Harry Potter and the Ambitious Girl

Chapter 39: Chapter 35: The First Task



The arena for the first match of the Triwizard Tournament was already brimming with excitement before the event had even begun.

The task? To steal the golden egg guarded by a dragon.

This, needless to say, was a life-threatening and incredibly dangerous undertaking.

Dragons had no concept that this was a competition. They mistook the golden egg hidden among their real eggs as their own and would fiercely protect it.

To them, the participants attempting to take the egg were intruders, enemies to be eliminated.

A dragon's claws could effortlessly tear through human flesh, its tail could crush bones and leave a person vomiting their own insides. Once trapped in its jaws, escape was impossible, and its fiery breath would reduce a human to ashes.

So how could anyone outwit such a creature?

Or would they fail and meet a grim fate?

This mixture of curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of morbid fascination electrified the audience, pushing the atmosphere in the stadium to its peak.

Into this charged arena, Ludo Bagman's magically amplified voice boomed, reaching every corner of the venue.

"Come, come, everyone! Gather round! Thank you for coming to witness this momentous occasion!

The Triwizard Tournament, silent for centuries, is about to begin anew in all its glory!

The first task for our champions: facing the terrifying dragons!

Throughout history, slaying dragons and claiming the treasures they guard has been a hallmark of heroes.

And today, four brave champions will rise to the challenge!

Hogwarts, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons—our four champions will each attempt to outwit these beasts! Watch closely, for you are witnessing history in the making!"

As expected of the Head of Magical Sports, Bagman excelled at rousing speeches. His clear, energetic voice only further fueled the crowd's excitement.

"And now, let us introduce the fearsome creatures our champions will face!

First up: the Common Welsh Green! Measuring 16.5 meters in length and weighing 2.6 tons!

This dragon, typically found nesting in the highlands, is known for its preference to avoid humans, making it relatively easy to handle.

But don't be fooled! The infamous 1932 Ilfracombe Incident, where a rogue Welsh Green attacked a beach full of Muggles sunbathing, serves as a stark reminder of its power!

Even the gentlest dragon can become fearsome when provoked! Getting past this one will be no easy feat!"

All eyes turned to the dragon inside its enclosure. Its tough green scales gleamed under the light, exuding an aura of quiet yet overwhelming strength.

"Next, we have the Swedish Short-Snout! Measuring 15 meters and weighing 2.4 tons!

This slightly smaller dragon is best known for its extraordinarily tough hide!

Its light, durable scales are so prized that they're often used to craft shields and protective gloves. Its defense is unparalleled!

It's also famous for its dazzling blue flames! How will our champions deal with this formidable opponent? Their skills will be put to the ultimate test!"

Inside another enclosure, a dragon with silvery-blue scales lay quietly, its imposing presence making onlookers tremble with awe.

"From Asia, we bring you the Chinese Fireball! Measuring 17.3 meters and weighing 3 tons!

This dragon is the most aggressive of the lot, capable of preying on almost any mammal—and humans are among its favorite meals!

Just facing this beast requires immense bravery!"

The dragon introduced next had fiery red scales and bulging eyes. Around its face were golden, spike-like frills, enhancing its terrifying appearance.

"And finally, the Hungarian Horntail!

Measuring 20 meters and weighing 4 tons, this dragon is a true monster! Its fiery breath can reach 15 meters in length!

Armed with unyielding horns, impenetrable scales, and a spiked tail, it's the deadliest of the lot!

How will our champions outmaneuver this fearsome creature? You won't want to take your eyes off it!"

The last dragon, covered in jet-black scales and adorned with bronze horns, had a vicious demeanor that made the idea of a direct confrontation unthinkable.

"There you have it, folks! Four dragons, each a monumental challenge in its own right!

Our champions must face these beasts and claim the golden egg!

Now, let's meet the first champion to take on the challenge!

Representing Hogwarts and Hufflepuff House, he's also the captain of the Quidditch team!

Give him a roaring welcome—Cedric… Diggoryyyyyy!!"

The moment Bagman called his name, Hufflepuff students jumped to their feet, cheering so loudly it seemed the ground might shake. The roar was so intense that even those seated far away in the Slytherin section felt the vibration in their eardrums.

Edith covered her ears while Mirabelle grimaced at the deafening noise.

"First up is Diggory-senpai… I wonder how he'll manage to steal the egg from the dragon."

"He might just get roasted and die trying."

"Hey, Mirabelle! Don't say such ominous things!"

Cedric Diggory was the first participant in this initial task and, by extension, the first competitor in the revived Triwizard Tournament.

If he were to meet a grisly fate right from the start, it might spell doom for the tournament itself.

For that reason, everyone hoped Cedric would safely complete the challenge.

As the cheers of encouragement rained down, Cedric stepped into the arena, entering the enclosure to face the Swedish Short-Snout.

He stood tall and composed, but the tension in his expression betrayed the nerves he couldn't fully hide.

"The Match Begins!!"

At Bagman's command, a sharp whistle echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the competition. There was no turning back now.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Cedric withdrew his wand and cast a spell on a nearby rock. The rock transformed into a Labrador Retriever, which began darting around the dragon. The dragon, visibly annoyed by the sudden intruder, raised its head to focus on the dog, perceiving it as a potential threat to its precious eggs.

"A dog?" Edith muttered in surprise.

"Ah, a diversion tactic," Mirabel observed, nodding thoughtfully. "But let's see if it actually works."

Cedric's strategy was clear—create a distraction to draw the dragon's attention. So far, it seemed effective, as the dragon's gaze remained fixed on the dog. Moving stealthily, Cedric circled around the Swedish Short-Snout, edging closer to the golden egg.

However, he moved too hastily. The dragon hadn't strayed far enough from its nest. As Cedric approached, the dragon's tail lashed out instinctively, forcing him to retreat in a hurry.

"Ooooh, that was close! Just a hairbreadth away from disaster!" Bagman exclaimed, his voice amplifying the collective gasps of the audience. Relief spread through the arena as Cedric narrowly avoided being pulverized.

Taking a moment to regroup, Cedric maintained his distance, studying the dragon for any possible openings.

"It's not moving," Edith commented nervously.

"The diversion isn't bad," Mirabel explained. "But a dog is no real threat to a dragon. It may cause some irritation, but as long as the dragon stays near its nest, it sees no reason to leave. It's not like the eggs can be taken while it's there."

Hearing Mirabel's explanation, Edith frowned. Cedric's approach needed refinement.

Suddenly, Cedric adjusted his plan. With a flick of his wand, he conjured more dogs, and this time, they began making mock attempts to seize the eggs. The dragon's eyes burned with fury as it finally rose, focusing its wrath on the multiplying canines.

Seizing the moment, Cedric sprinted toward the golden egg.

"A bold gamble from Cedric!" Bagman narrated with mounting excitement.

For a brief instant, victory seemed within reach. But the dragon, sensing the human interloper, swiftly turned its attention away from the dogs. Its fiery blue breath surged toward Cedric, who narrowly avoided it with a swift roll.

"Excellent reflexes!" Bagman praised as Cedric, sprawled on the ground, stretched out to grab the egg.

However, he was just a fraction too late. The dragon's claws descended toward him, and Cedric had no choice but to Apparate out of harm's way, reappearing safely outside the dragon's reach.

"So close, but no luck this time!"

The crowd sighed collectively, their initial excitement replaced by disappointment. Edith, who had been holding her breath, exhaled shakily.

"That was so close! Just a little more, and he would've had it!"

"His timing was slightly off," Mirabel remarked. "But now he understands the rhythm. He'll get it next time."

Their eyes stayed glued to the arena as Cedric regrouped. Once again, he sent the enchanted dogs to distract the dragon, but this time he remained motionless, waiting patiently in its blind spot.

Ten tense minutes passed. The dragon, agitated by the persistent dogs, eventually took flight to chase them. The moment its attention wavered, Cedric bolted.

By the time the dragon realized what was happening, it was too late. Cedric snatched the golden egg and sprinted back toward safety.

A deafening roar of applause erupted from the audience, particularly from the Hufflepuff section, where stomping feet made the stands shake like an earthquake.

He did it! Cedric had secured the golden egg!

Although the dragon lunged toward him in a final act of defiance, the match had officially ended the moment Cedric claimed the egg. A team of wizards quickly subdued the creature and guided it back into its enclosure.

"What an incredible performance by Cedric Diggory!" Bagman announced, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Now, let's see how the judges score this effort!"

All eyes turned to the judges' table. Dumbledore, Bartemius Crouch, Madame Maxime, Igor Karkaroff, and Bagman himself prepared their scores. One by one, the judges revealed their scores without speaking, to avoid undue pressure on the remaining competitors.

Madame Maxime: 8 points

Bartemius Crouch: 8 points

Albus Dumbledore: 8 points

Ludo Bagman: 8 points

Igor Karkaroff: 6 points

"Thirty-eight points! Not bad for the first round."

"A decent score," Mirabel remarked.

"Well, he succeeded in the end," Edith added with a grin. "That's what matters most."

Indeed, success was paramount in this challenge, where failure carried dire consequences.

"Cedric Diggory has shown tremendous skill and bravery!" Bagman continued. "Now, will the next competitor match his performance? Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome the enchanting fairy of Beauxbatons Academy, the sole female champion of this tournament—Fleur Delacour!"

As Cedric exited the arena, Fleur stepped in. The crowd erupted once more, led by Beauxbatons students and a smitten group of male spectators. Fleur's Veela heritage lent her an ethereal charm, captivating all who laid eyes on her.

Her opponent? The formidable Welsh Green.

"Let's see what she has to offer! Let the challenge... BEGIN!!"

With the starting signal, Fleur began to move. Slowly and steadily, she closed the gap between herself and the dragon, carefully gauging its attack range. Unlike Cedric's distraction strategy, Fleur opted for a direct magical assault. However, striking from too far would be futile as the dragon's scales would repel any spell. The only vulnerable target on a dragon was its eyes. Fleur carefully calculated the precise range she needed.

Without warning, the dragon spewed fire! Fleur dodged swiftly, but her robes caught fire. She hastily summoned water to extinguish the flames, but the damage was done; her white shoulder was now exposed.

"Oh dear, this doesn't look good!" exclaimed Bagman in an overly enthusiastic tone.

A ripple of murmurs and stifled excitement ran through the male spectators. Though Bagman's voice expressed concern, it was hard to miss the underlying eagerness in his tone. Female members of the audience shot him scornful glares, while Fleur remained unfazed. She had grown accustomed to such stares and carried on with unwavering focus.

Capitalizing on the distance established by the dragon's attack, Fleur cast a spell aimed at its eyes. Her charm struck true, leaving the dragon momentarily dazed and groggy. It seemed she had cast a Bewitching Spell to put the creature to sleep. As the dragon wavered on the brink of unconsciousness, it let out one final burst of flames. Fleur dodged gracefully and began advancing cautiously.

"Oh, that was close! Careful now…" Bagman commented.

However, as Fleur passed near the dragon, it stirred in its daze and reflexively spat fire again. This time, the flames caught her skirt, igniting another wave of excitement from the male audience. Fleur quickly extinguished the flames, much to the dismay of the overly enthusiastic onlookers. A collective sigh of disappointment filled the stadium.

"Oh, what a shame! I thought this time it might really be over for her!" Bagman lamented, sounding oddly regretful.

Edith rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't stay stuck. She wasn't alone—nearly every woman in the audience was glaring daggers at Bagman.

"Utterly disgraceful," Edith muttered under her breath.

Mirabel said nothing but her expression conveyed agreement. Her unimpressed gaze made it clear that Bagman's stock had plummeted in her estimation. Bagman, perhaps sensing the animosity, forced an awkward smile and hurriedly moved things along.

"Now, for the judges' scores!"

Madame Maxime: 9 points.

Crouch: 7 points.

Dumbledore: 8 points.

Bagman: 9 points.

Karkaroff: 6 points.

"39 points… Cedric's been overtaken," Edith observed.

"Fair enough," Mirabel replied.

Though Fleur had taken the lead, it was a narrow margin, leaving plenty of room for a comeback. As the crowd buzzed with excitement, the next whistle blew. The anticipation was palpable as another competitor stepped onto the field.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for—introducing the one and only… Mr. VIKTOR KRRRUUUUUUM!!"

The crowd erupted as the Quidditch superstar entered, his iconic slouched posture and bow-legged stride unmistakable. Even his simple walk drew applause, a testament to his immense popularity. Krum, visibly unfazed by nerves, wasted no time. At the sound of the whistle, he charged fearlessly at the dragon, wand raised.

"What audacity!" Bagman exclaimed.

Closing the distance in a heartbeat, Krum unleashed a flurry of spells, all aimed at the dragon's eyes. Despite the beast's furious swipes, Krum dodged nimbly, his Quidditch-honed reflexes on full display. With precision and poise, he landed a spell directly on one of the dragon's eyes. The dragon roared in agony, thrashing violently—a testament to the effectiveness of the Conjunctivitis Curse, known for incapacitating dragons.

But then, disaster struck.

In its pain-induced frenzy, the dragon crushed several of its own eggs, leaving only the golden one intact. Krum's face turned pale as he hurriedly retrieved the golden egg.

"Yikes… the eggs got smashed," Edith said with a wince.

"He was brilliant up to that point, but luck wasn't on his side. That's going to cost him," Mirabel remarked.

Despite his flawless execution, Krum's mishap was a glaring error. The judges would surely penalize him for the broken eggs. While the Durmstrang students cheered fervently, a sense of disappointment hung in the air.

"Well, all three strategies had merit. None were flawless, but all were commendable," Mirabel said.

"Yeah, but how does one actually get a perfect score?" Edith asked.

"Why don't you tell us, Einaggle?" Mirabel countered.

"Simple: use Accio to summon the egg," Edith replied smugly.

"Utterly dull," Mirabel retorted.

While Edith's suggestion was practical, Mirabel dismissed it outright. Competitions like these weren't just about success—they were about spectacle. Edith's method, though efficient, lacked flair and would likely fail to earn bonus points.

"And now, the judges' scores!"

Madame Maxime: 7 points.

Crouch: 7 points.

Dumbledore: 8 points.

Bagman: 8 points.

Karkaroff: 10 points.

Despite Karkaroff's blatant favoritism, Krum only managed 40 points. The crushed eggs proved to be a significant blow to his score. The crowd's cheers for Krum's performance were tempered by the evident disappointment among his fans.

Even so, he held the top spot. The Durmstrang students erupted in renewed fervor, their spirits unshaken.

"Now, let us introduce the final champion!

Facing the Hungarian Horntail is none other than The Boy Who Lived!

The youngest contestant in this tournament and the unexpected fourth participant:

HARRYYYYY POTTERRRR!!"

As the small figure of a boy, clearly shorter than the previous competitors, entered the arena, a cheer erupted from the Gryffindor stands.

However, the response from the other Hogwarts houses was far more subdued, with scattered claps at best. The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students sat in stony silence, offering no reaction whatsoever.

It wasn't hard to understand why.

A fourth contestant, especially one who hadn't even met the age requirement, was a breach of the rules and seemed to give Hogwarts an unfair advantage.

But still, it felt excessively harsh to direct such treatment toward a fourteen-year-old boy.

After all, he hadn't volunteered for this; he had been unwillingly thrust into the competition.

"Let the challenge… BEGIN!"

Indeed, Harry was the youngest participant.

But that didn't mean he should be underestimated.

He had faced more peril than any other competitor. He had endured life-or-death battles before; this was not his first time.

Harry raised his hand and cast a spell.

"Accio Firebolt!"

In response to his voice, a broomstick soared into the arena and landed in his hand.

Up to this point, Mirabel watched with recognition—this much was predictable.

But what came next was not something she had anticipated.

"Expecto Patronum!"

From Harry's wand, a gleaming silver stag burst forth, galloping toward the dragon.

Unlike Cedric's earlier strategy, Harry used his Patronus as a decoy.

The Patronus Charm was a high-level spell, one that could potentially earn him extra points simply for executing it.

As the dragon's attention was captivated by the radiant stag, Harry took to the skies on his broomstick, soaring higher and higher until he was no more than a speck.

Then he dove sharply, wand aimed downward.

"Expelliarmus!"

One, two, three, four flashes of red light shot from his wand, striking the dragon's scales.

Of course, the dragon wasn't harmed; its thick hide rendered it immune. But the attacks succeeded in drawing its attention.

The dragon locked eyes with Harry, opening its mouth to unleash a torrent of flames—

And then, Harry vanished.

"!?!"

The dragon froze, confused. The audience erupted into shocked murmurs.

Mirabel, however, smirked, having already deduced the trick.

"A Cloak of Invisibility… he must have summoned it when he ascended earlier."

Harry's cloak, however, wasn't just any Invisibility Cloak. It was extraordinary, impervious to magical interference and seemingly unending in its effect.

If so, Mirabel mused, this likely wasn't the one from Hogwarts' inventory. Perhaps he had enchanted a separate cloak beforehand.

As she contemplated, Harry reappeared, now holding an egg in his hand.

The crowd roared—until they noticed something peculiar.

That wasn't the golden egg! It was an ordinary one!

What was he thinking, taking that?

As confusion rippled through the stands, someone shouted:

"Hey, the dragon's nest has vanished!"

Indeed, the nest had seemingly disappeared, leaving the dragon incensed.

Had Harry done it? Had he stolen the egg?

The dragon's eyes burned with fury as it let out a deafening roar and took to the skies in pursuit.

"The Horntail is airborne! And Harry Potter is… facing it head-on!!"

Harry stood firm, summoning a serpent with his magic.

The conjured snake wrapped itself around Harry's arm, securing the egg tightly.

Then he charged.

For a brief moment, he glanced toward the stands, where Mirabel sat watching.

In his heart, he spoke to her.

"I haven't forgotten last year's defeat. The humiliation of that loss still haunts me."

"But I'm grateful."

"Because of it, I've pushed myself to become stronger."

"Stronger than ever before."

"Watch closely, Beresford… this is my answer!"

"Very well, Potter… show me your strength."

Their gazes locked for a split second before Harry redirected his focus to the dragon.

He unleashed a barrage of spells, red flashes sparking as they struck the dragon's scales, provoking its fury.

The dragon retaliated with a stream of fire, but Harry deftly dodged, spinning through the air and leading the beast on a wild chase.

Higher and higher they soared, engaging in a breathtaking aerial duel. Harry's maneuvers—dives, spins, and feints—drew the dragon into a frenzy.

The jeers from the audience subsided, replaced by awed cheers at the spectacle unfolding before them.

Finally, Harry reached a significant altitude and loosened the serpent's grip, tossing the egg into the air.

The dragon, panicking, lunged for the egg, only for it to transform mid-air—

Into one of Malfoy's infamous "Potter Stinks" badges.

The dragon hesitated, confused.

That moment of distraction was all Harry needed.

He zoomed in, aiming his wand directly at the dragon's face.

"Conjunctivitis!"

A flash of light struck the dragon's eyes, leaving it dazed and disoriented.

Unable to control its wings, the dragon plummeted from the sky.

"Fall!"

Harry shouted as he cast spell after spell, each one accelerating the dragon's descent.

"Fall!!"

The beast roared in anguish as it plummeted faster and faster.

"FALL!!!"

With a deafening crash, the dragon slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the arena.

Harry had calculated the fall's trajectory perfectly, ensuring the nest—and its precious eggs—remained unharmed.

With the dragon incapacitated, Harry raised his wand once more.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

To the astonishment of the crowd, the golden egg floated into view, seemingly appearing from nowhere.

Mirabel smirked knowingly.

"Wait, how did that happen?" Edith asked, bewildered.

"Invisibility Cloak. He used it to hide the egg," Mirabel explained.

The nest hadn't vanished. Harry had simply concealed it with his cloak to mislead the dragon.

With a triumphant leap, Harry caught the golden egg mid-air, raising it high.

For a moment, the arena fell silent.

Then, the silence gave way to thunderous applause and cheers.

"He's done it! The youngest champion has retrieved the egg!

And in a stunning victory, he's defeated the dragon! What a performance!"

As the crowd celebrated, Mirabel chuckled softly.

"So that's your answer, Harry Potter."

She had given him a few hints, but she hadn't expected him to combine them so seamlessly.

Even Edith was moved, tears welling in her eyes as she clapped with abandon.

In the electrified atmosphere of the stadium, Harry Potter's score was announced:

42 points.

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