Back in the champions' tent for the Triwizard Tournament, as the roar of the crowd outside filled the air, an official handed Harry and the others a bag containing 200:1 scale models of the four dragons. The previous four dragon models had been pocketed by Dudley.
They were to draw lots in advance so that if Dudley failed, they could step in immediately.
When it was Harry's turn to draw, he waved the official away. "No need to draw, it's pointless."
From what he knew of "D-Bro," he wouldn't need to worry about facing these four dragons later. Dudley never did anything he wasn't sure of; if he said he could handle four dragons, he absolutely could.
However, while Harry trusted Dudley, others didn't.
"He's never going to succeed, you'd best be prepared," Fleur said. Her complexion had improved quite a bit by then, with a touch of color returning to her pale lips.
Harry glanced at her dismissively, not saying anything, nor taking the bait. He didn't like her, and she didn't like Dudley. The atmosphere grew a bit awkward.
Fleur, receiving a cold shoulder, didn't bother with Harry anymore and went to the official to draw her lot. As she unfolded her drawn order, her previously furrowed brow immediately relaxed. "Looks like my luck is good." She had drawn the Welsh Green Dragon, the one she felt most confident about handling. By the way, Viktor had drawn the Chinese Fireball.
Meanwhile, on the tournament grounds, both of those dragons were already trailing behind Dudley.
"How did he do it? It's simply unbelievable."
Following the Welsh Green Dragon, Dudley had used the same method to "persuade" the Chinese Fireball. While the Chinese Fireball was naturally far more fiery than the Green Dragon, it was still much more manageable compared to the other two fire dragons. It could tolerate its own kind quite well, even willing to share territory with one or two other fire dragons, something unheard of among dragons.
"I know how he did it!" The commentator, Bagman, suddenly exclaimed, his voice amplified by magic across the entire stadium. Captivated by his words, the audience collectively turned their gaze towards him. Not just the audience, but the other judges as well looked his way.
Bagman glanced around mysteriously, then lowered his voice and softly uttered a single word: "Dragon language!"
He declared, his expression alight with excitement, as if he'd uncovered a monumental secret. "It's Dragon language! I've been observing him for a long time, especially when he was speaking to those two dragons. Heh, there's something I haven't told you all: I can read lips. Mr. Dursley wasn't communicating with those dragons in our language at all; he was using another one."
"Only those who can communicate with dragons can possibly use Dragon language!"
This statement shocked the entire stadium, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Regardless of the method of coercion or bribery, managing to "persuade" two fire dragons consecutively in such a short time was truly extraordinary. If it were Dragon language, it would be much easier to understand. Legend had it that Dragon language possessed a unique charm, making dragons perceive its user as one of their own, greatly earning their favor.
It could be said that any wizard who knew Dragon language was a top-tier dragon tamer.
"Look, Dumbledore has exceptional linguistic talent, mastering Mermish, Goblin, and many other languages of sub-humans and magical creatures (Mermen are classified as magical creatures). It's not surprising that his prize student knows Dragon language."
Bullshit! Dragon language had been lost for ages, many, many years. Records of Dragon language in magical history dated back thousands of years, and only wizards with exceptional linguistic talent could master it. High talent was one thing, but the crucial point was that it was lost!
"Only Dragon language can explain it."
Just as Bagman said, if only Dudley knew Dragon language, everything would make sense. Otherwise, how could he have gotten the Green Dragon and the Chinese Fireball to follow him? The Hogwarts champion had mastered the long-lost Dragon language – this news, if published, would surely shake the entire wizarding world.
The audience was even more thrilled. Not only would they witness a wizard speaking Dragon language, but they'd also see one person face four fire dragons – the ticket price was worth it!
On the judges' panel, the other judges had varied expressions. Lucius remained impassive, Madame Maxime was dumbfounded, and Dumbledore looked as serene as ever. Karkaroff, however, cast a sidelong glance at Dumbledore. At that moment, he finally understood.
'Dumbledore, this must be why you didn't vote against it and voted in favor. So, you knew he knew Dragon language and kept it hidden so well. By sacrificing one of the champions, Harry Potter, you could ensure the scores for another champion. This way, even if they faltered in the next task, the probability of winning could be maximized.'
'Truly worthy of you.'
As if sensing the other man's gaze, Dumbledore turned and offered Karkaroff a standard smile. Karkaroff didn't respond, merely turning his head back with a cold expression, casting a venomous, hateful glare at Dudley in the center of the arena.
'Perhaps you can use the same method against the Swedish Short-Snout. However, that Hungarian Horntail is not someone you can communicate with.'
The Hungarian Horntail's temperament was exceptionally violent. To persuade it with just a few words, even using Dragon language, would be impossible. Just as Karkaroff predicted, Dudley encountered some trouble with the Swedish Short-Snout (also known as the Blue Dragon). Swedish Short-Snouts rarely interacted with humans, and upon seeing Dudley, it was filled with suspicion. Despite Dudley's best efforts to communicate, it still spat a stream of blue flame.
This was the Swedish Short-Snout's unique dragon breath, much like how the Chinese Fireball breathed mushroom-shaped fireballs from its nostrils. The blue flame was incredibly hot, capable of turning wood and bone to ash in an instant, making it a very dangerous fire. Many wizards had met their end due to it.
The sudden burst of flame caused the audience to cry out in alarm. Some of the more timid even closed their eyes, while Karkaroff's eyes gleamed with a cruel smile. Fortunately, Dudley was agile and dodged the breath. However, Dudley eventually succeeded in "persuading" the Swedish Short-Snout, and it bowed its proud head to Dudley.
The audience breathed a sigh of relief, while Karkaroff showed clear dissatisfaction. Then, with the three dragons in tow, Dudley turned, under the expectant gaze of the crowd, towards the last of the four dragons in the challenge – the Hungarian Horntail!
'The Swedish Short-Snout's temper was already quite ferocious; the Hungarian Horntail will surely tear him to shreds.' Karkaroff thought to himself. 'Could he possibly command the other dragons to attack the Horntail?'
However, it seemed everyone had forgotten one thing: Dudley's task wasn't to defeat the four dragons, but to retrieve the Golden Egg from them.