The weather was not particularly good, with only faint shafts of sunlight piercing the clouds.
The Black Lake was like an enormous mirror, reflecting the gloomy sky.
Near the Forbidden Forest, an enormous maze loomed in the morning light, half inside the forest and half outside it. Twenty-foot hedges wound across the grass, covering an area as large as a Quidditch Pitch.
Ludo Bagman stood in the commentary box, wearing his signature bright yellow robes, his smile more brilliant than the sun. He cleared his throat, and his voice carried across the entire arena through Sonorus.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the final task of the Triwizard Tournament!"
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the stands.
"Today's task will be the most spectacular, most dangerous, and most thrilling in the history of the Triwizard Tournament!" Bagman's voice brimmed with excitement. "Our champions will enter that maze—a maze built by the Ministry of Magic, filled with magical traps and dangerous creatures!"
"And, of course, allow me to introduce today's distinguished guest! The Minister for Magic! Mr. Cornelius Fudge!"
Ludo shouted and swept his arm toward the north side of the grounds, where an exceptionally lavish stand draped in purple velvet had been prepared for the Ministry of Magic and the judges.
Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Barty Crouch.
Cornelius Fudge sat to Dumbledore's left, wearing brand-new pinstriped robes with the Ministry of Magic's golden badge pinned to his chest. Beaming, he kept raising his hand to acknowledge the wizards.
Of course, many of the wizards paid him no attention at all. They cared only about the contestants.
Among them was the Weasley family, who occupied a whole cluster of seats in the western stands—everyone except Percy.
Arthur Weasley looked around excitedly, while Molly Weasley clutched her scarf in nervous hands. Fred and