As they stepped out of Hagrid's Hut, Hermione couldn't hold it in any longer.
"What on earth is Dumbledore thinking? How could he agree to such an absurd tournament task?" Her voice was sharp and frantic.
"A Dragon, that's a Dragon!"
Other magical creatures are rated 5X because that's the extent of their power. But Dragons are different; they are rated 5X simply because that is the highest danger rating available.
To deal with a single Dragon, you need at least several adult Wizards, all sorts of equipment prepared, and a meticulous plan, just to barely manage to subdue it.
Although in the wizarding world, Dragons might seem weak, with materials like Dragon blood and Dragon heart being freely used by Wizards.
That is because the entire wizarding society is highly advanced, possessing all kinds of magical tools and wisdom.
It's just like how an ordinary person has no defense against a tiger or lion, but give him a carbon-based lifeform tranquilizer, and he can stand at the very top of the food chain.
Hearing what Hermione said, Harry looked bewildered. Me? Fight a Dragon?
Charlie stopped walking and turned around.
"The tournament shouldn't be about making students fight a Dragon directly."
"Normally, it's impossible for a student to defeat a Dragon." Charlie nodded.
"The Ministry of Magic, no matter how foolish, wouldn't arrange a match with such an outrageous disparity in power."
Harry had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Charlie continue.
"So, it's highly likely to be a different task, such as surviving for a period of time under the Dragon, or stealing something from it."
Harry's face went pale again.
"That doesn't seem to make any difference from fighting it directly."
"It makes a huge difference." Charlie looked at him.
"If you were to fight a Dragon, you, Fleur, and Krum would all undoubtedly die, but if it's just completing a task, at least there's a chance of success."
"But no matter what it is, you must have enough understanding of Dragons."
Harry's voice trembled slightly.
"How do I get that understanding?"
Charlie smiled mysteriously.
"Do you remember what I said before?"
"The best way to overcome fear is to face it."
Harry's eyes widened instantly.
"You mean..."
"That's right!" Charlie said loudly.
"It's him, Norbert!"
Charlie led the two of them towards the dormitories.
This semester, because Sirius and Lupin were at the Orphanage, Charlie had brought Norbert and Judy to the school.
Upon arriving at the Castle, Charlie intended to find an empty classroom to use as a training ground.
As they entered the entrance hall and headed upstairs, they happened to run into Ron.
He looked to be alone, and it was unclear what he was doing.
Ron and Harry were still feuding; the moment they met, they both turned their heads away, refusing to look at each other.
"Ron, do you want to join us?" Hermione asked tentatively.
Ron's lips moved, and he stood there for a long while before finally following along.
"I just want to talk to Charlie and you." Ron muttered, emphasizing.
Harry rolled his eyes and followed behind Charlie without a word.
The four of them soon arrived at an empty classroom.
"Wait here for a moment."
After Charlie said this, his figure instantly vanished.
Ron and Harry ignored each other, and Hermione, caught in the middle, didn't know who to talk to.
The atmosphere in the classroom was a bit awkward.
Fortunately, not long after, Charlie reappeared, dragging a large trunk in his hand.
Charlie opened the lid of the trunk, revealing a staircase leading downwards inside.
"Go in."
Hermione went in first, followed closely by Ron.
Harry swallowed hard; once they went in, would they be able to come back out?
But he still chose to follow.
Charlie was the last to enter the trunk, and he casually set up a barrier around it to prevent anyone from approaching.
Stepping into the trunk, the view suddenly opened up.
A large patch of Whomping Willow occupied the view, its thick branches swaying in the air.
The Whomping Willow, which had been moved elsewhere to make it easier for Grandma White to come and go, had been moved back by Charlie.
Sensing someone approaching, the willow branches immediately lifted up, aiming in the direction of Harry and the others.
Harry instinctively took a step back, and Hermione also gripped her wand nervously.
Charlie raised his hand, and magic silently enveloped the three of them.
The Whomping Willow sensed a familiar aura, and those clawing branches slowly drooped, returning to calm.
"Let's go." Charlie led the way through the Whomping Willow forest.
Harry followed behind, carefully avoiding the branches.
Ron looked around, examining the space; it had been a long time since they had been in here.
Passing through the Whomping Willow forest, there was an open meadow.
Nearby was a dense forest, and in the distance, there was a small snow-capped mountain, its peak covered with white snow.
Charlie took a deep breath and shouted towards the forest.
"Norbert!"
A rustling sound came from the forest, and immediately after, a huge dark shadow rushed out from between the treetops.
Its body was pitch black, with huge wings covered in bone spurs, and a wingspan of over ten meters.
It had long horns on its head, and its orange pupils radiated a dangerous aura.
Norbert flapped its wings, circled in the air once, then dove down and landed steadily in front of Charlie.
It excitedly nudged its head forward, licking Charlie over and over again.
Harry and Ron both froze in place; although they had hugged Norbert when they were younger, Norbert now looked like he could swallow them both in one bite.
"Alright, alright, stop it." Charlie pushed away Norbert's large head.
At this moment, a small figure jumped down from the top of Norbert's head and threw itself directly into Charlie's arms.
It was Judy.
It waved its claws, performing a series of military-style punches against Charlie's chest, seemingly complaining that Charlie hadn't come to see it for the past few days.
Charlie rubbed Judy's head and placed it on his shoulder.
Judy then lay down contentedly.
Charlie turned to Norbert and reached out to pat its nose.
"Norbert, I have a task for you."
Norbert tilted its head, its amber vertical pupils staring at Charlie.
"Do you see that boy with the glasses?" Charlie pointed at Harry.
"For the next while, I want you to treat him as prey and chase him."
"This isn't a game; you need to put real pressure on him."
Norbert looked at Harry, following Charlie's finger.
Those vertical pupils instantly lit up, just like a cat seeing a cat teaser wand for the first time.
Harry's face turned pale instantly. Bro, you're serious?
Ron also felt his scalp tingle.
What is going on? I was just jealous of Harry; are you guys trying to get him killed?
Ron asked hurriedly.
"Charlie, what is this for?"
Hermione explained what had just happened.
After hearing all of this, Ron stood frozen in place, speechless for a long moment.
He looked at Harry with mixed emotions; this was the first time he had looked Harry in the eye since their argument yesterday.
So being a champion is this dangerous? It's not about receiving cheers in the Great Hall, or enjoying glory and prize money, but facing a Dragon while risking his life?
And this is just training; the actual tournament might be even more perilous.
Charlie called out to Hermione and Ron.
"Let's move further away and leave the space for Harry and Norbert."
Hermione decisively followed behind Charlie.
But Ron stood where he was, his feet unable to move as if they were filled with lead.
Although he and Harry were having a conflict, this was not the time to dwell on such things.
Norbert is such a huge Dragon; could Harry be swatted to death by a single claw?
Harry saw that Ron wasn't leaving, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
You're still the one, brother!
At the critical moment, you don't forget our brotherhood!
Charlie saw that Ron wasn't moving and looked back.
"If you want to join Harry, that's fine too; Norbert has no problem chasing two people."
Ron immediately ran over.
"No, no, let's go."
He ran fast, fearing that Charlie might change his mind.
Harry:?
The group left, leaving only Norbert and Harry.
Norbert stared at Harry, dangerous light flashing in its orange vertical pupils.
It remembered this person.
That year when it was just born, young and reckless, it had been tormented by all sorts of Charlie's training—kite flying, Dragon fruit, and so on—and this bespectacled guy in front of him was Charlie's accomplice!
The corners of Norbert's mouth slowly split open, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
The opportunity for revenge was right in front of it.
Harry looked at Norbert's expression, and his heart skipped a beat.
Something is wrong.
Very wrong.
Why does this Dragon's look seem like it's about to settle old scores?
The next second, Norbert violently flapped its wings, kicking up a gust of wind as it dove towards Harry.
"Wait! Dragon brother! Remember? I held you when you were little!"
Harry turned and ran, shouting as he ran.
Hearing Harry's shouting, Norbert chased even more enthusiastically.
In the distance, Charlie and the others stood at a safe distance.
Hermione bit her lip, watching Harry being chased all over the field.
"Is he really going to be alright?"
"Don't worry, Norbert knows his limits."
Charlie pulled a large pile of Potion bottles from his pocket and weighed them in his hand.
"Even if he has only one breath left, I can save him."
Hermione nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.
As for how much injury Harry would sustain?
Be content; at least here it's just injury, but the Triwizard Cup can really kill people.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"