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The Tri-Book Tournament
by hpboy13
I have written much in the past about how Jo astonishingly laid out rubrics for the entire Harry Potter series in the first book (âSeven Obstacles for Seven Books,â âThe Three-Book-Long Chess Matchâ) and somewhat in the second book (âThe Foreshadowing of Borgin and Burkesâ). But one of the things that has not been as widely remarked upon is the literary victory lap that Jo took in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The more years pass, the more my esteem for Goblet of Fire grows â it is growing awfully close to eclipsing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as my second-favorite tome of the lot. Considering how masterfully the mystery plays out, and how much world-building and character development is accomplished in the book, I am all the more impressed that Jo wrote it in only a year. Goblet of Fire is also the turning point of the series â as Jo said, âItâs literally a central book, itâs almost the heart of the series, and itâs pivotal.â In light of that, to celebrate her magnum opus reaching its halfway point, Jo subtly used the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament as a recap or an homage to the preceding three books. (Shout out to Sophia Jenkins for helping me puzzle through this theory!)
 The First Task
The first task is to get the golden egg, making oneâs way past a highly dangerous dragon. In other words, itâs all about a quest to procure an object that is being guarded by deadly obstacles â rather like the Sorcererâs Stone Harry pursues in the first book. Even the golden hue of the prize is a parallel â while the golden egg is the one to get, recall that the Sorcererâs Stone (in addition to its immortality-related powers) also turns any metal into gold.
To get past the egg, Moody tells Harry, âPlay to your strengthsâ (GoF 344). This hearkens back to how all the obstacles protecting the Sorcererâs Stone are specifically designed to be overcome by the trioâs particular strengths: conjuring fire, flying and Seeking, playing chess, and using logic.
Of course, the dragon itself is also a callback to Harry Potter and the Sorcererâs Stone and the misadventures involving Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback â this dragon-centric ring is later completed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as a clear-cut example of ring theory at work. And the first task is the only time aside from the Norbert incident in Sorcererâs Stone that Charlie Weasley bears any relevance to the plot â he shows up before the task and provides Hagrid (and Harry) with helpful information about the Hungarian Horntail.
And just like in Sorcererâs Stone, the first task concludes with a detailed (and very biased) awarding of points. In Sorcererâs Stone, we wrap up with Dumbledore awarding points to Gryffindor â itemized by student and enumerating their specific virtues â adding up to put Gryffindor in first place due to Dumbledoreâs bias. The first task ends with âmarks out of ten from each [judge]â (GoF 359). Ironically, Dumbledore is among the less biased judges here, what with Karkaroffâs four and Bagmanâs ten, but the end result is the same: The points Harry is awarded put him in a tie for first place. Unlike Book 1, there is no tiebreaker for standing up to friends, but we get the gist.
 The Second Task
The second task as a parallel for the events of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is so blatant, it is what served as the genesis for this essay. In the second task, Harry is forced to go to a wet and subterranean location to rescue a Weasley and the younger sister of someone he knows, even if he barely knows the sister in question. In other words⌠the same thing as rescuing Ginny from the Chamber.
Of course, the parallels run deeper than that. The second task also features the crucial involvement of Moaning Myrtle and Dobby, just like the second book does.
Moaning Myrtle provides Harry with some crucial clues as to whatâs going on while he is in a bathroom â in Book 2, providing Riddleâs diary; in the second task, pointing out that mermaids are the focal point. In both moments, Harry manages to inadvertently offend Myrtle â by pointing out that a thrown book would go right through her (CoS 230) and by asking how he is supposed to breathe (GoF 465).
Then, in the climactic moment, Myrtle points him in the right direction: toward the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets and toward the merpeople holding the hostages.
Dobby spends much of Chamber of Secrets trying to save Harryâs life and promises to never do so again at the end of the book (CoS 339). Fortunately, he goes back on his word, and in the second task, the house-elf actually does save Harryâs life (or at least his Triwizard success) by providing him with Gillyweed.
The conclusion of both adventures features a similarly phrased excitement on Hermioneâs part that Harry figured out the puzzle:
âHarry, well done!â Hermione cried. âYou did it, you found out how all by yourself!ââ (GoF 504)
 The Third Task
The third task is not as clear-cut in the parallel as the first two â but neither is the third book itself! However, moment by moment and scene by scene, we can find how the maze hearkens back to the highlights of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The maze opens with a boggart masquerading as a Dementor (GoF 623) â there can be no more direct signal for avid readers to recall Prisoner of Azkaban, where both creatures (including the one transformed into the other) are featured so prominently.
The golden mist that turns Harry upside down (GoF 624) is tricky to place, but I believe that mist is a callback to the fog of a crystal ball, and Professor Trelawneyâs predictions generally. In Prisoner of Azkaban, before Harry becomes jaded with Divination, Trelawney informs Harry that he has the Grim and that death stalks toward him. And Harry does, in fact, see the âGrimâ on several occasions. Rather like with the mist, his world is (figuratively) turned upside down as he wonders whether he is soon fated to die. However, to get past both the golden mist and the morbid predictions, Harry has to just put one foot in front of the other â only by finding the willpower to keep on, despite what may happen, can he get past the obstacle.
Harry runs into a Blast-Ended Skrewt, which has been a regular deadly feature of the Hogwarts grounds in the past year â just like the Whomping Willow. The willow is doubly significant in the third book. First, it provides Sirius with a place to hide and a way to access the castle despite all the defenses. Second, it is a link to Lupinâs lycanthropic secret, and to the Maraudersâ schooldays, which prove to be such a crucial backstory. Therefore, it merits an avatar in the maze, in the form of the Blast-Ended Skrewt.
The key to this Skrewt-Willow parallel is in how Harry gets past these lethal obstacles. At first, he makes one misguided attempt at getting past them the old-fashioned way. He casts a Stunning Spell at the Skrewt, which rebounds and singes his hair (GoF 625-626). In Prisoner of Azkaban, he is âdarting here and there, trying to find a way through the vicious, swishing branches, but he couldnât get an inch nearer to the tree rootsâ (PoA 335-336). But both times, the key to getting past the obstacle is simply to temporarily freeze it and make a run for it. Crookshanks immobilizes the willow by pressing a knot; Harry is finally able to flee from the Skrewt with a well-aimed Impediment Curse.
Harry next encounters an Imperiused Viktor Krum torturing Cedric Diggory (GoF 626) â and Krum serves as a stand-in for Sirius Black here. Originally, Krum appears friendly enough (after potential love triangles are averted) despite coming from the sketchy background of a Karkaroff-led Durmstrang. Then, in an apparently shocking twist, it turns out Krum is evil when he attacks Cedric (an ally of Harryâs). But there is another twist yet in store: Krum isnât evil after all, and the attack isnât all it appears.
Just by replacing a few names, we get the arc of the titular Prisoner of Azkaban. Originally, Sirius appears friendly enough despite coming from the sketchy background of the noble and most ancient House of Black. Then, in an apparently shocking twist, it turns out Sirius is evil when he attacks Pettigrew (an ally of Jamesâs). But there is another twist yet in store: Sirius isnât evil after all, and the attack isnât all it appears.
After the scuffle with Krum, Harry comes to the sphinx (GoF 628): a feline with magical properties who allows Harry to pass a dangerous obstacle (itself!) to go directly toward the storyâs climax. This is an homage to Crookshanks: a feline with magical properties (being part Kneazle!) who allows Harry to pass a dangerous obstacle (the aforementioned Whomping Willow) to go directly toward the storyâs climax.
Harry gets his leg injured fighting an Acromantula (GoF 632), just like Ronâs leg is broken when he scuffles with Sirius (PoA 335). Harry and Cedric work together to overcome the Acromantula, the forces of their combined spells sufficing to take out the foe (GoF 632). This parallels the moment when the trioâs combined Disarming Charm takes out Snape in the Shrieking Shack (PoA 361).
Finally, there is a moment where Harry gives up on getting his prize. In the third task, he offers Cedric the opportunity to claim the Triwizard Cup, despite how badly he wants it (GoF 632). In Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry allows Pettigrew to escape even after using the Time-Turner, despite how badly he wants to capture the traitor (PoA 408). And both events lead directly to the tragic situation in the graveyard when Pettigrew kills Cedric and makes Lord Voldemort rise again.
 The Resurrection
One of the most chilling, most jaw-dropping, most âcanât put the book down now!â lines of the entire series is the closing of Goblet of Fire Chapter 32: âLord Voldemort had risen againâ (GoF 643). BAM!! Does Jo know how to end a chapter, or does she know how to end a chapter? The Harry Potter series can be very neatly divided into two halves with that moment as an axis: When Voldemort returns to corporeal form in Goblet of Fire, everything is irrevocably changed.
Perhaps the impact of that moment is somewhat muted in a world where Books 5, 6, and 7 are only a bookshelf away. But when I first read the books, during the three-year summer, the first four books were all we had. And though we did not know what the remainder of the series would look like, we knew it would be wholly different from what had come before.
Just as the three tasks of the Triwizard Tournament all lead to that moment, so did the first three books of the Potter series. So itâs wholly understandable that Jo would want to embed a subtle recap of those three books in the fourth: a marker at the halfway point saying âlet us reflect on where weâve been.â
The books are rife with both foreshadowing and callbacks to earlier books, but I cannot think of another instance in the series that echoes the novelsâ past quite so distinctly. And in my opinion, itâs a victory lap by Jo that was very well deserved.
 Ever wondered how Felix Felicis works? Or what Dumbledore was scheming throughout the series? Pull up a chair in the Three Broomsticks, grab a butterbeer, and see what hpboy13 has to say on these complex (and often contentious) topics!
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probably a very late realisation but CEDRIC WOULD'VE BEEN ALIVE IF HARRY DIDN'T SAVE HIM IN THE THIRD TASK and Harry would've lived too (because well the events would've went the same with or without Cedric)
Letters to my Parents - Sunday 25 June 1995 - by Alinda
Sunday 25 June 1995
Dear mom and dad,
 I see that Draco already explained most of what happened yesterday to you. Heâs sleeping now, heâs got his hand twisted in my t-shirt. Heâs scared, just like me. Yesterday was bad. Cedric is dead. Every time I close my eyes I see him getting hit by that awful curse. He just fell to the ground, like he was a string puppet who strings just got cut. And all I can think off is that Voldemort did the same to you. He used that curse to kill both of you. Iâve known for some time now that this is the way you died, but seeing the curse happen, it has made it worse.
I also hate how much I scared Draco. He was on my mind all the time when I was in that graveyard. That is where we were transported to. But let me first tell you about the maze. I thought that thing was scary, but after seeing Voldemort in the flesh the maze was a piece of cake.
 The maze was dark. The hedges were enormous and cast dark shadows onto the path. And all sounds were blocked by them. I couldnât hear the crowd anymore. Luckily, it didnât stop me from feeling Draco, like when he was enchanted during the second task. I knew he was close and that he was rooting for me. And that was enough to be brave and walk onward.
 I entered at the same time as Cedric and we both went into a different direction when we reached the first fork in the maze. I wish now that this was the last time I saw him, that we hadnât reached the cup at the same time and he wouldnât have come with me to that graveyard. He might still be alive if that was the case. I still canât believe heâs dead. Itâs surreal. He was only sixteen.
 I did see him again a couple of times in the maze. The first time was when he jumped out of a corridor where he had encountered Hagridâs Blast-Ended-Skrewts. He said they were enormous. This was around the same time I was wondering what the deal was, as I hadnât run into any obstacles yet. I just felt like someone was watching me all the time. It was creepy.
 Moments later I turned a corner and spotted a Dementor. Without thinking I draw on one of my happiest memories of time spent with Draco and cast a perfect Patronus. My Stag galloped towards the Dementor, who tripped over its own ropes. It turned out it was a Boggart and not a Dementor. Even easier to deal with. I just shouted Riddikulus and the Boggart was gone.
 The next obstacle was some kind of enchanted mist. This is when Fleur screamed. I could feel that Draco was worried about me so I chanted that I was fine, that all was okay. And reading his letter to you from yesterday, I guess it did help him a little.
 But back to the mist. All other paths I had tried were dead ends, so I had no choice but to go through it. As soon as I stepped into it, the world turned upside down. It freaked me out a little. It felt as if I would lift my feet to walk, that I would fall into the sky and disappear from this world forever. In the end, I closed my eyes so I couldnât see the sky and pulled one of my feet from the ground. As soon as I did, the world turns right side up again and I could move on.
 Next, I ran into the Blast-Ended-Skrewt. And Cedric was right, it was enormous. I tried to stop it with a Stupefy, but the spell just rebounded on his armour. Then I tried Impedimenta, but that rebounded to. I stumbled backwards and fell down. The Skrewt was coming closer so I yelled Impedimenta as loud as I could. The Skrewt froze in place, so I got up and ran as fast into the other direction as I could. I think I hit the Skrewt on his fleshy underside with my second attempt of Impedimenta.
 And all this was still fine, What happened next was the start of everything going downhill. Cedric was in the path next to me. He screamed at someone, asking them what they were doing. And then I could hear Viktor shouting Crucio. Cedric screamed in pain and I tried to find a way onto his path to help him. There was no way, so I used the Reductor curse to make a whole. I had to kick the branches until they broke so I could get through. But Iâm glad I did.
 Viktor stood over Cedric, who lay on the ground, twisting and jerking around. I used Stupefy on Viktor to make him stop. I couldnât believe he did this, I thought he was a good guy. He was always friendly towards us, joined us for dinner on multiple occasions. And even Hermione liked him in the end. But it looks like he was a cheating bastard after all. We did send up some red sparks so the teacher could get him out of the maze. I didnât want to be responsible for him getting eaten by a Blast-Ended-Skrewt.
 Cedric and I both went our separate ways again. And I know I ran into a Sphinx and that he had a riddle I had to solve, but I canât remember what the riddle was any more or how I solved it. I only know that I did and that the Sphinx let me pass. And when I took the corner I could see the Cup. I started running towards it until I saw Cedric come out of a path further ahead. I knew I would never be able to catch up to him, with his long legs. I stopped in my tracks and just stared at Cedric getting closer to the cup.
 And then I saw the shadow on the hedges moving towards Cedric. Cedric hadnât seen it, so I shouted to warn him. Cedric turned and could get out of the way just in time not to get hit by a giant spider. But he fell and lost his wand. The spider was going to eat him, so I swing spells at it to make it stop. Only it didnât do much good, expect set the spider after me. I couldnât stop it from reaching me and lifting me from the ground. I tried to kick it, but instead only hurt myself when my leg touched its pincer. The pain was horrible. I think I could lose by shouting Expelliarmus, but Iâm not sure anymore. I fell to the ground and landed on my hurt leg. This was bad. I could feel the bone giving way and I couldnât stay upright. Cedric and I both through a spell at the spider at the same time, and that finally stopped it.
 I couldnât move, my leg wouldnât support me. So I told Cedric to get the cup. He was closest and still able to get there. He had won and I was okay with that. I had never wanted a part in this stupid tournament in the first place. But Cedric didnât. He said he would have never made it if it wasnât for me. That I saved him twice now in the maze and told him about the dragons. He wouldnât take it. But I also couldnât take it and stealing away the glory from Cedric, who had wanted this, who had fought for it. So I suggested to take it together. I now wish I hadnât, that I had listened to Cedric and just took the cup alone. He would still be alive. I know I didnât kill him, but it does feel like it was my fault. He was only there because I suggested taking the cup together. And we were only transported to that place because of me because someone wanted me there to help Voldemort with his crazy spell to get his body back. So I do feel guilt and blame when it comes to Cedricâs death. I canât help it. If I hadnât been in that tournament, he would have won and been alive. But now heâs dead.
 The cup was a port key. When Cedric and I took hold of it we were transported to a graveyard. We had no idea what we were doing there so we took out our wands just in case. Cedric was holding me up when a figure in a black robe approached us. I thought he was holding a baby or some cloths. But when the person came nearer my scar exploded. The pain was horrible. I grabbed my head and if it wasnât for Cedric I would have fallen to the ground.
 And then it happened. A high, cold voice said âkill the spareâ. The words Avada Kedavra sounded. A green light flashed by me and then Cedric fell to the ground. As he was holding me up I fell with him. I landed on top of his body. I looked into his face and couldnât believe it. His grey eyes blank and expressionless, his mouth was half-open like he was surprised. He was dead.
 Before I could properly process what was happening I got dragged to my feed. The man in the cloak tied me to a headstone that had the name Tom Riddle on it. I struggled to get loose. Itâs then that the man hit me with his hand and I saw that he was missing a finger. I knew then who it was. Your supposed to be friend Wormtail. Anger flooded my head. I wanted to get loose and kill him. I had shown mercy toward him and now he killed an innocent person.
 What happened next was sickening. Wormtail brought out a cauldron and started a fire underneath it. He then took the bundle of cloth and took out a creature that looked like a small child, but it had a face with bright red eyes and a snakelike nose. Its arms and legs were thin and tiny. It looked horrible and I knew it was truly evil. My scar hurt again when I looked at it. Wormtail lowered the creature into the cauldron and I wished it would drown. That would have been so much better than what really happened.
 Wormtail started a spell. It made the grave beneath me crackle and a small amount of dust rose into the air. It fell into the cauldron and the potion in it turned blue. Then Wormtail said something about the flesh of the servant and cut off his hand. He dumped it in the cauldron, turning the potion red. And then he walked towards me. His words frightened me, and I thought my end was there. He said: âblood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.â
 I thought of Draco, far away at the Hogwarts grounds. He would feel the pain and despair Iâd lived through during the second tasks. He would be incomplete for the rest of his life. And I would do that to him. Tears fell from my eyes, knowing I would hurt him more than anyone could ever do. He would be alone and broken. I wished I could have held him one last time, kissed his lips goodbye and watch him sleep next to me.
 In the end, he only made a small cut on my arm and took a little blood. For a short moment, I felt relieved that I wasnât going to die. But then Wormtail dropped my blood in the potion. It turned white and started to send sparks in all directions. Then there was a white fog that raised from the potion. And then he was there, Voldemort stepped out of the cauldron. He told Wormtail to robe him and then he was standing in front of me. His face was whiter than a skull and he had wide livid scarlet eyes. And his nose was flat as a snake, with slits for nostrils.
 Voldemort summoned his followers by touching the Dark Mark on Wormtailâs arm. It took some time for them to arrive, and Voldemort started talking to me like I was his friend. He told me he killed his own father. Who could even do that? Kill the man that put you on this world?
 And then they arrived. Man in black cloaks and masked. They approached Voldemort on their knees and kissed the hem of his robe, calling him master. Then they would back up and stand. A circle formed around Voldemort, with gaps in between, like more people should still come. But Voldemort started to talk. He was not happy with the Death Eaters. Went on and on about how they never went looking for him and help him. One of the men asked for forgiveness and was punished by receiving the Curcio curse. Voldemort told them they should all serve them for thirteen years before he would even think of forgiving them. He then rewarded Wormtail for his help by giving him a silver hand that took the place of the hand he had chopped off.
 I hate what happened next. Voldemort spoke to the person next to Wormtail. He called him Lucius and I knew it was Dracoâs father that was standing there. At the moment it was clear that Draco just lost his home. Voldemort wasnât happy with Dracoâs father. Said it was a disgrace how he couldnât even control his son and teach him the ways of a true wizard. And Dracoâs father said he was sorry, and that he wonât disappoint the Dark Lord again, that he would teach his son to obey. I have no idea how Iâm going to tell this to Draco. I wonât let him go home this summer, Iâm sure I will never see him again if I do. Draco will never betray me, and Iâm afraid his father will kill him for that.
 Voldemort went by the circle, mentioned names of people missing, and mentioned names of the people there. I hated knowing that my friends' fathers were among them. Greg and Milicent will be so ashamed knowing their fathers are back in the service of Voldemort. Nott and Gregâs fathers were also present. Iâm sure they will like that, even brag about it when it comes to it.
 Then Voldemort just went on and on about how amazing he is, how he managed to return to them because of a spy at Hogwarts. He Crucioed me then. The pain was beyond anything I ever experienced. It felt like my bones were on fire as if my head was splitting in two and my eyes were rolling in my head. I wanted it to end, to blackout, or even die, just to have the pain stop.
 Voldemort wanted to prove to his followers that I was no match for him, so he ordered Wormtail to set me free and give me my wand. It hurt like hell when I had to stand on my broken leg again. I donât know how I managed it, but I did. Not that it mattered. I knew I was no match for someone like Voldemort. He hit me again and again with the Cruciatus curse. The pain was unbearable. And the feelings I felt through my connection with Draco made it even worse. He was hurting too because of this. He could feel my pain and be unable to stop it.
 That is when I knew I had to try to survive somehow. Even with all the odds against me, surrounded by laughing Death Eaters. (How am I going to tell Draco that his father was one of the loudest laughs among them? It will hurt him to know that his father wishes me dead.) When Voldemort gave me a breather, I ducked away and hid behind the headstone.  I could here Voldemort coming closer. He was taunting me, saying he would finish me. And deep down inside I knew there was no way for me to escape death. I cried as I made a choice. I was not going to die like a coward, hiding behind a grave. I was going to die standing proud, just like you dad. So I whisper a goodbye towards Draco and then stood up. I stumbled around the grave to face Voldemort and the end. I fired off the only spell I knew would give me a small chance of survival. My Expelliarmus left my wand at the same moment that Voldemort cast his Avada Kadava.
 And I donât know if you know what happened then, if the slivers I saw were you, or if they were just lingering parts of you. And it doesnât matter. The words you, or your lingering parts told me gave me the strength to get home, and thatâs all that matters.
 Our spells met in mid-air. My wand started to vibrating and I had to struggle to hold on to it. But I knew I had to, that if I would let go, I would die. The thread between our wands turned golden and splintered into a thousand more offshoots until we were enclosed in a golden dome of light. And then beads showed up on the golden thread that connected our wands. They started moving towards my wand, which became hard to hold onto. And I just knew that if they would come to close, my wand would break and I would be lost. So I concentrated hard on moving the beads in the other direction. Slowly the beads came to a stop and started to move towards Voldemortâs wand.
 When the bead touched Voldemortâs wand, smoke came out of it. First, a hand appeared, and then the smoke turned into Cedric. He stepped out of the wand and told me to hold on. Next, the old man I had seen in my dream during summer stepped out of the wand, followed by Bertha Jorkins. She also told me to hold on. Her voice sounded from far away, it even had a little echo, just like Cedricâs voice had sounded before.
 And then you stepped out of the wand, mom. My hand trembled then, and I almost let go. But you said that dad was coming, that he wanted to see me too. So I fought to hold on. I wanted to see dad too. And just thinking about it, makes me miss you so much. I hope it truly was you that came to help me from beyond. And it was good to see you and to hear you speak to me. I just wish you were here now too. That you could hold me and tell me that everything will be alright. Because I donât think it will be for a long time and I donât want to think about what that means for me and Draco. I donât want a war. I donât want anyone else to die.
 I did what you asked of me, dad. I broke the connection and made a run for the port key. It was hard with my broken leg, but I managed to step through the pain and make it. I grabbed hold of Cedricâs body and then the port key. I was swirled away and landed back in the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts.
 You wouldnât believe the relief that washed over me when Draco knelt beside me and took me in his arms. I grabbed his hand and wonât let go of him. I didnât know how to speak, to tell him how sorry I was for almost leaving him forever. I wonât repeat everything he already told you yesterday. Just know that I was shaken and scared, but also happy to be back with the people I love. Sirius and Draco made sure I got to the hospital wing. The supposed Professor Moody was with us. He questioned me. When Sirius and Draco both fell asleep, I knew something was wrong. And then Professor Moody called Voldemort the Dark Lord. And I remembered that Voldemort had said he had a spy at Hogwarts, one that had put my name in the goblet of fire.
 Professor Moody didnât deny it. He took credit for his handy work. He wanted to know if Voldemort forgave the other Death Eaters, the ones that never went to Azkaban, or even searched for their lord. He was the one who concurred the Dark Mark in the sky during the Quidditch World Cup. And he made sure I would win the Tournament. He manipulated me all year and he is the one who used the Imperius curse on Viktor during the final task. Viktor didnât attack Cedric because he wanted to win that badly, he wasnât in control.
 I didnât understand why Professor Moody would join Voldemort, or why he wanted to kill me. But he was planning too. And if it hadnât been for Tonks, Professor Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall barging into the hospital wing to stop him, he would have. You should have seen Headmaster Dumbledoreâs face. I finally understood why everyone always calls him the greatest wizard of our time, and why Voldemort fears him. He stared down at Moody, with cold fury in every line of his face. And there was a power radiating from him as if he was giving off burning heat.
 Professor Snape rushed towards me, making sure I was alright. But all I wanted to know is what the bastard had done to Draco and if he was fine. Professor Snape understood and he smelled the tea and then checked Draco. He promised me it was just a sleeping potion, that Draco was fine, and that he would wake up once the potion had set its course.
 After that everything became a little hazy. Headmaster Dumbledore ordered everyone around. He told Tonks to go and set the real Professor Moody free, and then he ordered Snape to get his best trued serum and for Professor McGonagall (who was checking up on Sirius) to go and fetch Winky. The headmaster told me that the person that just tried to kill me wasnât the real professor Moody. That the impostor had used Polyjuice potion to hide in plain sight all year.
 Lupin came barging into the hospital wing than. He rushed to Sirius to check on him. And maybe there is still hope for them if Professor Lupin is so worried about Sirius. I truly hope so for Sirius. I know he would nothing more than to have Lupin back in the way they were before that faithful Halloween night.
 Not long after that, the person that looked like Professor Moody turned into his true form. And I recognised him from the pensive memories Draco and I saw. It was Barty Crouch Jr. He hadnât been as innocent as he had tried his father to believe on that day he was sent to Azkaban. Headmaster Dumbledore questioned Winky when she arrived and later Barty after he had given him some Veritaserum. He told us how he escaped Azkaban (and how his mother past away in there in his place), and how he stole my wand during the Quidditch World Cup with which he concurred the Dark Mark that night. He explained how he got to Hogwarts and how he killed his own father when he had escaped Voldemortâs hold on him.
 When Headmaster Dumbledore was done questioning Barty Crouch, he asked Professor McGonagall and Tonks to escort him out of the hospital wing. And once they were gone, the headmaster woke up Sirius. He told us it was better to let Draco sleep. So that when Harry was ready, he could tell Draco all he wanted too in his own time and own pace. But now the headmaster wanted me to set aside the pain and confusion and try to remember as much as possible. Sirius was all protective of me, asked if we could leave it till morning, let me first have a good sleep. But the headmaster said it couldnât wait. So I set out to tell as much as I could remember.
 It was hard to start, but soon it felt good to tell it all. So I did, even when it was hard. Dracoâs weight against my chest, his soft breathing also helped. When I got to the part where our wand connected and you, and the others came out of it, I struggled to continue. I was glad Professor Lupin how that was possible and that I had some time to collect myself. Itâs called Priori Incantatem and happened because our wands both have a core with a phoenix feather (and it turns out that Fawkes is the phoenix who gave up the feathers).
 The headmaster explained the effect to Sirius, mentioning that one of the wands would force the other to regurgitate spells it had performed. And then he looked at me and said that some kind of form of Cedric most have appeared. I confirmed and said that there were more, an old man, and Bertha, and them mom and dad. When I said that, Sirius and Lupin linked their hands, and I could see the tears stuck in Sirius his eyes.
 I told them how you helped me get away. I was able to escape because of you. I told them about Cedricâs final request, and then I just couldnât continue. It was all too much. Sirius put his arm around me and hugged me as best he could, without disturbing Draco. And then headmaster Dumbledore let Madam Pomfrey heal my leg and give me some dreamless sleep. Before I fell asleep, Professor Snape told me he would inform my friends that I was okay and that they could wait till morning before visiting me.
 Sometime during the night, I woke up. Draco wasnât resting on my chest anymore. His head rested on his hand as he was staring at my face. He looked sad, and he pushed some of my hairs out of my face with his free hand. We shared some emotional words. And he told me he wrote to you to tell you I was okay, and that I could wait with informing you about everything else that had happened. I first needed to just be with him, lay together and tell each other how much we love each other. If Sirius hadnât still been in the room, I think we would have done more than just kiss. But Sirius was still there, asleep in a chair. Draco said that Professor Lupin had left together with Tonks and that it was hard to watch how broken Sirius is about that. And I love Tonks, sheâs great, but because of her Sirius is hurting and I donât like that.
 Draco and I fell asleep again, and when we woke up this morning, the hospital wing was crowded with our friends. Hermione, Blaise, Luna, Greg, Daphne, Millicent, Ron and Neville were all there. They had overheard headmaster Dumbledore fight with the minister about the return of Voldemort. I knew I couldnât lie to them, so I told them the truth, that he was back.
 This is when Draco remembered that Voldemort had summoned his followers, and he asked if his father had been there. I just nodded, I didnât want to tell him how his father had spoken about Draco. Greg didnât need to be told, he just said that his father would have come too. Then Millicent said she was sure her dad would too. And then Neville did the most amazing thing, he said that didnât matter, as long as they all knew what was important, and that if they needed, they could all come to stay at his place to stay safe. And that is how I know I have the best of friends, and that even if things will take a turn for the worse now, Iâm not alone. None of us is.
 When they had all left Sirius stood up from his chair and said he would write a letter to Dracoâs mom, to make arrangements to keep Draco save. When he left, Draco started to cry. He sobbed on and on about that he could never go home again. I just held him until he fell asleep. And that is where we are now.
 So now you know everything. I promise I will keep you informed on all that will happen now.
âThe Dark Lord and I,â said Moody, and he looked completely insane now, towering over Harry, leering down at him, âhave much in common. Both of us, for instance, had very disappointing fathers . . . very disappointing indeed. Both of us suffered the indignity, Harry, of being named after those fathers. And both of us had the pleasure . . . the very great pleasure . . . of killing our fathers to ensure the continued rise of the Dark Order!â
I get that Barty Crouch junior knew about Tom Riddle senior being Voldemortâs father, given that Voldemort himself mentioned it when he returned, at that graveyard, but why would he know Voldemortâs original name, and that he was named after his father, and that he killed his father? It just seems to be a lot of information for a death eater to know, doesnât it? Especially because even Bellatrix seemed to not know that Voldemort was half blood, later in OoTP.
Molly and Bill being Harry's family before the third task is absolutely perfect. I love them so much and I'm glad they're there to support him. Actually, can't put into words how much I love the Weasleys.
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Donât be alarmed that Iâm the one writing to you today. Harry is sound asleep and he needs his rest, but I know he would love that you were informed on all that happened today. The final task was today and we finally know why Harryâs name was put into the Goblet of Fire, and why he had to participate in the tournament. But for you to understand, I think I need to start where Harry left off.
After we visited Headmaster Dumbledore because of Harryâs dream, we focused on preparing Harry for the final task of this dammed tournament. Hermione and I spend most of our time of teaching Harry spells that could help him. We made sure he was able to cast the Impediment Jinx, the Reductor curse, the Four Point spell and a proper Shield charm. Professor Snape was so kind to let us use an empty classroom in the dungeons for practice. And from time to time he would come to help. He would then practice with Harry so Hermione and I could study for our exams. He would tell us that helping Harry was no excuse to slack off on our studying and to lose our top positions in our year.
Harry received daily letters from Sirius and he wrote to him often to assure him that he was fine and he was preparing well for the task. You can be proud of your friend, he is a good Godfather for Harry now that heâs free and cleared off all the ridiculous charges they pinned on him. He worries as much about Harry as I do. And no matter how many times Harry assured him he was sticking to school rules and was making sure he was keeping save, the man would remind Harry to do so in every letter.
Hermione and Ron joined us for breakfast this morning, as Hermione wanted to go over some more spells with Harry that might be useful for him during the task. Only we never got around to that. When the morning post arrived, Harry received another letter from Sirius, wishing him good luck and informing him that he will be visiting him today before the task. Harry was excited about that until Hermione spit out her pumpkin juice when she read the headline of the Daily Prophet. She tried to hide the paper, but I stole it from her. Pansy and Theo were snickering over their copy and I wanted to know what it was now.
You will never believe it, but Rita Seeker has published another rubbish story. According to her Harry is âDisturbed and Dangerousâ. And only because he is friends with Were-wolfs and Giants (even though Hagrid is only half-giant and the friendliest man I know) and speaks Parseltongue. It turns out that Theo has been speaking to the press. He also told her all about how Harry had collapsed in class and that his scars hurt from time to time. Apparently, all this concludes to that Harry will do anything to get power and is therefore dangerous. Itâs a joke that people believe this. You know just as well as me that Harry doesnât crave power and is the kindest person in this world. There is nothing dangerous about him. And I was so proud of him that he didnât get angry about the article but just brushed it off as nonsense and didnât let it distract him from the task he had to do today.
It was then that Hermione went into her crazy âIâm too smart for my own goodâ mode, said something about thinking she knows how Rita does it and then rushed off to the library. I think she finally figured out how Rita comes by her information and Iâm sure she will explain it to us soon, when Harry is allowed visitors. Weâre at the hospital wing now, but Harry is okay. Heâs not hurt, just exhausted.
After breakfast, we all had to go to our History of Magic exam, while Harry got to see his family. We (Hermione, Blaise, Luna, Greg, Daphne, Millicent and I) joined them during lunch. Harry wanted to know how I did on the exam. He still hates that he doesnât have to sit any of them and has all this free time while we have to cram and study and take tests. I get that he finds it unfair that competing in the Tri-Wizard tournament gives him a free pass this year, but itâs not like he hasnât been studying just as hard as we did.
We only had a short time to talk in private before I had to go rush off to my next exam. Sirius brought professor Lupin and Tonks along and Harry said he was a bit worried about Sirius. Something about Sirius glancing at Lupin and Tonks all the time. Harry says Lupin and Tonks are getting along, as in maybe more than just in a friendly way. That must be hard for Sirius, as itâs clear that heâs still in love with professor Lupin, even after all these years.
There was a big feast for dinner and we all laughed about how much Sirius eats. Professor Lupin told us heâs always been like that. Daphne joked that he was just like Ron, who also eats more than should be humanly possible. All others enjoyed the feast, but it was clear that Harry was getting nervous and he eat practically nothing. I wanted to tell him that he needed to eat, only I was struggling myself to finish the food on my plate. I had a bad feeling about it all (which were grounded as it turns out, but everyone told me not to worry, so I tried not to).
When Harry had to leave for the task I kissed him goodbye. Blaise joked that Harry would be back and that I didnât have to kiss him like he was walking towards his death. Sirius smacked him on the head for that and everyone laughed about it. Only the remark had already done its damage. I couldnât get the sight of Harry, pale and lifeless out of my mind, the memory of two years ago, when I found him on that bathroom floor making its way to the surface. And I know Harry was thinking about the same. He whispered that he would be okay, that he wonât ever leave me and then kissed me again.
I watched him walk out of the Great Hall with a tear stuck in my eye. Sirius placed an arm around my shoulders and told me to have a little faith in Harry, that he was more than capable to take care of himself. And then he said that he was also worried.
Watching the task was hell. We couldnât see a thing. It was dark and the hedges of the maze were so high we couldnât see what was going on. I started to bite my nails until Daphne pulled them out of my mouth and took a hold on my hand. They were all so optimistic, so sure Harry would win and that it would all be over soon. I love how much faith they have in Harry, and they were right of course. Harry won. We only wish it hadnât been at the price it came with.
Sometime in we could hear Fleur scream before all went quiet again. I squeezed Daphneâs hand and she told me not to worry, that it wasnât Harry that screamed, that he was fine. And even though I could feel through our connection that Harry was truly fine, just a little scared, I didnât take away the feeling I had that it would all end badly. This feeling didnât become any less when red sparks shot up from the maze and Viktor was lifted out of the maze on a stretcher to be rushed off to the hospital wing.
I was glad to see that Hermione was just as worried as me. Ron complained that he would have no hand left after this task if Hermione wonât loosen up her grip. This task was more dangerous than any of the other tasks and I just wished our other friends would see it too.
It wasnât until the flash of the Port-key when they started to worry too. Not that I noticed. I was running down the stands and towards the maze before any of them had said a word. I could feel that Harry was no longer close by. He had gone with the Port-key and he was terrified. I know it was silly to run towards the maze, knowing Harry wasnât in there anymore, but it was the only physical place I could go that would bring me closer to him. Something horrible was happening. I could feel fear and sorrow through our connection.
Professor Lupin stopped me before I reached the maze. He held me in his arms and tried to calm me down. I think I was screaming and reaching on, but Iâm not sure. All I could feel was the horror that Harry was going through. The professors did a quick search of the maze, with the help of Sirius and some other adults around. Both Cedric and Harry were missing. Fleur was found unconscious in the maze and she couldnât tell us what happened. Sirius took me in his arms and hold me close. He asked me if I could still feel Harry, if he was still alive. I think it helped him that I could say yes, that he was still with us.
And then everything became worse. First I saw Professor Snape grab his left forearm and his face contorted into pain. His mark was flaring up, Iâm sure of it now. He looked at me and I just cried. The look in Professor Snapeâs eyes said it all. The Dark Lord is back. And no doubt Harry was near him. I whispered that he was going to die. Sirius heard me and told me to keep hope, to remember that Harry was strong and wouldnât give in without a fight. I know that if he had known where Harry was he would have gone there in a flash, putting his own life at risk to make sure Harry would be safe. I know, because I would have done the same.
The pain came without warning. I screamed and crumbled in Siriusâ arms. He asked me what was wrong, but I couldnât speak because of the pain. It was so intense. Tears streamed over my face as I realised I wasnât hurt, but that someone was hurting Harry is a way that was so awful that even I was paralysed by it.
When the pain stopped I could breathe again for a couple of seconds before it started again. Over and over again, I was in agony because someone was hurting Harry. Professor Moody was near, and he kept asking me if Harry was still alive. I just nodded, it was all I could do. I was afraid that if I would open my mouth I would start screaming again.
There was another flash and I didnât have to look up to know that Harry was back. He lay motionless on the ground with his eyes closed and I could feel Sirius tense next to me. I said âheâs aliveâ and then I was on my feet, running towards Harry. Headmaster Dumbledore turned Harry around and I heard him say that Voldemort is back before I fell down beside him and hugged him close. One of his hands grabbed hold of me but the other wouldnât let go of Cedricâs wrist. I looked over Harryâs shoulder to the boy, only to see his blank eyes. He was dead. And I know this is horrible, but at that moment I was glad it was Cedric and not Harry that had died. Cedric didnât deserve this, to have his life end when it was only just beginning.
Harry first didnât want to let go of Cedricâs body. He kept saying that Cedric wanted Harry to bring him back. Headmaster Dumbledore said it was okay, that he did, and that he could let go now. When he did, Sirius and I helped him up. Minister Fudge was there, he told Headmaster Dumbledore that the Diggoryâs parents were here and Dumbledore and he move to talk to them before they would see the body. Professor Moody told us to get Harry to the hospital wing. Sirius lifted Harry in his arms. It was a bit weird, Harry in Sirius's arms, but he wouldnât let go of my hand, so we walked towards the castle like that. Professor Moody made sure there was a path for us to take, pushing aside everyone in our way.
We reached the hospital wing and Professor Moody asked what happened. Harry wasnât all that clear, but what he said was terrifying. It still scares me. He was taken to some graveyard where Cedric was killed. They made a potion that gave the Dark Lord a new body and then he duelled with the Dark Lord. His wand did something funny and he saw the both of you.
Professor Moody in the meantime made us some tea and gave it to me and Sirius. I sipped it with one hand, as Harry still wouldnât let go of the other. I was tired and struggled to keep my eyes open, but I fought sleep. I wanted to be here for Harry who had just been through hell. The Death Eaters had appeared, and Iâm sure my father, just like Gregâs father would have been among them. I donât know if I can go back home now, if itâs even save for me to do so. The Dark Lord is back and my father is one of his followers, always has been and always will be.
Moody kept asking questions, but they seemed off. It was hard to focus and to protest. I could hear Sirius try a couple of times until he fell asleep. I followed not much later.
It turns out that Professor Moody wasnât Professor Moody. He was Barty Crouch Jr and he had been working for the Dark Lord all year long. He had drugged Sirius and me, so he could talk to Harry alone. He didnât get away with it and heâs in custody now.
When I woke up about an hour ago, Harry was fast asleep, with his arms around me. He looks so peaceful asleep. Sirius said they had given him some dreamless sleep to make sure he gets some rest. He promised me that Harry is fine and that Madam Pomfrey already mended his leg.
I wish I knew what all happened in that graveyard, but I will let Harry sleep for now. Iâm so happy that heâs still alive and with me. I donât ever want to live without him. Heâs the love of my life and I will do whatever I can to protect him from Voldemort. I wonât let him hurt him, I promise. I would rather die than have anything happen to Harry. So donât worry, I will keep him safe from now on. I will keep my word and make sure nobody ever hurts him again. I wonât be your sacrifice be in fain.
Has anyone else considered how absolutely boring the third task of the Triwizard Tournament would be in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? I mean, not for the champions who are getting bewitched and killed left and right, but for the spectators. They are just sitting in the stands for who knows how long and they hear yells and screams and animal noises, and they see red sparks occasionally, but no one knows what is actually going on.
A time loop on the day of the third task. I really want to do it, but I already have too many five WIPs that I need to update, and I'd have to read GoF which I've been meaning to get to, but haven't. Thoughts?
