alone in the crowd.

when i wake up, I have no idea where I am. I am in a plain white bed, so unlike my red and gold hogwarts bedspread, or the lavender duvet I use at home. then I remember. I am a tribute. I am in the Capitol.

a few moments later, a lynx patronus soars through the open window, I recognise the deep, reassuring voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt, the minister for magic. "we cant get you out of the games, but you can win this. We can help you. you can take your wand in there. if you need any help, talk to your stylist, he is a squib. we will provide you with an owl, so you can contact people. you also have our full permission to use any spells, including unforgivables. I know you are only 11, but amy, your stylist, can provide you with books. im sorry"

as he says the last 2 words, his voice fills with sorrow and remorse, and the patronus fades.

"hi, im Renee" calls a loud, exuberent voice, and i look up to see three people walk in, though they hardly look like people. The first woman, renee, looks like she has been showering in liquid silver. her skin is dyed a pale silver, and her hair is solid, coated in the metal. her eyelashes have merged into three stiff points, and when she looks at me, her irises are silver too. it creeps me out, so I look down quickly. there I see a ridiculous silver dress, that looks like its made of the metal, the skirt sticking straight out, attached to a moulded bodice.

behind her, two more figures step out of the shadows, a lady who is virtually identical to renee, only where renee is silver, she is gold. a name badge pinned to her bodice reads 'Courtney'. the final person, if you could call them people, was a man called jules, his hair bronze, matching his skin, not tan bronze, a metallic shade. he is wearing skintight metal trousers, a metal shirt, and bronze converse. they seem more robot than human.

"time to get you ready" sings Courtney "jules, renee, you know the routine, Renee, take the hair, jules, her legs, and ilI prepare her face."

I mentally compose a letter to my parents in an attempt to distract me from the pain. I wish I could remove the hair on my legs by magic, wax strips hurt.

when they declare me ready, they get me 'dressed' in a simple white robe, though I still feel naked, and push me into the other room to meet Amy, then they leave.

"Hello, Im Amy, your stylist" a quiet voice jolts me back to reality " Kingsley told me about you"

Amy looks, there's no other word for it, young. not 12 like me, but, if she wasn't a squib, she would still be at hogwarts. she hands me a dress, its plainer than I would have expected, a colourless strapless bodice, with a simple ankle length skirt.

"the charms colorado sparkyesqa, I would do it myself but, you know, im a squib."she adds, embarrassed.

i repeat the incantation, waving my yew wand, and the dress starts to sparkle every colour of the rainbow.

"remember, if you need to talk, im here, anytime." her voice is gentle and soft.

I leave the small room and climb into the carriage, after petting the horses. Within moments, the other tribute from my district climbs in next to me, he is large and muscular, and he is wearing a simple white suit with a black shirt. his tie is embedded with jewels, a typical district 1 outfit. I struggle to remember his name, bob? boggis? bert! that was it, bert, I am about to attempt polite conversation when the horses start to move.

I am blinded by the bright sunlight, and though the crowd roars, stuned by my dress, I remain aloof, I hate them, I hate them all. then I remember, sponsors, stupid sponsors. crap. I immediately change my manner to an easygoing smile. life as a tribute is harder than I thought, and I'm not in the arena yet.

A/N pleeeeaaaaaase reveiw and rate, reveiws make me write quicker. im sorry about the delay, I was in Norfolk and wifi-less. also, check out my other story, a chance for a new life. I may also start another story, any ideas. also what should roxannes patronus be. the first reviewer gets their suggestion published. I will also post new reveiwers at the start of each chapter. thanks. xxx