Chapter Summaries

Aaron traded several thousand Galleons to Hagrid for magical-creature feathers, then Fleur mistook the deal for an attempt to buy information about the Triwizard Tournament. The chapter left Hagrid preparing to guide Fleur to the Forbidden Forest while keeping the first task’s details secret.

• Hagrid gave Aaron a chest full of magical-creature feathers, and Aaron paid him several thousand Galleons despite Hagrid’s reluctance to accept money.
• Aaron learned that Dumbledore had discovered Abei helped save Buckbeak, and he realized Dumbledore had suspected what happened.
• Fleur entered Hagrid’s hut and accused Aaron of buying information about the Triwizard Tournament’s first task.
• Aaron showed Fleur the feathers, explained they were for his own use, and left after she called his participation nepotism.
• Hagrid defended Aaron’s ability to Fleur, then agreed to guide her and said he could not reveal the first task’s details.

Aaron struggled with the attention that came with being a Triwizard Tournament Champion and tried to avoid Rita Skeeter’s interview before the wand-weighing ceremony. The chapter ended with Garrick Ollivander revealing that Aaron was his grandnephew as he began inspecting the Champions’ wands.

• Aaron found that Hogwarts students had made badges supporting him, Harry Potter, and Cedric Diggory, leaving him embarrassed by his newfound fame.
• Colin Creevey summoned Aaron and Harry from Potions Class to meet the other Champions and attend a photo session arranged by Ludo Bagman.
• Aaron warned Harry about Rita Skeeter, then helped him avoid her interview by claiming Harry was ill.
• Rita grabbed Aaron to draw him into an interview, but Aaron refused, citing Dumbledore’s instruction not to accept interviews.
• Dumbledore and the other judges arrived, and Garrick Ollivander began the wand inspection by calling Aaron first.
• Fleur, Cedric, and Krum reacted with surprise when Ollivander revealed that Aaron was his grandnephew.

Ollivander inspected the Champions’ wands, while Rita Skeeter tried to photograph and interview them; Aaron avoided publicity and later prepared magical bullets with his Thoughtform. Days afterward, Skeeter’s article about Harry appeared in the Daily Prophet, and Harry angrily denounced its fabricated claims in the library.

• Ollivander examined the Champions’ wands and confirmed that they were in good condition.
• Adrian refused to join the group photograph, and Aaron warned Rita Skeeter not to write about her; Aaron then avoided individual publicity by leaving.
• Aaron bought a Ghost Crystal and had his Thoughtform make a few powerful bullets and a batch of weaker ones from magical-creature feathers.
• Rita Skeeter published an article featuring Harry’s photograph and invented claims about his personal life.
• Aaron showed the article to Harry and Hermione, and Harry angrily called Skeeter’s story fabricated before Madam Pince reprimanded him.

Aaron learned that dragons were likely involved in the Triwizard Tournament’s first task and followed Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest to investigate. There, he discovered five adult dragons being restrained for the Champions’ challenge, while Harry secretly followed Hagrid and Maxime too.

• Harry, Hermione, and Aaron discussed Rita Skeeter’s article, and Aaron warned Harry to clarify his relationship with Hermione if he liked someone else.
• Two weeks later, Abei sensed several dragons near Hogwarts, and Aaron suspected they were connected to the first Triwizard task.
• After curfew, Aaron and Abei followed Hagrid toward the Forbidden Forest and spotted Harry trailing Hagrid and Maxime under an Invisibility Cloak.
• Aaron found five adult dragons in an enclosure, where dragon handlers stunned them and secured them with chains.
• Charlie Weasley told Hagrid that the Champions would probably need to get past the dragons and warned him not to take any of the dragon eggs.

As the Champions prepared for the first Triwizard Tournament task, Harry learned it involved Dragons and sought help from Professor Moody, while Aaron already knew about the danger. Harry practiced the Summoning Charm to call his Firebolt, and the chapter ended as he and Aaron headed to the arena for the task.

• Aaron realized the first task involved Dragons but believed it would not require a fight to the death.
• Harry told Aaron about the Dragons, and Aaron explained that Abei had sensed them; Harry also warned that Karkaroff was a former Death Eater and might be dangerous.
• Harry told Cedric that the task involved Dragons, then visited Professor Moody for advice.
• Moody pointed Harry toward using his flying skill, and Harry realized he could summon his Firebolt with the Summoning Charm.
• Harry practiced the Summoning Charm with Hermione until midnight, then went to the arena with Aaron when Professor McGonagall summoned the Champions.
• Harry said he planned to summon his Firebolt, and Aaron suggested placing it closer to the arena.

The Champions drew their assigned Dragons and learned that the first Triwizard Tournament event required them to retrieve Golden Eggs while facing escalating danger. Adrian discovered that the judge's rules would let freed Dragons enter the other Champions' zones, and Fleur objected to Adrian's supposedly easy matchup.

• Professor McGonagall escorted Adrian and Harry to the Forbidden Forest tent, where Cedric, Krum, and Fleur were waiting.
• Hermione brought Harry his Firebolt, and the Champions discussed how their flying skills compared.
• Dumbledore and Barty Crouch had the Champions draw Dragon models: Fleur got a Welsh Green, Krum a Chinese Fireball, Cedric a Swedish Short-Snout, Adrian an Antipodean Opaleye, and Harry a Hungarian Horntail.
• Adrian explained that the Champions would enter the arena together to retrieve Golden Eggs, and each Dragon freed by a completed task could enter the other Champions' zones.
• Fleur protested that Adrian had received the easiest Dragon and claimed the judges were giving Gaius an unfair advantage.

Aaron proposed that the Champions coordinate against the Dragons, with Harry going first and Aaron holding off the Hungarian Horntail so the others could retrieve their eggs. The other Champions refused to trust the plan, leaving Aaron to face the final round with Harry as his only likely ally.

• Adrian required Aaron to clear the Dragon challenge last, potentially making him face all five Dragons, while Aaron also had to protect the other Champions from serious injury.
• Cedric explained that Champions could not join forces against a Dragon still inside its restricted area, and the group discussed how the order of attempts would make the later Champions face greater danger.
• Aaron suggested sending Harry first, then having the strongest Champion hold off the Hungarian Horntail while the others retrieved their eggs; Fleur, Cedric, and Krum rejected the plan because they did not trust him.
• Aaron revealed that Adrian was his sister and had demanded that he finish last, explaining that she wanted to test his strength and that he had to try to satisfy her.
• Krum and Fleur refused to cooperate, and Cedric's silence showed he agreed with them; Aaron accepted that he would face the challenge last, while Harry realized they might have to confront the Dragons together.

The five Champions faced their dragons in the first Triwizard task, and Aaron Gaius used his Dragon Speaker ability to negotiate with the Antipodean Opaleye Dragon for its Golden Egg. He waited to see how the other Champions fared while the judges debated whether his talent gave him an unfair advantage.

• Harry Potter realized he had forgotten his Invisibility Cloak, then summoned his Firebolt and flew above the Hungarian Horntail Dragon.
• Cedric Diggory distracted the Swedish Short-Snout Dragon with a transfigured Newfoundland Dog, Fleur Delacour gradually lulled the Welsh Green Dragon, and Viktor Krum attacked the Chinese Fireball Dragon's eyes.
• Aaron Gaius spoke Dragon Language to the Antipodean Opaleye Dragon and explained that one of its guarded eggs was a magical item, not its offspring.
• The Opaleye agreed to give Aaron the Golden Egg in exchange for one sheep each day for a month, and Aaron told it to keep the egg until the competition ended.
• Ludo Bagman announced Aaron's rare Dragon Speaker talent, while Maxime and Karkaroff objected that it gave him an unfair advantage; Adrian reminded them that Aaron had not left the arena.

Aaron took on the Hungarian Horntail after Harry claimed the first Golden Egg, then drew the Chinese Fireball away from Fleur while the other Champions raced to finish. Cedric and Krum secured their eggs, and Fleur was left facing the approaching Swedish Short-Snout as the Welsh Green began to wake.

• Aaron judged that the dragons would attack once their Golden Eggs were taken, while Harry circled the arena and claimed the first egg despite being injured.
• The Hungarian Horntail’s restraints lifted, and Aaron provoked it into chasing him after telling the other Champions to continue.
• Aaron used a Shield Charm and Disillusionment Charm to evade the Horntail and endured its Dragon Fire while Krum obtained the second Golden Egg.
• The Chinese Fireball flew toward Fleur, but Aaron raised an earthen wall against its flames and provoked it into following him instead.
• Cedric obtained the third Golden Egg, and the Swedish Short-Snout turned toward Fleur as she hurried for her egg.
• The Welsh Green began snoring and breathed flame just as Fleur approached the Golden Egg, while the Swedish Short-Snout flew toward her.

Aaron and Fleur faced three enraged dragons after the Welsh Green Dragon woke, leaving Aaron to hold off the other three while Fleur dealt with the Welsh Green. As a combined blast of dragon fire engulfed Aaron, he stood still and used no magic, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Fleur extinguished the flames near her, but the Swedish Short-Snout Dragon woke the Welsh Green Dragon, leaving her facing another dragon.
• Aaron revealed himself and joined Fleur, then said he would hold off the Hungarian Horntail, Swedish Short-Snout, and Chinese Fireball Dragons while she handled the Welsh Green.
• Aaron dodged the dragons’ attacks, climbed onto the Horntail’s back, and used Arresto Momentum to land safely after it threw him into the air.
• The three dragons cornered Aaron and unleashed a combined pillar of red and blue fire after he failed to dissuade them in Dragon Language.
• Aaron stood still and used no magic as the fire swept toward him.

Aaron survived a combined Dragon Fire attack and used Dragon-Slaying Magic to hold off the dragons while Fleur Delacour retrieved her Golden Egg. As Aaron raced toward the final egg, the Welsh Green Dragon broke free and turned its attention on him.

• Aaron emerged unharmed from the dragons’ fire and punched the Swedish Short-Snout Dragon with Dragon's Iron Fist.
• Aaron used Dragon's Roar to clash with the Hungarian Horntail Dragon’s and Swedish Short-Snout Dragon’s fire, then drew the dragons away so Fleur could reach her egg.
• Aaron insulted the dragons in Dragon Language, enraging them, while Fleur cast a sound-isolating spell and used hypnotic magic on the Welsh Green Dragon.
• Fleur obtained the Golden Egg, and Aaron raced toward Area Four to retrieve the egg guarded by the Antipodean Opaleye.
• The barrier around Area Two fell, and the enraged Welsh Green Dragon turned from Fleur toward the fleeing Aaron.

Aaron overcame four Dragons with Illusion Magic and secured the Golden Egg, passing the Triwizard Tournament’s first task with forty-six points. He then joined the injured Champions in the tent, where Fleur apologized for misjudging him and Aaron reflected on how the tournament had changed his reputation.

• Aaron entered Area Four, but a Welsh Green Dragon attacked him and the other three Dragons surrounded him, blocking his path to the Golden Egg.
• Aaron used Illusion Magic to make a phantom take the Dragons’ assault while he retrieved the Golden Egg and declared the task over.
• The judges awarded Aaron forty-six points, and Slytherin celebrated his performance as he left the arena.
• Snape sent Aaron to Madam Pomfrey for an examination and ordered the Slytherins not to disturb his rest.
• In the tent, Cedric thanked Aaron for preventing worse injuries, and Fleur apologized after admitting she had investigated Aaron and Harry.
• Aaron considered how his reputation as a model student would change after demonstrating his power in the tournament.

After the first Triwizard Task, Aaron reassured Fleur and promised Hermione not to take further risks, then learned the date of the Second Task. He used magic to stop Rita Skeeter from interviewing him and returned to Slytherin, where Draco opened the Golden Egg and unleashed a piercing shriek.

• Fleur thanked Aaron for helping her during the match, and Aaron told her he hoped she would perform well in the remaining tasks.
• Hermione angrily confronted Aaron about risking his life against five Dragons and got him to promise not to take further risks; Harry and Ron reconciled after Ron explained how he had warned Harry about the Dragons.
• Bagman told the Champions that the Second Task would take place on February twenty-fourth and that the Golden Egg held its clue.
• Rita Skeeter tried to interview Aaron, but he used magic to make her promise never to interview him.
• Slytherin students welcomed Aaron and asked for autographs, and Aaron said he would win the tournament for Slytherin.
• Draco opened Aaron's Golden Egg, triggering a piercing shriek before he quickly shut it again.

After the first Triwizard Tournament task, Aaron worried that he had revealed too many of his abilities and learned that Champions had to open the Christmas Ball with dance partners. He invited Hermione to be his partner, and she happily accepted.

• Aaron discussed the abilities he had exposed during the first task and checked his tournament missions with the Thoughtform.
• Aaron, Harry, and Draco complained about the dangerous Blast-Ended Skrewts during Care of Magical Creatures.
• Professor McGonagall told Aaron and Harry that Champions had to attend the Christmas Ball and choose dance partners.
• Aaron turned down several invitations and went to the library, where he asked Hermione to be his dance partner.
• Hermione accepted and said she would dress up properly for the ball.

Aaron and the Thoughtform deciphered the Golden Egg’s song and realized the Second Task would involve rescuing someone from the Mermaids in the Black Lake. As the Christmas Ball approached, Aaron’s classmates struggled to find partners, while he revealed that Hermione had already agreed to go with him.

• The Thoughtform used water to filter the Golden Egg’s noise, revealing a song that pointed to the Mermaids and an underwater task with a one-hour limit.
• Aaron and the Thoughtform suspected the Mermaids would take a person important to a Champion, possibly a dance partner, and Aaron planned to use the Water-Repelling Charm while avoiding Captain Jack’s Compass.
• Aaron finished Professor Snape’s assignment, then learned that Neville had invited Ginny and watched Fred ask Angelina to the ball.
• Ron and Harry learned that Hermione was Aaron’s dance partner and vowed to find partners before returning to the Common Room.
• Professor Snape caught Ron and Harry neglecting their homework and slammed both their heads onto the table.

Aaron discussed the Golden Egg’s underwater clue with Cedric and Fleur, then witnessed Ron’s humiliating attempt to ask Fleur to the Christmas Ball. Harry and Ron both found dance partners, and Christmas morning brought Aaron several gifts before Draco urged him to practice dancing.

• Snape suggested the Bubble-Head Charm or a potion to help Aaron breathe underwater, but Aaron said he had a better plan.
• Aaron, Cedric, and Fleur compared their Golden Egg discoveries, and Aaron warned Fleur about dangers in the Black Lake beyond the mermaids.
• Ron publicly asked Fleur to the ball, but Fleur teased Aaron about being his partner and left Ron embarrassed; Aaron and Cedric then comforted him.
• Harry told Aaron and Ron that Cho Chang had turned down his invitation, and Harry and Ron later asked Parvati and Padma Patil to the ball.
• On Christmas morning, Aaron opened gifts from his parents, Jeans, and Adrian, including a black ore for his unfinished Divine Artifact.
• Draco advised Aaron to practice dancing with his partner before the ball, but Aaron said he was a professional.

Aaron waited in the Entrance Hall for Hermione to arrive as his date for the Yule Ball, while the other Champions and their dates gathered. With only minutes left before the dance, Professor McGonagall urged him to find another date, leaving Aaron fearing he had been stood up.

• Aaron promised Crabbe and Goyle autographs after learning they had secured dates by offering to get his signature.
• Aaron searched the Entrance Hall for Hermione and spoke with Cedric, Fleur, and Roger Davies while their dates gathered.
• Aaron met Harry and Ron, mocked Ron’s old-fashioned dress robes, and learned Hermione had been getting ready since five.
• Krum asked Aaron whether Hermione had arrived, revealing that he had invited her before joining the other Champions.
• With three minutes left before the dance, Professor McGonagall went to find Aaron another date, while Fleur joked that he should have accepted her invitation.

Aaron arrived at the Yule Ball without his expected dance partner, so Professor McGonagall recruited Luna Lovegood, who danced with him after he learned that Hermione was safe. Adrian revealed that she had arranged for Hermione to be absent as a test, leaving Aaron unsettled by her suggestion that Luna had become part of his life.

• Professor McGonagall brought Luna to Aaron as his last-minute dance partner and warned him to keep an eye on Abei.
• The champions and their partners entered the Great Hall, where Aaron learned that Barty Crouch was absent and Percy had taken his place.
• Adrian told Aaron that Hermione was having dinner in a separate room and admitted she had arranged the situation to test his ability to adapt.
• Aaron led Luna through the champions’ opening dance, and she grew to enjoy it.
• Aaron left the dance floor to find Hermione, while Adrian teased him that Luna’s unexpected arrival made the evening more interesting.

At the Yule Ball, Adrian Klein’s scheme left Aaron facing a Second Task that would require him to rescue two people instead of one. Aaron found Hermione after she was delayed by Adrian, but he kept the danger from her as the chapter ended.

• Adrian pointed out that Aaron had two dance partners, and Aaron realized he might have to rescue both of them from the Black Lake during the Second Task.
• Luna happily accepted the possibility of being involved and left with Abei after Aaron warned the pet to behave like a cat.
• Aaron spoke with Ron and Harry, who had both left the dance floor, then went to find Hermione.
• Hermione explained that Adrian had kept her waiting to test whether Aaron would come looking for her within half an hour.
• Aaron learned that Hermione believed his return showed how important she was to him, but he concealed Adrian’s plan because he did not want to worry her.

After the Christmas Ball, Aaron warned Hermione that Harry needed to prepare for the underwater second task. Harry deciphered the Golden Egg’s clue with Moaning Myrtle and realized he needed a way to breathe underwater, while Aaron and his Thoughtform planned how to use Captain Jack’s Compass without exposing its power.

• Aaron told Hermione that the Golden Egg’s song could only be heard underwater and urged her to tell Harry to prepare early.
• Aaron and his Thoughtform discussed using Captain Jack’s Compass to find two people while concealing what the magical item could do.
• Harry opened the Golden Egg underwater in the prefects’ bathroom, and Moaning Myrtle told him that Slytherin’s Secret Chamber had been sealed.
• Harry worked out that the second task involved finding Mermaids in the lake, then worried that he could not breathe underwater for an hour.
• Harry, Ron, and Hermione considered scuba gear and Transfiguration before deciding to search the library for a solution.