Dancing with Dragons

Harry had never worked so hard on a spell before.

In a few days, his life might depend on it.

"Accio dictionary!" A thick dictionary flew straight into Harry's hands as though gravity had abandoned it. Harry had to brace himself with his full weight to keep the heavy tome from knocking him over.

"Well done, Harry!" Seamus watched him in delight.

"Looks like it's working. Clean and sharp," Eli said. "You've got the Summoning Spell down."

"I'm getting somewhere," Harry said, keeping his excitement firmly in check.

Harry packed up his things, grabbed his bag, and headed out with Eli.

"Guess who I ran into earlier?" Harry asked mysteriously.

"How would I know?"

"Moody! Mad-Eye Moody. He knows about the dragons." Harry and Eli took the quieter paths.

"You told him? Or did he catch you doing something?"

"It was that day. I only meant to warn Cedric, but that strange bloke was right behind me. I'm starting to think his ears are fake too!"

"What did he say?" Eli knew Fake Moody would never expose the fact that Harry had learned about the task in advance. He still needed to bring about his master Voldemort's return.

Harry grew cautious and looked around. "He was strange. He actually told me how to... how to get through the task." He had nearly said cheat.

"Not strange at all," Eli said with a soft laugh, seemingly unconcerned.

"Not strange? He's an Auror. A former Auror."

Eli looked at Harry. "Does he seem like someone who follows the rules?"

Harry froze. He thought back to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson that term, when Moody had shown them every Unforgivable Curse despite their age.

Harry nodded, though something else seemed to be on his mind. He suddenly looked up. "What