Author's note: Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait but I'm finally back! Special thanks to everyone who is still reading this. As usual, any feedback/reviews are greatly appreciated. This chapter concludes the final task of the Triwizard tournament.

Ps. I do not own Harry Potter. J.K Rowling does

Chapter 5 - Final task

The remnants of the ball lingered in Harry's mind as he grudgingly prepared for the final task. That night had been perfect, Harry did not have many experiences with such events as Vernon would always lock him in the house whenever the Dursleys went out for his company events. Harry did not complain though, he had the whole house to himself for a night, a night without chores and screams. He reluctantly put on his attire which was specially arranged for the task. It was of Gryffindor colors - red and gold which was a bit tacky for his liking but he brushed away those thoughts. The sheer thought of entering a maze filled with dangerous beasts loomed upon him as he trudged his way down his dormitory into the common room, dragging his feet only to delay the inevitable. He caught a glimpse of Ron and Hermione by the fireplace, seemingly engaged in a conversation as Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron who was clutching his stomach in laughter. Harry could imagine what kind of conversation they must have had to elicit that type of reaction from the both of them, a smile plastered across his lips as he momentarily forgot about the final task which was going to start in a few hours.

"Hey Ron. Hey Hermione."

"Hey Harry! How are you feeling? I can't believe they are going to send you into a maze…" Hermione said exasperatedly.

"Don't worry Mione, Harry got this, right Harry?" Ron countered.

Harry gave them a weak smile as they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Breakfast at the Great Hall was a usual affair, loud commotions could be heard across the hall as students were engaged in their own conversations. Harry shifted his view towards the Gryffindor table to find Neville sitting alone with a herbology textbook in his hand. They made his way towards him and sat down, exchanging their usual greetings.

"You feelin' alright Harry?" Neville asked as placed his herbology textbook onto the table beside his plate.

"Better than ever." Harry said sarcastically.

Neville could tell Harry was nervous but did not pry further as he returned a weak smile. Harry peered across the hall and caught sight of Gabrielle amongst the Beuxbaton students. She was seated beside Fleur, who was going to enter the maze together with him later in the day. Seeing Gabrielle calmed Harry's nerves for a bit before a comment snapped him back to reality.

"Scared Potter? I've got 5 galleons that you wouldn't survive more than five minutes in that maze." Draco said mockingly.

"Oh piss off Malfoy." Ron countered.

"Shut up mudblood."

Malfoy walked away victoriously, accompanied by his usual sidekicks Crabbe and Goyle, who shot Harry a nasty look before turning back to Malfoy. This did not affect Harry as much as he thought it would as he was engrossed in his own thoughts. Such encounters with Malfoy were somewhat common as the slytherin seemed to enjoy harassing Harry more than he would like. He shifted his thoughts back to the final task as he mentally prepared himself for what's to come. Surely it couldn't be that bad right? Harry tried to comfort himself with those words which had little to no effect on calming his nerves. Harry had gone through a lot in the past few years, from battling Professor Quirell in his first year, to fighting a 60-inch basilisk in the chamber of secrets in his second year, surely nothing could top that. Breakfast passed by in the blink of an eye as Harry made his way back to the Gryffindor common room. Upon reaching the portrait of the fat lady, he stared at the portrait for a few moments before turning back, tracing his steps back towards the Great Hall. He was too nervous right now and was not in a mood to deal with his housemates as much as they meant well for him. He made his way out of the castle and walked towards the black lake, hoping that the serene yet familiar scene would calm him down. He took a seat on the very bench he sat on just weeks ago alongside Gabrielle where he asked her out for the ball. He relished in those memories as he scanned the ever so still black lake in contemptment.

"Hey Harry."

Harry jumped from his seat as he nervously swung his head left and right, only to catch a glimpse of silvery blonde hair, the same one he saw just days ago at the Yule Ball. He let out a sigh of relief as he plopped back down onto the bench in defeat. He recalled the prank he pulled on her just weeks ago with his invisibility cloak.

"Well it seems like someone got their revenge today"

"Most definitely" as Gabrielle let out a soft chuckle.

"So what brought you here this fine morning?" Gabrielle asked.

"I'm just worried about the final task… "

Harry stared into the vast horizon looming over the Black Lake, seemingly lost in his thoughts as Gabrielle sat beside him in silence. After what seemed like forever, Harry looked at his watch and realized that it was already almost time for lunch. He hastily stood up and before he could rush off towards the castle, a sudden realization had struck him, Gabrielle was still sitting on the bench, staring at him intently. Something about those azure blue eyes made his heart flutter slightly, the soft look on her face provided him with a sense of comfort he didn't know he needed. It was oddly timely, he thought. Gabrielle had always been there whenever he needed someone, before the Yule Ball, during the Yule Ball, and now right before the final task. It was as if she knew what he was feeling at those times.

"Thank you"

Harry gave Gabrielle a comforting smile and slowly faded out of sight as he hurried back towards the castle. Gabrielle was now left alone, accompanied by the sounds of leaves rustling softly in the breeze, a distant hum of insects adds a subtle layer to the ensemble, creating a soothing backdrop to the tranquil scene of the Black Lake. She sat there for a bit, fully immersed in her surroundings before deciding it was time to head back to the carriage, lest Fleur start to get worried.

It was almost time for the final task as the four champions gathered in front of the maze, greeted by applause from every direction. Harry stood in the center alongside Cedric awkwardly, they were the first to enter the maze since they had accumulated the most points from the first two tasks. Cedric gave him a reassuring look as Dumbledore began his speech.

"My dear champions, as we stand on the threshold of the final task, let us remember the purpose behind this tournament. It is not merely a test of skill, but a testament to courage, ingenuity, and perseverance.

In the challenges you have faced thus far, you have demonstrated your abilities and your resolve. But let us not forget the gravity of the task that lies ahead. Beyond these walls lies a trial that will test you like never before.

You will encounter obstacles both physical and magical, challenges that will push you to your limits and demand your utmost cunning and bravery. But remember this: you do not face them alone. You carry with you the support of your friends, your mentors, and the lessons you have learned along the way.

Yet, let us not be blinded by the glory of victory or the allure of the Triwizard Cup. There are greater forces at play here, darker forces that seek to exploit this tournament for their own ends. Remain vigilant, for danger may lurk where least expected.

Good luck."

With the conclusion of Dumbledore's speech, the first two champions were allowed entry into the maze. Harry and Cedric wasted no time as they skillfully navigated through the maze, skillfully dealing with every obstacle they were met with.

"Incendio!"

"Stupefy!"

Harry was panting heavily as he narrowly avoided death from an encounter with a blast-ended skrewt. He quickly regained his composure as he continued making his way through the seemingly never-ending maze. After what seemed like forever, he finally caught sight of someone familiar, Cedric was seen fighting a boggart and appeared to be successful in doing so. Both of them let out a sigh of relief, relieved to see a familiar face.

"Why don't we work together?" Cedric suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." Harry replied.

After dealing with a few more boggarts and answering a sphinx's riddle, they eventually made it to what seemed like the middle of the maze. In front of them stood the Triwizard Cup atop a pedestal, the cup was a sight to behold, a magnificent and ornate golden chalice, adorned with intricate designs and magical symbols. Its golden sheen reflects the light, giving it an aura of enchantment and grandeur.

"How about we grab the cup together? It wouldn't be fair to either of us if only one of us goes back a winner." Cedric suggested.

Harry pondered for a while before reluctantly agreeing to his suggestion. He did not like the idea of constantly being in the spotlight so it would be nice to have someone else in the spotlight for a change.

"3, 2, 1, Go!"

At that very moment, Harry and Cedric grabbed the Triwizard Cup simultaneously, only to quickly lose their consciousness. Harry slowly regained his consciousness and took in his surroundings. It was definitely not Hogwarts, it looked like a graveyard but he could not decipher where exactly he was at that moment. He was surrounded by overgrown vegetation, crumbling tombstones, and an air of foreboding. He glanced over to his left and saw Cedric lying unconscious on the ground a few meters from him and was relieved that he was still alive. The cup had turned out to be a portkey, the sudden realization sent a chill down his spine as he quickly pieced together the information he had. All this was most likely related to Voldermort as he mentally prepared himself for what's to come.

"Harry…? Where are we…?" Cedric grunted as he struggled to get up.

"It seems like the Triwizard Cup was turned into a portkey to a graveyard." Harry replied.

Before their conversation could continue, they both caught sight of what seemed like a creature cradled in the arms of someone ever so familiar.

"Hello Harry… We meet again."

"Wormtail…"

Harry's eyes widened, fist clenched at the mere sight of Wormtail, he was the one who betrayed his parents to Voldermort and the one who allowed his godfather, Sirius Black to spend almost his entire life rotting in Azkaban. He shifted his eyes momentarily towards the creature Wormtail was carrying, it was nothing like he had ever seen. Its body shape resembles one of a baby but its facial features completely goes against that sentiment.

"Kill the spare…" whispered the tiny creature.

"As you wish, master." replied Wormtail.

Master? Harry thought, when it struck him. Voldermort. It must be Voldermort. Who else would Wormtail address as master? Harry knew that Voldermort was back but little did he know he was in such a pathetic state. He had a few encounters with Voldermort in his first 2 years in the form of Professor Quirell and Tom Riddle's diary in the chamber of secrets. However, Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a bright green beam emerging from Wormtail's wand.

"Avada Kedavra!" Wormtail shouted.

The beam struck Cedric in the chest. The life in his eyes faded away instantaneously as Harry knew exactly what had just happened.

"Cedric NOOOO!" Harry shouted.

The hollow remnants of Cedric's body laid lifeless a few meters away from Harry as he heard footsteps approaching, seemingly louder by the second. He did not flinch at the sounds of footsteps despite very well knowing his impending doom as he looked at Cedric's dead body in despair.

"Wormtail, let us complete the ritual at once…"

"As you wish master…"

Harry winced slightly as Wormtail approached him with a knife, cutting a small part of his arm. Wormtail walked towards a cauldron and carefully deposited Harry's blood and a few other items he could not recognise. Harry could hear Wormtail chant a few words as the concoction in the cauldron started turning a bright green.

"Bones of the father unwillingly given, blood of the enemy forcibly taken and flesh of the servant willingly sacrificed."

Harry watched as Wormtail carefully submerged Voldermort into the cauldron.

" The dark lord shall rise again!"

The cauldron bursted into flame as Voldermort emerged from it.

"My wand Wormtail"

"As you wish master"

Wormtail handed Voldermort his wand and bowed deeply.

"Hold out your warm Wormtail"

"Master. Thank you master."

"The other arm Wormtail"

Wormtail had a look of concern plastered over his face but obliged anyway. Voldermort sticks the wand into Wormtail's arm causing a sudden change in the sky, summoning a few hooded figures. Death eaters, Harry thought.

"Welcome my friends. Thirty years it has been, and yet you stand before me as though it were only yesterday. I confess myself disappointed, not one of you tried to find me, not even you Lucius."

"My lord. Had I detected any sign or even a whisper of your whereabouts."

"There were signs my friend, and more than whispers."

After an uncomfortable reunion with his death eaters, Voldermort turned his attention back to Cedric's corpse.

"Oh, such a handsome boy."

"Don't you dare touch him." Harry shouted as he struggled to get free.

"Harry! I'd almost forgotten you were here. Standing on the bones of my father. I'd introduce you but word has it you're almost as famous as me these days. The boy who lived. How lies have fed your legend Harry. Shall I reveal what really happened that night thirteen years ago? Shall I divulge how I truly lost my powers? It was love. You see when dear sweet Lily Potter gave her life for her only son she provided the ultimate protection. I could not touch you. It was old magic, something I should have foreseen. But no matter, no matter. Things have changed, I can touch you now!"

Harry felt the binding magic on his arm dissipate as he struggled to stand upright.

"Pick up your wand Potter and get up! You've been taught how to duel I presume yes?"

Harry picked up his wand instinctively and pointed it towards Voldermort, glaring daggers at him.

"First we bow to each other."

Harry felt his body move involuntarily as Voldermort forced him to bow with magic.

"Let us begin!"

Before Harry could react, streams of red light started to approach him in quick succession. He managed to narrowly dodge them as he struggled to steady himself. He retaliated with a few spells of his own.

"Stupefy! Experiallamus!"

Voldermort deflected them easily as he approached Harry.

"That's quite cute of you Harry but you would have to do better than that to defeat me."

They both cast and their streams of magic met at the center, neither side giving way. They both struggled to gain an edge as shapes started to form in the surrounding magical energy. Harry could faintly hear Dumbledore's voice and a few others he could not recognise.

"Harry, when the connection is broken, you must get to the portkey. We can delay it for a moment to buy you some time but only a moment, do you understand?"

"Dad..?"

"Yes Harry, now go! We don't have much time left."

"But…"

Before Harry could finish his words, the connection breaks. Harry ran over to Cedric's body and retrieved it before summoning the cup over to them. In an instant, they disappeared.

"NOOOOO!" Voldermort screamed in anger.