Chapter 181: Brief, Morning, and "Duel." (1/2)
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The AID office, while a calm environment, was a usually happening place. Especially this year, with the room being the central hub for the quidditch tournament — teams, stadium tickets, merchandise sales, betting, and so many other things were being coordinated through the AID office.
”I'm just the host,” said Quinn to the four people in front of him, ”I'm not in charge of the management of organizing the Tri-wizard tournament.. .. I've repeated this so many times throughout the year.”
The four Tri-wizard champions — Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, and Victor Krum, looked at each other before looking back at Quinn, who was flipping through a very thick ledger.
”So why do they time and time again delegate other tasks to me,” he continued, ”the final game is the next week, and I'm neck-deep in work,” he looked up at them, ”Cedric and Mr. Krum, congratulations on getting to the finals.”
Trolling Boogeys and Treacherous Barons had beat out the rest of the teams and came out on top to compete in the finals. From the opening game between these very same team to the finals — it was a complete circle.
The numbers from the credit and debit sides matched up in Quinn's mind, and with a signature as a seal of authentication, Quinn closed the accounts book — the Weasley twins might be great at the betting operations, but they didn't have the level of accounting and math skills to make sure all the money was accounted for.
”Good, let's get started,” he said and finally gave the four champions his complete attention, ”now, with the third task being less than a month from now on, it's time for you guys to know about the details.”
The four champions perked up and intently listened as this was going to be the last task.
”The last task is going to be a maze crawl where you'll have to face many different magical beasts and get to the other end where the first one will find the Tri-wizard cup waiting for them.. .. the first to grab it, that is.”
Quinn's eyes skirted towards Harry and Cedric for a split second before he was back at looking at all four.
”What kind of magical beasts?” asked Fleur.
”That will not be revealed; you'll only find that out when you actually encounter them,” answered Quinn.
”Where will it be?” said Harry.
”The quidditch stadium is going to be replaced with the maze.”
Cedric and Harry jerked back at the answer. ”They are going to uproot the stadium?” asked Cedric.
”Yes,” affirmed Quinn, ”that's why I made you guys play that one game during the snowfall.. .. I have to conclude the quidditch tournament the coming week as it takes time to dismantle the stadium and then.. .. build the maze.” He had to take a pause as he almost gave out the maze was made from plants.
”Moving on, in the first two tasks, all of you were given points,” he continued, ”those points came in play right now. The earned points will be summed up and used to decide the order in which you four go inside the maze; of course, there will be intervals between each entry.”
The four champions glanced at each other — all four knew their own point total and knew what the other three got, and from that, they were able to calculate the order.
”Harry Potter goes first as his sum total comfortably puts him at the top. The second entry is for Victor Krum,” said Quinn and gazed at Fleur, ”your performance in the second task really hurt your sum total; as such, you get the third place. Finally, Cedric Diggory goes last in the line.”
”But don't feel disheartened,” continued Quinn, ”it's a maze with beasts randomly placed across it. You never know what might one encounter — Harry might encounter one beast after another while Diggory might have smooth sailing to the end. While this task grants advantages and disadvantages, with a little luck, it can be the equalizer that might level the field.”
Krum leaned back into his chair and opened his mouth for the first time, ”Is.. .. fighting allowed between champions?”
Quinn smiled in response, ”Yes, it's allowed. As long as the spells aren't lethal, you all will be allowed to engage each other in combat. Stunning your competition will be the best outcome you can ask for.”
”They made us face dragons, but now they keep our spells non-lethal?” scoffed Fleur.
”What can I say,” shrugged Quinn, ”champion killing champion isn't good for the radio program and next-day articles. That's why please make sure all of you have a level of kiddy gloves on. Other than that, you can get as creative and colorful as you can and want to be.”
” ” ” ”Is flying allowed?” ” ” ”
At once, the four champions asked the same question.
”First of all, don't give your potential strategy away,” said Quinn shaking his head, ”now, to answer your question, no, flying isn't allowed — the maze becomes redundant otherwise.”
The four seemed disappointed, and as much as three quidditch players on brooms and a Veela in her avian form sounded fun, it wasn't going to happen.
”Very well, if you haven't got any questions, please leave.. .. I have a lot of work to do,” said Quinn, waving them away — there was another ledger open on his table.
The champions stood up; they didn't want to intrude as Quinn did really look busy — all champions except one.
”Yes, Mr. Krum?”
”Could I have a word?”
”Of course, what is it?”
”Alone.. .. I don't want to be overheard.”
Quinn looked at the three standing champions who were curious, but under Quinn's gaze, they shuffled out, leaving Quinn and Krum alone.
”Now then, do say.”
”I want to know,” said Krum, glowering, ”what is there between you and Daphne.”
Quinn, who from Krum's secretive manner had expected something much more serious than this, stared up at Krum in amazement.
”Nothing,” he replied. But Krum was still glowering. ”We're friends — close friends. I have known Daphne for a while.. .. what makes you think there's something going on between Daphne and me?”
”Daphne talks about you very often.”
”Yeah, as I said, we're friends.”
”You have never. .. you have not. . .”
”It's none of your business,” said Quinn firmly, ”if you want to know more, then go ask Daphne instead of coming to me.”
Krum didn't look satisfied with the answer and got up, giving Quinn a lingering stare before leaving without saying another word. Quinn stared at the door through which Krum exited for a while and sighed before getting back to work.
”Yeah, right, he isn't good enough for her.”
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- (Scene Break) -
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Hermione looked at her best friend with healthy energy in her body as the clock struck six and a half in the morning. ”Don't be like that. It's good to wake up early in the morning once in a while.”
Ivy turned her half-lidded eyes with a sleepy-irritated gaze towards Hermoine. ”There's nothing good about this.. .. not a single thing. There is still time, you know? We're still relatively near the common room — how about we go back and return to sleep.. .. Second sleeps are supposed to be very good.”
”Studies say that waking up early in the morning is good for your health,” said Hermione, stating a fact, ”even magic is affected by waking up in the morning. If one wakes up early in the morning, the rate of magic regeneration increases; though it takes a couple months to get that benefit.. .. so how about it; should we make this a daily thing.”
”Over my sleeping body, we will.” The redhead wasn't a morning person.
The girls exited the castle and arrived in the green meadows of Hogwarts. A cool morning breeze caressed their faces, paired with the not so bright sun overhead and the lush greens below.. . .
”Hmm, it's not half bad,” said Ivy.
”So, every day?”
”Still a no on that front.”
The girls had no specific plans, so they started to walk in the green, chatting about the upcoming day and the trivial things that came to their minds.
”.. .. so I had to charm Ron's things with a stinging spell so that if he got up before doing his homework to play, he would be stung if he touched any of his belongings.” Hermione narrated the latest entry in the list of methods to make Ron do his homework when she noticed Ivy had stopped walking.
”What happened?” she asked.
When Ivy didn't reply, Hermione followed Ivy's line of sight.
”Is that Quinn?” asked Hermione, seeing the familiar figure, ”what is he doing?”
The fifth-year Ravenclaw boy was dressed in a simple white t-shirt and black shorts with running shoes on his feet. And instead of exercising as his attire portrayed, Quinn was standing still.
”He is,” Hermione followed Quinn's line of sight and saw, ”staring at a crow?”
The girls watched as Quinn continued to stare unblinkingly at the crow, which was resting on the ground, looking for food in the trimmed grass. He didn't even notice them as they walked towards him.
”Quinn?” called out Ivy.
Quinn jolted out his staring trance, almost jumped out of his shoes when he heard his name being called so close to him.
”Ivy, Hermione,” he started, seeing the two Gryffindors, ”what are you two doing here,” he put a hand in his pocket and took out a pocket watch as he continued, ”what's the time? Hmm? It's only fifteen to seven. Thank god, I thought I was late.”
”What were you doing staring at that crow?” asked Ivy.
Quinn glanced at the bird for a second before returning, ”It's not a crow. It's a raven. As for the reason — she's really black.”
”.. . .What?”
”The raven,” he repeated, ”it's really black, and I guess I kind of got lost staring at her.”
”Her?” asked Hermione.