Chapter 98: Dead (1/2)

”Ye.. ye'h. Charlie Weasley 'old me.” Hagrid said to Moody, grinning. ”They're arriving 'oday. I can see 'em at midnigh'.”

Moody moved his magical eye around.

Noticing this Chris quickly mixed into the crowd and made her way towards their table.

As all around the table, her friends laughed, talked and drank butterbeer, Chris kept think about what she just heard.

'Why on earth Dragons are here? Not to mention four of them. Four? Wait there is also four champions. Is the Dragons are related to their first task? Harry did say that, Mr Crouch explained, the first task is designed to test their daring. If it's true then Harry is dead. I've to confirm that how they're going to use Dragons in the first task. Charlie will not help if I ask him directly. So the only option is sneaking out of the castle at midnight. But how....?'

”Harry!” Chris turned towards him.

”Yeah?”

”Can I borrow your Invisibility cloak for a night?” Chris asked.

”... er... my invisibility cloak?” Harry looked confused.

”Yeah for just tonight. I'll give it back to you tomorrow.” Chris replied.

”But why do you need that?” Hermione asked suspiciously.

”I've my reasons Hermione.” Chris replied seriously. ”Harry, You're giving it or not?”

”... er... ok... take it.” Harry replied.

”Good.” Chris smiled.

Ginny gave Chris a questioning glance and Chris gave reassuring smile.

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After getting back to the castle, first Chris collected the invisibility cloak from Harry, then informed Ginny, Luna and Colin that she will be going out of the castle at mid-night. Chris didn't tell anyone the reason.

So at last when the clock striked almost twelve that evening, Chris, pulled Harry's Invisibility Cloak over herself and crept back downstairs through the common room. Quite a few people were still in there. She crept past them to the portrait hole and waited for a minute or so, keeping an eye on her watch. Then Ginny and Colin opened the Fat Lady for her from outside as they had planned. She slipped past them with a whispered ”Thanks!” and set off through the castle.

The grounds were very dark. Chris walked down and saw the lights shining in Hagrid's cabin. The inside of the enormous Beauxbatons carriage was also lit up. Then she noticed two tall figures in the dark, walking together holding hands. There was no doubt it was Hagrid and Madame Maxime.

”Gotcha.” Chris whispered then realized something. 'Wait is Hagrid showing Madame Maxime the Dragons? She will tell Fleur if she knows.' Then another thought hit her, seeing the couple. 'Oh Hagrid just show her the Dragons no problem, just don't kiss her or anything. I don't want to regret coming down here. But if it's...' Chris noticed someone else in the dark following Hagrid and Madame Maxime from a little far.

Chris also started to follow them. Soon Chris realized who it was... Karkaroff, who was walking very slowly and cautiously so the couple couldn't noticed him.

Chris smirked, 'So I'm not the only one who wants to know about the first task.'

Chris carefully walked a little far from Karkaroff, her eyes fixed on Hagrid and Madame Maxime.

They walked and walked, at last they had walked so far around the perimeter of the forest that the castle and the lake were out of sight — Chris heard something. Men were shouting up ahead … then came a deafening, earsplitting roar. …

'Finally' Chris eagerly walked fast as Hagrid led Madame Maxime around a clump of trees and came to a halt.