The simplicity of Krum's statement made Harry's brain kick into overdrive. The Third Task couldn't be that simple could it. An easy walk through the maze, in search of what he would assume would be the Triwizard Cup.

"Yes Mr. Krum. The Third Task is quite straightforward. Each champion will enter the maze according to their current tournament standings. First Mr. Krum and Mr. Potter will enter," he nodded his head in Cedric's direction, "followed Mr. Diggory shortly after and then finally Ms. Delacour."

Ever the showman, Bagman then turned around making a large sweeping motion with his arms, as if it wasn't apparent that the maze was fairly large. "Once inside, you'll navigate you're way towards the center of the maze where the Triwizard cup awaits. But that's not all you'll face. Hagrid has generously provided us with a large number of beasts that will block your path, along with various spells and enchantments that you will need to break."

A sinking feeling coursed through Harry's chest. If Hagrid brought some creatures for the task, then he could count on the fact that they were most likely dangerous in nature. He chanced a glance at all of the other champions.

Cedric's face appeared similar to what he imagined his face looked like. His face looked ashen white, a similar expression on his face as when he was about to face his dragon. If anyone were to understand the gravity of Hagrid's inclusion, it would be his fellow Hogwarts Champion.

Next was Krum, who had a blank expression showing. The star seeker's face was schooled to show no emotion towards the information, making Harry wonder if Durmstrang taught their students how to deal with such things better than Hogwarts. His eyes were focused on Harry, for who knows how long as he was already glaring daggers towards the unwilling participant when Harry chanced to look at him.

Ever since the Quidditch match, when Krum had actually not won Hermione from him, his cold nature intensified tenfold, it seemed he was always only seconds away from hexing Harry into oblivion, not wanting any kind of confrontation, he broke the staring contest first.

Lastly, he exchanged a few looks with Fleur. Ever since the Second Task, the two had started what they knew was an unlikely friendship. The exotic beauty and the scrawny boy. It didn't bother them even in the slightest, and with Hermione and Harry now back on speaking terms, she had begun to integrate herself into Harry's inner circle.

In such a short time Harry grew closer to the French witch, being only second to Hermione in terms of how much he trusted them. He even began to notice that the warm feeling that he had only felt towards Hermione, he was now feeling when she was around. Harry had a difficult time understanding these feelings because of his upbringing. Could he be developing feelings for the two witches, and if that was the case, which feelings were stronger?

His thoughts were interrupted as Bagman dismissed the champions and found the other champions turned to leave. Quickly catching up with Fleur, he decided to accompany her back to the Beauxbatons carriage.

"You seemed worried about ze next task."

"With Hagrid providing the creatures for the maze, let's just say that his idea of pets have been an acromantula, a dragon, and a three-headed dog."

Fleur's eyes widened at the implication, if he considered such creatures as pets, what would he use as obstacles for the maze?

"'E wouldn't use anything zat would be too dangerous non?"

"Have you seen the Blast-Ended Skrewts we're raising in his class?"

"Ze what?"

"Never mind."

The idle conversation continued as they strolled towards the carriage. Even though they talked a great deal and were much closer with each other than before, their conversations hadn't progressed beyond discussing the tournament and some minor details about their lives.

They had almost made it to their destination when they noticed a figure stumbling out of the Forbidden Forest.

-HP-

"What would Mr. Crouch be doing here? I thought he was sick."

"I'm not sure Hermione, but he didn't seem well when we found him."

It had been a few hours since Harry and Fleur stumbled upon Mr. Crouch. He looked deathly pale and was mumbling things about needing to find Dumbledore and Voldemort becoming stronger. Deciding that the Headmaster needed to be informed, Garry began to run back towards the castle until he noticed a flash of red behind him. When he turned back towards where he started, he noticed that Fleur was unconscious on the ground before another flash of red left him unconscious.

"After we came to, Moody said zat 'e saw a flash of green and when 'e finally made it to where we were, Meester Crouch was gone."

Harry sat there deep in thought for several moments. Crouch's last words were running through his head over and over again, trying to make sense of it all.

"Mr. Crouch obviously knew something that he shouldn't have. I bet whoever put my name in the goblet killed him so that he couldn't tell Dumbledore what was happening. If only I had stayed behind, we might've been able to save him."

Hermione stepped forward and offered a hand on Harry's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault Harry. If you would've stayed then whoever killed Crouch might've killed you as well." She stood up once the guilt was no longer evident in his eyes, now glancing back and forth between the two champions. "Besides, maybe he's still alive. Just because Professor Moody hasn't found him…"

At the mention of their DADA teacher, a strange look crossed Harry's face. This did not go unnoticed be either Fleur or Hermione.

"What is it 'Arry?"

"It's just that I still can't place the scent I get around Moody. I know I've smelled it before but I can't place it."

"It's probably nothing Harry."

"It's not just that though. He seems intent on helping me in the tournament, as if me winning is the most important thing out there."

"I don't know Harry. I don't think it is anything to worry about."

Sensing defeat, Harry decided to drop the issue. He had no proof on his skepticism towards the professor and he was even starting believe that he was being paranoid.

"I guess you're right Hermione." Glancing at the large clock in front of the school, he realized that it was already passed curfew and they needed to hurry so they wouldn't get caught. "It's getting late, so we should probably all turn in for the night."

Standing up from the bench where they were sitting, he waved goodbye to Fleur before heading back to Gryffindor Tower with Hermione.

-HP-

After entering the Great Hall the next day, they immediately headed straight for Professor Dumbledore for any news about Mr. Crouch.

"I'm sorry to say that Barty was nowhere to be found. If the green flash you saw was indeed the killing curse, then it is likely that he won't be found." Seeing the crestfallen look on Harry's face, he gave a reassuring smile before continuing. "However, we will keep searching until such evidence that he was murdered comes to light." Seeing no other way around it, they turned and headed back towards the Gryffindor table to sit with Fleur and Ron.

Since Harry and Hermione had become friends with the French witch, Ron tried his best to not be affected by her. It was difficult at first, but overtime Ron had managed to overcome most of her allure.

Most of the time.

A smack to the back of his head as they sat down, broke Ron from the trance tht he had accidently found himself in.

"Close your mouth Ronald."

"It was an accident Hermione."

"It is okay 'Ermione. I can tell 'e is trying."

The quartet continued eating for several minutes allowing Hermione's thoughts to drift to the Beauxbatons champion. Though she still felt some resentment towards her because of her pessimistic view on many things, Hermione decided that if she was friends with Harry, then she could learn to accept her as well.

The only thing hindering her progress was the closeness the two. It was definitely seemed as though Fleur really wanted to be good friends with Harry, while Harry seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

"Did you guys find out what the next task is?" Ron's question broke her train of thought as the conversation turned to the finale of the tournament.

"Yeah. Me, Fleur, and the others are going to have to find our way through a spell and beast infested maze. Courtesy of Hagrid." The trepidation in his voice during the last statement was clearly evident.

"Blimey. I hope he doesn't go too overboard." With a smirk he added dog, then you'll probably have to face something like a basilisk in there."

Everyone at the table noticed the bewildered expression on Harry's face at that comment.

"I hope not. Facing one basilisk in a life-time is enough for me."

It was Fleur's turn to look surprised. "Do you mean you 'ave face a basilisk once before?"

Begrudgingly, Harry recalled the story of his second year, much to the shock and awe of Fleur, before realizing the he and Ron needed to head to Divinations.

-HP-

It was during Divination class that Harry noticed that his sense were starting to go haywire. At first, he became aware of a light buzzing sound that upon investigation could be attributed to a large beetle flying up near the windowsill. It was several minutes later that his sense of smell and vision were also starting to be effected, the smells in the rom becoming overbearing and invasive and the sunlight began to give him a headache.

"Harry mate, you feelin' alright."

He was about to answer before his vision began to fog up and he immediately fell to the floor. Grasping at his scar, his vision began to swim as images of a house that he hadn't seen since the summer began to play through his mind.

"I see Wormtail. This news surely does change a few things. However, the plan will still go as expected."

"But my lord, if what he said is true, then the boy is unsuited for the ritual. Surely you could use someone else."

"NO! THE BOY IS EVERYTHING!" bellowed a voice that Harry couldn't see. He was back in the house that he had dreamed about over the summer. He recognized Wormtail immediately, but even though he knew the voice was Voldemort, he couldn't find him anywhere. "We will still need him for the ritual. His…condition, will be useful for recruiting… additional forces."

"You can't mean him do you master?"

"Yes Wormtail, him."

"But he can't be trusted. He and his foul brood will surely turn-"

"Silence you blithering coward. Crucio!" and then Harry felt an unimaginable pain wrack through his whole body. He thrashed around for several seconds before a worried voice began to pierce through the fog.

"Harry. Wake up."

He opened his eyes to find himself back in Trelawney's classroom. He noticed several faces glancing at him from a distance before his eyes settle back on Ron.

"You okay mate? You fell over in your chair and your eyes started glowing. I managed to make sure that no one was close enough to see it until they stopped."

Trying to regain himself, Harry stood up from where he had evidently passed out and attempted to brush the whole thing off.

"Yeah I'm fine. Just probably the whole tournament thing getting to me. I think I'll just head down to the infirmary."

Harry gathered his books and headed down the trap door and out of the tower and instead of heading towards the Hospital Wing, he began to make his way towards Dumbledore's office.

-HP-

"Now since you have gotten a glimpse into what has been troubling me Harry, why don't you tell me why you're here."

He was slightly embarrassed for himself. While waiting for Dumbledore to return from escorting the minster out of his office, Harry stumbled upon his Pensieve and found himself deep inside Dumbledore's memories.

"Well you see sir, I've been having these dreams."

"Dreams?"

"Yessir, about Voldemort. I find myself inside this house with Voldemort and Wormtail. They're talking about a plan that they have. A plan to kill me sir."

If Dumbledore was startled by this news, he schooled is face to maintain the same expression throughout all of Harry's admission.

"How many times have you had this dream?"

"Only twice sir. Once over the summer and just now in Divination."

He appeared to think hard for a minute, as if trying to determine what to say. "I consider it unwise to linger on these dreams Harry. However, if they were to continue I want you to inform me right away."

"Yes sir."

The twinkle returned to Dumbledore's eye after, this but he seemed to notice that there was more.

"Is something else troubling you Harry?"

Harry wasn't sure what he should say to the Headmaster but decided that it wasn't important. "Nothing sir."

"Alright then Harry. It's nearly time for dinner so perhaps you should run along."

Harry exited the office and immediately began to ponder on what he saw in the pensieve. During one of the memories, he picked up on the scent of Professor Moody. He had looked around and saw that the aged Auror was sitting slightly behind Dumbledore. It wasn't until a later memory that he noticed that the smell had gone, but Moody was still in the courtroom behind Dumbledore.

Could something have happened to change Moody's scent? And if not, then why did Moody smell different now?

Author's Note-

After this we got one more pre-Third Task Chapter, two chapters for the third task, and then one or two chapters to wrap up the fourth year.

If anyone is confused by the chapter title, Helter Skelter is sometimes used as a name for a downward spiral. You can probably guess then why I chose it.