With the wand weighing ceremony done Harry knew he had to prepare for the next moon, which was only days away and with the attention on him it would be harder to get away. He had to talk to Lupin about what they were going to do because they knew they were too loud in the Shack last time Dumbledore told them the morning after. They had planned to meet at Hogsmeade this next weekend. Harry was nervous about telling Daphne they wouldn't be in the Shack this month and that they had yet to figure out a replacement location.
"Hey Daph, I need to tell you something." said Harry, shakingly.
"What is it?" she asked.
"This month Moony and I aren't going to be able to stay in the shack. Dumbledore said we made too much noise, the space is too small for two wolves. I think our only option is to go into the forest but I don't know, we are meeting in Hogsmeade to discuss it and I want you to be there." he told her.
"Me why?" she asked.
"Well you are a part of my life for the foreseeable future so I wanted to keep you in the loop. So I figured you could come with me if you want." He replied.
"Of course I'll come and maybe after you can take me on a proper date." she replied, smirking.
Harry's face turned Weasley red at that comment.
"So we are going this weekend since the moon is next weekend. Ok I will see you Saturday morning to go with the carriages." said Daphne before leaving to find Tracey.
Harry went up to call Remus and Sirius to let them know Daphne would be joining them for their meeting and then they were going on a date. It was when he got to the Common room that things took a turn. Harry arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady to find Angelina, Alicia, and Katie waiting for him.
"Hey Harry we have been meaning to catch up with you but these two have been trying to stop the terror twins from killing Ron." said Katie motioning to Angelina and Alicia.
"Oh why are they trying to kill Ron?" Harry asked.
"You mean other than the fact that he is a total prat and needs to be set straight, he is also constantly going around calling you a cheat when we all know you didn't enter this tournament. You looked like a lost puppy when Dumbledore called your name." replied Alicia.
"Wait, you know I didn't enter?" asked a very shocked Harry.
"Again you looked like a lost puppy when your name was called. The twins couldn't get past Dumbledore's age line and they are evil geniuses when they want something no way you could, no offense." Angelina replied.
"We just wanted to let you know we have your back. After all you are our friend and teammate we stand together." said Alicia.
"Oh by the way congrats on landing Greengrass Potter I know quite a few gents who are extremely jealous." said Angelina. "Aren't we so happy for him, Katie."
Katie, who looked morose just nodded.
"Is something wrong Katie?" asked Harry.
"I'll be fine Harry, I just got some bad news recently. I'll get over it don't you worry just focus on the tournament." she replied.
Harry hesitantly agreed but knew something was definitely wrong with Katie.
Harry went up to his room mirrored Sirius and Remus to let them know about Daphne joining them and get some advice on the best spots to take a date. Afterwards he went through his trunk to find the best clothes he had to leave them to the side for his first official date with Daphne, his first date period. Saturday finally arrived and the carriages were leaving at noon, Harry had spent most of the last hour failing to tame his hair. Now he was waiting in the entrance hall for Daphne to come up from the dungeons. Five minutes later he saw her and his jaw hit the floor, dressed in blue jeans, a nice sweater, a pair of black boots, her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders she looked divine. Harry felt severely underdressed after seeing Daphne.
"Wow you look amazing Daphne." said Harry, a blush creeping up his face.
"Why thank you Harry you look pretty dashing yourself." she replied.
"Shall we head out milady?" he asked, offering her his arm.
"Why yes good sir I believe we shall." she said, taking his arm.
Arm in arm they walked out to the carriages and Harry helped Daphne in before climbing up himself. The ride to Hogsmeade wasn't very long, half hour at most which would put them in the village at half ten, they didn't have to meet Moony and Padfoot until 11 giving them half an hour to get set up at the Three Broomsticks. Upon entering they saw Madam Rosemerta serving butter beers to Lee Jordan and the twins along with the Gryfindor chasers Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell. It looked like a triple date but Katie looked uncomfortable. They noticed Draco and his lot in a back corner eying them maliciously. Harry looked around then nodded to the bar.
"Let's see if we can get a private room. I don't think this should be overheard." Harry said quietly.
Daphne nodded and followed him.
After about ten minutes Madam Rosemerta came back to the bar and asked what they would like to drink. Harry explained the situation of needing to discuss some private house business with his guardians and asked if they could rent a private room for an hour or two. She explained the rules and prices for them and they agreed to everything and paid the 10 galleons for two hours with privacy wards on the doors. They went to their room explaining to the barmaid that at 11 a man with a black dog would be coming in if she could show him to the room they would be very grateful. Soon enough there was a knock on the door and Remus and Padfoot entered. As soon as the door closed Padfoot turned into Sirius.
"Hey pup how are you?" Sirius asked, pulling Harry in for a hug.
"I'm ok all things considered. I have Daph, Hermione, and a few others on my side so I'm not on my own with this." he replied.
"That's good and Moony and I will help anyway we can." said Sirius. "Now I know Moony wants to discuss the next full moon with you so I'm going to let you two get that out of the way then I have some news to share."
"Harry, as you know Professor Dumbledore, told us last month we were too loud in the Shack so we can't use it again this month. I still think it would be beneficial for both of us to be together and run as a pack so I think we should try a run in the forest this month with the potion of course. This way we have plenty of space to run and there will be things to hunt when we get hungry." Moony explained.
"Wouldn't that be dangerous for you both?" Daphne asked.
"As wolves, most creatures will see us as just other animals." he replied.
"So I'm guessing it's cloak out that night?" asked Harry.
"Yes, that would be your best bet. Dumbledore informed Hagrid and I will meet you there. Hagrid will walk us to a safe point to turn and meet us back there at the end and walk us out." said Remus.
"What about the centaurs, have they been warned at least?" Daphne asked.
"Hagrid brought up the same subject and said he will inform them and two will meet Harry and I in the forest for introductions, then they will patrol to make sure we don't get too close to their homes." he informed her. "I know this one is going to be tough Harry having to turn this weekend then the first task only a few days off but hopefully more of your senses will be better attuned to aid you in whatever the task maybe."
"Any luck in figuring out what exactly that is?" Sirius interrupted.
"No we haven't Daphne, Hermione, Susan and I have spent quite a few nights studying old tournaments to see if there were any patterns, not many but they tend to favor deadly animals so if I had to guess we are facing a deadly creature of some kind. They did say it would test our daring." Harry explained.
"Well hopefully we will get a hint soon enough." said Sirius.
"Well he's only got a week from wednesday until the first task. We have been practicing the summoning charm, the banishing charm, knock back jinx, as well as a few creature affecting curses. Though Harry hated those." Daphne said.
"Got 'em tested on you eh pup." Sirius laughed.
"Was the only creature available." muttered Harry.
"Sirius, it took us ages to get him to stop brooding about that." Daphne scalded.
"Harry I'm sorry you know I don't think anything like that I mean look at me and Moony. You are a bright young man with an affliction who we love with everything we have." Sirius replied.
"I know guys I'm still just nervous about the tournament." said Harry.
"Ok Harry and I need to get going, we have a date after all." Daphne said, standing.
"Alright Harry I'll see you Thursday night at Hagrid's." said Remus, giving both of them a quick hug.
"Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do." Sirius said, smirking.
The two teens left the pub and walked hand in hand around Hogsmeade. Harry found it amazing to actually enjoy the village without being under the Cloak. Daphne was watching him and couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, the way he enjoyed the world it was mesmerizing. They explored all the usual spots Honeydukes, Zonkos, Tomes and Scrolls, and made sure to avoid Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. They stopped by the Three Broomsticks again where they grabbed a bite to eat and then they went on a walk through the trees to the overlook of the Shrieking Shack, all the while talking about mundane things just getting to know one another. By the end of the day when they needed to catch the carriages back to Hogwarts, Harry was very nervous because he had something he really wanted to do. They rode back Harry fidgeting the whole time when they finally got back and were about to go to their common rooms when Harry grabbed both sides of Daphne's face and pressed his lips to hers. A split second was all it took for Daphne to wrap her arms around his neck and return the kiss. After several moments the two teens separated blushing and smiling ear to ear, they said goodnight and headed to bed.
Harry's week was fairly calm thankfully because his nerves were on edge, every sense was in overdrive to the point he avoided the great hall at all costs the scents and sounds were too much. On Wednesday night Harry and Daphne sat together in an empty classroom cuddled up on a conjured couch just enjoying each other's company before he would spend three days in the forest. Daphne knew they were going to take every precaution to be safe but she still worried about Harry out there in the forest after hearing about the acromantula colony. They stayed in each others company until long after curfew before Harry walked her back to the Slytherin Common Room.
"You be safe and come back to me. You hear me?" Daphne said, giving him a bone crushing hug.
"I will, I promise. I'll be with Moony so there won't be any issues." he replied.
After dinner the next day Harry went up to his room, grabbed his invisibility cloak and headed to Hagrid's. When he got to the groundskeeper's hut Remus and Hagrid were already waiting for him.
"Alright there 'Arry?" Hagrid asked.
"Yea just twitchy today." he replied.
"Aye Lupin's like that to been pacin' ever since."
"So how far in are we going?" Lupin asked.
"Not to far jus' out da way." Hagrid said. "The Centaurs know that yer goin to be in the forest an' they'll be watchin' the change to know who ya are."
They followed Hagrid deep into the forest until they came to a big clearing in the trees. Hagrid told them this was where he would meet them in two days and that the centaurs already had their eyes on them. Harry and Lupin got ready and waited for the moon to rise. Harry felt the pressure of the change starting as they were bathed in moonlight, it took a few minutes for him to change into his Wolf form. After the change the two wolves they began the hunt for food, two werewolves in the Forbidden Forest were watched by centaur sentries who would keep them off their lands only. Soon a large buck was the objective prey of the hunt, caught and slaughtered they began to devour their prey. It was after, while they cleaned the fresh blood from their fur that the wolves heard a thunderous ear splitting roar. It was the roar of a mighty predator and the wolves had just claimed this as their territory. They set off tracking the roar which was soon followed by three others, as they got closer to the source of the sounds they smelt the scent of men.
They finally saw the light of several bonfires and men rushing around four fully grown, enormous, vicious looking dragons were rearing onto their hind legs inside an enclosure fenced with thick planks of wood, roaring and snorting—torrents of fire were shooting into the dark sky from their open, fanged mouths, fifty feet above the ground on their outstretched necks. There was a silvery blue one with long, pointed horns, snapping and snarling at the wizards on the ground; a smooth scaled green one, which was writhing and stamping with all its might; a red one with an odd fringe of fine gold spikes around its face, which was shooting mushroom shaped fire clouds into the air; and a gigantic black one, more lizard like than the others, which was nearest to them. At least thirty wizards, seven or eight to each dragon, were attempting to control them, pulling on the chains connected to heavy leather straps around their necks and legs. Mesmerized, Harry looked up, high above him, and saw the eyes of the black dragon, with vertical pupils like a cat's, bulging with either fear or rage, he couldn't tell which… It was making a horrible noise, a yowling, screeching scream. Through the eyes of the wolf Harry saved the dragons in his memory to go over their descriptions with Daphne and the rest. He nudged Moony and they left the dragons behind to continue their hunting. When the moon finally waned and Harry said good-bye to Remus he went to find Daphne. He finally found her with Tracey and Susan in the library he walked up hugged her and whispered in her ear.
"Dragons that's the first task."