Tuesday, November 24, 1994 - Morning
The first task day arrived. Harry dressed in what looked like a quidditch uniform without a cloak. It had been provided by Professor Dawes and was the best combination of fireproof materials and protective spells that the Unspeakables could devise. Harry had practised spells and charms which he had already mastered. Professor Dawes advised Harry to practice the spells he knew until he could perform them without thinking about the process. In his situation, it was better to get stronger with what you knew rather than try to learn something new and difficult. The only new spell worked on was an advanced summoning charm. He mastered it by constant practice using his more skilled house mates to train with. Harry’s broom was shrunk and carried to the spectator’s stand by Tracey Davis. Tracey and the Merlin House team grouped together in the stand. The broom was restored to its’ proper size and kept out of sight in the middle of the bunch. If Harry needed the broom, then he could summon it, and evade the dragon by flying away.
Harry drew a Hungarian Horntail, reputed to be the most bad-tempered dragon of all. The dragons were indeed nesting females. Each had been given a fake golden egg to protect which had to be retrieved by the contestants.
The three genuine champions completed their tasks. Mild burns and singed clothing were the worst results for the contestants. Viktor Krum’s dragon had smashed some its own eggs costing him points.
It was Harry’s turn. The arena was deep and rocky. Wooden stands were placed around the rim. The protective wards must be strong unless the tournament organisers were stupid. The ministry official in charge was a former quidditch beater called Bagman. He was wildly out of touch with how dangerous this was for the champions and the spectators.
The Horntail fixed Harry with a steady glare.
Harry spoke: “{Great Dragon! My name is Harry Potter.}”
The dragon roared.
Harry tried again: “{Great Dragon! My name is Harry Potter.}”
The dragon replied: “{I heard you the first time wizard. I have to make some show of ferocity, or your persecutors will accuse you of cheating again.}”
“{Is this contest completely rigged?}” Harry asked.
“{As far as the dragons are concerned, it is. The Bulgarian didn’t have to use a conjunctivitis curse. A temporary blinding spell would have done just as well. The Fireball is now mourning over her smashed eggs. Such as waste.}” The Horntail seemed to speak in a cultured accent, the Blue Pyrenean had a much earthier sound to its speech.
“{Great Dragon! Do I have to keep saying that?}” Harry wondered how urbane this dragon really was.
“{As far as this contest is concerned, it does sound better. I should give you your golden egg and let you go. Too much chat will be suspicious.}” The dragon rose from its nest, unfurled its wings and flew up until the chain restraining it snapped taut. It then let out a long burst of flame and a mighty roar. “{How was that, not enough or too much?}”
Harry stepped back three paces and squeaked out: “{That was pretty good from where I was standing.}”
The Horntail then glided down to its nest and using its tongue and teeth gently picked up the golden egg from the top of the clutch of eggs. She then stretched over to Harry and placed it at his feet.
“{I would have liked to hear how you explain this to the buffoons running this tournament. Don’t give up wizard. You didn’t get fried today. Take it as a good sign.}”
The crowd screamed in terror at the flight and roar of the dragon. Then there was absolute silence as the dragon handed over the golden egg after some more creepy parseltongue. The horntail then turned and bit through the shackle holding its leg. She then gathered up the nest and all her eggs and flew away.
In the official tent, the first three contestants were being thoroughly checked over and patched up by Madam Pomphrey and the healers from St. Mungo’s. Everyone stopped to look at Harry as he walked in with his golden egg. The students, the teachers, the spectators, and certainly Rita Skeeter were mostly convinced that Harry was a new dark lord.
The Merlin House students and Professor Dawes greeted Harry with restrained affection. They all now understood how difficult it was for Harry to accept cheering, hugging and other public displays of affection. They all walked back to Merlin Tower in a group surrounding Harry. The whispers and ugly glares followed them all the way.
At 9 in the evening, the fireplace in Professor Dawes office came alive. Sirius’ face was there again.
“Pup! Congratulations! I heard from a couple of people what you did. That was amazing. I will give you a little secret. Parseltongue speaking is inherited through the Potter line. It doesn’t show up in every generation. The Potter family line has several Indian names in it. Parseltongue healers are well known in India. You, your father and grandfather may look Anglo-Saxon but there are Indian genes in there, which is where your Parseltongue abilities come from.”
Harry was gobsmacked, “Sirius! Sirius thank you. I never knew that. That is a big relief. I always thought that it was somehow connected to Riddle. In fact, Dumbledore told me that. Did he know about Parseltongue running in the Potter family?”
Sirius went from gleeful to angry. “Yes! He did! He implied that you somehow got Parseltongue from Riddle?”
Harry nodded.
“Why did he do that? Maybe he wanted to frighten you into not using it? I don’t know. I will write to Professor Dawes and explain it to her. Try not to take any negative comments about this to heart. I know that’s easy for me to say. I’m not in your shoes. I have to let you go. Too many people can snoop on floo-calls. I will call again at 9 on Sunday evening. Is that OK?”
“Sirius! Where are you calling from? How do you have access to a floo connection?”
“This is top secret Pup, I am living in my old family home, 12 Grimmauld Place. Don’t tell too many people. Only your most trusted friends.”
“I won’t Sirius. See you on Sunday.” Sirius disappeared from the fire with a small pop. Harry went to bed feeling much lighter.
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