Chapter 13: First Task

November 18, 2001 – Sunday

Library

Hermione's alarm was palpable when she learned about the first task. Her sister was going to be facing a dragon, and the danger was very real.

In the days that followed, Hermione, Harry, Dawn, and even Buffy, all racked their brains, walking three times around the lake, desperately trying to think of a simple spell that would subdue a dragon. Yet, no solution seemed to present itself, leaving them feeling frustrated and worried. Eventually, they decided to retreat to the library in search of answers.

Buffy, knowing her own limitations when it came to research, shook her head with a sense of determination. She might not excel in this area, but she was determined to help Dawn in any way she could.

Harry, equally determined, pulled down every book he could find on dragons, and together they delved into the vast knowledge within those pages. Hermione, however, couldn't find anything of immediate use in the books they were consulting.

"Talon-clipping by charms… treating scale-rot…This is no good; this is for nutters like Hagrid who want to keep them healthy…" Hermione muttered in frustration.

Buffy's expression darkened, her brows furrowing deeply. "Hermione Joyce Summers!" she exclaimed with a mixture of disappointment and concern in her voice.

Hermione's face contorted into a pained grimace as she acknowledged Buffy's use of her full birth name. It was a clear sign that Buffy was genuinely upset about what she had said regarding Hagrid.

"Hagrid may be a little different," Buffy began, her tone tinged with frustration, "but he is still a Professor and should have your respect. Calling him a nutter is not respecting him."

Harry chimed in, his voice carrying a note of urgency, "Dragons are extremely difficult to slay, owing to the ancient magic that imbues their thick hides, which none but the most powerful spells can penetrate… But Sirius said a simple one would do it..."

Dawn, determined and focused, responded with a sense of purpose. "Let's try some simple spellbooks, then," she suggested. She turned to the table with a pile of spellbooks and began to flick through each in turn.

Hermione's brow furrowed in thought as she pondered the problem at hand. "Well, there are Switching Spells," she mused, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "but what's the point of switching it? Unless you swapped its fangs for wine-gums or something that would make it less dangerous… The trouble is, like that book said, not much is going to get through a dragon's hide… I'd say Transfigure it, but something that big, you really haven't got a hope, I doubt even Professor McGonagall… unless you're supposed to put the spell on yourself? Maybe to give yourself extra powers? But they're not simple spells, I mean, we haven't done any of those in class, I only know about them because I've been doing O.W.L. practice papers…"

Harry's frustration was evident as he turned to Hermione and implored, "Hermione, will you shut up for a bit, please? I'm trying to concentrate."

Meanwhile, Dawn's determination led her to an idea. A small, triumphant smile played on her lips as she contemplated the power of Transfiguration. She began delving into her research, eager to learn more about the individual dragons and their weaknesses.

As Viktor Krum entered the scene, Hermione's irritation flared up. Her voice carried annoyance as she exclaimed, "Oh no, he's back again, why can't he read on his stupid ship?" She gestured towards Krum, who had a habit of lurking around.

Hermione then rallied her companions, suggesting they retreat to Buffy's room to avoid Krum's ever-present fan club. "Come on, Dawn. Buffy, Harry, we'll go back to Buffy's room… his fan club'll be here in a moment, twittering away…."

Buffy's Suite

Later that night, in the quiet of Buffy's suite after Harry had departed for the dormitory, Dawn finally revealed her ingenious plan to Buffy and Hermione. Her voice carried a sense of hope and determination as she explained, "Transfiguration."

Hermione, always eager to dissect ideas, inquired, "What are you going to transfigure? Not that dragon, that's for sure."

Dawn, her eyes shining with anticipation, responded confidently, "A rock, a tree, a bush, whatever is nearby. If I can find each dragon's weakness, then I can transfigure something into that object and use it to get past the dragon. For example, I was reading, and one of the dragons can get sleepy with music. I transfigure something into, say, a record and record player, and that dragon would fall asleep."

Buffy's nod was filled with a sense of approval and encouragement. Her words were imbued with a reassuring tone as she said, "I suggest you practice your transfiguration tomorrow night after classes. And research the rest of the dragons in your free time."

November 20, 2001 – Tuesday

Great Hall

On Tuesday, anticipation hung heavy in the air as lessons were scheduled to end at midday, granting all the students ample time to make their way down to the dragons' enclosure.

After a quick lunch, Professor McGonagall approached Harry and Dawn in the bustling Great Hall. Her voice carried a sense of urgency as she informed them, "Summers, Potter, the champions have to come down onto the grounds now… You have to get ready for your first task."

Harry and Dawn exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of nerves and determination. They both rose from their seats, ready to face the challenge ahead.

Hermione, her voice filled with heartfelt support, leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "Good luck, Harry. You'll be fine!"

Harry, trying to muster confidence, simply replied, "Yeah."

Hermione's voice carried a heartfelt warmth as she addressed her twin. "Good luck, Dawnie," she said, pulling her sister into a quick, reassuring hug. With a final, reassuring smile, she turned and followed Professor McGonagall and Harry, her heart filled with determination.

The Grounds

Professor McGonagall's reassuring words were meant to calm the nervousness that gripped Harry and Dawn. Her voice carried a sense of authority and care as she said, "Now, don't panic, just keep a cool head… We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand… The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you… Are you both all right?"

Harry, eager to maintain his composure, nodded firmly. "Yes," he replied, his voice steady. He then glanced at Dawn to ensure she was holding up under the pressure. Dawn, though clearly anxious, simply nodded in response, her silence speaking volumes.

Professor McGonagall led them toward a tent, her guidance a beacon of support. "You're to go in here with the other champions," she instructed, "and wait for your turn, Summers, Potter. Mr. Bagman is in there… he'll be telling you the - the procedure… Good luck."

Harry expressed his gratitude with a simple, "Thanks."

Dawn, feeling a surge of concern, sought information about Buffy's whereabouts. "Uhm, Professor, where's Buffy?" she inquired, her voice laced with worry.

Professor McGonagall met Dawn's gaze with a nod of understanding. "I'll send her to you," she reassured. "She can't stay long, though. She has to be ready in case she's needed during the task."

As Dawn and Harry entered the tent, they found themselves in the company of their fellow champions. Fleur Delacour sat on a hard wooden stool in a corner, her nerves evident. Viktor Krum, typically brooding, appeared even surlier than usual, a clear sign that he, too, was feeling the pressure. Cedric, on the other hand, paced nervously.

When Dawn and Harry joined the group, Cedric greeted them with a small, friendly smile, which they reciprocated with a nod of acknowledgment.

Ludo Bagman, the ever-enthusiastic announcer, welcomed them with cheerfulness. "Dawn! Harry! Good-o!" he exclaimed. "Come in, come in, and make yourselves at home! Well, now we're all here - time to fill you in!" He held up a small sack of purple silk and explained, "When the audience has assembled, I'm going to be offering each of you this bag."

Bagman shook the sack at them, drawing their attention. "From this bag," he continued, "you will each select a small model of the thing you are about to face! There are different - er - varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too…ah, yes…your task is to collect the golden egg! Ladies first," he said, offering the bag to Fleur Delacour.

Fleur, her hand trembling slightly, reached into the bag and retrieved a tiny, immaculate model of a dragon - a Romanian Longsnout, bearing the number two around its neck.

With a sense of anticipation, Bagman then extended the bag to Dawn. She reached inside and pulled out a miniature representation of the Welsh Green, with a number five around its neck. A smile graced her face as she already knew the transfiguration that would calm this particular dragon.

Then it was Krum's turn. He reached into the bag and withdrew the scarlet Chinese Fireball, with a number three around its neck.

Cedric reached into the silk bag and retrieved the Swedish Short-Snout, which bore the number one around its neck. The tension in the tent grew as each champion discovered the dragon they would face.

Harry, his heart likely pounding, extended his hand into the bag and pulled out the Hungarian Horntail, marked with the number four.

Ludo Bagman's cheerful demeanor remained as he provided further instructions. "Well, there you are!" he exclaimed. "You have each pulled out the dragon you will face, and the numbers refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, I'm going to have to leave you in a moment because I'm commentating. Mr. Diggory, you're first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle, all right? Now… Harry… could I have a quick word? Outside?"

Harry, still absorbing the information, replied somewhat blankly, "Er… yes." He got up and left the tent with Bagman, leaving Dawn with her thoughts.

Buffy entered the tent just as Harry left, her presence offering a comforting reassurance. "Feeling all right, Dawnie?" Buffy inquired, her voice filled with concern and support for her sister.

Dawn let out a sigh, her anxiety about the impending dragon task evident. She nodded in response to Buffy's understanding words. "I would be better if I wasn't facing a dragon," she admitted, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Buffy nodded in agreement, her empathy for her sister clear. "I know. I would also."

Dawn handed the tiny dragon statue to Buffy, who accepted it with a warm smile. "Music, right?" Buffy asked, referring to the dragon's weakness that Dawn had discovered earlier.

Dawn affirmed with a nod, "Yeah."

Buffy offered words of encouragement and a promise of support. "You'll do fine. Remember, I will be out there keeping watch. If it looks like you are having trouble, I will be there in a moment's notice." Dawn couldn't help but smile, and she hugged her sister tightly.

"Now, I need to get back out there. Good luck," Buffy said, breaking the embrace.

Dawn nodded, her gratitude evident. "Thanks, Buffy."

As Buffy left the tent, a whistle sounded somewhere in the distance. Harry returned just in time to see Cedric exiting the tent, his own dragon task imminent.

Dawn managed a small, sad smile as Harry approached her. His words carried a comforting reassurance as he asked, "It will be fine, Dawn. You know what you're gonna do?"

Dawn nodded, her voice filled with a measure of confidence despite her nerves. "Yes. I actually got the easy one. A little music, and the Welsh will fall asleep."

Their attention shifted to the sounds outside the tent, where Bagman's enthusiastic commentary echoed. They listened as he provided updates on Cedric's progress: "Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow"… "He's taking risks, this one!"…" Clever move - pity it didn't work!"

After about fifteen minutes, a deafening roar rang out, a sound that could only mean one thing: Cedric had successfully navigated his dragon and captured the coveted golden egg.

"Very good indeed!" Bagman's voice boomed excitedly. "And now the marks from the judges! One down, four to go!" Bagman yelled as the whistle blew again. "Miss Delacour, if you please!"

Fleur, visibly trembling, exited the tent, her nerves on full display for all to see.

The anxious moments continued as Dawn and Harry listened to Bagman's excited commentary. "Oh, I'm not sure that was wise!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with gleeful anticipation. "Oh… nearly! Careful now… good lord, I thought she'd had it then!"

Ten agonizing minutes later, the crowd erupted into applause once more, signaling Fleur's successful encounter with her dragon. Then, the whistle blew again, and Viktor Krum walked out to face his own challenge.

As Krum made his way toward the enclosure, Dawn turned to her friend, her concern evident. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with empathy.

Harry shook his head, his nerves palpable. "Scared out of my wits."

Dawn chuckled softly and wrapped her arms around Harry in a comforting hug. "You're in good company," she reassured him.

Harry couldn't help but laugh in response, finding solace in the shared apprehension that they both faced. They may have been terrified, but at least they were terrified together.

As Harry faced the Hungarian Horntail, the tension inside the tent remained palpable. The echoes of Bagman's commentary reached Dawn's ears: "Very daring!" he shouted. "That's some nerve he's showing - and - yes, he's got the egg!"

The whistle blew, signaling Krum's successful completion of the task, and Harry left the tent, leaving Dawn behind. The weight of her own challenge hung heavily on her as she prepared to face the Welsh Green.

Dawn tried to block out the sounds from outside, not wanting to hear if Harry would be fine or not. However, her concentration was broken by Bagman's excited voice.

"Look at that! Will you look at that! One of our youngest champions is quickest to get his egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Mr. Potter!"

Dawn seized her opportunity when the whistle was blown, and she exited the tent. Her eyes quickly scanned the crowd, seeking the familiar faces of Buffy and Hermione. She spotted Buffy first, who offered a quick reassuring nod, followed by Hermione, who waved in support.

Dawn needed a moment of respite before facing the dragon, and she spotted a large boulder nearby that seemed like the perfect hiding spot. Without hesitation, she darted toward it as the Welsh Green roared in her direction.

Dawn's heart raced as she dived behind the boulder, narrowly avoiding a deadly jet of fire from the Welsh Green. With quick thinking, she located a good-sized rock, moved it behind the boulder, and focused on her wand work. The rock transfigured into a record player, the key to her plan.

Peeking cautiously around the boulder, she had to duck down again as another fiery blast came her way. She started the record player, and its music began to play, filling the air. To ensure it reached everyone, including the dragon, Dawn cast a charm to enhance the sound.

With bated breath, she waited a moment before daring to peek around the boulder once more. To her relief, the dragon was fast asleep. Dawn wasted no time, sprinting to the golden egg and snatching it up. With the prize secured, she raced back toward the spot where Buffy stood.

Buffy greeted her with a proud smile, her eyes shining with admiration for her sister's quick thinking and bravery.

"Ingenious, quite ingenious," Bagman's voice boomed through the arena. "Ms. Summers was only a few seconds behind Mr. Potter, making her the second fastest to get the egg."

With Buffy leading the way, Dawn returned to the tent, where Hermione, Ron, and Harry eagerly awaited her.

Hermione couldn't contain her excitement as she greeted Harry. "Harry, you were brilliant!" she exclaimed with genuine admiration. "You were amazing! You really were!"

Ron, ever the loyal friend, voiced his concerns with a serious tone. "Harry," he said, his eyes filled with worry, "whoever put your and Dawn's names in that goblet - I - I reckon they're trying to do you both in!"

Dawn let out a sigh of understanding, her voice carrying a sense of shared frustration. "You and me both, Harry."

Ron nodded emphatically, expressing his solidarity with a smile aimed at both Harry and Dawn.

Hermione couldn't contain her excitement and dashed over to Dawn, pulling her into a warm hug. "That was brilliant, Dawnie," she praised. "Using music to put it to sleep."

Dawn's response was modest, marked by a sigh. "Any other dragon, that wouldn't have worked. I got lucky."

Buffy offered her sister a proud and supportive smile. "You may have gotten lucky, Dawn, with your selection," she acknowledged. "But what won the task was your research into the dragons and your wand work."

Harry, always one to downplay his own achievements, reassured Ron. "It's okay, Ron," he said. "Forget it."

Ron, realizing his mistake in making assumptions, attempted to apologize. "No," he began, "I shouldn't've -"

But both Harry and Dawn cut him off with a shared sentiment. "Forget it," they said in unison, offering Ron a forgiving smile.

The tension eased, and Ron responded with a nervous grin, appreciating their understanding.

However, the emotions in the tent took an unexpected turn as Hermione burst into tears.

"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry told Hermione, bewildered.

"You are so stupid!" Hermione shouted. "Besides its good tears. I'm crying because my best friends are back together and my sister didn't die."

Dawn smiled and hugged Hermione before being joined by both Harry and Ron, and finally Buffy herself.

"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry's voice trembled with confusion as he watched Hermione's tear-filled eyes. His own heart swelled with emotions he couldn't quite put into words.

"You are so stupid!" Hermione shouted, her voice quivering with a mix of frustration and relief. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "Besides, it's good tears. I'm crying because my best friends are back together, and my sister didn't die."

Dawn couldn't contain her emotions any longer. Tears streamed down her face, but they were tears of joy. She was overwhelmed by the love and connection she felt in that moment. Buffy smiled through her own glistening eyes and pulled both Hermione and Dawn into a warm hug. Moved by what they were witnessing, Harry and Ron couldn't help but join in on the group hug.

They broke apart a minute later, but the love and bond they had lingered in the air like a comforting embrace.

Dawn looked at her sisters and her friends and nodded in realization. Hermione and Buffy were her family by blood, but Ron and Harry were also her family, part of her chosen family that included Xander, Willow, and Tara back in Sunnydale.

"Dawn, Harry, c'mon, they'll be putting up your scores…" Ron said, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and relief.

With a final, heartfelt look exchanged between the group, Harry picked up the golden egg and his Firebolt, while Dawn still had a hold of her golden egg.

"You two were the best, you know, no competition. It is a toss-up who was better of the two of you." Ron's voice carried a mix of admiration and excitement as they made their way out of the tent. His eyes gleamed with pride, and his words were charged with emotion. "Cedric did this weird thing where he Transfigured a rock on the ground…turned it into a dog…he was trying to make the dragon go for the dog instead of him. Well, it was a pretty cool bit of Transfiguration. Not as good as yours though, Dawn. That was brilliant; you just put it to sleep."

Dawn blushed at the compliment, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that matched the sunset. She appreciated Ron's words more than he could know.

"But Cedric's...well, it sort of worked because he did get the egg, but he got burned as well - the dragon changed its mind halfway through and decided it would rather have him than the Labrador; he only just got away. And that Fleur girl tried this sort of charm," Ron went on, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "I think she was trying to put it into a trance - well, that kind of worked too; it went all sleepy, but then it snored, and this great jet of flame shot out, and her skirt caught fire - she put it out with a bit of water out of her wand."

Laughter erupted from their group as Ron's vivid storytelling brought humor to the intense competition they had just witnessed.

"And Krum - you won't believe this," Ron continued, shaking his head in amazement, "but he didn't even think of flying! He was probably the best after you two, though. Hit it with some sort of spell right in the eye. Only thing is, it went trampling around in agony and squashed half the real eggs - they took marks off for that, he wasn't supposed to do any damage to them. It's marks out of ten from each one."

Bagman shouted, "We will do Mr. Potter's first." Dawn's heart raced with anticipation.

Madame Maxime raised her wand in the air, and with a flourish, she gave Harry an 8. The crowd erupted into applause, and Dawn couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her friend.

"Not bad!" Ron exclaimed, his voice booming in excitement. "I suppose she took marks off for your shoulder…"

Mr. Crouch came next. He shot a number nine into the air, and the jubilant cheers from the crowd grew even louder.

"Looking good!" Ron yelled, thumping Harry on the back, his emotions bubbling over with each word.

Next came Dumbledore. With a dignified wave of his wand, he too put up a nine. The cheers that erupted from the spectators were thunderous, echoing through the stadium.

Ludo Bagman shot up a perfect ten. Harry's disbelief was evident as he muttered, "Ten? But…I got hurt… What's he playing at?"

"Harry, don't complain!" Ron yelled excitedly, his voice filled with fervor as he gestured to the ecstatic crowd.

And now, it was Karkaroff's turn. The headmaster of Durmstrang Institute paused for a moment, his expression inscrutable. Then, with a flick of his wand, a number shot out of it - a mere four.

Ron's fury was palpable as he bellowed, "What? Four? You lousy, biased scum-bag, you gave Krum ten!"

"Now Ms. Summers," Bagman's voice resonated throughout the stadium, drawing everyone's attention to the next score.

Madame Maxime raised her wand and, with an elegant gesture, awarded Dawn a 9. The crowd's cheers were a symphony of approval.

Mr. Crouch followed suit, assigning Dawn an 8. The audience's enthusiasm remained unwavering, their support for the champions unshaken.

Dumbledore cast his vote with a flourish, presenting Dawn with a perfect 10. The stadium erupted into cheers that seemed to shake the very foundations.

Bagman, with his ever-present exuberance, granted her a 9, adding to the chorus of applause and approval.

And then, it was Karkaroff's turn. The headmaster of Durmstrang Institute had been notoriously stingy with his scores. He held a reputation for bias, and it showed once again as he gave Dawn a 4.

"You're tied in first place, Harry! You, Dawn, and Krum!" Charlie Weasley exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement as he hurried to meet them. His eyes were wide with amazement as he absorbed the incredible performance he had just witnessed. "Listen, I've got to run, I've got to go and send Mum an owl, I swore I'd tell her what happened - but that was unbelievable! Oh yeah - and they told me to tell you both that you've got to hang around for a few more minutes… Bagman wants a word, back in the champions' tent."

Buffy looked to Hermione, who nodded in understanding, indicating that she would wait with Ron. Buffy, Harry, and Dawn reentered the tent, their hearts still racing from the excitement of the task.

Inside, they were joined by Fleur, Cedric, and Krum, the other champions. Cedric couldn't help but grin at Harry and Dawn as he greeted them. "Good one, Harry," he said, his voice filled with camaraderie. He then turned to Dawn, offering his congratulations. "You too, Dawn."

Dawn and Harry exchanged appreciative nods.

"Well done, all of you!" Ludo Bagman exclaimed, his trademark enthusiasm shining through. "Now, just a quick few words. You've got a nice long break before the second task, which will take place at half past nine on the morning of February the twenty-fourth - but we're giving you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at those golden eggs you're all holding, you will see that they open…see the hinges there? You need to solve the clue inside the egg - because it will tell you what the second task is, and enable you to prepare for it! All clear? Sure? Well, off you go, then!"

Dawn nodded in agreement and left with Harry and Buffy to rejoin Ron and Hermione as they headed back for the castle. As they rounded a clump of trees, a witch leaped out from behind them. It was Rita Skeeter.

"Congratulations, Dawn! Harry!" Rita exclaimed, her quill and notepad at the ready. "I wonder if you two could give me a quick word? How did you both feel facing that dragon? And how do you both feel now about the fairness of the scoring?"

Harry's patience had worn thin, and he responded with a touch of anger in his voice. "Yeah, you can have a word," he said, his tone sharp. "Good-bye."

Buffy, her protectiveness for her sister evident, stepped forward and addressed Rita sternly. "Ms. Skeeter, you were explicitly told not to include Dawn in your article for the Daily Prophet. Yet you did so. There was a matter of security which you have compromised. If you so much as write another thing about my sister, I will see you in Azkaban."

With that, Buffy turned and, accompanied by Harry, Ron, Dawn, and Hermione, walked away, leaving a fuming Rita Skeeter behind. The group made their way back to the castle, leaving the persistent reporter to stew in her own frustration.