Barty Crouch Jr. didn't know.
As he turned away, convinced his plan was flawless, a cold glint passed through Lucian Thornwick's eyes—
a look almost like pity for the dead.
"You really are… courting death."
Lucian murmured softly, gazing at the maze outside the window, looming like a silent beast in the night.
After nearly a year of this tedious "tournament,"
The real climax was finally about to begin.
The Night Before
That night, Hogwarts lay quiet under silver moonlight.
Inside the Headmaster's office, the fire crackled gently.
Portraits slept along the walls.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, rubbing his brow.
This year—especially Lucian and the Goblet's anomaly—had exhausted even him.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Dumbledore said.
The door opened.
Lucian stepped inside.
"Good evening, Professor."
"Good evening, Lucian," Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Here about tomorrow's task?"
Lucian shook his head.
"I'm here about a hypothesis."
He walked to the window, looking out at the maze.
The Question
Lucian turned.
His voice was calm.
Measured.
"Professor… if there were a way to make Voldemort disappear completely—
not just defeated, but erased, unable to return in any form…"
Dumbledore froze.
His eyes sharpened instantly.
Lucian continued:
"But that method carries some risk."
"A carefully calculated risk—with high probability of success."
"It may require someone… like me… to leave your protection temporarily."
"Would you allow it?"
Silence filled the room.
Dumbledore understood immediately.
This wasn't about destroying Horcruxes.
Lucian knew something deeper.
A trap.
A return.
And more importantly—
a way to turn that trap against its creator.
Lucian wasn't asking for help.
He was asking for authorization.
Permission to step off the board—
and end the game.
Dumbledore's Decision
The fire crackled.
Time stretched.
Dumbledore studied the boy before him.
He remembered:
The potion miracleThe dragon's submissionThe lake split in two
Again and again, Lucian had proven something undeniable.
He existed beyond conventional understanding.
Perhaps…
It was time to stop playing safe.
Dumbledore stood and walked beside him.
They looked out at the maze together.
His voice was low—but resolute.
"All these years… I chose caution."
"To protect students. To preserve stability."
"But darkness always returns."
He turned to Lucian.
"If there truly is a way to end this nightmare…"
"And if you are confident—"
"Then I am willing to accept the risk."
That was his answer.
No details.
No plan.
But complete trust.
Silent Agreement
Lucian inclined his head slightly.
"That's enough. Thank you, Professor."
He turned and left.
Dumbledore remained at the window all night.
Watching the maze.
Waiting for dawn.
He knew—
history might change after tomorrow.
The Final Day
Morning came.
The air in Hogwarts felt heavy.
No excitement.
Only tension.
Everyone knew—
The maze was the most dangerous task.
The Other Champions
Cedric Diggory trained steadily.
Practicing:
Stunning spellsShield charmsDisarming spells
Again and again.
Simple.
Reliable.
He would advance carefully.
Step by step.
Fleur Delacour trained under Madame Maxime.
Learning intricate Beauxbatons magic:
Transformation countersIllusion-breaking spells
Elegant.
Precise.
Deadly.
Viktor Krum trained with Karkaroff.
Brutal methods.
Dark-leaning spells.
More power.
Less restraint.
His gaze grew sharper.
More dangerous.
But all three shared one thought:
Lucian.
Against him—
none of it might matter.
The Maze
At sunset, the Quidditch pitch had transformed.
A massive hedge maze stood in its place.
Twenty-foot walls.
Dense.
Impenetrable.
The wind whispered through the leaves like a living thing.
The crowd sat in silence.
No cheering.
Only dread.
The Entrance
The four champions stood at the entrance.
Cedric breathing steadily.
Fleur gripping her wand.
Krum staring like a predator.
Lucian—
calm as ever.
Even glancing up at the rising moon.
To him, the maze was no different from a hallway.
The Countdown
Ludo Bagman's voice echoed:
"The final task begins!"
"First to enter—Lucian Thornwick!"
Sparse applause.
Then silence.
"Three!"
Hermione and Cho clenched their fists.
"Two!"
Dumbledore watched, expression grave.
"One!"
Crouch Jr.'s magical eye locked onto Lucian.
A twisted smile formed.
"Begin!"
Into the Darkness
The maze opened.
A dark, endless passage.
Lucian didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward.
And disappeared into the shadows.
The entrance closed behind him.
The final act—
had begun.
~~--------------------------
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