13 April 2012
Chapter 2
Katniss
Peeta and I were placed into separate rooms, so we could say goodbye to our families. Of course, Prim and my mother were the first to come in. Prim climbed on my lap and put her arms around my neck, just like she used to when she was smaller.
After a minute of silence, she said, "Promise you'll win, Katniss. For me, please."
"I…I will, Prim. Promise."
I could feel her sobbing into my shoulder. Until then our mother had just been staring at us.
"Promise me this," I said. "Don't leave her alone. You have to stay here, for her."
"I was sick. I didn't have the medicines I have now," she muttered, looking down at the carpet.
"Then take them! Just promise me…please."
"I promise."
She put her arms around us. We just kept hugging and crying until a Peacekeeper came in and told them to leave. They left as slowly as they could, with many 'I love you's.
What surprised me was that, this girl I barely knew, was coming to say goodbye to me.
"Madge?" I asked.
"Wear this." She said, handing me the pin she was wearing earlier. I took one look at it and I realized it was a Mockingjay inside a thin circle of gold.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Promise me you'll wear it into the arena."
"Sure."
She quickly kissed my cheek, then left.
But I received a real shock when the baker, Peeta's father, walked in, holding a small bundle. He sat silently for a moment before he said, "Here."
I opened the paper. Inside were cookies, a luxury for me. I was getting all kinds of gifts, now that I was probably going to die.
"Thank you."
After another uncomfortable silence he said, "I'll make sure the little girl eats."
"Thank you," I said, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders.
He stood, and left.
When the next person came in, I smiled.
"Gale," I said.
He opened his arms. I didn't hesitate to go into them. For a minute we just stood there, hugging.
"Whatever you do, don't let them starve," I managed to choke out.
"I won't Catnip. There's not always a bow and arrow. Make sure they know your talent, then they'll be sure to have one in the cornucopia. Just remember—"
Just then a Peacekeeper walked in, announcing my one hour was up. They had to drag Gale out of room, and I never got to know what he said.
Peeta and I were once again escorted by Peacekeepers, but this time it was to the train station. It was obvious Peeta had been crying, his eyes were extremely red and puffy.
Effie and Haymitch were already waiting on the platform. Once we were inside the train, and the doors closed, we were off to the Capitol.
Ginny
I gripped Harry's hand so tight that when I finally let go, his hand was practically pure white.
"Sorry," I muttered.
"S'okay," He said.
Dumbledore walked in a moment later. "Well, I wish we were meeting here on more friendly circumstances," he said, sadly. "But, you each have one hour with your friends and family."
"How will our families get here?" Draco asked, raising his eyebrow.
"We have lifted the apparition ban for the hour, your friends and family that are not here, have been contacted and will arrive shortly. Until then, I will show you to the visiting rooms."
We were all sent into different rooms, where our families would come and say goodbye—and for at least 7 of us—forever.
I was sitting in the room, bawling, until there was a quiet knock on the door. It opened, and my mother and father were there. My mother rushed over and crushed me in a giant bear hug.
"Mum," I managed to gasp. "Can't…breathe…"
She let go. "Sorry sweetie, it's just…" she started crying. Dad had to pull her out of the room.
Fred and George walked in next.
"Well," Fred started.
"Mum's a riot, huh?" George finished.
"Yep," I said.
"Listen sis," Fred said. "Whatever happens, get out of there immediately."
"Yeah." George agreed. "And Dumbledore told us you're allowed one item, non magical of course, so we thought you'd like this."
Fred pulled out a gold necklace from his pocket. It wasn't just a regular necklace though, it had a broomstick on it. They smiled simultaneously.
"Thanks," I managed to say, without crying.
"No, problem sis." They grinned.
"Is there anyone else out there?"
"Unfortunately, not from home. Bill and Charlie are away, and Percy…well.." Fred said.
"Little prat." George muttered.
"Oh."
"But Hermione and Ron and Luna are out there." Fred said.
"We'd better go, in order to give them some time."
"Later," they said, and disapparated with a pop!
Ron, Hermione, and Luna all came in at once. They hugged me, promised me I would be okay, I'd make it. I wasn't so sure.
Harry
Unfortunately or fortunately, the hour went pretty quickly, since I had quite a few people to come visit me. Ron, Hermione, maybe Luna, probably Lupin and Tonks, and Sirius.
The door opened and Sirius and Lupin and Tonks walked in.
"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks said, giving me a hug.
"Hey Tonks. Sirius, Lupin, long time."
Sirius smiled. "Wish it was under more pleasant circumstances."
"Yeah," I said. "Me too."
"I got this for you, Harry," Lupin said, handing me a snitch.
"What's this for?"
"Your token. You're allowed one non-magical item in the arena with you."
"Oh. Thanks."
There was a knock on the door. Ron stuck his head in. "Oh, it's full in here. We'll, uh, be outside." His head disappeared outside the door again.
"Well, Harry. We'd better go, best not make your friends wait too long." Tonks said.
I let them leave, without saying a word. Ron, Hermione, Luna, and, surprisingly, Neville, all showed up.
"You're very popular Harry," Luna said, dreamily.
"Yeah, very popular," Ron muttered.
Hermione elbowed him. "Ron! Be nice! For all we know, he could get killed!"
"Thanks, 'Mione."
"Sorry Harry, I didn't mean…ugh. I'm sorry I just don't know what to say."
Unfortunately, Dumbledore walked in right then and ushered them out.
"Bye guys," I said.
"Bye Harry," they all said.
when worlds collide - chapter two. • Opuss № I