Tension was almost sickening as the students crowded into the hall for the Announcement Feast. Strangely enough, it had been decorated for Hallowe'en. Everyone cast disconcerted glances at one another, obviously wondering why it was a day late. However, they weren't going to argue. The pumpkins were quite fun to put on your head and scare your friends with.

"Students and staff of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang! It is time to announce the champions! Also, I would like to apologise for the decorations – I'm afraid I may have forgotten that yesterday was Hallowe'en." Professor Kopf went to scratch his head, but only managed to knock off his hat, causing the usual ruckus. When he straightened up, the students subdued. They were all waiting.

The doors to the Great Hall slowly swung open as Kingsley Shacklebolt entered, the Goblet of Fire levitating before him. As it landed with a clunk before the spectators, they all held their breath.

Suddenly, the Goblet began to spit as the flames blazed a burning scarlet. From its fiery tongues, it expelled a piece of parchment. Professor Kopf made a brave swipe for it, but missed and toppled over. The fear was palpable, but the moment of relief was welcomed.

"Sorry about that." The Headmaster got back to his feet, brandishing the parchment which he squinted at. "The first champion, from Durmstrang Institute, is" he seemed to struggle with the pronunciation "Vladimir Vladislav!"

A great roar resounded from the Durmstrang students, from whose midst rose a tall, dark haired male with rather a humorous 'confluence of eyebrows' in that, he had a unibrow. He marched with impeccable precision to the room designated to the champions.

Rose watched the door slam behind him and crossed her fingers beneath the table.

The Goblet blazed crimson again. Once more, a parchment soared from the embers and landed in Professor Kopf's hand. He read "The Hogwarts champion..."

Everyone waited with baited breath. Scorpius, Albus, Molly and Lysander were focused on nothing but the paper that could hold their victory.

"Scorpius Malfoy!"

A deafening stampede of cheers burst from those clad in green. The Slytherins got to their feet, beside themselves with glee as the son of Draco Malfoy sauntered out of the Hall, the look on his face only conveying one message: this tournament was his.

The Goblet of Fire flared red one last time. Every eye was focused on the parchment that flew from it. Professor Kopf unfurled it and, after what seemed forever, read "The Beauxbatons champion is"

Rose screwed her eyes up, her stomach tightening into a knot. Then, she realised everything had fallen silent.

Professor Kopf had frozen. He was staring down at the parchment as if he couldn't believe his eyes. Her heart almost stopped. She knew what it said.

The Headmaster gave a weak gasp, before clearing his throat and announcing "Rose Weasley!"

It was as if someone had just said Voldemort had returned. A hush, quieter yet louder than any other, had suffocated Hogwarts. Only one person moved different than the rest.

The champion of Beauxbatons slowly stood on her shaking legs. As if she were a magnet, every head snapped towards her. It was all she could do not to collapse right on the spot. But she willed herself not to look at anyone and walked with all the courage she could muster towards the door. If she could reach it, she would be safe.

Faces, once familiar, were staring at her like they'd never seen her before. What was running through their minds? Did they realise she had been expelled? Perhaps they thought she had transferred...but why would she do that? No. They knew.

She couldn't look at her old teachers as she passed them, even though Professor Longbottom was trying desperately to catch her eye – he was shocked to see the daughter of one of his closest friends again.

Her hands were trembling uncontrollably as she thrust open the door and staggered into the side-chamber. Her head was spinning, making her nearly unable to walk.

Scorpius and Vladimir were stood at either side of the fire. They would have cut an impressive sight, if Rose hadn't been so unpleased to see the former. However, Vladimir looked a little lost, so she decided to introduce herself.

No sooner had she come to this decision than her stomach lurched and she felt her balance falter. Before she could trip, a heavy hand clamped on her shoulder and steered her further into the room.

"Come, mon champion." Madame Maxime's voice was imperious. She showed no joy in having the girl competing for her school. After all, it was almost like two Hogwarts champions.

"Well, well, well! Isn't this splendid!" Professor Kopf clapped his hands together. "The right number of champions, and all of them of age!" His gaze was resolutely avoiding Rose. She felt distinctly small and undesired at that moment.

"I'm sure you'd all like a moment to introduce yourselves to one another?" Professor Lycon inputted smoothly. Scorpius felt unnerved. There was something mocking in his tone, and he could tell that it was because he knew Rose was already known to him.

"Rose Weasley." She spoke faintly, extending her hand to the Durmstrang student, who shook it vigorously.

"Vladimir Vladislav!" He replied eagerly, but then a look from his Headmaster wiped the smile off his face.

Scorpius simply stood there.

"Well...anyway." Professor Kopf ventured after a very awkward pause. "I'm sure you're all wondering what we have in store for you, champions!" he clapped his hands together. "Well, it's a secret!" He gave a wide smile and tapped the side of his nose with his wand. "You shall need all the courage and skill you have. Preparation for the tasks must be done alone. No teachers may be asked for help. And there is one rule you must remember for the First Task – you are not allowed a wand."

A gasp of protest came from the three students. They would be nothing without their wands! But the Headmaster shook off their rebuffs.

"You are all exempt from your end-of-year tests, as there shall be little time for revision for you. However, that does not mean you shall never take them!" His eye glinted as it settled on Malfoy. "You must return next year to do them. But, before I bid you goodnight, I shall leave you with one last piece of information – the first task shall be on November the 30th. I hope you come prepared."

With that, he gave a departing smile and left. Headmaster Esöb mercilessly clapped his hand on Vladimir's shoulder and led him from the room, muttering "venstre, høyre, venstre, høyre!" The other teachers and the Minister, who had entered, followed their lead.

Madame Maxime gave Rose a cold smile. "Au revoir, Rose! Félicitations!" and she swept after the others. This left Rose and Scorpius alone.

She made to leave but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Rose, I'm sorry."

She did a double-take. "About what?"

"About everything! I guess I was a bit of a jerk to you..." he ran a hand through his hair in agitation.

"Scorpius, you don't have to apologise."

"I don't?" His face lit up.

"No, it's just who you are. Besides, it's not like we're friends. Best of luck in the Tournament...I hope you're prepared to lose." In a swirl of hair, she turned on her heel and left him gripping his blond locks consumed by a wild tangle of fear and desire.