A-Maze-ing

The weeks leading up to the Third Task were filled with exams. Most people in Harry's year thought he was crazy as he sat down to take every single exam, well all but Divination. He had changed though, and he wanted to see how that reflected in his exams. The exam that was the most fun to take was Moody's. It reminded Harry a lot of Lupin's exam the year before but with spells coming from every direction rather than creatures they had to pass. To no one's surprise, he did the best out of all of them.

"You're unbelievable," Hermione had told him.

"I know, Hermione," Harry said.

Hermione shook her head. If everyone else knew just how many different things Harry was doing while also studying, they would agree with her.

Daily, the week leading up to the task Harry had to remind Hermione that he was just going to walk into the maze, nothing else. She kept giving him good advice and worrying about him. It took him reminding her that he had fought worse and survived many times over before she calmed down. Hermione wasn't the only one though. Sirius was sending him letters almost every day. He endured. He wasn't going to tell Sirius exactly why he wasn't the least bit worried. He had enough problems without whatever his reaction to that story would be.

Harry was also busy both taking exams and baking. Together with Fred and George, he was doing his best to get a good stack of snack-and-goodie bags ready for the third task. They had a whole system set up with regular goodie bags being handed out, but you would be able to buy a premium one as well for two sicles each and those could be school-centric depending on which champion you were routing for. Then there were the goodie bags which came in three varieties. Sweet, savoury and a mixed bag. Harry was hand-making most of the sweets but he had employed the house elves for the savoury bit. Those would sell for one sickle each and all the money would go to the Ria Lycan Foundation to help those affected by Lycanthrope.

There was a lot for them to do if they were to have everything ready before the twenty-fourth.

24th of June, 1995.

It was finally the day of the third task. It was early and Harry had headed down to the grounds for his regular run with Fleur. She was nervous, but she was doing her best to not let it show. She had finished her NEWTs and she felt good about that after all the stress and studying she had done. She was grateful to Harry for his calming presence. She was sure she would have burned herself out if he hadn't been there to make sure she took it easy every once in a while.

Qozul was flying next to them. The invisibility charm Harry had given him hid him from view quite well. He could easily fly around when there was no one around.

"At least it looks like the weather will be alright," Harry said.

"Hmmm, somehow I don't think that is going to weigh in much to what happens this evening," Fleur said. "It could be raining floods, and we would still be in that maze competing."

"Yes that is true, but nice weather hopefully means that we won't be soaking wet when it is all over," Harry said.

Fleur sighed. She was antsy and wanted to get going, but the Task wasn't taking place until the evening. She guessed they wanted some darkness to add to the mystery. It was stupid. They could have just planned the task for midday.

"Qozul and I will go for a swim now," Harry said. "Do you want to join?"

"Not really," Fleur said. "I'll head back to the carriage and clean up. I'll see you when I see you."

"Okay don't fret too much, it isn't good for you," Harry said. He only swam a few lengths before heading back to the castle. He walked into the entrance hall just as Professor Snape came up from the dungeons.

Snape's behaviour towards Harry hadn't changed that much, but there was less bite to his insults and Harry's homework had started coming back with proper notes and comments ever since Snape's little trip in his mind. It just cemented Harry's belief that some of the reason Snape acted like an arse towards him was because he had to in case Voldemort ever came back. Harry didn't mind that so much. He could understand the need to act a certain way to stay alive. They barely acknowledged each other as they went their separate ways.

Harry was heading up to the tower so he could have a shower and get changed. Hermione was sitting in the common room when he got back down. "Good morning Harry," she said.

"Good morning Hermione," Harry said as he walked up to her and offered her his arm. "What do you say to some breakfast?" he asked.

"Sounds lovely," Hermione responded. They started heading back down the many stairs until they reached the great hall. "So you promise that you won't do anything dangerous?" Hermione asked.

"I will enter the maze, fight something, and then I will send out red sparks and Moody will come to get me," Harry said. "We have it all worked out."

"Do you have to fight something?" Hermione asked.

"We think it is safer if I do," Harry said. "I could possibly just enter and I did consider going all the way to the centre and just wait there for the first person to reach the cup, but I have some other plans that I would prefer to enact if I can get the chance."

"Something you and the twins have been cooking up," Hermione said. "I have noticed the way you have been talking to them."

"The twins and a bunch of other people to be honest," Harry said. "You'll be surprised."

They sat down to eat breakfast in the almost empty hall. Qozul slipped off Harry's shoulder and settled down on the table so he could get something to eat too. Hermione reached for some chicken to feed him. She had finally stopped being nervous that someone would notice Qozul. The first few times he had sat on the table as they ate breakfast she had acted like she was a spring ready to go off at any moment.

Harry reached for a bowl of fruit and cast a shield charm at the same time as he reached it. A spell exploded against the shield.

"Good lad," Moody said. "I'll be looking out for your signal later."

"Thanks, Al," Harry said as he loaded his bowl with fruit.

Moody shook his head and muttered something about rude youths as he walked off. Harry and Hermione finished breakfast and headed outside. The sun was shining and there was barely a cloud in the sky. They had an entire day ahead of them, but neither one of them knew quite what to do. They had finished their exams so they didn't need to study for those. They could just research something for the heck of it, but neither of them felt like that either. They sat down by the lake.

"So you are travelling this summer?" Hermione asked.

"First I'm attending Remus' wedding," Harry said. "He got permission from Dumbledore to pick me up at the station."

"Yeah, you got a letter from him yesterday didn't you," Hermione said. The day before had been hectic with the last exams and she had forgotten that Hedwig had delivered a letter to Harry.

"I did," Harry said. "He and Lana are getting married. It is the proper thing to do after all."

"You don't sound thrilled," Hermione said.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. There is something that is bugging me, but I can't put my finger on it," he said.

"Maybe you just think it is all happening too quickly," Hermione said.

"Yeah, that could certainly be it," Harry agreed.

"I'm just glad you are writing to him. Even though you are technically an adult it doesn't hurt to have someone older to talk to about things," Hermione said. "But you won't tell him about Kato?"

"Not now," Harry said. "Later maybe."

Hermione nodded. It was Harry's life and he would handle things his way. She was starting to realise that she couldn't put her nose in everything no matter how much she cared about him. Some mistakes he would just have to make on his own.

"Hey, Harry! Hermione!"

They turned around. Harry chuckled. With his red hair and clothes that would have looked more at home at a rock concert than at Hogwarts, Bill Weasley was heading their way. Harry got up and helped Hermione to her feet. "Good morning Bill," he said as he shook Bill's hand. "What are you doing here?"

"We are here to support you. Mom's idea you know. She doesn't want to believe the interviews where you quite clearly state that you'll sit this one out as best as you can," Bill said. "Charlie wanted to come too, but he couldn't get away from his dragons. Hey Hermione."

Harry chuckled as Bill gave Hermione a quick hug. "Well, I don't really need support, but I don't mind having you here. You'll enjoy the show that's for sure."

"Are you putting on a show?" Bill asked. "I don't think I have heard anything about it."

"It is top secret," Hermione said. "Not even I know anything about it."

"Oh, now that sounds interesting," Bill said.

"Just don't mention to your mother how much trouble I'm stirring up with Fred and George around here," Harry said.

"Or how Harry got them to study seriously for their exams for the first time ever," Hermione said.

"How?" Bill asked.

"Now that," Harry said as he straightened. "Is so secret that no one knows exactly how I did it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She knew, but only after pestering him about it after Fred had let it slip that they were studying.

Bill laughed. "I think having some fun is fine as long as everyone is having fun," he said. "This place could use a pick-me-up every once in a while." He slapped Harry on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Mother is waiting for us up at the castle," he said. "We should probably go join her."

"I guess we should head that way then," Harry said. "We shouldn't keep a lady waiting even if she is your mother." He tapped Bill with his elbow.

They had started walking up towards the school when Qozul hissed in Harry's ear, "Yuvondun is behind us." Harry turned around. "Fleur, will you join us? I assume your family is awaiting you up at the school too."

"Oui," Fleur said happily. "Madam Maxine just told me they were here." She continued quickly in French. Her eyes were trailing from Harry to Bill next to him. She could feel butterflies in her stomach as she met his gaze.

Harry turned slightly and looked at Bill. He smirked. "Bill Weasley, this is Fleur Delacour, the French champion in the tournament and a dear friend." He introduced Fleur. "Fleur, this is William Weasley or Bill, he is Fred and George's oldest brother, and he is a curse-breaker for Gringotts." Harry introduced Bill as well. Then he took a step back and pulled Hermione with him. "How about we give them a moment and I let their families know they might not see them for a little while," he said.

"Bonjour Monsieur Weasley," Fleur said softly.

"Bonjour Mademoiselle Delacour," Bill responded as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Hermione looked at Fleur and Bill for a moment before agreeing. "Besides," She said as they left. "This probably means Viktor's parents are here too, and he will want to introduce me."

Harry nodded slowly. He was sure that was true.

Cedric and his mother and father were standing just inside the room as Harry and Hermione entered.

"Surprise," Mrs Weasley said as Harry walked up to her. She kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, my you are growing," she said. "We thought we'd come to watch you." She looked worried for a moment. "You wouldn't happen to have seen Bill. He must have walked off somewhere."

"I've spoken to him, Mrs Weasley," Harry said. "He seems to have gotten stuck outside."

Hermione rolled her eyes and headed over to Viktor who was standing in a corner of the room with his parents. He smiled as he introduced her.

"'Arry!"

Harry caught Gabrielle as she threw herself at him. "Hello little star," he said. He was glad his French had improved as much as it had.

"'Arry, where is my big sister?" Gabrielle asked.

Harry chuckled. He looked up at her parents who had followed their daughter over. "Fleur seems to have gotten stuck outside. She found this very nice gentleman out there that caught her interest," he said.

Apolline smiled. "Maybe you can 'elp us take a look around 'Arry?" she said in English. "I would love to know more about 'Ogwarts."

"Sure I can give you the tour," Harry said. He turned to Mrs Weasley. He introduced Fleur's mother and sister to her and her to them. He hadn't met Fleur's father so he sort of fell short there.

"I'm Fleur's father, Marceau," he introduced himself. "You must be the young man my daughters 'ave been telling me so much about."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Monsieur Delacour," Harry said. "I hope that whatever they have been saying is good."

Marceau chuckled. "Oui, yes it 'as," he said.

Harry could tell that this wasn't what Mrs Weasley had hoped for, but she agreed to come along. He didn't really care what she thought. He wanted to spend time with the Delacour family. He hadn't asked her to be there, and she would have to learn to play nice if Bill and Fleur's reactions to each other were anything to go by.

Harry looked down at Gabrielle who was holding onto him. "Come on Gabrielle. Let me show you the castle," he said, making sure to speak French with her. He took her hand and started walking. As he passed the Diggorys again he could feel Amos glaring at him. He didn't care. The man's son knew what he was planning on doing. So did the rest of Britain if they read the news, but he guessed he couldn't expect everyone to believe those. He led the Delacours up through the castle and with the help of Mrs Weasley he told them about the school's history. He even went so far as to show them the Gryffindor common room. Mrs Weasley had disappeared in there and did not come back. Harry assumed she had found one of her sons doing something he shouldn't. To spare his French companions her temper he decided to continue the tour without her. He took them past several classrooms but tried to keep to interesting things.

They found Bill and Fleur still outside as they exited the school. Gabrielle ran over to her sister and broke them up. Harry walked up to Bill. "So, she's something special right," he said teasingly.

Bill looked down at him. "You could say that," he said with a goofy smile on his lips.

Harry smiled. He told Bill who the rest of Fleur's family were. He didn't have anything against playing matchmaker. He wanted Fleur to be happy and she seemed interested in Bill. He couldn't fault her. "I left your mother in the Gryffindor tower. I'm sure she is giving your brothers hell for something," he informed the oldest Weasley boy.

"Poor kids," Bill said and shook his head.

Harry walked up to the Delacours and lifted Gabrielle up. She giggled and he spun her around. He started chasing her across the lawn. "Oh, I'm gonna get you," he called. His eyes travelled back to the others from time to time. It looked like Bill was getting along just fine with Fleur's parents. He was giving a way better first impression than his mother had.

Harry looked back down at Gabrielle. "So what do you say we should go find his brothers and terrorise them?" he said. "Or find Tanya and Natalie. They are nice."

Gabrielle looked over at the redhead her sister was talking to. She studied him for a moment. He was handsome, but he wasn't as handsome as her Harry. She nodded happily. "Oui," she said. Harry took her with him inside and showed her to the room behind the mirror.

Fred and George were there. "You guys alright?" he asked. "Your mother didn't find you with anything did she?"

"Mother is here?" Fred said terrified. "Why?" George asked.

"She and Bill came to see me go through the last task. I don't think Mrs Weasley believes that I'll keep myself out of harm's way. Bill got stuck on Fleur. They seem really taken by each other," Harry said.

"Grande soeur 'as never acted like zat around anozer man," Gabrielle said. "She couldn't take 'er eyes off 'im."

"This is Gabrielle. She's Fleur's little sister," Harry told the twins. He looked down at her. "Don't touch anything," he said. "The twins make experiments and they can be a little dangerous while they are still brewing." he walked over to his makeshift kitchen. "You could help me bake some things for them if you would like."

Gabrielle nodded happily. "I would love to," she said. She walked over to him and sat down with him. He handed her a bowl and started pouring ingredients into the bowl. "Just stir," he said.

Gabrielle stirred and made a mess everywhere, but she had loads of fun. Harry was smiling as he stirred his own dough together. They were making cookies for that evening. Fred and George had made a potion that would make a person's hair take on a neon colour and glow. The colour and intensity of the hair was random. It would look amazing that evening.

An hour or so later they all left the hideout so they could grab some lunch. Harry looked down at Gabrielle as a colourful candy made its way into her mouth. He was going to be in so much trouble. He stopped and knelt down next to her… him. Gabrielle had grabbed a Straw Switcher. She was kind of cute as a little boy, but he was pretty sure her mother wouldn't be happy. At least the effects only lasted for two hours.

"What happened?" Gabrielle asked. She could tell that she'd changed.

"That candy had a potion in it that turned you into a boy," Harry said in French. "I did tell you not to touch anything. You will be fine and back to normal in two hours, but you'll have to live with this until then."

"I'm a boy?" Gabrielle said. She looked horrified.

"Yes," Harry confirmed. "You should have seen the three of us running around as girls a couple of months ago."

Gabrielle giggled. "Can you do that now?" she asked.

"In solidarity you mean?" Harry asked.

Gabrielle nodded. "Please," she begged.

Harry sighed. He did have some of the potion he could use to simulate the same effect that Gabrielle was under. "Give me two seconds," he said. He slipped into a nearby room for a few seconds and came back out looking like a girl.

"You look really pretty," Gabrielle said.

Harry chuckled. "Why thank you," she said. She wrapped an arm around Gabrielle's shoulders and they headed downstairs to the Great Hall.

Harry easily found the Delacour family sitting with several Weasleys. She walked up to them and found seats next to Apolline. Gabrielle sat down first and then Harry next to her.

"What happened to you, rosebud?" Mr Delacour asked Gabrielle as he saw the young boy now sitting next to his wife.

"She ate a joke candy," Harry said. "She'll be back to normal in two hours. It is tested and perfectly safe."

"I see you took some too," Fleur said.

"She begged me too," Harry said with a shrug.

"'Arry told me not to touch anything," Gabrielle said. "He did warn me." She didn't want Harry to get in trouble just because she had taken some joke candy. She really wanted him to be able to come over during the summer and that would be worth any punishment now.

"Have we learnt anything today Gabrielle?" Apolline asked her daughter.

"Listen to people when they tell you not to touch things because there is probably a good reason why they tell you that," Gabrielle said.

"Bon," Apolline said. "At least that is something." She looked at Harry. "It will be safe?" she asked.

"Perfectly safe," Harry said. She threw her hair back "We have tested it several times. The version we have now is ready for commercial use."

"They are really quite ingenious mama," Fleur said in English, marking that maybe they should speak so the rest of the table understood them as well. "The twins make so many interesting joke candies. It is good fun for everyone."

Apolline nodded. "I apologise," she told Mrs Weasley. "We did not mean to exclude you from the conversation."

"It is quite alright," Mrs Weasley said. It was only the current company that was keeping her from ranting at her sons. It was quite obvious to her that little Gabrielle had gotten a hold of something they had made. She decided to push it aside. Today was not about Fred and George.

Harry smiled softly as she listened to the conversations going on around her. She met Fleur's eyes at one point and she could tell that Fleur wanted to talk.

As they broke up from the meal Fleur grabbed Harry's hand and pulled her aside. "'Arry are you alright?" she asked.

Harry sighed. She leaned back against the wall behind her. "I just miss them," she said. She didn't have to say anything else. Fleur knew what she meant. "A part of me, a big part of me wishes I was back with my family Fleur," she said.

Fleur moved closer to Harry and wrapped her arms around her. "We are here 'Arry," she said. She knew that wasn't the same. It was a little more than half a year since Harry had lost everyone on Nirn that she loved. Fleur couldn't fathom what that was like. Sure Harry knew they were fine, but she could never, would never, meet them again. Fleur wrapped her arms tighter around Harry. She could feel how her robes were getting soaked with tears, but Harry needed this.

"Are you two okay?" Bill said, concerned as he came walking over.

"'Arry isn't feeling great," Fleur said softly.

"Unless you want to be smothered in motherly love I would suggest moving somewhere else," Bill said. He loved his mother to bits, but sometimes her solutions weren't the best.

"I don't think 'Arry can walk right now," Fleur said. "I'm 'olding most of 'er up."

Bill rolled his eyes at her playfully before reaching out. He picked Harry up bridal style. "Come one, let's get you away from the protective mother bear," he said. He carried Harry outside to the lake and sat down.

"Thank you," Harry said softly.

Bill's breath caught in his throat as Harry's green eyes met his the deepness of the sadness in those eyes caught him off guard. He smiled at Fleur as she spoke quietly to Harry in French. He couldn't understand her, but the sound of her voice was soothing. He guessed he would need to learn French.

"I know it isn't much help," Fleur said softly. "But we will always be here for you 'Arry. I'm so glad you came back and we became friends. You understand me like no one else can. You have no idea what that means to me." She took Harry's hand. "I know that is nothing like what you lost, but you're not alone."

"I know that Fleur," Harry said. "I'm glad we have become friends too. I wouldn't want to lose you either. I didn't want to lose Hermione, but if it was a choice between Nirn and Earth…"

"You would pick Nirn and I would not blame you," Fleur said.

Harry nodded. "I just hope you will never have to experience loss the way I have," he said. "I will do anything and everything within my power to make sure you never have to feel this kind of pain," he said. "You and Hermione… Neville kind of understands what it is like."

"But you are doing everything you can about that," Fleur said.

"That I am," Harry said. He laid back in the grass and looked up at the sky. The potion had worn off and he had timed activating the glamour so Bill wouldn't notice his gain in age. As he lay there a song came to him and he started singing. He didn't care that it was Tamrielic. If Bill wanted to ask him questions about an unknown language he could go right ahead.

Fleur lay down next to him.

Bill lay down too.

They must have been quite a sight from afar.

Tanya came running across the field. She pounced on Harry and he caught her. He turned them about so she was the one lying in the grass then he tickled her. Her laughter seemed to break the sad mood.

Gabrielle glared at them.

"Jealousy," Fleur said.

"They are too young for me," Harry stated. "Both of them."

"You are not that old," Bill said.

Harry shrugged. He couldn't comment on that without giving himself away.

"Can we fly Harry?" Tanya asked.

"Sure we can go a few laps," Harry said. He summoned his broom and she mounted up behind him. He took off with her and they twisted and spun through the air.

"Looks like the new Seeker," Bill said.

"She is," Fleur confirmed. "'Arry has been training her."

"It is smart," Bill said.

"I zink it is stupid," Gabrielle said.

"I'm sure 'Arry will take you flying too if you would like," Fleur said.

Gabrielle gave her sister a calculating look. "You zink so?" she asked.

Fleur nodded.

Harry landed with Tanya and he summoned her broom. He had given it to her on her birthday. It had been a quiet affair with the Quidditch team and Natalie. Tanya had been so happy. She took her broom, and she was off on her own.

"I think Gabrielle would like to fly a little too," Fleur said.

Harry sighed. He did not need an eight-year-old girl crushing on him and getting all jealous when he spent time with other girls. He held his hand out to Gabrielle and he lifted her up in front of him. He made sure that she was secure and then he took off with her.

"Charlie was right, he is one hell of a flyer," Bill said as he watched Harry go.

"I think it is in 'is blood," Fleur said.

Bill laughed. "I guess that is possible," he said. He smiled at Fleur. "The two of you are close," he said.

"'Arry is a new friend, but it feels like we 'ave been friends forever," Fleur said. "'E is alone in a way that no one seems to see. All they see is that foolish moniker. The-Boy-Who-Lived. What is that supposed to mean anyway."

Bill nodded slowly. He guessed she was right. He had never really thought about it. Then again he had never really thought of Ron's friend as the famous Boy-Who-Lived either. He was just Harry.

"Please tell me 'Arry knows 'ow to keep 'er safe," Apolline said as she walked up next to Fleur. She was following Gabrielle with her eyes as she zoomed through the air.

"Gabrielle will be fine," Fleur said. She could see that Gabrielle was laughing. Maybe Harry would make Gabrielle interested in Quidditch.

Harry dropped Gabrielle off sometime later before taking off himself again. He wanted to try a move he had come up with. He flew out over the lake. He got up standing on his broom.

"What is he doing now?" Hermione asked as she joined them outside.

"At least 'e is over the lake," Fleur pointed out.

Out on the broom, Harry did a backflip and landed back on the handle. He got up a little higher. He moved as far back on the broom as he could before rushing forward.

"He won't make that," Viktor said. "Not this time at least."

"Don't say that," Hermione said.

Viktor was right. Harry did the backflip much higher this time and he grabbed at the broom as he fell past it. The handle slipped through his fingers and he fell towards the water. He moved his body together and folded back out in a dive. He broke the water perfectly. His Firebolt had stopped in the air.

Harry came back up for air and he summoned his broom down. He grabbed it and swung back up on it. He dried himself off as he took to the air. He got back up to the same height as before.

"He is going to try again," Hermione said.

"Of course, he is," Viktor said. "You don't get good without practice."

Everyone held their breaths as Harry rushed forward on his broom and backflipped again. He caught the broom this time and hung beneath it.

"When would he ever need a move like that?" Hermione asked.

"You never know," Viktor said. "He has improved a lot. It will be interesting to face him in another game in a few years."

"He'll kick your butt," Tanya said.

Viktor laughed. "I do not doubt that," he said.

Harry heaved himself back up on the broom and aimed it at the group of people watching him. He flew straight towards them and hit the brakes to a sudden stop right before he reached them. "That was fun," he said. He jumped off the broom. "I want to change clothes," he said.

They split up and promised to join up for dinner later that day. Harry went to change his clothes and then he headed to the kitchens to oversee the packing of the snack bags. The elves were happy to be making something new and Harry had bought them new cookbooks as thanks. They could now learn how to make Indian cuisine. The elves had been ecstatic.

A few hours later Harry was heading up for dinner. Everything was ready for that evening. Winky had taken a few elves and set up stands for them. As everyone ate in the great hall, Winky was getting the stands in order. She was placing the bags up and setting up signs with prizes for the different bags. She worked hard to make everything perfect.

"Viktor and Cedric are on their way to the maze," Fleur said.

"We should probably join them," Harry said. He stood up and offered Fleur his arm. "Bill, you'll make sure the Delacours will make it out to the stands I hope," he said.

"Will do," Bill said. "You can count on me."

The four champions joined up at the mouth of the maze.

"Are you all ready?" Bagman asked.

"I think we are as ready as we can be," Harry said.

As the stands were slowly starting to fill, Professor McGonagall came walking up to the champions. "We'll be patrolling the outside of the maze," she informed them. "If you end up in trouble that you can't handle, just send up red sparks."

"Alright Professor," Harry said. He watched as she walked off with Hagrid, Moody and Flitwick. He already knew about that since he and Moody were planning on using that to get him out.

"Looks like Gabrielle and Bill got the blue goodie bags," Harry said.

"Really?" Fleur said. She looked up at the stands. Both Gabrielle and Bill were sporting blue glittery hair. They must have had a cookie each.

The stands were soon spotting very colourful hair. Red for Viktor, yellow for Cedric and blue for Fleur. Then there was a neutral bag that gave bright neon hair in a random shade. Hermione was sporting red hair for Viktor.

Once the stands had filled up, Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and mumbled, "Sonorus." With his amplified voice, he welcomed the audience. He spoke of the points each contestant had something that the champions in question didn't actually care that much about at that. "So on my whistle Harry," Bagman said.

Harry looked up at him. He was ready. He moved over to the ominous opening in the maze, and as the whistle sounded, he started running. At first, there was nothing but the dark sides of the hedges on either side of him. He narrowed his eyes as he turned a corner. There was a strange feeling in the air. Something was trying to mess with his mind, but it couldn't get through his mind-shields. He tilted his head to the side and analyzed the spell. If it had worked it would have been like being hit by a Confundus Charm. He would have become very confused.

He passed the confusion field and continued walking. His eyes widened as he walked around a corner again. In the distance, he could see a small herd of horses with long leathery wings. They were freakily skeletal. Their eyes were pure white. In a way, they were strangely beautiful. The wings looked like they belonged to an overgrown bat. They were gathered around a chunk of raw meat. Harry walked forward slowly. He wasn't quite sure what they were. Were they dangerous? Could he just pass them?

His steps were slow and deliberate. The horse-like creatures looked up at him with empty eyes, but they didn't attack him. He slipped past them and continued down the length of the hedge.

As Harry turned another corner, he could see something flickering up ahead. It was a shape that shifted and changed. He could see a twenty-year-old version of himself wearing glasses. His hair was short and he looked like he had been through hell and back. Then it changed and an Elder Scroll appeared only to change into Katla's dead body. Then Katla turned into a shadowy man who pointed his wand at Harry.

"Obliviate!"

The spell didn't reach Harry and even if it would have, he had moved out of the way. He watched the shape change several more times before he realised what was going on. It was a boggart. It was having trouble reading him so it changed constantly. He feared waking up and realising that the last six years were just a fever dream. He feared returning to Skyrim only to find his family dead. He feared forgetting everything that had happened in the last six years. None of these fears was something he lingered on. None of them was likely to happen. He passed by the boggart without touching it. He couldn't make fun of the situation, but he wasn't bothered by it either.

The whistle sounded for the last time. Now all the champions were in the maze. Harry took another turn and did his best to get to the outer wall.

Cedric came running from another path. One of his sleeves was smoking and he looked wild-eyed. "Hagrid's Blast-ended Skrewt!" he breathed. "They are enormous." He leaned down to catch his breath. "You be careful, yeah," he told Harry before he started running again.

Harry didn't heed the warning at all. Instead, he headed towards the direction that Cedric had come from. He quickly concluded that Cedric had been right. The Skrewts were huge. Since he knew that the only person who could see him was Moody and Moody knew what he was capable of, he didn't even think as he pulled his second wand and it transformed into his sword. He moved forward slowly at first to try to figure out the skewts movements. He threw himself forward and rammed his sword straight into the beast's underbelly. "Fus," he hissed angrily to get the stupid thing off himself. He sent up red sparks. He was done running around the maze.

"Done playing hide and seek, lad?" Moody asked as he walked in through a hole in the hedge.

"Yeah, I have better things to do," Harry said as he stood up. He brushed himself off and made sure he wasn't injured. He did not want to get stuck in the medical tent.

"At least you look like you've been through hell," Moody said.

"That was the point," Harry said. It looked like he had tried to do it and failed. That had been the whole point of him entering the maze in the first place. Hopefully, that meant no one could accuse him of not trying hard enough. He was only fourteen after all. It wasn't so strange that he couldn't make it.

Harry let Madam Pomphrey check him over before he grabbed his guitar. A stage appeared from nowhere and he walked up on it. "So as we are about twenty minutes into looking at a hedge. I and some of my amazing classmates would like to entertain you for a bit," he said after casting a soronus charm at himself. "I know you are thinking that I just entered the maze first. Well, I did say I was sitting this one out so the first song is for the unbelievers out there." Around Harry, an assortment of instruments had appeared and several people made their way to join him. Among them was one of Cedric's best friends and a bunch of other people who knew how to play different instruments.

Harry picked up a tune and the others soon joined him. They had a small repertoire that they had worked together for the third task. Some of the no-mag born students recognised the tune as they started playing the first song.

"You burden me with your questions

You'd have me tell no lies

You're always asking what it's all about

Don't listen to my replies

You say to me I don't talk enough

But when I do I'm a fool

These times I've spent, I've realized

To shoot through and leave you

The things you say

Your purple prose just gives you away

The things you say

Am I unbelievable," Harry sang. He kept going and he could see how people slowly got in the grove. They picked up the pace with the next song and then all the half-blood and no-mag-born students in the audience who knew the song joined in for the chorus as Harry sang,

"I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

They gotta be strong, and they gotta be fast

And they gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light

They gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And they gotta be larger than life

Larger than life."

Harry was smiling as he played. Now he had the audience with him. They did a few good magical songs too and then they pulled the Hogwarts school theme. Harry could see how Flitwick, who had come to take Fleur to safety, was dabbing his eyes with a napkin.

Then a flash of light signalled that the cup had been grabbed. The band quieted the playing until only Harry was playing the guitar. He was playing a song from Skyrim. The tune was unfamiliar to all and the lyrics had been changed to fit the moment. As soon as Harry saw who had won he started moving down towards the Triwizard champion. As he walked he played the guitar.

"Our hero, our hero, has a Hufflepuff's heart.

I tell you, I tell you, the champion comes.

With a wand faced the dragon and rescued the maid.

Believe, believe, the champion comes.

It's an end to the contest, between our three schools.

Rejoice, rejoice, the champion comes.

For the maze has been beat, and his legend will grow.

You'll know, you'll know the champion's come."

Harry reached Cedric as he finished singing. The roar from the audience was deafening. Bagman tried to talk over it, but couldn't make himself heard. Harry drew his wand and sent up yellow sparks that took the shape of the Hogwarts crest with a badger stepping out of it. He powered the spell that amplified his voice and he called out. "A victory for Hogwarts! A victory for Hufflepuff! Let the world know they can be more than loyal companions and hardworking dunderheads. A victory for Cedric Diggory!" he shouted. He slapped Cedric on the back. "Congratulations," he said. "You deserved this victory."

"Thanks, Harry," Cedric said.

The rest of the band reached them and Cedric was receiving more attention than he really wanted. "You'll have to stand this," Harry said. "It comes with winning."

"Yeah, but the papers," Cedric groaned as he saw Rita Skeeter in the crowd.

"Let's give her something to write about, eh," Harry said.

"What do you…?"

Cedric didn't get to finish the sentence. His brain was quickly playing catch up and the only thing he could focus on was the fact that Harry wasn't a bad kisser. Then the kiss was over and Harry was moving away as he himself got swallowed up by the crowd.

Harry smirked as he saw Rita's face. She had caught the kiss. Good. That would keep her busy for a bit.

"Vhy do you look like the cat that caught the canary?" Viktor asked. He had appeared only moments earlier. "I gave Skeeter something to think about," Harry said.

Viktor grumbled. He did not like Skeeter. "Vhat did you do?" he asked and Harry told him. Viktor snorted. "As long as you don't try to kiss me," he said.

"Oh, I'd rather not get cursed by Hermione," Harry said. He noticed how pale Viktor looked and gave him a once over. He reached out and offered his shoulder for support. "You look like death warmed over," he said.

"There vas a big spider," Viktor said.

"Poisoned then," Harry stated. There was only one type of giant spider around Hogwarts. He helped Viktor over to Madam Pomphrey. "He got stabbed by a spider," he told the nurse as he helped Viktor to sit down.

"Thank heavens you noticed him, Mr Potter," Madam Pomphrey said. "The sooner I get this treated the better. Such foolishness going on this year. My poor students at risk."

"At least it was only a few students this year, not all of us like last year," Harry said.

"That may be true," Pomphrey said. "But do you always have to be one of the ones in danger, Mr Potter?"

"Hopefully not," Harry said. "Let's pray to the powers that be that this was the last dangerous year while I still attend school."

Pomphrey rolled her eyes and continued helping Viktor. On a small cot further into the tent sat Fleur. "I'm alright," she said as Harry walked up to her. "I got stuck in some devil's snare and couldn't get loose. Professor Flitwick helped me get back. I sprained an ankle, but that is the worst of it."

"Big sister there you are," Gabrielle shouted as she dashed into the tent. She looked up at Harry. "Your singing was nice, 'Arry," she said.

"Thank you little star," Harry said.

"I must say the second half of the task was far more entertaining than the first," Mr Delacour said.

"That was the idea," Harry said. "I thought staring at a big bush for however long it would take for someone to get to the cup seems boring."

"The snacks were good too," Mr Delacour said and Gabrielle agreed.

"Thank you, I had a hand in most of that," Harry said.

"And all the money goes to help Werewolves. I like that," Apolline said. "I have heard there is a cure though."

"There is," Harry said.

"I'd like to hear more about that at a later date," Apolline said. When she had first heard about it, she had realised that his cover name was the name attached to the cure. She would very much like to know more. Especially, if this could help people back home too.