Disclaimer: All belongs to JK really, I'm just playing.

Alternate take on the first task in GoF

Perhaps it was a sense of curiosity, or perhaps just a lack of common sense, that saw Harry thanking Hagrid for informing him of the dragons, and then turning, not back to the castle, but towards the Forbidden Forest, back towards the voices which had whispered in his ears as he had stared at the encampment of dragons and handlers, hidden under a layer of invisibility.

He crouched now, still hidden as the keepers bedded down for the night, only those on duty remaining around the small fire which had been started well away from the dragon enclosures.

He crept towards the dragons, urged on by the whispers which seemed to get louder as he got nearer to the great beasts, whispers which gained in coherence, changing from a mass of confused syllables to flowing sentences.

If they think I'm going to settle down after being dragged who knows how far they have another thing coming. The voice flowed over Harry's senses like honey, deep and warm.

And don't forget moving our nests. That voice had a definite female tone, coloured with a waspish acidity.

What was wrong with the last location? Another voice put in, tone disgruntled and sleepy.

Also cold here, the warming magics are wearing thin. The first voice said with a hissing sigh.

Reminds me of home, A fourth voice added.

Harry frowned, staring at the enclosures, it couldn't be. Could it?

Hello? Four pairs of eyes immediately fastened onto his position.

Curious. The acidic toned voice said as the unblinking eyes never strayed from where he was standing.

Harry pushed the cloak back off his head, as it appeared the dragons knew he was there.

Curious. The acidic voice repeated.

What is a hatchling doing out on a night like this? The warm voice asked.

I heard you speaking. Harry said as he turned to face the red dragon who he thought was the owner of the warm, honey like voice as she curled up around her nest of almost Gryffindor coloured eggs.

Ah. The reply was sad, not many hear us any more, even less understand us.

Why not?

Wizards have forgotten who they are. Harry turned to view the blue dragon that had moved to the front of her enclosure. They have forgotten how to connect to magic.

I can do magic.

Hardly. The acidic voice snapped as the black dragon snorted, letting out a puff of smoke

We dragons have long memories, the sleepy voice said as the green lifted her head off her forepaws to stare at Harry, compared to the mages of old you know nothing of magic hatchling.

Why do you call me hatchling?

It is what you are. The green replied with a yawn.

Do you have names?

We have names.

May I ask what they are?

No, the black hissed. You are not worthy.

Perhaps. Come here hatchling. He stared at the blue, who shook her head in a rattle of silver-blue scales, we do not have all night, you may never get another chance hatchling, we know not why we have been brought here or how long we will be staying.

We will not eat you, if that is what you are worried about, the red dragon said with definite amusement, what would we do for conversation then?

Harry took a deep breath as he moved over to the bars of the cage that contained the blue dragon.

Place a hand on my muzzle, she said as she lowered her head

Reaching out a hand Harry made contact with the smooth scales.

Listen. The dragon whispered as the reality around him exploded.

Listen to the magic. He took a deep breathe, the glowing form of the dragon beside him.

Listen to the earth. He stared at the ground, the glowing roots of trees and vegetation spreading out through the ground like a carpet, and everything had a heartbeat, a pulse of life which faded into a deep hum of magic.

Listen to the life. He stared at the bugs in the earth, the faint glow of life they had, then toward the encampment, the brighter glows of wizards in their tents, then at the dragons, the pure light which seemed to move just beneath their skin, waiting to escape.

Do you see hatchling?

Yes. I see. He took a deep breath as the glow around him faded, the world returning to its usual muted colours.

The wizards, the glow was only in the centre of the body.

Yes, the blue said as she twisted to stare at the camp, once mages looked like us, like every creature that has been gifted with a deeper connection to magic, now your glow is like a lesser beast, only your cores retaining that link to the world around you.

What do I look like? Harry asked as the blue returned her gaze to him.

Like a wizard. The black put in.

That is untrue, the green said from her nest, you glowed like a mage of old when you were just opened to the world.

But now he looks like a wizard again. The black snorted.

It is getting late hatchling. Those to whom you look will be worried if they cannot find you. The blue said as she backed away from the bars.

Right. Harry said as he backed away from the cage to pick up his invisibility cloak. Ah, you were wondering earlier why you had been moved.

You know the reason? The black said as she moved forward, spiked tail lashing.

It's for a competition; those chosen to take part will have to complete a task which will involve fighting past one of you I think.

You are part of this competition? The red dragon asked as she tilted her head to one side.

I am.

In that case, I wish you best of luck young hatchling.

Goodnight. The green said without opening her eyes.

The black snorted again, moving back to her nest, until we meet again hatchling.

Harry placed the cloak over his body and moved back towards the edge of the camp.

A hissing whisper followed him, remember hatchling, listen to the magic, perhaps one day you will see us again, listen to the earth, to the wind, to the life that surrounds you and perhaps then we will judge you worthy to know who we are.