John had always believed that his paths with Amohan had diverged forever after their encounter in the forest. However, fate had a different plan, and to his surprise, they met again in the Forbidden Forest. This time, it wasn't just Amohan; three other dragons were with him, all subdued by a team of dragon trainers, among whom was a familiar face, Charlie Weasley.
"They should be fine now. We administered sleeping potions, and they were already lethargic upon arrival. I hoped they'd feel better after waking up to a peaceful night," Charlie explained as he and Hagrid, who had just helped subdue a particularly violent Hungarian Horntail, surveyed the four giant dragons sprawled on the ground like colossal hills.
Hagrid, unable to contain his excitement and with a gleam of reverence in his eyes, inquired, "What types do we have here?"
"We've got the Hungarian Horntail, the smaller one there is the Common Welsh Green Dragon, the silver-blue one is the Swedish Short-Snouted Dragon, and that one," Charlie pointed, "is the Chinese Fireball." As he introduced the dragons, his gaze shifted to Ms. Maxim, who was leisurely inspecting the stunned dragons. He frowned, "Why did you bring her here? The champions shouldn't know what they're going to face."
Hagrid, seemingly enchanted by the dragons, replied absentmindedly, "I just thought she'd like to see them."
Charlie sighed, a mix of frustration and amusement in his voice, "What a romantic date."
Hagrid, however, was focused on the task at hand. "So, there are four in total, and each champion has to face one, right? What do they need to do?"
"It seems they just have to get past the dragon," Charlie answered, his tone uncertain. "We'll ensure the champions' safety. But I must say, this Hungarian Horntail is the most vicious one I've ever encountered." He noticed Hagrid eyeing the dragon eggs and sternly warned him against getting any ideas, emphasizing the importance of their count.
Harry, who had been listening from the sidelines, felt a mix of absurdity and anxiety upon realizing he would be facing a dragon. He knew he had to rush back; Sirius had arranged to speak with him that night through the fireplace, preferring a more personal conversation over letters.
While Hagrid was engrossed in observing the dragons, led by Charlie, they failed to notice another presence. John, hidden by a Disillusionment Charm, watched the semi-conscious Hungarian Horntail, which seemed resistant to the sleeping spells. "There are those who handle things well," Charlie remarked, still discussing the Daily Prophet's coverage of Harry with John, who felt a pang of envy.
After Ms. Maxim and a reluctant Hagrid departed, John seized the opportunity to approach Amohan. Despite the charm, the distance was close enough for Amohan to detect his presence. Amohan's half-closed eyes attempted to widen, but his eyelids were too heavy.
Leaning close to Amohan's head, John whispered in the dragon tongue, "Amohan, are you alright?"
"Dragon Whisperer?" Amohan's weak response came.
"How were you captured?" John inquired, puzzled by Amohan's predicament.
Amohan's voice was tinged with sorrow, "Someone exposed what happened in the forest. A group of wizards ambushed me and took me away."
"I was on my way to the Valley of Never Rest for a trial, but now I'm trapped," Amohan lamented, his voice filled with despair. The thought of being free and then suddenly captured and confined in Romania was unbearable for him. Despite his strength, he was overpowered by a barrage of stun spells.
[Ding, challenge task triggered: Participate in the dragon trial in the Valley of Never Rest. Reward: +1 to any attribute, Blessing: Unknown]
"Unknown blessing?" John was momentarily taken aback. He had thought his adventures at the Gate of Things were extraordinary, but this unexpected turn of events led him directly into the realm of the unknown. Time was of the essence. Through his newfound understanding, John discovered the location of the Valley of Never Rest, a revered place known as the birthplace of dragons. It was here that every dragon underwent a rigorous test to earn its name, a testament to its strength and valor. Names like Amohan were bestowed by the Elder Dragon upon those who succeeded. However, not all dragons were fortunate enough to bring their own names; those raised by wizards and failing the test were looked down upon, their existence deemed incomplete.
"Wait, I remember Charlie mentioning that all the dragons here are brooding females," John mused, realization dawning on him that Amohan was, in fact, a female dragon, named after her mother.
"I wish to undertake the inheritance test, to vie for the title of the current Dragon King," Amohan expressed, her voice tinged with sorrow, her dream seemingly shattered before it could even begin. But then, a spark of hope ignited within her. "Dragon Whisperer, Amohan implores your aid. Please, take me to the land of dragons."
"Yes," John agreed, though he was still pondering how to accomplish this task. "We'll set off after the first event concludes." He was cautious, wary of Dumbledore's potential surveillance and the implications of whisking Amohan away prematurely. The dragon trainers were formidable wizards, and John felt a twinge of embarrassment at the thought of rescuing Amohan single-handedly. Yet, the alternative—leaving her to a grim fate—was unthinkable.
As he made this vow, the anxious plea of the Swedish Short-Snout next door reached his ears. "Dragon whisperer... please..." Its voice was even weaker, making communication challenging, but its plea was clear.
"Alright, but you must heed my commands," John stated firmly. Whether saving one or four, the principle remained the same. He extracted a promise from the dragons, emphasizing the importance of obedience. Among their kind, the Dragon Whisperer held significant sway, and they showed little resistance to his authority.
With the agreement in place, John prepared to depart. He made a detour around Charlie Weasley's location and headed back towards the castle, only to be obstructed by a Zouwu. After pacifying the creature, he continued on, cloaked in an illusion spell.
This technique had always served him well, but today, he encountered an unexpected obstacle. The unmistakable sound of thudding footsteps heralded the approach of Moody, a presence that filled John with unease. Moody's magical eye, capable of piercing even Harry's invisibility cloak, posed a significant challenge.
As the footsteps quickened, John made a swift decision to flee. Despite Moody's formidable abilities, his physical speed was a weakness John could exploit. He managed to elude Moody, reaching the Slytherin common room just in time.
Moody's arrival was met with the sight of the closing door, his frustration palpable at having missed capturing a potential threat. John, however, remained just beyond, pondering Moody's intentions. It was unusual for Moody to patrol this area so diligently.
Once assured of Moody's departure, John ventured out the next day, encountering Cedric. "Did any professor visit you today?" he inquired, cutting straight to the chase. His interaction with Cedric was just the beginning of a series of strategic moves, each carefully planned to navigate the challenges ahead. Cedric was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head, confusion evident in his voice. "No, why would the professor be looking for me?" His puzzlement was clear, and John couldn't help but feel a twinge of disdain. The fairness of the situation seemed questionable at best. Harry was recognized as a Hogwarts champion, but wasn't Cedric one as well? If Dumbledore had indeed orchestrated this, John's disappointment in the headmaster deepened.
"The first task involves a fire-breathing dragon. It seems you're the only one left in the dark," John said, opting for a straightforward approach rather than beating around the bush. He believed in honesty, especially in challenging times. If he didn't lend a hand to a friend in need, he would be no better than an indifferent bystander. Cedric's reaction was one of shock, the prospect of facing a dragon daunting.
John offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll help you. Remember, we have a dragon whisperer among us." He felt a pang of guilt for not extending the same courtesy to Fleur, but Cedric was the one who seemed utterly without support.
After their conversation, John headed off to class, leaving Cedric to process the news. As Cedric made his way to the Charms classroom, his schoolbag unexpectedly tore open. He told his friend to go ahead without him, taking a moment to gather his scattered belongings. It was then that Harry seized the opportunity to approach him, leaning in to whisper, "The first task is the fire dragon."
The exchange between John and Cedric, followed by Harry's discreet intervention, highlighted the camaraderie and underlying tensions among the Hogwarts champions. Each interaction was a piece of the larger puzzle, revealing the complexities of their shared challenge and the varying degrees of support they offered one another.
_________
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