Chương 76: THE FIRST TASK
The morning of the Triwizard Tournament's first task dawned, and the champions gathered at the edge of the arena, their nerves palpable in the brisk autumn air. I, along with Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, and Fleur Delacour, stood beneath the towering tent that concealed the mysterious creatures they were about to face.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere crackled with tension. The champions exchanged wary glances, each sizing up the competition. Fleur, elegant and composed, met my gaze with a polite nod. Cedric offered a reassuring smile, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken camaraderie among Hogwarts champions. Viktor, the stoic Durmstrang representative, observed the scene with a focused intensity.
As the moment of truth neared, the tent flaps opened, revealing the vastness of the arena. A collective gasp echoed through the stands as the audience caught a glimpse of the monstrous dragons that awaited the champions. The Hungarian Horntail, the Swedish Short-Snout, the Common Welsh Green, and the Chinese Fireball roared in anticipation, their scales gleaming in the morning sun.
Madam Maxime, Professor Karkaroff, and Professor Moody, the Triwizard judges, stood ready to evaluate the champions' performances. Ludo Bagman, the enthusiastic commentator, provided a lively narration for the spectators.
In a last-minute strategy huddle, Hermione discreetly handed me a small enchanted parchment. "Summoning Charm," she whispered, her eyes filled with unwavering confidence. The parchment held the incantation for the Summoning Charm, a crucial element of our plan to swiftly retrieve my broom for the task. After much deliberation we decided that despite my lack of flying in this life, it was the best option to pass the first task without raising suspicion.
We champions were led to the tent's entrance, where we faced the unsettling reality of the first task. The golden eggs, each guarded fiercely by a dragon, awaited retrieval. I could hear Cedric's heart pounding as he braced himself for the challenge.
In a coordinated effort, the dragons were released into the arena, their roars reverberating through the air. The crowd held its breath as the champions prepared to confront the formidable creatures.
Fleur Delacour, exhibiting her innate grace, approached the Chinese Fireball with a strategic elegance. She executed a series of evasive maneuvers, her Veela charm momentarily distracting the dragon. With a swift and precise motion, Fleur snatched the golden egg from beneath the dragon's nose, her ethereal movements leaving the audience in awe.
Cedric Diggory faced the Swedish Short-Snout, employing a combination of agility and quick thinking. He lured the dragon into a well-executed dance, dodging its fiery breath with impressive finesse. In a daring dash, Cedric seized the golden egg, his athletic prowess earning him cheers from the enchanted spectators.
Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang champion, confronted the Common Welsh Green with a determined intensity. He showcased his proficiency in magical combat, casting spells to distract and disorient the dragon. In a daring display of skill, Viktor swiftly retrieved the golden egg, his wand movements a testament to his magical prowess.
As the first three champions succeeded, the spotlight turned to me, the youngest and perhaps the most unconventional contestant. With a deep breath, I faced the imposing Hungarian Horntail. The dragon's eyes fixated on me, and the crowd waited in breathless anticipation.
Summoning the parchment Hermione had given me, I focused on the incantation. "Accio Firebolt!" I shouted, and to the astonishment of the audience, my broom soared into the arena from the stands. Hermione, watching from below, discreetly returned to her seat, a triumphant grin on her face.
With unparalleled speed, I mounted the Firebolt and soared above the Hungarian Horntail. I deftly manoeuvred through the air, narrowly avoiding the dragon's fiery breath. The audience erupted into cheers as I snatched the golden egg from its guarded nest, the success of his swift and strategic approach a testament to the bond I shared with Hermione.
The champions, having overcome the fierce dragons, returned to the tent, each holding their hard-won golden egg. The relief and triumph were evident in their expressions as they faced the judging panel. Madam Maxime, Professor Karkaroff, and Professor Moody exchanged nods of approval, acknowledging the champions' bravery and skill.
Ludo Bagman, ever the animated commentator, regaled the crowd with tales of the daring feats witnessed in the first task. The magical creatures returned to their respective enclosures, and the Triwizard Tournament's inaugural challenge came to a close.
As the champions exited the arena, the stands erupted into a chorus of applause. Despite the initial tensions and the whispers that had plagued Hogwarts, the first task had showcased the resilience and skill of the chosen champions. The next challenge loomed on the horizon, and the castle held its collective breath, awaiting the unfolding drama that would continue to shape the fate of the triwizard tournament.
The champions' success in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament did not grant them reprieve from the scrutiny of the magical world. The day after the daring dragon challenge, a makeshift press area had been set up near the Hogwarts entrance, and the champions found themselves facing an onslaught of reporters, cameras, and probing questions.
Among the throng was the ever-ambitious Rita Skeeter, a reporter for the Daily Prophet notorious for her sensationalist stories and relentless pursuit of scandal. Her Quick-Quotes Quill was poised and ready, a sign that the champions were about to enter a battlefield of words.
The champions, still basking in the aftermath of their triumph, were ushered into a designated interview area. The backdrop featured the Triwizard Cup, a symbolic reminder of the stakes at hand. Madam Maxime, Professor Karkaroff, and Professor Moody stood nearby, overseeing the proceedings.
Rita Skeeter, with her distinctive acid-green quill, zeroed in on me. "Ah, Harry, my dear boy," she purred, her Animagus form—a beetle—emphasizing her invasive nature. "Care to share the secret behind your remarkable success in facing the Hungarian Horntail?"
I, despite my utter disgust for the women, summoned a small smile. "Well, it's all about quick thinking and a bit of luck, I suppose."
Rita Skeeter's quill scribbled furiously, its magical enchantments embellishing my words into a sensational narrative. "Quick thinking and luck? Or perhaps a hidden reservoir of magical prowess? The wizarding world wants to know."
Cedric Diggory, with his easy charm, fielded questions gracefully, downplaying his achievements with a modest demeanor. Fleur Delacour, exuding elegance even amidst the chaos, answered inquiries with a poise that left the reporters captivated.
Viktor Krum, typically reserved, faced a barrage of queries about Durmstrang's training methods and his personal strategy in confronting the Common Welsh Green. The Bulgarian Seeker revealed little, maintaining an air of mystery that only fueled Rita Skeeter's determination to uncover hidden truths.
Then came the turn of the youngest champion, me. Rita Skeeter's questioning became increasingly pointed, delving into my personal life, my friendships, and the rumored tension within Hogwarts. Each response was twisted and manipulated by the Quick-Quotes Quill, turning my words into headlines that would undoubtedly captivate the wizarding world. I already knew the outcome of facing her and hence did not bother much with giving detailed answers or explanations after being wrongfully quoted.
As the interview concluded, us champions were left to navigate the aftermath of our encounter with the press. The Daily Prophet's next edition would carry Rita Skeeter's sensationalized account of the champions' words, stirring the pot of speculation and intrigue.
In the corridors of Hogwarts, the champions' friends and fellow students awaited the fallout. The whispers that had temporarily subsided after the first task now threatened to escalate once more. The champions, unwittingly thrust into the spotlight, braced themselves for the storm of scrutiny that awaited them beyond the reach of Rita Skeeter's Quill.
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