Suppressing a surge of guilt, John pondered whether he should allow Malfoy some time in the library. As someone who detested the top three on his list, why should he feel guilty? Yet, how did Hermione transform into the stunning witch Harry met, and when did their love story begin? "Perhaps it's best to let Rita write her stories without interference," John mused, massaging his temples. He had underestimated Rita's penchant for stirring trouble.
Upon hearing the rumors were fabricated, Malfoy wasted no time in teasing Harry. Pansy, clutching Daphne's hand, glanced at the newspaper with a hint of jealousy. "Amazingly beautiful? Is she really the only one?" Pansy's tone was laced with disdain. Meanwhile, Hermione was frustrated. Amidst her busy schedule, she found herself wrongly labeled as Harry's girlfriend. "Do they not understand the concept of platonic friendship?" she thought indignantly. Caught between Harry and Ron as their mediator, her frustration only grew.
As the time for a Hogsmeade visit approached, John observed Malfoy planning to purchase new polish for his Firebolt. Clutching Tang Mi's letter, John contemplated his next move. "Have you discovered it? I found a cliff near the orphanage that might conceal a Horcrux," the letter read. With many hands making light work, John's investigation led him to the cave from his memories. Planning to explore further, he knew better than to venture alone. After all, teamwork often yields better results.
Heading to Hogsmeade, Malfoy was promptly dismissed by Daphne's sharp glare. "Some people just can't read the room," John thought, amused. Daphne, seizing a rare moment alone with John, suggested they grab a drink at the bistro. The Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks was a treat they both enjoyed. Settling into the tavern, they noticed the popular Silverhand wine cellar series, particularly a wine named Crunchy Ice Cream that promised a unique experience with every sip.
As they ordered two butterbeers, Ron and several Gryffindors entered, noticeably without Hermione. "It seems their disagreement was quite serious this time," John noted, observing the group's dynamics. He casually wiped away a dab of foam from Daphne's lips, his smooth gesture leaving her momentarily stunned.
Just then, Hermione entered alone, ordering two butterbeers and discreetly hiding one under the table. "An invisibility cloak, and a far more advanced one than Barty Jr.'s," John observed, impressed by her ingenuity. Turning back to Daphne, he found her blushing profusely. "What's the matter?" he inquired, puzzled by her reaction.
Outside, Pansy, having witnessed something intriguing, pressed her face against the glass, her eyes glued to the scene inside. This caught Malfoy's attention, who, along with Goyle and Crabbe, crowded the window, their curiosity ignited. Oblivious to the stares from other patrons, they were engrossed in the unfolding drama.
The tavern buzzed with activity, though Ms. Rosmerta, the proprietress, was less than pleased with Moody bringing his own beverages. John kept a low profile, but Moody's magical eye soon found him. Hagrid, seated nearby, followed Moody's gaze towards Hermione once more. With a nudge from John, Hagrid also turned his attention to Hermione, adding another layer to the day's complexities. John and another student approached Hermione's table. John's keen ears picked up Hagrid's whispered invitation to Harry, "Harry, come to my cabin at midnight tonight and remember to wear the cloak." After delivering his message, Hagrid awkwardly bid Hermione farewell, unaware that John had overheard the entire exchange. John's gaze lingered on Moody, pondering, "Moody's magical eye can see through the Invisibility Cloak. But why would Hagrid want Harry to visit him in the dead of night?" The notion of using an invisibility cloak intrigued John, especially since Moody seemed to have subtly prompted Hagrid's request. "I'll have to investigate this tonight," he mused, taking a sip of what was supposed to be butterbeer but tasted more like plain water.
As dusk fell upon their return to Hogwarts, John noticed Daphne heading towards the kitchen and quickly intervened, suggesting they take a break from their usual routine. Daphne, initially resistant, blushed deeply when John took her hand, eventually agreeing to his plan. Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, Malfoy appeared burdened, carrying an assortment of items, flanked by a sullen Goyle and Crabbe. Pansy boasted about their shopping spree, clearly enjoying the sight of Daphne indulging in sweets, much to Malfoy's dismay who had hoped to embarrass Harry but instead found himself reduced to a mere errand boy.
At midnight, John didn't bother returning to his dormitory. Instead, he left the secret room of the Stars Club and navigated the corridors past curfew. Encountering Mrs. Norris, he cleverly bribed her with fish sticks. A chance meeting with Filch ended with an unspoken agreement to ignore each other. To further avoid detection, John cast an illusion spell on himself, making his way to Hagrid's cabin without issue.
Outside Hagrid's cabin, John witnessed Harry removing his invisibility cloak and entering. The scene amused him, likening it to a secret rendezvous. Just then, a Zouwu emerged from the Forbidden Forest, its curiosity piqued by John's presence. After a brief interaction, John reassured the creature and promised to return during daylight hours.
Shortly after, Hagrid, dressed in his finest, exited the cabin followed by Harry. They headed towards the Beauxbatons' carriage, where Madame Maxime greeted them. John, puzzled by the sight, mused, "Is Hagrid inviting Harry to witness his date?" The thought seemed out of character for Hagrid.
Curiosity piqued, John decided to follow them, intrigued by the prospect of witnessing Hagrid's first date. However, his attention was diverted when he spotted Karkaroff lurking in the bushes. "Are headmasters really so idle?" John wondered, finding the situation increasingly bizarre. John crouched behind a bush, pondering the possibility of encountering Dumbledore. He wondered where Dumbledore could be hiding. Could it be under the car? He noticed that Karkaroff seemed to be heading in the same direction as Hagrid, which piqued his curiosity even further. As he followed them, sounds of commotion reached his ears from a distance. Initially, he heard a few men shouting, followed by a deafening, shrill growl. "Why does the sound of the fire dragon seem so familiar?" John mused, quickening his pace to catch up.
Upon reaching the scene, he observed a group of men encircling a fire dragon, which was roaring fiercely. In total, there were four fire dragons, each emitting a fearsome roar. John recalled Fleur and the others mentioning the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, designed to test the courage of the participants. What better way to test courage than with a fire dragon? This thought made his expression darken. "It was agreed that the task would not be revealed in advance. Is this not a form of cheating, albeit in disguise?" he thought to himself.
He noticed Hagrid, who had brought Madame Maxime over, and couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her. "Is this some sort of beauty trap in the wizarding world? For the sake of a competition, the headmaster personally resorts to seduction." And then there was the issue of taking advantage of honest people. His gaze swept over everyone present: Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Hagrid, and Harry. "So, bullying Cedric because he's an honest man, right? It seems like group cheating doesn't even spare him," John reflected, feeling that Cedric was like an untouched melon in a field of harvested ones, surrounded yet unable to partake.
Suddenly, a familiar roar interrupted his thoughts. "Roar--!" "Don't talk about martial arts!!!" The sound echoed once more, and John turned to see the slightly familiar Hungarian Horntail. "Amoham?" he whispered, a mix of surprise and recognition in his voice.
The scene before him was a stark reminder of the complexities and underhanded tactics at play within the wizarding world's competitions. The revelation of the fire dragons not only confirmed the nature of the first task but also exposed the lengths to which some were willing to go to gain an advantage. Amidst the chaos and the roar of dragons, John's discovery of the Hungarian Horntail added a personal connection to the unfolding events, hinting at deeper layers of intrigue yet to be explored.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge