Today was the day, the day where Harry began the next steps to take back his life and show everyone he was not just some spoiled and talentless brat who got lucky once as a baby; that is assuming of course he doesn't die, in which case he won't care what people think. It was a cool November day for the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament and everyone was excited, all except of course for Harry who is currently trying to use Occlumency to calm his nerves like Rowena taught him. In an hour's time, he would be going up against one of the deadliest creatures known to the magical world in the form of an actual bloody dragon and with his luck, he already knew which one he was facing.
"I know you're nervous young Harry, but do not forget you have the bravery of a Gryffindor running through your veins and heart.", Godric said.
"And the wisdom of a Ravenclaw.", said Rowena in an unusually happy voice.
"With the kindness of a Hufflepuff.", cheered Helga.
"Along with the cunning of a Slytherin.", said Salazar with a smile.
Harry smiled at them and thanked them before heading out. Harry would not have made it through these last few weeks without the founders as they prepared him heavily for his confrontation with the dragon as Godric had experience with them, Helga knew all the important details about each breed, and Rowena along with Salazar gave him ideas and theories about how to handle them. However, where they really shined with their expertise was with teaching Harry two spells that had been used centuries ago in dealing with aggressive dragons, one offense and one defense, and both were centered in an area of magic Harry had never used before…elemental magic.
Practicing both spells over the last two weeks was draining on his magic and would have been impossible if not for unusually high affinity for magic in general. However, he was able to use the spells more effectively by now and shouldn't be anywhere near as draining, but using any magic afterwards ran several risks to his health and magic according to Rowena. At least it gave him an excuse not to think about what happened between him and Penny two weeks ago as it still stung to think about. The girl he loves kisses him in the greatest moment of his life before she breaks down and admits that she is marrying Percy the git and hasn't spoken to him since, only briefly looking over at him during meals with sadness in her eyes. Yep, for the first time in a month since he became a champion, Harry was grateful he had to focus all his energy on this tournament.
Harry began making his way to the tent when he was stopped by a familiar face who filled him with a warmth he only ever felt with Penny, it was Tonks. Harry began to wonder if now that he knows, with great regret, that he and Penny can never be if he and Tonks could be together. The biggest problem facing them, much like with Penny, was their age difference as he and Tonks are even father apart and she was in a very different stage in her life than him. Yet, one could not deny how much they had in common and enjoyed each other's company more than anyone else either of them have ever met. However, Harry could not help but doubt himself as he could not think as to why Tonks would like him as much as he liked her.
"Wotcher, Harry. I just came to wish you good luck before the impaling…I mean victory you're about to go through.", Tonks said cheekily.
"Ha ha, very funny. Thanks though, for coming by. I think you might be the only one in the castle who isn't rooting for me to get eaten.", Harry said solemnly.
"We both know that isn't true, no matter what happened between you two, I know Penny still cares for you.", she said sympathetically. Harry had told Tonks what happened with Penny as he felt the need to get it off his chest to someone and she was the best option, and she did help him through the feelings causing him to appreciate her more. Although, for some reason, her eyebrow twitched when he mentioned the kiss for the first time.
"I suppose. Anyway, I better head inside. Thanks for everything Tonks.", he said.
She nodded and in a surprise move gave him a good luck kiss on the cheek before running off with reddened hair. He shook himself and steeled his nerves before walking in the tent. Inside, he saw his fellow three champions having three different expressions on their face. Cedric was sweating and breathing hard until he saw Harry and he smiled at him in greeting, Krum was his usual stoic self but Harry could see the anxiety in his eyes as he stared at the ground deep in thought, and Fleur sat silently on the bed with a stern and determined look and she gave him a small smile and motioned for him to sit down by her which he did.
"'Ello 'Arry, so I guess this is it, huh?", Fleur said in an unusually subdued tone.
"Yeah, but I got a plan. I just hope I live long enough to attempt it. I'm sure whatever you've got planned will work out far better, Marie always goes on about how you're the best and won't settle for anything less.", he said with a smirk.
Fleur snorted, "I love that girl like a sister, but she can say such embarrassing things sometimes. And for what it's worth, I think you give yourself far too little credit as I'm sure you'll do great today.", she said with a beaming smile.
Harry's eyes went wide slightly as he had never really had such encouragement before from anyone, even from Hermione back in their early days together. Harry and Fleur had developed kind a strange companionship over the last few weeks as they did get along rather well for two people who did not have many shared interests, but they did share a mutual problem: people judged them without getting to know them. Albeit for two very different reasons, but it was still there nonetheless and the two didn't have to put on a mask with each other. Harry was about to respond when Dumbledore and the rest of the judges walked in.
"Good day champions! The moment of truth is upon us and now I'll explain what the goal of the First Task is. You will each face a dragon that has been given a golden egg to protect and your objective will be to collect said egg as it contains a clue for the next task. Any questions?", said Dumbledore.
The champions all shook their heads and Crouch came forward with a small bag which would determine which dragon they face. Fleur went first and pulled out a miniature Welsh Green with a number two on its neck. Krum went next and pulled out the Chinese Fireball with a number three on its neck. Cedric went and pulled out the Swedish Short Snout with the number one on its neck. Harry, just sighing and accepting his fate, pulled out the Hungarian Horntail with the number four on its neck. Fleur, Cedric, and even Krum were giving him looks of sympathy.
The judges exited and told them that the cannon would tell them to head out in the order that was assigned. The first cannon went off and Cedric went out with a wink and a grin on his face. The champions sat in silence for a while as Fleur was holding Harry's hand, which confused him at first until he saw her face as she looked anxious and was trying to use his presence to calm herself and considering Harry was also worried, he just let her. The cannon went off a second time and Fleur got up, gave Harry a smile and went out. Twenty minutes later, the cannon went off again and Krum gave a small nod to Harry before leaving. Harry sat there for half an hour, trying to center his mind and body with his Occlumency, until finally the cannon went off again and now it was turn.
He steeled himself and walked out into the stadium where the crowd was cheering, but not really for him, but rather for the mindless & violent entertainment they were about to witness which caused Harry to just roll his eyes and ignore them. It was then that Harry finally realized the figure getting up and moving as the Horntail had awoken and it noticed Harry almost immediately as Harry noticed the egg by its tail. They locked eyes as both waited a few seconds to see who would make the first move and not wanting to risk it, Harry decided to be brave and dive for the large rock to his right, narrowly missing the stream of fire the dragon shot at him.
It was time to begin the plan while the dragon couldn't see him as he wordlessly casted a Patronus charm, a stag, to distract the dragon while he moved closer to the egg. It worked for a few seconds before the dragon stopped him about halfway to the egg and Harry decided to use one of the two new spells he learned that would prevent the dragon's fire from hitting him.
Aguamenti! Harry shouted. A large jet of water hit the fire stream as Harry began making his way closer to the egg, but the spell was eventually broken as the dragon was smart enough apparently to forgo its fire and attack directly. It moved its giant claw towards Harry, which he barely dodged but he was still knocked back a little; however, it was all to serve as a distraction to allow its tail to swing toward the temporarily disoriented Harry and it made its target as Harry suddenly felt all of the air in his body get knocked out at once as he was flung across the stadium and landed roughly. Harry felt so weak that he barely managed to get up in time for another attack and dodge it. He knew it was time to use the other spell he had learned, but he also knew if it failed then he was done for.
Rasen Ventis! He shouted. The air around Harry suddenly picked up and began moving in a cyclone formation just above him as it began to take shape. The audience was in awe as a large shuriken made of air was rotating wildly and loudly as the dragon was seemingly annoyed and it began moving toward Harry. However, Harry did the unthinkable and launched the spell at the dragon and upon impact, a large explosion had rocked the left side of the stadium as the dragon roared in pain until suddenly it was over. Harry looked at the dragon as its now mangled body began wobbling attempting to get up, but it just couldn't do it as it decided to fall over and enter the land of the unconscious. Harry couldn't believe the thing was still alive, but he wasn't going to complain as he shakily made his way over the egg and grabbed it before heading to the exit.
His body was so tired and numb, he didn't even register the cheers of the crowd once they came out of their stupor, not that he really cared. He had done it, he survived and he did it in style too which should make the founders happy. Harry entered the tent and immediately landed on the nearest empty bed about to take a long nap when, suddenly, Madam Pomphrey ran up to him and started her usual rant about how he almost got killed again but he couldn't argue with her this time so he just smiled and nodded as she checked him.
Harry looked around the room and finally saw the state his fellow champions were in: Cedric was in the bed closest to him and he appeared to be badly burned which made sense considering his dragon had the strongest and hottest fire, Krum was on the other side of the room with what appeared to be a broken arm and a sprained foot, and Fleur appeared to be totally uninjured as she walked up to his bedside with a smile on her face.
"You look like you could use a stiff drink, 'Arry.", she teased.
"Thanks for the concern. I see you made it out unscathed, I knew you would make it while outshining the rest of us and looking good while doing it.", he snarked back. Fleur blushed at the comment while playfully rolling her eyes before she sat down with him.
"I used an enchantment to lull the dragon to sleep, easy to do considering I had the most subdued dragon. Cedric Transfigured the ground to block the dragons' path, but it still burned him. Krum just blinded it while dodging its long reach and fire, and as you can see it didn't work out too well but he still got the egg. What did you do though? I felt a large explosion as the ground shook.", she said with wonder.
Harry just shrugged and said, "Just used a new spell I found that was a lot more destructive than I thought and it worked."
Fleur's eyes narrowed slightly at the explanation, but she didn't comment on it. About an hour later, the four champions were called out back to the arena after the dragons were safely caged once again to deliver their scores. Cedric received thirty-six points with Dumbledore, Bagman, and Crouch, all giving him eight points while Karkaroff and Maxime gave him six points each which was biased but no one said anything. Fleur received forty-five points with each judge giving her a ten except for Karkaroff who gave her a five and Harry wanted to run up there and strangle him, but Fleur saw his face and just smiled and shook her head. Krum received forty-two points with each judge giving him eight points except Karkaroff who gave him a biased ten. Finally, Harry to the surprise of everyone received the most at forty-eight points as Dumbledore, Crouch, Bagman, and Maxime gave him ten points while Karkaroff somehow gave him eight points and Harry could see a bit of fear in his eyes when he looked at him. Odd, he thought.
Fleur gave him a small smile, Cedric gave him a side hug, and Krum nodded in respect. The crowd decided to disperse and the champions left the arena victorious and alive, and to Harry that was all that really mattered. Cedric and Krum eventually split from Harry and Fleur, allowing the two to walk peacefully while making nice small talk. They made their way to the Hogwarts entrance when they decided to split, but before they did, they noticed Ron and Hermione running towards them and he frowned. He knew they would likely ask him to forgive them and take them back, and the sad thing was a couple of weeks ago he would have easily said yes just to avoid the loneliness again. But now, he had new friends in Susan, Tracey, Su, Neville, Fleur, and especially Tonks; therefore, he had no reason to return to them now and felt better with his new and supportive friends. It was time to cut himself loose from Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley's once and for all, though he does it with great regret.
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Fleur giving him a sympathetic look as she said, "I've been where you are right now with a few people I thought were my friends, but they actually weren't and I still feel that sadness and regret even now, but I'm still better off."
Harry simply nodded and thanked her as she walked away. Ron and Hermione finally went up to him rather exhausted and Ron decided to speak first.
"Blimey Harry! That was incredible. Listen, I know I was wrong as there is no way you put your name in the Goblet after watching that madness."
Hermione nodded, "I know that things have been hard between us lately Harry but if you forgive us, we'll make it up to you in any way we can." Ron agreed with her.
Harry simply stared back stoically and said, "I told you before, we're done. I know you haven't changed as people, so your apology doesn't matter." With that, Harry turned and walked away from a stunned duo and neither noticed a tear fall down Harry's face as his stoic look broke.