AN/ Thank you for your patience! I've been procrastinating editing this chapter but chapter 3 is finally here! Enjoy! Once again I unfortunately do not own the characters or the universe, these belong to JK Rowling and Suzanne Collins respectively! As always reviews make me happy and keep me writing!
In all of human history there had never been a longer walk than this one, Lily thought to herself. Time itself seemed to slow as she forced her reluctant muscles to carry her forward towards the stage and her death.
No.
She stopped that thought quickly, as soon as it crossed her mind. She could do this. There was no reason to think that she wouldn't come home from this. She climbed the steps stiffly and walked across the stage to stand with Rhyad.
"Wonderful!" the deluded woman chirped. "Let's give a round of applause for our female tribute Lily Evans!"
A smattering of applause rippled across the crowd gathered. Her eyes roved the people at the back until she found her mother, face white, gripping hold of Petunia's hand, tears running down her face. Lily swallowed and looked away quickly. She couldn't allow herself to look weak. She stood; feet shoulder width apart and put her hands behind her back. The cameras would be trained on her, watching every facial expression as it flickered across her face. She could feel heat at the back of her eyes and stared resolutely forward, desperate not to cry and make a fool of herself.
Fortunately Rhyad, thankfully never one to waste time with the Reapings, had returned to the bowls. "Now for the boys" she said dramatically. As her hand swirled around the bowl Lily chanted silently to herself, not Sev, not Sev, not both of us please, anyone else but not him.
"Severus Snape!"
Lily felt her heart plummet like a stone. The odds were certainly not in their favour today. She watched as he walked towards her and the stage, his face blank except for a fire that burned in his eyes. There was no way she'd be able to kill her best friend to survive. It just wasn't possible.
"Now let's give our lucky tributes a round of applause!"
Lily and Severus moved towards each other to shake hands. They locked eyes and gripped each other's hands tightly. As soon as they released themselves a pair of peacekeepers appeared at their side, prepared to escort them into the City Hall behind them. Neither Lily nor Severus caused a fuss and attempted to run as many unlucky children before them had tried. There was no point. There was only one way out of this. Kill, or be killed.
They were escorted to seperate rooms along the same corridor and Lily allowed herself a few moments to clear her head. She couldn't cry even now, the cameras would be on her as soon as she headed for the train and it would not be good for them to see her red eyed and raw. To calm herself and to distract her Lily looked around the plush room, the likes of which she had never seen before. Her fingers ran along a couch that appeared to be made of velvet, or at least that was what she thought it was calleld. There were glasses and a jug of water by the window and Lily poured herself one, gulping it down, hoping it would stem the tears that might form when she came face to face with...the door opened and Petunia and her husband Vernon entered the room.
Lily let herself gaze at each detail on their faces, attempting to memorise them. Her sister, stick thin, pointed face and dark hair with small eyes and a long neck, Vernon the complete opposite, more rotund, due to his wealthier upbringing, with little neck and a permanent scowl fixed beneath his handlebar moustache. He hovered at the edge of the room whilst Petunia ran to her sister and hugged her, to Lily's complete surprise. It took a moment but Lily eventually wrapped her own arms around her only sister.
"You have to promise to look after Mum ok?" she said urgently. "You know she can't work as much as she used to, make sure she's eating enough and is warm in the winter but doesn't get too hot in the summer and..."
Petunia lifted a finger to Lily's lips and stopped her mid-sentence. "You know I will" she said. "Listen Lily this is really important..." she hesitated, biting her lip. "You can win this, you're smart and you were constantly poring over that stupid book with that boy and you're lethal with those chopping knives when you're in a rage and you throw them at the wall in anger" a ghost of a smile crept onto Petunia's face. "Just...be you" she said simply, "And I know you'll be fine"
The sisters hugged quickly and Vernon came over wrapping an arm possessively around Petunia. "Well…" he coughed, "We'll be watching closely." he said gruffly "And well...I hope you don't die"
Lily smiled a little, "Thanks Vernon, I'll do my best"
Vernon nodded and pulled his wife towards the door.
"I love you Tuney" Lily called as they reached the door.
Petunia turned back as Vernon wrapped his hand around the handle and opened the door. "I love you too" she said as Vernon pulled her out the door. Before she could completely leave she added, "I don't blame you Lily, not anymore...I'm sorry"
And then she was gone. As the door closed Lily sank to the floor in a crouch, gripping her head hard, trying to pull herself together, taking deep breaths. She was so focused that she hardly noticed the door opening until she felt a set of arms surround her. "Oh my darling girl," came the voice of her mother, raw from crying. Lily looked up and allowed herself to sink completely to the floor in her mother's arms for perhaps the last time.
"I have something for you" Lily looked up as her mother reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a wooden pendant attached to a black cord. "I thought you could use this as your token" she said with a watery smile, "A small piece of home"
Lily blinked rapidly, holding back the tsunami about to pour from her eyes. She'd hidden the necklace away years ago, it was too strong a reminder of what she'd lost, but seeing it now felt right. "Thank you" she murmured, as her mother hung it around her neck.
"I found some cord and replaced it with the rope that it was attached to before; perhaps this will be sturdier"
Lily smiled, "It's perfect, thanks Mum"
They sat in silence, just holding each other until a knock on the door signified their time was up.
"I love you Lily" her mother said as they stood, "Whatever happens I will always love you" she smiled and cupped her daughter's cheek. "I sincerely hope that you will come home, and I believe that you can, you have your father's knack for survival" she said with a laugh. She kissed Lily's forehead quickly before she was escorted from the room.
Lily caressed the carved pendant almost obsessively as she waited for the peacekeepers to arrive to escort her to the train. Her fingers caught at the top and she allowed herself to look at the necklace. It was remarkable workmanship considering it came from a nine year old boy. She couldn't help but glue her eyes to the small carving added, that he'd made so much neater than she'd been able to accomplish with his. She allowed herself to wonder about that boy. They'd shared so much together and had been so close. She hoped he wouldn't recognise her whilst watching the games from wherever he was now.
The door opened abruptly and her fingers dropped the pendant, letting it fall to where it sat, a couple of inches below the hollow of her throat. She exhaled to calm her nerves and shook out her shaking hands and strode with a sense of purpose towards them and the door.
They met up with Severus and his pair of peacekeepers at the end of the hallway. Lily attempted to catch his eye but he avoided her looks and eventually she gave up, instead looking straight ahead. They walked together towards the front doors of the building and, as Lily had predicted, as soon as the doors were pushed open there were cameras in their faces, taking pictures and getting their shots for the Capitol. They stood blinking in the flashes until Rhyad appeared, "Right children, let's get you onto that train! We have a tight schedule to keep!" and with a clap of her hands, the peacekeepers moved forwards, clearing a path for the two children whilst also keeping a hand firmly planted on their backs to direct them towards a car that would take them the few blocks to the train station.
Being treated like a child grated on Lily's nerves and was made even more so by the hands of peacekeepers 'helping' her into the car. She longed to give them a piece of her mind but she couldn't cause a scene or an outburst. That would only add fuel to the fire. Instead she allowed herself to be put in to the car, Rhyad squeezed between her and Severus, so they could look out the windows and the cameras could get a good shot of them as they left their home for possibly the last time. As they travelled the short distance to the train station Lily couldn't help but think of the fourteen other children who had sat in this car, all going off to their deaths, never to return, never to see their loved ones again, never to marry or have children. Never to be free.
The train station loomed ominously ahead of them at the end of the road and Lily cold feel her heart, fluttering like the wings of a hummingbird in her chest. Her fingers played with the pendant anxiously, twisting around the cord so that she started to cut off circulation to her fingers. As they came to a stop though, her hands dropped to clasp the other in her lap. Mustn't look anxious, she thought to herself.
As they stepped out of the car, Lily was struck with the scent of oil and something tangy and metallic. No matter how scared she was for the days and weeks to come, she couldn't stop the thrill of excitement rush through her body at the thought of riding in the sleek high speed inter district train that sat before her, like a giant silver bullet. Cameras flashed before her eyes as a small smile lit up her face. Great, now she'd be the girl who smiled in the face of imminent death. Well maybe it was a way she could be remembered. She strode purposefully up the steps with Rhyad directly in front of her and Severus behind. They stood on the platform, facing the cameras for a minute. Glancing at Severus Lily just noticed he looked sullen. Knowing her mother would watch this on the television later that evening she raised her hand in a gesture of farewell, her elbow slightly bent, her palm facing forward. She allowed her mouth to relax slightly into a grim smile. She would do them proud. She wouldn't cause shame to fall on her district. She hoped she conveyed that through her slight gesture. A moment later she turned her back on the flashing bulbs where the others were waiting for her.
As Lily stepped onto the train the noise quickly shut off behind her as the door slid firmly and securely shut.
"Right!" enthused Rhyad, "Feel free to have a look around this simply beautiful train! I'll return in about an hour to show you to your rooms!" she clasped her hands together ecstatically, "It's so wonderful you both get to enjoy the splendour of the Capitol, even if it is for just a short time" she smiled at them beatifically before sweeping off towards their left and into a room, the door shutting behind her with a soft click.
And then it was just Lily and Severus. Alone.
Lily exhaled heavily, "Shall we check out this beautiful train then Severus?" Lily said with a quirk of her mouth. Severus remained where he was, silently staring out of the circular window as the train began to pull out of the station. Lily felt a small wrench in her gut and joined him, reaching for his hand as they watched their home drift away. Once the concrete houses and fields passed to be replaced with a vast empty nothingness she gently pulled on his hand, "Come on Sev," she said softly, "Let's at least have a look around" Lily was able to gently tug Severus through the sliding doors to their right and into what appeared to be a large sitting room and dining area. She let go of his hand to run her hand along a set of bottles and glasses that stood on a shelf near to the door. "Well it certainly is something" she muttered. In fact it was more luxurious than even the room she'd been in inside the city hall. A glass chandelier hung from the ceiling above the large dark wooden dining table, with elegant carved legs. Chairs matching their carved designs stood around the edges. There were plush sofas and chairs covered in a soft satiny red fabric that Lily had never seen or felt before. Her eyes struggled to take in all the beauty that surrounded her.
She sighed and sank into a chair that was too comfortable for its own good but instead of relaxing into it she sat stiffly, running a hand through her hair in anxiety. "Sev please say something" she whispered.
He just shook his head and sat down opposite her. "I don't think there's anything left to say is there" he said bitterly.
"Stop it" Lily said fiercely, "Don't even think it! We're not going to be useless out there and you know it" she sighed and leant back into her chair "With a bit of luck one of us might just come home"
Severus scoffed, "We're gonna need a bit more than that to survive Lily" he said, "We're going to need powerful allies, people who can protect us"
Lily sat up angrily, "Are you saying I need protecting, that I can't take care of myself, because if you are..." she trailed off, "I'm not working with any of those careers, especially not if they enjoy killing" she shuddered.
"But they would be best to protect us!" Severus insisted urgently.
"No they wouldn't!" Lily snapped back, "They would stab us in the back the first chance they got and relish in it!"
"Won't everyone?" Severus retorted.
"I won't" Lily said quietly, "And I hope you wouldn't too"
Severus shook his head in exasperation, "Lily it's kill or be killed! Are you saying you won't kill anyone?"
"No! That's not what I'm saying at all! I'm sure I'll kill if I have to but I certainly won't enjoy it"
Severus didn't reply and the pair sat in silence until Rhyad came to show them to their rooms. When outside Lily's door she said, "Now, take some time, relax, clean yourselves up, wear anything in the closets and be ready for dinner at five!" she said with a smile, opening the door for Lily, who nodded once and entered the room, closing the door firmly behind her. She slid down the back of the door till she was sat on the floor, her head in her hands.
She looked up and around at the room. Her mouth dropped open at the size of the bed. It must've been at least four hands deep and even wider, with feather pillows and a down comforter. Chewing her lip she stood up slowly and walked over to the bed, gingerly sitting on the edge before smiling and allowing the comfort to swallow her as she threw herself back onto it. She lay in silence for a while, her thoughts never fully becoming comprehensive, instead flitting from one thing to another.
Suddenly tired of silence Lily stood up and walked to the door next to the bed, where she found an exquisite tiled bathroom with a beautifully tempting looking shower. She stripped off and climbed in. There were buttons on the wall and not knowing what they did she pressed several at once. She was doused in hot water and lilac bubbles and couldn't help a sigh of contentment that escaped her lips. It was wonderful. She allowed herself to soak for about ten minutes before climbing out and wrapping herself in a fluffy white towel. Well, why shouldn't she enjoy the luxury while she could, she thought to herself. When she emerged from the steaming bathroom she looked around for a change of clothes and rifled through the drawers on the other side of the bed. But she looked back to the bathroom where her green dress lay. She walked over and picked it up. She needed home right now, so she slipped her clothes back on, combed her hair and walked out of the room to the dining area.
She found Severus and Rhyad already there, seated on the couches, facing a screen that had appeared from out of the bar. "Oh Lily, perfect timing, they're just about to recap the Reapings!" she gestured to the television where the Capitol Seal now appeared, along with the anthem. Lily joined them taking a chair, and prepared herself to psyche out the competition. From District One what appeared to be a brother and sister volunteered, both looking brutal and bloodthirsty. From District Two a young man with shaggy hair that she had to admit was rather good looking was selected and what looked like possibly his sister volunteered to join them. With a wild mass of curly black hair and crazy looking eyes Lily thought they were ones to avoid. They looked like they could skin her alive.
She stopped paying close attention after that, preoccupied with thoughts of the tributes they'd just seen. When District Four came up she covered her mouth lightly as a little twelve year old boy was selected along with his older sister. Just as Lily thought they were about to move on she heard someone volunteer. It was an older voice. She watched as a boy with terribly scruffy hair and broad shoulders climbed the steps and told the boy to go. He turned to the front and Lily sat up straighter. She knew that face, she was sure of it. Her worst fears were confirmed a moment later when the District Four escort asked his name and he replied, with arms folded across his chest.
"James Potter"
And for the second time that day Lily's heart plummeted as she leapt up from her chair, her hands covering her mouth in horror.