A Show of Strength

It was finally Harry's turn in the first task and with a little hesitation, he stepped into the arena. He had listened closely to Cedric's turn and was pleased to learn that he was singed but okay otherwise.

As the other two champions went, he barely paid any attention as he was focusing on his plan.

When he stepped into the arena, he heard Madam Pomfrey screeching at Cedric as he ignored her and walked out of the medical tent to see what Harry had planned. They caught each other's eye and Harry gave him a little smile and a wink.

Harry stood behind a rock for a minute to build up his magical reserves as he knew this would be a make or break spell for him in this task.

When he felt his magic pulsing, he stepped out into the open and faced the dragon. As the dragon finally zeroed in on him, he could see the Horntail drawing in a breath so that she could roast Harry.

Everyone in the arena gasped as the flames burst forward and Harry just stood there directly in its path. In a split second, he caught the eyes of his girlfriend and just smiled as his wand came up.

Without uttering a word, the spell flew from his wand and hit dead center of the dragon breath causing it to freeze in place and then fade away.

Harry heard the announcer saying "Impossible, flame freezing spell strong enough to overpower dragon breath and silently too. Simply amazing."

Everyone in the arena was staring at him with their mouths open as he had done something most thought impossible.

The dragon had stopped dead still and was eying him carefully. In his moment of reprieve, the audience started hearing a hissing noise.

$$Oh great lady, I mean you no harm. You see I only stopped you from burning me and never attacked.$$

$$Yes Speaker, I see that but it doesn't change to fact that you are standing there with a wand and my children are close by. You may be a speaker but all two legs are dangerous to my kind, that's why there are so few of us now.$$

$$Great Lady, I give you my word as a Speaker on my magic that I will never harm you or your children. You see, we've both been played here.$$

$$They dragged you and your children away from your home and even though you are great, I'm sure this whole experience scared you. I know it would me. In fact, I was forced to come out here today to face you. We are not so unalike.$$

$$I accept your word Speaker and ask what is it you want of me?$$

$$Dear Lady, I only want what you wouldn't anyway. In your nest is an egg that is not yours and not even an egg at all. Would you be so kind as to give it to me?$$

$$I can do that but what will you give me? I know you already promised to leave my young unharmed but I don't see you as a real threat anyway since we could stand here and battle over the whole thing. I'm sure you would tire long before I would.$$

$$Great Lady, of that I have no doubt. My measly powers are nothing compared to one such as you. I offer my friendship but I would need to know what you need before we can come to an agreement.$$

$$Speaker, I would be honored to call you friend and will grant your request if you just do one thing for me.$$

$$Ask Milady and if it is within my power, I shall grant it.$$

$$Feed me, these two legs have not fed us in many days. It took everything I had to try and not eat you. I'm so hungry and so are the others.$$

$$You have my apologies on behalf of the others of my kind. I will see to it immediately. Please don't be alarmed when I raise my wand and I will try to correct this grave injustice. Um…would an acromantula be worthy of a meal for such a great lady.$$

$$That would be acceptable Speaker.$$

The crowd watched with their mouths hanging open as the dragon stepped over to her nest and sniffed the eggs.

Once she had found the one she wanted, she picked it up in her mouth and using her forked tongue, held it out to Harry. He bowed deeply to her as he took it in his hands.

One step back and he held up his wand towards the Forbidden Forrest. "Accio Aragog's eldest son."

He felt the tug of magic and dug deep to complete the spell. A few moments later, a horse sized spider came sailing through the air and landed at the dragon's feet.

The dragon moved as quick as lightning and bit down on the screeching spider. One chomp later and there was nothing left.

After a satisfied burp, the dragon said $$Thank you speaker.$$

$$You're welcome Milady. Tell me, can you understand what I'm saying when I speak my own language?$$

$$I understand some of it Speaker$$

Harry nodded then turned back to the judges. He cast a 'sonorous' on himself and began speaking to the crowd.

"I would like to know who thought it a good idea to not feed these noble creatures for several days before this task? This Great Lady behind me said that it took all her will not to eat me as her feeding instincts were taking over."

Dumbledore stood and responded "We thought it would make the dragons seem fiercer and make for a better challenge. You would have us believe that you spoke to this beast?"

"She is no beast. She is an honorable creature who thinks and feels much like we do. I would think you of all people would recognize this fact. Please have the handlers feed them at once before something dreadful happens."

Harry cancelled his charm and after a quick bow to the dragon, who returned it in full view of the audience, walked out of the arena and towards the medical tent. As he approached Cedric, he was told "Nice show, what are you planning for an encore?"

"You never know. Might let out my inner Hufflepuff next time."

Cedric laughed and then walked back into the tent behind him to wait for the show that was sure to come.

Over the course of the last month, the trio talked of what would happen once the first task was complete. Harry's girlfriend had been watching Ron and Hermione and had seen how their star was fading without Harry around.

With all the initial bluster running out of steam, they had started slipping back into obscurity due to their treatment of Harry as others realized their mistakes.

Since Ron was the main ringleader and Hermione was always around him, his treatment of others caused everyone else to distance themselves from them and they soon realized that it was Harry that kept them in good graces with the rest of the school.

She quite accurately predicted that they would come crawling back after the first task and beg forgiveness. They left it up to Harry how to handle it but it didn't take a genius to realize if he accepted them back then things between the three of them would change.

Sure enough, Madam Pomfrey barely had time to start checking a protesting Harry before Ron and Hermione burst into the tent. His 'girlfriend' was sitting beside Cedric as he was recovering and watched the whole thing out of the corner of her eye.

She was extremely nervous because if Harry accepted them back, she knew her relationship with him was doomed to fail. Seeing this, Cedric reached out and squeezed her hand in comfort.

He whispered "Have a little faith. Everything will work out fine."

She whispered back. "I really like him Ced. I want the chance to see if it could be more."

"Just trust him and you'll get that chance."

She heard the platitudes being spilled out by Ron and Hermione and it made her stomach roll. "Harry, we're so sorry, we should have known better and never doubted you. Please forgive us."

"Yeah mate, that was awesome! Can't we go back to the way things were?"

"Finally figured it out huh? I'll accept your apology…..but I won't forget what you did."

Hermione asked "What do you mean by that?"

"What a re you talking about Harry?"