As the stress of exam season finally started to dwindle and abate during the second week of June, the anticipation of the upcoming Final Task was starting to grow in its stead. Whispers of what the Task could entail were spreading like wildfire, especially amongst the younger years who had no important exams to sit and therefore had the time to speculate, despite no one actually knowing what was going to happen for them to know if they were right. Then again, it was Hogwarts and the place thrived on gossip and speculation.

Some of the ideas were admittedly, completely laughable. Emma had heard that they would have to save their Head of House from being eaten by a dragon. Although it had been a First Year who had suggested that and Emma had cackled with laughter as she walked past. The First Year had burst into tears and ran away which had quickly stopped the laughter, but it was too late to apologise for coming across too harsh as the First Year was now nowhere to be seen.

Ruby had mentioned that Clarissa and Poppy, the other girls in their dormitory, were both convinced that the Champions would have to make up a spell and test it out on different students until it was perfected. That had raised everyone's eyebrows at what the two thought about when they were alone.

Teddy had even mentioned one evening in the lounge of what he had overheard in the Hufflepuff dormitory where a group of Second Years believed that the Champions would receive an egg from some sort of creature and would have to raise it. He had politely pointed out that they only found out what would happen on the day and wouldn't have the chance the raise a creature. The Second Years quickly realised their idiocy and put their heads together again to start thinking of something else. Teddy was curious to what else they could come up with but when he overheard one start talking about hypnotising giants, he had taken his leave without saying anything else. Although, he was privately relieved that they were Second Years and would not be around Hagrid very much even if they took Care, because he didn't think the school would remain standing if they were allowed to enable one another.

However, there had been a couple of ideas which were somewhat plausible if you squinted at the possibility. One was an assault course around the school, having to find different items and fighting off different creatures. The only reason they didn't think that would happen was because it was the Second and Third Tasks combined together which sounded like a bit of a cop-out. It also sounded a little bit like the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament with the assault course which was similar to the maze.

The other possibility was based on Defence Against the Dark Arts. Victoire had overheard some of the older Prefects discussing it during their last patrol. They believed the Champions would have to face different creatures and situations where they would have to use their Defence skills to battle each one off until they could go on no more. The Champion who defeated the most, the quickest would be victorious.

Yet still, despite all the speculations, no one would know if they were right until the day of the Final Task. Then again, the students and professors of Hogwarts alike didn't have long to wait until they would know for sure.

The evening before the Final Task, Emma and her friends were sitting in the lounge as they were all officially done with exams, each one sitting with their partners. However, Emma and Regina were sitting on separate chairs so that it didn't look obvious. Then again, they had been in there for most of the day with not having any exams to finish and had chosen to sit in the chairs rather than on the sofa. Emma's friends had been unlucky to have either NEWT level Transfiguration or OWL level Charms practical exams to sit on the final day of exams. They had all arrived in the lounge thrilled for them all to be over, especially Teddy and Billy who would never have to sit a Hogwarts exam again.

After being together for a few weeks now, Emma and Regina had mutually decided to not come out publicly yet, but to start hanging out more in the eye of other students, to test the waters at least. Billy had been very confused when Regina had first joined their group after the final Quidditch game, although Emma wasn't sure if it was because Regina was in Slytherin which was his problem, or if it was because she was Emma's girlfriend. However, either the students of Hogwarts were oblivious to what was going on between two of their Champions or they really didn't care. Then again, it could also be the fact that they were well known for being feisty and no one wanted to test them by making any sort of comment.

"I heard today that we're getting tied up and hung upside down in the Forbidden Forest and left to get out," Regina murmured as they started discussing what was happening the next day after Teddy brought up the Second Years he had overheard. "Whoever gets out first without being eaten by anything in the Forest wins."

Teddy cracked up laughing first. "Oh, I'd love to witness all of you being hung upside down. Although that might mess with your hair, Regina."

The Slytherin scowled at the Hufflepuff but didn't respond. The two had easily become friends and the banter was already well established.

"I could see it," Billy murmured, preventing Regina from speaking had she wished to. "If they bound your wand arms up too, it would be really interesting."

Emma shot him a glare. "There is no way in hell I am being hung upside down. That's the worst one I've ever heard."

"What about the one where you would all be sent into the Chamber of Secrets to defeat the Basilisk's babies?" Ruby asked with a snicker. The worrying part about that suggestion was the fact it came from a Sixth Year Slytherin they'd walked past a few days ago. They were definitely old enough to know better that not only was the Basilisk dead, but it was male and had no way of having any children in the first place.

"Yeah, no, you're right there, Rubes," Emma agreed before she sighed and shook her head. "I really don't think there's any point speculating about what's going to happen anymore. We're going to find out tomorrow and everyone will be out of their misery. I just can't wait for it to all be over."

"Really?" Regina asked. "Have you not enjoyed it? I've found it quite interesting."

Emma shrugged. "Yeah, it's been fun, in some ways, but a lot of pressure. I think if they did it again, they should make it more of a group task where several students from each House compete in different Tasks."

"Don't say that!" Victoire gasped. "You know the walls have ears and will be reporting the idea to Professor McGonagall to start next year."

The group burst out laughing at Victoire's panic. The Prefect just glared at each one in turn, even Regina, showing that she considered her just as part of the group as the others to receive the treatment. Despite being glared at, Emma couldn't help but be secretly proud and happy that her friend had accepted her girlfriend into their circle and treated her just like she had Billy.

"She can for all I care," Emma muttered. "Just as long as there's a rule that previous competitors cannot be entered again."

"I do agree with that," Regina added. "I wouldn't want to repeat it. I also think that we should get a choice of being entered in the first place. Maggie took up a valuable space that another Hufflepuff could have had and put up a better challenge. Although, knowing her ego, she would have applied for the position anyway. Still, someone else would have been a better and fairer choice."

She looked at Teddy as she spoke, implying that she believed him to be a better candidate. Understanding the point, Teddy shrugged.

"I think they did pick a good candidate for Hufflepuff," he murmured and quickly held his hands up in defence when Victoire went to complain at his support for his ex. "She's a very good student really, it's just the Tasks haven't gone in her favour. The Chalice wasn't to know that, was it?"

When the others in the group couldn't answer his question, the conversation drifted to what Billy and Teddy were thinking about doing after the graduated, but Emma already knew Teddy's plan. He wanted to follow his mother's and godfather's footsteps and join the Aurors when he left, but Emma zoned out when Billy started speaking about his idea to take a year out to travel around different wizarding communities to speak quietly to Regina.

"What do you think is going to happen tomorrow?" She asked. "Be honest."

"I really don't know," Regina replied with a sigh. "I've been reading over all my books for revision, but I don't know if that's the right thing to do. What do you think?"

It was a conversation that they'd had a few times, trying to figure out together what could happen, but they had no way of knowing if what they'd suggested was correct.

"I thought it was hard figuring out what we had to do from the clues, it's even harder not knowing at all," Emma muttered. "I'm actually the most nervous I've ever been."

Regina flashed her girlfriend a warm smile and reached out to hold her hand. When they heard Teddy's quiet cough, a request they had put to the Metamorphmagus whenever they got too 'couple-y' as he was more likely to do it subtly than the others, they quickly let go.

"You're going to be great," Regina assured her. "In fact, I genuinely think you're going to win the entire thing and shock everyone who thought you didn't stand a chance."

Emma blushed as she smiled. "I don't think tomorrow is going to be as straight forward as we think. I have hunch something unexpected is going to happen. This is Hogwarts after all."

"It's the final task, I'd be worried if it didn't," Regina said. "I just hope they have someone on hand to take Maggie away when she flies off her rocker when she loses."

"No, I agree," Emma murmured. "Then again, Harry should be back and my mum will be there so there will be at least two Aurors present." She shrugged. "I really can't call it between me, you and Elsa. We're so close in scores and I wouldn't be surprised if they ignored them and ultimately, how we perform and finish tomorrow will determine the scores."

"We'll see," Regina said. "I still have my money on you."

Emma didn't know what to say. Instead, she flashed her girlfriend a warm smile before turning back to the main conversation which they had missed. Ruby was gesturing about something, but Emma couldn't figure out what it was as her head was too filled with panic about the next day and the fact that Regina thought she was going to win. She wasn't sure if it filled her with confidence or made her more worried.

oOoOo

When Emma awoke the next morning, she felt like she was going to be sick. There were so many pent-up emotions swirling around her stomach, she wasn't sure how to react. The weight just made her feel queasy.

"Morning, Champ, how are you feeling?" Ruby asked when Emma opened her curtains. That was new, Ruby was rarely up and awake before she was. "I was too excited for you when I woke up to go back to sleep," she revealed before Emma could even ask.

"I'm alright, I think," Emma replied. "Just feeling a bit queasy really."

"A good breakfast should help that," Victoire said and Emma realised that she was already awake and dressed. That wasn't an unusual sight as Vicki was always up first out of the trio. "Now, go shower and put on these." She held up a pair of comfortable trousers and a maroon and black, thin sweater that had Swan written across the back. "The house elves must have brought them up last night for you to put on. We'll wait in the Common Room until you're ready."

"Don't wait too long though, I'm hungry," Ruby commented and winked before she and Victoire headed out of the dormitory.

Emma chuckled and followed her friends' instructions. She headed into the attached bathroom and showered, washing her hair and giving herself a quick head massage at the same time to try to relax herself as best she could especially given the circumstances. Once finished, she didn't feel quite as zen as she could, but it was better than it had been.

She dried her hair with a wave of her wand and slipped into the clothes that she had been provided with before inhaling deeply and joining her friends in the Common Room. As soon as she stepped from the bottom stairs, those already in the Common Room turned and started applauding. Looking up, she realised almost the entire House were waiting for her to wake up.

"Good luck, Emma!" Said Minnie as she walked up to her. Emma was also surprised to see the Chaser awake. Unlike her sister, Minnie could sleep until noon if left alone. Emma had no idea how she could have been persuaded to be awake on a Saturday at nine o'clock.

"Bring the cup home!" Lily requested. Emma hadn't seen her sitting beside the Weasley.

"I copy that, Captain!" August said as he walked over from behind them. "I mean, I'm completely unbiased between you and Elsie." He flashed the blonde a wink. "But do it for Gryffindor."

"Food?" Emma suggested, not sure what to reply to everything people had said. She just smiled gratefully as she and her friends started walking towards the portrait hole.

August started walking behind them, but when Emma turned around, she realised that that he wasn't the only one. Everyone who had been in the Common Room when Emma entered were following as if they were an entourage for their Champion. She even saw LJ and the rest of Robin's thugs joining them. Mulan was also hand in hand with the other Beater, but her team members' relationship status was the last thing on her mind.

"What's all of this?" Emma whispered to her friends.

Victoire grinned. "It was Minnie's idea."

Emma spun to see the younger Weasley smiling sheepishly at her. "I thought it would put off the other Champions if you turned up with all of Gryffindor literally behind you."

Emma shook her head. "You're an idiot."

"No, look," Victoire murmured, pointing to the Ravenclaws they were passing who all had their jaws dropped in surprise as the maroon wave heading down the stairs. All had dressed appropriately to show their solidarity for their Champion as much as possible.

When they reached the Great Hall, August and LJ stepped forward to open the doors wide to allow Emma to walk in first and everyone who were already inside and eating looked up from their breakfast. As one, jaws, spoons and forks dropped as everyone took in the sight.

As Emma looked around the Hall, she saw Regina, Elsa and Mary Margaret already eating their breakfast, the latter two looking shocked although Elsa wasn't quiet as dramatic as the Hufflepuff Champion whose face was quickly turning purple. Regina just shook her head and chuckled as if she was expecting it.

Emma walked in and saw at the top of the table, which was her usual seat, and was shocked to find that that it now looked like she was sitting at the top of the table to prove a point. As one, Gryffindor House sat down at the table and August cried out:

"Go, go Emma Swan, Gryffindor Champion!"

"Go Emma!" The rest of the House cheered as one as if it had been rehearsed. They all hooted in celebration before starting to eat, knowing if they went on, they'd push their luck and annoy the Headmistress. However, as Emma looked up at the teachers' table, she saw they were all beaming happily, the Headmistress included, at the unity of her House.

The only professor that didn't look happy, strangely, was Hagrid. His eyes were blurry and his head was handing forward as if he was either drunk, hungover or confunded. Either way, none of the options were good and Emma was happy to see Professor French-Gold was trying to revive him by waving her wand in different motions, attempting different spells to find the solution and Professor Gold was shaking his head in disapproval.

"That's one way to start the morning," Emma muttered as she pulled some slices of toast from the floating tray beside her and started spreading raspberry jam over them immediately.

"Do you feel more confident though?" Minnie asked. "I mean, you literally have all of Gryffindor behind you."

Emma smiled. "I do actually. It was unexpected but very welcome so thank you." She glanced at all her friends, including where August and LJ were sitting just further down on the table. "All of you."

All throughout breakfast, at random moments, members of Gryffindor House would walk to the top of the table and wish Emma luck and passed on their hope that she won. Each one was added pressure, but it was also a vote of confidence that she hadn't realised she needed. Having all of Gryffindor behind her was a large contrast of how she had started the Tournament where many of them were talking about her behind her back and questioning how she'd even been selected in the first place as she was unworthy. However, she wasn't complaining.

By the end of breakfast, she was pretty sure that everyone in the House had wished her luck. Even Jeff Jefferson had come over and made a big speech about how happy he would be to know that he was friends with the winner. Emma hadn't had the heart to comment on the fact that she didn't realise they were friends.

Fortunately, a spoon tapping against a glass pulled Emma away from his disconcertingly deep bow and took her attention to the top table.

"Please can the Champions all stand and come to the front," Professor McGonagall requested.

Emma bid her friends goodbye and started walking to the top table. As she walked, she saw the other Champions all wearing the same outfit she had but in their respective House colours and surnames on the back.

"Good morning, Champions," Professor McGonagall greeted. She beamed at them proudly. "I know you wish to know what the Final Task will entail, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait until this afternoon to find out."

Elsa's shoulders deflated at the news. Clearly, she'd been hoping to receive a little bit of information to stop herself from fretting, but that wasn't to be. Strangely as Emma glanced towards Mary Margaret, she didn't look stressed at all like she usual did. Instead, there was a small smirk on her lips and a glimmer of mischief in her eyes as if she knew something which the others were not privy to.

However, before Emma could whisper to Regina to look at her stepsister, Professor McGonagall revealed something else instead.

"Instead, we have a different treat for you for now. So please follow me. There are some people here to see you."

Elsa turned to Emma and flashed her a bright smiled. They both know who were waiting for them and they couldn't wait to see them, even though Elsa had seen both of her parents more recently than Emma.

Again, Emma glanced right to Mary Margaret, but the smirk had quickly faded to look of dread at the prospect of seeing her father. Although, Emma was pretty sure that Leopold Blanchard would not be waiting for her while he was wanted by the Aurors, especially as there would be an Auror there waiting for her daughter.

The Headmistress led them to the chamber off the side of the Great Hall. As the door opened, the inhabitants were revealed.

"Emmy!"

Before Emma could even look around the room, her mother was rushing towards her, her arms wide open after calling her daughter's nickname, and embracing her tightly. Even though she never wanted Regina to hear the nickname, Emma couldn't be angry at her mother for using it as she was just excited to see her daughter after months. Emma quickly accepted her mother's hug, wrapping her arms around her tightly as her father joined the hug within seconds.

"I am so happy to see you guys," Emma said as she pulled back. She could feel herself getting emotional, but she held it back as she didn't want to cry for what felt like the hundredth time that year, not when she was so happy to see her parents.

"We're happy to see you too, Champ," David said as he pressed a soft kiss to his daughter's head. "We're so proud of you."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "You can stay with your family until just after lunch so that we can take you to the Task. Enjoy your day and I will see you all later."

She then walked out of the room, leaving everyone behind.

Emma took the moment to look around the room. Elsa was standing in the corner with her parents, in rapid conversation with her mother already while her father was just beaming to be reunited with his only child again.

In the next corner, Emma saw Regina speaking to two redheaded women. As Regina had said, now that Emma saw Zelena in the flesh, she did recognise her vaguely from her first year. Despite being sisters, the two really didn't look alike. Zelena looked like the other woman beside her who must be their mother, Cora. They shared the same hair colour, despite Cora's being slightly flecked with grey and were pale whereas Regina had slightly tanned skinned and was brunette. If Emma looked closely though, she saw that Regina did have similar facial features to her mother, but that was where the resemblance ended.

However, where Emma partially expected Leopold to be standing, she was surprised to see a stout looking matron who was already scolding Mary Margaret over the clothes she was wearing despite it being compulsory.

"That's her nanny," Regina explained as she led her family towards the Swans and seeing Emma's confusion.

"Oh," Emma said making Regina chuckle at her usual response when she was unsure of what to say. Regina had quickly found it to be quite endearing. At the laughter, Emma quickly schooled her reaction and cleared her throat. "Mum, Dad, this is Regina. She's the Slytherin Champion, and her mother and sister. These are my parents, Kathryn and David Swan."

"It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance officially in person, Auror Swan," Cora said making Emma look at her mother questioningly, but Kat just shook her head briefly. "I'm Cora and this is my oldest daughter, Zelena. You know Regina now as well."

Kat smiled and accepted Cora's proffered hand. "It's a pleasure." She glanced towards Emma. "Want to give us a tour of school? It'll have changed since we were here."

Emma nodded. "Sure." She turned to Regina. "I'll see you later."

"See you," Regina said.

David waved over to his brother in the corner before the Swans made their leave. Emma glanced back up at the top table to see that Hagrid was looking more awake now, but he still didn't seem fully with it.

Kat followed her daughter's eyeline. "Hagrid looks like he's been confunded."

"That's what I thought," Emma said. "Or that he's hit his head."

"Or hungover," David added. "That wasn't a very unusual sight when we were here."

"No, that's true," Kat muttered. "Although, something to keep an eye on. Anyway, where shall we start? We could go to Gryffindor Tower. I've never seen it."

Before Emma could agree, her father jumped in. "Nice try, Kat. You're not allowed to see it even though you've left. You know the rules."

Kat stuck her tongue out at her husband. "Party pooper. The Quidditch pitch it is."

Emma chuckled at her parents' behaviour. They still acted like young teenagers in love most of the time despite being together for twenty years. Some would think it was disgustingly soppy, but she thought it was ridiculously positive and romantic. It would be strange if they didn't act like that.

As they walked towards the Quidditch pitch, the three Swans made easy conversation, something that was never lacking in their house. They avoided talking about the upcoming Task and the ongoing investigation, there would be time for that later, instead they spoke about family and friends.

"Your Grandad has finally hung up his commentating boots," David said as they reached the pitch.

"Why's that?" Emma asked. She knew her granddad Robert loved commentating, but he was unable to keep up with the speed of professional games which is why he had gone to minor league matches instead.

"He just can't keep up with the speed anymore," David replied with a sigh. "And he can't remember names as well as he used to be able to, so he's decided to take a leaf out of my mum's book and is writing a book on commentating and why it's better than people think."

Emma raised her eyebrow. "Does he think that'll sell?"

David shrugged. "I don't know but I've said if he finds a publisher, I'll sell the book for a year to see how sales are. Plus, I think your grandma is going to like him being home on weekends so he doesn't disappear to the pub after the games."

"Yeah, I can imagine," Emma said with a chuckle before they continued their tour.

She showed they around the pitch with Kat pointing out the differences from when she played. The main one was that each House had their own changing rooms when they all had to share when she first started playing.

As they walked away, Emma saw Regina and her family walking towards the pitch, clearly having had the same idea as the Swans. Emma flashed the brunette a smile before they headed towards the lake.

"Mum?" Emma called quietly once they were a distance away from the Mills'.

Kat turned to her daughter. "Yeah?"

"What did Regina's mum mean when she said it was nice to meet you officially in person?" She asked.

Her mother faltered in her steps before she sighed. She pointed to a rock. "Sit. It's time to fill you in before tonight."

A/N: And I'm back! Sorry for the extended break but redecorating too much longer than planned and whilst it still isn't finished, I couldn't pause from writing any more. So everyone get ready for the big reveal in the next chapter and wish me luck that our decorating will be done by Tuesday next week!

Love, Emss xx