Chapter 349: Abnormal Draco
Ten minutes after Alexander Smith flicked his wand and sent a paper crane fluttering into the night sky, hurried footsteps approached.
Draco Malfoy jogged over, his expression unusually focused.
"The Triwizard Tournament," Draco began without preamble, "was founded roughly seven hundred years ago. It's a joint competition between the three greatest magical schools in Europe—Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang."
Ron looked blank.
Alexander didn't interrupt.
"Each school selects a champion," Draco continued, "and the three champions face three separate trials. Originally, it was held every five years, rotating hosts. The idea was to foster cooperation between young wizards across nations."
"But then," Draco said flatly, "people kept dying."
Ron blinked. "Oh."
"That's why it was discontinued," Draco finished.
Hagrid nodded vigorously. "Aye, that's right. Too many accidents."
"There were attempts to revive it over the centuries," Draco added, "but none succeeded."
Hagrid scratched his beard, eyes bright. "Still… do yeh really think it's that dangerous? A few magical creatures, that's all."
Draco's gaze sharpened.
"In 1792," he said calmly, "a Cockatrice was used as part of the second task. Three champions were required to subdue it. It escaped and injured all three headmasters who intervened."
Hagrid froze.
"In 1797, a Nundu was introduced during the third task," Draco continued. "A Beauxbatons champion died from the venom before healers could react."
Ron swallowed.
"And in 1802," Draco went on, voice steady, "a Durmstrang champion attempted to control a Manticore with Dark Magic. The creature tore him apart."
The clearing went silent.
"I think," Draco concluded, "Dumbledore's warning to you is entirely reasonable—especially if you intend to use dangerous creatures."
For the first time, Ron and Alexander exchanged serious looks.
Since when did Draco Malfoy know this much about magical zoology?
"Well!" Hagrid suddenly huffed. "That was then, this is now!"
"We've got Dumbledore," he said firmly. "The greatest white wizard alive. Even if I dragged a Basilisk into the tournament, he'd handle it!"
Alexander smiled faintly and raised a hand.
"Hagrid," he said gently, "how about this—we review the fatal cases together and identify where things went wrong. Then we design tasks that avoid those mistakes."
Hagrid hesitated.
They ended up sitting beneath a large oak tree near the edge of the grounds. Hagrid suggested returning to his hut, but Ron flatly refused—he hadn't forgiven the spiders yet.
"The Nundu," Hagrid said at last, voice reverent. "Looks like a great lion, but bigger. When it roars, its mane rises and its neck swells with air."
"Beautiful," he sighed.
Draco opened his mouth to argue—but Alexander cut in smoothly.
"It's also the most dangerous magical creature known," Alexander said evenly. "Its breath carries lethal disease. Entire villages have been wiped out. It takes over a hundred skilled wizards to contain one."
Hagrid stiffened.
"Newt Scamander is a friend of Professor Dumbledore," Alexander continued. "It's rumored he keeps a Nundu safely contained. If you insist on considering one, we could consult him as a safety advisor."
Alexander's tone remained calm—but deliberate.
Hagrid understood the implication immediately.
He didn't want to trouble Dumbledore.
"…Forget it," Hagrid muttered at last. "Too rare. Too risky."
Then his eyes lit up.
"I've got it! Dragons!"
Ron groaned quietly.
"With a full team of dragon handlers supervising," Hagrid said excitedly. "Dragon breeders know every trick in the book!"
Draco nodded. "That's true. Dragons are dangerous—but predictable."
Alexander agreed silently.
Dragons were powerful, but centuries of study had produced countless countermeasures. Even restricted spells designed specifically for dragons had leaked into circulation.
"I can raise dragons again," Hagrid beamed. "Though they'll probably only suit the first task…"
Draco's eyes gleamed. "I want to see them too."
Hagrid immediately turned hopeful. He knew Draco always had ideas—dangerous ones.
"For the final task," Draco said thoughtfully, "we could design a massive enchanted maze—something like the Labyrinth of Minos."
"Trap dangerous magical creatures inside."
Ron stared. "When did you—"
"Teleporting Puffskeins," Draco continued casually.
"Red Caps lurking in the shadows. Fire Ash Snakes that ignite on death. Nogtails that mimic stones. Invisible Tebos. A Sphinx guarding the exit."
Ron's mouth hung open.
Alexander studied Draco carefully.
This wasn't normal.
"When did you research all this?" Alexander asked.
Draco shrugged. "Flint's been irritable lately. Last year for him."
"He ordered us to gather information on potential threats."
"…Including Cedric Diggory."
Alexander's gaze sharpened.
"That's the second time you've mentioned him," he said calmly.
Draco met his eyes.
"Because," he replied, "he matters."
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