YokaiAngel - thank you! Neither have I, it's one of the reasons I was looking forward to this year. Something new!

Kitsune Jewel - Like I said, trust your author! Also, Voldesnot is beautiful and I may have to use it.

Jon - I am confirming or denying nothing (other than Vlad being the fourth, because that's already confirmed). It might be Ron, or it could be completely unrelated and you will have to wait and find out. Also, is that the best you can do? I'm expecting corruption and all you give me is a butt tattoo? (which is not something I get to often say)

I'm also going to apologise in advance for the fact I'm probably (definitely) not going to be brilliant with Krum or Fleur and their native speech patterns. I'm not going to apologise to your personal preference for how this scene went book vs film - I support Gambon! And credit to Alex for her 'poetry' that I couldn't resist putting in.

-YDHP-

"Vladimir Dracula!"

It felt a bit like the entire hall turned to look at Vlad, and the whispers began almost instantly. The only expression Vlad cared about was Harry's, and at least his mate did not look angry. All the same... how had his name come out of the goblet?

"He's a cheat!"

"Not even seventeen!"

"Bloody Gryffindors."

Rather than let it continue to fuel tension, it was clear he was expected to go up to Dumbledore and be taken aside to explain himself. Legs feeling like lead, he stood and tried to walk up to the headmaster carefully. He was pointed to the side door with several intense, confused and an array of other emotions-based expressions.

Being at least three years younger than them, it was no wonder these three 'champions' were utterly perplexed by Vlad's appearance. He could relate.

"Vhat is it?"

"Do zey want us back?"

Up this close, it was blatantly, painfully obvious the blonde French girl wasn't human, and she could clearly see the same - creature blood recognising creature blood, though he was sure they had heavily suspected each other were anyway. Vlad hadn't figured out what to say when a veritable storm of adults appeared behind him.

Madame Maxime had to push a chandelier out of her heads way - one that was a clear two feet above Vlad's head. Igor Karkaroff immediately put himself between Vlad and his own student, and Dumbledore was quickly up in Vlad's face.

"Did you put your name in the Goblet Vlad?"

"No!"

The headmaster was close enough that Vlad could tell what he had eaten for dessert - his breath smelled like lemon and sugar, tart and sweet and mildly overpowering up close.

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"

"Of course not!"

He got the distinct sense that Dumbledore didn't believe him, but he wasn't alone.

"Of course he is lying!"

Madame Maxime either knew he was a vampire as much as he knew she was part giant, or she thought he was about to kill Fleur Delacour anyway. Bats only knew why, but she was probably the scariest death glare from a female Vlad had ever had - minus Ingrid, Hermione and his mother. In that order.

"Why would I? I don't need money, I don't want fame and glory, and I have plenty of threats on my life being Harry Potter's best friend. What possible reason do I have to enter this mad competition?"

Karkaroff scoffed, giving him a disdainful once over.

"Showing off, being a rulebreaker?"

"That would be my sister. And you're missing a rather valid point."

That made several of the people in the room stall - including Bartemius Crouch, who still made Vlad uncomfortable for no discernable reason, Professor McGonogall as well as the three champions and their schools heads respectively.

"Which is?"

"Clue is in the name. Triwizard tournament. In case you haven't noticed, there are already three champions. Even if I had slipped past age lines and enchantments, which I didn't, I'm still a Hogwarts student."

Vlad wasn't certain there was any other time he had rendered a whole room of adults silent.

"It matters not. The Goblet Of Fire constitutes a binding magical contract. Regardless of how it was done, young Vladimir is a Triwizard Champion."

"That means Hogwarts has two champions! An unfair advantage!"

"I insist the impudent vampire cheated!"

Now he thought about it, Vlad supposed everyone had either more than an inkling or concrete knowledge about his vampiric status.

Except Cedric Diggory.

"Wait. Wait. Vampire?"

"We aren't supposed to publicise it, but have you met Ingrid?"

Cedric faltered, considered his words for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Fair point. Anyway. How does this work?"

He indicated himself and Vlad - both Hogwarts champions. Nobody answered immediately, but both headmaster and headmistress of the rival schools were soon anxious to demand equality.

"We shall let ze goblet select a second champion each!"

"Impossible. The Goblet has already gone out. It won't reignite now until the next tournament, which is no time soon."

"Then disqualify the cheater!"

"How can I cheat by doing nothing?"

Vlad was growing irritated with the way everyone was talking about and around him but nobody was actually talking to him.

"There is nothing to be done. The tournament has four champions."

"Besides, if you cannot prove the vampire cheated you shouldn't be tossing accusations around Karkaroff."

At least someone was in his corner. Sort of. Professor Tonks slid into the room - undoubtedly picked to check on everyone because Bertrand knew Vlad would stake him for leaving Harry and Ingrid unsupervised with all the heads in here, and that little weasel around. And, he remembered, Karkaroff was a convicted death eater, Tonks an auror. The Bulgarian man glared, but silenced.

All the same - why would any fourteen year old enter this against three seventeen year olds? Granted he was powerful and more academic than a fair few of his peers, but there were still disadvantages. And how?

"I reckon" Tonks slung an arm around Vlad's shoulders, grinning and her hair turning bright purple "some brainiac must have hexed that goblet to Hades and back, and entered Vladdo here under a fourth school. If he was the only option, who else would it pick?"

Cringing under the nickname, he wasn't about to look a gift bat in the mouth as she both defended him and had valid ideas, but Vlad was mildly uncomfortable at the least with Tonks and her exuberant friendliness. At least she wasn't bothered by his vampirism like Remus Lupin had been.

Surprisingly, the other 'champions' didn't seem that fazed. Viktor Krum was, as ever, giving Vlad a rather intense, searching look. Whenever he caught his eye, the expression was the same. He put it down to curiosity about magical vampires, or perhaps curiosity about Harry. Actually, he considered that a saving grace of sorts - whoever did this wasn't his friend, this could well be a lethal series of events. But at least it wasn't Harry in his place.

The other heads, clearly hot and irate they hadn't gotten their way, dragged their students off in short order, leaving Vlad and Cedric with what felt like half the staff of Hogwarts. Apparently his own headmaster couldn't resist asking again, like Vlad didn't already give them reasons this was definitely not his idea.

"You're certain you are not responsible for this?"

"Only by apparently warranting being killed off. Because I wouldn't voluntarily put myself in harms way for - no offence Cedric - fame and money. Surely I've demonstrated that by now."

If facing down Lord Voldemort, a werewolf pack, a basilisk and a possessed teacher - almost solely for Harry's sake alone - wasn't proof enough for the headmaster, Vlad didn't know what would be. Tonks, who was still using him like a conveniently placed vampire leaning post, added a cheeky wink to her boss, who nodded severely before sweeping back out.

"Give it five, let the hall clear a bit. Don't worry Minerva, I'll see he makes it to his tower safe."

Barty Crouch had somehow melted away in the hubbub and general chaos, and after McGonogall left and Cedric stood around, shrugged and then left himself, it left Vlad with his eccentric and probably insane Defence teacher.

"Wotcher. I'm in the school to keep an eye out for just such trouble. Somehow I expected it would be Potter, but I suppose you're basically the next best thing. You didn't do this?"

"No."

"Ok. I believe you. Stay away from Karkaroff, he's-"

"A death eater. I know. I'm more concerned with keeping that little rat away from my sister."

Something about Tonks' expression said she knew - perhaps the ministry knew Ron had been expelled for sexually assaulting a petrified Ingrid - why Vlad wanted to use him to test poisons on, but she let the topic slide.

"Right. So, now you go and stick to you didn't do it, though you know a lot of folk won't believe it. Day after tomorrow, there will be that Ollivander wand bloke coming to eyeball your wand and check it's up to scratch, even if you hardly need the damn thing" he didn't bother asking how she knew, Tonks was a genius, in a mad scientist sort of way "and there will also be this psychotic reporter woman. Am I right in thinking you have no trouble appearing in photos yet?"

"Not until I'm sixteen. Do I have to get my picture taken?"

"M'fraid so. The torture starts early. Come on, let's get you to the tower. Don't know a shortcut by any chance?"

Tonks was actually surprisingly easy company, and amusing when she pretended they were on a covert mission to sneak behind a portrait of a unicorn to skip the worst of the busy corridors. She dropped him off at the Fat Lady, told him to stay out of trouble and shoved him into the common room.

Gryffindor were, by definition, awful gossips and loved any excuse to make a ruckus. So the uproar that greeted Vlad didn't surprise him, but there was no way he could even begin to try and answer the hordes of questions thrown at him. All he could do was repeat himself.

"I didn't put my name in that cup."

By the time he escaped up to the dorm, Vlad felt a touch frazzled. His locked journal was humming - he had a message from Ingrid waiting. It could wait a minute longer. Most of the Gryffindors hadn't followed him, but Fred and George Weasley had this annoying habit of not letting things go.

"Come on Vlad"

"You can tell us."

"How did you do it?"

"Because we just got beards!"

Shrugging them off with a grimace, he hunted for his pyjamas with hopes of escaping to the bathroom.

"I didn't do it. I wish they had said it was somehow invalidated, but now I don't have a choice."

Managing to shake them with the threat of him stripping whether they were there or not, the twins left and Vlad was able to shower in peace. His dorm mates, however, weren't any happier to let the matter drop. Rather than immediately answer the looks, Vlad grabbed his two charmed journals - Hermione was undoubtedly desperate to know the ins and outs too.

"Spill the blood little brother."

"I didn't do it. I have a feeling this is absolutely meant to kill me off."

"Hmm. Any suspects?"

"Tonks seemed to be watching Karkaroff closely, but that could be standard for an auror and a convicted Voldie-follower."

Ingrid took a while to formulate a response, so Vlad jotted out a more simplistic 'tell you tomorrow' to Hermione, because they would have classes and breaks together, then studying and meals. Far more opportunities than he would have to tell Ingrid, who would likely be surrounded by her usual fan club, plus the Durmstrang boys who had taken to her, and plenty of Slytherins would want to know how Vlad had 'cheated' the rules - both age, and being a secondary Hogwarts champion.

"Makes sense. You managed to help get Harry out of that graveyard, and then had the nerve to stop a pack of rabid dogs eating students. He must be eager to rip your face off some time soon."

"Thanks Ingrid. Comforting. I'm meant to have tutoring tomorrow, come along? I have a feeling Bertrand has been thinking non stop about this, so it won't be my usual studying I expect."

"Suits me. Go away."

Ingrid often signed off like that, as though ending a conversation was always her idea and that she had grown bored of him already. Flipping the book closed, he felt multiple sets of eyes on him.

"I didn't do this. Would it help if I had it written on a t-shirt?"

"Hey Vlad. We don't judge, but you gotta know people will want to ask."

"What Neville said."

Dean and Neville watched him closely, Seamus had even forgotten to glare quite so intently in his intense curiosity. Both Draco and Harry believed him, at least, they didn't look like they thought he was lying.

"I want to ask, I would love to know who wants me dead without getting their hands dirty. Because let's face it, this is meant to be so dangerous they originally cancelled it for the 'mounting death toll'. And I'm three years behind the other contestants, so I'm at two disadvantages here."

"Two?"

"Three years of spell work and a second magical growth spurt."

He wasn't even the only creature competing, because Fleur Delacour was part something. Her ethereal appearance and unicorn-glow-gold hair made him lean to something like a siren, or maybe a veela, but with it clearly diluted with human he wasn't sure.

"So, what happens now with it?"

"I have no idea. I have to go along to this thing with the other three to check our wands are working on Saturday, guess I'll find out from there."

It became awkwardly silent, but as everyone got ready for bed Vlad found an upside - as soon as everyone else fell asleep while he did his Occlumency practice, Harry slipped between his drawn bedcurtains.

"So, what's the story?"

Vlad relayed the chain of events, or what he remembered in his mildly overwhelmed and confused state. Harry laughed when Vlad groused about having to get his picture taken, and every negative feeling melted away for a moment when his mates whole face lit up. It reminded Vlad - at least it was him, not Harry.

Hermione was no more patient, and after a thorough scolding - he was now exempt from end of year exams as a Triwizard Champion and she wasn't impressed - she demanded all the details in between classwork.

By the time they were in the library for a free period, Vlad was already mentally drained. His teachers were either avoiding the matter entirely or regarding Vlad with suspicion, students kept stopping him in the corridors to ask how he had done it and Vlad highly doubted Karkaroff was done trying to kick up a storm about it.

"So, what you're saying is even though you didn't do it, you're going to have to compete in a tournament deemed unsuitable for anyone not a legal wizarding adult?"

"Pretty much. It could be worse I guess."

"How, exactly?"

Vlad cast a suspicious look around them, because they weren't allowed to use silence spells in the library, before he answered in a low whisper.

"If it wasn't me someone was using this tournament to get rid of, it could have been Harry."

The wizard in question was currently hidden in his trunk with Samael, and Vlad was working on balancing his protective nature for his mate against letting Harry spend time with his titanic pet. Hermione didn't know about that specifically, but Vlad wouldn't be too surprised if her amazing mind had somehow worked it out, just like everything else.

That evenings dinner brought a new prank, and Vlad wasn't sure who to suspect - it was based off a Muggle nursery rhyme with obvious contenders, but it was still bizarre. As everyone sat down and food was supposed to appear, each of them found an envelope tucked under their plate. The parchment glowed with duplication charms, and the handwriting was obviously charmed but there were multiple magical signatures, so it wasn't easy to pinpoint.

As the students reticently opened them, each contained a smaller piece of parchment, complete with a rhyme Vlad half expected it to sing.

'Mouldy Voldy heaved a sigh

Kissed dementors and made them cry

When baby Harry came out to play

Mouldy Voldy ran away'

The really impressive part of the prank, or the magic, was that after a minute, every piece of parchment jumped from their hands and burned away in mid air, much like some kind of silent howler. It was quiet, but eventually the laughter began in small pockets, eventually becoming a rather hearty sound of amusement in around three quarters of the Hall. Even a few of the Slytherin students were chuckling, and several of the visiting students bemused but amused.

Even the teachers hadn't escaped it, and they were eyeing the Gryffindor table most intently. Most of the students wouldn't know the Muggle origins, but it left Vlad with two likely suspects - George Weasley or George Giles, as the rhymes original title character was 'Georgie Porgie'. The magic seemed beyond a second year, but she had proved talent when it came to pranks, and Vlad couldn't tell if the twins were genuine in their expressions of surprise.

It was a semi-effective distraction from Vlad's notoriety for 'entering' the tournament, and whether that had been the intention or not, he was happy about it. Harry didn't look upset by it either, which was important - he clarified it later that evening all the same.

Bertrand had very little to actually say on the matter, mostly listening to Vlad elaborate on the details and Ingrid simultaneously mock him for being concerned he would die, and warn him not to get himself killed. Bertrand did suggest Ingrid could be his Legilimency test, when he needed to see how Occlumency was going, but that would be at a later date. Vlad supposed there were worse people he could let potentially into his head.

Despite what Harry had said earlier that evening, he still had a nightmare that night and Vlad felt guilty for being happy he hadn't lost the habit of seeking comfort from him - Harry could just as easily vanish into his trunk to Samael now.

"It wasn't about him, don't think that."

Vlad could see from the tremors in Harry's muscles that his dream had included Cruciatus-based torture, giving him the pain reliever before Harry sleepily mumbled about his nightmare. As the changes in his body continued, the subjects of his dreams grew in variety. The latest addition was memories of Salazar Slytherin, after he had left Hogwarts to ensure his violent hatred for Muggle-born-magic was known.

He had utilised the 'gap' in the wards to visit with Samael, ensuring he expended vitriol while ensuring his control was solid. Vlad found the idea of watching Samael grow from something hatched out of a chicken egg to the mammoth beast he had become riveting, but that nights dream had focused more on Salazar joining in muggle-baiting, torturing people because they were just people. As a vampire, he probably wasn't supposed to care so much, but it sounded horrendous.

Harry fell asleep soon after, his steady breathing a sure sign. Vlad always had to stay awake until Harry was out, to ensure he either managed to pad the area around his groin or that he was in a position where Harry wouldn't realise just how much Vlad enjoyed them being that close. He could mostly control it when he was awake, but his body got a mind of it's own sleeping next to his mate.

There was no escape from the beginning of the debacle that would be his competing in the tournament. Rita Skeeter was a bizarre woman, with nails almost as lethal looking as Ingrid's, heavy jewelled glasses and hair clearly held up by magic in it's heavy rolling curls. She reeked of cheap perfume, and got into his personal space way too often for Vlad's liking. The other strange thing was when she was really close, she smelled like bug spray.

The four Triwizard champions stood for a group photo, listening to Skeeter chatter on about how exciting it all was. For whatever reason, he waa grateful enough not to care, she was kicked out temporarily for the wand-check. He didn't want the whole wizarding world finding out he was a magical vampire with a dual core wand.

"Ah, Mr Diggory. Twelve and one quarter inches. Ash, unicorn hair. Yes?"

Cedric nodded, having not even handed over his wand yet but Vlad vaguely recalled Ollivander saying he could remember every wand he had ever sold. Cedric Diggory had a clean bill of wand health, and Fleur went next. Ollivander had a strange scale for weighing the wand, which spat out a ream of information.

"Nine and one quarter inches. Rosewood, core of... veela hair?"

"Yes. My grandmothers. While it has fallen out of practice in many places, we still utilise chosen cores rather than your method in France."

Mumbling to himself, Ollivander smiled at the part-veela absently before handing back her wand. Vlad had no idea how this was ordered, but as he took Krum's wand it became clear Vlad was going last.

"Ten and one quarter inches. Hornbeam, core of dragon heartstring. Excellent for transfiguration, lovely craftmanship. Gregorovitch?"

"Indeed. His reputation is second only to yours I believe."

"Modesty prevents me from speaking such words. Mr Dracula?"

Vlad flipped his wand, which was distinctly noticeable in its unusual shape, holding it out handle first to Ollivander, who dropped it onto the scales and watching the little parchment slot release information.

"Eleven inches. Yggdrasil wood. Dual core..."

He said it loud enough for the others to hear, which drew even more attention to the accursed thing he barely ever needed.

"Excuse me, did you say Yggdrasil?"

"Dual core? Is that even possible?"

Ollivander didn't seem at all fazed, running a reverent finger down the chaotic, knotted wood before he handed it back.

"The last of the only harvest. I didn't expect the dual core to take, but I had an inkling and decided I had little to lose. If it was not meant to be, it wouldn't be. With the dual unicorn and phoenix core, that wand is a beautiful mix of life and purity."

Cedric laughed shortly, eyeing Vlad's wand and then Vlad himself.

"In the hands of a vampire. That's... that's almost poetic in it's lunacy. And of course, the immortality thing. Does that mean you won't be able to die in the tournament?"

Vlad shook his head, slipping his wand back into the charmed pocket of his jumper. He tried to be honest if vague, because they may well know if he lied about something specific - he knew Cedric was in NEWT Defence Against the Dark Arts with Ingrid.

"Certain things I'm more... resistant to, but if a manticore rips off my head I'm as dead as any human."

Fleur was relatively quiet, but Viktor Krum was apparently deeply intrigued by the wand.

"How did you obtain the Yggdrasil wood?"

"Ah, yes. A few of the more... freelance wand makers like to travel, searching for new wand materials and rare cores. I believe they were tracking a Norwegian ice dragon through the Arctic, hoping to find their colony for some shed scales, or perhaps a naturally deceased one. The dragon vanished, but they decided to finish the days walk, rest then apparate back to their campsite. There it stood. Hidden to muggles and non-magical creatures, and never found again though many have tried. Thirty years ago, one of the explorers owed me a favour and paid me in his last stock of Yggdrasil, having frown frustrated with it's stubborn nature. The product now resting in the young Draculas hands."

Ollivander realised he had gone on a wistful stroll down memory lane, clapping his hands together with a slightly manic grin.

"My work here is done. I shall take my leave, and I wish you all luck in the upcoming tournament with your fully functioning wands."

Somehow, and Vlad was immensely grateful to all three of them, the others didn't bring up his weird wand or pending vampirism in front of the reporter and her less-than-functional photographer. Their respective headmasters and headmistress swarmed in for the next wave of photos, leaving Vlad itching to get away from it all.

He did note with a vague amusement it was familiar to having portraits done with Ingrid - her appearance drained the attention from everyone, and in these photos most of them would look quite plain next to the part-veela. Cedric was kidnapped by the evil reporter lady first, leaving Vlad sat awkwardly with Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour around a tea set. Nervously uncomfortable while the 'grown ups' chatted several feet away, Vlad chewed on a dainty cucumber sandwich for something to do.

"Vell, you are a very intriguing vampire."

"I don't try to be. It may surprise you all to know I just want to study and pass my exams. And ensure Voldemort" he did note their reaction, not severe but obviously averse to his casual usage of the name "doesn't kill my best friend. Mostly, I just want a quiet unlife."

Fleur went next, and Cedric waved as he left with a clear expression of relief when freed from the shimmery, painful on the eye Rita Skeeter. Krum eyed the adults, then leaned in a little, furtive as he winked.

"Ven I go, you make a break for it. You're underage, so cannot be forced into interview. I'm used to such nonsense, playing for my countries Quidditch team."

Whether she had offended or refused to answer, Fleur quickly reappeared and Krum gave him an encouraging head bob, so Vlad waited for Fleur to leave with Madame Maxime, then Karkaroff and Dumbledore to start chatting again. Taking a breath, Vlad stood quietly and slipped from the room. Ingrid had said the Bulgarian seeker came across quite reserved, quiet, but that he also had something of a sense of humour too. He had to agree, having just been sort of smuggled out of the first part of the Triwizard Tournament 'nonsense'.

"How was your interview?"

"Didn't go. They still got my picture but I ditched before she could harass me."

He didn't mention Krum helping to Harry - not because he didn't want to acknowledge it, but because he didn't want to get the seeker in trouble for it.

"Did you find out when the first 'task' is?"

Vlad nodded, feeling the reality of it start to weigh on him.

"November 24th. Just shy of three weeks."

"What is it?"

"No idea. That's sort of the point, this whole thing is madness. Bats only knows what they are about to put me and the others through."

"At least you've been doing training for years, and you are pretty uniquely powerful for a fourteen year old. Plus, you do have a pretty good track record for going into situations blind and coming out alright. You got this. Cheater."

It had become a good-natured ribbing from Harry to call him that, because he genuinely believed Vlad hadn't entered himself into this suicide mission. So long as Harry believed him, Vlad was happy. Ingrid believing him and being (it was hidden but definitely there) annoyed and concerned someone was trying to off him - that was her job apparently - was a definite bonus, because Vlad genuinely cared about his sister, but he couldn't help that his mates opinion mattered most.

A week passed by almost without incident - there might have been a misfired charm by Ingrid that turned Ronald Weasley into a rat, and Vlad might have 'accidentally' let Phantom chase him - and Vlad felt the magnitude of a totally unknown situation growing closer and closer. He had a sort of cordial 'say hi in the hallways' raporte with Fleur, Cedric and Viktor Krum by now, but that was about it for the moment. Krum still sat opposite Ingrid most days, and for now Weasley had learnt he wasn't going to weasel in.

Bertrand didn't say anything, merely tossed a folded note onto Vlad's plate as he passed to obtain his lunch. Harry, with a mouthful of sausage-and-egg sandwich, caught Vlad unfolding it surreptitiously beneath the table, but obviously knew better than to draw attention to it.

Be in the Entrance Hall at 11:30pm. Invisibility advised.

Harry wanted to come along, and Vlad wanted to argue but if the situation were reversed he would have gone whether Harry agreed or not. Shushing him a little so he wouldn't wake their dorm-mates, Vlad acquiesced.

"You have to stay under the cloak, and do not go wandering off."

"I will. Promise. Let's go!"

The common room was nearly empty, a couple of seventh years lazing in front of the fire half-asleep the biggest signs of life in there. Harry was under the cloak, Vlad under his usual invisibility charm - he knew it was draining, but he had spent a lot of time practicing it to hold it longer and longer. They crept down to the entrance hall slowly, surprised by Bertrand loitering at the front door. His tutor clearly knew that Harry had come along too, and Vlad saw him roll his eyes before pointedly opening the castle doors.

"I cannot stress how imperative it is you exercise extreme caution, however, I'm reliably informed cheating is an integral part of this tournament. As such, here we are."

The cryptic sentences made absolutely no sense, but Harry had his hand wrapped around Vlad's wrist and that was making his skin tingle pleasantly, so Vlad let it slide until he recognised someone unexpected.

"Bertrand."

"Charles. Discretion provided, I will stretch my wings until your return. Best we not add more creatures to the teeming woodland."

Charlie Weasley rolled his eyes, corrected Bertrand to "Charlie" and his eyes scanned the thin air, clearly searching for signs of Vlad.

"Trust me, he is here. Lead the way, only speak if necessary."

Charlie gave him a bemused look, then nodded and turned around. Bertrand shifted into his bat form, blending in seamlessly with the night sky as Vlad felt Harry grip a bit tighter, then they followed Charlie into the Forest.

He had a growing suspicion gnawing at his chest, hoping against hope it would turn out he was wrong. The painfully loud, wrenching screech put paid to that hope, and Vlad realised what he was about to be shown. He caught sight of (he wasn't sure if it was sweet or sickly) Hagrid and Madame Maxime nearby, and a moving bush gave off a distinct sense of Dark Mark, which likely meant Karkaroff was seeing this too.

And by 'this', Vlad meant the four huge dragons currently residing in cages deep within the Forbidden Forest. Harry used the grip on his wrist to pull him close enough to whisper, which meant Vlad hoped Harry assumed his shivering was either the November chill or the big dragons.

"Dragons? That's the first task? They must be joking!"

"I would love to pretend that's the case. However, four dragons, four champions. The task isn't far off. Shh, Karkaroff is close by."

Harry fell silent, but kept a tight grip on Vlad's wrist. It could only be better if Harry just dropped his hand a little more and they were holding hands, but this was a good close second and he wasn't complaining.

Charlie had to go help restrain the most vicious looking one - the one Hagrid was practically cooing over. He caught swearing in multiple languages, and what sounded like "bloody Horntail!" more than once. Harry could always go strike up conversation, but that may be a little suspect as his parselmouth wasn't exactly a public known tidbit.

"I realise we aren't alone, but I'll be dropping in to Hogwarts a couple of times so you can ask about them more then if you like. Let's go before they notice me talking to a tree."

Between them, Charlie and Bertrand got Vlad and Harry back to Hogwarts undetected and unscathed. Unshaken was a different matter - how the hell was Vlad supposed to go up against a dragon?

-YDHP-

I didn't start this one planning an all-Vlad chapter, but that sort of became what happened. While there will obviously be some Vlad-centric stuff, like the tasks, there is much to come for dear mister Harry too!