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With the third task looming over the heads of the teens, nerves were higher than ever. Once Harry had been informed that the last task would take place in a seemingly never-ending maze, the quartet got on straight away with training. They spent many nights in secluded classrooms practicing defensive and offensive spells on each other, much to the dismay of Ron who seemed to be the target of the spells once he had volunteered.

Their spare time was consumed with finding the perfect spells in every book possible and landing on pillows once they had been hit with a new hex from Harry. There wasn't much specific training to do, considering they didn't know what exactly was in that maze, but they didn't stop until they were assured Harry was properly prepared.

Meanwhile, during the passing months of training, Harry and Zinnia had never been closer. After a couple of months not speaking to each other, it seemed that they couldn't stand not being with each other anymore. Their tension was gone and every bit of comfortability was regained between the two. Although those not competing in a life threatening tournament had to complete exams, they still made time for Harry .

"Stupify!" Harry shouted for the third time, finally hitting the nervous Ron who fell back on the pile of pillows. "Ha! I did it!"

"That's great Harry, but you might want to bring Ron back into consciousness" Hermione mumbled with her nose in her Runes book, studying for the exams.

"Oh right, yeah" Harry stumbled over the askew pillows on the floor and revived the dizzy Ron.

"That doesn't get easier each time" Ron grunted as Harry helped him up.

"I'll sub in for you Ron, you sit down" Zinnia laughed as she pulled out a chair with her foot.

"You sure Z?" Harry asked nervously, suddenly losing the confident disposition he had when casting spells on Ron.

"Do your worst, divination work is making me lose my mind anyway" she walked over to the clearing they had made by pushing away desks and planted herself in front of the pillow pile. Harry stood blank faced for a bit before shaking his head and getting into position. He unsteadily raised his wand as Zinnia screwed her face.

"Supify!" Harry muttered, but to no effect. "Stupify!" he grunted again, still unable to produce the spell. Zinnia opened her eyes and sighed, she walked over to Harry's outstretched arm with a gentle smile.

"You're holding your wand wrong, Potter" she laughed lightly as she gently adjusted his hands. Harry couldn't take his eyes off of her as heat rose to his cheeks. "Just say it with a bit more confidence" she looked up to him after angling his direction closer to where she was standing.

"That would be a lot easier if it wasn't you I had to curse" he chuffed, looking down to Zinnia's honey eyes with a subtle grin.

"You had no problem cursing Ron" she laughed as she adjusted Harry's finger again. It fell silent for a moment as Harry had no way to come back from that. All that was running through his mind was panic.

Zinnia slowly turned her head to his and looked at his flushed face with his mouth slightly open. Nothing but utter confusion and affection ran through her veins at that moment. Against her better judgement she felt an overwhelming attraction to him. While her mind said 'oh no, not this again' her heart screamed 'yes yes yes'. Zinnia opened her mouth to say something but just as she did Hermione loudly shut her book with a tired huff.

"I think it's time for dinner, '' she contemplated, completely oblivious to her surroundings and speedily tumbling out of the door. Zinnia and Harry looked back at each other and cleared their throats, stepping away. Ron looked at them both with a suspicious eye back and forth from the two. He too opened his mouth to say something but before he could Harry rushed towards him and pushed him out of the door.

"Come on Ron, i'm starving" Harry uttered as he ran out of sight, Ron tried to turn around to look at Zinnia but was no match to Harry. Zinnia stood there with her thoughts for a second before catching up with the group in the hall for dinner. Zinnia thought her feelings were so confusing she had to make a mindmap. She pondered what on earth that interaction was and scolded herself for being so controlled by her foolish feelings.

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The morning of the final task was similar to that of the first. Zinnia wasn't there for when Harry woke up on the day of the second task so she only presumed he was as nervous as his first one.

The hall was buzzing that morning with electrifying energy. No matter where you looked, people were talking about the final task. The champions were nervously eating their breakfast whilst being cheered on by the supporters surrounding them, their nerves driving them forward. Harry anxiously shifted the eggs on his plate and gulped apprehensively.

"Hey, you'll be fine," Zinnia soothed, placing her hand on his arms to stop it from jittering. "Can't be worse than the dragon right?" she attempted to reason

"Realistically the third task should be more difficult than the first" Hermione mumbled to herself in a focused state. Harry's head shot up as his eyes widened on her.

"Not helping 'mione" Zinnia grumbled through gritted teeth. Hermione's head shot up in realisation that she let the analytical side cloud her support for her friend

"Right. Uhm. sorry. You'll be fine Harry, we've done all that training, just remember that compas spell I gave you" Hermione stuttered, trying to recover.

"Mate, if you can ask a girl out to the ball, then you can deal with whatever they throw at you" Ron mumbled with toast crumbling from the corners of his mouth.

"That's...assuring" Harry narrowed his eyes at Ron, wondering what he was playing at. Ron replied with a idiotic grin and a wink in Harry's direction.

"Harry Potter!" the voice of Professor McGonagall rang through the hall as she approached the table. "Harry, your family is here to see you."

"What?" Harry bursted out knocking over his cup in the process, absolutely sure that the dursleys would not step foot in a place like Hogwarts

"It's tradition that the family's of the champions meet with them before the last task, now off to Dumbledore's office" McGonagall explained then spun on her heel and headed out of the door.

"No way they think the Dursleys have come for you" Ron questioned with juice dribbling down his chin

"No clue" Harry sat there dumbfounded.

"POTTER!" McGonagall's voice rang out for a second time as Harry quickly scuttled in her direction. Hermione turned to Zinnia as she watched him exit out of the doors.

"He'll be fine" Zinnia shakily let out, turning to make eye contact with the bushy haired girl.

Later in the afternoon, when Harry had returned, The group found themselves surrounded by the Weasley family who had come to visit the champion. It warmed Zinnia's heart to think of the Weasley's as Harry's family as she gathered around the Gryffindor table with them. Laughs and teasing were thrown around the table as the large family embraced the calm before the storm of the third task. Although it was a joyous evening, Harry couldn't shake the nerves that had settled into his stomach.

As Harry's nervous leg bounced up and down his eyes skimmed the hall anxiously. Until he felt a foot wrap around his ankle. He turned to Zinnia who had the most gentle smile of her face and gave him a simple nod of assurance. His leg stopped bouncing and his shoulders relaxed. As his mouth curled up into a smile, the judges and teacher burst into the hall and Harry's heart fell. Zinnia whipped her head around and returned her eyes straight back to Harry in fear.

"Champions!" Dumbeldore shouted as the whole hall turned to silence. "You have ten more minutes, then you are expected at the champions tents to proceed to the final task." he smoothly spoke and then turned to exit. Harry got up on his shaky legs as the whole table cheered for him. He wished luck to everyone as got up and left.

As Zinnia watched the boy recede to the end of the hall and through the doors, she couldn't help the deep desire within her that was drawing her to him. Her breath quickened as if it wasn't able to be steady without him and her eyes glued on his shrinking figure. She turned to look at the old table then made a split decision. She got up and chased after him with a fuzzy mind, not thinking clearly about what she was doing but following her instinct. She finally caught up with him on an abandoned staircase.

"Harry!" she called out, catching his attention as he grinned widely.

"Z, what are you doing?" he questioned, still happy to see her.

"I... I don't really know. I guess... I just wanted to wish you good luck. You know?" she mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck with words. She thought herself quite silly as she had no clue what she chased after him for. Harry grinned and let out an amused huff. Zinnia leant in and hugged him tighter than ever before.

"Remember how we trained Harry, you'll be fine" she whispered in his ear, his long hair moving slightly at the breath from her mouth. She wished that she could stay in the moment forever, holding the boy she cared so deeply for and protecting him from all the harm he had thrown at him. She broke the hug slightly for a moment as they stared at each other, still only inches away. Zinnia's heart was beating so fast she thought it would fall out, her head was hot and her cheeks flushed, similar to Harry's in that moment.

Completely clear of all reason and logic in that moment Zinnia leaned up and gave him a good luck cheek kiss, the same feeling rushing through Harry in reaction as it did in the second task. Only this time there was more. Harry was getting more red, if that was even possible, as he let out a shaky breath. All the fighting and the making up and the moments so precious between them built up in his chest ready to explode. It might have been the nerves or his true desires driving him but he did something he would have never imagined himself doing.

He kissed her.

He leant in fast enough so that he didn't have time to back out and relished in the feeling of his lips connecting with hers. Zinnia's mind went completely blank. She could not comprehend what was happening in that moment but her heart leapt into it. After a second of shock, she naturally returned the kiss. Nothing too passionate or heavy, just enough to say to each other what they really meant. Both felt like lava was pouring through their veins and the universe sat right at that moment.

Finally after what felt like years. They separated. Unwinding in each other's embrace and holding their eyes closed fr as long as they could in hope it would last forever. Zinnia opened her eyes first, then staring into the green pools she could get lost in anytime.

"I thought. i . uhm. I thought you" Zinnia stumbled on her words, her voice trembling in excitement and jitters, not quite sure what just happened and what it meant.

"What" Harry whispered, his face still so close to Zinnia's she could feel the subtle breath of the question. Zinnia looked at him with a quizzical expression then let out a sigh, as if she were relieving all the negative thoughts she had about Harry. She was wrong. Harry fancied her. No questions anymore and no confused feelings. This is it. Now.

"We should probably learn to communicate better" she whispered out, so quietly that Harry almost struggled to hear it. He let out a breathy chuckle.

"Never thought you would actually fancy me back, it was sorta a whim" he chuckled as their faces grew further apart, aware of the influx of students that was about to intrude the hall. Zinnia chuckled to herself at that thought, never thinking that this would happen.

"What" he grinned widely laughing at her as she shook her head. "What?" he chuckled even more.

"Nothing, just funny how much we think alike" she said as she looked back at his face. They stood there for a moment that felt like hours.

"I don't want to go but-" Harry said, letting out a mournful sigh.

"Oh. right yea. Good luck" she mumbled to him, feeling stupid that in her flustered state she forgot all about the task. They looked at each other for a final second before Harry continued walking towards the tournament area, slowly fading from Zinnia's view.

Zinnia stood there for at least a minute processing what had happened. She felt ridiculously stupid for focusing on her doubts towards Harry's feelings. Thinking back to that night on the dorm stairs she scorned herself for hurting him, now that she realised he did like her. He did. Harry Potter fancied Zinnia beaumont. She let out a shocked sigh at the thought before retreating back down the stairs to the hall.

In her dazed state she didn't even realise bumping into a tall student adorned in blue robes. She let out a gasp at the impact mentally noting that she should start focusing on where she is going and not walk around in the thoughtful daze.

"Oh, pardon mademoiselle!" the student called out as she collected herself, her sleek hair running over her eyes.

"Sorry my fault, I need to start paying attention to where i'm going" she laughed as she tucked her hair behind her ears nervously, still feeling the jitters of Harry's kiss.

"No, I have the same problem" she laughed with her heavy french accent. "Tallon Cadieux" she spoke with beautiful ease as she politely held out her hand. Zinnia promptly shook it.

"Zinnia Beaumont" she chuckled casually as she took her hand

"Oh Beaumont, is that french?" she exclaimed excitedly, her doe eyes widening.

"Um, probably on my dad's side, far down the family tree though" Zinnia said awkwardly, feeling bad for disappointing her.

"Oh no problem, well I'll see you around!" she laughed and headed back on her own way.

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Every student piled into the buzzing stands that overlooked the front of the maze, the champions eagerly awaiting the task to start below the stands. Zinnia along with Ron and Hermione found their place in the stands, awkwardly scooting past students to get to Fay and Kian who were already sitting down.

"What's with you" Fay laughed at Zinnia as she sat down next to her, Kian tuning in from the other side of Fay.

"What do you mean?" Zinnia asked as she avoided her gaze smiling into her lap

'You've got that stupid grin on your face" Fay accused

"I do not have a stupid grin" Zinnia gaped at her friend with a slight smile.

"You so do have a stupid grin" Hermione chimed in from the other side of Zinnia, her voice raised as their conversation was getting drowned out by the sound of the band performing.

"Do not" Zinnia deflected as she stood up with everyone, ready to cheer on the champions leading out into the clearing. The students surrounding her gave each other suspicious glances at each other.

Before they could ask any more questions, Amos Diggory strided out of the tents closely followed by his proud son. The crowd roared even more as the champions walked out cautiously, followed by their teachers and parents.

Finally Harry walked out dumbfounded, behind Dumbeldore. His eyes nervously whizzed around the stands and found them locked with Zinnia's. Catching his gaze she cheered even louder with that dumb grin on her face growing by the second. He returned her look and waved to her as he approached the center of the patch of grass.

Kian opened his mouth widely in reaction to the interaction between the two, hitting Fay on the arm to avert her attention to what was with the two.

"No way" Fay gasped, unable to keep a filter on her reactions

"What" Zinnia asked concerned as the girl obviously looked shocked beyond belief, catching the attention of Ron and Hermione who also looked on suspiciously. Fay moved her pointer finger in between Harry and Zinnia with a suggestive look. The group of friends caught on to what she was getting at and all looked happily shocked. Zinnia only looked to her feet with flushed cheeks

"Look at you, never would have thought you would sort through it" Hermione shook Zinnia's arm.

"Through what" she nonchalantly dismissed, not wanting the rumor mill to churn again before her and Harry could even get the chance to talk.

"SONOROUS" Dumbeldore interrupted the avid cheering of the students and deflecting the questioning friend's attention. The music died down in a horrible blow as everyone sat down awaiting the task to begin.

"Earlier today Professor Moody placed the triwizards cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory..." Dumbledore began before getting interrupted by the cheer of Hufflepuff students as Mr. Diggory raised his son's hand in pride.

"And Mr. Potter.." he continued and was interrupted again by the quick cheer of students. Zinnia shot up and cheered as hard as she could for the boy.

"tied for first position they will be the first to enter the maze. Followed by Mr Krum... and Ms Delacour" yet another rush of deep cheers interjected themselves into the speech.

"The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter, should at any point a contestant wish to withdraw from the task he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands." He finished before he turned to speak to the champions directly. Silence fell over the crowd as he spoke ominously in warning to the competing students. Zinnia shared apprehensive glances with her classmates around her.

Once they had split to the different entrances, the crowd took that as an invitation to cheer once more, Zinnia stood up in excitement and cheered like Harry's life depended on it. He made brief eye contact with him and she gave him a rather stupid thumbs up. She felt a bit silly in the moment for doing it but was utterly unaware of how good her encouragement made Harry feel.

"On the count of three....ONE" Dumbeldore attempted to count down before Filch let the booming cannon loose too early. He received a scolding from the Headmaster as the band encouragingly started up again. The cheers of the crowd echoing in Harry's ears as he proceeded into the maze. Zinnia watched his figure disappear with an uneasy breath and jittery hands until the maze shut behind him.

The crowd eventually died down and sat anxiously, Zinnia bouncing her knee, with her wand tapping her thigh.

"So. Do we just watch this hedge the entire time?" Zinnia questioned, feeling deflated that she didn't get to actually watch Harry in the task.

"Pretty much yeah, the same thing happened in the second task. We sort of just watched and waited" Kian explained with a twisted face.

"That's extremely anti-climactic" Zinnia nodded before looking to the other side of her. She was set back a bit by Hermione staring directly at her with a cheeky grin on her face. "What's up with you?" Zinnia laughed as she looked down at her hands. Hermione leaned in closer so no one else but them could hear, everyone else was too fixed on their own conversations anyway.

"You and Harry?" she questioned excitedly

"No, Hermione" she deflected, not sure if she wanted her to know quite yet

"Come on, just tell me a bit?" she begged with puppy dog eyes and a pout lip. Zinnia sighed in amusement and gave in.

"Fine, we both established there is a... mutual feeling between us...but we didn't get the time to talk about it" She spoke in broken sentences, carefully wording what she was saying as she didnt want Hermione to know every single detail of what happened. She wanted to keep that moment between her and Harry, something that just they had and no one else had to get involved in.

Hermione only grinned widely and shook Zinnia's arm in glee.

"Oh shut up, watch the hedge" she joked as the girls both laughed together, getting comfortable for what they were sure was to be a long wait.

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(A.N- this chapter was originally much longer but i decided to split it into two. next chapter will probably be the last but who knows, i said that last chapter lol.

anyways tysm for 700 reads much appreciated. also i have a tik tok now it's in my bio so i might post some stuff there if y'all want.

votes and comments always welcome and appreciated, feel free to let me know what you think.)