Chapter 96

Third Task: The Maze

The champions were getting anxious now, for there was only less than 100 points that separates first from second. Viktor knew that he was in last place, and that it would take a miracle for him to win the tournament, but was happy for Fleur and Cedric. Headmaster Karkaroff wasn't the happiest with his champion, but knew that he did his best. He was so far behind in points, he wasn't even in the running for second. He was of course going to go ahead and take part in the third task for the fun of it, and have fun in doing it.

The third task was a maze set up on the Quidditch pitch, and was going to be set in an all out race. The person who got to the center and got the Trophy wins the tournament, unless of course it's Viktor. If he get's it, there will be a duel between Cedric and Fleur to decide who is going to be the winner.

The third task was set to take place in the month of May, and have the champions take the whole of one Saturday to do this. The three competitors were preparing for the different types of creatures, spells, pitfalls and whatever else that the person that was setting it up would throw at them. They were also preparing, for they knew that they were going to be going against each other, and were researching spells about the different types sleep, stunning, or other type of binding spells that they could use.

Viktor had decided that he would try to take the other two out as quickly as he could, for even tho he couldn't win the tournament, he wanted to win this part of it. He decided that he would go into the maze last and follow the first person to go in, then go after the other one. He decided that he was going to be stunning them, or putting them to sleep in some way.

Cedric decided that he was going to try to get into the maze first, and to be as quick as possible. He was going to be heading towards the center of the maze in as much a straight route as possible. He knew that at least one of his opponents was going to try to get to him and the other one as quick as possible, and he was pretty sure that it was Krum, for Fleur seemed at complete peace with winning this tournament. He was spending the night before the final task with Cho in the Room of Requirements having a quiet dinner, and discussing what they were going to be doing with the money that he could win with this tournament. He had decided that he was going to ask her to marry him when she got done in school the year after he did, and that he would get the ring with the winnings of the tournament, if he won. He was smiling as he was making plans with her, and they were sharing a nice Snogging session before going to bed that night.

Fleur was sitting in a room at one of the Hotels in Hogsmeade with her new Boyrfriend, talking about their future. They weren't doing anything wrong, just talking in the room he was staying in while here for the tournament. She had decided that she would move to England after the end of the year when she graduated, and get a job with the same place where he worked. They talked a bit, and snogged a bit, before she said her goodnights, and he led her back to her Carriage in which she was staying with the rest of the students from her school. He smiled as he gave her another kiss, and walked back whistling an interesting tune.

The next day at the Quidditch field found the stands full of students, and the three champions sitting at the entrance to the maze wondering what was going to happen once they got inside. They were getting a bit nervous, and Minister Weasley walked up to them telling them that everything will be alright, and to do their best.

They thanked him and started to get ready for their task ahead. They each had their wands out, and at the ready before they went in at the announcement from Minister Weasley. Cedric was the first into the maze, followed by Fleur and then Viktor. Viktor went immediately after the Hogwart's champion following which way he went quite easily by the louder footfalls that he had going than Fleurs. He caught up to him as he had finished off a Blast Ended Skrewt, and decided to allow him to take out the critters and problems, and then to make himself known and knock him out. He had hoped that Fleur wasn't able to get to the center before they do, but was willing to take the risk. Cedric had faced a Accramantula, and a couple of Vampires and a Boggart before seeing the cup in the middle of the maze. He was about to go for it, when Viktor called his name, and when he turned around to see what was up, he was stunned out cold and the Bulgarian Champion waltzed up and took the cup becoming the winner of this task.

The three of them were immediately brought back out to the entrance, and Viktor was declared the winner of this task. "Since Viktor was the winner, and Cedric was the second closest, with Fleur so close behind him, there is a tie for first place, with Viktor 100 points behind them still. So it has been decided that the winner of the tournament will be decided by a Duel between the two champions that are tied for first place. Ennervate," he said over Cedric, and the maze was cleared away, and a duelling platform was now in the Quidditch pitch for the final showdown.

Viktor took his seat up in the stands with his schoolmates, to their congratulations to doing so good, and their condolansces for not winning the whole thing. Then they all looked down and watched the unfolding drama of the final showdown duel. The Hogwart's and the Beauxbatons champions bowed to each other, and the duel was on. Cedric was put on the defense right away having to put up shield as shield and dodging Spell after Spell. He eventually got a tickling spell in, and then a disarming spell to win the match. He handed Fleur back her wand, and bowed to her before being declared the Tri-Wizard Tournamen Champion by Minister Weasley. The crowds went wild, and he was hefted onto the shoulders of his well wishers. He smiled over to his girlfriend and mouthed, 'I Love You'.

A/N: Ok, cookies for anyone who can tell me who Fleur's mystery Boyfriend is. I will give you the only clue that would make it so that it wouldn't be obvious who it is. You will find out for sure who it is before chapter 100, but let's see if you can figure it out. Your clue, he was mentioned at least one time by name in this year of the story. Thank you for all your reviews, and keep on reading. --Donald