Beauxbatons' Approach

The gyrfalcon Ayo Oduwale had transformed into had flown past the dragon, and the Golden Egg came into view.

He gauged the distance. With just one more wingbeat, he could return to human form and gather the Golden Egg into his arms, completing the first task.

Just as he was about to do so, an intense sense of danger struck him. He tried desperately to fold his wings, but a sharp pain tore through them anyway. He crashed to the ground and slid some distance forward.

"Merlin's beard!" Ludo Bagman exclaimed loudly. "Did everyone see that... the Golden Egg has another dangerous creature guarding it!"

"It's a Wampus Cat! A XXXXX-rated dangerous creature from North America! The gyrfalcon was already fast enough, but the Wampus Cat is even faster! It's charging toward the gyrfalcon! It's going on the offensive!"

"The Uagadou Champion has returned to human form! He's running! His hands are waving furiously. What exactly is..." At Headmaster Kamba's prompting, he continued, "That's Uagadou's Gesture Casting!"

At the very moment the Wampus Cat reached Ayo Oduwale, he completed his Gesture Casting.

With a thud, its paw sent him flying. He used the force of the blow to propel himself toward the Golden Egg and gathered it into his arms.

Several wizards leaped into the arena, all raising their wands toward the Wampus Cat and restraining it before it could attack again.

Dragon handlers also entered the arena, freeing the other two Uagadou Champions from their predicament. Thunderous applause rose from the circular stands.

All three Uagadou Champions looked rather worse for wear.

The sea eagle Animagus turned back into Kwame Mensah. Burns marked several places on his body, and he lay groaning on a stretcher.

The elephant Animagus was freed as well. Perhaps he had spent too long wrestling