"Posy?" Madge calls out across the restless classroom as the students stuff their backs to leave. It's already the second week of school and Madge's almost 100% sure of what is wrong with the small Hawthorne. She doesn't want to be wrong, so there are just a few more things Madge needs to check. "Can you stay after a moment?" Posy's eyes widen and she nods, waiting until the classroom is void of her peers before making her way to the front of the room.

"Am I in trouble? I tried the math homework but I kept…"

"No, no," Madge shakes her head and smiles. She should have made that clear from the get-go. "You're not in trouble." Relief floods Posy's face but her hands still shake and she fiddles with her books. She casts her eyes out the window where children are finding their families. The sun shines brightly in the sky, all Posy wants to do is get home and play outside. Madge decides to start simple, "Do you like school?"

Posy returns her gaze to her teacher and tips her head into a nod, almost shocked at the question. "Yes, I love school. I want to be a teacher one day, or a writer." Madge smiles, taking notes in her notebook as Posy speaks. Aspirations, it's always good to have aspirations. "Vick says I'm too dumb to be a teacher." Madge furrows her brows and lifts her sight quickly to watch the small girl. "I'm not stupid," she tells her. "Miss Undersee, I'm not." Madge has noticed that Posy likes to keep to herself, trying her hardest to pay attention at the beginning of the day but eventually slips into her own world. "I get really bad headaches when I do work for too long though. My handwriting is very sloppy too but I try to get it right."

Madge taps her pencil across her chin, "Come with me." Posy, though very confused, stands up to follow her teacher. "When I was younger I wasn't very good at school either. I had a great memory but I couldn't sort it all out. Is that like you?" Posy nods and forces her tiny legs to make wider strides and keep up the fast pace. "Then my mom taught me the piano."

"I don't have a piano," Posy says quietly. She's always wanted to play an instrument. The flute, the violin, anything really. Posy would attend the recitals in town whenever she could; she loved the way music sounded. It's her favorite thing, music. The piano, the most beautiful of them all, oh how Posy adores it.

"No," Madge laughs, "but the school does." They enter the music room and Posy marvels at the piano, the way it takes up half the room and shines from the light that leaks through the window. "When they first hired me I was supposed to be just the music teacher, but then they realized I'd be a better teacher overall. Go on, sit down."

"I… I might be late for my brother to get me." Every day after school Vick would pick Posy up before they went home. Posy dreaded it of course; Vick would taunt her about her day and tease her. He thought it to be playful but it often ended up hurting Posy's feelings.

"If he comes then you can go, I just want to see something." Posy nods timidly, taking a seat on the piano bench. Her fingers hover over the keys but she's scared to touch them. Posy has grown up in a society where people from the Seam aren't allowed to be around things this beautiful. She feels as though she might ruin it. Madge watches Posy's hesitation but knows this needs to be done. Students need to know that they're good at something, that they can accomplish things. Music is also a way to learn, it will help Posy in the long run. "I know you're smart," Madge says quietly. "You always try your hardest to answer the questions, you're very bright." Posy isn't used to being called smart. Sure, Gale calls her smart, so does her mother, but not other people. Especially never any of her teachers. "Here, I'm going to play something and then I want you to play it back to me."

"Miss Undersee I'm not sure…" Madge doesn't listen to her objections, however, and plays out a simple tune. "Can you play it again?" Madge nods, abiding by the request and tapping it out a bit slower. Posy's eyes watch determinedly as her teacher presses the keys. Nervously, Posy lifts her fingers to attempt to repeat the sequence. She's successful. Madge tries another tune, one a bit more difficult. After playing it through three times, Posy is able to mimic it. "I just have good memory," she says quietly, trying to convince herself that she really isn't talented.

"No, you're smart Posy. Your brain works in a different way than a lot of others, but you're smart." The good memory doesn't hurt, either. Posy allows her cheeks to turn pink; her teacher's voice is so genuine she can't help but believe it. "If I write a note can you give it to your mother?"

"I thought I wasn't in trouble," Posy says quickly.

Madge laughs, "You aren't. I just need to ask her something." Posy nods her head while Madge digs around for some paper. "I want to tutor you, okay? I know you're smart but you have to be taught in a different way because of how your brain works."

"I don't understand."

"I'll explain it all if your mother lets me, okay?" Madge wants to help her, Posy deserves to be helped. She just needs permission first. She needs to explain why she wants to help Posy.

Posy chews her lip, "Okay. We don't have money for a tutor though."

Madge laughs, "I don't charge for tutoring. Education should be free." Posy's eyes widen, she's never heard anything like that before. Every teacher she had ever had also offered tutoring but they charged. Tutoring was expensive. Posy watches as Madge scribbles something down on a piece of paper and then folds it and half and hands it to her. "Here you are."

"Miss Undersee," Posy takes the paper into her hands and chews her lip. "Do other people's brains work like mine?"

Madge smiles, "Yes. Everyone has different difficulties." Posy doesn't look like she believes her so Madge continues. "One of my difficulties is that I have stage fright." Posy giggles, she thinks it's hilarious that a teacher who has to get in front of students all day could have stage fright. "Really, it's true! I can't get in front of a crowd to save my life. My face turns all red and I stutter… it's awful."

"People can get over stage fright though, right? So I can get over my headaches." Madge nods and Posy makes her way off of the bench. "I really want to be a teacher. Can I do that?"

"You can be anything you want, Posy." The small girl grins, excited that someone other than her family believes in her, and races outside to meet her brother.

Gale returns home from the mines with a headache. Rory had been transferred to his section today and the younger brother spent most of his time badgering the older. All Gale wants to do is kick off his shoes and go to sleep. He doesn't pay any mind to the setting sun or the birds that chirp off the ways in his woods. He's just infinitely tired.

"Listen Gale," Rory continues as they enter the house, letting the wooden door slam behind them. "I'm just saying that the lady who works the offices for the mines would love if you took her out on a date…" Gale glares at him and Rory raises his hands defensively. "You were a legend in high school! Now you work and you're just… boring."

"I don't have time for a date," Gale mutters. "Now shove off." The two stare into the house for a moment, it seems too quiet. Vick is on the couch watching some sort of Capitol propaganda for the upcoming Hunger Games while their mother cooks dinner in the kitchen. "Where's Posy?"

"School," Hazelle calls over her shoulder. "Tutoring." Her voice is effortless, unconcerned.

"Told you she was stupid," Vick grumbles.

"Talk about your sister like that one more time," Gale threatens, chucking his miners helmet at his brother. Vick catches it just in time and glares right back at him. Lately it seems the two have been at each other's throats. Not just Vick and Posy, but Vick and Gale too. Vick blames it on the fact that Posy is Gale's favorite. "At least she's taking measures to make sure she ends up with a proper job." Of course Vick doesn't actually think Posy's stupid; it's just pent up anger. If Vick had taken an interest in school when he was as young like Posy he could've found a way out of the mines. It's too late now, Vick knows his fate will be the mines and has to learn to live with it.

"That's the third day this week," Rory says nonchalantly as he peels his shoes off of his feet. "Is she okay?"

"Oh, yes," Hazelle says quickly. "She should be home any minute now, actually."

Gale also kicks off his shoes and takes a seat at the dinner table. "Who's her teacher, anyway? Why's she care so much about Posy?"

"Posy has potential to work in town, dear," Hazelle responds calmly, avoiding the question of who the teacher is. "If her teacher can provide that then by all means, let her." To this, Gale has no objections. He throws his shoulders back and sighs in relief as a crack rings through the air. He would kill for a massage. Just as if on cue, Posy saunters through the door with a smile on her face. "There she is!"

"Sorry I'm late," Posy says, kicking off her shoes quickly and rushing to the table. "Look at my test! Look!" She digs into her bag until she gets her hand on piece of paper, and then slams it down in front of her brothers. The bright 96% in red ink shines just as Posy's smile does. "It's the highest grade in the class!"

"That's great, Pose," Gale smiles, leaning to wrap his arms around her.

Posy shoves him away with a giggle, "You're all sooty." Gale laughs, hugging his sister despite her protests. She giggles louder and tries to pry herself from her brother's arms. "Oh, and I learned a new song on the piano today!" Gale drops his grip quickly and narrows his eyes. "It was really hard but I got it!"

"Piano?"

"Posy, dear, why don't you go clean up," Hazelle says quickly. "Get ready for dinner. You too, boys." Gale throws a glance to his mother but she pretends not to notice, returning to the pots and pans in front of her and humming a tune. Piano, it had been a long time since Gale had heard anything about a piano. He scrubs his body down quickly and changes as fast as he cab, determined to get more answers from his family about why Posy has been staying late.

When he returns to the kitchen, Posy and his mother are talking in hushed voices. "But I want them to know," Posy tells her desperately. "I really am smart!"

"I know you are dear," Hazelle cups Posy's cheeks and brushes her dark hair out of her face. "But they're not ready to learn about all of that. The extra time on tests, the tutoring, the music. They'll think you're getting special treatment." Gale furrows his brows, it sounds like special treatment to him. "They just won't understand right now."

"Then explain it to them," Posy frowns. "I'm good at the piano, I'm good at singing too!"

Hazelle sighs, "I know, Posy, I know…" Gale saunters back into the room and raises an eyebrow at his mother. She's been keeping secrets from him, that's not something Gale tolerates. He's had enough secrets in his life, he doesn't need his own family having them, let alone keeping them from him. "How long have you been standing there?"

"How long has Posy been getting charity from the teacher in town?" Gale snaps back.

"I'm not," Posy slams her foot on the floor. Oh, of course not. Gale rolls his eyes and crouches down to his sister. "Gale, I'm not getting charity." Posy hates that word. Gale hates that word. Everyone hates that word. But that's what people from town do; they offer charity to those from the Seam. It had happened before and it was going to happen again.

"I don't want any more of this tutoring or extra time on tests, okay?"

"You don't make that decision," Hazelle frowns. "I do. And whatever Posy's teacher wants, that's what will happen."

"Well then I'd like to have a word with this teacher," growls Gale. He isn't going to let this carry on, let some teacher who has everything at her disposal get Posy's hopes up. There's no doubt that Gale wants Posy to have a better life, to get a job in town and get out of the Seam, but the chances are slim! On top of that, if Posy starts thinking she can change her life and then she never does, it would be this damn teachers fault!

"You're not dad," Rory calls as he enters the room, having heard the entire conversation. "So stop acting like him. Mom makes the calls, Gale." The older brother narrows his eyes at Rory and clenches his jaw. It's natural for Gale to act like the head of the household. Sure, Hazelle is strong and able to take care of the family, but Gale is the oldest male. He takes responsibility for his siblings as if they're his children, he pays for food and clothes. He feels like the father, why not act like one? "Really, Gale. It's not a big deal that Posy's getting some extra education."

"It is if it's charity," Gale bites out.

Rory rolls his eyes and then balls his hands into fists, "It's not charity for Christ's sake! Why can't Posy be allowed a better chance at life than the rest of us?" Gale drops his gaze to his little sister who has averted her eyes to the floor. Her eyes are filled with tears but she tries her hardest not to let them fall.

"I'm smart," she says quietly. "I am. I'm smart, Gale. Let me be smart."

Gale is let off from work early, something to do with the stability in the new level they're in. Instead of going home like he knows he should, he makes his way to the school. Posy should still be there having lessons with her teacher. The teacher Gale has yet to identify.

After a few more nights of Posy coming home late, eager to talk about her day though her mother won't let her, Gale has become curious. Curious, and very angry. His thoughts of charity and pity are still prominent in his mind, even if his mother doesn't think that's the case. Gale wants a word with the teacher, he wants to know what she's playing at. He marches through the halls and ducks his head in every classroom, looking for his little sister. Only when he hears her voice down the hall is he reassured in the fact that she's here.

"I can't do it!" Posy shouts. "I can't!"

"Yes," a female voice replies gently, "you can. Take a deep breath and…" the voice trails off as the sound of papers being scattered fills the air. Gale pauses outside the door and looks in, realizing the two are sitting at a piano. Papers are covering the floor and Posy's hand is raised like she's the one that caused the mess. Gale confirms the fact that the teacher is from town, the way her blonde hair trails down her back in ringlets. Her voice is almost familiar; he can't exactly put a face to it however. Someone from school many years ago, maybe a girl he took to the slagheap.

"You do it," Posy mutters. "You can't make me do it if you won't." Gale smirks, loving the bit of fire Posy still has in her. He decides not to intervene, to watch the teacher to see if she's competent to deal with kids. Only after their lesson is over will Gale talk to her, and he'll do it when Posy isn't around. He doesn't want to upset his sister who happens to be a major fan of said teacher.

"Posy, I'm not a singer, I can't…" the small girl is stubborn, however, crossing her arms tightly across her chest and turning away from the piano. "I'm not going to do it if you behave like a child. Pick up the papers and then maybe I'll do it."

Gale ducks out of the doorway as his sister scrambles quickly to the floor, scooping all of the papers into her arms and handing them over with ease. Once she's seated again Posy turns to her teacher and grabs her hand. "Please? I don't know how it goes." Gale watches the blonde fidget, obviously discomforted. "I won't complain anymore if you sing it first. I just need to hear you and then I can do it." After a very audible deep breath, the blonde lets her fingers dance over the keys, tapping out a simple tune. Her voice carries over ever so sweetly through the room and out into the hallway. It shocks Gale that someone's voice can be so gentle, it takes him a moment to register that the woman in front of him is in fact singing.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Gale has heard people sing before, he's very fond of Katniss's voice particularly considering it's rare to hear, but a voice like this is different. Soft like rain in the spring, cool and unexpected like a summer breeze.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

His footsteps almost carry him into the room, to turn the girl around and learn her identity. Gale hasn't been this intrigued, this entranced in what feels like years. The melodious combination of piano and voice leave him unable to move.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.

The blonde at the piano pauses in her singing, Gale is almost offended that she stops before the entire song is over. "Your turn," she turns to Posy and tickles her side. Posy giggles and pushes the teachers hands off of the piano. Gale is amazed as his little sister taps effortlessly taps out the same tune her teachers had just played.

"You're a lovely singer," Posy tells her once the song is over. Of course Posy has a wonderful voice as well but she's only 11. She lacks the experience of the blonde next to her. "Maybe you should sing with me." Yes, Gale thinks, sing again. But she doesn't, she won't. The blonde is too embarrassed, it makes Gale smirk. Not wanting to disturb the rest of their practice and now overly calm from the voice of the stranger, Gale makes his way out of the school and back to the Seam, where he'll have plenty of questions waiting for his younger sister.

A/N: Alright, so some of you have figured out what Posy has. I know these beginning chapters might be a bit slow but everything has to start somewhere. We need to establish a bit at the beginning so the rest can turn out fab! I've always liked the idea of Madge being a good singer. Also, it'll be explained why Hazelle isn't telling them anything. To answer a few questions: Yes, Katniss and Peeta were still in the Hunger Games and were still Victors. The rebellion was attempted but was crushed by the Capitol. Katniss and Peeta are still being presented as a couple but are yet to be wed. Sorry if this chapter seems a bit out of sorts, I needed to show how Madge and Posy were working together and how it was all very hush-hush to the family. I really aspire to make this story good! Please send any and all criticism!