In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*Third task

It had been another few months since the second task and today was the day of the third and final task, Briar had gone through all her end of year exams and now today her full focus was on Harry

Because of this, she had been distant from Theo and she knew she would end up paying for that later, but she didn't really care right now. When she and Ginny came out of DADA class for lunch, they were beyond surprised to see Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill, and Remus sitting at the Gryffindor table with Harry, Hermione, and Ron

"Dad!" Briar cried and threw herself down next to him "What are you guys doing here?"

"We came to watch Harry in the third task" Mrs Weasley said, giving said boy a proud smile

After lunch all the kids except Harry had to return to classes, but then they all regrouped for dinner in the Great Hall. The meal was longer than usual and by the end of it Briar had eaten so much she thought she would explode

The feast then came to an end as Dumbledore rose to his feet "Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make yourway down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the TriwizardTournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadiumnow."

The group around Harry cheered loudly for him as he left the hall with the other champions, but once they were out of sight a tense silence fell across everyone else as they realised the champions would have their hardest test yet

They were soon taken down to the quidditch pitch, and Briar and her friends sat in the red part of the crowd to cheer on Harry. Below them the four champions were being spoken to by Professor McGonagall, before Ludo Bagman took to the stage

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament isabout to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in firstplace, with eighty-five points each - Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter,both of Hogwarts School!" The cheers and applause sent birds from the ForbiddenForest fluttering into the darkening sky. "In second place, with eighty points - Mr.Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause. "And in third place - MissFleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

"You okay?" Remus asked his daughter quietly

"Harry can do this," She replied firmly

"So ... on my whistle, Harry and Cedric!" said Bagman. "Three - two - one -" He blew sharply on his whistle before Harry and Cedric ran into the overgrown, thick maze that had been grown as far as anyone could see

The crowd waited anxiously for any sign or sound from the maze but after a while they still had nothing so Briar began to fidget nervously

Suddenly red sparks shot up from the maze and Briar knew that meant one of the champions was in trouble, so worry grew in her chest. Professor Moody then flew out on a broom to where the sparks had come from to retrieve whoever had sent them, and he returned with Fleur. She had been stunned and the other students from Beauxbatons, Madame Pomfery, and Madame Maxine rushed towards her

She was taken away into a medical tent and Briar's eyes landed on Bill, who was glancing at the scene with eyes eyebrows furrowed and eyes written with worry

He felt someone looking at him so he turned around and looked at Briar, who raised her eyebrows knowingly and he blushed but ducked his head

A while later more sparks emerged and this time Professor Moody returned with Krum, which meant that only Harry and Cedric were left. On one hand it was a relief only Hogwarts could win now, but on the other hand if Fleur and Krum had fallen victim to the maze, then whatever was in there could be too dangerous for Harry and Cedric to get through