The representatives from Durmstrang were politely speaking with the Slytherin table in the Great Hall as the Goblet of Fire did whatever it is that magical artifacts do. The representatives from Beauxbatons were sitting at the Ravenclaw table. Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw herself, sat with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom at the Gryffindor table.
The Goblet was set to name the competitors in the Tri-Wizard tournament. Dumbledore had explained that only witches and wizards seventeen years and older were permitted to enter their names and therefore compete in the tournament. A great many had lamented that decision, but Harry and his friends were all thankful they wouldn't be eligible.
The fire in the Goblet changed color and a loud series of bangs from Moody's staff called the hall to silence. Headmaster Dumbledore walked up to the Goblet and stood patiently. The Headmaster of Durmstrang stood behind and to his right while the Headmistress of Beauxbatons stood behind and to his left.
The fire spit out a slip of paper, which flew into Dumbledore's outstretched hand. He turned the paper around, showing it to both Headmaster Igor Karkaroff and Headmistress Olympe Maxime.
"The Champion for the Durmstrang Institute is: Viktor Krum." And he handed the slip to Headmaster Karkaroff as another slip flew into the air and then to Headmaster Dumbledore's hand.
"The Champion for Beauxbatons Academy is: Fleur Delacour." And he handed the slip to Headmistress Maxime as the third slip flew into the air and into his now waiting hand.
"The Champion for Hogwarts is: Cedric Diggory."
A round of applause ran through the hall, but the Goblet spit out a fourth slip. Headmaster Dumbledore put his hand out and the slip flew into his hand. The hall was silent.
"Harry Potter."
"That's not at all funny, Headmaster."
"Mister Potter, this is not a joke. You are the fourth competitor."
Hermione grabbed Harry's arm, her face pale. "Harry…"
"Please make your way to the other room."
Harry walked through the hall to the doors the other competitors had walked through. He saw several adults who seemed like the official types along with the former prefect, Percy Weasley, standing next to a man in a bowler hat.
"I didn't enter the tournament have no intention of competing, so feel free to disqualify me." And Harry turned to leave.
"You want to lose your magic?"
Harry froze. And then turned. He could feel the Dragon burning beneath his skin. "What?"
"The Goblet chose you to compete. You've been entered into a binding magical contract. If you don't compete, you'll lose your magic."
"And my consent is completely unnecessary?"
"The magic of the Goblet is infallible, so you could only have entered yourself."
Harry blinked. And took a deep breath. "The Goblet failed at that. I'm to trust that it'll succeed at taking my magic when it failed to prevent someone else entering me?"
"Are you claiming someone else entered you into the tournament?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, I'm afraid that's impossible. So you must've entered yourself and now you must compete." The man with a bowler hat in his hand smiled as he finished speaking.
"I have no choice, have I?"
The man shook his head and Harry let out a string of language that caused several gasps and three that's-not-physically-possible-s over the course of it.
"That'll be one hundred points from Gryffindor for language, Mister Potter."
"Sorry, Professor MacGonagall."
Headmaster Dumbledore entered the room. He looked at Harry and his disapproval was easy to see.
The girl from Beauxbatons sneered at Harry, "Zis boy is to compete in ze tournament? Ha."
Harry closed his eyes and took several calming breaths before speaking. "Let's just get this over with."
"There will be three main events. Challenges that we've engineered to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators. There will also be several ceremonies, beginning with the weighing of the wands in one week."
He went on to explain other rules about aid being given and discussing the events with officials, professors, and so on. Harry's blood was running hot and hard in his ears.
Harry stared at Professor MacGonagall after the Headmaster finished. "Mister Potter, my office."
When the doors to Professor MacGonagall's office closed, she began casting a string of charms Harry recognized as the charms he and his friends used to ensure their privacy, only she added several he didn't recognize.
"Mister Potter, I understand you are a novice occlumens. Please check your memories for blank spots or memory charms." And she sat behind her desk waiting patiently.
Harry calmed himself, then sat in the chair and went through his memories. "No blanks or memory charms, Professor."
"I have never heard you use such… colorful… language, Mister Potter. In fact, I've never heard several of the things you said in my life and I've lived through some interesting times. I shall trust that you were sincere when you declared you had not entered yourself in this tournament. It would seem that the simplest answer, that you were under the imperius curse and then obliviated, is unlikely as you have no gaps in your memory."
"Someone could've done it when I was asleep. Or it could be something completely different."
"True, Mister Potter. I had hoped it would be a simple matter to unravel, but it is not. I'm speaking to you now as a concerned friend rather than a figure of any authority: have you completed the animagus transformation?"
Harry contemplated the benefits of admitting it to his Head of House.
"I will assume that you have. On the day before the first task, I shall file your registration form with the Ministry. Hagrid, the man couldn't keep a secret to save the world, has mentioned strange animals in the forbidden forest. I have a guess as to which one you are."
Harry nodded slowly.
"I can't think of anything else I'm allowed to do to help you. You may ask something of me, of course, but I may not be allowed to help you, as I understand the rules."
Harry contemplated his next question carefully.
"Is Mister Ollivander the most skilled wandmaker or the only wandmaker in Britain?"
"Is your wand giving you problems?"
"It is not perfectly attuned to me and my magic. Are you an occlumens?"
"Not a very good one, but I've practiced it. I'm perhaps as good as you or Hermione, although we would need to consult a legilimens to be certain."
Harry nodded in understanding. "I want to get my wand remade. The core is fine, but the wood is wrong."
Professor MacGonagall slowly asked, "How do you know?"
"You'll have to obvliviate yourself after I tell you. Or I could show you, if you're a legilimens."
"I am not. And you'll have to be pretty convincing for me to agree to that. Please hand me your wand first."
He did and then said, "Use the clock to memorize the time. Use it as a reference, Professor."
Suddenly, Harry was standing instead of sitting. The time had advanced nearly an hour. He frowned. His wand was in its holster though.
"Professor?"
"Go to your dorm, Mister Potter. Check your pocket when you get there. You know which one."
Harry nodded and left.
Once alone, he confirmed that he had requested the obliviation with the slip of paper. It had the correct codes and phrases. He'd have to devise new ones now. Hermione would be annoyed.
000
The crowd was cheering. Hermione was biting her lip, sitting next to Luna and Neville. Harry was, of course, last to face off against a dragon. He knew he would be able to face it. Professor MacGonagall had informed him that the paperwork was filed with the Ministry the previous day.
Harry walked out of the waiting tent and onto the field. His wand was still in its holster on his arm. He wouldn't be using it today. The black scales caught a bit of sunlight through the clouds and the yellow eyes of the nesting Hungarian Horntail bore into Harry as he walked out.
Harry reached down into his magic and connected it with his inner animal, making sure to suffuse his clothes so they wouldn't be lost. It would be downright embarrassing to turn into a dragon and then put his bits on display for the world, especially in the chill of November. That was actually more terrifying than the Horntail.
The crowd was silent as he stalked forward to the nesting dragon. He was smaller than the Horntail, but not by too much. The dragon turned to face Harry and narrowed its eyes as he approached.
"You have an egg that is not yours. Give it to me."
The Horntail roared and breathed its fire at Harry. Harry closed his eyes and let the orange flames wash over him. He knew his scales would protect him from all but the hottest of flames. He opened his mouth and let loose a gout of fire as hot and forceful as he could manage. The Horntail was awash in yellow-white flame, Harry's fire being hotter than the Horntail's.
"You have an egg that is NOT YOURS. GIVE IT TO ME!"
The other dragon moved forward and turned around, lashing its tail threateningly in Harry's direction. When it turned back, it had the golden egg in one of its claws. It set the egg down and rolled it over to Harry, who picked it up and flew back to the competitors' entrance before returning himself to human form.
The judges began to confer on his score while he went into the recovery tent. The other three competitors looked up at him, clearly not expecting him to enter so soon after Viktor, the previous competitor. Cedric had been first, followed by Fleur.
Madam Pomfrey had him sit on the fourth bed while she finished examining Krum, who had a burn on his shoulder.
"How long did you wait before letting me know about the dragons? You don't have a mark on you," Cedric commented.
"'ow did you manage zat, leetle boy?"
"I asked nicely," Harry said with a smile.
"You… asked… Hungarian Horntail dragon to handt over egg?"
Harry nodded.
"And it did?" Cedric asked.
Harry nodded.
"Bloody hell, Potter. You've got great big brass balls, haven't you?"
Fleur thought, 'Perhaps not so little after all.'
Harry shrugged. "According to the medical texts I've read, they're within the standard size range for my age."
Viktor snorted and Fleur blushed.
Cedric laughed and shook his head. "How you managed to avoid Ravenclaw is a mystery for the ages."
"Speaking of Ravenclaws, rumor has it you and Chang-"
"We aren't exclusive, if you're asking for permission."
"Uh… No. Me and Hermione are exclusive as far as I know. I was going to ask your advice on what girls usually like."
"A boy 'oo can convince a dragon to give up 'er egg is nervous about witches. Zat is ze most English zing I 'ave ever 'eard."
Viktor snorted. "They like money and power and fame."
"A smile and good humor usually works for me."
"Do not listen to zese porc. Be yourself and ze witch will love you for 'oo you are. Or she is not ze right witch for you."
Harry blinked. "I meant like date ideas. Places to go, things to do, that sort of thing. I've been together with Hermione since January."
"Wait. You and Hermione are really a couple? Romantically?"
"'Oo is 'Ermione?"
"Good for you!"
"Yes, Cedric. She's my best friend and girlfriend. Thank you, Viktor. Any helpful ideas or should we just talk about the tournament?"
Cedric shrugged. "You've been with her longer than I've ever been with a girl. Whatever you're doing is probably fine."
"Non! Every girl likes romance. You should woo her with poetry and declare your love for ze world."
Krum sat silently. Everyone turned to him. "Vhat?"
"Everyone else had something to say about it."
Krum shrugged and frowned.
000
Harry was in first place. Mostly by sheer luck. The judges had concluded that human self-transfiguration was advanced magic and that since neither Harry nor the dragon had been injured, he was given the highest scores by all judges.
The real test of courage for Harry was the revelation that there would be a Yule Ball. He immediately asked Hermione, who had an attack of girlishness on the spot, going on about dresses and hairstyles and matching colors and whatnot.
Harry sighed. The worst part was that he had to learn to dance and had begged the help of the older Gryffindor girls, although that was mitigated somewhat by Hermione helping him practice. He was waiting just outside the Great Hall for Hermione to arrive.
As she walked down the stairs, Harry's breath caught. Hermione was gorgeous. She'd done up her hair, her dress was a strapless gown that left her shoulders beautifully exposed, and her smile made his heart race.
Fleur was beautiful too, but between his occlumency, his natural resistance, and the animagus transformation, Veela allure was more irritating than alluring to him. Although, he did get a laugh out of the boys who drooled and acted the fool over the French witch. She was with a French girl, chatting in French.
Cedric was with Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker. Cedric was quite handsome and Chang looked good, so the couple made a fetching pair.
Viktor was with Daphne Greengrass and they both looked stoic. More like a pair of Roman statues than live people, really, but there is some beauty in that as well.
The four Champions were announced and music began playing. The Champions and their dates finished their opening dance and were guided to the Champions' table.
Professor MacGonagall came up behind Harry. "Mister Potter, I need to speak with you a moment."
Harry went with MacGonagall into a small alcove where she put up a simple silencing charm. She leaned in and whispered, "I've made arrangements for your wand. We'll talk about it again in April. Happy Christmas."
She brought down the silencing charm and then said, "Congratulations on completing the animagus transformation, Mister Potter. I was surprised when Misses Granger and Lovegood asked to register along with you."
"Of course, Professor. Thank you."
As Harry was walking back to the Champions' table, he spotted Sirius dancing with Aunt Petunia on the dance floor. Which was suddenly surreal. He'd sent letters to his Aunt and Sirius, of course, but he did not expect to see them at Hogwarts. He walked to the dance floor and waited until they stopped.
Sirius led Petunia over. "Harry!"
"Sirius! Aunt Petunia! What are you doing here?"
"Well, I managed to wrestle an invitation out of the Ministry and your Aunt is my plus one."
"It's so beautiful here."
"Are you… together?"
Aunt Petunia turned to Sirius who was expressionless as he said, "You see, Harry, when a man and a woman meet, sometimes they enjoy each others' company…"
Petunia slapped Sirius in the shoulder. "No, Harry. We're not together. Not like that, anyway. Just friends."
Sirius coughed. "Yes. Friends."
Harry narrowed his eyes. Sirius smirked.
"Anyway, you've done well with this contest. I'm proud of you. Now why don't you get back to your date, eh? She can't be happy you've left her alone to talk to the boring adults."
"Sirius, please tell me you're not shagging my aunt."
"Even if I was, which I'm not, mind, it wouldn't be your business. Your aunt is a grown woman who can shag whomever she likes. Don't be a git." Sirius smacked Harry upside the head as he lead Petunia to the table with the punch. Petunia was giggling at Sirius and Harry couldn't help shuddering.
He went to find Hermione.
Hermione was discussing vampires with Viktor. Pansy, Fleur, and Fleur's date were missing. "Hermione! Sorry I was away for so long."
"It's alright. I saw Sirius and your aunt."
"Ve vere just discussing the undead clans."
"Like Dracula?"
Viktor shook his head. "The son of the dragon has nothing to do with vampires."
That caught Harry's attention. "Son of the dragon?"
Viktor nodded. "Yes. Vlad Dracula. Vlad Dracul was a… Duke? Of Vallachia. Part of Romania. Vlad the Impaler vas his son, the one called Dracula."
"Why was Vlad Dracul named a dragon?"
"He used ancient magiks to make himself powerful vizard. He vas master of dragon ritual, able to use it many times."
"What is a dragon ritual?"
"Ancient Carpathian magic. It amplifies a vizard's magic many times. But it vill kill vizards who use it, so it is very Dark magic."
Harry gulped. "How long does it take to kill a wizard?"
"I think maybe a few days or a veek at most. This is vhy Vlad Dracul vas so dangerous. He vould use it for a day to vin great battles. Enemies did not know if they vould face mere armies or The Dragon. No army could withstand Dracul, the Dragon."
Hermione was staring at Harry. Harry was staring at Viktor.
"Vhat?"
Hermione whispered, "Do the thing, Harry…"
Harry shook his head.
"Harry…" she whispered.
"No," he whispered back, still staring at Viktor.
"Do it, Harry," she whispered.
"I am the Dragon."
Viktor shot up and stumbled back over his chair, falling to the ground, his face a rictus of shock. "Vhat is this?!"
Hermione rushed to Viktor while Harry stood stock still. Hermione was dragging Viktor into the alcoves around the hall, while Harry pulled his wand and began casting privacy charms. When Viktor's back met the wall of the alcove, he seemed to come to his senses and pushed Hermione off of him.
He stalked into Harry's face and hissed, "Vhat is this?!"
Harry connected his magic to his inner animal just a touch and focused on his eyes and his breathing. His pupils became slitted and his breath was coming out smoke. "I am the Dragon!"
Viktor flinched backward. "You are insane! Records of that ritual vere destroyed! And for good reason!"
"I never performed a ritual in my life."
"You lie!"
"I do not!"
Viktor huffed and puffed before his breathing calmed. "How is this possible?"
"You know more than we do."
Viktor looked at Hermione, who stood tall at Harry's back. Viktor ran his hand through his short-cropped hair. He began muttering in Bulgarian.
"Okay. Vhere should I begin?"
"What are the effects of the dragon ritual? What are the downsides? Why were the records destroyed?"
Viktor thought for a moment. "It increases the potency of a vizard's magic, I already said. That is biggest effect. It makes vizards more dominant, more like dragons. This could be downside as vell. Biggest downside: it burns vizard out. Strong enough vizard will burn out and forget being human. Veak vizards vill turn to ash, if they are lucky. Some vizards vill explode vhen they burn out. Only the strongest vizards might survive to turn into mindless beast."
"How long does it last before it burns a wizard out?"
"Our lessons said Vlad Dracul could last three days in complete control and this vas the longest ever recorded. Ancient Dacians only used it for one day."
Harry and Hermione were silent.
Viktor looked to Harry. "How long has this been part of you?"
Hermione answered, "1981, I think."
Viktor paled. "Person that entered you in this tournament vas very stupid."
"Why?"
"You are very clever vizard, but also blessed vith extremely potent magic. You are always Dracul. Overpower your spells and you vill see. It must be like competing against squibs for you."
Harry was getting uncomfortable.
"Harry always overpowers his spells… But you never meant to, did you?"
Harry shook his head.
"Viktor, thank you. For telling us about this."
She grabbed Harry's wrist and dragged him out of the privacy bubble. She dragged him right out of the hall and into an unused classroom with a window that she opened.
"Try to overpower a spell. Lumos. Out the window." She pointed and crossed her arms over her chest. Which did not help Harry's concentration.
He took his wand from the holster and pointed it out the window. "How much?"
"As much as you can without breaking your wand."
"Okay. Lumos." The sky cracked and Hermione had her hand over her eyes.
"That wasn't light, Harry! That was lightning! My eyes!" She was blinking stars out of her eyes slowly and her ears rang.
"That was lumos. And I think I cracked my wand. That's exactly why I don't do stuff like that."
"Right. We're focusing on that book of Professor Flitwick's until you're not accidentally overpowering your spells."
"They always work the first time though."
"Yes, because compensating for finesse with raw power is going to serve you forever. What happens if you someday don't have access to this well of power? What happens if you are no longer the Dragon? What happens if you just get old? Or any number of other 'what if's?"
"None of that's going to happen."
"Harry," she grabbed his arm tightly, "You are not ruled by your emotions. You've always been a scientist first and a wizard second. Do not confuse our snogging for tacit approval of emotional primacy."
Harry growled, "I know. I know that. I'm sorry." And then spat, "You're right."
"And quit growling at me."
Harry took a deep breath. "Of course. Sorry." He looked down at the crack running lengthwise up his wand with no small amount of worry.
A/N: This'll be the last chapter for a while. I need to finish the novel I'm working on before the end of September so I can put it up for sale in October. Then I'm thinking of doing NaNoWriMo again this year.