Prologue
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its characters do not belong to me
As the cannon went off, Harry stood and exited the tent. Like the others before him, he turned to the left and started following the familiar path into the forest.
Before long, the trees started thinning, and he entered into a tunnel that quickly began to slope downwards. At the end of the tunnel was a large crater filled with rocks and boulders, with the large nest (complete with dragon) bang in the middle.
Harry took a moment to glance round the Arena as he stepped inside, making sure to stay behind the relatively small cluster of boulders in front of the tunnel's exit. Upon getting a proper look at the dragon, however, he paused.
The glorious reptile was crouched protectively over her nest, yellow eyes seeming to both watch him closely and peer right through him. As he watched, her spiked tail flicked agitatedly – not unlike a cat's – causing the sun to glint sharply off of midnight scales. Faced with one such as she, how could he not stop and stare?
The dragon seemed to realise she had his attention, and shifted, lifting her great wings and stretching, allowing him to view the myriad of hidden colours encased within.
At this the crowd – which had been cheering, yelling and generally making a racket – fell quiet. Sensing their eagerness for blood, in some case particular cases his, Harry couldn't help glaring. He easily found the two idiots sat close to the Head Idiot. I mean, really, the titles had been well and truly earned by this point.
Granger suddenly leaned over the edge of the stands.
"Your wand, Harry! Use your wand!" she shouted, banging her hand against the wood.
Harry raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. What was that meant to be, exactly? Granger had been giving him the cold shoulder practically since the start of this mess. He turned back to the dragon, considering his options.
In the end, there really was just the one. Carefully, Harry released part of his hold on his magic, as he'd been taught. He waited just long enough to ensure the dragon wouldn't attack outright, before lightly stepping round the large boulders and down the side of the crater.
Gliding past the final rock, he stopped, spreading his arms wide to show no weapons and allowing the dragon to look him over.
"Day's Greetings, Mother, may the Sun warm your nest, and the Moon guard from harm." Harry called the traditional greeting softly, as his voice took on an almost-haunting lilt.
The dragon blinked slowly at him, before bowing her head, sharp yellow eyes locking onto his.
"Day's Greetings, Young One, may the Clouds hide you, and the Stars guide you." she intoned just as softly.
Harry carefully bowed low, exposing the back of his neck while hiding his nerves.
"My Lady, may I be permitted to approach? There has been an imposter-egg placed among your clutch, and the given Task is to remove it, without damage." he requested delicately.
The dragon chuckled.
"You may, My Lord, however, you will find that all these eggs are imposters. Our two-legs were most displeased with the Sick One's idea of risking our clutches."
Upon hearing the eggs were safe, Harry relaxed.
"I'm glad, My Lady. This...contest...is pointless, little more than an excuse for the three Heads and Governments to play for power, and force their subjects," he almost spat, unable to completely hide his anger, "to fight and display their abilities. Oh, they may claim that this is to promote International Cooperation, but really, it is nothing more than a stylised slug-fest, prettied up with ribbons, and fancy words." he scoffed.
The dragon's head tilted, eyes burning.
"I will admit, My Lord, we wish for retribution. My sisters and I were taken from our warm, safe nests, and brought here, by the Sick One, we think, to provide entertainment, and, we believe, Sick One wishes to lay claim to our eggs. If it pleases, My Lord, I would petition you for judgement in this matter."
Harry startled, surprised by the dragon's request, before bowing to her. This wouldn't do. No one should have their young threatened in such a manner! Turning to the stands, Harry raised his voice.
"My Lady has called for judgement, and retribution, for being taken from her nest and an outsider placing claim on her eggs. Are there any who would speak against this claim?" he called to the silent stands.
If possible, the silence deepened. Taking care to centre his magic, Harry nodded.
"Very well. Then, I call the assembled, bare witness, that this matter may be resolved swiftly." he proclaimed, magic colouring his voice and shattering the dragon's chains.
Dumbledore shot to his feet in panic, raising his wand.
"Harry, my boy, what is the meaning of this? Do you have any idea what you are doing? This is a dark ritual, I order you to stop!" he demanded, sending the stands into chaos.
"Really, now, Dumbledore," the Minister huffed. "In what way is this a 'dark ritual'?"
"He's using a dark language, Cornelius!" Dumbledore exclaimed, gesturing wildly at Harry.
Snorting, Harry simply raised an eyebrow at him.
"Parseltongue?! Oh, Albus!" Fudge groaned, dropping his head in his hands. "If Mr. Potter wants it, I dare say there'll be a job waiting for him with the Unspeakables!"
"There's a job for him at Durmstrang." Karkaroff declared, with Madame Maxine also declaring her support.
Finding their argument amusing, Harry had simply stood his ground, arms crossed, wearing his magic like a cloak (only really noticeable to those who knew what to look for). Deciding he'd had enough, he cleared his throat. It wouldn't do to keep the Lady waiting, after all.
"As amusing as this discussion is, the Lady has asked for judgement." he, gently, reminded the assembly.
"But-" Dumbledore began angrily.
"Very well." Fudge announced, cutting the headmaster off. "If the Lady permits, she may present her case with Mr. Potter acting in the capacity of Interpreter. Who is the Accused?"
Harry bowed his head in acknowledgement before returning to the dragon, listening as she spoke. Initially she mentioned a rotten magic, before stating he'd been called 'headmaster'. Turning back to the judges, Harry let his eyes scan over them before nodding, and straightening up.
"The Lady has named Headmaster Dumbledore, of Hogwarts, as the Accused."