#the first task

The Triwizard Tournament. Part 4 (The First Task!)

It all started with Coran heavily insisting that Lance take Keith along on one of his — as it turns out, not-so-secret — walks into the Forbidden Forest. (Lance wasn't exactly sure why his Head of House was encouraging this, but eventually decided it was just very in-character for Coran). And only while staring at the dragons, which had been dragged to Hogwarts during their damn nesting season, did Lance realize what that was all about.

Keith wanted to blind the dragon and snatch the egg. The others called him an idiot (Allura disappointedly set aside her notes on offensive hexes). Shiro and Adam were more worried about prepping as much fireproof gear for Keith as possible. In the end, they found a solution when Lance, this time accompanied by Romelle, went to look at the dragons again.

Romelle, fully living up to her House, instead of spying just straight-up asked the dragonologists how they manage to get so close to the dragons, and to their nests in particular. The answer was simple: a plant whose scent acts as a natural tranquilizer for dragons. It was incredibly difficult to grow (and terrifyingly expensive), but the dragonologists, somehow charmed by Romelle, lent them a handful. Hunk, being the best of them all at Herbology, worked some kind of magic to coat Keith in this plant, and that’s exactly how they successfully passed the first task.

An unexpected bonus was Keith taking first place in points, but the genuinely pleasant bonus was that the dragon Lotor faced scorched his hair, cutting its length almost in half.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

"Y/n!"

You looked from your essay trying to see who called out to you. To your surprise, you found Fred Weasley, one of your best friends whom you befriended in your first year, dropping into the seat across from yours.

You raised an eyebrow, "Back from detention so fast?"

He scratched the back of his neck, his grin not leaving his face, "Got away from Filchykins quicker today." He beamed back.

You furrowed your brows together, knowing something seemed off but disregarded it nonetheless.

"You know," Fred started saying mischievously, "you still owe me a day from that bet you lost?"

You pursed your lips and internally groaned, recalling the day you lost the bet to Fred regarding the outcome of the first task in the Triwizard Tournament. And Fred's choice for the bet was that, you had to spend a day with him, however he wants.

"What do you want to do? Make me carry your books or something for the day?" You asked, raising an eyebrow, ignoring the slight nervousness that arose in your stomach, since this was Fred Weasley, the prankster.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together. A smirk was plastered upon his face.

"It is Valentine's Day tomorrow," You froze, "so how about you, me, on a date?"

You gulped.

This can't be happening. Why would he ask me on a date?

You'd fancied Fred Weasley since your fourth year and always knew you and him couldn't be anything more then friends, but now when your small dream seemed to have glimmer of reality in it, you didn't know how to react.

"I- Uh- sure?" You answered more like a question earning a chuckle from the ginger.

"Oh you better be certain about that. Wouldn't want my date standing me up now, would I? Although you don't really have a choice since you owe me the day, so you can't deny the offer."

"No- Yes- I mean- Yeah, we can do something tomorrow..." You trailed off awkwardly. "I-I'll see you later." You told him in a high pitched voice, and hurriedly gathered your belongings before making your way to the stairs that led to the girl's dormitory.

"Meet me here tomorrow at ten!" He called out, amusement lacing his voice.

"Will do!" You squeaked out before running up the stairs. Once up in the dormitory, you slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trying to calm your racing heart. Not too soon after, a smile made it's way onto your face, imagining how the next day may be.

Chapter 20: The First Task

In all fairness I think Harry would have made a good Hufflepuff as well. I say this as Hufflepuff and as someone who thinks that despite the fact that Hufflepuff welcomes every student, not every student has what it takes to be a Hufflepuff. Harry tells Cedric about the dragons simply because it is the right thing to do, because all the other champions know and it is only fair if Cedric knows as well. Cedric later returns the favour and they help each other in the maze and ultimately decide to win together. Harry never really sees the other champions as rivals – he doesn’t really think about winning until the third task. Harry only tries to stay alive during the tournament, and is rather one to help the other champions than trying to outpace them. The way both Harry and Cedric act in the tournament tells you a lot about them as a person.

“‘Secrecy Sensor. Vibrates when it detects concealment and lies … no use here, of course, too much interference – students in every direction lying about why they haven’t done their homework. Been humming ever since I got here. I had to disable my Sneakoscope because it wouldn’t stop whistling. It’s extra sensitive, picks up stuff about a mile around. Of course, it could be picking up more than kids’ stuff,’ he added in a growl.” – Of course the real reason the Secrecy Sensor and the Sneakoscope don’t work is Moody himself, or rather Barty Crouch Jun. disguised as Moody. Which reminds me of book 3 where Harry thought his Sneakoscope was broken when in fact it had reacted to Wormtail. We see the symptoms but not what causes them.

It might be modesty but I think a lot of people would have reacted the same way Harry did, thinking they don’t have any strengths. Perhaps because we see things that we are naturally good at not as a strength, opposed to things we have to learn and exercise a lot until we are good at them. When it comes to be a talented wizard Harry is… not bad, but for example not on the level Hermione is or his parents were. He is good at some things, struggles at others. One thing however he is really good at is to perform under pressure. He had managed the Patronus Charm at a really early age – but then his life depended on it. He learns the Summoning Charm because he needs it for the first task. He learns a lot of defensive spells in order to get through the third task. He has strong nerves, which might also be the reason why he can resist the Imperius Curse. Harry isn’t more talented than other students his age, but he is constantly put in situations where his life depends on performing certain spells. And that might be why he later becomes a good Auror – because performing under pressure, performing because your life depends on it – he’s been doing this for a very long time.

Also, it is pretty evident how much McGonagall cares about Harry. She never tries to show any favouritism, but it is clear how much she dislikes the idea of one of her students entering this tournament way too young, risking his life during each task. She might be strict but McGonagall has a very big heart as well.

“Harry knew Ron was about to apologise and, suddenly, he found he didn’t need to hear it. ‘It’s OK,’ he said, before Ron could get the words out. ‘Forget it.’

         ‘No,’ said Ron, ‘I shouldn’t’ve –

         ‘Forget it,’ Harry said.

         Ron grinned nervously at him, and Harry grinned back.

         Hermione burst into tears.”

A HP AU written with @jem-carstairs-is-perfection

Read Chap 6 here

Preview:

“Richie?” Eddie whispered as they just stood there. He tried to say something else. How are we going to do this? Good luck? Distract them and I’ll run the other way? But nothing came out.

Richie looked down at him. “We’ve got this, Eds. Just- don’t let it bite your arm off or something.” He said, laughing humorlessly.

Moodboard by the amazing @reddiepop