𝐌𝐀𝐃 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 → 𝒸. 𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓁𝑒𝓎

⤷ 28| FINAL GAME

"He might have said he was impressed by our previous matches," Juniper said, grinning.

"He didn't," Alicia gasped.

"He did."

"That's such a big compliment," Katie breathed. "Wow, I don't know what to feel."

Juniper rolled her eyes. "Guys, you seem to forget that he's human like the rest of us."

"Yeah, but he's Krum," Angelina pointed out.

Juniper shook her head, smiling, as she put on her robes. "I need to go," she told them. "Something about the third task."

Harry was already waiting for her outside the changing room and together, they made their way towards the other side of the castle only to be met with some kind of hedges.

"Hello there!" a cheery voice called.

Ludo Bagman was standing in the middle of the hedges with Viktor and Fleur. Harry and June made their way towards them, climbing over the hedges.

"Well, what d'you think?" Bagman asked happily, as Harry and June climbed over the last hedge. "Growing nicely, aren't they? Give them a month and Hagrid'll have them twenty foot high. Now, I imagine you can guess what we're making here?"

No one spoke for a moment. Then —

"Maze," Viktor grunted.

"That's right!" Bagman said. "A maze. The third task's really straightforward. The Triwizard Cup will he placed in the center of the maze. The first champion to touch it will receive full marks."

"We seemply 'ave to get through the maze?" Fleur asked.

"There will be obstacles," Bagman said happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Hagrid is providing a number of creatures . . . then there will be spells that must be broken . . . all that sort of thing, you know. Now, the champions who are leading on points will get a head start into the maze." Bagman grinned at Harry and June. "Then Mr Krum will enter . . . then Miss Delacour. But you'll all be in with a fighting chance, depending how well you get past the obstacles. Should be fun, eh?"

June, who knew only too well the kind of creatures that Hagrid was likely to provide for an event like this, thought it was unlikely to be any fun at all. However, she nodded politely like the other champions.

"Very well . . . if you haven't got any questions, we'll go back up to the castle, shall we, it's a bit chilly . . ."

"Could I haff a vord?" Viktor asked Harry, making June frown.

"I'll wait for you, Harry, shall I?" Bagman suggested.

"No, it's OK, Mr Bagman," Harry said, suppressing a smile, "I think I can find the castle on my own, thanks."

Juniper continued to walk towards the castle, but told herself she'd wait for Harry near the entrance.

Not much later, June saw Harry sprinting towards her.

"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, alarmed by the look on his face.

"I — have — found — Crouch," Harry said, not stopping, and June ran along with him. "Must — get — to — Dumbledore."