Harry Potter, #4

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by J.K. Rowling

Year

2000

Pages

672

Contents

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Previous: CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Next: CHAPTER TWENTY

Overview

As pressure mounts before the first task, Harry endures fallout from Rita Skeeter’s article and Ron’s continued silence. Hagrid secretly reveals the task: facing dragons, including a deadly Hungarian Horntail. Harry consults Sirius, who warns about Karkaroff, Death Eaters, and Bertha Jorkins, and begins advising a strategy—before Ron interrupts, deepening their rift.

Summary

Harry clings to the promise of a fireside talk with Sirius as dread of the first task grows. Rita Skeeter’s sensational article makes him and Hermione targets of ridicule, while Ron continues to avoid him. Hermione urges a Hogsmeade trip; Harry goes under his Invisibility Cloak.

In the Three Broomsticks, Moody detects Harry under the cloak and Hagrid secretly summons him for midnight. That night, Hagrid leads Harry—along with Madame Maxime—to a concealed enclosure where four dragons, including a Hungarian Horntail, are being secured for the first task. Charlie Weasley explains each breed and that champions must get past nesting mothers, warning the Horntail is the worst.

Harry races back, accidentally collides with Karkaroff—who appears to be snooping—and narrowly makes his meeting. Sirius appears in the fire; Harry vents about the article, Ron, and the dragons. Sirius warns that Karkaroff was a Death Eater who informed to escape Azkaban, suspects Moody was attacked before term, and notes Bertha Jorkins’s disappearance near rumored Voldemort activity, suggesting the tournament could mask an attack.

Sirius begins to outline a simple, workable approach to dealing with a dragon, cautioning that Stunners won’t work alone. Footsteps interrupt; Harry forces Sirius to leave. Ron arrives and, after a tense exchange, the argument escalates, leaving their friendship further strained on the eve of the task.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Under siege from Skeeter’s article and Ron’s silence; learns the first task is dragons; consults Sirius; quarrel with Ron worsens.
Rubeus Hagrid

Secretly shows Harry and Madame Maxime the dragons; excited and proud, particularly of the Hungarian Horntail.
Sirius Black

Speaks via the fire; warns about Karkaroff, Death Eaters, and Bertha Jorkins; starts to give Harry a strategy before being interrupted.
Hermione Granger

Supports Harry, urges Hogsmeade break; handles taunts calmly; facilitates Harry’s midnight outing and privacy for Sirius’s call.
Alastor Moody

Spots Harry under the Invisibility Cloak in Hogsmeade; prompts Hagrid’s secret summons; known caution heightens suspicions.
Igor Karkaroff

Runs into invisible Harry and sneaks toward the dragons, implying he seeks the first task’s secret.
Olympe Maxime

Accompanies Hagrid to see the dragons; likely to inform her champion.
Charlie Weasley

Leads dragon handlers; identifies breeds; warns the Horntail is most dangerous and that champions must get past nesting mothers.
Ron Weasley

Finds Harry after Sirius departs; a confrontation deepens their estrangement.
Rita Skeeter

Her slanted article fuels mockery and pressure on Harry and Hermione.
Cho Chang

Briefly encourages Harry, offering kind words amid general hostility.
Madam Rosmerta

Landlady at the Three Broomsticks; present during Moody and Hagrid’s meeting.