It's weird being back…I love America and everything, but something about England just captured me. I know what you are thinking; there must have been a guy. If I'm going to be honest, yes there was a guy, and I don't know if I can ever be the same. His name was Cedric, Cedric Diggory. When I was with him, time stopped, and I wouldn't trade that time with him for anything. I step inside my house and glance around; I need to be back here. I can't go back to my school with everyone knowing, everyone asking questions, everyone pitying me…I can't…I still don't believe that he's dead. That boy, who made a huge impact on me, with his charming smile and his gracious attitude. That boy, who made me believe that I could be worth something to someone. He helped me see myself for who I truly am…and now he is gone forever.

It all started when my school received and invitation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I go to Hopkins International which is located in the states. My dad is the professor for potions at the school, so when he heard the news he told me right away. Hogwarts was going to host the Triwizard tournament, and we were invited! My school didn't exist the last time the tournament was held, but they decided to ask us anyway. Naturally my school accepted, and I was getting ready to enter. I promised my dad that I wouldn't tell anyone, but that was a huge secret, and I had to tell someone. I found my cell phone and called my best friend Sara.

"Hello?" She said groggily. I glanced at the clock in my room and it read 3:30. "Tell, me you have not been sleeping?"

"Ok." Then she was silent.

I started to laugh, "I don't know how you do it." I quickly told her the news, with every detail that I possessed. At the end of my explosion she didn't say anything. "Umm, are you still there?"

"Nina, are you serious!?" she finally yelled into the phone. We both started to gossip like crazy. I made her promise to me that she wouldn't tell a soul. It took awhile, but she finally agreed.

My school started in two weeks, and the days went by so slow. I never wanted to go to school so bad before. Finally the first day arrived and after we settled into our rooms, we were called down to the beginning of the year feast. I grabbed my two best friends, Sara and Emily, and we headed down to the Great Hall. I waited for our headmaster to say something about the tourney, but nothing. No hint, no implying, nothing at all. I started to think my dad might have been playing a trick on me. Thankfully, he didn't because our headmaster stood up and started to explain what was going to happen this year.

By this time, I was at the edge of my seat with excitement. He said there was going to be an age limit…I don't have to worry about that, I turned seventeen two months ago! He also said that if we decided to enter, we would be staying at Hogwarts for the entire school year.

"I wasn't expecting that" I whispered quietly to Emily. I looked around the room and mostly saw people I recognized. I thought I could be separated with these people for a year. I am made for this! He finished his speech by saying the deadline to sign up is in five days.

As soon as he sat down, the whole hall was buzzing with gossip. You could hear bits a pieces of conversations all revolving around the tournament. I looked at my friends and told them flat out, "I'm signing up."

"We knew that." Sara said, "I don't think I'm really going to sign up, but I think it would be tight to go to a different school for the year." Emily nodded in agreement.

"And that would be good because then we'd all still be together!" Emily continued. I was so excited; this was going to be perfect. "And just think about it." Emily stated.

Sara and I exchanged glances, "What are you talking about?"

"Think about all of the boys that we are going to meet!" Emily squealed. That thought hadn't even crossed my mind. I started to laugh, that would be a great plus. I looked over at Sara who was making mimicking gagging remarks.

I started to laugh even harder watching her, "Oh come on, that can't be as immature as American boys." I said, in their defense.

"No, boys are the same everywhere. They are arrogant immature, and incredibly rude. Believe me, just wait a few years then they would be perfect." I silently disagreed, but we dropped the subject. Sara had the perfect right to hate boys, she has had way to many bad experiences with them.

After dinner, the three of us signed up to cross the seas. I remember feeling extremely nervous and anxious, but luckily my best friends were coming with me. I knew this year would change my life, especially if I was chosen to participate in the tournament. And looking back now, I did change, but not because of the tournament.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this!