Everything went great the next day, except for the fact that Harry had his life ruined. 

I had woken up giddy, having had a good night sleep for once in my life. The memories came flooding back to me from the previous day. I smiled as I got ready. The Durmstrang and Beauxbuton kids were here, and today would be the day that Dumbledore announced the champions. For a moment, I felt like a normal kid, not a shy one, not one that had problems. I felt... normal. I was excited to find out who the champions were going to be. It was a Saturday, and so we had no classes. I had the whole day to myself. I got ready and went down to the Great Hall, where breakfast was being served. 

Once I got there, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were already there. I didn't sit next to them. I didn't know any of them except Harry. I felt out-of- place again. At least,until Harry motioned to me to sit by them. I got up uneasily, walking slowly to them. 

"Hey, Amanda," Harry said brightly. "Come on, sit down."

I sat down next to him uncertainly. Hermione gave me a kind smile. I gave a little grin back. "So, erm," Hermione said. "I'm Hermione Granger, and here is Ron Weasley," she gestured to ron. 

I smiled at Ron, who had bacon shoved in his mouth and was giving me a goofy grin. "Amanda Simmons," I said smally, introducing myself. "Tessera is my middle name."

"Tessera," Harry repeated, tilting his head. "Never heard of that before. What does it mean?"

"Well," I said, gaining a little confidence. "It means 'four,' in Greek, but I have no idea what my mom was thinking when she named me Amanda Four Simmons." I laughed. Maybe this year wouldn't be as bad as the last one. Greek was the only thing I ever paid attention to in Muggle school, because I thought it was really interesting. The gods, going into wars and killing their own fathers, it was so fascinating.

I realized that these people thought I was normal. Hermione, Ron, Harry, they all thought of me as a regular person. Was I that much of an oddball? 

Hermione was looking at me and laughing. "Four? That's cool. Wonder what it means. Did your dad help name you?"

My smile faltered. "Er... my dad died about a year after I was born. Maybe he did, I don't know."

Hermione sensed that she'd gotten on a sensitive subject. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly. "What's your favourite subject?" she asked to change the conversation's path. 

"Care of Magical Creatures," I said. "What about you?" 

"I like them all," Hermione laughed. Oh my... was I actually carrying on a conversation with someone, or was this just my imagination? I pinched myself to be sure. No, it was real. 

I laughed. "Well, I can understand that; I've seen you in class." 

This time it was Ron and Harry that laughed. Hermione shrugged. "It's true," she said. "I love all the classes."

I nodded, not wanting to do anything to insult her. "Yeah, I like Care of Magical Creatures because I have a special connection with them, it's almost like I can understand what they're feeling."

Hermione tilted her head. "Never heard of that before," she said thoughtfully, but she gave me a grin. "You must be pretty special,"

"No, but thanks." I laughed. I wasn't special. "Do any of you guys play instruments, sing, anything?" I asked. I never really saw too many instruments here at Hogwarts, but when I was alone I liked to sing or tap out a rythm on the wall. 

"No," all three of them said in unison. They laughed, and Ron asked, "what about you?"

"Oh, er, I sing, and do drums..." I said, because I didn't know they would ask me. Why were they talking to me? Doubt returned in my mind. 

"That's cool," Ron said. "If I try to sing I would probably kill someone because of my pitchiness."

"I'm sure you're not that bad," I said reassuringly, but even I could hear the doublt in my tone. 

Ron laughed. What's with all this laughing? "Please," he said. "I don't think you want to hear me."

"Fine," I said. 

"So who do you think is going to be in the tournament?" Hermione asked. 

"I don't know, Krum maybe," Ron said. 

"So when will you be announcing the marriage?" she scoffed. I was confused. "It's all he talks about, Krum." Hermione explained, nudging her head to Ron. I giggled. 

"Who from Hogwarts?" I asked. 

"Er," Harry spoke up. "I dunno, maybe Cedric Diggory?" 

I shrugged. "Maybe. Though I'm not sure he'd be good, given he would be really annoying with all of the girls who like him,"

Harry laughed. "So true," he said. "He could be a vampire and the girls would still fall for him."

We continued to talk for the remainder of the morning, cracking jokes, laughing, playing games. Is this what it's like to have a friend? I wondered. Probably. wait, does that mean I have friends? Is this some sick joke, get close to me then prank me? Not likely; these people seemed too nice and they weren't exactly known as 'Pranksters.'

At the end of the day, all of the students from all three schools gathered aroung the Great Hall, watching. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and got the Goblet of Fire out. The flames turned red and a peice of paper flew out. Dumbledore grabbed it and read aloud. "Fleur Decalour, Beauxbutons!" 

Then, "Viktor Krum, Durmstrang!" 

"CALLED IT!" Ron shouted above the yelling Durmstang men. 

"Finally," Dumbledore said. "Cedric Diggory, Hogwarts!" The hufflepuff table clapped and cheered as Cedric got up, smiling. 

"Called it," Harry whispered into my ear. I surpressed a smile. 

"We have our three champions!" Dumbledore yelled. "We will-" He was cut off by the flames turning red. Another peice of paper shot out of the Goblet, and Dumbledore caught it. 

"Harry-Harry Potter," Dumbledore read off. "Please make you way to the stage,"

Harry's eyes were as wide as golf balls. He froze. I grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, then pushed him to the table. I watched intently as he slowly made his way to the table.

This year's going to be a whole lot more interesting than I thought it might...