Chapter 105 - Learning of the Third Task
***** Regular Chapter ***** A/N: After a few slice of life chapters, we're coming upon the third task, which will have some big..... hints for the future plot! I did spend some time this week planning out some specifics as well! Should be exciting!
Also ngl, had a hard time writing this chapter. Kept deleting/rewriting parts as it just didn't read the way I liked..... Almost like I was struggling to communicate or something..... I ended up just chalking it up to being overwhelmed with my recovery and being back to work.
So ya decided to just take a break and rest for the next week and just recover. And tbh, I think I made a good choice..... this chapter came out a lot better after my break, and Im working on the next chapter already... My plan is to try to post some bonus chapters (other than sunday and wednesday) this week to make up for last! Anyways, gonna keep writing now, but hope you guys enjoy the chapter! *****
'Has time really flown that quickly?' Harry wondered to himself as he crossed the flying lawn. 'Is it really already the end of the year?'
'It seemed like just the other day that we were all just completing the Second Task!' He grumbled unhappily. "
Unfortunately for the complaining Harry, it was now the last week of May, and as such, it was finally time for the champions to find out about the specifics of the third task, much to his dismay.
He was having so much fun recently, just simply enjoying his student life!
Between participating in daily Crossed wands duels with Neville (and sometimes Hermione), practicing for/making the top 16 in the Summoner's Cup, not to mention keeping in touch with Sirius, Harry had completely lost track of time!
But could you really blame him?
Even with his original stress of being forcibly entered into the Triwizard tournament, Harry found himself enjoying his time at Hogwarts this year, after all.
Perhaps the most out of any year at Hogwarts so far, if he was being honest with himself.
And truthfully, Harry attributed it all to his older brother figure Jordan!
Ever since Khan had entered his life, numerous changes had happened after all! And a lot of it, for the better!
They had Crossed Wands, as well as Summoner's Court now rather than just Quidditch!
They were learning of new techniques and tricks for their magic, that they had never even seen before; from spell combinations to spell chaining.
And that was just talking about what he did in general for the school, to say nothing about what Jordan had done to help Harry himself personally.
From all the personal advice, not to mention giving him tips and help regarding all the tasks..... it had gotten to the point that Harry now truly thought of him as an older brother figure!
But out of all that, out of all the changes that had been brought about by Khan, perhaps the one that Harry was the most appreciative for, was the fact that for the first time in his life, Harry actually felt like he had someone that he could count on and rely on.
Not that he couldn't previously rely on Hermione or Neville, who he knew would be there for him for anything..... It was more like, he had never previously had a mentor-type of figure who he could go to for help or advice with his various troubles.
You see, growing up Harry had learned from a young age that he could not rely on help from the adults in his life. Whether that were his teachers, neighbors, or even his own guardians, the Dursleys, all of them treated him poorly, not believing him or blaming him for things that were not his fault.
And while one might think that was due to them being muggles, or just 'bad people', funnily enough, things did not get any better for him, when Harry got to Hogwarts.
No.... not even slightly.
Just last year, him and Hermione had to save both Sirius and Buckbeak from execution, even needing to go back in time, all because Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers could do nothing from a 'legal' standpoint, with Snape himself even going so far as to try to sabotage things.
In his Second year, the school itself almost shut down, due to the chamber of secrets opening, and the basilisk petrifying numerous students over the year.
Dumbledore himself had previously known about the Basilisk, as the last time the Chamber of Secrets had opened, he had been the Transfiguration professor, and yet evidently had taken no noticeable action to protect the school or its students, resulting in Hermione herself becoming petrified!
Dumbledore had even been removed from his post of headmaster for a time, before Harry finally managed to slay the basilisk....
And it wasn't like Harry was some show off, wanting to take the glory for himself!
During his very first year even, he had tried to go to McGonagall for her help, wanting to warn her about Voldemort's attempt to steal the stone, and she had refused, not believing him about the danger to the Philosophers Stone.
He had asked for help multiple times over the years, both from Dumbledore and the numerous teachers in the school, always to no avail, for some reason or another.
From various professors not taking his findings seriously, to Dumbledore being 'unable' to act due to various Ministry restrictions or legalities, at the end of the day, Harry and his friends would end up having to act alone.
Even this year, as an under-age champion, forcibly participating in this Triwizard tournament, all of his professors, including Dumbledore, refused to help train him or give him advice!
No.... things had not improved since he had gotten to Hogwarts. Every single year at Hogwarts, something dangerous would occur! And every single year, without fail, even if they went looking for help from teachers, ultimately it would end up being up to Harry (and his friends) to save the day!
He could only depend on himself.
But this year, things were different.
And it was all because of Khan.
Jordan had believed in him at the beginning of the year when he said he didn't enter himself into the tournament, even when nobody else did (other than Hermione).
The mystery of HOW he had been forcibly entered into the Triwizard tournament had been solved by Khan, when they caught Crouch Jr!
And although they had yet to figure out WHY he had been entered by Voldemort, at the very least, they all knew that Harry had been meant to survive this tournament, and not killed off during it, like they originally suspected.
Harry had later even found out, that Jordan had given his Godfather Sirius shelter and employment in his own Hogsmeade store!
And that was just what Jordan had done himself, to say nothing of what he has done just in general.
From the second he had shown up, Jordan seemingly came in out of nowhere, and completely turned the current wizarding world on its head.
Right from the start, Khan completely shocked everyone in attendance at the World Cup, demolishing all of Voldemort's Death Eaters, not to mention squads of Aurors accidentally.
Then he goes and becomes the first ever 'student teacher' at Hogwarts, introducing them all to novel concepts such as spell chaining and Spell combinations.
Then to top it off, he goes and becomes a Triwizard Champion, actually defeating an adult dragon in direct combat!
Needless to say, Khan's influence, not just with Harry, but with the entire school, would soon be seen everywhere.
From copying his Relic Robes, to his signature Merlin's Cloak, from attending his Crossed Wands and Summoner's Cup creations, to even learning and practicing with his teaching style in his various Charms and Defense classes (learn by practical application); Everyone you looked, you had students somehow influenced by Khan.
Even Neville had told Harry that he was influenced by Jordan, and looked up to him, and Neville barely even knew him! At least, he knew him less than Harry and Hermione did...
Not that Harry was jealous or anything.... If anything he was rather proud, and slightly happy, that someone else, other than himself, the boy who lived, was now getting the spotlight.
But more than that, Harry had been simply surprised at the amount of influence his older brother figure even had over the school, let alone Neville, someone who Harry himself didn't even know that well until recently... Hell, it was only this year that Harry eventually even found out that Neville was his actual Godbrother!
Although Harry had to admit, he did find it quite amusing that they were now best friends after all this time....
Neville's parents and Harry's parents had evidently been quite close growing up, and in truth, had his parent's survived (and Neville's not been tortured to insanity) perhaps, they would have grown up together, and become best friends sooner.
Even Malfoy and the Slytherins, strangely enough, did not bother Harry and Hermione nearly as much as they would during previous years. If anything, they were even somewhat pleasant to them, even if Malfoy kept giving him backhanded compliments such as, "Ever since you got rid of that deadweight you used to call a friend, you've become much more tolerable now Potter!"
But this didn't just extend to the students. Just from Jordan's appearance this year, Harry could see the change in Dumbledore not to mention the other teachers as well. And not just talking physically speaking either when it comes to Dumbledore, with his new haircut and sharp appearance.
Harry had noticed that Dumbledore had begun taking everything much more seriously this year, especially with the appearance of his mentor, and Jordan's best friend, Ms. Natsai Onai.
From enforcing school rules, to even reprimanding students himself, Dumbledore would be seen many times over the recent months being the prime example of what an exemplarily Headmaster is supposed to act like...
Harry had even noticed Dumbledore reprimanding Snape (before he took a leave of absence) this year when he favored the Slytherins too much in his various House point rulings!
And although it should be said, that Harry had also noticed Dumbledore being absent for multiple days at a time recently, busy planning something outside of the school (Harry of course, naturally assumed it involved Voldemort), to the rest of the students, Dumbledore seemingly appeared to be much more present during this school year, as this year alone, he had made much more public appearances than he had, the previous three years combined!
But regardless, everything had changed this year, with the arrival of Jordan Khan.
And Harry had to admit.... he really did like these changes.
For once, Harry didn't feel like it was all up to him to figure out what Voldemort is up to/how to stop him.
For once, Harry and his group did not have to take care of everything themselves.
For once, Harry biggest worry wasn't actually Voldemort and what he would try next.
For once, Harry felt like he had a mentor type of figure to rely on.
For once, Harry could actually just enjoy his student life.
For once, Harry actually felt..... Like he was just a regular kid.
So when McGonagall had held him back one day, after Transfiguration, needless to say, Harry was quite shocked with what he heard.
"You are to go down to the Quidditch field tonight at nine o'clock Potter. Mr. Bagman will be there to tell all the champions about the third task." Her voice echoed in his head, reminding him of his task at hand, as he made his way past the flying lawn, towards the Quidditch pitch.
Or what would have been the quidditch pitch, if Jordan had not previously taken it over for his Summoner's Cup Tournament.
Walking out onto the field, Harry now saw the familiar sight of the 'Main Court'.
"Hello there!" Called a cheery voice.
Standing on the Summoner's Court board sitting in the middle of the field on a raised platform, Harry recognized the cheery Bagman, alongside Jordan, Fleur and Krum.
Like usual, it appeared Harry was the last champion to arrive.
"You're finally all here!" He beamed at Harry, as he approached, Harry himself saying a quick hello to Jordan and Fleur, before coming to a halt beside them. "Excellent!"
"Well as you are all probably aware, I am here to tell you all..... ABOUT THE THIRD TASK!" Bagman dramatically exclaims, ever the showman.
"Now we did have something else planned originally.... A maze actually, that was supposed to take place here in this Quidditch Stadium! However thanks to one of our champions..." He motioned to Khan. "We were forced to changed a few things."
"Instead of a maze, you all will face....."
"A Scavenger Hunt!"