The Reaping
“Welcome, welcome! The time has come to select one courageous young man and woman for the honour of representing their District in the hundredth annual Hunger Games.”
“In this year’s Quarter Quell there is no limit to age, and everyone young and old are back in the running.”
District 12
“As always, ladies first.”
A manicured hand fished around in the bowl, which was filled with more sheets than ever. As soon as she took hold of a piece of paper she withdrew her hand and tore it open.
“The female Tribute of District 12 is… Beatrice Prior.”
Beatrice felt like her knees would buckle beneath her. A shudder propelled her forward. Her knees felt weak, but they held her weight. She arrived at the stage and stood next to her escort.
“And now, the boys!”
This time she plucked out the first note she came across.
“Jack Wilder!”
Jack closed his eyes and drew out a soft curse word between his breaths. He sighed and moved to join Beatrice on the stage. He looked sideways at both the escort and Beatrice, before turning his eyes to the crowd of District 12.
Both Tributes knew they would most likely never see them again.
District 11
Hermione shivered as she stood in the square. She just knew something bad would happen.
“The female Tribute of District 11 is Hermione Granger.”
She almost sobbed. Even with all the extra people, it had to be her. She moved to the stage as slowly as she dared, taking in the sights and sounds one last time.
David watched the girl make her way to the front. It was a cruel sport to make children fight and kill in the Games. He watched as Hermione’s wild brown hair danced in the wind. So young. Too young.
“David,” someone hissed.
David startled. “What?” He was pushed forward.
“It’s you.”
David looked from their face back to Hermione’s scared face and his heart broke.
Oh, no.
District 10
Merritt waited impatiently for the name of their Tributes. He had to go back to the animals. One of the horses needed a new shoe.
“Our first Tribute… Cho Chang.”
Merritt spotted the raven haired girl leave her place amongst the others to take her new place on the stage. She didn’t look like a fighter. Guess District 10 would be stuck once again without a Victor.
“Merritt McKinney!”
Merritt let out a laugh, while at the same time cursing karma. That little bitch was going to get him killed.
District 9
Emma had her arms crossed over her chest. Her fingers tapped out a fast beat as she waited. She glanced around at people she might want to be their Tributes. Those that actually had a chance at winning.
“Our female Tribute for this year is… Emma Swan.”
That cut her musing short.
“Oh, come on!” she griped.
With a frustrated growl she stomped her way to they stage. Once there, she didn’t even bother to stand up straight. Let the people in the Capitol see how much she hated them, and their stupid Games.
She glared at the escort as he fumbled for the last piece of paper.
“Our male Tribute… Draco Malfoy.”
Emma heard a woman’s cry as a pale young man made his way to the stage. Emma felt sadness to see him walk up next to her. He tried to be brave, but Emma could tell he was terrified. And rightly so. He most likely wouldn’t be coming back alive.
District 8
Lula wasn’t worried. This was the last year ever she could get picked. Especially since this was a Quarter Quell. More people, more choices that would not be her.
She hoped it wasn’t her. She didn’t particularly have a bad life. She had a job, her own place. So what if she didn’t have friends or a family? Who needed those anyway?
“Our female Tribute will be represented by… Lula May.”
Lula froze. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t believe it. How, with all the extra names in there, how could she still be chosen? In her last year?!
“Lula.” Something tried to push her forward.
She slapped their hand away.
“I can walk by myself.”
She’d be damned if she didn’t take this in stride. Who knew, she did have a shot at winning, if she played it smart.
She would be the Victor.
Rumplestilskin watched as the girl made her way to the stage. Not a trace of fear could be spotted.
“Our male Tribute will be…Rumplestilskin.”
No… It couldn’t be. Only because of that stupid Quarter Quell rule.
He felt his knees tremble. He had to make his way up. He took a few deep breaths and shuffled to the front. He caught Lula’s eyes, hard eyes, and something in him changed. He didn’t want to be afraid anymore. He would be brave. He would try to win. Scratch that, he would win.
District 7
Harry waited for their escort to pull the first name. He glanced around the crowd. A lot of people were unhappy. The ones between twelve and eighteen had to be frightened of being picked every year, but the ones past eighteen had been relieved to have made it through. Or so they had thought.
Harry looked down at the ground.
“Our Tributes will be… Mary-Margaret Blanchard.”
Harry spied the woman. She was over-eighteen. Unlucky. At least she had a good chance of winning. She could swing and axe like no one.
“And.. Harry Potter.”
Harry’s head snapped toward the stage. Well, at least the male portion of eighteen-plus wasn’t affected. Still, this spelt trouble for him, he thought even as he made his way over to Snow and their new escort.
District 6
Killian picked at his nails with the tip of a dagger. He paid the Reaping no heed. He didn’t care either way.
“The female Tribute of District 6 is… Ginny Weasley!”
That caught Killian’s attention. He spotted his little spitfire walking to the front, not even glancing at her mother, who was crying loudly.
Such a shame. He would miss her.
“The male Tribute of District 6 is… Killian Jones.”
Or not. Killian shrugged his jacket on properly. Their last couple of weeks he’d spend with her. He met her eyes. She had the gall to roll hers, though she did shoot him a small smile. He could guess her thoughts.
Figures, but at least it’s you.
District 5
Regina checked her watch again. Why couldn’t they hurry? She wanted to go home and spend some time with Henry. Maybe go get an ice cream.
“Our female Tribute will be… Regina Mills.”
Regina’s heart skipped a beat. No. It couldn’t be. Her eyes searched for Henry. She found him. His eyes were panicked. She could only imagine hers looked the same. She didn’t want to leave him. She couldn’t leave him. He had no one else.
A hand took hold of her elbow. She yanked it back with force.
“Unhand me, bug,” she hissed.
She started her walk. The closer she got, the harder she had to try to keep her tears at bay.
“Mom!”
She turned. “Henry.”
He was held back, even as she was almost dragged upon the stage.
She didn’t even hear the name of the other Tribute, until Eric joined her on the stage, looking sullen. She didn’t notice. All she saw was Henry’s face, and the tears streaming down his cheeks.
District 4
Luna swayed on her spot. She let the events roll past her.
“Luna Lovegood!”
She started out of her reverie. She stared at the front, where their escort waited for her to take to the stage.
Luna floated over to the stage. She waited for the other Tribute to join her. It turned out to be Will. She studied him. He looked nervous. A slight tremble shook his body. Luna turned her eyes back to the crowd, but she didn’t see any of them. Her thoughts were on the Arena. She hoped she could find the Crumple-Horned Snorkack there.
District 3
Henley waited for the names to be called. She ignored the welcome speech. She’d heard it too many times now to care for it. She scanned the boys’ side until she found Four. He was looking at her as well, and gave her a wink. Henley merely rolled her eyes. Boys…
“Our Tribute for this year’s Hunger Games will be… Henley Reeves.”
Henley showed no external sign of surprise or fear. She walked calmly toward the stage, her best showman smile on. And she waited.
“And… Tobias Eaton.”
Henley had to bite back her laugh. Of course it had to be him.
He made his way to the stage, taking the steps two at a time. He stood beside her, a smile on his face. As grim as things were, at least there weren’t alone.
District 2
Dylan leaned against the wall as he waited for the names to get called. He wondered which suckers would go and die for honour and prestige.
“The female Tribute for District 2 is… Jeanine Matthews.”
Dylan didn’t bother surpassing a smirk as he saw the self-proclaimed boss’s expression, before she schooled her features blank. She walked on the stage with all the dignity she could muster, which was quite a lot.
Now the last name and they could all go home, except for Jeanine and—
“Dylan Rhodes.”
Dylan closed his eyes. And him. So be it. At least he got to leave the District.
District 1
Christina watched the proceedings with half an eye. Instead she let her attention wander over the crowd. There were a lot who decorated themselves with their own creations. She herself hadn’t bothered.
She didn’t care how the Capitol saw her if she was chosen.
“Our female Tribute shall be…”
Christina crossed her fingers.
“Christina.”
She looked up. She didn’t know if she had been waiting for that or not. Whatever the case, she made her way to the front.
There she stood, without decorations, for the male Tribute to join her.
“Our male Tribute…”
Christina refrained from rolling her eyes. Why all the suspense?
“Daniel Atlas.”
Christina almost groaned on national television. Oh, no, why him?
Daniel made it onto the stage, taller than her by four inches, an arrogant smirk on his face. But something didn’t add up. His eyes. They didn’t boost his confidence the way the rest of his posture did.
Christina put him out of her mind. She had more important things to think about.
Like winning the Games.