Harry
Last night was single handedly the greatest sleep he had ever had in his life. Well, on second thought, the night falling asleep with Hermione in his arms during the night of the Yule Ball was the best sleep he had ever had in his life but last night was most certainly the second best night of sleep he had ever had! Alina, the incredible friend that she was, had sent them all a small batch of some of her supply of dreamless sleep potion yesterday to ensure that they all had a good night's rest before the final task of the Triwizards' Tournament.
He had slept so hard that he was currently finding it nearly impossible to remove his head from the Harry-sized skull imprint on his pillow. As wrong as it was he was actually kind of jealous Alina got to sleep like this every night, even though he knew it was only because of the awful nightmares that came along with Alina's sleep; which that he was certainly not jealous of.
The mornings before the first two tasks had been rough. Even as confident as they were before each task and as much as they told themselves they would win; as soon as they tried to go to sleep the night before the task a million worries would always quickly come to mind and keep them up until the early hours of the morning. Thankfully, because of Alina, this time things were different.
He forced himself away from his warm pillow and let out a large yawn as he stretched out his limbs. Marik seemed to be slowly fighting the same battle with his pillow that Harry had just been fighting in his bed on the other side of the room.
"So we all definitely need to pool our money together and buy Alina a hell of a thank you present for those potions," he said in between a few more yawns.
"I don't know, they might have been too good. If there are any pillows or beds in this task I'm going to be screwed. I already want to kind of skip this task just to stay in bed a little longer," Marik croaked, his head still buried in his pillow.
"Please don't skip the task. I can already imagine what kind of article Rita Skeeter would write when she got wind that you were still in our room while the task was going on. In order to get all of the credit for Hogwarts in the tournament Harry Potter stunned his partner, Marik Ose, before the tournament and locked him inside their room," he ranted in his best Rita Skeeter voice, making sure to make the annoying woman's accent even more annoying.
"It's kind of scary how good you are getting at her accent man."
"The consequence of having to do interviews with her once a week. You want tea or coffee this morning?" he asked as he lept of his bed and made his way over to the miniature kitchen setup they had created in the corner of their room.
"Let's do some tea today. I had too much coffee yesterday and if I drink much more my wand hand is probably going to be shaking the entire task," Marik answered and Harry could hear him getting out of his bed. Harry filled the tea kettle with water and began boiling it.
"I think I'm going to take a quick shower before we head down to the Great Hall, don't leave without me, alright?"
"I won't. I'm gonna clean my wand off and re-adjust my wand holster, don't make a sex joke. Do you want me to take a look at yours too? We don't want them jamming during the task," Marik asked him.
"Yeah, if you don't mind. I still have some of that wand polish, don't make a sex joke, that Alina got me for Christmas in my nightstand drawer if you need some. I'll be right back."
He grabbed his towel and shower bag, left their room and made his way to the boy's bathroom. The bathroom was empty of other students presently so he made his way over to his usual shower stall and turned on the warm water.
At Hogwarts the Gryffindor dorms were always chaos in the mornings, especially on class days. Tons of his housemates were always fighting over sinks and showers and getting a little peace and quiet to yourself as you woke up was impossible. At Durmstrang though his mornings were always blissfully quiet and as much as he did miss the familiarity of Hogwarts he would really miss the quiet that Durmstrang offered.
He had also really enjoyed being Marik's roommate this year and wished that somehow it would be possible for them to continue being roommates when they returned, though he knew the odds of a snake and a lion being able to use the other's dorm were slim to none.
The warm water from the shower was just as good as caffeine was in the morning waking him up. It was calming and when he closed his eyes it almost felt like it was literally washing his problems off his skin. Morning showers like this had become a daily tradition for him this year. In one of his books on occlumency, an ancient Japanese master of the subject, had done all of his training and mind organization under the steady stream of a waterfall.
With a large lacking of waterfalls here at Durmstrang, Harry had spent a small part of every morning using the steady stream of water from the shower head as his own version of a waterfall and had used the calming feeling the flowing water brought over him to develop and evolve his mind's organization and security. At this point in his occlumency studies there wasn't much more he could do to advance his mind's organization but he still enjoyed his morning showers and clearing his mind before each day.
After enjoying the water for a little while longer he cleaned himself off and dried off. He made his way back to their room and after putting on the set of battle robes his father had bought him, poured himself a cup of the black Irish tea.
"Here, test it out real quick. I adjusted your straps and moved them a little further down, that way your wand's grip should land a little better in your palm. Make sure it's a good spot for you," Marik said as he handed him his wand and wand holster.
Harry wrapped the holster around his forearm under his robes and placed his wand inside. With a small flick of his wrist his wand snapped forward into his hand, landing perfectly in his palm and ready to send spells ablazing.
"Thats a good spot, does feel a little better than how it did in our practice duels yesterday," he replied, sending his wand back into its holster.
"Alright good. I still wish I would have done some more research on known runes used for wand holsters. I feel like adding a few more good ones could make a huge difference," Marik confessed.
"Yeah, maybe. I think what happens after you have drawn your wand will make a bigger difference though," he replied and took a large sip of his tea.
"I agree. Though, I did read in one of those books from your family's collection that Grindelwald had a holster that was so enchanted with runes that it could nearly defeat opponents itself without even having to draw his wand. Apparently he even had the imperius curse fused into it and when one of his enemies stole his wand and holster he controlled the person to bring it right back to him," Marik explained. His friend had really learned almost all there was to know about the famous old dark wizard.
"That doesn't surprise me at all from the little I have read about Grindelwald. You done with your tea?" he asked Marik.
"Yeah, I'm good. Let's go if you are ready," Marik answered.
"Yeah, let's go." They made their way out of their room and into the halls of Durmstrang castle towards the dining hall.
"Doesn't it seem a little emptier than usual?" Marik asked as they made their way down the first set of stairs. Harry had actually been thinking the same thing. The halls and corridors of the castle did seem to be practically empty to how they were normally were, especially on a weekend day and the day of a task. He and Marik usually were early birds, but there were still normally a fairly decent number of people usually walking around the castle.
"Yeah it does. This task does start a slight bit later than the others so maybe everyone is sleeping in," he suggested, not really sure himself.
"Yeah, maybe."
The rest of the way through the castle was much the same and they did not see a single person. What was even stranger than that was that the large wooden doors leading to the dining hall were also closed shut instead of being open like they normally were every morning.
"So, something is definitely going on here," he pointed out as they stopped outside the large doors.
"Yup, do we go in?" Marik questioned.
"I mean I'm hungry, so I think we should," he replied, looking over his shoulder to see if possibly anymore students had shown up.
"Well you open the door first. For all we know we slept so hard the final task has already started and there is a trap behind door number one," Marik quipped but Harry grabbed the large handle of the door and pulled it open. He immediately was deafened.
As the light of the large dining hall shown on his face a loud roar of clapping and cheers echoed throughout the hall. It took a second for his eyes to adjust but when they did he could see that the dining hall looked to be much bigger than usual. Instead of the normal number of tables lining the hall there were now over ten times as many tables scattered about, each one filled to the brim with students.
What was more amazing than that was that the Hogwarts section was filled to the brim with all of Hogwart's students. From where he was standing it looked like every student from Hogwarts was there, standing on their feet and clapping for he and Marik.
"What the hell Harry. . ." Marik started.
"I think Alina's potions may have been a little too strong Marik. I'm seeing shit here," he finished Marik's sentence.
Slowly, like scared deer they made their way into the hall and were pulled into the Hogwarts section of tables immediately by a group of students.
"Congratulations on making it to the final task Harry and good luck out there today!" Harry was a little caught off guard from the sudden swarm of students around him. As his mind slowly grasped the situation at hand he took the outstretched hand in front of him, realising that it was his housemate Neville congratulating him.
"Thank's Neville. What is everyone doing here? We had no idea you all were coming," he asked Neville.
"Dumbledore made everyone at Hogwarts swear not to tell anyone we were coming. But of course we had to come and cheer you guys on in the finals," Neville answered.
"I see. Well thanks for coming."
"Harry mate!" another voice shouted. Harry turned to see the two Weasley twins making their way over to him.
"We have a twenty galleons bet with some ugly git in Durmstrang on you lot," one of the twins said. Harry thought that it could have maybe been Fred.
"So you better win today," the other twin added.
"But if you lose, make sure you lose to a stupefy spell," the first twin said.
"We have another bet on you getting knocked out by one," the second twin finished again.
"Glad to hear you are rooting for me," he quipped sarcastically.
"Oh of course we are mate,"
"Bring one home for good ole Gryffindor!" the twins said in unison and clanked the oddly large gold goblets that they were holding together
"I'll do my best," he smirked and pushed his way further into the crowd.
"Harry! Me and Ron are both wishing you luck. All of Gryffindor is cheering you on today!" Harry took the Katie Bell's one free hand and shook it and was surprised to see her other in Ron Weasley's.
What the hell had happened at Hogwarts this year while they were gone?
"You two are. . . together?" he asked, failing a little to hide the disbelief in his voice. He had never been close to either Ron or Katie Bell but he would never have guessed the two of them would end up together. Katie was pretty, athletic, smart, on the quidditch team and Ron was well, Ron. In the small amount of time he spent in the Gryffindor common room he had never seen the two of them close to one another.
"Yeah, we are. Guess you missed out on all the school drama over here at Durmstrang. We started dating this year after Ron made the Gryffindor Quidditch team. We got in a argument over professional quidditch teams since Ron is somehow a BallyCastle Bats fan. After that we were both surprised how much we have in common and hit it off," Katie Explained and gave Ron a smile.
"You are a Bats fan?" Harry asked, a little surprised that Ron was a fan of the small professional quidditch club that his father and Sirius worked at.
"Yeah, have been since I could ride a broom. Are you too?" Ron asked him.
"Yeah, I guess I am. Thanks both of you for the good luck," he said and left them to make his way further into the crowd. He could hear his stomach growling even over the large number of students talking in the hall.
"Harry," A blunt voice called out in front of him. He could immediately make it out as Daphne's.
"Daphne?" he didn't mean to say her name like a question but he was surprised that she of everyone here would approach him, especially to wish him luck.
"My parents wanted me to make sure that I told you they are watching the tournament at home today and are wishing you luck," Daphne divulged. That explained the reason why she would approach him.
"Thanks for telling me Daphne," he smiled.
"And cuz."
"Yeah?" he stammered, not being used to her calling him 'cuz'.
"Good luck today," Daphne added with a half-attempt at a smile. To say Harry was shocked was an understatement. He was honestly a little moved.
"Thanks Daph, I'll see ya later."
Pushing through the rest of the Hogwart's crowd was slow. Tons of people, many of whom he had never met before, wanted to shake his hand and wish him luck on the task today. Since his first year Harry had never made any real attempt to befriend most of the people that greeted him. Outside of the Weasley twins and Neville he had never really spoken in private with any of them.
He was honestly surprised at how even so they still wanted to wish him luck and let him know they were cheering for him. He assumed it was more like they were cheering for Hogwarts and thus had to cheer for him, but still, it was kind of touching to him. Maybe the rest of Hogwarts outside his tight circle of friends wasn't so bad after all.
At last he could see the light at the end of the tunnel and could see Hermione, Marik, and surprisingly Alina all lost in a conversation at the end of the table. He shook two more hands quickly and bolted to the open spot beside them before anyone else could stop him.
"Look who finally showed up," Alina laughed with a smile. She reached over the table to give him a hug which he returned. "It's good to see you cuz."
"You too Alina. Merlin's mother though, this is chaos. Did you lot know this was going to happen?" he asked his friends as he dumped some eggs onto his plate.
"I had no clue. I came in here early to write Alina a thank you letter for the potions and nearly spilt my coffee all over myself when I walked through the doors," Hermione admitted.
"I can't believe you're here Alina. I didn't think we would get to see you until end of year presentations," Harry said to his cousin.
"I can't believe I'm back here either. But there was no way I was gonna miss this," Alina replied with a smile.
"Well I'm glad we got to see you so soon, and we all definitely owe you big time for those potions; they were amazing!" Marik declared and gave Alina a thank you hug. Alina accepted the hug with her arms awkwardly hanging stiff to her sides.
"Yes we really do. I haven't slept that well in a long time and I felt so refreshed and ready to go this morning," Hermione added.
"You are all welcome. Just don't tell my parents I sent you some; mom would probably kill me if she found out," Alina admitted.
"You aren't going to miss any nights of dreamless sleep now because of the batch you sent us right?" he asked. He had been worried when they received the supply of potions from Alina that his cousin would be having nightmares.
"No don't worry. They gave me a few extra vials just in case I spilt some or woke up in the night and needed more," Alina assured him. "I remembered the other night how bad you all looked each morning before the first two tasks so I figured I would do what I could to help."
"Well you certainly did help. If we win today we will give you a bit of the credit. Just a little bit though," Marik laughed.
"WHEN we win, not if," Hermione corrected him.
"Right, of course. When we win," Marik corrected himself and piled another roll onto his plate.
"So I know in your letters you guys have been working around the clock for this task. Are you all still feeling confident?" Alina asked them all in between a large bite of bread.
"I think this is the most confident I personally have felt before a task yet," he answered first.
"Same here," Hermione added.
"I'm sure the other two teams are just as confident though. This is the only task that every team has gone into knowing at least somewhat what we were up against. The only difference between us at this stage is how each of us spent our free time preparing," Marik replied.
"Well I doubt that any of the other teams worked as hard as you three did," Alina proclaimed.
"I sure hope so," Hermione confessed.
"So how is Hogwarts? And why were you and Luna talking when I came in? I thought you hated her. I believe in your exact words 'Luna was a blonde bimbo'," Marik asked, changing the subject away from their task today. They all laughed a little at his poor impression of Alina's voice.
"Hogwarts is actually really good. It feels good to be back there after so long and it took little to no time readjusting myself to life there. And Marik, I did hate Luna before but I was immature and selfish back then. Before I returned to Hogwarts I sent her a letter apologizing and told her that I have changed and that I was wrong to have been so mean to her back then.
"To my surprise she quickly accepted my apology and ever since we have been exchanging notes and and stuff through the post. Surprisingly she even offered to help me fix some things with my herbology end of year project so of course I took her up on the offer since she is the best in my year in the class. We were just talking about our classes next year when you came in," Alina answered.
"What about your classes?" Hermione asked Alina.
"Luna is thinking about taking Spell Creations next year for the first time. She only added care of magical creatures and divination this year and is really interested in picking up another class next year too. I told her I wanted to push myself more next year and was thinking about adding care of magical creatures to my schedule, so we were planning on sharing our notes with each other and helping each other catch up in the subjects over the summer maybe," Alina answered.
It was weird to think that Luna and Alina were being friendly now. Before recently he would have even gone so far as to guess that the odds of him becoming friends with Draco Malfoy were higher than Alina and Luna ever becoming friends. It certainly appeared that he had been wrong with that guess though.
Alina had written to them a number of times ever since she left Durmstrang and explained that she was looking to start a new page in her life, or turn a new leaf, or something of that sort. He guessed mending bridges was a part of her big master plan. Still, with all of the past drama between Alina and Marik it was had to imagine her being friendly with his ex. Regardless, Alina looked happy, so that made him happy, even if it was a little weird and hard to comprehend.
"So Luna is trying to take ten classes next year and you nine? Bloody hell that's too much," Marik roared, shaking his head in disbelief at the notion of taking so many classes.
"I don't think ten is too much. I thought it would be too much before, but I considered adding astronomy this year. I was going to talk to Professor Flitwick about it at the start of term but I decided against it when we got announced to be Champions. I'm happy that you are pushing yourself Alina. If you or Luna want any of my old care of magical creatures or ancient runes notes I'd be happy to let you borrow them," Hermione told Alina.
"Thanks Hermione. I definitely will want to borrow them for sure. And Marik, I was honestly thinking about taking ten classes next year to; I just can't decide between astronomy or divination. If I want to be the best in my year I need to be on equal ground with my competition. Luna is already taking one more class than me this year and if I let her take more than me again next year and she excels in all of them my chances of beating her in the rankings is slim to none.
"From even the small amount I have written and talked to her over this month I honestly think she is already ahead of me this year. Being the best in nine classes looks a lot better than being the best in eight. You really should consider adding more classes to your schedule next year too Marik. That's probably part of the reason Harry and Hermione beat you last year and will probably beat you this year. My mom told me that even Daphne has been writing them saying that she is probably going to be adding spell creations and care of magical creatures next year," Alina replied.
"They are not going to beat me again this year! Last year was a fluke!" Marik tried to argue.
"We will see. Though from what I recall you haven't been number one since your first year," Alina pointed out. Marik started to say something but stopped himself and lowered his head down towards his plate, defeated.
"Do you think Daphne is really going to try and take ten classes next year?" he asked his cousin.
"Knowing Daph it would not surprise me. I know she has been wanting to take spell creation for a while now but didn't pull the gun on it this year. Plus I think everyone in the school wants to add care of magical creatures to their schedule once they hear how easy it is. I think me, Marik, and Daphne are the only ones left that are still missing out on an easy grade," Alina replied.
"We will have to keep stepping up our game if she does," Hermione admitted.
"Yeah, we will," Harry agreed. The fact that Daphne had not kicked one of them out of the top three yet already was a testament to how hard they worked each year. Keeping her out of the top three each year was a difficult challenge as his cousin seemed to double her efforts each year.
"Well no worrying about that today. After today you have the rest of the year to worry about all that stuff!" Alina exclaimed.
"Miss Alina is right, you three need to be focusing on the task at hand and enjoying the moment," a voice interjected into their conversation from behind him. He felt a hand rest on his shoulder and turned to see professor McGonagall standing there.
"Professor McGonagall! It's good to see you today," said Harry as he turned to face their transfiguration professor.
"It's good to see you too Mr. Potter, and you too Miss Granger and Mr. Ose. How are you three feeling this morning?" Professor McGonagall asked them.
"We are all feeling well Professor, thank you for asking," Hermione replied.
"As confident as ever that Hogwarts will win this," Marik added.
"I'm certainly happy to hear that. As you can see all of Hogwarts is here and rooting for you three to make that happen."
"We will professor!" Harry assured her confidently.
"I believe that you three will Mr. Potter. I am afraid that I am going to have to end your little chat here though, as I need you three to follow me. The final task will be getting under way soon and there's one final Hogwarts tradition to follow before."
"What final tradition?" he asked, having never heard of another tradition before now.
"Say your goodbyes for now to Miss Black and then follow me and you will see Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall retorted with a smile.
"Sorry we have to leave you so soon after just getting to see you again Alina," Hermione apologized and gave Alina a hug.
"You guys don't worry about me. You all just kick ass today and win this thing for Hogwarts!" Alina insisted.
"We will Alina. Thanks for coming to cheer us on today!" Harry replied, smiling at his cousin.
"Like I said, I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. Now go! Make me proud you three!" Alina roared.
"You can count on us!" Marik shouted and pushed himself up and away from the table. Harry and Hermione followed his lead.
The three of them followed Professor McGonagall out of the dining hall in a quiet, anxious anticipation. None of them had any idea what they were about to get into and what this tradition entailed. Part of him was already nervous and sweating that the task was already about to begin and his mind was racing to fully wake up and get ready to get down to business.
McGonagall lead them through the main hallway and through the front gate of the castle onto the school's grounds. Just like when they entered the dining hall earlier, his ears were immediately filled with the sound of applause, only this time, thankfully, on a less loud of a scale. Standing in front of them in two long lines were all of their Hogwarts professors and Headmaster Dumbledore standing in the middle, each one of them with a large smile on his face; minus Snape who had more of an annoyed look on his.
Hermione, Marik, and he stood their shock at the sight and the feeling of having all of the professors cheering for them and standing there on Durmstrang's grounds for them alone. It was really a moving feeling Harry thought. He had been told countless times throughout the tournament that people were rooting for them to win; until today though that notion had honestly never really hit him. Today, though, after having all of the students of Hogwarts here, wanting to shake his hand, and now all of their professors clapping for them it all felt very real. One thing was certain, they had no other option than to win the tournament today.
"What is all of this?" Hermione asked McGonagall as the claps died down. Dumbledore broke from the line of professors and walked forwards.
"The final tent walk has been a tradition of Hogwarts since the very first Triwizards' Tournament, Miss Granger," Dumbledore started. His eyes were sparkling and his smile grew as he approached them.
"The final tent walk?" Harry asked, still having never heard of this tradition.
"Today, for the final task of the Triwizards' Tournament you will walk to the Champions tent with all of us, Mr. Potter," McGonagall responded.
"Are we walking with you because of something to do with the final task?" Marik asked.
"Come, walk with us," Dumbledore ordered and they quickly fell into line with all of the professors and slowly began to proceed across the grounds of Durmstrang. "The first Headmaster of Hogwarts, Owlrick Ophenwandum, started this tradition at Hogwarts during the first Triwizards' Tournament after asking one of his school's champions a simple question," Dumbledore started to explain.
"What question was that sir?" Harry asked.
"He asked the Champion who would be fighting for Hogwarts in the final task, to which the Champion responded quickly with "why us three of course!" Headmaster Ophenwandum was displeased with this answer and before the final task of the tournament started he began the tradition of the final walk; to ensure that the next time he asked that question he received a different answer.
"Can any of you three tell me why Headmaster Ophenwandum would have been displeased with his Champion's answer?" Dumbledore asked them. The three of them made eye contact and shrugged their shoulders before turning back to Dumbledore and shaking their heads.
"The Champion believed that the three Champions of Hogwarts were the only ones fighting to win the tournament. They believed that the final task was their fight alone and that only they were carrying the immense burden of the tournament on their shoulders. Their answer and belief could not be more wrong than the truth however.
"This tournament, along with the final task you are about to partake in, is not you three's fight or burden alone. The professors walking beside you have been fighting this fight since the very first day you stepped into Hogwarts. With every lesson, with every lecture, and with every minute of extra guidance these professors have given you, they have been fighting this fight alongside you. Without their lessons and guidance you three would have never been able to come as far as you have in this tournament. Your professors carry the weight of your performance on their shoulders and thus, are also carrying the weight of the tournament on their shoulders along with you.
"They are not the only ones though. The many students of Hogwarts that you just saw in the dining hall are also in this fight with you. Without each of them pushing themselves to be the best they can be none of you would have ever pushed yourself to the limits you have and achieved all that you have achieved. Without their friendships you would have never survived this fight. I know first hand how many sacrifices at least one student has made so that you three have been able to have more time preparing for the tournament.
"Your parents along with all the viewers rooting for Hogwarts back at home are also fighting here with you today. You may never hear their wishes or cheers of good luck but you must know that they are there. The purpose of this walk is to show the three Champions of Hogwarts that you are not walking alone today. We are with you, your friends are with you, your parents and families are with you, and everyone cheering for Hogwarts at home is with you.
"When the task starts we want you to know that you are not only fighting to win the tournament for yourselves, but for all of us standing here before you and for everyone that has helped you get to this point. We want you to know that if during this task the pressure or weight of the task becomes too great, that you know that you are not shouldering that weight alone. Everyone is with you, and all of us are standing strong by your sides" Dumbledore finished, and flashed the three of them a warm smile.
"So no pressure," Kingsley laughed and the other professors joined him.
"Yeah right no pressure!" Harry cried, visibly sweating now. The Headmaster's words had in fact put an enormous amount of pressure onto them.
Harry understood very clearly what Dumbledore was saying and his message had hit home immediately. Though they were the only ones physically competing in the task today they were not the only ones who had some stake in this tournament. Dumbledore was right. Their professors had made sacrifices with their time and energy that they did not have to make to help prepare them for the tournament. Their reflection in each task was a reflection on their professors and anything less than success was reflecting their efforts poorly.
The professors weren't the only ones. His dad had sent him and Hermione new battle robes to help them in the tournament, Remus had sent him a few books he thought would provide assistance, and his aunt Hemera had sent them care packages almost every week with little odds and ends that had made studying and practicing so much easier.
Alina this year had been the epitome of sacrifice. She had sacrificed so much for them that she had ended up in the hospital because of it. She set aside her problems, needs, and desires so that her friends could achieve greatness. Everyone had sacrificed things for them to succeed in this tournament. He had known this before, but after Dumbledore's speech the reality of it all was sinking in. They had to win today, for everyone. They had to win to say thank you.
"You three will be fine. You should only use the Headmaster's words as motivation, not pressure," Professor McGonagall added with a smile. The three of the gulped and nodded their heads. Harry could see the Champions tent closing in down in the distance and the pressure inside his chest built with each step they took towards it.
"Do you think we can win?" Hermione asked the professors nervously.
"Hermione, you are. . ." Professor Flitwick started to say but was cut off.
"Filius, if I may?" Snape interjected in his usual mellow tone. Professor Flitwick motioned with his arms as to signal to their potions professor to 'go ahead'. "Miss Granger are you aware that only three students in all of Europe over the past fifty years have ever managed to brew a black fire potion using dragon blood and dragon heartstring and that you are one of them," Snape said, looking at Hermione. Her cheeks flushed a little at the professor's words.
"Mr. Ose, are you aware that the only other person to win their first three consecutive major dueling tournaments while in school is your charms professor," Snape added, turning to Marik. Marik's mouth was agape and seemed to be in a state of disbelief that Snape was somewhat giving him a compliment.
"And Mr. Potter, not only have you become one of the youngest full animagi in a century but you have also somehow managed to also become a part of a very elite small group of people who have succeeded in adding additional animagus stages to their ritual." Harry's mouth joined Marik's as he heard his first ever compliment from Snape. He pinched himself to make sure he still wasn't dreaming. "Which is quite impressive, given who your father is," Snape mumbled the last comment out.
"So to answer your question Miss Granger, yes, we all think you can win," Kingsley chuckled.
"We will do our best to prove you all right then," Harry exclaimed confidently.
"We would expect nothing less from you three Mr. Potter. You all have been some of our best students and you have already made us all so proud," McGonagall replied with a motherly smile.
"We wish you the best of luck in the final task. Now, I'm afraid, that we must leave you. Please make your way into the Champions' tent and prepare yourself, the final task shall begin soon," Dumbledore added with another smile.
They exchanged a few more hugs and thanks to their professors before leaving them and entering the champions' tent. Harry led the way and pulled the flap to the side, revealing that they were the last team to arrive. Both other teams stared them down upon their entry; both teams looking more confident than ever that they would achieve absolute victory in this task.
"Looks like things won't be easy today," Hermione pointed out as they crossed the tent and made their way over to the Hogwarts section.
"Would you want them to be?" he asked with a grin.
"Of course not. Where would be the fun in that?" Hermione replied with a smile.
Their group sat there in silence for a while, concentrating in silence as they all tried to calm their nerves and steady their hands. The wait took forever and the silence hanging in the tent was deafening. He had managed to calm himself down and slow his breathing but the longer the waiting drug on the more his legs started fidgeting and the more he began to think. Thankfully, before the waiting got to him anymore the three Headmasters made their way into the tent.
"Gather round!" Headmaster Karkaroff bellowed as he made his way to the center of the tent. "This will be short. I have already told you that you all have one mission in this task and that is to survive. The rest I hope you remember. You will not be told when a Champion has been eliminated from the task. The only point throughout this task in which you will be notified of anything is when their is only one team left standing. When all other teams have been eliminated fireworks will go off; the tournament will be concluded and the victor will be crowned.
"Now, we need to assign your castle starting points. I need you to one at a time to reach into this bag and pull out a token. The token will not provide any clues to you but will let us know which portkey to give you. We will go in order of scores, starting with Beauxbatons."
The three Beauxbatons champions made their way up to the Durmstrang Headmaster and one after another reached into the bag and pulled out a token.
"Hogwarts now," Headmaster Karkaroff ordered.
They made their way up to him and Harry took the lead and reached into the bag first. He pulled out a green token with no significant markings or anything on it. After both Hermione and Harry had pulled their tokens out of the bag they looked over each others just to be on the safe side. Even if the Headmaster said they would not give them any clues they still wanted to make sure.
"Lastly, Durmstrang." The Durmstrang champions quickly pulled out their tokens from the bag.
Dumbledore and Beauxbatons Headmistress made their ways around the room and handed each person a specific random item that Harry assumed was their portkeys. Harry took the baseball cap from Dumbledore, who winked at him as he passed by. Harry held the portkey tight in his hands and again tried to calm his breathing down.
The final task is about to start Harry. You can be scared later. Now is the time to be calm and cool. Everyone is counting on you. He silently thought to himself and focused a little magic into his occlumency in an attempt to wash his mind's worries and negative thoughts out.
"Now that you have your portkeys all that is left is to wish you good luck. May the best team win," Headmaster Karkaroff's words were cut short as Harry was pulled through portkey and his body warped through its magic. His world span and his vision blurred as he twisted through the tunnels of the portkey until everything stopped and his world stopped spinning.
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