I feel the bile rise in my throat. No. It can't be me. I feel the girl behind me give me a shove and I mindlessly let my legs carry me to the stage.

"There you are, Miss Granger." Noble Clearwater says while helping me up onto the platform. He turns back to address the crowd, "Does Miss Granger have any siblings who'd like to stand in for her?" No. I know no one will step up and save me, I'm going to the games. "Very well. Realm 7, your Pickie is Hermione Jean Granger." I'm given a weak round of applause. I look around to the other Realms, and I can tell they're laughing at me, mocking me. Noble Clearwater tugs on my sleeve and we move back on the stage.

Noble Goyle takes the stage to announce the male from Realm 6, it ends up being a scrawny young boy with glasses named Harry. His black hair is messy on top of his head and he looks like he has been stuck in a cupboard for a little too long. Realm 5 brings a girl with long white gold hair. She looks almost like a fairy, and if I didn't focus closely enough on her I would have thought she was floating. I'm too busy taking in her appearance that I miss her name, so I call her Fairy in my mind. She must not have any brothers either, but I do see who I assume is her Father screaming against the guards who take him away. Realm 4 is a tall plump boy with brown hair, he's shaking so violently his Realm Noble needs to give him a drink of a green bubbling liquid just to get him to stand still. His name is Neville. Now we enter the Trained Realms, Realm 3 brings a pugged face girl with short brown hair. Her name is Pansy but she appears to be nothing of the sort. Whether she has a brother or not, doesn't matter. She wants to be up there, she has been trained to be up there. She gets up and pumps her fist and the crowd roars in front of her. Winning this could mean her family being bumped up a Realm, maybe even two depending on her performance. Realm 2 brings another Trained Pickie, a ferret like boy with bleached blonde hair. He stands up on the stage fixing the front of his robes, and gives the crowd a smile and wink. He looks at his Realm Noble for reassurance, which now I can only assume it's his Father. I don't like this kid already, Ferret Face. Finally the crowd is silenced and High Wizard Weasley takes the stage, once again a goblet with pink spewing fire appears in front of him.

"This year's Realm 1 Pickie is..." He catches the piece of paper spewed out and his face falls a bit, "Ginerva Weasley." He looks down at his daughter whose face is nothing short of horrified. High Witch Weasley gives out a wail and clings to the shoulder of her eldest son, Wizince William. Finally something clicks back into Ginerva's mind and she makes her way up to the stage. She stands next to her Father who asks the crowd, "Does Witchess Weasley have any siblings who would like to volunteer in her place?" You don't have to be looking but you know his eyes are focused on his line of sons. There is an eerie silence and the crowd is holding their breath.

"I will." Someone says stepping forwards and making his way through the crowd. From the stage I can see the top of his head, a full head of red hair. All of the Weasleys had a brilliant shade of red hair, and they were the only people in any Realm with it. The boy finally emerges to the crowd and onto the stage. It's Wizince Ronald, the High Wizards youngest son who is my age. He climbs the step to the stage and hugs Ginerva. "I'll take her place." He turns to the crowd and they immediately begin to clap and cheer, this is followed by all of the Realms and everyone on stage. Noble Clearwater gives me a light push and I start clapping as well.

The High Wizard shushes the crowd and smiles, "Wizince Ronald Weasley will be stepping in for Ginerva as the Pickie for Realm 1. And that completes this years Picking Day! The Pickies will be brought to the Game Capitol to train for a week and then the Wizard Games will begin. For all those interested in getting Holiday Homes in Game Capitol for the Games please speak with your Realm Noble. Now go on home and celebrate!"

Before the Pickies are brought off the stage they all have to surrender their wands. There will be wands they can retrieve in the arena if they are lucky enough to find them. Many if not all of them by there age can perform magic without a wand. The wand collector goes down the line and stops with the open box at me. I shake my head and he suddenly realizes he has made it to Realm 7. He laughs and snaps the box shut walking away continuing to laugh.

Noble Clearwater grabs my arm and drags me off the stage towards the train that will take us to the Game Capitol. My parents will be aloud to come into my train car for ten minutes to say goodbye and present me with a token from my Realm that I may wear during the Games.

He helps me into my train and car and leaves closing the door behind him. I know there is a guard on the other side to make sure I don't try to run away. I take a look around the train car, it's the nicest room I've ever been in. There is a nice big bed against the far wall, closets and drawers filled with what I can imagine are fine clothing, shelves of shoes. There is another door that leads to a private bathroom. The car door opens again and my parents enter. My Father immediately pulls me into a hug and I can't help but let the tears that I've been hiding escape. My Mother is already crying and she pulls me against her chest. I can feel her heaving and my Father rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry." She says in a low rasp. "I'm so sorry my little baby. I did this to you, I didn't have a son. I couldn't have a son. Now you're going in their to be butchered, to be slaughtered. My only little girl." Her hold on me becomes tighter and I don't say anything in return. What could I say? It was all the truth. "I love you." She says pressing her lips to the top of my head. She pulls me back taking a look at me, as if she wants to burn my image into her mind.

My Father reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small pin. It has an otter on it. The otter is the only Muggle animal left that has not been altered in some way by magic. Try as they might they could not alter it. So in Realm 7 we use the otter to represent ourselves, people who have not been altered by magic. My Father pins the otter to my shirt and the door opens once again. The guard is motioning them to leave. I give them both one last hug and they leave, after the door closes I can still hear my Mother's cries and pleas for me to be spared.

The train starts with a slow roll and leaves the station. I don't bother looking out the window. Instead I take off my shoes and feel the soft carpet beneath my feet. I crawl onto the bed and stare thoughtlessly at the ceiling, eventually drifting off to sleep.

About a half hour later I'm awoken with the feeling that people are staring at me. I slowly open my eyes to see three people staring curiously down at me. I jump back startled and they all smile.

"Welcome back!" A woman with bright fuchsia hair says to me. She's wearing matching fuchsia eye shadow and lipstick. Next to her is a man with white hair, that had fluorescent streaks that kept changing color between red, green and blue. Next to him was a woman with a lilac colored skin, her hair was a light pink and up in some dramatic beehive type of up-do. I attempt to take in their appearances and register them in my mind, but the woman with the fuchsia hair is pulling me up out of the bed, "We've got lots of work to do before dinner. I must say this is the prettiest one we've had in years."

"I know." The gentleman agrees, "Such a shame to waste such pretty little thing."

Now they've gotten me on my feet and pulling away at my clothing until I'm naked before them. I go to cover my self but the lilac skinned woman swats my arm down. "We have to see what we're working with. Ohhh I've got just the dress for you." She disappears into the closet. The fuchsia haired women pulls me into the bathroom where they have already ran the tub. I sigh, running water, what an amazing luxury. She motions and helps me into the tub, I can feel water potions they have added in immediately taking effect on my body. I feel the hair dropping off my legs, arms, and other places. I can feel my skin rejuvenating and freshening. The gentleman is working a cream through my hair and rinsing it with his wand. Just as I begin to relax, I'm being yanked from the tub and being magically dried off.

"Come sit." The fuchsia hair woman is motioning me into a chair in front of the mirror. I don't particularly remember the chair being there before, but I don't question their magic. The fuchsia haired woman begins doing my make up with her wand. Her face is level with mine and her tongue is sticking out the side of her mouth in concentration. The gentleman is working his magic on my hair and I can hear him cursing, mumbling and grunting in frustration. "Not even my advanced skilled level of beautification magic can handle this mess properly." I silently laugh because my hair is in fact a wild bush of hair. I could never properly tame it, the best thing to do with it is braid it and hop it doesn't pop out of it's restraints.

The lilac skinned woman comes into the bathroom, and I'm yanked up out of the chair. She pulls a light green dress over my head and lays brown flats at my feet. I slip them on and she stairs at me up and down. Snapping her fingers she goes back into my bed chamber and comes back with something small in her hand. She reaches forward and pins the little otter to my dress and smiles in approval. You're set my dear.

I re-enter the bed chamber and go over to the full length mirror. The girl staring back at me is no one that I remember seeing. She has smooth skin and beautiful hair. I turn around and look at myself from all angles. The three of them are standing back smiling, and I can't help but run over to them and hug them all. "Thank you so much. I look...I look gorgeous."

"Not a problem, Dear. It is our job to make you look good. From now till the Games we are your fashion team. My name is Valiss, I will be your head designer." The lilac skinned woman says motioning besides her, "This is Rori and Fleming, they take care of preparations, hair and make up."

Before we could press any further Noble Clearwater comes through the door and nods in approval at my appearance. "Good job Valiss, not that we would expect anything less. Come now Hermione, it's time for the Pickie's dinner."

I follow him into the dining cart where all of the other Pickies have already taken their seats. I sit in the chair marked with a 7, across from me is Ronald, who some how had the misfortune to be stuck between both Realm 2 and 3's Pickies. The girl, Pansy, seems to be flirting with him, she keeps giggling and tapping his arm. The boy, Ferret Face, is chatting away about all of the wonderful strives his family has made. Next to Pansy is an empty seat, which I now see is marked with a 3, where Pansy should be sitting. Which means she is in seat 2 where Ferret Face should be sitting. How very unlike them to separate themselves from all of us. Next to the empty seat is Neville who has a blank look on his face, he must still be under that potions power. Next to him is Fairy who is chatting with Harry about something I've never heard about, all I can make out is there is something very fascinating about the silver ware. Harry looks confused, so I am assuming he's never heard of it either. I sit silently to myself the entire dinner. We are fed five amazing courses of food I've never seen before. By the time we're done I'm so stuffed that I don't realize what this feeling is. In Realm 7, we never have enough food, let alone too much.

I retire to my bed chamber and easily fall asleep due to fullness. I have a dream that night about my family living in a giant beautiful house and having all of these foods and clothes. I dream about my family being held with honor and then my dream is cut to a halt when I'm all of a sudden in a dark wet place. It's cold and wet and I can't make anything out but dark figures. I leap awake and realize that it's morning already, and the train has stopped moving. I go to the window and realize we're there. The Game Capitol, I've only ever seen it on television, but that can not compare to it's grand size. I look down to realize the train is elevated at least fifty stories in the air. I get a bit queasy and focus on all the beautiful band ornate buildings sparkling in the morning sun.

Valiss, Rori and Fleming are on me in minutes, repeating the processes that they had done last night. This time Valiss dresses me in tight black pants and a green t-shirt,on my feet are the finest leather boots I've ever seen. She pins the otter to me again and we along with Noble Clearwater make our way out of the train and into the Pickie Center. Each Pickie is given a floor in the Pickie Center, it's to keep us away from each other in the week prior to the Games and prevent confrontation.

Noble Clearwater grabs my hand and tells me to stand still. He turns on the spot and I feel as if I'm being sucked into a small tube. The next thing I know my feet come in contact with the ground and I fall trying to catch my breath. I see, Valiss, Rori and Fleming all appear out of now were with a pop.

"What did you just do?" I demand.

Noble Clearwater laughs, "It's called apparating. It's how we travel." He starts to walk down the hall way and I get up and follow him in a huff. "You have your first training session at one. Don't be late. You are to appa-I will come and get you at ten to one." He opens a door and points inside, "This is your room. Feel free to have a look around, but you are not to leave it unless instructed to. Do you understand me?" I nod my head and he pushes me into the room closing the door. I don't hear a lock but I know he has sealed me in here magically.

I take in my surroundings, I'm in a room bigger than my entire house in Realm 7. It's filled with beautiful and ornate furniture. There shelves lined with books, and a beautiful bed with a puffy down comforter on it. One of the doors leads to a private bathroom and the others are closets. I run my fingers along the spines of the books. They are all about magic. I pick up the basic spells book volume one, and sit down on one of the arm chairs. I read volumes one, two and a book called Hogwarts: A History. I always loved to read. I never had much time to read in Realm 7, and books are very expensive. But every year for my birthday and Wizmas my parents would get me a book. As he said at ten to one Noble Clearwater returns to take me to my training session.

I get down to the training room and it's empty. Noble Clearwater looks around and puts his head in his hands shaking it. "Not again. Why do they always do this?" He sighs.

"Do what?" I ask looking around the room. There are various stations with different activities some magical, some Muggle like.

"They never show up for the Realm 7 Pickie. They don't bother because the chances are you will be slaughtered in the first five minutes. But they promised they would come this time. I told them that you had a slight chance, I lied for you." He seems frustrated, "Well, I guess that's settled then. You'll just stay in your room for the next five days. On day six you will come back here for the Game Wizards to judge you. On day seven you will be apart of the Pickie parade then interviewed. The following morning you will be placed in the Game Arena." He grabs my hand and apparates me back up to my room.

I pass the next few days by reading the books on the shelves, I may not be able to perform magic but learning about it has proven to be very interesting. The only time I leave my room is to go to meals on my floor with Noble Clearwater, Valiss, Rori and Fleming. The latter three are disappointed that they do not get to dress me up for training everyday. I notice on the second night that there are Muggles waiting on us. I recognize a few of them as people I went to school with. When I try to talk to the girl fixing up my bed chamber, she simple shakes her head and points to her lips. She isn't allowed to talk to me.

After lunch on the day before my judging, the three of them happily bathe and prepare me for it. They dress me in black leggings and a navy blue blouse, on my feet comfortable ankle boots. Noble Clearwater apparates me down to the training room, wishes me a quick good luck and disapperates out. The judges are to give each Pickie a score that will be announced on the night of the parade and interview. This score ranks the Pickie from 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, and can often help get them Sponsors. Sometimes the weaker numbers gang up at the beginning to take out the higher numbers. It all depends on the group of Pickies and the situation they are put in. But more importantly the number fuels pre-Games betting.

I look up at the panel of Game Wizards. There are a variety of men and women. A short frog like woman announces that I may proceed to show them any skills I posses. She is almost laughing.

I notice there is a bow on the floor near some targets. I pick it up and shoot all perfect shots. Next I identify plants for them, which you can eat, which you can't. I show them how to purify water and the proper ways to hunt. I skin a rabbit, catch and skin a fish and cook them both. I climb a tree and camouflage myself. They seem semi-impressed and then I get to the final stage. The magical one. I don't even bother to attempt, I know there is nothing I can do here. I don't even have a wand. I bow my head and Noble Clearwater reappears and apparates me out.

I return to my room and collapse onto my bed. It isn't fair, that I will be killed right off due to my lack of magic. Tomorrow I will be paraded through Game Capitol, past all the wealthy people who can afford Holiday. After the parade we will all be interviewed, the interviews are almost sickening to me. Get to know this person one minute, the next minute they are being slaughtered. But they are important because they help sway people to Sponsor you. People and often whole Realms can Sponsor a Pickie. Sponsors provide money and goods to give to the Realms Noble who will then pass it on to the Pickie. I know that I don't even need to bother with the interview. No one will sponsor me.

Valiss has me up hours prior to the parade for preparations. I am once again completely stripped and poked and re done. She promises me that I am going to come in with a bang. I remind her no one cares about me, that I'm just going in to be murdered. She quickly hushes me up and insists that it isn't true and I will be the best looking Pickie in the parade.

Noble Clearwater comes into my bed chamber to discuss the interview with me. He tells me it's wise to not mention that I know they are putting me in there for slaughter. He tells me to seem optimistic. Sit up straight, smile a lot, make some jokes. Try to win the crowd over. I tell him it's impossible. He tells me to try. I ask him what's my angle? Almost every other Pickie I've ever seen interviewed has an angle. He tells me to be myself, be more than myself. We don't need an angle.

About an hour before the parade she has me in a big dress that looks as though it's made from mirrors, crystal and fine jewels. I can't understand why she's been helping me look so good, the Realm 7 Pickie never looks good, their teams usually abandon them before it even starts. A golden headdress is placed on my head, it forms a giant bird that I've never seen before. Finally she slips on my heels and we're appareting down to the carriage house.

As Valiss is helping me into my horseless carriage I feel my heart start to face. She uses her wand to raise me up on the platform and assures me I won't fall. Just when I thought we were done, I see Valiss muttering an incantation under her breath. I looked puzzled at her but she just smiles, "Don't worry Dear, you're going to come in with a bang. Remember Hermione, head held high, smile and wave."

I don't have time to question to her because I can feel the carriage lurch forward. Unlike almost everything else the carriages and interviews go in numeric order, so I will be last. Usually no one even bothers with the Realm 7 carriage and they start the interviews before it even comes out, if it comes out at all. I watch all of the other Pickies go out. In the first carriage Ronald is dressed in his Wizince robes. Ferret Face is dressed in silk black and green robes. Pansy has on a short black lace dress that has bead work that hangs in strings at the bottom of it. Neville who I'm sure is still dazed out from that potion, is wearing brilliant red robes. Fairy girl has on a fantastic yellow ball gown, filled with glitter and glitz, on her head is a grand crown. She reminds me of a magical fairy queen. Harry is dressed in black and red robes adorned with a lion on the back of them. And finally I can feel myself coming out into the circle of the crowd. Wizince Ronald has already begun his interview, and I can hear him and the host Gilderoy Lockhart chatting away.

I'm holding up head up, smiling and waving up to the unbelieving crowd. They all seem shocked that a Realm 7 Pickie was so over adorned. I could hear whispers amongst the crowd, and it happens before I even realize it. Fireworks come shooting out of my carriage and up into the air. The most magnificent colors and designs. At first I am completely shocked and speechless, but than one swirls up around my body and continues to circle me. I can't help but giggle and follow it. And again that's when I hear it, the crowd is roaring. I look around to see what's going on, and I realize they're clapping for me. I look up at the giant screens and they are no longer on Ronald and his interview, but on me and my fireworks display. I can see Ronald on the stage with Lockhart, Ronald seems to be laughing and clapping along to the spectacle, needless to say Lockhart is furious the attention has been brought off them.

I finally make it to the stage and Valiss is there to help me out off the platform in the carriage. I give her a tight hug and silently thank her. For that moment all eyes were on me, a glimmer of hope. I watch Ronald finish his interview with Lockhart at the end they flash his picture on screen with his number, a 10, of course. Each Pickie goes, they talk to Lockhart about a variety of things, their families, their strategies, how they feel about the Games, the honor of winning, and so on. Ferret Face talks about his lush home and his Noble Father. His score is a 7, he seems less than pleased and I see him scowl as he descends the stairs. Pansy talks about her favorite subjects in schools and how she feels that will help her, she talks about how much she loves everyone especially the Game Wizards. She's so fake, and her fakeness lands her with a 6. She is even less pleased and she's ripping things apart as she pushes past everyone on her descend. Neville is rather quite during his interview, nodding his head, talking about his Gran. His score was a 5, and he seems blank about the entire thing as he comes down. Next is Fairy girl who I now learn her name is Luna. She talks about her Father and his newspaper, and about a bunch of magical things I've never heard of like Nargles. Lockhart seems confused the entire interview eyeing her skeptically, but nodding and smiling all the same. Her score is a 8, and she is very pleased as she floats down the stairs. Harry talks about his parents and God Father Sirius, he talks about his specialty in flying [a broom] and how he has no idea how he was given the lightening bolt shaped scar on his forehead. His picture flashes and his score is a 7, I pass him on the stairs and he's smiling widely. I make my way across the stage to Lockhart, whose dressed in mustard yellow dress robes, with white lining. He motions for me to sit in the seat across from him.

"Realm 7 Pickie, Hermione Jean Granger. What a show you put on in the parade, a little firecracker you are. So tell us Hermione, how do you feel being the only one who can't do magic?" He's still smiling that stupid smile.

"Well," I start, "I think it's unfair. But I wouldn't count me out if I were you. I'm quite the fighter!"

"I bet you are." He's laughing, and so is the crowd. I just take this as a good thing whether it is or isn't. "What is it your parents do in Realm 7?"

"They are dentists." He looks a bit confused by this and I look around, the general majority of the crowd is confused. "They tend to peoples teeth."

"Oh my, that must be a grand profession." I want to tell him it's the furthest thing from it, but he already follows up with another question, "Do you think you can give us all a fabulous view of that dress?"

"Of course, Valiss did an amazing job with this one." I say standing up and spinning around in a circle. Under the lights I can only imagine that the dress is sparkling. The crowd is slapping and I giggle a bit from the dizziness. I sit back down and smile at Lockhart.

"What's been your favorite part of being in the Game Capitol?"

"Definitely the food!" I say rubbing my tummy, this gets a small laugh from the crowd and I pretend to laugh along. "But seriously everyone here has been absolutely amazing. I love them all!"

"Well ladies and gentlemen that is this years final Pickie! The little firecracker Hermione Jean Granger. Let's take a look at Miss Granger's score." He points up to the television and a picture of myself flashes up, after a second a giant number 9 flashes on the screen. "Well, well well, it seems Miss Granger wasn't kidding when she says she was a little fighter. Congratulations!"

I'm shocked, the crowd is shocked. I can't even move. A 9? How did I pull a 9? Was this a joke? This had to be a joke. I don't even realize it but my feet are leading me off the stage. No one from Realm 7 has ever pulled a 9. Noble Clearwater is waiting by the stairs and pats my back as we make our way down them, "I don't know what you did in that judging room, but good job."

"IT CAN'T BE! THERE IS NO WAY!" I can hear voices yelling around the corner.

"SHE CHEATED! SHE MUST HAVE!" It's Pansy and Ferret Face yelling at someone. I can only imagine it's about me and my score.

I round the corner and into the Pickie's room. "What did you do? How did you do it?" Ferret Face is on me the second I enter. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head, "I didn't do anything."

"Impossible!" Pansy screeches, "There is no way someone like you could pull that kind of score. What did you do you filthy Muggle? Did you use that impure little body of yours? WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Enough." Ronald says standing up and raising his hand, "She got the score fair and square Pansy. Leave her be."

I'm too shocked to say anything. My eyes move back and forth between Pansy and Ferret Face and Ronald.

"Wait till my father hears about this!" He exclaims and leaves with in a huff, followed by Pansy.

I notice the rest of the Pickies have already left except one, Ronald. "Way to interrupt my interview with your little light show." My jaw drops, I don't even know what to say. Should I apologize? He smiles and laughs, "I'm joking. Good job with your score. You must have really impressed them. Sure you aren't a witch?" He laughs and makes his way towards the exit.

I don't say anything but stare at him, he smiles and shakes his head and exits the room. I sit down on the couch and it all begins to sink in. The entire night, the dress, the parade, the fire works, the interview, the crowd, the score. Then I remember tonight is the last night of peace. The last night of salvation. Tomorrow it all begins, tomorrow it all ends. Tomorrow I will be thrown into pure chaos.

Let the Wizard Games begin.

A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you enjoyed Chapter two! :D PLEASE, review and let me know what you think of the story so far!

The story really starts to get hectic in the next chapter! ;D

A bit longer this chapter, this is how the rest of the chapters will be. I haven't determined if it will be four or five yet. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I don't have a beta, but if anyone wants to volunteer to help me, I will definitely not deny the help!