*Katniss And Potter*

Chapter 5: Stranger Danger

Hermione's POV 

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Lily and Hugo have to be collected from Bill's, and as I ready myself to leave I can't help but feel that leaving Katniss and Ginny alone together will resolve with one less body when I return. Preposterous as the idea sounds, I know deep down that given the right time and place it would happen. Without Ron with me, I decide to take the train half way and then apparate when I stop off. I quite miss being on trains; besides I am a muggle born. Not that it matters anymore. I helped take down Voldemort. 

"Excuse me miss?" A brisk voice suddenly jerks me from my mischievous mind. 

"Oh yes sorry!" I say bemused and hand the grumpy git some loose change. 

"Should've apparated..." I mumble as he shooes me on, not bothering as I stumble over his unkindness. The train station is busy, with all sorts of people (ages and shapes) mill around huffing and puffing to border a train. I know, from research that the worst place possible to go in the morning AND evening is the tube. Rush hour they call it. Walking along I finally summon the courage to jump on a train. I stare at my ticker to make sure it is in fact my train, and sit down relaxed. Lily and Hugo will probably want to stay at Bill's. . . 

They always do. Fleur must cast a spell on them, otherwise they keep asking their Uncle Bill to play with them. My mind wanders back to Katniss and Ginny. When I left them, Katniss had excused herself to the bathroom, and Ginny sat still. Stubborn as she is, she won't ever accept Katniss. It's not her fault, that she's young and pretty. It's Harry's...men can be so ignorant! 

"Is this seat taken?" A small whispy voice says, and I look up to see a dark haired lad before me. 

"Oh no! Do sit.'' I say in a most polite tone. You can't upset muggles, they'll skin you alive. 

"Thank you, miss." The young lad site and winks at me, causing my face to blush red. 

"No need for all that 'miss' stuff you can call me-" I start replying, but he holds up a scared, dark hand to silence me. 

"I know who you are, miss Granger."  

My mouth pulls into a tight line and I nervously shake. How does he know me? No muggle should know me, maybe some..but not him. A complete stranger! 

"I'm not Hermione..." 

"Hermione? I just thought you had the surname! Well this is a surprise!" the lad chuckles and I look at him afraid. 

"If you could leave me in peace, I think that'll be OK." I instruct but he just edges closer. He grasps my hand and digs his nails into my skin. I try to ease away the sensation of pain, but whimpers still squirm their way out. 

"Look, Granger, I won't hurt you or your family. But you have to give me something in return. Understand?" 

He looks at me for confirmation. I nod, my lips trembling. 

"You have to give me Katniss. Katniss Everdeen."  

How does he know she's her? Who is this dark giant? Is he trying to kill Katniss? Could I hand her over reluctantly without blinking an eye? The man lets go, and stands up. 

"I'll give you till midnight, in two days. Bring her to the platform you found her on. Or else." He matches away, before I call out my voice barely audible. 

"Who are you?" 

He hesitates before answering. 

"Hawthorne. Gale Hawthorne." 

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A/N: Sorry 4 delayed update. We had writers block so Mellark had to do Hermione POV which was difficult. P.S did you like the little surprise? How did Gale get there??!!! Read on to find out!