Chapter 32! Been a while, I hope ya'll aren't too annoyed at the time this has taken me but hopefully you enjoy it and please review!
Daphne woke on the day of the final task with dread already curling in her gut, despite her belief in Harry and knowing all the training that had been done she still couldn't help the cold tendrils that worked their way over her heart and squeezed painfully. The day before they had been instructed by a remarkably serious Sirius to take the day off "Don't even think about doing anything, training wise or intellectual or anything that requires too much thinking." He had said with an uncharacteristically stern face. "You've all been working hard and need to just have some fun now. Have a chill day and just relax." They had taken his advice to heart, starting with having a huge dinner and staying up with Firewhisky that Sirius had left for them in the room of requirement, none of them had made it back to their dormitories instead wishing the room to provide several beds. The day had been spent down by the lake and by six o'clock; Daphne had taken out a book and was reading to Luna while Tracey had convinced Theo to let her paint him. Neville was knee deep in water and sketching what he called a floating Bellis Perennis and everyone else called a daisy, Harry was with him and kept accidently on purpose sending small waves over to the taller boy as he charmed the water droplets to rise and form shapes. Their food had been bought to them by Dobby who indulged in a whole 15 minutes of conversation before he had popped away and left them to act like the teenagers they were, the evening had ended with Harry inviting Daphne on a walk around the lake as the others drifted to bed. They kept a leisurely pace as they moved with the cooling summer and a comfortable silence was between them until they completed their lap and ended up underneath the oak tree again.
"So tomorrow…" Harry tailed off not really sure what else to say.
"It'll be okay. You've worked hard, you know the plan, you have the emergency portkey in case of anything. You. Will. Be. Fine." She had demanded more than said.
"You believe in me that much?" The words were out before he'd had chance to stop them and winced as he got the full affect of Daphne's ice gaze before it melted into the look of love he was used to seeing now.
"Yes Harry, I really do."
Leaning forward he had kissed her and she felt all the emotions at once.
Now she lay awake at almost 6 in the morning and wondered where her earlier confidence had flown to. Feeling too anxious to fall back asleep she instead had a long shower and got ready, feeling a need to move she quickly went out of the silent common room and started to walk through the cold castle. She went up one staircase and down the next, past the transfiguration classrooms and around the tower where Astoria had had Divination for a brief week before she'd declared a wretched subject and demanded to switch to Runes. She almost leapt out of her skin when Dobby suddenly appeared before her.
"Dobby! Don't do that!" Daphne had squeaked in a surprisingly good imitation of the creature in front of her who started to pull on his ears in sadness.
"Sorry Mistress Daffy. I hoping I didn't scare you badly."
Feeling her heart rate return to normal she nodded and caught his hands before he could carry on beating himself.
"Its alright, I'm okay I was just surprised. How are you?"
"I am well, Master Harry sent me to find if you were up and to ask you to breakfast in the kitchen?"
"Well lead on green one!"
They quickly made their way back through the castle chatting about Dobby's work and his hope for finding a family soon, his hints about 'how wonderful it would be to find someone so great like Master Harry' was not lost on Daphne who had to stop herself from grinning as they went down the stairs and the hidden door opened automatically to Dobby. Seeing her boyfriend seated at the table she immediately went to him and cuddled in close, feeling the storm of anxiety stall for the first time since waking up.
"Sleep okay?" She murmured.
"Well enough, you?"
"Same. You do have everything right?"
"Yep, double and triple checked."
Harry was already wearing his duelling robes with dragonhide boots. His wand was in his arm holster and he also had two daggers strapped to his calves, the stag necklace was still around his neck but had been transfigured into a portkey by Sirius to go if he said the safe word and it would transport him to Grimmaulds Place. At about nine o'clock Dobby came up to them again.
"Master Harry, sir?"
"Yes Dobby?"
"Dobby is wishing you luck today sir, and that Master Harry's Paddy is here with friends. They is in the side-chamber next to the great hall. Mistress Daffy's family also be here."
"Thanks Dobby oh and here, I got you this as a thankyou for everything this year no matter what happens today."
Dobby burst into tears and took the small package that Harry had handed to him before throwing himself at the couple that were still cuddling on the bench, they patted him on the back and waited patiently as he got a hold of himself to pull back and unwrap the present.
"Oh Master Harry is the greatest. Mistress Daffy is the bestest." Dobby enthusiastically repeated at them while he held up the black t-shirt with 'Mr Freedom' written on it.
"I thought your cushion cover was looking a little worn out, do you like it?"
"Oh yesses Master Harry! Dobby loves it!" The elf once more hugged the two of them and pulled the t-shirt on, looking down at it with a beaming smile before he was called out to by some other of the elves and he hurried away.
"That was an excellent decision, Mr Potter." Daphne said as she moved her head to the crook of her boyfriends neck and lightly kissed the skin there.
"Why thankyou Miss Greengrass." He murmered back as he tightened his arms around her, breathing in the strawberry and creams shampoo she used. As they cuddled he felt his nerves start to drift as well, he'd woken up around 5.30 and had spent some time reading his parents journals before getting ready and heading to the kitchen. It had been half an hour after that that he'd asked to Dobby to see if Daphne was awake and an invitation for her to join him.
"We should go and see the adults, they're probably a bundle of nerves too."
Daphne felt him nod is agreement before he shifted his hold and kissed her cheek before standing. Together they rose and walked in a solemn silence towards the chamber where Daphne immediately went to her parents sides and was pulled into a hug which was then followed by the usual questions over schooling. Harry meanwhile was squashed between Remus and Sirius as they merely drew comfort and strength from each other, eventually the three drew away but Sirius quickly clasped his hands onto his godsons shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. Harry's stomach lurched at the open display of concern in the slightly pale face of Sirius Black.
"You'll be amazing Prongslet, okay?"
Harry nodded, a lump in his throat at the love and worry in his godfathers eyes.
"Good because if anything happens you're grounded until you're thirty."
"Thirty Pads, try forever." Remus said shakily and they all gave a nervous laugh before Harry found himself between the two of them again before splitting to greet Lord Cyrus and Lady Aquila Greengrass.
Harry took a deep breath before giving assort bow to the two of them and addressing them formally before he kissed Lady Greengrass's hand and shook Lord Greengrass's.
"Lord Potter good to see you again, keeping out of trouble I see. Feeling prepared?"
"Indeed sir and please call me Harry. Preparations have been well underway and your daughter has been extraordinary in helping me stay focussed."
"Excellent, Daphne always was good at keeping people in line. Call us Aquila and Cyrus please Harry, I have heard plenty about you from both of my daughters."
"A pleasure to finally meet you, Aquila. Your daughters are quite marvellous."
"They are, I can't imagine where they get it from." Lady Aquila teased as she tried to chase the shadows from the youngers mans eyes.
"Well we definitely don't get our looks from dad." Daphne said laughingly.
"Yes a matter I'm not sure whether to be happy or disappointed over." Cyrus said thoughtfully.
They laughed at that and agreed, Daphne and Astoria were clearly their mothers daughters with the same golden waterfall of hair, slim figure and light complexion. Cyrus, with his dark hair, tanned skin and broad shoulders only shared his blue eyes with them.
The group chatted amicably for a little while until Lady Greengrass requested they explore the castle where she spent so many happy years. The others agreed and she immediately latched onto Harry and pulled him towards the door, the others followed behind with Daphne and Remus speaking of a few ideas of Lily's charm projects that Daphne wanted to develop and Sirius and Cyrus speaking of the wizengamont, quidditch, their kids and anything else that came to mind. The only time an addition was added was when Astoria caught a snatch of her fathers booming laugh around the corner from the library and threw herself at her parents regardless of the students that were watching the group. Neville, Theo and Tracey had smiled at them in the library and had a quick conversation but had left the two families to themselves, Luna had flummoxed them as she had spoken quite seriously to Remus about the flock of nargles hovering around him and how he should see someone about them before she'd skipped off to find some sunflowers.
The exploration of the castle took longer than any of them realised and it was only when a silver cat came towards them and Professor McGonagall's voice asked them to return to the antechamber that they found their stomachs rumbling as the beautiful smell of the house elves cooking came floating through the castle. As they returned, they realised the other champions and their families were also there. Gabrielle and Fleur both smiled and waved but stayed with their parents whose mother had the same striking hair and whose father was looking around with an imperious eyebrow. Mr and Mrs Krum had the same dark, heavy features as their son but they had wide smiles as they spoke with their famous son. Amos and Claire Diggory both waved and Cedric gave a nervous smile.
"Claire, Amos wonderful to see you again. Cedric, good luck today." Remus said as the group.
"Thankyou Professor Lupin. Harry, good luck too."
"Thanks Cedric all the best." Harry said honestly.
The two shared an anxious grin before returning their attention to their families.
"So summer soon, have you guys got any plans?" Sirius asked.
"We will most likely be going to our Villa in Italy for a little while and we have Astoria's birthday in August to celebrate but apart from that I think we'll just wait and see if anything pops up, you?" Aquila responded.
"We've decided to take Harry on a proper vacation, the main Potter manor is actually in Gloucestershire so we thought we'd take him up there. There are so many family heirlooms up there and history about the Potters that we thought it would be good to go up there together and sort through things." Remus said.
"Plus there's still so much that we need to tell Harry about, I didn't think we told him about the time he spelled James's hair orange and pink." Sirius said with a bittersweet smile.
"It sounds wonderful, a lovely time for you all." Cyrus said softly.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do for your birthday?" Aquila asked, determined to shift the conversation to happier times.
"Ah we have big plans for that, but we have yet to set anything in stone." Sirius said with a smile and just as he was about to rush into an explanation; Headmaster Dumbledore, Headmistress Maxine, Headmaster Karakoff and Ludo Bagman all strolled in. The first and last had beaming smiles while the other two merely smiled politely.
"Welcome welcome to all the families of the champions and to you young people yourselves. What an incredible day it is! We are thrilled to host the final task with you all in attendance and will now have a final meaning before we retreat to the grounds." Bagman enthusiastically spoke with his hands swinging at his side. "Onwards, come, come your schoolmates are waiting for you!"
No one moved until Madam Maxine elegantly stepped forward and spoke soft French to her student who gripped her sisters hand tightly before smoothing her face into a carefree, nonchalance smile and swept through the doors into the great hall, immediately cheering started and Krum grudgingly went through with his parents followed by Cedric and lastly Harry who refused to let go of Daphne's hand. They walked to the front of the hall where the others also stood in a single line as they looked out onto the cheering students. The four tables had different banners hanging over them today from right to left first came the Slytherin table decorated with the red two headed eagle emblem was Durmstrung. Next came the Ravenclaw, who had shifted to a lighter blue and held the double wand coat of arms that signified the Beauxbatons. The third was Hufflepuff which held the Hogwarts badger as well as the Diggory crest. Lastly was the Gryffindor table which also held the Hogwarts crest which with a subtle wand wave Harry changed to the Black crest once more as well as the Potter crest. They all stood their stiffly as the students cheered, none of them quite sure what to do.
"Yes yes we are all so proud of their accomplishments, Champions take your seats and let the meal commence."
Catching sight of Theo, Neville, Tracey and Luna at the very end of the table Daphne led the way down the whole length to seat herself amongst her friends and family regardless of the people who immediately shuffled in their seats for the larger group to sit with them.
"Well we quite the welcoming didn't we." Sirius said with a large smile though Harry and Remus noticed the strain in his eyes as they swept the room.
"Sirius have you decided on giving Daddy an interview?" Luna asked gently taking Sirius's attention and giving him something else to focus on which he latched on to gratefully.
"Indeed I have Luna, I have even planned the perfect speech for when Harry wins." He said cheekily.
"Optimistic there, do you know something we don't?" Teased Cyrus.
"I thought it was common knowledge." Returned Sirius with a mock shocked expression.
"What is?" Astoria asked eagerly.
"Why Harry's the best of course!" Neville announced with a flair.
They all laughed before tucking into the food, conversation was kept light and breezy allowing none of them to worry about the final task and giving Harry the chance to eat without the usual pressure. As such they had all almost forgotten the reason why they were all there until Dumbledore once more stood and invited everyone to leave for the stands and the champions and their families to wait in front of the maze. Almost at once a buzz filled the hall, excitement swirled and people were swept up in it. Voices became louder and the surge of students exiting was colossal as theories were thrown about what was to occur and eager looks were thrown to each of the champions. Harry and co. were some of the last to leave as they took the time to finish up and go over the plan one last time behind privacy charms before walking down. They moved through the stands to the cheers of the crowd and waited patiently in front of the maze, standing quietly and letting Harry clear his mind and prepare himself. It was only when the judges called them over that they started to leave. First Cyrus and Aquilla departed with a good luck and a hug from Aquilla and handshake from Cyrus; then Astoria and Luna both squeezed him between them and demanded he stay safe. Next came Tracey who threw her arms around him dramatically and restricted his ability to breathe until Theo managed to pull her off him and clap a hand onto his shoulder with a concerned but determined glint in his eye that Harry responded to with a nod. Neville reached for him and the two gave a hug complete with thumps on the back.
"You come back you hear, Daphne will keep us up all night trying to figure out what went wrong otherwise." He joked but with an apprehensive tone.
"Wouldn't want to leave you with that…Nev, thanks."
Neville flushed lightly and gave a shy smile before nodding at him and hurrying over to take his seat by Tracey.
Harry turned to his uncle and was wrapped in a loose hug which he quickly returned.
"You be safe out there Harry, no doing anything heroically stupid."
"Understood."
"And the Unspeakables are around the maze so if anything happens you call them, okay?"
"Yep."
"And if you get the slightest bad feeling you get out of there."
"Will do."
"And don't get rushing headlong into danger."
"I never do."
"And-"
"Uncle Moony, I got this. I'll be okay."
Remus sighed as he looked down at his nephew, he couldn't believe how much had changed this year and now he just wanted to hug him and lock him away in a tower.
"I know, I know. Okay go and be safe but be brave too but not stupid otherwise your mother will kill me. Love you Harry."
"Love you too Remus."
Turning away from his Uncle, Harry faced his guardian. The worry playing across the usually smiling mien of Sirius Black caused his gut to lurch as well as warmth that he had people who worried for him now. Harry stepped forward first, wrapping his arms around his godfather and breathing in the scent of wood burning and fire-whisky that always hung around the older man. Sirius responded immediately, holding his godson and pressing a kiss to his head.
"You'll be okay." It was a simple statement. Said as a fact and a demand as though there was no question of Harry not being okay at the end of it, Sirius knew he wouldn't be able to handle it any other way.
In response Harry squeezed tighter and nodded firmly.
"Your parents are so proud of you as am I."
Harry closed his eyes at the love and warmth that flowed from his voice and nodded again this time a little more shakily.
They separated and Sirius laid his hands on the youngers mans shoulders.
"We'll see you soon."
"Have a butterbeer waiting for me."
The two grinned at each before Sirius shook himself like a dog and turned to Daphne.
"Give him one hell of a reason to stay, young lady." He said with a roguish smile and then winced as Remus punch caught him squarely on the arm.
"Ouch, Moony!"
"Well what did you expect you old dog!"
The two youngest laughed as they watched the couple walk back to the stands squabbling before turning to each other. Daphne didn't hold back merely stepped forward to be held, they were quiet for a few minutes.
"You're coming back to me."
"Obviously."
"I mean it."
Harry pulled back slightly and held Daphne's gaze. Green latched onto blue and magic whirled around them listening to the words they spoke.
"I promise I'll come back, Daph. I will get through it."
Daphne nodded and a shadow lifted from her eyes. Leaning forward she pressed her lips against his and savoured the feeling of him.
"I love you."
Harry smiled and she felt the same butterflies she always did, he leaned forward pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I love you too."
"Good, now get out there you lion."
He mock shooed her away.
"Go, your snakieness is distracting me."
With a final look at each other they turned away, one heading to the stands to be swept into a hug by friends and family and the other to stand alone in front of the maze as the sun started to turn the sky lilac and Ludo Bagman came to stand at the front.
"Welcome ladies and gentleman. Finally here we are, the start of the third and final task. Inside this maze are obstacles of many varied variety that our champions will have to face down. In the middle is the Triwizard cup!" He paused as the crowd roared their approval. "The first champion to reach the cup will be whisked to the podium here and will be crowned winner of the Triwizard Tournament! Each champion will pass through the maze and different times based on their scores so far. In the lead we have Mr Potter who will enter first! Then comes Mr Diggory! Next Mr Krum and finally Miss Delacour! Good luck to you all and when the bell rings you may enter. Take your places!"
Harry went and stood in front of the entrance to the maze, it towered over him in a mixture of leaves and brambles. He breathed deeply and felt a shard of fear pierce his chest as the bell rung, with a last look over his shoulder at the sharp blue eyes that were focused on him he stepped into the maze and sharply turned right. At once the roar of the crowd was dimmed and nothing but the stillness of nature at dusk surrounded him. The maze passages were about 3 feet in width and deciding that anything was better than standing there he started walking. After a minute he hear the bell ring again but before the third one was heard he rounded the corner and immediately found himself sinking down to his knees in the mud, struggling back he found himself sinking further and he forced himself to stop and think. Quicksand had been one of the natural obstacles they'd found in one of the books plus Neville had shown him how they use it for the magical plants that grew quicker; lying back he shuddered at as the cold grit penetrated through his clothes and slowly began to move his arms in a breast-stoke motion although it clung at first Harry found himself moving back easily and within a minute he was lying on hard ground again. Getting to his feet he quickly vanished the mud and froze the pathway in front of him before calmly carrying on. He took the next left and then the next, the maze moved and shivered around him and several times he thought he saw the branches reaching towards him before he quickened his pace. The next obstacle he came up against was a boggart- he had just wondering if he should retrace his steps when he noticed a figure in-front of him, as they turned round he realised it was Daphne she was stretching her hands out towards him with pain twisting her beautiful face. He was halfway to her when he realised his actions and swore softly before speaking confidently "Riddikulus!" At one the boggart started to do an irish jig and he spoke once more before it disappeared. Taking another left and faced with a dead end he turned right and froze as a scream split the silence and filled his ears he spun and tried to find a route to it but it died quickly leaving only a colder chill in the air. He quickly chose a few more random paths and suddenly found himself face to face with Viktor Krum, the two stared at each other before Harry sidestepped with a quick "sorry, good luck". Krum nodded his head slowly and started down the path Harry had just come from. Harry shrugged and kept going and found himself surrounded by a beautiful golden mist, at once he felt his worries disappear and a sudden peace flow over him. The mist was so pretty and smooth, it made him all warm. He could stay here for a while and nothing could hurt him. The thought made him pause, why would anything hurt him? What could hurt him? Could the mist hurt him? As the thoughts started to build in his head he realised the mist was starting to dissipate until he suddenly realised what it was. An advanced version of the cheering charm but it gas form, it eased the burdens but stay there long enough and you became perfectly happy at not even remembering your own name. He kept moving and soon enough the green walls of the maze were visible to him again. He moved onwards and had only a brief moment t dive forward into a roll as he sense something large coming at him, springing to his feet his mouth dropped open at the sight of the 10 foot long blast ended skrewt that was swiftly moving back to him, its stinger raised high in the air, he leapt to the side and shot several stunners a it that did nothing but make it shriek as they bounced of its grey armour. The hedges moved around the two has Harry repeatedly jumped out of the way to avoid being trampled or stung and he was starting to get frustrated as his spells did nothing to beat the beast back. It was only as the creature suddenly reared as Harry got it right in the face with a cutting hex that he managed to shoot a blasting curse straight at its belly that threw it back as its innards suddenly became its outards. Harry found his legs shaking and sat rather quicky on the ground as the adrenaline started to leave, he took several breaths before rising quickly at the sound of running feet. Cedric burst out from his left and the older boy looked at Harry and then the mess of blood and guts in front of him with a raised eyebrow.
"Hagrids skrewts." Harry said by way of an explanation.
"Ah I only had a pesky venomous snake."
The two looked at each other before a few chuckles started to escape.
"This is absolute madness, I can't believe I was stupid enough to want to do this." Cedric said shaking his head as he looked once more at the trail of gore. Harry shrugged, he didn't really have anything to say to that.
"Well I'll see you on the other side Potter."
"Good luck Diggory."
With a friendly smile the Hufflepuff left the way he had come and Harry decided to continue on his path, he took a few more lefts before being confronted by a ginormous sphinx that was resting comfortably on the ground. He knew their intelligence and how much they enjoyed puzzles and figuring it as a why not he decided to continue forward. The head rose and stretched elegantly as Harry neared, he bowed hurriedly and with a faintly bemused smile she bowed back her tail curling behind her.
"Greetings young wizard." Her voice was low and soft and also slightly superior Harry had a sudden image of a grandmother using the tone.
"Good evening, your ladyship. How has your stay been with us so far?"
She smiled once more, showing perfectly white teeth.
"My stay has been comfortable, thankyou. How was your journey to me?"
"Riddled with peril and danger, my lady, however I triumphed in the end."
"And do you believe you can triumph my challenge too?"
"I believe I can try."
"Very well. My challenge is simple, I have a riddle which you will need to answer in order to proceed with the next stage of your quest. Should you fail at answering I shall give you one chance to leave with your life. Do you understand, young wizard?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Excellent my riddle is this -
First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard,
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"
Harry squinted at the ground as he thought it through slowly, sectioning it into three parts and going from each to each. Amazingly it was Tracey who he first thought could help him with this, she was the one who bought up enough riddles to last a life time and once they had been listed as a potential obstacle she kept springing random ones on him.
Eventually he looked up and the sphinx raised an eyebrow.
"Arrived at a conclusion, young wizard?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Proceed."
"I believe the answer to your challenge is a spider."
The sphinx bowed her head, this time lower and stepped to the side as her tail flicked along the path she had revealed.
"Bravo, young sir. Proceed to your destination. You're are not far from your goal."
Harry bowed again before quickly striding away. He round two corners and froze at the sight of the gleaming cup perched on a boulder in the middle of a large circle surrounded by the same towering hedges that are restricted his view of the outside world.
He stood in the middle of the pathway that led him there, eyeing the shining trophy that shat had an inner glow that sparkled. Just as he was starting towards it he heard an ominous clicking sound. Immediately he backtracked back to his corridor of safety. The clicking sound faded and Harry's stomach rolled as he realised what it was a second before it stepped into view and scurried on its 8 legs around the cup and out of sight to the other side.
The acromantula was huge and for a moment Harry wondered if he could even be bothered with it. It was at least 5 feet in width and its giant pincers stuck out from it threateningly, the hair was black as night and Harry couldn't stop another shudder of revulsion as it scuttled past with its pincers clicking. He stared hard at the cup, the best thing that could come from grabbing it was that he was transported to the outside of the maze and could celebrate the rest of the evening with his family. The decision was taken for him when he caught sight of Miss Fleur Delacour, her robe was torn in several places and her face was scratched. She stumbled into the circle with barely a glance and only just glanced up in time to see the acromantula barrelling towards her, a scream burst from her throat as she threw herself forwards and began shooting spell after spell at it. Harry immediately sprinted into the open and joined her in casting blasting, freezing and cutting hexes at it; nothing seemed to be getting through its hide and he could tell Fleur was tiring quickly.
"Fleur, get its attention!" Harry yelled as a brave but stupid seed sprouted in his head.
"Oui!"
Using her last remaining strength Fleur started to throw all kinds of spells, pure light, loud bangs, ice, fire, on top of this she also pulled into her vela power and submitted her body to the half change, her face taking on a more bird like shape as a loud caw emitted from her mouth. The spider immediately focussed its eight eyes on her and Harry sidled to the left before taking a deep breath and transfiguring a small slide of ice. With a running sprint he threw himself down the slide and just as the spider leapt for Fleur, Harry pointed his wand straight at the underbelly and he yelled out "Reducto!"
The blast was huge and Harry buried his head under his arms as he felt pieces fly about him. Once the silence filled the air again he looked around. Fleur was sitting on the ground, looking her usual shining self but with drooping eyes and clearly out of breath, he hurried to her side and quickly cast a warming charm as he noticed her shivering.
"Are you alright?"
"Oui, thankyou 'Arry. I do not think I would have made it without you." She said with none of her usual confidence, she looked around them and seemed to notice for the first time how close the cup was to them. It lay only 2 metres from them and gleamed softly.
"Go. Take it. I cannot." Fleur said looking exhausted.
"No, we can take it together, a double victory for both our schools."
"Non. 'Arry, listen to me. You have overcome many obstacles, you who are three years younger than any of us. You have done more this tournament than any of us, take it. Take it and prove that horrible woman at the prophet wrong." She had a warm smile with none of her allure working and Harry was almost ready to reach out when Fleur suddenly gasped and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"What is it?" Harry said urgently, his brows drawn together tightly.
"My shoulder, I got into a fight with another beast but it caught me." Fleur drew her hand away and Harry's stomach lurched at the crimson blood spread over it.
"Okaycome on, we'll touch the cup and get you so help." Harry said and he started to put his arm around her to lift Fleur up before she drew a hiss of breath in through her teeth and her face paled further.
"No time." Shaking slightly, Fleur pointed her wand up to the sky and a stream of red sparks flew into the air.
A minute later, Moody came charging in.
"Alright, you two?"
"I am hurt, Professor and require assistance."
"Well up you come then." Moody moved over to Fleur and reached down to pull her up. Hearing the whimper that Fleur gave had Harry quickly putting an arm around her as he levelled a glare at the professor.
"I've got her, lets go."
"Non, non 'Arry take the cup."
"Yes go on Potter you have this." Moody said as he shooed the boy over to the cup. All he got in return was an unimpressed, raised eyebrow.
"No thankyou sir, I'll return with you and Miss Delacour I think I've had my fill of adventure."
"No no Potter. It doesn't work like that. Go on. Take the cup." Moody's voice took on a harsher edge and had a look in his eye that suddenly made Harry grip his wand tighter.
"No I will come with you and Miss Delacour."
"'Arry-"
"No, Potter you will not. You will take the damn cup and finish this." He fairly growled. "I have the girl, now go and grab that cup." He demanded as he set a hand on Fleur's forearm and pulled her away from Harry whose eyes blazed with anger as Fleur let out a cry and shoved back against Moody.
"Unhand me you brute. How dare you!" Fleur moved away and had her wand in her hand in a second.
"Professor Moody, I believe Miss Delacour and myself will find our way back out of the maze." Harry said, his words frosting over with his controlled fury.
Moody's face contorted with anger and before anyone could blink he had whipped out his wand and the cup had come flying towards them. On instinct Harry jumped in the way to shield Fleur and he had a moment to curse himself for his stupidity before he felt an awful hooking sensation and his surroundings disappeared in a blur.