It was easy to walk through the forest toward District 12. Diana assumed it would frighten her more, especially once she could see the tips of roofs through the thick green foliage. Her steps were silent as she crouched down, peering up at the fence she had seen in her Muggle Studies class. "Well," she muttered to herself, "I have nothing to lose." Except her friends, but they would lose her…

Diana looked back to where she came from. They would be fine. They still had their families.

She ducked underneath the fence and found herself in District 12. It was the outskirts, near the Seam. The simple concrete houses were dusted over with coal. Diana expected to see more people around, but once she looked out onto a street, she saw many men, women, and children walking toward the town square. They were wearing somewhat formal clothing, which did nothing to hide their bony arms and sunken eyes. Her heart clenched for them. It was Reaping Day.

A young girl walked up to Diana with a curious expression. "What are you wearing?"

Diana looked down at her school robes, chuckling awkwardly before turning and running away from the girl. Once she was out of sight, she transfigured her robes into a drab yellow dress, akin to something someone from the Seam would wear. "What am I doing?" she whispered, watching the skirts flow with the breeze. Diana hadn't even realized what she was intending to do until then. She was intending to put herself in the Games.

She refused to give herself another moment by herself and joined the slow march of people. Everyone around her looked frightened, a few mothers' hands trembling and young children looking around with wide eyes. She understood why. Two kids would be reaped. Every mother, father, family member was hoping it wasn't someone they knew and loved.

If Diana was the female tribute, these people would only have to mourn for one child. And if she could save him… Diana berated herself. What is my bloody problem? She found herself in a line with other children and leaned to the side to watch a Peacekeeper prick a child's finger and send them on their way into a giant pen.

Diana's mind raced. How was she going to get into the system? There was only one way. It would use up a lot of her magic, but…

What was she even doing? Was she trying to get herself killed?

"Hurry up," the Peacekeeper snapped, glaring at Diana.

Diana breathed in deeply. She discreetly conjured a profile in the system. At that moment, she was very thankful for Professor Smith; he had taught her so much about the Capitol and the Games—she knew exactly what needed to go on her profile. She stuck her finger out, her eyes drooping. Doing that had drained almost half of her magic.

A small prick, and she was sent into the pen. She found herself with other seventeen-year-old girls. A few minutes later—or was it hours? Diana had no clue. She just wanted to sleep—a finely dressed man walked carefully up to the podium on the stage. He droned on about the history of Panem—most of which was untrue. Diana blocked him out as her eyes fell upon three people sitting on the stage.

An older woman with graying curly hair sat in the middle of a young man and a middle-aged man who had an eccentric appearance. She stared at the young man. He had longer black hair and, even from where she stood, she could see his gray eyes. To her, they almost looked silver. She could tell he'd been through hell and back, probably more than once. He had bags under his eyes and slouched over, his arms resting on his legs. His roughened face was scrunched up into a glare.

His eyes met hers. A challenge sparked in those silver orbs, an eyebrow lifting. Diana just raised an eyebrow of her own. She watched him scoff before looking away.

The eccentric man stood after being introduced by the man who I assumed was the mayor. Though we were taught how the government worked, and who was high up, Professor Smith never went into details of district officials. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." He, in his bright pink suit, bounded over to the glass jars that stood in the middle of the stage. He reached his hand into the girls' jar. A sharp intake of breath by hundreds was heard around the town square.

The man pulled his hand out and Diana flicked her wrist, using a bit of magic to turn the girl's name into hers.

"Diana Potter!" the man read loudly.

Head high, shoulders back, Diana finally used her mother's etiquette skills. She made her way through the crowd, trying to block out questions of who she was, where she had come from.

As she climbed the stairs to the stage, she caught the young man's stare. Diana smirked at him, a challenge now in her eyes. He just shook his head before looking at the eccentric man, who was now choosing the boy.

"Seamus Claxton!"

Diana spotted the boy within seconds. He was small, no older than fourteen. He had begun to sob, but he made it to the stage with no defiance. Seamus faced Diana, tears streaming from his dark brown eyes, and held his hand out.

Diana shook the much smaller hand with a reassuring smile. "It'll be alright," she whispered, only loud enough for him to hear.

Seamus blinked in shock but nodded slightly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the young man crack a small grin at her words. He must have read her lips. He caught her looking, and the grin disappeared.

Diana wanted to know his name.

A/N: Guys... I just realised that I have so many characters who have lost their family. I have no idea why. But it makes for good angst... and they're all with different plot lines so... it can't be that bad, right? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Remember to review, follow, and favorite! Also, I have a Hunger Games SYOT! There are still slots open so I would appreciate it if you guys could submit a tribute (- me unashamedly marketing (- also me not remembering a certain word that would work better) my book)!

A/N (12.03.2022): Edited and hopefully better! I appreciate any and all constructive criticism :)