Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I do own this story
Author's Note: I apologise for the shortness. And thanks to anyone who reviewed or alerted this story or added it to favourites!
The Traitor Games
The full moon hangs hauntingly in the sky, illuminating the twelve figures in a clearing deep within the Forbidden Forest. They stand in a perfect circle, surrounding a giant metal serpent hollowed out, stuffed to the brim with camping supplies and Muggle weapons. They are seemingly awaiting instructions. Suddenly, a blond girl makes a break for it, attempting to escape her faith. Hidden in the foliage of a tree, a shout rings out.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Hannah falls to the ground and stares unseeingly at the sky. Only the green bruise on her face shows the devastation of the spell just cast upon her. A chocked gasp comes from Susan Bones, her best friend now laying dead in front of her. A cackle comes from the caster of the spell, still invisible in the tree tops.
"We told you not to move! Not until th-"
A cannon sounds, signalling for the Games to commence. The majority rush towards the snake to claim supplies. Ron grabs a knife lying at the foot of the mound and races for cover in the forest, as Susan, Terry, Draco, Hermione, Luna and Padma already had. Blaise and Neville struggle over a large rucksack as Pansy sneaks by and takes a much smaller bag of resources and a spear. She retreats, knowing that those who stay are likely to die. Justin hides close by, waiting for the struggling boys to leave so he can scavenge in peace. He doesn't have to wait long, as Blaise stumbles and falls. Neville seizes the opportunity and a nearby sword. Blaise has no time for words before he becomes a full head shorter. Sighing wearily, Neville picks up the bag and heads out into the Forest. The cannon sounds to signal the Slytherin's death.
Ron vaguely wonders which of his former classmates has fallen, but he hears the distinct sound of a twig snapping under someone's foot. Heart pounding furiously in his ears, he crawls into a hollow in a nearby tree, desperately hoping that the footsteps are simply his imagination. No. It's undeniable, someone knows where he is. As a hand invades his hiding spot, he lunge forward and stabs the intruder, his knife sticking through their palm. He recognises the owner of the scream, her dreamy tone obvious even in her state of agony. Blood drips from the gash in her hand, staining the ground crimson. The Weasley sighs in relief.
"Bloody hell, Luna, you scared me! Oh, sorry about your hand their. Thought you were Malfoy."
Luna doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the ginger. She stares transfixed at her wound, watching it weave intricate patterns on her porcelain skin before sliding to the ground. Removing the knife imbedded in her limb, she wipes the blade off her sleeve. Luna addresses the confused Gryffindor after a few long moments.
"Your parents have a lot of children, don't they? Ginny, George, Percy, Charlie, Bill. But you see, I'm all my father has left. I'm sorry, Ron. I really am."
Ron looks at her in confusion, her intentions becoming clear to him only when she plunges his own knife into his throat. He tries to speak, but is rewarded with only a chocked gurgle and a dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth for his efforts. Mumbling apologies while tears run from her eyes, the Ravenclaw removes the knife from his windpipe. Panic is clear in Ron's eyes as Luna stabs him straight through his heart. For a moment, he thrashes violently. Then, the cannon fires for the third time.
Hermione hides high in the trees, hoping to avoid catching the attention of the two Ravenclaws and one Hufflepuff trekking below her. A sigh of relief leaves her as the group head on their way deeper into the forest. Suddenly, a hand covers her mouth, blocking her scream from reaching any ears besides her attacker. A voice whispers gently in her ear.
"I'm going to let go now. If you scream, we're both dead. Nod if you understand."
The Muggleborn nodded, and gasped for air as soon as her assailant released turned to glare harshly at them, but could only gawk in shock as she saw none other than a Slytherin behind her.
"Pansy?"
Hermione clenches her fists, preparing for an attack, but Pansy rolls her eyes at the Gryffindor.
"Relax, Granger. If I was going to kill you, I would have just pushed you off, wouldn't I?"
The brunette stares at the other girl in bewilderment. Pansy is one of the people she's sure would be glad if she died.
"Then what do you want, Parkinson?"
Pansy looks at her old enemy before she spits out her request, as if the words themselves leave a bitter taste in her mouth.
"We should be allies. You know these woods, and I'm betting you actually paid attention in Herbology, know what plants we can eat. We could survive if we work together."
For a long moment, Hermione looks at the girl as if she has two heads.
"Why would I partner with you? I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Pansy smirks at her, and begins to speak as if Hermione is a smile child throwing a tantrum.
"Because, could you really hurt someone if it came down to it? Knowing that some family is grieving because you killed their precious little treasure?"
The blood drains from Hermione's face as she recalls Arthur and Molly weeping over Fred. No. She can never bring herself to cause that kind of pain. She grimaces and holds her hand out towards Pansy.
"I see your point. Partners?"
Pansy mirrors the Gryffindor's enthusiasm as she shakes the outstretched hand. They both know their survival depends on the other girl... At least until they killed the other.
"Partners."
Author's Note 2: What do you think? I think Hermione is a bit out of character, but
