His reflections were disrupted when Professor's McGonagall, Moody and Flitwick joined them along with Lee Jordan. Harry first was confused by the appearance of the Gryffindor student until he realized that Bagman had been announcing all the tasks and now that he wasn't there, someone had to do the job. Jordan had been announcing the Quidditch matches since Harry's first year so he would definitely be the person for the job.
Professor McGonagall handed Hagrid a large red star. "You'll need to wear this Hagrid," Harry noticed that she and the other two professors had similar stars on the back of their hats. As Hagrid removed his moleskin vest in order to put the star on it, McGonagall addressed the Champions. "We will be patrolling the outside of the Maze. If any of you find yourself in trouble and need to be rescued, send up red sparks. Understood?" When the four champions had all nodded their understanding. she continued. "Professor Dumbledore asked me to pass on that though some of the tasks can be difficult, you should stress safety above all else."
McGonagall's eyes lingered on Harry the longest as she was saying those words. When again the four champions had nodded. she added, "Okay then, we'll be off to our patrolling stations. Jordon, it's in your hands now. Remember that we have guest from the ministry and several countries; please keep the commentary socially acceptable."
"Yes Professor. It shouldn't be a problem with no Slytherins involved."
"JORDON!" McGonagall screamed in a whispered voice.
"Yes ma'am. It will be acceptable ma'am."
Once McGonagall had given one final look at the Champions she nodded at the other professors and led them away.
As Hagrid walked past Harry he put a hand on his shoulder and whispered quietly. "Good luck Harry."
Harry watched as each of the four professors went in different directions to position themselves around the maze.
"As commentator I'm not supposed to be biased," Lee Jordan said as he looked at the Champions, "so before I start commentating, I'd like to wish you two," He nodded at Cedric and Harry, "good luck in there," With a quick smile, he raised his wand to his throat and said a quiet 'Sonorus." Instantly his voice filled the stands.
"Students, Professors and Honored Guests, welcome to the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. I am Lee Jordan and I will be commentating this evening as a last minute replacement for the despicable, low life, thieving.." Lee noticed that Professor McGonagall had reversed course and was headed back toward him and quickly completed the sentence. "er..Ludo Bagman, who was unable to be here this evening due to professional problems. Hopefully those of you who attend Hogwarts know who I am, but for those honored guests and fellow students and professors from the other schools I will say I do the commentary for the school Quidditch matches. Now on with the task."
"The goal of this task is simple," Lee continued. "The Champions will enter the maze based on their current point standings and whoever touches the Triwizard cup first wins the Tournament. That winner not only gets to keep the cup but also received ONE THOUSAND GALLEONS and glory for their school." Lee waited a few seconds for the crowd to quite down before he continued. "First to enter the maze will be the two Hogwarts Champions Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter who both have eighty-five points," Lee once again had to pause as deafening cheers erupted around the stadium. Shouts of "DIGGORY!" and "POTTER!" could be heard from the stands.
When the noise finally abated Lee continued. "The lovely and talented Fleur Delacour of the Beauxbatons Academy has eight-three points and will enter the maze after the first two." The blue-cloaked Beauxbatons students rose and cheered their champion and through that cheering Harry distinctly heard Ginny and Gabrielle's voices cheering as well.
Again Lee waited for the noise to settle before continuing, "And following her will be seeker extraordinaire of the Bulgarian National Quidditch team, Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang Institute Champion who currently has eighty points."
"Sirius and Remus are headed there now," Hermione's voice came in Harry's head. "I have the map ready to go. Myrtle's going to help me watch as well. Be careful you two."
"Love you Hermione," Harry thought.
"Love you too."
Lee looked over at the Champions. "Are you ready?" His amplified voice echoed throughout the stadium. Again the four champions nodded without saying anything. Lee glanced at the judges table and Dumbledore gave a nod. He turned once more to the Champions. "Then Cedric, Harry…on three then. One…two…three…go."
The moment Harry and Cedric entered the opening all sounds ended abruptly. One moment they could hear the crowd cheering, the next, they could only hear their footsteps and heartbeats. Between the silence and the darkness that the minute amount of moonlight could not overcome, the sinister feeling grew stronger. Harry pulled out his wand and hissed "§Light§". An enhanced brightness spell came off his wand and illuminated an area up to ten yards ahead of them.
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