A Trio of Serpents

33: Task Failed Successfully

Thank you all for your suggestions, they really helped.

Summary: Ron has a crisis he did not See coming; I don't know if it's been made apparent yet, but Sid loves dragons; Harry is still out of damns to give.

"Why —" thump "— did I —" thump "— have to be —" thump "— right?" Thump.

Both Ron and Harry were sitting by the fireplace in the common room with their heads on the table, albeit for different reasons. Hermione sat nearby, not knowing whether to comfort them or join in.

"That's why Krum was looking for defensive charms, I'm sure. He knew about the dragons."

"But Karkaroff was there, too," Harry pointed out. "So unless he knew beforehand and told him, there's no way he would've known. But enough on Krum. Ron, you must be a Seer of a sort."

"I wish I wasn't. What else have I said that'll come true?" Ron's head shot upward, his expression one of horror. "Oh no."

"What?" Harry lifted his head.

"I don't want to say it. It might come true." Ron thumped his forehead against the table again.

"It can't be that bad. They wouldn't actually — oh, who am I kidding?" Hermione groaned and finally gave in to faceplanting on the table with them. "There have been deaths in the tournament before," she said, voice muffled.

"Don't remind me," Harry grumbled.

"You did say you weren't going to try to win."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try and live!" Harry leaned back and removed his glasses. "First thing tomorrow," he said, rubbing his eyes, "I'm asking Sid everything he knows about dragons."

Ron winced. "Be prepared for him to talk your ears off, mate."

Harry huffed. Even without Ron's apparent Seer abilities anyone could see what would happen.

The next morning, Harry woke up ten minutes later than usually and headed down to the Great Hall to find Sid. He was eating breakfast with Jayson, as usual. Harry was too anxious to eat, so he waited until they were coming his way to reveal himself.

"Hey, Sid, how you doing? Fine? Great. Come with me." Harry didn't wait for Sid to speak; he just began dragging him toward the library by the arm.

"Well, hello to you, too, Harold," said Sid, allowing himself to be hauled off without fighting back.

Jayson had to jog to catch up. "Sooo, what's up this fine morning? I mean, I know Sid is very good-looking and all, but I didn't think you were into that sort of —"

"First task is dragons," Harry broke in.

"— thing," Jayson finished before Harry's words sank in. "Wait, what?"

"Dragons?" Small wonder Sid's eyes were as bright as they were now.

"Yes. Please tell me you know how to get past them," Harry said. "Because — no offense — but I don't think knowing when they breed is gonna help me."

"Iiiii... do not." Sid rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "But!" he said when Harry's shoulders had slumped. "I know just where to look."

"The library," Harry and Jayson said in unison.

Sid glared at them. "Yes, but let me have my moment, okay?" He raised his fist in the air. "To the library!" he announced, taking off running with a spring in his step.

Harry slowly turned to Jayson. "What have you done to him?"

Jayson gave him a disbelieving look. "Mate, he's been like this forever. How do you think we became friends in the first place?"