A/N: An update! This is just a little insight into Snow's decision not to kill Katniss, and takes place when they had their talk before the Victory Tour.


President Coriolanus Snow

I suppose I could call it "quaint", this room I am standing in. Katniss Everdeen's study, in the home of the Girl on Fire. Yes. Quaint. And undeserved. She should be dead, not living a life of luxury in the Victor's Village. But Seneca Crane has been punished for that failure, and there is no point dwelling on past errors that cannot be undone. Now, I must is focus on the future and try to keep this threatening flame from igniting. And there were so many suggestions on how to do this, each carefully considered and rejected for hours in my council meeting.

"Kill her publicly and brutally!" Augustus Brooks has never been a particularly clever man, but his sheer brutality has always endeared him to me. Of course, we could never do this. Too many would see her as a martyr. A girl that was just trying to save someone; first her sister, then the little girl from 11, and then the boy she loved. Yes, I know that she did not love the Mellark boy, that she was only trying to survive (and, of course, defy us), and perhaps many in the Districts know that as well (although I doubt if the mindless lemmings in the Capitol could tell). However, enough do believe, and many more would be willing to put aside their disbelief to use the death of the poor, lovestruck heroine as a rallying cry for another uprising. No, outright execution is not the way to go.

"I have an accident already arranged for her, all I have to do is give the word, Mr. President." Orsola Bogart, ever taking the initiative, would definitely have to be watched closely. She is clever enough to be a real threat. Perhaps I should arrange an accident for her sometime soon. I actually considered her suggestion for a moment, but an accidental death for the Girl on Fire? That just isn't poetic enough.

"I have the perfect plan, Mr. President. All we have to do..." a dramatic pause. Always the showman, Plutarch Heavensbee. "is move the eighth Quell forward a bit." He gave a smug smile then, so sure that his idea was the superior one. And I must admit, the idea was very tempting, and still is. Sending the Girl on Fire back into the arena the very next year after managing to defy the Capitol and escape the first? Yes, that is just about the definition of poetic justice. In the end, though, I chose to forgo that option as well. Killing Katniss Everdeen at all is not a good enough punishment. Death is too easy and over with too quickly. Best to save the eighth Quell for later. Poor Heavensbee looked positively heartbroken when I turned him down!

"Reap her sister." Now, there was a sensible suggestion! Bix Garwood always is sensible, after all, even if he is quiet. I never have trusted the quiet ones; they always seem to be hiding something in those silent stares. Of course, as soon as I showed interest, everyone immediately began talking over each other, trying to voice their love for this perfect solution to the problem at hand (and, of course, offer their even more perfect improvements).

"Yes, she can die in the Bloodbath!"

"No, no, no, she must die slowly... make sure a big, unhinged boy is reaped and sent after her!"

"Another Tribute? No, that's terrible! It should be at our hands! A mutt, or a trap... something involving fire!"

"No matter how she dies, it can't be in this year's assigned Quell. We should switch it with the eleventh! Executing her family when she dies will send the message better than anything! Then Katniss can watch her sister die before dying herself!"

This went on for some time while I debated with myself, only half-listening to their babble. It is a wonderful idea; destroying the one thing Katniss Everdeen treasure in this world. But for some reason, it all just felt off to me. Finally, I realized what was bothering me.

"We can't kill the sister." Everyone stopped talking as soon as I spoke, staring at me with identical looks of astonished confusion. "All we would accomplish is to make an enemy out of her." Right now, she is trying to protect her sister at all costs. That little girl is the only reason the Girl on Fire is not picking up a torch and pitchfork to lead the charge. If we take that away, we may not survive the fallout. "I believe Ms. Everdeen will make a much better ally than enemy." It was a dangerous move to make, but out of every other option available, it was the least dangerous. All that is left to do is to follow the road I have paved.

My ponderings are interrupted as the subject herself enters the room, and I offer her a clearly fake smile.

"Good Morning, Ms. Everdeen. How are you?" I can see her fighting a frown as she attempts to analyze my intentions and my out-of-place politeness. She and I both know who I am and why I am here.

"Fine. And yourself?" Her tone is cautious, forced civility, and I can clearly see unease despite her attempts to hide it. I love it.

"Oh, good, good. Now, let's cut the act." She tenses slightly at these words. "We both know why I am here, and it is just the two of us. Let us agree not to lie to each other, hm?" She nods warily. Good. "I know why you pulled your little... stunt, and you have started something very dangerous with it. You are going to put a stop to it." I give her my most intense glare as I allow my tone to go cold and threatening, and I see the fear trying to fight its way through the defiance in her eyes. "You are going to do everything I want, when I want it done, without question or hesitation. If you don't, If I even suspect that you won't," I pause and allow the chill of my harsh gaze to settle in on her. "then your sweet... little... sister..." I carefully enunciate each word as she stops breathing, her eyes widening. "will be in the next Games, and she will die a horrible, bloody, slow death. And then you will die."

"No-no... Prim..." I watch as she fights back tears, refusing to simply abandon herself to showing the weakness I know is within her. Then, she composes herself, drawing herself up determinedly. "Okay. I will do anything you want, and Prim will not be harmed." There is a slight questioning tone in her voice as she looks me right in the eyes, and I nod at her.

"As long as you please me, your sister will not go into the Hunger Games, she will not be hurt, and she will not die from any Capitol-driven cause." At my confirmation, she visibly relaxes, nodding.

"What do you want me to do?"

I smile and she flinches ever so slightly. "You will be in love with Peeta Mellark for the rest of your life, and you will ensure that no one ever doubts that. You will marry him when you turn eighteen, you will bear his children, and the two of you will support the Capitol and the Hunger Games wholeheartedly."

Yes, the Girl on Fire will be a powerful ally, and Primrose Everdeen will ensure that.


A/N: Thanks for reading! And, as always, reviews are more than welcome. Remember to submit your tributes using the form in my profile!

Tributes available: D7 and D10 Males. I NEED YOUNGER TRIBUTES, PLEASE! I will not accept anyone over the age of 13 now.