Disclaimer: I am not Suzanne Collins, therefore the Hunger Games Trilogy does not belong to me.

Chapter 4

It took a few weeks for Harry to adjust to living in District Twelve. He had bought the house next to the Everdeen home (he had no intentions in freeloading) and had the Hawthorns as well as his new neighbours over quite often.

He had also begun putting his name in the reaping bowl. He had been advised against it, but when a woman from the Capitol came and told him that just because he left his home district didn't mean he didn't have to follow the rules. So his name was entered seven times. He had refused to let anyone else take out tesserae, so he placed a confundus charm on the woman at the reaping office, confusing her into believing that he was part of a family of five. He then donated all of the tesserae to the community home.

His name was in the reaping 42 times. The same as Gale. His ears were just about ready to fall off after listening to Katniss scream at him for doing something so stupid.

It had done what he was aiming for though. He was well respected in District 12 now, for his money, charity, and charm as well.

He had begun going to school. As soon as the principal had seen the 18 year old, he demanded that he earn his High school diploma. Harry didn't argue. It gave him something to so after all. He quickly rose to the top of his class in everything, earning his both more respect, and jealous looks from the people who used to have the top grades.

Harry had cast the magic detection spell on Prim, Vick, Rory and Posy, just like he promised. Prim had healing magic, and slight Veela powers, but no real magical ability, much to her disappointment. Rory and Vick both were very gifted in Ancient Runes, and had just enough magic to activate them, but not enough magic to cast spells.

Posy on the other hand, had become his apprentice. She had a massive amount of magical energy locked away, and each afternoon, after he finished his homework, he would teach her how to do simple charms, like lumos (which he taught after he discovered that Posy was afraid of the dark) and a few cleaning charms. He had taught her the levitating charm so that she wouldn't have to ask Gale to reach things for her, and a few other useful spells. What amazed Harry, was that the little girl was able to cast all of the spells wandlessly. She would be a worthy opponent if she was ever in the Hunger Games.

Speaking of the Hunger games, by the time July rolled around, everyone in District 12 became noticeably tense. Just two weeks before his nineteenth birthday, Harry's first reaping came around.

He woke up early in the morning, and went through his morning routine. He shaved, bathed, brushed his teeth and hair, and slipped in his contacts. As it turns out, his prescription was common in Panem, so the optometrist was able to get him a few sets of clear contacts.

He dressed in his best clothes. A dark green shirt (that apparently matched his eyes perfectly, or at least that was what Prim, Apolline, Hazelle and Katniss said) and dark jeans. He slipped on his one pair of good, dress shoes put on his lordship rings, and slipped his wand into his pocket. He had shrunken it, his billfold, and wizarding money and a gift for Posy so that even if someone thought to check his pockets, they wouldn't find anything.

He made his way over to the Everdeen home just in time to see Katniss comforting Prim after a nightmare. Harry quickly summoned a calming drought from the medicine box in the bathroom.

"Here Prim, drink this, you'll feel better." Harry told her. Prim downed it in one gulp, before grimacing at the taste.

"Can't you put something in that to make it taste better?" She asked, wiping the tears from her face.

"Nope, sorry, that would make the whole potion useless." Harry said

"Come on, let's get ready, Prim." Katniss said. Harry walked to Prim and Katniss's closet and pulled out two dresses from the back, where he had hidden them.

"Wear these." He said, handing them their dresses. He had given Katniss a sleeveless one with black silk around her chest, but just under her breasts, the forest green skirt flared out, going down to her knees. It explained the black ballet slippers he had gotten her a few weeks prior to the reaping. She wore her obsidian and silver earrings, necklace and ring (all part of a matching set) that Harry had gotten her.

'I have to stop letting him buy me things.' She thought as she got ready. She curled her hair and pinned a few pieces to the top of her head with a clip that matched the rest of her jewelry.

Prim on the other hand, had a light pink dress with thin straps. It modest, but showed off the parts that had begun to develop. The pink fabric was covered in white lace, and she put on a thin blue belt around her waist. The dress was longer than Katniss's, going down to her mid-shin. She then put on the blue sandals Harry had gotten her, along with the matching blue and white jewelry. (Also from Harry) She tied her hair up in a high ponytail, but let her bands fall loose, framing her face.

The two girls also decided to shave their legs and underarms. The girls in District 12 didn't often do so, but Prim had made it very clear to Katniss that if Harry had gone through all the trouble to get their outfits, that the least they could do was wear them properly, and in Prim's book, that involved shaving. (And a quick eyebrow plucking.)

By the time Katniss and Prim were ready, it was noon, and the Hawthorns had arrived. Gale and Rory were both in button-up shirts, much like Harry's, but white. Gale had shaved, both had bathed, and they were wearing the best shoes they had.

Hazelle and Apolline had flat out refused to allow Harry to buy dresses for them, but had given up on trying to talk him out of buying dresses for the others when he mentioned buying a new dress for Posy, in front of said apprentice.

Posy stood beside her mother and Vick, happily showing off her cute yellow dress.

"We'd better head out, the reaping starts at one, and it's illegal to be late." Gale said, helping Apolline and Harry to get everyone out the door.

As the group made their way to the Justice Building, Katniss pulled Harry aside.

"Please stop buying me things, Harry. I'll never be able to pay you back." She said.

"You don't need to pay me back, Katniss." Harry said.

"Yes, I do. I don't like owing people." She admitted.

"Katniss, I don't have anything else to do with the money." Harry said.

"That doesn't change anything." Katniss muttered.

"Katniss, I like seeing the girls I care about happy, and you're not making this easy for me." Harry said.

"Buying me pretty things isn't how you make me happy." She said, throwing a small glare at him.

"Fine Katniss, I'll find a way for you to repay me." Harry said, looking at Katniss with a small smirk. She looked at him doe-eyed, hoping he wasn't going to have her do anything stupid.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Found one," He said bending down, capturing her lips with his.

"Is that a way to make you happy?" Harry asked after he pulled away.

Katniss had a massive crush on Harry. The two had grown closer during the months he spent with her family and the Hawthorns, but she didn't think that he felt the same way about her.

She blushed and nodded, before the two of them started to jog so they could catch up with the others.

Gale sent the pair a smirk, and his expression clearly said 'Well it's about time!'. Katniss flushed a little, but Harry sent a proud smile over at him. The fact that it was a somber occasion didn't stop the two from grinning at each other.

They went through the sign in process, and then went their separate ways. Harry gave Katniss a quick peck on the lips, right in front of the town gossips. If it weren't for the fact that they were terrified of being sent to fight to the death, they would have been all over her, trying to get the details.

Harry followed Gale over to where the eighteen year old boys stood.

"It's too bad the games don't start three weeks from now." Harry muttered. Gale was only a week younger than him, having been born in early August.

"Yeah, but that's not the Capitol's concern." Gale said.

They looked up as the Capitol escort, Effie Trinket made her way to the stage. They had already played the Capitol's propaganda film, and it was time for the reaping.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" She said. Harry couldn't take her seriously. She looked like a sadistic purple clown, about to send two people to their deaths.

"Ladies first!" She said, sounding a little like Delores Umbridge.

She swirled her hand in around the bowl, and the tension in the air grew. She pulled her hand out, grasping a single piece of folded paper.

Harry watched in horror as she said,

"Primrose Everdeen."

Katniss was in shock, and just as Prim had left the crowd, she ran forward.

"I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" She yelled, grabbing Prim be the waist, pulling her behind.

Everyone's eyes widened at that proclamation. Harry and Gale ran forward to restrain Prim as Katniss walked towards the stage. Prim was now in Harry's arms, and sobbing into Gale's chest.

"A round of applause please, for District Twelve's first volunteer!" Effie said. Nobody made a sound, except for the women of the Hawthorn and Everdeen families. Hazelle and Apolline had tears running down their faces. Posy didn't seem to know what was going on, but she knew what it meant to go up on the stage.

Everyone raised their middle three finders to their lips, and held them out to Katniss. Harry had seen it before. It was a gesture used at funerals, to say good-bye to a loved one.

"And what is your name, dear?" Effie asked.

"Katniss Everdeen." Katniss whispered. It would have been silent if it weren't for the microphone picking up what she said.

"Well there you have it, the female tribute for District Twelve." Effie announced.

"I'm volunteering. I'll give you the billfold. There's two thousand dollars in it. Take care of the Everdeens." Harry whispered. Gale opened his mouth to protest, but Harry cut him off.

"Gale, I'm older, and you know what I've gone through. I'm volunteering, and keeping Katniss safe. Nothing you can say will stop me." He whispered. Gale looked solemn, but agreed anyways.

"And now, for the boys." Effie said. She had seen the two boys whispering, even though they were being discreet, she had seen it. One was planning on volunteering.

"Peeta Mellark." Effie announced. Just a Peeta began to make his way forward, Harry gave Prim to Gale, and yelled,

"I volunteer!"

Peeta looked shocked. The voice of the volunteer wasn't his brother's. It was the boy from District 4.

"Two volunteers in one reaping! This is a monumental year for District Twelve." Effie said.

The citizens of District 12 repeated the finger gesture.

"And what's your name?" Effie asked him.

"Harrison Potter-Peverell-Black." He said.

Mayor Undersee came out and read some stupid speech, and Effie had Harry and Katniss shake hands.

They did, and the next thing Harry knew, he was being ushered into the Justice building. He was shown into a room, and told that his groups of visitors were allowed 5 minutes each.

His first group of visitors were the Hawthorns. He spent 3 of his 5 minutes trying to calm the distraught family. He gave Gale his billfold, and bent down to hug Posy.

"I have something for you." He told her. She looked up at him, curiosity shining through her tears.

He reached into his pocket, and un-shrunk her gift. It was a silver tiara, with little blue glass 'gems' in it.

"Every princess needs a tiara." He said, putting it on her head. She smiled at him, and gave him a big hug.

"Thank you," She whispered.

Harry then turned to Vick and Rory.

"I need you two to make sure Prim is okay. You two need to make sure she eats, sleeps, that her grades don't drop, everything. Got it?" The two boys nodded, and hugged Harry.

"Gale, same goes for you. Apolline shut everyone out when her husband died, so you need to make sure she doesn't do that again. Prim needs her, and Katniss will too, when she comes home."

Gale nodded, and the two young men hugged. They had grown close. Gale, Vick, Rory and Posy had become the siblings Harry had always wanted, but he was closest to Gale. Most people would think that place in Harry's heart was Posy's, but Gale and Harry really understood each other.

The peacekeepers ushered the Hawthorns out, and Prim burst in, straight from Katniss's room. Apolline followed close behind, openly crying. Prim flung herself into Harry's arms, and began bawling. She babbled on incoherently for a little while, and Harry tried to comfort her.

"Prim, I promise, Katniss will come back to Twelve." He said.

"Wh-what a-a-about y-y-y-you?" Prim stuttered, trying to catch her breath.

"Prim, I've been evading Death for far too long. When it's my time, I will go without question." He said. That just made Apolline and Prim sob harder. He held one of them in each arm until the peacekeeper came to take them away.

"Good-bye." He told them, as they were forced out of the room.

Harry wasn't expecting any more visitors, but then Peeta Mellark entered the room. Harry knew that he had volunteered for the baker's youngest, but he didn't think he cared enough to come visit him.

"Why?" Peeta asked him.

"To keep Katniss safe." Harry answered.

"Thank you," Peeta whispered.

"Well, I couldn't let the guy who does all of the icing die. Then the population of District Twelve wouldn't have anything to look at." Peeta smiled a little bit.

"Do me a favour though," Harry said.

"Make sure the Hawthorn boys keep their promises." Harry said, before Peeta could reply.

"You're allowed one token. To remind you of home during the games. Put those rings of yours on this." Peeta said, handing Harry a golden chain. It wasn't real gold, but Harry appreciated it.

"Sure thing." He said, taking his Lordship rings off of his fingers and putting them on the chain.

"Katniss will be coming back." Harry said.

"I've seen the way you look at her. Take care of her for me, Peeta." Harry said, putting his hand on Peeta's shoulder. Peeta couldn't believe his ears. Katniss Everdeen (the girl of his dreams) 's kinda-sorta-boyfriend was planning on dying to keep her safe, and was giving his 'blessing' to him.

"I will. But make sure the Capitol knows you aren't a piece in their games."

"I will. After all, some games come out tied." Harry said.

There was an underlying message. Harry was willing to die so Katniss could live, in which case Peeta would make his move, but Harry planned to screw with the Capitol. He planned on twisting the Capitol's will to get what he wanted. For both Katniss and himself to come home.

Peeta was escorted out, and then Effie Trinket made her appearance.

"Alright darling, we're on a tight schedule, so let's head to the train." She said in her high, sing-song voice.

"Of course Miss Trinket. I wouldn't want to set us all behind schedule." Harry said, using the voice that Katniss and Gale referred to as the chick-charmer. It was silky, persuasive, and made almost all females want to follow him immediately. Effie was no exception to this rule.

Effie stuttered a little bit, flushing as she said,

"Finally, a tribute with manners."

Harry sent one of his most charming smiles at her, and said,

"Well of course. I should hope that every tribute treats you like the queen you are."

At this, Effie blushed so red that it put Ron Weasley to shame.

"Come on, we have to catch the train." She said, trying not to stutter.

Harry hooked his arm around hers, and pulled her in the direction of the train. The second he saw Katniss, Harry unhooked his arm from Effie's, and walked over to Katniss. He put his arm around her waist, and kissed the top of her head.

They boarded the train, and sat down in the lounge car, completely ignoring the platters of gourmet food on display.

Both Haymitch Abernathy and Effie were shocked by this.

"I think you two might be the only tributes ever to ignore the food altogether." Haymitch said.

"We are not hungry." Harry said, his voice cold and unforgiving. Effie was shocked by this. What happened to the charmer at the Justice Building?

"Suit yourselves." Haymitch said, taking out the liquor.

"You will train us, you will mentor us, and you will do it sober." Harry snapped at him.

Haymitch simply glared at him, but Harry had his own plan. He grabbed a carving knife, and slammed his elbow into Haymitch, making him drop the liquor. Harry used a fair amount of his strength to pin Haymitch to the wall, and held the knife to the older man's neck.

"We will either have a sober mentor, or no mentor at all." Harry hissed at him. Haymitch's eyes widened, as did Effie's. Katniss knew that he was just making a point and that Harry wouldn't do anything to him.

"Alright, alright," Haymitch said. He let go of Haymitch and turned his back.

Haymitch went to grab him from behind, as a lesson of course, but Harry had anticipated that. He spun around, smashing his elbow into Haymitch's nose, and kicked him in the stomach, sending him back into a chair.

"You've got guts kid. You might just stand a chance in these games." Haymitch said.

"Katniss is my number one priority in these games, old man. And you will help her train." Harry snapped at him. Haymitch eyed the knife warily, before looking at Katniss. He was shocked, she was examining her nails with a smirk on her face.

"What about you, girl. We know that he has skills, at least in persuasion." Haymitch said.

"I can shoot and throw knives." Katniss said.

"Prove it." Haymitch said. Katniss grabbed the knife Harry had used, and threw it at a painting at the opposite end of the car. It hit the poor person in the painting's eye.

"Okay, so I actually have something to work with this year." Haymitch said, albeit grudgingly.

"You're encouraging that?" Effie shouted, looking at the painting Katniss killed.

"Why wouldn't he? That act alone shows that she has good aim, she has no reservation when it comes to harming something, and that she's not going to take crap from anybody." Harry said.

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Haymitch said.

Effie was in a mood for the rest of the day. On camera, Harry had been charming enough to make her giggle and blush like a schoolgirl, compliments pouring out of his mouth, but away from the cameras, he was a sneaky, manipulative, silver-tongued man who wasn't afraid to draw blood to get what he wanted.

Katniss on the other hand, was silent and strong on camera, but off camera, she was Harry's pretty, stubborn, scary little sidekick.

Effie wasn't sure how she could help to portray them. The strong, brave, loyal volunteers? The silent killers? The Dark angel and his slightly less dark sidekick?

Haymitch on the other hand, was absolutely drunk with giddiness. Most tributes spent the entire train ride crying and feeling sorry for themselves, giving him nothing to work with. These two on the other hand, had guts. They wanted his advice, they were willing to lie to get what they wanted, and they didn't take shit from anyone.

When the four gathered in the dining car, Harry got everyone's attention.

"Katniss and I watched the reapings, checking out the competition."

"And what do you think?" Haymitch asked.

"The tributes from District one will group with the rest of the careers. The girl will likely use her looks to gain sponsors. The boy doesn't seem very bright, so he will likely be one of the henchmen." Katniss said.

"The tributes from two will be worthy opponents. The boy volunteered, and looks like he has been trained. He will likely do anything to get what he wants, and in this case, that's the honour that comes with being a victor. The girl will side with him, like a sidekick. She will do his dirty work, but will stab him in the back if it comes to that." Harry said.

"The girl from District Three won't make it past the bloodbath." Katniss told them.

"The boy on the other hand will likely join the career pack and stick with them until he becomes inconvenient." Harry finished.

"Both from Four will likely make it halfway through the games depending on the arena, but the boy looks weak, so he will probably die before the girl." Katniss said.

"The boy from five might make it past the bloodbath, but I wouldn't count on it. It's the girl that will be a contender." Harry added.

"The people from Six might last a while, depending on the arena, but they will probably die in the bloodbath and it's the same with Seven." Katniss said.

"Both from Eight will likely die in the bloodbath. If they make it further, they will probably die from at the hands of the careers." Harry said.

"Both from Nine will die in the bloodbath." Katniss said confidently.

"The girl from Ten will die in the bloodbath, there's no doubt about that. The boy might make it a few days in." Harry predicted.

"We'll have to watch the two from Eleven. The boy is strong, and the girl is small, and will use that to her advantage. They would be worthwhile allies." Katniss said.

"And then there's us." They said in unison.

"You two would be great when it comes to betting." Haymitch said.

"My friend's older twin brothers and I were in charge of the betting pool at my old school." Harry said. He had learned all about probability and poker faces from the twins.

"So there's even more to you than we've seen so far?" Effie asked. If this boy had a good poker face, she could twist that into acting.

"I have secrets that not even I know." Harry said. Katniss smiled, knowing all about all of the times Harry had been obliviated. He had yet to recall some memories, so Harry's statement was true.

Harry spent the time after dinner talking to Haymitch about how he would portray himself. In the end, they decided to go with an 'angel until stuck in arena' approach. Harry would act charming, like he did with Effie in front of the cameras, and give off his 'dark angel' once they were down to the top five in the arena. At top five, Harry could be as badass as he wanted.

Katniss had a similar conversation. She would do the same as Harry, acting sweet and desirable, very family-loyal, but when Harry switched, she could be as cold hearted and stubborn as she wanted.

Effie was a part of this conversation, but she chose to stay silent. She promised to do her job, but she was way out of her element. Unlike Haymitch, she had grown accustomed to doing all of the on-screen personality, so the fact that they had everything figured out took away her job. Now, she really was an escort, and she didn't like it.

Haymitch sent everyone to bed early, stating that they'd need a good amount of sleep before entering the arena.

Harry and Katniss stayed behind for a minute, telling Haymitch and Effie that they would head to bed after a quick chat.

"Harry, I miss them," Katniss choked out. Harry had helped her to be strong, but she didn't know how long she could hold herself together.

Harry pulled her into his arms, and placed his chin on the top of her head.

"Katniss, I promise, I will do my best to get you back to them." Harry murmured.

"I want you there too though." Katniss said into his shoulder.

"Katniss, that's not possible and you know it. There can only be one victor." Harry said, mostly because he knew that there were security cameras on the train.

"I know." Katniss said, sighing.

"We have to have chosen the worst possible day to show how we feel." Harry said, trying to ease the tension a little bit.

"Yeah, we did." Katniss said, kissing his lips.

Within seconds, their kiss had escalated to a full out make-out session. That was how Haymitch found them. He laughed out loud when he saw the two tributes on the couch, Katniss straddling Harry, the two of them making out like there was no tomorrow.

Haymitch decided to split them up for two reasons. Reason number one: He knew it would annoy them, and Reason number two: He didn't want to explain to Effie and the security guards why he didn't stop the two teenagers before it escalated to something more.

Harry and Katniss kissed one last time before they went to bed. In the morning, they would be somewhere near District 3, so they would be arriving in the Capitol around noon.

Effie and Haymitch stayed up later than the two tributes. They called up the District 12 stylists and told them that Harrison Potter and Katniss Everdeen were to be as united and/or matching as possible.