Dragons. Interesting. He starred at the small figure of the Hungarian horntail scrambling over his hand and hissing at him. He glanced to the other three champions who had all paled slightly. They were alone in the tent for at least a few minutes. Harry dropped the dragon figure to the ground and crushed it under foot in irritation. It gave a shrieking cry before it silence. Harry pushed the broken pieces away. The other three were staring now.
He pulled out his violin, which he had brought to the tents. He couldn't take it into the test but he could still play before then. He cast a wandless charm around the tent so noise didn't emerge. He brought the violin to his shoulder and raised the bow. The three watched in a curious manner. As he started to play they visibly relaxed. His melody floated through the tent, soothing all their troubles and worries until they were slouching comfortably. Soon Victor was called out. An hour and a half later Cedric exited as Fleur was declared safe. Harry set the violin away. Forty minutes later Harry was let out of the tent.
As he emerged he found himself in a large stadium. Surrounding it were stands full of students and parents, along with others. He spotted the dragon next. It was chained to the ground near its catch of eggs. He studied the layout of the arena as Ludo Bagman introduced him from the judge's panel. Then Harry walked closer to the dragon. It spotted him and snorted a warning. He stepped closer, staying just out of reach of its tail and claws. It gave a louder growl and the crowd hushed to watch. He smirked at the dragon and it gave an irritated snarl.
Then it sucked in and let out a stream of hot red flames. People screamed as he didn't even raise his wand. As the fire got closer Harry threw out his arms. The fire ran around him like an invisible shield had shielded him. He turned his hands and the fire wrapped in a ball above him. He threw the huge fireball right back at the dragon. The dragon howled as it burned its neck and face. They were strong with thick skin, but their own fire was powerful enough to hurt them.
Harry started to run towards the eggs. He heard screams and knew the tail was coming. At the last possible moment he did a back flip. His arms hit the tail and pushed him off into a flip. Gasps of awe were heard. He kept running, turning to run backwards to face the dragon. It howled at him through its pain. He made a ball of white fire appear in his hand and he threw it towards the dragon's face. He had watched how dragon fire was made. It was made of the magic a dragon had, which couldn't be used for anything. Just its life force, mixed with flames. He couldn't make dragon fire which was probably the only kind of fire that could harm a dragon…at least that he knew of. His own white hot flames would just distract it.
The white flames splashed across its face and it howled, tumbling backwards away from the eggs. It started to rub its face in the dirt as if to clean its face. Harry dived for the gold egg. Once it was in his arms he was running back towards the gates. He threw another fireball to distract the dragon. When he reached the finish line the dragon was howling in fury and he was unscratched. Dragon handlers rushed in, forcing the dragon to sleep as Madam Pomfrey stepped up to him. A quick spell later and she nodded to him before wandering off. He was unharmed.
"Well everyone. That was an incredible display of Potter's fire element abilities. And the flip was also amazing. The most amazing thing though was he didn't draw his wand once. He got out unscathed and within ten minutes, the record so far!" The announcer shouted over the cheering. "Now let's see how our judges rated him."
Harry looked up to the judges table. Ludo Bagman raised his wand and silvery numbers shot out. 10. Madam Maxine stepped up looking at him with respect but a stubborn hesitation. 9. Dumbledore rose and held up his wand, giving him a jolly smile. 10. Barty crouch rose, frowning. 8. The crowd booed. Karkaroff rose giving him a scowl. 8. More boos but Harry was impressed. He had expected a very low mark from the last. The judges sat and the announcer stepped forwards again.
"Well, there you go folks. In first place we have Harry Potter with forty five points. In second is Victor Krum with forty points. Third is Fleur Delacour with thirty nine. Fourth is Cedric Diggory with thirty six. The next test will be April the 1st! The egg is also the champion's clue to the next event. Hopefully they can figure it out."
Everyone cheered and Harry looked the egg over as the stands emptied. The ground behind the stand had been set up with tables and chair, set with lunches courtesy of the house elves. Most spectators and parents would stay for a few hours. Harry stepped into the tent from before to avoid the crowds. He found Victor Krum sitting on a bed, a few scratches and bruises on him. Fleur appeared only slightly shaken and banged up. Cedric had the largest wound, a scrape up his arm that wasn't even that bad, Pomfrey was actually just finishing healing it. They looked up as he entered and as Pomfrey left.
"Saw your match." Cedric said with a shaky grin. "It was amazing."
The other two gave slight nods of agreement. Harry shrugged. At that moment two people burst into the room. Maen and Noir grinned widely at him. Noir grabbed him and swung him around in a hug.
"Little Flame! You did great! And we missed you!"
The man stopped spinning him to kiss his cheek. Harry pried himself from the vampire's grip and gave Maen a hug also.
"Hello." He said calmly.
Noir just smirked at them.
"Come on. The Pet-man is waiting."
Harry gave Noir a flat stare. Then Noir's eyes widened as he looked around quickly.
"Quick Maen! The mad healer is coming!"
Maen rolled his eyes but followed just as quickly as Noir darted under the back of the tent. A moment later Pomfrey entered looking around. Then she nodded curtly.
"I though I saw someone come in here. Must be mistaken."
She walked off again.
"Okay…" Cedric said slowly. "Who were they?"
"Friend of mine." Harry said waving a hand absently.
.--.
Harry wondered through the throng of people milling about the grounds, avoiding as many congratulations as possible. Finally he found what he was looking for. The area was quite clear of people, everyone giving the people a ten foot radius. D was sitting at one of the many tables spread around, drinking some tea and eating some cake. Lying at his feet were a large white tiger, a jackal, and a large green lizard. Harry walked into the small 'clearing' and sat at the table. D slid him a cup of tea and some extra cake. Harry nodded and dug in. They shared a moment of silence.
"You did well." D said.
Harry nodded to the compliment.
"That dragon was magnificent. I need to get one." The man said dreamily.
Harry's lips twitched into a small smirk. Harry's eye caught sight of Blaise and Hermione standing looking at him as if asking if they could come forwards to sit with them. Harry shook his head curtly and they nodded, sliding back into the crowd. D barely cast them a glance. Two minutes of silence later Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape broke from the milling people and walked towards them. Dumbledore had a cheery smile on his face as he hummed, Snape was scowling, and McGonagall had a stern expression on. The last two hesitated before walking closer to the table and the dangerous animals. Dumbledore just walked right over and plopped in a chair, pulling out a candy to pop in his mouth. D sent him a smile Harry took as amused.
"Ah, Count D? Nice to meet you. I'm Albus Dumbledore." Dumbledore introduced. "This is Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape."
They all nodded to him a D nodded back.
"Nice to meet you." D said politely sipping his tea.
For a moment a silence reigned as both parties looked one another over.
"May I ask, Mr. D, how you came to be Harry's Guardian?" Dumbledore asked seriously.
"Please, just call me D." D smiled. "And I became his guardian after he asked me to. He and the Dursely's had never gotten along and we knew each other quite well, so I signed to be his guardian."
Harry mentally smirked. That was a lie. They had barely known each other at all. Harry still didn't understand to this day why D had signed as his guardian.
"Ah." Dumbledore nodded.
Then the old man smiled and stood.
"Thank you. I must be going now, but I would like to say you have some magnificent animals."
D smiled at the compliment. Then Dumbledore and McGonagall walked away. Snape paused. He looked at Harry.
"Your two…friends, are over by the stadium waiting for you."
Harry nodded and Snape hurried off. D smiled into his cup of tea.
"Already have loyal followers? How much longer till you rule magical Britain?" He mocked.
Harry just stood and nodded to D before walking off.
.--.
End of Chapter 32.