Chapter 37
Harry entered a random classroom that he was pretty sure hadn't been used for quite a few years with Thomas, ready for the 'weighing of the wands' as Bagman had put it. The classroom was a decent size, and in it were several people: Krum and Fleur leaned to the side somewhat awkwardly, to both of whom Harry gave a nod to in greeting, Karkaroff, Maxime and Dumbledore were talking amongst themselves Dorea and Lily were talking among both of them they were here as judges representing Potter and Ashwood family., Bagman was chatting loudly with a reporter from the Daily Prophet that Harry could tell was Rita Skeeter, and Crouch and Ollivander, the latter dusting up a table where he stood.
"Ah!" said Bagman happily when Harry and Thomas entered. "The other 2 champions! Perfectly on time, and in you come for the weighing ceremony. It's nothing too complicated, just have to make sure your wands are functional of course since they're the most important tools in the tournament for you." He gestured to Rita Skeeter, who was complete with her long nails and the over-jewelled handbag that Harry had seen so many times when she was out reporting something for the Prophet. "Rita over here is doing a small piece for the Prophet."
"Not that small Ludo!" she laughed, before her eyes fixed onto the Potter brothers. "If you wouldn't mind, may I borrow them for a short moment? Perhaps sneak in a quick interview, if they're willing of course."
"I'm sure they are," agreed Ludo. "You are, aren't you boys?"
"Definitely Mr Bagman," nodded Harry before Thomas could get a chance to respond. "Perhaps 1 at a time Miss Skeeter?"
"Lovely," smilled Rita, grabbing Harry's arm and steering him out of the room and into a broom cupboard. She didn't really want to talk to Thomas, especially since she was practically drooling over the gossip she could get from the Boy-Who-Lived less famous snake brother. Surely there was some tension between them lurking about.
"Why are we in a broom cupboard?" Harry asked, looking around the small dingy space that had been lit up by Skeeter's wand.
"Just for some privacy," explained Skeeter, opening her handbag and grabbing a notepad along with a bright green quill. "You don't mind if I use a quick-quote quill, do you?" she asked.
"Actually I do," said Harry, grabbing the quill from her and crumpling it up into a ball. "I'd much rather you use a quill that writes the truth instead of fabricating lies Ms Skeeter."
"I assure you-"
"I know what a quick-quotes quill does," interrupted Harry. "Use a normal one or this interview is over."
"Of course," grumbled Skeeter, pulling out a normal white quill. "So, let's get this started-"
Harry held up a hand to stop her and titled his head. "How about I tell you what you're going to write Ms Skeeter," he suggested and an unpleasant frown formed on her face. "You have a particular reputation of gossiping things that aren't always fully accurate," said Harry. "And you have considerable influence on the Prophet, which makes you a good ally."
"Go on," prompted Skeeter, confused as to where he was going.
"No doubt you dragged me here with intentions of getting juicy information about myself and my brother, and then you would go on to publish lies about us, but I don't hate you for that," admitted Harry.
"You don't?" asked Skeeter, even more confused.
"No- you're simply doing your job. However, there is a way you can do that job without making an enemy of House Potter," he said and she paled, just realizing the consequences if she had gone along with her previous plan. "You will publish the truth, and nothing but the truth."
"But that won't get me viewers!" protested Skeeter. "The public adores-"
"Yes, yes I know what the public wants," said Harry. "I wasn't finished. Of course, you are allowed to portray the 4 champions in a more positive light. However, someone will have to take the blame for why there were 2 underage champions selected. I suggest the judges of course except my mother and Grandmother."
"You're asking me to go after Ministry officials?" asked Skeeter in disbelief.
"Not directly, no," answered Harry. "Sprinkle a few doubts in, ask questions about their competency. Specifically Crouch, Bagman and Dumbledore."
"That...could work," said Skeeter unsurely. "After all, they are more famous than you and Thomas."
"Exactly!" smiled Harry, keeping himself from frowning at the disgust he felt towards the woman. "Now, I think we're done here." Harry pushed open the broom cupboard and walked back into the classroom leaving behind a slightly surprised Rita Skeeter. He got a few weird looks when he entered but none of them fazed him.
"What was that about?" whispered Thomas.
"I'll tell you later," whispered Harry as Dumbledore introduced Garrick Ollivander, who promptly called Fleur Delacour to inspect her wand.
"Yes," Ollivander said quietly examining Fleur's wand, "nine and a half inches . . . inflexible . . . rosewood . . . and containing . . . dear me . . ."
"An 'air from ze 'head of a veela," said Fleur. "One of my grandmother's."
"Yes," said Mr. Ollivander, "yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands . . . however, to each his own, and if this suits you . . ." Mr. Ollivander ran his fingers along the wand, apparently checking for scratches or bumps; then he muttered, "Orchideous!" and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip. "Very well, very well, it's in fine working order," said Mr. Ollivander, scooping up the flowers and handing them to Fleur with her wand.
"Mr. Krum, if you please." Viktor Krum got up and slouched, round-shouldered and duck footed, toward Mr. Ollivander. He thrust out his wand and stood scowling, with his hands in the pockets of his robes. "Hmm," said Mr. Ollivander, "this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I . . . however . . ." He lifted the wand and examined it minutely, turning it over and over before his eyes.
"Yes . . . hornbeam and dragon heartstring?" he shot at Krum, who nodded. "Rather thicker than one usually sees . . . quite rigid . . . ten and a quarter inches . . . Avis!" The hornbeam wand let off a blast like a gun, and a number of small, twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window into the watery sunlight.
It was Thomas's turn "Ah, this is one of mine" Olivander smiled momentarily before taking the wand "holly, eleven inches with a phoenix core" he then started frowning "I don't remember ever handing it to you"
"Dumbledore gave it me, sir" Thomas replied
"Hmm, there is a problem here lad" Olivander sighed "this wand is not compatible for you"
"What does that mean?" Thomas asked
"It means that the wand doesn't work properly for you" Harry explained "if it was compatible then your magic would be much better, tomorrow you and me can go and buy a new wand"
"Probably best" Olivander agreed, handing the wand back
"Now, are you sure about this?" Dumbledore said, he was hoping Thomas would stick with the Phoenix wand, after all it was Voldemort's wands brother wand "I'm sure that this wand works just fine"
Lilly looked ashamed at how she could forget about Thomas's wand being given by Dumbledore not by Ollivander.
"Dumbledore" Harry said in a tired voice "birds don't tell lions how to hunt, neither do snakes tell birds how to fly. The same way a school headmaster shouldn't be telling an expert wand maker that he is wrong in a conversation about wands" Everyone looked at him, openly gaping at the way he talked to the headmaster
"The boy is right," Olivander smiled. "You mind your business Albus and I will mind my own, now will the other Potter show his wand?"
"Sure thing" Harry walked over and handed Olivander his wand
"Hmm, interesting, this is one of the best i have ever created" Olivander said, surprising everyone present there "Elder 12 and a half inches ,yew thestral tail ,hair powdered griffin claws and phoenix tail feather the most interesting wand i ever created its perfect" he handed it to Harry who took it. Everyone was shocked that Harry had 3 cores, very exceptional wizards had more than 2 cores, Lily looked awed at her elder son's wand and Dorea looked proud.
"Thank you Ollivander" Dumbledore said, not completely over the shock. Olivander left then Ludo Bagman approached the Potters as they made to leave
"How about some photos?" asked Bagman happily, gesturing to the photographer.
"Yeah...how about no?" Harry asked rhetorically, taking Thomas's hand and leading him out of the room.
"What about you two?" Bagman asked timidly once Harry and Thomas had left. Krum and Fleur both looked at each other, and then shook their heads leaving the room as well.
Thomas left the library rather happily, holding a book about the tournament when he was suddenly cornered by Ron and Hermione. "Hi guys," he said nervously, hoping they could get their friendship back on track.
"Thomas, just please admit you put your name into the tournament," said Hermione almost desperately. "We'll forgive you once you do."
"I told you, I didn't put my name in!" said Thomas.
"Please," scoffed Ron. "You're the famous Boy-Who-Lived- you'll always be looking for another way to get more famous. You probably entered the tournament to do just that."
"That was the old me- now I'm not into that anymore," said Thomas.
"Still doesn't change the fact that you entered the tournament," retorted Hermione smugly.
"Believe it or not, I didn't," sighed Thomas unhappily.
"So why did you miss potions, huh?" asked Ron angrily.
"What do you mean?" asked Thomas, very confused.
"This," said Hermione unhappily, holding up a newspaper with something about the Triwizard Tournament.
"That was a formality!" complained Thomas. "And it's not like I gave an interview for anything- I didn't even get my picture taken for Merlin's sake."
"Yeah," muttered Ron faltering all of a sudden, racking his brain for something to say. "You were still mentioned! And as the boy-who-lived!"
"I can't believe you two!" said Thomas, slack-jawed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do." Thomas pushed past Ron and Hermione, eyes pricking with tears as he desperately hoped things would go back to the way it used to be between them.
Harry pulled on his invisibility cloak and rushed outside of the Common Room. He'd gotten an anonymous tip to check the Forbidden Forest for a clue about the first task, and he was going to take the person who'd given him the tip up on that. Obviously he would be wearing his cloak in case it was a trap.
Soon, he found himself arriving at the edge of the Forbidden Forest near Hagrid's Hut. He braced himself so he could enter when he heard an ear-splitting roar from the center of the forest, and his eyes widened in fear and anticipation. Something told him the tip was spot on, so he rushed into the forest without a second thought.
Harry's assumption was proven correct less than ten minutes later when he rounded a corner on the path through the forest and emerged into a huge clearing. In this clearing he could see four large cages that held the dragons that the champions would have to face, all of which Harry recognised on sight due to his extensive reading up on dragons. He could see that he might well be facing off against one of the most dangerous dragons in the world as he saw one was the feared Hungarian Horntail which was famous for being extremely vicious and very hard to subdue. The next potential was a Chinese Fireball which could launch fireballs as far as half a mile if the books Harry had read had been accurate. The final two dragons were the Ukrainian Ironbelly and the Swedish Short Snout which while were still dangerous in their own right, they had strengths more in defence against attackers than the other two dragons. This alone made Harry hope that however it would be decided which dragon would face off against which champion, he would have one of the latter two dragons rather than the former as he could lure them away if the Parseltongue didn't end up working before hurry back for whatever they would need to get from the task.
Harry waited until Hagrid and Madame Maxime had left the forest again before he shed the invisibility cloak and approached the closest dragon which was the Horntail.. The Horntail opened its eyes when it heard Harry hissing but could not identify the source so what happened next almost made him pass out from shock.
"Valeriya, why must you use such lowbrow speech, don't you know that it is beneath us to speak as plainly as a lowly grass serpent?"
"That's not me Elder Piroska, one of the two legged stick wavers is standing in front of you. I think it is making that noise"
Harry froze in fear as the Horntail turned round to look directly at him with her huge yellow eyes. Knowing that one wrong move could lead him to being incinerated, Harry stood perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe. Although it sounded like the dragons were speaking Parseltongue, Harry could make out other sounds mixed in with the hisses that didn't quite make sense to him as it sounded like the dragon that he thought was named Valeriya kept referring to the Horntail as 'Elder' which wasn't a part of the language that Harry had encountered before.
"Let me see you wand wielder! I know you're there. I can smell you. "
Knowing he had no choice, Harry stepped up to the bars of the cage that the Horntail occupied and into the light.
"Now that we can see you little wizard we want to know why you are here and why you speak our language so poorly?"
What happened next surprised Harry as he had been sure that he would find it difficult to speak to these dragons due to not being familiar with them as well as being scared for his life.
"I had come to see if I could strike a bargain with one of your number Elder. My brother and I have been forced into this tournament and I do not wish to fight you or any of your kin as I had hoped to find a peaceful solution to the task."
"Why should we believe you little wizard? Your kind has tricked us before and we do not forget what was promised to us by your ancestors before they reneged on their oaths and promises. They promised us our own land to live in peace, but they used us and then they tried to exterminate us. So few of our number remain now that we do not take risks unless direly needed. So I ask you why should we believe anything you say human!"
"I know my words mean little right now but the task is in a few days and if you want to test my sincerity I promise on my honour as a wizard that when I step into the arena I won't try and cast any spells at any of your kin as long as they let me complete the task and as a Potter it's a sin for Heir Potter to hurt a dragon or provoke it."
The dragon elder Piroska looked directly at Harry for several long uncomfortable moments as she breathed in his smell, before she muttered a few words too fast for Harry to catch and he hoped that they had not been 'burn him' but what happened next shocked Harry the Dragon bowed in front of him which was followed by all the other Dragons.
"Forgive us The Heir of the clan that wielded the mighty Black Dragon we couldn't recognise you.I give you my word we will not hurt anyone until they try to harm our eggss and we will not hurt you and your brother master Potter"
Harry smiled at it and-
Harry backed off slightly from the cages before he bowed to the dragon Piroska, he wasn't entirely sure why he had done so but he felt that it was right to do so. It was only once Harry had put back on his invisibility cloak and started back towards the castle that he realised just how fast his heart had been beating and how weak his legs were feeling currently, but it had been worth the risk but now he had a important work; he had to talk to his Grandfather.
The following Day Harry had made a deal with Dragon and Harry had discussed with his Grandfather and he was told to solve his problems on his own and also told to do some duties as Heir Potter.
"Absolutely not!"
"The dragons are already in danger due to this tournament, but there is no way you are risking the eggs by placing them in the arena. They could be destroyed by accident and I'm not going to let so many unborn dragons be killed just because witches and wizards have such a poor sense of what is fun," he said to the Head Dragon Keeper of the Romanian Dragon Reserve. They were standing in a clearing in the Forbidden Forest and the dragons were putting up one hell of a fight several feet away.
"But Heir Potter, the tournament officials –"
"As far as I'm aware, My Family owns the reserve, Mr Dorian," Harry said coldly. "The tournament officials have no business ordering you about and neither does the International Confederation of Wizards. There will be no eggs placed in that arena, is that clear?"
"But Heir Potter, the eggs are part of the task," the Head Dragon Keeper argued nervously. "It has been specifically requested by the Triwizard Committee which has been commissioned by the I.C.W. We have a contract, sir, and we have to go through with it."
Harry folded his arms over his chest and looked at the dragons which were all looking at him. The committee wanted eggs, but he wasn't willing to risk them. So the only option was –
"I'll contact my grandfather and ensure that the British Ministry of Magic provides you with charmed duplicates," Harry said quietly. "Switch them with the real eggs and place them in the arena. I don't want them to go on a rampage. How many are there in each clutch?"
"Ahem," the Head Keeper stammered, looking at his notes. "There are fifteen each, sir; that makes sixty eggs in total."
Harry snorted. "There is no way am I risking the lives of sixty unborn dragons for this tournament. If the Triwizard Committee discovers the switch, just tell them that you were following orders and direct them to my Grandfather. He'll handle them," he said flatly.
"Yes sir," the wizard nodded, mentally breathing a sigh of relief. At least he didn't have to deal with those people in case the worst happened.
"And make sure you have Healers who specialise in dragon care nearby," Harry ordered. "I don't want the mother dragons fatally injured as well. Once the task is over, ensure that they are treated for their injuries. If Healers aren't here right now, ensure that they are present at the arena on the day of the task. Understood?"
"Yes, Heir Potter."
Harry nodded to the man but before he left, he paused. "You'll find the substitute eggs by tomorrow evening. Also, ensure that none of the real eggs is misplaced. I will not have anyone misuse the situation to steal the real eggs. If I catch anyone doing that, trust me when I say they will be looking for a new job, along with a nice stay in prison. Ensure that your employees are clear on that matter as well. And remember, Grandfather and I will know if we're being deceived. Good day, Mr Dorian."
"Damn," whispered the Head Keeper, wiping his brow, watching Harry walk away. That was a wizard to watch out for.
"This place has changed quite a bit since we were last here hasn't it?" Dorea asked her husband as they wandered around the halls of Hogwarts with their children, grandchildren and the generally unwanted Molly Weasley .
"I remember there used to be a painting of Sir Jaquin the Jolly on this wall," said Charlus fondly. "He was-"
"That painting got removed in my time-" interrupted Molly before she was interrupted by Harry.
"Hush harpy," said Harry. "My grandfather was speaking. Grandfather?" Harry asked Charlus, who gave him a sly wink.
"That is no way to talk to your elders!" said Molly, stopping Charlus from continuing. "I have half a mind to-"
"To what?" asked Harry. "Ground me? Send me a howler? Cut off my pocket money? Face it- you're not family so you can't do anything."
Molly flinched back, alarmed. "I don't know who you think you are, but you should not be talking back to adults like that!"
"And you should take your wand and shove it-"
"That's a tad too far Harry," said James, stopping him from saying something very crude. "And Molly," he said angrily. "I very much hope you'll watch your tone around my son."
"James!" complained Molly. "Surely you can't-Lily! Help me out here!"
"We've known each other for many years, but you were wrong here," she said, crossing her arms whilst Harry looked up to his parents with grudging respect. "Now would you like to apologise to my son for speaking to him like that?"
Molly looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel but she managed to grit an apology out of herself. "Sorry Hadrian."
"And Harry," said Lily. "Do you have something to say as well?" Dorea turned towards her Grandson and gave him a no nonsense look, Harry couldn't refuse to apologise to Mrs Weasley however funny it may be but Dorea couldn't forget etiquettes .
"Sorry Mrs Wallaby," smirked Harry after getting orders.
"It's Weasley," reminded Molly, annoyed.
"Whatever," shrugged Harry. "Thanks Mu- Lily," he said, stopping himself from saying the 'm word.' Lily noticed this as well, but she accepted it. She and James had made progress, and that was enough for and Dorea smiled at the betterment of the relationship between a child and his parents.
Thomas knew that this task would be watched with following mirrors, mirrors that Potters had launched in the market. They worked just like two way mirrors, except these small mirrors were designed to fly and become invisible while also being indestructible. It was a great way to make sure that everyone could properly watch the task, in fact Remus was in charge of running the business that sold them. The werewolf was glad to have work and the family made a lot of money from it.
Fleur looked nervous, so did Krum even though he did a good job at hiding it. Thomas was pacing, he looked at Harry who was sitting calmly with his legs crossed and his eyes closed.
"Aren't you nervous?" Thomas asked Harry
"Just take a big breath brother" Harry replied
"What are you? A hippy?"
"No, but I hear that they get discounts on weed so I'm considering becoming one. Now shut your mouth, stop walking and take a big breath." Thomas glared at Harry for a second before doing what he was told.
Soon they each went out for their task, when it was Thomas's turn he slowly walked out when he hid behind a rock. He looked, his dragon appeared to have fallen asleep. He slowly aimed his wand at the golden egg
"Accio golden egg" He said and the egg flew to his wand. Thomas was amazed! It turns out that Harry was right, they wouldn't think of something as simple as that. The judges looked a bit embarrassed that they forgot something as simple as that, nobody in the crowd cheered, apart from the Potters and co who had decided to come and watch.
Next it was Harry's turn, he walked out of there. He hid behind a rock and looked over at his dragon, a Hungarian horntail, it was looking around wildly. Harry went forward in front of the dragon.
"Greetings, O Mighty Dragon" Harry bowed
"Greetings Heir Potter" Dragon to bowed to his surprise and it moved aside Harry went forward took the golden egg from its nest and came back to the tent, the crowd was shocked to see the dragon and Harry conversing in parseltongue the judges were pale but they had to give out the scores.
"And what's this!" screamed Bagman. "Hadrian Potter has got the egg! And in one of the most impressive ways yet! Mr Potter used his parseltongue abilities to win this task! And now for the scores!"
From Bagman's own wand erupted an 8, Maxime gave him a 9, Dumbledore gave him an 8, Crouch gave him a 4 and ignored the booing, and Karkaroff gave him an 8 not wanting to get booed like Crouch, Lily gave him a 9, Dorea gave him a 8 making Harry's final score 57.
Dumbledore was one of the judges as Hogwarts was hosting the tournament.
"Harry!" shouted Thomas hugging him as soon as he left the tent. "That was amazing! How did you do that?"
"Whoa! Whoa! Calm down!" said Harry, smiling and breaking the hug gently. "And to answer your question, I study"
"You're alright, right?" asked Thomas, looking Harry over.
"Yeah."
"Harry!" shouted Daphne running into the tent, and she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and pulled him into a kiss.
"I'm assuming you're glad I survived, right?" asked Harry when the kiss ended.
"Idiot," said Daphne, lightly slapping his shoulder. "I was so worried- you know with the flames, and the dragon and-"
Harry stopped her rambling with a kiss and smiled happily. "Of course you were worried- you wouldn't have been able to find someone as wonderful as me had I been turned into a human kebab."
Before Daphne could respond, The Potter family entered the tent. "My boys!" called out Dorea happily. "I'm so proud of you!"
"The eggs weren't real" shouted a wizard of the Triwizard Committee at the Head Dragon Keeper. "We had a contract. The dragons were probably docile because they couldn't sense the eggs!"
"Sir" said Head Keeper Dorian nervously. "I was only following instructions from my superior, sir. He absolutely refused to let the eggs anywhere near the arena -"
"We thought you were the one in charge, Dorian," another witch snapped. "Just who is this boss of yours?"
"That would be us," said a voice.
Everyone turned to look at Heir Hadrian Potter standing at the doorway. "Potter?" said a man in disbelief. "Just what do you have to do with this? And how did you find out about the dragons? That means you knew about the task beforehand! We will be reporting you for cheating."
Harry's eyes flashed bright green and his aura flared.
"I believe my Grandson has a title, Mr Sunder" said Charlus quietly entering the room behind Harry at which everyone in the room stood up but Charlus motioned them to sit..
"My apologies, Lord Potter, Heir Potter" said the man with great effort. He clearly didn't like bowing down to a fourteen-year-old boy and an old man. "But the fact of the matter is, you had no right to -"
"That's where you're wrong, Mr Sunder," said Charlus. "The dragon reserve from where you ordered the four dragons for the first task is owned by me. Did you think I don't keep track of my investments? And please tell me what your problem is with regard to the eggs."
"The eggs were not real," said Sunder testily. "We had a contract that said -"
"-that said that you need four nesting mother dragons with eggs" finished Harry. "But you never specified that they had to be dragon eggs. We could as well have brought chicken eggs for the task. I was not willing to risk the eggs and my concern turned out to be warranted. Mr Dorian, how many eggs or so called eggs were destroyed in the first task?" he asked lightly.
"Only the Horntail and Chinese Fire balls eggs were not harmed. Between the other two champions, seventeen fake eggs were lost" he said, thankful that he didn't have to deal with the Triwizard Committee.
"Seventeen eggs, Ladies and Gentlemen" said Charlus calmly. "That would have been the number of unborn dragons killed because of this tournament. Sorry, but I will not let so many dragons be killed nor will I be held responsible for the misery of the mother dragon for losing its clutch."
A wizard of the committee scoffed. "So what? They're just eggs and -"
He didn't finish his statement because the air became very frigid all of a sudden. Everyone thought that a dementor had suddenly entered the room and was searching for it, but instead, they caught sight of a furious Hadrian Potter. His eyes were glowing bright green, with lightning bolts visible in them. Some of them stepped back in shock.
"Just eggs?" he said in a whisper. "Really? How would you feel if I tossed your newborn baby there while your wife killed it by accident or someone else killed it to get to a stupid golden egg, all for a game?" His voice was quiet, but the cold tone made the members of the committee involuntarily shiver. They paled when he compared the eggs to babies. Charlus placed his hand on Harry's shoulders which made him somewhat calm.
Charlus took their whitened faces. "That's what your beloved first task was about. The dragons killed their own babies while trying to protect them. Look outside" he said, jerking his head towards the window.
Everyone saw a spectacle of the dragons cuddling their eggs and wailing in happiness. The dragons clearly had thought that they had destroyed their eggs, and were overjoyed to see that their eggs were actually safe and sound.
"I am disgusted by what you all think about the feelings and emotions about sentient magical creatures" said Harry, distaste clear on his face. "The dragons are magical too, aren't they? You're all magical too, aren't you? What's the difference? Do you want to try again Mr Sunder? I don't mind redoing the task. How would you like to bring your grandchildren here and place them as bait for the task?" he snapped, looking at the ashen face of the obnoxious older man.
"And you all think you're better than muggles" sneered Charlus. "If this is the behaviour you show towards fellow magical creatures, then you're no better than those muggles themselves. You want to file a case against me for Breach of Contract? Go ahead. I'll fight it right up to the ICW if I have to. I will not let even a drop of magical blood be spilled for such arrogance, whatever species they may be. Am I clear?"
"Yes Lord Potter" said Sunder, quite nervous about the way the scene was playing out.
"Good. Glad we reached an understanding" said Harry, who turned on his heel and marched away.
"Damn. I don't ever want to mess with him" said a witch on the committee.
"That's what I said" muttered Dorian.
Dumbledore currently sat in his office waiting for Thomas so he could question the boy on his preparation for the tournament. Truth be told, he found it quite ingenious that Thomas chose the summoning charm to simply summon the egg, but what he was more concerned about was his brother Hadrian. He'd just talked to the dragon and had likely struck a deal with it.
He suspected Hadrian was using dark magic and he had talked in parseltongue with the dragon. He wasn't stupid enough to question Hadrian himself, since the boy hated him and would obviously not admit he had been using dark magic, but he had heard that Thomas and Hadrian had been practising together for the tournament. Perhaps he could use Thomas to figure out training he had been receiving from Hadrian.
"Professor," said a voice at the door, making Dumbledore jump. He'd been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he hadn't noticed Thomas come into his office.
"Thomas dear boy," smiled Dumbledore. "Come in, take a seat." Thomas walked into Dumbledore's office and took a seat, but then Hadrian Potter followed him. "Mr Potter, you can go now," suggested Dumbledore, slightly panicked now that the person he didn't want was here.
"Harry, can you stay?" asked Thomas, stopping Harry from leaving.
"Um, yeah sure," agreed Harry, taking a seat. "That is of course, if you have no problems with it, Professor?" he asked innocently.
"None at all," laughed Dumbledore as convincingly as he could- he needed Thomas in a good mood and hopefully his brother's presence wouldn't make too much of a difference to which questions he would answer.
Harry scooted his chair slightly away from the Headmaster, very confused as to why he was being so friendly. "So, what did you need, Professor?" he asked.
"I was very impressed with both your tactics in the first task, especially yours Hadrian," explained Dumbledore. "I was wondering what you two did to prepare."
Harry looked blankly at Dumbledore, waiting expectantly, whilst it was the old man's turn to look confused. "You haven't asked me a question yet," remarked Harry after a minute of awkward silence.
Dumbledore resisted the urge to hex the boy in front of him and continued with grace. "My apologies- how did you prepare?"
"We practised magic and did some research," explained Harry vaguely whilst Thomas nodded as confirmation.
"Yes...but what magic?" asked Dumbledore.
It was Thomas who talked this time. "The summoning charm," he answered simply.
Dumbledore looked at him for a moment or two, choosing not to use legilimency on the boy since he didn't want several powerful families at his throat and eventually broke the stare. "Very well," he admitted slowly. "That was all I wanted to ask you two about. You may go."
Harry and Thomas stood up from their seats and left the Headmaster feeling very confused. "Told you, that's what he would ask," said Harry once they were far away from Dumbledore's office.
"But-how?" asked Thomas disbelievingly.
"I have my ways," replied Harry mysteriously. "I have my ways."
"You're not gonna sneak off into the shadows, are you?" Thomas asked, interrupting Harry's moment of glory.
"No," said Harry simply. "I'm too cool to need to do that."
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