"Welcome, everyone!"

The Great Hall packed with students respectfully quieted down at Dumbledore's words as usual. Even with the silence, the excitement in everyone could be felt as tiny whispers were exchanged. The hall was also set up differently, with all four house tables pushed to the side to make way for whoever the champions would be — well, that's what Analeigh supposed, anyways. It gave off the feeling that this was real, and within a few moments, the contenders for the Triwizard Tournament would be announced.

"Now the moment you've all been waiting for: the champions selection," said Dumbledore. He pointed his wand at the casket set in the front of the Great Hall, and with one swish, it opened and the Goblet of Fire was revealed. "I will announce each school's set of champions, starting with Durmstrang."

Hushed voices rang throughout the hall again as everyone eagerly watched Dumbledore approach the Goblet. He cautiously placed his hands onto its sides, and as if it sense the man's presence, the goblet's fire enlarged. Dumbledore took a step back just as a piece of parchment flew out. Dumbledore caught it skillfully and it was as if everyone held their breath while he said, "The first Durmstrang champion is Viktor Krum!"

The Durmstrangs who sat in the Slytherin table erupted in cheers. Viktor Krum stood up and the applause loudened. He strode over to Dumbledore and the two shook hands before he was escorted to the chamber next to the High Table.

And then, the second paper flew out. Dumbledore caught it once again and read: "The next champion for Durmstrang is Andrei Grigor!"

A thinner and taller yet still masculine boy stood up. Andrei's friends clapped him on the back proudly as he walked over to Dumbledore and the same thing happened with him and the headmaster. After shaking hands, he followed Krum out of the hall.

Analeigh rubbed her hands together in anticipation. After Dumbledore tells everyone of the champions for Beauxbatons, who were next, it would be the Hogwarts champions he would announce. The mere thought of not being chosen disappointed Analeigh, but she knew there were so many students there that deserved it. Still, if by chance she was chosen, Analeigh would be overjoyed.

"For Beauxbatons," Dumbledore went on after he caught the third slip of paper. "We have Fleur Delacour!"

As usual, the Great Hall clapped politely. Fleur Delacour, who was one of the many Veelas Analeigh remembered the moment her former classmates stepped into the castle, gracefully made her way to Hogwarts' headmaster. After a brief congratulations, she too left.

"Next..." Dumbledore read the next name that shot out from the Goblet. "Brigitte Champney!"

Analeigh saw a girl with eye-catching raven hair and blue eyes get up from her seat but afterwards didn't pay attention to her. Once she left the room, it was going to be time for the last two champions to be determined, both from Hogwarts.

"And the Hogwarts champion is..." Analeigh held her breath, watching Dumbledore in anticipation. "Cedric Diggory!"

The school roared with cheers and applause, most coming from the Hufflepuff table, of course. Analeigh watched as the bronze-haired boy stood up, beaming with pride like he had never done before. It unintentionally made Analeigh smile herself just seeing someone so happy together with the school supporting him so much. She was so distracted and already expected she would be called since someone as great as Cedric was the first champion that she barely heard Dumbledore's next words and more so couldn't comprehend what he said.

"And last but not the least, we have... Analeigh Heart!"

It was only when Hermione patted her proudly, when Harry nudged her with a big grin, and when Dean and Seamus pushed the girl to urge her to get up that Analeigh realized that she was called. She was chosen. She was one of the champions.

After one last push from Seamus, Analeigh finally stood up. The bright smile from realizing that this was real made its way to her face as she happily headed over to Dumbledore, passing by many of her classmates who were cheering. She knew there were many disappointed people as well, though, and she would've felt bad for them if it wasn't for the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment she already felt at that moment. She didn't dare sneak a glance at the Slytherin table either, knowing that at least majority of them would be irritated at the fact that the two Hogwarts champions were a Hufflepuff, whom they considered were incapable of anything, and a Gryffindor, whom they classified as their enemies for various reasons.

"Congratulations, Miss Heart," Dumbledore told Analeigh kindly, shaking her hand with a smile. "Please proceed to the chamber on your left and we will follow you and the rest of the champions shortly."

Analeigh nodded wordlessly, still trying to let this entire thing sink in. It still seemed unreal as she walked over to the door, passing by her professors who all gave her short congratulations as well. Whereas Hagrid, probably the kindest man Analeigh has ever met, pumped his fist a little to show his support, Snape merely nodded at her. Those entirely different actions all contributed to the thrill Analeigh's was feeling.

She finally entered the chamber which was initially dark. She walked down a short hallway, already seeing the end of it that she could tell would spread out into a grand room — and she was right. Upon reaching the end of the dim corridor was a vast, circular room filled with various items she either did or didn't know. There were bookshelves full of yellowing books, most of which probably weren't even in the school library, and then there were glass display cases with other objects that were unrecognizable, ranging from colors such as gold to black. But all in all, the room left Analeigh in awe.

Fleur Delacour and Brigitte Champney were familiar with each other. They had mutual friends at Beauxbatons despite being in different years, so it wasn't hard for them to converse a little as they sat on two empty chairs in the side of the room. As for Viktor Kurm and Andrei Grigor, they didn't know one another, so it wasn't surprising to see them standing in different corners of the room quietly. As for Cedric Diggory, he was strolling around the chamber, his mind full of possible options of who would be the other champion of Hogwarts and his partner. He hoped he would be able to work well with him or her seeing as they would have to do that for a whole school year.

In the middle of his pacing, Cedric saw the wooden door at the end of the room swing open. He couldn't see who it was for a second, but then she stepped out of the shadows and Cedric halted in mild surprise.

"Analeigh?"

Analeigh's eyes met Cedric's. "The one and only."

Cedric chuckled and walked over to her. "This is such a surprise — not that I didn't think you would be chosen, I mean, you're extremely intelligent — but I'm still a little surprised. But it's a good kind because I'm sure we'll work great together."

Analeigh couldn't help the wide and amused grin that made her way to her face at his rambling. "Despite the fact that you spoke way too fast, I am going to thank you."

Cedric shrugged. "I'll save you from repeating what I said and just say that you are welcome."

Analeigh opened her mouth to say something else, but the sound of the heavy door creaking open cut her off and caught both hers and Cedric's attention. The two of them faced the direction of the hallway, and instead of a teacher or leader of the tournament stepping into view, it was a messy black-haired boy with bright green eyes, looking confused.

"Harry?" Analeigh said slowly, her eyebrows furrowed.

Harry Potter stared at his friend anxiously, not a word coming out from his mouth. He saw how puzzled and worried she seemed, then how curious Cedric Diggory was, and then more faces appeared from behind them with different expressions that made him feel all queasy. The other champions then walked over to where he stood, all waiting for him to give the reason as to why he was here with them. He didn't know how to explain how despite him being only fourteen, a year younger than the required age, and even when he didn't put his own name into the Goblet of Fire, a paper with his name flew out and he was declared the last champion of the Triwizard Tournament.

For the umpteenth time, the door opened, but it was much fiercer and was accompanied with the overlapping voices of adults. All the champions watched as Madame Maxime, Igor Karkaroff, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, and Dumbledore came in, all bearing different expressions from angry, bewildered, shocked, and calm.

"Ze boy shall not compete!" Analeigh heard Madame Maxime exclaim, pushing a chandelier out of her way.

"He cannot compete!" repeated Karkaroff. "We already have all three pairs of champions!"

"But the rules! His name really came out!" Ludo Bagman said next.

"Harry!" Dumbledore raised his voice, silencing the other adults in the room and facing only the aforementioned boy. He strode over to him, and despite his calm demeanor, Harry looked back at him nervously. "Did you or did you not put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

Harry shook his head numerous times and answered truthfully, "No, sir."

"Zen why did his name come out from ze Goblet?" Madame Maxime questioned.

Nobody had a clue to what the answer was to that one question.

★ ★ ★

Analeigh and Harry walked out from the chamber and into one of the many corridors at Hogwarts. The Great Hall's doors were left wide open, and Analeigh took note that everyone was gone. She assumed Professor McGonagall, who was not only their Transfiguration teacher but also the Deputy Headmistress, ordered all students to head back to their dormitories. Analeigh didn't notice how much time must've passed since she entered the chamber and when Harry was interrogated.

It was a chaotic evening, to say the least. Aside from the core problem of Harry being the seventh champion, the judges and Ministry of Magic officials also had to decide on how to alter the rules to cater to the circumstances. They were quite unclear, but all they could settle on for the meantime was that the Hogwarts champions would be given the option to work how they see fit — it could be all three of them together, the original champions as a pair with Harry on his own, or in any other way they could think of. While their minds were still spinning, they temporarily agreed on alternating roles. For the First Task, they would try and see if Analeigh could assist both Harry and Cedric, and then they would take turns in being partners with one another. It honestly sounded quite messy and a little impractical to them, but they were too confused and conflicted to think straight.

During the walk back to the Gryffindor Tower, Harry was quiet. Analeigh never felt awkward around him even if she wasn't as close to him as she was with Hermione, but now, she felt extremely uncomfortable. The green-eyed boy was looking very bothered, but Analeigh didn't know how to help him.

"Harry?" she finally spoke. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fantastic," he said, not even looking at her.

"I believe you, you know."

Harry finally met Analeigh's gaze. "Really?"

"Yes," she said. "You said that you didn't put your name in, therefore you didn't."

"Just like that, you believe me?"

"Of course."

Harry appreciated her faith in him, but he knew she'd be one of the very few people who would actually believe him when he said he didn't enter the tournament.

"But who did enter my name into the Goblet?" he then asked her desperately.

Analeigh was truly speechless. She thought she was doing well with assuring Harry that he wasn't a nutter, yet now, she didn't know how to answer his question.

"I really don't know, Harry," she said quietly. "All I'm thinking about is who would enter your name as well. A bigger question is why. Was it supposed to be just a practical joke or something worse?"

Harry sighed. "I have no idea. I was hoping to lay low this year after everything that happened since I first came here."

"You found the Philosopher's Stone in your first year, right?"

"Right," Harry replied, remembering how he met Voldemort face to face for the first time — well, he was living at the back of his former professor named Quirell's head.

"Opened the Chamber of Secrets and battled a basi-something in your second year?"

"Basilisk, and yes."

"And finally, meeting the infamous Sirius Black last year. That truly made my first year at Hogwarts lovely."

Harry managed a tiny smile at her words. "You're welcome. Glad to know that us almost dying made your stay at Hogwarts great."

Then, they were left in a brief silence as they neared their common room. Analeigh felt that every time they lapsed into quietness, Harry's worries came back to him. It practically radiated off of him the whole time, making her more worried as well.

"Don't worry, Harry," Analeigh broke the silence. "Trust me, we'll find out who put your name in and why in the end. If we can't do it ourselves, Dumbledore will."

Harry nodded, but he was still very much troubled. "Thank you, Leigh."

As the two of them neared the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry groaned. This was the moment he was dreading. He knew everyone would still be up and about after tonight's events and would no doubt bombard him with questions.

"Is it true your name came out of the Goblet of Fire?" the Fat Lady asked Harry as he and Analeigh approached her.

"Yeah, but I didn't do it," Harry answered shortly, clearly becoming annoyed.

Analeigh noticed his irritation and quickly said the password. The Fat Lady swung open the portrait, but not before telling the blonde, "Oh, and congratulations on being one of the champions, dear." Analeigh said a small "thanks," and then she stepped inside with Harry right behind her.

The Gryffindor Commom Room burst into cheers when Analeigh entered. Many of her housemates, majority of them from her year (though there were some nice older students and timid yet kind younger ones) congratulated her. She earned pats on the back from Seamus, Dean, and Neville, squeals from Lavender and Parvati, a congratulations from the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. It all happened so fast, yet when the room took note of Harry standing there as well, they slowly quieted down.

Analeigh searched the room for the bushy-haired girl and the redhead. When she found them, she hurriedly pulled Harry along with her and made her way to them as they too walked towards the Gryffindor champions.

"Harry, come on," said Hermione, urging him to hurry up. She then led him to the staircase of the boys' dormitory with a short reminder not to pay attention to all the rude and mean people who would most probably bash him sooner or later. Then, she made her way up the stairs, leaving Analeigh and Ron alone as the Gryffindor Common Room went back to its original state.

Just when Analeigh wanted to start a conversation with Ron, he turned away from her.

"Hey, Ron —" Analeigh started.

"What?" he hissed, his fierceness startling Analeigh.

She frowned. "What's wrong with you? The Triwizard Tournament officially began and we know who the champions are —"

"And you're one of them. So obviously, you're in a good mood."

"And why aren't you? What's gotten your wand in a knot?"

"Nothing," he mumbled, folding his arms.

"Yeah, because I can clearly see you're doing just great."

The redhead seemed to get more miffed at her sarcasm. "Fine, you want to know the truth?"

"That's what I've been asking."

Ron huffed. "Alright then, I'll say it. I'm annoyed, I'm angry — I'm jealous."

Analeigh was taken aback by his confession. "Wait, what?"

"I'm jealous," he repeated in a low voice, not wanting to keep saying it. "There, I said it. I'm jealous because all I wanted to do was enter the tournament and I couldn't even do that because I'm not fifteen yet. But you had the chance to do it and you did and really were picked, so fine. Then guess what? Harry says he didn't enter, but even his name was called. Not even Fred, or George, and of course, not me."

Analeigh was slightly offended that Ron seemed to not believe that she even had a chance to be chosen as a champion. But looking beyond his envy, she could tell he upset, so she didn't bring that up and tried to sympathize with him.

"Ron," she began carefully. "Look, I'm really sorry that you feel that—"

"Look," he cut her off. "I didn't mean to you know... explode like that. I'm just angry, okay?"

Analeigh sent him a sympathetic look. "Considering you have the emotional range of a teaspoon, it was shocking to see your outburst. But I get it." Silence. Analeigh was starting to think that Ron had calmed down. "So, about Harry... you haven't spoken to him yet. Will you —"

Ron's face hardened once again. "With him, it's different."

"How so?"

"You were actually chosen for the tournament. I don't get why or how did it, but somehow he's the center of attention again. He's in the spotlight as usual."

Analeigh raised her eyebrows. "Wait, are you seriously saying you don't believe him? That he didn't enter himself?"

Ron scoffed. "Why should I?"

"He's your best friend."

"Yeah, and he should've told me what he did to trick the Goblet."

Analeigh resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Ron was being very daft at the moment, but she didn't want to anger him more and cause an actual fight between them. "Don't you get it? He didn't put his name in."

"Then why did he get called, huh?"

"Do you think I have any idea?" Analeigh shot back. "I don't know how or why that happened, but I know Harry had no say in it. It wasn't his fault."

"You actually believe that git?"

"Git? Are we still talking about Harry or you?"

Ron glared at her harshly. "I can't believe you're being so naive."

"I am not!" said Analeigh, her voice raising slightly. They hadn't exactly caused a scene in the common room seeing as some had already retreated into their rooms and the others were immersed in their own groups, but the heated conversation between Analeigh and Ron caused some Gryffindors to look their way curiously.

"Yeah, you're also being daft."

Analeigh couldn't believe how easily Ron could insult her. They had never acted this way aside from the usual teasing and banter, and honestly, this fight, as immature as it was, was getting out of hand.

"You know what? You are just being childish," Analeigh said, looking away from Ron. "I'm leaving."

Ron rolled his eyes, irritated at the girl. Why did everyone have to defend Harry? Yes, Harry was his friend and he cared for him, but he didn't get why everything had to be about him and why everyone had to be on his side all the time.

"Fine, then!" Ron shouted as the blonde girl stomped off towards the staircase.

"Fine!" she copied, not glancing back. She trudged all the way up the stairs, fuming. She had never gotten this mad at a person. She didn't think she'd ever gotten truly angry with someone like this.

A/N: And the champions have finally been announced + Analeigh and Ron's little fight yikes! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts. I'd really appreciate it hihi, love y'all ♡