Chapter 365: Life is more important than rules? Cramming at the last minute
Aaron returned the way he came, holding the reluctant Abbe, his mood slightly lighter than when he arrived.
The first task was indeed related to Dragons, but according to Charlie, it didn't seem to be a one-on-one fight to the death.
This was good news for him because he spoke Dragonlanguage. As long as the opponent wasn't a Treehorn Dragon, Fireball Dragon, or Snub-nosed Dragon, those short-tempered Dragons, there was a possibility of negotiation.
"Ouch! Who's there?"
Karkaroff's voice suddenly came from the darkness, which startled Aaron. He thought his Disillusionment Charm and illusion magic had been seen through.
But then he noticed Karkaroff was looking in the complete opposite direction, and he realized he was overthinking it.
It was probably Harry who wasn't paying attention while walking and bumped into him.
But then again, it was quite interesting. There were still two days until the first task began, and the Principals of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang already knew the task's content. They would definitely tell their school's Champions.
And he and Harry also had enough psychological preparation. With that in mind, the one who was at the biggest disadvantage was Cedric Diggory.
The day before the competition, Aaron had breakfast in the Great Hall and then started strolling leisurely around the school.
Relaxing and adjusting his state before the competition was quite necessary.
"Aaron," Harry walked over, looking conflicted, "Do you have time now? There are some things I want to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
"Dragons, adult Dragons are our first task.
I saw them in the Forbidden Forest yesterday."
"I know."
"Huh?"
Harry looked bewildered; Aaron's calm reaction was completely different from what he expected.
"Did you not understand what I was saying?" Harry said anxiously, "Or do you think I'm joking with you?"
"Of course not. That night, you were with Hagrid, and also Madame Maxime, Professor Karkaroff.
I was there too, and I saw those five Dragons with my own eyes, especially the Hungarian Horntail. Its bronze-colored spikes on its tail were very impressive."
"You..." Harry opened his mouth blankly, "But how did you know? Did Adrienne tell you?"
"Don't be silly, she's very by-the-book; she wouldn't tell me that," Aaron said, stroking Abbe in his arms. "But I have it. Abbe sensed the presence of its kind after those Dragons were brought in."
"So that's it." Harry gave an awkward laugh, then asked, "So, have you thought about how to get through this task?"
"That depends on the specific situation. After all, we only know that the first task involves Dragons, but it's definitely not a fight to the death with them."
"Then do you have any ideas?" Harry said bitterly, "You know me, one Dragon breath and I might be gone."
"Ah, this..." Aaron hesitated for a moment, then shook his head helplessly, "I have my own methods, and more than one, but none of them are suitable for you.
You can ask Professor McGonagall, or Professor Moody; they might have some good ideas."
"But shouldn't Champions not know the tasks in advance?"
"Is life more important, or rules?" Aaron asked with an intriguing smile, "If you're really worried about this, why did you tell me about the task?"
"Got it." Harry nodded heavily, "I'll go find ProfessorMoody."
"Oh, and one more thing.
Sirius suspects Karkaroff put my name into the Goblet of Fire. He used to be... a Death Eater."
"What?!"
Aaron's eyes widened in astonishment.
Damn, this is truly outrageous.
It's one thing for a female Giant to become the Principal of Beauxbatons, but for a Death Eater to become the Principalof Durmstrang? Compared to that, Dumbledore's identity as the White Lord is far more respectable.
"Karkaroff used to be a Death Eater, but after he was captured, he gave up a lot of names of his accomplices, atoning for his crimes, which is why he was released from Azkaban.
Professor Moody was specifically invited by Dumbledore to monitor him."
"What a talent!" Aaron laughed wryly, "Karkaroff's situation isn't looking good right now.
The Dark Mark has already appeared. After Lord Voldemortrises again, he'll definitely be on the list for reckoning."
"Perhaps! But the main point now is that we need to be careful of him.
Not just him, but also the Durmstrang Champion, Viktor Krum."
"Got it, I'll keep an eye out." Aaron said, if Karkaroff had problems, his student was naturally also suspicious.
"That's all I have to say." Harry shrugged, "Before I find Professor Moody, I still have to tell Cedric about the first task, to make it fair."
"Suit yourself."
After Harry left, he found Cedric on a lawn.
He was surrounded by several Hufflepuffs, making him easy to spot.
"Cedric, can I speak with you?"
"Yes."
After confirming there was no one else around, Harry told him that Dragon dueling was the first task.
Cedric was very surprised by this, and fear appeared in his gray eyes for the first time.
"Are you sure you're not joking?"
"I saw them with my own eyes, five Dragons, one for each of us.
Perhaps it's just passing by them, but even so, it's extremely dangerous."
"What about Fleur, Krum, and Aaron..."
"They all know."
"Alright!" Cedric pursed his lips, then looked at Harry with suspicion, "Why are you telling me?"
"Perhaps for fairness! I can't watch you face those behemoths unprepared."
"So you're prepared?" Cedric asked interestedly.
"Not yet... not yet." Harry said awkwardly, "I plan to ask Professor Moody; he might know some spells that can help me."
"But then you knowing the task in advance..."
"My life is almost gone, who cares about that?"
Cedric:... Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor's Office.
Every time a new Defense Against the Dark Arts ClassProfessor took over, this room would change its style.
Lockhart had plastered his own photos all over the walls, Lupin had many Dark Arts animals for class, and as for Quirrell... Harry hadn't been here when he was in first year.
Now, this office was filled with a bunch of strange contraptions. There was a large Sneakoscope, a mirror hung on the wall reflecting many shadowy figures, but the weirdest thing was the large wooden chest under the window; that chest was secured with at least seven locks.
Harry looked nervously at Professor Moody, who was scrutinizing him. Both his normal eye and the constantly rotating magical eye put a considerable amount of pressure on him.
"So, you discovered those Dragons in the Forbidden Forest?"
"It was an accidental discovery."
"It's alright, cheating is an old tradition of the Triwizard Tournament," Moody said with an indifferent smile, "So, how do you plan to deal with the Dragon?"
"I haven't thought about it yet."
"Sit down." Moody kicked a chair in front of him, motioning for Harry to sit before him.
"Listen to me, Potter.
Your friend Diggory, at your age, could turn a whistle into a clock that sang the time.
Miss Delacour, she's not just a pampered little princess.
Krum is brawny and simple-minded, but he has a Principal, Karkaroff, who is shrewder than a ghost.
As for Gaius... I don't know much, but he mastered an Unforgivable Curse last year, and he has a powerful judge behind him. No matter how much they pretend to be at odds, Adrienne definitely wouldn't just watch him get into trouble.
Each of them has their own advantages, Potter, what is yours?"
"I, I don't know." Harry said awkwardly, "I can fly, and I fly pretty well, but I..."
"I know." Moody nodded approvingly, "Excellent flying."
"But brooms aren't allowed in the competition."
"But it didn't say you couldn't use a wand!" Moody said meaningfully.
Harry paused, then suddenly understood.
Adrienne had explained that everyone could only bring one wand when entering the arena, but how to use it was up to the Champion.
This meant he could use a flying broom, he just needed to summon it to the arena in a reasonable way.
Summoning Charm, yes, it was the Summoning Charm.
Professor Flitwick had taught this spell. Although he wasn't very proficient, he had some basic understanding.
The competition started tomorrow afternoon, so he still had a day to train.
He had no other choice; whether he could succeed or not, he had to succeed.
Having understood this, Harry immediately left the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class classroom and rushed to find Hermione for help.
To practice the Summoning Charm, he needed the guidance of a top student. Aaron would have been the most suitable, but he was also a Champion in the Triwizard Tournament, so he might not have time to teach him.
One spell, practiced from afternoon until early morning, Harry barely mastered it.
He was still not very confident. After all, all his training had been conducted in the classroom, and the competition venue was too far from the Firebolt. He hadn't tried the long-distance summoning of this spell.
But even so, it swept away more than half of the gloom in his heart. Before today, he had only panic and confusion; now, at least he could see a glimmer of hope.
However, after waking up, the atmosphere of tension and excitement intertwined in the school made him feel uneasy again.
In the tension, time seemed to pass very quickly.
One moment he was in class, the next he found himself in the Great Hall.
"Potter, Gaius, the Champions all need to go down to the arena... you must be ready to complete the first task."
"Understood, Professor McGonagall, just let me finish feeding Abbe." Aaron said easily.
Harry also stood up from his seat. He threw his fork into his plate, his face filled with unprecedented determination.
"Good luck to you both," Hermione whispered, "Harry, you have to believe in yourself, you will succeed."
"I hope so!"
"Looks like you have a strategy?" Aaron asked playfully, "Care to tell me?"
"I plan to use a flying broom."
"Oh! The Summoning Charm, that's a good idea."
"But the distance is too far." Harry said, on the verge of tears, "Even with the Firebolt, the time it takes to get from the Castle to the arena would be enough for Dragon fire to kill me twice."
"How stupid, just take the Firebolt outside the arena, the spectator stands shouldn't be too far from the arena, right?!"
Harry:... Hermione:...