Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Let There Be Dragons
I was breaking the rules. Anyone who knew me wasn't surprised. And those who didn't know me were too trapped in their own heads to kick up a fuss. On a small stool that was too short for her legs, Fleur sat. The color was void from her skin as her fingers twitched every few seconds. Adrian paced in front of me with his hands clasped behind his back in an effort to keep himself together. Dressed in his black and green athletic wear, usually reserved for quidditch practice, it was fathoming that he wasn't cold. Though, I suppose, the temperature wasn't an important thing to think about at the moment.
At first, I tried to offer words of comfort and reassurance. But anything I said seemed to make it worse, so I was only here for moral support at this point. Krum looked like his normal self; even if he was scowling at the floor. Dressed in the red version of what Adrian was wearing, Harry sat in the far corner with Sirius. Both looked equally sick as Lord Flint stood over them, talking about contingencies and implications and other lawyer things that went over everyone's heads.
But it wasn't just the champions and their support teams in the waiting tent. Bagman was there too; cheerfully looking around like he was back in the quidditch locker room of his hay day. His continued wardrobe choice of his old quidditch robes only made that more apparent.
"Gather round!" Bagman announced once he was certain everyone who needed to be here was present. "Gather round. Not much time left!" He sounded like a kid trying to wake everyone on Christmas morning. In his hand, Bagman held a small purple drawstring bag that he gave a small shake. "And I'm sure you're all curious about what you'll be facing".
As the others moved to surround bagman; their steps hesitant, Adrian sighed and took an extra moment for himself. Stepping forward to be with him, I raised myself to my tip-toes and wrapped my arms around Adrian's neck. It took no second thought for Adrian to return the embrace; his arms sitting heavily around my hips. "I'll be fine", He told me. Although, probably more for his own benefit. "We've prepared. I know what I'm doing". Despite his cool and collected words, I could feel his anxiety through his tight hold.
Tracing the tiny hairs on the back of Adrian's neck with my fingertips, I leaned more of my weight on him. That was the same idea behind weighted blankets, right? The pressure of additional weight helps some stay grounded? "You'll be fine", I agreed. "Charlie and his co-workers are on standby. And he knows I'll be extremely aggrieved if anything happens to you. So, you're his highest priority". Despite his nerves, Adrian snorted in dry humor over my shoulder. "But you'll be fine. We've been practicing since Halloween. You're the most experienced wizard out of all the champions. And-" I pulled back just enough so we could make eye contact. Adrian adjusted his hold to allow me the movement. Moving my hands, I placed one on each side of his face. Massaging his jawbone, I felt a little stubble that Adrian must have missed when shaving this morning. "And you'll be even finer when you do not select the Horntail". I kept my voice low to not be overheard. Though with Bagman on the scene, no one was paying attention to us anyway.
"Holly", Adrian sighed but didn't elaborate. We've had the same conversation many times before.
"What happened to that famous Slytherin self-preservation?" I asked. "A little would serve you nicely right now".
Adrian pulled me closer with a sharp yank on my waist. Our noses touched. "Some things trump self-preservation". Tilting his head to the side, Adrian pressed his lips against my cheek before whispering in my ear, "You taught me that".
"Mr. Pucey, if you please", Bagman called as Adrian pulled away. "Time is short and I'm sure your lady friend will wait for you on the other side".
In most situations, it would have been embarrassing to realize they were waiting on us. But, given the circumstances, Adrian and I couldn't be bothered. Though we did move. With our arms entwined, we joined the others; ignoring the varying expressions that greeted us. Krum and Fleur; impatient. Harry wore an almost begging expression. Sirius looked like he was a million miles away. While Lord Flint greeted our approach with a pleased and indulgent upturn of his lips. Slimy snake.
"Now that we're all here, let me shed some light!" said Bagman brightly. "In this bag", Bagman said as he held up the purple drawstring for everyone to see. "Is a small model of what will be awaiting you. Each is slightly different. And- uh…"
As Bagman scrambled to remember everything he needed to share, Lord Flint leaned closer; his hand clasped on Harry's shoulder as the boy listened to Bagman with his lips pressed together in a horrifying line. "Isn't it nice that Mr. Bagman mistook you as a lady? It seems your decorum has improved".
"Isn't that the role you want me to play, Lord Flint?" I whispered back as Bagman continued to think a little too hard; ignoring the heavily disapproving look Adrian sent in our direction. "If I'm wrong, I'll happily offend someone before the day is out".
"Um… um… Yes! To complete the first task, you must collect the golden egg", Bagman announced; having finally found his words. If there was ever a cautionary tale about being hit by too many bludgers, Bagman's biography might be it.
As the champions started sharing glances between themselves, the sounds of footsteps by the hundreds, laughing and chattering reached our ears. It would have been a joyful noise if we were a part of it. But, standing as we were in a tent in the forbidden forest waiting for impending danger, the sounds only made the champions appear more despondent than before.
The only one who appeared unmoved by the atmosphere in the tent was Bagman as he pulled the brim of the purple bag wide open and held it out to Fleur. "The lady first", he said, offering it to Fleur as if it were a great kindness.
With shaking hands, Fleur obliged. Slipping a hand in, she only flinched a little before pulling out a tiny and animated model of a Welsh Green Dragon. "Excellent. Excellent", Bagman said as Fleur stared at the dragon grooming her wings in the palm of her head with a carefully guarded expression. "You'll be going second, Ms. Delacour", Bagman informed her before moving on.
"Now for Mr. Krum", said bagman as he offered the purple bag to the Bulgarian quidditch star. Krum was much more heavy-handed as he stuck his hand into the bag. Horntail, horntail, horntail; I chanted in my mind. As if that would be enough to make it so. But alas, Krum withdrew the Chinese Fireball. "You'll be third, Mr. Krum", Bagman said. And suddenly I felt as resigned as Fleur looked.
"Mr. Pucey", Bagman moved on as the sounds of herding feet continued.
Adrian gave my arm a last squeeze before letting go and moving closer to the offered bag. With his appendages much more calm and steady, Adrian dipped his hand in and, taking a tad longer than the other participants as he searched, withdrew a model dragon with bared fangs and prickly tail; the Hungarian Horntail. "You'll be going last, Mr. Pucey", Bagman said. "And lastly, Mr. Potter".
As Adrian stepped back and Harry forward, Harry nervously gulped as Lord Flint's hand fell from his shoulder. But his hand was just as still as Adrian's had been as he slipped his hand into the bag and quickly pulled out a tiny Swedish Short snort. "You'll be facing your dragon first". Bagman spoke as if that was something to be excited about. "Now, you all have your dragons and the order you'll be performing". Bagman clapped his hands once and rubbed his palms together as Harry moved back to the safety Sirius provided. "I'll have to leave soon. As the commentator, they'll be needing me. When you hear the whistle, you'll step out into the enclosure, Harry. And then Ms. Delacour and so forth and so on. All of you will do brilliantly. I just know it. Um… er…"
Tuning out the bumbling man before us, Adrian handed me his model dragon so his hands were free to return to my waist in some sort of grounding holding. If I dropped the model dragon and 'accidentally' stepped on it, would the real thing be damaged as well?
"Harry!" Bagman exclaimed; having found his tongue once more. "Could I have a word? A quick one, of course."
"No", Lord Flint and Sirius answered before Harry could even open his mouth.
If Sirius seemed put out by the fact he talked in sync and in agreement with Lord Flint, he didn't comment as Lord Flint elaborated. "Young Mr. Potter needs to focus. Something I'm sure an excellent sportsman like yourself understands". Lord Flint wore his most pleasant smile as he spoke. Lulling anyone who didn't know better into his false persona.
Bagman blushed. "Ah… right. Sorry, I'm not sure why I didn't think of that". And then he hurried off without a second glance. With Bagman gone, Lord Flint turned to Sirius and Harry; the three of their heads bent together as final words were passed between them.
Now, Fleur paced as Krum returned sullenly to his seat; holding his model dragon in a closed fist. "Aim for the eyes", I said to Adrian as he took deep breaths through his nose.
"And the joints", he finished for me. "I know what I'm doing", he told himself. "We've practiced for months".
The whistle blew and Harry, with one last longing look at Sirius for his Godfather to save him, stepped out of the tent. Sirius watched him go and didn't move until Harry could no longer be seen. Turning to us, Sirius took a step closer. "You're ready?" he asked Adrian; voice strained.
Adrian nodded. "I'm ready". He confirmed.
Running a hand through his shaggy mane, Sirius seemed to only be half present. "Thank you", he said; forcing himself to focus on Adrian. "Harry said…" Sirius cut himself off as his eyes darted around the tent to the other champions. Yeah… probably shouldn't broadcast that we've been cheating and working together. Even though all the champions had beaten the system for this first task.
"Siri", Adrian said softly so as to not be overheard… Well, except for Lord Flint. But he didn't really count as a concern in that regard. "Potter will make it through today. Holly said her brother is on the sidelines to step in if needed. And after this task, Potter and I… I'll see him through the other two tasks".
The next sound we heard was a stampede of cheering and hollering. A signal that must mean Harry had stepped into the enclosure and had met his dragon. Sirius gulped; swallowing his emotions. "Thank you", he repeated before turning to leave. He'd want to be on the other side to catch Harry as soon as his Godson was done with this ordeal.
Lord Flint wasn't far behind. But he left us with a few parting words. "Remember; unity, strength, and unvarying consideration". Right… the tournament wasn't our only job.
Adrian and I stood embraced for a moment longer. Only breaking when we heard Bagman make his first commentary of the day. "I'll talk to Krum", Adrian said.
"I'll talk to Fleur", I agreed and we broke apart. Adrian went in one direction and I went in the other.
Fleur barely spared me a glance as she kept pacing; the muscles in her face pinched. "Aim for the eyes and joints", I offered. "Specifically, the wing joint. That's where they're weakest".
"What skill!" Bagman roared over the Crowd. "Mr. Potter could give Viktor Krum a run for his money, I suspect".
Fleur pinned me with a sharp look as she turned on her heels to retrace her steps. "Why do you tell me zis?" Her suspicion was clearly heard.
"One of my brothers is a dragonologist. He told me a few things", I answered as I kept an ear out for the ongoings in the enclosure. Though it was hard with only sound to go on.
Fleur paused in front of me and narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. "Non. Why would you tell me zis? Are you even allowed to be 'ere?"
Shrugging I let her questioning and dubious stare roll off me. "No. I'm not supposed to be here. Probably. But that's never stopped me before". Fleur scoffed and resumed her pacing. "And I'm telling you what I know because if I help you maybe you'll help Adrian or Harry if they need it. I don't care who wins the tournament. I just don't want anyone to get hurt".
Fleur stopped again. This time; peering at me from over her shoulder. But before she could make her thoughts known, Bagman was cheering and yelling along with the crowd. "Potter's done it. He's claimed his egg with hardly a singed hair. Shame it cost him that Nimbus 2000".
The whistle blew a second time and anything Fleur wanted to say was gone as she stiffly exited the tent; refusing to look back.
Adrian stayed on the other side with Krum; having a similar conversation with him as I had had with Fleur. I'm assuming. It was unclear if Adrian was having any success, but it was probably a nice distraction as he waited his turn. Listening to Bagman make comments like, "Ooh, that looked like it hurt!" And, "Nearly! Almost! … good Merlin, I thought Ms. Delacour had it!" Wasn't helpful in the least.
Time passed and then Krum was leaving the tent. So, only Adrian and I remained. Coming together, I let Adrian lead as we heard Bagman announce, "And here comes Mr. Krum!"
Adrian chose to hug. And it was probably my imagination, but I felt like I could feel his heartbeat thumping in nervous energy as he took deep breaths over my head. "Harry made it", I said in an attempt to help. "That's one less thing to worry about".
"Would you look at that!" Bagman yelled. This time, it wasn't just the crowd he was competing with to be heard. But also with the dragon Krum was facing. Evidently, the Chinese Fireball was a vocal breed and liked to let out hair-standing-on-end screeches.
"And if Harry can do it…"
"I can do it", Adrian finished; holding me tight.
Our moment ended with uproaring celebration as Bagman happily commented, "Krum has his Egg. And his dragon, defeated!"
The whistle blew one last time. With a sharp inhale, Adrian let me go, and with his wand firmly in hand, he left.
On the opposite of the venue was the first-aid tent. The one all champions would be once they finished the task. Which meant I took a hurried walk around the venue with the raging dragon to my left and the dark and dismal forest to my right. All the while, I listened to the crowd oohing and awing. I listened to Bagman both complimenting and critiquing everything Adrian did. I listened to the Horntail roaring and flapping its wings. It was amazing I wasn't running.
I made it to the first-aid tent before Adrian did. Which I couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. Three of the four beds were already occupied by the other champions with Madam Pomfrey bustling to and fro as she saw to everyone. "Dragons", she seethed as she fussed over Krum. "What irresponsible and reckless thing will they think of next?" She asked herself. Which is just as well since Krum didn't look ready to talk.
Fleur sat ever so still and silent on her bed. I saw Harry on his feet and sandwiched between Lord Flint and Sirius as they debriefed. But I didn't stop; instead making a beeline for the other opening in the tent to wait for Adrian to make it there. There wasn't much to see. The tent had to be enough out of the way that no one was in danger. So, just as I was in the other tent; I only had sounds and Bagman's commentary to keep me informed. "Just look at that spellwork, ladies, and gents", Bagman exclaimed. "Masterful! But his timing will cost him".
Biting my left thumbnail, I tried to not imagine the worst as I listened and waited. Adrian knew what he was doing. I told myself; giving optimism a try. Charlie would step in before anything fatal could happen. I needed to remember that.
"What are you doing here, Weasley", Madam Pomfrey barked; pulling me from my thoughts as she crossed the first-aid tent. There was a tray carrying potions of different colors in different shaped vials clasps in her hands. She held them perfectly still and balanced as she glared at me; demanding an answer.
"Um…" I started in my best-confused voice as I glanced around the tent. "I was looking for the lavatory…. This isn't it though. Oh, no. I must be lost".
Unimpressed and highly unamused, Madam Pomfrey awarded me with downturned lips. "Just stay out from underfoot", she ordered before hurrying off to something that was more important that a wayward student. "Ms. Delacour", she said to her next patient. "How are you faring? Have your symptoms lessened or worsened?"
"Have you ever seen a sleeping dragon before?" Bagman asked the crowd as applause and stomping feet reached my ears. A jolt of relief shot up my spine. "And now Mr. Pucey has collected his egg undisturbed. Well done. I have to say, well done".
Still, I held my breath until Adrian was in sight. A little worse for wear with a singed pant leg and a scrape on his face. But walking of his own volition with an oversize Easter egg resting in the crook of his arm.
"Thank Merlin", I exhaled as I moved forward to meet him. Before Adrian could step foot into the tent, I had my arms around him; causing him to stagger for balance.
"Careful. Careful" Adrian warned half-heartedly in a tired voice. "I think my ribs might be bruised". Letting go in favor of pulling him towards medical attention, I grabbed Adrian's free hand. He had no complaint and allowed me to drag him forward. "I recall why I elected not to take Care of Magical Creatures", Adrian said as we headed for the last available bed. "A wise decision. I'll be quite content if I never have to see another dragon again". He dropped heavily onto the mattress of the bed and let the egg sit on the pillow.
I opened my mouth to respond; ready to promise that he wouldn't have to. That I'd never make him visit Charlie on his reserve after what he faced today. But before I could, I was pushed away from Adrian. "Out of the way. Out of the way", Madam Pomfrey demanded as she took control. "Let's take at that leg to start". She said to Adrian; ignoring me completely. In this circumstance, under these conditions, I would have been mad if she hadn't.