September went by very quickly. Hermione had celebrated her birthday on the 19th with a nice cake that Analeigh requested from the house-elves down in the kitchens, which she also enchanted to make the words written on it flash in different colors; she later on left Hermione to be with Harry and Ron on her special day, knowing they'd probably want to spend time with each other.

Her own birthday, a few weeks after Hermione's, was just as fun. Hermione returned the favor with a cake as well and charmed it to make the doodles on it move, much to Analeigh's delight. Harry and Ron even gave her a small gift, which was a simple scarlet shirt that bore the words Analeigh Heart and an amazing drawing of a Gryffindor lion as if it were a jersey; she later on found out that the boys had asked Dean Thomas to write those words and draw the golden lion because of his natural talent and that they just paid for the shirt itself. Still, Analeigh appreciated their effort.

On the other hand, she found herself seeing less of Cedric Diggory. He didn't do it on purpose, though. Although school had just begun, Cedric, like all the other responsible students at Hogwarts, spent much time focusing on his academics as well as fulfilling his prefect duties. Also, there just weren't many times where he could just slide into a conversation with Analeigh Heart. They were two years apart so they had different classes, weren't from the same house, and obviously had different sets of friends, so of course it wouldn't be easy to randomly go start talking to her. However, a certain Ravenclaw in her fifth year named Cho Chang seemed to have taken a liking to Cedric. Being the approachable and charming person he naturally was, he had become friends with her. She was a very sweet girl, but Cedric couldn't tell if he was starting to have romantic feelings for her or if he was just trying to reciprocate her actions.

Now that it was October, it was almost time for the students from Beauxbatons Acadmey and Durmstrang Institute to come to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament. And when Harry, Ron, and Hermione passed by the Great Hall, they saw a number of students gathered around what looked to be a notice.

"There's a sign," said Ron. Being the tallest, he merely had to tiptoe a bit to be able to see above the crowd.

"A sign?" repeated Analeigh.

"Can you read it?" Harry then asked Ron.

"It says that Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are arriving today at six!" the redhead exclaimed.

"So what time even is it?"

"About twenty minutes 'til six," answered Analeigh. "We should get inside."

The other three Gryffindors nodded at Analeigh's words. The four of them pushed past the crowd and made their way into the Great Hall, taking their places at their usual seats at the Gryffindor Table.

"So, Leigh," Hermione started once they were seated. "You're really going to go for it? For the Triwizard Tournament?"

All friends turned to the blonde expectantly. "Yes," Analeigh answered confidently. "I mean, there is a small chance I'd get picked. But I'm also trying to have faith in myself about it and there's no harm in trying, right?"

"That's right," Ron agreed with his friend, but in all honestly, he was still quite bitter that he couldn't even enter.

Hermione bit her lip at Analeigh's words and refrained herself from giving her a talk about the dangers of the tournament. It wasn't that she didn't believe in her; she may have only known Analeigh for about a year now, but she knew that she was a very bright and skilled witch. But Analeigh, like Hermione, was still only fifteen years old and in her fourth year, so even if she did get picked, the inexperience could cost her her life. Hermione trusted Dumbledore's words, but she couldn't help but be worried for her friend.

As the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry finally settled in the Great Hall, all that was left was to wait for Headmaster Dumbledore to begin speaking. Everyone kept eagerly glancing at the man, waiting for him to announce the arrival of the other schools. Eventually, he got up on his feet and the hall lapsed into silence.

"Good evening, everyone!" he started. "As you all know by now, the delegates will be arriving today. So please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy and their headmistress, Madame Maxime!"

The doors of the Great Hall burst open and in came a group of girls in the uniform Analeigh used to wear not too long ago; the blue hats, blue blouse, and blue skirt that suited each one of them to perfection. Their beauty seemed to captivate everyone in the room, and together with that, they had a little exhibition — every once in a while, they would halt altogether and extend their arms, releasing flicks of enchanted blue birds. Behind these girls were two more students with a special performance. The younger-looking girl was showing off her flexibility and skills by doing a series of tumbles and flips across the floor while the older-looking one, whom Analeigh recognized was Fleur Delacour due to her popularity in her previous school, was doing graceful turns and spins. Analeigh knew that they weren't what really caught the audience's attention, though. It was the giant woman who came walking after them who was no other than Madame Maxime.

"Blimey, that's one big woman," Seamus commented and nudged Analeigh from her right. "Is she scary in person?"

Analeigh chuckled and shook her head. "No, not really. She is intimidating but is still pretty nice — well, usually just to her favorite students," she added thoughtfully.

Once all the Beauxbatons students reached the front of the hall, they received a round of applause. Madame Maxime then shook hands with Dumbledore before her students were invited to sit at the Ravenclaw table and she herself took a seat at the High Table with the teachers and staff of Hogwarts.

"And now, our friends from the north," Dumbledore continued. "Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their headmaster, Igor Karkaroff!"

The Great Hall's doors reopened and everyone was met with a different sight. The boys all clad in scarlet robes from Durmstrang had their very own presentation as well, but it was much different from what the girls from Beauxbatons showed. Each boy had their own staff with which they used to hit the ground in synchronization to certain beat. Following that came one student who tumbled across the floor with some other skills too before ending the show by breathing an enchanted flame of fire . Similar to Beauxbatons, a few more people were the last to enter, giving off the impression that they were more important than the rest; one of them was an older, gruff looking man whom Analeigh supposed was Headmaster Igor Karkaroff, and the other was a burly and buff boy whom she now recognized all too well: Viktor Krum.

"Blimey, it's him!" Ron said excitedly. With him sitting next to Analeigh's left, he began to shake her shoulder vigorously as his idol walked in. "Viktor Krum!"

"I think we all noticed, Ronald," Hermione said, trying to calm him down.

"Yeah, and what you don't notice is that you're attacking my poor shoulder," Analeigh pointed out. Ron stopped shaking her in excitement, but the awestruck look on his face didn't leave.

Igor Karkaroff and Viktor Krum reached the rest of the Durmstrang students who paused at the front. Karkaroff embraced Dumbledore like they were old friends before he too sat at the High Table while his students chose to sit with Slytherins (who even sent smug grins to everyone else). When they had settled in, Dumbledore ordered for silence again. A man then came out from the right of the hall pushing a cart that had a grand-looking casket set on top of it. This sparked everyone's curiosity and hushed whispers rang throughout the room.

"The Goblet of Fire," Dumbledore explained, gesturing to the casket. He then flicked his wand over the object and unlocked it. A large goblet made from stone rose with bright blue flames dancing on top of it. "Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thrusday night, October 31st. As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun."

★ ★ ★

"Leigh, do you want to come with us to Hogsemeade or not? I've been waiting for half an hour!"

"I'm coming!" Analeigh shouted back at Hermione, running out of the girls' bathroom as she flattened her hair.

Hermione took notice of Analeigh's actions and said, "I thought you knew the charm to instantly change your hairstyle?"

Analeigh sighed and just threw on a beanie to cover her dirty blonde hair. "Yeah, but I just can't seem to get the right one. It's either too curly or too straight or —"

Hermione then grabbed Analeigh's wrist, pulling her away from the bathroom and towards the staircase.

"Leigh, I love you and all, but I'm dying to get out of the castle for at least a little while. So, let's just go and get to Hogsmeade now and then I'll try to fix your hair for you."

Hermione and Analeigh hurried all the way down to the Entrance Courtyard where they met up with Harry and Ron. From there, they rode the carriages that usually took them to and from the station where the Hogwarts Express ended, but this time, they were headed to the nice little village just beside the grand castle.

This was the second time Analeigh had gone to Hogsmeade with Hermione, Harry, and Ron. She had gone here last year after Hermione told her she could join them, but she wasn't very familiar with the boys yet. Now, it was much more comfortable to be walking with them as they trudged through Hogsmeade, talking and laughing.

After a hushed conversation about Sirius' whereabouts, whom they called Padfoot, the topic went back to the Triwizard Tournament. Analeigh hadn't talked about it in detail just yet, such as when she would officially enter her name into the Goblet of Fire.

"When are you entering your name, Leigh?" Hermione asked.

"You're still going through with it, right?" added Harry. "'Cause if not, it's a shame because I was rooting for you."

Analeigh scoffed at those words, making Harry shrug playfully.

"Yes, I am going through with it," she told them. "I'd prefer to put my name in when it isn't such a big deal to do so. I don't want to make a scene by walking up to the goblet; we've seen too many students do that already and everyone else just goes oooh and all."

Hermione laughed a little. "That's true. It does get quite irritating."

"So, where to next?" Ron said.

"Well, I am getting a little thirsty."

"The Three Broomsticks it is, then."

The four Gryffindors made their way into the popular pub down the road. Upon entering, the first thing they noticed was that it was already packed with students. Harry seemed to notice that his secret crush, Cho Chang, was there, but she was with someone else. Meanwhile, Analeigh also noticed that Cedric Diggory was there, and he too was with another person who so happened to be the one Harry was staring at. The Hufflepuff boy and Ravenclaw girl were in the middle of finding their own seats as well, indicating that they had arrived not too long before Analeigh and the others did.

Hermione chose a good table for her friends, which was on the side and not too far from the bar. They all took their seats and then all eyes turned to Analeigh.

"What?" she asked in confusion.

"Well," started Ron. "Ever since we started coming to Hogsmeade, we've taken turns in getting the drinks. Last year, when you first came with us, it was me. Now, it's your turn."

Analeigh rolled her eyes exaggeratedly but obliged anyways. She got up from her seat and walked over to the bar, but not before muttering, "Git."

"Heard that!"

The blonde chuckled to herself as she reached Madam Rosmerta, who was still busy wiping the counter with a towel.

"Four Butter —"

"Excuse me —"

Analeigh turned to her right and found Cedric Diggory there, just about to order as well.

"Oh, Analeigh," Cedric said, genuinely surprised. He hadn't really talked to her since the first day of school nor had he seen her much around the castle aside from the daily meals in the Great Hall. "It's been quite long since we've spoken, hasn't it?"

Analeigh didn't know how to answer. She didn't blame the bronze-haired boy for not talking to her. After all, he was in his sixth year, a prefect, and an overall popular student who attended to many things, so he was busy. But, she admitted she found it disheartening when he implied that he wanted to be friends with her for no apparent reason and then suddenly dropped that goal.

"Yeah."

Cedric suddenly didn't know what to say. All he noticed was that Analeigh looked different when she wasn't dressed in her Gryffindor robes, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. He had to admit that she looked even prettier, but it somehow felt wrong to think of that when Cho had invited him there in the first place.

"So," Cedric cleared his throat. "Are you here alone?"

"I'm talking to you right now," Analeigh answered with a hint of humor. Cedric chuckled at her answer. "Actually, I'm with them."

Analeigh gestured behind her and looked over her shoulder to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione whispering and starting at her intently. But when they realized that she had noticed them, they quickly looked away as if nothing had happened. Analeigh rolled her eyes at their antics before facing Cedric again.

"I'm here with a friend as well," Cedric continued. "Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw — er, do you know her?"

Analeigh nodded, knowing all too well about that fifth year Ravenclaw. News spread like wildfire at Hogwarts, and with Cedric being one of the most popular students there, it wasn't hard to hear some rumors that Cho liked him and vice versa, or that they were unofficially dating or had just become good friends. She genuinely didn't know which of those rumors was true, though, and she didn't think she had the right to ask him about it.

"So." Analeigh and Cedric looked to their side to find Madam Rosmerta staring at them expectantly. "Do you kids still want something to drink?"

Cedric straightened up and faced Analeigh again. "Oh, right. You can go first."

Analeigh smiled at him before saying, "Four Butterbeers, please."

Madam Rosmerta smiled at the girl and turned around to get the drinks. After a few moments, she returned with four mugs overflowing with Butterbeer. Analeigh thanked the woman and mumbled a "Wingardium Leviosa," and with a swish and flick of her wand, she allowed the four drinks to levitate. She made her way back to her friends, leaving Cedric behind with his gaze lingering on her for just a moment.

Analeigh set the four Butterbeers back on the table where her friends were waiting. Instead of thanking her, Ron said, "We saw you flirting with Diggory."

"And I saw you staring," Analeigh shot back. "Besides, he's here with Cho Chang, so we obviously weren't flirting."

Harry tried to hide his disappointment. Analeigh basically confirmed that Cedric was indeed here with his first real crush, Cho Chang, on what could be a date. Thankfully, they dropped the whole topic of Cedric and Cho, and instead directed their conversation to other subjects. They soon forgot about their worries as they drank their delicious Butterbeers, laughing and chatting away.