Finding A Way Home

In which Harry enjoys facing a Dragon and Draco gets dangerous ideas

Harry sat dazedly in the medical tent as Madam Pomfrey tended to his wound. The Horntail's spikes were venomous and apparently Harry was allergic. He winced slightly when she started dabbing at the gash.

"I don't know what they were thinking, bringing dragons to Hogwarts." She tsked, vanishing the bloodied cloth and summoning a potion bottle to her. "A student could have died!"

Harry didn't comment. He rather thought that was the point of this tournament. It was designed to test your daring as well as your survival skills. As much as he didn't want to be a part of it at first he had to admit, evading the Hungarian Horntail had been exhilarating. He had never felt more alive than when he was flying every which way, dodging jets of fire and that deadly tail. Each close call had made his heart explode with fear and a perverse sense of excitement. Harry couldn't remember the last time he felt that....normal. There had been no room for intrusive thoughts or to feel like his world was falling apart. His surroundings had melted away and it was just him and the dragon. The adrenaline was wearing off and Harry was mildly surprised to discover that the cloud of indifference that had been plaguing him since his name came out of the goblet had lifted somewhat. He almost felt happy.

Harry cast his mind back, trying to discern the last time he had felt truly happy. His first thought was of the world cup, but even that event had been marred by the dark mark and death eaters. When the Weasleys had come to pick him up this past summer was also taken into consideration. Watching Dudley eat the ton tongue toffee had been a virtual riot, but that night had been plagued with copious amounts of anxiety. His thoughts strayed to Sirius and the night he had asked if Harry would want to come live with him. Despite the danger of Professor Lupin turning into a werewolf and the fact that Pettigrew had escaped, Harry had felt elated at the prospect. That was before they both almost died down by the lake and Sirius was taken into custody to be kissed. Harry wracked his brains, trying to remember a single instance his happiness wasn't short lived. He supposed it must have been when he and Ron stole Mr. Weasley's Ford Angela in second year. They might have hit the whomping willow, but they hadn't been expelled and Ron even got a brand new wand out of it. His cheerful mood was dampened ever so slightly as he realized it had been over two years since he felt really truly happy.

At long last Madam Pomfrey declared him patched up enough to go. He jumped off his bed and rushed out of the tent before she could call him back again. As soon as he left the tent he almost ran straight into two people. Harry froze when he caught sight of Ron, bracing for whatever scathing remark he might have.

"Harry, you were brilliant!" Hermione squealed. She had bright red scratches on her face from where she had been clutching it in fear. "You were fantastic! Really, you were!"

Harry gave her a weak smile before turning to look at Ron. He was standing ramrod straight with a frightened expression playing at his pale features. Hermione was watching them apprehensively, her eyes flicking from one face to the other like she was following a tennis match.

"Harry," Ron began, his voice grave, "whoever put your name in that goblet -- I -- I reckon they're trying to do you in!"

"Caught on, have you?" Harry bit back. "Took you long enough."

Ron's face flushed in embarrassment and Harry instantly regretted the snub.

"Harry, I-" He started.

"It's okay," Harry cut Ron off before he could get the words out. He knew Ron was about to apologize and suddenly he found he didn't need to hear it. "Forget it."

"No," Ron protested, "I shouldn't've --"

"Forget it," Harry couldn't help the grin that was slowly spreading across his face.