Chapter 185: Pre-Third Task (2/2)
”Let's see.. .. where's the hidden passage,” said James, and indeed there was one in the corridor, ”let's go, we'll use the same one.” While a limited number of passages went out of Hogwarts, around a hundred internal passages connected different parts of Hogwarts.
They kicked a brick in the wall twice, which opened a hidden staircase into the wall.
”This goes to the west corridor on the fifth floor,” said James with his wand tip lit, ”what's there? I don't think there was anything in that part of the castle.”
”He has an office there,” said Ron.
”An office? Why does he have an office?”
”It's a long story,” said Ivy, ”one for another time.” She didn't want James to know that the map had been tampered with.
”Wait a minute, I can't see Quinn's name on here.”
And it was out.
James turned to the children. ”Why can't I see Quinn's name on here?”
All dodged his eyes until they couldn't endure the gaze of the Senior Auror.
”He removed his name from the map,” said Ivy, relenting.
”He.. . He removed his name from the Marauders' Map?!”
”.. .. Yeah.”
”When?!”
”Two years ago.”
”Two years ago!” James stared at them, ”how?”
Ivy and Hermione didn't want to answer that, and fortunately for them, they didn't have to.
”You guys should be quiet if you want to tail somebody,” they heard and turned to saw Quinn a couple of steps above them, staring down at them, ”especially in closed spaces like this — the sound really echos in here.”
”You removed your name from the map?” asked James bluntly, raising the charmed parchments.
”Yeah, I did,” answered Quinn.
”.. .. how and why?”
”How? It was easy enough, but I can't tell you because that would put my name back on the map. Why? I don't want my name on there — I like my privacy,” answered Quinn, ”I know it's your map and all, but I hope you don't mind; if it's any consolation, it works the same — just think of it as if I never existed. Simple, right?”
James stared at Quinn and then at the map in his hand.
”.. .. I can respect that,” shrugged James, ”and if you're able to erase your name in a way that Ivy and Hermione can't reverse it, you deserve to be off the map.”
”That's good to hear,” said Quinn, ”now, why are you guys tailing me? There's no need to follow me; you can approach me directly.”
”Ah, about that,” said James, ”I just wanted to congratulate you for the tournament. You did an excellent job and an even outstanding job on the betting.”
”Oh, thank you,” smiled Quinn.
”And you rejected to be my daughter's date.”
Everyone in the staircase except James froze for a good second. Ivy sighed deeply, hiding her embarrassment.
”Uhm.”
James climbed up the steps and patted Quinn on the shoulder, ”It's not a bad thing. I would've been fine if you took her, but it was even better when she went alone,” he turned to Ron, ”no offense Ron.”
”Eh, ah, huh?” muttered the Weasley.
”Now, as much as I would continue this conversation,” said Quinn, ”I have an event to prepare for, so I will take my leave,” he looked at James, ”let's talk sometime later, Mr. Potter. I'll love to hear some of your stories.”
”Of course, don't let us keep you waiting.”
When Quinn left, and the Gryffindor group got out of the staircase, James turned to the group and said, ”Look, I like that guy a lot, but he needs to get pranked.”
”I tried,” said Harry, ”but he's too sharp.”
Ivy and Hermione nodded. Even though they didn't try to prank Quinn, they knew how sharp the guy was.
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- (Scene Break) -
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The Gryffindor group whiled away the afternoon with a long walk around the castle and then returned to the Great Hall for the evening feast. Ludo Bagman and Cornelius Fudge had joined the staff table now. Bagman looked quite cheerful, but Cornelius Fudge, sitting next to Madame Maxime, looked stern and was not talking. Madame Maxime was concentrating on her plate, and Quinn thought her eyes looked red. Hagrid kept glancing along with the table at her.
There were more courses than usual, but the champions, who were really nervous now, didn't eat much. As the enchanted ceiling overhead began to fade from blue to a dusky purple, Dumbledore rose to his feet at the staff table, and silence fell.
”Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. West down to the stadium now.”
The champions got up with the entire hall clapping for them. With Quinn in the lead, They walked onto the Quidditch field, which was now completely unrecognizable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran all the way around the edge of it. There was a gap right in front of them: the entrance to the vast maze. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy.
Five minutes later, the stands had begun to fill; the air was full of excited voices and the rumbling of feet as the hundreds of students filed into their seats. The sky was a deep, clear blue now, and the first stars were starting to appear. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick walked into the stadium and approached Quinn and the champions. They were wearing large, red, luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.
”We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze,” said Professor McGonagall to the champions. ”If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?”
The champions nodded.
”Well, before we get started,” said Quinn, ”I wish all of you the best of luck. Face whatever challenges in there with bravery and intelligence, and I hope that you guys put on a terrific show tonight,” as he talked, Quinn approached every champion, he shook their hands and patted them firmly on their shoulder.
The champions looked at Quinn with half-appreciative and half-confused looks, but Quinn now pointed his fake wand at his throat, muttered, ”Sonorus,” and his magically magnified voice echoed into the stands.
”Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you that the scores from the previous tasks were tabulated, and this is how the current champions stand — In the first place, Harry Potter of Hogwarts School!” The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. ”In the second place, Victor Krum from Durmstrang Institute,” more applause, ”followed by Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy!” A lot of male cheers. ”And in the last place — Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts School!”
”Now, the champions will go inside according to their ranks with a three-minute interval between each champion,” he continued, ”now, let's not waste any more time. So. .. on my whistle, Harry,” Harry nodded, ”three — two — one —”
He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry and hurried forward into the maze. One by one, all champions went into the tunnel, and when Cedric went into the labyrinth, Quinn looked at his hand and then at the maze.
The clock had started.
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Quinn West - MC - Tik-tok-tik-tok.
James Potter - Senior Auror - I'm a daddy. So, it's in my character.
Ron Weasley - Gryffindor - Feels like there's something wrong, but can't tell.. . .
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