Sorry guys my laptop broke down and I just got a new one so now I'm back! Sorry for the delay but here is the new chapter, hope you enjoy!
The summer term finally came upon Hogwarts and the more studious students began revising and studying for exams, others were waiting to hear news about the third and final task. It was during the last week of May at the end of Transfiguration when Professor McGonagall asked both Kakashi and Harry to stay behind.
"You will need to head down towards the Quidditch pitch at nine PM today. They are going to tell you about the third task," she told them.
"Thank you Professor McGonagall," Harry replied whereas Kakashi just nodded his head. With that they made their way out of class.
The second they were outside Hermione asked them what the professor wanted. Harry alleviated her curiosity and the two groups went their separate ways back to their respective dormitories.
"Finally, about time they told you about the third task!" Obito remarked excitedly "Wonder what they'll have you do."
"Who cares," Kakashi replied indifferently
"But I mean after dragons what could come next," Obito continued undeterred by his friend's lack of enthusiasm, "the second task was kind of boring and danger free considering."
"The first task was designed to help us face the 'unknown' and see what we can do against a dragon," Kakashi elaborated "the second tested our deduction, observation and tactical skills. It might not have been exciting but it focused on a different aspect than the first task."
"I didn't think about it like that," Obito admitted "but it makes sense. So what do you think the last task is going to be?"
"Probably something that combines it all into one," Kakashi figured "They have to make it exciting though in order to finish the tournament with a bang. It's all one big advertisement in the end anyway."
"Hippogryph" Obito told the password and they both entered their dorm to find Rin watering her plants, "Hey Rin, they are finally going to tell Kashi about the last task tonight"
"About time," Rin smiled as she tended to her plants' last needs and joined them on the sofa "Oh and Obito we need to take the tests with the other fourth years."
"What, why?!" Obito complained
"It's what Professor McGonagall told me yesterday" she remarked "Besides you don't have to study if you don't want to. Apparently the grades will be sent to our school of magic, since failing doesn't change anything for us back home you don't have to do well, just show up and put on a show."
"But still…" Obito complained his good mood gone.
A couple of hours later they headed towards dinner and afterwards they separated into three groups of two. Rin and Obito headed to their dorm, Hermione and Ron towards Gryffindor Tower and Kakashi and Harry made their way down to the Quidditch pitch.
"What do you think the third task is going to be?" Harry asked
"Didn't really think about it," Kakashi replied.
"Ron reckons we have to look for treasure while dodging obstacles," Harry commented
"Doesn't sound too bad" Kakashi shrugged
"Hey Cedric," Harry waved at the older boy who was just walking out of the entrance.
"Hello Harry, Kakashi," Cedric greeted politely. Kakashi, having never interacted with the other boy, inclined his head in a silent greeting.
They finally arrived towards the Quidditch pitch where Cedric and Harry both shouted in outrage.
"What did they do to our pitch?" Cedric asked in dismay
"There you are," Bagman waved them over jovially "Don't worry you'll have your pitch back once the task is over, never fear. Now that we are all here can anybody guess what we are doing here?"
Kakashi looked around and observed that from the way the small hedges were organized it was probably a labyrinth of some sort.
"Maze," the Drumstrang champion replied.
"Yes, excellent!" Bagman smiled "The third task is very simple, you must reach the middle of the maze where the Triwizard Cup has been placed. The first champion to reach the cup gets full points but in order to get to the cup you have to overcome all sorts of magical creatures and dangers. Should be exciting."
"So it's an obstacle course," Kakashi noted mentally.
"Now then, the leading champion will enter the maze first" Bagman gestured to Kakashi, "Then Mr. Potter and Mr. Diggory, followed by Mr. Krum and lastly Ms. Delecour. Any questions, no? Well then good luck, champions!" and with those parting words he left.
Kakashi was about to leave with Harry when they were stopped by Viktor Krum, "Could I have a vord, Harry?"
Harry was surprised but nodded his head and followed the Drumstrang champion. Kakashi bid him farewell and followed Cedric back to the castle.
"You know," Cedric began the conversation "when you first entered the room during the champion selection I thought you were the champion I had to worry about the least."
"I don't blame you," Kakashi replied "Forget that I'm three years younger but I'm also a bit short for my age so it's understandable." Of course understandable in wizarding view, in Konoha people very rarely judge skill according to age.
"I'm impressed though," Cedric smiled genuinely which shocked Kakashi "I wish you all the luck in the third task."
Kakashi never having met a person who could be so… good and friendly to somebody who was beating him and just met other than Rin, was surprised. "Thanks," Kakashi replied after a moment, "Good luck to you too." Cedric smiled as the both left for their dormitories.
They next day, Kakashi Obito and Rin made their way towards the big tree next to the lake and enjoyed the warm weather. After an hour or so Harry Ron and Hermione joined them.
"I have to tell you something," Harry said "Yesterday after you left, Kakashi, Mr. Crouch came out of nowhere. It looked like he had come from a long way and he was talking madness. One second he was talking as if he was in his office, the next he was asking to see Dumbledore and about how Voldemort was getting stronger and apologizing for some reason. He was mad. I left Krum with him and went to get Professor Dumbledore but when we came back, Crouch was gone. What do you think?"
"He looks as if he has been attacked," Rin noted sadly
"Isn't he the judge that has been sick for months?" Obito asked
"Yes, we asked my brother Percy who has been filling in for him but he said that Mr. Crouch just needed a well-deserved break." Ron said
"Doesn't look like it," Obito snorted
"Well he can't apparte in or out of the grounds so he had to get away from the grounds on broom or on foot. He might have been kidnapped as well." Hermione noted
"You've been quiet, Kakashi, what do you think?" Rin asked
"I don't think what happened to Crouch matters," Kakashi replied "what I'm worried about is what he said. Voldemort is getting stronger, and judging by the way he looked from what you told me, he probably had an altercation with him of some sort."
"You really think he saw You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked not having considered that
"Probably," Kakashi nodded "he wanted to see Dumbledore because he knew that since Dumbledore isn't afraid of Voldemort, he won't try to deny that fact that he's still alive somewhere and might actually do something about it."
"You don't think he'll come back do you?" Ron asked fearfully
Kakashi shrugged not answering the question.
The days passed and soon it was the day of the third task. After breakfast everybody went to take their exams, whereas the champions headed towards another room to meet their families who have come to cheer them on during the final task.
Harry stayed since he had no family and didn't need a reminder of that. He noticed that Kakashi didn't get up as well.
"Don't you have family coming?" Harry asked
"I'm an orphan, I have no family" Kakashi answered indifferently. Harry was shocked having never known that.
"Oh I'm sorry," Harry replied
"It's ok, you too" Kakashi nodded. Before the conversation could go in another direction Cedric came and called for them both to come as the others were waiting for them.
When they entered Harry found Ms. Weasley and Bill and was overwhelmed that they actually came to support him. Kakashi, on the other hand, was surprised to see his sensei standing off at the side smiling at him.
"Minato sensei," Kakashi walked up to him "what are you doing here?" he asked switching to Japanese.
"I came to support you," Minato replied "How have you been?"
"I'm good," Kakashi nodded "how is Kushina san?"
"Doing well," Minato smiled "she's pregnant!"
"Really?" Kakashi asked in surprise "Congratulations, sensei."
"Thank you," Minato smiled "So the person you came in with is Harry?"
"Umm yes" Kakashi answered not expecting that question looking at Harry who was speaking with what looked to be like Ron's family if the red hair was any indication.
Minato made his way over, "You must be Harry, Rin Obito and Kakashi told me a lot about you," Minato said.
"Oh, hello," Harry smiled "Who are you?"
"This is our teacher, Minato" Kakashi introduced
"Nice to meet you" Harry smiled
"Well I don't want to keep you just saying hello," Minato smiled "Good luck with the final task, Harry."
"Thank you" Harry nodded his thanks as he watched Kakashi leave with the blonde man.
"I know Obito told me that this castle was amazing but this is just incredible" Minato said as he followed Kakashi who was giving him a tour.
"I guess" Kakashi shrugged. Kakashi showed him the Great Hall, the grounds and eventually their room.
"That was fun!" Minato noted "Let's get down to business now, what happened with your investigation with this Moody character?"
Kakashi told him everything from the very beginning up till the incident with Mr. Crouch a month back. Minato was quiet through the whole explanation and once Kakashi was done sighed.
"Minato sensei," Kakashi said hesitantly when Minato remained silent "I think something is going to happen tonight, I don't know what but today is the day Moody has been waiting for. What should I do?"
"Listen to me, Kakashi," Minato said sternly "if Moody's plan involves this Voldemort character, you need to forget about winning the money and stop it. I don't need to tell you this, but I'll tell you anyway, if Voldemort gets strong enough it will spark a war here. We just finished our war and you know what horrible business it is, we must do whatever we can to prevent this one. This takes priority over the mission and the money. I'm not telling you this just as your sensei but as your future Hokage. Our job as ninja is to protect those who cannot protect themselves and now that is what you must do. Stay on your toes tonight and keep a sharp eye because Moody will target you tonight. When you find, don't kill him but capture unless you have no choice. Try to find out what he is up to and do your best to stop it. Do you understand?"
Kakashi drew in a deep breath then nodded, "I understand, sensei."
"Good, I'm counting on you," Minato smiled.
"One question, should I stop Harry from winning?" Kakashi asked
"Depends on what happens tonight," Minato nodded "just remember, he is your friend and sometimes you must do what your friend hates for his or her own benefit."
"He's not my friend," Kakashi declared. Minato just laughed at his student's denial.
"Welcome everyone, to the final task of the Triwizard Tournamet!" Bagman smiled at the audience "Today will be the thrilling conclusion to our competition. Each champion will enter the maze in order to find the Triwizard Cup hidden deep within the maze. The first to touch it gets full marks! The champion from Konoha's Academy for Higher Magic will enter the maze first seeing as he is in the lead and so forth."
Each champion made their way to their starting point, and each champion had their headmaster standing beside them with the exception of Dumbledore who was somewhere in the middle.
"Mr. Hatake, you will enter the maze at the sound of the canon," Bagman announced "Good luck!"
"Do your best, Kakashi" Minato smiled at him. The boom sounded, Kakashi took one last look at the stands and then entered the maze. The vines behind him closed shut and the sounds of those in the pitch disappeared completely. The final task has finally begun!