Lovers Of A Lifetime

A Battle Begins

Hermione's P.O.V

The day we entered the Arena finally arrived. After a tearful goodbye from my Hogwarts friends, words lf advice from Cinna, Effie and Haymitch, our mentor, Gale and I were ready to go.

To say we were nervous was an understatement. I had thrown up most of my breakfast. All over Effie's dress. Her scream would have been funny if I wasn't in such a position.

I was going into the Arena today.

And I was probably not coming out.

I had made a simple plan.

Keep Gale alive.

If I kept him alive, Katniss and Gale could lead a happy life together. They could have a family, and they would be happy. They would live.

Without me.

But they would be alive.

That's all that matters to me.

Taking a deep breath, I took Gale's hand, and stood on stood on the tips of my toes to kiss him. He seemed shocked at first, but he melted into the kiss. I felt him wrap his arms around me, and we stayed like that for a few moments until we pulled back for air. He appeared flustered when I finally looked at him again, but we were forced to break apart from our embrace to start the Games.

After shouts of good luck, I was led through winding corridors, until we reached a room with a circle lit in the floor. I was instructed to stand in the middle lf it, and after a few seconds, the circular platform I was standing on lifted into the air, carrying me up through a hole in the roof.

When I emerged, I instantly felt sick.

I heard the countdown, and I didn't dare move.

I searched frantically for Gale, and I found him at the other end of the large circle of tributes. He was gesturing wildly with his arms, and just when we had five seconds left, I figured out what he was trying to say.

Run.

I didn't need telling twice. As soon as the canon sounded, I sprinted from the Cornucopia. I ran into the forest, and didn't stop until the screams were no more.

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

Harry's P.O.V

A bloodbath.

That's what it was.

Murder.

Death.

The last thing I wanted to see my friends involved in.

I watched her move into the forest, away from the rest of the tributes.

I watched the Careers slaughter child after child.

I watched as Hermione stopped, breathless, tears streaming down her face.

I watched as the faces of the Hogwarts students paled, as they witnessed the sick entertainment of the Capitol.

Even the Slytherins looked disgusted and nauseous.

What kind of sick person would wish a fate like this on a child?

A child?

A poor, innocent being?

The Capitol.

President Snow.

I stared in horror as a group of tributes headed unknowingly in Hermione's direction.

They were the Careers, I could tell. They were strong, well-built, healthy kids. Clearly well trained. Experienced.

And Hermione was in trouble.