I held my breath. It was my turn to face the Manticore. I didn't remember holding anything, but when I looked down I was holding the sword of Gryffindor. I really didn't see how it would help me. How could I go up to the Manticore and slash her with my sword without getting stung by her scorpion tail? Her scorpion tail. That was it! I had to cut off her tail, and then race over to the box! I said a quick thanks to whoever gave me the sword and ran onto the field. I stared at the vicious Manticore. I ran up to her tail, and she about stung me with her tail. I jumped away at just the right time. The tail just missed me. She tried to sting me again, but I jumped over her this time.When I came down, I hit gave her a hard hit. "Owww", she roared. This was the perfect time. I rushed over and grabbed the box before the Manticore would recover. I held the box in the air. I had done it. I had completed the first task. Kyle Watson brought the Manticore back to it's cage, so it wouldn't hit me again. I heard the voice of Headmaster Lewis bellowing through the mic. "All three champions have completed the first task. Congratulations! The papers inside the box are the next clue. Good luck!"The judges all give me nines! I was in the lead with 45 points! When I walked back to the common room, I couldn't stop thinking about my victory. I had gotten past a Manticore! That was a story to tell! Everybody was congratulating me in the common room. We made a party to celebrate my victory. I hoped that the next tasks would have similar results.