Chapter 5 - The Parade

The light peering through the curtains woke Lily up. She couldn't remember going to sleep. The train had proper showers, not the tub and the bowl of water that they had back in District 7. She got washed, then put on the short yellow dress that she had worn the day before. She walked out of her room and into the carriage where everyone was sitting. Hilaria was in a blue wig and a yellow suit. She had light blue make-up around her eyes and a darker shade of blue lipstick. She was also sporting a frilly, blue necktie, and applying pink blusher to her cheeks. Johanna, Blight and Albus were sitting at the table, seemingly discussing where to find food.

'Hello, sleepy-head!' Hilaria called as Lily walked in. 'Do you remember last night?'

'Don't tease her,' Johanna said. 'She had a very tiring day.'

'What happened?' Lily asked.

'You fell asleep,' Blight answered. 'Albus and I put you to bed. Don't worry, we woke you so you could get dressed.'

Lily didn't recall any of it. She walked up to the spare seat beside Albus and sat down on it.

'So, I heard something about finding food,' she said.

'Yes,' Johanna replied. 'Albus was asking how to get food in the arena. Snares and traps are your best bet; there'll be stations for them at training.'

Lily took a slice of bread and started to spread jam on it. She put the knife down, and stared at the bread. She saw the strawberry jam, or rather, she saw blood; the blood that was to come. She put her hand to her mouth to stop herself being sick.

'You alright?' Blight asked.

'Yeah, fine,' she replied.

'It's OK, you have ample reason not to be fine,' Johanna told her.

'I know,' Lily said. 'But I'll pull through.'

Albus put his hand around Lily, and she rested her head on his shoulder. She picked up her slice of bread and started to eat.

'Do you think people will sponsor us?' Albus asked the mentors.

'The Capitol will just love you,' Johanna replied. 'Brother and sister? They'll be all over you!'

Much time passed as Albus and Lily tried to soak up every drop of information that Blight and Johanna gave them. Lily got up, and walked to the window. The scenery had changed.

'Is this it? The Capitol?' she asked.

'Yup, that's it,' Blight answered.

'Ooh, home!' Hilaria cried, running to the window. 'I haven't been here for ages and ages!'

Albus got up and hugged Lily from behind. The Capitol looked like a beautiful place. The buildings were tall, the water was clear and the sky was blue. It didn't look like the location of an arena of death. The train went through a tunnel, and arrived at the station. Hilaria moved out the way, and ushered the siblings forward. Outside, there was a jungle of fancy wigs and crazy clothes; the people of the Capitol. Albus waved to them, and some waved back. Without thinking about it, Lily blew them a kiss. The Capitol citizens started jumping, trying to catch her kiss. Albus and Lily just started laughing at them, forgetting that these people wanted to see them fight to the death.

They exited the train. Albus and Lily soon found themselves being prepared for chariot rides. Lily was lying down, her prep team hovering around her.

'You're such a breath of fresh air,' one said. 'It's been ages since the last half-decent looking tribute!'

They were waxing away, not that there was a great deal to wax. She didn't think about how she looked or what the prep team was thinking, she was thinking about James. She wondered if she could receive letters from home. She guessed not, but she had Albus with her. But she wasn't worried about Albus or anyone else; only James. She knew something was wrong, she could feel it inside her. Something had happened to James, but she didn't know what. Maybe it was just the sting of the waxing strips. The prep team had finished, it was now time for the stylist. It was a tall woman with black bobbed hair. She had massive blue eyelashes, pursed green lips and a blue dress with puffy shoulders and long sleeves.

'Hello, sweetheart,' the woman said. 'I'm Marina. Congratulations on getting picked, or do you not see it as a cause for celebration?'

'I see it as the worst thing that has ever happened to me,' Lily replied.

'If it was me, I'd probably feel the same. I'm sorry, Lily, and I'm sorry for your brother.'

'He volunteered.'

'I'm sure he doesn't want to be here.'

'Well, he shouldn't have volunteered.'

Marina looked at Lily. 'Are you angry with him?'

'Sometimes, yes, but I see no reason why I am. I mean, he volunteered so he could help me.'

'I wish I had a brother like that. Anyway, your outfit for the parade. I designed both yours and Albus', I hope you like them.'

Marina went out and brought in a dummy wearing a costume made of, what seemed like, books. It was like a short dress, the top half looking like an open, yet blank, book with a red cover and the bottom half being like an open book, upside-down, the pages acting like a skirt and with a plain red cover too. The shoes were red and there was a small book in the hair.

'It's to represent your district. I really wanted a change from trees, so I thought books!'

Lily examined it. 'It's lovely.'

'I know that it isn't exactly wearable, that's what the interviews are for.'

Marina helped Lily into the outfit and put the little book on her head. She applied a small amount of make-up to Lily's face and tied her orange hair back. Once she had finished, Marina took Lily to the chariot, where Albus was standing. What he was wearing had the top half of Lily's outfit, but black trousers with books on the knees and red shoes. Albus smiled when he saw his little sister.

'How are you?' he asked.

'Terrified, you?' she replied.

Albus didn't answer, he only nodded. He saw Lily's stylist and held out his hand.

'Albus Potter, Lily's brother,' he said.

'Marina, Lily's stylist,' Marina said. She shook his hand. 'I designed your outfits.'

'Really?' Albus asked, smiling. 'They really are wonderful!'

'Oh, thanks. I admire your bravery, volunteering to help your sister.'

Albus didn't know what to say. Before he could say anything, the two siblings were helped onto their chariots and the parade began. They looked at the tributes from other districts. They saw the tributes from District 1, dressed in white cat suits studded with diamonds, with gold shoes and a gold belt. Then District 2, dressed in togas and beige from head to toe to give the appearance that they were made of stone. Those were the only costumes they saw before their sight of the tributes in front was eclipsed by the tributes in front of them with their car costumes. They stood still until the chariots started moving. They held each others hands and waited for the sight of the Capitol audience to appear. Soon enough, it did. Albus started waving to the crowds, Lily was still amazed at the amount of people she could see. She had been trying to understand what Albus had been doing. Being nice to the people, trying to get sponsors. And all she had done was hung around with him. She felt like she needed to do more, something to make the Capitol remember the two Potters. As she was thinking, she heard something extraordinary; the Capitol people started chanting their names. She looked around, amazed, and caught sight of Albus' outfit. Now, the big book he was bearing had 'D7' on it in big black letter. Suddenly, it changed to 'Albus Potter'. Lily looked down at hers, and saw her name written on it. She whispered 'thank you', not that Marina would have heard it. The Capitol crowds cheered out for District 7, as the two Potters waved some more. After more playing along, the chariot stopped. The white haired man who had visited District 7 not that long ago was standing on his podium, waving to his people.

'Welcome,' he said. 'Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!'

Lily and Albus looked up at Snow, full of anger. Lily wanted him to fall down from the high balcony and be trodden on by the horses; Albus wanted his beard to somehow catch fire. They listened to him speak of courage and sacrifice. Once he had finished, the tributes were taken to the Training Centre to get back with their mentors, stylists and escorts.

'Good job,' Johanna said to them. 'You've definitely made a name for yourselves. Do you want to just go up to floor seven now? I imagine those outfits, as wonderful as they are, aren't all that comfortable.'

Lily and Albus gave a discreet nod, and they all headed to the elevator. Albus' stylist, Antonius, had his arm around Albus' shoulder and was smiling down at him. Antonius was a fairly young man with a large bush of mousy-brown hair sprouting from his head. Albus was feeling very uncomfortable around Antonius, or as Marina was calling him, "Ant". Albus was looking forward to getting away from him, even if it meant training for a fight to the death. Lily was waiting to ask Johanna about the tributes from the first two districts and why they looked so naturally happy. It would have to wait until they got away to their apartment, as those very tributes were staring right at them. The girl from District 2 had cleaned all the beige paint out of her hair and off her face. Her long hair was midnight black and her eyes were dark green. Somehow, she seemed to be the boss of the rest of them. Two more tributes dressed like a mermaid and a merman scuffed over to the fearsome four and started talking to them. Lily guessed that they were the kind of tough people who saw being a part of the Games as a privilege, and worst of all, in an alliance.