Godric stared at the plate in front of him, ignoring the stares and words aimed his way. He had to focus. He itched to go back down to the laboratory to verify that his sword and map still lay where they were supposed to be.

A nudge at his shoulder had the man shaking his head and staring at Harry who grinned at him with Hermione on the boy's opposite side. Hermione said, "You're not eating anything."

Godric raised an eyebrow at the girl.

She huffed, but it was Harry who said, "You said before that you shouldn't eat a lot before a fight, but it's lunch so you should have a larger meal now, right?"

He barked out a laugh and very purposefully stabbed some eggs with his fork and ate them. Once he swallowed the mouthful he nodded at the two. "Thanks. I'm a bit focused at the moment."

"On which bit?"

Glancing around at everyone, he discreetly placed a sound dampening charm around the three of them and leaned in to whisper, "I'm making sure I remember where I put the map so I can switch a quill for it while I'm in the maze."

"A map?" Harry frowned. "How'd you get a map of the maze?"

"That's a brilliant idea!" Hermione enthused, leaning closer and having to steady herself with a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Though Harry has a point. Not only how do you have a map, but is it good enough for you to be able to pinpoint which direction to go in?"

"Of course it is, I made it."

"You... made it? You draw? Like... Sal?"

Movement from the Head Table had Godric watching McGonagall stand and walk the outskirts of the room.

"Sal draws differently than I do, but essentially yes."

"Can I see something you've drawn?"

"How'd you know what the maze looks like, though?"

McGonagall started her way down the Gryffindor table, staring directly at Godric.

"Of course you can, maybe after lunch? And a broom was used, Hermione."

"You got on a broom?"

"Why is everyone so surprised that -"

"Miss Dunbar, please remove the charm," McGonagall interrupted as she neared them. Godric chuckled as both Harry and Hermione yelped in surprise, but he dutifully did as requested.

"Good morning, Professor. What can I do for you?"

"Please come with me. The families of the champions have arrived and you may spend the day with yours before the final task." She took a quick step backwards as Godric jumped off of the bench with a manic grin on his face.

"Mum's here?!"

McGonagall studied Godric before a faint smile pulled her lips upwards. "Indeed, your mother has arrived with the assistance of Mr. Davis."

He bowed with quite a flourish and gestured forward. "After you."

That had McGonagall give a snort of laughter she tried to hide as a cough, but Godric knew. As he made to follow, Harry called out, "Ric!"

Pausing, he turned back to the boy and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'll show you -" He paused as Harry thrust a napkin with slices of toast with bacon in the folds into his hands.

"You need to eat," Harry mumbled.

Godric stared down at the toast for a moment before giving Harry a grin. "Thanks! Grab Sal and go say hi to your dad!"

- - - - Founders - - - -

The day he spent with his mother had been what he needed. She fretted at first, but then she straightened up and said, "You faced a dragon, a frigid lake, merfolks with spears, and a giant snake. You can take on a maze."

Godric had laughed and the two spent the majority of the day outside. Salazar, Rowena, and Helga stopped by to say hello to Dani again. Harry had been dragged along with Salazar, who had smiled sheepishly and greeted Dani with 'ma'am'. Dani had looked at Harry, shook his hand with a smile, and turned to Godric to demand, 'You have friends with manners, Ric, how have you not learned any from them?'

They walked around Hogwarts and Godric enjoyed showing off their school. He had to stop himself on many occasions from explaining how they had built the castle and the enchantments involved. Dani had been thrilled. When they reached the Room of Requirement, he showed off the art he had drawn while there. She didn't understand the meanings, or some of the faces he had drawn, but she looked at them each reverently. "You're getting better and better, Ric. These are beautiful." She had paused over one specific painting where he had used oil as a medium. She glanced at Godric and he shrugged. Dani asked, "How long?"

"For as long as I remember."

Dani hummed, acting as if she would brush her fingers over the details, but she stopped a good distance away. "I'm proud of you, Ric, you know that, right?"

He nodded, albeit slowly. "It's always nice to hear you say, though."

She brought him in for a hug. "What is it?"

"Are you upset that I'm not more..." he floundered a bit for the words before sighing and saying, "girly?"

Dani leaned back and tucked a stray hair behind his ear and said, "Just because you have a girl's body doesn't mean you have to follow the norms of what people believe a girl should be. If you feel like a boy, then that's that, and I'll love you because you are still my child." She laughed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders as she steered Godric out of the Come and Go Room. "Besides, you're going by a shortened version of what I would have wanted to name you if you had been born with the boy bits. Your father was against the name, though he wouldn't tell me why." She huffed with a playful scowl.

The door to the Room of Requirement vanished and they made their way towards the grounds, as the Third Task had about an hour before it started.

"What was it?"

"Godric Fay Dunbar."

Godric froze at his name and he stared at his mom. He whispered, "What?"

"Godric, it's derived from Old English, basically meaning 'god-ruler'. Richele is similar, but derived from Old German, meaning 'powerful leader'." She grinned down at Godric, ruffling his hair. "Your father didn't believe me when I said I knew when you were conceived," she pressed a hand against her belly, smiling, "but I had this... feeling. You needed a strong name. I just knew you weren't going to simply sit on the side watching everyone. You would be outgoing and wanting to change the world. And darling, you already are."

She pressed a kiss to his forehead before once more starting to lead Godric though, as she wasn't familiar with the school, she went the wrong way. Godric didn't correct her. And then the rest of the name registered. "Wait, you would have still named me Fay?"

"Of course. Fay is both masculine and femine. There is nothing wrong with the name."

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Salazar was coming up from the laboratory. He had the imposter Moody's original flask in his left pocket ready with Salazar's yet-to-be-named adapted Veritaserum, and in his right pocket was a fussing little dragon that had somehow developed a personality much like its gifter. Honestly, how a toy Hungarian Horntail could remind him so much of Godric was confusing and should have been impossible. Yet the small thing no longer slept the day away and refused to stay in the laboratory. Every time Salazar tried to leave, the toy would fly after him, regardless of how many times he set it back in its nest.

He made his way through the old staff library and up the spiral stairs only to stop at the top when he heard voices on the other side of the secret panel. There were people in the old staff room. Salazar frowned and debated going the other way and coming from the girl's lavatory on the second floor. Unfortunately, that exit was even noisier than this one and difficult to judge if there was anyone in the room before opening the doorway.

The voices dimmed and Salazar stepped closer to the door. He'd have to speak with Rowena and perhaps they'd create a way to see into the room without opening it first. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts of possible future projects, Salazar focused and disillusioned himself then opened the door to the old staff room enough to slip through, closing it soon after.

Salazar was soon in a hallway making strides towards the dungeon. The halls were emptying as more and more of the castle's occupants were making their way to the stands to watch the third task. He knocked on the man's door and heard the distant command, "Enter."

He opened the door and shut it behind him before dropping his disillusionment charm. "Good evening, Professor."

Snape stood immediately and asked, "So you have it?"

"Naturally," Salazar said as he approached the man's desk. Reaching into his left pocket, he removed the flask and set it down. "As I said before, if you choose to keep it afterwards, you're welcome to do what you want with it."

The man huffed, but didn't touch the flask. "You know what I will do with it."

It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway, "Of course," Salazar agreed, "the same thing I would do if I were to get my hands on a new potion that hasn't been published yet."

"Is that why you waited until today to give this to me?"

"It is indeed," Salazar said with a laugh. "As much as I admire your skill as a potions master, now is not a good time for you to be distracted with temptation."

Snape crossed his arms and huffed. "I would not have been distracted."

"Mhmm," Salazar hummed. "As you say." Salazar turned to leave and stopped at the door. He looked at the professor and smiled. "I appreciate you doing this. We thought about asking a house elf, but they have a difficult time refusing a request. You, on the other hand, have free will and chose to help knowing the potential risks involved. So, thank you."

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Viktor, Fleur, and Godric had left the Great Hall with Bagman before all the other students to get in position for the final task. Godric had walked Dani over to Salazar, Harry, and Heath, knowing they would be there for his mother.

The champions walked to the Quidditch pitch, the sun nearly set and the sky darkening and the stars just peeking out to be seen. The hedge stood over six meters high as it ran the entire length of the field. Bagman led them to a gap in the hedges, the path in front of them leading deeper into the maze.

Godric had changed into a pair of black, well-worn trousers that fit snugly about his waist, but billowed down so no one could pinpoint exactly where his legs were. He had a loose blue jumper that had a pocket over his stomach and underneath he wore a tight undershirt. He had on his combat boots, as well as his school robes per instructions.

The judges for the third task were: Bagman, Dumbledore, Maxime, Karkaroff, and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. What happened to Crouch and Weasley, Godric didn't know.

A few minutes later, the stands began to fill. With the spectators came the sounds of hundreds of feet, laughter, and the excited voices of hundreds of children. Godric sent magic to his ring and quickly pinpointed his friends. Once assured they had all arrived safely, Godric focused once more on the task at hand and saw four professors making their way towards them.

McGonagall, Flitwick, Kettleburn, and - Godric's eyes narrowed - Moody. Each of them had on a hat with a large, red, luminous star hanging from them.

"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," McGonagall said in her no nonsense voice to the three competitors. "If you get into difficulty and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air. One of us will come and get you. Do you understand?"

They all nodded.

Bagman spoke brightly to the patrollers, "Off you go, then!"

The four walked off, presumably to position themselves around the maze so they could react accordingly.

Bagman cast a spell so his voice could carry to all who sat in the stands, "Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place with eighty-seven points..." He fumbled before saying, "Fay Dunbar of Hogwarts School!" The Hogwarts stands exploded into applause and cheers, birds taking flight from the sound. "In second place with eighty points, Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Institute!" He waited for the applause to dwindle from Viktor's school before finishing with, "And in third place with sixty-two points, Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy!"

Godric ended the locator spell on Rowena as he saw all of them settling into the seats halfway up the stands, closest to the aisle so they could react quickly. Dani and Heath sat just above Hermione, Harry, Salazar, Helga, and Rowena.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Dani leaned forward and smoothed a finger over the creature's scales. Salazar felt the miniature move on his shoulder and looked at the woman as she stated, "It looks just like the dragon that Ric danced with."

"It is a miniature toy version. It was given to Ric the day of the first task." Salazar gestured towards the number still dangling around its neck. "He gifted it to me shortly afterwards."

"It's adorable," Dani said and she laughed when it nuzzled her finger. "It's so lifelike."

"Including the breathing of fire, but this one is at least harmless." Salazar lifted the dragon from his shoulder and handed it to Dani. "You're welcome to pet him during the task, I find his presence surprisingly soothing."

Dani coo'd at the dragon and she smiled at Salazar. "Thank you."

Harry sat to his right and Salazar turned in his seat to watch the field. Salazar took his little brother's hand in his. The action surprised Salazar as he'd never reached out for Harry's comfort and strength before. But Harry didn't seem to mind and he gave Salazar's hand a small squeeze. Harry gave his adopted sibling a small grin and tried to reassure Salazar, "Ric is going to be fine. You'll see."

Salazar didn't speak right away. His mind was racing and there was so much to do, so much that could go wrong. So many people could be hurt. Including the young man trying to be his rock. If Harry knew who Salazar truly was... would he still feel the same compulsion to try and comfort him? Or would Harry shun Salazar because of those horrid stories about him?

He shook off those thoughts for another time. Godric needed him to focus and be ready. Salazar looked at his little brother and spoke softly, "Remember what I told you?"

"About Moody?"

"Yes." Salazar said, "Repeat it to me."

"No matter what happens, don't trust Moody. Don't be alone with Moody. And if things really get weird, find..." Harry scowled, "Snape... really, though? Snape hates me."

"The night of the prank, which adult stood to protect the students?"

Harry huffed. They had this debate before and Salazar knew he had made valid points, but Harry still wasn't convinced. "Snape."

"Who else?"

"No one." Harry sulked and crossed his arms. Salazar chuckled at him and Harry relented, "Fine. But I don't really have to, Heath is here. Otherwise, I'm sticking with Hermione and Neville and the Twin Menaces."

"That's fine, thank you."

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

"Like the Second Task, we have placed objects to allow us to watch certain areas of the maze so everyone can see what is happening and follow the Champions' progress. On my whistle, Ric, you will be the first to enter! Three... two... one!" Bagman gave a short, loud blast on his whistle.

Godric strode into the maze without hesitation.

The sound of the crowd disappeared so abruptly his ears rang for a moment. He took the immediate left, then second right, having already memorized the majority of the map. Still, he couldn't leave this up to chance. The Tournament had stopped being something to cure his boredom. Now, he knew something was coming. He didn't know what, didn't know how, he just knew he needed to finish the task as quickly as possible.

Godric shucked off his robes - they always got in his way when he needed to move or fight, the bulky fabric a complete hindrance. He grabbed the ten galleon coins he kept in the pocket so he could use the switching charm multiple times if needed.

He let his eyes slowly adjust, though the bright stars helped light the path quite well. Godric didn't want to waste the magic, even if it was marginal, in having a constant light source.

Holding his robes out, he concentrated and cast the switching spell. Immediately, the robe vanished and his sword appeared - though the shape wasn't what it usually was. Instead of the pommel landing in his hand, a long metal bo landed into his palm. He had transfigured his weapon the night before as he did not know how anyone would react to him wielding a blade.

He twirled around, moving with the weapon and allowing himself a short respite to warm up and loosen his muscles.

A second blast of the whistle signaled Viktor entering the maze. Godric gave a final slash of the weapon and nodded to himself. He grabbed one of the coins and cast the switching charm once more. The mini canvas where he had painstakingly painted the maze on switched places with the coin and he grinned.

After taking a cursory look at the painting, Godric tucked the canvas into his jumper and set off into the maze. He took the next right and paused at the sight of an interesting looking creature. The body held dark, fluffy looking fur and the snout looked eerily like a platypus'. The small thing looked at Godric's thumb, beady eyes darting to and fro before darting forward at an alarmingly quick rate.

Setting his feet, Godric lashed out with the bo. The creature grabbed onto the edge, and scurried up. He twisted, hoping to send the small thing flying, but it clung on and grabbed his hand, taking the ring from his finger and leaping away.

Godric's eyes widened as he watched the creature begin to run away. His hand fell into his pocket, clasped a coin, and switched them out. Relief speared through him as the familiar feel of the ring pressed into his palm and he quickly placed it back around his thumb.

The critter paused, glanced at the coin, chittered, and continued away from Godric.

Godric chuckled, pulled out the map, nodded, and put it away before continuing on.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Rowena - - - -

Rowena nearly came out of her seat when Godric's ring was taken. Helga held her arm as they both stared in horror at the little beast. Godric kept his calm and retrieved his ring and Rowena finally sat back with a sigh of relief asking, "What was that?"

Hermione beamed at her. "A Niffler, isn't it simply adorable?"

"No," Rowena snapped before giving the girl an apologetic smile. "Sorry, it's cute enough, but that ring..."

Hermione looked from Rowena to the screen and back as her eyes widened. The girl's lips silently formed the words 'the ring', but ultimately only managed to say, "Oh."

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Rowena - - - -

The third and final whistle blew, meaning they were all inside the maze.

Godric shivered, the sense of something watching him coming over him and he glanced around. His hands tightened on the bo. Godric set himself and moved forward, eyes darting every which way as he took the third right.

The ground under his foot shifted and Godric set the bo firmly into the ground and propelled himself backward as four, meter-tall creatures with red eyes, sharp nails, and bones in their hands literally came tearing from the earth and came for him.

Red Caps. Honestly, Red Caps?

Godric rolled his eyes and struck out against them, whacking them and sending the creatures flying. One got a hit on his leg, but Godric hardly faltered and kicked it with his other foot.

They ran when they realized they had no chance of doing any lasting damage to him.

Huffing, not impressed with the maze at the moment, Godric moved onwards, moving around the holes of the Red Caps with ease. The sense of eyes on him continued to follow him. He glanced at the hedges and felt comfortably sure that Moody was there.

Watching.

Waiting.

For what, Godric didn't know.

Left... second right... third right... second left...

The feeling of eyes on him had disappeared.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Rowena - - - -

"What were those things?" Dani asked, breathlessly.

"Red caps," Hermione informed the woman. She proceeded to turn in her seat and began giving her a detailed report of what they were, their ministry classification, and what they're known for.

Dani's hand never left her mouth and her eyes grew larger and larger - if that was even possible - with each fact Hermione recited. Heath frowned at the girl as she was gaining steam and simply said, "Thank you, Hermione."

Hermione's mouth snapped closed and she looked at the man in confusion, but Rowena gently took her hand and softly stated, "You're frightening Ric's mother, dear."

"Oh," Hermione looked at Dani and squeaked, "sorry."

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Rowena - - - -

Minutes later, a scream ripped through the air and Godric sent a glance to where the sound had originated from. Godric looked upwards when a bright flash of red erupted into the sky.

He gritted his teeth and continued onwards.

Turning a right he paused.

In front of him stood a perfect replica of himself about a meter in front of him.

Honey brown skin, short stature, chestnut colored hair cut into a pixie style bob, blue eyes, and female. The lips pulled up into a mocking smile and she cocked her hip out and crossed her arms over her chest. "You remember, don't you? You remember what you did?"

Godric stared at the replica, mind reeling and going through the list of creatures he knew and recognized.

"When they were gone and you were left behind. Do you remember?"

It took a moment before it clicked. He had seen something similar before he died.

A boggart.

Behind it, less than a meter away, was the next path he needed to take to reach the center of the maze.

"Come on, you remember, don't you?"

Of course Godric remembered. He walked forward, twirling the bo in his hands. He didn't need to actually cast the spell to remove the Boggart. Their power rested in getting a reaction from their victim.

He walked forward, breathing deeply to keep his heart rate steady, and kept his eyes set ahead. He had a task to finish.

He almost stood beside her, and she moved closer, whispering into his ear, "What we can become is free from constraints. From laws. From bindings."

Godric continued to ignore her, but she stepped in front of him, grin widening. A cut appeared on her cheek, blood dribbling down to her chin. Similar, smaller cuts appeared, her clothes tearing as if in battle. "Don't you remember how many you left in your wake? Because of your anger, your fear, your anguish." She laughed. "How you wished you didn't feel."

Godric met her eyes, tilting his head and quickly sidestepped her, drawing his wand.

"How about I remind you?" The voice started changing timber and tone. The shape morphed and fluctuated. The limbs grew longer, the chest flatter and broader, the hair deepened to a red and lay shaggy to his shoulders, a beard grew in. Armor surrounded the body. A familiar sword held in his hand.

The eyes, which had once been a vivid green, seemed devoid of emotion and flat. The hair and beard lay unkept and oil made the hair look wet. Blood covered the entirety of the man, the sword. All the recognizable features masked by the liquid running down the man.

"Do you remember how many you killed?" The voice sounded as dead as its eyes looked.

Godric stepped around his past visage. "Of course I remember." He didn't stop his movements, eyes hard and focused. He had dreams about those specific memories nightly as soon as he turned eleven. He had woken his mother with his screams. They had abated, somewhat, once he had his friends. He knew he'd be haunted by them again. "Now leave, find someone more susceptible to you. I know who I was, what I became, and what I am right now. They're alive."

"They died because of you. They'll die again because of you. You'll be this again."

Godric raised his wand and called forth his memories of his friends and out of the tip like a shot came his hummingbird patronus, it dived for his old self. Godric continued on, taking the turn, and a minute later the hummingbird came back to him. The tiny being twirled around his head, chirping, tiny wings beating furiously before shooting upwards and vanished from sight, leaving him with the warmth of the spell.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

When the sight of Godric's Fay form came into view, the three friends exchanged a confused, concerned look. They watched in silence as Godric approached it, spoke to it, and - for the first time that evening - Salazar was relieved that there was no sound for any others to hear.

None of the friends spoke when the Fay body shifted and morphed into a familiar sight that none thought they'd see again, though none had seen him look quite like that. It was the original champion of Hogwarts School, Godric Gryffindor. The mighty warrior stood in his armor, bearing his infamous sword, bloodied and battle worn. The three founders held hands and watched as their friend bravely faced himself and left it behind.

Salazar wiped away the single, silent tear that dared slip down his cheek, and smiled tearfully when Godric's hummingbird came to check on them before disappearing.

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Third left... right at the fork... first right... left at the fork.

A thin, golden mist traveled lazily towards him. Snaking forward as it traversed the maze. Godric cast the bubble head charm around himself so he wouldn't breathe in the particles and stowed his wand once more before stalking forward.

The moment he stepped inside everything tilted and he forced his eyes to remain open as the world spun about in a flurry of motion. During the movement, he didn't doubt that something could come from anywhere and attack.

Oddly, though, nothing did and when everything stopped spinning he found that nothing had changed. His feet still were still planted on the ground, the sky above him. But... gravity was pulling him in the wrong direction and his stomach lurched as it felt as if he should be falling into the sky. Godric flinched, curling in on himself reflexively. His jumper, pulled down by the canvas in the pocket, nearly covered his face and he cursed as he fought with the fabric. His fingers barely caught the map.

Huffing, he yanked off the jumper and balled it up under his arm so the article of clothing stopped getting in his way. Godric's head pounded as blood rushed towards his brain. His feet felt as if they were stuck in mud, making it difficult for him to move. After a moment of fighting with his sense of right and wrong, Godric was finally able to settle most of his weight on one foot and yanked the other free and slowly made his way through the mist, hoping the world would right itself once he left.

Reaching the end, the world tumbled and spiraled again before normalizing once more. He ended the charm around his head. Godric pulled his jumper back on, put the map back in its place, and continued on. He took a left and he knew he was almost to the center before he had to stop again.

There in front of him, guarding the path that led straight to the center of the maze, stood a magnificent creature. She had the body of an over-large lion: great clawed paws and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Her head was that of a woman, her long, almond-shaped eyes turned to Godric as he neared. She paced across the single entrance, her gaze never faltering from his.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

"Is that..." Dani growled when she continued, "someone tell me that's not a sphinx."

Salazar looked at the woman and admitted, "I would comply, Mrs. Dunbar, but I was raised not to lie to adults." Harry snorted and Salazar nudged him in the side.

Heath leaned forward and told his adopted son, "I'm sure you caught that your sister said she was raised not to lie... she didn't say that she stays true to her upbringing."

Harry laughed and Dani sighed. "So, that really is a sphinx."

"Yes ma'am," Harry agreed and looked back at the floating monitors. "The creatures are getting more difficult. Ric must be getting closer to the trophy."

"If anything happens to my child, I'm going to kill them," Dani said sincerely.

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

The sphinx spoke, hoarse and deep, "You are very near your goal. The quickest way is past me."

"I'm aware. I'd really like to not fight you so..." he gestured to the side, "perhaps you'll just let me pass?"

She chuckled, never faltering in her constant pace. "No. Not unless you can answer my riddle. Answer on your first guess and I'll let you pass. Answer wrongly and I'll attack. Remain silent and I'll let you walk away from me unscathed."

Godric pondered his options. He could fight her, but she hadn't been wrong in that she could do some serious damage to him and he didn't want to kill her so he had to be careful with the bo. He could go a different way, but he would lose a lot of time. Or he could answer the riddle.

He moved into the open area of the maze and stopped when she tensed and stopped pacing, placing herself firmly in his way. Godric asked, "What's your riddle?"

She sat upon her hind legs, in the very middle of the path, and recited:

"I am only one color, but not one size,

Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.

Present in sun, but not in rain,

Doing no harm and feeling no pain.

What am I?"

Godric narrowed his eyes and stared at the unmoving sphinx.

"So, it's one color and different sizes," Godric began thinking aloud as he started to pace. "What causes it to change sizes? Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies. Goes up with whatever it's attached to? Elongates as it goes up? Present in the sun, but not in the -" Godric stopped walking and stared at the Sphinx.

She stared back.

Godric readied himself, bo held out and his weight distributed as if readying for her to pounce on him. "What you are is a shadow."

She stretched out her front legs, claws kneading into the earth. Chunks of grass and dirt tore easily from their place, rocks crumbling to pieces in her grasp. Her tail flicked to the side as she stood.

And moved aside.

Godric skirted around her, careful to keep her in his sights as he entered the path. She watched him, amusement emitting from her until he couldn't see her anymore.

Letting out a relieved sigh, he took the next right and saw a light ahead.

Roughly a hundred meters in front of him, gleaming from it's stand, was the Triwizard Cup. A shiver ran down his spine at the thing.

Still, he walked forward, not rushing towards it like most would have. The sense of something watching him had come back as he stepped forward, but it felt closer. More menacing. He held the bo in front of him, ready.

Movement at the top of the hedge caught his attention, giving him barely any time to roll out of the way of a furiously moving spider.

And not just a spider.

Godric rolled under the belly.

It stood four meters tall.

He jumped to his feet, twisting around to leap backwards, the two legs coming towards him barely missed him.

Eight black eyes stared at him.

He slammed his weapon against another leg as the creature came bearing down on him. He cursed as a fourth one caught his jumper.

Razor-sharp pincers.

He twisted, tossing the bo in the air long enough to allow the beast to pull the jumper off him. Godric caught the bo.

Dangerously fast for how bulky the creature was.

The thing caught his arm as he spun to the side, slicing the skin near his shoulder as he dove and rolled back under its belly.

On the other side, he stared at the large spider shaking his clothing from its leg, clicking angrily at having missed him.

Acromantula.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

"Acromantula!?" Salazar exclaimed in astonishment. "Mrs. Dunbar, if you don't slap the headmaster, I just might."

"Get in line," Heath said under his breath.

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Fury lay heavy in his chest.

The giant spider began to turn, but Godric used his magic to send a burst of air under him as he jumped high - higher than the spider.

They set an Acramantula loose in the maze.

He used his legs to spin himself around.

A known man-eater.

Twisted his bo to point downwards

On their school grounds.

He ran his hand along the end and transfigured the tip of the bo back into his sword.

Where there were children watching.

He let himself fall.

The foul brute didn't think to look up.

He led with the sword and it pierced through the thick, hairy head. It screeched, legs spasming as Godric turned mid air and landed on the back of the spider, pain lacing up his legs. The Acramantula bucked, Godric calmly keeping a firm hold on his weapon and keeping his balance as the creature fought.

Slowly the venom and blade did its job. Finally, finally the creature stopped struggling and fell limply, dead, to the ground. He waited for a few moments more, before withdrawing the sword-bo from the corpse's head. He calmly cleaned the blood off so the disgusting substance would not stain or seep into the metal. He changed the tip back into a bo, cleaned the small wound on his arm, and jumped off the back and made his way to the Cup.

He still felt eyes on him.

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

He didn't know exactly when he jumped out of his seat, but he was standing beside two of his dearest friends holding hands, while his best friend made his way to the Triwizard Cup.

- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

Standing before the platform in the large, open section of the maze, Godric couldn't see anything besides the tall hedges. He couldn't hear anything except the wind.

Godric sent his magic out, testing the cup, and his lips pulled down in a frown.

He rubbed at the ring before he sent out a message: Cup feels wrong.

A crash to his left had him turning and watching as Viktor, harried looking and with burns along his arms, came running towards him.

Well, Godric couldn't let Viktor be harmed.

Without another thought, he grasped the handle. Something hooked into his stomach and pulled him away from the platform in a flash of swirling colors.

The last thing he heard was Viktor's shout of frustration.