Chapter 25: The Third Task aka Death
Like my dad told Harry, we spent most of our free time researching in the library and practicing Stunning and Disarming and hexes in empty classrooms. Many of the practices ended up with Ron, Hermione, or myself getting hurt. Harry was careful not to get us landed in the hospital wing, but we were still in pain. Ron had even suggested Harry practice on Mrs. Norris. Hermione and Ron were getting more and more annoyed with each other and it was getting on Harry's nerves. My patience was wearing thin with the two as well. After classes, I would meet up with Fred and complain. I felt horrible for doing so, but he listened as we sat on the couch in the common room or walked the grounds outside. Our new relationship had come at a slightly bad time because the end of the term was coming up and so was the third task. Somehow, we made it work. Maybe it's because I wanted to reassure myself, but I felt like – what we had at the time – worked because we didn't spend every moment together. Fred and I valued the time we spent together because we didn't have much time at all.
As the final task got closer, Harry started to panic more. We took a day off from practicing to visit Hagrid who was more than happy to see us. Hagrid welcomed the four of us with a warm fire, tea, and his infamous rock cakes. We were grateful for the fire and tea. The cakes, however, were left untouched. None of us really felt like losing a tooth or two. But it was the thought that counted. Hagrid was overjoyed when Harry recounted what happened underwater during the second task so long ago. I had never come across a Grindylow and after hearing about Harry's escape, I didn't particularly ever want too.
As soon as it started getting dark, Hagrid thought to escort us back to the castle. He was in a good mood, recounting stories of the times we had shared together. His embellishments made me and Hermione giggle.
"I remember – I remember when I first met you lot. Biggest bunch of misfits I've ever set eyes on. Always reminded me of meself a little. And here we are, four years later. O' course, three for you Cora!"
"Hagrid," Ron laughed. "We're still misfits."
"Maybe," the large man chuckled. When Hermione, Ron, and I walked along the path to the castle, Harry had wondered off a little. "We've all got each other. And Harry o' course! Soon to be the youngest Tri-Wizard champion!"
Hermione joined Hagrid as he started singing the school's song in a loud rumbly voice. Ron shook his head at the two. Harry, who had been a few feet away from us, was gone entirely. I walked off in the direction he'd gone. We shouted frantically for our friend. I almost walked right into him as he appeared from behind a rather large tree. His face was pale and he was rubbing his scar.
"M – Mr. Crouch," he rasped.
"What? Harry, what is it," I asked as I placed my hands on his shoulders. Someone was laying on the ground behind Harry. Mr. Crouch was laying on his back, staring up at the sky with glassy eyes and an open mouth. His whole face seemed to be frozen in a shocked expression. I knew he was dead at that moment. I pulled Harry away from the sight and called for Hagrid.
Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione ran over to us, concerned. When I told Hagrid what we had seen, he became very grave. Because he found the body first, Hagrid told Harry to run as fast as he could to Dumbledore's office and tell him what had happened. Ron, Hermione, and I were to go straight to the common room while Hagrid waited for our headmaster. Someone important had died on Hogwarts grounds and it was best if we stayed out of the whole mess.
But the whole mess would come to a terrible end.
Our whole group was a bundle of nerves as June 24th grew nearer. This was the final hurdle for us all; last exams and last task. Our exams were to be the day of the final task but Ron, Hermione, and I put all of our effort into helping Harry. We were practicing hexes and jinxes at every available moment. McGonagall gave us special permission to use the Transfiguration classroom during our free time. Harry (Ron and Hermione and myself included) started to master the Impediment Curse, Reductor Curse, Shield Charm, Jelly-Legs Jinx, and the Four-Point Spell which Hermione discovered could be used as a compass. We wanted to make damn sure that Harry was more confident in himself for this task. Someone had died the last time the third task was attempted. Harry had to beat his way passed monsters and barriers and god knows what else. If anything, he was going to be the most prepared champion of them all.
As the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall faded from a light to dark blue on the evening of the final task, silence fell over the school. Dumbledore announced that everyone go to the Quidditch field while the champions headed to their tent. Harry was visibly shaking. Molly, Arthur, and Bill, who, along with the other champions' families were invited to this last task, gave Harry a giant hug as he stood up. Ron patted him on the back next as Hermione and I squeezed his hands. The Gryffindors applauded as Harry headed out of the Great Hall with Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor.
The Quidditch field was unrecognizable as we all filed in with the rest of the school and guests. A high hedge ran all the way along the edge of it and far off into the horizon. On the ground, there was a hedge running straight across the field with four gaps for the four champions. The whole maze looked dark and creepy. This was completely off from the colorful and cheering audience on the opposite side. Flitwick was conduction the advanced Music class in a rousing chorus of our school's march as the champions made their way to the stage in the middle of the field. Cedric and his dad came out first. Mr. Diggory, who I had met before the Quidditch World Cup, ran out with his arms raised and shouting. This procured many cheers from his son's supporters. The ladies of Beauxbatons (including Roger Davies) were performing their school cheer as Fleur walked out with Madame Maxine and her younger sister. Deep rumbling shouts cheered on Viktor as he and Karkaroff emerged right after them. As the stars began to shine above, Harry followed Professor Dumbledore onto the field. Dumbledore placed a hand on my friend's shoulder as he stared at the maze in doubt. When he left Harry's side, he took up behind a podium. The crowd grew silent, waiting for his announcement.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the third task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Earlier today Professor Moody placed the Triwizard cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory –" the loud roar of the Cedric supporters cut our headmaster off. They all cheered his name as his dad lifted his wand hand high in the air. The Weasley family, Hermione, and I clapped politely for the other Hogwarts champion. "– and Mr. Potter of our own Hogwarts are tied for first position so they will be first to enter the maze –" We, Harry's family, stood up and cheered louder with all of our Gryffindor and fellow Harry supporters. The birds residing in the trees of the forest flew off in fright. I waved enthusiastically at Harry and he waved back, now beaming. "– Mr. Krum of Durmstrang Institute will follow. And Miss Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy will be the last to enter."
Dumbledore continued his speech, saying that the first person to touch the cup would be the winner. Everyone in the crowd cheered again. He also said that Hagrid, Moody, and Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick were to patrol the surrounding area, watching out for any signs of difficulty. This way, the safety of the champions would be insured the entire time. Dumbledore gathered the contestants close to him for a chat. I clutched Fred's hand as my leg began bouncing impatiently. He placed his hand (in a death grip under my own) on my bouncing knee.
"Calm down," he whispered in my ear. "You're probably more nervous than Harry is right now."
"I can't help it. I just feel like something bad is going to happen." Two gingers down from us, Bill was watching our closeness with a keen eye. His lips upturned into a grin. I blushed, looking back at the field.
"Champions! Prepare yourselves," Dumbledore shouted. We rose with the crowd, cheering louder and louder. I watched as Harry stood by his entrance with Moody. The towering hedge seemed to darken the field, casting an ominous shadow over the champions. Cedric and his father hugged as Dumbledore raised his wand. The two Hogwarts champions nodded to each other. "On the count of three! ONE –"
The cannon went off signaling the start of the task. Everyone gasped as Filch shrugged, clearly not caring if he made a mistake. Dumbledore shook his head. The Hogwarts' March started up again as Cedric disappeared into the hedge. It magically closed off behind him, cutting him out of view. Hermione cheered louder as Harry entered the maze with one last glance back at us. His section closed up as soon as he crossed the magical line. As the cannon went off for Viktor, he scanned the crowd. Hermione blushed as her eyes caught the Bulgarian's. He stiffly turned around and jogged into the maze. Lastly, Fleur's cannon erupted just as quickly as the previous and she was swallowed by the maze as well.
When the music and roaring died down, it was silent. "Now what," someone had shouted in the crowd. Everyone laughed nervously. Now what? That was the million dollar question, wasn't it? Now, all we could do was wait.
"LOOK!"
Red sparks burst in the night sky somewhere in the middle of the maze. Everyone waited with their breath held to see which champion was the first to be pulled out. From behind me, I heard Draco laughing with his cronies, saying that he hoped it was Harry all mangled up to bits. Oh how I wanted to turn around and deck him! It was Hermione who stopped me, saying that he wasn't worth making a scene over.
Professor McGonagall emerged from the section of the maze Cedric had gone through with Hagrid trailing behind her. He was carrying Fleur in his arms. She was covered in dirt and had scratches all over her body. Madam Maxine wailed something in French as she hurried to Hagrid to attend to her student. Whispers started circling the stadium about the state of the French girl. Madam Pomfrey rushed over, guiding Hagrid to a place where she could examine the girl.
People were craning their necks to see what was happening. I vaguely heard Bill wonder aloud if Fleur would be alright when the girl in question suddenly sat up. Although the teachers and some of her friends were hiding her from view, I could see the top of her blonde head. Fleur was looking around frantically, shouting in French. Whatever had happened to her in the maze had her really agitated. Madam Pomfrey gave her a Calming Draught and her shouting ceased.
Not maybe five minutes later, another shower of red sparks it up the sky. This wasn't too far from where the first sparks had been seen. It was Flitwick and Snape who came out of the maze with Viktor floating unconscious behind them. Hermione, who was sitting down, stood up as Flitwick gently placed the Durmstrang champion on the ground next to Fleur. With her friends back in their seats, Viktor's friends and Karkaroff surrounded them.
"Did you see his face," Hermione whispered to me and Ron. Viktor was sporting a nasty bruise on the side of his head. "Something attacked him."
"Or someone," Ron muttered back. Fred's hand, still in mine, tightened. I knew he was worried too. Either one of the disqualified champions could have been Harry. I thanked whoever was up there that it wasn't my friend.
I still had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. No matter how much I told myself that everything would be okay…something was wrong. Time had gone by quickly after Viktor had been brought out of the maze. The clock had well passed the hour mark. People were getting antsy. Even Molly was wringing her handkerchief to ease her nerves.
"Someone should've won by now," Bill remarked. "Dumbledore couldn't have meant for the third task to go on this long."
"It's a large maze, dear," Molly breathed.
"He's right, mum," George frowned. "Look at the Professors."
Our whole group looked down to where Professors Snape, Moody, Flitwick, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Madam Maxine, and Karkaroff were clustered. They seemed to be having quite the serious discussion. Dumbledore turned to the maze. I could see the bothered expression on his face. It was never a good thing when something bothered Professor Dumbledore. He had left the group and walked along the edge of the maze. His hand skimmed the leaves as he turned to the audience. His face no longer held any of the bothered expression from before.
"I'm quite sure our final two champions are well on their way to victory," he announced. Everyone cheered again, stomping shook the stadium. Even Fleur clapped politely at our headmaster's encouraging words.
Ten minutes passed.
Twenty minutes passed
A body suddenly hit the ground in the middle of the field, then another body landed on top of the first. The Triwizard cup flew out of Harry's hand. The crowd literally went wild. Triumphant music began to play as everyone jumped and shouted and cheered. Harry had the cup! Harry had won the Triwizard Tournament! The youngest wizard to ever win! Ron was shouting louder than anybody; Hermione and I were jumping up and down, hugging; Fred and George started a chant of "Potter! Potter! Potter!"; Bill and Ginny were waving small red-and-gold flags; Molly was trying not to cry; and Arthur celebrated with Mr. Diggory, shaking hands. We rushed to the stairs and headed down to the field to congratulate Harry and Cedric (even though it was obvious he didn't win). But, as I headed down to the field, I noticed that Cedric, whose eyes were open and glassy, was not moving. Harry was clutching Cedric's dirty Hufflepuff shirt, crying.
It was Fleur who screamed first.
The cheering, the music, the revelry…it all came to an abrupt halt as everyone wondered what was happening. Dumbledore was the first to reach Harry whose sobs overpowered the confusion. The Head Master tried to pry Harry off of the unmoving Cedric.
"NO! NO," Harry wailed. I sobbed into my hands, realizing that the worst had actually happened.
"Out of the way," Fudge shouted as he pushed passed students to get to Harry and Dumbledore.
"He's back! He's back," Harry shouted for all to hear. "Voldemort's back!" A cold shiver ran up my spine as whispers went around the Quidditch Pitch. "Cedric, he asked me to bring his body back. I couldn't leave him, not there!"
Tears rolled down my face as I latched on to Fred. He placed his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him. From where we stood, I could see Cedric more clearly. His eyes were wide with what I could only describe as terror. His skin was pale, waxy almost, and he had a dirty footprint on his cheek. He looked exactly the way Barty Crouch's body had. As Harry sobbed uncontrollably, more and more people began to realize what was going on.
"Keep everybody in their seats," Fudge called out to McGonagall and Snape. He lowered his voice next, but it was still clear for everyone to hear, "A boy has just been killed."
Shocked and scared gasps filled the silence as the confirmation was made. Instead of doing what the Minister told them, Snape and McGonagall rushed to Dumbledore's side. He was still trying to get Harry to leave Cedric's side. Harry would not budge.
"LET ME THROUGH!"
Fred, George, and I stepped aside as Amos Diggory ran to the body of his son. Arthur followed close behind him. My heart broke with ever one of Amos' painful cries. He had fallen to his knees, clutching his son's body close to his chest as he wept. Sobs and screams from other students and spectators mixed with the father's. Dumbledore, using a strength I didn't know he had, finally pulled Harry to his feet. Moody caught him before he could fall to his knees again. I turned my face into Fred's chest, not able to take any more of the scene happening in front of us.
"MY SON! MY CEDRIC!"
"We've got to take him, Amos," I heard Dumbledore mutter. "Let's get him away from this."
Arthur was the one to pull Amos away from his son because, when I looked back, Amos was weeping in his friend's arms, broken beyond all reason. Teachers began hearing everyone out of the stadium then. The respectful left right away while others lingered. As the twins and I joined Ron and Hermione to leave, I saw Cho Chang, frozen in her spot in the stands, tears streaming down her pretty face.
Molly, Bill, Ron, Hermione, and I were in the hospital wing. We had followed Madam Pomfrey from the field to the wing with the idea that we'd wait there for Harry's return. When he never showed up, we started badgering her, demanding to know where he was and what had happened to him. He had disappeared from the field and when Dumbledore noticed, he ran off with Snape and McGonagall in a hurry.
The door opened and Harry, Dumbledore, and a big black dog entered the hospital wing. Molly almost screamed when she saw Harry. She rushed to take him in her arms, but Dumbledore stopped her. He told her, and the rest of us, that what Harry went through was a terrible ordeal and he had to retell the whole thing to Dumbledore. He needed sleep. He was not to be asked any questions until he was ready should he allow us to stay with him. Molly went white. She yelled at us to be quiet even though Bill had only coughed.
"May I ask what that is," Madam Pomfrey cut in, pointing at the large black dog.
"I assure you, this dog is very well trained. He will be staying with Harry for a while," Dumbledore smiled. The dog grunted in response. I stared at my dad in his Animagus form. He didn't look at me once. He only had eyes (and tongue because he kept licking Harry's hand) for Harry. I knew what Harry went through must have been horrifying for Dumbledore to summon my dad here. But I wished he'd have at least barked or done something to acknowledge I was in the room too.
When Dumbledore left the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey led Harry to a bed. Close by was Moody. But he didn't look like the Mad-Eye Moody we had seen earlier that night. He seemed more pale and gaunt as if he hadn't been fed in a long time and his hair was stringy and matted. His fake leg was resting in a chair next to his bed and his magical eye was spinning lazily on the table next to him as well. I thought to ask Harry what was up with that later.
While Ron, Molly, and Bill took up chairs on one side of Harry's bed, Hermione and I were on the other. Snuffles jumped up, curling around Harry's feet at the end of the bed. I unconsciously started running my hand through his black coat. Molly was fussing with the covers.
"I'll be alright," Harry sighed as he looked at each of us. "I'm just tired."
Madam Pomfrey reappeared with a potion for dreamless sleep. As soon as Harry drank it, his eyes started to close. He was almost asleep when he shot up, startling Snuffles. He was breathing hard, blinking.
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione whispered. She gently stroked Harry's arm. "We're here. We'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
Harry got comfortable in his bed again. As he looked at each of us, his eyes grey heavy once more. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, my friend gave in to exhaustion.