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"Percy, what is going on?" Harry asked, his voice filled with a genuine, worried concern as he looked at the magically sealed door. "Why did you call me in here like this? Is something wrong?"
Percy sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet room. He turned around slowly to face his friend. He looked Harry straight in the eye, his own expression grim and serious. "Harry... do you trust me?" he asked, his voice low.
Harry blinked, looking surprised by the question. "Of course I do, Percy. I trust you completely. If it was not for you, I am pretty sure I would 'ave been dead by now, probably more than once this year. You have always looked out for me... What is this all about?"
Percy sighed again, rubbing his tired forehead with his hand. "It is... it is about the third task tonight, Harry. I... I 'ave a really bad feeling about it. A very, very bad feeling."
Harry blinked again, his own brow furrowing with concern now. "Like... what kind of bad feeling?"
"Like I am pretty sure some major shit is about to go sideways in the worst possible way imaginable," Percy grumbled, his voice dark.
"Look... I think you might be in some serious trouble tonight. If Voldemort really was the person who put your name into this tournament, then 'e could be 'oping you finally die, tonight, in that maze."
Harry's eyes went wide with alarm. "You... you really think so?"
"A maze filled with dangerous, unknown monsters? Please," Percy snorted dismissively. "It absolutely screams 'trap'."
"W-what do you think I should do then?" Harry asked, his voice a little shaky.
Percy shrugged, a grim look on his face. "Honestly? My first piece of advice would be for you to just run away. Disappear until this is all over." Harry immediately frowned at that suggestion, his Gryffindor pride clearly wounded. Percy just rolled his eyes.
'Stupid, noble Gryffindors,' he thought to himself.
"But," he continued, knowing his friend all too well, "since I know you, I know you will never, ever run away from a fight. So, instead, I am going to give you this." Percy pulled out a simple, metal ring from his pocket and tossed it to Harry.
The younger wizard caught it easily and looked it over, noting the intricate, swirling designs that were etched along the outer sides.
They looked like some kind of runes, but as he had never taken the Ancient Runes class, he could not understand what they meant. "What is it?" he asked, looking up at Percy.
"It is sort of like a reverse Portkey," Percy explained. "That ring is an anchor. Using that, I can travel directly to your location, wherever you are, by using this," Percy held up his own hand, revealing an identical-looking ring on his finger, only this one was a deep, sea-blue color. "I call it a 'Zipline'."
Harry's eyes went wide with amazement. "That is... that is amazing! How did you even make something like this?"
Percy just sighed, looking tired. "With a lot of effort, and not much sleep. Listen to me, Harry. If anything goes wrong in that maze tonight... anything at all... I want you to call out the activation phrase, 'Black wings'. Just say it out loud. It will activate the magic in the ring, and I can use my own ring to come directly to your side, instantly. Got that?"
Harry nodded, his expression serious now. "Right... but won't they check for magical items before the task begins? They will probably confiscate this."
Percy smirked, a flash of his usual confidence returning. "That is the beauty of it. Until you actually activate it using the specific phrase, 'Black wings', it will only register as a simple, non-magical ring. A piece of metal, and nothing more. So that means, Harry, you need to be very, very careful with that thing, okay? Use it if, and only if, you get into real, life-threatening trouble."
Harry slowly nodded, sliding the ring onto his finger. "Right," he said, taking a deep breath. "I really, really hope this does not turn out to be another life-and-death situation."
Percy just chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Oh please, Harry. With your terrible track record and my own rotten luck, I would be absolutely surprised if it was anything but that."
As they walked away from each other a few minutes later, Percy could only hope and pray that he had done enough to prepare for... whatever was coming for them that night.
He took out a second, identical anchor ring from his pocket. Hopefully, Fleur would not be too insulted if he also offered to help her out with one of these.
....
BOOM!
Percy winced as the loud, obnoxious cannon fired, signaling the start of the event. He really, really hated that stupid damn cannon! He sighed and looked around the familiar, tense atmosphere of the champion's tent.
He was here, again. Harry and Krum were in their own corners, mentally preparing themselves, while Fleur sat next to Percy on a small bench, whispering quiet, encouraging words to herself in French.
Percy turned to his beautiful girlfriend and offered her a warm, reassuring smile. "You will do great out there, Tweety. I know you will."
Fleur looked up at him and nodded, her own smile a little shaky but determined. "I am zure of it," she said, her fingers wrapping tightly around his hand. On her right hand, she now wore a simple metal band with runes etched all around it. The anchor ring. She had, after a little bit of argument, accepted his proposal for help. Just in case.
She had wanted to say no at first, her pride refusing the offer. But after seeing how genuinely, deeply afraid Percy was for her safety, she had finally relented, stating very firmly, however, that she would refuse to be a "damsel in distress." Percy had readily agreed. After all, he was not interested in being with a whiny, helpless little princess either.
He tightened his grip around her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You know..." he said, trying to lighten the mood, "...I am just really 'oping I do not 'ave to fight a giant monkey inside that maze."
Fleur blinked, looking at him with a confused frown. "What?"
"You know, if a giant, angry monkey comes after me, I really do not want to fight it," Percy continued, a small chuckle escaping him. "It will probably kill me instantly and then tear my face off. That would not be a good look."
Fleur just sighed, shaking her head, though a small smile touched her lips. "Oh my goodness, you must be really nervous. Your jokes 'ave never been this bad before."
Percy just rolled his eyes playfully. "Everyone is a critic today."
"Alright then, champions! Gather 'round!" Ludo Bagman called out cheerfully as he walked into the tent, followed by Dumbledore and the other headmasters, Karkaroff and Maxime. He smiled brightly as he looked around at the four young champions, who were now getting to their feet and gathering around the man, waiting for him to continue with the final instructions.
"Now, as I have explained before," Bagman began, his voice booming with excitement, "this last, thrilling task will test not only your skills in navigation, but also your bravery, your intelligence, and, of course, your luck!"
Percy sighed dramatically. "So, no test in loyalty this time, huh? I guess the Gryffindors luck out on that one again."
Everyone in the tent chuckled at his light-hearted jab at Harry. Fleur leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "Now thatone was a good joke, my love."
"Yes, yes, very amusing, Mr. Jackson," Bagman said with a laugh. "Now, the rules are quite simple. Each of you will enter the maze and navigate your way through it in order to find the Triwizard Cup, which is hidden right in the very heart of the maze. We will decide who enters first based on your current point totals. That means Mr. Jackson has the lead and will enter first, followed by Mr. Krum, and then Mr. Potter. And finally, last but not least, will be Ms. Delacour. Now, are there any questions?"
Percy immediately raised his hand. "Yeah, I 'ave one. Is it possible for me to just... you know... fly over the maze? You know... since I can actually do that?"
Bagman smiled, clearly expecting the question. "Ah, thank you for bringing that up, Mr. Jackson. No, I am afraid you are not allowed to fly over the maze. In fact, no one is even allowed to leap over the hedges. We will have witches and wizards on brooms flying high overhead, and powerful detection charms placed on each and every hedge top to monitor any activity above it. If you so much as leap over a simple hedge trim, you will be instantly disqualified."
Percy sighed again. "Ah well. It was worth a shot."
Bagman smiled broadly. "Now, without further ado! Let us begin!"
There was a final round of well-wishes from everyone. Each school's supporters went to their respective champion and wished them good luck. Professor Moody pulled Harry aside to have a quiet, intense-looking word with him, while Headmaster Dumbledore approached Percy with a kind, grandfatherly smile.
"I must say, Mr. Jackson," the old wizard began, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles, "I am incredibly proud of the path you have chosen for yourself." The man gave a warm nod. "I hear from your professors that you are attempting to pass all your NEWTs a full year early, yes?"
Percy nodded. "Yes, sir. Well, I was planning to. But Professor Moody has been... well, he has been 'Moody' lately. He does not want to grant me permission to take the DADA exam, for whatever reason he has."
Dumbledore's expression turned into a slight frown. "Yes, he has been... quite adamant about that particular point. I have known Alastor Moody for a very long time, and he is not usually one to stifle such raw, natural talent such as yours... hmm. I will see what I can do about it, but I make no promises."
Percy sighed. "Thanks, sir. But I honestly feel like there is no changing that man's mind once it is made up."
Dumbledore nodded again, his eyes thoughtful. "Yes, that is also what makes him the fiercest warrior and Auror I have ever had the pleasure of meeting." He then smiled again, his expression brightening. "Now, tell me, my boy. Have you given any thought at all to what you wish to do with your life after you leave school this year? Assuming, of course, that you do actually manage to pass all those difficult exams."
Percy nodded. "Yes, sir, I 'ave. Madam Maxime has very kindly offered me a potential place as the new Potions Professor at Beauxbatons Academy. Their old professor is set to retire in two years' time, and she says I can shadow him for a year before officially taking over the position the year after that."
The old man hummed, stroking his long, silver beard. "Well, I must admit, I am disappointed to hear that you will be leaving us, Mr. Jackson. You are a true credit to this school, and to Hufflepuff house."
Percy just shrugged, a small, humble smile on his face. "Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do for the people you love, right?"
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling again. "Ah, and when did you find the time to learn French so well?"
"Fleur is a very great teacher, sir."
The old man chuckled knowingly. "Yes, I am sure she is a very, very good... motivator." This caused Percy to blush a bright red. "Ah, young love," Dumbledor said with a wistful sigh. "Truly a magic beyond all others, more powerful than any I could ever hope to conjure. Very well, Mr. Jackson. If that is your chosen path, then you have my full and unconditional support. And if you should ever need anything at all from this old man, please, do not hesitate to just ask."
Percy smiled, genuinely touched. "Thanks, Professor D. That... that really means a lot to me."
The small mentoring session was now over. The champions all gathered together and left the tent, walking out onto the now-converted Quidditch pitch, where the dark, towering maze awaited them.
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If you want to read ahead by 20+ chapters you could take a visit on my patreon Or check it out.
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