Chapter 83: The Third Task
For the following weeks, while Harry was preparing for the final task in an empty transfiguration classroom that was permitted by Prof. McGonagall, Neal became strict while teaching Malfoy, Daphne, and Tracey, basic Ice magic for defense and he was also training hard to conjure the Ice nonverbally and Wandlessly so that he can protect himself especially from unforgivable curses.
At first, they thought he was just being sincere in teaching but later when the three of them saw him being gloomy even on his birthday, Malfoy thought it might be because the murderer of his parents got released, on the other hand, Daphne thought it might because he won't get to be the heir of Avery family and would have no right on their assets any longer as she knows that Neal doesn't have feelings for his parents and wouldn't miss them as he never knew them personally.
Only Tracey began to worry that something might have happened to her mom and step-dad since Neal evaded her eyes and told that it was just false information when she asked him about it. Soon, the day of the final task arrived and everyone was anticipating who is going to win as the last exam was over on the morning of June 23rd. Seeing the opportunity, the twin Weasleys started their betting business as usual.
The next day morning, On the day of the final task, Dumbledore specially invited the families of champions. After breakfast is over, Neal stood up just like Harry, Krum, and Fleur and went towards the chamber behind the high table.
Neal saw his grandfather along with a few others he was unfamiliar with and Weasley's family. As he greeted him, Neal asked, "you look troubled. Anything wrong? Is it, uncle Leon?". Oakley shook his head, "no, there's nothing wrong with Leon, he was recuperating alright, will be back in full health in no time. There's something else troubling me. You don't need to worry about it".
As he was chatting with his grandfather, Fleur interrupted them and introduced her parents. As they thanked him for saving their little daughter, Gabrielle, he just waved his hand, "it's not much. Even if I don't save her, she must have been saved by Merpeople, Professor Dumbledore never harms their guests".
As Krum too joined them introducing his parents to Neal's surprise, Harry was busy conversing with Weasleys. Then, upon Oakley's request, Neal acted as a tour guide as both of them toured around the castle.
Meanwhile, Fleur introduced Cedric, who she began to date recently to her parents while Krum introduced his parents to Hermoine, although she quickly excused herself and joined Weasleys' family as she felt uncomfortable to converse with Krum because of Rita Skeeter who portrayed her as a greedy girl going after champions. As for Ginny, she too excused herself from her family, saying she was busy when she saw Harry introducing Cho Chang to them as his girlfriend.
Everyone returned to the Great Hall for the evening feast. Ludo Bagman and Cornelius Fudge had joined the staff table now. Bagman looked quite cheerful, but Cornelius Fudge, who was sitting next to Madame Maxime, looked stern and was not talking. Percy sat next to Bagman in place of dead Barty Crouch. As for Karkaroff, he ran away leaving Krum and the other students of Durmstrang alone at Hogwarts.
As the feast is over, Dumbledore stood up and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, in 5 minutes, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now".
Neal along with the other champions got up and head off to the Quidditch field as everyone started to cheer while following them. They walked onto the Quidditch field, which was now completely unrecognizable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran around the edge of it. There was a gap right in front of them, the entrance to the vast maze. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy.
A few minutes later, as the stands were filled with students who were cheering the champion they support with excitement, Professor McGonagall stood before them and said, "We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze. If you face any trouble and wanted to be rescued, don't hesitate to send red sparks into the sky. One of us will come and get you, do you understand?". The champions nodded.
Then, Ludo Bagman put his wand to his neck and magnified his voice and said, "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.
First place with 94 points, Neal Slytherin of Hogwarts, Second place with 87 points, Harry Potter of Hogwarts, Third place with 85 points, Viktor Krum of Durmstrang, and Fourth place with 61 points, Fleur Delacour.
As previously mentioned, aside from the usual 50 points from judges, there will be additional bonus points to one champion. A whole 50 points to the one who reaches the center of the maze and touch the Triwizard cup which is a Portkey that will send the champion directly to this same spot, right before the judges and the audience.
Let us give a round of applause to the person who created such an amazing maze, Alastor Moody". As the audience clapped, he just stood in the corner with an indifference.
Then, Bagman continued, "Now, several people might think that the one who claims the cup will win automatically. Then, what's the point of these marks and rankings? The answer to that is the order they will enter. Yes, the second will enter 5 minutes later than the first one. So, that means the difference between the first to enter and the last is 15 minutes which is a big advantage if you think about it carefully".
Then, he looked at the champions, "So, on my whistle, Neal, get ready. Three, two, one..." As he blew the whistle, Neal entered the maze and turned into a Giant Horned Serpent. As the jewel on his forehead glow in the dark, he used shapeshift ability to reduce his size to move easily and then turned invisible and waited for Harry to do the bodyguard duty and make sure Harry wins the Triwizard cup to complete the deal he made with Moody months ago.
Five minutes later, as Bagman blew the whistle, Harry hurried into the dark maze. Then, he started to walk with the help of a four-point spell where one put the wand falt on their palm after saying "Point me". As he saw the tip of wand pointing where North is, Harry mumbled, "from where we enter, the center of the maze is in the north-west direction.
Now, The best I could do was to take the left fork and go right again as soon as possible. I don't know why but I'm getting a weird feeling of being watched. Anyway, I should hurry. Neal must have reached far ahead".
Five minutes later, the whistle blew again and another five minutes later, Bagman blew it. Now, fifteen minutes into the task, all the champions are inside of the maze. Harry was leading the way while Neal was silently crawling behind and following him. Krum was busy searching for Harry to eliminate him as soon as possible upon Karkaroff's final instructions before he ran away from Hogwarts so that Neal would win and Fleur just entered the maze.
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