Whooo! next chapter! I tried to pack in as much suspense as possible here: hope it worked! n_n

A week or so later, Scorpius once again found himself being dragged to the Great Hall in Eric's iron grip.

"We need to be there early so we can get seats closer to the front!" he was saying. Scorpius only nodded. Ever since Zahra had crossed paths with Celine Dupont, he had found himself doing nothing but worry. He knew it was stupid, because the odds of both Celine and Zahra being picked to compete were very remote, but he couldn't help it. Eric had noticed his sullen mood and stopped walking. He sighed.

"Seriously, Scorpius, lighten up. Celine Dupont may be a highly attractive, rich model for Magicien and a prize bitch, but she's not dangerous or anything. Neither's the Tournament, Goldman is just exaggerating, dramatic effect that kinda thing." He offered Scorpius a smile, "So even if she does get picked, Zahra'll be fine. Yeah?"

"Yeah, I guess." Scorpius murmured, returning a half-smile and followed Eric to the Great Hall.

As soon as McGonagall had finished the general notices and permitted them to eat, Eric tucked in like he hadn't seen anything edible for a week. Scorpius laughed as he filled his glass with pumpkin juice.

"What?" Eric demanded, a chicken leg halfway to his mouth, "I'm a growing lad!"

Scorpius was still chuckling as he raised his glass to his lips. "Okay, okay…" he said between sips, trying not to stare at Zahra (which was proving difficult). She was chatting away excitedly to Rosalyn, her trademark messy bun bobbing slightly as she nodded her head. Scorpius didn't notice Julius Goldman had got up until he spoke.

"And now!" he cried dramatically, "It is the moment you have all been waiting for. While many brave souls have ventured up to volunteer themselves for the Tournament, only three shall become CHAMPIONS!" The entire hall broke into enthusiastic applause. Goldman raised his hand for silence. "Who will those brave souls be?" Gently, he lowered his hand, causing the torches on the wall to dim. "We shall let the Goblet decide! Now, ladies first, I think. From Beauxbatons Academy of Magic…" he paused as the blue flames grew, illuminating every face in the hall. With a great roar the flames flared up and spat out a piece of baby blue parchment. Goldman caught it between forefinger and thumb and paused to read the name.

You could cut the atmosphere with a knife.

"CELINE DUPONT!"

The girls from Beauxbatons erupted into cheers as Celine got up, smiling. The smile became smug as she walked past Zahra and shook hands warmly with Goldman, before being led out of the hall by the headmistress of Beauxbatons. Goldman had to raise his hand once more for silence.

"A worthy champion for Beauxbatons, I see." He said. Scorpius caught Zahra throwing a 'yeah right' glance at Rosalyn, who bit her lip to stop herself grinning too widely.

"And now," continued Goldman, "from the Durmstrang Institute…" Once again the flames erupted, this time throwing out a piece of coarse beige parchment. The entire hall held its breath as Goldman paused once again.

"GAVRIL VOLKOV!"

Gavril stood up as all his friends and classmates clapped him on the back and cheered. He was short and stocky, his square-jawed face framed with large sideburns and stubble. His thick, unkempt black hair fell over one eye, but the other brown one was just visible. He strode up to Goldman, shook him by the hand and was taken out if the room by his headmaster.

"Again, a worthy champion for Durmstrang." Goldman said in a strained voice, massaging his hand. "Now, lastly – but by no means least – who will be Hogwarts' champion?"

Rosalyn reached over and gave Zahra's hand a squeeze, gaining a nervous look from Zahra. For the last time, the blue flames erupted out of the Goblet and piece of off-white parchment fell into Julius Goldman's hand. Scorpius felt like time was slowing down.

Hundreds of people from Hogwarts have entered it won't be-

"ZAHRA STEELE!"

Rosalyn and Zahra both erupted in a short burst of excited screams. Zahra rose from the table, grinning nervously as she jogged up the platform to shake Goldman's hand. The last he saw of Zahra was Professor McGonagall leading her out of the Hall.

Scorpius felt his heart sink as he stared into his glass of pumpkin juice. The excited chatter all around him just sounded like incomprehensible buzzing.

Guess the odds weren't in my favour.