Mentor

Hermione woke up still very early, walking to the curtains she pushed one aside to see the outside world was still very much dark, no more sleeping for her though.

She saw the clock on the nightstand say it's just passed four am, sighing she looked for her little beaded bag, but then she noticed the double closet doors, walking over to it she opened them.

Inside were sealed plastic bags with clothes in it seemed, she took the top one, the label only read;

Capitol: Day 1

Furrowing a brow she guessed that meant she had to wear this today, shrugging she tossed the bag into her bed, then proceeded to study the closet contents further.

She eventually found a bathroom bag with shampoo and soaps and a bunch of luxuries she have only been dreaming off, as well as some black towels, Hermione knew she was going to enjoy this bath...

After that she quickly grabbed the items together and left her room quietly, the main living space immediately lighted up when the room sensed her presence, Hermione frowned at the clever enchantments and then quietly padded to the middle room.

The bath was heaven, she couldn't remember when last she had relaxed like this, with expensive shampoo and conditioner, bath salts and oils, it was bliss undefined!

It was well past five when she finally returned to her room, her skin glowing pink and the smell of myrrh emanating from her, she used a drying spell on her hair and made a top pony with it on her head, the wild curls cascading down her head.

The clothes she had was tight black pants with tight black vest like top, with a standard wizard robe, she found a pair of boots in the closet and since it was the only pair se assumed it was what she had to wear.

It was a quarter to six when she stepped out of her room again, minus the robes, she saw that food had appeared on their table by then, frowning she realised that it had to be a hint that they had to be up and about then?

Hermione listened for any sounds from

Malfoy's room, hearing nothing she stomped over to his door loudly, then banged on his door.

"Malfoy wake up. Wake up!" She still didn't hear anything, so taking a deep breath she opened the door and stepped inside, she switched the lights on and stomped over to the bed.

He was sprawled over the bed on top of the sheets, wearing only green boxers, typical, but she couldn't help but notice that he was rather nicely built...

Shaking her head to clear the thoughts she slapped him on his chest, loudly.

"Wake up Malfoy!" The moment her hand landed solidly on his chest his eyes flew open and he reacted instinctively, grabbing her wrist that was still poised above him and yanking her.

Hermione didn't expect that and fell down over him hard, she felt his wand pressing against her neck, and calmly turned so that he could see it was only she, his eyes were blank, almost predatory.

"Calm down ferret, it's only me..." Hermione saw the recognition return to those cold eyes, then he quickly let go of her wrist, a hand running over his face as he lowered his wand that was in the other hand.

"Granger... What the Merlin... Don't do that. Ever." Scowling she of course retaliated.

"Well so much for thanks for trying to wake you up Malfoy!"

Hermione tried to push her self up, she was laying in an awkward position, her head on his chest, the well defined chest she had been admiring only seconds earlier.

Her attempt failed since her own arm, the one he had yanked, lay at a strange angle extended over her head, and her other underneath her stomach somehow.

Malfoy saw her attempt and the familiar smirk returned.

"Granger in my bed... The possibilities..." Hermione flushed then, very aware of the thumbing of his heart beneath her cheek, making him seem human after all.

"Come off it Malfoy, you forget I'm the mudblood, you hate to even touch me remember." She saw the flicker of something in his eyes at her words, but couldn't define what it was, so she pulled her arms to better angles and pushed herself up more successfully, he helped her this time, seeming eager to get her off him, a frown on his face.

Hermione felt a bit disappointed for a moment, she thought he wanted to break contact with her upon reminder of her mudblood status.

So sighing she turned and walked to the door, every intention of not speaking further to the ferret, not even thinking on it that he hadn't even responded to her last comment.

At his door just as she was about to step out, his voice stopped her.

"Granger, I'd prefer not to hear that word at all."

Hermione turned and frowned at the now standing pale blonde man, he was turned to the side, not looking at her, but she could still see the frown on his face.

"It's what I am Malfoy... You used to remind me of that in school whenever possible. And your kind had been doing that everyday for the last ten years." She shrugged then walked out before he could have the chance to say anything further, closing his door behind her.

She went and sat down at the table, seeing the food on the table, everything you could think of for a breakfast.

Her face was impassive, she didn't even flinch when the loud thud reached her ears from Malfoy's bedroom, a sound synonymous with a fist hitting a wooden wall.

"I'm Rowan Peters, victor in the eight games, district four. I will also be your mentor. This is Eliza Skeeter, she will be your co-ordinator and companion." Hermione and Malfoy both shook their hands, then Hermione frowningly turned back to Eliza Skeeter.

"Any relation to Rita Skeeter?" She wasn't sure if she wanted a Skeeter around her all the time, she definitely didn't want Skeeter getting inside info and dipping her poisonous pen in her direction again.

The oddly dressed witch with the heavy makeup smiled happily, then nodded rather solemnly, the quick move of expressions leaving Hermione feeling like she had whiplash.

"Yes... First cousins, unfortunately... But don't you fret dear, we are complete opposite and have no contact with each other." The happy smile was back, Hermione blinked at the sudden change of expression again, she was going to have to get used to the flighty witch it seems.

She just nodded then turned around and sat back down at the now empty table, clearly indicating the others should follow.

After everyone sat down tea appeared on the table, Hermione blinked in confusion, how would the elves know to send tea now?

But Eliza and Rowan seemed unperturbed, pouring themselves tea and waiting for Hermione and Malfoy to do the same.

It was Malfoy who spoke finally.

"So, what happens? What do we need to know?" He spoke seriously, a frown furrowed between his brow, his one hand tapping the table, Hermione briefly noticed he kept his other hand tucked out of view under the table.

Rowan sat back, rather boringly she realised, and viewed the both of them lazily.

"Well, for the next three weeks you will be paraded through the streets in Diagon Alley, as well as on the society screens, showing you off and interviews. Between that you'll be training in the training floor, which is in the basement of this building. I do not think you'll learn much new... Both having been participants in the war, but use it as refreshers. I would recommend concentrating especially in the survival class." Hermione sipped some tea, frowning over her cup at the wizard in front of her, he seemed bored to be there, but he spoke sense, indicating he had after all survived the games.

Malfoy sat forward in his chair, he would be the one that would ask the questions, saving Hermione the trouble.

"And sponsors? How does that work?"

Hermione's eyes were narrowed, she was listening intently, she had no intention of surviving the games, but she had every intention of making sure Malfoy survived, so she needed the tips.

"Impress them and you'll have spells unlocked, as you very much know by now. You impress them in the next three weeks, they'll be constantly watching." Rowan sipped his tea, but continued before anyone else could speak.

"You'll each have one weapon of choice when you are floo'd into the arena, on the next three weeks you better decide quick which weapon. And as you know, the wards lock most spells, only the two of the unforgivable's are unlocked from the beginning, cruciates and Avada, remember always, the point of this games is to kill, everything in that arena is designed to kill you or force you to kill. If you want to live, then you'll have to kill. If you plan on being self righteous and noble to spare a life... You could just as well walk in with your arms raised to be killed off immediately and get it done with." With the last part he looked very specifically at Hermione, as if he thought that implied to her, she smiled cooly at him, that was Hermione of ten years ago yes, but Hermione now was different, there wasn't much left of her inside.

She was empty and devoid of most emotions.

Except when Malfoy baited her...

"Obviously it's kill or be killed. It's Voldemort's games... What else did you expect. What do we need to do to impress sponsors?" Hermione was the one who spoke now, having realised everyone was studying her intently after Rowan's last remark, she saw the flinching of all three bodies at her mention of his name, but she never stopped calling him by his name.

Rowan cleared his throat and sat forward, he seemed like he found some interest now to be here finally, he was looking at Hermione now more curiously.

"You impress them with your skills. You show off wth your spells and duelling capabilities, as well as your handling skills of whatever weapon you chose. Do you know what weapon Hermione?" Eliza was studying her nails, obviously now bored with the subject, Malfoy was watching her with interest and Rowan still sat forward looking at her.

"Knifes." She answered blandly, her eyes not breaking contact with his, showing him she had no hesitation in her choice, he finally smiled and sat back, seemingly more relaxed now.

"Any experience with knifes?" Hermione sat back herself, a mocking smile on her face now.

"Nine years." This time Malfoy surprised her completely with what he said then.

"She's brilliant with a knife. Deadly. I've seen her throw a knife to land dead centre in the target every time. And her hare skins that she sells are always flawless, no nicks, and in one piece." Hermione's neck swivelled to meet his calm storm grey eyes, how would he know of her knife throwing habits? She had secretly mastered that skill in last years, since her magic use had been so restricted she had started to learn something else to make her feel safe.

Her brows raised in the unvoiced question at him, he smirked then and answered her though.

"I like taking walks in the forest... Sometimes I see things." Her face furrowed at him, he was surprising her again, she didn't like it at all.

But Rowan spoke then, his voice had gained a notch of excitement now.

"And you Draco, any weapons you can handle?" He shrugged and casually sat back and returned his gaze to Rowan again.

"As most aristocrats, I'm proficient in sword fighting, in fact, I'm actually excellent with a sword." Rowan then smiled, he seemed to have been won over by them.

"Well then I'd say you have a chance at survival, so I'll give you one last piece of advice, something that will improve your chances of survival hundred fold. Forget about blood status in the arena, do not band with the cliques in training, you two stick together. Your skills will compliment each other. Stick together for as long as possible. But remember in the end only one of you can live, better decide beforehand who. Now, we must go for your make overs."