The First Task: Dragons

A Welsh Green Dragon, a Swedish Short-Snout Dragon, a Chinese Fireball Dragon, and a Hungarian Horntail.

Four dragons—four different breeds, four different temperaments. Some were docile, while others were vicious.

Vincent and Hermione hid behind a large tree, silently watching the Dragon Tamers use every trick they had to subdue them.

The easiest to handle was undoubtedly the Welsh Green Dragon, which did not particularly like causing trouble. The Champion who drew it would undoubtedly be lucky.

The most difficult to deal with, naturally, was the largest one: the Hungarian Horntail.

Its entire body was covered in thick, dark brown scales, its tail bristled with spikes, and the flames it spewed from its mouth were like a small mountain. It took three Dragon Tamers casting Shield Charms at once to defend against them.

It was also incredibly strong. One Dragon Tamer who was accidentally swept by its tail was sent flying over ten meters before slamming into a tree. If the area had not been full of tall, sturdy oak trees, he probably would have flown another dozen meters or so.

Though the Dragon Tamer had fallen to the ground, he quickly got back up. While casting Shield Charms to ward off the flames, he charged straight at the Hungarian Horntail that had sent him flying. His physical prowess was obvious.

Vincent felt that the man's back looked somewhat familiar.

That agile figure, his magical ability far surpassing the other Dragon Tamers, and that head of red hair...

"It's Charlie!" Hermione cried excitedly.

Charlie, who had run up to the Hungarian Horntail, did not seem to hear her. He slid beneath its less heavily armored belly.

A powerful red flash burst forth, and it staggered several steps on the spot.

Seeing this, the other Dragon Tamers pulled out chains from their waists and looped them around its four legs and tail, while Charlie, beneath its belly, continued casting Stunning Spells.

Through their seamless coordination, the most troublesome Hungarian Horntail collapsed to the ground, struggling desperately just like the other three dragons.

"Damn it!" A young Dragon Tamer hurriedly poured two large bottles of potion into the Hungarian Horntail's mouth. "Why is this sleeping draught becoming less and less effective?"

An older Dragon Tamer gripped the chain binding its hind legs tightly with both hands. "Dragons not only possess high magical resistance, but they also have strong drug resistance. We need to replace it with a more effective sleeping draught as soon as possible."

Charlie kept his wand aimed at the thinly scaled section of its belly that was slightly exposed. "There's a Potions master at the school. We can ask him to brew some for us."

Behind the tree, Vincent and Hermione exchanged a look, both wearing meaningful smiles.

Asking Snape for help? That was simply perfect.

It concerned the Triwizard Tournament and the safety of his old schoolmate's precious son. No matter how unwilling he was, he would certainly agree.

And a person's energy was limited. The four dragons each had different drug resistances, so while he was improving the sleeping draught, he would not be able to keep watch every night.

Vincent and Hermione quietly left.

Version 4.0 of the Flying Boots could now achieve complete silence under normal conditions, and the noise in high-speed cruising mode had also been reduced considerably. Only when breaking the sound barrier would they inevitably produce a sonic boom.

But just as the two left, Charlie alertly turned to look at the large tree.

"What is it, Charlie?"

Charlie narrowed his eyes and studied it for a while. "Nothing. It was probably just my imagination."

After returning to Jormungandr's burrow, Vincent took a gulp of whiskey to calm his nerves after landing with Hermione in his arms.

"You'll never guess what we just saw."

The twins were immediately intrigued.

"What did you see?"

"Charlie."

Even Ron, who had been focused solely on eating, became interested. "Charlie? Why would he be at the school?"

Vincent had originally intended to keep them guessing, but Hermione, who could no longer hold herself back, told them what had happened.

There were dragons in the Forbidden Forest—four of them, all completely different in breed, temperament, and disposition.

Hermione gave them a brief account, then looked pointedly at Harry and Fleur.

The first task of the Triwizard Tournament tested the courage of the four Champions, and there happened to be exactly four dragons that the Dragon Tamers had secretly brought into the Forbidden Forest.

The slightly tipsy Sirius Black and Lupin instantly sobered up.

"Merlin's finest whiskey! Those are dragons that even adult wizards can't handle alone. Is the committee trying to murder them?"

Sirius rose to his feet and smashed his wineglass. "Remus, let's go. Get old Shafiq and the others too—we're going to the Ministry of Magic to protest!"

Harry hurriedly stopped them. "Godfather, Professor Lupin, I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

The British Wizarding World had already been thrown into an uproar over the smear articles. This time, with Beauxbatons and Durmstrang involved, it would not end as simply as last time.

Lupin placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder. "The committee has its own considerations. Since they intend to use dragons to test the Champions, they will certainly have appropriate safety measures in place."

The Triwizard Tournament had been suspended for more than two hundred years because of its danger. Unless the committee wanted this year's tournament to be its last, they would not allow serious casualties to occur.

Sirius calmed down slightly. "Remus, it's not that I don't believe in Harry, but have you forgotten that someone is trying to harm him? The first task is already dragons. I don't dare imagine what he'll have to face next."

Dragons were among the most dangerous creatures in the wizarding world.

Even Fleur, who was already seventeen, had no confidence that she could deal with them, let alone fourteen-year-old Harry.

But Harry smiled. "Godfather, I'm no longer that little boy who needs to be protected."

He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a muscular arm. "Look, Vincent's impact-resistance training has worked really well. Every day lately, I can clearly feel my body getting stronger bit by bit."

He clenched his fist. "I can't say much else, but if it's dealing with trash like Malfoy, I guarantee I can take on three of them by myself."

Sirius Black saw unwavering determination in Harry's bright green eyes.

That long-lost look made Lupin freeze as well.

If it had been James Potter, he definitely would not have backed down just because someone wanted to harm him.

Sirius Black looked at the much stronger Harry and smiled with satisfaction. "Three aren't enough. Count his two lackeys too, and that'll be more like it."

Crabbe and Goyle... Harry could not guarantee it yet, but if he put his mind to it, he could take both of them down together.

The tense atmosphere vanished, and the party's laughter and cheer continued.

By the afternoon, the twins suddenly suggested they all go take a look at the dragon.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but everyone unanimously agreed to the idea.

Fred hooked an arm around Cedric's shoulders with a teasing grin. "Ced, how did that old Eastern saying go again?"

Cedric blinked. "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. It means that if you thoroughly understand both the enemy's situation and your own, there will be no danger in battle."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Fred winked at Cho. "Young man, you're quite impressive. You've got a bright future ahead of you."

Cedric could naturally tell that he was being teased.

But this time, instead of getting flustered as usual, he looked at Fred with complete sincerity. "Thank you for the encouragement. I'm looking forward to my future too. Trust me, I definitely won't let down your expectations."

That sarcastic reply made Fred feel awful.

Old Merlin had been right. Those Little Badgers who looked harmless on the surface were all deviously cunning.