"We have to go." you tell the others. "Or at least one of us does."
"Harry" Hermione begins. "You know the strategy here, they are trying to lure us out to make us easy prey for each other. It might be safer to stay here."
"Yes," you reply, "but if it's the one thing that will allow one of us to win. I say it's worth the risk."
"Agreed," Ron says. "But what's our strategy?"
"I say, I go, and you two stay behind." you say firmly.
"I say we ALL go to the feast, but only one of us approaches the Cornucopia." Hermione counters. "The other two can watch the back of whoever goes in."
You reluctantly agree to this plan, but insist that you be the one to go in for the item. Once again Hermione has a counter offer.
"Let's wait and see what awaits us, and then decide who would be best to go after it."
You grumble, but arguing with Hermione is pointless when she's made her mind up about something. After a few hours of rest, and two futile attempts to sneak off without them, Hermione says it's time to go.
You walk together in the direction of the Cornucopia, on full alert. You know there are other tributes about, but how close they might be to you is unknown. You finally reach the forest edge, you can see the glint of the horn in the early morning sunlight.
"I don't see anything yet." Ron whispers.
Suddenly a table appears at the front of the Cornucopia with a tiny box lying on it. You are shocked, you had expected the one thing that could be the ultimate savior of any of the tributes to be something bigger than what a tiny box can hold. The horn suddenly sounds, and you are ready to run, but Hermione holds you back.
"Wait Harry, let them fight it out." she insists. "We'll move in soon."
Watching the situation from afar, you see that no one has been able to even make it to the box yet. The fighting is too intense. You have a sudden inspiration.
"Hermione, the broom!"
She moves quickly, pulling the broom out of her precious beaded bag and handing it to you.
"You can do this Harry," she says.
"You're a natural mate." Ron joins in. "But be safe."
You nod and mount the broom. You can hear a faint humming as the charm that allows it one flight activates. You take to the sky, and it's not long before the others spot you. Dodging spells, you zoom around the Cornucopia, and make a dive for the table. You have to pull up short as Malfoy throws a killing curse your way. Up again circling high, you attempt another dive, but once again you have to pull up, Pansy, this time, who is shooting a spell at you. You rise up again, but only about half as high before you dive quickly toward the table. This time, your hands find the wooden box.
You take flight toward the woods as quickly as you cannot daring to look at the turmoil on the ground. Knowing the charm will wear off as soon as you land, you tell Ron and Hermione to run, and they take flight back toward your base camp. You shoot a few spells behind you in case anyone is following you, as you maneuver through the trees. Quickly you reach your encampment and are through its enchantments. As you dismount the broom, it begins to glow and then bursts into flames. So, you think, that's how they make sure you only get to ride it one time.
You wait impatiently for Hermione and Ron to make it back to camp. What could be taking them so long? You are about to head out to look for them, when you hear quiet voices approaching. The sneakoscope sits silently so you are sure it's them, finally returning. You walk out of the tent to greet them and see they are not alone. They have brought Ginny with them.
You are stunned to see her, safe and whole. Part of you wants to throw caution to the wind, to embrace her; but, you remind yourself that you swore to give up on that idea the moment both of your names were drawn for the Games.
"We had to bring her mate. She's all alone now. I'm all she's got." Ron explains, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.
That can only mean one thing- George is gone now too. How many more, you wonder? Neville, Luna?
"What's in the box, Harry?" Hermione asks.
"I haven't even looked yet," you admit.
"WHAT!" Ron says shocked. "Isn't that what you just risked your neck for? Open it!"
You open the tiny latch on the box to find an even smaller vial, with a note attached.
"Felix Felicis. Will give user, two hours of pure luck. Use it well."
"Wow!" Ginny remarks. "But what good will two hours do? That's not much time."
"It'd be enough to survive the final battle." Hermione notes.
You can't even look at the rest of them, your eyes locked on the vial. Only enough for one; just one. One survivor. One Victor.
After the excitement of the morning, you decide to lie low for the rest of the afternoon. Ginny fills you in on what her alliance experienced, and about the grasslands where they were hiding.
"George figured everyone would head for the woods, so we'd be safer there." she tells you.
As the sky darkens, you know it's almost time to find out who all was lost today. The music begins, and the pictures appear: Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Hannah, Neville, Luna, and George. You can't help but put your arm around Ginny when his face lights the sky. Two brothers gone, you can't even imagine. For once, you're almost glad to have no family left-- no one for you to mourn, no one to mourn you.
"So that leaves us plus Malfoy." Ron says sadly.
"Which means it's decision time again," Hermione adds. "Is it time to go our own ways?"
Should you: A.) Break up the alliance or B.) Stay together
