Chronicles of Camelot

The first task

How soon things can change for people!

When Harry had returned to the Lion's Wing and to his Queen, he had felt like a great burden had been lifted from his mind, but he was still slightly curious and even more unnerved by the effects that his future would have on him and Hermione. Sleeping pretty well through the night, Harry awoke the next morning to his favourite view: a head of bushy brown hair resting on his chest, her hand clenched into a fist as she seemed content to massage the area around his heart.

Such delights and splendour, however, would not last: no sooner had Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall than Harry found himself entering a silence-filled scenario that would have put a wake to shame. Nearly forty percent of the heads in Hogwarts student body were turned in their direction and, as much as he wanted to think otherwise, Harry had a sneaking feeling that this was just the beginning.

He was proved right not two days later when, after two days of sharp glares and fierce whispers from the students, Harry entered the Great Hall for dinner and found the smug, cocky face of Ron Weasley brandishing what appeared to be a badge that read SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY, before it changed to another slogan that read POTTER STINKS.

Rather than rise to the occasion, Harry heaved a sigh as he asked, "So Weasley, just how much did you try to bribe Ravenclaw House to do this for you?"

"Only telling the truth Potter," sneered Ron, Harry clenching his fist as he saw the cockiness in the boy's voice: he actually thought he'd won.

"Well your truth is…" before he could continue, Harry actually chuckled before he lifted the sleeve of his robe to his nose and sniffed, a look of shame and disgruntled emotion crossing his face as he added, "Pretty true; I guess I should learn to wash my robe before I wear it: in any event, you continue to slander my name and I will not hesitate to bring you down: I heard the Banshee loves her job as a dragon shit shoveller."

Ron's fist – as usual – came before his wand, but Harry only yawned as he lifted his own hand, caught the fist and, without even trying to move, swept Ron aside with a powerful blast of wind. As Ron sprawled to the ground, Harry looked around the Great Hall before he addressed the schools, "And to whoever else is responsible for these badges, you should call a retraction and cease any hostility towards my betrothed and me; we swore on the power of my family's sword that we did not cheat or willingly enter this Tournament and, though we are betrothed, both Hermione and I are keeping our game plans from one another."

"Very true Sir Potter," McGonagall added, rising from her seat as she explained, "Mr Weasley, it seems that you're setting records for detentions in this school as they now add up to Christmas and beyond; so, to save face, I think your punishment should be a week's detention with Professor Potter where you must do as she says."

'Uh oh,' chorused Harry and Hermione, their mental voices laced with amusement.

Minerva then addressed the hall, "And let me remind you that I was there when Sir Potter and Lady Potter swore their oaths, and willingly, I may add: such bravery is commended here at Hogwarts and, should this bigotry against them continue, the parties responsible will be put through some of the worst punishments imaginable."

Harry thanked her as he sat down with the Gryffindors, Hermione remaining ever true and ever proud at his side…

HPHG

Three days after Minerva's warning, Harry and Hermione were down in Potions with Severus when a knock came at the door to the classroom: when Severus gave permission to enter, Harry felt a modicum of surprise when he saw Colin Creevey walk in, before he eeped at Snape's glare. "Sorry for disturbing you Professor Snape, but I was sent by the Headmistress to bring Harry and Hermione for a pre-task ceremony."