Beginning of the First Trial

  The crowd in the stands was massive. It was not quite like the Quidditch World Cup, but you could feel that at least half of the European magical community was there, without a doubt. And maybe more. Far more than they had originally expected. Fortunately, the area had been designed based on generous estimates, and the stands ended up being much larger than the initial plans.

  The stands themselves were built in a way similar to those used in the Quidditch World Cup. With the wind and the constant movement of people, they swayed slightly, just enough to be unsettling. They surrounded part of the forest, forming a wide circle. An enormous section, packed with trees so close together that from the outside you could barely see anything at all.

  The darkness and density of the trees would be used to the tournament’s advantage, turning that area into a perfect field for competition.

  Meanwhile, in an elevated section of the platforms where the professors and judges were seated, Ludo Bagman was fulfilling the role of commentator. A job that, of course, he would never have left in anyone else’s hands.

  “Now then, as you all know, we have a wonderful day to begin the first trial. And I am sure that right now you are all wondering what this first trial is about. Luckily for you, I am here to clear up all your doubts,” Ludo said, smiling with an air of arrogance and pride.

  The people in the stands smiled and shouted in excitement once again. It seemed that Ludo truly was a good host when he needed to be, and there was no denying that. There was a reason he remained so popular even after so many years away from professional Quidditch.

  “The first trial is not only the presentation of the tournament, but also the presentation of the champions themselves. With this, we will know whom we shall choose as our favorites… and perhaps whether anyone feels like placing a bet,” he said, laughing and drawing laughter from the crowd.

  “Now then, while the champions prepare themselves, I will explain the first trial so we can stop beating around the bush,” he continued. “You see those small eggs in the center of the field.”

  Everyone directed their gaze toward the forest, which, covered in trees, did not allow much to be seen. Even though some areas had been cleared to allow the competition, visibility was still limited. To help with that, several magical screens appeared above the stands, showing an image of six small eggs placed atop six pedestals.

  They were scattered around the center of the field, forming a circle, separated by only a few meters. The six pedestals glowed in different colors. The eggs themselves, however, were exactly the same.

  “Yes, those,” Ludo confirmed. “The competitors, in our first task, will basically have to retrieve and take care of those six eggs. Sounds simple, right? But of course, we will not allow it to be simple at all, because…”

  Suddenly, around the pedestals, several chests burst open, as if they had been perfectly hidden until that moment. From within them emerged suits of armor, golems, and animals made of metal and stone, surrounding the eggs as though acting as their guardians. Their footsteps were heavy, and their eyes, which looked as if they were made of rubies, glowed with an intense red light.

  Upon seeing the number of creatures, many could not help but hold their breath.

  Ludo continued, clearly pleased with the general reaction. “Our golem friends will not make this easy for them. And they are not the only ones. All around the battlefield, there are more magical chests, prepared to continue releasing enemies in large numbers and prevent any of the champions from taking one of the eggs. After all, the Forbidden Forest can be treacherous and dangerous, can it not?” Ludo roared, his voice filled with an enthusiasm so intense it was contagious.

  “Oh, right, I almost forgot,” he suddenly interrupted. “Do you see the colors of the pedestals? There is one green, two yellow, and three red. This is because, depending on which egg they obtain, the difficulty of the second trial will vary. The green will be the easiest, the yellow will be of medium difficulty… and the red ones, well, that is fairly obvious,” he said with a crooked smile.

  “So each champion will not only be facing the golems to earn their place in the second trial, but also the other champions, in order to obtain the easiest trial… or the hardest one, depending on what they desire.”

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  “Now, with everything said, the stage prepared, all that remains is to wait for the arrival of the champions,” he concluded, as the stands, completely fired up, began to roar, creating a deafening noise that could be heard all the way to Hogsmeade.

  …

  Inside what appeared to be a tent specially prepared for the champions, the six of them stood in place, their nervousness evident. At the center of the group, Sirius was explaining exactly the same thing Ludo had just announced to the public outside.

  “Any questions?” he asked once he finished.

  “Yes. So does that mean we can fight each other to try and get the best eggs?” Viktor asked, his expression serious.

  “Yes, but first you would have to define what you mean by ‘the best eggs,’” Sirius replied with an amused, slightly enigmatic smile. Both Draco and Harry noticed that tone immediately and looked at him intently.

  “Now then, as you know, according to the rules, the schools cannot help any of you in your tasks, nor give you direct information or anything of the sort. You will have to manage on your own,” he continued. “However, due to the insistence of two very, very persistent girls, it has been decided to allow you to have assistants.”

  “They, whether boys or girls, will not be allowed to compete, but they may help you gather information, devise strategies, or even prepare you for the trials. Although I am quite sure that some of you already have your assistants,” he added with an amused smile, looking directly at Fleur, Luciel, Draco, and Viktor.

  “Now then, I will leave you some time to prepare while I take my place with the other judges. When you are given the order to go out, that is when you move,” Sirius said quickly. The six of them nodded, and right after that, he left.

  “Obviously, the persistent ones were Hermione and Daphne,” Harry said first, turning toward Draco. “Hermione will be helping Fleur. And Daphne…” He then looked at Luciel.

  “No. My assistant, of course, is my dear fiancée,” Luciel replied immediately.

  “Then where did that airhead run off to?” Draco said.

  “If you are talking about Daphne Greengrass… she is helping me,” a voice suddenly said, interrupting the conversation and making all of them turn around.

  The one who had spoken was Viktor, and his expression did not look particularly happy.

  “And how did she end up helping you?” Harry could not help asking, his face full of confusion.

  “I… do not want to talk about that,” Viktor replied, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

  Draco and Harry looked at each other for a moment.

  “Actually, if you knew… no, never mind, it is fine,” Viktor said before glancing toward a corner and turning pale. Then he quickly walked away to prepare.

  Harry turned around, and there they were. Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, Luna, Billy, and Tommy were peeking out from between the curtains, waving cheerfully and wishing them luck. Hermione’s look toward him was clearly vengeful. Daphne’s, on the other hand, was excited and teasing. Before disappearing, she shot a look in Viktor’s direction, narrowed her eyes, and made a very clear gesture that said, “I am watching you.”

  “Ha. She has him blackmailed,” Draco said, his tone amused and mocking.

  “Fleur goes first,” a voice announced. Outside, Ludo already seemed to be introducing the champions one by one, and she was the first.

  Fleur straightened up, let out a nervous breath, and then, with a smile, walked out of the tent with confident steps. As she pulled the curtain aside, the roar of the excited crowd washed over her completely, giving her a little more confidence as she moved forward.

  “Luciel is next,” the voice said again. Luciel gave a brief farewell and positioned himself in front of the exit.

  Meanwhile, Harry looked at Draco for a moment.

  “Well. Ready to get beaten in the first round?” he said in a competitive tone.

  “You should worry about yourself. After all, you are nothing without your chaos magic,” Draco replied with a smirk.

  “Oh, but I am good at alchemy and potions. I think I can manage just fine,” Harry said. “Not using chaos magic is only so I do not embarrass everyone else,” he added arrogantly.

  “And your own arrogance will be your downfall,” Draco replied calmly.

  They both laughed for a moment at their own remarks.

  “Draco, after Viktor,” the voice announced.

  Draco nodded and prepared to walk toward the entrance.

  “Do not get hurt or Aunt Narcissa will get angry at Sirius and might turn him into paste,” Harry said with a teasing smile, though there was a hint of seriousness beneath it.

  “Same to you. And Aunt Wanda is far more terrifying than my mother,” Draco replied, smiling as his turn came. When he pulled the curtain aside, the thunderous roar of the crowd flooded into the tent like a wave.

  “Harry, you are last,” the voice said again.

  Harry nodded and stepped forward. The person who had been calling them out firmly the entire time was none other than Selene. She gave him a calm smile.

  “As I told everyone, best of luck out there. Do not worry, everything is set up so no one gets hurt… well, not too much,” she said with a playful smile that always reminded him of Daphne.

  “Sounds exciting,” Harry replied with a smile. Then he grew more serious, leaned in slightly, and whispered something that only Selene could hear.

  Selene’s expression grew even more serious. She looked toward the tent and nodded.

  “Go,” she said, as a faint, cold aura slipped off her body.

  Harry nodded and pulled the curtains open. As he stepped through, the first thing he saw were the massive floating stands surrounding him and the magical screens displaying his image. Sparks of magic floated through the air, accompanied by the booming voice of Ludo.

  “And here we have Harry Potter, the champion of Hogwarts. And now, with all the champions on the field… it is time to begin!” Ludo shouted.

  The cry was met with the deafening roar of the crowd that had come to watch them.

  Harry took a single deep breath, then allowed himself to be carried forward by the excitement.