All of District Hogwarts was gathered in the Great Hall, waiting for the reaping to begin. Effie Fudge stood on the podium with two glass bowls full of little scraps of parchment with the names of anyone twelve to eighteen years old who live in District Hogwarts. Two people would be chosen, a boy and a girl.
Harry Potter and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, waited anxiously for the reaping to begin. Ron stood with his siblings Fred, George, and Ginny.
As the last trickle of people came into the Great Hall, Effie Fudge raised her hand to silence the soft murmur of nervousness.
"Welcome, District Hogwarts, to the reaping of the seventy-fourth annual Wizard Games," Effie Fudge said in a voice that was falsely excited. "Let the reaping begin."
She plunged her hand into the first glass bowl labeled "Boys." She pulled out the parchment scrap and unfolded it. The whole room held its breath.
"Ron Weasley."
Everyone turned to stare at Ron. Fred and George had lost their usual humor and wore expressions of horror. Ginny made a tiny little squeaking sound and grabbed Ron's hand.
This can't be happening, Harry thought. My best friend can't go.
Ron took a shaky step forward. Ginny tried to pull him back, but he shook her off gently, trying to seem brave. Harry saw a single tear trace down Hermione's face.
No. This won't happen. I won't let this happen, Harry thought, and then, not giving himself time to change his mind, he said, "Wait. I volunteer as tribute."
Everyone gasped. The Weasley siblings looked torn. Brother or best friend? It was an impossible choice. So Harry would make it for them.
Ron looked back at Harry. "You don't have to–"
"You can thank me later," Harry said, and walked right past him to stand on the podium next to Effie Fudge. She looked at him like she was confused for a moment. It was very rare for someone to volunteer as tribute.
"Excellent," she finally said, and reached for the "Girls" bowl, but a stirring in the crowd made her stop.
At first just the Weasley family, then everyone else, touched three fingers of their left hand to their lips and held them out to Harry. Ginny was still crying, Fred and George looked solemn, and Ron had a pleading look that clearly said you'd better come back alive.
The silence felt like it lasted a long time. Effie Fudge stared, her eyes wide with surprise. Finally she recovered and plunged her hand into the "Girls" bowl.
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione looked stunned. She walked slowly and calmly to the podium. Effie Fudge smiled.
"We now have our two tributes. Thank you, District Hogwarts, and may the magic be ever in your favor!"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other from across the podium, best friends turned worst enemies. Both might die. But only one could survive.
