Chapter 7: The Goblet of Fire
Weeks had passed since the incident in Potions Class. Severus kept a good distance from her and she was glad to do the same. He scowled at her from the time she entered the dungeons with her girls until they left. Considering they had three classes to teach together, it was a very difficult time for the two of them. She was quickly rivalling his abilities in Potions in the eyes of the students. Though she tried to only help his students, more than once she "overstepped" the boundaries and helped his. Severus seethed at the thought of losing the small power he held in his classroom. He was already counting the days until the Tri-Wizard Tournament would be over.
The night of the selection feast, a feeling of dread formed in the pit of his stomach. He tried to shake it off when suddenly his left arm began to burn. He looked down to see the old faded mark begin to take colour again.
"Severus!" a voice said from the fireplace.
"Albus? Do you need anything?" Severus replied.
"You need to get to the feast now! We are about to begin!"
Severus rolled down the sleeve of his shirt and stalked up to the Great Hall. The Hall was filled to the brim. Excited whispers could be heard from every corner of the room. He looked up to the Head table to find a seat and saw Rose. She looked fabulous in royal purple robes. Her eyes shone in excitement. She was seated next to another red-headed guest. She was smiling and laughing as she cast looks towards the Goblet of Fire in the middle of the room.
"Who is that man she is talking to?" He asked himself. The man turned and Severus immediately recognized Charlie Weasley. Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach.
"She's mine," the voice in his head growled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to reveal the champions!" Dumbledore announced.
The goblet began to glow with a red flame and a paper was expulsed from it.
"The champion from Durmstrang is... Viktor Krum!" Cheers rang through the Hall. Krum stepped forward and Dumbledore steered him towards a door behind the head table. Severus sneered, he had been right. The goblet glowed red once more and another paper flew into Dumbledore's hands.
"The Beaux-Batons champion is... Fleur Delacour." Rose squealed and cheered as the Delacour girl was steered to the same door Krum had disappeared through. The third name popped out of the goblet and Dumbledore announced:
"The Hogwarts champion will be... Cedric Diggory." The Hogwarts crowd roared. Dumbledore began to address the crowd when the goblet suddenly began to glow again and it regurgitated a fourth piece of paper. Dumbledore caught it and looked at the paper quizzically.
"Harry Potter?" He called, confused.
Rose gasped and a look of terror lodged itself in her eyes. Severus took a step towards her.
Harry began his slow walk down the Great Hall towards Dumbledore and was ushered towards the doorway where the other three champions had gone through. As Harry walked by Severus, he looked up. The fear is his eyes was palpable. He smelled of it. He looked genuinely confused. Rose followed quickly. Dumbledore signaled for Severus to follow him.
"Harry!" He heard Rose exclaim. "What has happened?"
"Harry! Did you get one of the older students to put your name in the goblet?" Dumbledore roared.
"No! I don't want to be part of this!" Harry said visibly shaking in fear.
"Barty?" Dumbledore asked.
"It is a binding magical contract. The boy must participate."
"NO!" Rose yelled as she put a protective arm around Harry. "He is too young. you heard him, he doesn't want to be part of this and he didn't put his name in there. Why are you punishing him?" Rose was near hysterics.
"Let's take this to my office ladies and gentlemen."
They followed Dumbledore. Severus, for a reason he could not comprehend, wanted to put his arm around Rose and comfort her. As they arrived in Dumbledore's office, Rose was visibly shaking. He could feel the magic surrounding her. She was angry.
"Barty, you are sure we cannot circumvent this one time?" Dumbledore asked.
"Nothing can be changed, it is a binding magical contract, if he were to break it, it could mean death."
"If he participates he could die!" Rose and Minerva exclaimed together. "Surely you could do something Headmaster!"
"If I may interrupt," Severus interjected. "I think it may be wise to let the boy participate... for now, until we can figure out what has happened and who is behind this."
"Are you out of your mind, Severus! Are you trying to kill him?!" Rose screamed angrily at him. Severus cringed as he felt some of her magic push towards him.
"I agree with Severus." Dumbledore said quietly.
"But he is just a boy!"Minerva exclaimed, as Rose threw an angry glance at both Severus and Dumbledore.
"Miss Evans, kindly control your magic. We do not need another reprise of yours and Severus' antics in the dungeons!" Dumbledore said authoritatively.
"It is controlled Headmaster. but let me be clear about this. If anything happens to Harry I will hold you both accountable and you will have to answer to me." She gave a searing look to both Dumbledore and Severus before stalking off.
A/N: the next few chapters will be a little slower and a little angry. I am trying to put the romance on the slow burner so that it can feel more explosive later. Thank you for your patience.