𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞 | 𝐇.𝐏.

𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟒 - 𝟗

A lively march played as the champions walked out for the third and final task. I was playing with my fingers mindlessly, waiting to see Potter walk out onto the field. Really, it was just the Quidditch field without the goal hoops and with hedges that had grown four stories high.

I clapped and cheered with everyone else as Potter and Diggory walked out, Diggory accompanied by his father and Potter accompanied by Dumbledore. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had even come down to see Potter, and Mrs. Weasley had thrown suspicious glances at me all afternoon. I figured that she read Rita Skeeter.

Finally, Potter said, "Mrs. Weasley, Alexandra and I aren't dating. You didn't really believe Rita Skeeter, did you?"

She shook her head and laughed. "Of course not, dear!" But she was much warmer to me after that. 

I stood in the stands with Hermione and Weasley on my right and Draco on my left. I had to admit, ever since the second task we had become more friendly, like we should have been since first year. We weren't on a Fred and George level yet, but we were close.

Thomas and Finnigan stood on higher seats behind us, holding a hand painted banner with the Gryffindor crest and "Harry" written in big, red block letters. 

Dumbledore stood in the middle of the field and yelled for the crowd to quiet. "Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard Cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory..." there was a lot of cheering from the students wearing yellow, "...and Mr. Potter," I stood up with the Gryffindors and Draco, yelling our support. Potter smiled up at us hesitantly.

"...are tied for first place, they will be the first to enter the maze," Dumbledore continued. "Followed by Mr. Krum..." the Durmstrang's roared, "...and Miss. Delacour." The Beauxbatons girls clapped politely.

"The first person to touch the cup will be the winner!" Dumbledore shouted. Everyone stood once more, clapping and stomping their feet. "I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter. Should, at any point, a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands." He stepped off the podium and turned to the four champions. "Contestants, gather round."

They huddled around him in a circle for a moment, talking quietly. When they all went back to their respected openings to the maze, Potter looked pale. 

"On the count of three!" Dumbledore began. "One-"

But the cannon, which was being controlled by Filch, went off early. The music began again, and I caught Potter's eye. I gave him a reassuring nod before he entered the maze with Diggory, the leaves scrunching together behind them. I tried to look excited, like everyone else, but Draco knew how nervous I was. He rubbed my arm soothingly.

After a few minutes, Krum was allowed in. I saw Karkaroff in a completely different light, knowing now the real, terrible proof that he was indeed a Death Eater, and he was the reason Crouch Junior was sent to Azkaban. Rightfully so, of course, now that I knew it was him who tortured Longbottom's parents.

And then finally Fleur was allowed in as well. The last opening to the maze closed, and the crowd was left with a quiet, eerie wall of leaves. Dumbledore and the remaining professors who weren't patrolling the perimeter gathered off to the side.

Fifteen minutes passed, then half and hour, and then soon enough a full hour had gone by since the first champions had entered the maze. The crowd was getting tired now, talking less and waving their banners and flags slower. The sky was also getting darker, a sure sign that the task had to be finished soon.

As the clear blues of above turned into darker, misty shades, a flash of hot light came from the left side of the maze. Red sparks. One of the champions had either given up, or needed to be saved immediately.