Chapter 2 – The Train
I'm back at my Manor pacing the floors nervously, running my fingers through my hair, mind going crazy, thoughts piling…
What if I die? No – I will die! I can't survive this! Wait, but then if I do die, how will I die?! No death in this game is fast! Every one of them is slow and – No! Okay, stop, calm down, don't think like that. Wait, what's that noise? I freeze and turn to the door. My mother bursts in and before I can react, she's wrapping her arms around me in a hug, so tight, as if never wanting to let me go.
"Oh, Draco!" She's crying. I'm probably being taped right now, so I try to hold back my own tears. You'd be surprised on how they manage to get footage of you, even in your own house. Finally my mother pulls away to look at me, grabbing my face in her shaky hands, "You can do this, you know. You can win."
I swallow and shake my head, "Mom I-"
"Don't start! You can win!"
I bit my lip. Do. Not. Cry!
"Where's dad?"
"He's talking to Umbridge outside."
Talking to Umbridge? What the hell about?
I pull away from my mother and go near the window. Sure enough my father is out there talking to that pink freak. I can't hear them too well so I open the window a crack to catch their conversation.
"I'm sorry, Malfoy, but there's nothing I can do." Umbridge says. What can't she do? What's going on?
"You don't understand my son is weak! He can't even do the simplest of tasks – he's not a killer, and you expect me to throw him in these wretched games!? They will rip him apart – they will brutalize him!"
I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. My father actually thinks I'll die, I mean, he knows I'll die. I thought my self-esteem was just low, but for my dad to think like this, it must be true. I'm going to die. Not only just die, but get "brutalized" I can only imagine what that's like – what that feels like.
"I'm sorry…" Umbridge says.
"Look. I am the president and I demand you withdraw my son, I refuse to watch him die!"
"The decision has already been made."
"Listen if you-"
"If your son doesn't go into these games, the Capitol will kill him anyway! It's either he suffers a worse death in the Capitol or dies trying. If I just simply pull him out everyone will want out. Just because you're the president, doesn't give you any right!"
My father seems to give in since he's quiet for a moment, "Fine." He says, "Then he dies trying. Maybe Gryffindor will have a winner." I shut the window. I don't want to do this, I can't do this.
I dig my nails into the windowsill, trying to hold back any emotion I can, but I can't! My arms are shaking as I grip tighter. Finally I feel my mother's hand on my back and turn around to hug her. "He's just scared for you, Draco." She says. I know she's trying to help me but it's not working. My father always means what he says even if it's harsh.
"You can do this, Draco. Train hard." She pulls back and rests a hand on my face, "I'll be rooting for you."
I jump slightly when the door opens behind me, "Time's up." My father says in a cold voice.
I hug my mother one last time, "I'm coming home. I promise." I say, just to put her mind at ease.
"I know you will." She whispers. I'm still mad at what my father said, so on my way out I just give him an angry look, which tells him I heard everything he said. His expression tells me he gets the message. He doesn't deserve a good-bye for me. He doesn't think I can win – I'll show him. But I'll never kill.
I meet up with the Slytherins at King's Cross train station… only this time we aren't going to the Wizarding World. A part of me breaks when I see the brick wall between platforms nine and ten.
The train is already pulled in, engine roaring, waiting for us to get in our cars. Each house has a different car and Slytherin is right next to the Gryffindors. I can see Ron and can tell instantly that he was crying – he probably just said good-bye to his abnormally large family.
"Draco!" I hear Pansy yell, breaking me from thoughts. I barely turn my head when I feel her run into me for a hug, almost knocking me over. I'll admit, after hearing her name at the Reaping, it's so nice to see her, but I never wanted to reunite like this; one of us will have to die, and I don't want it to be her.
"Well! Looks like we're on the same team, huh, Malfoy?" My body tenses up at the sound of Goyle's voice. Pansy slowly pulls away from our hug, as if she's worried that Goyle might try some before Games damage on me.
I look up at him, a bit worried. "I look forward to seeing you in the Games." He says in a cold voice.
"Lay off!" Blaise says, butting in, "Save it for the Games, Goyle."
"Oh, I plan to." He gives me this evil stare before walking into the train. I watch him until he's out of sight. I don't care if the rules forbid him to touch me before we get to the area – I don't trust him, and something tells me that rule will be broken. I just need to keep my eyes open.
The train whistles loudly, telling us it's time to go. I follow the other Slytherins into the Slytherin car. Pansy grabs my hand as I attempt to go ahead of the others. "Say with me." She says, only she's not looking at me. I can tell she's crying, but trying to hide her face so I wouldn't see.
"Are you two coming?" Crabbe says from inside. Once I get on this train there's no turning back. I take one last look at the station behind me. Everyone's parents are so quiet. Tonight they'll probably board up their windows to shut the outside world away. My family on the other hand – well, my dad needs to come with us since he's the president. My mother will probably stay home since watching this on TV is hard enough – how can she sit thought the real thing?
Until now, I've never been on the Capitol train. Talk about luxury. This place is huge, though it looks small from the outside. Oh, so the Capitol can probably use magic but we can't? Rubbish.
The Slytherin car is color coated in green and silver. Two glass tables sit against the windows along with a dark green dining table in the center with a crystal chandelier hanging above it. There's even a living room section in here with a long black, leather sofa and two black circular chairs. A coffee table was set in the center and a flat screen television is sitting on the wall.
As soon as we meet up with the others I want to leave! Goyle keep's eyeing me with that stupid, dumb smirk. Just stop it, it's creeping me out! I can't take this.
"Guys, where's the closest bathroom?" I ask.
"Well, the closest is near the Gryffindor car-"
"Perfect." I don't even let Pansy finish, the farther I'm away from Goyle the better!
On my way there, guess who I run into, again? Harry. He's just getting on the train. Ron and the others are probably elsewhere in the car since I don't see them anywhere else. I seriously think he's stalking me, though. Or, well, this is his car, and I really shouldn't be here, so technically this makes me the stalker.
"Malfoy?" He asks. "What are you doing over here, if they catch you-"
"Why do you care, Potter!?"
"I… I don't… I'm just pointing out the obvious…"
I roll my eyes. I'm really not sure I'm being so mean to him, we're supposed to be civil but I guess I'm stubborn.
We're both awkward for a moment, just standing here in the silence. I briefly look around to make sure I'm not being seen. If anyone sees me talking to him – especially Goyle – I don't want to think about it.
"Some game, right?" He says. I shift a bit.
"Right…"
"Wonder who will win this year…"
"Not you, that's for sure." I mumble.
He blinks and looks at me suspiciously, "What did you say?"
"Well, considering you're no longer a Horcux, I guess you can't come back, so you won't win. Hey, maybe you can finally say hi to your parents!" Okay, why did I say this? The look on his face actually makes me jump a bit.
"Take it back!"
"Why?"
"Take it back, Malfoy, because I don't mind getting rid of the extra weight!"
"Extra weight!?" What the hell does that mean?
"It wouldn't matter! The less snakes the better!"
I bit my lip, looking for the right words to lash back out at him. I guess I'm taking too long.
"What? No smart ass comments now, Malfoy?"
I take a breath, "You know what, Harry, you're right? Kill me now, do it! You're not only doing yourself a favor, but you'll make my father happy!"
"…Huh?"
"He doesn't think I can win… I overheard him talking to Umbridge about taking me out of the game." I sigh, "Guess we're both done for then…"
He's quiet as he looks away from me. I sigh, "I wish I can join you… Being dead and all…" Oh, shit. I really hope he didn't hear that! But judging by the way he snaps his head up at me, he did.
"What was that?"
"What?" I say awkwardly, shifting my eyes as if he's crazy.
"What you just said!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." I can feel my face flushing up to a bright red right now! I need to leave before he notices, quick!
"You said-"
"I gotta go!"
He points to the bathroom door, "I thought you had to-"
"It's all yours!" Did I really just say what I said? Harry's not stupid, he'll figure out what I meant by that sooner or later. Okay, I admit it, I like him. I like him a little more than I should actually, but we hate each other! I was so mean to him, there's no way in hell he'd like me back, so I should stop wishing. Oh, great, what if Pansy finds this out, or any of the Slytherins? This will really make my house look good, oh and my father too, I can only imagine: "How dare you fall in love with a Gryffindor! What is wrong with you! My only son, I can't believe this."
"Draco?" Pansy says when I make my way back to the Slytherin car, "Why's your face red?"
"What?" I ask, "It's not red."
"Yes it is."
"The lighting's weird. So!" I quickly changing the subject, "Who's our mentor this year?"
"Snape, apparently." Marcus says. Oh wow, he actually spoke to me for the first time in a while!
And just then, Snape enters into our car, looking as serious as ever. The six of us immediately sit down on a sofa in the living room, while Snape takes one of the round chairs. He eyes us for a minute as if trying to see if we're good enough before leaning back in his seat. "Well." He says, "We're doomed." Yes, I know! Slytherin won't win, because I'm on the team, I get it, stop reminding me.
"Doomed?" Crabbe echoes. Does he not speak English? I just sigh before leaning on the arm of the couch, looking bored. He's just going to lecture us about these Games – a lecture I don't want to sit though. Plus his draby voice can put even Umbridge to sleep. That's saying something since anything can make her smile. Snape is just one of those people that can drain any happy feeling away from you. Seriously, every word that slides from his mouth feels like an hour goes by.
"Yes, doomed. You'll all die. Can I leave yet?"
"No." Pansy says, "Should you tell us what need to do in order to win?! You're our mentor – you're supposed to help us, not abandon us!"
"You want my help?" Snap says, leaning over a bit, "Don't die."
I scoff, "Yeah, okay…" I mutter.
"Ah, I see we got Malfoy's son in the games." He says, shooting his boring eyes over at me, like he's just realizing I exist.
"Thanks for noticing." I say.
"So, exactly how do we kill people without magic?" Goyle asks. Oh yeah, of course he would ask this question, because I'm here – he wants to know how he can kill me. Well, that's pretty stupid. Whatever Snape says, I can just use against Goyle as well. Good job at trying to be sneaky. If I were him, I would ask Snape privately.
"You train the Muggle way." Snape replies. Oh, well that doesn't help at all!
"How do they expect pure bloods to kill like Muggles!?"
"Not feeling confident now, are you Goyle?" I say, "Wow, I'm scared for you!" I wish I didn't say that, because now I'm really on his "to kill" list, and I can tell by the look his giving me.
"Oh, I'm not scared, Malfoy. But If I were you, I'd be."
Too late.
"Now, you should all get ready for bed, tomorrow we'll be at the Capitol." Snape says. We're all tired, and don't argue with him as we get up to got to our rooms, which are right above us. Yes, this train has two floors.
Just as I'm about to leave, I feel Snape's hand on my shoulder. The Games haven't even started yet, and I'm jumping whenever someone touches me.
"Except for you." He says. I look on ahead at Goyle. He glares at me, as if wanting to know what Snape has to say. If it's good advice on how to kill, I'm sure Goyle would love to hear it!
When they're all out of sight, Snape pushes me back over to the sofa, and sits across from me. "What'd I do, now?" I ask.
"Nothing." Snape says. "There's tension in this team – a lot of it; I know Goyle has something against you."
"Oh, really?! Well congratulations, I'm glad I'm the only one who noticed…" I say sarcastically.
"Malfoy, this is serious. You can't get into trouble with him yet."
"In case you haven't noticed, he's trying to start trouble with me."
"I don't care who is starting what! You've been on this train for 15 minutes, Malfoy, and I'm already sick of you. With an attitude like this, you'll never get sponsors."
"Whoever said I want people to like me?"
"It's either they like you or you die without their help."
He has a point. The tributes always get way too nice around the public just so they can get stuff from them during the games – stuff that will help you if you're ever in trouble.
I just look away from him and shake my head, "There's no point in it, I'll just die anyway…"
"Well, with an attitude like that you will."
I rub my arm nervously, "I'm scared…"
"Which is why you need confidence. You're scared as it is…"
I'm not looking up at him. I really can't hold back my tears anymore and I feel like I'm about to break down right now. I shut my eyes and grip onto my pants, nervously.
"I'll let you in on a secret." He says. I open my eyes and he's leaning over as if someone is right in this room and he doesn't want them to hear. "The first part of the Games is the Blood Bath; everyone would be fighting over weapons and supplies in the cornucopia." I'm really listening to him now – anything, just tell me anything that will help me win.
"You're main priority is water. Don't worry about the weapons or the tributes – run – just run to the arena as far away from the others as possible and look for water."
Water. Got it. This I won't forget. I nod at him, shakily and stand up once he's satisfied. "Now, off to bed. You got a busy day tomorrow." He says, gesturing me to go before him. I take a breath before going upstairs to my room, which I'm lucky to have all to myself. I hate sharing.
Just when I'm about to open my door, I feel something – someone grab the back of my shirt. It was only when my body was thrown against the wall that I knew who just attacked me.
"What did he tell you!?" Goyle yells, pressing his hands on either side of me so I can't get away. I look up at him horrified. What if I don't tell him, what will he do to me? He can't kill me, but the look in his eyes tells me otherwise.
"Talk!" He yells, grabbing my hair and pulling my head back so roughly it feels like my neck is about to snap.
"Nothing! Nothing! He didn't say anything!" I whine desperately, grabbing his wrist to release me.
"Tell me, right now, Draco or I swear I'll break your skinny little neck!"
"Y-You can't hurt me!"
He yanks harder. Why is he doing this? Why can't he just leave me alone? He'll only get killed if anyone finds out what he's doing to me. Plus, you have no idea how much this hurts. Goyle's a pretty big guy, a lot bigger than me, and he's not weak, in fact, he's so strong he probably eats bricks! Plus he's so angry right now I think his skin is turning green.
"Oh, I can't?"
Suddenly I feel like every breath has just been drained from me and I can't breathe. Goyle just kneed me so hard in the stomach I think I heard a few ribs crack.
"Talk! Now!"
I'm so winded I can't even manage a sound. He pulls my hair harder, "Last warning." He says.
"H-He said…" I try to catch my breath. Lie I tell myself. "He said our m-main priority is the weapons…" Maybe I can get him to believe me. If I can sway him into thinking that he needs to go to the cornucopia first, it'll distract him long enough for me to get away. Yeah, I know, this way he'll have a weapon and I won't, but I had to think of something! I was too afraid to tell him the truth, because if I did he'll just chase after me and rip me apart with his hands, probably. Seriously, he's the kind of guy who doesn't need a weapon or a wand to kill someone.
"You're lying." He says, getting a bit too close to my face. I press the back of my head against the wall. My heart's pounding, especially since he just rose up a fist. I try to pull away, since he still has my hair tightly clenched in his other hand.
I shut my eyes tight, afraid he's going to hit me. "No! I swear! That's what he said! Please, Goyle, stop hurting me!"
Finally he lets me go and I cower against the wall, pressing my back hard up against it, as he inches closer to me, grabbing my shirt, and pulling me to his face so that our noses are almost touching, "Told you, you should be afraid." He says before pushing my back at the wall and walking away.
I'm so scared right now that I scurry into my room and shut my door behind me, so fast as if he'd come bursting through to finish me off.
At least he bought my lie! This way, I have a better chance of getting away from him, but if there ever comes a chance where I do meet him in the Games… let's just say I should practice running when it comes down to training.
I press my back against the door, trying to catch my breath and get over what just happened. Now I got a splitting headache – are there pills in here? Whoa, now I'm just noticing how big this room is. The walls are a light gray – almost shining with a tint of silver, and the floor is made of black hardwood. There's a bed set in the middle of the room with silk silver and green bed sheets, and two black nightstands on either side. On each one are black lamps with green lampshades that have silver strips running down the fabric vertically. There's also one large black dresser against the wall next to the bathroom door. Aside from that the room is nothing but empty space. I go over to the bed to find a pair of neatly folded clothes. I'm guessing these are for tomorrow so I move them to the closest nightstand before going over to the dresser against the wall.
Everything in here is neatly hung up, which prevents me from taking anything out. Yes, I'm a bit of a clean freak. That's why I kind of like this room. It's neat, organized and spaced out.
After I find a plain gray T-shirt and black pajama pants, I head on over to the bathroom, so I can change for bed. I'd change in the bedroom itself, but I don't know who would decide to just come into my room. This place is weird like that. As I'm pulling off my shirt, I remember where Goyle kicked me and wince at the pain in my stomach. There's must be bruise there. I look down at my bare skin once my shirt is off. Yep! Well, this will be fun getting dressed. Maybe I can go sneak downstairs later and get some ice. Oh, and something for my head.
I'm taking forever to get my clothes on. It feels like all my organs are aching. This isn't fair, you know. He's really not supposed to hurt me yet, but I guess he just can't wait! I can tell on him, but I'm not four so that option is out, plus it'll only get him even angrier with me, and I don't want to die yet.
Oh, well, I should get to bed now, before it gets any later. Oh, right I still need pills and ice. I wonder if everyone is asleep yet… You know what, I don't care; I'm in too much pain to give a crap about other people. I just hope Goyle doesn't corner me again.
On my way out of my room, I open the door ajar so I can poke my head though to check and see if the coast is clear. It's dark in the hallway, which is a good sign, and it's quiet, which is even better. I quietly squeeze out of the crack in my door and quickly tip toe downstairs and look around for the fridge. Finally I spot it on the other side of the car near the green dining table. Just when I open the freezer door, I hear a shuffle near the Gryffindor car. I peek past the fridge and down the hall, to see Harry sneaking out of the car. What the hell is he doing up? I know I have a good reason, but I'm sure as hell that he doesn't.
When he spots me he jumps with gasp, but soon calms down when he realizes I'm not a threat and won't turn him in for being out of bed. "What are you doing up?" He asks me.
I smirk when I see him walking over, "You shouldn't be here. You're in snake territory."
"Shut up. What are you doing? And what's with the ice?" He says when he points to the ice pack in my hand.
"Uhm… Headache. Nothing serious, but it was keeping me up. I should be asking you the same thing, Potter. Why are you out of bed?"
"I just couldn't sleep…"
I snicker, "Nightmares again?"
He shakes his head, "No, just… anxiety… about everything."
I nod, "Look, we should get back to bed. I don't want to get into any more trouble."
"Any more trouble?" He asks.
"Never mind, just go to bed!" I know he can tell I'm holding back on something, but he doesn't press the question further. Instead he gives a slight wave and turns back to the Gryffindor car. After I take some pills for my head, I'm already feeling better so I head back up to my room without any more interruptions. I shut my bedroom door as quietly as possible before letting out a sigh of relief. I managed to get what I needed and back without being caught!
Now, I want sleep, and my bed is looking really comfortable right now. I let out a yawn before getting in bed. I lay on my side with my icepack pressed to my stomach. It hurts at first and I force the urge to pull it away, but after a while it starts to feel good and the pain beings to ebb.
I'm dreading tomorrow and anything after that, but right now I'm way too tired to care. I mind as well enjoy whatever sleep I can get.