April passed, and May arrived. With the Third Task approaching, the four champions were finally given the information they needed to prepare.
One evening, Harry, Cedric, Viktor Krum, and Fleur were called together. Ludo Bagman was waiting for them and began explaining the final task.
"The Third Task will take place on the twenty-fourth of June," Bagman said. "A maze will be set up on the grounds. The Triwizard Cup will be placed in the centre, and the first champion to reach it will win the Tournament."
Harry listened carefully as Bagman explained that the maze would contain various magical obstacles and that the champions would have to find their own way through.
No one would be allowed to help them once the task began.
"Will we know what's inside the maze?" Cedric asked.
"No," Bagman replied cheerfully. "That's rather the point, isn't it?"
Fleur asked a few questions about the boundaries and rules, while Krum stayed mostly silent, more interested in remembering the details than discussing them.
Harry listened to it all, trying to work out what spells might come in useful.
Victor stood nearby, taking in the information without saying much. A maze didn't sound particularly difficult to him, but he knew the Tournament had a habit of hiding complications behind seemingly simple tasks.
Once the meeting ended, Harry left the castle. He wanted some fresh air and decided to visit Hagrid before heading back inside.
He found Hagrid outside his hut and walked over.
"Hagrid."
Hagrid looked up. "Harry! What are yeh doing out here?"
"Just wanted to get out of the castle for a bit. We've been told about the Third Task."
"Aye, I heard about that," Hagrid said, rubbing his beard. "Big maze, isn't it?"
"Yeah. They haven't told us what's going to be inside."
Hagrid gave him a knowing look. "Probably best that way. Yeh don't want ter know everythin' before yeh go in."
Harry looked toward the castle. "I just wish I knew what I was preparing for."
"Prepare fer whatever yeh can," Hagrid said. "Keep yer wand ready, don't go rushing into things, and if somethin' looks dangerous, think before yeh act."
"That sounds simple enough."
"Simple advice is usually the best kind."
Harry smiled and stayed beside him a while, watching the grounds as the evening settled over Hogwarts.
As he made his way back toward the castle, he noticed someone stumbling out from the direction of the Forbidden Forest. At first he assumed it was Hagrid, but the figure was much shorter and moving unsteadily.
Harry stopped.
As the man drew closer, he recognized him. Barty Crouch Sr.
The Ministry official looked nothing like the composed man Harry had seen throughout the Tournament.
His clothes were torn and covered in dirt, his hair dishevelled, and he looked exhausted — barely able to stay standing.
"Mr. Crouch?"
Crouch looked up. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Harry, but he didn't seem fully aware of where he was. He took another unsteady step, then collapsed against him.
Harry caught him. "Sir, are you all right?"
Crouch tried to answer, breathing ragged, words coming out weakly. "Potter..."
Harry leaned closer. "What happened? Who did this to you?"
Crouch's eyes darted toward the forest, as if afraid he was being followed. "Do not... trust..."
"Don't trust who?"
Crouch tried to force the words out, but his mind seemed too tangled to form a proper sentence. "Do not... trust..." His voice trailed into an unintelligible murmur.
Harry glanced toward the forest, then back at him. "Mr. Crouch, you're not making any sense."
Crouch gripped his sleeve weakly, straining to say more. "Potter... you must—"
His strength gave out, and he sagged against Harry again.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
Harry helped him as far as the castle entrance and eased him down against the wall.
"Stay here, Mr. Crouch. I'm going to get Professor Dumbledore."
Crouch's head lifted slightly. "Voldemort..."
Harry paused — the word had come out so faint he wasn't sure he'd heard it right. "What did you say?"
Crouch's lips moved again, but no clear words followed. He looked exhausted, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Harry glanced toward the entrance. "I'll be back with Professor Dumbledore."
He hurried inside, leaving Crouch slumped against the wall.
For a short while, the grounds were quiet.
Then footsteps approached.
Crouch's eyes opened. A figure had stopped in front of him.
His expression changed instantly. "You..."
The figure looked down at him, no trace of concern on their face. "Time to die, Father."
Crouch tried to move, too weak to get away. "Please..."
The figure stepped closer. "You should have stayed quiet."
Harry hurried back with Dumbledore, but the moment they reached the entrance, he stopped.
Barty Crouch Sr. lay on the ground where he'd left him.
"Mr. Crouch!"
Harry rushed forward, but Dumbledore raised a hand, stopping him before he could touch the body.
"Severus."
Snape stepped forward at once and knelt beside Crouch, checking for a pulse before examining him more closely. He looked up. "He is dead."
Harry stared at the body in shock. "But he was alive when I left him. He was talking to me."
Dumbledore's expression turned grave as he looked down. "I know, Harry."
Snape stood slowly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the surrounding area. "There are no obvious signs of a struggle."
Harry looked around uneasily. "But someone must have done this. He was fine when I left."
Dumbledore turned to him. "Harry, tell me exactly what happened."
Harry swallowed and began explaining how he'd found Crouch, what he'd said, and the strange warning he'd tried to give. Dumbledore listened without interrupting, his expression growing more serious with every word.
*****
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