Lovers Of A Lifetime

A Friendship Grows Stronger

Hermione's P.O.V

The only thing I registered after that was the tearful farewell between myself and my family. I remembered my Mother and Father crying, and my sister hugging me tight. My brothers holding me tight, and making me promise them I would try to win.

I remembered Katniss walking into the room, and we stood there awkwardly staring at each other, until she ran forward, and hugged me tight. We cried on each others shoulders until it was time fkr her to leave.

"Hermione, I don't think I can ever repay you for what you have done for me. I-I want you to have this, please..." She told me, placing a small pin into my hand.

"I can't take this! It looks so expensive!"

It certainly did look expensive. It was a beautiful bird, a Mockingjay, she told me.

"No, take it. Wear it in the Arena. My Father crafted it for me. Now I want you to have it. As good luck..." she trailed off as she was led away, out of the room.

"I promise I'll see you again, Katniss!"

But my promise was made to my own ears.

I was alone again.

********************************

Boarding the train was awkward, as Effie congratulated us, with a smile that showed her pearly white teeth.

"Well, dears, freshen up, and meet here in half an hour for dinner. And congratulations yet again!" And with that, she left the cart.

Gale turned to me then with the angriest expression on his face, one I had never seen before.

"What were you thinking? Why did you volunteer? Katniss could have handled the games on her own!" He moved to me then and shook my shoulders, his grip tightening with each word.

"Ouch! I volunteered because I don't want to see both of my friends go into that Arena and die. If I could, I'd have someone to volunteer for you too, but that's almost impossible. You guys mean too much to me, and I couldn't lose you!" I managed to shake his hands off of my shoulders, and I knew I would have bruises.

He sat down in a chair near where we were stood, and put his head in his hands. After a few moments, he looked up with a tired, sad face. He smiled weakly at me.

"Sorry, I just can't bear the thought of losing you guys too. You know, after losing Maggie last year, it feels so unfair to have to go against you,"

Last year, Gale's sister, Maggie had been reaped. She had been the third person left, but a Career had taken her by surprise, smashing her head against a large rock.

I understood how he felt, after losing so many people in my life too. Not just my family, but friends too. At home and at Hogwarts. Sirius, whom we had lost at the Ministry. Cedric Diggory, whom had died at the hands of Peter Pettigrew at the Triwizard Tournament.

So many losses and close to no time to grieve.

Well, now was my time.

I sat beside Gale, wrapping my small arms around him. He was alot taller than me, although he was only a year older than me. So was Katniss, but not as tall as him. He turned his head and rested his head on my shoulder. I realised I was crying when Gale wiped my tears away with a small smile, holding me against him again.

We stayed like that until the late hours of the night, when I fell asleep with Gale's arms around me. I woke the next morning in a large bed, wrapped in silk sheets, calm, and completely unaware of what was to happen that day...