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Remus sat in the stands that looked over the dragon enclosure and he couldn’t stop the shaking of his hands. The arena was packed full and Remus was sitting in the seats reserved for the Champion’s family. The seats around him were empty, as was often the case around Remus, although the smiling faces of his old students were new and rather unexpected. Molly Weasley sat down heavily beside him and managed to look even worse than Remus felt, though he suspected part of her worry was reserved for Charlie who, she mentioned, she’d never seen with a dragon before. Remus thought it was one thing knowing your son worked with dragons for a living and another thing seeing it in person. His own worry was solely on Harry.
The wait for the start of the first task was a slow kind of torture. Remus observed quietly while the arena was prepared and the stands filled up but he couldn’t hold back the mumbled “gits” that left his mouth as the judges took their places. Remus shouldn’t be here because Harry shouldn’t be here. Harry should be safely in the stands with Ron and Hermione, excited like the rest of the students, and Remus should be in Grimmauld Place with Sirius, reading the last letter from their godson without any fear. Dumbledore, Remus thought, should have done something to stop this.
“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Triwizard Tournament!” Ludo Bagman’s projected voice shook him from his thoughts. “For the first task our Champions will be asked to retrieve a golden egg from the nest of a dragon and points will be awarded based on the time it takes them, the level of magic they use, and the extent of any injuries suffered.”
Remus’ fists clenched.
“First up we have Hogwarts’ very own Cedric Diggory! Mr Diggory, the Hufflepuff heartthrob, will be up against a Swedish Short-Snout. Second will be the lovely Fleur Delacour representing Beauxbatons. Mademoiselle Delacour, who excels in charms, will be facing a Welsh Green. Third up is Viktor Krum for Durmstrang. Mr Krum, who needs no introduction, will be facing a Chinese Fireball. Last but certainly not least is Hogwarts’ second Champion Harry Potter! Harry has faced a lot in his fourteen years of life, but he’ll have one more challenge to contend with today with his Hungarian Horntail.”
Not for the first time that day Remus wished with everything he had that Sirius could be with him, even if just as Padfoot. But they’d decided it would be too much of a risk and so Sirius was no doubt wearing a hole in the floorboards of their living room as he paced back and forth waiting for Remus to call him with the mirror when it was Harry’s turn. Remus was worried it would be a rather long wait. Diggory had just emerged and was attempting to transfigure a rock into a dog, a plan which Remus suspected would work for all of two minutes before the dragon got bored.
Time moved on in fits and bursts. Cedric got his egg, then Fleur managed the same with a neat bit of charm work before Viktor Krum barrelled into the arena with his wand already brandished. With each captured egg Remus grew more tense and his grip around the mirror tightened in his pocket. Molly was muttering next to him, “he’s just a boy...I’m going to get Dumbledore for this...a Horntail! A bloody Horntail...see if I don’t jinx the whole lot of them after this.” Remus smiled and took her hand in his. As Krum managed to get his egg Remus took the mirror out of his pocket and cast a silencio nonverbally, catching Sirius’ wild gaze before propping the mirror up on his lap. Molly smiled at him grimly and nodded, a look of faith and fear in her eyes as they both watched the Champion’s tent as it opened for the final time.
Harry looked heart wrenchingly small as he stepped out. His hair wild as James’ once was, his chin lifted proudly like Lily’s, Remus knew the moment he’d spotted the dragon in front of him. Harry’s shoulders lifted and fell as he breathed out and he raised his wand with confidence.
“Accio Firebolt!” Harry’s voice was only just heard above the murmurs of the crowd. Remus’ heart jolted. His broom? Surely Harry wasn’t going to try to outfly a dragon?
Molly whimpered next to him but when Remus looked over he only saw grim determination. Drawing from her strength, he turned back in time to see the broom soar into the arena. Harry grabbed the broom and took off into the air and something loosened in Remus’ chest. This he could understand. This he could deal with. Years of watching James and Sirius fly taught him that it takes a hell of a lot to throw a talented flier off his broom. And from last year’s matches Remus knew Harry was more than just talented.
A sneak glance at his mirror showed Sirius tracking Harry’s every move with a manic look, his teeth caught on his lower lip. Remus looked up again and gasped as the dragon’s tail lashed at Harry, catching him on the shoulder. It looked like Harry barely noticed, in fact he only flew higher still and began an odd sort of dance. From side to side he flew, hypnotising the waiting crowd and the dragon alike, smoothly gaining height until he was out of the dragon’s reach. The Horntail sent a plume of fire Harry’s way and Remus couldn’t look away this time. His heart was beating double time and he couldn’t feel his hands and feet anymore. His vision seemed to shrink until all he could see was Harry, his almost-but-not-quite godson who attracted more trouble than the Marauders combined, who was certainly only going to get worse with his and Sirius’ questionable influence.
Harry’s game of dragon charming came to an abrupt halt just as Remus felt he couldn’t stand to watch for another second. Quick as a goblin finds gold Harry dove for the egg, pelting towards the ground with his robes streaming behind him. The dragon roared and turned, blazing fire which never met its target as Harry shot off with the golden egg under his arm.
Molly shook his arm and chanted, “he’s safe Remus, he’s safe,” at the same time the crowds were screaming, “Potter! Potter!”
Remus felt the feeling rush back into his hands and feet and he stood up just as Harry flew over to him.
“Moony -”
“I’m so proud of you,” Remus clasped Harry’s hand and looked into his eyes, “both of us are.”
“Both of you are?” Harry looked around in shock before Remus winked and flashed him a look at the mirror. Sirius was beaming as if he hadn’t been close to tears for the last ten minutes and Remus rolled his eyes.
Molly leant forward to see what was going on and Remus quickly hid the mirror again. Harry leant forward to give her a quick hug and a “thanks for coming Mrs Weasley,” before he was shooting off again, this time to a thankfully empty arena and a waiting best friend.
Remus dreaded the second task.