Chapter 44

The last hours before the task were ticking down, and Harry was spending them strolling the Hogwarts grounds with his father, godfather, Mila, and Tonks. Sirius had said for Tonks to come as part of the family, and Harry noticed Remus took her hand several times, especially when he looked most nervous. Tonks had a way of helping him relax some. Mila was looking at everything in amazement, and asked about everything from the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall to the Whomping Willow. They all took turns answering her questions and telling her stories about past times at Hogwarts. It was clear the little girl was having a wonderful time.

Several students came up to Remus over the course of the day and asked if he'd be coming back to teach next year too, since Moody had only agreed to a one year contract. Neville especially was hoping Remus would come back.

"Have you been feeling better lately?" he asked. The official story was that Remus had left his job at Hogwarts for health reasons. Draco was still fond of saying he suspected Remus had been fired.

Remus thanked him for asking and then answered "I'm afraid I won't be up to teaching full time for awhile. My illness is still giving me problems." Neville looked down a moment before Remus said "I'm sure you'll do well for whoevercomes next year, Neville, especially after the brilliant way you handled that boggart last year."

Neville had smiled in reply and wished Harry luck before going to take an exam. As a champion, Harry didn't have to take exams that year.

As evening approached, the adults were looking more and more worried. There was nothing more anyone could do though. Harry had spent every free hour learning every and any possible spell that could help him. When he wasn't practicing them or getting advice from his friends and family, Professor Moody often pulled him aside to ask how he was preparing or to make suggestions. Now he knew he was as ready for this as it was possible to be, but he was still too nervous to really eat when it came time for the feast.

"Try focusing on what you've been practicing," Remus advised. "Can you remember all the spells?"

Harry found that he could list them all, and that helped him feel better, as Remus had known it would. Then Dumbledore stood and announced that it was time for the champions to go to the stadium while everyone else was to head to stands. He swallowed nervously and found himself hugged between- well, just about everyone. Tonks had a hand on his shoulder and Mila squeezed in for a hug too. Harry had spent many hours over the past summer and Christmas holidays reading to her and playing games with her and she'd never forgotten or stopped being grateful. They'd grown quite close over that time, and in many ways it felt like he was her big brother.

"You'll be fine, Cub," Remus said when they pulled apart. ""It's almost over now."

Harry smiled bravely, but then looked at his dad and asked "Cub? It's been awhile since you called me that, like you thought I'd outgrown it or something."

Remus smiled warmly.

"You've had to grow up so fast in many ways, Harry. You've always had more expected of you by others and you've faced things many trained Aurors never had to. But no matter what, you'll always be my Cub."

Everyone was choked up a moment until Harry said "I suppose I have to be going now. I'll see you all shortly."

Why did this task seem more dangerous than the others? It should have seemed like the simplest task of all. Much simpler than when he'd gone after the Sorcerer's Stone or into the Chamber of Secrets. He tried telling himself it would be just like going through his dad's obstacle course last year. He'd gotten through that in the best time and faced obstacles along the way, the same as now. Harry knew his dad would never have put anything in the obstacle course the students weren't ready for at that level though. These tasks were meant for students who were over seventeen. Still, he'd done all right so far.

"Just a simple maze," Sirius said, as if reading Harry's thoughts even though Harry knew he was only trying to be reassuring. "Just keep your guard up and you'll be at the center before you know it."

Harry nodded. "Right. I've been in much worse scrapes than this." He looked at his family, and somehow couldn't shake the feeling that he might be seeing them for the last time. "I just wanted to say-"

"We know," Sirius said, uncharacteristically quiet.

"And we love you too, son." Remus said.

"You'll be the best one out there," Mila assured him.

"Of course he will be," Tonks added. "You already know spells I wasn't taught until my first year of Auror training, Harry."

Giving a smile, Harry followed the other champions.

Remus couldn't help feeling proud as he watched Harry cast a patronus at what looked like a dementor but of course was only a boggart. He watched nervously as Harry was confused by the illusion the golden mist caused, and actually jumped out of his seat and yelled when Harry was nearly burned by a blast ended skrewt. Sirius jumped up beside him and almost let a profanity slip before remembering Mila was there. Tonks and Mila were watching just as intently, with Mila taking turns being on everyone's shoulders so she could see better. Then everything was calm for a brief time until Cedric's yell was heard.

"Do you think he got to Fleur?"

"No idea," Harry answered. "Didn't think Krum would use the Crutiatus on anyone. I mean I know what Karkaroff is like, but Krum seemed all right. Besides, as famous as he is already, why would he risk a lifetime sentence in Azkaban for a school tournament? I know it wouldn't be worth it to me."

"Harry, speaking of which, you know I never believed you entered this, right? You've always made it clear you never wanted to be famous."

Harry had never been close friends with Cedric the way he was with Ron, Hermione, and Neville, but he knew Cedric was a fair and friendly person who wouldn't hold a grudge or be resentful that Hufflepuff was being overshadowed yet again.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks Cedric."

After sending up red sparks so someone would come find Krum, they started off again and went their separate ways the next time the path divided.

"Who's bloody idea was it to let an acromantula loose in the maze? You've got to be kidding me!" Sirius shouted.

"Harry get out of there! Send up red sparks now! Come on!"

But Remus knew Harry couldn't hear him. A sound barrier kept the champions from hearing anything outside of the maze. When he saw the fang slice into Harry's leg, that was all he could stand. Who cared if the rules said he couldn't help or if Harry hadn't sent up the red sparks yet?

"Mila, please stay with Tonks. I need to do something about this."

The little girl made a move as if wanting to go with him. Tonks looked as if she wanted to go too, but there was no way Sirius would stay behind when Harry was in danger and they couldn't leave Mila alone.

"Will Harry be all right?" Mila asked.

Hesitating a moment, he answered "We'll get him out of the maze and be sure nothing else happens. He was grateful he'd set her down and held her facing his chest so she hadn't actually seen Harry be bitten. "Right now I need you to stay here, all right?"

She nodded hesitantly, and after a warning from Tonks to be careful the Marauders started making their way through the crouds. Remus kept hoping Harry would grab the cup and be taken out of the maze. The sooner he got out of there, the better. All he had to do was grab the cup and it would take him to the top box. Remus could see both Harry and Cedric were very near it. Why wouldn't either one take it and get the tournament over with?

"Just take it already, Cedric. You know it's just a question of who's faster running to it now, and with my leg hurt there's no way I'd beat you to it."

Cedric stubbornly shook his head.

"If it wasn't for you Krum would have gotten me. And you saved me from the acromantula."

Harry was being just as stubborn.

"You helped me with the egg."

"I had help with that too. And I wouldn't have gotten the egg in the first place if you hadn't told me the first task was dragons."

Not stopping to question who helped Cedric with his egg, Harry said "But I shouldn't even be in this stupid tournament. I never even entered."

"Doesn't matter. You've done better than me all along."

"No I haven't. You got more points than me in the first task and beat me out of the lake in the second."

"If the judging had been fair you would have been given more points in the first task, and you reached your hostage before any of the rest of us."

"But I still came up last." His leg was hurting worse now, and arguing like this wasn't getting either of them anywhere. Then Harry had an idea. "Look, why don't we just grab the Cup together? That way we both win."

Cedric looked at Harry as if unsure of whether he meant what he said, then smiled and helped him up. They headed for the Cup together.

Remus and Sirius were still several bleachers above the ground when they saw Harry and Cedric both reach for the cup. What a relief. The Tournament would be over in seconds and-

That was when the light hit Cedric. The older boy fell and two hands came out of the shadows to push Harry's hand to the Cup, and Harry and the unknown intruder disappeared.

AN: Not that much could be changes in this chapter, so I imagine not many will care for this one. I can only ask that you please keep reading. I know I left you in suspense about Cedric.

My thanks to Mosaic Muse for her offer of help. I wasn't able to send this to you in a private message, but thank you anyway.

Thanks as always to my reviewers and PadyandMoony