https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-483-Maze-Castle-Part-1-A-Significant-Advantage/13461303/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-485-Maze-Castle-Part-3-The-Trophy-Within-Reach/13461305/
Chapter 484: Maze Castle (Part 2) - The Seventh Level Conversation
Chapter 484: Maze Castle (Part 2) - The Seventh Level Conversation
An hour had passed in the blink of an eye.
"The competition is getting more exciting. The outcome is still uncertain, so let me summarize the situation—"
"Potter's team is still in the lead. The three of them quickly regrouped, giving them a significant advantage. They've easily overcome the boggart, Devil's Snare, and the Inversion Trap. They are currently just entering the fifth level of the maze."
"The second team's three brave warriors have also reached the fourth level, but they haven't regrouped yet. One of the warriors just entered and is estimated to meet up with the others at the fifth level. Some viewers might wonder why the warriors don't use the Sonorus Charm. The hedges have been enchanted to greatly weaken sound and light. Potter's magic is a special case."
"The warriors from Wagadu have maximized their strengths. Let's remember the name Lashawn Alifandi. He demonstrated the wildest power of the African savanna in the first two events, but this time, he has shown us that his control over transformations is incredibly refined! As the third team to enter, Alifandi used the vibrations of an elephant to locate his teammates, successfully regrouping in the first level of the maze. Branzigo then transformed into an Azure Eagle to quickly find the entrances to the second and third levels. His teammates used the vibrations to locate the entrances, advancing with remarkable efficiency, almost catching up to Potter's team. However, the Wagadu warriors faced some difficulties in the fourth level, with the Azure Eagle getting entangled by a wall of thorns. Now, they have switched to having Nona Lebert lead the way—this girl is incredibly fast. They are the only team with a chance of overtaking Potter's progress."
"Next, we have Beauxbatons, who are in the third level, almost reaching the fourth. They might meet at the entrance."
"Durmstrang's strategy is clearly different. Krum has been in the fourth level for some time, but his two teammates are still in the third level. It seems they have a plan. Yes! Adim Buwick has stopped at the entrance leading up from the third level, waiting for the other person. I understand! Their strategy is to have the strongest member push forward while the other two travel together. A smart move! The third level of the maze is not particularly dangerous and is one-third smaller than the first level."
"Finally, we have Ilvermorny, who are only in the second level, having entered half an hour late. No, they have adopted the same strategy as Durmstrang! They have chosen to travel together as a group. Although they lost time initially, the combined spell they demonstrated in the first two events suggests they will move very quickly from here on."
The audience watched the screens with bated breath, clutching their various flags tightly. Even the judges in the stands were glued to the action.
"Will they meet? Will they?" Mrs. Granger covered her face, her nails leaving scratch marks.
"I think they will... a battle is inevitable", Sirius murmured.
...
"The fifth level is too dark", Ron whispered. The first three levels had blue-flamed candles, but they were spaced further apart. By the fourth level, they could barely distinguish the color of the hedges in the darkness. Now, there was no light at all.
He and Harry held their wands, ready to face any sudden dangers. Hermione hung back slightly, controlling a ball of white fire that hovered above their heads, illuminating a small area. They struggled to pull their legs free from the tangled vines on the ground, taking ten minutes to traverse the long corridor.
"I don't believe anything worse could be up ahead", Ron said.
"Don't jinx it."
They turned a corner, and suddenly, the world spun. Harry found himself upside down, standing on the ceiling. Blood rushed to his head, a familiar sensation from when he had entered a golden mist in the second level of the maze, which had inverted him, leaving his head hanging over an endless void. That trap tested the bravery of the warriors, and he needed to firmly pull his legs free.
He tried, lifting one leg high, but there was no reaction. He was still on the ceiling and almost fell—only to hit the ceiling again, not the floor. The blood pounding in his ears made it hard to think. Then, he heard Hermione say, "I think we need to walk out like this."
Harry was about to ask how when he saw Hermione take a step forward. She walked for nearly a minute before falling from the ceiling.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" She landed softly on the ground, looking at Harry and Ron. "Just treat the ceiling as the floor and keep walking. Of course, you'll have to endure the discomfort of the blood rushing to your head."
Soon, Harry and Ron also managed to escape.
"Strange, gravity still exists, but we're being held to the ceiling by a stronger force", Hermione remarked, looking back wistfully.
"What's gravity?" Ron asked.
"It's the force that keeps us firmly on the ground", Hermione explained simply.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ron was completely puzzled.
"Keep your voice down, don't attract any monsters", Harry warned them.
Over the next ten minutes, they encountered the quicksand trap. Ron remembered the Levitation Charm Hermione had used before and easily got through. Then they came to a narrow bridge. Instead of water, there was a bottomless abyss below, and the Levitation Charm didn't work. Harry didn't have much trouble crossing, "This is much easier than Quidditch."
Ron was a bit slower but managed to get across smoothly. When it was Hermione's turn, she hesitated, "I, um, I'll try..." She trembled as she glanced down and quickly pulled back.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look—Hermione rarely used a broomstick.
"Don't worry, it's not dangerous at all—"
"Yeah, you took the flying class and passed the exam!"
"I only got a pass", Hermione whispered, "Wait, let me think." She came up with an idea, using magic to create a rope. She threw one end to Harry and Ron and tied the other end around herself, "If I fall... you have to hold on to me."
She shakily stepped onto the narrow bridge. The twenty-foot distance seemed like a chasm. At the last step, she mustered her courage and jumped to the other side.
"Great job, Hermione!"
"Oh, I'm a bit dizzy..." Hermione held her head, "Let's keep moving forward."
"Whoosh!"
A shadow used the walls for leverage twice, quickly jumping over the narrow bridge and disappearing into the darkness.
"What was that just now?" Ron asked in horror. If it had suddenly attacked, they would have had a hard time dodging it.
"A cheetah", Harry said.
"The person who gave you the amulet?" Ron remembered, "The one called... called..." He looked at Hermione for help.
"It's Nona Lebert!" Hermione said, "It seems she decided to leave her teammates and take the risk alone. Her speed is incredible, we need to hurry!"
They jogged along, encountering two dead ends before finding a narrow, rugged path. A massive creature blocked their way.
"It's a sphinx", Hermione whispered.
They cautiously moved forward. The white fire illuminated its body, and the beautiful woman's head seemed lost in thought. Hearing their movement, it lifted its head, took two steps forward, and spoke in a deep, raspy voice.
"You are very close to the next level. The fastest way is to pass through me. Just—"
"What season is the shortest?" Hermione interrupted.
The sphinx's beautiful eyes blinked. Hermione continued, "What belongs to you but everyone can use?"
"Um—"
"What is always true on a newspaper, despite the false news?"
The sphinx fell into thought again.
Hermione beckoned to them and carefully passed by, the sphinx ignoring her. Harry and Ron followed, holding their breath until they had walked a considerable distance and saw the stairs leading to the sixth level of the maze. They finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hermione, how did you know?" Harry panted.
"Hagrid told us, don't you remember? As long as you answer three riddles first, it will be confused. I didn't quite believe it before..."
Outside the maze castle.
"Someone has caught up to Potter and the others. It's a warrior from Wagadu, but Potter and the others were the first to enter the sixth level of the maze. This doesn't mean much, as Nona Lebert's speed is incredible, and she has many protective spells cast by her teammates."
"Nona took a longer route, and the sixth level is in sight! She might be the first to enter the seventh level, putting Potter and the others at a disadvantage", Bagman shouted. "The other warriors are also gradually reuniting with their teammates, most of them gathered at the fourth level. Potter and the others' early advantage is quickly diminishing. Who will ultimately win the championship? Let's wait and see!"
...
The seventh level of the maze was only about half the size of the Great Hall, empty and vast. In the center of the maze lay a stone. On the stone sat a trophy.
Felix sat on the stone and whispered, "The trophy is indeed enchanted. He didn't change the original destination but added an intermediate stop... a very clever method, hard to notice unless you look closely."
"Yes, Professor", a muffled voice came from the hat on his head.
(End of Chapter)
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