Saturday, August 06, 2005
Chapter 7
The First Task
Harry could hardly believe what he had just heard... too many things had happened to him today... and all too fast as well... Lodina was Sirius' daughter? No wonder she looked oddly familiar... her features resembled Sirius' very closely... that posh, yet warm look... it was without a doubt that Lodina had inherited her father's charms as well... "Harry? You alright? You look as if you've just seen a ghost! Your scar isn't hurting again is it?" Sirius studied Harry's queer expression... "Oh.. it's nothing Sirius.. Yea...I've only just met Lodina.. She's Ginny's friend...Ginny introduced us.." Harry started... just before Ginny cut him off... "Lodina's your daughter Sirius? How come you've never told us until now?" Sirius could see the eagerness in Ginny's eyes... but thought it best not to reveal soo much to Harry and the others at such a juncture...seeing that the risk of being overheard was great..."Well... Lodina had been admitted into Hogwarts ... but i thought it best to transfer her out to another wizarding school in Scotland... but Dumbledore reassured me earlier this year... he said that Lodina's identity would be protected and that no one else would know about her family and origins... it's better that way anyway, seeing that I'm still a criminal in the Ministry's eyes..." At this, Harry saw that Sirius' face had fell... he had a downcast look.. a look which had reminded him so much of how he felt everytime he thought about his parents...a moment later.. Sirius shook it off, saying... "but look at me rambling on...The real purpose for my speaking to you, was to tell you that all of you will be spending Christmas with me! Don't worry Ron.. your brothers and your sister will be joining us too... I've already told Molly and Arthur... they've agreed to come down as well... " Sirius beamed... "So.. Harry.. how has the Tri-Wizard Tournament been getting along? It's really interesting... the tasks and all.. so who's the Hogwarts Champion then eh?" everyone turned to look at Harry... Harry could feel the pressure on him now... but just before he could speak... Hermione answered Sirius..."Sirius... Harry's been chosen to be the Hogwarts Champion... both him and Draco Malfoy..." Sirius was stunned... a look of astonishment swept across Sirius' face... "Is this true Harry? But how could it have been you? Dumbledore told me about the magical wards... someone had definitely hoodwinked the Goblet.. but Malfoy too? that's really strange.. Harry... promise me you'll be careful... i think i hear someone coming from your end... I'll let you know when we can next meet up...Bye!" and without any warning... Sirius head vanished with a 'pop'... Harry did hear footsteps coming up from behind him... it was Neville..."Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny... what are you lot doing up s-soo late?" Neville managed to say before his big yawn..."Nothing.. we were up for a late midnight snack.. we're heading back to bed now... Goodnight Neville!" Hermione turned on her heel and sped off to her dorm room... Ginny followed closely behind... Harry, Ron and Neville returned back to their own dorm room as well... but that night Harry couldn't sleep... two days in a row... if he kept this up... he'd have eyebags the size of Ireland! Harry lay awake.. staring out of his window... watching Agathos beating his wings and flying gracefully into the night... Agathos was making his usual checks round the grounds of Hogwarts...Maybe it was time to pay yet another visit to Agathos... too many things have been happening to him... Harry could use Agathos' company right now...
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"Back again so soon Harry? Why, it has hardly even been a month! What's bothering you, Harry?" Agathos' calming and soothing voice resonated in Harry's head... "Agathos.. I really don't know why all these stuff happens to me! I really didn't ask to be Tri-Wizard Champion.. and now Draco is another Hogwarts Champion too! I bet he and Iman had something to do with it...I saw them talking soo secretively that night.. but why me Agathos? and why was Draco soo happy that i was chosen? Or maybe he was happy coz he knew his name would be out of the goblet as well?" without realising it... Harry had started to let out all his thoughts all at once... "Harry, Harry... slow down... you need a breather my dear boy..."Agathos cut Harry off... his beautiful purple gaze had now settled onto Harry..."Sometimes you think too much Harry... but I can tell you this.. someone definitely has their eyes on you... and on that Malfoy boy as well... It was no coincidence that both of you got chosen..." Harry burst out with fury once more..."YES... I know that... both Draco and Iman... they planned this! They got past the barriers set up by Dumbledore... I know they must have..." Agathos cut him off once more..."Harry... Dumbledore's magical wards cannot be broken soo easily.. especially not by a fourth year and a sixth year... the Goblet cannot be hoodwinked soo easily Harry.. Dumbledore had personally come to see me if I could provide some ancient Dragon Magic to prevent anyone from breaking the charms he had placed on the Goblet... but I see now, that it is to no avail... You do know what this means don't you Harry? It takes a very powerful Dark Wizard to break through the charms both Dumbledore and me had placed on the Goblet..." It finally dawned upon Harry... "Voldermort? Do you think he was responsible for this Agathos?" Harry stuttered... "I can't say anything for sure at this moment Harry... but one thing is for sure...You have to watch your back... be vigilent and make sure you get past those tasks safely..." Agathos shifted in his seating position... so that Harry could see his magnificent leathery, black hide shimmering in the moonlight once more... Harry could see why Hagrid was soo fond of Dragons.. Scary first impressions aside, Harry had grown to appreciate Dragons for their unique beauty..."Ok... I'll try my best Agathos...but can I ask you one more question?" Harry had started again... this time he was calm... and not overwhelmed with fury... Agathos nodded his head... "Well... are there people like me then? you said Dumbeldore came to see you, didn't you? So the fact that i can communicate with you is not a bad thing, is it? everyone else can too right?" Harry saw a brief smile on Agathos' face... Agathos turned his head back to the stars as he started to answer..."Being able to speak Drakonis (Dragon tongue) is not common Harry.. in fact it's almost as rare as the ability to speak Parseltongue... you hardly see anymore Drakons these days...Drakons are wizards who speak Drakonis... but then again, you can hardly call it speaking Harry.. it's more like clearing your mind and communicating to us, Dragons with your thoughts... people confuse it with the ability to read into others' emotions and all.. Legilimens they call it... but Drakonis requires a different kind of effort... it is an in-born talent... and only wizards who are the descendants of those who had lived in a Kingdom called Drakonia possess this talent... Drakonia was a kingdom.. where Dragons and wizards lived together in peace... but all that changed in the early 8th century...but that...is a story for another time Harry... i reckon it's time for you to head back to your room... and i daresay.. you've had enough excitement for one day..." Agathos turned his head to face Harry once more... Sensing the finality in Agathos' tone...Harry agreed and gathered up his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map.. and he started darting off back to the Gryffindor Tower.. feeling much more relieved than he had been a few hours ago...
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Harry met Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall the next day. They were seated next to Ginny, Lodina, Fred, George and Lee Jordan (the twins' best friend). Lodina and Ginny were chattering away while Fred, George and Lee were discussing something which seemed rather serious... that was odd... Fred and Geroge were never serious... But Harry paid no attention to them... as his attention was quickly turned to Professor Mcgonagall... who had come down to the Gryffindor Bench to have a word with Harry..."Potter, could you follow me this way please... into the staffroom... I have to give out the instructions for the next task...all the other Champions are already there..." Professor Mcgonagall said as she turned to lead Harry into the staffroom.... There in the staffroom stood Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour and Draco Malfoy... Draco wore a smug grin on his face as Harry had walked into the room.. "Now...the first task will be held next Monday... I know it seems soon... but the faster we get it over with... the longer you'd get to work out the clue to the second task... " At this Harry saw a gleam of satisfaction in Professor Mcgonagall's eyes... "I can't tell you what you would be facing in the first task just as yet... but only that you have to retrieve the golden egg... without breaking the other eggs... ok... that's a good enough clue for you champions to work with for now... Go on... go back to your classes.. I wouldn't want to take up too much of your curriculum time... " Viktor and Fleur were the first to leave the room... Malfoy and Harry left the room together... they had Potions afterall and were headed to the same class... "So, Potter... you don't reckon they'd be setting a huge fifty foot chicken on us do you? In your case... I really wouldn't be able to tell who would have to get away from whom ... seeing that you're as good as a chicken yourself!" Draco sniggered... but just before Harry could reply...both of them had stepped into the Potions Dungeon... and Harry was greeted by a familiar but rather unfriendly voice... "Ah.. Potter...Isn't it wonderful that you can finally join us?" Professor Snape was at it again... Harry groaned and sat next to Ron and Hermione.. who had saved him a seat earlier on... He filled them in on what Professor Mcgonagall had told all of the Champions as they frantically tried to finish making the Draught of Peace...
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The weekend had flew by soo fast and Harry had hardly even given a thought as to what the first task could have possibly been...the four Champions were summoned to the tent just beside the quidditch pitch... Just before Harry entered the tent... Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Lodina pulled him aside to wish him good luck... he thanked them and went into the tent... Professor Mcgonagall was standing there.. waiting for all the Champions to arrive... there was a black velvet bag in her hand... as the last champion, Fleur, entered the tent.. Mcgonagall began to speak.. "Ok.. listen up all of you... you will put your hands into this bag and take out a figurine... the figurine will be the thing you will be facing outside of these tents... and the number around the figurine will be your turn number... you are not allowed to peep outside the tent while another contestant is out there... the tent is enchanted of course.. so if you've attempted to cheat..it would come to our attention immediately and points will be deducted... there are five judges... Professor Karkaroff.. Madame Maxime.. Professor Dumbledore ... Mr Fudge, Minister of Magic... and last but not least... Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of Magical Sports in the Ministry... when i call out your name you will step out of the tent and you will try to get past your 'obstruction' and get the golden egg.. Now all of you... get a figurine from this bag..." Viktor went first... he got out a miniature Chinese Fireball... Great! We're dealing with Dragons...Harry wondered if his day could get any worse...he didn't know if he could communicate as well as he could with Agathos to other Dragons... He saw a number one around the neck of the Chinese Fireball figurine.. that meant that Krum was gonna be the first contestant... Fleur went next... she pulled out a Welsh Green...with a number 3 on it... and Draco followed after her.. pulling out a Swedish Short Snout... with the number 2 on it.. Harry noticed that Draco had a smile on his face.. Surely Malfoy wasn't expecting to go up against Dragons before... Was he? Harry went next... and to his dismay... he pulled out a Hungarian Horntail.. the figurine was huffing and puffing balls of smoke... slashing it's tail about...it had a number 4 on it... Wonderful.. Harry thought... he had to battle the worst kind of Dragon that lived on the face of this planet...reluctantly...Harry slouched back into one of the chairs in the tent... staring at the ground... wishing he could fastforward the day's events...
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After the first three contestants had stepped out of the tent... Harry was left all by himself... alone with his thoughts.. he had absolutely no idea how he was gonna get past the Dragon! Harry could hear the cheers and screams coming from the Quidditch stands...as each of the contestant performed their task... At long last... it was finally Harry's turn...He heard Professor Mcgonagall's voice...and stepped out of the tent... "and now... we have... another Hogwarts Champion... Harry Potter!" The crowd cheered heartily as Harry stepped out of the tent and walked out to the Grand stand... He pulled out his wand as if out of instinct... as he stood face to face with the Hungarian Horntail... They picked nesting mothers!! so that explains the bit about the eggs.. Harry thought... The Hungarian Horntail was asleep... but started to stir as Harry approached... It's horny hide was enough to give anyone the creeps... Harry drew his wand out in front of him.. he had no idea what to do... the Hungarian Horntail was now fully awake... it's golden eyes fixed upon his... and almost instinctively... Harry thought... "Hi! I didn't mean to startle you.. you see... all I have to do is get that golden egg... the one amongst your other eggs... wait... can u actually understand what i'm saying?" for a moment... both of them.. the Hungarian Horntail and Harry stood their ground and did nothing.. and then... Harry heard a faint whisper in his head... "Yes.. I can hear you young one... you're Harry Potter aren't you? yes... I can see that scar on your forehead... you're just as how Agathos has described you to be ...well.. go on ahead then... get your golden egg.. I'm not really in a mood for a fight right now... these wizards... they've been disturbing my sleep for a few days now... it's awful lot of work being a nesting mother you know... oh well.. Good day to you!" The Hungarian Horntail spoke to Harry.. Harry could hardly believe it.. he had just spoken to a fully grown Hungarian Horntail... and what's more... this dragon seemed to know Agathos! Harry made a note to himself.. to consult Agathos Daimon about this later...and as if on impluse... Harry cried.. "Accio!" and the Golden Egg shot out from below the Horntail... Harry grabbed it in mid-air...and almost instantaneously, the crowd broke into tumultous applause...
Harry had been the fastest Champion to retrieve the Golden Egg! Harry turned around and saw his score awarded to him by all the five judges... Karkaroff had given him an eight.. while the rest of them had awarded him ten out of ten marks! Harry had received a total of 48 points... he joined the rest of the champions who were seated on a bench near the stands... Madam Pomfrey was tending to Krum's wounds... he seemed badly burnt... Fleur was wrapped in bandages as well.. and Draco...he simply had a plaster on his arm.. Harry eyed him suspiciously...his Slytherin Guard all around him...Just then.. Ron and Hermione appeared before him.. " Harry! That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed... "Yea! You were the best You scored the highest among all of the Champions... I would have never thought of a Sleeping Charm to put the dragon to sleep! Harry.. how did you think of it? Sleeping Charms require a whole lot of concentration and Harry.. you managed it.. and on a Hungarian Horntail at that... it went back to sleep after you cast that charm... it's amazing Harry!" Hermione squealed... Sleeping Charm? Harry thought... that's right... No one knew about him being a Drakon...Moreover, Harry had his wand out the whole time.. it was no wonder everyone thought he had performed a Sleeping Charm... especially since the Dragon was soo eager on going back to sleep... Not believing the luck he just had with the Hungarian Horntail, Harry beamed back at Ron and Hermione... and inquired how the rest of the Champions had did before him...Apparently, Viktor had tried to use a Conjunctivitis spell on the Chinese Fireball.. but the dragon had squashed most of the eggs before Viktor could get the golden egg... he also got badly hit by a ball of fire while the Chinese Fireball was struggling with the spell that hit it...he had received a total of 44 points for his effort nonetheless...Fleur tried using her Veela charms on the Welsh Green.. but it didn't work... then she tried to transfigure a rock into some sort of distraction.. but that didn't work either.. and as the Welsh Green started chasing after her.. she got hit by fire as well.. she managed to get the golden egg eventually after going through many hexes and spells to finally stun the dragon... and she had received a total 40 points... Draco had stood in front of his dragon for a long period of time...according to Hermione, Draco looked as if he had put the Dragon into a temporary trance... but alas, the Swedish Short-Snout had eventually broken out of Draco's trance... However, Draco had reacted very quickly... he had summoned the Golden Egg just in time...and escaped with only a scratch on his hand... coz the tail of the Short-Snout had slashed his hand just when he caught the Golden Egg...Malfoy recieved 46 points and was in the second place... he wasn't far behind Harry though .. Hermione and Ron had finished reciting what had happened to Harry... when Harry thought of something... Did Malfoy really put the Dragon into some sort of trance? or was he communicating with the Swedish Short-Snout like what Harry had done with the Hungarian Horntail? It would definitely seem as if Draco was putting the dragon into a trance, if his wand was out...especially to the judges and the people in the crowd, who were seated far off in the stands...Was Malfoy a Drakon too?
[Tonks was grooving to Disturbed's Voices | 
~ exhausted]
~Nymphadora~
~ exhausted]