Harry Potter and the Supreme Animagus
Chapter 19
Nest Raiding Strategies, Part 1
Brittish Badger and Bulgarian Flat-Faced Bear
Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it).
Wizarding Wireless Network Transcription
First Task
First Champion; Hogwarts, Cedric Diggory
"Good afternoon, witches and wizards of the audience of the Wizarding Wireless Network News! I am Angus Gutteridge (1), your commentator for the TriWizard Tournament, broadcasting directly from Hogwarts for all Wizarding Britain!
"It is a beautiful November day here in Hogwarts, and the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin"
"The four Champions have drawn lots to determine the order in which they will face the First Task, Witches and Wizards, and here comes the First Champion! Representing the Hogwarts School of Witchcarft and Wizardry, here comes Mr. Cedric Diggory!"
"Mr. Diggory is an outstanding young wizard, sorted in Hufflepuff House. A promising young man, who no doubt will show his skill and learning. He is in his Sixth Year, is one of the Hufflepuff Prefects, with an impeccable record, and also is both Captain and Seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. According to the dedicated staff at Hogwarts, he is quite skillful in Charms and Transfiguration, so it is very probable he will use those skills to complete the task!"
"His opponent and obstacle for the First Task is a ferocious nesting dragon, a Swedish Short Snout! This particular breed of dragon is well known for their silvery-blue skin, highly valued for its protective qualities for gloves and shields; and also for the potency of its flame. It is said it's flame is so highly focused, it is almost like a beam of bluish-white light! It is indeed very hot, capable of reducing timber or even bone to powdery ash in a matter of seconds, Witches and Wizards! A formidable opponent indeed!"
"And here we have it! The dragon handlers are now retreating from the enclosure, and Mr. Diggory is listening to the last minute instructions. The Ministry representative is reminding Mr. Diggory of the rules of the Task. Let's take the time to review them, Witches and Wizards."
"The goal of the First Taks is deceptively simple, at least on paper. In the Dragon's nest is a clutch of eggs, and among them, there is a single golden egg. The Champions must obtain the Golden Egg using any magical means at their disposal; however, they must enter the enclosure without any magical object! No amulet, potion, ring, or any other object that has any magical properties at all! The only magical object they can bring into the enclosure is their very own magic wand! Apart from that, they are free to use any kind of magic available; except, of course, for Dark Spells!"
"Mr. Diggory has clearly received his instructions, and the Ministry representative is now retreating from the Swedish Short-Snout enclosure. The doors will open in a few seconds to let Mr. Diggory enter the… Ah, the doors are opening!"
"Mr. Diggory has stopped a few yards inside the dragon's enclosure, and is clearly studying his opponent! The dragon is not taking the intrusion with any semblance of a welcoming mood! It's roaring! It has extended its wings in an impressive threatening display, but our Mr. Diggory is made of sterner stuff and is holding his ground!"
"Mr. Diggory is now preparing a spell… I am not sure of what he is… ah, I see now! He is indeed using a Transfiguration spell! It seems to be quite a complex spell, and he is taking his time."
"He has altered a rock, giving it the shape of a… please grant me a moment to adjust my Omniculars… it looks like a dog! What could be his plan, Witches and Wizards? Wait, he is now doing the same to another rock… but this time it is a sheep? And now, a third dog! He has shaped three statues!"
"Also, he is raising a wall! It's about eight feet tall, and curved like one half of a sphere. But will it be tall and thick enough to protect him against the Dragon's fire? Let's wait and see!"
"Now he has turned his attention back to the statues. He's… he's animating them! Now there are two shepherd dogs and a sheep next to the wall. I wonder why would he need these particular animals, as neither the dogs or the sheep seem to possess any magical properties, apart from being animated statues, of course."
"The first dog is running happily around the half-tower. Now, that's a first rate animation! If I had not seen him performing the spells, I would swear it is a real dog! It even barks!"
"The dragon is very focused on the dog. It has been fooled into believing it is a real animal!"
"Mr. Diggory seems satisfied with his work, and is now animating the other dog and the sheep. He is setting them to run around the enclosure, right out of the reach of the dragon! What an interesting strategy, Witches and Wizards!"
"Safe behind his half-tower, Mr. Diggory is now raising a second tower! He has set it about 20 feet from his original tower, in the opposite direction from the transfigured animals! Wait! I cannot see Mr. Diggory anymore! He must have used a Disillusionment Charm! Very smart! He must have moved to the second tower, because I can clearly see a third tower rising! What a cunning plan, Witches and Wizards, what a cunning plan! While the transfigured animals distract the dragon, Mr. Diggory makes his way to the nest! Oh, wait! The dragon is turning back! Has it heard something?"
"It's now snorting flames from its nostrils… it's looking down at the ground… wait… the sheep is now returning to the first tower, and the dragon didn't like it! It has shot fire to the sheep! But the animal is running away! It's almost a big ball of fire, tracking fire behind it!"
"The sheep has been destroyed! The dogs are now running frantically around! Mr. Diggory must be controlling them with an amazing force of will! And he is raising yet another tower!"
Later
"So far, Mr. Diggory has raised ten towers, getting progressively closer to the nest. There's only one dog left, distracting the dra… wait, Witches and Wizards! The Golden Egg is moving! It's floating away towards the last tower! Mr. Diggory has claimed the Golden Egg!"
"I… I can't see the Egg anymore… wait… the Egg is back in the nest! II can't believe it! The Egg is back in the nest!"
"What happened? Mr. Diggory had the Golden Egg! A moment, please. The dragon handlers are opening the enclosure door. There's Mr. Diggory, Witches and Wizards! He has turned visible again, and he's holding a Golden Egg! How is that possible? There are two Golden Eggs when there should be only one!"
"Oh, what a cunning, cunning young man! He must have transfigured something else into a copy of the true Golden Egg!"
"Mr. Diggory is now being taken to the Medical Tent. I do not think this is necessary, as he was not attacked by the Dragon. But rules are rules, and so, Madam Pomphrey must certify his health after the Task. Well done, young man! And congratulations! Now, let's see the judges marks." (2)
"Madame Maxime, representing Beauxbatons Academy of Magic; Eight Points."
Mr. Crouch, as Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation, Nine Points."
Headmaster Dumbledore, representing Hogwarts School of Witcher and Wizardry, Nine Points."
Mr. Bagman, as Head of Britain's Department of Magical Games and Sports, Nine Points."
Headmaster Karkaroff, representing the Durmstrang Institute, Five Points."
"Mr. Cedric Diggory gets a total of Forty Points, Witches and Wizards, a solid score of Forty Points!"
"There will be a short intermission of five minutes, and then it will be the turn of the Second Champion; in order of draw, of course, Mr. Viktor Krum, Durmstrang's Champion! In the meanwhile, please enjoy a musical treat, our own Celestina Warbeck's You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me!
Wizarding Wireless Network Transcription
First Task
Second Champion, Durmstrang, Viktor Krum
"We're back with the thrilling Triwizards Tournament! It is the turn of the Second Champion, Mr. Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang Champion and one of the youngest professional Quidditch players in history! I am sure everybody remembers the exciting World Championship match against Ireland a few months ago! Mr. Krum is a very gifted wizard too, no doubt about it, and he has earned high marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions! I confess I can't see a way to apply those two disciplines to the Task at hand, but I'm sure Mr. Krum will find a way!"
"Now, Mr. Krum is about to enter the enclosure, after receiving the last minute instructions. He cuts a dashing figure, dressed in modified Quidditch robes, and a curious hat that seems made of black leather. He's also wearing googles and a red bandana around his neck. The door opens, and he is in, Witches and Wizards, Viktor Krum is in the enclosure! His dragon is a Common Welsh Green, a kind of dragon that tends to avoid humans whenever possible, and prefers to scare away possible threats instead of attacking immediately. Now, that does not mean they are in any way tame! One of these amazing creatures almost broke the Statute of Secrecy back in 1932, when it attacked a group of muggles sunbathing in Ilfracombe, Devon! The amount of Obliviations needed reached a record number! And it is still the world's largest number of Obliviations in the whole XXth Century!"
"A curious characteristic of the Common Welsh Green is its roar, it is, and I'm sure we will have at least one example here, thought to be almost melodious. I've heard a few Muggleborn compare it to a fictitious magical creature the Japanese Muggles believe in, the legendary Japanese dragon known as Godzilla! A truly gigantic monster capable of untold destruction! Surely nothing but an old wives tale to scare unruly children! But I digress."
"Mr. Krum is now right at the entrance, holding his wand up in a salute! No, wait, is he casting a spell? It certainly looks like he is! Is that a Summoning Charm? Apparently it is exactly that! A broom is flying towards him! And there's a bag hanging from the shaft!"
"Krum is now running alongside the broom, it must be his professional Quidditch broom if I'm not mistaken! Evidently, he is familiar enough with its handling, as he has jumped onto the moving broom, at a very respectable speed! He does not waste time and is now rising on the air, Witches and Wizards!"
"The dragon has been watching Krum like a hawk, and looks like it's getting annoyed. Krum is flying around the nest, at a height of about a hundred feet, well outside the reach of the dragon's flame! Wait! He is tightening the path! He is getting close to the dragon!"
"The Welsh Green turns its head around, keeping Krum in its eye all the time, it is raising its head and extending its wings like a peacock extends its tail! It's a magnificent spectacle!"
"Krum is now flying away from the dragon! It looks like he was testing the safe distance. He is approaching again, and the dragon is taking breath! I wonder if it will roar or throw fire at Krum!"
(Distinctive, powerful roar)
"Oh, my goodness! That was incredibly loud, Witches and Wizards! My ears are indeed ringing! The Welsh Green is now flapping it swings at the intruder! I wouldn't want to be there, no, sir! Even a glancing hit from one of those wing would be strong enough to break bones, quite probably causing deadly wounds or even instant death!"
"Krum has retreated now back to the safe distance, but the Welsh Green is still very angry. Krum is now pulling down the goggles, covering his eyes; and he's pulling the bandana up, his face is now completely covered! He is rummaging in his bag. There's something on his hand, let me adjust my Omniculars… It looks like a… like a bottle! Could it be a potion? Must be, he has taken the stopper off! Is that a Fire Resistance Potion? The bottle is quite big, I must say."
"Krum is flying around the dragon, his right hand controlling the broom, and the left raised high. The dragon is about to roar! Krum has thrown the bottle right into the dragon's maw! Krum has potioned the dragon! What could be his purpose?"
"The Durmstrang Champion is flying lazy circles around the dragon, surely waiting for the potion to act. The dragon's eyes are closing, and its head is dropping! Could it be so simple?"
"The dragon is laying down on the ground, Witches and Wizards! It is sleeping like a baby! I wouldn't have expected such a simple solution to the problem. Mr. Krum is hovering close to the ground, flying slowly towards the nest. I can see the Golden Egg gleaming under the sun. Krum is keeping an eye on the dragon, just in case; thoughI don't think he will have reasons to worry, I applaud his prudence! We don't know how long the dragon will sleep, and it might wake up in a bad mood! I know my wife does so!" (Chuckles)
"Krum has taken the Golden Egg, and raises it over his head in triumph! The crowd goes crazy!"
"Oh, no! The dragon is awake! Krum has seen it and is now flying away at top speed, while the dragon tries to pursue him!" (Crashing noise) "Hopefully, the chains will hold! Merlin! The dragon has blown a fireball towards Krum!"
"Healers! Send the Healers! Viktor Krum has been hit by the fireball and is now falling! I can't see this Brave man crash down! Oh, my! Krum has kept his wits enough to perform a Wronsky Feint, right in front of an enraged dragon! He is flying towards the doors like a bloodbat from hell, still on fire!"
"The dragon handlers are covering his escape, stunning the dragon! The beast is taking the spells like nothing! Wait! It is falling! It is falling! The dragon is down! Krum has fallen too, and three dragon handlers are dousing the flames with conjured water! A team of Healers has arrived to the scene!"
"Amazing! Viktor Krum is back on his feet! He is literally smoking! But doesn't seem hurt, he took his hat off, and has raised the Egg over his head! Viktor Krum is not only alive, Witches and Wizards! He has won the Egg! The Healers are now guiding him to the Medical tent, for a check-up. I certainly trust he will be okay!"
"While we wait for news, let's see what the judges think of Mr. Krum's feat!"
"Madame Maxime, Eight Points!"
"Mr. Crouch, Eight Points!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Nine Points!"
"Mr. Bagman, Seven Points!"
"Headmaster Karkaroff, Ten Points!"
"For a great total of Forty Two Points, putting Mr. Krum on the lead, with two points over Mr. Diggory!"
"We go now to a musical intermission, while Mr. Krum is checked. It's a pleasure to me to present the duet Dead Can Sing, with a very appropriate song for today's event! The Dragon's Egg. (3) From their album Orbis de Ignis!"
Author Notes
(1) Original character. I checked in the Potter Fandom site to see if there was any sports commentator whose name I could use, but there was nothing. I thought this name sounded properly Wizard-like.
(2) In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", Ludo Bagman does not mention the points received by the Champions, Harry thinks it's because the judges must have shown them to the crowd. As I decided to write this chapter from the POV of the audience of the radio transmission, I thought it wouldn't make sense to not mention the points awarded.
(3) A reference to one of my favorite groups, Dead Can Dance, though the album is actually titled "The Serpent's Egg" and "Orbis de Ignis" is one of the songs included. BTW, according to Google translator, "Orbis de Ignis" means "World of Fire"!