Unfortunately, both he and Rita had other places to be in the morning. Harry had to get back to Hogwarts before too many questions were asked. Rita had a job. While she was covering the tournament, she was also focusing on the impact it had to local and international affairs. Harry was quite pleased how things were turning out for her this time around.
As much as Harry would have liked to stay around Hogsmeade, he had training. Flitwick and Moody started out working with him separately. Now, they ran their training at the same time. Moody teaching him defensive spells and tactics while Flitwick expanded his offensive capabilities. It basically came down to the two professors casting a barrage of spells at him, then telling him what he did wrong as they picked him up.
It wasn't going to help much against a dragon, but it was still a learning experience. Even with his years as an auror he was picking up new tricks. He belonged to them on Saturday, and they worked him until he could hardly stand, then they pushed him even harder. It was the only time Harry was able to truly let loose with his power. He held nothing back and neither did they.
By the time dinnertime rolled around, Harry felt like every muscle in his body was jelly. This was the last weekend before the first task. Instead of a respite, they piled even more onto him.
Sundays he spent with Sirius, training and just being together. His time with his godfather last time around was tragically short. Now, Sirius felt like an actual relative. Not a parent so much as an uncle. While Sirius wasn't as an accomplished duelist as Flitwick, or experienced as Moody, he did have access to the Black Family spells. They had developed some truly scary genius charms. Dozens of ways to disable, kill, or torture and even more strategies on how to do so incredibly fast. Harry was shocked to find that most, if not all, of the charms originated in something seemingly harmless.
A drying charm, something taught to first years and thought to be harmless, had been altered and advanced to a Blood Removal Charm. It literally dried out the plasma portion of the targets blood. Another charm, the Consuming Mist, stemmed from a maintenance charm used in novice enchanting. Originally, It created a fine cloud of mist that removed excess debris for precise detail work. A simple tweak switched focus from wood or stone shavings to skin and bone.
The hard part was learning the spells without being able to cast them on a real target. It was inhumane to use any sort of live creature, or person. They worked with training dummies. Sirius would take him the charm, use the dummy, and then explain what it would do to something that was alive. As gruesome as it was, Harry loved it. No wonder the Black Family had such a fearsome reputation.
Remus wasn't exactly pleased with the training, but that didn't stop him from joining in. Harry hadn't told them he had dealt with Voldermort. That would lead to too many questions. Regardless, they knew there was a conflict on the horizon. Taking on Dumbledore was a more daunting task. The man was crafty, connected, and incredibly powerful. He was overt in a way Riddle could only dream about. Their group had already started to make moves behind the scenes on his political power. Nothing major, just picking away at the edges and probing for weaknesses. They had to move carefully; people followed him with righteous loyalty.
As it turned out, Sirius knew how to play the Pureblood game. The traditional faction was ecstatic to have an old family back, the neutrals hoped to curry his favor, and the so-called progressive faction thought it was obvious that Sirius would back them. It wasn't questioned that Sirius was seen with all three. Deals had to be done somehow.
All of it was a great distraction for the week leading up to the first task. Too soon Harry found himself in the tent with the other champions. None of the group even pretended to be shocked by the announcement of facing a dragon. They were, however, taken by surprise when it was explained that they had to steal an egg from a nest.
Harry got the Horntail again, of course. The trio of champions weren't nearly as nervous as last time around. They each had their plans and tactics. Harry had managed to talk Krum out of attacking the dragon this time. All four champions were tight-lipped on their strategies. It was a competition after all.
Krum took up residence in a corner of the tent. He was muttering something under his breath in Bulgarian. Fleur was pacing while twirling her wand along her fingers. Harry had to suppress a smile; he had seen her do the same thing many times in his past life. When she didn't have room to pace the twirling would become more intricate.
The memory sent a sharp pain through his being. Had they been in love? Was it a simple dalliance? Stolen kisses for the thrill of it all. They wouldn't be the first to do such a thing. Two restless people in unhappy marriages finding a brief moment of solace in the arms of similar soul. Harry wanted to believe that. It was easier to push away. There was nothing to keep them together after the tournament.
Fleur left at some point. As did Krum. Soon he was alone in the tent. He hadn't even noticed.
"Harry, it's your turn." McGonagall called from the tent exit.
Harry nodded. She stopped him just before he stepped out.
"Be careful." She brushed a stray strand of hair out of his eyes only for it to fall back into place.
"Professor, I'm always careful." He gave her a crooked smile.
"That's what I'm worried about." McGonagall shook her head.
The crowd erupted as he walked into the arena. He could hear the announcer working them up. The title of The Boy Who Lived was tossed out, as well as Lord Potter, and a couple others that he ignored. He watched as a shield circled the raised stands, muffling the crowd to a whisper.
Well. Now or never.
Ş Excuse me! Ş Harry shouted.
Ş Speaker? Ş A rumbling voice replied, there was a feminine edge to it that caught him off guard.
Of course. He shook his head. Nesting mothers.
Ş May I approach? I have no ill intent. Ş Harry waited for a moment.
Ş I am chained, my nest is exposed, and the scent of fear is thick. Your intent means little. Ş The dragon roared.
Ş Do you want me to remove the chains? Ş Harry asked. He still hadn't moved from his spot.
There was a long pause.
Ş Why would you do such a thing? Ş The dragon spoke carefully.
Ş A show of good faith. Ş Harry moved closer, stepping out before the dragon.
The sharp, shrewd eyes took every detail of him in. Harry saw her fore and back legs were chained, but she still had some range of movement.
Ş Proceed. Ş The dragon said.
Ş I have to summon a sword. Ş Harry kept his hands out wide as he moved closer.
The dragon growled. Harry froze as he could feel the temperature raise.
Ş My magic isn't strong enough to break the chains. The sword will. Ş Harry explained.
The rumbled grew louder. Harry shut his eyes. Time to do something stupid.
Harry summoned the sword, he dropped to a knee in front of the dragon and placed the sword point-down before him. Even through the noise barrier he could tell the crowd had gone silent.
Ş I, Lord Harry James Potter, do swear on my magic and the sword Excalibur that I mean you no harm. Ş
The dragon froze, watching as a whirlwind of magic encased Harry for a moment before fading away. Harry let out a breath as the heat eased away.
Ş Proceed. Ş The dragon inclined her head ever so slightly.
Harry stood. He calmly moved closer. With quick and efficient movements, he sliced through the chains. He banished the sword the moment the last one was done. The dragon straightened up, shaking its newly freed limbs.
Ş Thank you, Speaker. Ş The dragon shifted, clearly placing herself between Harry and the nest.
Ş Please don't fly away. Ş Harry chuckled as he hopped up on a nearby boulder. Ş The wizards at the sanctuary would kill me. Ş
Ş They treat me and my sisters well. Ş The dragon nodded. Ş We are no longer hunted, we have sufficient food, and my eggs will grow strong. Ş She let out a puff of smoke. Ş Unless they move my nest again. Ş
Ş They placed a false egg among them. Ş Harry explained. Ş It's a test to see if I can retrieve it. Ş
The dragon studied him for a long moment.
Ş You are barely more than a hatchling. Ş The dragon huffed. Ş What chance do you have again me? Ş
Ş I know! Ş Harry waved a hand at the stands around them. Ş What am I supposed to do? Rush in casting spells that will, at most, annoy you and hope for the best? Ş
Ş I like you, hatchling. Ş The dragon chuckled.
Ş Thank you. Ş Harry bowed to her. Ş May I retrieve the false egg? Ş
Ş You must do me a favor first. Ş The dragon's tone shifted serious.
Ş Gladly. Ş Harry nodded.
He slipped off the boulder and moved around to the gate where the keepers were waiting.
"She wants me to tell you that if you move her nest again, she will make sure everyone knows to poop near the cabin." Harry called out to the workers. "Also, they are tired of the yaks. She enjoyed the 'crunchy sheep' and would like to have them again."
The nearby dragon-keeper nodded.
"Hey, you're one of the kids from when we smuggled out the hatchling a few years back." One of them called.
"Yeah." Harry smiled broadly.
Harry returned to stand before the dragon.
Ş I let them know. Ş Harry bowed.
Ş Then the false egg is yours, after I examine it. Ş The dragon shifted to the side to allow him access.
Harry carefully walked over to the nest. The golden egg was in the center of the clutch, of course it was. He stopped at the edge of the nest, not making a move further.
Ş It's the gold one. Ş Harry pointed at it.
The dragon stared at it. Ş It calls to me. Ş
Ş I just have to retrieve it. Ş Harry looked over at her. Ş If you would like, I can return it to you shortly. Ş
Ş I would like that. Ş The dragon purred. Ş In legends past, there were tales of dragons and your kind mingling. The offspring were said to be quite powerful. Ş
Harry blushed.
Ş I don't know how to change into a dragon. Ş Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
Ş Your kind are not the only ones who can change form. Ş The dragon leaned closer to him. She took a deep breath, practically pulling him off his feet. Ş Powerful indeed. Ş
Harry cleared his throat. Ş May I? I should be able to return it to you this evening. Ş
The dragon stepped away, allowing him access.
Ş Thank you. Ş Harry bowed.
Harry carefully plucked the egg from the nest. He gave one more bow to the dragon before leaving the arena. Even after passing through the sound barrier, the crowd was practically silent. Madam Pomfrey waited outside of a medical tent. She stared at him as he walked over.
"Did you want to look me over?" He asked.