Chapter 21
"Can you believe it? She's just the second female Tri Wizards Champion in the history of Hogwarts!"
"I don't think she stands a chance."
"Not of winning, no. But I think she'll make it until the second round. It's supposed to be the most dangerous tournament yet."
It was Scorpius' worst nightmare come to life. He ought to have known by the sickening ache in his stomach right before the Cauldron Call that Rose's name was going to be on that dreaded slip of paper. Sure enough, it had been and things hadn't been the same since.
It seemed that overnight, Hogwarts became crowded with not only guests from Beauxbatons and Drustrang, but photographers and reporters eager to get interviews from the three candidates, especially from Rose. It was true. She had become a legend, only the second female in the history of Hogwarts to be named a Tri Wizards Champion, the first female since Botilda Hephasteus, who had attended school in the same year as Albus Dumbledore, the previous Head of school.
Rose, his Rose, who had always shied away from public attention, now could go nowhere without it. Valentine's Day had been completely overshadowed by the buzzing excitement of the TriWizards Competition. The rules had been different this year. The Tri Wizards Ball was this weekend as it was part of the tradition, but after that, Rose and the others competing in the competition would be quarantined for five days of intense training. No one knew the exact location, but once she left the morning after the Ball, Scorpius would not see her again until it was her turn on the Pitch. The Pitch, which had been completely blanketed by thick clouds of magic, where guards stood day and night to make sure no one unauthorized entered. Any student who attempted to sneak in to see what was happening for the tournament was immediately expelled, no questions asked.
They hadn't gotten back together. Not officially; there hadn't been time to discuss it. Instead of holding her, kissing her, begging her forgiveness for ending the relationship, Scorpius had been helping her locate, memorize and cast Black spells as much as he could during the past few weeks. And now their time was almost up. The dance was tomorrow evening. He wasn't even sure if he would, if he could be in attendance.
As it was, Scorpius was waiting now for Rose in the Astronomy Tower, one of the more deserted places on school grounds, especially on a Friday night.
He ought to feel more cheerful. His father had taken his first unassisted steps two days ago, and his mother's face was completely healed. "Keep your friend Roxanne close," she'd owled. "With her potion working this well, she's sure to be wealthy the moment she crosses the Hogwarts stage at graduation. I've already talked her up around my office and I have two ladies wishing for samples. Please give her the enclosed pouch to show my sincerest gratitude. Things are improving more and more here. Enjoy your day my darling!"
He was happy for his parents, honestly he was. He was also worried sick about Rose. He took a deep breath when he heard the door to the Tower open and close.
"Scorpius?"
"Here," he called, standing.
Her scent reached him before she herself did. He would know the way she smelled until he was old and gray.
In a blur of school cloak and red hair, she hurled herself into his arms. "It's been maddening. I haven't been able to get away from reporters and people shoving things in my face to be signed…everyone snapping my photograph, even when I've just come from the loo!" she whispered against his shoulder. "I've heard they've made the tournament as horrid as they could in order to win back supporters and gain popularity. They're saying that one of us most likely won't make it out alive-"
Scorpius stood back. "Take the punishment and drop out, Rose."
"Complete hair loss, blood filled pustules across the body, Coward branded across the forehead in blisters, no fingernails, all for a minimum of eleven years. And those are just the hexes I know of when you don't follow through with the tournament once chosen." Rose looked at him and even in the dim lighting, he could see her eyes glistening with tears.
"I don't give a damn about you being bald and bloody. At least you'll be alive, Rose! Stop this madness, leave it!"
"I'm not going to lie and say I'm not afraid. I am. But I won't quit. I won't! Can't you understand that?" Rose asked him, shaking her head. She dropped her head into her hands, crying. Scorpius thought he had experienced a broken heart, but here it was now, for real this time. He wept with her. If she wanted to tell her friends, she could.
"I don't understand, Rose. I don't. I never will. Don't you know that-"
"Yes, I know all of that for Merlin's sake! I know! But don't you see, it's the only way? Your parents can't deny me if I win…I'll be good enough!"
Scorpius turned from her, giving a defeated laugh. He wiped his eyes angrily. "Can't be denied, eh? And if you lose?"
Rose looked down. "I would have died for you. For us. For love."
"Rose!" Scorpius said sharply. "That's absolutely absurd! I can't let you do this. I won't!"
"It's too late now," Rose whispered.
Scorpius heart dropped. "I wish I could take it all back. And now it's too late... Oh, Rose, what can we do? If anything happens to you, I'll never forgive myself!"
Rose shook her head. "Don't worry about me. I said I was afraid, but I won't go down without a fight."
"I'll be going crazy…knowing what you've done and all because of me," Scorpius said, choking back tears again. They were both somber and silent for some moments.
Suddenly, Scorpius straightened. "There's at least one thing we can do. It'll be risky, and we won't have a lot of time…but I say we just get married."
Rose let out a defeated laugh covered by a sob. "Don't."
"I mean it. Legal age without parental consent is 16. We'll keep it secret until after graduation. There's an officiant's office in Hogsmeade, they'll bear witness. I don't mean to start a family, but I don't want you to ever doubt again that I want to be with you. You have to know that before this dreadful competition starts, before you go into quarantine. I mean to prove it to you."
Rose looked at him, her fingers curling in the hair at the back of his neck. Her eyes softened. "This young?"
"I could never love anyone else. I don't care that we're sixteen. What's age but a number? Marry me."
She smiled that little smile of hers and hugged him tight. "It's plenty foolish."
"You're plenty foolish for never listening to anyone. But yet and still, you do what you feel is best, so I reckon I'll do what I feel is best. And that's asking you to be mine, for always."
Rose was silent for only a moment. It seemed to last forever, until finally, she nodded. "Yes. I accept. Let's do it. It will have to be tomorrow. If you can get away before the Ball, that way I'll at least have a dress on. And you'll have your robes on. You are going as my date, aren't you?"
"Yes. Absolutely. And you'll be there as Mrs. Malfoy. Meet me in Hogsmeade tomorrow at four. In front of Madam Puddifoot's."
Voices could be heard coming up the steps of the Astronomy Tower. They wouldn't have much longer to be alone and if anyone saw Rose here, there would be no more privacy for either of them.
"I will. I'll be there. On my life, on all that I love, I'll be there," she said, kissing him quickly. Then she turned and slipped out of the back door of the Tower just as a small group of students entered.
"I thought you said she'd be in here?" one girl said to the rest, sounding disappointed.
"She must've just left. There's her boyfriend," another said. The group turned to stare at Scorpius.
"Have you seen Rose Weasley? We wanted her autograph before she begins the closed training. We've been trying to catch up with her for three days now," the one who'd pointed him out asked him.
Scorpius shook his head. "You just missed her. But I'll get those signed for you if you'd like," he said, holding out his hand. The girl shoved a handful of photographs in his hand. Upon closer inspection, Scorpius could see that it was a picture of all the TriWizards Champions in front of Hogwarts. Rose was in the center of the photograph, hair blowing gently in the wind, her face beautiful, serious. She looked like a champion.
"Please. She's so lovely. She's my hero," the girl told Scorpius.
Scorpius gave her a tight smile. "Mine, too." He pocketed the photographs. "I'll take care of it for you. What's your name?"
"Sansa. Sansa Pearson. We're in Ravenclaw. If you could send it by owl after she's signed, I would be much obliged," Sansa gushed. She grabbed her friends by the elbow and they left, giddy and chattering excitedly amongst themselves.
Scorpius left the Tower shortly afterwards, heart racing at the thought that by this time tomorrow, Rose would be Mrs. Malfoy. He tried not to think of what his parents would say when they found out. At any rate, he hadn't the time to think of that now. He had to figure out how to charm an authentic set of wedding rings.