Open Your Eyes: The Goblet of Fire

Disclaimer:  It is JKR’s not mine, I think at this point that would be rather obvious but if it wasn’t then I hope it is now.

A/N:  Also, if this was JKR writing our favorite ship wouldn’t be about to sail.  Enjoy the chapter!

It was the usual setting of the Gryffindor common room, but following Harry’s conversation with Hermione about the maze the bushy haired witch had begun to disappear into the library for every spare moment.  While Harry’s school work had improved markedly over the course of the year, he still lacked the drive to spend so much time in the library as the previously mentioned muggleborn book witch.

Instead Harry found himself comfortably seated in one of the plush arm chairs in the common room as he sat directly across from a very shocked looking Ron Weasley.

Ron had apparently recovered from his shock enough to say, “Bloody hell Harry, you mean to say that Ginny and Neville have snogged!”

Harry sighed, Ron was one of his best friends in the entire world, but he could be so insufferably thick some times it simply grated on his nerves.  After a moment to squelch those thoughts he replied, “Yes I imagine they have Ron.  After all they have been dating for a couple of weeks now.”

Ron purpled, Harry couldn’t tell if it was from oxygen deprivation or nearly bursting a blood vessel, but eventually the redhead said, “I reckon it could be worse, she could be getting on with Malfoy or some nonsense.”

Harry arched an eyebrow, “Come on Ron give your sister a little credit.”

Ron shook his head, “No mate, you don’t understand.  Ginny has always had this wild side about her.  Trust me when I say she probably wrote in the diary in spite of what dad had told her countless times in the past about magical objects that can communicate.”

Harry frowned in thought, so Ginny had a wild side, that much would definitely explain much of her behavior her first year beyond the diary’s influence.  Once again Harry was painfully reminded of how naïve and blind he had been his first three years at Hogwarts.

After a moment he shrugged and asked, “Actually that reminds me of something I wanted to ask you mate.”

Ron furrowed his brow in thought and he muttered, “Oh?”

Harry sighed heavily before he bit the figurative bullet, “I’m going to ask Hermione to be my girlfriend next week before the third task.  I reckon you might have or had some feelings for her and I just wanted to tell you first.”

Ron ran a fitful hand through his hair, Harry’s words weren’t exactly unexpected and yet in a way they still stabbed right through his center.  No, it wasn’t the fact that Harry would be dating Hermione.  In fact, Ron had come to realize recently that his crush on Hermione from the previous year had been as much about not being left behind as any actual feelings for her.  The real thing that was troubling Ron at the moment was the potential of another wall being built between himself and his friends.  Ron may be thick in emotional matters, but he wasn’t exactly blind and he was well aware that Harry and Hermione were becoming a unit on their own.  The fact the he was being left behind, was ultimately what hurt the most.

After a moment Ron said in a quiet voice, very unusual, almost disquietingly so for the boisterous redhead as he said, “I understand.”

Of all of the answers Harry expected, a far bit of those involving some sort of an explosion, the quiet answer by Ron disconcerted him more than anything else could have.  After a long moment of thought Harry for once said the perfect words, “Tell me what’s bothering you mate.”

Ron managed a rueful grin, “I reckon this might be something worth answering eh?”

Harry merely nodded, patiently waiting for Ron’s next response.  It was a testament to Ron’s new maturity that he didn’t just blurt out the first thought in his head.  It may have been five minutes it may have been an hour as far as Ron knew, before he said, “It isn’t that I necessarily fancy Hermione, or ever have for that matter.  I guess it’s more that I can see the three of us growing apart, and if you two become a couple it will only get worse.  I mean people might think I’m thick but I’ve noticed the difference since I saw you two before the World Cup.”

Harry blinked after realizing that was all Ron had to say, with a deep breath he simply said, “It wasn’t possible for things to stay the same forever Ron.  But, you have to know that you are always going to be one of my dearest friends and I’m sure Hermione would say the same if you asked her.”

Ron nodded before glancing around, “By the way, where is Hermione?”

Harry grinned wryly, “She’s taken residence in the library since I told her about the maze for the third task.  I imagine she’s looking for a miracle spell that will solve the maze for me.”

Ron merely chuckled fondly, Hermione was many things, but she was predictable in her need to protect and help Harry if nothing else.  With both of their minds cleared from some of the burdens that had been bothering them, they lapsed in a companionable silence.

June dawned lazily around the castle; for once Binns would be unable to attend class for the day due to an obligation with the council of the dead.  Therefore it was a sleep tousled Harry that meandered into the great hall later than normal Tuesday morning.

Hermione had already been up for over an hour, her excitement from a discovery the previous night overwhelming any urges she might have had to sleep.  Of course most of that excitement had been set aside due to a most interesting edition of the daily prophet.

On the cover was an old stock photo of Barty Crouch Jr., much like the one they had used during the manhunt for Sirius a year earlier.  The article read:

 

Ministry Cover-up or You-Know-Who’s return?

By:  Rita Skeeter

After some heavy investigative research I have come across classified ministry documents that indicate that certain unspecified individuals had knowledge of Barty Crouch Jr.’s escape from Azkaban prison.  The document does not clarify who it may be, but it is safe to assume it is an individual with great clout.

It is commonly known that Barty Crouch Jr. was disowned by then head of the DMLE, Barty Crouch Sr. following his unveiling as a servant of he-who-must-not-be-named.  However, many of the older family members in the Wizengamot suggested lesser sentences for all of the deatheaters on trial aside from one Sirius Black.  Interestingly enough research turned up evidence that Black was denied a trial.  Perhaps this was another cover-up or example of ministry corruption as well?

Similar cover-ups were prevalent during you-know-who’s first reign of terror, perhaps the death of he-who-must-not-be-named was an exaggeration as well.  There is little doubt that tough times lie ahead, do we wish to enter these dark times with current leadership in place?  This reporter is undecided and only hopes time will tell a favorable tale.

Hermione re-read the article for what must have been the tenth time as she spotted Harry entering the great hall.  Sitting down with a sleep drunken grin he wordlessly accepted the daily prophet from Hermione as she grabbed him some food for his breakfast.  A moment later she poured him a small glass of pumpkin juice as she watched his brow furrow while reading the article of importance.  Suddenly her exciting news flashed back into her consciousness, and she was split as to what to say first.

Deciding to tackle the obvious she said, “Maybe this article could get someone to look into a trial on Sirius’ behalf Harry.  If nothing else it puts the ministry in a tenuous situation.  Everything they do from now on will be looked at more closely by the general wizarding populace.”

Harry took a sip of his juice before he took a large bite of his toast as he chewed thoughtfully, or at least as thoughtfully as one can chew, “You’re right, hopefully something good can come from Rita’s reporting skills.  By the way, did she?”  Harry gestured aimlessly conveying his message without actually saying the words.

Hermione shook her head, “No she didn’t; we’ll just have to chalk this one up to actual investigative reporting.”

Harry nodded and with a smile Hermione continued, “I found a spell that should work perfectly for the maze, and I even adjusted it to make it work better.  If how it worked in the library is any indication then you should have a big advantage for the maze.”

Harry wrapped and arm around Hermione’s shoulder leaning his head over to touch hers and he murmured, “You’re definitely too good for me Hermione.”

Hermione blushed but she murmured in response, “Well yes, but I imagine you make it up to me from time to time.”

Harry leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before he returned to his breakfast; yes it was definitely time to take that next step with Hermione.  After a moment Harry queried, “When do you want to practice the spell?”

Hermione smiled sweetly and replied, “Actually, seeing as how we have no class this morning, I was thinking after we finished breakfast we could find an empty classroom to practice it.”

True to form Harry and Hermione found themselves in one of the many abandoned classrooms in the school.  Hermione had sealed the door as Harry put up a variety of privacy and muffling charms.  The extra training for the year shining through, as hints of Moody’s paranoia shone clearly in Harry’s subconscious and liberal use of the spells for a seemingly mundane matter.

Hermione merely rolled her eyes as she asked with a grin, “Are you quite done then?”

Harry nodded with a grin as Hermione explained, “The biggest problem in any maze is getting turned around and losing your sense of direction.  So I’ve been looking absolutely everywhere for a compass spell of some sort.  Finally I found the spell in a book of wilderness survival magic by a crazy wizard by the name of Bartleby the Grizzled.   It’s called the four point spell, or rather the compass spell.”

Harry nodded and then asked, “So what’s the wand movement and incantation?”

Hermione grinned as she raised her hand, “Relax Harry, remember I said that I had managed to adjust the spell?”  Harry nodded and she continued, “Well, the new spell does a little bit more than merely work as a compass.”

Harry frowned, “And?”

Hermione put her hands on her hips, “Let me have my moment here Harry?”

Harry grinned sheepishly as her expression softened, “Tell me Harry, have you ever heard of a divining rod?”  Harry shook his head confusedly and she explained, “It’s more of a muggle thing, but basically in times of great draught sticks deemed diving rods were used to find underground water reserves.”

Harry’s face dawned a flicked of recognition as she continued, apparently satisfied with his response, “What I designed the enhanced version of the spell do is seek out the signature of a magical object you say and treat it as due north on the compass.”

Harry’s mask of confusion quickly shifted as he grinned, “So I can use it to direct me to the tri-wizard’s cup.”

Hermione smiled, “Exactly Harry.  Now, would you like to learn the spell?”  Harry nodded eagerly and she lectured, “The enhanced spell involves making a five pointed star motion with your wand as you intone, ‘Point me’.  Now, if you want to find something specific you simply add the name of that object into the spell name.  Go ahead and try it Harry.”

Harry glanced around the room until his eyes settled upon a dictation quill sitting on the teacher’s desk near the far wall of the room.  With a deep breath he made the proper wand movement and said, “Point me quill.”

Harry’s wand jerked in his hand as it tracked across the room until it was directly pointing at the quill on the desk.  With a whistle Harry spoke with more than a touch of admiration in his voice, “Just when I think you can’t get any more brilliant you break this out on me.”

Hermione blushed as she playfully said, “Oh come off it Harry, I didn’t even go back in time or anything to figure this one out.”

Harry grinned as he pompously said, “Details, mere details my dear.”  With a crooked grin he picked Hermione up by her waist and twirled her around a couple of times before sitting her down and swaying slightly from dizziness.

After a moment to compose himself his expression turned from a grin to a nervous frown as he asked, “Hermione, do you think we’re ready?”

The smile on Hermione’s face left no doubt in Harry’s mind as to her answer but he wordlessly asked for it anyways.  Hermione captured Harry’s hands as she softly replied, “Yeah I think we are.”

Harry’s nervousness melted away as he asked with a huge grin, “Hermione would you like to be my girlfriend.”

Hermione grinned, “Yeah, I think I can manage that.”  Looping her hands around Harry’s neck she pulled him into their first kiss as a couple.  For at least one wonderful moment in time, the worries of the future ceased to exist.

Hogwarts had certainly served as a place of great change for the school year, and despite the fact that it pained Severus Snape to admit it Harry Potter was the catalyst for most of the change.

Severus was sitting in his personal quarters as he graded a set of first year essays and he sipped on a glass of Brandy.  As the dark mark on his left forearm continued to come back darker and darker he knew it was time to throw in his final lot.  Would he stick with Albus and Potter, who by all intents and purposes had more strength than the dark lord?  But, ultimately the two still lacked the win at all contest attitude that made the dark lord the terrible enemy that he was.

On the other hand the dark lord would be fighting a war with considerably less resources if Potter and Albus could stay united.  The ministry might have its pure blood supremacy champions, but they would be weeded out in time, meaning the ministry would be against the dark lord as well.

As he took another sip of his brandy he suddenly realized that he would finally need to throw his lot all of the way in with the order of the phoenix.  Maybe it was indeed time to let go of the pain of the past, because if he continued his petty little grudge with Potter it would be self-defeating at best.

Regrets, oh he had plenty of regrets regarding his behavior in the past.  Had he ever truly felt it was fair how he had treated Harry?  No, and for that loathed himself for throwing years of anger at an 11-year-old child.  What was almost more unforgivable was that his anger and resentment of James Potter had nothing to do with the child in the first place. 

It was much the same with Black and Lupin, he had held on to that anger and contempt for so long and what had it gotten him?  Despised by many, loved by none, and the few he could call friends he had treated poorly for the most part.  It would be a long road ahead to a life he could be proud of, but then again anything worth having, was also worth fighting for.

With a groan at what this would mean for him, Severus downed the half a glass of brandy remaining and with a grimace set aside the assignments to figure out exactly how to make his allegiance clear.  It would involve swallowing his pride, something Severus Snape had never been good at, but in the end it would hopefully justify itself.

If Severus Snape was having a hard time, then Draco Malfoy was having an equally hard go of things after his last failure to beat Potter.  His father had heard of the humiliation and promised some rather unusual punishment for sullying the family name upon his return to Malfoy Manor.  The punishment most likely involved some liberal dosages of the cruciatus curse; after all, his father had never been that imaginative with his punishments in the past.

That wasn’t hurt the most in the letter from his father however, it was the simple statement that Draco lacked the patience and talent to truly belong in Slytherin.  For any Slytherin that was perhaps the gravest and most insulting statement that could be made.  Those words alone had Draco completely reanalyzing who he was as a wizard and as a Malfoy.  Patience was going to become synonymous with the name Draco Malfoy, and when the time came Harry Potter would learn to fear him before the end.

The days progressed and while the tension at Hogwarts was growing with each day the tension at Riddle Manor was becoming beyond unbearable.

“Wormtail I have had enough of you sniveling.  What news do we have of our spy at Hogwarts and his progress?”  Voldemort sneered, he was still in the form of a baby, but even by sight one could tell his power was returning with each passing day.

Peter Pettigrew trembled in the corner of the room; he was a more powerful wizard than he had ever given himself credit for.  But, that was simply what he was, a weak person.  If ever a person was designed to follow a powerful personality it was him, and that was simply the state of things. 

After a moment Wormtail managed to control the chattering of his teeth enough to answer, “I’m-m sorry mas-ster the spy informs you that his plans go according to design.  The tri-wizard cup will be turned into a portkey that will only activate when Potter touches it.  The other boy will be placed under the imperius as you requested to prevent any interference from the other champions, master.”

Voldemort rubbed his stubby hands together in glee as his ominous red eyes glowed brighter until he said, “Excellent Wormtail, and with Potter gone the rest will follow.” 

Harry awoke with a start, his scar was throbbing and with a feeling of dread he realized that Voldemort had to be extremely happy about something.  It wasn’t a full vision, meaning his Occlumency had worked but it was enough to unsettle Harry enough that he couldn’t get back to sleep for the rest of the night.

Finally, the morning dawning the day of the third task had come and Harry rolled out of bed happy with the knowledge that he had worked ahead on Transfiguration and Defense against the dark arts, meaning he could skip classes as he mentally prepared for the third and final task of the tri-wizard tournament.

The one glaring negative of skipping classes was that he couldn’t spend any time with Hermione aside from the breaks between classes.  Fortunately, classes were ending at to give everyone sufficient time to eat dinner before going down to the stands by the Quidditch pitch.

Harry had informed Dumbledore, Hermione, and the marauders of the spike of glee he had felt from Voldemort nearly two weeks earlier and it affected each of those people differently.  Dumbledore had merely nodded, his warnings of caution ringing as clearly as Moody’s mantra of constant vigilance ever had before.

With his newly formed relationship with Hermione her reaction had been by far the most surprising.  She had become very clingy initially before that faded and she was much more openly affectionate than she had ever been before.  Granted the affection still fell on the conservative side of things, but there was rarely a spare moment where she wasn’t holding his hand or cuddling on the couch in the common room with him.  Of course, Hermione was also none too subtly making her final claim clear to the girls of the school while she enjoyed being close to Harry.  It just so happened to be one of those happy coincidences.

The marauders had been extremely pensive about the entire thing, but they merely told Harry in a letter to trust his instincts.  With that in mind it had come as a great surprise when Harry walked down into the great hall and saw Remus, Snuffles, Ron, Hermione, and the Grangers (Dumbledore had granted them access around the muggle repelling charms) sitting at one of four tables in place of the staff table. 

Walking up to the table Harry sat between Hermione and Remus, “So, this is a pleasant surprise.”

Hermione gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as he sat before she said, “Professor Dumbledore and the other headmasters wanted to give each of the champions a surprise.  So the headmaster invited some people that you were close to.”

Harry grinned before he turned to the Grangers and said, “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger.  How is the year going for you?”

Bianca smiled as she leaned across the table and grasped Harry’s hand, “We’re doing fine Harry dear.  We heard the wonderful news, and I just wanted to say that you are very good for each other.”

Harry smiled and nodded as Mrs. Granger settled back into her chair before Harry turned to Remus and said, “How about you Remus?  Padfoot tells me you have a new girlfriend.”

Remus blushed lightly but he strongly replied, “Yes I am, in fact I’m sure you probably saw her at the second task.  She’s an auror.”

Hermione bit her lip before she asked, “Was she the auror with the pink spiky hair?”

Remus grinned, “Yeah that was her, but don’t let the hair fool you she’s a metamorphagus.”

Hermione looked quite excited and launched into a series of questions about metamorphagus as Harry looked over at Ron and asked, “I figured your mum and maybe dad might be here too.”

Ron shook his head, “My mum is still wound up how horrid she was earlier this year.  She didn’t think it would be proper to come until she could talk to you and Hermione somewhere in private.  Dad will be at the task tonight and I think he said Bill might be coming too.  Supposedly they are going to broadcast it on the WWN tonight so don’t do anything stupid.”

Harry chuckled, “I’ll certainly try my hardest.”

After Harry spent a fair amount of time giving Snuffles’ head a good rubbing behind the ears before he glanced around at the other champion’s tables.  Fleur’s table was filled with silver haired people that it was plain to see were her family.  The little girl Harry had rescued during the second task waved at Harry excitedly and blushed as Harry waved back.  He never noticed the younger girl’s frown when Harry leaned over and gave Hermione a quick kiss on the cheek.

Viktor’s table was filled with severe looking people with dark hair and more than their fair share of frowns and grimaces.  Harry absently wondered if they taught frowns at Durmstrang as he waved and nodded to Viktor who returned the gesture in kind.

Cedric’s table had the fewest people seated as Cedric, Cho, Amos Diggory, and Mrs. Diggory and kind looking woman rounded out those seated.  Harry made eye contact with Cedric and they shared a jaunty wave and grin before both returned to what was going on at their own respective tables.

After a few moments Hermione sighed and said, “I have to go to class, but I’ll turn in your assignment to Professor McGonagall.  Make sure you relax today okay sweets?”

Giving him one last quick peck on the lips she grabbed Ron by the arm and they joined the bulk of the other students in the hall as they went to their first class for the day.  Glancing around at the others remaining at the table Harry grinned, “Who’s up for a tour of the castle this morning?”

Bianca and Michael look thrilled and Remus had a peculiar grin on his face as he said, “Let’s start on the seventh floor Harry, there is actually something I’d like to show you.”

If anyone had been fortunate enough to witness the rag tag group as they walked the halls of the school, they would have had the pleasure of seeing a werewolf, the boy-who-lived, a grim animagus, and a pair of muggles walking the halls of Hogwarts for the first time ever in its one thousand year existence.

While the Granger couldn’t see the ghosts as they floated through the castle, the various portraits could be enjoyed and they particularly found Sir Cadogan hilarious as he challenged them to a duel with his helmet on backwards.  Finally reaching the seventh floor Remus led the group away from the Gryffindor tower and towards the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy.

Remus smiled and said, “You all stay here, and trust me it will be well worth it.”  Remus paced in front of the door three times before a door appeared to Harry and the Granger’s amazement.  Remus turned to the assembled people and gestured with his hand as he opened the door.  The entire group quickly shifted into the room, an exact replica of Remus’ defense classroom from the year before.

Remus answered the unasked question of the group, save Snuffles, “This is what we all liked to call the room of requirement back in our reprobate days at Hogwarts.  It is actually quite useful if you just need to get away from everything.”

Bianca asked, “So what is this room supposed to be then?”

Remus turned to Harry who grinned, “This is what the defense classroom from last year looked like Mrs. Granger.  Remus was our professor for Defense, I’m sure Hermione mentioned it to you.”

Michael grinned, “Well she only mentioned it about a million times.  She was always raving about how nice it was to have a proper defense instructor for once.  Well she would squeeze it into her letters after going into detail about Harry’s latest hijinx at any rate.”

Everyone had a quick laugh about this before Remus solemnly said, “Seriously Harry, only show this to people you can trust, because in the wrong hands some serious evil can be done here.” 

Harry merely nodded, “Ok, why don’t we show you the Gryffindor common room and we can wait for Hermione to get back from class.  She can join us as we show you the rest of the castle.”

After a leisurely walk back to the Gryffindor common room the fat lady perked up at the appearance of guests.  She smiled serenely, “Ah Mr. Lupin it has been many years since you’ve walked through me.  Why, that dog of your looks very familiar.  Have I seen him before?”

Remus and Harry were frozen as they grasped for an appropriate excuse, but Michael having heard the tale, being full aware of who their canine accompaniment was replied, “Oh I imagine not dear lady, old Snuffles has been in our family for years so you wouldn’t have seen him here.”

The fat lady merely nodded as Harry muttered the password and the group entered the common room with a collective sigh.  Michael merely said, “It took me a minute to gather what the problem was, but I hope we’ve dealt with any potential issues.”

Harry grinned as they all took residence around the couch in the common room and chatted about magic, wizard’s chess, and life in general until Hermione returned.  Around eleven the portrait hole swing open and Seamus and Dean merely waved as they took their bags up to the dorm.  Dragging up the rear Hermione appeared in deep thought until she spotted the motley crew in the common room. 

With a very un-Hermione like squeal she rushed over and gave her parents big hugs before she breathlessly asked, “What have you all been doing so far?”

Harry winked and replied, “It’s a big secret, but I’ll tell you for a kiss.”  Hermione complied and he mischievously said, “Actually all we’ve done is tour the seventh floor, we were waiting for you.”

Hermione mock gasped, “Why Mr. Potter, already resorting to stealing kisses.  What will I veer do with you?”

The adults all made chocking sounds to break the twins from their flirting as Remus said, “Why don’t we do a quick tour of the rest of the castle and visit Hagrid.  I’m sure Michael and Bianca would enjoy that.”

After doing a quick once over of the castle they were out on the grounds heading towards Hagrid’s hut as Harry and Hermione pointed out the place where they had their first flying lesson, where they had first began their adventure that fateful night a year ago, and even the lake where they had taken many a walk around during the current school year.

Finally reaching Hagrid’s hut Harry gave the door a firm wrap and yelled, “Hagrid its Harry and Hermione, we’ve brought some guests we thought you might like to meet.”

A moment later Hagrid’s thundering footsteps could be heard as the large door to his hut swung open and his black eyes peered over the group before he jovially said, “Ah Remus, good to see yer old friend.  I reckon this must be ‘Ermione’s parents.  Great man that Dumbledore figuring out how to get yer here.”

As Hagrid welcomed everyone in to his hut they chatted away the rest of the afternoon, Hagrid sharing his stories about Harry and Hermione that reminded him so much of the close bond James and Lily had shared.  Hermione had to beg off around one in order to make it to defense with Moody on time and gave Harry a kiss, wishing him good luck if she couldn’t give it later. By three and everyone’s tea had gone cold Harry said, “As much fun as this has been I think I have to start preparing for the task tonight.”

Harry went to his room and he began to suit up for the third task.  Putting on the dragonhide vest that Sirius had sent a few weeks earlier Harry sighed before strapping on the wrist wand holster that he himself had purchased on the last Hogsmeade trip.  Harry was cinching up the baggy pants used for the Champion’s uniforms when Dobby popped into the room.  Dobby was holding a sword and a scabbard that was easily his size as he nervously said, “Master Harry Potter sir.  Headmaster Dumbly wanted Dobby to be giving Master Harry his sword for the task.  Dumbly tells Dobby that scabby will hold swords and isn’t be weighing much.”

Harry nodded as he took the scabbard from Dobby and slid the familiar hilt of Gryffindor’s sword out before sliding it back into place with a satisfied grin.  Latching the scabbard over his body Harry pulled the clasp closed as he took some deep breaths before noticing that it was nearly time for the champions to report down to the Quidditch pitch to go over the ground rules for the task.

Nearly two hours later the sun was beginning to drift down towards the horizon, and with a glance at his watch Harry noticed it was nearly nine at night.  The crowds were filled as the champions were led out the field near one of the four entrances of the maze.  The various entrances were drawn from a hat and Harry was on the far left nearest to the stands as an anxious looking Ludo Bagman began to announce the ceremonies to the crowd.

Harry glanced around and gave nervous smiles to Hermione, Remus, Snuffles, Ron, Gryffindor house as a whole, and the Grangers before he heard Bagman conclude, “Mr. Potter will begin at the sound of the shot.  Let’s everyone join in and give all of these tremendous champions a round of applause.  For all of you listening at home, please join in as we celebrate some of the best and brightest teenagers of their age.”

After a lengthy session of applause Bagman said, “Mr. Potter, please begin at the gunshot.”

Crouch Sr. raised his wand and a tremendously loud gunshot rang through the stadium.  Taking one last glance around Harry expelled a breath as he entered the maze, his wand gripped tightly in his fingers.

A/N:  Next chapter will be a very lengthy third task, leading us right to the Tri-wizard cup and the exposure of who our deatheater was impersonating.  I’ve tried to lay down several hints throughout the story, but we shall see if I can surprise any of you.

Now, the question of the chapter is a rather simple one, and one which is near and dear to my fanfiction heart.  What about Ron Weasley’s characterization makes him such a polarizing character?

I am very sure that many of you have caught one of my anti-canon Ron Weasley diatribes, but I confess that I do not hate Ron Weasley.  But, I do hate JK Rowling’s incessant need to build him up in ways unbefitting his actual worth and ability in the books.  There is much more, but I will leave it to personal reviews.

Thanks to all of you that have read, and thanks to all of you that have reviewed and will review in the future.