13. The Feast
The next day, I can't look at Hermione without blushing. It's weird. I never thought I would be falling in love with someone in the Hunger Games. It's the most annoying thing ever. Then again, I wouldn't have met her otherwise. Life is so awkward.
Hermione seems to sense that something is wrong, well right but wrong, and keeps looking at me curiously, obviously trying to get an explanation out of me; she isn't going to get one. What am I supposed to say? "Oh hi Hermione I just want to let you know that I'm falling in love with you; do you want some turkey?" No. That is not happening. Most embarrassing.
I wonder if it's obvious to Mum. She seems to know everything. She knew when Fred had broken the window seconds after she had woken up. She opened her eyes and went "Fred broke the window in the night, didn't he?" to Dad who looked at her in awe. No one knows things better than Mum.
I wonder what she's thinking. After all, her 17 year old son has fallen in love while in the Hunger Games, with a Career no less. Then again, Hermione isn't really a Career. She is as un-careerish as possible, if that makes sense.
Hermione cooks the other turkey, and neither of us speak. It's kind of weird. We have been talking non-stop for days, and know, because I realised how I felt, I made everything more awkward. It was fine when I was blissfully unaware.
I say thanks and eat the turkey leg, when finally, Hermione cracks.
"What's wrong Ronald?" She says, clearly irritated; she's never used my full name before.
"Nothing," I say, not meeting her eyes.
"Well obviously something is wrong, because you are refusing to speak to me!"
"I'm not refusing to speak to you; we just haven't had a conversation."
She rolls her eyes at me. "I'm trying to hold a conversation, but you don't seem bothered!"
It's true. She's been trying to talk to me alot, asking polite questions about Mum and that, and almost every question, I nodded or shock my head. I can understand why she is irritated. I would be too.
"Sorry," I say, knowing she deserves an apology. "I'm just not in the mood for talking."
She sighs, and I look up and meet her eyes; I blush again.
She doesn't try to get me to talk again, and I'm thankful for it; I guess I have to start controlling my emotions better.
Morning turns slowly into afternoon, and the hot sun makes me sweat; I try not to drink all my water at once.
While Hermione is staring out the cave, and I am watching her, Ludo Bagman's voice suddenly rings out around the arena.
"Ladies and Gentleman! Congratulations on making the last 6 of the Games! In honour of your survival, we have contacted your family and friends back home, and they have produced letters for your comfort. The letters are available in one hour from the Cornucopia; good luck!"
I can't believe it; a letter from home. A letter from Dad, from Mum, from Ginny! My heart is soaring and I feel so happy! Until I see the look of discomfort on Hermione's face.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"It's a way to.. lure us in. There's going to be another blood bath."
I can see where she is coming from. Usually feasts lead to something like that. But a letter.. from home.
"I know but.. we've got to go for it!" I say confidently.
She frowns, her eyes burning into mine, and for the first time, I don't blush.
"We can't! We will most probably be killed in the process!"
"Hermione... I need it. I need to hear from them!"
She folds her arms across her chest. "You don't need to hear from them. You want to hear from them. It won't help at all!"
"Why won't it!" I yell, my anger rising. "They are my family! I want to have a letter!"
"I understand your point, but is it worth it! Do you want to die Ron? At the hands of Blaise or Pansy?"
"Of course not! But I don't want to let some bastard come along and take my letter!"
Her eyes flash dangerously. "We are not going!"
"Well I am!"
"No you're not!"
"I don't get it! Letters from home! Don't you want that!"
Her face looks hurt. "Don't you understand?" She whispers. "Who will I have a letter from? I'm from the orphanage."
"That boy... Colin or something? And the person who looks after you?"
"Madam Promfrey? That is worth risking my life!"
"Look, I understand.. but you have to understand where I'm coming from. I need to read that letter! To know that Mum and Dad are okay; I need to."
Her face soften slightly. "I know, but is it really worth it?"
"To me, yes."
She sighs in defeat. "Fine. But if we die for it, I'm going to kill you Ron Weasley."
10 minutes later, we're walking along in the forest on our way to the Cornucopia. I know it's dangerous, but it doesn't stop my heart soaring at the thought of Mum's writing. It makes me smile.
We reach the Cornucopia, but stay hidden beneath the trees. The letters haven't appeared yet. We wait in silence.
After around 5 minutes, a table comes up from the ground; there are 6 packages. 4 are blue, obviously for the boys, and two are pink. All of them have numbers. 1 for District 1, 2 for District 4, 1 for District 7, 1 for District 11, and 1 for District 12.
I glance around. No one has run in yet. I turn to Hermione. "You stay here; I'll get them; if anything happens, run. Promise me."
She looks at me shocked. "I can go in an-"
"No!" I say forcefully. "If Blaise sees you, you'll be dead; promise me you will stay here, and promise you will run if.. if anything happens."
She bites her lip, but nods anyway.
"Right I'm going," I mutter.
"Good luck," she whispers, leaning up and kissing my cheek, which makes me go exceptionally red.
I get back to my senses, and turn towards the Cornucopia. Glancing around quickly, I run in. I reach the table pretty fast, and I pick up mine and Hermione's packages. I'm about to run off when a Dagger narrowley misses me; Pansy is running in. I grip my hands on the packages and turn to run, but Pansy has caught up. She looks slighty out of breath, but has a dagger in her hand; I swallow uneasily.
"H-hey ginger," she mutters.
"Hey Dogface," I reply.
Her face goes bright red, and she goes in with the Dagger, but I grab her hand, stopping her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she whispers, her eyes burning with happiness.
"Oh really?" I snarl. "Why would that be?"
"Because Blaise may be going in for your precious little Mudblood if you waste too much time." She is grinning, an evil like smirk, and every ounce of me wants to run back in to Hermione. But I don't. She isn't telling the truth. Blaise is probably as far away as possible, and all she wants me to do is panic, letting in where abouts Hermione is. So I just laugh.
"I doubt that's possible," I say, my eyes gleaming.
"Why?" She asks, frowning slightly.
"Don't you think," I mutter, gripping her arm more tightly. "That Blaise is just playing you? He wants you to kill Hermione.. and then all he is going to do is kill you... if I were you, I'd drop his package, and run for my life."
Her eyes are full of fear; I've scared her out of her wits!
"I-I'm not going to do that.." she whispers.
"Why not?"
The fear goes, and she smiles again, like a devil.
"I've got a job to do; kill Ron Weasley." Her hands dashes from my grasp, and I stumble. She advances, and there is nothing I can do. Her dagger appears, and she plunges it forward. At that moment, I grasp her arm, pulling it down until she falls to the ground. I kick her hard, but she is all ready unconcious from the fall. She isn't dead.
I lean down, and snatch her Dagger. We do need one. Then I set off, looking catiously back at Pansy, with the two packages in my hands.
I'm running back into the trees, when Hermione emerges, looking extremely worried.
"W-what happened?" She asks, staring up at me, looking exceptionally scared.
"Ran into Pansy," I mutter. "Knocked her out."
Her eyes widen. "Y-you ran into Pansy!" She whispers angrily.
"Yes I did," I say quietly.
"You idiot! I could have helped an-"
I push my finger to her lips, stopping her from continuing. "I handled it fine; you promised to stay here and you did; I'm very happy with you."
She rolls her eyes, grabbing my hand. "Come on, let's get back to the cave before dark."