Chapter 6
The Grand Merlin Maze
Ginny was franticly skimming through the notes she had made during her studies. Taking the time for a last minute review of the spells she had memorized. The one thing she wished she had time to do though, was practice some dueling with Ron. He refused when she asked him however. Claiming that dueling would hinder her in this type of contest. That she would get too much into the mind set of a one on one battle and not think of it in terms of survival, but of spell work. She had a whole slew of battle spells now. The time to herself had helped her focus, even though she was very lonely and couldn't wait to spend some time with Eric. The very handsome and ardent Eric. She shivered a bit, just thinking about what he would do to her once they made up after their little tiff. She was looking forward to it.
"Ginny! You're going to be late!" Hermione called out from her living room. Earlier Hermione had stopped by and they had talked a bit, giving a few pointers on some spells. She had also given Ginny a very lovely amulet. She said it would protect her during the Tournament. Ginny had to check the rules, but it was stated that spelled items were allowed. When she placed it over her head the amulet flashed a bit and she felt a slight tingling. Hermione assured her that it was ok and that she shouldn't take it off, no matter what.
"I'm coming!" she shouted out. She went over her uniform that was provided for the event and made sure all her papers were in order. Everything seemed to be fine so she left her bedroom to meet her brainy friend.
"Is everything in order?" Hermione started in on her. "Is your uniform correct? Do you have all of your papers?" Ginny rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Yes, Hermione. I'm all set. Where's Ron?" Hermione scowled at the question.
"He's being a prat as usual. I told him that he needed to look to his future, rather than skulking around like an Auror and he went into his usual brooding mood. He'll be there Gin. He won't miss this."
"I hope so. It wouldn't be right without him in the stands, cheering me on."
"Ginny?" They both turned to see Molly's face in the floo.
"Hi Mum." Ginny greeted her mother. "I'm all set; we were just about to head to the Tournament.
"Ginny dear, are you sure you want to do this? It's so dangerous, you could be hurt. Or killed!" Ginny graced her mother with a patient smile. She had been waiting for this. Truth be told, she was surprised her mother made it this long before voicing her concerns.
"I'll be fine Mum. If I do well in this, or better, if I win, I'll be set for life." she flicked a bang from her eyes. "Any job I want I could get. It's just a shame they won't let Ron participate."
"No it isn't." Hermione objected. "I wouldn't allow him to enter that death trap even if Kingsley let him." Ginny, wanted to giggle, but stifled her laughter.
"Well anyway mum, I need to get going. I'll see everyone there ok?"
"Ok dear. I still worry about this though."
"Mum, I'll be fine." Ginny said in exasperation, her patience dwindling with her nerves. "I've spent over a month preparing. Ron, George, Hermione and Dad all helped me out, plus I'm no slouch with a wand if you remember. Now I really have to get going." Her mother finally agreed and said her good-byes. Hermione gave her a hug and flooed away, leaving her alone in her flat.
Once alone she lost some of her poise and pressed a hand to her stomach. Truth be told, she wasn't sure she should be doing this either. There was going to be over thirty other witches and wizards in the Maze. Who was she to go up against some of the best and brightest that Wizarding Europe had to offer? She shook away her jitters and did one final check of her papers and uniform. When she had determined everything was in order she raised her wand, and with a twist of her body she apperated through time and space towards the gathering grounds.
The Ministry had set up a private apperation grounds for the contestants and officials. When she arrived she saw that most of them had already arrived and were speaking with Ministry representatives. She made her way towards the registration table and spoke with a sour faced man, who liked like he wanted to be in the stands making bets rather than checking wands and identifications.
"Name?" he asked.
"Weasley, Ginevra." He went over his list and nodded.
"Wand please?" He held out his hand and she handed it over. He placed it on one of the Ministry scales and ran a few tests to check the last twelve or so spells that she had cast. Satisfied he handed it back to her and took her papers. He looked them over carefully and finally nodded.
"Everything is in order Miss. Weasley. Speak to Jhonus Franklin other there and he will go over the details." he pointed towards a short little man with a beard past his shoulders. She gave the registrar her thanks and walked over to her mediator.
"Mr. Franklin?" she asked as she approached.
"Ginevra Weasley?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Oh good you arrived. I was starting to wonder if you had backed out. Now we don't have any time for small talk. So listen closely. Each contestant will start at a different point. You have two hours to make it to the center of the maze and apperate safely back to the goal. Remember. Don't splinch yourself. If you do, it counts as a loss. Any spells, but the Unforgivables, or those that are made for the express purpose of killing, are allowed. If you want to throw a bone removing curse at someone, feel free. If at any time you are unable to continue raise your wand and fire sparks into the air. You are not allowed to destroy the walls of the Maze to hasten your way through. There are protections to prevent that of course, but I'm just making you aware in case you had any tricks up your sleeve. Brooms are not allowed. If you have any shrunk or hid on your person, do not bring it inside or you will be disqualified. As in the rules you need to acquire three golden wands to win. Don't try to transfigure something into one. The real wands are spelled so we can tell the difference. Any questions?"
"Yes. Where is the goal that we need to apperated to? We need to see it, to get an idea of where to go."
"It's the announcement square, where you all will be introduced. Anything else?" She shook her head. "Well then. Let's get going it's time." He strode away from her quickly, forcing her to half trot to keep up with him. She saw the other wizards doing the same, and they were all heading to the large doors that into the stadium.
She wasn't prepared for the sheer size and grandeur of the Maze. It was being held in the largest Quidditch pitch in England. They seemed, however, to have enlarged it to twice its normal size. The stands surrounding the maze were easily close to twenty stories high packed to the brim with people. Magical monitors were displayed high in the air so that the spectators could watch the contestants as they battled their way through the Maze. The Maze itself was a green and black mass of vegetation and stone. Far into the center she saw a giant tree several stories tall swaying in the wind. Something seemed odd about it even at this distance. It looked sickly and decayed. She squinted her eyes to try and get a better image and gasped in recognition. 'Oh dear Merlin," she thought. 'What have I got myself into?'
"A Blood Tree…" she muttered in dismay. Almost all the contestants were staring hard at the Tree as well. She heard several others utter some rather colorful curses and almost all looked back towards the doors they just walked through. Probably thinking about backing out. Blood Trees were very rare and very dangerous. They were sentient predators that could problem solve almost as well as a grown human. They had long vines from every branch that could wrap around a bull and crush it in seconds. What was worse is that the wines were coated in a paralysis poison that could render their prey immobile in less than a minute. Its very roots were said to be able to come out of the ground and attack and ensnare its victims. Its bark was as hard as stone and its leaves had tiny thorns that released a digestive substance. It was invulnerable to fire and extreme cold. The only saving grace was its fruit. In the highest branches there was an apple like fruit that provided protection from the tree's poisons. "It also caused you to give off a scent that made the tree think you weren't there. Of course most people died when trying to extract the fruit.
They finally arrived at the goal of the Maze and lined up in a single file. Minister Shacklebot stood at a podium surrounded by a few key members of the various Wizarding presses. He was garbed in a rather ostentatious purple robe with white highlights. Ginny thought he was trying too hard to look stately and powerful to the other countries representatives. He cleared his voice and pressed his wand to his throat.
"Greetings and welcome to the first ever Grand Merlin Maze!" The crowd cheered and clapped, drowning out any further words he might have spoken. It took a minute, but finally the 40,000 people in attendance quieted enough for him to continue.
"In this contest of magical skill, over thirty witches and wizards will pit their knowledge and skill against some of the most dangerous charms, curses and magical creatures there are. And the prize, an egg! A very special egg. An egg from one of the rare and highly sought after birds. A phoenix!" He whipped off a black covering to behold a large and beautiful egg. It was golden and sat on a bed of hot coals. It shown with an inner light that radiated from deep inside. It was roughly the size of a large softball and hate spidery lines running over its surface.
Ginny was mesmerized by the sight. She couldn't take her eyes off of it. So entranced was she, by the egg, that she almost missed her name being called by the Minister. She came out of her stupor and plastered a smile on her face and waved to the crowd. The noise of boisterous by her many fans in attendance.
"And thus I present to you're Merlin Challengers!" Shacklebot cried out to some more cheering and stomping of feet. "There is a small change of plans however. Due to the influence of a local store a new rule must go into effect before we begin. Many of our foreign magical brethren have expressed concern over the powerful items provided to locals by the new business Perfect Protections. We have reviewed the facts and have determined that the items do in fact give an unfair advantage over many contestants. For this reason any challengers are forbidden to take any spelled items into the Maze."
The Minister turned to the contestants. "I am sorry, but if you could kindly remove any of the afore mentioned items before we begin?" several men rushed forward with steal-me-not bags. Everyone began to remove a great many rings, sneak-o-scopes and various other oddities from their persons. Ginny shrugged a bit and removed the amulet that Hermione had given her and placed it in her own separate bag that had been provided for her. She wasn't sure what it did, but she felt confident to get through without it. Finally all the items were collected and the Minister once more addressed the crowd.
"And finally we can begin! Several Ministry officials will direct the contestants to their designated starting points and the Maze will open!"
"Minister!" A loud voice cried out, and a man stepped down from the lower stands. "One more contestant if you please!"
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Hermione and the Weasleys finally got settled into their seats. As family of one of the contestants they were allowed premium seating in the upper stands, closest to the magical monitors that flew in the sky.
"So, how do you think our tempest of a sister will do?" George asked.
"Good." she told him confidently. "I don't know if she will win, but she has a shot. The only thing I'm really worried about is the Blood Tree. I can't believe they grew one of those things just for the tournament. It's an abomination of nature."
"I agree. I had to tangle with one of 'em a few years back for a product. Needed the fruit. Took me a good week to get the stuff. I ended the product line later on, didn't want to face one of the things again." the twin grinned over at her. "But cheer up. Gin might be able to subdue it with her mouth alone. Girl can scold like our Mum." Angela elbowed his ribs gently at the remark.
Hermione was hoping for one of his jokes to lighten the mood, but George didn't have that laugh like he used to. He still made the best practical jokes, but something in him died when they lost Fred in the war. He tried to keep his humor, but just couldn't seem to find that spark. He was a grim reminder of the many losses suffered.
She felt Ron put his arm around her and look at her for a moment. She met his eyes and gave him her secret smile that was for him alone. In that wordless moment Ron knew she had forgiven his behavior and gave her a peck on the lips. She snuggled into his embrace.
"Good evening." a deep voice spoke. The family looked over to see Eric taking a seat.
"Eric!" Molly cried out. "I'm glad you came. Ginny would be happy you're here." He gave an odd little smile and nodded to the Matron of the large family.
"I would not miss it. I hope she does well and does not get injured. I still don't agree with it, but she has pointed out that she is her own woman. Although, I still have reservations about her reasons. She is most stubborn, and perhaps I pushed her into it by asking her not to participate."
"Asking her?" Ron scowled. "From what I heard, you ordered her like a house-elf."
"A difference in perspective."
"Now, now." Arthur interrupted the budding argument. "We need to support her and not criticize."
"I couldn't agree more!" yet another voice spoke up. Everyone turned around to find the source of the new comer. Hermione blinked at the site.
"Mr. Dudders? What on earth are you doing here?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Dudders?" Ron whispered in her ear. She could hear his barely contained mirth and elbowed him discreetly, keeping her face impassive. The mysterious artificer took a seat above everyone and folded his hands in his lap. He was not in the thick black robe he wore the other day. Today he was in a marvelous maroon cloth, which had two gold griffins facing each other sewn into the breast. Every now and then one of the pictures would shift and flap a wing.
"I couldn't miss this, now could I? It's going to be great! All kinds of…" his voice trailed off. "Please tell me that isn't a Blood Tree in the center of the maze."
"It is," The entire family replied in unison.
"They are nuts." The hooded man exclaimed. "I hope they harvested plenty of the fruit from that-that thing before hand. Otherwise they're gonna be dragging off a lot of bodies." Molly gave a small sob at the news and dabbed at a tear.
"Don't worry about your daughter Mrs. Weasley. Hermione purchased a necklace from my shop the other day. It will keep her save from poisons, petrification and … other things." Molly's mood did a complete 180 and she was suddenly beaming at the man.
"Oh bless you! I don't think we have been introduced though." She glanced at Hermione, who flushed at the silent rebuke.
"Oh, forgive me." she said. "Everyone this is Mr. Dudders, proprietor of Perfect Protections; the company that's been supplying the Aurors with protective items. He just opened a branch in Hogsmead." Everyone took a moment to shake hands with the hooded figure. To Hermione's embarrassment she noticed that Ron gave his rather reluctantly.
"So you're the one that saved my son's life Mr. Dudders?" Molly asked.
"I wouldn't know about that Mrs. Weasley. I just made the things, I didn't hand them out. I don't really deserve the credit."
"Oh nonsense. A lot of good people would have died in that vampire fiasco eight months ago, if it wasn't for you're items."
"Nah. I'm sure the Aurors took the items into account. They would have acted differently if they didn't have them. All it did was guard their backs some, and make their job easier. Please don't throw the credit to me. I don't deserve."
"Well, if you insist." Everyone could tell that Molly was just being polite and really thought the man was a miracle worker. Her thoughts weren't far from the truth.
Eric scrutinized the man carefully. "Mr. Dudders?" The hooded turned towards him. "I've heard a great deal about your products. I happen to run a transportation company that specialized in magic goods. Perhaps after this we could discuss some business. I have contacts in many places that can help acquire rare items. I'm sure it could be profitable for both of us."
The man under the brilliant maroon robe didn't say anything for a moment. "I think we could work together Mr. O'Soule. Can you perhaps get a hold of some powdered manicore venom, and frozen Naga spleen?"
"The powdered venom, yes. The spleen…will take some work. Nagas mostly nest in the Himalayas, very hard stuff to get a hold of."
"Well if you could snatch those for me we can begin a lucrative deal and move on the really hard things. If you can't…" Dudders shrugged and Eric knew it was a one time shot at getting a foot hold with the company.
"I'll get a shipment for you. I'll send out some owls later tonight."
"Oh! Here they come." Hermione exclaimed, and everyone looked toward one of the monitors to see the great double doors of the stadium open up and the challengers walk through. Ginny was near the end and had a look of slight awe as she looked towards the maze. Soon it changed to fear as she saw the Blood Tree in the distance. They saw her and the other contestants glance back as if having seconds thoughts, before moving forward and lining up in front of the Minister.
The Minister's voice rang out loud across the changed pitch, announcing the Grand Merlin Maze.
"I wonder why the Ministry decided to hold this stupid thing." Mr. Dudders spoke up.
"It's a statement to the world." Hermione said. "They are telling everyone that they are stronger than they were before the war. They set all this up in about two months time, no one died doing it, and they were able to get a phoenix egg and can part with it. It tells the other countries that England is strong, wealthy, and can meet almost anything that challenges it. I don't like the Maze, but it's a perfect political tool to reestablish England's prestige in the magical community." Everyone thought over her explanation a bit while they listened to the Minister announce each challenger.
"So you think the Ministry could handle a real challenge and crisis now?" Dudders asked her suddenly. Hermione nodded.
"Yes. The Minister now has a better trained law enforcement department, better protections to prevent corruption and infiltration, and the support of other non-humans. Even if it came to another war, they are now prepared to handle it."
"That is…good to know." Eric piped in. Hermione thought he had a rather fake smile plastered on his face, but she pushed it out of her mind, attributing it to Ron's paranoia affecting her. "Hmmm something seems to be happening."
They all watched as the Minister read a paper and addressed the crowd once more.
"There is a small change of plans however." the Minister said in a loud voice. "Due to the influence of a local store a new rule must go into effect before we begin. Many of our foreign magical brethren have expressed concerns over the powerful items provided to locals by the new business Perfect Protections. We have reviewed the facts and have determined that the items do in fact, give an unfair advantage over many contestants. For this reason any challengers are forbidden to take any spelled items into the Maze."
"WHAT?!" Mr. Dudders shot to his feet and his voice shook with fury. "Of all the stupidity!" Ron laughed.
"Looks like you're a little too good for your own good Mr. Dudders." he said in a slightly smug voice. Mr. Dudders rounded on him and pointed a finger.
"Fool! The necklace! Ginny will be helpless without it! I didn't go to all the trouble of making the thing for her protection, just to see some greedy bureaucrat have her throw it away because it threatens his pocketbook!"
Ron and, well everyone, frowned and looked at him in suspicion and accusation. "Alright! Enough is enough." Ron growled. "You talk about Ginny like you know her. You give her a necklace, Hermione a ring and you just show up in a booth reserved for us alone. Just who the bloody hell are you?"
Mr. Dudders however, ignored Ron and started to pace back and forth in the stand muttering to him self. "Damn Shacklebot. This ruins everything. What to do, what to do."
"Hey! Are you listening to me? Don't you ignore me to wankering sod!" Ron pulled out his wand and aimed it at the man. Mr. Dudders finally stopped pacing and shook his head and sighed.
"I've no choice. I've got to enter the Maze as well." George and Ron both laughed at the announcement. Everyone else, but Eric, was gaping in confusion at this rather dramatic display.
"You can't enter. You didn't register, they won't let you in." Ron told him sternly.
"We will see about that. Everyone, I'm very sorry about the deception, but Ginny is in danger because of me and I can't sit here and do nothing. I will explain everything later tonight at the Burrow."
"Now just wait one blasted moment!" but it was too late. With a very graceful turn of his body Mr. Dudders had apperated away. "Now what the hell was that about!"
They couldn't begin to discuss it as a loud voice echoed throughout the pitch. "Minister! One more contestant if you please!" The Monitors all focused on a man stepping out of the lower stands. Some Aurors move in to stop them, but the Minister waved them away.
"I am sorry sir, but signs ups are closed." The man's hood fell away and the entire stadium fell to quiet in an instant. Not even a bird chipped in the oppressive silence.
"Not even for Harry Potter?"
It was but for a breath before it began. As one the entire crowd, and every Witch and Wizard who watched, or listened across the wireless, exploded in a roaring cacophony of delight. The thunderous sound rocked the stadium and washed over the figures below. It deafened the ears and moved the air into wind; the united voice was so powerful. People tried to surge forward to lift up the Boy-Who-Lived. Their hope and savior. Their 'second coming'. The Aurors and officials threw up shields and strained to keep them back. Still the roar of the crowd kept coming.
It began with the voice of a child. Then his parents. Then those people around them until it swelled with a crescendo; moving from stand to stand in a harmonic chant.
"Har-Ry, Har-Ry, Har-Ry!" The crows stomped their feet with the words. The concussion of the united populous vibrated the very ground.
Hermione gripped Ron's arm tightly and Molly started to cry with joy behind them. Ron stood flabbergasted with his mouth wide open. Eric sat stock still and watched with monitor with penetrating eyes. Arthur was beaming and clapping his hands, his eyes brimming with unshared joy. George started to laugh like a little boy and pounded his feet as he held his stomach, bowled over.
"George Weasley!" Molly scolded. "That's Harry you're laughing at!"
"I know Mum, but don't you see! Harry is going in there to protect Ginny. But who is going to protect him from her?!" He started to laugh again and Molly put a hand over her mouth.
"Oh dear." she muttered behind her hand.
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Ginny's world narrow towards the handsome face that was walking towards the Minister. She heard not the roar of the crowd or the curses of the officials. She saw not the uncomfortable shuffling of her fellow contestants. All she saw was Harry, and all she heard was the sound of blood rushing through her head and the frantic thrumming of her heart.
'Harry is here.' she thought. Taking in his face. He was more handsome than she remembered and her legs went weak at the sight. His hair was short and slightly spiked. He still had his glasses, but they were thin and added to the attributes of his face, rather than distracting them. He was wearing magnificent robes of a shiny maroon with two griffins on the front. It suited him so perfectly.
'Harry is here.' she thought again in her stupor, and slowly her giddy, confused feelings, changed into something else. 'Harry is here.' she growled low in her throat and her face twisted into something angry and ugly. Her wand twitched in her hand and a few stray sparks leapt from the end. She hated him. She wanted to curse him, to see him on the ground, writhing in the same pain that he left her in. His dazzling and powerful green eyes met hers for an instant and he flinched and looked away. How dare he ignore her? How dare he leave her for so long, and how dare he come back now? When her life was settled and she had a wonderful relationship with a man.
She couldn't think properly and she felt her world spinning. She couldn't breath she realized! She tried to summon the air into her lungs, but they wouldn't work. She swayed a bit on her feet and then she felt herself falling and darkness descended.
She felt herself coming to awareness. First the blessed air on her face and then the cold ground under her. She heard someone muttering to her and she opened her eyes and blinked. Then the sounds of the crowd rushed over her and she winced to cover her ears. She saw a man leaning over her looking concerned. As her awareness focused she could make out his words.
"Miss Weasley? Miss Weasley? Are you alright?"
"What-What happened?" she asked.
"You fainted Miss Weasley. Are you ok? We should withdraw you from the Maze. You're in no condition to enter!"
"No!" she told him fiercely. "I'm fine, just had a bit of a shock."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." she struggled to her feet and brushed herself off. Her eyes searched for the dark hair of her lost love and found him speaking to Minister Shacklebot. "I wouldn't miss this chance for all the galleons in Gringotts." The man looked at her uncertainly and then shuffled off.
Ginny licked her lips as she watched Harry move away from the Minister. Her eyes pinned and studied every step he took with a death glare. She knew, that he knew, she was watching and glaring at him. He was purposely avoiding her eyes and moved to stand at the other end of the contestants, as far from her as possible. She ground her teeth. The prize no longer mattered to her. She would find him in the Maze now. She would make him PAY, for what he had done.
The Minister finally finished consulting with his advisors after speaking with Harry and, once more, placed his wand at his throat. "Attention Please!" He had to wait several moments for the crowd to die down. "With special consideration and the status of Harry Potter, we have agreed to let him compete in the maze." Another cheer drowned him out. "With this the Maze is ready to begin! The contestants will be directed to their positions and in moments the Maze will open."
Shacklebot nodded to a man off to the side and an official began handing out port keys to everyone. Ginny took hers, but still kept her eyes on the dark haired man down the line. A few seconds later she felt a tug at her navel and went spinning off with the port key. She found herself surrounded by high hedges and in front of her was a black iron gate. Beyond the bars she saw a tunnel of vegetation and a dangerous gloom.
Her mind was reeling. She was about to enter a life threatening situation and she couldn't stop thinking about Harry and what he was doing there. Where had he been all this time? Why choose now to show his face? She growled the questions away and took some deep calming breaths. If she wanted to meet up with him in the maze, she first had to survive; and charging recklessly into the tunnel in front of her, would be a sure fire way to kill her quickly.
She closed her eyes and pictured the burrow. She thought of the gnomes in the gardens and the dirt path. Her father's shed and the kitchen that was constantly cooking something. Slowly her heart settled and her mind focused. When she opened her eyes she saw the gate glowing a pale blue and suddenly swung open.
"Begin!" a voice thundered through the air.
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A/N - And there we go. Harry's dramatic return to the Wizarding world. Gah! I dread having to write Harry and Ginny's reunion. It's going to be a real pain to get it right. Well I hope you are pleased with his return. Until next chapter.
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