Well, it makes sense, after all, Mrs. Maxim has already seen those fire dragons. She has no reason not to tell her own academy's warriors so that they can prepare in advance.
Victor also confirmed the same situation. He pulled out that bright red Chinese Fireball, with the number 1 tied around its neck.
He didn't even blink, just sat down, eyes fixed on the ground, no one knowing what he was thinking.
"Alright, it's your turn, Harry," said Mr. Bagman with a smile. "You have a fifty percent chance, or rather... one of the remaining two is very simple, the other extremely difficult, so it's all down to your luck now."
Harry raised an eyebrow, reached his hand into the silk pouch, and drew out the Hungarian Tree Bee, numbered 3.
Looking down at it, the little dragon spread its wings, revealing its small fangs.
Whoa, it looks quite fierce.
"Okay, all of you have got them!" said Bagman. "You've all drawn the fire dragons you'll face, and the number around its neck indicates the order you'll engage with them, understood? Now, I have to leave you for a moment, as I need to give commentary for the audience. Mr. Krum, you're first; once you hear the whistle, step into the field, got it? Then... Harry... may I have a word with you? Outside?"
"Alright," said Harry, standing up and following Bagman out of the tent.
Bagman led him a little further, into the trees, then turned to look at him, wearing a fatherly expression on his face.
"How are you feeling, Harry? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"What?" Harry said, "Oh, thank you, but sorry, I don't need anything."
"It seems you have a plan, don't you? Oh, I thought so, you're quite close with the Weasley family, you probably already know what the competition is about..." Bagman lowered his voice sneakily, asking, "I don't know what your plan is, but if you're willing, I could give you a few ideas—I mean," Bagman lowered his voice further and continued, "you're at a disadvantage here, Harry... if I can help at all..."
"You bet on me to win, didn't you?" Harry said with a half-smile, looking at Mr. Bagman.
"Haha." Mr. Bagman laughed heartily, patting Harry on the arm, saying, "Yes, during the Quidditch World Cup, I followed your girlfriend's lead, oh... the Austrian Ministry of Magic... no, the International Magical Exchange and Cooperation Department of the Great German Ministry of Magic's Miss Grindelwald placed a bet... she wrote to me a few days ago, asking me to bet a thousand Galleons on you, I thought I should as well this time..."
"Don't worry," Harry said with a cheerful smile. "Professor Dumbledore secretly taught me some tricks to deal with fire dragons, dealing with the Hungarian Tree Bee shouldn't be a problem—"
"Since Professor Dumbledore has already taught you, then I'm relieved," said Mr. Bagman happily. "Then I..."
The whistle suddenly blew, and Mr. Bagman took off running, shouting as he ran, "Oh Merlin's beard, I must run, good luck, Mr. Potter—"
Harry walked back toward the tent, just in time to see Victor coming out from inside.
"Good luck," Harry said with a smile.
Victor nodded seriously at Harry, and as they passed each other, Victor quietly said, "Thank you."
The tone was heavy, with a strong Eastern European flair.
Returning to the tent, Harry saw Fleur squatting on the ground, feeling emo.
Her long silver hair was cascading from her shoulders, even reaching the ground.
"I still suggest you relax a bit, at least don't be tense mentally," Harry said to her. "In the end, you'll have to face those fire dragons, even if you feel emo now, it won't change any outcome, might as well face it with a smile..."
Fleur lifted her head and glanced at Harry, but didn't say anything.
Not everyone has Harry's big heart; Fleur is just a gentle, beautiful girl, she's never fought a fire dragon before—
Oh, that's not entirely accurate, as the competition isn't about fighting or defeating the fire dragon, but rather retrieving the golden egg from under the fire dragon's nose.
At that moment, Mr. Bagman's loud shout pierced through the tent and reached their ears.
"Nice! Eye Curse!" Mr. Bagman shouted loudly. "Very brave!"
The Chinese Fireball Dragon let out a terrible, earth-shattering scream, and the audience collectively gasped, "He showed extraordinary courage—ah—yes, he's got the golden egg!"
The overwhelming applause shattered the winter air like broken glass.
"Looks like he succeeded," Harry said to Fleur. "It's your turn next."
Fleur lifted her head once more, unhappily looking at Harry.
Too talkative.
Harry shrugged.
I just meant well, worried you might be too nervous.
The whistle blew again, and Bagman shouted loudly, "Miss Delacour, please enter the field!"
Fleur stood up, seemingly numbed from squatting for too long, swaying a bit after getting up, her whole body trembling.
Especially the magic wand in her hand, which was trembling so much it almost left afterimages.
It was clear she was genuinely nervous, extremely nervous.
"Oh, I can't be sure this is wise!" they heard Bagman excitedly shout, "Oh... just a little bit more! Be careful... oh my gosh, I thought she had already got it!"