Incandescence
Part Nine
Playing With Fire
Disclaimer: Sadly, I still don't own Harry Potter. It would be nice, and would probably pay my tuition, but. . . no. . . sorry.
Warnings: Hm. . . so, I've mentioned this every other chapter, but this is SLASH and is likely to stay that way. Sorry if I've disappointed, but it just sucks for you!
Author's Note: So I can update regularily now, seeing how I'm out of school and all, and I thank every one of my readers and reviewers. I was so unsure when I started posting Pyrotechnics that I never dreamed it would grow into this. I never thought everyone would like it so much, and I thank you for all your support. I've broke one hundred reviews on Incandescense now, I'm happy to report, and I'm so amazed. Thank you all. And, a total shoutout to my wonderful, amazing beta, PrincessXXMoonXX! This part is beta'd, and you can all thank her for her hard work! She's amazing!
Also, this note will be a little longer than usual, because. . . here are the reviewers that helped me make it past 100! (In ABC order): 2693, Ada Eyes, akeria26, Amythyst Aquarius, AnnF, Brokenflamesrebel, cle be, Dana, DracosDefender, Fae Child 19, Freedom is Wind, Heather, ilikestories, InsanityamI, jasmine13princess, JellyFish72, JusticeIsBlind13, kain-donovan, Lady Halaia, Lady Prince, lemmesee, Marikili68, Mischief Maker in Disguise, momocolady, Ms Alex James, pottermaniac1458, Princess Felton, PringingPotter, ravenmorrigan, Rose Midnight Moonlight Black, sable2684, Shadow of a Shadow, shadow-flyer, Shinigami's Shadow and SilverPantsSven, SimplySabog, Sliver of Melody, SPEEDIE22, spinnerofdark, StarAngel531, starbright37, TanyaPotter, TeeDee, TheSlytherinMuggle, writerlover101, x-m-u-n-c-h-x, Yana5
Thank you all so much!
To everyone wondering about Rita Skeeter: Don't worry, she'll get her's. Mwahahaha!
Heather: Now what fun would I be if I gave away what Harry'd do in the second task, hm? (You were reviewer number 100, by the way)
Shadow of a Shadow: Yes, I am writing more, but Icandescense is finished. I'm actually writing year five. So! Never fear, updates will be regular!
JusticeIsBlind13: So. . . what's a pendejo? I don't think I've actually heard that before. . .
Now, I've taken up enough of your time, so I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
oOooOo
Harry was reading in bed with Phyrrus when Hedwig tapped at the window. Harry frowned, pulling it open to let her in and kicking Crookshanks out of the room. He liked to sneak up there and pester the boys. Harry secretly wondered if Hermione and the girls didn't have some sort of spying charm on him. Hedwig, not pleased at being ignored, hooted at Harry and held out her leg.
"What's that?" Phyrrus frowned and rested his head on top of Harry's, reading the letter Harry held up.
"It's from Hagrid," Harry frowned as he glanced it over. "Meet me at the entrance to the Great Hall at eleven, bring your special cloak?"
"Sounds like Hagrid. Do you want me to come?"
"If it involves the invisibility cloak, you'd better," Harry sighed, rummaging around for his cloak. "We've only got half an hour, and it'll take us half that to get down there. Better get dressed."
"And I was comfortable, too," Phyrrus whined, but pulled on dark clothing. Harry also dressed in greys and blacks, and the two hid themselves under the cloak, walking carefully down the stairs and out the portrait. They made no noise as they moved, and being around each other so much allowed them not to trip over each other.
"Hagrid?" Harry gave no indication that Phyrrus was under the cloak, so the other teen said nothing and was careful not to draw attention to himself.
"Follow me and stay quiet," Hagrid murmured, leading him out of the castle. Harry glanced the giant over. He was in some sort of hairy sports coat and the broken bristles from what was probably a brush glistened in his hair. An ugly orange tie completed the terrifying outfit, and Phyrrus leaned down, placing his mouth right next to Harry's ear.
"What is he wearing?" Phyrrus hissed, and Harry knew the other's nose was wrinkled in horrified disdain. Not that Harry blamed him, his probably was too.
"I don't know," Harry murmured softly, wondering himself. "Better question, whose he trying to impress?"
"Point," Phyrrus agreed, and his hot breath over Harry's ear made the other shiver.
They followed silently as Hagrid made his way to the Beaubatons carriage, and nearly snickered when it became clear he was attempting to impress Madame Maxime. She looked regal as ever, and Harry and Phyrrus, as much as they loved Hagrid, had difficulty hiding their laughter at his attempts to be suave.
"Guess you can take the boy from the farm, but not the farm from the boy," Harry snickered, and Phyrrus smacked him lightly, grinning. Harry smirked up at his boyfriend, drawing the taller in for a brief kiss before following Hagrid and Madame Maxime towards the Forbidden Forest. Harry sighed, he despised this forest! He wished something large would come and kill it off. Phyrrus didn't care. He'd seen stranger (mostly his cousins, but they were odd enough as it was).
Hagrid followed the outer edge of the forest, which delighted Harry (he wanted nothing to do with those damn spiders), and took them to a large clearing. "Hagrid!" A familiar voice called. Harry and Phyrrus blinked at seeing Charlie Weasely. What was he doing there?
"Heya, Charlie!" Hagrid called, waving. "You got 'em here?"
"Of course! But--what's she doing here?" Charlie gestured to Madame Maxime. She was looking around the area in confusion. A movement to one side caught Harry's and Phyrrus' eyes and they noted Karkaroff lurking in the background. Thoughtful frowns marred their faces as they turned back to Hagrid's conversation.
"I. . . just thought she'd like ta see 'em," Hagrid confessed quietly, and Charlie shrugged. Harry watched in awe as several more men set down four large shapes. A spout of fire from one told both Harry and Phyrrus exactly what they were.
"They wanted nesting mothers," Charlie explained, pointing to the dragons. "I don't know why, they're more fierce that way. Far as we can tell, you've got to get passed them, but don't know much beyond that."
Ten men had to gang up on a huge black dragon to get it stunned, and Charlie shuddered. "I hate whoever gets that one," He pointed. "Hungarian Horntail and nasty as hell."
Harry stared at the dragons. "I'm going to need a lot more fire power," He muttered as he and Phyrrus made their way back. Phyrrus nodded in agreement, then dodged to one side and held Harry close. Barty Crouch came crashing through the branches, missing them by bare inches, and both boys held their breath as the man crashed off.
"Shit, that was close," Phyrrus breathed, and both made their way back to the castle. "What are you going to do?"
Harry shook his head. "I have no idea."
Phyrrus sighed and shook his head, continuing towards the dorm. They slipped inside, still discussing tactics as they slid into bed and nodded off, exhausted from the day's adventure.
oOooOo
The two were awake early, and Harry was nervously worrying his nails until Phyrrus clasped his hands. "Cut that out," Phyrrus muttered, frowning. "You're making me nervous."
"Good," Harry mumbled with a scowl and made his way towards the table, looking up in time to see Cedric leaving. He stopped, staring after the other boy, and slapped his forehead. "Arudo, we're so stupid!" Harry cried, slamming his head down onto the table. "Ow. . ."
Phyrrus raised an eyebrow. "What are you on about?"
"Cedric!" Harry moaned, smacking his head against the table a few more times for good measure before Phyrrus overcame his shock and stopped him.
"Um. . . yeah. . . the other champion?" Phyrrus raised an eyebrow.
"He doesn't know!" Harry hissed, glaring at his boyfriend. "Maxime and Karkaroff were both there, but Dumbledore is so noble he'll play by the rules! Cedric is the only one who doesn't know!"
Phyrrus paled and groaned. "Do we have to tell him?"
"Yes!" Harry snapped, slapping Phyrrus' arm. "I refuse to be an absolute and utter prat!"
"Like Ron is impersonating?" Phyrrus raised an eyebrow to look down the table as Ron glared at Harry. Harry shrugged, but nodded. Hermione, sitting by Ron that morning, gave them both a long-suffering look. Harry shrugged at her and she sighed. It was obvious she wished she had sat next to Harry instead.
"Right. Now, I need to get Cedric alone to tell him. . ." Harry frowned and furrowed his brow in thought. Phyrrus rolled his eyes. Harry on a mission. Now he was never going to get any attention!
oOooOo
In the end, Harry cornered Rayne to help him. Leaving River happily munching on some chocolate with her elder brother, Harry set down the corridor. He knew when Cedric's last class of the day was, and it just happened to coincide with his free period, to his relief. Rayne, who got out earlier than most of the children since she was so far ahead in her charms class, skipped happily next to him.
Pausing at the cross hall, Harry sent Rayne ahead. She smiled and winked at him, then continued down the hallway, chewing on some gum Harry'd offered her for a bribe. Cedric rounded the corner with his friends and, as so often happened since most of the students were unused to looking down, promptly ran over Rayne.
The little girl fell, taking Cedric's book pack with her by "accident" and managing to split one of the seams and send everything in it flying all over the ground. She also managed to break his inkpot. Despite being a genius, it was an unforseen action, and several of the sharp, glass shards sliced deeply into her skin. The eight year old began to wail in pain, toppling to the ground after overbalancing from hitting Cedric.
Hastily shooing his friends off, since they only seemed to worsen the situation--Rayne cried harder whenever they approached--Cedric knelt down. "Hush, little one," He soothed, picking her up out of the mess. "It's okay."
Rayne hiccoughed and continued to sob as Harry turned the corner. Taking in the scene--he hadn't expected blood--he raced over to them. "Rayne?"
"I ran into him!" She sobbed. "And his bag broke and his inkpot broke and hurt me!"
Harry frowned and waved his wand, easily cleaning up the mess, and then turned to inspect Rayne's cuts. She was still clinging to Cedric like a leech, and Harry grinned. "Here, now, you know how to fix those. Your Mom's showed you a million times."
Rayne sniffled and scowled, but demandingly held out one little leg. "You fix it," She told him, tightening her hold on Cedric.
Harry gave her a frown, but did so, ruffling her hair when he was done. "You should let go of him now."
"No. He can carry me back to the tower," Rayne grinned up at the Hufflepuff boy, dimple showing, and Harry had a sinking feeling. Something informed him, rather tartly, that Rayne probably had a crush on the Hufflepuff boy. Oh, brother, was that going to be a mess. But cute, in a strange way. Harry grinned at the little girl and turned to Cedric.
"Since you're here and alone," Harry glanced around the hall as Cedric took a nervous step back.
"Potter, mate, aside from not swinging that way, I think your boyfriend could kick my ass. . ." Cedric began, and Harry laughed.
"Nothing like that," Harry promised between giggles. "Phyrrus knows I'm here anyway. No, I just needed to tell you that the first task is dragons."
"Why are you telling me?" Cedric frowned. "That's supposed to be a secret."
"Yes, but everyone else knows. Karkaroff, Maxime and I have all seen them. You're the only one that hadn't, and I knew the headmaster wouldn't tell you. So I had to."
"So you just gave up your advantage?" Cedric frowned.
Harry glanced at the Hufflepuff. "There are things more important that winning," Harry told him calmly. "And winning means nothing unless all the players have played at their best."
Cedric blinked and nodded, smiling slightly. "You're a good sort, Potter."
"I try. Now, Rayne, let go of the nice boy, and I'll take you back to the dorm."
Rayne stuck her tongue out at the other. "You're ugly and I'm bored," She replied, clinging more tightly. "Cedric can take me."
"Rayne," Harry warned, and the little girl raised an eyebrow. Cedric waved a hand.
"Don't worry about it, she's not heavy."
"You may regret that," Harry warned, but followed after Cedric, chuckling. They continued down the corridor and were nearly to the tower when Harry felt his arm being grabbed. He whirled, wand already out, to face Mad-Eye Moody.
"Professor!" Harry gasped, and the man raised an eyebrow, dragging him down the hall.
"Noble thing you did, Potter," Moody told him. "Telling Cedric."
"Let go, please, Professor," Harry requested, frowning.
"Sure," Moody released Harry, who rubbed his arm, frowning slightly. "Thought I'd better tell you that you should be more careful with such. . . delicate information as that, especially when you're passing it on."
Harry sighed and shook his head. "Sir, I have homework, if there's nothing else."
"I just wondered if you had given it any thought," Moody admitted. "How to pass the dragons, I mean."
"Not really. I've only just found out. But they're right vicious looking," Harry confessed. "I'm not sure what to do."
"Play to your strengths," Moody told him, raising an eyebrow.
"What?" Harry frowned. "How's that going to help me take out a dragon?"
"You have to get passed it, not take it out," Moody pointed out. "So, what are you good at?"
"Flying, but I can't have my broom. . . " Harry stopped, then stiffened. "Of course, sir. Play to my strengths."
"Good. Dismissed, Potter," Moody waved him out and Harry hit the ground running. He had a week to learn a summoning charm. That gave Hermione and Phyrrus a week to preform a miracle.
Well, that was all summed up fairly well in one word.
Shit.
oOooOo
"You're not concentrating hard enough!" Hermione scolded, dodging yet another failed attempt at a summoning charm. "You need to call it to you, not sending it pelting towards me!"
"Sorry, Hermione," Harry put his wand down, sighing. He had been working on the charm all week, and still had little to show for it. Except a pile of pillows at the wrong end of the common room and an dangerously irritated Hermione because she was the one that had to continue dodging Harry's failed attempts at summoning the pillows. And Harry now had under twenty four hours to get the charm right.
"I can't do this!" Harry moaned, flopping into a chair. "I can't figure out this bloody charm!"
"You have to, Harry!" Hermione sighed. "It's the only way you'll be able to get past that dragon! Now concentrate! Call the pillow to you! And get it to at least float in the proper direction!"
"Right, right." Harry closed his eyes, concentrating, and still ended with the pillow flying at Hermione. He sighed and put his head in his hands, rubbing his face. "I can't do this!"
"That's what you think," Phyrrus appeared behind the chair Harry was occupying and started rubbing the smaller's shoulders. "I think you can do it. And how about some incentive?" Phyrrus winked at Hermione and bent down, kissing Harry deeply. Harry melted into the kiss, eagerly opening his mouth to Phyrrus' menistraitions. After a few moments, Phyrrus pulled back, leaving Harry panting and slightly dazed. "Manage the charm, I do it again, and give you a massage. Don't manage the charm, get neither. I'll even be nice and give you an hour." Phyrrus smirked and nuzzled his nose against Harry's neck, kissing it lightly before standing back up and taking up a couch. Harry frowned and turned back to the pillows.
Phyrrus picked up a book to read, and Harry scowled when he realized it was his Defense book. Scowling, Harry sent several more summoning charms at the pillows, still failing miserably. Phyrrus didn't so much as twitch at his curses, and Harry pouted. Gold eyes stayed fixed on that stupid book. Harry silently went back to work. Now he really had incentive. Forget the kiss, Harry was after revenge. And interrupting Phyrrus' reading was an excellent way to get it.
Forty five minutes had passed before Harry managed a consistent summoning charm. He smirked and turned towards the couch, and waved his wand, not even muttering the incantation. Phyrrus' book jerked from his unsuspecting hands, the resulting tug sending the taller teen to the floor, and flew into Harry's outstretched hands. Harry gave his boyfriend a sweet smile and sat on him, leaning over him with a gleeful face. Phyrrus blinked up at Harry, grinning. "I told you that you could do it."
Harry raised an eyebrow and leaned down, capturing Phyrrus' lips in a kiss. Phyrrus moaned into it, pressing his tongue to Harry's lips. The other allowed him entrance, allowing him to deepen the kiss and twine his arms around Harry, pulling him closer. Hands roamed a bit, though never lower than the waist, and both just enjoyed the simple contact of the other. Phyrrus pressed a few kisses along Harry's throat before returning to his mouth, and the two continued to explore each other's mouths for another moment. Panting and heavily flushed, they pulled away from each other. Harry grinned.
"I learned it," He panted, nuzzling Phyrrus' neck. Phyrrus laughed.
"I told you that you could do it!" He pressed a quick, congratulatory kiss to Harry's lips and lifted them both off the floor. Plopping Harry on the nearest couch, stomach first, Phyrrus straddled his hips and massaged Harry's shoulders and back. Harry groaned in relief as his back popped.
"Oh, don't stop," Harry moaned as Ron walked in.
"I knew you were a whore, but fucking each other on the common room couches? That's just sick," He snapped. Phyrrus stiffened, but Harry grabbed an ankle.
"He's giving me a massage, Ron, and if you make him stop before he's finished my back, I'll hex you." Harry groaned as Phyrrus' hands started moving, causing his back to pop yet again. Harry sighed in relief and Ron rushed from the room, a scowl on his face. Phyrrus glared after him.
"Why did you stop me?"
"It's Ron, Phyrrus. He's just being stupid. He's still my best friend, and he'll come to his senses," Harry sighed and relaxed further, eyes fluttering closed. "Besides, I know he doesn't mean what he says, so it doesn't hurt."
"All right," Phyrrus finally agreed, letting Harry up. "Come on, you'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a very, big day." Harry nodded, but didn't move. Phyrrus eventually lifted him lightly and carried him up the stairs, swiftly changing him into his sleep clothes. Phyrrus smiled at the innocent picture Harry made and curled up next to him, making sure the alarm was set. The last thing they needed was for Harry to be late.
oOooOo
Harry pulled on his robes and dashed out of the dorm the next morning, looking wild in panic. Phyrrus and Hermione made sure he ate something, Ginny gave him a good luck kiss on the cheek, and Phyrrus gave him a good luck kiss that Hermione thought looked more like he was trying to find Harry's tonsils and wish them luck too. Ignoring the cat-calls from Krum and Cedric--those two were far too strange for Harry's liking--he made his way with the other champions to the tent set up in the lawn.
"I'm not looking forward to this," Harry muttered to Cedric, who grinned.
"You'll be fine," The elder teen soothed, laughing slightly. "After all, you're Harry Potter!"
"Because I forget that on a regular basis," Harry grumbled as Cedric gave a good-natured laugh. Krum sat down, looking nervous, and stared at the tent entrance. The judges appeared ten minutes later, and all four contestants gulped nervously.
Ludo Bagman held up a sack and looked at the champions in turn. "In this bag is what you will have to face," He told them, holding it out. "You will each pick from the bag and determine both what you will be facing and the order you will go in. Good luck. Oh, and ladies first." He held the bag out to Fleur, who pulled out a miniature of a dragon. Her face set, hard as stone, and she nodded. She would be second to go. Krum pulled out a second dragon. He was first. Cedric pulled out the third, which was also his turn. Harry took a good look at their miniatures and gulped. The only one not chosen was that Horntail.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit! That was his luck! Hesitantly he pulled out the last dragon. The meanest, and he had to go last. Did it get any better? Really, did it? He really wished Phyrrus was with him. Clutching his wand, he smiled sickly as Krum was lead from the tent. He did not feel well at all.
"Harry?" Cedric's gentle voice called him back to reality. "You look sick. Are you all right?"
"Yes?" Harry squeaked, making it sound more like a question than anything. Cedric laughed lightly and patted his shoulder.
"You'll do fine." Cedric soothed, trying to ignore the shouts outside.
"Yeah, right," Harry muttered, clamping his hands over his ears. "This is for seventh years. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a fourth year. What makes you think I'll be fine?"
"Because you will. It's just a lizard." Cedric grinned.
Just a lizard? Harry paused as something he never thought of pulled itself to the surface. He talked to snakes! Granted, snakes and dragons were a bit different, but perhaps a dragon would understand him? Perhaps he wouldn't die a horrible and painful death after all! Cedric offered a cheerful wave as he left for his turn, and Harry sat in the tent, knees knocking nervously, hands clammy, terrified that he would fail. Or die. Or fail and die. Nothing of the combination was of a pleasant sort, at least for him.
"Psst, Harry!" A soft voice made him glance up, and the back wall moved as Phyrrus entered through it. He winked at Harry and grinned. "I borrowed your cloak to get over here. I can't stay long."
"Phyrrus," Harry gasped, relieved as he threw himself at his boyfriend. Phyrrus smiled and hugged him tightly. "I knew you'd be nervous, so I brought myself, and a little advice from a few collective sources."
Harry raised an eyebrow in curiosity, so Phyrrus continued. "Sirius and Remus both say you've got the reflexes to dodge whatever it will throw at you. Mom said to remind you that you're a little more immune to fire than most people because you're a non-elemental and bonded to me. Hermione says to concentrate."
"And what about you?" Harry pulled Phyrrus closer so that his breath whispered across the other's ear.
"Be safe, baby," Phyrrus murmured in reply, his fear ghosting over Harry's senses. "And remember that I believe in you and love you. No matter what."
"That's the best advice I've gotten," Harry murmured, and Phyrrus kissed him, deeply, lovingly, terrified of Harry having to face a dragon. Harry returned the kiss, breaking it off after several, long moments.
"It'll be my turn, soon. Go back to the stands. I want you to watch me," Harry told Phyrrus.
"I will. And I'll tell you all about it afterwards," Phyrrus agreed, pressing another kiss to Harry's lips. This one was soft and gentle. Phyrrus began to draw the cloak on, winking at Harry. "For luck, my love."
Harry touched his lips with his fingers, and smiled. "I'll need it."
With another nod, Phyrrus had disappeared, the flap jostled, and Harry knew he was gone. Still, he sat a bit straighter, filled with a bit more confidence. Phyrrus thought he could do it, and so did everyone else. And Harry grinned. He believed them, too.
oOooOo
When Harry's name was called, the boy-who-lived stepped out onto the field confidently. His group of friends were holding a bewitched sign that read, rather amusingly, "Harry is Flame retardant!" Phyrrus didn't look overly thrilled about the sign, which meant the others had made it in secret, but he did grin at Harry's nervous smile, blow him a kiss, and flash him a thumbs up. River and Rayne were waving cheerfully from their posts on either side of Harry's boyfriend.
The dragon glared balefully at him, and the judges fired a single shot. Harry whipped out his wand, summoning his broom to him and hissed out a plea to the dragon. The dragon glared at him, not comprehending the statement. Harry sighed, grabbing his broom from the air, and took off, spinning wildly to avoid a spurt of fire.
That wasn't good. "Shit," Harry murmured, barrel-rolling to avoid a second shot of flames. "I wish I was flame retardant. That would make life so much easier!" A third burst of fire that had him in a narrow dive made him curse a blue streak before zipping behind the dragon. All he had to do was get to that stupid egg!
He hissed at her again, and when she sent a breath of fire at him, he retaliated in kind. The fire bursts met and exploded, rendering both dragon and wizard temporally sightless. Harry dived for cover, still cursing, and looked up at the dragon once he'd recovered. She had too, it seemed, and now she was on all fours to guard her eggs.
Wait a second. . . Harry stared at the egg. He was so stupid! It was probably warded against summoning charms, but if he could sufficiently distract the dragon, he could easily summon the golden egg! Simple solutions for simple problems, then, Harry decided, taking off. Zooming around the dragon's head in an impressive display, the dragon offered an irritated roar and burst of fire, standing up on her hind legs to reach him. Harry crossed behind her. He had been waiting that shift. "Accio golden egg!" He cried, and stared in absolute shock when the egg actually zoomed towards him.
"You've got to be kidding," He grumbled, spinning out of range of another fire burst and shooting towards the sky. That damn dragon was going to get it, if he ever got a hold on her later, that was for certain. Staring at the egg, which had flown to where he had just been, he watched as it slowly dropped. Spitting curses, he dove after it, catching the edge of that fucking lizard's fire breath on one hand--which made him renew his cursing and question the preferences, ancestors, and other sexual and physical factors of whomever first invented the Tri-Wizard tournament. Three feet from the ground, he caught the falling egg and pulled out of his dive so sharply to avoid yet another fire burst he nearly fell off his broom.
The trained dragon handlers were immediately on the dragon, casting stunners and catching her before she could trample her egg. Harry landed, still cursing, and held the egg aloft.
The stadium broke into cheers. Harry, the youngest in the tournament, was the fastest to get the egg. After receiving his score--forty two points, what a rip off--he was rushed to the medical tent to have his wounds looked at. Which was a few scratches and several burns, the one on his hand the most severe.
"I hate dragons!" Harry burst out as soon as Hermione and Phyrrus appeared. They raised their eyebrows and beckoned the others into the room. Before any one else entered, however, Ron peeked his head in.
"Harry?" His voice was soft, quiet. "I just. . . I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry waved him over, encouraging him to come closer. "It's all--" Phyrrus slapped the other red-head upside the head and them nodded for Harry to continue. "It's all right, Ron," Harry grinned and looked up at his best friend. "Really. I know you were just jealous, and when you didn't go to the press or anything, I knew you weren't mad, just didn't know how to apologize."
"I'm such an idiot. I'm so sorry, Harry." Ron looked at his feet, and Harry grinned, patting the bed next to him.
"Cut the crap, Ron." Harry grinned at the other. "I just got passed a dragon! We got some celebrating to do!"
Ron grinned and Hermione rolled her eyes, waving at the door a second time. This time everyone trooped in cheerfully, grinning and chattering. "I can't believe you just summoned the thing, Harry!" Neville cried, laughing. "I wish you'd seen the look on the judges' faces! It was great!"
"He can," Draco smirked. "Creevy part one has a picture."
"Great!" Neville broke into laughter as the partition moved aside.
"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Cedric asked, grinning as Harry waved for him to pull the partition open. Krum and Fleur appeared as well.
"I cannot believe we didn't think of that," Fleur moaned. "Of all the things to do!"
"I figured it would have been warded, but I tried it anyway," Harry admitted.
"We just assumed we'd have to touch it." Krum groaned. "I can't believe we missed that!"
"I can't believe it worked," Harry muttered as the other champions moaned. Phyrrus pressed a kiss to Harry's lips and lifted him onto his shoulders. Harry squeaked, but relaxed, knowing Phyrrus wouldn't drop him.
"I think we have a party in the Gryffindor common room," Phyrrus waved. "And I'm fairly sure that Cedric has one also, because if not, I'm not too sure who your house was talking about."
Hermione shrugged. "We don't we walk to the castle together, then? It's no fun alone. Would you two like to come as well?" She invited, and Krum and Fluer shrugged, then nodded, and followed them towards the castle. Ignoring the splitting at the entrance hall, Hermione drug everyone into the Great Hall.
Harry grinned. What good was a party not everyone could go to? So the Weasely twins waved from the head table as the rest of the student body--including the students from Dumstrang and Beaubatons–cheered for all four champions.
Harry cheered too. Okay, so maybe facing the dragon wasn't so terrible after all.
oOooOo