Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 20 Summary.
The First Task
Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, titled ‘The First Task’ deals with Harry’s first task in the Triwizard Tournament.
How to Fight a Dragon
The next morning, Harry wakes up early and hurries off to find Hermione. He drags her to the grounds, and tells her about everything that happened the previous day. Despite what he says, she seems to think the dragon is a bigger issue than Karkaroff, at least at the moment.
They head to the library for help, but soon realize that any spell that can harm a dragon is way too complicated for Harry. Some time later, Viktor enters the library, surrounded by a gang of girls which annoys Hermione, and they leave.
The next morning, Harry still has no idea how he is going to fight the dragon. As he finishes breakfast, he spots Cedric leave at the Hufflepuff table, and remembers that Cedric still doesn’t know. He excuses himself from Hermione, and causes a distraction that forces Cedric to stay back for a while.
Harry catches up to Cedric, and blurts out that the first task is dragons. He explains that there are four of them, meaning each champion would face one. Confused, Cedric asks how Harry knows this, but Harry does not reveal Hagrid’s name. Cedric asks why is Harry telling him this, and Harry replies that all the other champions know it already.
Caught by Mad Eye
Before Cedric can say anything, Harry hears a familiar clunking noise behind him, and turns to see Moody. Moody drags him into his office, even though Harry protests that he is supposed to be in Herbology right now. However, instead of questioning how Harry knows such sensitive information, Moody appreciates Harry for helping Cedric.
Harry looks around Moody’s office and notes how different it is from any of the last professors’ offices. It is filled with magical instruments that Moody calls ‘Dark Detectors’. Moody explains the function of different items, and assures Harry that cheating has always been a traditional part in the Triwizard Tournament.
While Moody cannot directly help him beat the dragon, he gives Harry some general advice; to play to his strengths. All Harry can think of is Quidditch, and apparently it is a right answer. Moody’s second advice is to use a simple spell that will help him summon what he needs during the First Task.
Getting Ready for the First Task
After understanding what Moody meant, Harry rushes straight to Hermione. She helps him practice the charm, but Harry cannot get it down. They skip lunch, but Hermione refuses to skip any lessons, which forces Harry to attend Divination. He tries to make the best use of his time in the class, and tries to attract small items towards his wand.
After dinner, Hermione and Harry return to practice the charm, which they practice until two in the morning. Finally, Harry seems to be getting the hang of it, and is able to summon a heavy dictionary towards himself from across the common room.
The next day, time goes by in a flash. One moment Harry is sitting in his History of Magic class and in the blink of an eye it is time for lunch. Soon, Professor McGonagall approaches Harry and tells him it is time for the first task. She takes him near the edge of the forest where the dragons were, but now a tent had been erected in the place. Professor McGonagall sends him inside after wishing him luck, and says that Ludo Bagman will explain the procedure to him.
Inside, all the champions are already there. Bagman greets them all and begins the briefing. He holds up a small sack of purple silk, from which they are to draw ‘a model of what you will face’. Further, he tells them to retrieve the golden egg.
Bagman’s Offer
First up to pick from the sack is Fleur. She puts her hand inside the sack and pulls out a miniature Welsh Green, which has a number 2 around its neck. Her face shows no surprise, which means Madam Maxime told her about the dragons.
Next, Krum draws the Chinese Fireball (number three), and Cedric draws the Swedish Short-Snout (number 1), leaving Harry with the Hungarian Horntail. Bagman then addresses the champions again in short, and pulls Harry aside for a word.
He takes Harry a short distance from the tent, and asks if Harry has a plan. Harry hesitates, and Bagman asks if he can help Harry with anything.
Harry doesn’t want his help, and before Bagman can offer any pointers, they hear a loud whistle blow. The task has started, and Bagman being the commentator needs to run
The task begins soon, and all the other champions can do is listen to Bagman’s commentary as they wait. Soon, Cedric finishes the task, and is followed by Fleur and then Krum. Finally, it was Harry’s turn to face the beast.
Head to Head with a Horntail
Harry walks out of the tent, and soon sees the Hungarian Horntail. The dragon is a fair distance away, and is sitting over a nest of eggs.
He hears the crowd scream, but cannot tell if it is friendly or not. However, Harry doesn’t care about all of that. He raises his wand and summons his Firebolt with all the focus he can muster.
Nothing happens for a second, but Harry soon hears a whistling noise as the Firebolt speeds towards him.
He swings his leg over it, and flies off into the sky; leaving behind not only the ground but also his fear. It is just another Quidditch match after all.
Harry dives, and the Horntail retaliates with a jet of fire, which he easily dodges. Slowly and gradually, Harry tries to drive it away from its nest, and gets a nasty cut on his shoulder in the process.
However, he is eventually successful as the dragon spreads its wings and takes off.
Seizing the moment, Harry dives towards the nest.
Before the dragon can even realize, Harry grabs the golden egg and flies off with it.
A Much Needed Win
The crowd bursts into an applause that could rival the World Cup, and Bagman declares that Harry has completed the task faster than any other Champion.
Dragon keepers rush to subdue the Horntail, and Professor McGonagall, Moody and Hagrid hurry to see Harry. All of them praise him, and McGonagall sends him to Madam Pomfrey for first aid. She treats him, and in a few minutes Harry is ready to head back outside and receive his scores.
Outside, he meets Hermione and Ron. Ron finally admits he was wrong, and Harry forgives him. Hermione cannot handle her emotions, and bursts into tears before giving them a hug.
Ron explains what the other champions did. Cedric tried to distract the dragon with a rock transfigured into a dog, Fleur tried to put the dragon under a trance while Krum attacked the dragon’s eye. As for the scores, Madam Maxime gives him an 8, Crouch and Dumbledore a 9, Bagman a 10 and Karkaroff a calculated 4. He is now tied for the first place with Krum.
Bagman calls for Harry, and addresses him with the other champions. He informs them that the second task will take place on 24th February. The golden egg that each of them have won contains a clue about the second task, which they must figure out. With this, he wishes them luck and sends them off.
The chapter ends as Rita Skeeter approaches Harry, asking for a quick word. Not wanting to put up with her lies anymore, Harry denies her an interview and heads back to the castle with Ron.
