Harry Potter : King of the Amazons By TheSilverboar

Chapter 27

-Harry-

It was the morning of the first task, the three schools sat in the main hall as breakfast was served, gossip and rumor being shared like a side dish. At the staff table he saw the new French Judge, a thin little man named Jean-Luc, had an air about him that he didn't like. The man at least seemed better than to act out openly however, having seen how quickly Madame Maxime was punished when she had tried such. Said half giantess was at the table as well and in a remarkably bad mood, sending frequent upset looks at him.

Over at the Slytherin table he saw Victor Krum over with the Durmstrang contingent muttering under his breath whenever not eating. The Champion from Bulgaria was pouring over books, over notes, over anything he could study in the last few minutes before they would be taken away for the third task. Yet Krum seemed, while not calm, extremely focused, ready to face whatever the tournament decided to throw his way.

At Ravenclaw's table Fleur sat alone, her schoolmates having never seemed to show any care or support for her and none of the Hogwarts students wanted to support anyone apart from himself and Cedric. She alternated between trying to force down some toast and biting her finger nails in nervousness as she studied something from what looked like an old journey, family spells perhaps. Madame Maxime was under constant watch and oath not to provide any more aide to Fleur and it was clear that without that tutelage the French Champion was growing nervous, having apparently never been allowed to try and flourish on her own.

Under Hufflepuff's banner Cedric sat like a king, his entire house cheering and encouraging their housemate. The house of the badgers kept their champion's plate piled high with food, his cup was never dry as they celebrated as if they had won the tournament already. A mountain of books was around Cedric and the upper year students of house, the entirety of which had been looking up anything and everything they could that might help Cedric with the task. Even still he could see the boiling fear hiding behind the cheer in Cedric's eyes.

He himself however felt perfectly calm. His opponents had talent, but he had that as well as training to handle dangerous situations. He had fought and slain magical beasts and survived assassinations. A dragon, while dangerous, was far from the most threatening he had done in his lifetime. Best of all he was prepared, having studied the most powerful combat spells within his library.

"Students!" Narcissa called out, gaining the attention of the three schools "Begin finishing up your breakfast and follow your heads of house to the arena for the first task. Champions, follow Mr. Crouch who will explain the rules of the round. And may the odds ever be in your favor."

Ignoring the loud cheering war that was started between the fans of Cedric and Krum, he and Fleur's fans being more sedate, he stood up and made his way out of the hall, meeting up with the other three champions as they followed the British beurrocrat to a tent build outside a massive arena. "Now," the man began to explain as the other judges came in, having seen to the arrangements of the students getting to the arena "you four are already aware that the task involves retrieving a golden egg from a dragon's nest. You will each take turns reaching into this bag to draw out a replica of your dragon."

Hearing the tent flap open he glanced over to see Dumbledore striding in, a group of reporters following in silently and setting up in a corner. "Sorry I'm late." the ancient imbecile smiled as if his presence was a great treat to them "Now, you four are forbidden from killing your-"

"Guards!" Harry snapped, cutting off the headmaster, "Remove these people."

"I'm a judge!" Dumbledore began to protest as the guards approached, a little under half of the reporters being intelligent and leaving on their own, the rest had to be drug out kicking and screaming.

"The Hogwarts Judge is the Headmaster, or in this case Headmistress, Dumbledore." He explained as if speaking to a child "You had said title stripped from you, therefore you no longer have the right to sit as a judge for this tournament. Now go sit in the stands and enjoy the show." With that the security drug off the protesting old man, the tent falling to silence after he was gone.

"Anyway," Crouch blinked, not even fazed at the interruption "the rules state that you are permitted to use whatever means necessary to win your task however judging the points is left up to the discretion of the judges. Some may not approve of lethal force or certain spells. Now, ladies first." Crouch offered the bag to Fleur who, hesitantly, reached in and pulled out a tiny replica of a Welsh Green which let out a squeaking roar, the miniature having a tiny pendant with a number one around its neck, "The Welsh Green, good luck young lady."

Nodding Crouch turned clockwise and offered it to Krum next, "You then, Mr. Krum, go on." Nodding resolutely Krum pulled out a Chinese Fireball which growled at Krum who, without missing a beat, growled back, stunning the tiny creature into silence "A Chinese fireball, I look forward to seeing what you make of it."

"Mr. Diggory then, your turn." Nodding, and possibly trying not to whimper, Cedric reached in, muttering something repeatedly under his breath, before pulling out the Swedish-Short Snout which eyed Cedric lazily before dismissing him as a lesser being, biting the champion's finger, and then flying off to a rafter to watch. "The Swedish Short-Snout, do be careful, its fire can reduce a man to ash within seconds."

"That leaves you Mr. Potter, with the Hungarian Horntail." Crouch nodded gravely as he pulled out the model "A most dangerous opponent for a most dangerous wizard." Looking down at the replica he matched its gaze till the tiny dragon submitted and bowed its head. This looked like it would be interesting.

"So, Ms. Delacour will go first, then Mr. Diggory, Mr. Krum, and finally Mr. Potter. Do you four have any final questions before this begins?" when they shook their heads Crouch nodded "Good luck to you all then, at the sound of the canon Ms. Delacour, you may come out and face your opponent." With that the judges all departed, leaving just the champions alone and in silence with their thoughts.

Sitting down he began to do breathing exercises while meditating, Krum moving to join him, their dragons resting on their laps like loyal guard dogs. Cedric began pacing around the tent, following the walls of the structure while muttering spells and strategies under his breath. Fleur stood by the exit, anxiously chewing her now ruined nails. Finally, the canon blasted, and Fleur exited the tent.

The roar of the crowd was matched only by the roar of the dragon, Ludo Bagman's voice called out commentary as Fleur engaged the beast in combat. For several minutes such was the sound that existed until once more the canon fired. "She's done it!" Ludo cheered "In twenty-three minutes and forty-eight seconds Fleur Delacour has gotten her egg! Now for the scores." Some in the audience cheered at the score, some booed, but soon enough the noise settled and the canon for Cedric was fired.

Soon it was just him and Krum in the tent as Cedric faced his dragon, constant gouts of fire could be felt, the heat lighting the air like the sun. Eventually though, the canon fired "And there we go! In Eighteen minutes and thirty-five seconds Cedric has gained his egg. Let's see the judges scores." The scores were sent up but at the last part there was an enormous cry of outrage from almost the entire audience. Sharing a look with Krum they wondered what that was all about.

"Now Mr. Krum!" Baggman called out along with the canon as Harry was left alone. There were the sounds of fire and explosions and cheering as Krum did battle before eventually the canon fired. "Eighteen minutes and twelve seconds! Now for the scores!" once more the scores were sent up, although he still knew nothing of what each score was, and as before there was a massive outraged roar at the end.

"Now finally, Mr. Potter!" at the canon he rose and exited the tent, following the marked path for him as he entered the arena. It was stone and earth, boulders and trees scattered around it's basin. A river flowed through the bottom and at the opposite end sat the Hungarian Horntail, its massive form glaring hatefully towards him. With a spell the dragon handlers unleashed the beast and the task began in true.