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The date of the third task dawned bright and early. Harry knew he was headed into a maze for the third task. His goal was to fight his way through the obstacles in the maze and reach the golden cup first. The entire Black family was nervous about the task.
They knew Peter Pettigrew was around somewhere. They didn't know his plan but they knew he was plotting something. This final task was the most dangerous because it would be very difficult to see exactly what was happening in the maze. Not only were the hedgerows tall and the paths between them narrow, the field was also a good 30 meters below the stands. The champions would look like colored spots moving through the dark maze. It was really poorly thought out by the organizers of the events. It was obvious they hadn't thought about the audience at all when they designed the tasks. At least the maze wasn't as bad as staring at an icy lake in the middle of February had been.
Harry's scores put him as first to enter the maze. He would enter a full five minutes before anyone else. He told himself that's probably why he didn't see another person the entire time he was in the maze. Charity had taught Harry the point me spell in an attempt to help the boy find the cup and get out of the maze quickly.
Harry was nervous that it wasn't working. He felt like he was moving closer to the center of the maze, but he couldn't be sure. He hadn't seen very many obstacles and the ones he had crossed were easy enough to overcome. Shouldn't the task keep getting harder as he got closer to the center? He wasn't sure but it was creeping him out.
He finally came upon a sphinx. He bowed in respect to the female.
"Honored sphinx, please let me pass," Harry tried flattery first. He hoped the woman would just let him by.
"Answer first this riddle, then pass you may, by me. If you get it wrong, I'll throttle you. If you don't know, you may flee. Answer first this riddle, then pass you may, by me. I am wet while drying. What am I?"
Harry thought for a long minute. He wasn't certain but he thought he knew. He took a fighting stance and got ready, just in case he was wrong.
"A towel?" He said, uncertainly. The sphinx stared at him for a moment before moving to the side. Harry didn't waste any time. He ran past the woman and entered the center of the maze. He could see the cup on a plinth in the center.
Harry ran as fast as he could up to the plinth, then stumbled to a stop. He remembered the last time a portkey had whisked him away to this place and hesitated. He cast the spells Sirius had taught him to test for a portkey. The test came back positive. Harry panicked. He didn't know what to do.
He took out the communication mirror Sirius had given him the night before, just in case something happened and Harry needed help. Sirius and Remus had stayed behind at the Villa today. Sirius said his auror senses were tingling. He expected trouble today. He might have also been paranoid and angry because Peter Pettigrew had been sniffing around, but that didn't mean he was wrong.
Sirius had told some of his auror buddies about what he smelled at Hogwarts during the Yule Ball. They all believed Sirius. He had proved himself more than enough times to earn their trust. Eight aurors stood with Sirius and Remus, ready to go when called.
Sirius answered the mirror as soon as he heard Harry call.
"Sirius! The cup's a portkey. What do I do?" Harry was panting and jittery from adrenaline. He wasn't thinking straight.
"Okay, pup. Get the magic containment bag out of your pocket. Scoop the cup into the bag. Be careful not to touch it! It could be touch activated. Probably is touch activated," Sirius said to the boy.
The ten adults in the room waited with bated breath as the deed was done. They all let out a sigh of relief when Harry's face came back into the mirror.
"Okay. I got it," Harry panted.
"Great. Now activate your emergency portkey. We're all waiting for you," Sirius reassured him.
In just a moment, Harry appeared in the room. Sirius took the bag and handed it to Amelia Bones. She went to work on determining where the portkey was set to go right away. Sirius and Remus checked over Harry, finding only minor cuts and bruises.
"I saw Cedric! Right before I left. He's fighting a giant spider!" Harry gasped.
"He'll be alright, pup. They'll help him if he gets in trouble," Sirius hoped.
"This portkey goes to a cemetery in Little Hangleton. Does that town mean anything to you?" Amelia asked, urgently.
Sirius and Remus exchanged glances. "It's the hometown of Voldemort," Sirius said, grimly.
The aurors looked more antsy and grave. They looked ready to fight.
"Can you move the portkey to this?" Sirius asked, holding up a length of rope. Amelia nodded and got to work.
"It's layered over a portkey that will take you to the judge's table, Harry. I suggest you take it and get back before anyone knows you're gone," Amelia said, seriously. Harry looked to Sirius, who nodded.
"Get on now, pup. We've got a cemetery to raid," Sirius said. The aurors were getting their gear ready to fight.
"Remember the snake, Sirius!" Harry said.
"I know," Sirius nodded.
"Time to go, Harry," Remus said, floating the cup over to Harry. Harry looked around the room one more time at the warriors about to do battle. He shivered in excited fear and grabbed the cup.
"Good luck," echoed around the room and he was gone.
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