Chapter 19: "The Dragon's Equation"

The first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament revealed itself in a moment of pure magical spectacle. Four massive dragon species occupied different quadrants of the massive arena - each champion would face a different breed.

Heather's mathematical mind began calculating immediately.

A Norwegian Ridgeback. Massive. Territorial. Approximately 37 feet long with scales measuring 2.3 centimeters thick. Magical resistance levels suggested complex engagement strategies.

"Probability of direct confrontation: 12.6%," she muttered, her pink glasses reflecting complex magical calculations.

The dragon's first attack came without warning.

A massive burst of flame erupted, catching Heather's left side. Her protective spells flickered, then failed catastrophically.

Severus and Regulus watched in absolute horror.

"HEATHER!" Severus's scream echoed through the arena.

The dragon's claws raked across her back, tearing through her magical protective gear. Blood sprayed across the stone arena floor. Her pink glasses shattered, mathematical equations momentarily disrupted by pure, savage pain.

Regulus's protective magic surged, but the tournament rules prevented direct intervention.

Tom Riddle watched with clinical fascination. This was no longer a mathematical problem. This was survival.

Heather's body crumpled. Wounded. Bleeding. The golden egg lay just meters away.

James Potter moved to rush forward, but Dumbledore's magical barrier held him back.

"She must complete the task," Dumbledore said quietly.

Severus's dark eyes burned with a fury that threatened to consume the entire arena.

But Heather Potter was not defeated.

With mathematical precision, she transformed her injury into tactical advantage. A complex transfiguration spell turned her own blood into a magical barrier, redirecting the dragon's flame.

Her next spell was brutal. Precise. Calculated.

A magical equation materialized in the air - complex mathematical symbols that became living, breathing magical constructs. They wrapped around the dragon's most vulnerable points, exploiting every weakness her calculations had revealed.

The Norwegian Ridgeback roared in pain and confusion.

One final spell. Perfect. Devastating.

The dragon collapsed.

The golden egg was retrieved.

But the cost was astronomical.

Heather stood, blood streaming, magical equations flickering around her like dying fireflies. Her pink glasses hung broken. Her protective gear in tatters.

Severus and Regulus watched in absolute horror and profound pride.

"Mathematical probability of survival," she whispered, then collapsed.

Tom Riddle watched from the shadows, his intellectual fascination burning brighter than ever.

The first challenge was over. But the true test was just beginning.