Faking It
I woke up early and I was really nervous for my interview with Rita Skeeter. If she didn't like me, the sponsors wouldn't like me. I opened my closet and saw my costume with a note which said, "Hurry up!" I got into my outfit. It was a perfect fit. I then went to the living area where there were many hair-stylists. Personally, I thought they were clowns (with fancy accents) who had run away from a circus and had come to entertain us. One of them kept asking me if they could change my hair color. I kept my cool and kept saying no. I actually liked the way they had styled my hair. They actually managed to make my messy hair look good but they made it very sparkly. It seemed like someone swapped my shampoo with glitter.
Ron and Hermione arrived at my suite looking very good. Ron's hair looked like flames of fire and Hermione was looking great with her hair straightened out. Professor Lupin came in with a huge box. He told us that the box contained enchanted snitches. Professor said, "I know that you all are terrified but I am confident that you will do great, each one of you. Now, the point is that you need to be faking it. Rita has a lot of influence over the audience and sponsors even though she isn't a good person. You need to act like those confident and boastful Slytherins if you want to get along well with Rita. The interview will be broadcasted to everyone so you also need to get the audience to like you." Ron and Hermione agreed. I however told him that I was not good at getting people to like me. He smiled and said, "You are James' and Lily's son. I am sure you won't have any trouble with getting people to like you." I smiled and said that I would try my best. Suddenly a message was projected on a wall. It told us that the interview would begin soon at the 'Ministry Square' for five minutes per tribute.
We arrived at the make-up room at the Ministry Square where I saw all the other tributes in very shiny costumes. I was told that before we had our one-on-one interview with Rita; we had to make a grand entrance in groups of three, proceed to the huge stage and then go backstage to prepare for our interviews. First to make a grand entrance were Anthony Goldstein; Micheal Corner and Terry Boot. They arrived on a simple yet elegant chariot pulled by sparkly white horses. Next up were Cho Chang;Penelope Clearwater and Cedric Diggory. They arrived on a golden elephant with blue jewels on its body. After them Justin Finch-Fletchley; Ernie Macmillan and Zacharias Smith arrived followed by Leanne; Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. Luna Lovegood; Lavender Brown and Padma Patil were next up. Cormac McLaggen; Rodger Davies and Oliver had made an alliance. Then the Slytherins started arriving. First were Draco; Blaise and Goyle. They arrived looking very confident on a huge scary snake. Next were Peregrine Derrick; Graham Montague and Millicent Bulstrode followed by Pansy; Flora and Daphne. Next up was Seamus with Colin Creevey and Angelina Johnson. Seamus was actually on fire! He looked really nervous. After them, Viktor; Fleur and Megan Jones arrived. I found it weird that they were dressed like gods. Then Fred and George arrived with Ginny on Fluffy or another giant three-headed dog. We were last.
We got on our chariot. The lions scared the life out of me. My heart skipped a beat when professor opened the box with the snitches. I was standing in the middle with Hermione on my right and Ron on my left. I could see the three of us on multiple tv screens. The snitches looked amazing. They were all golden but then there was one made out of platinum and had diamonds on it. I grabbed it and held it high. The audience went crazy. We got off the chariot and even petted the lions! Then we went on stage, waved and went backstage.
Multiple stylists came to me and fixed my hair again. Non-Hogwarts students were interviewed first, and then Ravenclaws followed by Hufflepuffs. Slytherins were next and we were last. I was so nervous that I didn't even listen to any other interviews. Professor Lupin handed me the platinum snitch and then Rita loudly said, "Lastly we have Harry Potter, the boy with the snitch." I got on stage. I couldn't speak. I was literally shaking but then I imagined Voldemort saying, "You little weakling."That reminded me that needed to be strong, if not I needed to fake being strong. Rita asked, "Darling, describe yourself?" I smiled and said, "The boy with the snitch… I guess." Rita laughed and so did the audience. She then asked, "What is the best thing about the ministry?" I replied, "Everything but specially the food." Everyone giggled. "You were looking terrified a couple of minutes ago. What was all that about?" she asked. "I was just thinking if there was no ice-cream available in the arena," I replied. Everyone burst into laughter. "I am only kidding," I added. "Do you have anyone special waiting for you outside the ministry?" asked Rita. Luckily the five minutes were over and a beep was heard. I said, "Oops times up" and smiled. Rita said "It was great talking to you, Potter" and hugged me. She smelled like Unicorns.
We went back to my suite. Professor told us that it would be our last day here. He told us that we would be going to the Arena the next day. He also told us that all the preparations were done. He wished us luck and hugged all three of us then left. I went to my room and sat down with Hedwig. I told her that I would try to win. I then sent her to Hagrid with a message. I then fell asleep.
I woke up and got into the outfit which was sent by Madam Malkin. It was a black T-shirt, black pants and a black jacket with small red stripes on it. I went to the living area to see Hermione. I hugged her then we met Ron. Outside our building a huge spaceship-like vehicle was waiting for us. All the tributes were present there as well. The vehicle landed underground. A peacekeeper took me to a room where there was professor Lupin. Professor said good luck "James… I mean Harry. You look just like your father but you have your mother's eyes. You forgot your Gryffindor pin in your room." He handed me the pin Draco had given me. I put it on. "Good luck," said Professor and the countdown begun. I got onto the platform and said thank you. The platform was slowly rising.