Chapter 127 - Ch. 127 Prelude to the task

That was generally how time passed before the first task.

Viktor often came to the dueling club for spars against Christian. The two of them respected each other greatly, with one being a better dueler and the other a better flyer. I still haven't had the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.es of dueling against the man myself, but we have had many talks on the topic.

He does appear to still have a crush on Hermione in timeline. I see him head to the library and stay there for long periods of time when she is supposed to be there. I even gave him a little tip to make sure no fans make noise around him when he's there, since I remembered that it irritated her during the canon. I also tried to tell him somethings she might be interested in, like the differences between Hogwarts and Durmstrang, or the situation in the magical community there, and maybe some of the things he's seen as he traveled for professional games.

He is still friend who's interested in someone I know. And it's not like Ron or Harry are actually interested in her as a girl. Not that they're aware of it anyway. So imma be a wingman.

On Fleur's side, things are going rather well.

Her charms have been getting better and better under mine and James' tutoring. She has a natural gift in many of them, making her a joy to teach. I've also started Gabrielle on some easy but fun spells to play with, mostly sparks and light shows one can really modify as you wish. Best way for kids to improve is to make them like what they are doing after all.

Their Veela side is a little more complicated though.

Fleur has a lot of issues accepting it because of all she has suffered through in the past. Her experiences have formed a light trauma which led to rejection, even if unconscious, so it will take time for her to accept herself. Fortunately her abilities to wield fire and form illusions has still improved a great deal through the passive buff from her bloodline.

Gabrielle on the other hand has had a lot of progress in this area. There are a few reasons behind this success of hers, but the biggest would be her age and Fleur. Her sister protected her from a lot of the darker side of the world as she grew up, letting her be a lot freer than her in a sense. Thus she doesn't have any hate for her Veela side, only some frustrations at not being able to make many real friends. And the fact that she hasn't gone through puberty and developed her secondary s.e.x.u.a.l characteristics yet, means the influence from her heritage is still limited. From what I could feel and what she's told me, it would seem she was getting close to truly accepting her inhuman quarter.

Harry on the hand, well I've just been putting him through the wringer as best as I can.

Physical training to give him any edge he could get. Teaching him new spells and useful bits of knowledge on various plants and beasts. Giving him a mini boot camp for combat. And I've even gone so far as giving the trio my little homework quills as a way to give Harry as much time as possible to prepare, while also letting his friends help him out more.

There is honestly only so much I can do for a fourteen year old. Although Harry does have talent, and I've helped his body and core stabilize immensely, it is still limited to human standards.

Aside from our exchanges and training, we also decided to have a little meeting about a week and a half away from the first task.

"Now that the four of us are here, I would like to begin our little meeting." I start with a bright smile on my face.

"Aedan, not zat I do not appreciate wat you 'ave done, but why ze gathering?" Asked the curious Fleur.

"That is very simple Fleur, this is about the first task and making sure everyone knows what they will be up against." Was my answer.

"You know? But how? I thought Fleur and Krum would since I saw their heads of school, but I didn't get to warn you yet, so how do you know Aedan?" A surprised Harry asked.

The two looked at Harry with a bit of a surprise, but the curiosity they looked at me with was stronger.

"Would you believe me if I said they got those Dragons from reserves I invested in and figured out what they were going to use them for recently?" I asked with a little mischief in my eyes.

That got two of them to stand up in shock, while Krum blinked as he tried to compute my little revelation.

"Looks like you do. But I'm not here to interfere with anyone, I just wanted to make sure you all knew what we were up against." I said in a calm voice. "They requested nesting mothers, meaning this is most likely a test to get past them or steal something from them. I will not help you or advise you in anyway, simply because we all have our pride as Champions. Although we are friends and can help each other improve, at the end of the day this is a challenge each must face on their own. All I can say is to focus on your strengths. Find something in which you truly excel at and incorporate it into your plan."

"Zank you for the varning friend. It vill help." Viktor said through his heavy accent.

"No problem. I hope you can pull it off." I simply nod back with a smile as he departs.

"Zis will allow me to use what you an' James 'ave taught me." Fleur said with a determined look as she left as well.

After the two of them left, I looked at the troubled Harry, who seemed to be fidgeting in his seat.

"What's up Harry?" I ask with a reassuring smile.

"Um, do you really think I stand a chance? I mean, it's a dragon." The messy haired kid asked back.

"If it was to take down a dragon, then I would call the task moronic. But this is different. You'll only need to get past the dragon to succeed." I say to try and minimize the fear he has.

"But you've all had years of learning more than me. How am I even supposed to match that?" Harry asked in a bit of desperation.

"The best advice I can give is you is to not bog yourself down by only thinking of one solution. Although the rules say you can't bring anything with you, they never say you can't drink a potion before going in, or activate some kind of artifact, or even summon something you prepared before hand. You have to be creative Harry and think outside the box. I'm sure you'll find your own solution to the problem quickly once you do." I gently advise the teen, as he starts to think about what I've just said.

"I'll go talk things through with Ron and Hermione, thanks Aedan." He said as he got up to leave with a thoughtful look on his face.

With the days quickly passing by, the day of the task was swiftly upon us.

All my preparations were ready.

'My magic was at its peak condition, my body was perfectly rested and ready, my plan was set to achieve the best score and flare possible, and my little plan to deal with a scuttling insect has been put in place. Everything was ready.' I thought to myself as I walk down to the task site with my friends.

As we reached the tent each champion would wait their turn in, my friends decided to give one last bit of encouragement, even if they had absolute faith in me.

"You know how to handle dragons of every size and shape. Just don't forget the obvious weaknesses even if you don't plan on using them. But I can't wait to see how you're going to dominate this." Christian said with a hearty pat on my shoulders.

"I would assume transfiguration will be your go to. I recommend distracting the beast before trying for the egg, but knowing you, you'll probably do something crazy. I just look forward to seeing a true aspect of your strength my friend." James said with a rare excited expression as he gave a fist bump.

Victoria gave me a firm hug since it wouldn't be out of place to do so while whispering in my ear, "Show them why you are the best. You are the man I am proud to love, so be confident and come back to me in one piece."

"I promise."

With that done, my friends departed swiftly to find good seats, leaving me to wait for Harry, Fleur and Viktor, as well as the judges.

As the others began to arrive one after another, i did my best to try and help them relax their nerves through some light conversation about funny events of the past or interesting bits of knowledge. They already know what they're supposed to do and worrying about it too much will only cause mistakes instead.

The judges finally arrived to see the four of us together, relaxing before the battle ahead. They quickly called us over to explain the task.

Like the canon, the test was to take the golden egg guarded by a dragon. It must be obtained because it contains a clue on what the second will entail. We will be scored according to our bravery, our cunning, the damages done and suffered, and also if one damages the other eggs the nesting mother is protecting.

We were then invited to pick the order we would go in and dragon each would face. Fleur went first a got the Welsh Green, with a number two. Viktor stepped up and fished out the Chinese Fireball with a number three. I was third, following the established order, as I felt inside the silk sac and pulled out the miniature version of a Swedish Short-Snout with a number one, feeling very mirthful by me having to fight it. I mean, it's not like I can't control an even better fire than it can breath. But anyway, Harry went and picked the last remaining dragon, the Hungarian Horntail with a number four.

"Well, there you are!" said Bagman. "You have each pulled out the dragon you will face, and the numbers refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, I'm going to have to leave you in a moment, because I'm commentating. Mr. Bones, you're first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle, all right?" The man said to me as he pulled out Harry for a moment.

'He's trying to help Harry in order to win his bet and try to get out of debt. What a pathetic man. It is a wonder how he was never really fired. I mean the man was accused of helping Death Eaters through his idiocy but got out of it because of some fans in Wizengamot, like that'll make the families of people his stupidity has killed feel better. Then they make him the Head of one of their f.u.c.k.i.n.g departments. Honestly, how has no one ever tried to blow up this governing body? We need a gunpowder plot for wizards.' I thought as i walked to the entrance of the arena.

"Aedan, you 'ave zis." Fleur then said from behind me with a slightly nervous smile.

"You vill surely be victorious." Viktor added with a stern look on his face.

"Yeah, you got this Aedan!" Harry said as he jumped in as well.

"Thanks you three." I sincerely say. "It's a shame you we won't be able to see each other's performances, but I know you'll do everyone proud."

With that, I turn around and enter the corridor leading to the arena, where I can hear Bagman starting his introduction using the Sonorus spell.

"Witches and Wizards of all ages! Today, we are proud to bring you the first task of this newly reinstated Triwizard Tournament! We have four brave champions, chosen from the best and brightest of three prestigious schools for magic, and today they will face our test of bravery!" He announced, taking a small pause to let people yell and cheer in excitement.

"Each Champion will need to steal a golden egg from a dragon guarding it! For in this egg a clue about the second task was left! The Judges will decide the points they will give based on each Champions performance, and the higher the score, the better the advantage they will have over others in the second task. It will also contribute to the overall score and help decide the victor!" The man explained with a suspenseful voice.

"But now! Let me introduce to you the first Champion to challenge this daunting task! He has been proclaimed as the best student Hogwarts has ever seen! The Lord of the Bones family! An Innovator! A Creator! A young man who's name has wrung clearly throughout our country! Aedan Bones!!!" Bagman shouted as he introduced me to roaring cheers and applause.

I start walking towards the light as my nickname was chanted by almost all present.

"Raven! Raven! Raven! Raven! Raven!"

'This is where the fun begins' I thought with an excited smile and prepare my wand.