~*~* ~*~* Preface | Rose Weasley

"Don't." One word; a warning. We've been here before. I lift my eyes to meet his, peering up at him from under my lashes, and am startled by how intense and defiant his gaze is. My eyes trace the flawless curves of his face; his jaw locked and his forehead creased in frustration. I hesitate before taking a step forward. Instantly his arm is there, leaning against the wall, barring my way into the hall.

"Scorpius," I start, speaking through gritted teeth. "Please move."

"...No."

The corners of my lips twitch as an idea enters my head. My shoe connects satisfyingly with his shin and I take the opportunity to duck under his arm. Scorpius catches my wrist and jerks me backwards, pulling away until we are under the staircase.

"What is your problem?" I demand. One second he's meters away from me, next he has his hands braced on the wall, either side of my head, his face inches from mine. My own hands are crushed in between us awkwardly; my back pressing against the cool stone.

"You think I don't know what this is about?" He asks, his warm breath tickling my cheek. "You were so scared that you would be placed in Slytherin and now that you are, you feel like you have to prove yourself-"

"You know nothing-"

"I know a hell of a lot more than you do. I know that people die in these things, Weasley. I know that your parents-"

"My parents have nothing to do with this. They can't tell me what to do and neither can you."

"What about Al? What would he say to this? Or Lily and Jas or-"

"I don't care!"

He pushes off the wall in frustration and turns away from me, clasping his hands behind his head. Without the heat of his body, the cold wall seeps through my skin, burrowing into my bones. He whirls to face me, his grey-teal eyes blazing.

"Rose." I recognise the use of my first name.

"I can do this." Even as I say it I realise how pathetic it sounds, like a child trying to convince their parents that they're mature enough to handle the grown-up scissors or something. Ugh.

Someone shouts his name and his eyes flick to the right. He pauses, conflicted. "Think about it... Please. Don't do anything reckless while I'm gone."

I watch him disappear and feel the crumpled parchment in my hand, containing my name, printed in my handwriting with my favourite quill. I take a deep breath before walking determinately towards the goblet and watch as the paper is engulfed by blue flames.

Author's note: Hey, thanks for reading! (: So the Triwizard Tournament has returned but this year there's a twist - two students are being chosen from each school (I realize this doesn't make it a Triwizard Tournament, but still, there are three schools competing haha). Please comment!