HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 20
Chapter 20
THE FIRST TASK
Harry wakes up on Sunday morning. He is so nervous that he cannot think clearly. He gets dressed, but he makes a mistake. He tries to pull his hat onto his foot instead of his sock. Finally, he gets his clothes on correctly and goes to find Hermione.
They walk around the lake. Harry tells Hermione everything Sirius said. He tells her about the dragons and about Karkaroff. “Karkaroff is a problem,” Hermione says. “But the dragons are a bigger problem. We must keep you alive until Tuesday. Then we can worry about Karkaroff.”
They go to the library and look at many books about dragons. “It says here that dragon skin is very thick,” Hermione says. “Simple spells do not work on them. You need many wizards to hurt a dragon.” “I am only one wizard,” Harry says. “Sirius was about to tell me a simple spell I could use. But then Ron appeared. Sirius never told me the charm.”
Later, Harry walks back to the common room. He is very worried. He does not know how to fight a dragon. Suddenly, Professor Moody appears. He limps toward Harry. His magic blue eye spins around. “Potter,” Moody says. “You look upset.” “I am,” Harry says. “The first task is coming. I don’t know what to do.”
Moody looks at him closely. He leans forward. “I can give you one piece of advice,” Moody says. “Use your strengths.” “My strengths?” Harry asks. “I don’t have any strengths against a dragon.” “Think, Potter,” Moody growls. “What are you best at? What do you do better than anyone else?”
Harry thinks. He thinks about his classes. He is not the best at Potions or History. Then, he thinks about Quidditch. “Flying,” Harry says. “I can fly. I am a good Seeker.” Moody nods his head. “Right,” he says. “You are an excellent flyer. But you cannot bring a broom into the arena. It is against the rules.” “I know,” Harry says. “So,” Moody whispers. “You must make the broom come to you.”
Moody turns and walks away. Harry stands in the corridor. Suddenly, he understands. He knows exactly what he must do. He needs a Summoning Charm. He runs to find help. He needs Hermione! They spend Monday practicing the Summoning Charm in an empty classroom.
“Accio!” Harry yells. Nothing happens. He tries very hard, but he keeps thinking about the dragon. “You must concentrate,” Hermione says. Harry becomes very frustrated. But he keeps practicing until midnight. Finally, he makes books and chairs fly across the room. He practices until the spell is very strong. “You can do it, Harry,” Hermione says.
On Tuesday morning, the atmosphere at the school is very tense. Harry cannot eat anything. At midday, Professor McGonagall comes to the Great Hall. “Potter,” she says. “The champions must go to the forest now.”
Harry follows her. His legs feel like iron. They reach a large tent. The other three champions are already there. They all look pale and sick. Ludo Bagman comes into the tent. He is wearing bright yellow robes. He looks like a cartoon character. “Good day, everyone!” he says happily. “It is time for me to explain what your first task is. You must collect the golden egg you will find in the arena.”
Bagman takes out a little purple bag. “Now, each of you will put your hand in the bag. You will select the model of the thing you will face in the arena. There are different… varieties, you see.” He holds out a purple bag. Fleur Delacour goes first. She pulls out a small, green dragon with the number two. It is a perfect model of the Common Welsh Green dragon.
Viktor pulls out a red dragon with the number three. It is the Chinese Fireball. Cedric Diggory pulls out a blue-gray dragon with the number one. It is the Swedish Short-Snout. Harry puts his hand in the bag. He pulls out the Hungarian Horntail. It has the number four. It is the most dangerous dragon of all.
The whistle blows. One by one, the champions go out to face their dragons. Harry sits in the tent and listens. He hears the crowd scream and the dragons roar. Hundreds of people are watching the challenge. Finally, he hears his name. “And now, Harry Potter!” Bagman yells.
Harry walks out into the arena. It is a large circle of rocks. At the other end, the Hungarian Horntail is guarding her nest. She sees Harry and opens her mouth. A giant wave of fire comes toward him. Harry jumps behind a rock just in time. He takes out his wand. He prays the spell will work. “Accio Firebolt!” he shouts.
