Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Chapter 20 Summary

Chapter Twenty

The First Task

 

Harry and Hermione do lots of research to try and find out how to defeat a dragon in this tournament. Harry is even nice enough to give Cedric a hint about the task (because somehow the other champions have all found out about the dragons as well). Mad-Eye Moody catches Harry sharing this information. Just as Harry thinks he is going to be in big trouble, Mad-Eye Moody actually gives Harry another hint to help him in the contest: Moody simply tells Harry to play “to his strengths.” Harry knows that his big strength is flying on his broom during Quidditch games; therefore, perhaps summoning his broom would be enough for Harry to outwit and defeat his dragon. Hermione helps Harry learn a difficult Summoning Spell so that Harry can successfully summon his broom on the day of the first task. Harry learns how to do this just in time: on the night before the first Triwizard Tournament task.

Harry listens to the screams, shouts, and cheers at the other three champions all battle their dragons.  Harry, of course, is the last to face his own. Harry has some difficulty, but finally summons his broom and races off in the air to fight the dragon, the Hungarian Horntail. The crowd is stunned with Harry’s ability to fly aboard his broom. After a long and daring chase, Harry finally manages to get the egg out of the dragon’s protection. Most importantly, Harry completed his task even faster than any of the other champions! Perhaps the highlight of the first task for Harry, though, is that Ron finally apologizes to Harry and their friendship remains as strong as ever. Harry has gotten top marks for his task (the same number as Viktor Krum has scored). Finally, Harry receives a strange golden type egg that is supposedly a clue to the next task to be held sometime in early winter. Harry even ends the day with a daring refusal to Rita Skeeter for another notorious interview.