A/N: Apologies on how long this chapter took, but it is finally here. There will likely be 1 or 2 more chapters after this one, as my muse for this story is reaching its end. As of the last chapter, this has officially become my longest story ever, which I'm rather proud of. A quick reminder, as it will become important over the next chapter or so: this is not a canon story, so some things that happened in canon did not happen in this universe. This is the first chapter where there will be no overt clues and answers appear, so that reminder will not appear. As always, though, the Potterverse belongs to JK Rowling; I merely play in her sandbox.
Having arrived to the Tower only a minute or so after Blaise and Mandy, Harry and Lavender were well aware that they were in a very close 2nd place, with who knew how much of the Hunt left. A quick glance around the Potions room as they departed confirmed to Harry that teams were being eliminated left and right, so being within sight of the lead was about as safe as one could possibly be. Seeing Professor Sinistra directing Lavender and himself to join the frontrunners at a table set for dinner was rather surprising, however. It seemed as though provisions had been made for their evening meal, given how late the Hunt was stretching. A pair of house elves popped in and took the order of each team.
The dinner conversation was light and pleasant, but mostly took place between Lavender and Mandy. Harry would occasionally contribute a few comments to his partner's inquiries (they hadn't had time to decide what if any relationship they would pursue following Harry's impulsive kiss earlier, though Harry was already warming to the idea of Lavender as his girlfriend, if she would have him), but Blaise sat nearly silent throughout. It made things mildly awkward, but not overly so, and soon the two lead teams had finished their meals. Behind them, Hannah and Theo were talking with Ron and Hermione, and at a table further back, Daphne and Tracy were being seated with Dean and Millicent. Other tables were also set up, but not currently in use.
Professor Sinistra returned to the table the leading teams shared. "There were plans in place for you to have a task set in this tower, but the Huntmaster has decided that this year's even is already stretching much longer than planned, so you will instead head immediately to the room known for its comings and goings for the final task in this year's Hunt. Best of luck to you." She began moving from table to table, passing along the message.
Harry knew immediately where they were supposed to be going, but wondered why Sinistra had been so circumspect about the Room. As he stood from the table, he noticed that neither Blaise nor Mandy seemed to have any clue about where to go. Perhaps their lack of task was not as complete as Harry had assumed. He exchanged a glance with Lavender, who shrugged as she followed him out.
As members of Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts study group, he and Lavender knew exactly where the Come-And-Go Room was and how to enter it. Though the group was primarily Gryffindors, there had been a few non-Lions who had been invited to study with them as well. However, it was thanks to Harry's friendship with an odd house elf named Dobby that he had even heard of the Come-And-Go Room. Supposedly, the room was a quiet, if open, secret in the castle, and only the house elves who worked at Hogwarts knew that the room was a permanent fixture, rather than just a study room, or a broom closet, or a room full of chamber pots, or a room where things could be hidden.
Lavender had also been considering why neither Blaise nor Mandy seemed to know about the Room. "Harry, what do you think the chances are that some of the teams may have never been to the C and G?"
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, I wouldn't have considered that to be very likely, but I know I never told Blaise or Mandy about it, and I don't know that either of them has met Dobby. Maybe some people still haven't found it?"
He and Lavender continued considering the idea as they approached an already open door in a corridor usually known for being a blank wall. A person in a dark robe with their hood pulled over their head greeted them. "Welcome, I am the Huntmaster. Please, take a seat. As the first team has now arrived, I shall begin the countdown timer. When the time has ended, any teams who are present will complete the Final Task. Those who have not arrived will not be allowed in."
Exactly 60 minutes later, the door to the Room slammed shut.