As Cedric and Krum clashed, Fleur faced her own set of magically-induced obstacles in the maze. Meanwhile, Harry, clutching the treasure box in his left hand and his wand in his right, had encountered…nothing.
Until now.
Seeing Cassandra standing before him, Harry gave a miserable look. "Cassandra, could you possibly take it easy on me?"
He knew his limitations; he couldn't beat Cassandra, not now.
But to his surprise, Cassandra didn't seem inclined to fight at all.
Just as Harry was wondering what was going on, Cassandra said, "Come with me," and turned down a deeper path into the maze.
Bewildered, Harry could only follow.
He opened his mouth, hesitant to speak, unsure whether to ask or not.
Before he could decide, Cassandra stopped, and Harry realized they were in a relatively spacious area.
Not far away stood the silver-plated, blue Triwizard Cup!
And standing respectfully near the trophy was "Professor Moody!" In front of him, leaning against the base, was Tom Riddle, who turned at their approach.
"You've come?" Tom said, standing up.
Cassandra stepped aside, gesturing for Harry to join them.
Having followed Tom for so long, Harry realized something was afoot. "Sir? This is…"
"This is your goal for this competition," Tom said, glancing at the trophy. "But it's also a Portkey."
"A Portkey?!" Harry's eyes widened. Where would it take him?
Sensing his confusion, Tom explained, "It will teleport you to a place outside the castle. Voldemort will be waiting for you there—the one you saw before."
"Voldemort…" Harry was immediately startled. He had witnessed Voldemort clash with Tom during his first year. Tom had defeated him easily, but Harry still didn't dare underestimate the Dark Lord. Based on Voldemort's demonstrated strength, "second only to Tom," Harry felt that only Albus Dumbledore might be able to defeat him.
Maybe. He wasn't sure about Dumbledore's true strength, only that he had heard he was incredibly powerful.
Now he was being asked to go head-to-head with Voldemort. He had killed him as an infant using his mother's sacrifice, but what if it failed this time? He didn't think he could beat Voldemort.
However…
"Sir, leave it to me." If Tom needed him to do it, Harry wouldn't run.
Never underestimate the importance of the name 'Tom Riddle' in Harry Potter's heart!
"Hmm." Tom smiled with relief. "Voldemort might draw some blood, but don't worry, it'll be fine. Besides, someone will be coming with you."
At Tom's words, "Professor Moody" stepped forward.
"'Professor Moody?'" Honestly, Harry hadn't expected "Moody" to be a Death Eater.
Of course, what else could he be doing here? An Auror?
"Moody" was said to be a sworn enemy of the Death Eaters.
It showed just how charismatic Tom was; no wonder Harry would follow him to the death!
Ignoring Harry's thoughts, Tom continued, "There are only a few people left with Voldemort. A third of them are my men. They'll help you."
Voldemort only had Barty Crouch Jr. and Bellatrix Lestrange by his side, along with the "old, weak, sick, and disabled" four.
Barty Crouch Jr. and Bellatrix Lestrange were Tom's men, making up a third, right?
"I see... I understand." Hearing that so many of his own people were on the other side, Harry relaxed.
"And I'll be watching from the shadows." Tom looked at Harry with a gentle smile. "If Voldemort really tries to kill you, I'll twist his bald head off and use it as a ball."
"Sir…" Is this what security is?!
Harry was moved to tears.
Now he was calm. What can you do to me, Voldemort, if I stand right in front of you?!
"Alright, Barty." Tom turned to "Moody," who immediately stepped forward towards Harry.
Huh?
Barty Crouch Jr.?
Both Cassandra and Harry were stunned.
Then, their questions were answered. "Moody" suddenly began to change, reverting to his original young form.
"Come with me." Barty Crouch Jr. looked at Harry, his expression complicated. "Second-in-command…"
He couldn't understand why Tom valued this kid so much, promising him such an important position. He was jealous!
But he wouldn't let Tom down.
"Put your hands on it." Hearing Tom's voice, they immediately placed their hands on the trophy. With a spatial distortion, they vanished.
Now only Tom and Cassandra remained.
After a long silence, Cassandra finally spoke.
"Tom."
"Hmm?"
"I'm jealous."
"…"
...
A fog-shrouded cemetery, some distance from Hogwarts Castle.
Several figures had been waiting, a large cauldron simmering with an unknown potion.
With a sound of spatial distortion, they were on alert.
Voldemort, cradling Lucas, saw Harry "grabbed" by Barty Crouch Jr. with a "terrified" expression, and broke into a smile.
"Long time no see, my dear second-in-command."
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