REDEEM | one direction. [H]

The Reaping.

-Harry-

"Are you ready?" Gemma asked as she squeezed my sweaty hand. 

I just nodded, and got into line for the registration.  

I looked around, seeing people panicking and crying into their parents' arms, not wanting to go into that square. The parents were afraid, too, but I know the Peacekeepers wouldn't allow anyone to escape the reaping. I saw a boy being pulled to the inside of the square, and he was struggling to be free from the arms of the Peacekeepers. 

I looked back to when I was 12, my first year in the reaping. I clearly remembered that I wasn't like this boy. I was strong, brave, and ready for whatever challenge was thrown at me. Mum said I was like Dad, because he was also courageous.  

I was already at the end of the line. I held my hand out as they took a blood sample from my hand, and I immediately ran off to my place in the square in front of the Justice Building. 

It was like this. 

All girls were lined up on the right side of the stage, the oldest, 18 year old, in front, and the youngest, 12, at the back. Same goes with the boys, but we were positioned at the left side of the stage. I took my place among the 16 year olds, greeting one of my friends, Stark Wellson, who was right beside me. 

"So, you're going to volunteer?" Stark whispered to me. 

"Well, yes, if I don't chicken out." I rolled my eyes. 

"Knowing you, I think you will." He joked. 

"Thanks for the words of wisdom." I chuckled. 

The clock strikes two, and the mayor steps onto the center of the podium, and reads about the History of Panem. 

It's annually done. It's always like this. The mayor reads about the uprising and Dark Days, and how the Hunger Games started. After that, it was the picking of Tributes. 

Parry Ivory, the Capitolian consultant for our District, steps onto the center of the podium, looking different from last year. 

Her her red hair was now short and razored, leaving a slightly high quiff on her head. She wore a tight white blazer with a black undershirt, and a tight white skirt that hugged her body well. She finished her outfit off with black heels that made her look 5 inches taller. 

"Happy Hunger Games everyone!" She happily chirped to the microphone. "And.." she took a dramatic pause.  

Here comes the beloved line. 

"May the odds be ever in your favor." 

I rolled my eyes at thay last sentence, as because i've heard it for a thousand times already in one lifetime. 

Parry smiled at all of us, then she started speaking again. "Now, for a change. Gents first, shall we?" She smiled as she walked to a glass ball to her left, her hand diving in before fishing out a piece of folded paper. She walked to the center, and started to open the paper. 

Wait, Harry. What are you doing? 

Before I could think, I raised my hand. 

"I volunteer as tribute!" I shouted, and everyone looked at me like I had just killed someone. 

"Oh, why, would you look at that?" Parry said through the microphone. "Come on up, love." 

I walked through the crowd, avoiding alk the stares I was getting. 4 Peacekeepers guarded me, two in front, two at my back. 

I walked up to the podium, Parry signalling me to go to the center.  

I walked to her, and looked to the crowd. I scanned it, and saw my mum and Gemma looking at me, tears falling from their eyes.