discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF
Join my Discord!
**************
The next few weeks passed in a blur. The maze was growing at an unnatural pace, stretching across the Quidditch Pitch like a living thing, twisting and shifting every few days as new sections were added. Rumors about the final task spread like wildfire—creatures, traps, enchanted obstacles—but none of it mattered.
Harry spent his time as usual—training, studying, dealing with his friends' nonsense. The Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students were still hanging around, some sticking to their own, others fully integrating into Hogwarts life.
Fleur had practically claimed Neville as hers, dragging him into conversations with the Beauxbatons lot whenever she could. He didn't seem to mind, though he still turned pink whenever she so much as smiled at him.
Krum had started joining the dueling sessions more frequently. He was still stiff in one-on-one fights, too reliant on brute force, but he adapted quickly. After a particularly brutal duel, he had grunted something about "needing better reflexes" and kept coming back for more.
Meanwhile, Astoria was still milking her hostage status for all it was worth.
"Did you know," she announced at breakfast one morning, "that I was personally chosen as Harry's most precious person?"
Ginny groaned. "We know, Tori."
Astoria ignored her. "I've decided this means I have a say in his life decisions."
"Merlin help us," Neville muttered.
Harry smirked. "You can have a say when you're not still grounded from sneaking into the kitchens."
Astoria huffed. "That was months ago!"
"And you tried it again last week," Daphne said.
"Allegedly."
When the day finally arrived, Harry already knew how he was handling this. He stood at the entrance of the maze with Krum and Fleur. The hedges towered over them, their dark green leaves rustling slightly despite the lack of wind. The maze had been growing for weeks, twisting and shifting unpredictably, its final form only revealed this morning. From what Harry had seen, it was a mess of traps, creatures, and whatever else the organizers had decided to throw in.
Since he was both first and second place in the tournament, he would be entering first. Krum would follow after a short delay, then Fleur after him.
Bagman stepped forward, beaming as always, his enthusiasm grating even before he opened his mouth. "Champions, this is it! The third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament!" His voice echoed across the Quidditch Pitch, where the stands were filled with students, professors, and visitors. "As you all know, the goal is to reach the Triwizard Cup, placed somewhere in the center of the maze. Along the way, you'll encounter obstacles designed to test your magical ability, intellect, and resilience. But remember—this is not just about reaching the Cup first. Strategy and caution will serve you well!"
Harry didn't bother listening to the rest of his speech. He already knew the game. Find the Cup. Avoid—or bulldoze through—whatever got in his way. Simple.
Bagman finally wrapped it up with an overly dramatic, "On my mark—three, two, one—begin!"
Harry stepped forward, the entrance sealing behind him the moment he crossed the threshold. The noise of the crowd outside faded, replaced by eerie silence.
The hedges loomed on either side, their dark green leaves unnaturally still. The path stretched ahead, splitting off at a junction just a few feet in. A faint mist clung to the ground, swirling around his feet as he walked.
He took the left.
The moment he did, the hedge to his right shifted, the leaves shivering as the path behind him disappeared.
Harry kept walking.
A few minutes in, the first obstacle made itself known. The mist thickened, then lifted in a sudden rush, revealing a group of figures standing ahead.
At first glance, they looked like students—his friends, even. Hermione, Daphne, Neville, Tracey. They stood in the middle of the path, unmoving, their eyes locked on him.
Harry sighed.
"Right. Of course. Illusions."
None of them responded.
He took a step closer. "Alright, which one of you lot is supposed to be convincing?"
Still nothing. The figures remained unnaturally still, their expressions blank.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Not even going to try, then?"
Nothing.
He pulled out his wand and fired a quick Finite Incantatem.
The figures flickered, then vanished, the mist swallowing them whole.
"Lazy work," he muttered, stepping past where they had been.
He moved deeper into the maze, the air growing colder. The next turn brought something more interesting. A thick fog covered the ground, and just ahead, a creature crouched, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on him.
Harry slowed.
The thing had the body of a lion, the wings of a bat, and a scorpion's tail. A manticore.
"Well, that's a bit more like it," Harry muttered.
The manticore growled, its tail curling high over its back, venom dripping from the stinger. It didn't lunge immediately, watching him as if waiting for him to make the first move.
Speaking in Manticore Tongue, Harry said, "I need a ride. Do you prefer the easy way, or should I beat you first?"
The manticore's tail twitched. Its glowing yellow eyes narrowed as it considered him. There was no immediate attack, no mindless aggression—just a calculating pause. Smart. It recognized that he wasn't some panicked idiot blundering through the maze.
"Do you even know how to ask nicely?" Nigel commented dryly.
Harry ignored him, keeping his gaze on the manticore. He tapped his wand against his palm, waiting.
The creature growled low in its throat. "You threaten me, wizard?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. He gestured toward his wand. "I can freeze you, transfigure you, or just set you on fire. Or, we can skip all that, and you carry me to the center of the maze. Saves us both the trouble."
"Stupid thing's going to make you fight it just to keep up appearances," Nigel muttered.
Harry rolled his shoulders. "Fine. If you want a show—"
He flicked his wand, and a wave of heat rushed forward. The ground beneath the manticore's paws turned scorching in an instant. The creature leaped back, hissing as the soil sizzled where it had stood.
Harry twirled his wand lazily. "That was a warning shot."
The manticore let out a sharp, irritated chuff. "Unnecessary."
Harry shrugged. "Then stop wasting time."
A long moment passed. Then, with a low rumble, the manticore lowered itself slightly, its tail coiling behind it. Fine.
Harry swung himself onto the manticore's back, gripping the thick fur at the base of its neck. "Don't fly over the hedges."
The creature let out a low growl, clearly unimpressed with being given orders, but it didn't argue. Its powerful wings unfurled slightly before tucking back in, and its muscles coiled beneath Harry as it shifted its weight, preparing to move.
"Straight through," Harry added.
With a rumbling huff, the manticore surged forward. It didn't move like a horse—it was lower, smoother, and its steps were eerily silent for something so large. It navigated the maze with ease, its glowing yellow eyes scanning ahead as it bounded down the winding paths. The hedges shifted as they ran, but the manticore adjusted instantly, twisting and turning before the obstacles could fully close in.
They rounded a sharp corner, and a thick wall of vines shot up ahead, twisting together like a living barrier. The manticore didn't slow. Instead, it swiped out with a massive claw, tearing through the greenery with the ease of ripping parchment.
Harry smirked. "That works."
The manticore's tail flicked, sending a spray of venom into the severed vines. They withered instantly, curling inward as if retreating from the toxic touch. The creature rumbled in amusement, as if showing off.
Harry leaned forward slightly. "If you want to impress me, get me to the center in five minutes."
The manticore let out a sharp chuff—either agreement or irritation—before picking up speed. The maze twisted around them, the walls shifting unpredictably, but it didn't matter. The creature adjusted seamlessly, its predatory instincts reading the path before it could fully change.
They burst through another wall of vines, this one thicker, and suddenly the air around them shifted. A shimmering haze settled over the space, warping the surroundings. The path stretched unnaturally, distorting like a reflection in rippling water.
A trap.
Harry exhaled sharply through his nose. "Illusion magic. Slow down."
The manticore came to a halt, sniffing the air. Its ears twitched, tail curling slightly. Even it seemed wary of whatever enchantment had been placed here.
Harry swung one leg over and dropped to the ground. The distorted path stretched endlessly ahead, but he knew better. The hedges wouldn't make it this obvious—it was a trick, a trap meant to disorient and waste time.
He crouched, brushing his fingers over the dirt. The ground was solid, untouched. No signs of the maze shifting here. That meant—
He looked up. The hedge to their left had no distortion.
Harry stood. "That's the real path."
The manticore growled lowly. It didn't see it yet, but it trusted his judgment enough not to argue. Harry climbed back on, and with a sharp flick of its tail, the creature lunged sideways, crashing through the fake path. The illusion shimmered violently before shattering like broken glass, revealing the true way forward.
They pressed on.
The next obstacle was a swarm of something—small, winged creatures darting through the air like a living stormcloud. Their wings shimmered, flashing between visible and invisible as they twisted unpredictably. A wave of them shot forward, hissing as they dived toward them.
The manticore snarled, baring its fangs.
Harry barely glanced at them before lifting his wand. "Depulso."
A forceful blast erupted from his wand, scattering the swarm instantly. Some slammed into the hedges, others spiraled away, and within seconds, the path was clear.
The manticore gave him a sideways look.
Harry patted its side. "Told you I'd make it easy."
It let out a huff but didn't argue.
Harry walked toward the Triwizard Cup, which stood untouched at the end of the path. The task was essentially over, though for him, this was only the beginning. The Manticore, still crouched beside him, gave a low rumble.
"Inside," Harry said as he took out Potter Haven from his pocket.
The creature hesitated, its glowing yellow eyes flicking to the swirling space inside the suitcase before it let out a short huff and stepped in. As soon as its paws touched the ground within, the forest inside Potter Haven absorbed it completely.
"Ash, take care of him," Harry called.
A deep, growling voice responded. "Yes, Master."
Satisfied, Harry snapped the suitcase shut and tucked it away. He stepped up to the Cup.
-----
To Read up to 50 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and support me...
patreon.com/thefanficgod1
Please drop a comment and like the chapter!