On his way down, he crossed paths with Theodore Diggory, who looked a little roughed up.
The Ravenclaw Prefect was surprised to see him, but then smiled and nodded to him as he moved past him and rushed to the theatre.
Altair slowed down a little before he reached the Transfiguration Courtyard, and composed himself, taking a few deep breaths.
Students were gathered in the galleries and cloisters around the courtyard, and the Slytherins nearly jumped in excitement but controlled themselves when he appeared out of the hallways.
"Look who's made it." Hagrid brightly smiled at him, and Altair smiled back before he read the banner on the other end.
"Third Task: The Banner Guardian."
It was a task that had happened before when the previous Champions won the Challenge, but it seemed to have been tweaked this year again.
The four Hippogriffs were not wearing the specific house colours, and neither were they guarding any House Banners.
Gemma had to retrieve the Slytherin banner from under the nose of a pair of Tebos in an enclosure filled with fog. Tonks had retrieved the Hufflepuff banner from under the nose of a trained Forest Troll. And Keyvan had to face a pack of Duskhounds.
"Go on, convince one to take you to the site of the Third Task." Hagrid urged him, and he instantly understood why the Hippogriffs were here.
Altair smiled as he stepped forward and approached the four Hippogriffs, who were standing away from each other but all intently looking at him.
He was smart enough not to hold his wand in his hand, and once he was close enough, he looked one of the beasts right in the eyes and smiled.
As he started bowing his head, all four Hippogriffs beat him to it and deeply bowed, causing Hagrid's mouth to drop open in dismay.
The young Black then calmly approached the one with bluish silver plumes, and the beast knelt to allow him to climb on its back.
As soon as he took his seat, the beast reared, and then it ran forward and spread its beautiful wings.
The students could not help it anymore and loudly cheered for him, but his mind was elsewhere. He was grinning ear to ear at the brush of wind on his face as the Hippogriff picked up speed. It was an exhilarating experience. Something he always enjoyed.
They flew in the sky for a while, travelling over six kilometres to the far end of the Black Lake, at the boundary of the Hogwarts territory.
There, the beast circled above the large wooden arena, right at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was circular, 25 metres in radius, and newly built for the sole purpose of the Third Task of the Fantastic Beasts Challenge.
He remembered his mother talking about it with Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius, and he was quite interested in seeing what it looked like from the inside.
"You will be taking me to the Fourth Task once I get the banner, right?" he asked, and the beast let out a cry, which Altair understood as a yes.
Once they landed on the ground, the Hippogriff did not go close to the entrance. Altair had to walk towards it, and he cautiously pulled out his wand from the holster.
When he stepped into the tunnel-like entrance, the torches on the walls lit up, and the wooden door in front of him opened on its own.
It was quite dark behind the door, and it almost looked like a serpentine gorge with gourd-like boulders, almost ten feet high, making it a maze.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped in, and soon the entire arena lit up in fire torches, providing just enough light.
It was an eerie place, and his hold on his wand tightened as he cautiously entered, staying alert.
"Perceptum Totalis." He cast the spell, and instantly his mind turned into a radar as he checked for all living beings.
The arena was filled with people, who were sitting in the stands or standing in the galleries, but he already knew about them.
What he did not know about were the four gigantic three-headed serpents in the corners of the Task Field, guarding a banner each, and they really caught him off guard.
"Runespoor..." he frowned as the radar started to disappear.
What confused him was the size of these beasts. Each was easily twenty feet long, and as far as he knew, the common Runespoor were only six to seven feet long. These were three times as big, and unusually calm.
His eyes then looked at the gourd-like boulder in front of him, where a map of the Task Field was displayed.
The serpent guarding the Slytherin banner was in the Northern Corner, and thankfully, the map had a safe path marked. He did not have to engage the other serpents and it was a relief.
He did not rush in but waited as he made a plan. Once he was ready, he took a deep breath and continued walking towards the Northern Corner.
Altair made sure to keep his movements quiet and managed to make it to the corner undetected. From behind a boulder, he peeked at the magical creature which was coiled around the Slytherin banner hanging from a pole.
Just one glance was enough for him to understand that this Runespoor was carefully bred and far more intelligent and dangerous than a normal Runespoor.
Its scales were reddish-orange, and its underside seemed to be cream coloured. A beautiful magical creature with three heads, and he pulled back when one of them started sniffing around.
A smile formed on his lips when he sensed the serpent spot him through the boulder, able to see right through walls and obstacles.
It was nearly impossible to hide from its eyes, but thankfully, this ability was not passive.
His instincts screamed at him to run, but he stayed there and then cast a spell.
"Imago Pluralis!"
Suddenly, several duplicates rushed out of his body, running in all directions, and at the end, he cast another spell to hide the presence of his true self.
"Praestigia Absentia."
All three heads of the Runespoor were confused at what was happening, and when a few images tried to rush at the banner, it charged at them.
"Accio Banner." Altair tried to summon the banner to him, but it turned out that it was enchanted.
Even the Levitation Charm did not work, and it only meant that he had to grab it with his own hands.
Since the Runespoor was distracted, he tried the Disillusionment Charm on the banner, and to his surprise, it worked.
He imagined all his images running away, and when the three-headed serpent saw that the banner was gone, it chased after one illusion in fury.
Taking a deep breath, relieved that the plan worked, he pointed the wand in the direction that the serpent had rushed, and closed that path with an Ice Wall.
"Terra Gelata!"
Altair did not rush to grab the banner. He carefully blocked some more pathways with ice walls, and memorising the map of the Task Field paid off.
Once he felt that he had created a safe opportunity, he rushed to the corner and removed the Disillusionment Charm.
All he had to do was grab the banner and it entered his arms, neatly folded. To his dismay, an alarm sounded out in the Field, and he knew things were about to turn very bad.
Not wasting any time, he ran out as fast as he could, and he could just sense that the Runespoor was heading towards the entrance as well.
It was a race now, and he had the wand ready, just in case.
Winding through the maze, taking the safe route that he remembered and had left open, he finally saw the entrance. A smile formed on his lips and at the same time, he instinctively cast a spell.
"Portego Mobilis!"
As he flicked his wand, a mobile magical shield covered his left side, and the next moment, he was glad he used that spell.
The Runespoor tackled him out of nowhere, crashing right into the shield, but he was alert enough to use it to his advantage.
He was thrown several metres away, but since he angled the shield correctly, he was thrown right out of the door, into the entrance.
Rolling and wincing in pain and discomfort, he glanced at the door and smiled at the serpent who was not chasing him but just angrily looking at him.
"Go, get some rest." He gently said to the serpent in Parseltongue, which froze it, and the anger from its eyes instantly disappeared. "Goodbye."
Altair jumped back on his feet and rushed out. He made sure to check that he had both the key and the banner, and brightly smiled when the Hippogriff proudly reared at seeing him emerge victorious.
"Let's go, Quilla." He jumped on her back, and the mare reared again as she charged towards the lake and then took off.
Once in the sky, he finally let out a heartfelt laugh and took a deep breath.
Just one more Task was left, but the Hippogriff seemed to be in no rush as she played around and had fun with him in the air.
A while later, when he was calm and composed again, she descended from the sky into the Sphinx Lair, which was created next to the Clock Tower Courtyard across the long bridge that connected Hogwarts Castle to this place.
Quilla, this time, did not stop outside but entered the stone pyramid, and when they arrived in the lair, which was the arena of the Final Task, the students in the galleries and the stands loudly cheered.
Their voices, however, could not be heard by him or the four Sphinxes, who were calmly sitting under the pedestals upon which the chests were placed.
Altair did not get off the Hippogriff even as Quilla stopped right under the platform.
When he showed her the banner in his hand, the Sphinx guarding the Slytherin chest stood up and started pacing left and right.
"I am no gem, yet dearly sought,
By birth or deed, I may be wrought.
I shatter quick, yet leave no shard,
I weigh not much, but loss is hard.
I rest in hearts both meek and grand,
I raise the name, or stain the land.
By silent oath and open deed,
I'm kept or lost by word and need.
Forgotten once, I seldom mend...
Speak my name; your trial will end."
Altair heard the Sphinx speak, and so did everyone else in the arena.
His mind started running wild with all the answers... Pride, Trust, Loyalty, Reputation...
As he lost himself to his thoughts, the Sphinx recited the riddle again, and he focused even harder.
He had three tries, but he did not want to take any gambles...
The answer was there in his head, but he furrowed his brows in doubt.
It could not be that easy, right?
"Turn back if you don't know the answer," the Sphinx said, and he frowned some more.
"I have the answer."
"Say it." The Sphinx stopped and stared right into his eyes.
"Honour."
Silence answered him, and moments later, the Sphinx resumed pacing left and right.
"Why?" she asked, and he smiled when he did not hear her reject his answer.
"Honour is not a physical object but it is sought by people.
People can have honour by being born in certain families, and they can also earn it through their deeds.
It can be lost in an instant by just one shameful act, and since it is not physical, it does not leave visible traces.
Honour also has no physical weight, but its loss can be devastating.
It rests in the hearts of both meek and grand, humble and great. It is cherished by everyone in one form or another.
A person's honour can raise their name and their family name, give them fame, build their reputation, and in case of its loss or absence, it can stain their reputation and bring shame to them, their family, and even their homeland.
Honour is maintained by silent promises and public actions. Silent oaths and deeds.
It can be preserved or lost by what someone says, and sometimes it is sacrificed or tested in moments of need and desperation.
Once lost or dishonoured, it is extremely difficult to regain one's honour. So, it is seldom mended.
The answer to your riddle is Honour."
The Sphinx stopped and stared into his eyes before she sat down and bowed her head.
"You have given me the right answer, Champion. You may claim your chest."
As soon as the audience heard her words, they screamed in excitement and the Slytherins were beyond themselves.
Altair gracefully got off the Hippogriff and politely bowed to the Sphinx as he climbed up the stairs.
She stepped aside, and without any fear or doubt, he trusted her with his back and took out the golden Slytherin key from his pocket.
When he heard it click and the lock open, his heart skipped a beat, and burning in anticipation, he opened the lid, revealing the contents of the golden chest.
A smile formed on his lips when he saw a medallion with the Slytherin Crest on it, and it had the words "Pride, Honour, Cunning, and Ambition" on it.
Once he collected it, he bowed to the Sphinx again and slowly walked back to Quilla, climbing on her back and leaving under the applause and cheers of the audience.
Surprisingly, Quilla stopped at the bridge after coming out of the pyramid, but did not step on it or take to the sky.
Understanding that it was goodbye, Altair jumped off her back and hugged her.
He was in no rush as he gave her some love, and then a polite bow, which she returned.
Watching her fly away made him sigh, and he took a deep breath before he turned around to rush to the castle.
On his way, magical arrows blinked on the path, guiding him to his destination, which was the Great Hall.
A lot of the students were already there, including the staff and the Headmaster, and as soon as he stepped in through the Great Door, cheers that would have rocked the sky echoed in the hall.
He beamed as he strode gracefully towards the platform, where a pair of an old man and his wife were standing.
Altair knew who they were, and since they were the only ones standing on the platform, he guessed that they were the Chief Judges and also the Chief Guests.
He bowed to them after he climbed the stairs and then presented them with the medallion and the banner he had collected from the fourth task.
"Mister Black, to receive the Medallion of Honour is no ordinary accomplishment. This is a prize earned not by talent alone, but by the choices one makes when watched and, more importantly, when alone. You have shown respect for every creature you met, kindness in competition, and a sense of fairness that speaks to true character. This medallion is yours, rightfully earned, and will serve as a reminder: Honour is not simply inherited, nor easily restored once lost. It must be forged, through courage, humility, and constancy." The old man gently said, but his eyes showed that he was very proud of him.
"Must I say, Mister Black, your performance today will forever be remembered. Do you realise that you have completed the Challenge in only 144 minutes?"
"Have I, Madame Scamander?" he sweetly smiled, and she giggled and nodded her head before lovingly patting his head.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you." He politely bowed again, fastening the medallion to his chest, where it magically adhered to his armour.
"Your banner." The lady asked for it, and Altair handed the folded banner to her.
Porpentina opened it and then wrapped his body in it like a shawl, and the crest of House Slytherin on his back made his housemates feel their hearts brimming with pride. It was especially the case when the word "Campio" appeared on it.
Professor McGonagall then brought forward a golden magical laurel wreath, the reward for the champion, his crown, and each golden leaf had a magical beast engraved on it.
Newton Scamander then placed it on his head, and then the Deputy Headmistress announced something important.
"100 Points to Slytherin!"
The magical hum sounded out in the Great Hall, and the Slytherin House Points tally immediately rose by 100 more points, cementing their top spot even further.
When Altair turned around, the entire Hall, except for the majority of Gryffindors, cheered for him.
"Enjoy." Newton Scamander patted his shoulder from behind and then walked towards the staff that had gathered in groups.
Soon, led by the Headmaster, all of them used the Portkeys to return to the sites of the ongoing tasks.
Newton and his wife also left with them, and as soon as he was alone on the platform, the students rushed to him.
Slytherins lifted him in the air, rocking the Hall with the cheers, and even the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs seemed very happy for him.
Aurelia and Cho were beyond excited, and once he entered their arms, they jumped about him like little girls, and the entire Hall started singing.
"Campio!"
"Campio!"
"Campio!"
"Gloria Campionis!"
On the side, the reporters of the Daily Prophet and Hogwarts Daily captured the moment, forever preserving it...