The Third Task

Hermione said, "Rita Skeeter, you don't want anyone to know you're an unregistered Animagus, do you?"

"Anything you publish from now on will have to be approved by me. As long as you make this Unbreakable Vow, I will keep your secret."

Oren advised, "Isn't that going too far, Hermione? Killing someone is just a matter of time."

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Just leave it to Dumbledore. Hermione, don't let his cheerful demeanor fool you; that old Dumbledore is ruthless, a complete scoundrel."

Hermione gave a forced smile and said, "Alright then."

Oren beckoned with his finger, knocking Rita Skeeter Stupefy.

"Hey Hermione, can I invite you to dance? The headmaster taught me a few moves."

Grindelwald, the executive vice-principal, is also considered a principal.

"Dancing in a ring of fire? Then go ahead and dance, Oren. I hope you don't freeze like a statue."

"Don't worry, Hermione, I've given her intensive training. I guarantee she'll be even more agile than a dog from the mountains."

Hermione...

Five minutes later~

Hermione retorted, "Flexible? I feel like you're a stone statue."

"The stone golem isn't much better than the statue; at least it's functional." Oren touched his nose sheepishly.

After the ring of fire was removed, the first thing the two saw was Dumbledore observing the situation inside the ring of fire like a meerkat standing guard.

"Child, who did you burn?"

"Not yet, Principal. We just haven't had time yet."

Dumbledore...

Hermione quickly explained the situation, which boiled down to Rita Skeeter being extremely wicked.

"The headmaster's gone, let's go too. I don't want to be surrounded by the Acromantula again," Hermione suggested.

Back in the Gryffindor Tower, the three children discussed Harry's memories of what he saw in the Headmaster's Office that day.

Oren went to the Headmaster's Office to study the hundred uses of the Acromantula's soul.

"Ta-da! Latest invention! I'd call this the Anywhere Door!"

Grindelwald scoffed. "Isn't this just stuffing portal magic into a door? What a waste of time. You could have learned portal magic and Apparition by now."

"How can you say this research is a waste? This is an experimental model, don't you understand? Isn't it normal for Unit-01 to be a bit of a gimmick?"

"Once I've mastered teleportation technology, I'll teleport you, old man, to the M78 Nebula."

Grindelwald...

Dumbledore led the disheveled Will to the Headmaster's Office.

Oren said, "You're back? I asked you to do something, why did it take so long?"

Will's fat face twitched as he said, "The things the young master asked me to do have been done a long time ago, but I can't come out to report myself. I've been surviving these past few days on a cantaloupe field."

Oren...

"Ahem, you've done a lot of hard work, I'll give you a week off."

Grindelwald...

Dumbledore...

"Son, I must remind you, the third match is about to begin, and you should give Harry what you prepared."

"Understood," Oren returned to the Gryffindor Tower.

He grabbed Harry and asked, "The third match is about to begin, are you ready?"

Harry confidently replied, "I've been practicing spells a lot lately, there's absolutely no problem."

"Harry, what spells have you been practicing? How destructive are they? Are they powerful?"

"Expelliarmus"

Oren...

"Never mind, let me help you put these little trinkets on."

Harry's vision went black for a second. "Why is there a hair clip here?"

"Harry, you don't understand. These are all Portkey, for escaping."

Ron interjected, "So many? If Harry took them all, they'd be clanging everywhere he went!"

Hermione remarked, "Just like Trelawney."

Harry...

Oren said, "Is that all? Shouldn't you pick a few more life-saving items?"

Harry shook his head frantically.

"Alright then," Oren said with a regretful expression as he put away the hair clip.

The day the third match started~

Oren and Dumbledore outside the maze, busy with their own things.

Oren, holding a Phoenix Feather, shouted, "Are those healing Werewolf ready? Go find Old Deng, the tree planter, to lead the group!"

"These people will remain in the general reserve force. Send out that group of dark wizards and report any developments immediately."

Dumbledore stroked Fawkes with a pained expression; it had already been plucked bald twice in order to gather enough feathers for communication.

Hermione ran over and asked, "The Champion don't need to take exams to compete, Oren, why don't you take any exams either?"

"I've been so busy these past few days! If you don't give me an 'O' soon, I'm going to start a business in the Wizarding World!"

"Ahem, don't worry, kid. We won't miss anyone else's spot, not yours."

Hermione...

"We should go to the stands, the match is about to start."

"Alright! Principal, I appoint you as the temporary commander-in-chief!"

Dumbledore...

Sitting back in the stands, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness the match hasn't started yet. Hey? Why is Krum walking so unsteadily?"

Oren muttered to himself, "Hehehe, I drugged that kid."

Hermione: "Huh?"

Summoning Kreacher, Oren asked, "How much poison did you give Krum?"

Kreacher replied quietly, "I used the entire bottle of magical laxatives the young master gave me."

"Huh? You used that whole bottle? Wouldn't it turn into a paste if you diluted it with water?"

"Heh heh," Kreacher chuckled wickedly, "It's made into a pie. That gentleman thought it was a syrup pie."

Hermione gave a thumbs up. "No wonder she's a Black family House-elf, her heart is black."

"Not bad," Oren nodded in satisfaction. "Krum is weak, Phoebe too easy, in short, the advantage lies with Hogwarts."

Hermione...

As soon as the game started, the Champion were chased around by the Acromantula.

Hermione asked, "Why are there Acromantula in the maze?"

"It was my suggestion," Oren waved his hand, "But the main responsibility still lies with Hagrid; he trained all these spiders."

Hermione...

Krum was so weak he could barely walk, and even Madam Pomfrey shook her head at the sight.

Cedric Diggory and Harry teamed up, but they were chased by the Blast-Ended Skrewt for several blocks before finally managing to shake off the monster at the trophy.

Hermione shook her head. "Although I want Harry to win, Cedric Diggory will definitely beat Harry to a pulp."

Ron shouted, "They went to touch the trophy together... They disappeared!"

"Holy crap! It's Portkey!" Oren dashed down from the stands, and Hermione quickly followed.

Oren snatched Dumbledore's Phoenix Feather and shouted, "Locate Harry immediately! Once you've confirmed his location, the two Werewolf will set off immediately!"

"Summon the Black Wizard to assemble immediately. Old Deng, the Tree Planter, as the Third Prince, must immediately cease tree planting. The Order of the Phoenix members and Old Deng's team should go together."

Dumbledore said, "Don't worry, child, Harry will be alright. Those Portkey are for the Headmaster's Office; we can wait for him there."

Everyone rushed to the Headmaster's Office, and on the way Oren received a message.

"Location confirmed? Quick! Airlift units deployed!"

Hermione shouted, "Listen carefully! Someone outside is shouting that Harry is back!"