HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 19
Chapter 10
THE HUNGARIAN HORNTAIL
Harry can’t wait for the night of November 22nd. It is the only thing that makes him feel better. The first task is coming soon. Harry feels very nervous. He feels like a monster is waiting for him in the future. He cannot focus on his lessons. He only thinks about the dangerous magic he must do in front of hundreds of people.
Hermione helps Harry. They spend a long time in the library. They look for simple spells to help a champion. Harry also worries about Ron. Ron still does not talk to him. Harry feels like a hole is in his life without his best friend.
But things only get worse for Harry. The article that Rita Skeeter wrote for the Daily Prophet newspaper finally arrives. Everyone in the Great Hall is reading it. Harry sees his own face on the front page. The article is very long, but it is not about the Triwizard Tournament. It is all about Harry.
Harry reads the story. He feels his face turn hot with shame. The article says Harry is "lonely and crying." It says he misses his parents so much that he wants to leave the school. It even says he is in love with Hermione!
Harry looks at the Gryffindor table. People are laughing and whispering. Across the room, Malfoy stands on a chair. He reads the article out loud in a high, silly voice. “Look at me!” Malfoy shouts. “I’m Harry Potter! I’m so sad and lonely!”
Harry looks down at his plate. He is not sad or crying, but he is very angry. He feels like the whole world is laughing at him. He looks at Hermione. She looks upset, too. “It’s okay, Harry,” Hermione says quietly. “People will forget about it soon.” But Harry does not believe her. He feels like he cannot hide anywhere.
Now, when he walks through the corridors, students from other houses point at him. They call him "The Boy Who Cries." Harry wants to shout at them. He wants to tell them that Rita Skeeter is a liar. But he says nothing. He just walks faster. He wants the first task to start soon. He wants to show everyone that he is a real champion, not a crying baby.
On Saturday night, Hagrid finds Harry. “Come with me,” Hagrid whispers. “Bring your Cloak.” Harry puts on his Invisibility Cloak. He follows Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest. They walk for a long time. Suddenly, Harry hears a loud roar. The trees are shaking. Harry looks through the trees. He sees four giant dragons! They are huge and terrifying.
“Dragons!” Harry whispers. “That is the first task?” “Yes,” Hagrid says. He looks worried. “You have to get past one of them, Harry.” Harry sees Madame Maxime there too. She is watching the dragons. Harry realizes the other champions will know about this soon. He must be ready.
He covers himself with his cloak and walks silently back to the castle. In the dark, he accidently bumps into a person. It is Karkaroff! He is following Hagrid and Madame Maxime. Karkaroff is surprised when Harry bumps into him. He cannot see anything. He thinks it must be a dog. Soon, Karkaroff continues into the forest to find the dragons.
