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Harry was getting fed up with this whole Triwizard Tournament thing. Not only were the tasks literally life threatening borderline suicidal, but he was forced into it when he had just wished for one normal year.
Just one normal year. One with no Voldemort induced mess, with no supposed serial killer after him and no getting hated for the things that happened to him which he had no choice in, mind you.
Well, all of that good wishing got thrown out of the window since this year Dumledore decided that the best thing to do, after THREE consecutive years of problems which almost resulted in student body's death, was to compete in a tournament with a historical death toll.
And it might have been fine, were it not for the fact that someone put his name in the Goblet of Fire and got him involved into this mess.
The worst thing is that at the start nobody seemed to believe that he didn't do it, except Hermione who is for a reason called the brightest witch for her age since she immediately figured out that it's a foul play. Not to mention, she is really the best friend a person could ask for. From the emotional support to the support in getting the right information for the first and second tasks.
It hurt him quite a lot that Ron didn't believe that he didn't put his name in and thought that he did it for fame. Not like he needs or wants it. Since he is Harry Potter he is always in the spotlight and it doesn't matter how he feels about that. And that means that the public will always scrutinize him and depending on the new topic it will either be hero worship, pity or hatred.
He understands that Ron is most likely projecting his lack of self-worth that comes with being in the shadows of his brothers his whole life, but he is still incredibly pissed that his other best friend is actively against hearing him out even when...
Fortunately, a wake up call happened after the first task when Ron finally figured out that his life was indangered just by being called a champion. After that, things finally went back to normal and they had a very emotional conversation about everything that happened. It did result in a quite a lot of shouting, tears and at the end understanding one another. The one who actually got them to talk about their feelings was Hermione. What ever would they do without her? Let's be real, like they would have talked and solved their issues without her.
And now, it's time for the third task. It doesn't take a genius to see that it would involve a maze. It was kinda hard to miss it since they turned the whole quidditch pitch, which was usually the source of his joy and excitement, into this gloomy and foreboding maze.
What should he do?
Quitting wasn't an option since he was bound by magic to compete in this tournament.
What if they take another person dear to him and involve them by making them a hostage again?
Unlikely. This tournament is all about showmanship and serves as a spectacle to entertain the masses. Therefore, repeating the hostage situation would be seen as repetitive and boring.
Will he have to get to the center of the maze or find the exit on the other side?
Most likely. Every puzzle he had seen that involved mazes had one of these goals: find the exit or find the reward.
What awaits him there?
The first and second tasks were highly dangerous and they both involved some magical creatures. If the pattern continues, there will be a magical creature or multiple in the maze.
But which one?
There are too many to consider. It would probably be something that can fit in the maze and move within it well enough. But that still includes to many and excludes few.
He will have to ask Hermione what she thinks would likely happen and Ron since he grew up in the wizarding world he could pinpoint what would an average wizard find cool and entertaining. Also, he will talk to Hagrid since he often lets the important information slip and he would be glad to help either way.
And so, Harry, Ron and Hermione researched everything they could get their hands on.
Hermione was in charge of the library because honestly even Madam Prince doesn't compare to her when it comes to finding the right books.
Ron wrote down everything he thought wizards find awesome and afterwards went around the school asking people their opinion.
And Harry was busy practising spells. Even though Expelliarmus was a powerful spell, it wouldn't be enough if he encountered a magical creature or found himself in a situation which required a specific spell.
Also, asking Hagrid turned out to be both useful and not at the same time. He gave his opinion, but knew nothing certain about the tasks.
And so, the time went. The third and final task was about to begin.
Professor McGonagall was explaining the rules, and so far it would seem that he was correct. The goal is to get through the maze and the first one to find The Triwizard Cup wins.
"And if you feel in danger shot upwards the red beam of light, that will be our signal to come and collect you."
Harry paused.
An idea came up to him, suddenly.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Diggory, you are tied to he first place, so you will now enter the maze at the same time."
Harry stepped into the maze, entrance behind him was already closing.
He took five steps forward.
Stopped.
Pulled out his wand.
And shot a red beam into the sky.
He heard a few people yelling. He only just entered and he knew that everyone could tell that it was him who fired the signal.
The entrance opened up, and Harry exited the maze.
"Mr. Potter, what is the meaning of this!?" Minister Fudge questioned.
Harry could see the dismayed looks from the crowd. He didn't care. He didn't want to be in this tournament to begin with, he isn't going to regret quitting, now that he finally could, just for this crowd to get some form of entertainment.
"I felt in danger, so I fired a red beam of light." Harry answered, simply.
"You were in the maze for five seconds! We didn't even manage to sent Mr. Krum or Mrs. Delacour in, before you decided to quit!"
"And in those five seconds I felt in danger."
"You can't just quit!"
"You literally told us that we could fire a red beam if we felt in danger and then we would be collected by the professors. I felt in danger just by being in the tournament, so I fired a red beam." Harry explained.
He was done. He didn't let anyone utter another word of dismay, he just walked off.
He saw Ron and Hermione waving to him to come join them in the stands.
He felt elated for the first time since the start of the tasks. This is how it's supposed to be: Cedric competing and Harry cheering for him from the stands.
The organizers of the tournament decided to continue it, seeing no point with arguing with a champion who doesn't want to compete.
At the end, Cedric won.
When he came to the center of the maze, he found an transfigured knock off of the trophy. He didn't think it was a real trophy at first, but when Mrs. Delacour and Mr. Krum made their way to the center, they got just as confused. So, they fired a red beam and told the audience who came first and what happened.
Everyone else was also confused, and a little disappointed with how the third task went. The audience found it all very anticlimactic.
Harry was happy. He was finally done with the tournament and nothing bad happened.
Well, Professor Moody turned out to be a Death Eater by the name of Barty Crouch J., but since Harry moved with the celebrating crowd, he didn't manage to do anything before he was found out.
All in all, a peaceful ending for an unpeaceful year.