HARRY POTTER STORY: Lions in snake den

Part 25

The day of the third task dawned bright and clear, with a tense energy humming through the castle. Whispers echoed in the halls as students speculated about what the maze might hold, and anticipation seemed to hang in the very air. At breakfast, the Great Hall was a whirl of noise and excitement, but Harry and his friends kept mostly to themselves, their expressions solemn.
As they settled at the Slytherin table, Hermione handed Harry the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, her brow arched in surprise. "Look at this, Harry," she said, tilting the paper toward him. "Skeeter actually wrote about the tournament—and only the tournament." Harry took the paper, curiosity and disbelief crossing his face. The headline read, The Final Challenge: Hogwarts Awaits the Triwizard Tournament's Third Task!. Rita Skeeter had devoted the entire article to the grandeur of the tournament itself, giving each champion a brief mention but leaving out all the personal details and drama she usually reveled in. There were no prying observations about Harry's friendships, no insinuations about rivalries or alliances, and not a single hint about Slytherin.

Draco leaned over, reading along with Harry. "No wild theories about Slytherin factions or hidden conflicts?" he said, smirking. "Looks like Skeeter finally knows when to quit." Theo chuckled, folding his arms as he leaned back. "Guess she decided that some stories aren't worth the risk," he said, glancing around the Hall with a glint of satisfaction. "She must've realized she's not as untouchable as she thought."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Probably took her a good few hours to come up with an article that didn't involve her usual smear tactics. A bland tournament recap is quite the stretch for her." Hermione smiled, the tension in her expression easing. "At least now you can focus on the task without worrying about Skeeter sneaking around," she said to Harry. "We're already stressed enough about this maze; we didn't need her meddling on top of it." Daphne reached over and gave Harry's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Today's going to be intense," she said softly. "But you've got this, Harry. We're all behind you."

Harry felt a surge of gratitude toward his friends. Their support gave him a renewed sense of confidence, even with the unknowns of the maze looming ahead. "Thanks, everyone," he said, giving each of them a small smile. "I've been preparing for this, and knowing I've got you all here helps more than you know." The morning passed quickly as Harry, Draco, Hermione, Daphne, Theo, Blaise, and Tracey kept close, discussing strategy and reminding him of tips he could use during the maze. By lunchtime, the grounds were a buzz of activity, with the maze taking up much of the Quidditch pitch, its towering hedges casting long shadows across the field.
As they moved outside to join the gathered crowd, Draco nudged Harry, his tone half-serious. "Don't get yourself killed in there, alright?" he said. "And if you find a way to throw off the other champions, even better."
Harry chuckled, feeling the familiar mix of nerves and determination. "I'll keep that in mind."

At last, the champions were called forward to gather at the maze's entrance. As Harry stepped away from his friends, he turned to look at them one last time, and they all nodded, expressions fierce with pride and encouragement. With a deep breath, Harry faced forward, ready to step into the unknown. Whatever was waiting for him in the maze, he knew he wasn't facing it alone. And with the trust and strength of his friends behind him, he felt ready for whatever challenges the final task would bring.

As the champions stood before the entrance of the maze, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on their shoulders. Each felt a unique blend of emotions, from excitement to dread, as the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The crowd's cheers faded into the background, becoming a distant hum as they focused on the challenge ahead, the shadows of the towering hedges looming ominously.

Current Score: 67 points
Harry stood at the forefront, his heart pounding against his ribcage, the adrenaline coursing through him like electricity. He had fought hard to reach this point, and now the stakes felt higher than ever. The previous challenges had tested not just his strength but his courage and intellect, but this maze promised to be unlike anything he had faced before. As he thought about the magical creatures and treacherous enchantments rumored to lie within, a thrill of fear mixed with excitement surged through him. He stole a glance back at his friends, their supportive smiles bolstering his confidence and grounding him amidst the chaos of emotions. "This is it," he thought, determination burning in his chest. "I can do this." He had trained relentlessly for this moment, and now, the thought of stepping into the maze filled him with purpose. His score was solid, yet it felt secondary to the urgency of proving himself and living up to the expectations that had come to rest on his shoulders.