Take On Ten

"I need to go out and host the event, Champions..." Ludo Bagman looked over the five Champions before his gaze settled on Eli. "Get ready."

With that, he lifted the tent flap and went out, followed by several Ministry of Magic employees.

"Eli, you..." Harry sounded anxious. Eli had drawn the most vicious dragon of the lot.

He knew Eli was capable, but Eli was about to face a dragon that ate people.

"Don't worry so much. Isn't Dumbledore there? Sirius Black should be here too, come to think of it. Why hasn't he come to see us?"

Eli showed no fear of facing the dragon, as though he were about to play some harmless little obstacle game.

"You seem confident," Pheobe said from nearby. She couldn't sit still.

Eli smiled. "Not exactly. I didn't have a choice, and that dragon certainly wasn't shy about showing its face."

Eli's dry joke fell flat. The tent remained as gloomy as ever. Pheobe's face stiffened as she forced out a strained smile.

A few people came in through the tent entrance, among them students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Eli also spotted Justin from Hufflepuff.

The Ministry of Magic was fairly considerate, it seemed. At least it allowed friends to come and ease the contestants' nerves.

Before long, Draco Malfoy swaggered in, with Ron Weasley behind him.

"You two had better be careful!" Draco slapped Harry and Eli on the back. "Scarhead, I don't want the next time I see you to be at your funeral."

Harry slapped Draco back. "You've always known just how to comfort someone, Slick."

Ron stepped forward, looking unable to meet Harry's eyes. "I believe you now. This isn't a good thing."

"Oh? You only just figured that out?" Harry wanted nothing more than to grab Ron and