Chapter 45

Harry moved out the door of the tent, and moved into the entrance of the arena. And there in front of him was the dragon, standing protective over a large nest of eggs. It was like some massive bat, and currently it wanted nothing more than to get rid of him. For that matter, as Harry glanced around him at the raised stands, he was sure it wanted to be anywhere but here with its clutch of eggs.

"Okay," Harry said to himself, and soon spotted the golden egg sitting amongst the stone like real eggs.

"To bad I cannot speak to the dragon and ask it to hand me the egg it would be so much easier," Harry said, as he began to get closer, wanting to test the outer edge of the dragon's range of attack.

This proved to be the wrong move, as the second Harry began moving forward the dragon pounced forward to attack him. Two of the three chains snapped taunt, pulling the dragon back, but the third broke with a loud crash. The broken link flew forward and impacted a foot from Harry, then tumbled into him.

Harry was thrown hard against the arena wall, and left winded and dazed as the hunk of metal fell to the ground. Harry though was thankfully free of injury, as his body's magic protected him. But what it had not done was let him keep hold of his wand, which was now thirty feet from him, and well within range of the dragon's attack now. Harry slowly sank to the ground panting hard, trying to regain his breath, and get his bearings again.

"Note to self, avoid the chain," Harry said feeling his chest, but not finding any sharp pains indicating broken bones.

Harry then glanced about, looking for his wand and realized it was missing, and soon spotted it. Twenty feet from him. Carefully he began moving forward towards it, but stopped as the dragon slowly opened her mouth.

"Okay bad idea, but I need my wand," Harry growled out, then ducked behind a rock as the dragon let lose a column of fire right at him.

"Well no other choice. I either give up or I use wandless magic for the first time," Harry said sighing, as he looked up into the stands around him and spotted Hermione.

He could see the worry and fear in her eyes, even from this distance. And to her right was Luna' looking like she was about to burst into tears. Harry sighed, and closed his eyes, he was not going to let them cry, and he was not going to let himself get hurt either. Drawing on his magic, he focused and held out his hand towards his wand.

"I am going to end this in one shot," Harry said to himself, focusing hard.

Harry opened his eyes and looked towards his wand, willing it to fly to his hand. He no longer had any chances, nor time, he had to use wandless magic. But as he saw his wand begin to shift he saw the dragon open her mouth again. And he went for it.

With a burst of magic from his body, his wand came flying towards him. At the same time the Dragon let loss a burst of fire, heading right towards him. Harry then took off running towards his wand to grab it before the fire reached him.

"Protego," Harry cried as he felt his wand touch his hand, and the warmth began to reach him.

A shield made of magic formed around Harry, and the flames sent by the dragon passed harmlessly around him. Harry kept the shield up till the dragon had closed its mouth fully, and now stared at him with great annoyance. As if he should not still be alive.

Harry glared, back, "Well two hits is all it will take."

Harry leveled his wand pointing directly at the dragon and cried out, "Expelliarmus."

Pouring magic into the spell like he had down the shield, the spell flashed out. No longer a flash of light, or stream of sparks, but a bean of red energy and light. It struck the dragon, and for a moment nothing seemed to happen. Then, as the spell began to fade, the dragon was thrown back fifty feet, till the chains caught it and brought it to a hard stop.

Harry grinned and with another flick of his wand, the golden egg flew towards him. He held out his hand and caught it. It was heavier than he had expected and it caused him to stumble back. And after he regained his footing he threw up another shield seeing a flash of fire.

His timing was perfect, as the flames passed around him. But he did not keep the shield up as long this time, as dragon keepers had rushed in and stunned the dragon. Once free to move about Harry moved into the other side of the arena were the medical tent had been set up. Entering it he saw a chair not far inside it and sank down into it feeling suddenly rather tired.

"Nice to see you," Madam Pomfrey said walking over, and helping Harry over to a bed in the tent, and began running scans on him with her wand.

"Glad to see you as well," Harry said, "Anything broken?"

"No, but you did crack a rib, bruised much of your chest," Madam Pomfrey said, with a small smile, "You got lucky that your body is lot more magical in nature than it used to be."

Harry nodded, "Yes, it is helpful. Never thought it would save me like this though."

Madam Pomfrey nodded, and used several spells to begin healing the damage done. And by this time both Hermione and Luna had entered the tent. Harry gave them a smile and a wave of reassurance. Madam Pomfrey moved away a few moments later telling Harry to take it easy for the next few days.

At this point Hermione and Luna hurried over and brought him into a hug. They stayed that way for a few moments. Finally Hermione let go, though Luna slid onto the bed to cuddle against Harry for a few moments.

"So, I think that was a lot harder than we had though," Harry said, with a weak chuckle.

Hermione snorted as this was one big understatements, "I am just glad you made it through the task."

Harry nodded as he heard some cheering, and Luna said, "They almost ready to post your scores. Want to see?"

"No, I passed and that is all I really care about right now," Harry said a grinning.

Hermione nodded, as Madam Pomfrey came over, "Well Harry, before you head back to the castle, Ludo Bagman would like to see each of the Champions back at the tent you first met at."

"Thanks," Harry said.

"Welcome," Madam Pomfrey said.

Harry sighed laying back on the hospital bed, "One task down, only two left."