"Time's about right. We should head to the Quidditch Pitch." Dumbledore snapped shut his pocket watch and motioned for Albert to go downstairs.
They did not speak again along the way, nor did they run into Harry Potter.
The two passed through the entrance hall and merged into the cloudy night, crossing the dark lawn toward the Quidditch Pitch. At the entrance passage, they ran into Hermione and Ron, who had clearly come with Harry.
"Good evening."
Albert greeted them with a smile.
"We came with Harry. It isn't very safe at night," Hermione said quickly, though it was unclear whether she was speaking to Albert or explaining herself to Dumbledore.
"See you later."
After entering the Quidditch Pitch, Albert found that it had been completely transformed. The field was no longer flat and smooth. Hagrid had built countless long, low walls across it, twisting and winding in every direction.
Albert felt he should have taken some photographs beforehand to study the maze layout.
"Good evening!"
A voice rang out across the pitch.
Amelia Bones approached with Krum, Fleur, and Harry.
"Good evening, Amelia."
Dumbledore greeted her. Noticing Harry's hesitant expression, he explained with a smile, "Once the Triwizard Tournament task is over, the Quidditch Pitch will return to normal. All right, I imagine you can guess why we're here?"
For a moment, no one spoke. Everyone looked at Albert.
"The third task is a maze," Albert said.
"That's right!" Dumbledore explained cheerfully. "The third task is very simple. We shall place the Triwizard Cup in the center of the maze. Whichever champion touches it first will receive full marks."
"We just need to get through the maze?" Fleur clearly did not believe the third task would be so simple.
"There will be many obstacles in the maze," Dumbledore said.