Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 512: Chapter 510: This Isn’t What We Agreed On

On Sunday, Conna spent almost the entire day at the library, trying to help Kael find a way to deal with the Fire Dragon.

Even though Kael told her many times that it wasn’t necessary, she didn’t listen.

”I’m too nervous, I have to find something to do.” Conna put a thick book on the table.

The cover featured a Hungarian Horntail and had a line of gold embossed cursive.

Conna kept flipping through the book, trying to find the dragon’s weaknesses.

”I don’t think the school would make you fight the dragons; it’s probably just passing by them.”

Cedric also offered suggestions from the side.

”I think a Transfiguration Spell is good, you can transform into a dog or some other animal to distract the dragon, then sneak past it.”

”Or make it even simpler...”

Fred looked around and whispered, ”You could just release the big guy in the box, and passing through would be easy.”

”Yeah, and then I wouldn’t have to participate in the second task.” Kael said with some annoyance, ”You wouldn’t have taken money from Karkaroff to make me lose the competition, would you?”

”If he pays us enough Galleons, it’s not impossible.” George said with a smile.

”Unfortunately, our price is too high.” Fred said, ”Even if he sells Durmstrang, he can’t afford it.”

”I think offering a slight discount wouldn’t be impossible.” Kael also laughed, ”If losing the competition gives me Durmstrang, I’d be thrilled.”

”Oh....look at him....” Suddenly, a commotion came from not far away.

”It’s happening again!” Fred said with dissatisfaction, ”Can’t Krum take his admirers elsewhere? While he’s here, how can others read?”

”Huh?” Conna looked up at him, ”You’re all about the same, don’t say that about each other.”

If Fred had a book in front of him, she might believe it.

”At least we’re not bothering others.” George said.

Conna pouted, ”You’re saying it’s okay to bother me, right?”

”Of course not.... but close enough.” Fred said with a mischievous smile, ”We’re just dealing with a little Fire Dragon, don’t forget, Kael does have experience.”

”Don’t include me in your bragging.” Kael looked at him, ”I was right next to Norbert when it hatched; its situation was different.”

”But you definitely have experience, right?” George said, ”Fleur and Krum haven’t raised a fire... uh, Norbert.”

A chattering noise sounded beside them again.

”It’s happening again.” Conna said irritably, ”Let’s go back. Oh, here you go...”

She handed Kael the book ”Riding the Dragon,” then picked up another book ”Basic Spell for Dealing with Restless and Irritable Animals,” and got up to leave.

As they walked out of the library doors, Hermione just happened to walk quickly out from the side.

She obviously couldn’t stand the noisy atmosphere inside, and mumbled with a face full of complaints, ”Why can’t he stay on that dumb, hulking boat and read?”

”Dumb hulking?”

”Why would she say that?”

Fred and George exchanged glances, they always thought that ship was pretty cool.

Back in the common room, Kael, having nothing else to do, spent the afternoon reading with Conna.

Tomorrow is the first task. That night, even the always composed Kael inexplicably became a bit nervous, tossing and turning in bed, until he fell asleep late at night.

The next day.

From the moment Kael got up until he went to the auditorium for lunch, there were people constantly cheering him on.

Then Professor McGonagall arrived.

”Are you ready?” she said, ”Champions must now go to the venue... to complete the first task.”

”Okay.” Kael stood up.

”Good luck.” Conna said softly.

Cedric patted his arm, ”Go for it.”

”You can definitely beat them!”... That was Mikel.

Kael left the auditorium with Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall looked a bit anxious; she kept telling Kael to not be nervous, but Kael felt it was more like she was talking to herself.

”We’ve arranged for some wizards to stand by, if things don’t go well, they will intervene.

And most importantly... Professor Dumbledore will be watching the whole competition, it’ll be fine.”

”Professor, you should worry about the other two champions.” Kael said with a smile, ”I hope their headmaster can be as reassuring as Professor Dumbledore.”

Professor McGonagall was amused; she put her hand on Kael’s shoulder, ”Anyway, be careful, and if it really doesn’t work... forfeiting isn’t shameful, remember you’re only fifteen.”

”Don’t worry, Professor.” Kael said.

After leaving the castle, Professor McGonagall did not head toward the Forbidden Forest but went to the Quidditch Pitch.

From outside, it looked unchanged, but inside it was shrouded in a thick fog, making everything invisible. The only visible stands seemed much larger than before.

Professor McGonagall led Kael to the door of a locker room.

”Go in.” Her voice trembled slightly, ”Bagman is also inside... he will tell you what to do next.”

”Thank you.” Kael said, then pushed open the door and walked in.

Fleur was already there, sitting on a low wooden stool, her face pale.

”How are you doing, are you okay?” Kael asked.

Fleur shook her head, she looked at Kael, opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but was interrupted by Ludo Bagman.

”Kael, wonderful.” Bagman turned his head to look at him, saying cheerfully, ”Come in, relax, the Triwizard Tournament actually isn’t that scary.”

”Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s introduce the situation.” He stood up, took out three identical quills, and said excitedly, ”These are specially made Portkeys that will send you to the outside venue once the audience gathers.

”And your task is to do your best to pass through all the checkpoints ahead and reach the end. Also, I must tell you something... the red stones are very important; they are related to your second task, so make sure to collect as many as possible.”

There wasn’t a person in the room speaking, Fleur and Kroo just nodded slightly, indicating they understood.

”So... that’s it.” Bagman said, ”Now you still have a few minutes to calm yourselves.”

After speaking, he prepared to distribute the quills.

”Make sure to hold onto them, if you miss the time and don’t enter the arena, you’ll be directly disqualified...”

”Wait a minute.”

At this moment, Fleur suddenly said, ”Don’t we need to draw lots?”

”Draw lots?” Bagman asked in doubt, ”That’s not necessary, all the tasks are the same with just different positions for each champion... but if you insist, we can.”

He quickly found a cloth bag, put the three quills inside, then handed it to each person in turn.

Fleur was the first to draw.

She looked at the identical quill in each person’s hand, looking a bit perplexed.

What’s going on, with no dragon, no pass ticket... this wasn’t what Ms. Maxime told her.

...