The Third Task
Harry had taken a moment to savor his victory after the twins' reveal. With the excitement that had engulfed Hogwarts and the loud laughter that had marked the presentation of the pool bet, he had felt lighter than ever. The weeks that followed were filled with precious moments spent with the twins, between fun discussions, moments of complicity and exchanges full of laughter. It was a time when Harry felt loved, supported, and understood, which was in stark contrast to the doubts and uncertainties that had plagued him for so long.
Fred and George, still as inseparable as ever, did not miss an opportunity to tease him and offer him attention, sometimes in a slightly exuberant way. But Harry had grown to appreciate the way they showed affection. He had even begun to take a little more pleasure in their company, relegating to the background the embarrassment that had previously invaded him.
However, the atmosphere quickly darkens as the third task of the Triwizard Tournament approaches. Harry, despite having had a few moments of respite, was not ready to face what lay ahead. When he was informed of his participation in this last event, an apprehension grew in him. He knew that his position as champion was not a choice of his own, and although the twins kept offering him their support, Harry felt a form of anxiety developing inside him. He was no longer a mere willing participant, but a pawn forced to take part in this cruel game.
The twins, who had had fun cheering her on and helping her train, were becoming more and more worried as the event approached. They could see that Harry was preoccupied, that his face displayed a certain anguish that he could no longer hide. One evening, just before the start of the third task, as night fell and the tournament maze enclosure was hours away from opening, Fred and George had gathered with Harry in the common room. They hadn't said a word for a long time, just exchanging worried looks, unable to hide their apprehension.
"Are you sure you really want to go?" asked George, a deep tone in his voice, as he watched Harry, his hands clasped together, a worry that didn't sound like him.
Harry nodded, but he couldn't ignore the growing unease. "There is no real choice. If I refuse, I risk dying"
Fred exchanged a glance with his brother, the worry in his eyes. "We would have liked there to be another solution, love. But we both know that you're going to go and that we'll support you no matter what."
The twins were worried, but their willingness to support Harry did not waver. They then realized that, even though they wanted to protect Harry at all costs, he was trapped in a tournament that left him no escape.
The next day, Harry entered the carved wooden labyrinth, hoping to pass the test. His senses were alert, his gaze scrutinized every corner of the labyrinth, every sound that could signal the presence of danger. The air was heavy, almost suffocating. But he had no time to lose himself in his thoughts or to be distracted by his doubts. He had arrived first at the cup. His outstretched hand toward the magical object froze the moment he touched the cup, immediately realizing that it was not just a trophy.
The Portkey went off instantly, and Harry was caught by an invisible force. In an instant, he found himself in a totally different place. Everything around him was black, dark and sinister. He found himself in front of a well-known figure, that of Lord Voldemort, who was there, in front of him, with his frightening appearance, motionless, but with a smile that implied that he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
But before Voldemort had time to react, Harry didn't hesitate. He had anticipated this kind of situation. With astonishing speed, he cast the spell "Petrificus Totalus," a flash of blue-silver light striking Voldemort right in the heart. The pale man's body immediately froze, paralyzed by the spell.
Harry, despite being shocked by the situation, hurried to retrieve the cup, clutching it tightly in his hand, and cast an imprison spell where Voldemort was standing, to ensure that the threat was contained.
"I don't know how I did that," Harry whispered to himself, his heart pounding. "But I did it."
His mind was filled with a strange sense of accomplishment, but also an insurmountable fear of what else might happen. Harry had done what he thought was impossible, he had captured Voldemort in his baby state, but he knew that was not the end. He had very little time before the situation became even more threatening.
As he waited for the rest, a deep sense of confusion took hold of him, as he stood there, in the middle of this frightening scene, realizing that he had just made a decision that would change the direction of his life forever.
"The third task is often the most difficult, but also the most revealing." — Unknown proverb