DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.

Chapter 53-Magnus

7 MONTHS LATER

Katniss was excited to go in for her final exam before her one week spring break. For eight months she has been working nonstop in PES's accelerated teaching certificate program and she was one exam away from finishing her first milestone-officially getting through the academic portion of the program. It was the beginning of March, once she finished her exam she would have a week off, then would start the interview process for the teaching component with a teacher in a classroom.

Her class consisted originally of 20 people, they were currently down to 14. Some had dropped out early on, not able to keep up with the high demand. A couple had dropped few months into the program due to family or personal reasons, and one classmate-a female Katniss had been fond of, had to leave due to illness 6 weeks ago. Katniss had felt sad for her, her illness becoming a chronic condition that required long term medical care.

PES had other programs in their building as well. While Katniss was part of the teaching certificate program, other programs offered by PES included early childhood programs for children too young to go to school, and teaching programs for adults. Since more and more residents of Panem were working in all of the Districts, a lot of women were working that had children too young to begin school. Daycare centers started opening up to offer childcare, some of the residents getting reduced tuition for the daycares which was provided by the Capitol. However, in order for a resident to get reduced tuition, they had to send their child to a PES funded daycare center which required the staff be certified through PES's education standards. For the first time adult education was offered as well, with PES providing training through their adult education program in the Districts. PES's goal was to have daycares and adult education programs located in all of the Districts as well as quality teachers in the schools, but they still had a long way to go, for District 12 still did not have any of their programs there.

Katniss had been approached numerous times by her teachers about going back to District 12 to teach, but she would not make a final commitment, telling her teachers she didn't know what she wanted to do just yet. Not wanting to tell them the real reason she can't go back, she would divert the topic by saying that she loved District 4's weather too much to go back to four seasons in District 12. She wasn't sure if her teachers thought she was still with Peeta, luckily they were professional enough not to ask. The reason they kept pushing for her to go back to District 12 was due to no one being interested in going there. Katniss had said to one of her teachers that PES needed to go to the District themselves and try to recruit.

Due to having other types of programs besides the one she was in, there were currently 100 people living in the dorm she was in, Dorm A. There were three dorms in total, Dorm A, Dorm B, and Dorm C. Each building looking exactly the same with each floor having its own kitchen and lounge. While most of the people on Katniss's floor were from her program, not all of them were. So she got to meet people in the other programs and learn what those programs were like. She learned that the early childhood program was a lot shorter, only a 6 month program, with 3 months doing classroom work and 3 months doing on site work in a daycare. There was also different classes for the accelerated teaching program, for PES did testing 4 times a year, each class starting in a different quarter. Katniss started in the summer quarter, but they also had a fall, winter, and spring quarter. Finally, she met people in the adult education program, and learned that program lasted 9 months, with 6 months of classroom work and 3 months of teaching adults in one of PES's programs. For the adults, a large range of different types of programs were offered, from basic reading, writing and math to more advanced level learning. In all of the programs, a person is told early on based on their test results, which grade and/or program would be best suited for them within their chosen program. Since Katniss had chosen to be a grade school teacher and applied for that program, based upon her test scores PES said her curriculum training would be focuses on teaching children ages 5-12. She figured not being in school past the age of 16 had something to do with it. But she figured she would do better with smaller children than teenagers and was happy that her training would be in that age group. Some of her classmates from the prep class were put in the training for 13-18 year olds, her friend Mary from District 11 being one of them. Katniss got to see Mary every now and then in mandatory trainings that were required in the Capitol at PES's main headquarters. She enjoyed catching up with former acquaintances from her prep class while there.

On weekends and during breaks, Katniss would visit her Mother at her apartment. Katniss felt at this point they were the closest they had probably ever been, despite Prim not being there. While Prim's absence was still felt, most of the time they were able to speak of Prim with fondness, not sadness. During the holiday and Prim's birthday were hard for both of them, remembering how Prim enjoyed the holiday season in District 12 and when her birthday passed, it was a reminder of another year she had been robbed of in her short life. Katniss was glad that she had her Mother to grieve with, for she never had her the previous 8 years. While Peeta was as supportive as a person could be, only her mother and Gale knew Prim in their home life back in 12.

Katniss still had not spoken or talked with Gale since she saw him at Posy's party. Katniss had written letters back and forth with Posy, but had not seen her since her party either. Posy informed Katniss that Vick was doing well in training in District 13 and that they didn't see him often, only seeing him for a week during the holidays. Surprisingly, Katniss did get a save the date invitation in the mail for Gale and Dez's wedding that she received two months ago. The save the date invitation was a picture the size of a card, the background of the picture a bright dark pink, with a photo of Gale and Dez inside a heart and the words:

Save the Date

Saturday June 30

Details to Follow

On the back of the invitation is the letters, D & G in the bright dark pink coloring on a black background. Katniss wonders if this shade of pink is the official wedding color. She remembers being told she needed to pick colors for her fake wedding to Peeta before the Quarter Quell. While she never officially got to tell her prep team what colors she had chosen, she had decided on a light green and yellow. She of course had no regrets now that the wedding never happened though she couldn't help but wonder from time to time had they gotten married right after coming back to District 12 if Snow would have still gone through with the Quarter Quell, she came to the conclusion she believes he would have. Still wanting to make them both pay for their act of defiance.

She had Gale's save the date on her bulletin board in her room. Normally she wouldn't be surprised she had been invited to his wedding, he was her oldest friend after all. But because they had not spoken in all these months, she was shocked to see she was still on the invite list. She figured that meant Gale didn't totally hate her at this point. Her Mother also got an invite.

She wondered if she should try to reach out to him during her week off. She was planning on going to her mother's for most of the time but was still planning on staying in her dorm. For her Mother was only a 15 minute train ride away.

But, Katniss did have other plans she was looking forward to this week. She was actually going to go on an official date. On her floor was a young man by the name of Magnus. Katniss originally scoffed to herself at his name, knowing it was a Capitol name. Magnus was in the adult education program, wanting to teach adults how to read and write in more disadvantaged districts. Katniss had originally rebuffed his attempts to get to know her better, but after 3 months of trying she finally gave in. She figured with her week off coming up she should try to enjoy herself, and see what it is actually like to go out on date with someone. She never really dated Peeta or Gale. She was just-with them.

Katniss had liked Magnus, he was outgoing, sweet, and she was impressed by his desire to help people less fortunate, even saying he would consider going to District 12 but said he would rather be in District 9 or 10. He was from District 1 which didn't surprise her given his name. They had arranged to go out tomorrow night for ice cream.


Katniss's final went well and she was excited to be over with all of her classroom work. While Magnus's program was still continuing, he too had off the next week and took a final today, informing Katniss he felt he did well also while they walked to the ice cream parlor. They were there for one hour, just chatting and getting to know each other. When he walked her back to her room, he kisses her on the cheek shyly before walking to his room down the hall. They decide to go to lunch a couple of days later, again having a good time. At lunch he asks her if she would go on a longer date with him on Friday night. She agreed, and spent the next two days with her Mother for she had off from work.

On Friday night while getting ready she realized she had not reached out to Gale. She was distracted by her new relationship with Magnus and spending time with her Mother. She figured she could maybe try calling tomorrow, though she would have to call him at home with Dez most likely being there. She then thinks perhaps she should call on Monday and try to reach him at work instead.

She decides to put on her distress watch. While she usually does a good job of wearing it, since her classes were so close to her dorm she sometimes would forget to put it on. While she trusted Magnus, she knew she shouldn't take any chances especially since she would be further away from her dorm and the PES campus. When she first arrived, she had her guards with her, but as time went on and no threats were posed, Paylor decided to slowly pull back on security. Paylor had called Katniss and explained that the Jay Killers appeared to be laying low, and that while Geffen still was not found, activity in his group had died down significantly. The failed attempt in the wild territory having a lot to do with it and that his supporters were beginning to get disinterested and some had either joined other groups or gone back to their old lives in whatever District or region they came from. Paylor knew about the distress watch and had also encouraged Katniss to wear it in case of an emergency while in District 4. If Katniss decided to travel outside the District, she was to let the Capitol know and they would arrange security for her.

Magnus comes to Katniss's room and they leave to head on a train to District 4's downtown area. They have an intimate dinner at a small seafood restaurant. Seafood being very popular District 4, Katniss found the seafood here was delicious, it was always fresh and flavorful. After dinner they get ice cream then take a walk down to one of the District's many marinas. She recognizes the area, knowing that the fishing company Rory works for docks their boats here. It is a large and popular marina. They first take a stroll along the beach, Katniss enjoying watching the ocean at night and feeling the warm air. While it was not as hot as it is in the summer, she enjoyed spring here because she felt the temperature was just right. She smiles when Magnus takes her hand as they walk. After their stroll he asks if she wants to see his uncle's boat that is docked at the marina, explaining that is his uncle came to District 4 to get into the fishing industry. She hesitates at first, seeing that it is late but enjoying his company so much she decides to go. She asks if his uncle is there, for she was slightly nervous if he wanted to spend time alone on the boat, not sure if she was ready for that just yet.

"Yes, he'll be there, is that a problem?" Magnus asks.

"No, I just wondered" Katniss responded, relieved that another person would be there.

"Do you still want to go with me?"

"Yes, that be great" Katniss says smiling. He leans in and kisses her. They kiss for a few seconds before Katniss pulls back, blushing and smiling. They walk hand in hand to the boat area.

They approach a fairly large charter boat, appearing to Katniss to have at least two floors, possibly three.

"Wow, your uncle's boat is really nice" Katniss says in awe.

"Yeah, it is. Come on" Magnus says taking her hand and leading her up the ramp. For a brief second Katniss gets a sense of pause and hangs back, letting go of his hand. He turns and looks back at her, giving her a questioning look.

She takes a deep breath and says to herself she needs to move on, needs to see what is like to get to know another man that is not named Gale Hawthorne or Peeta Mellark. She dismisses her reservations and proceeds onto the boat.

Magnus quickly shows her the top deck and while walking around he hears a man call out from below, "Magnus, is that you?"

"Yes Uncle Chet, I'm here with someone I'd like you to meet." Magnus calls down.

"Well-come on down then" the man calls back.

Magnus leads Katniss down the narrow steps, after taking her final step into the bottom level she looks around sees an older man extending his hand out for her to shake.

"Hi, I'm Chet. Magnus's uncle, nice to meet you."

"Katniss Everdeen" she says shaking his hand smiling.

"Oh, we know who you are."

'We?' Katniss thinks to herself. 'Is there someone else here?' Her smile immediately fading.

Before she can contemplate her next move, she feels a blunt force at the back of her head, blacking out immediately.