https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-510-A-Contest-Between-Headmasters/12538850/
Chapter 511: This Isn't What We Agreed On!
Chapter 511: This Isn't What We Agreed On!
All day Sunday, Connor spent most of her time in the library, trying to find a way to deal with the fire-breathing dragons for Kyle's upcoming challenge.
Despite Kyle repeatedly telling her not to worry about it, she wouldn't listen.
"I'm too nervous. I have to keep myself busy," Connor said, placing a thick book on the table. The cover depicted a Hungarian Tree Peak with a line of embossed floral script.
Flipping through the pages, Connor searched for any weaknesses or insights into the fire-breathing dragons.
"I don't think the school will make you fight the dragons. You'll probably just have to get past them," Cedric offered his opinion.
"I think a transformation spell would be great. Transform into a dog or some other animal to distract the dragon, then you can sneak past," suggested Connor.
"Or something even simpler..." Fred looked around and lowered his voice. "Why don't you just let the big guy out of the box? That would make things a breeze."
"Yeah, and then I wouldn't need to participate in the second task." Kyle responded sarcastically. "Are you guys taking Karkaroff's money to make me lose?"
"If he offered us enough galleons, it might be worth considering," George said with a laugh.
"Too bad we're too expensive for him," Fred added. "Even if he sold Durmstrang, he couldn't afford us."
"I might consider a discount if losing the tournament meant getting Durmstrang in return," Kyle joked, joining in the laughter.
"Oh...look at him..." Suddenly, a commotion interrupted them from a short distance away.
"Here he comes again!" Fred complained. "Can't Krum take his fan club somewhere else? How are we supposed to study with all this noise?"
"Hmm?" Connor glanced up at him. "You're all the same. Don't point fingers at each other."
If Fred had a book in front of him, she might have believed him.
"At least we're not disturbing others," George said.
Connor pouted, "You mean it's fine as long as it doesn't affect you, right!"
"Of course not..." Fred said with a mischievous smile. "...but it's something like that. It's just a tiny fire-breathing dragon, and don't forget, Kyle has experience."
"Don't drag me into your boasting," Kyle said, giving him a look. "I was there when Norber hatched from his egg. It's different."
"But you must have some experience, right?" George said. "Fleur and Krum haven't raised a fire-breathing dragon...I mean, Norber."
More chirping noises came from nearby.
"Here they come again," Connor said irritably. "Let's go back. Oh, and take this..."
She handed Kyle the book, "Riding on the Dragon's Back," and picked up another book, "Basic Magic Charms for Hyperactive and Restless Animals." Then, she got up and left.
As they walked out of the library, they ran into Hermione, who was also stepping out hastily, apparently disturbed by the noise inside.
"Why can't he stay on that stupid boat of his and read?" she grumbled, her face showing her annoyance.
"Stupid?"
"Why would she say that?"
Fred and George exchanged glances, as they had always thought the boat was pretty cool.
Back in the common room, with nothing much to do, Kyle spent the afternoon reading with Connor to pass the time.
With the first task approaching the next day, Kyle, who had been calm all this time, suddenly felt nervous. He tossed and turned in bed late into the night before finally falling asleep.
The next day.
From the moment Kyle woke up until lunchtime in the Great Hall, people kept coming up to him to wish him good luck.
"Alright," Kyle stood up.
"Good luck," Connor whispered.
Cedric patted his arm. "Break a leg," he said.
"You'll knock 'em dead!" This came from Michael.
Kyle followed Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall.
She seemed a bit anxious and kept telling Kyle not to be nervous, though it seemed like she was trying to reassure herself more than anything.
"We've arranged for some wizards to stand by in case things get out of hand. They will intervene if necessary.
And most importantly... Professor Dumbledore will be watching the entire event, so there's nothing to worry about."
"Professor, you should be more concerned about the other two champions," Kyle said with a smile. "I only hope their headmasters are as reassuring as Professor Dumbledore."
Professor McGonagall chuckled and placed a hand on Kyle's shoulder. "In any case, be careful out there. And remember, it's alright to forfeit if things get too difficult... after all, you're only fifteen."
"Don't worry, Professor," Kyle said.
After leaving the castle, Professor McGonagall did not head towards the Forbidden Forest but instead led them to the Quidditch stadium.
From the outside, it looked no different, but inside, a thick fog obscured everything from view. The only noticeable change was the audience stands, which seemed much larger than before.
Professor McGonagall escorted Kyle to the changing room.
"Go on in," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "Bagman is in there too... he'll explain everything to you."
"Thanks," Kyle said and pushed the door open.
Fleur was already there, looking pale as she sat on a low wooden bench.
"Are you alright?" Kyle asked.
Fleur shook her head. She looked at Kyle, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then Ludo Bagman interrupted.
"Kyle, there you are!" Bagman turned and beamed at him. "Come on in and relax. The Triwizard Tournament isn't as scary as it seems."
"Now that everyone's here, let me brief you on what to expect." He stood up and took out three identical quills, his face wreathed in smiles. "These are specially made door keys. Once the audience has assembled, they will transport you to the arena outside.
"Your task is to make your way through all the obstacles and reach the end. Also, there's one more thing I need to tell you... collecting the red stones is important as they will play a role in your second task, so try to gather as many as you can."
No one in the room spoke. Fleur and Krum merely nodded slightly, indicating they understood.
"Well, that's about it," Bagman said. "You have a few minutes now to compose yourselves."
As he prepared to hand out the quills, he added, "Make sure you hold on tight to these. If you miss your slot and don't enter the arena, it'll be an automatic loss..."
"Wait a moment."
Fleur suddenly spoke up. "Don't we need to draw lots?"
"Draw lots?" Bagman looked puzzled. "There's no need for that. All the tasks are the same, just positioned differently for each champion... but if you insist, we can do that."
He quickly found a small bag and placed the three quills inside, then presented it to each of them in turn.
Fleur drew first.
She looked at the identical quills in their hands, her expression uncertain.
What was going on? There were no fire dragons, nor a free pass... This was nothing like what Madame Maxime had told her.
...
(End of Chapter)
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