After seeing the fire dragon, Hagrid's gaze grew dreamy—he even forgot there were two people beside him, staring straight at the dragon and unconsciously taking two steps forward, seemingly wanting to get closer.
"Stay right there, Hagrid!" shouted a wizard near the fence. That messy red short hair and sturdy, tanned muscles could only belong to Charlie.
"This Horntail can shoot fire forty feet, you'd better keep your distance!"
"Oh, so beautiful," Hagrid murmured gently, his tone just like when he used to soothe Fluffy the three-headed dog as a puppy.
After a few more minutes, the Dragon Tamers finally got the furious fire dragon calmed down with Stunning Spells.
Hagrid moved forward two more steps.
"So, what do you think, Hagrid?" Charlie walked over, still catching his breath. "Bringing them here was a real effort—good thing there aren't too many. Otherwise, even twenty of us wouldn't be enough."
"Oh, yeah..." Hagrid replied absentmindedly, his eyes always flicking past Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie naturally knew what he was thinking. He was about to speak, when he suddenly noticed Maxime and Rockneil nearby.
"I didn't expect you to bring them along, Hagrid." Charlie frowned. "Technically the Champions shouldn't know what they're facing... She'll definitely tell her student, won't she?"
"Ah, I just thought they'd love to broaden their horizons," Hagrid said, still staring at the Hungarian Horntail.
Charlie shook his head.
They're here, they've seen what there is to see—sending them back now won't change anything.
But for fairness in the tournament, Charlie felt he had to do something... Like tomorrow, take a stroll outside the Forbidden Forest, then just 'happen to' let Kael spot him.
He didn't need to say anything—just make sure Kael saw him. Kael should be able to guess the challenge was the fire dragon.
That way, he wouldn't really be violating the rules.
Thinking this, Charlie stopped fretting over whether they should have come and instead stepped forward to greet them.
"Professor Rockneil, I'm glad to see you here." Charlie reached out and smiled.
"Me too, young Mr. Weasley." Professor Rockneil shook his hand.
"You know each other?" Hagrid asked, surprised—he'd just been about to introduce them.
"Of course," Charlie explained. "A year ago at the Fire Dragon Reserve, Professor Rockneil did us a big favor."
A year ago... Fire Dragon Reserve...
Hearing those two key details, Hagrid immediately thought of something and asked, "Was it that Fire Dragon melee?"
"That's right," Rockneil sighed. "Dozens of different breeds of fire dragons all mixed up... That was truly an incredible memory."
"Oh..." Hagrid let out a regretful moan. When he looked at Rockneil again, his eyes had turned a little jealous.
"You really should've invited me, Charlie," Hagrid couldn't help complaining.
"That wasn't up to me, Hagrid." Charlie shrugged. "The guest list was decided by the Romanian Ministry of Magic—we only handled reception."
"Alright then." Hagrid sighed.
Just then, he suddenly noticed a very large box lurking in the shadows not far away.
"Is there a fire dragon in there too?" he couldn't help asking. "Why did you seal it up in a box?"
"That..." Charlie glanced back at it, then at Maxime and Rockneil, and shook his head:
"Don't ask, Hagrid. I can't say, but I promise, there aren't any fire dragons in there... These big fellas aren't really known for sitting still, after all."
"But what about the missing one, how will that work?" Hagrid looked around and asked the question Kael most wanted answered: "There are only two dragons here, but there are three Champions. One for each isn't enough, is it?"
"No idea," Charlie said. "Our task was just to escort two fire dragons and that box of... er, special equipment to Hogwarts. As for anything else, I don't know.
And only two dragons... They probably plan to draw lots. Whoever gets lucky can skip the fire dragon challenge and win straightaway.
But if you ask me, whoever gets stuck with the Hungarian Horntail is in for it. Among fire dragons, it's the worst."
Maxime instinctively glanced at the black fire dragon, head lowered, lost in thought.
"Oh, right, Hagrid," Charlie continued, "How's Kael been lately?"
"Not bad..." Hagrid said. "He's been preparing for the Triwizard Tournament, seems to be in good spirits, too."
"That's good." Charlie looked over at the dragon pen. "I suspected Kael might be chosen as Champion when I was home for break, but still got a shock when the news arrived.
Mum was thrilled, though I didn't dare tell her what the first task was—or she'd be nervous again. It's better like this.
Anyway, never mind that... Hagrid, want to come closer for a look? Just be careful not to wake them."
"Oh, can I?" Hagrid's eyes lit up.
He asked, but his body was already moving uncontrollably over to the stunned Hungarian Horntail, examining it closely, his expression nearly reverent.
In the nearby woods, Kael and Conna were already preparing to leave.
Hagrid would probably stay for ages, at least until sunrise—he'd never leave before then—and they weren't about to spend the whole night out here.
Kael and Conna turned and started down the path back toward the castle.
When they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, they suddenly saw a dark figure hurrying toward them.
Kael stepped aside just in time, avoiding a collision.
"It's Karkaroff," Conna whispered nearby. "I saw his goatee."
"He must've gotten wind of something," Kael said. "The Triwizard tasks are supposed to be secret, but the news always leaks out... I think that's part of the contest between the three Headmasters."
The two of them made their way back to the castle; Kael glanced at the Marauder's Map.
Good thing Filch was still patrolling the fifth floor. He cracked open a door and slipped into the castle with Conna, then made their way to the Hufflepuff Common Room.
The common room was empty.
Conna took off the Invisibility Cloak, looking troubled, and said, "I can't believe the first task is actually a fire dragon—isn't that a bit too dangerous?"
"More like one of the challenges is a fire dragon." Kael lifted the Disillusionment Charm. "As far as I know, the first task has three stages, each representing one school. The fire dragon is probably Hogwarts' own challenge."
"I'm sure the other two Headmasters have already told their Champions all about it."
Conna frowned, "Has Headmaster Dumbledore told you anything... Like you said, Headmasters always help their Champions figure out what the challenges are."
"Not yet." Kael shook his head.
He hadn't even seen Dumbledore lately, let alone gotten any information about the Triwizard Tournament from him.
When it comes to helping Champions cheat, Dumbledore clearly can't compete with Maxime and Karkaroff.