"Settle down."
Professor Lycon could have asked the class to have a rave and they'd all have fallen as silent as they did then. One sound from his deep, growling voice was enough to terrify the entire school into a coma. Albus Potter accidently dropped the stack of books he was carrying in his haste to sit down, and Scorpius deliberately stomped on of them to prevent him from grabbing it.
"You, boy." Lycon swooped down on Albus. Scorpius hastily withdrew his foot. "What do you think you're doing, crawling about on the floor? Get back to your seat!"
Albus straightened up, the badge on his robe flashing rather ominously. Professor Lycon eyed it with a sneer. "Head Boy, eh? Don't expect preferential treatment from me for being the Headmaster's favourite."
Scorpius snorted quietly, and Lycon's head snapped towards him. Instead of reprimanding him, a small smile curved across the teacher's face. With one contemptuous look at Scorpius, Albus slumped into his seat. Malfoy titled his chair back on two legs. What was the Head Boy going to do? Put him in detention?
"As you know, this year, the Triwizard Tournament was reinstated." Professor Lycon strode to the front of the classroom, drawing out his wand swiftly and flicking it. Words scrawled themselves across the board. "Now." He spun around to face the students, who all recoiled. "Who can tell me what happened last Triwizard Tournament?"
His hawk-like vision scanned the class. Finally, they settled on someone. "You. Who better than you to answer? The son of the famous Harry Potter?"
Every head turned in the direction of Albus. A lump rose in his throat. "Cedric Diggory died. And...and Voldemort returned." A sudden shudder travelled through the room like an electric current.
Professor Lycon gave a bark of a laugh. "You're all still afraid of the Dark Lord? Your father saved us from him." He fixed Albus with what he may have believed a friendly smile. It really looked like 'I'm going to rape you in the broom cupboard'.
"You should never have brought it back!" Albus said, his voice rising (and the colour in his face, too).
"I assure you, Mr Potter, that no one shall die and there shall be no elusive Dark Wizards returning this time. And besides, it wasn't my decision! All of the heads of wizarding schools and the Ministry of Magic unanimously agreed that it was time to bring back the tradition. What's the problem with a bit of friendly rivalry?"
"It's not friendly." Albus muttered under his breath. It wasn't quite clear if the professor heard him. He chose not to respond. Behind him, the chalk dotted a full stop with a loud clunk. Everyone started slightly.
What all the students had hoped would be the incantation for some awesome spell or a huge secret reserved only for seventh years actually read: 'N.E. . Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests.'
A loud groan emitted from the class. Professor Lycon's eyes flashed. "If any of you airheads actually intend on getting good jobs, a high degree at your N.E.W.T is crucial. Indeed, for those of you deluded enough to wish to become aurors, you will need an Exceeds Expectations at the least. Now, the course you will be studying is difficult, and I don't doubt many of you shall fail abysmally at it. But, I may be surprised. Are there any questions before I begin?"
"Yes!" Someone piped up. It was Dominique Weasley. Scorpius tried to suppress a sigh. Why was it, everywhere you looked, there was a Weasley? The girl went rather red as every eye focused on her, but she spoke defiantly. "Where's Professor Lupin?"
"He is on leave from Hogwarts. The Headmaster thought it best. Now." He looked around, as if daring anyone to ask another question about their old Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. "I shall take the register before we begin."
Every reply as he read out the names was monotonous and empty. Even Scorpius, who always tried his best to get on the good side of teachers to make up for his appalling grades, sounded lifeless.
"Rose Weasley?"
Silence fell as no answer came. The sound of shuffling was deafening as everyone swivelled in their chairs to look for the redhead. She wasn't hard to miss. But all they saw were puzzled faces staring back at them.
Scorpius shrunk in his chair. He noticed that Albus Potter froze. So he wasn't the only one who knew.
"The Triwizard Tournament has had a thorough redesign." The booming but serene voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister for Magic, reverberated through the Great Hall. "There is no need to fear your safety in this event. The Ministry have taken all precautions against this."
A shiver of fear ran through the school as several students exchanged glances. They'd said that the last time. Then someone had gotten killed...
The Hufflepuffs looked extremely terrified. Many of them were clinging onto one another. A few seemed to be suppressing tears. Obviously, they thought they were all doomed. Or perhaps it was the shame of having had Diggory as a member of their house. Understandable.
Scorpius gazed off into the distance, imagining the year to come – he was sure to win the Triwizard Tournament, if he was chosen. Then, perhaps he could pay someone to find Rose Weasley. Or bribe her little weed of a brother into telling him where she was.
"Very soon," Kingsley continued, breaking the sheet of ice that had penetrated the room "delegations shall arrive from the two other wizarding schools of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. We expect you all to be on your best behaviour, as you are representing Britain. Now, boys." His dark eyes twinkled. "Don't let the Veelas completely ruin you. They may be beautiful, but that's only one side of them." A chuckle resounded. "But, onto serious business." The Minister clapped his hands together. "I'm sure many of you know how this process works. Any applicants put their names in the Goblet of Fire, and then one is magically chosen. Likewise with Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. There are three competitors – and it shall be so, this time. Unlike the previous Tournament." His voice grew heavy and dark.
"I would like to remind you all, boys and girls, that applicants must be seventeen or over!" Professor Kopf squeaked, gathering the usual laughter from the students as his hat wobbled while he spoke.
"Seventeen. Just in time." Scorpius grinned to no one in particular. Lorcan nudged him with his shoulder.
"Stop being so full of yourself. Even if you do get entered, who's to say you'll win?"
Scorpius paused, his spoon hovering in the air before his mouth. Slowly, he turned his head to Lorcan. "Malfoys never lose."