Chapter One : The Beginning

Artemis Steele was sitting in her office, staring at a letter on her desk. She was waiting on the other professors to try to decide their next course of action. At this point, she wasn't sure that they had a choice in the matter but she wanted to consult with some of the others.

Ines Astrid was the first to enter the room. Her fiery auburn hair was flowing down her back and her hazel eyes spotted the roll of parchment on the desk. She pursed her lips slightly, wondering if the letter had anything to do with her most recent visions. She looked at Artemis.

Artemis's ice blue eyes met Ines's and she sighed softly. Artemis didn't know how to respond to the questioning in her eyes so she decided to wait. Slowly, the other professors began to file in. There was Ethan Barrister, Felix Astrid, Isabelle Cromwell, and several of the other teachers that were part of the school. She sighed softly as she saw her staff in front of her and noticed that a couple of her student teachers, like Sophia Astrid, were present. She slowly stood and began to read the letter.

'To the teachers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

I write to you today to inform you that your school has been selected for a 9 school tournament called The Survival Games. These games are mandatory and you may not withdraw from the competition.

A Ministry official will come to the school in 2 weeks time, at 10:00 am. Two students, one male and one female between the ages of 12 and 18, from each house will be selected by random lottery to be a "tribute" from their house. When chosen, another student may volunteer for the selected student but this may only be done once. After the selections are made, the 8 students from the school will be taken to the Ministry in Berlin, Germany and prepped to participate in the games. As a change, since the school has separate houses, each Head of House will serve as the mentor for their house's tributes and be in direct control of their tribute's sponsors. However, if the child of a professor is chosen, they will be designated to mentor the house.

The 8 other schools in the competition are Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Durmstrang Institute, Australian School of Magic, Salem Institute, Washington State School of Magic, Elysian Academy of Magic, Cherry Blossom Institute, and Appalachian Academy of Magic. They will have their selections made after Hogwarts and the event will be televised for magical households in England, France, Australia, Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, Japan, and any other areas where the students are from. I want to make you aware that if you decide not to participate, you risk the lives of any other tributes as well as your own students.

Hope to see you soon!

Jennifer Klark, Head of Department of Magical Education'

Artemis turned and looked at her fellow staff, many of which appeared in shock overall. Her face was an ashen shade as she looked over the other faces. "It doesn't appear that we can refuse the invitation. I know that this puts many of your very own children in danger, as it does mine." She stated, her voice having calm in it. "I just want you to know that if we refuse, this puts at least 16 other children in danger as well as all our students. So, I say that we join to protect all these lives."

Sophia looked at her mother before looking at Artemis. "I agree. I don't know what the outcome of these games are, but judging that they're called The Survival Games, I don't see them ending with everyone coming out okay. I feel that there will probably be some death but..." Sophia began, thinking as she spoke. She took the letter's envelope and tossed it in the fire, causing a loud popping noise before shaking her head. "Sorry, I figured they'd have some device to listen with."

Ines nodded. "It's alright, dear. Just continue with what you were saying." She told Sophia.

"Yes, anyways...as I was saying, we could have the Order break into the arena. I'm not sure but I feel they'll have a force field around it. If I'm right, we need to break it from the inside and in that case, we will have to be careful." Sophia told them quietly. "I'm not saying that any of these other kids are going to go easy on any of us. They'll probably be trained to kill which means there will be casualties. But...I think we can do this." She told them rationally.

"It seems to me that keeping everyone alive will ride on us being on top of our game." Ethan stated, feeling a little uncomfortable about the whole situation. He then looked over at Felix. "Got any ideas?" He asked him.

Felix sighed as he walked over to the window, looking out at the gentle snowfall. "I'd suggest sending all the children home but you lot know as well as I do that they're in more danger outside of here than they are here." He said before looking back, leaning against the window ledge. "I think that Sophia has the best idea out of any of us." He told them and shook his head. "We don't have a choice other than to go through with it." Felix replied, folding his arms.

Artemis nodded. "Do we tell the students?" She asked them.

"We'll have to." Ines told Artemis softly. "It'll be in the Prophet soon enough so we've got to tell them. If we're sending them into a war zone, they have a right to train themselves." She said, meeting eyes with Felix. "We have a duty to those students to prepare them for the real world. Now, we have to prepare them for a battle that they're not ready to face just so they can survive." She stated.

"It's not just a battle, Ines." Mason Potter spoke up from the back of the room as he walked forward. "This is war. To live, they're going to have to have alliances and they'll need skills that we all possess." He said.

Felix perked his head up. He knew that Mason had been doing some traveling lately. "You've been traveling around. What have you been hearing?" He asked him.

Nolan Whitlock stepped forward and shook his head. "These games are not just about survival. They're about more than that." He said and then shrugged. "We're not sure why they're happening but Mason and I have been traveling around schools, just to get an idea of what's going on. They obviously know more though because I saw kids doing some training that most magical schools don't allow." He stated simply, looking to Mason. "We only saw a few schools."

Mason nodded, hearing what Nolan said. "Other students are training in weapons. I saw a kid from the Appalachian Academy swinging a sword like he'd been training all his life for it." He told the group. "They're not the only ones. Salem is doing the same and the Elysian Academy has set up a training area for all students 12-18 with teachers guiding them. I mean, this isn't child's play anymore." He reminded them before sighing heavily. "According to the headmaster of Appalachian Academy, only one tribute will come out alive...unless we follow Sophia's plan."

Ines listened closely when she heard Mason. "We need to start teaching our students then." She stated. "I mean, they may not be allowed to use spells and charms in the arena so we need to train them up." She said, looking at Artemis and the others. "Which means...we need some help."

Isabelle looked at the group, her arms folded. "Who's even left to help?" She asked them. "Other than us, there isn't many people out there willing to come train a bunch of kids how to fight. Jeremy's gone, Sebastian is still trying to reassemble his head, and I doubt that Evelyn is going to come out and give anyone her wisdom." She pointed out. "Right now, we're all these kids have, pretty much."

Ines looked at Isabelle and nodded. "She's right. But we have to try." Ines reminded everyone. "Kari's back. Warren could help too if we asked." She added and then thought a moment. "Sebastian might be able to help. It might even get his memory back to help out. We've just got to get everyone and anyone together to help these kids. I don't want Hogwarts kids to go out there and get themselves killed right out of the starting gate."

Felix listened to Ines's idea and nodded. "Anything that can help would be great." He told them.

"I want everyone to take their best battle talent and get it ready because we're going to start training tomorrow for all the eligible students. They'll be voluntary classes and they can pick two classes a day to attend during the free periods they're offered." Artemis told them. "If you have the same talent as someone and they're better at it, let them teach it and use one of your other talents. They need to know as much as they can." She told them.

One of the other staff members looked confused a moment. "But, what about Ines and Felix? I don't think that there are many, if there are any at all, seers in the students?" They questioned.

Ines looked at the teacher before getting a wicked grin. "Then you haven't seen me with a bow and arrow in hand." She told them, causing the staffer to look a bit taken aback. "Bet you didn't realize that I've got more talents than my powers, did you?"

Felix glared at the staffer. "I don't think I need to recite my accreditation in killing but if you must know, I can use knives in multiple ways...including throwing them at deadly accuracy." He commented coolly, causing the teacher to turn red and nod, keeping his mouth shut.

Artemis glanced over the group. "Now, if no one has any more qualms with the abilities of any other fellow staff members, I'll send you lot off to think now." She said before looking at everyone. "Except a few of you and that would be my family or close family friends." She stated and watched quite a bit of the group leave. She looked at those left.

"I realize that several of you have children here. I am sorry that they may be subject to this but remember that I've got two that are going to be in that selection process." Artemis told them softly. "I'll contact Kari tomorrow and have her and Warren come up, if they're willing. I may see if Sebastian is stable enough to come here but I make no promises. At this point, though, it's imperative that our students learn what they need to so they can stay alive." Artemis reminded them.

Ethan nodded as he listened to Artemis. "Would you like us to tell our houses ourselves or would you rather tell them in a big announcement tomorrow morning?" He asked her curiously.

Artemis sighed, thinking that decision over. She looked at Ethan and at everyone else. "I would rather the heads of houses explain this development to their students immediately." She told them honestly. "I think that if you guys told them on a one on one level, it'd make things go easier and answer any of their questions the best that you can." She told them. "Ines, I would like for you to take over Gryffindor House as their Head of House since Jeremy is gone." She said, looking at Ines before her eyes moved to Felix. "I would like you to take over Slytherin House as their Head of House with Evelyn gone." She told them before looking over the group. "Well, that's all I have to say. Go ahead and spread the news." Artemis said before her eyes locked on Sophia. "If you get picked, Sophia, please be safe and take care of yourself."

Sophia gave Artemis a quick nod before departing. As Artemis watched everyone leave, she looked back at the letter and sighed. She only hoped to get all the students out of those games alive...no matter what.

Ines walked into Gryffindor tower quietly but with an air of purpose. Many of the students looked at her as dinner hadn't ended long ago and they weren't used to seeing Ines in the tower or outside of her own classroom for that matter. Ines looked at the students and had them cover their ears before pointing her wand at her throat and saying "Sonorus" softly. "Will all Gryffindors please report to the commons area immediately! I have an announcement!" Ines said, her voice enhanced and much louder than usual. She quickly performed the "Quietus" charm afterward.

Students started to emerge from the dormitory towers, many of them in pajamas and some still in their school uniforms. Ines looked over the group and saw that everyone was accounted for. She took a deep breath after being sure they were all in attendance. "Good evening. I apologize for bringing you all together at this time but I have news to pass to all of you." Ines stated before looking at all the faces, knowing that many of them would be in the drawing. "Hogwarts has been forced to be part of an event called 'The Survival Games'. Two of you from this house, a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18, will be chosen as a tribute to represent your house and your school. Those two chosen will be accompanied by an escort as well as their chosen mentor for the duration of the games." Ines said and looked at all the faces. "Does anyone have any questions?"

A hand went up towards the back before speaking. "So, say that we're unable to actually compete. Is there any way that we could, I dunno, get out of it?" The voice asked.

Ines looked at the student with a softened smile. "There is a way, Aly. If a student is chosen, there is an opportunity for another student to volunteer for that position but it is only allowable once." She stated and saw some of the students talking. Ines's face instantly became serious. "However," She began, causing all the students to look up at her, "I recommend that you do so only in a case where you are fully serious. These are not games, alright? This is your life being put on the line and I suggest you be very conscious about your decisions. The drawing will be in two weeks at 10:00 am, it will be the 23rd of March. If you need anything, please come to me and I will try my best to help. In any case, Merlin watch over all of you." Ines said, her voice becoming very kind.

Lemuel Steele looked at Ines a moment before he raised his hand and was acknowledged. "Do the other houses know yet?" He asked her, his voice steady.

Ines looked at Lemuel before nodding. "The other houses are being notified right now." She told him honestly. Ines looked at everyone. "Look, I know that there are house rivalries that run deeper than just surface appearances." She told them honestly. "I used to be in this house. I knew. I just want all of you to please put that aside for these games. You must stand united or you will all fall. There are 8 other schools preparing for this as we speak. They're ready for blood to be spilled and they want to come out of there alive for whatever reason. You guys can't get drawn into all that. You need to keep your head and watch yourself." Ines told them honestly. "I'm begging you all to please, watch yourselves. Training classes will begin tomorrow for all of age students. Use them to your advantage."

All the students were silent as they listened to Ines. They realized that she was serious as they watched a tear run down her cheek. It was then that Gryffindor house realized that whomever got chosen needed to fight hard. This wasn't a game. It was life or death. It was war.

Author's Note :This is a little adventure of mine into writing in a more wide area. Reviews are welcome and I will be bringing in some cannons periodically as the story needs them. It is a future branch off for my story 'Losing Your Memory' so if you like it, you may be pleasantly pleased with this one, I hope! The next chapter should liven up the action somewhat.