"Professor, has the Headmaster called us here for something? Has he discovered any clues about Avery?" Orli asked as she followed Snape up the stairs. The castle seemed deserted now—just the two of them left behind.
"Quite the opposite—" Snape replied. "Do you remember that special, enormous two-way mirror you saw in the Headmaster's office during your first year?"
Orli immediately recalled the end of her first year—the day Harry went to protect the Philosopher's Stone. She, Snape, and Dumbledore had watched through that giant two-way mirror in the Headmaster's office as Harry and his friends navigated each obstacle. When Ron collapsed, they'd stepped right through the mirror to appear at his side.
"We're going to the Headmaster's office to watch Harry's match?" Orli asked.
"Naturally." Snape's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Dumbledore refuses to cheat in the Triwizard Tournament under any circumstances—not even by using a Disillusionment Charm to shadow Potter. But we can observe him through the two-way mirror, and if anything goes wrong, we'll intervene immediately."
"Aren't there other professors on-site protecting the champions in the maze?"
"There are, but who's to guarantee they haven't been placed under the Imperius Curse?" Snape countered.
They reached the stone gargoyle. Snape muttered "Cockroach Cluster" and led Orli inside.
"Besides, with those hedges blocking everything, no one knows what's really happening in that maze. By the time they notice something's amiss, it might already be too late."
In the Headmaster's office, the enormous mirror had already been positioned, displaying the live competition. Dumbledore sat at the judges' table alongside Madam Bones, Madame Maxime, and Karkaroff. For a fleeting moment, Orli could have sworn his gaze penetrated the two-way mirror to find her and Snape.
The Quidditch pitch was utterly transformed. The towering stands remained, but the massive goalposts had vanished. The center of the field was dominated by towering black hedges—tall as a dragon—concealing everything within. Hagrid, Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick patrolled the maze's perimeter, each sporting a huge red star on their hat—except Hagrid, whose star was emblazoned across his back.
"We'll be patrolling outside the maze," Professor McGonagall's voice came through the mirror with perfect clarity. "If you encounter trouble and need rescue, send up red sparks into the air. Someone will come to help you. Is that understood?"
The champions nodded in unison.
Ludo Bagman stood at the maze entrance. He pointed his wand at his throat, cast Sonorus, and his magically amplified voice boomed across the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to commence! Let me announce the current standings! Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter—eighty-five points each, tied for first place, Hogwarts!"
Thunderous applause and cheers sent birds scattering from the Forbidden Forest into the darkening evening sky.
"Viktor Krum—eighty points, second place, Durmstrang!"
Another wave of applause rolled through the stands.
"Fleur Delacour—third place, Beauxbatons Academy!"
Fleur received equally enthusiastic applause, with plenty of Hogwarts and Durmstrang boys cheering loudly for her.
"According to the rules, the champions will enter the maze in order of their current rankings..."
Bagman launched into a lengthy explanation of the third task's procedures. Through the two-way mirror, they could see Harry glancing around nervously.
"Waters," Snape said suddenly.
"Do you have any plans for this summer?"
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