1. The Triwizard Tournament:
The story kicks off with the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous competition between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire, despite him being underage, and he's thrust into the competition against his will. This sets the stage for the rising action.
2. Harry's Preparation and Challenges:
Harry has to train for the Tournament tasks, facing increasingly dangerous challenges:
* First Task: Harry has to face a dragon and rescue a golden egg.
* Second Task: He must dive into a lake filled with dangerous creatures to retrieve a person.
* Third Task: Harry must navigate a dangerous maze filled with traps and a powerful enemy.
3. The Growing Threat of Voldemort:
While training for the tournament, Harry also faces the threat of Voldemort's return. He sees Voldemort's mark on Cedric Diggory, a fellow Hogwarts student who also entered the Triwizard Tournament. This leads to a growing tension and anticipation of a major confrontation.
4. The Discovery of Crouch's Betrayal:
As the story unfolds, Harry discovers that Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Mad-Eye Moody, is manipulating the Triwizard Tournament to ensure Voldemort's return. This reveals a deeper conspiracy and increases the stakes for Harry and his friends.
5. The Resurrection Stone and the Horcrux:
During the third task, Harry discovers the Resurrection Stone, one of the Deathly Hallows. He also learns about the importance of Horcruxes, objects in which Voldemort has split his soul, and his desire to find them. This revelation adds a significant layer of complexity to the plot.
6. Cedric's Death and Voldemort's Return:
The climax of the rising action occurs when Voldemort confronts Harry and Cedric Diggory in the maze. The battle leads to Cedric's death and the shocking reveal of Voldemort's return to the world.
7. The Escape and The Prophecy:
Harry, with the help of Cedric's ghost, escapes from Voldemort and returns to Hogwarts with the body of Cedric. This event concludes the rising action, leading to the dramatic and emotional climax of the book.
These events create a constant sense of tension and anticipation, culminating in a powerful confrontation that sets the stage for the even greater challenges that await Harry in the books to come.