Chapter 11 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, unsure of how much magic was used to simulate battling the creature, but it was incredibly advanced. 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.

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 of 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.

Screw this competition! Harry swore. He tore from his hide out, and tackled the girl. 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.

"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. It felt like he was 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, he 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 the 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.

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 working together with Harry had been an absolute treat. The standings were as follows:

1) Hogwarts

2) Wiztech

3) Beauxbatons

4) Durmstrang

It was obvious Hogwarts had done best. Jerko had actually been injured, so he actually needed the eye-patch. 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…

Chapter 11 Parties and Parties and Partygoers

If naming the champions was worth a good romp, the after-party for the competition was worth a shindig on top of a mixer. Justin danced crazily with Ginny, while Harry hopped up and down with Alex. Viktor was trying to talk to Hermione, but Ron was doing a decent job of keeping them apart.

Max and Luna were having an after-party/game commentary, where they both shared their opinions on what had happened and what was going on at the party.

"Justin probably wants to get rid of the deleterious dragon fungus, which tends grow on boys…" Luna was cut off by Max who wondered loudly about himself, then popped his head down into the wizard robes someone had given him. And then he announced that it was moss, not fungus that he was growing.

Harry was finally enjoying himself. The second task was months away, and all he had to worry about was the yuletide ball.

The party wound down quickly. The wizard police had been called in to break up the party (read as riot) leaving Justin and Cedric free to go back to the trophy room.

"He's barmy, Harry, heard him talking to it the other day. Think it talks back when nobody else is around?" Ron breathed during dance class. It had begun as uncomfortable as possible with Max going out and doing his 'distraction dance', which ended with McGonagall driving him off. Ron had grabbed his sister, and Draco had taken an unwilling Alex. Once partner switches came up, Justin got Ginny, and Harry managed to get Alex. Hearing the word 'creeper' come out of her mouth was not reassuring, but Harry started a conversation.

"So…. Are you going?" He asked her.
Alex laughed, "I generally stand apart and mock this stuff, but this time… I think I'll go. Justin seems to want to ask the stupid cup to be his date! If he spent any more time in there it would be family." She blushed and added, "I think Justin already asked Ginny." She whispered, "She told him she wasn't allowed to go at the party, and he demanded she go with him. They aren't much of a couple though, I mean, I can't go, what about me?" She whined.

Harry chuckled, and feeling daring, added, "I'll take you."

The dance ended with Harry getting himself a date.

The Stone of Dreams interlude. Well, that was part one, part two is on its way.