A/N: Sorry for the way to late update! I can't seem to write for this story at the moment. Writers block is a terrible thing indeed.

Unfortunately, I won't be updating next week either. I need some time to write and create a few buffer chapters for this story. I will be back with new chapters in their usual size in about a month or two.

Meanwhile, here is a little chapter for you guys.

Sorry!


Remus gingerly sat down in the stands. The full moon had only been last night and he still felt the aches of his transformation. It was better now, with Sirius there to help distract his wolf. Moony didn't get the chance to harm himself or others when Padfoot was there.

Harry too, was chomping at the bit to join them for the full moons though Remus didn't have the heart to tell the cub that it was unlikely he was ever going to be able to join them while the boy was at Hogwarts. There just wasn't enough space for even a juvenile dragon.

Today it was the day of the First Task and Remus was nervous. There would be nesting mother dragons involved and Merlin who knows what Voldemort had done to the Tasks to make it more difficult for Harry. They could only hope it wouldn't harm the other Champions.

A familiar scent of broompolish, fire and lightning approached and Remus smiled as Harry plopped down next to him, "Hey Moony, are you ready for the First Task?"

Sirius, who had sat down after Harry, said, "We all better be ready."

"So wands out, Professor Black?" Hermione asked with a determined glint in her eyes as they all straightened up, ready for anything.

Remus nodded and answered in Sirius's place, "Wands out."

Holding their wands ready, they watched for a while as the workers and dragon keepers set up the stadium. The dragons weren't yet in place and Remus was wondering how they were going to get the dragons exactly where they wanted them to be. Noticing a redhead gently placing a few eggs in a conjured nest with the utmost care, Remus smiled.

Charlie Weasley was here, and Remus had made sure the dragonologist gave Cedric a hint as to what the First Task would contain. Especially after he found out that the the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang champions already knew thanks to their own Headmasters. Of course Dumbledore choose this moment to play completely fair.

A timid tap on his shoulder made Remus turn around.

"Professor Lupin, Professor Black? I wanted to say thank you for contacting my Grandmother about my wand. She got me a new one now and it's really made everything so much easier!" Neville Longbottom blabbled out in excitement.

Remus smiled at his cub's godbrother, "I'm glad, Neville. Everyone deserves a wand of their own."

Sirius grinned, "Augusta might be an old battle axe, Neville. But she does care about you."

Neville flushed, "I know. We had a talk this summer."

The boy was still so shy but Remus was glad to see his confidence growing. Neville wouldn't have had the courage to approach him last year when Remus taught DADA. The new wand and the improving grades really helped with that, as did the blooming friendship between the kid and his cub. Remus was sure that Neville would grow up to be a good man, confident, kind and strong. Just like both of his parents were.

Harry bumped his shoulder against his friends in support, "I'm really glad, mate."

He was brought out by his thoughts as Sirius suddenly asked, "So pup, are you looking forward to the Yule Ball?"

Remus stiffled his snicker when Harry's head shot up, "A ball? What ball?"

Sometimes that boy was so much like his father. James would have reacted the same exact way, ignored all the signs of the ball happening in the exact same way. Lily on the other hand, would have know, researched and prepared for the ball as soon as she knew about it.

"Harry," Remus explained patiently as he tried to keep a straight face, "Haven't you noticed that you were asked to bring dress robes this year? Or seen the notifications on the board in your common room?"

Harry flushed, "I've been kinda busy, I guess."

They chuckled and Remus saw Hermione roll her eyes fondly. Hermione was certainly more like Lily, and had in fact known about the ball ever since the letters were sent this summer.

"Harry, the Yule Ball has always been part of the Triwizard Tournament." Hermione lectured, with a slight smile. "It's always held in between the First and Second Task and the Champions open the Ball with their dates with the traditional dance."

Harry breathed out, relieved, "Merlin, am I glad I'm not a champion."

"We have to find dates?!" Ron blurted out. Apparently he hadn't know either to the twins hilarity. Theo and Blaise Zabini looked at each other, and fell over laughing as Daphne rolled her eyes.

Sirius and Remus chuckled, "Calm down, Mr. Weasley. You still have a while to find a date."

Remus saw the way Harry and Hermione looked at each other before quickly looking away again and had to hide his grin. Hopefully, one of those kids would work up the courage to ask the other before someone else did.

Then the first of the dragons was led in, a Chinese Fireball. The crowd fell silent and Ludo Bagman stood up to start his speech. Remus gratefully tuned him out and focussed on the agitated dragon standing in the middle of the stadium.

Fleur Delacour stepped out of the tent and immediately started singing as she wove her charms. Miss Delacour was powerful, Remus had to give her that, and smart in her approach. But unfortunately, her song wasn't enough to keep the dragon asleep as she went to grab the golden egg. Slightly singed but with the egg under her arm, Fleur Delacour went to the medic tent, head held up proudly.

Then it was Viktor's turn and Remus had to wince, that poor dragon. Krum was brutal in his objective and harmed both the dragon and the precious eggs she was guarding. Remus hoped the young man would lose points for that.

"Ouch." Ron winced. "They better not let Krum near Charlie. He's gonna be so bloody mad right now."

Then it was Cedric's turn and Remus breathed a sign of relief when the young man returned with the golden egg only slightly bruised. Cedric was one of his favorite students, and Remus had worried about the boy facing a dragon. Yet the Hungarian Horntail wasn't done yet.

The dragon seemed agitated, sniffing the air and fidgeting with her wings.

Harry tilted his head, "She's concerned."

"What?" Hermione asked, still keeping an eye on the dragon. "Who's concerned?"

"I think- I think I can understand her. She can smell me, the other me I mean." Harry quietly explained.

Remus eyes flashed, alarmed. "Your Animagus form? You mean she can smell another dragon close to her nest?"

Harry flushed, "She's calling me hatchling. She wants me to come to her."

It was silent for a moment, then Sirius guwaffed, "...You mean she thinks you are a lost baby dragon?"

Ron meanwhile, sighed, "Why is it that every female wants to mother you, Harry?"

Fred and George, who had been sitting behind the trio, snorted loudly and started laughing. Harry flushed a deeper shade of red and Remus held back a laugh of his own. Sirius, on the other hand, had long lost his battle and was laughing as much as the twins.

"All agreed we shall we never introduce Potter to my mother?" Blaise asked the group with a smirk.

Theo and Daphne immediately started nodding, "Agreed."

Harry tilted his head, confused, "Why shouldn't I-"

Suddenly, the chain holding the nesting mother dragon in place broke.

For a moment all was quiet.

Then panicked screams rang out as the people on the stands started to notice what happened. They all seemed to want to get away at the same moment and a stampede formed. Remus and Sirius sprang up, wands out, and stood guard in front of the students still sitting there.

The dragon, meanwhile, watched with sharp golden eyes as the tiny little apes ran for their lives and yawned, showing of her sharp teeth.

"Um, guys?" Harry said doubtfully, after the stands had emptied out and the dragon still hadn't moved from her nest. "I don't think she's going to do anything."


A throat was cleared behind them and Remus turned to look while keeping an eye on the still watchful dragon.

"Charlie!" The three Weasley's exclaimed happily.

Two strongly muscled arms wrapped around the three other redheads and Remus heard a fond, "Ron, George, Fred. How are you three doing?"

The rest of them let them have their privacy as they greeted each other but soon Charlie Weasley came to stand in front of them, hand held out, "Professor Lupin, Professor Black, I understand you two are the poor sods in charge of my siblings?"

Remus chuckled, "Only for Dueling class."

Sirius clapped Harry on his shoulder, "This one is the only one we are always responsible for."

Harry sighed and greeted Charlie, "Hi Charlie, how are you and the dragons doing?"

Anger flashed in the stocky man's eyes at the thought of the dragon and eggs harmed in this insipid Tournament and he said with a quiet growl in his voice, "There are six eggs lost thanks to that bloody Krum and her eyes will take some time to recover too."

He shook his head and smiled at Harry, "But I was very glad to hear you got out of the Tournament, Harry. Mum couldn't be more relieved."

Harry chuckled, "As am I."

Charlie nodded, "Yeah, this really is ridiculous to volunteer yourself for, isn't it? But that wasn't what I came here for." He gave them a serious look, "Now I'm sure you've noticed the Horntails behavior."

They all nodded, a bit nervously since they knew why the dragon was behaving that way.

"I never thought I would have to ask this from my baby brothers and their friends, but is there a possibility that one of you has another baby dragon for me to smuggle out of Hogwarts?"

Remus choked, "Another?!"

Sirius snickered, "Hasn't Harry told you about the time that Hagrid won a dragon egg and they had to smuggle Norbert the dragon out of Hogwarts in the middle of the night?"

"Does this look like the face of someone who knew about the time Hagrid apparently won a dragon egg and let children take care of it?" Remus sputtered out.

"Actually, Norbert is a Norberta. She's doing great." Charlie told them with a happy grin.

Ignoring his guardians for the moment, Harry reassured Charlie, "Really? Huh, Hagrid would be happy to know that. But no, we don't have any hatchlings with us."

Charlie's eyes searched Harry's face and asked slowly, "Good. Well, I suppose you can't tell me why the Horntail keeps looking this way?"

"No, sorry Charlie. It's nothing bad, I promise. But with the way the world is going, it's better to keep our secrets close to the chest don't you agree?"

Charlie sighed, "Ah hell kid, I understand. And I didn't think it was harming the dragon, you aren't like that." Charlie looked over to where another dragon keeper was waving his arms around and sighed again, "Well, it's time to get back to work. Nice to see you all and I'll try to come for a visit before I have to leave again, alright you three?"

The three redheads nodded in understanding and gave their older brother another quick hug. Remus was always glad to see how well the members of the Weasley family treated each other. They truly loved each other and while they weren't perfect, they did try to be there for each other when they could.

It was nice.

Seeing the stands were truly empty now, Remus stood up, "Alright kids, it's time to go back."

As the walked down the stands Harry asked, "We all agree that the chains breaking was Voldemort, right?"

Theo nodded, "It was indeed suspiciously timed."

Hermione hissed, hair sparking, "It was sabotage. He clearly doesn't care that it could have killed so many children if the dragon had been more aggresive."

The walk back to Hogwarts was quiet.