Save a dance for me
Chapter 3
Fleur Delacour had just kissed Harry Potter—passionately—and Cho stood frozen in shock, the world around her blurring as her heart sank. The sight of Fleur leaning into Harry, attempting to deepen the kiss, twisted something inside her. Cho felt the sting of tears threatening to spill, and she couldn't stand it any longer. She turned away, fighting back the overwhelming emotions.
How could this be happening? she thought, her mind racing with confusion and hurt. She had been so sure that she and Harry had something special, that he had returned her feelings. They had shared moments—quiet, meaningful moments. But now, watching him kiss another girl, she couldn't help but feel like she had been wrong.
If he cared for me, Cho reasoned bitterly, he wouldn't be kissing Fleur.
She tried to steady her breath, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay, when she suddenly heard her name spoken. Cho turned, unsure if she had imagined it, and saw Harry still holding Fleur's arms—but not to pull her closer. No, he was holding her at arm's length, his face flushed, as he spoke hurriedly. Cho couldn't hear all the words, but she was certain she had heard him say her name.
Harry felt his face burn as he gently pushed Fleur away, breaking the kiss with more effort than he had expected. It was as if the Veela magic in her had clouded his senses for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
"I'm sorry, Fleur, but I'm with someone else," Harry said, his voice firm but still kind.
Fleur blinked at him, confusion evident in her expression. Her gaze flickered toward Hermione for a moment, before returning to Harry. "But she told me you were only friends," Fleur said, clearly baffled.
Harry smiled softly and shook his head. "Hermione is my friend—my best friend, actually. But the girl I was talking about is Cho," he said, glancing around the crowd, searching for her.
Fleur's confused expression didn't fade. "Who?"
Harry chuckled lightly, finding her confusion oddly charming despite the situation. "Cho Chang," he clarified, giving her arms a gentle squeeze before releasing them. "I really should go find her."
With that, he left Fleur standing in stunned disbelief, making his way through the crowd in search of the one person he truly wanted to be with.
Cho watched as Harry exchanged a few words with Fleur, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't hear the conversation, but she noticed the way Harry wasn't pulling Fleur closer—instead, he seemed to be explaining something, his gaze searching the crowd.
Is he looking for me? she wondered, hope fluttering in her stomach.
Her breath caught when his eyes finally found her. The smile that spread across Harry's face made her heart skip a beat, and when he began moving toward her, weaving through the crowd, she felt a surge of relief.
Harry reached out his hand, and without hesitation, Cho reached for it.
Just as their fingers brushed, a booming voice echoed across the grounds, announcing the results of the Second Task. Harry Potter had won first place, Cedric Diggory came in second, Viktor Krum third, and Fleur Delacour finished last.
"Congratulations, Harry," Cho whispered into his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug, the cheers of the crowd roaring around them.
Harry felt his spirits soar as her arms tightened around him, her presence grounding him after the whirlwind of the task. "Thanks, Cho," he murmured, his heart racing in the warmth of her embrace.
As the crowd began to disperse and the cheering died down, only Harry, Cho, and Fleur remained near the lake. The air between them felt charged with something unspoken as Fleur approached, her expression calm but serious.
"Please forgive my actions earlier," Fleur said, addressing Cho directly. "I did not know he was yours." Her voice was polite, but there was an underlying intensity in her words.
Cho's hand instinctively tightened around Harry's, and she met Fleur's gaze with steady resolve. "It's okay.
You didn't know," she replied, her tone even and without malice, though her eyes conveyed a silent message to Fleur—keep your hands off from now on.
Fleur did not miss the look. She smiled softly, acknowledging the silent challenge. "You are very lucky," she said kindly, but her eyes, too, spoke volumes—hold on to him, or someone else will.
Then, with a surprising gentleness, Fleur leaned in and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Thank you again for saving my sister," she whispered, her voice sincere.
Cho watched the interaction carefully, her grip on Harry's hand remaining firm. She saw the unspoken exchange between Fleur and herself—a declaration of sorts. Fleur gave one last glance at Cho, silently daring her to hold onto Harry, before she turned and walked away, leaving the two of them alone by the lake.
As Fleur disappeared into the distance, Harry turned to Cho, their hands still entwined. The tension from earlier seemed to melt away as they shared a quiet moment together, standing by the lake where so much had just happened.
"Shall we take a walk?" Harry asked softly, his voice gentle as he looked at her with warmth.
Cho nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."
They walked slowly along the lake's edge, the excitement of the task fading into the background as they enjoyed the peace of each other's company. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the water, and the quiet between them felt natural, comfortable.
After a while, Harry's nervousness returned. He slowed his steps, glancing at Cho out of the corner of his eye, gathering his courage for what he wanted to say next.
"Cho," Harry began, his voice a little unsteady but filled with sincerity, "I've been thinking... We've been spending a lot of time together, and I... I really like you."
Cho stopped walking and turned to face him, her heart speeding up as she waited for him to continue.
Harry took a deep breath. "Would you... would you want to be my girlfriend? Officially, I mean."
For a brief moment, Cho was speechless, but then a wide smile broke across her face. She nodded, her eyes shining with happiness. "Yes, Harry. I'd love that."
Relief washed over Harry, and he grinned, feeling a warmth spread through him. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her softly, the kiss sealing the new step in their relationship. Cho kissed him back, her heart fluttering with excitement.
As they pulled away, they both smiled, their hands still clasped together. The walk continued, but now there was a new lightness between them—an unspoken agreement that they were together, that this was real.
The next morning, Cho's peaceful mood from the night before was shattered as soon as she saw the front page of The Daily Prophet. Her stomach lurched as her eyes landed on a large photograph of herself, Hermione, and Fleur—each of them looking anxious as they waited for Harry to reemerge from the lake.
Below the main image were three smaller photos, each capturing a different moment of the day. The first showed her embracing Harry after the task, her arms around his neck, their closeness undeniable. The second was of Fleur's kiss—captured at the exact moment her lips met Harry's, the picture frozen in a moment that felt more intimate than it had been. And the last photo showed Harry emerging from the lake, guiding Hermione to the shore, a look of determination on his face.
Cho's heart sank. She could already imagine the rumors that would spread like wildfire across the school. The photos painted a picture of chaos and confusion—three girls, all seemingly vying for Harry's attention.
Hermione, Fleur, and Cho each saw the paper that morning, and all four of them knew the same thing—this wasn't going to end well.
…
Things had not exactly gotten better for Harry after the Second Task. In fact, they had grown considerably worse. The Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and several other well-circulated magazines had latched onto a sensational story: Harry Potter, it seemed, was not just a Triwizard Champion—he was a heartbreaker, with a so-called "harem."
Headlines blared that Harry was officially dating Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw fifth-year, but the gossip didn't stop there. The articles claimed he was also secretly involved with Hermione Granger, his best friend and fellow fourth-year Gryffindor, and, most scandalously, that he had "captured the heart" of Fleur Delacour, the beautiful Triwizard Champion from Beauxbatons, after bravely rescuing her younger sister during the Second Task. The rumors painted a picture of Harry as the ultimate ladies' man, juggling multiple relationships.
Of course, Harry knew these stories were far from the truth. Yes, he and Cho were officially dating. They had shared a few quiet, meaningful moments, and they were just starting to explore what that meant. But Hermione was simply his best friend, and there was nothing romantic between them. As for Fleur? Harry wasn't entirely sure what her intentions were. Ever since he had rescued Gabrielle, Fleur had been more... friendly, sitting with him at meals and sparking conversations. Her smiles were warm and sweet, but Harry had only one girl on his mind—Cho.
Still, the rumors refused to die down, and Harry found himself at the center of constant gossip. And with final exams, the looming O.W.L.s, and the final task approaching, there was hardly any time for romance. He and Cho managed to steal occasional moments together—walking to class or eating breakfast—but it wasn't the ideal environment for a relationship to grow.
Meanwhile, Ron had grown distant. He wasn't openly hostile, but there was a gap between them now, and Harry could feel it widening. Ron had always been his closest friend, but now it seemed as though they were drifting apart, more like casual friends than brothers-in-arms. Harry knew it was a shift he had to accept, though it hurt.
To make matters worse, Viktor Krum had started spending more time around Harry, though his real interest was Hermione. The press had spun this into a full-blown love triangle, claiming that Harry, Viktor, and Hermione were caught in a dramatic tug-of-war over her affections. Rita Skeeter had even penned an article filled with wild accusations about love potions, heartbreak, and betrayal.
Throw in the mysterious disappearance of Barty Crouch, and Harry found himself desperate for the year—and the tournament—to be over.
…
Cho Chang was in a particularly foul mood that morning. She had managed to endure the teasing, the whispers, and the constant rumors about her and Harry. They were officially together now, and though the rumors about Harry's so-called "harem" were exhausting, she had smiled through it, secure in knowing where she stood with him.
But today, everything changed.
She had received a letter from her parents that had shattered her composure. In no uncertain terms, they had made it clear that they did not approve of her relationship with Harry Potter. They didn't want their daughter embroiled in scandal, dragged into the rumors of him dating multiple girls at once. They were worried about how it would look for their family and had ordered her to break things off with him immediately—or they would pull her out of Hogwarts entirely.
Cho's hands trembled as she read the letter again, the disappointment and anger from her parents cutting deeply. She had tried to rise above the gossip, but now her family was being dragged into it. Unable to bear the pressure any longer, she quickly wrote a letter back to her parents, grabbed her broom, and left the Ravenclaw Tower without saying a word to anyone.
She needed to escape.
The Quidditch pitch had always been her sanctuary, but when she arrived, she stopped short. Her mouth fell open in disbelief as she saw what the once-open field had become. The maze for the final task had taken over the pitch, the hedges already growing high, though she knew they were not yet at full height. The sheer scale of it was dizzying.
Cho mounted her broom and kicked off hard from the ground, needing the release of flying. As she soared higher, her heart lightened, her worries temporarily forgotten as the wind rushed past her. She circled the maze, marveling at its complexity. The twists and turns, the looming walls, and countless dead ends—it made her dizzy just trying to follow it from the sky. How would Harry navigate it from within?
After a while, she found herself laughing at the thought. There was probably no way to cheat. Even if someone memorized the layout, the maze was likely enchanted to change constantly.
"What's so funny?" came a voice from behind her, nearly startling her off her broom. She turned quickly, her heart leaping when she saw Harry hovering nearby, holding a scrunched-up piece of parchment.
"I got your letter," Harry said, his voice quiet and careful. His eyes were guarded, uncertainty flickering behind them. "What did we need to talk about?"
Cho saw the guarded look in Harry's eyes, and her heart sank. The words she needed to say seemed stuck in her throat, too heavy to speak. "I... well, my parents... they don't want us to—" she stammered, her voice faltering. "They've forbidden me to see you. They think the rumors will damage our family..."
Harry's expression remained neutral, but Cho thought she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared. He sighed softly, the weight of the situation hanging between them.
"I understand, Cho," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. Then, to her surprise, he smiled—though it wasn't a happy smile. It was resigned, as if he had known this would happen eventually. "I figured this would come sooner or later. It was only a matter of time."
The sound of his voice, so full of quiet acceptance, broke her heart. She had tried to prepare herself for this moment, but hearing him say it—hearing the sadness in his voice—made it all feel so much worse.
Harry turned his broom, preparing to leave, but Cho reached out and grabbed his arm. He turned back, and she could see the sadness in his eyes. He looked tired—tired of the rumors, tired of the chaos, tired of losing something he had only just begun to cherish.
"I'm so sorry, Harry," Cho said, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't want to do this, didn't want to hurt him. "Please don't hate me."
Harry looked at her, unsure of how to respond. He was hurt that their relationship was ending so soon after it had started, angry that her parents had interfered, and disappointed that once again, hope had been snatched away from him. All he had wanted was a normal relationship with Cho, but nothing was ever simple when it came to Harry Potter.
"I could never hate you, Cho," Harry said softly, though it took everything in him to keep his voice steady. He fought back the bitterness, the frustration, trying to stay calm.
"Maybe... maybe once this all blows over, we can try again?" Cho asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"Maybe," Harry replied with a sad smile. He knew she meant it, but he couldn't bring himself to believe it. Not yet. He turned and flew away, his heart heavy.
He had only gone about twenty feet when he heard her call out after him. "Win, Harry! I know you can!"
Harry didn't turn back, but he raised his hand in a wave. I will, he thought, determination hardening in his chest as he sped off toward the maze, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
...
The twenty-fourth of June couldn't have come quickly enough for Harry Potter. After his breakup with Cho, things had only gotten worse. Ron's jealousy had become glaringly obvious, and it wasn't just about the latest articles portraying Harry as the center of a "harem" of girls. Ron was also increasingly frustrated by Harry's time spent with Fleur, Viktor Krum, and even Neville. It seemed like everyone but him was part of Harry's life lately, and the distance between them had grown into a chasm.
Ron didn't openly confront Harry, but his coldness was palpable. They hardly spoke anymore, and Harry could feel the tension every time they were in the same room. It wasn't just the articles—though those certainly hadn't helped. Harry knew that Ron resented how much attention he seemed to be getting, even if the attention was unwanted. The stories of Harry's "romantic entanglements" with Cho, Hermione, and Fleur, splashed across the front pages of The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly, only seemed to drive them further apart.
Then there was the time Harry spent with Krum and Neville. Krum had started hanging around Harry more, though it was clear that his real interest lay with Hermione. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Ron, whose jealousy over Krum had only deepened. Harry's quiet friendship with Neville was another sore spot. Ron didn't say it out loud, but it was clear he was bothered by the fact that Harry seemed to be growing closer to everyone but him. When Hermione wasn't helping Harry prepare for the final task, she was throwing herself into her studies as final exams approached. Rita Skeeter's latest article about Harry being "dangerous" and untrustworthy had caused most of the other students to avoid him entirely. He thought he saw Cho looking as though she wanted to talk to him, but she never did. The loneliness weighed on him.
Neville, though loyal, wasn't the best for conversation, and his quiet company often left Harry feeling more isolated. Still, Neville stood by him, which was more than he could say for most people.
Fleur, on the other hand, was excellent company. Despite her beauty and the assumptions people made about her, Harry found Fleur to be much more intelligent and thoughtful than she let on. They had spent many conversations talking about her life in France, her experiences at Beauxbatons, and her plans for the future. The only downside was that, like him, Fleur was preparing for the final task, which meant their time together was limited.
…
Today was the day of the final task, and Harry was finishing breakfast with Neville. His mind was spinning with thoughts of the maze and what dangers lay ahead. Hermione had just dashed out of the Great Hall, muttering angrily about Rita Skeeter again, and Ron was nowhere to be seen—he hadn't joined them at breakfast.
It was also the day the families of the champions were invited to show their support. Harry had no family that would come to see him risk his life. The Dursleys certainly wouldn't show up for something like this. He felt a pang of envy as the other champions got up and headed to the side chamber where their families were waiting.
Neville had already gone off to class, and Harry was about to head to the library when Fleur appeared beside him, her smile bright.
Before Harry could react, she took his hand and began pulling him toward the side chamber. "Harry, your family is waiting for you, and my little sister is dying to see you again," she said, her voice carrying a playful lilt.
Confused, Harry let himself be led down the corridor. The Dursleys? Surely not. He couldn't imagine them showing up for anything that had to do with him.
As they entered the chamber, Harry nearly bumped into Cedric and his parents. Viktor was off in the corner, speaking with his parents in rapid Bulgarian. His father shared Viktor's hooked nose and stern expression. On the other side of the room, Fleur's mother and little sister, Gabrielle, were standing together. Gabrielle waved excitedly at Harry, and he waved back, smiling. Fleur's mother gave him a nod and a warm smile, which made his cheeks flush.
It was then that Harry realized he was still holding Fleur's hand.
Blushing, he quickly let go, hoping no one had noticed. Fleur frowned briefly but then perked up again, leaning in to kiss him swiftly on the cheek. "I will see you in a little while," she said sweetly before walking over to her family.
Harry stood there, still dazed by the kiss, when he spotted a flash of red near the fireplace that instantly grabbed his attention.
Standing by the fire, beaming at him, were Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Remus Lupin, and Snuffles, wagging his tail eagerly.
"Surprise!" Mrs. Weasley said with excitement, her face glowing as Harry walked over to them. "We thought we'd come and watch you, Harry." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek, making Harry's heart swell with gratitude.
Bill grinned, stepping up to shake Harry's hand. "You all right, mate?" he asked, his tone friendly and familiar. "Charlie wanted to come, but he couldn't get time off. Said you were brilliant against the Horntail."
Bill leaned in closer, his voice dropping so only Harry could hear. "And it looks like beating dragons comes with perks, eh?" he added with a wink, subtly nodding toward Fleur, who was now talking animatedly with her mother. Harry's face flushed as he realized what Bill was implying.
Mrs. Weasley remained oblivious to the comment, her smile warm and proud. "We wanted to make sure you knew you had people rooting for you," she said kindly. "We're all so proud of you, Harry."
Harry felt his throat tighten with emotion. He hadn't expected anyone to come, least of all Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Sirius, and Lupin. This was his real family—the people who cared about him, who believed in him.
"Thanks," Harry managed, his voice thick with gratitude. He glanced around the room, taking in the sight of the other champions with their families. Cedric was chatting with his parents, Viktor was still deep in conversation with his father, and Fleur was doting on Gabrielle, who kept glancing at Harry with wide, admiring eyes.
Lupin placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, his touch comforting. "You've done so well, Harry," he said quietly. "No matter what happens in the maze, we're proud of you."
Harry nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. This was what he needed today—a reminder that he wasn't alone, that people cared.
…
After exchanging pleasantries with Mrs. Weasley and Bill, Harry felt a gentle nudge at his side. Snuffles, tail wagging, nudged him forward toward a quieter part of the chamber. Harry glanced up and caught Lupin's knowing smile. "Why don't you come with me for a minute, Harry? There's someone who wants to see you properly."
They stepped into a small, unused side room, and the moment the door closed behind them, Snuffles transformed in a flash of movement. In front of Harry now stood Sirius Black, grinning widely at his godson.
"Surprise!" Sirius said, pulling Harry into a tight hug. "I thought you'd like to see me with a proper face for once."
Harry smiled, a wave of relief washing over him as he hugged Sirius back. "It's really good to see you, Sirius."
Sirius clapped him on the back, releasing him from the hug but still holding him at arm's length. "I wish I could've been here sooner, but you know, not exactly the safest place for me to wander around in my human form."
Lupin chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe. "We wanted to make sure you felt supported today, Harry. No matter what happens in that maze, you've got us."
Sirius's expression turned more serious as he looked into Harry's eyes. "You've been through more than most adults ever will. I don't need to tell you to be brave—you already are. Just remember to trust yourself in that maze. You've got a good head on your shoulders."
Harry nodded, feeling both reassured and slightly overwhelmed by the weight of their support. "Thanks," he murmured. "For everything."
Sirius smiled again, ruffling Harry's hair in a fatherly way. "Anytime, kiddo."
Lupin crossed the room, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "And remember, you're not alone in this. We're with you, every step of the way."
After a few more moments of talking and laughing together, Harry felt a renewed sense of strength. With a final hug from Sirius, Snuffles reappeared, and the three of them returned to the main chamber where the others were waiting.
…
The next few hours passed in a blur. As the champions were gathered for their final instructions, the excitement and tension built to a crescendo. Harry felt his nerves buzzing, but the support of Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Sirius, and Lupin helped calm him. He glanced over at Fleur occasionally, her confidence and grace clear even as the pressure mounted.
"Good luck, Harry," Bill said, clapping him on the back as they headed toward the maze. "We'll be rooting for you."
"Thanks," Harry replied, managing a smile despite the knot of anxiety twisting in his stomach.
As Harry stood with the other champions, he cast one last look at the stands. There, waving at him, were the people who mattered most—Sirius, Lupin, Hermione, Neville, the Weasleys, and off to the side a few rows up, Cho. Adorned in Gryffindor colors, the letters "HP" on her cheek, fully in support, albeit from a distance.
...
"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin!" Ludo Bagman's voice boomed across the Quidditch pitch, echoing in the charged air. The crowd roared with excitement, the anticipation almost palpable. "Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place, with ninety points—Mr. Harry Potter of Hogwarts School!"
The Gryffindors erupted in deafening cheers, waving banners and scarves, their voices rising above the rest. Harry felt the support like a warm wave washing over him, though his nerves were wound tight.
"In second place, with eighty-five points—Mr. Cedric Diggory, also of Hogwarts School!" The Hufflepuff crowd matched the Gryffindors' enthusiasm, chanting Cedric's name with pride.
"In third place, with eighty points—Mr. Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause followed, though the Durmstrang supporters remained a bit more reserved.
"And in fourth place—Miss Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy!" Bagman finished, and a round of polite clapping came from the stands, accompanied by a few spirited cheers.
Harry scanned the crowd, his heart racing with anticipation. He spotted Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Hermione clapping politely for Fleur, sitting halfway up the stands. They caught his eye and waved eagerly, beaming with pride. Harry waved back, his nerves easing slightly as their familiar faces reassured him.
Not too far from them, Gabrielle Delacour waved with all the energy of a child, her small hand flying through the air. Harry grinned broadly and waved back, feeling a swell of affection for Fleur's younger sister. But then his gaze shifted, and his breath caught for a moment.
There, sitting in the fifth row, was Cho Chang—wearing a red-and-gold Gryffindor scarf around her neck and sporting a bold "HP" painted on her cheek. She was smiling and cheering for him, her eyes never leaving him. Despite everything, despite the heartbreak and the rumors, there she was, full of warmth and support for him.
Harry's heart did a strange little leap, but before he could dwell on the moment, his concentration was broken by Bagman's booming voice.
"So... on my whistle, Harry!" Bagman said. "Three—two—one—"
The shrill blast of the whistle pierced the air, and Harry took off, diving into the dark, towering hedges of the maze.
…
Hermione sat on the edge of her seat, her hands clenched together tightly. The stands were buzzing with excitement, but all she could do was stare at the thick walls of the maze. Nothing was visible from where they sat; only the judges could see what was happening inside. Every now and then, sparks of light shot into the sky, flashes of magic illuminating the darkness of the maze, but that was the only sign that anything was happening at all.
Her stomach twisted into knots as time dragged on. Fleur had been the first to be brought out—unconscious.
The sight of her pale, limp body had sent a wave of shock through the stands. Fleur's family had rushed to her side, and Madame Maxime had flown down from the stands, her face ashen with worry.
Then, only minutes later, Viktor Krum was also retrieved from the maze, unconscious as well. There had been whispers of dark magic, of Krum attacking Cedric, but the truth was still unclear.
That's when it hit Hermione—something wasn't right. The flashes of magic had stopped, and the maze had fallen eerily silent. Her gut churned with a sense of foreboding, the kind of feeling she had learned to trust over the years. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. And it wasn't just nerves or the anxiety of waiting. It was deeper than that.
"Harry," she whispered under her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. Please be all right.
…
Cho sat in the stands, her fingers trembling as she chewed on her nails, unable to shake the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. Nearly an hour had passed since Krum had been brought out, unconscious, and there hadn't been a single flash of light or sign of movement from within the maze since then.
Her heart raced with anxiety, her mind filled with the worst possible scenarios. She could feel the tension building, a weight pressing down on her chest. The maze seemed to have swallowed everything whole, leaving only a creeping sense of dread behind.
Beside her, Marietta was equally tense. She was dressed in Hufflepuff colors, a yellow scarf wrapped snugly around her, with the letters "CD" painted on her cheek in support of Cedric. The playful atmosphere they had shared earlier, when they had been good-naturedly cheering for different champions, had long since vanished. Now, both of them sat in a kind of suspended fear, eyes darting back and forth between the maze and each other. Marietta reached over, squeezing Cho's arm. Cho barely noticed, her focus entirely on the ominous stillness of the maze. She could hear the crowd murmuring around her, the unease spreading like wildfire.
"What do you suppose is taking so long?" Marietta asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Maybe..." Cho struggled to find an answer, but nothing comforting came to mind. "Maybe they're just separated... maybe they haven't run into anything else yet."
But even as she said it, she knew it wasn't likely. The maze had been silent for far too long. No lights, no signs of spells being cast. It was as though the entire competition had frozen.
"Or maybe they knocked each other out," Cho added half-heartedly, though the fear in her voice was evident. Marietta raised a skeptical eyebrow, clearly not buying it.
Suddenly, cries of shock rippled through the front rows of the stands, and Cho's heart leapt into her throat. She whipped her head around to see the judges rushing toward the entrance of the maze, their faces grim and urgent.
Cho's pulse quickened, and terror seized her. She gripped Marietta's hand tightly as a single thought echoed in her mind.
Please, not Harry. Please, not Harry.