Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Goblet of Fire/Chapter 31
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Chapter 31 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Third Task
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[edit] Synopsis
Harry immediately tells Ron and Hermione what transpired in Professor Dumbledore's office and in the Pensieve. He also informs Sirius by owl post. Of course, they already knew Karkaroff was a Death Eater, but this is the first confirmation that Professor Snape was one or that Ludo Bagman was involved. Hermione wonders if this is what Rita Skeeter meant by saying that Bagman had an evil past. Hermione suddenly remembers that they are supposed to practice jinxes with Harry, but it is late, and she sends Harry and Ron to bed. Harry finds it hard to sleep, thinking about the four Death Eaters who tortured Neville's parents and Mr. Crouch's son, who died in Azkaban a year later.
Rather than studying for the exams that are scheduled the week before the third task, Ron and Hermione instead coach Harry on jinxes. When Ron, tired of being Stunned, suggests Hermione take a turn, she quickly decides that Harry knows the spells well enough. Ron sees Draco Malfoy outside, with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle standing guard, apparently talking to something in his hand. Harry thinks he may be using a walkie-talkie, but Hermione dismisses that, saying electronic devices do not work around Hogwarts.
Sirius, concerned about Harry finishing the third task, sends owls almost daily with tips and pointers, plus adjurations to ignore what is happening outside Hogwarts. He feels that Harry will be safe at Hogwarts under Dumbledore's protection. Navigating the maze safely is the first priority. Once the third task is over, they can consider other problems.
On the day of the third task, a new story about Harry appears in the Daily Prophet. Rita Skeeter claims that Harry has mental problems, has collapsed, and complains about pain in his scar. Draco Malfoy is quoted as saying Harry is a Parselmouth. Harry takes the article lightly, unlike Ron and Hermione, who were almost afraid to show it to him. Harry wonders, however, how Skeeter knew that he fainted in Divination. He remembers an open window during class, but Hermione points out that the North Tower classroom is too far above ground level for them to be overheard. When Harry reminds Hermione that she is supposed to be researching magical bugging methods, something suddenly occurs to her. As usual, she says nothing, but runs to the library for some last-minute research. As Ron heads for his History of Magic exam, Professor McGonagall tells Harry that the Champions and their families are congregating in the chamber off the Great Hall. Not having any relatives present, Harry watches as the other Champions head into the chamber. As he is about to leave, Cedric calls out, "They're waiting for you!" Inside are Mrs. Weasley and Bill. Harry's pleasure at seeing them overrides Cedric's father suggesting that Harry, "isn't so full of himself," now that Cedric is tied with him. However, Amos Diggory appears upset that Rita Skeeter's first story only mentioned Harry as the Hogwarts Champion. Not even Mrs. Weasley reminding him that Rita delights in making mischief calms him down.
Harry, Mrs. Weasley, and Bill enjoy a lovely morning touring the Hogwarts grounds, with Mrs. Weasley reminiscing about her time there. Mrs. Weasley says the Ministry has become suspicious that Mr. Crouch's instructions may not be genuine, and Percy has been called in for questioning. As a result, Cornelius Fudge is taking Percy's place as a judge. Returning to the castle for lunch, they meet Ron and Hermione. Mrs. Weasley is rather cold towards Hermione until Harry, remembering Skeeter's article in Witch Weekly, tells her that Hermione is not his girlfriend. Because Mrs. Weasley is present, Hermione is unable to tell Harry and Ron something. Harry, Bill, and Mrs. Weasley return to the Great Hall for dinner. The judges have arrived and are sitting at the head table. Harry notices that Madame Maxime's eyes seem red, and Hagrid keeps glancing at her.
An afternoon of touring the grounds with Bill and Mrs. Weasley rounds out Harry's day. As the sky darkens, Professor Dumbledore sends the Champions to the maze. Ludo Bagman checks if Harry is feeling confident, then announces the four patrollers: Professor McGonagall, Professor Moody, Professor Flitwick, and Hagrid, who will patrol the maze from outside. If a Champion gets into trouble, red wand sparks can be sent up, and he will be extracted from the maze. After Ludo sends the patrollers off, Harry and Cedric enter the maze. At the first intersection, they separate. Harry hears the whistle sending Krum into the maze, and five minutes later, the one for Fleur. Using the Four Points charm, Harry navigates towards the maze's center. Already unnerved by its apparent emptiness, Harry hears a noise behind him. It is Cedric, still smoking after a run-in with a Blast-Ended Skrewt. Shortly after, Harry successfully defends himself against a Boggart disguised as a Dementor. As he negotiates an anti-gravity spell, he hears Fleur screaming. Once through the spell, he is unable to locate her and continues towards the center, running into a Skrewt. Temporarily stopping the Skrewt, Harry looks for another route and hears Krum using the Cruciatus curse on Cedric. Burning a hole through a hedge, Harry Stuns Krum, and sends up red sparks. He and Cedric separate and again head for the center.
Nearing the center, Harry encounters a Sphinx and correctly answers its question. Seeing the Cup, he starts running for it, only to have Cedric appear from a side passage ahead. He sees a giant spider. He warns Cedric and attempts to tackle the spider. Together, they defeat it, but Harry's leg is injured. Harry tells Cedric to take the Cup, but Cedric demurs, saying Harry earned it. Because they have continually helped each other throughout the Tournament, Harry suggests they grasp it simultaneously. Cedric agrees, and helps Harry to it; each grabs a handle. The Cup is a Portkey, and a great howling wind whirls them from the maze.
[edit] Analysis
The author may have chosen a maze for the third task not only because it makes for a difficult and interesting obstacle for the Champions to maneuver, but also for its mythic symbolism. In mythology, a labyrinth, or maze, represents a difficult challenge or quest that the hero must overcome by navigating a convoluted and dangerous path leading to its center where whatever is being sought awaits. Magic and battling strange creatures often play a significant role in these epic myths, just as it does in our story. In this task, each Champion must enter the maze alone, away from the cheering crowd, and with almost no advance information regarding what they will encounter; this challenge is less about competing against one's opponents than it is about overcoming personal frailties. That the third task begins at dusk adds an additional eerie twist, as what lies inside becomes more intangible and less definable when cloaked in nightfall. And while darkness can represent evil and oppression, it also symbolizes fear and uncertainty, which often seem magnified at night and less daunting by day. It can also represent the unknown, transition, and also life – darkness preceding birth. The maze could also be interpreted as a metaphor for Harry's life. His late induction into the wizarding world was much like entering the maze at twilight—he was faced with murky, unknown paths, difficult obstacles, and occasional dead ends that had to be retraced and alternate routes found. Harry also navigates a tangled emotional labyrinth, searching for a center containing answers about his parents, Voldemort, and himself.
The Triwizard Champions were chosen because they are the best students in their respective schools. Cedric and Harry each represent their Houses' finest traits: Harry is a brave and resourceful Gryffindor, while Cedric embodies Hufflepuff virtues of hard work, honesty, and fair play. However, throughout the Tournament, they have both shown characteristics that each House values. Harry shows integrity and fairness, first by tipping Cedric off about the Dragons, and now by insisting that he equally share the victory. Cedric has demonstrated increasing cleverness and ingenuity by quickly figuring out the Egg riddle and developing a successful strategy for the second task; he also shows great courage, both inside the maze and with the dragon. Each Champion has continually helped the other throughout the Tournament, and as they reach the Cup, each feels the other deserves to win; therefore, it is fitting that they agree to grab the Triwizard Cup together, although the outcome is unexpected.
Draco speaking to his hand seems as peculiar as Mr. Crouch talking with a tree. It is unlikely Draco is suffering from any mental malady like Crouch, however, and he is probably engaged in some activity he should not. We will learn shortly what this is, but for now, it is sufficient to know that he is holding something in his hand, and there is a reason he is conversing with it.
It seems a little odd that Sirius should be telling Harry not to worry about things outside the school; that sort of insularity in a school environment happens normally anyway. However, Sirius' belief ought to be right; Dumbledore should be able to keep Harry safe.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Just what might Hermione know that she wants to tell Harry about?
- Why are Madame Maxime's eyes red? Why is Hagrid looking at her?
- Why might the author have chosen to use a maze for the third task, and what could it represent?
- Why does Harry insist that he and Cedric grab the Triwizard Cup at the same time? What does Cedric think?
[edit] Further Study
- Why is Draco talking to his hand? Is he going mad like Mr. Crouch?
- Why is Sirius confident that Harry is safe at Hogwarts, even though he suspects someone wants to kill him? Is Harry really safe?
- Mrs. Weasley tells Amos Diggory that Rita Skeeter likes to create trouble by printing lies about Harry. Why then does she continue to believe Skeeter's story about Hermione?
- Why would Krum attack Fleur and Cedric? Does he also intend to harm Harry?
- Why would the Triwizard Cup be a Portkey? Where might it be transporting Harry and Cedric to?
- Even though Harry and Cedric were sorted into different Houses, they both have many qualities that reflect the other's House. Compare and contrast these qualities.
[edit] Greater Picture
Note that Mr. Crouch's son having died while imprisoned in Azkaban is being mentioned here again. However, we will learn shortly that it was someone other than Barty who actually died in Azkaban. The reiteration of this mistaken belief is almost certainly meant to heighten our surprise at the discovery of what Barty has been doing since his supposed death.
Sirius here admits that he believes someone at the school may be trying to kill Harry; likely Dumbledore does also, but neither suspects it is Barty Crouch, believing he is dead and unaware that the real Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody has been kidnapped. Given this belief, though, it is odd that Sirius is ordering Harry to stay at the school and play out the Tournament. It would seem that if someone has entered Harry in the Tournament in order to get him killed, it would be to Harry's advantage to deliberately fail on the three Tasks in such a way as to avoid any risk. Harry, however, seems to be unable to give any mission less than his full effort.
Draco is talking to his hand because he is holding Rita Skeeter, who is in her beetle Animagus form. Draco has been passing information to her about Harry and others that she then uses in her articles. She was in her beetle form when Harry had his nightmare in the Divination tower, and she saw that event directly. Hermione, because of the repetition of the word "bugged", has come to the conclusion that Rita can transform into an insect, and presumably goes to the library to research whether that transformation is even possible. Though she has confirmed her conclusion by the time we see her at lunch, the author has managed to arrange things so that Hermione cannot discuss her discovery with either Harry or Ron then, and presumably Hermione is too concerned with the Third Task after her final exam of the day to discuss Rita with Ron.
Harry thinks to himself that the Maze is easier to pass through than he had expected. Barty Crouch will admit later that he had deliberately eased Harry's path through the maze, and had controlled Krum to try and eliminate Harry's competition. Barty, like Ludo, had intended Harry to win the Triwizard specifically so that he would be the first to reach and touch the Cup, and so that the Cup would then carry Harry away to an as-yet unknown destination.
