Chapter 10 The First Task, and the First Fallen

Harry's stomach was doing backflips. Krum's Reserve had just been hurtled out of the stadium like a fanged Frisbee.

And the morning had been going so well….

Mr. Crouch announced that they would be fighting dragons. Nobody had been shocked. Harry, for his part, had told Cedric about the first task. Viktor had been seen out on the grounds practicing against something resembling a dragon. Harry had used the invisibility cloak. There was no way to know how much magic was used to simulate battling the creature, but it was incredibly advanced. The young wizard felt quite immature in comparison.

Hermione had reported Madame Maxine had been talking to her students on possible tricks to use against a dragon. Harry was grateful the Grangers had taught her some French.

Cedric had come up with a plan to transmute a rock into a dog as a distraction. This plan would split the risk between himself and the dog, hoping that cutting the danger in half would be enough to distract the monster, and not put Harry at risk.

"I don't want a kid's death on my hands," He said sincerely. (It did nothing to help Harry feel like a real competitor.)

This plan was pretty good, except for one complication. Well, four complications. The champions would be going simultaneously, against four dragons. Seconds in, it was obvious everyone there was severely outclassed.

Once the dragons were released shrieks drowned out the roaring. Cedric had pushed Harry down and was doing a reasonable job of fighting a dragon with Jerko's help. The two had shared responsibility by alternating between blasting water and throwing up a shield.
Harry spotted a little blonde girl clutching a gilded flute screaming and crying behind Fleur who was dancing furiously. The whipping hair had attracted his attention as she bounded back and forth to take on a dragon all by herself. (And, by the way, whoa, what a woman!)

Screw this competition! Harry swore. He tore from his hideout, and tackled the young girl who clutched the flute. She shrieked, and then realized it was a human holding her down. A blast of fire roared over his head. Harry looked up seeing the singed back of a sooty Justin who had foolishly took on his own, and also anger Fleur's.

"Got a plan?" They both screamed.

"I need my broom," Harry shouted, spraying water across the ground trying to keep the fires back, but only succeeded in making it slippery.
"Accio broom!" Justin shouted. A scream of pain attracted his attention. Jerko was rolling in the ground clutching his eye. The nimbus 2000 came rushing in. Harry felt an invisible connection to it, something he could not define. The thing came in at a perfect arc, as if an old lover was finally being reunited with her man. He was like a bird, meant for flying, struggling across the earth to his wings. Being a wizard meant that he was an oddity- until he could fly. Then, once in the air his first year, Harry knew that he was finally where he belonged. All he had to do was outrace a dragon to win.

...The beast had other plans.
It was like the dreams in Voldemort's mind, only this time, extremely pleasant. He could see his feet slipping and sliding in his body, but he also felt the broom soaring towards him. The Hungarian dragon was hounding his every step. Remotely, he heard Ginny screaming his name, and a surge of pain down his back… he jumped… then he was airborne. Freedom, sweet, fresh air, and lightness flooded him.

This was his element. The crowd roared appreciatively. Every eye, including intimidating dragon eyes, turned to see him. He rushed upwards. Cedric sent up a flash of red sparks, signaling Harry he was ready. A barking sound told him the dragon was distracted.

I hope there aren't any animal lovers in the audience, Harry thought to himself. He aimed at the Horntail, determined to out-fox it. Charging it was almost suicide-so that's exactly what he did. Harry swooped under its jaws, between its legs, and grabbed the golden egg. For good measure, he whipped back, tangling the dragons together, and grabbed the mutt, which licked his face.

Harry handed Gabrielle the dog, walked into the champion's tent, and then broke down mentally.

Alex had never been more excited or more afraid. Max was going nuts.

Justin was going to fight a dragon! Sure, she had faced one, but still... she had released it purposefully, and manipulated events to rip its heart out. (A.N. Merlin's Hat reference) Even though it all went according to plan, she had barely survived. She had fought an adolescent Yellow-bellied Canadian, it almost killed her.

A Hungarian could kill a Yellow with one claw. There was no doubt that Justin would go right for the most challenging one. He would feel it was his duty to do it. Alex knew Jerko would leave her brother to die if he could. He had written her a note it class. A picture of her brother with a little rhyme about fire showed up on her desk, and then burst into flames. It was hard to ignore that image.

She was sitting with Ginny, Hermione and Ron, the last being withdrawn and moody.

Alex was cheering the champions. When Justin's name was called, she cheered as loudly as possible. Max, true to form, dressed down, painted green with scales and red lips. He had used magic to glue on horns and grow wings. (She sincerely hoped it was not with a Permanent Gluing Charm.) He danced a bit, and told Justin to distract the dragon.

Halfway through saying, "Harry James Potter" Some nincompoop released the dragons. The announcer lost all sense of decorum, swearing on Merlin's outhouse, and running for cover. The champions froze for one second, and then surged forward, ready for whatever fight came their way.

Justin, predictably, was taking on as much as he could. Jerko, also predictably, abandoned him. The Delacour girls were using magical music to lull the dragons into a peaceful slumber, which would have worked if Viktor had not shot a curse into the eye of his dragon, causing it to flail uncontrollably into the others. Alex let out a scream as her brother stepped between Harry and a fire blast. Justin began working together with Harry. The two managed to get the mission accomplished. Alex cheered as loudly as possible when Justin took on three of the four, all at once. She had never been more proud.

The standings were as follows:

1) Hogwarts

2) Wiztech

3) Beauxbatons

4) Durmstrang

It was obvious Hogwarts had done best. When Jerko had been injured, it hit his eye- so he actually needed the eyepatch. Viktor had done a fine job, but was penalized for the loss of his partner. Fleur had only failed due to outside interference, since her plan likely would have worked had it not been for Viktor's interference.

Alex ran up to Justin, who smelled like dragon breath, and hugged him, crying. She kissed his cheeks and told him how worried she had been. He held her like she was his heart in his hands.

Alex knew the second task would be worse…

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