Year Four: The Goblet of Fire
The three magical schools of Europe compete for eternal glory in the form of the Triwizard Tournament. Death Eaters are rising, gathering followers to join Voldemort. Dark times are approaching, threatening everything Marie loves. It's time for bravery. To be the light in terrible darkness...
Chapter Eleven-The First Task
November twenty-fourth.
The classes for the day were to end around midday, so that everyone could be escorted to the dragon enclosure after lunch. Well, not that anyone else knew there were dragons waiting. Marie had only barely managed to tell Draco about what was to come. Pansy and Millie would potentially overreact or would look at her with shock and pity and she just couldn't handle that. She was very glad that the tasks were kept secret, she didn't know what she would do if she had an entire school looking at her as if they were sorry for her.
"Dragons?" repeated Draco after she told him. His voice almost cracked. "Are you sure? Potter could be lying to scare you." Despite questioning Harry's warning, he was as pale as the champion.
"You didn't see him, he's just as scared," she said, shaking her head. "It's real, Draco, I'm going up against-against a dragon..."
"What're you going to do?" he dared to ask.
"Whatever I can, I guess..."
It was a miracle she even fell asleep the night before, tossing and turning with images of fire breathing monsters chasing after her. The next morning came all too soon. The previous exuberance the Slytherin House displayed on Hallowe'en night when she had been selected was replaced with apprehension. Even Pansy couldn't find much to say as she sat her friend down and started to french braid her long hair with shaking hands. Despite not seeing her face, Marie could feel the nervous energy coming from the typically chatty girl.
The morning classes went by in a fog, all information going in one ear and out the other while Marie stared blankly at her text. The entire school was filled with tension as passing students whispered "Good luck" to her in the hall. Fellow Slytherins gave meaningful glances rather than the typical well wishes, touching her shoulder as they passed. One moment she was sitting down for Transfiguration, her first class and the next she was walking to lunch. She had only been sitting for a few moments, picking at the toast on her plate, when a familiar shadow stretched over her. Looking up, she saw Professor Snape standing beside her, hands clasped behind his back. He gave a solemn nod.
"Miss Rogue, it's time."
"Yes, sir," she managed. Stealing one last glance at her friends, she tried to give a smile but it turned into a grimace, her facial muscles not cooperating. Body numb, she got up from her seat and took her place beside her Head of House. Eyes from every table in the hall turned to watch her leave and she held her head up even though her hands were shaking.
The walk was silent as the two dark haired figures made their way across the grounds and toward the large enclosure. A big pinstriped tent had been constructed just beside it. Professor Snape's hand found her shoulder as he directed her toward the tent. Stealing a quick glance, Marie could see him staring hard straight ahead.
"There will be wizards standing by to control the situation in case it gets out of hand," he explained, still not looking at her. "Keep your wits and you should be fine."
But what if... The thought trailed off as she stole another glance at her teacher. Should she tell him? What if something terrible happens and the dragon does kill her? Would he even want to know about her? About their connection?
"Are you all right?" he asked, catching her staring.
"Y-yes. I'll be fine, sir," she told him. The smile came easier this time and he gave a small smirk in return. They came to a stop just outside the tent's entrance.
"I am not allowed inside," he explained. "You're to go inside with the other champions and wait for your turn. Mr. Bagman is inside and will be telling you the procedure." His grip on her shoulder tightened as he made brief eye contact. "Good luck."
"Thank you."
With a sharp turn, he left her alone. Taking a moment to settle her heart and take a deep breath, she then stepped inside.
Looking around the tent, Marie was relieved to see Fleur and Viktor just as pale faced as herself. The blonde was off to the side and sitting on a wooden stool, dressed in a different kind of uniform, though sporting the Beauxbatons blue. Krum was stand near the tent's supportive post, arms crossed, also dressed in the tougher garment that reflected the Durmstrang deep red.
"Marie! Excellent!" chirped Ludo Bagman, making his way over. "Come in, come in! Let's see here..." He trailed off as he picked up a bundle of clothing and pushed it into her arms. "Go ahead and get changed, Miss Rogue. We still have time, still waiting on Harry after all. No hurry, no hurry."
He pushed her off toward a small changing unit, closing the striped curtain behind. Swallowing thickly, she numbly shifted out of her school uniform. The clothes provided were very similar to that of Quidditch gear. Thick material, guards for the legs, knees, and elbows. Even the same thick fingerless gloves. Comforted by the familiarity, it made the change easier. It was as if she was just going to Quidditch practice. The laces tied up just as she remembered, pulling them tight and double tying the laces so nothing would come loose. A long robe train worked in, just like the sport uniform. She turned to look at her reflection to see that her color scheme was black, accented by green with the Hogwarts crest blazing over her heart. It felt good.
Confidence raising, she took another deep breath and stepped out to wait with the other champions.
I can do this.
"Harry! Good-o!" said Bagman happily. "Come in, make yourself at home!" Harry had just stepped into the tent and Ludo handed him his change of clothes as well. Bagman looked out of place as he was overly energized and animated, wearing his old Wimbourne Wasps uniform. Harry had joined them a moment later, his clothes accented with red so to represent Gryffindor. The two shared a quick nod.
"Well, now we're all here-time to fill you in!" said Ludo brightly. "When the audience has assembled, I'm going to be offering each of you this bag-" He held up a small bag made of purple silk and shook it at them, "-from which you will each select a small model of the thing you are about to face! There are different, er, varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too...ah, yes...your task is to collect the golden egg!"
No one said a word. Marie wondered vaguely if they all felt as if they said anything they might be sick. At least, she did. Her body was a bundle of nerves. Partly excited for the task and largely fearful of facing a dragon in order to gain a golden egg. Her insides couldn't decide if they wanted to be excited or ill.
It took no time at all for the footsteps of the student body to draw near, passing the tent. She could hear their excited whispers, the energy radiating from them as they hurried to take their seats. There was only a tent separating her from the rest of the students but she felt like she was in another world entirely. The laughter and voices sounded far away as she remained quietly statuesque. Another second later, it seemed, the footsteps were gone and Ludo Bagman was opening the purple bag.
"Ladies first," he said, offering it to Fleur Delacour. She put a shaking hand inside and pulled out a miniature dragon, perfect in detail with the number two around its neck. Her expression was determined, not startled at all. Harry was right that Madame Maxime told her about the task.
"The Welsh Green!" named Bagman. He turned to the Slytherin. "And now you, Marie."
Wishing she could detach every nerve in her hand, she closed her eyes as she reached inside. Closing her fingers around the first thing she connected with, she drew her hand out and slowly opened it to see what she had picked. The model was covered in silver-blue scales and had a large horn protruding from its head. It was wearing the number one. Marie felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. She had to go first.
"Ah, the Swedish Short-Snout! Excellent!" Viktor Krum was next and he gave nothing away as he reached in and picked a fire red dragon, its face fringed with gold spikes. It was wearing the number three.
"The Chinese Fireball, how exciting!" Bagman turned to face the Gryffindor. "And now you, Harry."
Knowing what was to come, Harry picked the final dragon. It was black in color and had angry spikes coming from its tail with the number four around its neck.
"And the Hungarian Horntail! Well, there you have it!" said Bagman. "You have each pulled out the dragon you will face, and the numbers refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, I'm going to have to leave you in a moment, because I'm commentating. Miss Rogue, you're first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle all right?"
Marie hardly heard him as she shakily took her spot by the tent's entrance as he hurried out to get to his next spot. She felt hot and cold all at once, freezing insides meeting flushed skin as she tried her best not to be sick. Breathing in through her nose, she didn't dare open her mouth.
"Marie-" Flinching, she looked over to see Harry stepping toward her. He tried to say something else but his voice wouldn't work. She gave him a strained smile in understanding.
The whistle blew.
Palms sweating, she left the tent, not daring to look back. There was a slight path connecting the tent to the enclosure and she followed it, unaware if she was moving slowly or if time had wind down due to her nerves. Her fingertips were tingling as she stepped through the threshold.
Everything came into strangely sharp focus when she was inside the arena. Hundreds of faces were staring down at her and there was a faint buzzing in her ears. Were they clapping? She wasn't sure. The only thing she was certain about was the large dragon staring at her from the center of the ring. The entire terrain was covered in oversized rock formation, the arena generous in circumference, giant rocks even climbing the walls. The earth setting made it easy for her dragon to be spotted. The Swedish Short-Snout was truly a beautiful creature, its scales rippling like water, the silver hue catching light while fierce blue eyes locked onto her.
"The first champion is Marie Rogue! Champion for Hogwarts from the Slytherin House and she's up against the Swedish Short-Snout! Typically these dragons don't interact with humans-though still very dangerous..."
Bagman's words faded away as she stepped further into the arena, the dragon not moving a single muscle. She reached into her robes to grab her wand and the Short-Snout unfurled from her nest, tail whipping out with wicked speed. Before she could even understand what was happening, she was knocked clean off her feet as she hit the ground with impressive force before rolling to a stop. Winded and rib cage throbbing, Marie quickly got to her feet and dove behind a large rock to regroup. Reaching into her robe again, she grabbed nothing. Gasping, she patted down all articles of clothing only to confirm her worst fear.
I don't have my wand!
Daring to look around the rock, she could see her wand rolling yards away. The crowd was worked up into a frenzy and Marie didn't have time to pay them any attention as the dragon was prowling toward her wand that still made some noise as the wood scraped against the stone. She couldn't let the dragon get to her wand, it was her only way of finishing the first task and surviving it. Making a split second decision, Marie threw herself out from behind her safe spot and brought her hands up to circle her mouth as she took a deep breath and gave the shrillest whistle she could manage. The sound was amplified by her hands and the arena space.
The Swedish Short-Snout turned to look at her and the two were locked in a minor stare down once again. Upon closer examination, she could see that its front limbs weren't as well built as they should have been. It was more of a flying type than a ground dragon.
"Come on...come on..." she breathed. "Chase me, you brute...chase me..."
When nothing happened for the first moment, Marie felt the adrenaline overpower her every sense, her every nerve as she gave a grin and bent her body in a mocking bow. The stiffness of fear was gone now.
"I-I can't believe it, ladies and gentlemen! Is Marie Rogue taunting the dragon?!"
The dragon shifted toward her and that was all she needed. Her knees bent and her braid flew over her shoulder as she took off.
She wasn't even aware of her body as she moved, the giant tremors hot on her trail. Flying type or not, a twenty some foot dragon still had a more than decent stride. Adrenaline allowed her shocking clarity as she was aware of every possible movement and ability her body had access to. Her hands gripped the rocks as she jumped over the tops of the lower ones, any kind of damage she retained was nonexistent at the moment. The fear was almost enjoyable as the Swedish Short-Snout gained on her. She could hear the dragon inhale a particularly deep breath and she rushed up a rock formation, hands gripping the edge as she flipped over just in time.
Blue flames splashed up against her cover as she brought her arms up over her head. The heat was incredible as it blew down on her with all of its force, even the edges of the rock started to melt under the intensity. Squinting due to the fire's brightness, she could see that they had almost made a full circle around the arena. Actually, her fallen wand was only a short sprint away.
She could make it.
Recklessness tinged with bravery coursed through her as she quickly prepped herself, ready to take the chance. The fire was dwindling and as soon as the blue flames were gone, she took a breath and threw herself forward, braving the scalding heat left in the breath's wake. She didn't hear the dragon as she remained focused on the wand. When the ground tremored again, she lunged forward and snatched up her wand, nails scrapping against the stone. Wide green eyes focused on the giant rock formation that crept up near the judge's stand and she rushed right for it. Magic roared within her as she called upon her natural power.
"DRACONIFORS!"
Dazzling white light erupted from her wand and connected to the stone. The judges looked mildly concerned as their formation dared to tremble. Even the Swedish Short-Snout seemed to stop as the giant rock came to life. Pieces of rubble crumbled and fell away as the true creature morphed out of the medium. A large head, shoulders and front legs followed by a large body, back legs and a tail. Wings unfurled themselves as it stepped forward with heavy footsteps. The transfiguration was a bit rough as some smaller features were lost, such as scales or really defined eyes but it was pretty decent for never having tried the spell on anything close to that scale. In class, the largest thing she had tried it with was an oversized text book.
"Rogue is fighting dragon with dragon! I can't believe this!" shouted Bagman. "Talk about nerve and daring, folks!"
The large rock dragon moved so to stand before Marie, staring the silver-blue dragon down. Looking over the nest, she could see the golden egg nestled in the middle of cement grey eggs. Edging toward the nest, the mother dragon made to move toward the girl.
"Roar," instructed Marie, breathless.
The transfigured dragon rose high onto its back legs so to tower over the Short-Snout and its jaw opened wide to release a deafening roar. Students in the stands covered their ears as Marie took the opportunity and rushed to the nest, despite her teeth rattling from the volume. The Short-Snout lowered its head in response and kept still, cowed. Not knowing how long the spell or dominance would last, she was quick as well as careful to pick up the golden egg and scramble back down.
"And she's got the egg! Marie Rogue has retrieved the golden egg!" announced Bagman.
The rest of the arena seemed to come back into focus as noise exploded from all sides. The dragon handlers rushed to subdue the Swedish Short-Snout and get her taken care of so the next champion could face their challenge. Out of breath and suddenly exhausted, Marie couldn't help the relieved laughter that bubbled up. Grinning broadly, she held the golden egg up for everyone to see, causing another round of cheering to break out.
After returning her transfigured dragon to its former spot and state, Marie turned to face the judges, ignoring the person that was saying she should go be checked by the nurse. Feet set apart, she looked up at the five judges with the large egg in one arm and her wand in her right hand.
Whoever put my name in, it's going to take more than dragons to get rid of me, she thought with fierce determination and pride.
The judges were visible due to their golden chairs and beside each school leader was the former champion acting as a consult. Mr. Bolokov was beaming down at her and Mei Fang had a quiet smirk. The scores were to be marked out of ten and it looked as if Madame Maxime was the first. She raised her wand in the air and a large silver ribbon appeared, twisting itself into a large figure eight.
The crowd applauded and Marie gave an appreciative nod to the Headmistress.
Next was Mr. Crouch and he shot a number eight as well. Marie nodded again and looked to the next judge, Professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore gave her a nine. The crowd went up in volume as she smiled up at her headmaster.
Ludo Bagman gave her a wink as well as an eight. Flushed with the thrill, she looked finally to Karkaroff who seemed to be arguing with Bolokov. He raised his wand.
Six.
The Hogwarts crowd booed at the Bulgarian's decision but Marie could care less as she gave him a smile as well. She had completed the first task and survived; she was on cloud nine. A dragon handler with vivid red hair jogged up to her.
"Come on, you need to get to the medical tent," he said. "And we need to set up the Welsh Green for the next champion anyway." The adrenaline was still pumping through her and she couldn't feel any pain but she followed the older wizard anyway.
"Excellent recovery, by the way. Stupidly dangerous, but brilliant," he commented with a grin. She gave a shaky laugh again, energy starting to subside.
"Thanks," she managed, voice cracking slightly. There was something familiar about about the wizard and the thought didn't hit her until he started to walk away from the medical tent.
"Are you a Weasley?" she called after him. He gave a loud laugh as he jogged to help the other dragon handlers.
"Charlie!" he shouted back.
The tent opened with a snap as Madame Pomfrey's eyes locked on her, giving a huff. "In you get, Miss Rogue." Without any hesitation, she did as she was told, still smiling.
The nurse made short work of the thick outer garment and tossed it to the side, leaving the girl in the trousers and green long sleeve shirt, guards and gloves gone. Next, the shirt was tugged off, with a sharp yelp from Marie. Pomfrey paid the girl's deep flush and dark bra no mind and she waved her wand over her torso and back, both of which had deep bruising from being hit by the dragon's tail and then the rocky terrain she had landed on. Searing heat took over as the magic washed away the discoloration and straightened out a rib that was jostled. All the while Madame Pomfrey was fuming under her breath.
"Dragons! Last year dementors, this year dragons, what are they going to bring to this school next? Hold out your hands," she instructed. Marie did as she was told and she was able to see that her fingertips were bloody and split open where the gloves didn't protect her. Pomfrey dabbed at them with some purple liquid that stung sharply but then with a wave of her wand, they sealed up without so much as a scar.
"You're very lucky you weren't hurt any worse than you were, Miss Rogue. Very lucky," she chided. "Dragons...I just don't believe it..." She handed her the green shirt which Marie pulled on quickly, blush cooling. There was whispering outside of the tent and someone shushing another person loudly. Pomfrey sighed and rolled her eyes despite the small smile that pulled at her mouth.
"Yes, you can come in."
The tent flap was thrown open as the fellow Slytherins rushed inside to find their champion. Marie hopped down from the table and Draco had found her first, faster than the two other girls. Wide smiles broke out across both of their faces as they bolted for each other. With a jump, Marie had her arms around his neck and legs around his waist as they hugged each other tightly.
"You got past a bloody dragon!" declared Draco, leaning back to look at her.
"I got past a bloody dragon!" she repeated, laughing. She blushed brightly as he gave her a quick kiss to the cheek and set her back on her own two feet. Pansy and Millie then joined the group hug, squeezing the girl tightly.
"I couldn't believe it-"
"A dragon!"
"You were brilliant!"
"A dragon!" repeated Pansy, as if her point needed to be mentioned again. The group of friends stayed together as they gave Marie a play by play of what happened outside of her adrenaline fueled perspective. Apparently it was very dramatic, with her running and the dragon quite literally on her heel.
"I can't believe you just made yourself bait like that!" said Pansy. "What were you thinking? I thought my heart was going to stop, watching you run!"
"I was thinking that I needed to get it away from my wand, and I thought I might be fast enough to outrun it," Marie explained with a laugh.
"Might?" asked Millie. "You risked your life on a might?"
"Not much else I could risk it on," said Marie, grinning.
The rest of the task went by in a blur. Fleur Delacour had tried to put her dragon into a trance and while it did somewhat work, the dragon had snored and caught her trousers on fire. She had put it out with a quick stream of water from her wand, but she still had to go be checked by the nurse for any lasting burns. Viktor Krum had used the Conjunctivitis Curse against his dragon and it was effective to some degree, but it had squashed half of the real eggs which did dock him points. Then, finally it was Harry's turn and he had used the Summoning Charm to call on his Firebolt. His time was the shortest to get the golden egg and he tied with Viktor for first place (because Karkaroff gave Krum a ten and Harry a four) with Marie in second and Fleur in third.
Champions were summoned back to the first tent and Marie had to leave her friends for the moment. She walked in with Harry and she gave a smile.
"Good job." He smiled back.
"You too."
Ludo Bagman bounded into the tent, excitement bursting from him in waves. "Well done, all of you!" With his enthusiasm, it was as if he had gotten past the dragon.
"Now, just a few quick words. You've got a nice long break before the next task, which will take place at half past nine on the morning of February the twenty-fourth-but we're giving you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at those golden eggs you're all holding, you will see that they open...see the hinges there? You need to solve the clue inside the egg-because it will tell you what the second task is, and enable you to prepare for it! All clear? Sure? Well, off you go then!"
Marie found her friends once more as they headed up toward the castle, her biggest concern being where she was going to get a bite to eat because she was starving.
February was ages away.
REVIEW! Your thoughts would be loved as always, my readers! (ps: The spell Marie uses is referenced in chapter 5, on a clearly smaller scale)
Whew! The first task is done and everyone is safe, thank goodness! The next task isn't until the end of February but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do, oh no. Because it's going to be December, which means snow, Christmas, and most importantly, the YULE BALL! So excited! Be sure to let me know who you think Marie should go with and all that fun stuff!
Next time: December, getting ready to put on dancing shoes and (gulp) find dates?
Enjoy!