Hey guys! I'm back! Remember, you can leave recommendations for the final task in a review. More details about that in the A/N at the bottom.

Alec POV

Alec slipped into the seat right next to his best friend. The table was not as crowded this morning, probably because Alec was up a bit earlier than usual. Jace, on the other hand, was usually up before everyone else. "So, are you ready for today?" he asked him.

The champions had been told that the final task would be a series of challenges and puzzles that had been set up in tunnels which were temporarily place underground. They would each enter their own tunnel and have to solve the mini tasks to come before reaching the other end. Whoever made it first would be the winner, but the tunnels would overlap, so it was very likely that they would come across another champion and, depending where they were, might have to fight them.

Jace turned his head to face Alec. "You bet," he said through a mouthful of food.

Typical Jace, Alec thought, though as he took a second look, he noticed the quick flicker of nervousness in his eyes, which was a rare occurrence and it took Alec aback for a moment.

"Hey," Alec began. "You know you'll be fine out there."

Jace gave him a look. "Duh."

Well, if Jace doesn't want to talk about it, I won't be the one to make him, Alec decided. He knew Jace preferred to work these things out on his own, and he'd be fine, like he always was. At least that's what Alec told himself.

"So, are your parents coming today?" Alec asked him.

"Probably not," Jace replied. "They're always so busy, and they haven't told me if they'd be coming or not. But that's okay, I have you guys to cheer me on," he finished with a playful shove. "Anyways, I'm gonna go to the library and get any last bit of information I can get before the task. Tell Clary to meet me there if she has time before class."

As he stood up and walked out of the Great Hall, Alec couldn't help but think about how it would be next year when he didn't see Jace every day.

Later, at lunch, the school was a buzz of excitement. Everyone was holding their banners and signs that had slogans of support for their school champion, and everyone was talking about what they thought would happen.

Alec was sat beside Magnus and Izzy when the doors to the Great Hall opened. Alec turned his head to see Jace and the other champions walking in with their respective families. But it wasn't the loss of Jace's parents that made Alec do a double take, but rather who was in their place.

Because right behind Jace were the Lightwoods.

"Mom?" Izzy asked as everyone stood up to meet them. "Dad? Max? What are you guys doing here?"

Max rushed forward to hug Izzy. "We came to see Jace and the final task!" he told her excitedly, before turning to hug Alec.

"Jace's parents told us that they would be unable to be here so they asked us to come to give Jace more support," Maryse explained.

The group fell silent. No one knew quite what to say after that. They all knew about the Howler and the events of the last months, well, all maybe except Max, but it seemed that he could tell something was amiss.

Maryse cleared her throat. "And, um, we wanted to come to talk to Alec."

Alec felt Magnus come up behind him and interlock their fingers reassuringly. Alec squeezed his hand lightly in thanks but said nothing to his mom, deciding instead to look at his brother.

"I know you are probably mad at us…" Maryse continued.

"Oh, really?" Alec responded, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "I wonder why that may be."

Maryse sighed. "Alexander—"

"It's Alec," Alec reminded her.

"Alec," she corrected. "We wanted to apologize for everything."

Alec looked up at her, surprise written all over his face. "What?"

"We are sorry for everything. Your father wanted to apologize for what he said in the newspaper and for the Howler— all in all, he's sorry for his reaction. we both are."

"Really?" Alec looked at Robert, who still didn't say anything. "I want to here him say it."

Robert, who had been avoiding Alec's gaze, turned to look at him. "I'm sorry," he managed to get out. "My reaction was a bit much."

"A bit?!" Alec exclaimed, outraged. "You practically disowned me!"

Robert appeared to be shocked at Alec's outburst, but Alec didn't care. All the frustrations from the last few months were coming back.

"Alexander, you must understand…" Robert began.

"No, you need to understand. You're my father. You're supposed to love me no matter what. You're supposed to be there when I need you. But the moment you read something in the newspaper, you practically throw me out of the family!"

"Alexander! Your father is trying to apologize." Maryse told him.

Alec gave an incredulous laugh. "Yeah, 'trying', if you can even call it that."

"Alec, darling," Magnus whispered in his ear. "You are drawing a crowd."

"I don't care," he whispered back.

Robert cleared his throat. "So I see the article wasn't a lie."

Alec looked back at him. "Yeah. Is that a problem?" he challenged.

Robert's mouth closed and formed a hard, thin line. And that was all the answer Alec needed.

"I see," Alec said. He looked down at his brother. "Sorry about all of this, buddy." Looking back at his parents he added, "Well, send me a message when I'm welcomed back into the family again."

"No, Alec…" Maryse tried.

"No mom, you don't get it. If I'm not accepted there, then it's no home for me," he told her. "Let me know when he gets some sense knocked into him." He looked to Izzy, who he knew had a lot to say and was probably saving it all for when Alec was out of earshot. "Don't bother, Izzy. I don't want him to hate you too."

"Are you gonna say anything?" Izzy said to Robert. "This is your son!"

"Izzy," Alec said. "Don't." But he knew that as soon as he left, she would start up again. Oh well, at least he tried.

He turned around to leave before turning back to Jace. "I just need a second alone, but I'll be back before the task, don't worry." He took one last look at his father. "And dad," he said. "I'm still the same Alec you knew all these years. If you can't see that, then I pity you and would hate to be in your place because I wouldn't change myself even if I could."

And he turned around and left without another word.

Later that day found Alec at the base of some bleachers that faced three tunnels, waiting for Jace. The rest of the group had found a seat in the bleachers, saving Alec a spot as well, each of them having already bid Jace their words of luck. As soon as Alec saw Jace heading his way, he rushed towards him. The other champions were with him, Viria's red hair blowing in the soft breeze, her blue eyes shinning. Jean slightly behind the two, his green eyes bright with excitement, his dark, curly hair falling in his eyes, desperately needing a trim, but who was Alec to talk?

As soon as Jace saw Alec, his eyes lit up and the bit of worry on his face was chased away. "I thought you might not come," he told Alec.

"And miss your victory? I would never," Alec said with a smile. "So, are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Jace responded.

"Well, I just wanted you to know that whatever happens, I won't think of you any differently," Alec told him. "Sure, it'd be great if you win, but if you lose, it'll be fine. Just… don't do anything stupid, okay? Make it back alive," Alec finished. These tournaments have had several deaths, the most recent one being at their very school, about 20 years ago. And Alec didn't want Jace to be added to the list of those who died.

Jace matched his gaze. "Don't worry," he told him. "I'll be fine."

"Alright," Alec said. Leaning closer, he whispered, "Now go kick some ass."

With a hug and a pat on the back, Alec headed up the bleachers to sit besides Magnus.

"Are you okay?" Magnus asked. "About what happened earlier?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alec answered. "If Robert doesn't want to be associated with me, that's his problem, not mine."

"Well, Izzy had a thing or two to say to him after you left."

"Of course she did," Alec said with a laugh, resulting in a light smack on the arm from said sister, who also gave one to Magnus.

Alec looked at her and added, "Which is why I love you." He pulled her in for a hug.

"It'll be alright, you know," she told him.

"I know," he whispered back. "I know it will."

"Guys, they're going to start soon," Simon told them.

"Ladies and gentleman," a voice boomed over the crowd. "The third and final task of this years Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. The current standings of all the champions are as follows: Viria Karsten of Durmstrang Institute is first with 88 points, followed by Jace Herondale of Hogwarts School and Jean André Courtade of Beauxbatons Academy tied for second place at 80 points each. Viria will be going first since she is in first place, and Jace and Jean will enter 30 seconds after her. Best of luck to all of you." He paused for a moment to let the applause die down. "Now, on the blow of my whistle, Viria, you will head into your tunnel. Three— two— one—"

He gave a short blow into his whistle, and Viria was off. She disappeared into her tunnel and it wasn't long until she could no longer be seen or heard.

"Now, Jace and Jean, please line up, and you will do the same as her." He look at his watch, counting down. "Three— two— one—"

And with another blast of his whistle, Jace and Jean each disappeared into their own tunnels, the applause of the crowd drawing out the sound of their footsteps.

And then they were gone.

Hey guys! What did you think? Reviews are wonderful :) Sorry these are so short but I promise the next chapter will be longer. I'm going to go to the POV's of the champions for the next chapter or 2! So you'll get to see the actual challenges and learn a bit about the original characters.

Also- last chance to leave some recommendations for the final task. Like I said, it's a series of challenges and puzzles and stuff. Like, if your read the first Harry Potter book, remember the number of rooms and stuff protecting the stone? It's gonna sorta be like that but I don't want to copy those so any recommendations?

Thanks guys!