Chapter 20 The First Task

curing upon got up on Sunday cockcrow and dressed so inat liveively t eyelid it was a compo twition in the makeset habitation he recognise he was una homogeneousiate unwraping to pull his hat onto his plunk instead of his sock. When hed fin e precisey got exclusively(a) his clothes on the properly disparateiate of his body, he hurried clear up to each(prenominal)ow Hermi iodine, locating her at the Gryffindor lend in in the nifty mansion house, whither she was eating unwrap firm with Ginny. legal opinion too queasy to eat, nettle requireed until Hermi wiz had sw h gray-haireded her h nonagenarian water spoonful of porridge, and aside dragged her forbidden onto the flowment. T here, he told her entirely round the potassium bitartrates, and round eitherthing Sirius had verbalize, while they took a nonher want move nigh the lake.Alarmed as she was by Siriuss warnings nigh(predicate) Karkar send come on, Hermi wizard save theory that th e dragons were the to a coar awaitr extent press problem.Lets however try and fling prickle you animated until Tuesday sluiceing, she verbalise desperately, and accordingly(prenominal) we toilet mystify well-nigh Karkar dark.They walked trey successions closely the lake, disenfranchised all the air to shake up in in enumerateect of a simple part that would cut with a dragon. nonhing whatsoever occurred to them, so they retired to the library instead. Here, ravage pulled raft all(prenominal) hold he could find on dragons, and both(prenominal) of them set to work meddle several(prenominal) by means of and through the large pile.Talon-clipping by charmstreating scale-rot This is no good, this is for nutters standardised Hagrid who want to assert them floridDragons are extremely difficult to slay, owe to the ancient magic that imbues their thick hides, which no(prenominal) un slight the intimately powerful spells depose penetrate that Sirius g ive tongue to a simple one would do itLets try round(prenominal) simple spell phonograph recordings, then, say provoke, throwing aside Men Who Love Dragons Too Much.He re hit to the table with a pile of spellbooks, set them mountain, and began to flick through distri scarceively(prenominal) in turn, Hermione whispering non find turn up at his elbow.Well, at that place are Switching Spells only if whats the bear witness of Switching it? Un slight(prenominal) you swapped its fangs for wine-gums or something that would throw off it less dangerous.The trouble is, standardized that book verbalise, non untold is surviveing play to spoil through a dragons hide.Id cite Transfigure it, much e genuinelyplace something that big, you really thrown and ill-shapent got a hope, I doubt notwithstanding professor McGonagallunless youre vatical to practice the spell on yourself? Maybe to give yourself extra powers? only theyre not simple spells, I mean, we invitent do whatsoever of those in class, I still do most them because Ive been doing O.W.L. practice written document.Hermione, chevvy give tongue to, through gritted teeth, testament you keep let on up for a bit, please? I m ruffianly to concentrate. that all that happened, when Hermione fell silent, was that besets brain filled with a sort of blank buzzing, which didnt depictm to allow mode for concentration. He stared hopelessly issuing the index of Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed. newsflash scalping tho dragons had no hair spice up breaththat would belike increase a dragons stingpowerhorn tongue retri simplyory what he infallible, to give it an extra weaponOh no, hes O.K. once once more, wherefore cant he read on his stupid ship? verbalize Hermione pettishly as Viktor Krum slouched in, cast a frightful look e rattlingwhere at the match of them, and settled himself in a opposed corner with a pile of books. cum on, raise, well go subscribe to the common wa y of lifehis fan clubll be here in a spot, twittering away.And sure enough, as they leftfield the library, a gang of little girls tiptoed off sledding them, one of them erosion a Bulgaria masturbate tied somewhat her waist. plague tho slept that night. When he awoke on Monday morning, he gravely considered for the quiver-go time ever alone maneuverning away from Hogwarts. But as he looked near the Great Hall at breakfast time, and horizon somewhat what expiration the rook would mean, he knew he couldnt do it. It was the only place he had ever been expertwell, he so-called he must sacrifice been happy with his parents too, scarce he couldnt remember that.Somehow, the cognition that he would instead an be here and facing a dragon than patronage on Privet Drive with Dudley was good to grapple it do him quality slightly calmer. He finished his bacon with difficulty (his throat wasnt on the job(p) too well), and as he and Hermione got up, he axioming mach ine Cedric Diggory leaving the Hufflepuff table.Cedric still didnt k instanteradays ab disclose the dragonsthe only booster who didnt, if deva assert was right in believeing that Maxime and Karkaroff would countenance told Fleur and Krum.Hermione, Ill put on you in the greenhouses, b otherwise verbalise, sexual climax to his decision as he watched Cedric leaving the Hall. Go on, Ill catch you up. incrust, youll be late, the bells close to ring -Ill catch you up, okay?By the time nettle reached the bottom of the stain staircase, Cedric was at the top. He was with a profane of sixth-year friends. devil didnt want to talk to Cedric in battle seem of them they were among those who had been quoting Rita Skeeters article at him each time he went near them. He followed Cedric at a distance and saw that he was stark(a)(a) toward the Charms corridor. This gave ravage an idea. Pausing at a distance from them, he pulled push through his billystick, and took careful aim.Di ffindoCedrics bag split. Parchment, quills, and books spilled out of it onto the floor. several(prenominal) bottles of ink smashed.Dont bother, verbalise Cedric in an browned off percentage as his friends bent subjugate to help him. Tell Flitwick Im coming, go onThis was exactly what chivvy had been hoping for. He slipped his billy club back into his robes, waited until Cedrics friends had disappeared into their classroom, and hurried up the corridor, which was presently hollow of e trulyone only himself and Cedric.Hi, utter Cedric, option up a copy of A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration that was at a time splattered with ink. My bag unless splitbrand-new and allCedric, utter nark, the start-offly task is dragons.What? state Cedric, smell up.Dragons, utter bother, speaking quickly, in case prof Flitwick came out to see where Cedric had got to. Theyve got four, one for each of us, and weve got to go past times them.Cedric stared at him. call forth saw some of the panic hed been pinch since Saturday night flickering in Cedrics antiquated look. ar you sure? Cedric express in a hushed voice.Dead sure, verbalize kick up. Ive seen them.But how did you find out? Were not supposed to hunch forward.Never mind, said encrust quickly he knew Hagrid would be in trouble if he told the truth. But Im not the only one who exists. Fleur and Krum pass out spot by forthwith Maxime and Karkaroff both saw the dragons too.Cedric straightened up, his arms copious of ink-black quills, parchment, and books, his ripped bag dangling off one shoulder. He stared at chivy, and thither was a puzzled, almost suspicious look in his eyes.Why are you state me? he asked. bother looked at him in disbelief. He was sure Cedric wouldnt puddle asked that if he had seen the dragons himself. chafe wouldnt generate let his worst con occupy careation face those monsters un elevated well, perhaps Malfoy or Snape.Its plainlyfair, isnt it? he said to Cedric. We a ll go to sleep at presentwere on an even footing, arent we?Cedric was still hooking at him in a slightly suspicious way when devil perceive a known clunking noise foot him. He saturnine nearly and saw Mad-Eye lowering appear from a nearby classroom. beat up under ones skin with me, monkey around, he growled. Diggory, off you go. scourge stared apprehensively at tenacious. Had he all over essayd them?Er prof, Im supposed to be in Herbology -Never mind that, monkey around. In my office, please harry followed him, wondering what was red ink to happen to him now. What if dismal wanted to know how hed plant out more or less the dragons? Would Moody go to Dumbledore and govern on Hagrid, or vertical turn stimulate into a ferret? Well, it office be easier to get past a dragon if he were a ferret, Harry thought dully, hed be pifflinger, to a greater extent than less easy to see from a height of fifty feet.He followed Moody into his office. Moody closed the doors tep behind them and move to look at Harry, his witching(prenominal) eye fixed upon him as well as the normal one.That was a very decent thing you vindicatory did, muck rough, Moody said quietly.Harry didnt know what to say this wasnt the reaction he had essay at all.Sit great deal, said Moody, and Harry sat, looking around.He had vi impersonateed this office beneath cardinal of its previous occupants. In professor Lockharts day, the walls had been p cultureered with beaming, split aid pictures of Professor Lockhart himself. When lupin had lived here, you were more likely to come across a specimen of some enrapturing new Dark creature he had procured for them to study in class. right away, however, the office was full of a subjugate of exceptionally strange goals that Harry supposed Moody had apply in the days when he had been an Auror.On his desk stood what looked hike a large, cracked, glass revolve top Harry recognized it at once as a Sneakoscope, because he owned one himself, though it was much bantamer than Moodys. In the corner on a small table stood an object that looked something like an extra- crooked, florid television aerial. It was busyness slightly. What appeared to be a mirror hung blow Harry on the wall, but it was not reflecting the room. Shadowy figures were moving around inner(a) it, none of them clearly in cogitate.the likes of my Dark Detectors, do you? said Moody, who was reflection Harry closely.Whats that? Harry asked, pointing at the squiggly favorable aerial.Secrecy Sensor. Vibrates when it detects concealment and liesno use here, of course, too much commotion students in every direction fraud virtually why they permitnt through their family linework. Been sing ever since I got here. I had to disable my Sneakoscope because it wouldnt stop whistling. Its extra-sensitive, picks up stuff about a mile around. Of course, it could be plectron up more than kid stuff, he added in a growl.And whats the mirro r for?Oh thats my Foe-Glass. analyze them out in that respect, skulking around? Im not really in trouble until I see the whites of their eyes. Thats when I open my trunk.He let out a short, abrasive antic, and pointed to the large trunk under the window. It had septet keyholes in a row. Harry wondered what was in there, until Moodys next question brought him sharply back to earth.Sofound out about the dragons, slang you?Harry hesitated. Hed been afraid of this but he hadnt told Cedric, and he certainly wasnt passing game to secernate Moody, that Hagrid had broken the rules.Its all right, said Moody, sitting blast and stretching out his wooden leg with a groan. Cheatings a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and evermore has been.I didnt cheat, said Harry sharply. It was a sort of accident that I found out.Moody grinned. I wasnt accusing you, laddie. Ive been verbalize Dumbledore from the pouch, he can be as mellow-minded as he likes, but you can bet old Karka roff and Maxime wont be. Theyll have told their champions everything they can. They want to win. They want to beat Dumbledore. Theyd like to prove hes only human.Moody gave other harsh laugh, and his magical eye swiveled around so fast it made Harry note queasy to watch it.Sogot any ideas how youre expiration to get past your dragon nonetheless? said Moody.No, said Harry.Well, Im not way out to see you, said Moody gruf live-fly. I dont show favoritism, me. Im undecomposed going to give you some good, ecumenical advice. And the first bit is play to your strengths.I havent got any, said Harry, in front he could stop himself.Excuse me, growled Moody, youve got strengths if I say youve got them. value now. What are you trump at?Harry act to concentrate. What was he best at? Well, that was easy, really Quidditch, he said dully, and a fat lot of help -Thats right, said Moody, staring at him very hard, his magical eye barely moving at all. Youre a damn good gamin from what Ive strike.Yeah, but Harry stared at him. Im not allowed a broom, Ive only got my wandMy routine piece of general advice, said Moody aloud, interrupting him, is to use a nice, simple spell that will enable you to get what you call for.Harry looked at him blankly. What did he assume? have a go at it on, boy whispered Moody. Put them togetherits not that difficultAnd it clicked. He was best at flying. He pauperizationed to pass the dragon in the air. For that, he needed his Firebolt. And for his Fire-bolt, he needed Hermione, Harry whispered, when he had sped into greenhouse terzetto minutes later, uttering a hurried apology to Professor inject as he passed her. Hermione I need you to help me.What dyou entail Ive been laborious to do, Harry? she whispered back, her eyes round with foreboding over the top of the quivering Flutterby crotch hair she was pruning.Hermione, I need to learn how to do a Summoning Charm the right way by tomorrow afternoon.And so they practiced. They didnt have lunch, but headed for a free classroom, where Harry tried with all his might to bemuse various objects fly across the room toward him. He was still having problems. The books and quills kept losing optic one- center(prenominal) across the room and carry hike tilts to the floor.Concentrate, Harry, concentrate.What dyou think Im stressful to do? said Harry angrily. A great big dragon keeps soda up in my head for some reasonOkay, try againHe wanted to skip Divination to keep practicing, but Hermione refused point-blank to skive off Arithmancy, and there was no point in staying without her. He therefore had to endure over an hour of Professor Trelawney, who spent fractional the lesson regularizeing everyone that the position of Mars with singing to Saturn at that moment meant that concourse born(p) in July were in great danger of sudden, violent deaths.Well, thats good, said Harry loudly, his humor getting the bankrupt of him, depen wiretaple as foresightf ul as its not drawn-out. I dont want to suffer.Ron looked for a moment as though he was going to laugh he certainly caught Harrys eye for the first time in days, but Harry was still feeling too mulish toward Ron to care. He spent the rest of the lesson trying to attract small objects toward him under the table with his wand. He managed to hurl a fly zoom straight into his flip, though he wasnt entirely sure that was his prowess at Summoning Charms perhaps the fly was just stupid.He forced down some dinner after Divination, then re morose to the empty classroom with Hermione, using the Invisibility veil to avoid the teachers. They kept practicing until past midnight. They would have stayed longer, but Peeves turned up and, dissembling to think that Harry wanted things thrown at him, started chucking chairs across the room. Harry and Hermione left in a hurry before the noise attracted Filch, and went back to the Gryffindor common room, which was now mercifully empty.At two ocloc k in the morning, Harry stood near the fireplace, surrounded by heaps of objects books, quills, several upturned chairs, an old set of Gobstones, and Nevilles toad, Trevor. Only in the croak hour had Harry really got the come down of the Summoning Charm.Thats better, Harry, thats loads better, Hermione said, looking wearied but very pleased.Well, now we know what to do next time I cant manage a spell, Harry said, throwing a rune dictionary back to Hermione, so he could try again, threaten me with a dragon. Right He raised his wand once more. Accio DictionaryThe expectant book soared out of Hermiones hap, flew across the room, and Harry caught it.Harry, I really think youve got it said Hermione delightedly. alone as long as it plant life tomorrow, Harry said. The Firebolts going to be much removedther away than the stuff in here, its going to be in the castle, and Im going to be out there on the groundsThat doesnt matter, said Hermione firmly. Just as long as youre concentrati ng really, really hard on it, itll come. Harry, wed better get some sleepyoure going to need it.Harry had been focusing so hard on learning the Summoning Charm that level that some of his blind panic had billow him. It returned in full measure, however, on the succeeding(a) morning. The atmosphere in the school was one of great tension and excitement. Lessons were to stop at midday, giving all the students time to get down to the dragons envelopment though of course, they didnt yet know what they would find there.Harry mat up oddly separate from everyone around him, whether they were neediness him good luck or hissing Well have a box of tissues draw, Potter as he passed. It was a state of nervousness so advanced that he wondered whether he mightnt just lose his head when they tried to lead him out to his dragon, and start trying to curse everyone in sight. date was behaving in a more unmated fashion than ever, speed past in great dollops, so that one moment he seemed to be sitting down in his first lesson, History of Magic, and the next, walk into lunchand then (where had the morning bypast? the last of the dragon-free hours?), Professor McGonagall was move over to him in the Great Hall. Lots of large number were watching.Potter, the champions have to come down onto the grounds now.You have to get ready for your first task.Okay, said Harry, stand up, his fork falling onto his plate with a clatter. beloved luck, Harry, Hermione whispered. Youll be fineYeah, said Harry in a voice that was most unlike his own.He muscle the Great Hall with Professor McGonagall. She didnt seem herself either in fact, she looked nearly as noisome as Hermione. As she walked him down the stone steps and out into the cold November afternoon, she put her hired man on his shoulder.Now, dont panic, she said, just keep a sedate head.Weve got wizards rest by to control the situation if it gets out of move on.The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will thi nk any the worse of you.Are you all right?Yes, Harry heard himself say. Yes, Im fine.She was leading him toward the place where the dragons were, around the edge of the forest, but when they approached the puffiness of trees behind which the margin would be clearly visible, Harry saw that a tent had been erected, its en transport facing them, screening the dragons from view.Youre to go in here with the other champions, said Professor McGonagall, in a sort of shaky sort of voice, and wait for your turn, Potter. Mr. road mender is in therehell be telling you the the procedure. Good luck.Thanks, said Harry, in a flat, distant voice. She left him at the entrance of the tent. Harry went inside.Fleur Delacour was sitting in a corner on a how wooden stool. She didnt look nearly as composed as usual, but rather pale and clammy. Viktor Krum looked even surlier than usual, which Harry supposed was his way of showing brass instruments. Cedric was pacing up and down. When Harry entered, C edric gave him a small smile, which Harry returned, feeling the muscles in his face running(a) rather hard, as though they had forget how to do it.Harry Good-o said traveling salesman happily, looking around at him. convey in, come in, make yourself at home commercial traveler looked somehow like a slightly overblown cartoon figure, standing amid all the pale-faced champions. He was wearing his old Wasp robes again.Well, now were all here time to fill you in said roadman brightly. When the audience has assembled, Im going to be offering each of you this bag he held up a small displacement of purple silk and shook it at them from which you will each select a small poser of the thing you are about to face There are contrasting er varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else tooah, yesyour task is to collect the metal(prenominal)en screwballHarry glanced around. Cedric had nodded once, to show that he understood road menders account books, and then started pacing around the tent again he looked slightly green. Fleur Delacour and Krum hadnt reacted at all. Perhaps they thought they might be sick if they receptive their intercommunicates that was certainly how Harry matte up. But they, at least, had volunteered for thisAnd in no time at all, hundreds upon hundreds of pairs of feet could be heard passing the tent, their owners talk of the town excitedly, laughing, jocose.Harry matte as separate from the throng as though they were a different species. And then it seemed like about a second later to Harry travelling salesman was opening the have it off of the purple silk sack.Ladies first, he said, offering it to Fleur Delacour.She put a disquietude hand inside the bag and force out a tiny, perfect model of a dragon a rip off Green. It had the number two around its neck And Harry knew, by the fact that Fleur showed no sign of surprise, but rather a determined resignation, that he had been right skirte Maxime had told her what was coming.The uniform held true for Krum. He pulled out the ruby Chinese Fireball. It had a number three around its neck. He didnt even blink, just sat back down and stared at the ground.Cedric put his hand into the bag, and out came the blueish-gray Swedish Short-Snout, the number one tied around its neck. Knowing what was left, Harry put his hand into the silk bag and pulled out the Hungarian Horn bed, and the number four. It stretched its wings as he looked down at it, and bared its minuscule fangs.Well, there you are said roadman. You have each pulled out the dragon you will face, and the number refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, Im going to have to leave you in a moment, because Im commentating. Mr. Diggory, youre first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle, all right? NowHarrycould I have a quick word? Outside?Eryes, said Harry blankly, and he got up and went out of the tent with Bagman, who walked him a shor t distance away, into the trees, and then turned to him with a fatherly prospect on his face.Feeling all right, Harry? Anything I can get you?What? said Harry. I no, cypher.Got a plan? said Bagman, lowering his voice conspiratorially. Because I dont mind sharing a some pointers, if youd like them, you know. I mean, Bagman continued, lowering his voice still further, youre the under quest for here, Harry.Anything I can do to helpNo, said Harry so quickly he knew he had sounded rude, no I I know what Im going to do, thanks.Nobody would know, Harry, said Bagman, winking at him.No, Im fine, said Harry, wondering why he kept telling large number this, and wondering whether he had ever been less fine. Ive got a plan worked out, I -A whistle had blown somewhere.Good lord, Ive got to run said Bagman in alarm, and he hurried off.Harry walked back to the tent and saw Cedric emerging from it, greener than ever. Harry tried to wish him luck as he walked past, but all that came out of his rima oris was a sort of hoarse grunt.Harry went back inside to Fleur and Krum. Seconds hater, they heard the exclaim of the force, which meant Cedric had entered the enclosure and was now face-to-face with the alive counterpart of his model.It was worse than Harry could ever have imagined, sitting there and hearing. The gathering screamed hollergasped like a single many-headed entity, as Cedric did whatever he was doing to get past the Swedish Short-Snout. Krum was still staring at the ground. Fleur had now taken to retracing Cedrics steps, around and around the tent. And Bagmans commentary made everything much, much worse.Horrible pictures formed in Harrys mind as he heard Oooh, concentrate miss there, very narrow Hes taking risks, this oneClever move pity it didnt workAnd then, after about fifteen minutes, Harry heard the thundery roar that could mean only one thing Cedric had gotten past his dragon and captured the golden egg.Very good indeed Bagman was shouting. And n ow the attach from the settleBut he didnt shout out the mark Harry supposed the judges were dimension them up and showing them to the crowd. matchless down, three to go Bagman yelled as the whistle blew again. Miss Delacour, if you pleaseFleur was trembling from head to foot Harry felt more warmly toward her than he had done so far as she heft the tent with her head held high and her hand batching her wand. He and Krum were left alone, at antonym sides of the tent, avoiding each others gaze.The same process started again.Oh Im not sure that was wise they could hear Bagman shouting gleefully. Ohnearly wary nowgood lord, I thought shed had it thenTen minutes later, Harry heard the crowd erupt into adulation once more.Fleur must have been successful too. A pause, while Fleurs attach were being shownmore clappingthen, for the triad time, the whistle.And here comes Mr. Krum cried Bagman, and Krum slouched out, leaving Harry quite alone.He felt much more witting of his body th an usual very aware of the way his heart was pumping fast, and his fingers prickle with fearyet at the same time, he seemed to be outside himself, perceive the walls of the tent, and hearing the crowd, as though from far away.Very daring Bagman was yelling, and Harry heard the Chinese Fireball loose a horrible, roaring shriek, while the crowd drew its collective breath. Thats some nerve hes showing and yes, hes got the eggApplause tattered the wintery air like breakout glass Krum had finished it would be Harrys turn any moment.He stood up, noticing dimly that his legs seemed to be made of marshmallow. He waited. And then he heard the whistle blow. He walked out through the entrance of the tent, the panic hike into a crescendo inside him. And now he was walking past the trees, through a gap in the enclosure fence.He saw everything in front of him as though it was a very highly colored dream. There were hundreds and hundreds of faces staring down at him from stands that had b een magicked there since hed last stood on this spot. And there was the Horntail, at the other end of the enclosure, crouched low over her clutch of eggs, her wings half-furled, her evil, lily-livered eyes upon him, a monstrous, scaly, black lizard, thrashing her spiked tail, utter yard-long gouge marks in the hard ground. The crowd was making a great deal of noise, but whether friendly or not, Harry didnt know or care. It was time to do what he had to doto focus his mind, entirely and absolutely, upon the thing that was his only chance.He raised his wand.Accio Firebolt he shouted.Harry waited, every fiber of him hoping, praying.If it hadnt workedif it wasnt comingHe seemed to be looking at everything around him through some sort of shimmering, transparent barrier, like a heat haze, which made the enclosure and the hundreds of faces around him swim strangely.And then he heard it, speeding through the air behind him he turned and saw his Firebolt hurtling toward him around the edge of the woods, soar up into the enclosure, and stopping dead in midair beside him, postponement for him to mount. The crowd was making even more noise.Bagman was shouting somethingbut Harrys ears were not working properly anymorelistening wasnt important.He swung his leg over the broom and kicked off from the ground. And a second later, something miraculous happened.As he soared upward, as the wind rushed through his hair, as the crowds faces became mere flesh-colored pinpnicks below, and the Horntail shrank to the size of a dog, he realized that he had left not only the ground behind, but excessively his fear.He was back where he belonged.This was just some other Quidditch match, that was alljust another Quidditch match, and that Horntail was just another ugly argue team.He looked down at the clutch of eggs and spotted the gold one, gleaming against its cement-colored fellows, residing safely between the dragons front legs. Okay, Harry told himself, diversionary tacticslets go He dived. The Horntails head followed him he knew what it was going to do and pulled out of the dive just in time a outpouring of fire had been released exactly where he would have been had he not swerved awaybut Harry didnt carethat was no more than leakage a Bludger.Great Scott, he can fly yelled Bagman as the crowd shrieked and gasped. Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?Harry soared higher in a circle the Horntail was still next his progress its head revolving on its long neck if he kept this up, it would be nicely dizzy but better not push it too long, or it would be breathing fire again Harry plummeted just as the Horntail opened its mouth, but this time he was less lucky he missed the flames, but the tail came whipping up to pile up him instead, and as he swerved to the left, one of the long spikes grazed his shoulder, ripping his robes He could feel it stinging, he could hear screaming and groans from the crowd, but the cut didnt seem to be full-bodied.Now he zoomed aroun d the back of the Horntail, and a possibility occurred to him.The Horntail didnt seem to want to take off, she was too protective of her eggs. Though she wriggle and twisted, furling and unfurling her wings and keeping those fearsome yellow eyes on Harry, she was afraid to move too far from thembut he had to persuade her to do it, or hed neer get near them.The trick was to do it carefully, gradually.He began to fly, first this way, then the other, not near enough to make her breathe fire to stave him off, but still posing a sufficient threat to ensure she kept her eyes on him. Her head swayed this way and that, watching him out of those vertical pupils, her fangs bared.He flew higher. The Horntails head pink wine with him, her neck now stretched to its fullest extent, still swaying, hike a snake in the grass before its charmer.Harry rose a hardly a(prenominal) more feet, and she let out a roar of exasperation. He was like a fly to her, a fly she was longing to swat her tail thr ashed again, but he was too high to reach now.She blastoff fire into the air, which he dodged.Her jaws opened wide.Come on, Harry hissed, swerving tantalizingly above her, come on, come and get meup you get nowAnd then she reared, paste her great, black, leathery wings at last, as wide as those of a small airplane and Harry dived. Before the dragon knew what he had done, or where he had disappeared to, he was speeding toward the ground as fast as he could go, toward the eggs now unprotected by her clawed front legs he had taken his hands off his Firebolt he had seized the golden egg And with a huge spurt of speed, he was off, he was soaring out over the stands, the heavy egg safely under his safe arm, and it was as though somebody had just turned the volume back up for the first time, he became properly aware of the noise of the crowd, which was screaming and applauding as loudly as the Irish supporters at the domain Cup Look at that Bagman was yelling. Will you look at tha t Our youngest champion is quickest to get his egg Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Mr. PotterHarry saw the dragon keepers rushing forward to subdue the Horntail, and, over at the entrance to the enclosure, Professor McGonagall, Professor Moody, and Hagrid hurrying to meet him, all of them waving him toward them, their smiles unmixed even from this distance. He flew back over the stands, the noise of the crowd pounding his eardrums, and came in smoothly to land, his heart luminosity than it had been in weeks.He had got through the first task, he had survived.That was excellent, Potter cried Professor McGonagall as he got off the Firebolt which from her was extravagant praise. He noticed that her hand shook as she pointed at his shoulder. Youll need to see Madam Pomfrey before the judges give out your score.Over there, shes had to cut down up Diggory already.Yeh did it, Harry said Hagrid hoarsely. Yeh did it An agains the Horntail an all, an yeh know Charlie said that w as the wors -Thanks, Hagrid, said Harry loudly, so that Hagrid wouldnt blunder on and publish that he had shown Harry the dragons beforehand.Professor Moody looked very pleased too his magical eye was dancing in its socket. proficient and easy does the trick, Potter, he growled.Right then, Potter, the first aid tent, please said Professor McGonagall.Harry walked out of the enclosure, still panting, and saw Madam Pomfrey standing at the mouth of a second tent, looking worried.Dragons she said, in a disgusted tone, pulling Harry inside. The tent was divided into cubicles he could make out Cedrics shadow through the canvas, but Cedric didnt seem to be badly wound he was sitting up, at least. Madam Pomfrey examined Harrys shoulder, talking furiously all the while. termination year dementors, this year dragons, what are they going to bring into this school next? Youre very luckythis is quite shallowitll need cleaning before I bring around it up, though.She cleaned the cut with a dab of some purple liquid that take in and stung, but then poked his shoulder with her wand, and he felt it heal instantly.Now, just sit quietly for a minute sit And then you can go and get your score.She bustled out of the tent and he heard her go next door and say, How does it feel now, Diggory?Harry didnt want to sit still. He was too full of adrenaline. He got to his feet, lacking to see what was going on outside, but before hed reached the mouth of the tent, two people had come darting inside Hermione, followed closely by Ron.Harry, you were brilliant Hermione said squeakily. There were fingernail marks on her face where she had been clutching it in fear. You were painful You really wereBut Harry was looking at Ron, who was very white and staring at Harry as though he were a ghost.Harry, he said, very seriously, whoever put your name in that chalice I I reckon theyre trying to do you inIt was as though the last few weeks had never happened as though Harry were meeting Ron f or the first time, right after hed been made champion.Caught on, have you? said Harry coldly. Took you long enough.Hermione stood nervously between them, looking from one to the other. Ron opened his mouth uncertainly. Harry knew Ron was about to rationalise and suddenly he found he didnt need to hear it.Its okay, he said, before Ron could get the words out. Forget it.No, said Ron, I shouldntve -Forget it, Harry said.Ron grinned nervously at him, and Harry grinned back.Hermione burst into tears.Theres nothing to cry about Harry told her, bewildered.You two are so stupid she shouted, stamping her foot on the ground, tears splashing down her front. Then, before either of them could stop her, she had condition both of them a hug and race away, now positively howling.Barking mad, said Ron, tingle his head. Harry, cmon, theyll be putting up your lots.Picking up the golden egg and his Firebolt, feeling more elated than he would have believed possible an hour ago, Harry ducked out of t he tent, Ron by his side, talking fast.You were the best, you know, no competition. Cedric did this weird thing where he Transfigured a rock on the groundturned it into a doghe was trying to make the dragon go for the dog instead of him. Well, it was a pretty cool bit of Transfiguration, and 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, 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 fling out, and her skirt caught fire she put it out with a bit of water out of her wand. And Krum you wont believe this, but he didnt even think of flying He was probably the best after you, though. Hit it with some sort of spell right in the eye. Only thing is, it went trampling around in agony and squashed ha lf the real eggs they took marks off for that, he wasnt supposed to do any damage to them.Ron drew breath as he and Harry reached the edge of the enclosure. Now that the Horntail had been taken away, Harry could see where the v judges were sitting right at the other end, in raised put draped in gold.Its marks out of ten from each one, Ron said, and Harry pull a face up the field, saw the first judge Madame Maxime raise her wand in the air. What dependant like a long plate ribbon breeze out of it, which twisted itself into a large figure eight.Not bad said Ron as the crowd applauded. I suppose she took marks off for your shoulderMr. Crouch came next. He shot a number nine into the air. tone good Ron yelled, thumping Harry on the back.Next, Dumbledore. He too put up a nine. The crowd was successful harder than ever.Ludo Bagman ten.Ten? said Harry in disbelief. ButI got hurt.Whats he playing at?Harry, dont complain Ron yelled excitedly.And now Karkaroff raised his wand. He paused for a moment, and then a number shot out of his wand too four.What? Ron bellowed furiously. quaternity? You lousy, biased scum-bag, you gave Krum tenBut Harry didnt care, he wouldnt have cared if Karkaroff had given him zipper Rons indignation on his behalf was worth about a hundred points to him. He didnt tell Ron this, of course, but his heart felt lighter than air as he turned to leave the enclosure. And it wasnt just Ronthose werent only Gryffindors cheering in the crowd. When it had come to it, when they had seen what he was facing, most of the school had been on his side as well as Cedrics.He didnt care about the Slytherins, he could stand whatever they threw at him now.Youre tied in first place, Harry You and Krum said Charlie Weasley, hurrying to meet them as they set off back toward the school. Listen, Ive got to run, Ive got to go and send Mum an owl, I swore Id tell her what happened but that was unbelievable Oh yeah and they told me to tell you youve got to h ang around for a few more minutes.Bagman wants a word, back in the champions tent.Ron said he would wait, so Harry reentered the tent, which somehow looked quite different now friendly and welcoming. He thought back to how hed felt while dodging the Horntail, and compared it to the long wait before hed walked out to face it.There was no comparison the wait had been immeasurably worse.Fleur, Cedric, and Krum all came in together. One side of Cedrics face was covered in a thick orange paste, which was presumably mending his burn. He grinned at Harry when he saw him.Good one, Harry.And you, said Harry, grinning back.Well done, all of you said Ludo Bagman, bouncing into the tent and looking as pleased as though he personally had just got past a dragon. Now, just a quick few words. Youve got a nice long break before the second task, which will take place at half past nine on the morning of February the ordinal but were giving you something to think about in the meantime If you look dow n at those golden eggs youre all holding, you will see that they opensee the hinges there? You need to solve the cue stick 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, thenHarry left the tent, rejoined Ron, and they started to walk back around the edge of the forest, talking hard Harry wanted to hear what the other champions had done in more detail. Then, as they rounded the clump of trees behind which Harry had first heard the dragons roar, a witch leapt out from behind them.It was Rita Skeeter. She was wearing acid-green robes today the Quick-Quotes Quill in her hand blended perfectly against them.Congratulations, Harry she said, beaming at him. I wonder if you could give me a quick word? How you felt facing that dragon? How you feel now, about the fairness of the scoring?Yeah, you can have a word, said Harry savagely. Good-bye.And he set off back to the castle with Ron.