The Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament was finally here. The towering hedge maze loomed before the gathered audience, its dark green walls shifting ominously as enchantments pulsed through its depths. The rules were simple: enter with only your wand and reach the center to claim the Triwizard Cup. As the first-place competitor, Ryan was given a thirty-second head start, with Fleur following after him and Krum thirty seconds after her.
Ryan stepped up to the entrance, taking in the sight of the twisting corridors beyond. The moment the whistle blew, he stepped forward, but instead of charging into the maze like a fool, his energy wings burst from his back and, with a jump, launched himself skyward.
The crowd gasped, the judges startled, but there was no rule against flying. The instructions had merely stated to enter the maze and reach the center—nowhere did it say how one had to navigate it. Madame Maxime and McGonagall gasped in surprise, while Dumbledore chuckled, eyes twinkling with amusement. Ludo Bagman fumbled for words, clearly unsure if this was against the rules, but nothing had explicitly forbidden flight. With an easy glide, Ryan soared over the hedges, spotting the Triwizard Cup gleaming in the moonlight at the very heart of the maze.
Fleur, entering next, immediately noticed Ryan's strategy. Without hesitation, she too unleashed her silvery energy wings and took to the air, following his lead. Below, Krum charged into the maze, unaware that he was already out of the running.
Ryan reached the cup within seconds, landing gracefully and gripping the handle. The moment his fingers closed around it, the enchanted artifact reacted, signaling the end of the tournament. A blinding flash erupted as the wards deactivated, confirming his victory.
The stands erupted into cheers and stunned murmurs as Ryan held up the Triwizard Cup, victorious before the other champions had even truly begun. Fleur landed beside him moments later, smirking at his cleverness. Meanwhile, the judges scrambled to confirm that there had been no foul play—only to find that Ryan had, in fact, played within the established rules.
It was an indisputable win.
Sometimes, the simplest solutions were the best.
---
The stadium was silent for a moment before it exploded into cheers and applause. Ryan had won—before the competition had even truly begun.
Minister Cornelius Fudge, clearly flustered, hurried onto the field, adjusting his hat as he approached the victor's podium. "W-Well! That was certainly… unexpected!" he stammered before clearing his throat. "But a win is a win! Ryan has fairly claimed the Triwizard Cup!"
The crowd erupted once again as Ryan was handed the gleaming trophy. Fleur smiled beside him, arms crossed with an amused expression. "Cheater," she teased, though there was no real malice in her voice—only affection.
Krum, who had just arrived at the maze's entrance, frowned but gave a curt nod of respect. "Smart," he admitted, though it was clear he had been hoping for more of a challenge.
Fudge then handed Ryan a heavy pouch filled with 1,000 Galleons, the official prize money for the tournament. "And with this, you are not only the youngest Triwizard Champion in history but also recognized as the youngest dragon slayer in the world!" Fudge announced proudly, referring to Ryan's earlier performance against the Hebridian Black in the first task.
Ryan grinned, raising the cup high as his lovers, friends, and supporters cheered wildly. Yue, Serenity, Rachel, and Fleur all joined him on the stage, their eyes filled with pride. Hermione and Luna were in the stands, practically bouncing in excitement.
As confetti rained down and magical banners changed to display his face alongside the words "Youngest Triwizard Champion!" Ryan couldn't help but smirk.
---
Later that night, Ravenclaw Tower was alive with celebration. The common room had been transformed into a grand party space, decorated with enchanted banners displaying Ryan's victory and enchanted fireworks bursting outside the windows. Tables overflowed with food, butterbeer, and sweets from Honeydukes.
Ryan sat on one of the couches, grinning as Yue curled up next to him, Serenity draped over his other side, and Rachel sitting comfortably in his lap. Fleur leaned against his shoulder, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his arm. The warmth of their presence made the victory all the sweeter.
"Honestly," Rachel said, shaking her head with a smirk. "I should've expected you to bypass the entire maze."
"I don't believe there was ever a doubt," Yue added, sipping a glass of wine she had pilfered from the refreshments. "Rules were meant to be exploited."
Hermione and Luna had made themselves comfortable as well, sitting close to Ryan, though there was an underlying tension between them. As the party carried on, the two girls began to be a little bolder—Hermione leaning in more than usual, Luna brushing her fingers along his arm absentmindedly.
"I still can't believe you just… flew over the whole thing," Hermione murmured, tilting her head with admiration. "I was expecting something more complicated."
Ryan chuckled, "Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones."
Luna, who had been swirling her drink in her hand, suddenly leaned closer, her dreamy expression unwavering. "Ryan, do you believe in rewarding those who believe in you?"
Before he could answer, she leaned in and pressed a deep kiss to his lips slipping her tongue inside. Hermione, not to be outdone, flushed before hesitantly doing the same after Luna finished.
Yue smirked, glancing between them. "Oh? Making your move, are you?"
Serenity chuckled. "I think they've been trying for a while now."
Rachel sighed dramatically. "Might as well let loose for a night."
Ryan merely grinned as Hermione and Luna blushed, but neither moved away. The night continued with laughter, drinks, stolen kisses, and bit of heavy petting, marking not only his victory but a night of new possibilities and the end of the 4th year at Hogwarts and the Triwizard Tournament.
Cedric was still alive, Voldemort hadn't returned, Harry was dating Ginny and everything has turned out well.