Gazing at the enormous fire dragon swaying its massive head before him, Tver couldn't help but draw a deep breath.
The Hebridean Black Dragon, named for its year-round residence in Scotland's Hebrides, is one of only two fire dragon breeds in Britain.
Unlike the Common Welsh Green, Hebridean Black Dragons live almost exclusively on the Hebrides. Few people have ever seen them. They are enormous, fiercely combative, and can only live alone.
In terms of sheer aggression and attack power, they may not be as savage as Hungarian Horntails.
The real problem is their defense. Their scales are extraordinarily tough, and their thick bodies make ordinary spells feel like nothing more than a tickle.
For that reason, they're considered the most well-rounded and formidable dragon breed in the world.
Because of them, a magical clan called the MacFusty Clan has remained on the islands for centuries—nominally to care for the dragons, but in truth to keep watch over them.
Who knew how Dumbledore managed to pull strings and actually borrow a female Hebridean Black Dragon as a tournament task…
And all dragons share one trait: the females are larger than the males, and even more aggressive.
It was obvious that for this competition, every dragon present—including the Black Dragon—was not only female, but a mother who had only recently laid her eggs…
"Professor, one of that black dragon's spines is thicker than my whole body! If I actually run into it, what am I supposed to do?" Harry asked weakly.
Most of the dragons present had already been subdued by the Stunning Spell and were lying on the ground. Even the ones that hadn't fully fallen asleep could barely keep their eyes open, their lids drooping and fluttering now and then.
But this Hebridean Black Dragon still shook its head energetically, even struggling to push itself upright.
"That's why you should hurry up and learn a few more spells," Tver said, deliberately trying to scare him.
"But Charlie said it's being saved for the strongest contestant. Wouldn't that be you, Professor?"
"…"
Tver, both embarrassed and annoyed, ruffled Harry's hair hard, turning his already untamable mess into something even worse.
"Impossible. The tournament has to use a random draw. Since when does Dumbledore get to decide everything?"
That's what he said—but Tver knew Dumbledore far too well.
If Dumbledore claimed it was "saved" for him, then no matter how the draw was conducted, when the competition began, the Hebridean Black Dragon would definitely be his opponent.
The dragon itself didn't frighten Tver.
The real issue was that the task would be held in public. He couldn't possibly unleash powerful dark magic in front of the students.
And to secure the golden egg intact, he couldn't seriously injure the dragon either.
With his hands tied on all sides, Tver truly needed to think carefully about how to handle this task.
As if sensing the professor's mood, Harry didn't ask any more questions on the way back. Not until they were almost at the castle gates.
"Wait—does Cedric even know what the task is?"
"Then tell him," Tver replied offhandedly.
"But… wouldn't that be cheating?" Harry said hesitantly.
He wasn't actually reluctant to tell Cedric. He just wanted an excuse for breaking the rules.
For example—if the professor ordered him to do it!
Harry: (¬◡¬)✧
With a single glance, Tver saw straight through his little scheme.
"Then don't tell him. Focus on preparing to deal with the dragon."
"Uh…"
"Relax. I'll tell Viktor about the dragon too. That way everyone stays on the same starting line. If everyone cheats, then no one's really cheating."
"?!"
Harry stared at him in shock, his face clearly saying, There's a move like that?
Wrapped in the Cloak of Invisibility, he waved stiffly and left, still stunned.
...
The next day, before Tver could tell Viktor about the dragon, Viktor came rushing into his office as if seeking help.
The night before, Karkaroff had also slipped into the Forbidden Forest and reported everything he saw to Viktor.
He didn't know the Hebridean Black Dragon had been arranged specifically for Tver. He only knew that this terrifying creature would soon be their opponent.
Once he realized how troublesome the challenge would be, Viktor simply planted himself in Tver's office and refused to leave, demanding that Tver teach him how to handle it.
"We could really die…"
Viktor's face was slightly pale. He was brave, yes—but not so brave that he didn't fear death.
"I went to the library first thing this morning to look up information on the Hebridean Black Dragon. There wasn't much, but every source said the same thing: don't provoke it!"
"A dragon nearly fifty feet long—is that something a normal person can deal with?!"
That size alone was enough to crush most magical creatures with ease, not to mention the fire-breath and razor-sharp spines that all dragons possessed.
Knock, knock, knock…
At the sound of the knock, Viktor quickly composed himself, trying to make his face look less drained.
The person outside, however, didn't look much better than he had moments ago.
"Um… Professor Fawley, may I ask you something?" Fleur glanced at Viktor, who was openly studying her, and asked in a slightly trembling voice.
"If it's about the dragons, come in and sit down. Viktor and I were just discussing them."
Tver pointed to a tall stool transfigured from a small sofa, placed right beside Viktor.
"You haven't given me any advice at all…" Viktor muttered in dissatisfaction.
Fleur hesitated for a moment, then walked over and sat down without another word, quietly watching Tver pour her a glass of Pumpkin juice.
Tver didn't even bother asking what they preferred anymore. He only had Pumpkin juice in his office anyway. Drink it or don't.
After taking a sip, Fleur's expression revealed nothing about whether she liked it, but the tension on her face eased noticeably.
"I know you're all worried about the dragons, especially that Heb—"
Knock, knock, knock…
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal Hermione pulling Harry along behind her, with Cedric following, looking slightly hesitant.
Two minutes later, the Triwizard Tournament champions, along with Hermione—who had come out of concern for Harry—were squeezed into Tver's office. One by one, they each took a small sip of Pumpkin juice, as if using it to cover up their awkwardness.
"So, you're all here because of the dragons. I'm not wrong, am I?" Tver's gaze swept across their faces.
They nodded stiffly.
"But I have to remind you, this task is meant to test your intelligence and courage. If I hand you the solution outright, what would be the point of the competition?"
They nodded again.
"But what about that black dragon?" Viktor couldn't help asking.
"So," Tver said, sidestepping the question, as he produced a thick stack of materials, "I'll help you understand these dragons in detail. Their strengths and weaknesses are all recorded in here."
"As for how to deal with them—that's something you'll have to figure out yourselves."