A/N: Here's a little interlude before the end. Only three more chapters left.
Archdruid89: While I find your idea interesting, it's not the story I'm telling. Honestly, if you want to write that version of Helen, go ahead and do so.
X.
It was in early April that Helen finally received a note about the Final Task. At a quarter to four, she headed from the Hunter camp to the Quidditch Pitch on the far end of the grounds. She had visited the Pitch once with Harry back in November, a few days after the First Task. He had shown her his broomstick, a Firebolt. It was one of the top brooms in the world, he had said with a fond smile. She'd ridden the racing broom and, for as exhilarating it was, found herself awfully queasy. More so, a sudden case of acrophobia struck her around hundred-fifty feet above ground. While Harry just shrugged his shoulders, she blamed the incident on her grandfather Zeus. The god seemed to still be jealous of his region of influence, even if her brother was given leave to trespass as he wished.
He must like Harry more then, she decided. The scar upon his forehead is similar enough to the Master Bolt that many in the Greek world would think him a son of Zeus at first glance. Would the fear of heights fade if I exposed my own scar?
She strolled across the grounds towards the Pitch, taking in how the emergence of a warm sun and a mild spring breeze drew the students of Hogwarts from their common rooms, and for those few in blue, the library. A group of giggling children raced past, their robes lined in red and gold. She rolled her eyes at the energy of the young Gryffindors as she passed through an open passage onto the ground level of the Pitch.
As always, she was the last to arrive. Cedric Diggory was scowling at the ground before them and she couldn't blame him. The grass and sand pits she had seen in November had been removed, replaced with small bushes growing in dirt. Even Krum, who had never played a game at Hogwarts, appeared to be outraged by the ongoing transformation. Helen looked around at the patterns the bushes formed and she nearly groaned.
"Is the Third Task really a labyrinth?" she asked. Ludo Bagman, who had been about to speak, sighed.
"Well, we were thinking more a maze… I was going to ask what you thought we were doing to the Quidditch Pitch, but you just had to jump the kick-off." He noticed the concern on Cedric Diggory's face and continued. "Don't worry, we'll have your pitch returned to normal by next September. Once the night of the Third Task comes about, these shrubs you see will be ten feet, according to Professor Sprout. Hagrid will be providing some of the obstacles you'll face during the Task while teachers from all three schools will be adding magical traps and trickery to block your path."
"So how do we win?" Krum asked with arms crossed over his chest.
"Of course, of course," Bagman said, grinning. "Great question, Mr. Krum. The victor of both this task and the entire Tournament will be the first to reach the Triwizard Cup at the maze's center. You'll be sent in based upon points, so Miss Potter will go first, followed by Mister Krum, Mister Diggory, and lastly Miss Delacour. The Third Task will be on 22nd of June. If you have any other questions, ask now. Otherwise, I will see you then!"
The champions remained quiet, which was enough to send Bagman on his way, giving them a wink and a nod. Helen watched the man depart, followed by Diggory and Delacour. They had both waited long enough to avoid the man and kept far enough apart casual watchers wouldn't think them together.
"Strange man, that Bagman," Krum remarked, approaching Helen. "I wish to speak with you."
"About Hermione?" Helen asked. Krum nodded and she shook her head. "Best to go to Harry about whatever it is. Trust me when I say he's closer to her than me. Like a brother, you could say."
It seemed to be enough to pacify Krum. They headed to the castle, discussing what they thought might fill the maze during the final task. Neither was aware of the dark tidings occurring that afternoon at Hogwarts, or the dark cloud hanging above England.