章 54: Conquerors of Fire

As the buzz around the First Task spread through Hogwarts, tension brewed in every corner. With whispers of dragons filling the halls, every student speculated on how the champions would survive. Raja had spent a few evenings with Harry, working out potential strategies.

"If it really is dragons," Raja began during one late-night discussion, "then play to your strengths, Harry. Think about what you're good at and how you can use it to your advantage. It's not about being the best—it's about getting through this in one piece."

Harry nodded, feeling reassured by Raja's calm presence. "Flying's my thing, but… I'm not sure how well that'll hold up against a dragon."

Raja gave him a confident smile. "Dragons may be formidable, but they're still animals. Predictable, to a degree. Use that to stay one step ahead. Trust yourself."

With that advice in mind, Harry left feeling more determined, a plan beginning to take shape.

The day of the First Task arrived, and a thick, electric tension filled the Hogwarts grounds. The stands surrounding the makeshift arena buzzed with excitement as students, faculty, and special guests eagerly awaited the first champion's entrance. Raja, standing calmly in the champions' tent, could feel the weight of the event, but his gaze was focused, his mind prepared. He knew exactly what he'd do.

As the first two champions went before him, he could hear the roars and cheers echoing outside. Fleur had already taken on her dragon, and Viktor had followed shortly after, showcasing his skills. When it was finally his turn, he stepped into the arena with quiet determination.

The crowd fell silent as Raja entered the arena, his presence calm and composed. Before him was an immense dragon, its black scales glistening ominously in the midday sun. The beast—an aggressive Hungarian Horntail—snarled, baring sharp teeth as it watched Raja approach with narrowed, vigilant eyes. And at its massive feet was the fake golden egg, gleaming tantalizingly close, yet guarded by its powerful protector.

As the tension thickened, Raja took a steadying breath and raised his wand. With practiced ease, he summoned his Patronus, the powerful Shadow Tempest. The air filled with crackling energy as the giant thunderbird materialized, its form growing larger and darker until it almost matched the dragon's size. Its wings arched with a stormy ferocity, casting a darkened glow over the arena.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as the majestic thunderbird hovered above Raja, its golden lightning contrasting with the sunlight. Even the dragon, momentarily thrown by the thunderbird's presence, backed up slightly, uncertain.

But Raja wasn't finished. With a swift, practiced motion, he drew his katana, the Lunar Tempest. The blade glinted in the sun, and the half-moon engraving caught the light with an ethereal glow. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed the blade at the Horntail, a silent, commanding gesture.

Then, speaking in a low, resonant tone, he activated his Nature's Tongue ability, a rare skill that allowed him to communicate with magical creatures.

"Listen, mighty one," Raja called out, his voice steady yet carrying the weight of authority. "I have two options for you."

The dragon's massive head cocked to the side, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and defiance. Raja's gaze remained unwavering as he continued.

"We can fight, and I'll take that egg after I slay you. Or," he paused, his voice firm and resolute, "you can let me take the egg peacefully, and we'll both walk away unscathed."

As if sensing the sincerity in Raja's words, the Horntail snarled, but its posture softened ever so slightly, a glint of intelligence flickering in its eyes. Raja extended his aura of calm, using a subtle form of magical Haki to reinforce his message. His magical presence, though silent, communicated power and purpose, making it clear that he was prepared for either outcome.

The crowd sat in stunned silence, breaths held as they waited to see what would happen next. Even the judges leaned forward, intrigued by this unexpected turn.

After a tense moment, the Horntail snorted, lowering its massive head. It curled its tail protectively around its body, signaling its submission. The crowd gasped, and a few murmurs rippled through the spectators. Raja approached the golden egg, keeping his movements slow and respectful as he bent down and retrieved it.

With the egg securely in his hand, Raja turned, raising it high for the crowd to see. The stands erupted into applause and astonishment, the silence broken by thunderous cheers. He gave a slight bow to the dragon, acknowledging its cooperation before he began to leave the arena, his posture composed and unruffled.

As he walked out, he could see expressions of shock and admiration from the spectators. Even some of the professors were exchanging looks of amazement, and Alastor Moody's magical eye followed him with keen interest.

Raja exited the arena with the same calm confidence he had entered with, his katana sheathed and his Patronus fading into the air. Every eye in the crowd was on him, but he remained cool, offering a brief nod to the judges before he disappeared into the champions' tent.

Harry, who had been anxiously watching from the champions' tent, met Raja with an awed expression. "That was… incredible. I don't think I've ever seen anyone handle a dragon like that before."

Raja chuckled, clapping a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "You'll do just fine, Harry. Remember, stick to what you know. It's about getting through this safely, not showing off."

Harry took a deep breath, Raja's words bolstering his confidence as he prepared for his own task. When Harry's turn arrived, he took Raja's advice to heart, focusing on his strengths. He mounted his broom and used his exceptional flying skills to outmaneuver the Hungarian Horntail, eventually retrieving the golden egg with minimal injury. The crowd cheered wildly as Harry narrowly avoided a fire blast, his face lit up with triumph as he touched down with the egg in hand.

Returning to the champions' tent after his task, Harry was greeted by Raja's approving grin. "See? I knew you had it in you."

Harry laughed, his previous anxieties melting away. "Thanks, Raja. I don't think I could've done it without your advice."

"You're welcome, Harry. Just remember, it's a long journey—keep steady, and don't let the cheers distract you from the real goal."

Later that evening, the Great Hall buzzed with talk of the First Task, and Raja and Harry's performances dominated the conversations. Students from all houses came over to congratulate them, though some—especially from Slytherin—watched them with wary expressions.

"Raja!" Fred Weasley called out, approaching with George. "That Patronus of yours—absolutely mental! Biggest one we've ever seen!"

"Practically a dragon itself," George added, grinning. "And the way you just walked up to that Horntail like it was a common lizard… Have to admit, mate, we were stunned."

Raja gave them a modest smile. "Sometimes, it's about finding common ground. Not all battles need to be fought with wands and spells."

Fred and George exchanged amused looks. "Still, reckon you're the first to charm a dragon into submission," Fred said with a wink.

Ron, who had finally come around after witnessing Harry's daring performance, joined them. "Harry, that was brilliant! I should've known you wouldn't have put your name in just for the attention." He gave Harry a sheepish look, and Harry, relieved to have his friend back, patted him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Ron. I missed having you around."

Their friendship mended, the group celebrated together, discussing the day's events with laughter and excitement. Despite the competition, it was moments like these that reminded them of the importance of sticking together.

As the evening wore on, Dumbledore approached Raja and Harry, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Magnificent work, both of you," he praised, his voice warm. "You've demonstrated true courage and ingenuity, traits that will serve you well in the tasks to come."

"Thank you, Professor," Raja replied respectfully. "We'll continue doing our best."

Dumbledore's smile softened, a hint of mystery in his gaze. "I have no doubt of that, Mr. Powers. It is rare to see such understanding of magical creatures, and your approach with the dragon was truly remarkable."

With a nod, Dumbledore left them to their celebrations, his words lingering in Raja's mind. He had a feeling that the tournament's challenges would only grow more dangerous, and that he would need every ounce of his skill and knowledge to keep himself—and Harry—safe.

That night, as the castle settled into quiet, Raja found himself reflecting on the First Task. The adrenaline had faded, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. He knew he had made an impression not just on the spectators but also on his fellow champions, who had seen a different approach to handling magical creatures.

The evening air was cool as he stood by one of the castle's high windows, gazing over the grounds. A soft breeze carried the distant sounds of laughter and chatter from the common rooms, but his mind was already turning to the future. He had conquered the first challenge, but the tournament was far from over.

As he looked out over Hogwarts, Raja resolved to continue his role as the silent guardian, protecting his friends from the shadows and ensuring that, whatever trials lay ahead, they would face them together. The Triwizard Tournament had only begun, and he knew that he and Harry would need each other's support more than ever.