Hope wasn't sure what to do as Henry approached the table once he arrived to the Great Hall with Tori and Alyssa. He separated from them and went to head in the direction of her and Fergus. She quickly buried herself underneath her robes again as Fergus twiddled his thumbs nervously unsure of how the scenario between the two was going to go down. Henry sat down beside Hope and gave the girl a look as she remained hidden under the robes. He looked to Fergus to figure out what was wrong, but Fergus avoided his gaze as he moved his attention to other Gryffindors to greet them.

Henry reached a finger out and poked Hope's side causing her to squeak but she didn't remove her robes.

"Hope?"

"HENRY!" She said loudly causing the other Gryffindors at the table to jump. "Fancy seeing you here!"

"Hope, we're in the same house." He said. "We've been in the same house since first year, remember?"

"Right." She answered. "I knew that. So how are you, friend?"

"Friend?" He repeated. "Well I...I guess I'm doing fine. Did you have a nice summer? I'm really sorry I didn't write but you have to understand-"

"No, it's okay no need to apologize." Hope interrupted him. "I completely understand. I was busy too. Things happen, right? Right."

"So you're not mad at me?" Henry asked.

"Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?" She turned to him completely and saw him look at the floor. "Oh because you and....no, Henry, I'm not mad. I completely understand and I think it's great."

"You do?" Henry was puzzled believing Hope thought it was great that they didn't talk all summer.

"Of course I do. I mean, things..things change. And yeah...everything is cool and fine." She patted her hands against the table. He heard her let out a heavy sigh before she glanced up at him again. "I am happy for you though, Henry and you know, no matter what, I'll be here for you. Whenever you need me."

Henry was growing even more confused as Hope smiled at him and then looked away as the new first years were coming in to be sorted. Once again, he looked to Fergus, but the boy only shrugged his shoulders and turned around on the bench to watch the Sorting Ceremony.

Hope was her usual enthusiastic self as she cheered and welcomed every Gryffindor to the table and cheered for the other students that were sorted into the other three houses. But whenever Henry tried to talk to her, the conversation fell short and became awkward. He didn't want to believe that over the span of the summer that things had become so different between them but it seemed like things were weird between them and he regretted not writing to her. While she claimed to be fine, Henry knew Hope better and knew everything was not fine between them.

When the Sorting Ceremony came to an end, Professor McGonagall stood before all at the front for the welcoming speech. All of the students glanced up at the woman to listen, and while the woman was getting on in years, the stern gaze she could muster never failed in demanding the well deserved respect and silence. Henry could see even his father and Remus sitting up a little straighter as she spoke.

She started off with her usual spiel of welcoming the new students and reminding everyone that the Forbidden Forest was still in fact, forbidden to all. Hope let out a small laugh as she looked in Eliza's direction as the girl rubbed the back of her head as the Headmistress glanced over at the Ravenclaw table.

But while the older students rolled their eyes and looked away, trying to ignore the routine speech, McGonagall decided to spice things up that ceremony by asking everyone for their attention.

Henry, Hope and Fergus glanced up at the woman. Henry looked to his parents, neither one of them wearing their usual smiles and Remus didn't look all that amused or entertained either.

"This year is a special year for Hogwarts as our school has been invited to return to compete in the Triwizard Tournament."

Henry and Hope gasped. All too many times throughout their upbringing had their heard the horrors that had come with the tournament, but it was also one of the main keys to ending the wizarding war. It was the event that had nearly killed Harry and would have killed Elliot's father had it not been for the marvelous discovery of the magically knitted socks. It had been a turning point as Voldemort had returned but knitted armor had join the ranks for the good side.

The two exchanged looks with one another and now they understood why the adults weren't smiling. 

"Why would they bring the Triwizard Tournament back?" Fergus whispered across the way. "Are they mental? Who would agree to that-"

"Unfortunately," McGonagall continued. "We will not be competing with our usual competitors that had once joined us. Beauxbatons has decided to not compete this year, so we will welcome a new school to compete."

"Sounds like Beauxbatons had the right idea." Fergus muttered.

"Durmstrang will still compete, but we will welcome our new third party to the competition. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will join us this year."

Even more muttering and whispers erupted among the students as everyone turned to one another to speak, but McGonagall wasn't through just yet.

"There has also been some drastic changes and modifications to the tournaments as well in the terms of safety. The tasks have been altered and there have been different rules placed for all competitors. This will also not be a single champion competition any longer. As it has been revised, each school will be submitting a team to enter and compete. Each task will require team effort in order to win. The Ministry will be joining us by the end of this month to go over the rules further."

"This is insane!" Fergus said as the food appeared on the table. "They can't be actually considering hosting the Tournament, I mean, especially after the history of it. It's a stupid idea!"

"I agree." Henry nodded. "Who in their right mind would eve think to join in on it?"

"I'm in." Hope shrugged.

The boys' eyes widened as they looked to the girl. "WHAT?"

"You heard me, sounds exciting. I'd love to join. I definitely want to be part of the action."