It was most enjoyable to walk around the grounds with Bill and Mrs Weasley, showing them the Beauxbatons carriage and Durmstrang ship. The sun and warm breeze made it all the more pleasant. Mrs Weasley was told about the Whomping Willow which had been planted after her time, and told them about Ogg, the Gamekeeper when she was a student.

"How's Percy? He really admired Crouch, didn't he?" Megan asked Mrs Weasley.

"He's very upset," she said, glancing around. "They want it kept secret, but he's been hauled in for the supposed instructions he was sending in. He's been under a lot of strain. He was meant to step in for Crouch, but he won't be here, tonight, he'll be replaced by Fudge."

Ron, Ginny and the twins were all surprised to see their mother, but enjoyed lunch together all the same. After a while, Hermione turned up and sat down with them. But she didn't tell them about Rita Skeeter. After lunch, while the others were sitting their exams, Megan, Mrs Weasley and Bill walked around the castle, and then returned downstairs for the evening feast. Bagman and Fudge had arrived, the latter looking stern and not talking much. The feast was as good as ever, but Megan was unable to eat much because she was too nervous. She glanced up at Cedric, who smiled gently back.

"Does Amos know?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"I don't know... I'm not sure Cedric told him. I think he might be waiting till after the tournament or his dad would say I'm trying to get him to help me or something."

"But you're not!"

"No, we've both agreed to not talk about the tournament." Megan said. "Unless it's strictly necessary of course."

But she had to admit she was slightly nervous at the thought of "facing" his parents. Would they accept it? Had they already thought of someone for their son? Would they hate her? She had no idea and it that gave her goosebumps and dried her mouth. She glanced cautiously back towards Cedric. His father and parents were sitting on either side of him, chatting happily. She couldn't help thinking that she should have had that, too. Her parents should have been there to encourage her, support her... Lupin and Sirius, as well. Of course, in theory, she shouldn't have been in the Tournament at all, but still.

"Everything all right, dear? You look sad," Molly's voice noted with concern, tugging Megan out of her thoughts.

"Sorry? Oh. No, no, I'm all right. Just a little nervous, I suppose."

She forced as wide a smile as she could manage and turned back to her plate.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll do fine," Hermione said encouragingly, squeezing her hand. "You've been working so hard, it's bound to pay off."

Megan smiled feebly at her. Just then, Dumbledore rose, and a tense silence fell.

"Ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards, in just a few moments, I shall invite you to make your way to the Quidditch pitch for our final task. Would the champions please follow Mr Bagman, who will escort you there now."

Megan quickly got to her feet, and to her surprise, all the Gryffindors applauded her. The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione all wished her good luck as she followed Bagman, Cedric, Krum and Fleur out.

"All right, Megan?" Bagman asked her. "Confident?"

"I'm okay," she said.

It was fairly true. She felt better knowing that she remembered all the spells and hexes she had learned. They reached the now unrecognisable Quidditch Pitch, where the mazes were ten feet high. There were four entrances, all marked by four flags with the emblems of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Professor Moody was just coming out of the maze when they arrived.

"Professor Moody has just been placing the Triwizard Cup in the centre of the maze," Bagman explained. "Now, as I told you the last time, the teachers will be patrolling around, so if you should have any problems, all you need do is send red sparks with your wands."

Megan nodded, but knew that gift came with a price. If you did call for help, you forfeited the tournament, since you couldn't get the cup. The stands began filling shortly after. Cedric and Megan stayed close, neither saying anything. Dumbledore came forwards and asked for a word.

"I would be most wary in the maze. You will not face dragons or deep waters, but you will undoubtedly be challenged." He told them. "You see, people can change in the maze. Now, find the cup if you can. But be careful not to lose yourselves along the way."

Megan wasn't sure what to make of that. How would a maze change people? By making people desperate and ready to do anything to win...? Although, with the risks the tasks implied, it would feel unpleasant for it to all have been for nothing.

"Champions, in position, please!" Called Bagman with his magnified voice.

Megan and Cedric stood by their flags and looked at each other wordlessly, while Fleur and Krum stepped forwards too.

"Be careful," Megan mouthed finally.

"You too," he replied.

Megan thought of leaving it at that, and then...

"I love you," she mouthed.

It came out almost before she could stop it and for a split second, she froze. Neither had actually pronounced those words so far. They'd only been together a few months and hadn't even seen each other that much. He blinked, surprise touching his features. Megan bit her lip, waiting for the discomfort. But he gave her that soft, warm smile she loved and said:

"I love you, too."

And in that one little moment, she felt almost invincible. Whatever came, she could face because Cedric was with her every step of the way in spirit if not in person.

"And on my whistle, Megan, Cedric, you may enter the maze." Bagman announced.

And, seconds later, a loud whistle blew, and it was a miracle they heard it over the cheering of the crowd. Megan and Cedric glanced at each other one more time and disappeared from each other's view. Megan looked round and saw the hedge close up behind her. And then, there was silence.