Destined| Goblet of Fire: Book 4

The Third Task

Kiana

"Ready for this Munchkin?" Cedric asked.

I noticed the two pearls around his neck. I reached up and tucked it into his shirt.

"Not really," I said glancing at the hedge.

I felt someone wrap their hand around mine. I looked down from our connecting hands to the face I was attached to. It was Harry.

"Cedric and I will be in there and we will have your back." Harry smiled. "Or I'll die trying."

"How about we all stay alive this time." Cedric said nervously.

"I agree," I chuckled.

"Psst," someone whispered.

The three of us turned around to see Christian, Lucas, Jace, Ernie, Jake, Josh, Josh H, Ron, Calvin and Caleb approach us.

"Just thought we'd all wish you good luck.." Jace said.

The three of us broke apart and immediately created a group hug. I was in between Harry and Jace.

"Good luck guys, kick some ass," Jace chuckled.

"I'll remember that when I kick yours Jacie," I smirked.

"I didn't mean my arse.." Jace groaned and I smiled. "And don't call me that."

"Yes. They're back to normal!" Ernie cheered.

"Champions, gather around," Ludo said.

We broke apart from our group hug and the three of us waved goodbye before retreating to Ludo Bagman and Professor McGonagall. Five minutes later, the stands had begun to fill; the air was full of excited voices and the rumbling of feet as the hundreds of students filed into their seats. The sky was a deep, clear blue now, and the first stars were starting to appear. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick came walking into the stadium and approached Bagman and the champions. They were wearing large, red, luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.

"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," said Professor McGonagall to the champions. "If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?"

We nodded.

"Off you go, then!" said Bagman brightly to the four patrollers.

"Good luck, Kiana," Moody whispered, and the four of them walked away in different directions, to station themselves around the maze.

Bagman now pointed his wand at his throat, muttered, "Sonorus," and his magically magnified voice echoed into the stands.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each - Mr. Cedric Diggory, Ms. Kiana Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, all from Hogwarts School!" The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. "In second place, with eighty points - Mr. Viktor and Chase Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause. "And in third place - Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

I could just make out Mrs. Weasley, Jake, Amos, Bill, Ron, and Hermione applauding Fleur politely, halfway up the stands. I waved up at them, and they waved back, beaming at me.

"So . . . on my whistle, Harry, Kiana and Cedric!" said Bagman. "Three - two - one -"

He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry, Cedric and I hurried forward into the maze. The towering hedges cast black shadows across the path, and, whether because they were so tall and thick or because they had been enchanted, the sound of the surrounding crowd was silenced the moment they entered the maze. I felt almost as though I were underwater again. I pulled out my wand, muttered, "Lumos," and heard Cedric and Harry do the same just behind me.