[144] Fear in the Blood

After walking for a while, the nearby vines quieted down. Hall slowed.

A burning pain shot through his leg. He looked down. His clothes had a hole the size of a Galleon burned through them, and a blister had formed on his skin. He must have fallen earlier, getting smeared with the black liquid on the ground. The ground was uneven, full of potholes. From these holes, black, unidentified liquid occasionally seeped out, emitting a pungent stench — and it was highly corrosive.

The air was heavy and oppressive. Breathing felt like a boulder pressing on his chest. Strange creatures flew overhead, their forms indistinct, leaving only a chilling whistling sound. Time seemed to lose meaning.

A woman's scream pierced the silence — Fleur.

Then a red light flashed across the sky. Fleur had lost.

Hall ran towards the light. In this endless labyrinth, wandering aimlessly was not a solution.

As he drew closer, he realised it was not Fleur who had sent the signal — there was no sign of her. Through the gaps in the vines, a faint mist seeped out, carrying a putrid stench.

"Harry?" Hall was surprised. It was Harry who had sent the distress signal.

Hearing Hall's voice, Harry turned quickly. He pointed to a vine-covered wall. "This wall eats people. Fleur is inside."

"How did she lose?"

Harry hung his head. "It's Krum. Something's wrong with him."

"Krum?" Hall was not surprised — he had been attacked by Krum when he first entered.

"His eyes — they looked misty. Like something was covering them."

Hall frowned. That sounded like the Imperius Curse.

"You saw him?"

"I am not sure if he saw me. He just brushed past."

The deep green vines coiled like giant serpents, covered in sharp barbs. Hall and Harry walked for what felt like an eternity. The sky above was completely dark — even the stars were gone.

"When will we finally find the trophy?" Harry muttered.

"I don't know. Maybe a long time. Maybe soon —"

A sudden gust of wind swept through, whipping their robes and hair.

"This is not normal wind." Hall sensed magical fluctuations and pulled Harry aside.

This book was originally published on NovelPhoenix. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Get out of the way!" Cedric's voice rang out behind them.

Hall and Harry turned. Cedric's wand flashed as he attacked Krum, who loomed in the darkness — his eyes empty and cold, like a puppet.

Harry's face paled. He stepped back involuntarily.

"Expelliarmus!" Hall crouched, hiding against the vine wall, and struck Krum without hesitation.

Krum's attention was fixed on Cedric. He did not expect a second attacker. He was knocked to the ground instantly.

Cedric rushed over, panting, and kicked Krum's wand away. "Merlin's beard! What is wrong with him!"

"He is being controlled." Hall crouched and lifted Krum's eyelids. The Imperius Curse.

"Controlled?" Harry came to his senses.

Having searched for so long without finding the trophy, and with Krum down, the three decided to continue together.

After turning a few corners, a blue dot of light appeared in the distance. It shone brightly in the darkness, like a beacon.

"The Goblet of Fire!" Cedric shouted.

Hall and Harry exchanged glances, excitement on their faces.

They ran towards the blue light. There it stood — the Triwizard Cup, its blue flames leaping within.

The three stood before it. Hall, on the left, looked relaxed. Cedric, on the right, had his lips pressed together, his gaze filled with longing and inner conflict. Harry, caught between them, looked uneasy.

"Hall, you —" Harry began.

"Harry, do you want the Goblet of Fire?" Hall said with a smile.

Harry paused, then scratched his cheek. "I want it. But I know I am no match for you."

Harry smiled, his whole demeanour brightening. "I know you're amazing, Hall."

Being chosen by the Goblet was not something he had wanted. He had only made it this far thanks to Hall's help — the egg, the clue, the lake, the maze. Harry simply could not claim he had reached the Cup on his own merits.

Hall waved dismissively. "I did not do it for nothing. You paid me."

Harry's mood shattered. "..."

"If you feel bad, you can give me more." Hall rubbed his fingers together.

"I am out of money!" Harry clutched his pockets.

Cedric stood nearby, listening. He already knew what kind of person Hall was — he had seen how many times Hall had sold things to Ron. A thought crept in: if he gave Hall money, could he...?

He looked at the Goblet. No. The Goblet of Fire was a symbol of champions. Of courage and strength. It should not be tainted by Galleons.

"You want to pay me to give up the trophy?"

Cedric stiffened. He met Hall's eyes — frank and clear, as if they could see right through him.

"I — I'm sorry." Cedric lowered his head.

"It's not your fault," Harry tried to explain. "It's just that Hall, your usual behaviour..."

Hall rolled his eyes. "It is normal to desire something when faced with honour. But thinking about it and doing it are two different things."

Harry and Cedric looked touched.

"For anything else, I might negotiate for more money. But not the Goblet of Fire."

Cedric and Harry blinked.

"The Goblet is not compatible with you two." Hall nodded earnestly.

Harry and Cedric exchanged bewildered looks. "The goblet... not compatible?"

"You do not need to understand. Just know that helping with fortune telling usually costs money, but —"

"Stop!" Harry and Cedric interrupted in unison. They knew exactly where this was going. The Triwizard Tournament, the champion's title, house honour — none of it mattered compared to their wallets.

"Hall, the Goblet of Fire is yours!" Harry's voice was firm.

"That's right!" Cedric agreed. "The thousand Galleons prize money is yours too!"

Hall snorted, clearly seeing through them. But he thought of the bets he had placed on himself — and the Galleons Sirius, Dumbledore, and Snape had promised him.

"The Goblet of Fire is mine," Hall said cheerfully.

Cedric and Harry nodded frantically.

Hall strode forward. The blue flames burned brightly, casting deep shadows on his face. He gripped the Goblet firmly with both hands.

The next second — snap.

Hall was gone.