Chapter Two
Train to Capitol

2nd May 2002

"Are you, are you coming to the tree? They stung up a man. They say who murder three. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be..." Hermione whispered with tears in her eyes as she sat in the empty compartment in the dark. She looked out the window and watched the lights from the houses flicker around the track, the trees flicker and the snow falls. "Hello, honey. What are you singing?" came a voice of love from the doorway. "Lumos" flashed the end of her wand to see who had entered. Ron. "I haven't named it yet, it's from when I was in the Capitol."Hermione answered in a low voice, wiping tears from her face

"You did the right thing. If my mom lost Ginny, it would ruin her. Me, Bill, Ginny and George - the only kids she has."He sat down beside her and put his hand to her cheek.

"Jesus, you're freezing," he said, and began to take off his jacket. Hermione didn't even look at him. She kept replaying the moment Ginny's name came out of the cup, and how he looked at her, knowing exactly what his witch would do. Ha, his witch. How naive are you, Hermione? You are no longer his witch. He's got a lot of other, prettier-

"How is it snowing outside?" Ron asked her, jolting her thoughts. "We're passing through the Second District, they're having a winter to mix potions." Hermione explained, keeping her eyes on the frosted window. "Still the brightest witch of her age" he stroked her cheek, and suddenly Hermione felt hot lips on her neck and a hand on her thigh. Hermione eased smartly out of his grasp.

"Sorry, Ron. I'm tired," she stroked his cheek, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. They were very different from his, those eyes had faith and hope and determination in them. Hermione couldn't identify with that.

"It's okay, you want to go to bed?" he asked her, taking her hand from his face and kissing it. "Yes, please," she smiled wearily, and Ron helped her to her feet. As they entered the narrow corridor of the train, she saw him standing on the other side, watching her. "Ron, I-I'll get you. I have to go to the bathroom," she lied to her boyfriend, kissing his cheek and waiting for him to come into their room. Hermione took several deep breaths and felt him standing just behind her.

"What the hell did you do?!" came a rough, tired voice. As he spoke, she could feel his hot breath on her neck. "I, I had to. You know that."She stammered without turning to him. Draco said nothing. He knew she was right. He knew that if Ginny died, Hermione would never forgive herself. Hermione turned slowly, wanting to look into his eyes, at his crudely sculpted cheekbones, at his perfect nose, which was the envy of any model, at his lips, which were so lacking. She wanted to see him.

"Don't turn around." he snapped, seeing her move. "I can't talk to you here." he explained in a more pleasant voice, practically a whisper. "I'll come see you tomorrow, you're still living in the same place, aren't you? Of course you do."She rolled her eyes at her absurd question. "You don't like changes. Including moving," she laughed to herself. She laughed sincerely, as she had not in a long time. But there was only silence after the answer. 'Draco?"she whispered. Nothing, he was long gone. And she was alone again, without him again.

3. May 2002

"Welcome to the Capitol." The masquerade entered the common section of the train. 'More like Muggle London without Muggles,' said Hermione. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Deffie Snowfleat." Deffie smiled kindly, her hair was not white today, she was dressed all in orange, her ebony-black hair had orange little flowers in it, and a smile on her lips that seemed almost sincere. She looked a bit like an older version of Pansy Parkinson, who also always had perfect hair, perfect makeup, and her posture screamed at you: I'm pureblood.

Pansy, which today is adorned only with dirt, grass and flowers that grows on her unmarked grave.

"Here you will spend two weeks training to practice your spells, then you will be sent to the Arena. But it's a long time, before we can get to know each other, what do you say? I'm going to be with you all these two weeks, I'm going to be like, um, how do I put this? Oh, I've got it. Mentor. So?." Deffie sat between Hermione and Ron on the seat. Hermione felt almost sorry for her ridiculous when she was able to laugh at this time.

"I'd hate it if you hated me."Deffie sighed after a moment's silence. "Then you shouldn't have picked us for this crap." muttered Ron under his breath. "Ron!" Hermione admonished him in a low voice. "I know you probably blame me. But for your information, I'm not the one who pulled your names out of the cup. That was our chief chancellor." She sighed again and rose from the couch. "We're getting off in fifteen minutes, the carriages will take us to the city." told Deffie and walked away. "Ron, you didn't have to be like that. She wanted to be nice, and you know it's not her fault we're here." Hermione spoke after a moment and put her hand on his knee. "She's Capitol, it's her fault." retorted Ron, rising from the couch. "I was The Capitol for a while, too." Hermione whispered. Ron ignored her and left the room. "Ron, wait," said Hermione quickly after him. "Please don't follow me. Not now." said Ron, and disappeared into the narrow corridor.

Hermione sat back on the seat and was alone. Almost alone. He was sitting across the room. Hermione looked up at him, but he did not take his eyes off the book he was reading.

"You will spend two weeks of your life here".Deffie and I entered apartment. It was beautiful. The living room had a tall library up to the ceiling, two red sofas, a fireplace and large armchairs. The whole thing felt a little like Gryffindor's common room at Hogwarts, only a little more modern. In the centre of the coffee table was a small device. Which was needed when the news was broadcast from London. This was a lot more luxurious than what she and Ginny had in their little house. A projection device that was necessary to equip every cottage in the Districts. Voldemort liked the weekly broadcast, where he told everyone his messages.

"There's all the Players' dinner together in an hour, your clothes are in your rooms," Deffie smiled, and began to walk slowly away. "Wait, Mrs. Snowfleat." Hermione shouted at her, Ron rolled his eyes and went into his room. "I want to apologize for Ron's behaviour. We're all kind of bitter. And we take it out on the wrong people. So how about starting over?" Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm Hermione Jean Granger." and put her hand in front of her. Deffie looked at her with a look Hermione could not identify. Then she realized that she, as Mudblood, was extending her hand to someone like her, Pureblood. She quickly put her hand back beside her body. But before she could do so, Deffie grabbed her hand back. "Deffie Moen Snowfleat, you may call me Miss Deffie."and smiled at Hermione. She smiled back and let go of her hand. Deffie put her glove back on and left their suite.

Hermione was still smiling when she entered her room. It looked exactly like the Hogwarts rooms only, again, a little more modern. A large king-size bed, two small bedside tables on each side. A big dresser that Hermione didn't know what it was for, since all the clothes she owned could be put in a medium-sized backpack, and she'd still have room for two pairs of shoes. When Hermione went deeper into the room, she noticed a large white box on her bed, tied with a silver bow, a tiny envelope hidden behind a ribbon. Hermione split the envelope and began to read:

"If I remember correctly, gold was your colour."
- L

Hermione tossed the card onto the bed, quickly untied the bow, and opened the lid of the box, and beautiful gold, glittering material appeared before her.

Flashback:

Hermione was sitting in her cheap room at the motel the Capitol paid for. She was holding a beautiful golden cloth. When she went back into the room after a hard day, she found a white box, wrapped in a silver bow with a card:

"Wear it on your first date"
-L

She got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror. She studied her reflection for a moment, then looked in the reflection at the folded dress in her hand. Slowly she caught only the hangers and the dress, which gradually became apparent in all its glory, and put it to her body and studied herself. Gradually she shifted her gaze from the expensive, glittering, golden piece of clothing to her face, and for the first time in a year of slavery she saw that glimmer of joy, and she dares say happiness in her gaze.

Hermione took a deep breath and stared at the massive door to the fatal apartment. Slowly she raised her hand to knock, but then the door opened. He appeared in the doorway. He wore a black suit with gold studs that matched Hermione's dress. "I thought I'd open the door myself, I was afraid you'd change your mind." Hermione blushed.

"How did you know I was at the door?" she asked, surprised. "I saw your shadow, under the door," he replied in a cool tone. "Come in," he swerved in the doorway and let her pass into the room. It's not the first time she's been to his apartment, she's spent more time here in the last four months than in her ridiculously small motel room.

But today she visited him for a very different reason than relaxation and loneliness, today she had her first real date.

In fact, what can be considered real in these unreal times.