good show, Mr Potter, good show!"
Harry nodded his acknowledgement and managed a weak smile before he promptly passed out, his head hitting the ground.
~ ASC ~
Sirius and Zee stood up at the same time when the Horntail's flames erupted at Harry. He heard Remus gasp from next to him as Harry ducked and rolled and Tonks cheered.
"He has that Quidditch training, baby, look at him go!"
Remus wrapped his arms around his mate, resting his chin on the top of her head as they stood up to get a closer look. "Did he just call for his Firebolt?"
"Bless your super hearing, Moony!" Sirius exclaimed, eyes wide as he watched his son duck behind another rock. "That's brilliant, Prongslet! You can fly, that's brilliant!"
Zee's arms tightened around his waist and she gasped when Harry's broom appeared and he jumped onto it, soaring off into the sky and the crowd 'oohed' in awe. "He's incredible in the air," she breathed as they watched him take off.
None of them moved; none of them dared to breath as they watched him soar through the air as if he was born to it, weaving in and around the dragon effortlessly.
When the tail sliced into his arm, Sirius swore as Remus clutched his friend.
"He's flown with a broken arm before," Tonks assured them. "He's got this!"
Remus bit his bottom lip, his heart racing and when Harry's Patronus came barreling from his wand, his grin split his face. "That's my boy!"
Zee's eyes had widened. "A Patronus!"
The crowd seemed to agree, gasping in surprise. The strength and power of it seemed to illuminate the arena, and when the stag charged first, the power of it hitting the dragon was strong enough to cause a thunderous rumble throughout the stadium as if the earth was shaking below their feet.
Sirius was trembling as he watched. "His Patronus was strong enough to take out twelve Dementors; it's more than strong enough to distract a bloody dragon."
"If only a Patronus had the capability of destroying things other than Dementors and Lethifolds," Remus said, his eyes on his son. "But fuck, if it isn't strong enough to piss off that Horntail."
When the wolf reappeared to join the fray, the crowd cheered and then Harry was diving towards the Golden Egg.
"Yes, yes! Oh, good show, Harry!" Zee exclaimed, clapping as she jumped up and down in excitement before she gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "No!"
Sirius moved to the edge of the aisle they were in, looking down at his son's bleeding and mangled back in horror as all of the blood drained from his face, but Harry was already escaping the Horntail and landing seamlessly in front of the judges. Zee grabbed his hand and tugged him along as Remus and Tonks followed. They made it down from the stands just as Harry fainted and Zee ran faster with Sirius, Remus, and Tonks on her heels.
The whole task had taken less than fifteen minutes, but Sirius felt like a year had passed.
Harry was being levitated into the tent when they arrived and Madam Pomfrey was scowling.
"Dragons! I tell you, what insane creatures are they going to allow into this school next! First Dementors and now this!" she ranted, banishing Harry's torn and bloody shirt to the end of the bed as she rolled him onto his stomach.
Zee placed a hand on his forehead and he whimpered in pain, but didn't fully regain consciousness.
Madam Pomfrey smiled, reassuringly, as Sirius, Remus, Zee, and Tonks surrounded his bed. "He'll be fine. Don't you worry. It's nothing that I can't take care of."
Sirius wrapped his arms around Zee, bending his head to kiss the side of her neck, wincing as Madam Pomfrey washed the deep cuts on his son's back. The dragon's tail had torn through muscle and Sirius felt faint at the sight of his son's bones.
"It cut him to the bone," Zee murmured in horror. "Our poor baby! I don't know how he even stayed on that broom!"
"Determination and sheer Potter stubbornness and tenacity," Remus supplied, wincing as the matron carefully waved her wand over Harry's back.
"Vulnera Sanentur," she said clearly and the wounds and gashes seemed to fuse together as muscle and bone mended beneath her hands, blood returning to his back in thick rivulets.
Sirius let out a breath of relief when his back was healed closed with nothing, but long red gashes left as witness to the event. Madam Pomfrey covered his back with a cooling salve and Harry groaned, his eyes fluttering open as the matron turned to work on his arm which was superficial in comparison to his back.
"Ow," he murmured, softly.
Zee fell to her knees next to him, her eyes wide as she moved her face close to his. "Sweetie, are you all right?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
Sirius ran his fingers through Harry's hair. "Hey, talk about some incredible flying out there, Harry."
He grinned and blushed when Zee kissed his cheeks again. "Thanks. I'm sore, but I think I'm okay." He turned his head to look at Madam Pomfrey. "Am I going to live?"
She snorted. "Flying with dragons! Honestly, I have enough to do around here without consorting to dealing with dragons! You'll be fine, Mr Potter. A little sore for the next week as your muscles are healing and regenerating, but you'll be just fine. Drink," she instructed passing him a cup full of a blood red liquid.
Harry grimaced, but did as she told him. The potion tasted like copper and Brussels sprout and he swallowed, willing his stomach to keep it down. At the matron's stern look, he finished the cup in one more swallow, choking.
Remus smiled and bent his head to kiss Harry's forehead as his son handed the empty cup back to the matron. "You were amazing. That Patronus… Harry, that was bloody brilliant! It was a perfect distraction and it was so strong and so powerful. I've never been prouder."
Harry beamed at him as Madam Pomfrey bandaged his arm and his back before she let him sit up again. "I just knew that I needed another distraction because she wasn't buying just me up on that broom."
Zee sat on the bed next to him once he was settled and tugged him close into her arms, cradling his head against her as she kissed his cheek again, running her fingers through his hair and away from his face. "It was amazing! You were so good out there! And you're tied in first place with Viktor Krum! Baby, we're so proud of you!"
Harry grinned at her and let her hug him close. "Thanks." He watched her wipe tears away, hastily, and his eyes widened. "Are you crying?"
"I'm sorry, I just… when that tail hit you… Merlin, I was so worried, Harry!"
Sirius wrapped his arm around her and tugged her back against him, kissing her cheek. "He's made of strong stuff," he said with a grin, reaching over to hug Harry tightly, careful not to touch his bandages. "Besides, birds love battle scars," he added, winking rather obviously and making him laugh. "I'm so damn proud of you, Harry."
Harry hugged him back before turning to hug Remus and then Tonks. Zee was brushing his hair out of his eyes, a soft smile on her face when Bagman came over to him.
"Well done, Harry!" he exclaimed, a huge grin on his face. "You surprised all of us out there! Who knew that you could fly like that? I bet Krum is wondering why he didn't think of doing it himself!"
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Sir."
"I don't want to intrude on your family time, but I need all four champions together for a few moments to talk about the Second Task. Are you able-bodied?"
Harry nodded and climbed to his feet, reaching for his bloody and mangled shirt. Zee took it from him and did a quick mending and cleaning charm before she helped him pull it over his head so that he didn't stretch his arm and back more than necessary, kissing his cheek again when his head came out the top. He thanked her before he left his family by the bed and moved to the other end of the tent where Cedric, Krum, and Fleur were waiting with Bagman and Crouch.
Cedric's left arm was bandaged up to his shoulder and the entire left side of his face. Fleur had a large bandage over her leg and Krum was covered in scratches and cuts, but most looked rather superficial. They all nodded at Harry as he approached.
Crouch merely pursed his lips. "Well, the First Task was fairly successful. Good job everyone. The Second Task will not be taking place until the twenty-fourth of February which gives you all plenty of time to rest up. Now, where the First Task tested your daring, the second is looking to test your logic and your intelligence. Your clue can be found inside of the Golden Egg. Once you decipher the clue, you will understand what the second challenge will be. Good luck."
Bagman beamed at them. "And jolly good show, all of you!"
Crouch nodded, bade them farewell and left the tent. Bagman wished them luck with their eggs and hurried off as well.
Cedric grinned at them. "Can the four of us just take a minute to relish in the moment? We each just went up against a dragon and didn't die."
A slow smile spread across Fleur's face. "Once za terror passed, I zuppose it was very exciting, n'est pas?"
Krum snorted, his hands in his pockets. "Exciting, more crazy, da? Vho vants vu vight a dragon? Not me."
Harry smiled sheepishly. "I didn't know what to do or how to fight a dragon."
"Flying was a good choice, Potter," Cedric said with a grin. "You've always been a great flier. Wish I would have thought of it. I transfigured a rock into a dog in hopes of distracting the Short-Snout and it worked well, but halfway through the dragon decided that I was better prey than the dog and I got this," he said gesturing to his bandaged face and left shoulder and arm. "Hurts like a bitch too!"
Fleur smiled. "You zill did very well. I enchanted za dragon in hopes of making her sleep and it worked very well, but she znored and zet my zkirt on fire."
Krum shoved his hands into his pockets. "I used the Conjunctivitis Curse, vich blinded my dragon so, vat I could move in vu reach va egg, but I lost points because va dragon almost smashed some of va veal eggs. The dragon vamers vere able vu safe vem so, vat vas good. I didn't mean vu any of vem vu get hurt. That spell you did, vith va animals, it vas incredible. Vhat vas it?"
"My Patronus," Harry said with a smile. "I learned it last year."
"That's NEWT level work, Potter," Cedric said in surprise. "I can't even make one. I tried."
Harry smiled. "I asked Professor Lupin to teach me last year. You remember how badly the Dementors affected me, Cedric? Just them coming onto the Quidditch pitch made me fall off of my broom. I needed something to protect myself and well, now that I know how to perform the charm, it can be used for all sorts of things. Apparently distracting the Horntail is one of them."
Fleur nodded. "Well, zis was fun. I 'ope you all 'ave luck with zis egg. I must go find my family again. Zey are worried about my burn. Au revoir, mes amies."
Krum wished them luck as well before he left the tent after Fleur. Harry watched Cedric move back to the medical side to where his father and mother were waiting for him before he moved back to the other end of the large tent to see his own family.
Sirius draped an arm around his shoulder when he came around the corner. "Champion meeting all done?"
Harry shrugged and leaned into his father, gratefully. His whole body felt exactly like he had been smacked around by an angry dragon. "We were just discussing our tactics. Bagman said that the next task isn't until the twenty-fourth of February and that my clue is inside of this Golden Egg."
Zee had picked up the egg from the bed and was curiously examining it. She noticed the latch on the side and smiled. "I wonder what's inside?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't want to think about it yet. I think I just want to sleep for a week."
Sirius pressed his lips to his son's forehead. "We're so proud of you. You did brilliantly out there and if you want to sleep for a week no one can blame you."
"Well, I for one want him in my class tomorrow," Remus said with a smile. "You were brilliant. I can't tell you how proud I am of you."
Harry smiled as he closed his eyes, leaning into Sirius more as Madam Pomfrey came back around, her eyes narrowed.
"Back into the bed, Mr Potter!"
Harry dutifully did as she asked, feeling too exhausted and sore to continue standing. He tugged off his shirt again so that she could once more examine his back and apply more salve. She warned him that there may be some scarring, but she was confident that it would heal up well. She forced a second blood replenishing potion on him, muttering something about his blood type, before she gave him a potion for pain followed by an anti-inflammatory potion for his back and arm. The little bit of Skele-Gro she made him drink next for the two small broken bones in his arm made him wince in disgust and the face he made at her when she offered it only earned a scowl so, he drank it back quickly. Once he was set to her satisfaction, Madam Pomfrey told him that he was free to go, but that he had to return the next morning for her to apply more salve to his back.
"And if you're not here before your first class, Mr Potter, I will make you stay overnight in the hospital wing for the entire weekend," Madam Pomfrey said, sternly.
"I'll be here, Madam Pomfrey, I promise," he told her as Zee leaned in to kiss him again and making him blush in embarrassment (even though he secretly loved the way she was coddling him).
Harry hugged Sirius, Zee, Remus, and Tonks goodbye when the matron cleared him and made his way back to Gryffindor Tower, his stomach grumbling, reminding him that he had been too nervous to eat any lunch.
McGonagall met him on the stairs, her eyes beaming. "Harry, you were magnificent out there! Truly spectacular! That was quite the show, using your talents like that. I'm so proud of you."
He smiled and hugged her. "Thanks, Auntie Minnie."
In a rare moment of affection, she kissed his cheek before she pushed him off. "Gryffindor is waiting to celebrate with their champion. You are tied in first place with Mr Krum. The house elves are preparing a feast in your honour which will be delivered to the Gryffindor common room within half an hour. Go, celebrate!"
He beamed at her. "Thanks."
"Harry," she said when he made to head down the hall to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "You made not only me and Gryffindor House proud today, but all of Hogwarts. Take pride in that."
He grinned at her and with the Golden Egg tucked in his arm, made his way towards the Fat Lady. When the portrait hole opened, he was met with a roar of noise. He stepped inside, the Golden Egg clutched in his arm and the common room cheered.
Fred and George had started singing and soon most of the common room had joined in. "For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow and so, say all of us!"
Harry smiled as people congratulated him, wincing when someone slapped him on the back. "Oi, some of us were hit with a spiked dragon tail, mates!"
Apologies were ushered as they moved Harry to the centre of the room, all eager for him to share his story of fighting the dragon. The food arrived and Harry ate, happily, answering questions and feeling relieved when he was finally surrounded by his friends. He grinned when he saw Luna slide into the large armchair that he was in.
"Hi, Luna, you snuck into the party, eh?"
She smiled at him and gave him a hug. "I had to come celebrate with you. Besides, Will tagged along with me."
Harry looked up to find Will and smirked when he saw that he was pressed against the wall in the corner as Seamus snogged him, intensely. "I think Will came for another reason entirely."
Luna smiled. "Love?"
"Maybe," he said with a grin. He smiled at Ginny when she slid into the chair on the other side of him, essentially crushing him between the two girls. "You ladies do realize this is an armchair, right? As in, it's made for one?"
Ginny grinned and kissed his cheek, ignoring him. "You were incredible out there, Harry! Your flying alone was amazing! And when you used your Patronus like that… are you really all right? Your back looked really bad?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Pomfrey said that I might scar a bit, but it's healing all right. I have to go back in the morning for a check-up, but she gave me stuff for the pain and actually let me leave the hospital wing so, I'm taking it as good news."
Ginny looked at him rather skeptically, but seemed to accept his words. "Cedric was hurt the most after you, but you definitely got the brunt of the injuries. Charlie said that the Horntail is a demon and that you were really lucky."
"She was just protecting her eggs, I get it," he said, tugging the tiny Horntail figure out from his pocket.
Ginny's eyes widened. "Is that… where did you get that?"
Harry smiled at her. "We picked them out of a pouch. It's how the dragons were chosen for us, luck of the draw."
The Horntail was sleeping now, letting out tiny smoky snores and Ginny eagerly slipped the dragon into her hands, stroking the dragon's back and the figure seemed to purr in response.
"She really is very beautiful. It's times like this when I can see why Charlie loves dragons so much."
"You can keep that, if you want," Harry said, smiling at her. "I think that I've had enough of Horntails to last me a lifetime."
Ginny grinned as the dragon nuzzled into her hand. "Thanks, Harry."
Ron came around from the back of Harry's chair eating a large chocolate cupcake with candied raspberries on the top. "Mate, how brilliant is it that you are tied with Krum?"
Harry grinned. "Pretty great. He told me that he blinded the dragon?"
Ron nodded, scarfing down the cupcake before he spoke. "His was definitely the coolest after you. But the judges took points off because the dragon went crazy and almost smashed some of her real eggs. They didn't much like that. Charlie and another dragon tamer ran in and rescued the eggs. They were able to mend any damage done to them in time and he seemed pretty hopeful that the eggs would be okay. Karkaroff gave him a ten, but he gave every other contestant a low score, the git."
"Fleur and Cedric are close behind us though."
"Harry, you're in first place, even being tied with Krum. You could actually win his thing."
Harry scoffed at him. "Ron, just because I had a lucky break with the dragon doesn't mean that I can win the tournament. I don't even know what the Second Task is!"
Hermione was examining the Golden Egg by the fire next to Neville. "Have you opened this yet?"
He shook his head. "No. The Second Task isn't until February and frankly, I'm trying not to think about it. There's supposed to be a clue in there."
Neville eyed the Golden Egg, suspiciously. "Well, it can't be worse than a dragon, really."
"That's true," Harry said with a smile. "The Second Task is supposed to be about testing my logic and my intelligence."
"Open it, Harry," Dean said from behind him, his hand in Parvati's.
"Yeah, come on, Potter, open it!" someone called out.
Fred and George came around to sit in front of Hermione and Neville, their eyes on the Golden Egg. "Yeah, let's see what's inside."
Harry grinned and carefully shoved himself out of the armchair as Ginny and Luna made themselves more comfortable and he took the Golden Egg from Hermione. He held it above his head as people cheered and urged him on and then he slipped his fingers into the clasp and popped the egg open.
The piercing screeching sound that filled the room made everyone yelp and cover their ears. Harry dropped the Golden Egg and watched it roll across the carpet, still screeching loudly. Luna picked it up and slammed the lid shut making everyone sigh in relief.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron exclaimed, his eyes on the Golden Egg.
Harry shook his head. "Other than making my ears bleed, I have no bloody idea."
George grinned and slapped his hands together. "Well, now that we are all properly made deaf, who wants dessert?"
The room cheered and Harry grinned. He had to admit, being celebrated for something that he was supposed to have done for once had its perks.
~ ASC ~
Zee rubbed her tired eyes as they stepped back into Black Cottage after the First Task and smiled at Sirius when he simply plopped down on the chesterfield and tugged her down over the side into his lap. She sighed in contentment when he snuggled her down into his arms, her head resting over his heart.
"Can we just stay right here for the rest of the night?"
Sirius kissed the top of her head with a smile. "Sure. I can support that decision."
"Mmm," she said, closing her eyes. "I'm exhausted and I only watched him fight a dragon."
Sirius chuckled, his hands running up and down her back. "Me too. He was incredible."
Zee smiled against his chest. "He really was. I'm so proud of him."
Sirius kissed the top of her head again. "Me too."
They sat there in contentment for a while, both just holding onto each other before Sirius spoke.
"The Yule Ball is on the twenty-third of December, but Harry is still coming home on Christmas Eve."
"Mmhmm," she said, still snuggled against him.
"I already spoke to Andy and we're going to go there for Christmas dinner. You're going to come with us this year, right?"
Zee pulled back a bit to look into his eyes. "Spend Christmas with you?"
"Spend all of it with me," he said, gently brushing a curl behind her ear. "Last year you went to Russia and the year before that, only to Scotland, but you were still gone… I want you with us, with me, and I know that Harry feels that same."
Zee leaned in to kiss him. "I want that, too."
Sirius grinned. "So, Andy's then?"
She nodded, kissing him again. "I talked to Mama and Papa yesterday about it, actually. We were talking about the First Task and I mentioned that Harry would be staying at school for the ball, but then would be coming home. Christmas is in Scotland this year and Mama already agreed that we're pushing it back. I told her that the twenty-sixth would be perfect. Grandda says that it will give him more time to perfect his turkey."
Sirius smiled at her. "Your family is incredible, Zee, honestly."
She grinned. "It's only going to be Mama's side. Baba and Deda have their own celebrations with Tetya Olga and Tetya Sasha and the grandkids. But it will be a big Christmas dinner! Papa says that he's trying to convince Grandma and Grandpa to come as well."
"Sounds perfect."
"They can stay next door in my cottage," she told him, snuggling back into his arms as he ran his hands up and down her back.
"Harry will be thrilled," Sirius told her. "He was really disappointed last year when you didn't spend Christmas with us. And now that he's met your family, he doesn't want to miss anything."
Zee smiled. "And he won't. They're his family too." She tilted her head up and kissed him, deeply. "You two are my world, Sirius Black, and that means you get my overbearing loving family along with me."
Sirius smiled at her. "Having you is more than I ever imagined. Anything else is just gravy." He kissed her again before he summoned the blanket from the chair and wrapped it cozily around them. "Now, how do you feel about a nap?"
She grinned, stretching out a bit and snuggling closer. "I feel very agreeable to it."
He held her close, letting his eyes drift closed and he thought that he couldn't imagine feeling any happier than he did at this moment.
And he couldn't wait to tell Harry about the Christmas plans.
~ ASC ~
As the month of December blew in, McGonagall pulled Harry aside after class to inform him that the Yule Ball would be taking place two days after the beginning of the Winter Solstice, the twenty-third of December. She needed to know the name of his date as soon as possible.
"My date?" Harry asked her.
McGonagall nodded. "You must have a date, Harry. The Champions are expected to open the ball with a dance and you must have a partner."
Harry sighed and nodded. "Right, I knew that."
She smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "You're a Champion. I'm sure that finding a date won't be problem."
Harry had only nodded. It wasn't that finding a date was a problem, he mused, it was more the fact that he didn't really know who he wanted to take. He still thought about Harley from time to time and the idea of asking Sophie to go with him made him cringe a bit. And asking Cho was even worse, he thought. He wasn't looking for a relationship with anyone right now, though the thought of having a good snog did have its merits.
He looked at the fangirls who followed him around religiously and wondered if any of them would want to go with him. The one girl with blue eyes and dark black hair was really pretty, he noted as she smiled brightly at him, but he shook his head. He didn't want to go with a stranger. He had to dance in front of the whole school and open a ball, he needed someone that he was comfortable with.
He plopped himself down onto his bed that night and groaned in frustration making Seamus raise an eyebrow at him as he tugged his shirt over his head.
"Problem, Harry?"
He groaned and covered his face with his hands. "I have to find a date for the Yule Ball."
"You could go stag," Seamus said with a smile, tossing his uniform shirt on his bed. "Then you can dance with whoever you want."
Neville smiled at them as he finished changing into his own pyjamas and sat on the side of his bed. "That has its perks."
Harry shook his head, peeking out between his fingers. "Nope. McGonagall says that the Champions and their dates have to open the ball with a dance."
"Oh," Seamus said in disgust. "That sounds horrid. I don't even know how to dance."
"My grandmother taught me this summer. I went to a dance in America. It was fun. You're staying for the ball though?"
Seamus nodded, blushing a bit as he spoke. "Yeah. I asked Will to go with me today and he said yes."
"And Dean's going with Parvati, I assume?" he asked, tugging his own undershirt over his head.
"You assume right," Dean said with a grin, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling off his tie.
Ron came up the stairs with Hermione and Ginny, yawning loudly. "You two need to go to your own dorm, shoo. There are half-naked boys in here."
"All the more reason to come up," Ginny said, smirking at her brother when he looked horrified.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "We'll just be a minute, Ron. Harry, I just wanted to ask to borrow that defence book that Professor Lupin gave you? I wanted to look something up for my essay."
Harry nodded, his pyjama shirt still in his hands as he went over to his desk to pass the book to her. His back was still covered in the long red scratches from the Horntail's spikes, but they had faded to a soft pink by now. Madam Pomfrey had told him that she was confident there wouldn't be too much scarring after all, but that they wouldn't be healed completely until probably January.
"Hermione, you do know that it's almost eleven and that you should be going to bed and not studying more, right?"
She smiled at him and took the book. "I will, I promise."
Ginny sat on Harry's bed with a smile, moving his pillow to lean against it comfortably. "I just came up to annoy Ron. He says that we shouldn't go home for Christmas."
"I'm just saying that with the Yule Ball being on the twenty-third, it seems rather pointless, doesn't it, Ginny?"
Harry shook his head. "Nah, I agree with Ginny. I want to go home for Christmas. Zee is living there now and it's our first Christmas and her family is going to be there. Besides, term doesn't start up again until the fourth and Dumbledore said that the train will be taking anyone who wants to go home on the twenty-fourth. It's just leaving at nine instead of eleven."
Ron frowned, "I guess. It just seems pointless is all."
"Plus I still need to find a date to the ball," Harry said. "McGonagall told me that the Champions are required to open the ball with a dance."
Neville looked pained at the thought. "I'm so glad that I don't have to open a dance."
Harry grinned at him. "Not helping, Nev."
Ron grinned. "We better get a move on, mate, before all the good ones are taken."
"The good ones are taken," Dean said with a grin. "I'm going with Parvati, Seam has Will. You could ask Roper, I heard that she's hoping Harry's free."
Harry made a face. "I'd rather not take Sophie."
Ginny stood up from the bed. "Well, you two will figure it out. Come on, Hermione, let's leave the boys to their girl discussion."
Hermione grinned, holding the book in her hands. "Good plan."
Ron moved to step in front of them, his eyes wide. "Oi, Hermione, wait! You're a girl!"
Hermione's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Did you just notice, Ron? Bully for you."
Ron shook his head and touched her arm. "No, of course I didn't just notice, I just meant, we can make it easy. You can go to the Ball with me and Harry can take Ginny."
Ginny glared at her brother. "You're a prat, Ron Weasley. Do you think that that's how a girl wants to be asked?"
He winced when she elbowed him in the gut. "I didn't… I just meant, we're all friends… why can't we just go together?"
Hermione glared at him. "First of all, Ginny and I already have dates to the ball and secondly, if you'd learn to pull your head out of your arse, maybe you could bother to notice that I've been a girl the whole time!"
She turned on her heel and stormed out of the dormitory, leaving Ron staring after her with his mouth hanging open.
"What's up with her? It was just a suggestion. Poor girl probably doesn't even have a real date, she's just embarrassed. I'll ask her again tomorrow."
Ginny glared at him. "No, you will not! She does have a date, you prat!"
"Who?" Ron demanded.
"That's none of your business, Ron Weasley!"
Ron's eyes flashed. "And who are you going with, then?"
"Me," Neville said, coming up to stand next to them. "We're going as friends and we're going to have a great time."
Ginny smiled at Neville and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Yes, we are. Hope you find someone to put up with your neanderthal ways, Ron."
Ron watched her hurry down the stairs and glared at Neville. "What's with you taking my sister to the ball? You didn't ask my permission to do that?"
Harry snorted. "Ask your permission? Really, Ron? Ginny will kill you if she hears you saying any such thing."
Neville smiled at him. "I asked Hermione first, but she told me that she already had a date so I asked Ginny instead. I'm not ready to ask a girl out on a date yet so I wanted to go with a friend."
"That's a nice idea, Neville. I think that you and Gin will have a great time."
"Thanks, Harry."
"But it puts Ron and I back to square one."
Ron scowled. "You're a Champion, Harry. You'll have no problem finding a date to the ball."
Harry nodded. "Trust me, Ron, that's part of the problem."
When he crawled into his four poster and put his glasses on his nightstand, he snuggled into his pillow and the floral scent made him think of Ginny and he sighed. He was glad that she was going with Neville; glad that they were going as friends, but he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't thought to ask her first?
And when he closed his eyes, he tried to think of anything other than the upcoming ball.
~ ASC ~
Ginny followed Hermione into her dormitory watching her friend scowl.
"Hermione, I know that he's a huge git, I'm sorry!"
"To just assume that I would go with him, how rude!"
Lavender and Parvati looked up at them. "What's going on?"
"My git of a brother is getting desperate to find a date to the Yule Ball," Ginny said in annoyance.
Lavender tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "I was hoping that Seamus would ask me, but I guess that I'm not his type anymore."
Parvati smiled sympathetically at her. "Will is so sexy. That curly hair and that smile… Seamus is a lucky guy. I'd choose Matthews over you, too, Lav."
Lavender threw her pillow at her friend. "Not helping. Ginny, do you think that Ron would want to go with me?"
"I bet he would, actually. He and Harry are both still looking for dates," Ginny told them.
Sophie had peeked her head out from behind her bed curtains, her eyes wide. "Harry still needs a date?"
Natalie Monroe, the last girl in their dorm smacked her friend's arm. "You just spent the entire evening snogging Roger Malone!"
Sophie simply smiled sweetly at her friend. "What's your point?"
"You are a slag, Soph."
Sophie looked offended. "I am not! To be a slag you have to have had sex."
"I think oral counts," Parvati said, shooting Sophie an annoyed look.
"So, why did you say no to Ron, Hermione? Going with a friend isn't a bad idea," Parvati said kindly. "It's better than showing up alone."
Hermione plopped herself down on her four poster. "I already have a date."
"You do?" Natalie asked in surprise.
"Oooh, who?" Parvati and Lavender both exclaimed, their eyes wide in disbelief.
Hermione blushed.
"He asked her out in the library," Ginny said with a grin, moving to sit on her friend's bed.
Parvati and Lavender looked annoyed when they realized that Hermione had no plans of telling them who it was so they shut the curtains to Lavender's bed so that they could whisper excitedly to each other. Ginny rolled her eyes, closing Hermione's curtains as well and muttering 'muffliato,' a new spell that she had learned from Fred and George that week, who in turn had apparently learnt it from Remus in Defence Club.
"Good idea not to tell anyone. I can't wait to see the look of shock on everyone's face when you walk in on the arm of Viktor Freaking Krum!"
Hermione smiled. "They wouldn't believe me even if I told them anyway."
"True," Ginny said with a grin. "It's basically like a fairy tale."
Hermione smiled. "I haven't even seen him since before the First Task except in passing. He did so well in the First Task. That curse was brilliant!"
"It was. It was definitely the coolest thing that any of the contestants did, other than Harry, that is. I mean, watching him fly around that dragon was terrifyingly awesome and when he cast his Patronus! I didn't even know that the Patronus Charm could do that! I can't wait until Professor Lupin teaches the Defence Club the Patronus Charm. Do you think that we'll get to learn it this year?"
Hermione nodded. "I don't know. It is NEWT level magic, Ginny. Harry really was brilliant. Ron was right earlier, he could win this thing if he tries."
Ginny smiled at her friend as she moved to change into her pyjamas. "Yes, he could. I really didn't mind seeing all of them with their shirts off either. Seamus has a really nice back and Dean is really fit and I mean, Harry has that lovely little happy trail going over his abs." At her friend's look, she grinned. "What? I can look, can't I?"
Hermione chuckled. "I suppose."
Ginny tossed her hair over her shoulder. "So, what's the real reason why you aren't telling anyone about you and Viktor?"
She sighed as she tossed her jumper onto the bed. "Everyone will think that I'm lying. I'm the resident bookworm, the bossy-know-it-all, why would someone like Viktor Krum even give me a second glance?"
Ginny rolled her eyes in annoyance. "You are so much more than that, Hermione. It's just that you hide yourself off and he was smart enough not to let you. When are you seeing him again?"
She blushed. "I'm hoping tomorrow. I'd like to congratulate him on the task and he mentioned something about meeting me in the library when I saw him in the Great Hall the other day, but we've barely spoken since the First Task and I know that it's only been a week but I … I miss him," she admitted. She bit her lip as she pulled her shirt over her head to change into her pjs and Ginny's eyes widened.
"Hermione Granger! You have been holding out!"
Hermione looked startled as she stared at her friend. "What?"
Ginny glared at her and blatantly placed her hands over her friend's breasts. Hermione was wearing a sports bra over her regular bra along with a spandex top. "Are you trying to hide your tits or flatten them?"
Hermione's face flushed red, swatting Ginny's away. "I… they just sprouted up out of nowhere this summer, Ginny!"
Ginny pointed to her own chest. "And what do you call these?"
She blushed. "I just…"
Ginny smiled at her. "You're beautiful! Don't try to hide your body, Hermione. There's nothing to be ashamed about."
She blushed and pulled the top off followed by her sports bra and then put her arms over her regular cotton bra. "I had to buy new uniform shirts because these stupid things popped all of the buttons."
"They're bigger than mine!" Ginny exclaimed with a laugh. "Once boys see that you have these beauties no one will be surprised that Krum asked you out."
Hermione scowled at her and pulled her pyjama top over her head. "Just because I have breasts now doesn't mean that everyone will suddenly like me!"
"No, that's true. Look Hermione, it's your body, not mine. I remember how my tits seemed to grow out of nowhere too and you had to help me resize everything and it sucked, but it also kind of rocked. I mean, we're not kids anymore. We're young women. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be ashamed of any changes your body is making. Being intelligent and being good-looking are not opposites of each other. You can be both, you know. Don't hide. Be proud of who you are."
Hermione stared at her friend. "The robes are bulky enough that I guess people wouldn't really notice anyway, right?"
Ginny smiled at her. "Hermione, it's not like they're bigger than your head. They're just breasts, we all have them. You're like half cup size bigger than me. You have normal sized breasts, stop worrying! You have curves. It's a good thing."
Hermione bit her lip. "I know, you're right. I guess I was just embarrassed because it seemed to happen so quickly. I think it's because of the Time Turner thing last year. My body is closer to being sixteen than fifteen now because of how much I used it and… I just felt like… "
"I had a growth spurt this year too, Hermione. We all grow up at our own pace and some of us develop faster than others. Mum told me that I'm almost a year younger than she was when my breasts came in and you had to help me alter my shirts last year, remember? You're not alone."
"It just… surprised me is all," she admitted, quietly. "I didn't take that into consideration when I was using the Time Turner. I'm a little embarrassed by how quickly my body changed."
"Don't be," Ginny told her. "Now, let's talk about your date with Viktor tomorrow and what you're going to wear."
She blushed again. "It's not a date. I'm just meeting him in the library to study, maybe."
"It's basically a date," Ginny said with a grin. "Which means no more trying to squish your tits against your chest!"
Hermione nodded. "Okay, you're right, I concede. So… what do you think I should wear?"
Ginny smiled at her. "I have the perfect outfit."
End Author's Note:
(French) Au revoir, mes amies = good bye, my friends
Thanks for reading and please review!