-Holly-

"What an interesting group of individuals!" Dumbeldore said excitedly to us. I could feel the excitement radiating off some of the contestants. This mainly consisted of Crabbe and Cedric. Oh, we were definitely going to be in a hell of a fight with some of these. I didn't know where I stood in my relationship with most of these people. And the only one set in stone was one of my best friends. I didn't know if we had an unspoken alliance, or what. My head, heart, and stomach were all in sort of a tumble of motions. I felt like throwing up, yet a sick sort of calm before a storm. I could tell who'd be picked off quickly. The two younger kids, Pansy probably, and Terry Boot. That would leave Rose, Cedric, Crabbe, and I in a fight for our blood not to be spilled at someone else's hand. That would be a strange struggle for power. I would try to pick off every possible person before it came down to Rose and I. I was caught up in my thoughts, I didn't notice Dumbledore flow in front of me.

"HOLY SON OF A BISCUIT!" I thought. He muttered some words and waved his wand. I felt some sort of cuff wrap around my wrist. It wasn't very noticeable, but enough to make me feel trapped.

"You are dismissed to speak to your head of house, who'll be your mentor these two days before the Games begin." Dumbledore said, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed us.

I walked as quickly as I could out of the Great Hall, Rose on my heels. Dylan and almost everyone we'd become friends with throughout our Hogwarts experience was waiting outside. They all looked up as I came out, trying not to let my emotion show.

"What are you all doing out here?" I mustered with a weak smile. Everyone wore a sad, pained expression. But the one that made me cry were the girls I had come here with. My best friends, my sisters. They were all crying. I sniffled, telling myself not to be weak, not to think of the mental strain Rose and I would cause them over the weeks of the Games, trying not to think of all the amazing times we've had.

"Wifey." Dylan whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. I gave her a slight sympathetic smile.

"Wifey, don't worry. I'll watch Rose's back. And she's got mine." I whispered with a smile. She just nodded and moved to the side, so everyone came and talked to me. After Dylan moved to the side, Rose came through the doors. I ran to her and pulled her into a huge hug.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered tearfully. We parted and I saw her look sadly at me.

"It's okay. Make it to the last four and we'll go from there." she pulling me back into a hug.

"I promise." I told her with a slight smile. She smiled back and people came over and comforted her as they did to me. I just smiled tearfully as I watched the love spread from face to face.

"Loyalty, love, learn, laugh." I whispered to myself. It seemed to calm me a bit. Fred came over and pulled me into his arms.

"I love you so much. I know you can win this." he whispered to me, his eyes swimming with tears.

"I just want to stay alive: Rose and me to be alive. That's all I want." I said.

"Promise me you'll try your hardest to win. To come back, for me. For them." he said, motioning to the large group of friends.

"I refuse to kill Rose." I told him sternly.

"I understand. Just, how do you know she won't kill you first?" he questioned. I pulled away from him.

"How dare you say that! We're friends." I spat at him.

"I didn't mean it like that Holly, it's just...people change in this." he reminded me, his hand reachiing for my shoulder.

"I know. I know." I repeated, pulling away from him. He let me go over to Laine. I hugged her. I felt her tears against my cheek.

"Good luck Tessio." she said with a weak smile.

"Thank you." I replied, returning the unconvincing smile. Dumbledore exited the Great Hall and ushered Rose and I away from the group.

"I specifically said go to your head of house." he glared at me. Why me? I guess I'd know in the next two days or so.

"Sorry Headmaster." Rose replied and she shuffled off to go find Flitwick.

"Professor, I can find Professor McGonagal on my own." I reminded him quietly.

"Of course. Ms. Reid? " he said letting my arm go.

"Yes Professor?" I asked, turning around to face him.

"Because of your father the Ministry does not feel amicable towards you." he replied, his face stony from the truth.

"But...who's my father?" I asked desperately, but of course, he was gone before he answered.

"Damn." I whispered, and sulked off to find McGonagal.

"Hello Ms.B-Reid." McGonagal said, catching herself saying something, she wasn't supposed to, perched at my side like a vulture. I jumped at the sudden noise. She apologized for her sudden appearance and walked next to me down the hall. The stiff air and tension lifted once Dumbledore left. I felt...normal, when I talked to McGonagal. Or in this case, walked with her.

"Professor, can I ask you a question?" I said after a few minutes of silence.

"Of course dear." she said with a warm smile, but I could sense some form of pity mixed with it's warmth. What is it with people and their abounding pity just because I'm one of the Gryffindor tributes! It aggravated me, which could help me in the arena possibly.

"I have a notion you know who my father is. Dumbledore won't tell me, but I can tell you know who he is." I said, hoping I didn't over step any boundary or fuel some of McGonagal's temper. She merely nodded solemnly. I took this as a cue to continue.

"Could you tell me?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound fearful or weak. I hate showing emotion beside happiness, or anything pleasant. Every once and a while I unleash the beast that is my tolerance level at a negative and my temper full tank.

"You will learn, in due time Miss Reid." was all she replied.

"In the mean time, Mr. Creevy, you and myself will have a discussion about strengths and weaknesses. In here please." she instructed with a wave of her hand as she opened a door.

I walked in to find a medium sized table. At it sat Collin Creevy, his brother Dennis, and another one of his little friends. They looked at me fearfully as I strode to the table and sat where I was instructed. McGonagal sat at the head of the table. I noticed Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, in the corner of the room, watching the people intently.

"Ms. Reid," McGonagal called, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Who would you like to be here with you?" I stared at her blankly for a second and realized Collin's brother and friend where here for support.

"I request Laine Brooks and Dylan Lynch." I said.

"Only those from your own house." McGonagal replied. I sighed.

"Fine." I retorted, my temper starting to grab hold of my throat. I looked directly at Nearly Headless Nick.

"I request Dylan Lynch and Seamus Finegan." I said with a bit of sharpness laid in my eyes. Nearly Headless Nick looked at me with slight elderly fury in his eyes as he glided out of the room.

"If looks could kill." I replied under my breath. The young kids looked at me, appalled I had said such a thing in this situation. Collin looked as if he had been crying; the look a scared mouse wears before they are devoured etched clearly on his face.

"He probably won't last one day." I thought. Not that I was wishing for his death, no, but the faster the weaklings get out of the way, the faster the real fun can begin. I hadn't noticed my thoughts were conveyed on my face but by the looks of the young kids it was clear to them. I wanted Collin dead. Quickly.