The Snow Fox

The First Trial

The day of the first trial of the triwizard tournament was upon Hogwarts. Venus had been up since the crack of dawn preparing with the other officials for the event. Due to her multilingual and magical creature knowledge, Dumbledore had allowed her to assist Hagrid with the dragons for the first trial. Originally three, now the four dragons housed in a discrete plain in the Forbidden Forest were being taken to the Quidditch arena, newly strewn with boulders and rocks to prevent the fire from the dragons burning anything. Keeping the dragons from each other was the real battle as outside of the arena, maneuvering them away from each other to prevent a battle for dominance was key. She had planned four separate routes for each dragon so they wouldn't be in the same place or vicinity at the same time to prevent any issues. Then she had to vet and ensure the staff handling the dragons were competent and not going to hurt them. Thankfully with Hagrid by her side she was able to confidently be in the Triwizard Tent that day assisting with medical injuries if they were to occur, minor crowd control and any unlikely emergency issues (rampaging dragons). When she walked in, the contestants had already been briefed by Barty Crouch on the trial, rules and execution. A blond lady with a questionably styles lime green dress and bright red lipstick was hovering around the group with a floating quill and parchment. The ravenette sighed, it seemed the media finally infiltrated the event, proof by the knock off marilyn monroe before her.

"Ms.Snow if you will." Mr.Crouch beckoned her forward with the sack she carried.

She held the bag open for each contestant to draw a dragon's preview as the overseers watched for signs of foul play and announced each Dragon name to the champions. Venus felt her heart sink as Harry drew the Hungarian Horntail, a viciously violent dragon which had been giving her problems during it's housing in the forest. Known for using it's spiked tail like a club, the Horntail was an aggressive creature compared to other dragons like the Swedish Shortsnout.

Dumbledore nodded at their draws and spoke, "Well then, Mr.Diggory you will be first, now at the sound of the can-"

A thunderous explosion sounded into the arena to cheers, shaking the tent. I'm going to kill Finnigan. Venus thought after steadying herself. Pyrotechnics were never his strong suit but she thought he could handle pulling the cord at the correct time. Cedric exited the tent and Venus stood by the ends, hugging the back walls to allow the officials to speak and contestants to prepare.

Grinch Monroe decided to pester her with her purple spectacles and horribly lime dress.

"Ms.Snow is it true that you have a personal relationship with the headmistress of Beauxbatons academy?"

"Yes she is my aunt."

"So does that mean you'll be cheering on Ms Delacour?"

"No, I am impartial as Hogwarts ambassador, now please-"

"Does that mean you are rooting for Cedric perhaps? Or Harry."

"No I-"

"Venus, will you come with me?" Clause asked her, pulling her away from Rita Skeeter. The quill crossing something out and writing another in it's place.

"Thanks for the save." she said once they were out of earshot.

"It is no problem, but uh-"

"Yes of course, let's go find her."

Draco growled as he saw the Dumstrang boy drag Venus away from the arena. She didn't return until it was Hogwarts' turn to compete. Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour both successfully retrieved their eggs, burned in some places. Venus was seen returning to the arena and speaking to Fleur, no doubt getting caught up and congratulating the Beauxbatons champion. Draco watched her treat the minor burns she and Viktor acquired, medically and without her magic. Cedric Diggory went next and also retrieved his egg successfully, transfiguring a rock to look like a dog to distract the dragon. It was finally Harry's turn and the audience waited with baited breath to see what he would do. To Venus' surprise he summoned his broom and took off. The Horntail did not like that. The creature took off after him and roared flames from his mouth. Venus raised her arms and used the water in the arena used to treat burns to shield the audience from rogue flames with a wave of her wand. She was frustrated she couldn't use her magic to it's full extent but she hushed the doubts in her mind quickly. This was safest. Harry was quick though and retrieved his egg the fastest, only suffering a major burn on his shoulder.

As the dragon was tied down again, Venus ran to Harry and hugged him, Rita Skeeters camera flashing behind them as she began to treat his shoulder burn. Draco boiled with anger. But instead of directing it towards the Chosen One, he found himself angry at Rita Skeeter. For using the Ravenclaw girl and her feelings as clickbait for her article.