Chapter 9
The last task was here, the tournament was finally drawing to a close. The Weasley family, Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Remus and little Shadey made their way to the stands as the champions were preparing themselves for the maze.
'It looks like we won't be able to see much of this task either' Hermione remarked with a sigh.
'Well we've got plenty of card games at least' Harry joked.
'Tell me again why you've got a transfigured Dragon Harry?' Bill asked.
'She belongs to Julian, he called her Shadey. He asked me and Hermione to keep an eye on her while he did the tasks' Harry replied.
'Just don't challenge her to a card game' George said.
'Or chess' Fred followed.
The eldest red head brother nodded slowly.
'Heartright always was a strange one'.
'You know him?' Hermione asked.
'He was in my year at Hogwarts, but he started late for some reason. He was really shy to begin with, but when we went into our third year he really came out of his shell. After that those elements of his just got stronger and stronger. It was amazing to watch him. We became close friends not long after that' Bill replied.
They fell silent as Bagman made an announcement. Fred nudged his twin and motioned to Bill, who had just noticed Fleur. The twins sidled up to their eldest brother.
'Saw you peeking at Miss Fleur Bill…'
'She is quite a lovely specimen, isn't she?'
'Don't even start boys' Bill warned, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
Sniggering the twins moved back to their seats.
Harry turned to his girlfriend as the announcement ended.
'You were right Mione. We won't see anything inside the maze' he said.
Padfoot let out a doggy groan and slumped to the ground. Remus patted his head in sympathy.
'Who thinks up these tasks? The Dragons might have been terrifying to see but at least we got to see them, and encourage the champions' Hermione said.
'We asked Cedric what happened in the second task' Fred started.
'All he would tell us is he had one heck of a ride' George followed.
'Whatever that means' they both finished.
Harry sighed and brought out the pack of cards.
'Might as well get started. Poker anyone?'
OOO
'The aim of this task is to make it to the middle of the maze, filled with all sorts of traps and challenges, and find the Tri-wizard cup. The first to touch the cup wins' Bagman explained.
The four champions gave a half hearted response to show they were listening. Fleur, Viktor and Cedric were discussing strategy. Well that's what they'd tell people, they were actually discussing what Julian would do to help them out this time. The man in question was settled back, feet propped up on another chair, and half asleep.
'Er…right then. The champions will enter in the order of their scores. On the sound of the whistle, Mr Heartright will enter. Five seconds later Miss Delacour, Mr Krum and Mr Diggory will follow' Bagman announced, a little peeved that none of the champions were taking him very seriously.
All this team spirit was frustrating Karkaroff. He'd been training Viktor to trample over the competition, only for the blasted boy to become friends with them?! His left arm burned a little and he discreetly rubbed it. He wanted this tournament over so he could leave the country and never return. Severus might have faith that he wouldn't be killed, but Igor knew if he returned to the mad man known as the Dark Lord that he wouldn't be so lucky. He eyed up the fourth champion. He'd been trying to figure out since he arrived at Hogwarts just where he'd seen that face before.
Madam Maxime couldn't be more delighted at the way the tournament was going. Sure, she wanted Fleur to win, but she also couldn't deny that the girl had little to none friends at school, and it was a joy to watch her become close to the other champions. The tall woman settled back on her chair with a smile. This Heartright character was rather amusing, but she had a feeling he was keeping an eye on the other champions to ensure they came to no harm. She confessed she was a little worried when the goblet spat out Harry Potter's name, even if she did feel it was a scandal. The child had looked bewildered and scared at the thought of competing.
Dumbledore was grumbling to himself. He'd been trying to convince Julian to back out the tournament from the moment Harry chose him. The man had turned down each and every excuse Albus had to offer. And when it came to downright arguing with him…well Albus did say he would never win an argument against Julian Heartright. How was Voldemort supposed to gain his body back when he couldn't get access to Harry? Albus was sure Crouch Jr would do something about it, but the man seemed to be standing back and letting it happen. As the crowd started cheering Albus turned his attention to the last task. He would have to come up with something.
'On my whistle!' Bagman called.
The three glanced at Julian who was still mostly asleep. Bagman blew the whistle and the crowds started cheering. Julian's eyes snapped open and Vixie suddenly appeared, darting towards the entrance to the maze.
'I guess he was listening' Cedric remarked.
The three waited until the whistle blew again before making their way into the maze. At first it appeared Julian wasn't going to help them with this task. But as they wandered further in, they realised the maze was empty of creatures and traps. The three gave each other looks of amusement and continued, each trying to work out just how Julian had cleared everything in such a short period of time.
'It is strange, but I shall miss being here when we return to our school' Fleur said.
'Indeed. It has been very fun' Viktor followed.
'It has been. I won't forget our friendship though. I hope we can keep in touch?' Cedric asked.
'Of course Cedric. I am not about to forget just like that' Fleur replied with a smile.
Viktor nodded his agreement.
'I came to this school to win this tournament. Our Headmaster has been trying to get me to stop with these "foolish friendships" since the first task. I told him that you two, Julian, Harry and Hermione as well as Luna were the first people who wished to be with me simply for me, and not because I am a famous quidditch player. For that alone I told him that I will play for fun, and that it matters not to me who wins' he said.
'At least your Headmaster talked with you. I haven't had a single talk from my Headmaster. He has spent most of his time speaking to Julian, and from what I heard it was to try and get Julian out the tournament and Harry back in' Cedric said.
'I do regret calling him a little boy. Harry has been nothing but kind to us. He must have been terrified when his name was called' Fleur sighed.
'Guys, I have an idea. Julian told us that he had no intention of winning this tournament, and that the money doesn't matter to him. Well, it doesn't matter to me either. Why don't the four of us touch the cup at the same time? We can either split the money, or we could give it to a charity' Cedric offered.
'That is a good idea' Fleur agreed.
'The money would be better going to those who need it' Viktor followed.
'So you wouldn't mind this being a four way tie?' Cedric asked.
'Indeed not. It will promote the spirit of unity' Fleur replied.
'Plus it will tell the judges what we really think of this tournament' Viktor said with a grin.
With a set of handshakes to seal the deal, the trio continued on, determined to find the cup. After a few more twists and turns, they came upon a surprising sight.
'Hey guys. How'd you find the maze?' Julian called.
The three stared as he got to his feet.
'Is that a…?!' Cedric tried to ask.
The man grinned.
'This here's Sahara. And yes, she's a Sphinx. We were just having a chat while I waited for you guys to show. Oh and by the way Sahara the answer to your riddle is a nose'.
The giant creature let out a noise of frustration.
'Another then. The man who invented it doesn't want it. The man who bought it doesn't need it. The man who needs it doesn't know it. What is it?'
Julian thought for a moment.
'Tricky…'
He then snapped his fingers.
'I've got it! A coffin!'
The Sphinx huffed.
'Alright my turn, then we can head to the cup. If you throw me from the window, I will leave a grieving wife. Bring me back, but in the door, and you'll see someone giving life. What am I?'
While the Sphinx thought, the three gave Julian a bewildered look.
'That's…I don't get it' Cedric confessed.
Viktor was silent as he thought over it, while Fleur looked very much confused. Julian just grinned.
'The letter N' both Viktor and the Sphinx answered after a while.
'The letter N?' Cedric said.
'Yep. Take the letter N out of the word window and you have widow, a grieving wife. Put N into the word door and you have donor, giving life. Well done Viktor. And of course yourself Sahara' Julian explained.
'That is a rather interesting one. I believe I shall use it when I next challenge a human' Sahara said, stepping aside to let the group pass.
'Were you really spending all that time answering riddles?' Fleur asked.
'I thought why not. There was nothing much else to do' the man replied with a grin.
Cedric snorted with laughter as they headed to the cup.
'Oh Julian. Viktor, Fleur and I agreed that we should all touch the cup together, and then we can either split the money or give it to charity' he then said.
'Not a bad idea. Though respectfully, I'd prefer to let you three touch the cup. I stand by my word that I'm not bothered about winning'.
'Julian are you sure?' Fleur asked.
The man nodded.
'We would like you to win with us' Viktor said.
'That is very kind of you, but this tournament was only supposed to have three champions' Julian replied.
'So you're absolutely sure?' Cedric asked.
'Definitely sure' Julian said and waved them on.
The three stepped up to the cup.
'What will happen when we touch the cup?' Fleur asked.
'It will portkey you back to the entrance of the maze. I checked it before you guys appeared' Julian replied.
'Oh good' Cedric sighed with relief.
'So what will you do now?' Viktor asked Julian.
'Well, I'm going to figure out who tampered with the original portkey spell and changed the location. Don't worry, I moved the new location to this rock' the man replied.
'Tampered?!' Fleur exclaimed, but Julian had already touched the rock and vanished from the maze.
The three shared a look.
'Who would tamper with the cup?' Fleur asked.
'And why?' Cedric followed.
Viktor shrugged and motioned to the cup.
'Come, if Julian says this will take us back to the start, then I trust him. We should tell the judges that the cup was tampered with' he said.
The other two nodded and placed their hands just above the cup.
'Ready?' Cedric asked.
'One…two…three!' the trio spoke together, and vanished from the maze.
