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“Chin up.” Nymphadora tells Draco as she straightens up his tie. Draco could have done it himself, but his hands were shaking too much. And today is an important day. Draco lifts his chin up, and Dora gets to work. “Done.” She says. At the same time, their grandmother walks in. She smiles at Draco. “You look wonderful. Just like your father.” Even though Druella Rosier wasn’t the mother of Draco’s father, she was very fond of him. She even mourned for him when he died. Ever since the war, Draco has lived with his grandmother and cousin, Nymphadora. Both of their parents had died. And as such, they lived with their grandmother. Dora looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Dray, you better get going before you're late.” She was right, and today was not a day to be late. He kissed his grandmother on the cheek, hugged Dora, and walked out the door. This was it. The day the Nott prize would be announced. Draco was almost certain that he would win. He had perfect grades, and all his teachers loved him. Except one, but he doubted it would matter. Today was also the reaping day for the 10th annual Hunger Games. Draco didn’t know why the award was going to be given on the same day as the reaping. But who was Draco to judge? “Ready?” A voice asked from beside him. Pansy Parkinson, a girl whom he shared all of his classes with, grabbed his arm and kept walking. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He replied. Pansy was short and had her black hair in a ponytail. Her green dress and eye shadow made her brown eyes pop. Draco looked way less nice than she did. With his fathers’ old shirt that Dora had to bleach and his way too small shoes. At least he looked acceptable. She smiled at him. “You know, there are some rumors that you and Theo are friends, is that true?” Their school, Hogwarts Academy, was in sight. “I tolerate him. He thinks we're friends.” Pansy made an “ah” sound. They walked up the stairs together in silence. They entered the school and made their way to the Great Hall.

Draco tried to ignore the mountains of food outside the Great Hall. He didn’t have the chance to eat this morning due to the empty refrigerator in his house. He couldn’t show that his family didn’t have enough money to buy food. But Pansy directed them towards the table and, Draco couldn’t stop himself from taking a muffin. Pansy grabbed a colorful drink and dragged Draco inside the Great Hall. Students and teachers alike filled the hall. 24 chairs were placed facing the right side of the golden podium. “Draco! Pansy!” Draco turned and saw Blaise Zabini, Millicent Bulstrode and Gregory Goyle making their way towards him and Pansy. “Exited?” Millicent asked him. Millicent was very tall. Even taller with heels. She had blonde hair that looked way too blond. It was obviously dyed. Not sure how to respond, Draco nodded. Yes, Draco was excited but also nervous. If he didn’t win this prize, 100 000 gallions, he would probably lose his house. The rent was due, and neither he nor Dora had the means to pay. His grandmother was getting very old, and it was just mean if Draco forced her to find money. “Did you hear,” Tracey Davis, who decided to join them, said. “That Mr. Theodore Nott caused a ruckus this morning in front of his house?” “Oh! What happened?” Pansy asked excitedly. “Apparently, he was mad at his father for changing the rules of the Nott prize.” “What?” Draco asked. “Yep, he screamed at his father and-” She stopped talking, seeing Theo walking towards them. “Speak of the devil.” Blaise murmure. “Good morning.” Theo said. “Good morning.” Draco says back. Theo opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by Dr. Sybil Trelawney. “May everyone take their seats.” Draco walked in front and sat in one of the 24 chairs in the front row. As everyone settled down, Theo, who sat next to him, leaned toward him. “I’m sorry Draco, but there won’t be an announcement on who won the Nott prize today.” No, no, no, no, no, no, no ,no. This couldn’t be happening to Draco. After all of his hard work! And this is how we got repaid! He worked so hard to get where he was! Pretend over and over to look like he was in high power and wasn’t actually going to lose his house! Like he wasn’t starving himself so that his cousin and grandmother could eat.

“Welcome!” Dr. Trelawney's mystical voice brought him back from his thoughts. She was standing behind the podium. “Today, we celebrate the top 24 students of this year. Who worked hard and got the highest grades! Now, I bet you’re all expecting the winner of the Nott prize. This year, there will be one more obstacle before getting the prize. Let me introduce you to Mr. Severus Snape who will be explaining said obstacle.” Mr. Snape was a very slim man. His shoulder-length black hair always looks greasy. And his small black eyes always followed Draco wherever he went. As he walked to the podium, Mr. Snape pulled out a small vial and chugged it. “Congratulations to the top students. As you may know, today is the reaping of the 10th annual Hunger Games. Dr. Trelawney came up with the brilliant idea to make the Games more interesting to the public. The 24 of you,” Mr. Snape pointed at us. “will be undertaking the role of mentor for the tributes of this year's Hunger Games. Your job is to turn these tributes into spectacles, not survivors. The winner of the Nott prize will be chosen based on your ability to make your tribute shine. The mentor might also have a higher chance of winning if their tribute wins the Hunger Games. After the mayor of the district announces the tributes, I will name the student and which tribute they will be mentoring.” Draco was a bit shocked, to say the least. Of course, he would have to mentor someone. But he could do this. As long as he got someone from District 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, he could win.

“Ah, here we start.” Mr. Snape looked up. Right behind the podium was a screen. It currently shows District 1. “The male and female tributes for District 1 are Colin Creevey and Katie Bell.” said the mayor of District 1. “Alecto Carrow for the female tribute and Amycus Carrow for the male tribute.” There was some loud cheering and clapping. The screen showed a blonde woman and a boy around the age of 13 crying. She was hugging the boy, Colin, as he cried. It’s ok. There’s still four more Districts. Draco told himself. The screen now showed District 2. “The male and female tributes for District 2 are Cedric Digory and Lavender Brown.” Theo gasped beside me. “Gregory Goyle for the female tribute and Theodore Nott for the male tribute.” Theo murmured a soft “No” beside Draco. And as much as Draco didn’t like Theo, he felt bad for the boy. District 2 was where Theo originated from. His father bought his way into the capitol. Cedric was probably a friend of Theo. The screen showed a tall boy with blond hair and a girl with brown skin and beautiful box braids. She held her head high and took the boy's hand. The boy looked more angry. Please give me District 3. Draco pleaded with himself. The screen changed yet again. “The male and female tributes for district 3 are Padma Patil and Lee Jordan.” “Astoria Greengrass for the female tribute and Blaise Zabini for the male tribute.” A woman started cheering loudly. Draco assumed it was Blaise’s mother. Who married 7 times. And all of her husbands mysteriously died. Blaise was the only child she ever had. It’s fine. Districts 4 and 5 are still good. The screen now showed district 4. “The male and female tributes for District 4 are Cho Chang and Seamus Finnigan.” On screen, a piercing scream echoes. A woman tries to run toward the male tribute. “NOT MY BABY, PLEASE!” She screams. Two Peacekeepers stop her and pull her back. The woman tries to fight back, but the Peacekeepers hold tightly. The boy is crying and apologizing. The tributes walked up to the stage. The girl is holding the boy’s hand as they walk up. “Pansy Parkinson for the female tribute and Vincent Crabe for the male tribute.” Pansy squeals beside Draco. God damn it! The screen cuts to District 5. “The male and female tributes for District 5 are Henry Chase and Hannah Abbott.” Please, please, please, please. “Tracey Davis for the female tribute and Millicent Bulstrode for the male tribute.”

If Draco is being honest with himself, he has the most urgent urge to crawl in a hole and cry. He has no chance to win the Nott prize now. Of course, he’s being given one of the poorer Districts. How could he ever show the beauty of anyone who lives in a District lower than 5? The screen changes to District 6, and Draco can already see a difference in money. District 6 just looks poor. “The male and female tributes for District 6 are Vernon Dursley and Penelope Clearwater.” The female tribute almost collapsed when walking up to the stage. But the male tribute holds her up. “Mundungus Fletcher for the female tribute and Marvolo Gaunt for the male tribute.” “Fuck.” Draco heard behind him. He assumes its Mundungus. The screen now shows District 7. “The male and female tributes for District 7 are Gilderoy Lockheart and Angelina Johnson.” The female tribute is sobbing hysterically as she walks. The male tribute is holding her up, but it looks like he’s having a hard time. Draco is really starting to panic. He’s never going to win. He’s doomed. He let down the only family member he had left. He thinks Mr. Snape probably had something to do with this. Draco really believed that the professeur hatred for him wasn’t going to ruin his chances of winning. At this point, all that Draco can do is hope he doesn’t get a tribute from District 12. “Victor Krum for the female tribute and Ernie Macmillan for the male tribute.”

The screen changes to District 8 and Draco is hoping his tribute is from District 8. He doesn’t want anyone lower! He wants to prove to himself and everyone that he can do this! “The male and female tributes for District 8 are Dean Thomas and Delphi Riddle.” As the male tribute walks forward, a small child grabs his hand. “Dean, why are you leaving me?” The male tribute starts crying. He hugs the child. Draco can see his lips moving, saying “I’m sorry”. A Peacekeeper approaches and grabs the child. The child is crying and screaming. Begging for Dean to come back. “Julie Arisole for the female tribute and Aurora Sinistra for the male tribute.” Draco lost all hope there. Not like there was any left. The screen changes and District 9 is showing. “The male and female tributes for District 9 are Oliver Wood and Dolores Umbridge.” Draco was going to feel bad for whoever got the female district. She wore a dress of the brightest pink Draco had ever seen. The male tribute just looked dirty. Maybe this Oliver Wood could be Draco’s tribute. He wouldn't mind. He looked strong. “Septima Vector for the female tribute and Myrtle Warren for the male tribute.” Moaning Myrtle got the male tribute instead of him? This thing, Draco though, is rigged. Moaning Myrtle was useless. The only reason she ever made it this far is because her father pays the school greatly. Draco is on his last nerve. If this is rigged, then he is most likely going to get someone from District 12. The screen changes and Draco sees District 10. It looks horrid. Barely any of the people there look clean. “The male and female tributes for District 10 are Zacharias Smith and Emmeline Vance.” Everyone on screen turns toward the tributes. The woman holds her head high and walks forward. On her way, she grabs the boy by the arm and wanks him forward. “Wilkie Twycross for the female tribute and Stan Shunpike for the male tribute.” Draco hangs his head. All that he can hope for is that his tribute will be strong.

“The male and female tributes for District 11 are Walden Macnair and Alicia Spinnet.” Draco looks up at the screen. The male tribute looks like he hasn’t taken a bath in years, which could be true. The female tribute looks a bit more clean, but not by much. “Romilda Vane for the female tribute and Silvanus Kettleburn for the male tribute.” Draco knew it! It was rigged. Mr. Snape didn’t like him, and that meant he would get someone from District 12. Draco didn’t know what he did to Mr. Snape to make him hate Draco. The screen changed for one final time, showing District 12. “The male and female tribute for District 12 are Harry Potter and Marietta Edgecombe.” The female tribute walked to the stage fairly quickly. The male tribute was slower. “I’m sorry, Harry! I didn’t know that would happen!” A boy screamed at the tributes left. The male tribute turned and just smiled. As he walked, he stopped behind a woman and dropped something in her dress. She started screaming uncontrollably and dropped to the floor. “SOMEONE GET IT OUT! PLEASE!” Peacekeepers arrived next to her. A small snake slithered out from the bottom of her dress. As the tribute walked up to the stage, the mayor came up to him and slapped him. He fell to the floor “Susan Bones for the female tribute and Draco Malfoy for the male tribute.” Ah, the boy, Harry, was his tribute. Harry stood up from where he was hit. He looked at Draco. He was probably looking at someone in his district, but Draco believed that Harry was looking at him. He had beautiful green eyes and round glasses. His dark hair was disheveled. Kind of like a bird nest. He wore blue pants and a pink shirt. Draco admired how he stood out from everyone else. A small voice started singing. “Can't take my past. Can't take my history.” Another voice sang. “You could take my pa. But his name's a mystery.” Harry walked to the microphone and started singing.

Nothing you can take from me was ever worth keeping.
Nothing you can take, was ever worth keeping.

“Singing, is he insane?” Murmured Pansy from behind him.

Can't take my charm
Can't take my humor
You can't take my wealth
Cause it's just a rumor
Nothing you can take
Was ever worth keeping'
You can't take my sass
You can't take my talking'
You can kiss my ass!

Harry screamed that last line. Draco stood up and just looked at Harry until the screen went black. Small gasps erupted around the room. Oh, I can work with this. Draco told himself.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry knew he was going to get picked. It was his fault for dating Peter. Who then cheated on him with Nina, the mayor's daughter. But, of course, Nina thought that Peter was cheating on her with Harry. Which landed Harry in the Hunger Games. What a great morning. Will Harry fight? Most likely. Does he want to? Absolutely not. Not even 2 minutes after he left and he already misses his friends. Harry wants to see them again, but the chance that he does is low. He wants to sing with them again. But again, the chance that he does is low. Harry is hoping for a miracle.

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“He can sing!” Draco said to Nymphadora. “I can work with that! He could impress Capitol, and then I could win the Nott prize!” It was all unraveling in Draco’s mind. “I wouldn’t sing for you.” responded Dora. “What? Why?” “You're using him like he’s an object. Like he’s only here to entertain us. He’s a human being too.” “Yes, but that’s what I’m supposed to do! To show him off to the Capitol.” Draco was getting frustrated. Dora didn’t understand. He had to do this. Or he was going to lose. “What if it was your name that they pulled? Wouldn’t you still like to be treated like a human being? And not just an object for entertainment?” Draco's train of thought stopped. Dora was right. Harry was probably scared. And if Draco made him feel welcome, then he could sing for Draco! “You’re right. The tributes are supposed to arrive,” Draco left Dora’s room, went to the kitchen, looked at the time and went back to Dora’s room. ”about 30 minutes. I should go and introduce myself to Harry.” “That’s a good idea, Dray. Now go!” Dora laughed as Draco went to his room. Nymphadora has a very gentle soul, Draco thought. Dora is a stylist. Well apprentice, but she is very good at what she does. Without her, Draco’s school and everyday outfits would be ruined. Draco enjoys going into her room. It’s filled with pictures and drawings of outfits. Dora was tall. Almost taller than Draco. Draco was taller by an inch. An inch he was quite proud of. Her hair was a different color each week. It was always fun when she came back from work and her hair was different. Of course, their grandmother didn’t like it. But it was how Dora expressed herself.

Draco took a shower. He was running out of shampoo, and he had to wash his hair with normal soap. Something he didn’t enjoy, but was necessary. Draco came out of the shower and refused to meet his gaze in the mirror. Draco knew he was handsome, but sometimes, he just couldn’t look at himself. It reminded him too much of what he had to do to survive the war. The scars on his body terrified him, but what could he do about them?

He put on his school uniform. A black shirt over a long-sleeved white blouse. The symbol of a green snake was embroidered on the right side of the black shirt. A black skirt with green highlights completed the look. Black pants too. He fixed his hair, adding some gel to slick it back. His curly hair got in his eyes often, so he slicked them back to avoid that problem. He went to say goodbye to Dora but stopped on his way when he saw one of his grandmother’s red tulips. He took the flower to bring it to Harry later. “Bye Dora.” He kissed his cousin on her cheek and left. He now had around 10 minutes to get to the station. Draco lived in the penthouse of an apartment building. The Malfoys owned the entire top floor. And as soon as he got out of the elevator, he ran to the station. It wasn’t a long walk to the station, but Draco didn’t want to be late. Luckily, he arrived at the same time the train did. He straightened up his shirt and patted down his skirt before making his way to the train.

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Harry was scared. He barely got any sleep last night. A small child named Collin kept crying all through the night, and it was a group effort between the 6 of them in the car of the train to calm him down. There were some bats in the car, too. So he and a boy named Dean tried to keep the bats in the corner while all the others slept around Collin. Harry was glad when the train finally stopped. The doors opened and Peacekeepers entered their car. Collin woke up and screamed when a Peacekeeper grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the car. “Shut up or I'll shoot.” The Peacekeeper said. Collin shut up immediately. Dean and Delphi, both from District 8, jumped out of the car right after Katie, from District 1. She and Collin were from the same District. A Peacekeeper grabbed Harry’s arm and, not gently, pulled him out. Harry yanked his arm back and looked at the Peacekeeper. Behind the Peacekeeper was a boy.

He looked around Harry’s age. He was tall and had beautiful gray eyes. He has blond hair that was slicked back. By the look of his outfit, he was either a student or just really rich. Or maybe both. He walked toward Harry. The Peacekeeper was about to stop the boy, but someone from a distant car started screaming. The boy came up to Harry and bowed a bit. He pulled out a red tulip. “Hello, my name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. I’m your mentor for this year's Hunger Games.” Harry looked at the flower and then the boy, Draco. Harry grabbed the flower. “You know, when I was traveling, before the war, of course, my mother used to ban me from picking some tulips. In fear that we would eat them. The petals are poisonous. Did you know that, Mr. Malfoy?” Draco's eyes widened. He looked hesitant before speaking. “Well, my grandmother likes to plant tulips and I thought it was a nice gift. Sorry if I upset you in any way, it wasn’t my intention. Also, please just call me Draco.” Harry was a tad bit shocked by that response. He thought that Draco would have said something insensitive. “Not to worry. Now, what does my mentor do instead of bringing me flowers?” Draco smiled. His smile was soft but it also looked a tad bit insane. It reminded Harry of Peter. The soft smiles and words before betraying Harry. “I try to make sure you don’t die.” Huh, Harry didn’t know that was something they did for the Hunger Games. Draco saw the confusion on Harry’s face. He opened his mouth to answer his question but Harry was yanked backward by a Peacekeeper. “Move!” “Hey! Wait!” Draco said. The Peacekeeper kept pushing Harry forward. Draco followed closely behind. Harry could hear him walk. The Peacekeeper led him outside and a tank or weird car - Harry didn’t know - waited for them. Other tributes were already waiting in the vehicle. Right in front of him, a boy tried to run away. Harry quietly hoped that he would get away. Harry was then pushed into the vehicle. He turned around and saw Draco running toward him. He pushed his way to the back. The boy who tried to run was pushed into the vehicle a moment later.

The doors closed and 25 people were now stuck in the car/tank. A tap on his shoulder made Harry turn around. “The reason for the mentor is to change the Hunger Games to make them more interesting but also a challenge for the top 24 students at Hogwarts Academy.” “So you’re saying that we’re entertainment?” Someone said behind Harry. He turned around and a boy stood up. “We’re used for your happiness?” Harry looked back at Draco. He looked uncomfortable. “I thought there was no point in lying. That’s what I was told.” “You know what?” Another voice said. It was a girl's voice. “We should just kill him now! Most of us are going to become murderers, might as well start now.” Harry grabbed Draco’s arm. “Now, now,” Harry said. “That’s my mentor. You don’t get to kill him.” Harry could feel Draco relax under his arm. “You also all have mentors.” Draco added. He looked at the girl who suggested murdering him. “You’re Cho Chang right?” The girl's eyes widened. Her eyes looked black in the crappy light of the vehicle. “How did you know?” “During the reaping, my teacher, Mr. Snape, announced who would be mentoring who. Pansy Parkinson, a good friend of mine, will be your mentor.” Cho looked at Draco and then sat down. Little Collin decided to talk for the first time. “Who’s mine?” Draco looked at Collin with a bit of shock. Harry thinks that Draco didn’t expect Collin to look so young. “Well, Collin, your mentor is Amycus Carrow. He has a twin sister named Alecto who is mentoring Katie Bell.” Katie held Collin's hand and smiled at him. “See, I told you we weren't going to be alone.” She looked at Draco. “Are they good?” Draco had a look of panic for barely a second before smiling. “Yes, they are. I sadly don’t know them very well. They mostly keep to themselves. But from the few conversations I had with them, I can say that they are good.” Katie nodded and whispered to Collin. Harry couldn’t hear what she was saying. Dean walked up to Draco. “Can you tell us about all our mentors?” Draco nodded. “For District 2, there’s Gregory Goyle for Lavender Brown and-” Draco was cut off by a loud sound.

The doors opened and the entire vehicle started tilting. The people closer to the door fell immediately. Draco grabbed Harry’s waist and grabbed a handle with his other hand. Harry was too focused on the conversation to take in his surroundings. The wall closest to Harry was filled with weird buttons and wires. There was a bronze circle in the middle of the wall and a metal handle on each side. Two metal benches were on both sides of the vehicle. A lot of the other people with them were holding on to the benches. But they all slipped and fell. “I’m sorry, I can’t hold on.” Draco whispered to Harry before letting go. He converted himself onto Harry and converted Harry’s head with his arms. Why would you do that?” Harry thought. Draco should have converted his head. Not Harry’s. They smacked onto the floor. Draco let go of Harry as they rolled down a small hill. When Harry stopped feeling dizzy, he stood up and looked around. They were at the bottom of a small concrete hill surrounded by grass. A single, thin tree stood on his left. But it was also close to a very tall fence. Harry followed the fence and realized they were stuck behind a huge metal fence. They were trapped in this kind of cage. On the other side of the fence we’re a lot of people. Kids, adults, girls, boys and, a camera? They were being filmed. Harry looked at Draco who was on his right. He had a cut on his forehead. He also seemed to end up to the same conclusion as Harry, they were being filmed. A soft “Oh no.” came out of his mouth.

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They were being filmed! Draco would have never ran into that vehicle if he knew that would happen. Why did he run into the vehicle? That was stupid a decision on his part. And telling the tributes about their mentors! In his defense, Draco was scared. How else could he make the tributes trust him? And that kid, Collin, he looked so young. Draco felt bad for him. Knowing that he had no chance of winning. “Are you alright?” Draco turned his head and Harry was there. He looked concerned. Harry lifted his hand and brought it up to Draco’s forehead. “You’re hurt.” The pain came right after that. Draco must have cut himself on some rocks. Harry reached into his pants. He brought out a handkerchief and gently wiped Draco’s forehead. Harry looked cute when he was this focused. Wait, no. Draco shouldn’t think like that. And it’s not like it was true. Draco was just in pain. That’s why he thought that. No other reasons. “Thank you.” He said after Harry was done. “You! Young man over there! What are you in the Zoo?” A shrill voice said. Draco looked at the direction of the voice. Rita Skeeter was there. She’s the weather woman for Panem. The cameras were now all pointing at Draco. Oh come on! Draco stood up, brushed himself off and took Harry’s hand. He gently pulled on his arm. Harry got the message to get up. “Just follow my lead.” Draco whispered.

Harry nodded and they made their way towards Rita. At the fence, Draco flashed a smile toward the camera and started talking. “Well, my name is Draco Malfoy. And the reason for my appearance here today is because I wanted to introduce Panem Harry Potter. You might know his name, but I wanted to formally introduce you to him.” Draco looked at Harry and smiled. His smile was forced and he hoped Harry could see that. Harry smiled and turned to the camera. “Well, as you know, my name is Harry. I’m 17 and I’m part of a band called the Gryffindors. It’s me and three of my best friends that make up the band.” Harry smiled warmly. Rita smiled back. Rita is a small woman with blond hair. She always carried a notepad and a horrid green pen. Her glasses made her eyes look too big but somehow they fit her face well. “What a nice surprise! And you Mr. Malfoy, are you supposed to be here?” Draco laughed. “Well, no one told me I couldn’t. And I wanted my tribute to feel welcomed by the Capitol. It’s an amazing place, with amazing people, these tributes should enjoy their short time here.”

Honestly, Draco had no idea what he was saying. Somehow, it worked. “Can I touch your glasses?” A small voice said. Draco looked down and a small child was looking at Harry with big eyes. Harry crouched down. “Of course you can. Just try not to break them. I can’t see without them.” Harry took off his glasses and gave them to the small boy. He took the glasses carefully and started laughing. “These are so cool! I’ve never seen glasses as round as yours!” He gave the glasses back to Harry. A small girl approached Harry. “I like your pants. Blue’s my favorite color.” Harry turned to her. “Me too.” He said. The girl smiled and ran back to her parents. Who were smiling too. A third and final kid came up to Harry. He looked a bit older than the other two. “Why did you put the snake in that girl’s dress?” He asked. Harry took longer to answer than the other two. “Well, that girl, her name is Nina Castelila. She and I sadly don’t like each other that much. And I wanted to show her my new pet snake.” The boy made an O with his mouth. He nodded and left. Draco turned to the camera. He had to change the mood. He smiled and grabbed Rita’s arm to get to the microphone she was holding. “And there you have it folks. Harry Potter.” Harry stood up and smiled at the camera too. Rita yanked her arm out of Draco’s hand. “How amazing is this, people of Panem? My name is Rita Skeeter and I’ll see you next time!”

The cameramen put the camera down and Rita walked away. Draco turned away from the fence. He just looked at where he came down from. The vehicle seemed to be gone. And the hill seemed too steep to climb. Even if he managed to make it up there, there were also some fences up the hill. And climbing the fence was also a no-no due to the height of the fence and the spike at the top of the metal bars. So, Draco was stuck in the Zoo. Kids and parents were all around them. “Mr. Malfoy,"said a voice. Draco turned around and a Peacekeeper stood right in front of him on the other side of the fence. “Follow me to the exit please.” Draco followed the Peacekeeper. And there it was! A door with a big lock. Locking everyone inside. Harry grabbed his arm and put his head on Draco’s shoulder. “Food. Please bring some food. A lot of us here are starving.” Draco nodded and made his way to the now-open door. The Peacekeeper had his gun out and pointed at a tribute who was a bit too close to the door. Draco exited quickly. He looked back at Harry. I’ll be back soon. He mouthed. Harry gave a short nod.

Draco then started running. Shit! School! Draco completely forgot that he was supposed to be at Hogwarts Academy today. It was supposed to be a short trip anyway! Go, introduce himself to Harry, go to school. He hoped Mr. Snape wouldn't be too angry with him if Draco was late.

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Luckily, Draco was on time. But the last in the classroom. Of course Mr. Snape would be there. He smiled a horrible smile and gestured to Draco to take his seat. Draco sat down in his spot, next to Pansy. She smiled at him. Which surprised Draco. Draco was expecting cold shoulders from everyone. He went to see his tribute and then got stuck in the Zoo with them. He also gave a small interview. Draco knows himself enough to know that if someone else did that, he would be jealous that he hadn’t thought of that first.

“Well, isn’t Draco Malfoy. Came to grace us with your presence?” Mr. Snape spoke. Draco could feel his cheeks going red. How could he respond to that? “No response? Of course not. Anyways, let’s get on with today's lesson.” “Not so fast Mr. Snape.” Draco turned his head toward the backdoor of the classroom. The classroom was weirdly built. It was in the form of a circle with a rectangle desk in the center. The front door had a clear path to the desk in the middle of the room. Twelve double desks surrounded the desk in the middle. There was a back door to the classroom. If someone were to enter from that door, they would have to shimmy around the desks to get to the middle. Draco had a love-hate relationship with this classroom. His other classrooms were a desk in the front and singular desks in rows in front of the main desk. Draco was usually always in the front of the class. In Mr. Snape’s class, he sat in the back. It was pretty weird for Draco being so far back. ANd the room being a circle didn’t help.

Dr. Trelawney was standing next to Blaise and Susan’s desk. “I think we should celebrate Mr. Malfoy for his brilliant idea. Why did you go see your tribute?” Draco’s heart was beating so loudly. He started to wonder if Pansy could hear it. If Draco said something wrong, it could end his days at Hogwarts Academy. Dr. Trelawney had the power to kick him out of Hogwarts. Something Draco didn’t want to happen. She started walking towards Draco and Pansy’s desk. Their desk wasn’t that far away from Blaise’s. “I went to see him to get him to trust me. So that he could sing when I asked him too. Mr. Snape asked us to turn these tributes into spectacles, that’s what I’m doing.” Draco was hoping he said the right thing. Dr. Trelawney stopped right next to Draco. “Very intelligent Mr. Malfoy. Ever since this morning, more people have come to the Zoo to admire the tributes. Your tribute, Harry Potter, sure is getting a lot of attention. Even sang a little. Did you ask him to do that?” “No, he must have done that on his own.” Draco was screaming internally, He so wanted this conversation to end. Dr. Trelawney had such a mystical air. It freaked him out.

Dr. Trelawney smiled. “Let me ask you one last question. What are the Hunger Games for?” It seemed like the air in the classroom got thicker. Like everyone was holding their breath. Too scared to make a sound. “To punish the Districts. To remind them of the destruction and grief they caused the people in the Capitol.” Not a single sound could be heard in the classroom. Dr. Trelawney started laughing. “Close, but not exactly right. Mr. Malfoy.” She smiled at Draco. A kind of twisted smile. “Sadly, fewer people watched the Hunger Games the last few times. We want the Games to continue this tradition. To, in your words, punish the district. I-” She got cut off by Theo standing up and knocking his chair down. Theo sat a few feet in front of Draco. “This is awful! You are killing kids!” He turned around and looked at Dr. Trelawney. “Those people had lives! Families, friends! And you and your sick Games are taking that away from them! You don’t care for them!” Draco had to do something. He stood up too. “Theo is right. The Capitol doesn't care for these tributes. We should do something about it.” Draco was spitballing over here. He was hoping someone could save him! “Like, a gambling thing.” A crap. Why did he say that? “Oh, a gambling thing. Tell me more?” Dr. Trelawney said. Oh no no no nononononono. “Well, the people of the Capitol could pay to send things like um.” LIKE WHAT?? THINK DRACO! “Water! or food. And then we could send them in the arena to the tribute.” Oh god. Why did Draco stand up? Why did he stop Theo? Draco didn’t like Theo! But, he is right. Killing people is bad. Draco had to ignore that. He needed the Nott prize. “What a great idea Mr. Malfoy. I would like you to write an essay, with more details, about the idea you just had.” Pansy also stood up. “I’ll do it with him! It’s just, we do all of our work together. We should do this one too.” Dr. Trelawney looked at Pansy. “Very well Miss. Parkinson. Your work should be on my desk by Friday morning.” Draco sat back down. Pansy followed, but Theo stayed standing up. Draco wasn’t happy. Not only did he have to write an essay with Pansy, he had to go to Dr. Trelawney lab’s to give the essay. Draco really didn’t want to go there.

She walked to Mr. Snape. It took her a while. Trying to shimmy around the other desks. She whispered something in the teacher’s ear. Mr. Snape’s eyes widened. She walked out of the classroom. “Dr. Trelawney asked that Mr. Malfoy, Miss. Parkinson and Mr. Nott to exit the classroom to calm down a bit. And to not return to class.” Draco looked at the clock, which was right on top of the door. There were still 50 minutes left in class. And Draco had a free period after. Mr. Snape looked pretty angry. And so did Draco. Unlike Mr. Snape, Draco could leave. He went to take his bag, but realized he had forgotten it. Of course he had. He stood up. Draco looked at Pansy and smiled. “Are you coming?” Pansy smiled back and grabbed her stuff. They both exited the classroom. “We should grab some food from the Great Hall.” Pansy said. “Why?” “So we have something to eat while we write the essay, silly!” Draco stopped walking and looked at Pansy. She noticed and walked back to Draco. “What?” “You really want to work on it?” “I do. I want to add my own ideas to yours.” She grabbed Draco’s arm. “Come on now!” They walked to the Great Hall.

There was always food in the Great Hall. Not once did Draco walk in the Hall and there was no food. Draco grabbed a sandwich for himself, but also for Harry. He refused to forget the promise he made to Harry. Draco doesn’t understand why he longs to see Harry. He can’t wait to see Harry again. Draco also doesn’t want to try to understand his feelings. So, he follows Pansy around the Great Hall. She found a table for both of them. “Alright, I have an idea for your idea.” They both sat down and Pansy took out her notebook. “What’s your brilliant idea?” Draco asked. Pansy rolled her eyes. “What about an interview?” “An interview? We were already told that there was going to be one.” Draco had gotten a letter when he arrived home after the Reaping mentioning that the tributes were going to partake in an interview. And that he, as a mentor, had to prepare the tributes for it. “I know. But what if we make it more interesting? Like during the interviews, citizens from the Capitol could send money to their favorite tributes so that when we want to send something to our tribute, we already have the money for it!” That was actually a good idea. “That’s good. But how could they send the money?” Pansy was quiet for a moment. She was tapping her pen against the table. When the door to the Great Hall opened, both him and Pansy turned their heads to see who entered the Hall. The classes were still going, unless the conversation Draco and Pansy just had lasted 50 minutes, which he doubted. Theo walked in with his head low. Pansy made a sound and Draco turned his head to look at her. She laughed loudly. “Oh, Draco! You’re so funny!” At the same time she spoke she carefully closed her notebook and shoved it in her bag. Pansy then took a bite out of Draco’s sandwich. “Hey! I was saving that for later.” Draco said. Theo walked past them. Draco understood what Pansy was doing. She was pretending like they weren’t talking about the tributes or the Hunger Games. They both knew it set Theo off. Theo walked back to them with a chair. “I hope you don’t mind.” He said as he sat down. Draco and Pansy just looked at each other. Not quite sure what to do next. Theo sighed loudly. “I hate this.” He said. Draco looked at Theo, took a deep breath and spoke. “Hate what?” Draco was hoping that future Draco wasn’t going to hate him.

“Well, my tribute, Cedric Diggory, he and I used to be friends back when I lived in District 2.” Ah. Future Draco does hate past Draco for asking. Pansy made a whining sound. “Poor you. That must be really hard.” Draco knew a liar when he saw one. He was a liar himself. And Pansy was lying. She didn’t care. “I’m sorry Theo.” Draco said. Theo shook his head slowly and looked up at the both of them. “It’s fine. He probably won’t listen to me. Which means he’ll probably die.” Wow, Theo. Way to bring down the mood. Draco was looking for an opportunity to leave. “Well, I think I’m going to take my leave.” Pansy said. Draco looked at Pansy. He hoped his expression pleaded to Pansy to bring Draco along. Pansy smiled at Draco. “I’m sure Draco will stay with you.” She grabbed her bag and left. Draco was flabbergasted. How could she leave him with Theo? He was obviously sad and Draco didn’t know how to respond to that. Draco looked at Theo and had a brilliant idea. “Why don’t you come with me to see the tributes? I was about to give Harry a sandwich.” Théo smiled at Draco. “Good idea.” he said. He stood up. He didn’t have his school bag with him. Neither did Draco so he couldn’t judge Theo for that. They walked out the Great Hall after Theo picked up a sandwich and some water for his tribute. Draco then also grabbed some water. They walked in silence to the Zoo. It was around a 10 minute walk and Draco didn’t want to spend the 10 minutes talking to Theo. The chance that Theo would start to talk about the Hunger Games and how wrong they are were very likely. Draco knew, deep inside, that the Games were wrong. It was cruel to force people to kill each other. But at the same time, the Districts caused so much pain and destruction to the Capitol.

Draco’s parents would probably still be alive if it weren’t for the war. If his dad never went to fight. If his mother didn’t succumb to sickness. Maybe his father wouldn’t have been kidnapped and killed. Maybe they would have been able to get the medicine for Draco’s mother. Maybe he and Dora wouldn’t have had to dig through trash to find food. Maybe he wouldn’t have been stuck under debris of rocks and his back would be free of scars. Maybe they would still have money today. Draco didn’t like to think about the ‘maybe’ or the ‘what if’. Draco fell into a circle of what if’s and maybe’s when thought about it too much. It often made him sad. Draco had to stop thinking about it. He didn’t want to cry in front of Theo. Like his father always said “Hide your emotions. Only let yourself feel when you are alone.”

“Did you know?” Theo’s voice brought him back from his thoughts. “Know what?” “About the tributes being put in a Zoo. That’s why you went to see Harry, right?” Of course Theo would think that. That Draco only went to see Harry because he knew there would be a Zoo and some cameras. “No. I just went to introduce myself. I wanted Harry to trust me.” Theo made a Hmm sound. “So he could sing?” “Yes. I said that in class. It’s not like a big secret or anything.” Draco was getting annoyed. Why would Theo ask questions he already knew the answer to? “Sorry, I forgot.” Liar. The air grew thick. Luckily for Draco, the Zoo was coming up. He started running. Not only to get away from Theo, but also he wanted to see Harry. He didn’t understand his urge to see him. Draco just liked being with Harry. Stop that Malfoy! Don’t think about that. Just give Harry the food and water. He stopped running a few feet before the Zoo’s huge fence. He caught his breath and walked towards the fence. There were many children and families around. Draco's eyes found Harry immediately. His pink shirt was really bright compared to the other colors in the Zoo. “Harry.” Draco said loudly when he reached the fence. Harry was sitting against a rock on the left side of the Zoo. Draco hadn’t noticed the rock when he first saw the Zoo. Harry was sitting next to a girl. She looked around the same age as Harry. She was really pale compared to Harry’s tanner skin. Her hair was a weird shade of orange. Not exactly red to be ginger but not light enough to be blonde. Marietta. That’s her name. Harry turned his head toward Draco. When he saw Draco, he smiled. He whispered something to Marietta and stood up. He walked to Draco. “Hi.” He said. Draco, who was carrying everything in his hands, gave Harry the sandwich and water. “Hi. Here you go.” Harry smiled. “Thank you.” Draco looked at Harry. He was amazed by the green of his eyes. “Do I have something on my face?” Harry asked. Draco blinked. He was staring. “Um, no just um.” Draco could feel his cheeks turning red. “I was just thinking about the interviews.” Good save Draco. Like really. Harry’s gonna ask a question now. “What interview?” Called it. “For the first time, the tributes are going to partake in an interview. Tomorrow, you’ll be taken out of the Zoo and brought to my school. We’ll talk about it and then we’re supposed to do a quick visit to the arena.”

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The only thought in Harry’s brain was:
Fuck.

Chapter Text

“So you’re telling me, that I have to show off to the Capitol in an interview, and then explore the place I will most likely die.” Harry looked at Draco with, he hoped, furry in his eyes. Draco audibly swallowed. “I’m sorry, I’m not the one who decided to do that. I’m not sure if it’ll make you feel better, but me and my friend, Pansy, came up with an idea.” Harry wasn’t sure if the Idea was going to be a good one. “What is it?” Harry asked. Draco hesitated. “It’s kind of a gambling idea. People from the Capitol can send money during the interview. So while you’re in the arena, I could send you things. Like water or food.” Harry didn’t hate that idea. It was awful to force people to perform, but then if he wanted to survive, food and water were important to his survival. But Harry didn’t want to perform for it.

Then it hit him. “You don’t think I can win. You came to see me so that you could ask me to sing. You’re using me. Why?” Draco said nothing back. Harry didn’t like Draco anymore. He seemed so nice and he even protected Harry when they fell into the Zoo. Draco finally spoke. “I’m sorry. Our last school project is to mentor the tributes. We were asked to turn the tributes into spectacle. We were given a paper with all of the rules and what was going to happen. The Nott prize, 100 000 gallions, was going to be given to the best mentor. I understand if you want me to leave.” Draco lowered his head. Harry wants Draco to leave. But, Draco just told him the truth. Maybe not the whole truth, but a bit of it. Harry grabbed Draco’s shirt and yanked him against the fence. Draco yelped when he made contact with the fence. “Listen to me Draco. I don’t care about any stupid prize worth a lot of money. If you’re only helping me so that you can win. Using me for your own benefit, I won’t even talk to that stupid interview. But if you really care about me, want to help me win so I won’t die, maybe I’ll talk in the interview.”

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Draco did use Harry. It was his plan. But why did Draco feel bad about it? He doesn’t even know Harry that well. They had only spoken once before. This was their second conversation without interruption. Draco grabbed Harry’s arm and tugged at it. Harry let Draco go. He was glaring at Draco still. He knew Harry was mad at him. But what could Draco do? It’s not like he asked to be a mentor. How could Draco answer Harry’s question? “I wanted to use you. I’m-” Draco cut himself off. He couldn’t tell Harry about his family or his situation with money. Even if Harry dies in the arena, it doesn’t mean he won’t tell others about it. “I’m really sorry, but the Nott prize means a lot to me. When I used to watch the Hunger Games when I was seven, I didn’t know that people actually died. Still didn’t until I met all of the tributes. I realized you are real people. Humans, like me. I do care for you. I came up with the idea of sending stuff in the games literally an hour ago to help all of you.” Draco didn’t lie, but he didn’t tell the whole truth. Yes, he used to watch the Hunger Games and be amazed by the people in there. The first time he saw the Games, most tributes died before making it to the Capitol. But the tributes that did make it, fought hard. The Games lasted one or two days. Draco sometimes wished he could fight like that. But he got older. When he was around 15, he started to see the tributes as actual people. He felt bad for them. He technically didn’t lie to Harry when he said he didn’t realize the tributes were actual people a few years after the first Hunger Game. And he does care for Harry, but he cares for Dora and his grandmother more. He needs that prize. Harry’s features softened. His eyes showed pity. Like he could read Draco’s thoughts about his family. “Alright, I’ll talk for the interview.” Harry turned around and walked back to his rock. He sat down next to Marietta and showed her the sandwich and water. Marietta smiled, she then took half of the sandwich. Harry took the other half. They both smiled at each other. Draco felt… something. It felt hot. Not like rage, but something else. Draco wanted to sit down next to Harry and eat with him.

Draco blinked. wow. Not only had he been staring at Harry intensively, he also had some weird thoughts. Draco looked up at the sun. He guessed it was around 10:30. It’s been around an hour and a half since his first class started. Which means he has another 40 minutes until lunch. Draco started to walk away when he noticed Theo trying to talk to Cedric. It was very obvious that Cedric was ignoring Theo(his back was facing Theo). Cedric was well built. His strawberry blonde hair was now all dirty.

“Please.” Theo begged. Cedric opened his eyes. From where Draco was standing, Theo was a few paces to his right. When Cedric turned around, his eyes landed on Theo. He walked to Theo and grabbed the food from him. He whispered something that Draco didn’t catch. Theo backed up from the fence. Cedric smiled and walked away. When Draco approached Theo, Theo held his hand up and walked away. Alright then. Draco walked away from the Zoo. A few paces behind Theo. “Please.” A small voice said. Draco barely heard it. He turned around and saw a boy with blonde hair reaching out of the fence. His hair almost looked golden.

Gilderoy, that was his name. He looked around the age of 15-16. Ernie was dangling a bottle of apple juice. The bottle was made of glass, Draco always thought it was stupid for it to be made of glass. “Grab it.” Ernie said. He was laughing. This continued for a bit. Draco almost went and gave the bottle to Gilderoy, but he didn’t want to get on Ernie’s bad side. Ernie, in the nicest way possible, was insane. Something happened to him during the war. He used to be a sweet kid. Draco and him played a lot together in the park next to Ernie’s house. When the Districts rebelled and the first battle started, Ernie and his family were at the park. There were some rumors that his entire family was killed in front of him. He hasn’t been the same ever since. He doesn’t talk about it.

Draco saw the exact moment where Gilderoy snapped. The air shifted and his eyes looked dead. Gilderoy managed to snatch the bottle from Ernie and grabbed his arm at the same time. He broke the bottle against the metal fence. The glass bottle broke. Draco knew that Ernie was going to die. And yet, he still started running toward Ernie. Gilderoy shoved the broken bottle in Ernie’s neck. Ernie made a sound, like he wanted to scream, but all that came out was a wet whimper. He fell to the ground. Gilderoy was still holding his arm. Draco realized he had stopped running. He willed his legs to move, to get where Ernie’s body was lying. His hands were at his throat, blood was oozing from in between his fingers. Draco had to get to him, to save him. His leg started working again and ran. He dropped to his knees and put his hands at Ernie’s throat. Gunshots were fired and a body thump on the ground. A Peacekeeper had just killed Gilderoy. Draco couldn’t focus on that right now. He had to save Ernie. While keeping one hand on Ernie’s neck, Draco managed to get rid of his school shirt. It was on Ernie’s neck and still on Draco’s arm. But the blood didn’t stop. “It’s ok. You’ll be fine. Please Ernie.” Draco kept whispering these words over and over. Even when Ernie died, when the light vanished from his eyes, when his arms went limp. Draco’s shirt, hands, pants, blouse, were tainted with blood. “Please, please, please, please.” Draco beged. Over and over. Ernie had been one of Draco’s first friends. They might have stopped talking, but Draco still cared for him.

Draco was grabbed from behind. He started thrashing around. To not get caught. His grandmother always told him that no matter what, he should not be caught when he and Dora went out to get food. Draco was sent back to when he was seven. When he first killed a man. He took Draco from behind, Dora screamed out for him. Draco took his little knife that he always had hidden in his sleeve, and stabbed the man. But when he tried this time, a hand stopped him. The man didn’t drop to the floor, and Draco didn’t stab him a second time. This time, the knife was thrown from his hand. “Stand down, you’re ok.” A voice said. Peacekeeper. Draco wasn’t seven, he was seventeen. Draco was not outside of his house, he was at the Zoo. And Ernie is dead. Gilderoy is dead. And Harry is looking at him with horror. The Peacekeeper turns him around. Draco see’s Theo coming to Draco. It’s the last thing he sees before the world goes black.

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Harry can only stare, as Draco passes out. Another boy, tall, light brown skin and dark hair slit back catches Draco when he falls forward. He takes Draco bridle style and tells something to the Peacekeeper. The Peacekeeper nodes and turns back toward the Zoo. In total, there are around ten Peacekeepers. Two of them pick up the boy's dead body from the other side of the fence. Harry believes the boy’s name is Ernie. He heard Draco say his name. The other eight Peacekeepers come inside the Zoo. Two of them picked up Gilderoy's body. “Where are you taking him?” Someone said. It was a girl. Her long brown hair was tied up in a ponytail and her eyes were blazing. Harry could only see half of her face and he knew not to mess with her. WHat was her name? A Peacekeeper aimed they’re gun at her. “Where will his body go?” “If you don’t stand down, we’ll have to shoot you.” Angelina, that was her name. “I don’t care, where will he go?” “That’s not of your concern, sit back down.” The Peacekeeper cocked they’re gun. “That is my concern! Where is he-” The Peacekeeper shot her. Screams erupted everywhere. Marietta shoved her head in Harry’s shoulder. Harry closed his eyes. He heard the Peacekeepers shouting for everyone to shut up. It was deadly quiet. The only sound left was the sound of boots stomping around and a gate closing. Harry didn’t dare open his eyes. He didn’t think he would be able to look at the blood and the remains of the tributes from District 7.

Chapter Text

Draco woke up to someone crying. It was very soft, barely audible. Draco opened his eyes. He was in his room. He recognized his ceiling instantly. It was practically falling apart. He had spent many nights counting the cracks. Last he counted, there were 35. 10 big ones and 25 small ones. Draco turned his head and Dora was sitting there. “What happened?” He asked. His voice, a whisper. Draco wasn’t able to talk louder. Dora’s head snapped up. Her hair was blue now. A bright neon blue. It looked like she also cut it shorter. “Oh Dray.” She got up from her chair and hugged Draco. She held on for a long time before sitting back down. She took a deep breath before speaking. “You passed out after a Peacekeeper dragged you away from the um, Zoo. Theo brought you back home.” It all came back to Draco. Ernie died in his arms. Gilderoy also died. Draco left his bed in a hurry to the bathroom. Forgetting he had one in his room, and going straight to the one closest to the kitchen. Draco barely made it to the toilet before he puked.

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Draco felt a hand on his back. The hand was moving up and down. “It’s ok Dray. It’s ok.” Dora. Dora was in the bathroom with him. Draco slumped forward on the toilet. “How, how long was I out?” Draco could barely talk. His voice didn’t feel like working. “About 13 hours. Theo said you passed out around 10:40. It’s now 1:53 in the morning. I’m going to get you a glass of water.” Dora kissed the back of his head. Draco heard the door open and close. He started crying. Why couldn’t Draco save Ernie? He did all the right things! Put pressure on the wound, wait for help. He even talked to Ernie. Draco puked again. He had blood all over his hands. His shirt too. Draco didn’t know the human body could contain so much blood. It wouldn’t stop oozing out. It wouldn’t. Draco looked at his hands. There was no trace of blood. He turned his hands to see the back of them. No blood there either. He pushed himself off the toilet bowl and dragged himself to the nearest wall. He sat down and looked down. He wasn’t in his school uniform anymore. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Draco looked back up. He wiped his tears. But no matter how much he willed them to stop, the tears still came. He couldn’t breathe. He tried and tried and tried. He tried his best for his breath to even out but he couldn't. He tried and tried and tried his best to stop his tears. Why, why, why, why, why, why, why him? He just wanted to help Ernie. He didn’t want Ernie to die. They were good friends. Why why why why why. Why couldn’t Draco do the right thing? He just wanted to say “Hi” to Harry. If he never did that, none of the mentors would have come to the Zoo. Ernie wouldn’t have tormented poor Gilderoy. And Ernie would be alive.

Dora came back. She sat down next to Draco. “Her Draco, can you look at me?” Draco turned his head toward her. She smiled softly at Draco. “We’ll take a deep breath together alright.” She inhales loudly and Draco follows her lead. He exhaled when she did. Again and again. Until Draco could breathe alone, until he calmed down. “Good, you’re doing amazing.” Dora kept saying. Her voice breaking. “Are you better now?” Dora asked. Draco could only nod. Nymphadora passed him a glass of water. Draco took it. The glass shook. Draco’s hands were shaking. Dora sat down next to him and put her head on his shoulder. Draco slowly drank the water. It helped remove the awful taste in his mouth. “I’ll sleep in your room. Okay Draco?” Draco didn’t think he could talk back to Dora. He nodded. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I promised you you wouldn’t have to see death anymore. I’m sorry the Hunger Games happened. You see death every year now. I’m so sorry Draco.” Dora started to cry. Draco wanted to tell her the Hunger Games weren’t her fault. That the promise she made didn’t matter to Draco. The only thing that mattered was that she was alive. Draco put the cup on the icy floor and put his head on top of Dora’s. “It’s ok.” He whispered. Dora took his hand into hers. They never did move. They just stayed on the bathroom floor. Quietly crying together.

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Druella Rosier likes to think of herself as an amazing care keeper and strong woman. She took care of her daughter when her husband died. She took care of her daughter when she had a miscarage. She took care of her daughter when her son was extremely sick. She stood tall next to her grandkids and son-in-law as her three daughters were buried. All died at the same time. Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda. Her beautiful daughters. Taken from her. But Druella promised herself to take care of little Draco and Nymphadora. That promise became even more important when Lucius died. It was a hard loss for Draco. And herself. But, she couldn’t afford to break, not when she had grandkids to take care of. For the first time in years, Druella Rosier cried when she saw Draco and Nymphadora, on the bathroom floor sleeping with tear tracks on their faces. Her grandkids, her sweet grandkids, who always took care of her. Who always made her smile. Who never gave up. Who pretended everything was fine, when it wasn’t. Who found ways to keep their house. Who found ways to have food on the table every night. Her grandchildren, who had witnessed death over and over. Who had scars all over their bodies. Her grandchildren, who were sleeping on the bathroom floor. Druella wiped her tears, straightened her back and went to get a blanket. “Narcissa, Andromeda, you would be so proud of your kids.” Druella whispered softly. She grabbed the warmest blanket from her room. The blanket she had made for Bellatrix. Her first born. The blanket that Bellatrix always used to sleep with. She slowly made her way back to the bathroom, the only one with a bathtub, and wrapped her grandkids with the blanket. Druella didn’t feel like a good care keeper or strong woman, when she sat down next to her grandkids and cried.

✧ ᩿✧

Draco woke up. Dora was still sitting next to him, sleeping. When his eyes adjusted to the poor light of the bathroom, he could mark out the shadow of someone else in the bathroom. Draco leaned forward and saw his grandmother’s head on Dora’s shoulder. He also noticed the blanket her grandmother always slept with. She was also sleeping. Draco wondered what happened after he fell asleep. Ernie’s dead. Right. He had to get ready for school. He couldn’t afford to be late. Not today. Not when Harry depended on him. He slowly took Dora’s head and pushed it onto his grandmother’s head. He waited a few beats before standing up and leaving the bathroom. He went to his room and grabbed his uniform. Lucky him, he had two of the same uniform. Which means he didn’t have to find and clean his blood stained one. Draco went to his bathroom and took a quick shower. The quickest he ever took. He dried himself and changed. He brushed his teeth and styled his hair. Draco went to the kitchen, looked at the time… It was 5am. 4 hours since the last time he knew the time. Technically, Draco didn’t need to be awake till 7:00, 8:00 max. And he was still tired. He made his way to the bathroom slowly and quietly. He didn’t want to disturb his cousin or grandmother. And anyways, his grandmother always woke up at 6:30 sharp. Even without an alarm clock. He and Dora once woke up at 6:00 to see if it was true. It is. When the clock struck 6:30, his grandmother’s eyes opened. She looked at the closet, where Draco and Nymphadora hid, and told them to get out of the closet. It scared Draco for a good week. When Draco arrived in the bathroom, he settled next to Dora and laid his head on her shoulder. He could feel her shoulders moving up and down, she was breathing. That’s good. Draco closed his eyes. And fell asleep to the movement of Dora’s breathing.

Draco woke up to his grandmother’s hand on his cheeks. “Come on Draco, it’s time to wake up. You have school.” Draco opened his eyes. His grandmother smiles at him. “I’ll make you breakfast alright.” She stood up and left the bathroom. Draco stood up. The blanket was gone and so was Dora. He looked at himself in the mirror. He placed his hair and straightened his uniform. He went to his bathroom, brushed his teeth and went to the kitchen. Draco recognized the smell of toast immediately. “How did you get some brea?” Draco asked. Dora, who was sitting at the kitchen table and smiled. “Your dear friend Theo and his mother came by not too long ago.” Draco looked at the time, it was 8:30. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier! I only have 30 minutes to get to school!” “Calm down boy.” His grandmother told him. “I talked to Mr. Snape and Dr. Trelawney and they both agreed that you could have the day off. But you had to come back for the interview preparation at 1:00 this afternoon.” His grandmother was at the counter. She was waiting for the toast to be done. Draco just stood there. “You told me I had school!” She laughed. “There would be no other way to get you to eat. But Nymphadora had to say that Theodore came.” Dora’s jaw dropped. “Well it’s not like we could have lied! He knows when I lie! I swear” His grandmother and Dora laughed. “I once told him my hair changed colors magically and he looked at me like I committed a huge crime by telling him that!” Dora said between laughter. Draco couldn’t stop himself and joined in the laughter.

For a second he was brought back to when he was younger. When his mother used to take him into her arms, and laugh at whatever her father told her. Draco misses them a lot. He can’t remember them well though. He lost his dad and then his mom when he was 7. His mom died right before the end of the war and his dad right after the idea of the Hunger Games. Draco kept thinking back, when his mother died. Draco remembers that day like it was yesterday. Draco had begged his mother to go with her to the market. Her, Aunt Dromeda and Bella would be going. The Capitol reopened the market for one day, with all of the supplies needed to survive the end of the war. The Capitol promised that the war would end soon. To celebrate that, they would open the market, the one closest to Draco’s house, for one day. Draco’s mom refused for Draco to come with. Saying it was dangerous. Aunt Dromeda agreed and said that Dora could stay with Draco to play with him. The market blew up. Draco was never told whether his mother was inside the market or outside. He was never told whether she was in pain or not. No one told him anything. Draco’s father held him when they buried his mom. It was the only time Draco ever saw his father cry. A few months later, when the war had ended, the Hunger Games was in place, his father was shot. They never caught the man who did it. If Draco really thinks about it, he could have died if he went to the market with his mother. He could have died if his father agreed to take him to the park, the day he died.

But Draco learned that thinking that way wouldn’t solve anything. His parents would still be dead even if he wished they weren’t. He would still be alive, even if he sometimes wished otherwise. And so, he decided to just keep laughing with his grandmother and Nymphadora. Forgetting about last night.

Chapter Text

When his grandmother finally let him leave the house, Draco made his way to Hogwarts Academy. By the time he would arrive, the tributes should already be in the Room of Requirement. The room is called that way because it doesn’t really have a single purpose. People use that room for whatever reason they need. Only 23 tributes are left. And Ernie is dead. Draco was scared. He was scared to face Harry after what had happened. He didn’t want Harry to pity him or think of him differently. Draco was scared, most of all, that Harry would ask questions. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to answer them. The memory is still too clear in his head. He felt a hand grab his hand. Pansy. “Good afternoon Pansy.” He said. Pansy made herself visible to Draco. She smiled at him. A soft smile. “I’m sorry about Ernie. I knew you and him used to be friends.” Draco just nodded. Of course Pansy had to continue the conversation. “I mean, Ernie had to see it coming. The tributes are animals. Of course Ernie’s tribute was going to kill him. Have you heard yet? Another tribute was killed. Right after they went to collect District 7 male tribute, they shot the female one because she wouldn’t back down. The details aren’t clear.” Angelina, that was her name. Only 22 tributes left then. Draco shut off his brain, if that makes sense. He didn’t want to think about it. He didn’t want to spiral. Not like last night. Hogwarts was coming up. “No, I haven’t heard of it yet.” “Victor is really pissed about it because his tribute died and he won’t be able to win the Nott prize anymore.”

They started they’re way up the stairs. Hogwart is made of rocks. The outside looked old. It looked like a single gust of wind could make the building collapse. The inside was a completely different story. The walls were all made of dark mahogany(for some reason). Most of the floor was made of quartz. Random highlights of gold were added a bit everywhere. Even if it wasn’t pleasing to the eye, it mostly showed how rich the Capitol is. The show that even with the rebellion of the District, we still had money and pride blah blah. Draco thought it was stupid. There are more ways to show off you had money then make a school with walls and highlights that barely matched. And they only renovated the entrance of the school. The farther you went from the entrance, the more beat down it looked. The Room of Requirement was literally the room farthest away from the entrance. Rubles were piled up against the wall and the old red and yellow design on the floor barely showed. Why would the tributes go there if the Capitol wanted to show off the money they had? Draco hated it. He sometimes wished he was the(first ever) President or at least Dr. Trelawney! He could do some actual change!

“Earth to Draco. You’re going the wrong way.” Pansy's voice was right in his ear. “Right, sorry. “ Draco turned into the wrong corridor. And he was in Hogwarts. He didn’t even realize when he entered the school. “Hey Pansy, why weren’t you in school today?” “Oh, I skipped. My mother told me what happened with Ernie and I guessed that you wouldn’t be here. And I didn’t want to face Dr. Trelawney alone. We both forgot to do the work.” That’s not exactly true. Draco did it today while he was at home. “I did it today actually. I added your ideas to it also.” Draco reached into his bag, which was slung over one of his shoulders. He grabbed the paper and offered it to Pansy. “You can read it if you want.” Pansy smiled. “No need, I trust you.” Draco put the paper back in his bag. They continued their walk in silence. Their silence was broken when someone laughed. “Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson. I hope you’ve finished the assignment.” Thank god Draco brought the paper with him. “We have.” Draco reaches into his bag. He gives his paper to Dr. Trelawney. Draco’s handwriting was pretty small. He managed. to fit all of the information on one side of the paper. Something he was proud of. Dr. Trelawney took the paper. “Why, thank you.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She left and started laughing. Draco and Pansy looked at each other. Instead of talking about it, they just kept on walking. They finally made it to the Room of Requirement. Or course they were last. M. Snape walked to them. His black robe made him look like he was floating. “2 minutes late. You had 20 minutes to talk to your tribute, you only have 15 now. You’ll wait here for another 3 minutes.” “What? That’s not fair!” Pansy whined. M. Snape looked at her and she shut her mouth.

Draco took those 3 minutes to try and find Harry. All the tributes and mentors sat at a small squared shape table. The tributes were handcuffed to the table. The tables were around 5 feet apart from one another. Those tables wouldn’t fit side by side in a long line, hence why they were positioned in a circle, Draco assumed. The tributes were on the inside of the circle while the mentor was on the outside. Draco found Pansy’s tribute almost immediately. Cho was right in front of them. She kept looking around. Her head never stopped moving. Draco kept looking for Harry. When Draco finally found Harry, M. Snape told them they could go. Draco ran to the other side of the room, where Harry was.

✧ ᩿✧

“You’re late.” Was the first thing Harry told Draco. What a great mentor he was. Being late to talk about how Harry would survive. “I know, I’m sorry. But I have an idea. Remember when we talked about you singing, well if you do sing, the people from the Capitol could send you money and then I could send you water and food!” “Draco, you told me this already.” “Yes, but I didn’t mention the idea of you singing. You’re second to last, you want to make a great impression so that the Capitol sends you money. And that you can survive!” Harry thinks about it. Like really thinking about it. At this point, he’s not sure if Draco is only using him for the prize money or he actually wants Harry to win. “Do you care about me?” Harry decided to ask. Draco looked up. And then back at Harry. “I do. I want you to win. I-” Draco cut himself off. “I want to see you again. After all of this is over.” Harry is pretty sure his jaw dropped. Draco isn’t lying. There’s nothing that indicates any lying. “Alright.” Harry says. “You’ll sing?” Draco asked. “Yes. But now, tell me how to win.” “Don’t worry in about 13 minutes, we’ll leave to go see the arena. We can find hiding spots and ways for you to survive.” Harry is a bit surprised. Draco didn’t mention anything about him killing others. “What about killing? There’s no way I’m getting out of the arena without killing someone.” Draco is looking at him. He’s not saying anything. “I assume you don’t want to kill anyone. And I won’t force you to. And I know that you will most likely kill someone, but I don’t want to force you to kill as many people as you can. I’m sure others are telling their tributes that. I don’t want that for you, Harry.” Harry thinks he might cry. No one has ever said that to Harry. Ever given him free will to do what he truly wanted. Which is a bit ironic because he’s being forced to kill. “Thank you.” Harry took a deep breath. “Will you still care for me? After I’ve killed?” Draco looked at Harry. His eyes not once dropping from his when he said that he still will. He swallowed before continuing. “I know that I might seem like I don’t care, but I do care. I really do care. I don’t know why. It’s freaking me out a little.” Harry knew that feeling. Like caring too much might not be a good thing. He felt it before. When he was dating Peter. And he’s feeling it now. A feeling he never believed he would experience again. And worst of all, a feeling for his mentor. Someone whom he’ll probably never see again. A Peacekeeper came up to them. “Draco Malfoy, Dr. Trewlaynew is requesting your presence.” Draco’s body goes stiff. Harry can see Draco breathing faster and harder. This must not be good. Harry grabbed Draco’s hand, which was on the table. Draco looks at Harry. Harry smiles and hopes it will calm him down. Draco nods to Harry. He squeezes Harry’s hand and stands up. “I want a guitar.” Harry said. “Bring me a guitar and I promise I’ll sing.” Draco nodded and left with the Peacekeeper. Harry is hoping that Draco comes back before they explore the arena.

✧ ᩿✧

Pansy is also wanted by Dr. Trelawney. This must be about the project. His time with Harry got cut short. If only the Peacekeeper waited 5 minutes. From the interview prep to exploring the arena, there was a 15 minute break for the mentors to wash themselves from the dirt of their tributes. Draco thinks that 15 minutes would be enough to talk to Dr. Trelawney. Draco is so grateful that Harry took his hand. It made Draco feel warm. There was a tug at the bottom of his stomach when Harry took his hand. It made him come out of his spiraling. He also cares for Harry. Draco wasn’t lying when he said it scared him. Why did he feel this way?

Draco completely forgot about the assignment and thought that Dr. Trelawney was going to expel him. When he saw Pansy also leave her tribute, Draco remembered the paper. But it didn’t make him feel better. The Peacekeeper brought them to the back of the school. There was a door there. It was barely ever used by the students. Dr. Trelawney’s lab is back there. Rumors fly around about how it looks. And now Draco and Pansy will be able to confirm which rumors are true or not. The Peacekeeper opens the door. It was a metal box. That’s all. “Enter.” The Peacekeeper said. Pansy grabbed his arm. Her nails were digging into his arm. Draco walked forward. He kinda had to drag Pansy along. The Peacekeeper stayed outside. “Aren’t you coming with us?” Pansy asked. Draco knew that Pansy pretended like the metal box didn’t freak her out. “No.” Came the response. He then closed the door and left Draco and Pansy into the dark metal box. Lights appeared. Pansy was holding on for dear life to Draco. The box suddenly started going down. An elevator. Draco never actually saw one or been in one. He learned about them in one of his classes. Where they learned about civilization before the War. Pansy is breathing loudly next to Draco. “It’s ok.” He said. “The paper is perfect. I worked on it all morning. I made sure to add your ideas. I added the idea of having a phone line where people can send their money and even gave the idea of a place where people can drop off their money. I gave you credits for those.” Draco felt Pansy relax a bit. “Thank you.” The elevator stopped. The doors opened and showed a corridor. Pansy squeezed his arm and they walked out.

Draco realized that it wasn’t a corridor but shelves filled with tubes. All of them contained disgusting looking things. They all look different. None of them resemble anything like the other. Draco recognized some of them. He recognized a sort of lion. He had the shape of one, but with a second tale and teeth not even fitting in his mouth. It was also very small. Probably the size of Draco’s head. The tubes were all filled with disfigured animals. That’s what it was. Draco heard Pansy gag behind him. He quickened his pace. “Be careful.” A voice said. “I don’t want you falling in.” Draco stopped in his tracks. He backed away, Pansy following his every move. There was a hole filled with water in front of them. Draco wondered how he never saw it before. Dr. Trelawney appeared in his line of view. She was laughing softly. “It’s water, but camouflaged. If you change some of its particles for one of a chameleon, it camouflages itself. Fascinating isn’t it? Wonderful things can be hidden here.” She walked towards them, avoiding the water. “Come along and make sure to follow me. I don’t want you stepping in the wrong places.” She turned around and walked away. Draco followed closely behind. He made sure to put his foot everywhere hers did. There were so many things on the floor. Papers, body parts and gooey substance. Draco kept his head up. Not wanting to look at any of those things. Finally, the floor slowly started to clear up.

The room was white. It looked like the picture Mr. Slughorn had shown to the class, while talking about an asylum. Minus the floor and walls being cushions. There was a desk in the left corner filled with papers. It was the only thing in the room, if you ignore the huge rainbow tube in the middle of the room. The tube was divided in three. It was taller and wider than Draco. There was a staircase going around the tube, stopping at the top. “Well, I hope you don’t mind the climb.” Dr. Trelawney said as she started going up the stairs. Pansy and Draco had no choice but to follow. The climb wasn’t long. But it would have been faster if the stairs didn’t go around the tube. “I would like to thank you very much for your paper. I had the chance to read it and grade it.” How? Draco gave the paper barely 15 minutes ago. “But I dropped it in the snake tank.” Oh come on! They made it to the top. Dr. Trelawney turned to face him and Pansy. “These snakes only attack if they aren’t familiar with you. If they don’t know their scent. Miss. Parkinson, would you mind getting the paper for me?” Oh no no no no no no no no no no no no. Dr. Trelawney opened the tube, which was covered by a black tarp. The snakes moved around and it looked mesmerizing. Draco could see his paper at the bottom. “It’s fine Pansy, I’ll do it. I know you have a really big fear of snakes.” Draco said. He didn’t know whether the snakes were poisonous or not. He assumed there was. Draco didn’t want to see another one of his friends die. “M. Malfoy, I asked Miss. Parkinson. Come on, Pansy dear, no need to be afraid.” Nope! He wouldn't let Pansy’s hand go in there. “I’m sorry Dr. Trelawney, but I don’t want Pansy to pass out and fall and hit her head on the floor. I would hate for you to clean up the blood.” Thank god Pansy was behind Draco. It meant Draco could easily reach the opening. He could feel her shaking. “It’s fine Draco. I’ll do it. We did do the work together” She made her way around Draco. Draco grabbed her wrist. She looked at him, and Draco looked at her. She smiled at him. What is she doing? Pansy rolled her sleeves up. She slowly dropped her hand into the tube. She grabbed the paper and gave it to Dr. Trelawney. What the fuck? How? Pansy hadn’t even touched the paper.

“Here you go.” Pansy said. Dr. Trelawney took the paper and smiled. “Thank you. Would you like to see what happens, if you hadn’t done the work together.” THEY DIDN’T WORK TOGETHER!!! Dr. Trelawney didn’t say that as a question. She was forcing them to see what happened. “Nora dear! Come over here!” She then dropped the paper back in the snake tank. A girl, about Draco’s age, came up the stairs. Her brown hair was pushed back into a ponytail and she wore glasses. It reminded Draco of Harry. “I’m so sorry to ask you this, but I dropped these students in the tank. And I don’t want to force them to get them. Would you mind?” Nora nodded and put her hand in the tank. Around a dozen snakes immediately attacked her. They bite all of her right arm. Some even slithered to her neck and bit her there. She screamed and fell backward. Dr. Trelawney must have been expecting Pansy to fall because a blue mattress was right where Nora fell. She kept screaming and screaming and screaming and screaming. A few people in white doctor's robes came into the room. They shoved a huge syringe in Nora’s arm before dragging her body away. Draco looked at Pansy, who was also looking at Draco. Her eyes were wide with fear. Dr. Trelawney was laughing like a maniac. “Is she dead?” Pansy asked. Draco could hear her fear when she spoke. “No no, but to truly know the side effects, we have to use a live victime, don’t we?” Dr. Trelawney responded. Draco nodded. “What a beautiful sight, these snakes. I could stare at them all day but me and Pansy have to leave. Our tributes are waiting for us.” “Ah yes! Don’t let me stop you!” Dr. Trelawney laughed. Draco grabbed Pansy’s arm and quickly descended the stairs. Draco needed to see Harry, to help him. The guitar! “Dr. Trelawney, my tribute requested a guitar for his interview, is it a possibility?” “Yes of course, I’ll make sure Harry Potter gets a guitar.” Her mystical voice carried all around the room. “Thank you.” Draco turned around and pulled Pansy away.

Chapter Text

What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?
“How did the snakes not bite you?” Draco asked Pansy. They were back on the elevator and Pansy was crying. “I put my bra in your bag when you weren’t looking.” Draco opened his bag, and there it was! Pansy’s bra. “Why?” She started crying even more. “I’m sorry. Victor wanted me to put it there. I don’t know why. I think he wanted you to accidentally bring it out so he could humiliate you.” Draco didn’t need to ask why Victor was doing this. Well, he assumed he knew why. Because Draco was closest to winning the Nott prize at the moment. He came up with great ideas for the game and was really making his tribute a spectacle. And Victor lost. His tribute died. “But why did you agree Pans?” Pansy hugged him. “He told me he would find me. And hurt me.” She whispered in his ear. Victor is dead to Draco at this exact moment. Draco hugged Pansy back. Even though he and Pansy didn’t agree to everything, she was one of his only friends. And eldest. “Pansy, I promise Victor won’t hurt you. You can say to Victor that the bra fell on the floor when I talked to Dr. Trelawney.” Draco wanted to puke. He never liked Victor. And he was scared that Victor wouldn’t believe Pansy. “Can I ask one more question?” Pansy pulled away. Her eyes were red. “Yes.” “When did you put your bra in my bag?” The elevator doors opened. A Peacekeeper was waiting for them. “You have 5 minutes to wash yourselves before we are to escort you to the arena.” He turned around and left. Draco and Pansy exited the elevator. She was about to walk away, but Draco grabbed her wrist. She started to talk. “I lied. I went to school today. I left during lunch to get my bra. I knew you were going to come back to help your tribute. You want to win the Nott prize. I didn’t know how I would pull it off. When I saw you walking alone, I knew I could do it then. You always look up at Hogwarts when we get close. I shoved it under the paper. That’s why, when Dr. Trelawney asked me to put my hand in the snake pit, I knew they weren’t going to attack me” Pansy didn’t look at Draco. She just kept looking forward. Her arm back due to Draco holding her wrist. Draco laughed. Pansy looked back at Draco. “Why are you laughing?” Draco took a few breaths before he managed to calm down. “We have to thank Victor for saving your life. Thank god for your bra!” Draco laughed again and Pansy joined in. It might not have been the most ideal way to cope with the fact that Pansy could have hypothetically died. But it was something. “Come on, we have to go before we’re late.” Draco said. “Not again. If we're late, Mr. Snape will give us hell.” Pansy started running. “Wait for me!” Draco screamed. Pansy just laughed.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry was sitting in the back of a van. The other 22 tributes were shoved in there. Not a lot of places to move. When the 20 minutes were up, all the mentors stood up at the same time and left. Draco wasn’t back yet. Harry didn’t want to do this alone. He was scared. Draco was the only sense of security he had since he went to the Capitol. Draco, who met up with Harry when he first got off the train and wasn’t technically allowed to come. Who brought him food. Who believed in him. Harry wanted to give Draco a hug. Ever since that mentor died in his arms. He wanted to reassure Draco that everything would be ok, just like he did for Harry. The ride seemed endless. Marietta was pushed so close to Harry. The van stopped. They must be here already. The doors open and guns are pointed at them immediately. “Make a wrong move and we shoot. Understand?” There was no response. A gunshot in the air. “Understood?” A series of yes came. Slowly, people started coming out. Marietta was last to leave. Harry helped her down. A Peacekeeper grabbed Harry from behind. He was holding Marietta and they both went down. And of course, fell on the Peacekeeper. There was silence. Before the screaming started. Peacekeepers were yelling at them. Telling them that this was rebellion. That they were going to be shot. Marietta was crying. Harry held her.

All he could think about, is how his friends must miss him. How he’ll never sing with them again. Will never hear Hermione play her violin. Never hear Ron play his elaborate placed buckets, that made a really cool sound. Never hear Ginny play her cello. He’ll never go to the lake again. Never get to watch Wisteria grow again. Never see the cabin they all go to during the summer. He’ll never run and jump from the dock to the water. Never see the roses grow out of ice frozen ground, because they leave it alone. Harry just wants to go home. He wants to feel safe again.

“Hey! Let them go!” A voice said. Harry looked at the voice. Draco was running towards them. “He just tripped. Can’t you see he was helping the girl?” “They pushed one of us.” A Peacekeeper said. Draco smiled. “Your name is Gavin Treach right?” The Peacekeeper's eyes widened. “And the one who fell with my tribute is named Sebastian Crell right?” The man who used to be under Harry wasn’t under him anymore. Harry didn’t even realize he left. “Lucius Maltoy is my father. You know him. Right Gavin. I remember you coming to my house. Would you like me to tell your boss what you said that night, 9 years ago? The night before my father got shot?” Gavin didn’t say anything. “Go back to what you were doing. False alarm.” The other Peacekeepers, who weren’t holding a tribute, went back to pointing their guns at them. Gavin grabbed Marietta and shoved her forward. “Now, now Sebastian, I’ll take care of him.” Draco said. Sebastian must have been ready to grab Harry. Draco walked forward and crouched in front of Harry. “Are you ok?” He asked. Harry realized, in this moment, that he was slowly starting to fall in love with Draco Malfoy.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry nodded and Draco helped him up. Draco was so glad his bluff worked. He remembered Gavin coming to his house, just not what he said to his father. He knew his father had been angry at Gavin. He just didn’t know why. Draco grabbed into Harry’s arm. He guided him where everyone else was. In line, side by side. Mentor and tribute. Peacekeepers were surrounding the place. In fear of someone escaping. “Alright everyone! You’ll enter pair by pair. District 1 first and District 12 last. You have 20 minutes to explore and come up with strategies.” Slowly but surely, Draco and Harry finally made their way in the arena. The arena used to be a theater. When you enter, it’s a big lobby. There are two ticket booths before you enter the lobby. There are two doors that lead to the main theater. Right in the middle is where you would buy drinks or snakes. Harry and Draco enter the theater itself. Three sections of chairs, two rows to walk around and a big stage up front. His mother brought him to watch a play here once. Draco doesn’t remember the play, he just remembers the feeling of happiness. He remembers how red the seats were. How high the ceiling was. How nice the lady at the ticket booth was. But not the play. The ceiling could open and close at will, depending on the play. The ability to open the ceiling at will was lost during the war. And so, the ceiling is closed. Some of the seats are gone, some planks of wood are missing from the stage. “Come on, let’s see if there’s something behind the stage.” Draco says. He lets go of his arm and grabs Harry’s hand instead. He pulls him slowly toward the stage. There’s no stairs to go up the stage. There used to be a rumor about how someone tried to kill one of the actors. And they removed the stairs after that. Harry lets go of Draco’s hand and Draco wants Harry’s hand back where it was. The heat from his hand is gone and Draco wants it back. Harry pushes himself up the stage. Draco is quick to follow suit, but he falls off. The stage is vibrating. “Draco! Watch out!” Harry screams . The ceiling fell. Draco could only feel Harry’s hand on his shoulders pushing him forward. “Run!” He screamed in his ears. Harry started running and went ahead. Draco went to follow him, but he was suddenly on the floor.

Everything hurt. Draco’s back hurt. Draco’s legs hurt. He could only see red and smoke. There was screaming. So much screaming. Draco wasn’t sure if it was his own or not. He felt heavy. Like something was stopping him from getting up. He tried but couldn’t. The screams got louder when he tried. So Draco must be screaming. There was a shadow up front. It was getting farther and farther away. But then it stopped. The shadow was getting closer and closer to Draco. Draco realized it was Harry. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were in front of me. I’ll get you out.” Harry chokes out. Draco thought he was crying. Harry left Draco’s line of sight. A weight left his back. Draco screamed. It hurts. Everything hurts. Draco screamed again. His legs hurt. But the weight that used to be there is gone. “Come on Draco. We have to go!” Harry was now in front of him. He must have passed out. No way a human can move that fast. Harry was pulling at Draco. “I can’t.” Draco managed to say. “Fine! I’ll move you!” Harry said. He grabbed Draco under his armpits and dragged him. His stomach was getting scratched and stabbed by the small pieces of rubble. Draco cried out in pain. Everything hurts. It all hurts. He wants it to stop. Please, Draco is tired of being hurt. All he did was get hurt during the war. People shooting at him, people trying to eat him, people stabbing him, people just trying to survive. Like him. Draco had hurt so many people so that he could survive. And that hurts him too. He was tired of seeing people die. And why was it all happening to Draco? What had he done wrong!? Draco just wants to feel safe again. “Let him go!” A voice said. Draco’s face smacked on the floor and the world went black.

Draco woke up. He was on his stomach. The pillow is white. Not his bed. “Oh Dray, I’m so glad you're ok.” Draco recognized Dora’s voice. Dora hugged him and Draco felt better. He was safe. “He’s awake Theo.” Dora said. Theo was here? Why? Draco pushed himself up and managed to twist himself into a sitting position. It had hurt like a bitch to do so, but he didn’t let out a single cry. Plus Dora helped. Draco got good at hiding his cries when he and Dora used to hide from people when they went out to get food. It’s the same principle but instead of fear making you cry, it’s pain. Theo was indeed here. He sat on the only chair. Draco assumed Dora was sitting there before she got up. “How long was I out?” Draco asked. His voice broke at every word. “Oh Dray, about an entire day. Thank god Harry was there to help you. A Peacekeeper told us all about it.” The interviews were today. “The interviews. Did I miss them?” Theo chuckled. “Of course that’s what you want to know. You only missed the interview for District 1 to 10. 11 and 12 are left.” “Can I watch them?” Draco whispered. “Yes, there’s a television right there. I’ll find a nurse and ask her to turn it on.” Theo stood up and left. Draco took the time to look around.

It was pretty obvious that he was in a hospital. Single beds filled the rectangular room. Movable curtains were separating the beds. Draco’s curtains were open. Most of the curtains were closed. Draco looked up at Dora, who had a hand on his shoulder and she was looking down at him. “Did anyone die?” Draco asked. Dora didn’t answer. After a long silence she responded. “Millicent died.” Oh. Draco didn’t know her very well. But they had a few conversations here and there. “One tribute escaped and two died.” “Who?” Draco asked. “Cedric Digory escaped. They haven’t found him yet. M. Snape told Theo a few minutes after he arrived here. Seamus Finnigan from District 4 died. Rumors say that he pushed a girl out of the way from some rubble. Hannah Abbott from District 5 died. Peacekeepers found her body disassembled under some rubble.” Draco is surprised that less people died. Draco can’t start to imagine what Theo must be going through. And he doesn’t want to imagine. “Will the game still go on?” “Yes,” Dora answered. “Peacekeepers were tasked to clean up most of the rubble and placed them in a pile in the middle of the lobby.” “How do you know this Dora?” Draco asked. He doesn’t believe M. Snape told Dora and Theo all that information. “Grandma is very good at finding information.” That’s all Draco got.

He was about to ask more but Theo came back with a nurse. She was pushing a television that was sitting on a huge metal box. “Here you go M. Malfoy.” She passed him the remote and left. Draco opened the television. Harry was on screen. “-song?” Rita said. Harry looked at the camera and smiled. A guitar was in his hands. He had dirt on his face and a few cuts. But Draco thought he looked beautiful.

“Well, the song I’m going to sing tonight is a song me and my friends wrote. We wrote about a lake, because who doesn’t love lakes?” Rita laughed. On the right bottom corners. Numbers were going up. “What are the numbers?” Draco asked. “The amount of money the tribute is currently being sent to them.” Theo responded. Good. Draco had loads of money for Harry. He could easily work with that much money. “Believe me it sounds better with a violin. Here is my acoustic version of The lakes.”Harry said.

Harry strummed the guitar slowly. It was a nice and slow melody. Draco felt high on the melody. He was mesmerized by the sound the guitar was making.

Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?

I’m not cut out for all these cynical clones

These hunters with cell phones

Harry’s voice was deep and calm. Draco didn't know how Harry knew about cell phones. They had existed before the war. They had all been removed afterwards. The cell phones were apparently a big part of how the Capitol got swarmed.

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don’t belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I’m setting off, but not without my muse

Harry’s voice calmed him. The song was so peaceful. Draco could imagine a lake, where he would be safe and where pain didn’t exist. He wanted to go there.

What should be over burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I’ve come far to watch some name dropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth

They mean a lot, Draco thought.

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don’t belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I’m setting off, but not without my muse

Draco wanted to go to the lakes with Harry.

I want auroras and dad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bear feet
‘Cause I haven’t moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliff side pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief

Draco never wanted to go somewhere as much as he wanted to go to the lakes with Harry. He wanted to go with him. And stay there. And never move again.

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don’t belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I’m setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you

The song ended. Harry bowed and Rita clapped. She said something but Draco didn’t hear it. He needed to save Harry. He had too. He got up from the bed and started running. He heard Theo and Dora screaming after him. But Draco had to go back home. Had to find where his grandmother kept the emergency poison. He had to find his mothers locket. He had to go to the arena. He had to find hiding spots. He had to save Harry.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry was exhausted. Mentally and physically. The lakes was special to him. He and Hermione wrote that one together. They were sitting at the edge of the dock, watching Ron and Ginny trying to drown each other. They said that it was normal for siblings to try and kill one and other because they wouldn’t actually kill the other. Hermione and Harry couldn’t relate to that. They don’t have siblings. Hermione mentioned how amazing it would be to stay at the lake forever. She talked about how poets used to escape to a cabin next to a lake, when things got too intense. She said she read it in a book once. Hermione loved to read. And so, together they wrote it. They wrote the lyrics and the instrumental part of the song. Harry and Hermione worked on it for over two weeks. Making sure everything was perfect before showing it to the Weasleys. They immediately agreed to play it.

And Harry can’t believe he played that song. Maybe because he thought he was going to die. Or he missed his friends. Or maybe he wouldn’t mind that the last song he might ever sing is The lakes. Back at the Zoo, three tributes are missing. They must have died. Harry felt bad about leaving Draco behind. He had been so badly injured. But a Peacekeeper had a gun on him. Harry might be falling in love, but he’s not ready to die for Draco yet. The Zoo is oddly quiet. Everyone is exhausted. Everyone’s been exhausted this entire time, and yet, Harry believes it’s the first time since everyone fell asleep. Harry doesn’t want to sleep. He’s too scared for tomorrow. He doesn’t want to die. He really doesn’t. He has no skills except singing. And how could that possibly help him win? But he is really tired. Harry is fighting to stay awake. “Psst, Harry!” A voice said. Harry is thankful for that voice. He’s just won the battle against sleep.

Sleep 0
Harry 1

Harry looks around. To see whom the voice belongs to. Harry sees someone by the fence. They’re looking right at Harry. “It’s Draco. Come over here.” Draco! Harry stands up slowly. Not wanting to disturb Marietta who’s sleeping next to Harry. He makes his way towards Draco. “Draco. What are you doing here?” Draco shook his head. “Before I tell you, tell me you also feel this.” He moves his finger back and forth between them. “I want you. Please tell me I’m not insane for feeling this.” Harry stares at Draco. He looks so vulnerable. Harry reaches up and puts his hand on Draco’s cheek. He caresses his cheek. Draco leans into his touch. “I feel it too.” Harry whispers. Draco releases a breath. Harry leans forward. They’re lips are barely inches away. Harry stays there. He wants this so bad. But he doesn’t want to force Draco to do anything. “Can I kiss you?” Draco whispered. Harry nods. Draco grabs Harry’s cheeks and pulls him forward.

They’re lips meet and Harry is safe. He melts into the kiss. Harry doesn’t want to move. He doesn’t want to leave the peace and quiet Draco is offering him. He doesn’t want to leave this safe space. Harry has never felt this way before. Even when he was with Peter. Peter didn’t make him feel safe. Not like Draco is. His hand on his cheeks, his lips on Harry’s. Draco moves his lips and Harry follows. His hand on Draco’s cheek moves to his hair. He grabs Draco’s hand with his other. Draco pulls them apart. He laughs quietly. “Thank you.” He says out of breath. “For what?” Harry responded, also out of breath. “For making me feel safe again.” Harry’s stomach does a few flips. They stay there. Their foreheads touching, breathing in sink, ignoring the world around them. Let them have a moment of peace, before it all comes crashing down.

Chapter Text

“Harry,” Draco says. Finally breaking the peaceful silence. “There’s a hole in the stage that leads to some old tunnels that were built during the war. When the cannon sounds, just run there. Hide as long as possible.” As soon as Draco found everything he needed from his house and changed into more respectable clothes, he went to explore the arena. It was a mess. For the first time in years, the ceiling was open. Rubble was everywhere. Draco’s back and legs hurt like a bitch but he kept going. He had to find a spot where Harry could hide. And he did. It was a bit of a pain to get down the hole in the stage, but it was worth it. “There are some rooms in the tunnels where you can hide. If you ever have to change places, it’s not as good but you can hide in the ticket booth. It’s very small but it’s tall. The bottom half is covered and no one could see you on the outside. You’ll be safe in there too.” Harry had his eyes closed but nodded along. He looked like he didn’t want to think about it. But Draco had to. He had to keep Harry alive. No matter what. “Harry, before I sacrifice everything for you, tell me you feel it too.  Please.” Harry opened his eyes and looked at Draco. “Draco, I told you already. I feel it too. I really do. I want you.” Harry whispered the last part. “I want you too.” Draco whispered back. 

Harry kissed him. This was not like the last one. This kiss feels more rough, not as sweet as last time. This kiss feels more desperate. Draco kisses Harry back. Harry’s hands are in his hair. Draco’s hands are on Harry’s cheeks. Draco doesn’t want to leave Harry. He wants to stay right where he is. Harry pulls away first. Come back. Draco thought. Harry’s hand leaves Draco’s hair and falls down to his arms. “Come back to me.” Harry says. “I’m going to win for you, and go back to 12. Come to me. Please.” His eyes are closed. Like he doesn’t want to see Draco. Draco removes his left hand from Harry’s cheek and reaches into his pocket. His mother’s locket was there. She gave it to Draco for his 5th birthday. It’s one of Draco’s earliest memories. His mother told him to fill the locket with important things. For a big locket, the inside was really small. The only thing you could really fit in there was a small picture or note. But Draco filled it with poison. “When you win and go back to your friends, I’ll be a few days right behind you. I’ll have to fix things at home before and explain everything. Harry, when you go to District 12, you’ll have to hide my locket.” Draco’s other hand left Harry’s cheek and went to grab his hand. While holding Harry’s hand, Draco put his mother’s locket in his hand. He closed Harry’s hand and pushed his hand toward him. “In there, there’s some powder. Do not eat it.” Harry’s eyes opened and looked at Draco. He looked panicked. Like he just realized what was happening. 

“Draco, I don’t want to kill anyone.” Harry started crying softly. Draco isn’t amazing at comforting people. It’s not his best suit. But seeing Harry crying hurts him. He doesn’t want Harry to cry. Draco never wants to see Harry sad ever again. Draco pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket, he always carries one. He gently wiped Harry’s tears away. “I know, and you might not even have too. If you stay hidden the entire time.” Draco knew Harry knew he was lying. It was impossible to not at least kill one person during the games. But, Harry seemed to relax a bit. “Thank you.” Harry pulled away from Draco and smiled a sad smile. Draco took Harry’s hand and put his handkerchief there. “Remember when you dirtied your handkerchief after wiping my forehead because it had a cut?” Draco asked. Harry nodded. He smiled a bit brighter now. Draco wanted to see that smile more often. “Keep mine. It’s only fair.” Harry tucked the handkerchief in the pocket of his pink shirt. “Thank you. I have nothing to give you. I want you to remember me, in case I die.” “Harry, I will do everything I can to help you win. Alright? Giving you the locket is only step one. And it is impossible to ever forget you. I promise you, someday, we’ll go to the lakes together.” Harry's eyes started to fill with tears. He didn’t let them fall. Instead he kissed Draco. Draco could never get enough of Harry's lips on his. He melted at Harry’s touch. He wanted more. Harry pulled away. “It’s almost sunrise. You should go before they see you.” He whispered. Draco didn’t want to leave. He really didn’t. 

“Alright. But I’ll see you soon.” Draco whispered. “And you’ll take me to the lakes.” Harry whispered back. Draco left. He looked back at Harry and smiled. Harry smiled back. Draco kept walking forward. He couldn't look back. Because he knew that if he did, he wouldn't be able to leave. 

✧ ᩿✧

Harry watched Draco as he walked away. Draco’s locket was in his hand. Harry suspected that it was filled with poison. He had to figure out how to hide the locket. It was pretty big. Harry looked at the locket. Properly looked at it. There was a snake on it. A very simple design. The snake was black while the rest of the locket was emerald green with some silver glitter. Harry didn’t want to think about dying. Because even if dying was most likely how this was going to end, Harry believed that Draco would help him. But he knew that his efforts would probably be futile. Harry went back to sit next to Marietta when he couldn’t see Draco anymore. He sat down next to her. He hoped and prayed to a god he didn’t believe in that he would see Draco again. 

✧ ᩿✧

Draco made it back to his house right before the sun was fully up. He made his way to his bed and tried to fall asleep. He must have because the next thing Draco felt was a hand on his shoulder. “Wake up, today’s the big day.” His grandmother was there. She was slightly shaking him up. “You got around 3 hours of sleep. It’s not good but it should be enough.” Draco sat up. He hoped he didn’t look as exhausted as he felt. “Go get ready, I’ll make breakfast with Nymphadora.” His grandmother left his room, slowly closing the door behind her. Draco slowly got out of bed and went to take a shower. There was no more hot water. The cold water hit his back. It burned. The pain all came back to him. Draco doesn’t regret going to see Harry and the arena, but maybe he should have taken some painkillers. In his shower, Draco started overthinking. If he did leave with Harry, what will happen to Dora and his grandmother? If he wins the Nott prize, would he be able to transfer the money to them? But Draco made a promise to Harry, and he will keep it. He has no intention of leaving Harry to wonder whether Draco forgot about him. He would talk about Harry to his family this morning. And explain it all. He will. Because Draco might be in love. 

✧ ᩿✧ 

Druella Rosier often worried about the grandkids. Draco almost got killed the night before, and was forced to show up to the very first day of the Hunger Games and all the days that follow. If Druella could, she would keep Draco here all day to make sure he healed properly. Nymphadora was making some eggs in the kitchen. The last ones they had. Druella knows the drill. She would suggest going to go buy the eggs, Nymphadora would say no and buy the eggs herself. Druella sometimes wonders if Nhymphadora ever steals the eggs. But she knows her granddaughter. She would never do that. Draco stumbled into the kitchen. He looked tired and beaten down. He kept his head high as he sat down at the table. Druella finished cutting the mold off of their bread before spreading butter and giving it to Draco. Nymphadora then placed the eggs on his plate. She then divided the remaining eggs into two portions. Giving the bigger one to Druella. They both sat down at the table. Nymphadora across from Draco and Druella at the head. Draco didn’t start eating until Druella did. Both her grandkids do that, waiting for permission to eat. They got the habit from before the war. Draco looked at her. He took a deep breath and spoke.

 “I think I’m in love.” Nymphadora squealed. “Oh that’s amazing Draco! Is it Pansy? She is a very nice girl.” Draco shook his head. Druella knew that it wasn’t going to be Pansy. Draco saw her more as a sister than anything. But who else could it be? “It’s a boy actually.” Druella was a bit shocked. She didn’t expect it, but couldn’t say that Draco being in love with a boy was off the table. “Is it Theo?” Nymphadora asked. Draco shook his head. He took a lot of deep breaths. Druella wondered who the boy could possibly be that was so hard to say. The puzzle pieces connected in her head. “It’s your tribute isn't it?” Draco looked at her. His eyes started to fill with tears. “It is.” He whispered. Nymphadora made a small sound before standing up and making her way toward Draco. She hugged him and Draco started crying. “I didn’t mean to. I’m scared. What if he dies? I’m really sorry.” He said. “What for Draco?” Druella asked. “You have nothing to apologize for. Being in love is a wonderful thing.” She tried to make him forget about the fact that Harry, she thinks his name is, might die today. “I’m sorry because I promised to leave and go with him if he survives. I want to be with him.” Nymphadora was making soothing noises. Still hugging Draco tightly. “Draco, did I ever tell you the story of how your mother and father met?” Draco looked at Druella. He shook his head. Druella remembered the day Narcissa met Lucius like it was yesterday. 

“As you know, your mother and aunts all lived here in the Capitol. Your grandfather, Cygnus, his work was outside the Capitol, in the districts. The girls once begged him for them to come along with him. Narcissa must have been 19 at the time. Meaning that Bellatrix was 21 and Andromeda 17. Cygnus brought us all to District 9 that day. While he was working, we decided to explore the District. Narcissa met a boy who was willing to show us around. His name was Lucius Malfoy. He was a very kind young boy. Only a year older than Narcissa. We stayed in District 9 for a week. We stayed at the Mayor's house. And each day, me and the girls would go out with Lucius. He showed us beautiful places around the District that barely anyone knew. Narcissa was the one who kept insisting for Lucius to come along. Bellatrix figured out that Narcissa liked Lucius. She came to me and begged for me to change her mind. Because she and I both knew that Narcissa would stay in District 9 if she truly loved the boy. I tried to change her mind. Make her believe that she didn’t really want Lucius. It didn’t work. And at the end of the week, she snuck out of the Mayor's house and went to see Lucius. When we woke up, we tried to find her. We left without her. Andromeda was inconsolable, even her boyfriend at the time, Ted Tonks, couldn’t lift her spirits. Something he always did. Bellatrix found comfort in trying to contact Narcissa. Almost drove her mad. We haven't seen Narcissa or heard from her in a year. She came back with Lucius. She apologized for leaving. She said that she had no plans in ever coming back, but Lucius convinced her to come back. Lucius didn’t have any family, so leaving District 9 wasn’t hard for him. They lived a happy and comfortable life together and had you, Draco. Do you know why I’m telling you this story, Draco?” 

Draco had stopped crying. “I don’t.” He said. “I’m telling you this because I want you to understand the difference between you and your mother. She was in love and left without ever saying goodbye. You are admitting to loving this boy and saying goodbye. If you truly love him, I support your decision to leave. But don’t you ever think that you can leave and never talk to us again. If you leave, I want you to send us a letter at least once every two weeks. Do you understand Draco?” Draco nodded. “I promise, if I ever leave, I’ll send you letters.” He looked at the clock and stood up. He hugged Nymphadora properly. “Thank you for understanding. I’ll be going now.” Draco made his way towards Druella and hugged her. He let go and left the house. Nymphadora looked at Druella. “Why would you let him leave?” She asked. “I lied.” Druella said. “Narcissa didn’t just leave without saying goodbye. She wrote me a letter. In that letter, I could read how truly in love she was with Lucius. I never told anyone this before. I feared that if I did, my family would disapprove of me letting her go. I can see how much Draco loves the boy. It would be just cruel of me, if I didn’t let him hope that he could love him properly. Without any bars holding him back.”

Chapter Text

Harry was scared. Scratch that, he was terrified. He was currently smushed next to Marietta in a car. That was supposed to take them to the arena. Blood stained his fingers. A Peacekeeper killed a tribute not even five minutes ago. Vernon Dursley was his name. When the Peacekeepers opened the gate, he pushed them away and tried to run. They shot him over and over. Even when he was dead. They dragged his body back to the Zoo. Throwing him like he was a rag doll. And of course, the body had landed on Harry. He hit the floor on his tailbone and it hasn’t stopped hurting yet. Harry, who was not already in the arena, was hurt and covered in blood. He hoped that his friends weren’t in the courtyard, waiting to see him on screen. District 12 didn’t host many televisions. But there was a big one in the courtyards, a few feet away from the Hanging tree. The Hunger Games were shown there every year, but barely anyone watched. He didn’t want his friend to see him die, much less watch him kill others. He feared Peter would also be watching. Harry knew he would. Peter always watched the Games. Peter wasn’t a nice man, but he had a lot of compassion. He forced himself to remember the name of each tribute that ever went to the Games. I guess he would be forced to remember Harry’s name, even if he wanted to forget it.

The car stopped and Marietta dug her nails into Harry’s arm. The doors opened and they were let out of the car. The theater’s doors were opened, and Peacekeepers were in two lines straight to the door. Harry guessed that they were in this position so that no one dared to leave. Harry, being squished in the back, was the last one to leave. Marietta’s nails really were starting to hurt him. But he didn’t dare say anything. One thing Harry didn’t tell Draco was that if it came down to him and Marietta, he would let Marietta go home. Marietta was the eldest out of her 4 siblings. Her parents worked nonstop to be able to give them food and shelter. Marietta practically raised her siblings, and she never once complained. Harry and Marietta were the same age. They went to school together and talked often. She often told Harry about her home and how lucky she was. Harry agreed. He would much rather have what Marietta has. A family. He couldn’t kill Marietta if it came down to it. Harry didn’t have a family to come home to. And as much as he considered his friends his family, he could never have what Marietta has. As Harry walked inside the theater, going up the stairs to the lobby, he decided he would fight for two things. For the chance to go home and for Marietta to go home.

An ear piercing scream echoed through the lobby. Gasp and screams filled the room. Harry tried to see what they were all screaming at. And then he saw it. Cedric Digory was tied up in the air, right where the entrance to the theater was. His face was beaten to a pulp. Harry couldn't tell whether he was dead or alive. He was hung on a piece of wood that must have fallen down from the roof. It got stuck between the arch of the actual entrance of the theater. His body was dangling there, his hands were tied to the piece of wood by rope. “Move it!” A Peacekeeper said to Harry. His gun was pushing him. He walked past the ticket booth, and then down another flight of stairs. In the middle of the lobby was a pile of rubble filled with weapons. Knives, swords, arrows and bows, crossbows and spears. Small red circles surrounded the pile of rubble. The Peacekeeper stopped Harry on a red circle. He then backed away. Other tributes made they’re way to the other circle.

A Peacekeeper started talking. “Alright! Everyone, you are not allowed to move from your circle until the cannon sound! If you do, we will shoot you! If any of you tried to escape, my team and I will be surrounding the outside and gates will be raised, making it impossible for you to leave without the key. If you somehow manage to escape, we will shoot you. Dr. Trewlaney wanted me to tell you to have a happy Hunger Games. And that the odds be in your favor.” As Harry looked around, he started to accept the fact that only one of them would be coming out if the theater alive.

✧ ᩿✧

Draco was freaking out. Not only does his family accept him(a small hoorah!)Theo was having a mental breakdown while Draco tried to figure out ways that he could help Harry even more. Draco had needed to go to the bathroom before the Games officially began. Nerves made Draco either really need to pee or fidgety. When he entered the bathroom, he heard sobs coming from one of the stalls. Draco should have turned around. He’s never been good with people who cry. But Draco had to open the bathroom stall and start to confort Theo in the best way possible: patting his back. Theo was crying, saying it was his fault that Cedric was in the game and so on. Draco wasn’t really paying attention. But he nodded along and told Theo that it was going to be okay. It ended up working and Draco was really proud of himself. They both left the bathroom. They made it to the Room of Requirement. It had been cleaned and cleared of debris. Draco had never seen the room so clean. In the center of the room, twenty seats were put in rows of ten. A little computer in front of them. In front of the desk was a huge screen showing a golden bird. The bird was an eagle. It was the symbol used by the Capitol to show dominance. Draco didn’t know why and didn’t want to know why. It freaked him out a bit.

Smaller screens were on both sides of the big one. They showed the face of all the tributes, minus the one that had already died. Theo inhaled sharply and shook Draco’s arm. “He’s alive!” Theo said. Draco saw Cedric’s face on a small screen on the right side of the bigger one. But how? He ran away. Which means that the Peacekeepers caught up to him. Harry’s face was on the left side. Draco was glad that no other tributes died since last night. Seats surrounded the rest of the walls. In a half circle like shape. Draco doesn’t know how in a day, the Peacekeepers or whoever cleaned this room, stairs like seats were added to the room. It was called the Room of Requirements, maybe that had to do something with it. Draco sat down at one of the desks, the one on the very end. Theo sat down on his left. Slowly but surely, the other students came in and sat down. “Good morning Draco.” A voice said. Draco turned around and Pansy was standing behind him. “Good morning Pansy. Did you sleep well?” “I did, thank you for asking. You obviously didn't.” She said, Draco couldn’t tell her the truth about the reason he didn’t sleep. “You know me too well. I was up all night trying to figure out ways to keep my tribute alive. I kinda need to win the Nott prize.” Pansy laughed. “Of course you do. Would you like to know what I told my tribute?” “What did you tell Cho Chang?” “I told her to go after yours first.” Oh nononoononononooononoonono. Draco clenched his jaw. He kept his face neutral, not showing a trace of what he truly felt. “And why would you do that?” “Well, we both know you're going to go to crazy limits to win the prize. But guess what? I also want to win.” FUCK YOU! “So, may the best tribute win?” Draco said. Pansy smiled. “May the best tribute win.” She laughed and sat down in front of Draco.

Draco had to let Harry know somehow. That he was a target. Pansy turned around in her seat. “Oh! I forgot to tell you! I also gave her the idea of an alliance! I talked to the Carrows, Greg, Theo, Astoria and Blaise and they all thought it was a brilliant idea! All of our tributes against everyone else. Good luck winning now, Draco.” She laughed. “I hope this doesn’t ruin our friendship. It’s just about the prize.” She turned around and left it at that. Draco was having trouble breathing. He truly cherished his relationship with Pansy. She was insane sometimes, like right now, but she is a really good friend. But if Harry died because of Pansy’s plan, he’s not sure he’ll be able to forgive her. How could Draco possibly contact Harry? He had to tell him to hide. To run away. “Welcome!!” A shrill voice said. “My name is Rita Skeeter, but you probably knew that already. I’m here to host the annual 10th Hunger Games!” Polite clapping erupted around the room. Draco turned his head and other students were in the room. It's more public than Draco believed. He turned his head back to where Rita was standing. She kept on talking. “The remaining 19 tributes will begin their fights in just a few moments. Let’s take a look at the arena!” The big screen showed different areas of the theater. Rita was explaining where the place was. “Before I show you the tributes, a special message from Dr. Trelawney. “ The screen that once showed the lobby now showed Dr. Trelawney. “Good morning to you all and happy Hunger Games! As you may have heard, there was a terrorist attack on our arena. And some tributes try to flee. And one did. But thanks to our amazing Peacekeepers, we managed to find him back. To all the Districts watching, when you see Cedric Diggory hanging on to his life, let it be a reminder that you cannot outrun this.” She laughed. And laughed. And laughed. She smiled proudly. “May the odds be ever in your favor.” Dr. Trelawney’s face disappeared and Cedric Diggory came up. “No” Draco heard Theo say. His body was tied up and his face barely recognizable. “Alright! Let’s get this started!” Rita said. The screen now showed all the tributs. On a circle around a pile of debris containing weapons of all sorts. As the countdown started from 10, Draco just wished that he could take Harry’s place.

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Hermione Granger takes pride in her intelligence. Always able to keep her friends in check and easily manipulate the Peacekeepers if one of them did something wrong. Hermione tried to warn Harry that Peter was no good. That he would break Harry’s heart. And he did. Hermione, Ron and Ginny all tried to cheer Harry up, but Harry really liked Peter. When it got out that Peter cheated on Harry with Nina and then blamed it on Harry, Hermione knew that there was nothing that she could do to try and get Harry out of the Games. On the courtyard, only four people stood watching the number 10 change to 9. Ron was holding Hermione’s hand while Ginny laid her head on Hermione’s shoulder. Peter stood a few feet away, watching the number 9 change to 8. Hermione looked at him, and he looked at her. I’m sorry. He mouthed. Hermione glared at him. He turned back to the screen and watched the number 5 change to 4. Hermione could see Harry. He looked scared. And covered in blood. Hermione didn’t even want to know why. The number 1 finally changed to 0 and a cannon sound filled the courtyard. All the tributes ran towards the weapons. But Harry didn’t move. He just stood there. Looking around. He didn’t see the tribute that came up behind him and lifted the knife he had in his hands. Hermione gasped and closed her eyes. She couldn’t watch. She couldn’t watch her first friend, the boy who wrote songs and sang them with his entire heart, the boy who laughed loudly when he pushed Hermione in the lake, the boy who made her smile every day, the boy who cared for her and Ron and Ginny. She at least hoped that we would die quickly and wouldn’t suffer. Because Harry Potter doesn’t deserve more pain and suffering

Chapter Text

Harry couldn’t breathe. The sound of the cannon was ringing in his ear and he couldn’t see Marietta. He was too scared to move. Harry turned around. Not a good idea, but maybe Marietta was running to get inside the theater itself. Something buried itself in Harry’s right arm, right in his bicep. Harry cried out in pain. The knife, Harry assumes, left his arm and Harry collapsed on the floor. Harry started crawling away as fast as he could, not wanting to be stabbed another time. Thank god he did. Harry felt the air the knife made as it landed itself on the floor right where Harry used to be, his foot was dangerously close to the knife. He felt his blood slowly tickling down his arm. Harry couldn’t really feel the pain anymore, he just had to keep crawling away.

Harry decided to look back. Lee Jordan was trying to pull the knife out of the floor. He somehow stabbed it right at the perfect spot between two cracks. Or one, Harry couldn’t really tell. Cho Chang came up behind him. She had a sword in one hand. The other was held out to Lee. Harry took the opportunity to stand up and start running. His shoulder started to hurt terribly, but he refused to make a sound. Harry started running. He ran inside the theater, passing under Cedric. The theater hasn’t changed much from the last time he saw it. And Draco was right, there was a hole in the stage. Harry wasn’t sure how Draco knew the hole was going to be there. He kinda didn’t want to know either. That didn’t matter right now, Harry had to stop the bleeding. He sat down at the edge of the hole, and wondered if it was a good idea. “There’s a ramp on the other side.” A voice said. “What?” Harry replied. “Harry, look in front of you, where the hole starts. There’s a ramp.” Harry looked and there it was. “Marietta? Are you down there?” Harry asked. “Yes! Now hurry up!” Harry recognized Marietta’s voice, he just had to make sure. As Harry moved around the hole, he wondered how he didn’t see it before. There was no ceiling, and the theater was well lit. The adrenaline must be doing something. He reached the ramp and slid down there. Harry saw Marietta. She smiled at him before seeing his arm. “Harry! We have to get that covered.” She looked around. She picked up a sharp rock and cut off a part of her dress. Marietta’s dress was blue. Like a dark blue. It had long sleeves and trailed the floor. Harry is pretty sure she sowed that herself. Or for her sister who was taller than her. She had a piece of fabric in her hands.
“You know,” She said as she wrapped Harry’s arm. “Annabeth once cut herself really badly. Well, she says she cut herself, but it looked more like someone stabbed her. It wasn’t that deep, but it still looked scary. She told me to wrap it up really tightly or she would die of blood loss in two minutes. Apparently, Poppy told her that the last time she went to see her, when she was sick. I mean, I know Anna is only a year younger than me, but still! You don’t tell kids that!” Marietta pulled on the fabric to create a knot. “There. Now you won't die of blood loss.” She smiled at him. Harry smiled back. “Come on now, we have to go deeper in the tunnels before someone finds us.” Harry said. And of course, the exact moment he said that, voices filled the room above them. “I saw him come this way!” Someone said. “Are you sure he came this way and not by the other door?” A second voice said. “Why would it matter?” A third voice asked. “It all goes to the same place.” The people above kept arguing about what door Harry used. Harry looked at Marietta. It’s all it took for them to start running in the tunnels.

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Draco had been on the edge of his seat ever since the cannon went off. Harry got stabbed and then ran into the theater. And that was all he got. He didn’t know if Harry was ok in the theater. Draco saw another tribute run in there. Maybe they ran into each other? Who knows. The screen changed to a tribute getting brutally stabbed. Blood was splattering everywhere. Draco wanted to look away, but he couldn’t. “Oh! That’s got to hurt.” Rita’s voice could be heard from every corner of the room. “Oliver Wood just got killed by Padma Patil! How interesting! Who knew women could be so aggressive?” Pansy scoffed from in front of him. Padma wiped her knife on her pants and left Oliver’s body. Myrtle, who was sitting a few desks away from Pansy, stood up. She made a face to Astoria as she left the Room. Fighting was happening all around the arena. The screen kept changing from different places in the arena. A scream cut through and the camera showed little Colin crying. Katie stood in front of him, blocking Walden Macnair from getting to Colin. Walden was screaming. Just screaming at Katie. Katie just stood there, watching Walden. Walden had a spear in his hand and Katie knew that. So when Walden held up his spear to stab Katie, a pathetic attempt, she stabbed him with a knife. Draco didn’t even see the knife. A cannon sounded and Walden fell head first, with Katie’s knife in his heart. Alecto cheered as Silvanus left the room. Draco felt a bit guilty about not caring about the fallen tributes. He just wanted to see Harry. To make sure he was ok. “And that’s another tribute down!” Rita said. “It looks like everything is calming down.” The screen changed to a tribute bleeding from multiple places climbing up the stairs. Right where the ticket booth was. Lavender Brown came up behind the tribute whom Draco just realized was Alicia Spinnet. Lavender was following Alicia up the stairs and it didn’t look like Alica knew that. As she reached the ticket booth, she turned around and saw Lavender. Alicia started to beg. Lavender laughed before plunging a sword in Alicia’s chest. Lavender took her sword back and left Alicia. “Would you look at that!” Rita said cheerfully. “Another one down! It seems like Lavender is smiling at Katie Bell! Is that an alliance? What a brilliant plan.”

The screen changed yet again, Katie, Colin, Lavender, Padma, Lee and Cho were all standing together. “I know where Potter is. Just follow me.” Cho said. They all walked inside the theater. “I saw him come this way!” Cho said. “Are you sure he came this way and not by the other door?” Lee asked. “Why would it matter? It all leads to the same place.” Katie said. She was holding Colin’s hand. “Yes! But he could be hiding in the seats over on the other side!” Lee said. “We’ll get there when we get there.” Lavender said. “And it doesn’t-“ Lavender stopped talking. Footsteps could be heard. Draco was panicking. He knew that it was Harry in the tunnel. The other tributes started to run as fast as they could to the stage. Lavender was the first one down the tunnel and the rest were quick to follow. “Good thing for us! We have cameras in the tunnels!” Rita said. Pansy turned around to look at Draco. She was smiling. “Looks like you won’t be winning.” She turned back around as Lavender spotted Harry and, maybe Marietta. Draco wasn’t sure whom Harry was with. Harry was slow. His arm was bandaged up, but it was obvious it was hurting. The camera changed to a place further up in the tunnels. A door was there. Draco hoped Harry would notice it.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry saw a door. Marietta was behind him. He knew she could run faster than he could and save herself. His arm was hurting so much. He could feel even more blood trickling down his arm. He willed his legs to go faster. He could hear the other tributes coming. He wasn’t that far away from the door. Harry stopped abruptly when the door was right next to him. Marietta kept running but slowed down and came back to Harry. Harry was pulling at the door with all his might. “Shit! It won’t open.” Harry said. “Harry, we have to go! They’re going to catch-“ Marietta stopped talking and got on all fours. “What the hell are you doing?” Harry asked. “There’s a doggy door.” Marietta pushed at the door and of course there was a smaller entrance. She crawled in there pretty fast. Harry will have to ask her how she knew the doggy door was there. The tributes were getting closer to him. Harry went on his stomach and started to crawl in the small door. He managed to get his head and shoulders in the door before someone grabbed his legs

Chapter Text

Cedric Diggory regrets ever setting eyes on Theodore Nott. He regrets saying hi to him. He regrets agreeing to be friends with him. He regrets ever kissing him. He regrets telling him he loves him. He regrets ever touching him. He regrets crying when he left. He regrets trying to keep in touch with him. But most of all he regrets and hates the fact that he still cares for Theo. Even as he’s tied up and beaten to a pulp, he can’t ever stop loving Theo. He tried to put the blame on Theo, that it was his fault for leaving and getting Cedric in the games. But the fault had never been Theo, it had always been Cedric’s fault. If Cedric just stopped sending Theo letters and waiting for Theo’s letter back, maybe M.Nott wouldn’t have put him in the Games. But who knows what would have happened? Cedric knows there's no way he's surviving this. His legs are starting to go numb and that's never good.

Secretly, Cedric had been so happy to see Theo. It had been months since the last time he’d seen him properly. Theo didn’t change at all. Cedric knew that it would be impossible for Theo to change drastically, and yet, he was still surprised when he didn’t. It was unfair. Cedric was reminded all over again of the memories he tried so hard to forget. Theo brought them up and tried to get Cedric to talk to him. Cedric had wanted to talk, but knew he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back and admit he was scared and still in love with Theo. With that in mind, Cedric didn’t talk. But Theo always did. And Cedric was forced to relive the memories over and over again. Their first kiss, first date, first I love you’s all over again. Cedric started crying. Or at least he thought he was. His face was filled with blood and it was hard to tell whether tears of water or blood fell down his face. He had trouble breathing and everything hurted. His body was hurting, his heart was hurting, his head was hurting, just pain everywhere. He wanted to see Theo again. And tell him he loved him. Just one last time.

Cedric heard a sound. It came from his left. With all of his remaining energy, he turned his head. He saw a girl climbing the side of wherever he was hung. She had a knife in her mouth, the blade dangerously close to cutting her cheek. Cedric didn’t recognize her. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open to look at her. She climbed out of Cedric’s line of vision. Cedric was going to die. The girl obviously didn’t climb all this way to chat with him. He heard the girl come closer to him. “Do you want me too?” A voice whispered in his ear. Cedric tried to respond, but he was too exhausted to do so. “Just try and nod yes or no. I’ll wait.” Cedric closed his eyes. He never thought he would have the choice. If he said no, he would just suffer longer, something he didn’t want. If he said yes, he would die and wouldn’t see Theo again. Neither option seemed good. This girl had given Cedric the choice to keep fighting. But what was the point? He was beaten up so badly that he would most likely die from his injuries before anyone could win the games. Even if he was given the chance to fight and see Theo again, Cedric doubted that he would make it very far. Cedric nodded yes. “Alright. I’m sorry if it hurts.” The girl said. She put the knife against his throat. Cedric had many regrets, but as he came close to his end, he realized he never once regretted loving Theodore Nott. “I love you” He whispered, hoping Theo would hear it. The knife sliced his throat, and Cedric died with a whisper of a smile on his lips.

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Emmeline Vance promised herself she wouldn’t kill anyone. That it was against her nature to end a life. Her father had once told her she was far too weak to have been born in District 10. Livestock. It was true. Emmeline was not physically able to kill an animal. And much less a human being. This year's reaping was supposed to be her last. She was 19 and her 20th birthday was right before the reaping. It kinda sucks that she wouldn’t live to be 20. When the cannon sounded, Emmeline ran away from the fight. She hid in the ticket booth. Her mentor, Romilda, told her to hide there. The only piece of advice she got from her mentor. When Emmeline couldn't hear any more noises, she left the booth passing over a tribute’s body. She heard the girl beg for her life. It’s a sound she never hoped to hear again. As she walked back to the starting point, Emmeline realized it might not have been the smartest idea to do. Anyone could still be there, waiting to kill her. Lucky her, the only person there was Cedric. She talked to him once. Romilda gave her a piece of bread, very helpful on her part, and Emmeline decided to share it with Cedric. He wasn’t eating anything. And Emmeline was thought to share. She found a knife laying in the center of a pile of rubble. It might be a good idea to have a weapon. Just in case.

Emmeline heard some wheezing. The sound was coming from the sky? She looked up and saw Cedric crying? He was 100% choking on air. He looked in so much pain. He reminded Emmeline of the first and only cow she ever killed. It was a baby cow who had not properly grown in his mother’s stomach. Emmeline was helping her dad. When the baby cow came out, her father had asked her to get a knife. He had looked her in the eyes when she came back and said “Stab the creature right in his heart. Stop his suffering.” Emmeline had done it after a minute of hearing the baby cow whimpering and hurting. The mother was so devastated when her father brought her dead child to her. Emmeline couldn’t bear to watch and left the barn. Her father had never told her what happened after she left, and she didn't want to know. Cedric was whimpering like that baby cow. She felt so bad for him. Maybe Emmeline could break her vow. And end Cedric’s suffering.

She started climbing the little incline to the ledge where Cedric was hung. She finally made it to the top, barely avoiding cutting her cheek. She made her way to Cedric by crawling. She put her head next to his ear and whispered “Do you want me too?” When Cedric made no move to answer her, it dawned on Emmeling that he probably couldn’t speak. “Just try and nod yes or no. I’ll wait.” She ended up saying. It took Cedric about two minutes before he slowly nodded his head yes. “Alright, I’m sorry if this hurts.” She said. Emmeline allied herself properly before putting the knife against his throat. Emmeline heard Cedric say something. She slashed his throat right after. It was about five minutes after she cleaned her knife of blood, that she realized Cedric said I love you. Emmeline started crying, wondering who’s lover she just killed.

✧ ᩿✧

Theodore Nott couldn’t breathe. He tried his best to inhale and exhale, but he just had so much trouble doing so. Right as Draco’s tribute started crawling in the door, the camera cut to Theo. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but it looks like our escapee is about to get killed.” A mix of emotion ran through the room. Some were unhappy while others cheered. Theo just sat frozen as the girl apologized to Cedric and put her knife to his throat. Theo looked at Cedric. He had tried so hard for Cedric to talk to him. He just wanted reassurance that Cedric still loved him. It was the only thing that got Theo through his school year. The letters Cedric sent him were all in a box under his bed. Someone must have found it and told on him to his father. Cedric wouldn’t even look at Theo. All Theo ever wanted was to be loved by Cedric. To love Cedric back. To live with him. But his father had to move away. Theo knew what was coming, but refused to accept the fact that Cedric would be taken away from him. Not just miles keeping them apart, but death. The camera zoomed in on Cedric. The room went silent. The only thing you could hear was the small whisper of “I love you” that Cedric said, right before he got killed. People were clapping. There was so much noise. Too much noise. And Theo wasn’t able to process what Cedric had just told him. Theo stood up. How dare they? Theo just lost the love of his life and people were cheering. How insane is that? “You’re monsters! All of you!” Theo screamed. He took his desk and threw it towards Rita. That would get him in trouble but he didn’t care. Cedric was dead. Who was Theo without Cedric? He stormed out of the room and went home.

His father was furious. As soon as Theo walked in the door, his father was screaming at him. How he was a disgrace, how he was an embarrassment to the Nott name. “You could have killed Rita!” His father screamed. “Just like you killed Cedric?” Theo screamed back. He didn’t bother holding back his tears anymore. “You knew I loved him! You took him away from me! The only person who understood me! He loved me! And you took my first love away!” Theo’s voice was cracking. “You are such an awful child! I did not raise you to be a faggot!(sorry y’all, this was very painful to write) I raised you to be a man! To marry a woman! To have children and carry the family name!” Theo’s heart crumbled. His father had Cedric killed because he loved Theo. Alright then, his dad could go fuck himself. Theo always believed Cedric got out into the games because he still kept contact with him. But no. He ignored his dad and went to the kitchen, he grabbed the bread crumb his mother had bought for dinner and went to exit his house. “Now wait here young man.” His father said as he grabbed Theo’s arm and turned him toward himself. “Go fuck yourself father.” Theo said. He yanked his hand out of his fathers grip. He left his house and watched, as he walked to the arena, the setting sun. He made a promise, not only to himself but Cedric. “I promise love, I’ll honor you. I won’t ever forget you or stop loving you.”

Chapter Text

After Theo left, Draco saw Emmeline leave the beam and run away. Leaving Cedric’s dead body hanging.

The camera finally showed back to the tunnels. But Harry was gone and the alliance, Draco started calling them that, were banging against the door. So Harry had made it to safety.

“Oh no! We missed the fight! How horrible! But lucky us, we can go back and see what happened! So, for tomorrow, don’t worry if we missed anything during the night, we can watch it! Now, let’s see what happened with our tributes.” Rita said. A part of Draco didn’t want to see what Harry just went through. But, at the same time, he did want to see.

The screen did a weird thing, that made it seem like it was going back in time, and there was Harry, getting dragged out of the little door.

“Harry!” Marietta shouted. Draco could see Marietta’s head looking through the little door. It seemed she was too afraid to step out.

Lavender stood on top of Harry, her sword placed right where Harry’s heart was. In the few seconds before Lavender plunged the sword down, Draco thought that his heart would stop beating if Harry’s heart stopped. Draco knew he was fucked, because he was so deeply in love with a boy, who barley stood a chance at living.

The sword went down and Harry wasn’t in between Lavender’s legs anymore. It occurred to Draco that Lavender took her time to strike. But why would she? The Games are the literal definition of ‘Kill or be killed’. So why would Lavender take her time? Harry was again at the small door. Lavender was fuming. Angry that she missed. Draco was wondering why she wasn’t going after Harry again, not that he was complaining. But Draco couldn’t stop wondering why Lavender wasn’t as aggressive as she had been with the others she killed.

By the time the others arrived, Harry was already in the small door. Lavender got down on her knees to start crawling, but something was blocking her. “Fuck!” Lavender started banging on the door, and the others also joined.

Except for Collin, who was just standing there. “And that’s all for today folks! 9 tributes are dead in total! Let’s see how many are going to be dead in the morning!” Rita said. She then exited the room as fast as she could.

Draco stayed sitting as the others cleared the room. Harry wasn’t dead. He was safe. In a weird bunker in the tunnels below. He had a chance.

Draco was alone in the Room of Requirements. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of his breathing. Draco knew he had to leave at one point. He just wasn’t able to.

All day he saw Harry fight for his life, making sure he didn’t die. And suddenly, the screen went dark and the security of seeing Harry alive was gone. How could Draco know if Marietta didn’t kill Harry during the night? Or that Harry decided to leave the weird bunker and get himself killed?

But Draco had to trust that Harry would make it through the night. That he would live to keep fighting another day.

Draco was tired. He closed his eyes and imagined Harry in his arms. In the fantasy Draco was currently in, Harry wasn’t in the Hunger Games. And Draco wasn’t living in a penthouse with barely enough food.

In his fantasy, they were in the woods. Close to a lake. The only sound you could hear was the sound of their beating hearts and the birds above singing for them.

In his fantasy, Harry wasn’t fighting for a way to go home and Draco wasn’t tormented by his scars. In his fantasy, they were happy. Far away from all the pain and hurt of the world. They would spend their days by the water and talk about the most insignificant things. And even when there was nothing more to say, the silence would be welcomed.

In his fantasy, Draco could kiss Harry without the fear of anyone finding them. Feel his lips on his. Feel his hair in his hand. Feel Harry’s heart beating against Draco’s chest.

In his fantasy, Draco could stare at Harry all day long. Look at his messy black hair. At his strong arms. At his beautiful green eyes. Even get lost in his eyes if he stared long enough. Look at Harry from every possible angle. Because there was no way Draco could ever get bored of Harry’s beauty.

In Draco’s fantasy, the Capitol and the Districts didn’t exist, they were too far away to care. Far away for war to reach them. Far away for the Hunger Games to matter. Away from everyone. In their little cabin by the lakes.

“DRACO!” A voice woke him up. Draco was in the Room of Requirements. Not in a cabin by the sea. A woman was standing in front of him. Draco wasn’t sure who it was.

“Oh Draco, I’m so glad I found you!” “Mrs. Nott?” Draco asked. Just now connecting the dots. “You have to help him. Please. I can’t lose him.” Draco wasn’t sure what the hell was going on.

“Help who?”

“Theo of course! He’s in the arena, you have to get him out of there. He will only listen to you.” That woke Draco up.

“Theo’s in the arena? Why?” Mrs. Nott was holding his shoulders now. Gripping them hard. She started crying and dropped to the floor. Draco was pulled down with her. Her hand never once left his shoulders.

“Cedric and Theo used to be lovers.” She said in between sobs. “My poor boy must be heartbroken. Please Draco, get him out.”

It hit Draco like a train. Full speed ahead. Theo and his father never had a great relationship. It wasn’t a secret. Theo’s father must have put Cedric in the games because of that. Draco started to feel bad for Theo. And he wasn’t faking it, which scared him a bit.

Theo knew Cedric wouldn’t survive, but did he still have hope that he could? “Please.” Mrs. Nott said.

Even if they weren’t friends, Draco knew he would feel bad if something happened to Theo. And Draco couldn't deny Mrs. Nott.

“Alright, I’ll help him.” Draco said. Mrs. Nott smiled. She stood up and pulled Draco along. As Draco left the Room of Requirements, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a bad idea.

✧ ᩿✧

Lavender Brown currently hates herself. She hesitated to kill Potter. He was right there. She was in the perfect position to kill him. But why did she hesitate? She didn’t hesitate to kill other tributes. So why couldn’t she have killed Potter?

When it was obvious that they couldn’t get through the door, Lavender stopped banging on the door and left the tunnels. She was exhausted. The others followed her out of the tunnels. Of course she had to become the leader. Lavender only wants to go home. She doesn’t care what she has to do, she just wants to go home.

“What are we going to do now?” Lee asked. “Sleep.” Lavender responded. “You take the first watch, and when you can’t keep your eyes open anymore, wake Katie up.” Lavender found a seat in the theater and sat on it.

She positioned herself into an ish comfortable position before closing her eyes. She dreamed of District 2. Her home, where she could see the mountains from her bedroom window. Her mom, who did everything she could after her father died. Her older sister who braided her hair whenever she could. Lavender dreamed of being back home.

But her slumber was cut short when someone shook her awake. “What?” Lavender asked. “Someone’s here.” A voice said. It was Katie. “Who?” Lavender asked again. Sleep was clinging to her as she tried to sit up straighter.

“Mentors. There’s two mentors in the arena.”

Chapter Text

Draco had to sit through a very uncomfortable ride to the arena. Both Mr and Mrs. Nott were in the vehicle with him. And Draco can say with 100% confidence that he never wants to ride with them. Especially Mr. Nott.

Draco doesn’t really like Theo. He can be annoying at times. But Mr. Nott is just horrible. While Mrs. Nott was begging her husband to go in the arena and help Draco get their son out, Mr. Nott kept denying her. He said we wouldn’t lift a finger to help his disgrace of a son.

They kept arguing back and forth and Draco wasn’t sure what to do with himself. There was no turning back. He had to help Theo. Unless he was already dead.

They arrived at the arena and Draco was glad to get out of the car. Mr. Snape was there. He was talking to Peacekeepers. Mrs. Nott flung herself into Mr. Snape’s arms.

“Thank you for informing us and not letting Theo die in there.” Mr. Snape slowly put his arms around Theo’s mother. Draco tried not to laugh. Mr. Snape looked really uncomfortable, something Draco had never seen before.

Mrs. Nott let got of Mr. Snape before grabbing Draco’s arm. “Mr. Malfoy.” Mr. Snape said. “The Peacekeepers will open the gate, you have 10 minutes before they have to close it again. If you’re not out by that time, you and Mr. Nott will be stuck there until morning. Which is in another 3 hours.” Mrs. Nott made a sound of distress next to Draco.

Draco patted her arm before leaving her side. Mr. Snape nodded to the Peacekeepers. He looked at Draco.

“I hope you know how to get him out.” The gate in front of the arena opened and Draco made his way in.

He knew the layout, so he just had to find Theo. Lucky for Draco, Theo was in the lobby. Unlucky for Draco, Theo was on the ledge where Cedric was hung. Theo had a knife and was cutting away the rope tying Cedric up. The horrible sound of bone snapping made Draco flinch. Draco saw Theo stand up on the ledge, like he wanted to jump down.

“Don’t you dare jump!” Draco whispered but shouted at the same time. Theo looked down. He sat back down and slowly made his way down.

Draco was angry. Draco is risking his life for Theo. And it just occurred to Draco that any tribute could come and kill them.

“What were you thinking? Someone definitely heard that. Let’s go Theo, we’re leaving.” Draco walked to Theo and grabbed his arm. He tried to drag Theo out of the arena but Theo wouldn’t go.

“My father killed him. I loved him, Draco.” Draco stopped. He wondered if that would happen to him if Harry died.

“I’m sorry Theo, but we have to go. I know you’re sad. But all your grieving will be useless if we die here.”

“Help me.” Theo said.

“With what?”

“Help me bring Cedric out. So that I can bury him. Properly.”

Draco wanted to scream in Theo’s face to tell him it was a stupid idea. But, Draco would have probably done the same if Harry got killed. He couldn’t really blame Theo. But Draco didn’t feel like dragging a dead person around.

“Theo, we don’t have the time. Someone heard Cedric’s bone snap. And Emmeline might still be around. She was up there and now she’s not. So where is she?”

Draco was panicking a bit. Emmeline killed Cedric and stayed up there. And because the first day ended, the televisions didn’t show anything. So Draco had no idea where Emmeline went.

“I’m not leaving without Cedric. You can go, but I’m not going.” Theo said.

“Theo, we have less than 10 minutes before we are locked in here till morning. That’s 3 hours away. Brining a dead body with us will drag us down. We’ll be stuck in the arena.”

“I don’t care, Draco. I tried everything to keep in touch with Cedric. To write letters or escape and be with him. I’m not leaving him behind. Not again.” Theo was crying now.

Draco was really angry. He’ll have to help Theo carry Cedric out of here. A part of Draco didn’t want to be mad at Theo. Theo was just heartbroken. The love of his life just died. But again, they were in the arena. Where people fight each other to the death.

“FIne, but if the gate is closing when we make it up the stairs, I’m dropping the body and leaving you behind.”

Draco just wanted to leave. He made his way to Cedric and grabbed his legs. Theo grabbed his armpits and they lifted Cedric off the ground.

“Aren’t you worried about Harry?” Theo asked. Draco almost dropped Cedric. “And don’t try to play dumb with me. I saw how you looked at him.”

“I’m not worried.” Draco ended up saying. They made it up the first staircase. “I know Harry is in a room in the tunnels and it doesn’t look like anyone can get in. I completely forgot he was here honestly. I was just so focused on getting you out of here.”

Theo smiled. “Don’t smile.” Draco said. As they were approaching the exit, someone started yelling. Draco turned his head and saw Lavender charging at him full speed. She had her sword in her hands. Draco dropped Cedric and moved out of the way.

“GO THEO!” Draco screamed. He heard Theo walking away. He also heard the sound of a body being dragged. Of course Theo wouldn’t leave Cedric behind.

Lavender striked again, this time, she managed to scratch Draco. It was only a small cut on his arm. But Draco was still sore from when the arena exploded.

Lavender kept going at him. Draco was having trouble keeping up with her strikes. And it didn’t help when a second person started attacking Draco.

Draco didn’t have any weapons. He was hurt and slow. There was no way he could win this fight. After barely avoiding an attack from Lavender, Draco started to run.

Draco refused to die. Not until he could see Harry one more time. He refused to give up when Harry was still fighting and needed his help.

Draco could see the gate now. Theo was there with Cedric, crying. His mother was crying with him. Draco started to run faster. He willed his legs to go. Ignoring the pain.

Everything went horribly wrong when Draco tripped. He smacked into the floor, shielding his head with his arms. Not taking a second to rest, Draco pushed himself upward. But a hand grabbed his collar and yanked him backwards.

“You’re not leaving yet.” A voice said. There was a sword on his neck. “Good job Collin.”

Collin was standing a few feet away from where Draco had tripped. The bastard had tripped him. On purpose!

“This is outrageous! Let me go!” Draco said. He looked at the gate in front of him. No one was lifting a finger to help Draco. They weren’t even paying attention to what was happening inside the arena.

“But why would we do that?” A boy came into view. Lee Jordan. He had a smile on his face. He came closer to Draco’s face and whispered something in his ear. “I saw you and Potter.”

Draco stopped breathing. How could he have been so stupid? Of course the other tributes wouldn’t just sleep a night before they were sent to their death! Lee laughed and backed away.

“That’s right. Now if you don’t want to die, you’ll come with us and get Potter out of that room.” Draco didn’t want to do that. As much as Draco wanted to see Harry, he didn’t want to be the reason Harry died.

But, couldn’t he maybe try and get Harry out? Follow whoever was holding him, Lee and Colin to Harry. And then fight them off and get Harry out. If Draco couldn’t fight them off, then they would both be killed. The gate would most likely be closed by the time he made it there with Harry. Which would lead to them being killed. So there’s no saving Harry. Draco only had to hope that Harry could win.

Draco didn’t answer. Instead he bit the arm that was holding him and punched Lee in the face. Draco ran. Again. He had to get out of the arena. “I’m sorry.” Draco whispered as he was running.

He tripped. Again. That fucking kid tripped him again. But this time, Collin turned Draco over and was straddling him. Collin was holding a knife.

He shoved the knife toward Draco’s chest. Draco stopped the knife. He didn’t have the time to celebrate this accomplishment. Draco used all the energy he had left to push the knife upward.

“Shouldn’t we help Collin?” Someone asked. Draco thought it was Katie, but he couldn’t think about that. He had to push the dam (Percy Jackson reference lol, sorry, back to the story) kid off of him.

“No, he has to learn. How else will he survive the arena? You want to get him out Katie? He’ll have to kill you at one point.” Draco lost a bit of force after hearing that. But, so did Collin.

Draco managed to push Collin off of him and grab the knife from him. But, the child wouldn’t give up! He shoved himself back on Draco. Which knocked Draco from his sitting position back to lying down.

Draco was expecting Collin to take the knife back from him. Instead, Draco felt a hot liquid drip down his arms. The knife had punctured Collin’s left lung.

Collin’s eyes widened and looked down at where the knife was. Draco let go of the knife. But it stayed there. Buried in Collin’s lung. Collin fell backwards. He was on Draco’s legs. Collin’s blood was on his hands. Draco just killed a child. Maybe said child was trying to kill Draco, but he had a reason. He was put in a death match. Draco hadn’t. Draco didn’t mean to stab the kid. Did he stab him? Did Collin just accidentally fall on the knife?

A heart shattering scream filled the room. And someone grabbed Draco from his armpits. Draco was being dragged away, but he had nothing in him left to fight. He killed a child. In front of him. He saw Katie crying over Collin’s body. Begging for him to come back. Apologizing for letting him die. Lee was behind her. Patting her back. But Lavender was running toward Draco.

So maybe Draco wasn’t being dragged to his death.

“Wait! Please!” Someone said. It kinda sounded like Theo. Draco looked up and saw Theo. And a metal structure passing over him.

“Theo! Why would you go back there?” A voice sounding a lot like Mrs. Nott.

“Draco got me out so I got him out.” Theo said simply. He then crouched down where Draco was. He started inspecting Draco for injuries.

“I’m not hurt.” Draco said. “It’s not my blood.”

“I know. I saw. It wasn’t your fault.” Theo simply responded. Draco wanted to cry. How would Theo know if it was his fault or not? A child just died on Draco!

“Boys, I think it’s time you go home.” Mr. Snape said. Theo helped Draco up and smiled at him.

“I can take you home.” Theo said. He looked at his parents. He held more authority now. It was kinda unnerving. Draco looked around and couldn’t find Cedric anywhere.

“Where’s um” Draco swallowed. “Where’s Cedric?”

“In the car.” Theo said. He smiled. Not a happy smile. A smile that said That’s right, I’m getting what I want. “We’ll get him cremated. And then go to District 2 to bury him.”

Draco couldn’t help but feel happy for Theo. He might have lost the love of his life, but he’s getting closure in the best way he can.

“Thank you for giving me a ride.” Draco said.

…

Draco entered his apartment and collapsed against the door. He couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. He just witnessed Collin dying. At his hand!

“Dray?” Dora said. “Are you o-” Draco was being hugged. “Oh Dray, I’m so sorry.” Dora positioned herself to hold Draco more properly. Draco tried to explain what happened but he just couldn’t. He couldn’t breathe.

“It’s okay. In and out. Just follow my lead.”

And for the rest of the night, Dora held Draco in her arms. Holding him while he cried for a boy who had died. He cried for all the others who had died in the arena. For Theo who wouldn’t be able to see Cedric again. For all of the people left in the arena. For Harry, whom Draco might never see again. And he cried the most for himself. Because Draco didn’t want to be a mentor anymore. He just wanted to go to the lakes with Harry.

Chapter Text

Marietta Edgercomb watched Harry sleep. She couldn’t sleep so she passed the time watching someone else sleep. Which might seem a little weird, but Marietta was used to watching her siblings sleep. Making sure they slept peacefully without the nightmares that haunted them all.

Marietta wondered what she did to end up in the Hunger Games. She knew that the mayor chose the people going in the Games. She knew Harry went in the Games because he dated the mayor’s son and it didn’t end well. But what did Marietta do?

Marietta also just couldn’t sleep. Her siblings at home might witness her die. And maybe kill others. Marietta didn’t want to die. But she also didn’t want to kill others to survive. Everyone here wants to go home. It felt wrong to end someone’s hope to see their friend and family again.

There was a knock on the metal door. Marietta didn’t dare move. It might be the weird alliance coming back to try and kill them. “Hum hum.” A voice said.

It didn’t sound like the one who tried to kill them.

“I know you’re in there. I wouldn’t mind if you let me in.”

Marietta wouldn’t. Even if it might not be the weird alliance, it doesn't mean the person on the other side of the door wouldn’t kill them. Marietta stayed quiet. Not making a sound.

“I don’t have any weapons. I won’t hurt you. I just want a place to stay.”

Marietta ignored the person. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. She’ll probably need it. It’s not like her and Harry could stay here forever. They had to leave at some point.

“Hum hum! I know you’re in there. Stop ignoring me!”

The person’s voice seemed to be higher than before. It seemed like their voice mounts an octave whenever they get frustrated.

The person started banging on the door. None stop. Marietta started to get annoyed. She just couldn’t take it anymore. She also didn’t want to wake Harry up. Who was somehow still sleeping. There was a way to open the door fully from the inside, but Marietta didn’t want to risk the person outside to know that Harry was in there. At least, if the person out there wanted to kill them, they would only kill Marietta.

Not that Marietta was happy with dying. But if she did die, she would want Harry to win. And so, she went on her knees and removed the huge metal block she had found. Marietta didn’t know how it had gotten in the room, but she was glad it was there.

She snuck her head out and saw a woman. She was wearing a disgustingly pink outfit. Not like Harry’s pink, but a more flashy eye catching pink.

“Hum. I knew you were in there. Come on, get out so I can talk to you.”

If it would stop the stupid banging. Marietta stood up, brushing off the dirt that had stuck to her dress. The girl standing in front of her was not pretty. The pink did not fit her well.

“Well? What did you want?” Marietta asked. She was a bit wary about the girl. It didn’t look like she was carrying any weapons.

“I wanted to make an alliance with you. There is already an alliance forming or already made. I’ve started to call them Death Eaters. I don’t need to explain my reasoning.”

Marietta just stared at her. This girl, with a shrill voice and awful clothes, wanted an alliance. She probably just wanted one just to be safer. Marietta already had Harry, why would she need this woman?

“And what about your district partner? Why don’t you ask him? And why me?”

The girl rolled her eyes. “Oliver? He’s dead. And anyways, he was useless. Always throwing himself into trouble. For your second question, you, because who else would agree? You want to go home. You have, what, a few siblings? Whom your parents can’t really take care of? I can help you get home.”

Marietta didn’t know how to respond to that. How did this girl know about her life at home? She had only told Harry about it. Did she overheard their conversation? And Harry already knew about her home life. Marietta took a deep breath to stop herself from panicking. She couldn’t agree to what the girl was proposing, she had Harry already. But, Marietta was curious.

“What about you? If you get me home, it means you're dead.”

The girl smiled. It made her look older for some reason. “I don’t want to go home. And you remind me of me. Unlike you, I don’t want to go back to my siblings. I don’t want to help them anymore. They never did anything for me. I always did everything for them!”

Marietta felt her blood rush to her face as she started to scream at the girl. “How could you say that? My siblings might not do everything for me, but I still care for them! How can you be so heartless?! They are younger than us! Of course they need taking care of! And it makes sense they can’t give a lot back. But for you, they probably chose to not give you anything back! I will fight with my every being to see them again if it comes down to it!”

Marietta screamed at the girl. It might not have been the smartest thing to do, but she couldn’t help it. Her siblings meant the world to her. They always showed kindness and compassion to her. They knew she did everything. And most of the time, her siblings helped her too.
The girl smiled. She didn’t even look shocked by what Marietta just said.

“Are you willing to kill your friend? From your district?” She asked.

Marietta wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She didn’t want to kill Harry. They were friends. And Harry was always nice to her. Even forced his own friends to let Marietta come to their weird lake house where they would sing songs. But, Marietta cared more for her siblings than Harry. Harry couldn’t understand that. He didn’t have any siblings.

“I would.” Marietta said. And it wasn’t a lie. She really would. She might hesitate, but, in the end, she would have killed Harry.

“I’m Dolores. I’ll help you get home. Come with me.” Dolores turned her back on Marietta and walked away.

Marietta looked at Dolores, then at the door. Marietta knew that Harry and her mentor had something going on. She saw Harry kiss him on the very last night before the games. So maybe, Harry would kill her. Would end her life to see his mentor again. So maybe, leaving him wasn’t the worst idea.

But would Harry really kill her? He probably would have already if he wanted too. So maybe Marietta shouldn’t leave him. Harry was injured, even if it was a small injury, he was still hurt.

Marietta looked back at Dolores, and wondered what she should do. Leave Harry to wake up and fight alone or stay with him and fight next to him.

✧ ᩿✧

When Harry woke up, he was alone.

Chapter Text

Nymphadora Tonks was worried. Draco had returned home covered in blood. He hasn’t slept and he hasn’t stopped crying. Repeating over and over “I killed him.” and “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Nymphadora tried to get the full story, but Draco just told her he had killed someone.

Grandma joined Nymphadora at one point in the night, bringing a blanket. She sat down on Draco’s other side. All three of them didn’t sleep that night. Nymphadora felt helpless. What could she do?

Draco always had nightmares. They all did. And she knows how to help Draco through them. Same as he knows what to do for her. But what can she do now? Draco had killed someone. Or maybe not. Did he? Or did Draco just feel guilty about someone dying? Was it Harry? The boy Draco was in love with?

Nymphadora didn’t know what to do. Grandma did. She kept whispering stories to Draco. She cleaned his hands at the same time. By sunrise, Draco had stopped crying. Grandma was still telling him stories. Nymphadora couldn’t hear what she was saying. Just a few words here and there. She assumed the stories were about their parents. Draco always loves to hear stories about them.

Nymphadora remembers them a bit more than Draco does. She was 14 when her parents died. Alongside Draco’s. Nymphadora doesn’t like to listen to stories. Her parents should be here. Next to her. Not just in her memories. Even 10 years later, Nymphadora longs for her mother’s hugs, her dad’s laughter. She had forgotten the sound. She had forgotten the feel of her mother’s arms around her. And she had promised herself not to. But here she is.

Nymphadora stood up and went to the kitchen. She was barely able to keep her eyes open. She grabbed a glass of water and some dried fruits for Draco. She would have to go buy more food sometime soon. She was going to get paid soon. And then, she’ll go buy a few things.

“Here you go.” She said to Draco. Nymphadora gave the food and the water before sitting back down. Draco gave her a small smile and sipped the water.

“Will you tell us what happened?” Their grandmother asked. Draco took a dried raisin before answering.

“I fell asleep after everyone had left. I don’t know how Mrs. Nott found me. But she was freaking out because Theo was in the arena. I didn’t want to go save him at first. Because, why would I? But Mrs. Nott looked so scared and Theo’s tribute, Cedric, and him used to date and I just felt bad. So, I agreed. Theo was cutting Cedric from the beam he was hung on. It made such a loud noise when his body fell. And someone must have heard us. I tried. I really tried. I promised I did.”

Draco started crying again. He was heaving. His breath was coming in short gasps. Grandma was rubbing circles on his back. Nymohadra put her head on Draco’s shoulder. She knew that it helped Draco sometimes. To know that someone was with him.

“I tried to get Theo to leave.” Draco said after he calmed down. “But, Theo refused to leave without Cedric. And I helped Theo..” Draco made some gestures with his hands, trying to find the right words.

“Lift Cedric. I grabbed his legs and Theo grabbed his arms. It was a slow walk. And then we got attacked right before we made it out. This girl, Lavender, started attacking me. So I told Theo to run. He did, I heard the sound of a body being dragged. Lavender wouldn’t stop striking. So I ran away. But this kid tripped me. I fell and this other guy, Lee, was holding me with a sword at my throat. He said they were going to use me to kill Harry. I wasn’t about to let that happen. I don’t-”

Draco stopped talking. He took a deep breath and ate a bit before continuing. Nymphadora was proud of him. Draco used the tricks their grandmother gave them. How to calm down if ever they felt the panic rising. She also assumed that Draco names three things that he saw and felt before continuing.

“I don’t want Harry to die. I punched Lee and ran away. But the kid, Collin, tripped me again. This time, he sat on top of me and tried to stab me. The others didn’t help Collin. Lavender said that he had to learn to kill. I managed to push him off of me, but he pushed me down again. I was expecting him to strike again, but-”

Draco was taking huge deep breaths. Everytime he tried to open his mouth to talk, he would just go back to panicking. Nyphadora didn’t know what to do. Their grandmother didn’t look like she knew either.

“He died?” Nymphadora whispered when it was clear Draco wouldn’t be able to say anything. Draco nodded.

“I didn’t mean to. I guess the knife must have moved when I pushed him off, and then when he pushed me down again the knife must have stabbed him. His blood was hot. And he fell on me. On me. And his district partner, Katie, screamed so loudly. It hurt to hear. I couldn’t move. Theo dragged me out. But I can still see his face. His eyes were wide. And he- and he-.”

Draco dissolved in tears again. Nymphadora put her arms around him. Rocking him.

“It’s alright. It wasn’t your fault.” Grandma said.

“What if Harry kills someone? Who’s going to be there to hold him? Who will be there for him? He’s all alone.” Draco said between sobs.

Nymphadora had no response to that. Draco had seen so much horror. And he wasn’t supposed to experience anymore suffering. They had won the war! They were supposed to be safe! The Games should have never been created! They were unfair to everyone! Why remind everyone of the loss they had all lived?

It wasn’t fair. But, she held Draco. That’s all she did. Because she couldn’t fix all the unfairness in the world. Nut, she could be there for her cousin. She would be there. Next to him. Through hell and back.

✧ ᩿✧

After a while, Draco managed to get into a shower. To wash away all the blood that was on him. Even if he was tired, he had to go to the stupid watching of the Games. He would be there for Harry. Even if he didn’t see him, Draco was going to be by Harry’s side the entire time.

Draco didn’t feel better, He had killed someone! Maybe? Nymphadora tried to tell him he didn’t stab Collin. But, if Draco never went into the arena, at least Collin would still be alive. He would still have a chance to go home. It wasn’t fair!

But technically, it wasn’t Draco’s fault. It was Theo’s. He was the one who went in the arena. He was the one who told their parents they were friends. So, it was Theo’s fault! It wasn’t Draco’s fault! HA!

And also, why were people actually enjoying watching the Games? They didn’t before! Why was Dr. Trelawney so obsessed with making the games popular? How fucked up is that! Enjoying seeing people die.

Draco managed to get dressed. He managed to brush his hair and teeth. He managed to go to the kitchen. But, of course, Draco could never get a moment of peace. Because Dr. Trelawney was in his kitchen.

Hoo fucking ray!

Chapter Text

Harry was confused. Marietta was with him when he fell asleep. So where was she now? Harry didn’t want to panic. It would do him no good.

Marietta might have just left to get food. Or weapons. Maybe Harry should stay and wait for her. But, what if Marietta got hurt? Or worse? Maybe Harry should leave and try to find her.

Harry crawled out of the doggy door and left the tunnels. He tried to stay as quiet as possible. The alliance might still be around. He didn’t want to risk being killed.

Harry looked around, and when no one was there, he made his way out of the tunnel. He couldn’t hear any voices or footsteps. Which means that most likely, no one was there.

Lucky for Harry, there was no one. He slowly made his way out of the theater and into the lobby. Cedric’s body was gone. Did someone pick up his body? Was it a thing? To get rid of the dead bodies?

He made his way to the pile of rubble in the center of the lobby. Maybe there was a weapon that he could take. He didn’t really have any hopes that there would be one. Not after the forming of an alliance.

As he climbed the pile of rubble, a screeching sound startled him. A voice then spoke.

“Good morning everyone! It’s day two of the Hunger Games! Congratulations to all the tributes who are still here with us. To remember those who have left us, all of us, whether you are in the arena or outside, The Capitol is asking for a moment of silence as I recite the name of the fallen.”

Harry felt nervous. The silence seemed more quiet now. How many had died? In just one day?

“Oliver Wood from District 9, Alicia Spinnet from District 11, Walden Macnair from District 11, Cedric Diggory from District 2, Delphi Riddle from District 8 and Collin Creevey from District 1. Thank you all for the moment of silence.”

The screeching sound was heard again before it went quiet again. That made six dead. Minus the people who died beforehand, and including him, that left 13 in the arena. Almost half of the group was gone. The silence didn’t last long. A scream echoed through the lobby. Harry turned around to see someone running at him full speed with a knife.

Harry moved out of the way at the very last possible second. The person, a girl, stopped running and turned around. Her blond hair was filled with dirt and debris. She looked savaged. Like she just crawled out of a hole. She probably did.

She lunged at Harry again. Harry moved out of the way, enough for the knife to to skewer him, but not enough for the girl to not knock him down. He hit the pile of rubble. The world went white for a second.

Pain exploded in his back. The world became clear again. The girl was sitting on top of him. Her knife aimed right at his throat.

✧ ᩿✧

Penelope Clearwater was mad. It wasn’t the kind of anger that lasted a few minutes and left. No. It was the kind of anger that made her do stupid things. She wanted to go home. She wanted to live. She wanted to win. Befriending Delphi Riddle and then killing her was easy. Not the killing part. Delphi fought back.

She had no plans of killing Harry Potter. But the Capitol had made her angry. How dare they think that a simple moment of silence could make up for throwing kids in an arena. Where they are fighting to stay alive. Saying their names won’t do shit.

And they don’t even give the bodies back to the families. Penelope knows. Her brother was part of the first ever group of tributes. She was 7, he was 12. He died and he wasn’t buried home. She refused to leave her mother alone. Or be another dead body the Capitol can just discard.

She had Harry Potter under him. Penelope was a step closer to winning. Until someone pushed her off of Potter.

“Don’t you fucking dare kill him. He’s mine to kill.” Someone said.

Katie Bell was standing next to her fallen body. She looked horrid. She was holding a knife. And Penelope knew it was over for her. There was no denying it. She had lost her weapon, she was on her back with no way of actually fighting back. But that didn’t matter. Penelope wanted to live. And she was going to fight for it.

Penelope started crawling backwards. If she got up, Katie could easily bring her down again. If she moved fast enough, Penelope could gain an advantage on Katie and run. That hope was short lived when Katie jumped on Penelope. She jumped and landed right on her. Penelope was a bit too shocked to move. And that hesitation cost her. Katie was on top of her, knife high in the sky.

Katie brought the knife down. Stabbing her in the throat. She barely felt the knife go in, but she felt it coming out. Her jugular was severed. She would most likely have a few minutes until she died. She saw the blood leaving her body. Which did not help with the fact that she was going to die.

She barely felt any pain and Penelope knew that was bad. She tried her best to apologize to her mom. Her beautiful mom who always took care of her. Even after her brother and father died, she never once stopped taking care of her.

As her conscience slept away, Penelope hoped that her mom would be able to find peace.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry didn’t have time to panic. He was about to die, Katie saved him, killed the girl who was trying to kill him and then Katie is off to kill him. He scrambled up to his feet, the pain in his back was slowing him down. He wanted to get as far away from Katie as quickly as possible.

Harry should have ran away. As soon as Katie pushed the girl off of him. He should have! But his back was hurting a lot. And he, of course he did, stayed laying on the ground. He wanted to get up. And he did. After he heard the sound of Katie landing on the other girl.

Harry’s back was hurting way too much. He really wanted to give up. Harry is assuming that Collin’s death made her crazy. And Harry can’t fault her. Collin was so young and it’s really unfair that he died. But at the same time, Harry would rather be alive. He wanted to just stop and let Katie kill him. Maybe, just maybe, death would be better than being alive.

“It’s your fault he’s dead.” Katie said. Harry stopped his limping/running. He turned back to face Katie. “Collin would still be here if it wasn’t for your stupid boyfriend.”

“Draco was here?” Harry asked. Draco was in the arena. Why was he in the arena?

“He was! And he killed Collin! He stabbed him. He’s a murderer! And I’m going to kill you, to make him suffer!”

She lunged at Harry. And for the second time, he was knocked down on his back. The pain on his back worsened. Harry couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. He was scared. He really didn’t want to die. He hadn’t made peace with the fact that he could. Even if he told himself he was going to let Marietta live if it came down to it. Harry really wanted to live. He wanted to be with Draco. He wanted to see his friends again. It really wasn’t fair.

Harry started crying. He couldn’t help himself. It wasn’t fair for any of them. They all wanted to get out.

“Oh don’t fucking cry. You’re being a baby. We all die. Whether it’s by my hand or someone’s else, you’re going to die.” Katie said. “I want to feel bad about this. But I can’t. I’ll make everyone regret they ever put me i-“

Katie stopped talking and a bunch of glass smacked into her. She flew off of Harry. Harry turned around on his stomach and covered his head. Where did the glass come from? Harry carefully lifted his head up and looked around. There didn’t seem to be a specific place the glass had come from. Harry sat down. He tried to ignore the pain in his back. He wasn’t sure if Katie was going to come back.

Harry got his answer soon enough. Katie was lying on the ground. She was surrounded in blood and water and glass. The metallic scent of blood filled his nose. She was gasping. Harry couldn’t see the wound. Or where the blood was coming from. Harry suddenly felt bad for her. It wasn’t her fault she tried to kill Harry. Collin died. It makes sense why she went insane. But she could still kill Harry if she wanted too.

And yet, Harry found himself crawling toward Katie. Katie looked so sad and Harry thought that no one should die alone. When his godfather died, his Uncle Moony was next to him the entire time. And ever since, Harry believed that no one should die alone. Uncle Padfoot looked so calm. Not even worried about the amount of blood surrounding him. He was just smiling at Uncle Moony. Uncle Moony never told Harry what Uncle Padfoot’s last words were.

Uncle Moony died next to Harry. Even through his tears, Harry smiled at Uncle Moony. Trying to tell him everything was going to be okay. Because Harry would be able to make it on his own. The Weasleys would be there for him. Harry always wondered if Uncle Moony felt comfort as he died. Harry hoped so.

And so, Harry decided to keep Katie company as she died. Maybe he could bring her comfort during her last moment on earth. Harry held Katie’s hand. He whispered calming words. Katie was crying. She was apologizing. But Harry kept talking to her. When Harry felt Katie’s hand go slack, he hoped that wherever she was, she would see Collin again.

Harry wasn’t sure how long he stayed next to Katie. The sun was now high in the sky. He could see it through the theater. He also heard some noises. And so, Harry stood up. He looked at Katie one last time before running away. He ran hoping to find someone. Hopefully Marietta, who would understand Harry. Just someone to be with him. Harry truly didn’t want to be alone.

Chapter Text

Dr Trelawney was casually talking to his grandmother when Draco arrived in the kitchen.

“Ah, Mr. Malfoy, great to see you again. Druella, it has been so nice catching up with you. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll escort Draco to school today. There is an important matter I have to discuss with him.”

Oh bloody hell

“Oh, of course! Just make sure you eat before leaving Draco.” His grandmother said.

Dr. Trelawney smiled at Draco. There was no denying it. Draco was stressed. Did Dr. Trelawney want to talk about last night? Or something else? Draco was hoping it was something else. He couldn't deal with someone else knowing about what he’d done. The fault might not be completely on Draco, but he still played a part in killing someone. What if Dr. Trelawney wanted to tell Draco to stop being a mentor? His goal of winning the Nott Prize would be out the window!

“Draco, please do hurry up.” Dr. Trelawney said. Draco looked at her and smiled. He hoped it looked convincing. He made his way to the fridge and found some bread. I guess that’s what his breakfast would be.

Draco turned around and faced Dr. Trelawney. He smiled, and he hoped that it looked convincing. Dr. Trelawney smiled back at him and started to walk out the door. Draco kissed his grandmother on the cheek before following Dr. Trelawney out the door. Before Dr. Trelawney could utter a single word, Draco shoved the bread he took in his mouth. He doubted that Dr. Trelawney would talk if Draco were eating. If Draco tried hard enough, he could make his single pièce of bread.

Unfortunately, the bread only lasted until after they were outside. Dr. Trelawney smiled at Draco.

“I wanted to speak with you about your little.. outing yesterday night. I also wanted to speak to Mr. Nott, but his father refused to let me in his house yesterday. Mr. Malfoy, did you kill someone last night?”

Draco almost stopped walking. He really didn’t want to explain the whole story again. The cameras in the arena probably showed everything already. Dr. Trelawney probably already saw what happened.

Someone saw what happened. There’s cameras in the arena. Draco was never supposed to be in the arena. He wasn’t supposed to get involved. Would he be in trouble? Draco had to answer Dr. Trelawney. It would make him more suspicious if he didn’t. But what to say? No or yes? Could Draco just say maybe? Or could he blame it on Collin? He could. Blame Collin. Say that Collin stabbed himself by accident. He meant to stab Draco, but he didn’t put the knife at the right angle. And he pushed himself on the knife. It was possible. That it was all an accident. And for all Draco knew, it probably did happen. But, it didn’t. Draco had the knife in his hands. Maybe Draco did stab Collin. Draco wanted to cry.

“I didn’t. I admit, I did have the knife in my hand when Collin died. But he pushed himself on me. He accidently killed himself.”

Draco wanted to puke. He was disrespecting the dead! Why didn’t he just tell Dr. Trelawney that he didn’t know??? It was the truth!! He didn’t know! He did have the knife, but he didn’t move his arms! Was it Collin’s fault for pushing himself on Draco? Or was it Draco’s fault for holding the knife?

“Really? The tape does show something different. Would you like to know?”

Draco swallowed harshly. Did he kill Collin? Did he move his arms? Was Dr. Trelawney lying? Draco didn’t want to know. He really didn’t. He didn’t want to know if he was a murderer or not.

“Um, no need. I know what happened. I don’t need to relive those events again.” Draco said. Safe choice.

“Oh, but I think you would want to know. So I’ll tell you. I saw you stab the boy. You know, Mr. Malfoy, I would not have expected you to kill that poor boy. You fought back, you interrupted the flow of the Games. And I understand you wanted to save your friend, but that is no excuse. Tell me, why did you lie.”

Draco stopped in his tracks. He killed Collin. He did. It wasn’t an accident. He moved his arms. He killed Collin. Why couldn’t he remember what he did? Why couldn't he? What was wrong with Draco? Why couldn’t he be like everyone else thought he was. Why couldn’t he be perfect? Draco just wanted to win the Nott Prize! Why was it so hard? It wasn’t fair. He just wants what is best for his family.

“Mr. Malfoy? Do tell.” Dr. Trelawney was in front of him.

“I didn’t know I-” Draco stopped talking. He refused to cry in front of Dr. Trelawny of all people. He took a deep breath. This bitch wouldn’t see Draco break.

“I didn’t know I had. It was a stressful moment. Thank you, for bringing it to my attention. I’m truly sorry I ruined the Games. I just wanted to save Theo. He is a very dear friend of mine.”

Draco hated himself. For the words that came out of his mouth. And he killed someone. He wasn’t better than any of the people in the arena. He understood now. After falling in love with a tribute, going into the arena, killing someone. He understood the rage of all the tributes in the arena. Draco had to do something about it. It was so unfair for everyone.

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy for being honest with me. I understand that this is a hard situation for you and your family.”

They had arrived at Hogwarts. And instead of directing Draco towards the Room of Requirement, Dr. Trelawney took a different way. One Draco had never been in. He was a bit scared of where they were going. Also, how did they make it to Hogwarts so fast?

“I’m going to take you to a different part of my lab, I would like you to see something.” Dr. Trelawney said. Yep, Draco was scared. They stopped in front of a brick wall. “Not a word about this Mr. Malfoy.”

The best way Draco could explain what the hell he was seeing was fairly simple. Dr. Trelawney tapped a brick a few times before the brick wall in front of Draco opened. The bricks moved and it created a sort of archway to the other lab. Dr. Trelawney smiled at Draco and entered. Draco followed.

The lab couldn’t be called a lab. It was more of an electric room. There were wires everywhere, and a weird sort of neon yellow liquid in a tude illuminated the room. Draco looked in amazement. The room was very impressive.

“Come look at this Mr. Malfoy.” Dr. Trelawney said. She stood in front of a computer, Draco believed it was called. Basic technology had been banned to the public. Well, removed. But there were no rules about the higher ups. He had learned about certain types of technology. And how they bested the Capitol during the war.

The computer showed Harry at his interview. He was singing the lakes.

“Mr. Malfoy, it is not a secret that you and the male tribute for district 12 have a very good friendship.” Friendship, HA! “And I was curious as to why your friend knew what a phone was?”

“I do not know Dr. Trelawney. Ha- Mr. Potter never told what song he was going to sing.”

Draco almost called Harry by his name. He couldn’t show it to Dr. Trelawney that what he and Harry had ran deeper than friendship.

“Very well. One more thing before I let you go to the Room of Requirement for the day.” Dr. Trelawney pushed Draco forward. He stood directly in front of the computer now. And Draco watched himself kill Collin.

He watched himself as he stabbed Collin. As he moved his arm and stabbed Collin. Watched as Collin died. Draco tried his best not to start crying. To just collapse on the floor. He watched as Theo dragged him out. He watched Katie cry over Collin’s dead body.

“Mr. Malfoy, I will give you one last chance. I see potential in you. This will go unnoticed, make sure that no other mistakes like this happen.”

Draco looked at Dr. Trelawney. He couldn’t breathe anymore. He forgot how too. The world was blurry. He felt tears on the back of his eyes. He didn’t know how to feel. Grateful? Scared? Ashamed? Mad? Happy? He was given a chance to put everything behind him. But how could he do so if he saw Collin everytime he closed his eyes? How could he when Dr. Trelawney just confirmed he was a killer? He killed an innocent child. Who should have never been in the Games in the first place.

“Mr. Malfoy, I think it would be great if you returned to your tribute. It is almost time to start the Games again. We woul-”

A blazing alarm interrupted Dr. Trelawney. Red light flashed everywhere. And Draco couldn’t see the computer anymore.

“Dr. Trelawney! There’s a bombing happening in the Zoo! Where the tributs used to stay!” A worker said. He stood beside Dr. Trelawney and changed the footage on the computer. The Zoo was now a pile of rubble. Bodies could be seen, some without limbs or faces. Draco turned away. The sound and the lights snapped something in Draco. All thoughts of Collin or his feelings left. All his thoughts were now on Harry. Dr. Trelawney was right. He should go back to his tribute.

“I will be going now, Dr. Trelawney. I must go to the Room of Requirement. I cannot let my tribute down. Do not worry, there won’t be another incident. Nor will I tell anyone of the bombing.”

Draco nodded his head toward Dr. Trelawney and left the room. As soon as he exited the room, he slid down the wall. He let himself have a few moments of panic. The look on Dr. Trelawney’s face was scary. She was mad. It was as if rage consumed her. This wouldn’t end well. But, Draco had to worry about Harry before worrying about Dr. Trelawney. He stood up and brushed away the dirt on his clothes. He kept his head high and made it to the Room of Requirement.

Chapter Text

Draco walked into the Room of Requirement and sat down at his place. The computer on his desk was opened and showed different things to send to the tributes. Water, food and.. blankets? Oh well. Harry was probably hungry and thirsty. And it looked like Draco had plenty of money to send whatever Harry needed.

Pansy sat down in front of him. She turned around and looked at him.
“Thinking of sending anything?” She asked

“My tribute is probably thirsty and hungry. I’ll send him both water and food. What about you, Pansy? Do you have enough money to send your tribute anything?”

Pansy smile tightened. She looked at Draco like she wanted to murder him.

“It is unfair that your tribute had actually good talent. Chang did try, but they liked yours more. I hope Potter didn’t survive the night. Anyways, I heard rumors.”

Draco knew Pansy didn’t mean anything by her little jabs. She also didn’t know that Draco had fallen in love.

“What kind of rumors?” Draco responded.

“Rumors that you and Theo snuck in the arena last night. Is it true?”

Ah well fuck. So much for keeping it quiet.

“I heard you saved him. Is that true Draco?” Pansy said. Draco wasn’t sure if the look of concern on her face was true or not.

“I did. Luckily for us, nothing bad happened. In and out.” Lying hurts. But, Dr. Trelawney had asked to keep quiet.

“Good. I’m glad you're not hurt. Good luck today!” Pansy turned around and looked at her computer. Draco couldn't see the amount of money she had. Which Draco took as a good sign.

“Please take your seats everyone! We are about to begin!” Rita said. Her voice was loud on the speakers around them. The room began to quiet down and Rita was in front of them.

“Today is day two of the Hunger Games! This morning, I will announce the tribute that died from yesterday to this moment and then our mentors will be allowed to send whatever they please to their tributes! How exciting!” Rita spoke like it was her birthday. Like all of this was happening for her. It made Draco feel sick.

“And we are rolling!” A deep voice said. Rita’s face changed entirely before speaking.

“Good morning everyone! It’s day two of the Hunger Games! Congratulations to all the tributes who are still here with us. To remember those who have left us, all of us, whether you are in the arena or outside, The Capitol is asking for a moment of silence as I recite the name of the fallen.” The screen behind Rita didn’t show the tributes, but a poorly made cartoon of a man sitting down standing up. Draco got the message and stood up. The others around him quickly followed.

“Oliver Wood from District 9, Alicia Spinnet from District 11, Walden Macnair from District 11, Cedric Diggory from District 2, Delphi Riddle from District 8 and Collin Creevey from District 1. Thank you all for the moment of silence.” Rita took a break of a few seconds between each name. The man on the screen now sat back down and Draco followed the instructions. Draco didn’t really listen to the names. He knew he was going to hear Collin’s name and he didn’t have time to care. He needed to worry about Harry.

After everyone was seated, the screen showed yet again the arena. Amycus and Julie both stood up and left the room. As they left the room, the screen showed Harry.

Draco’s breath caught in his throat. Harry didn’t look okay. He looked exhausted and awful. Just awful. Harry didn’t even have a moment of peace before someone came rushing towards him. The girl had a knife. Draco held his breath. Refusing to breathe before he knew Harry was breathing.

Thankfully, Harry moved out of the way. All around him, cheers and boos could be heard. But Draco didn’t care. He just cared about Harry. The girl lunged at Harry again. Harry was knocked down on his back. Draco wanted to close his eyes and look away. He didn’t want to see Harry die. He didn’t have an advantage here. The girl was now on top of Harry. And Draco felt.. jealous? He shouldn’t be feeling this way. Harry was seconds away from a possible death. How could Draco help him? How?

Think! There has to be a way! Water! It’s in a glass bottle. He could knock someone in the head with the glass.

Draco went on his computer and started ordering loads of water bottles when someone spoke.

“Don’t you fucking dare kill him. He’s mine to kill.” It was Katie. The girl on Harry was now on the floor. She started to crawl away but Katie caught up to her.

And slashed her throat.

“Oh! The first death of the day!” Said Rita.

Draco couldn’t see Harry anymore. But when Katie turned around to face Harry, Draco ordered the water bottles. He ordered ten bottles. Maybe a little much. But you never know if the bottles would break on their way there.

The screen went dark for a few seconds. Screams of rage filled the Room of Requirement.

“Now now! Settle down! The Games should come back any time now! Ah look! Miss Katie Bell is attacking Mr Harry Potter.” Rita said. Her voice was tight and you could hear the relief in her voice when the screen came back on.

Did Draco cause this? The screen shut down after he ordered the water. No time to worry about this now. Harry was on his back again. Katie on top of him. He was crying. Draco wanted to hold him. To tell him everything was going to be okay. That he was there. But Draco wasn’t there.

“Oh don’t fucking cry. You’re being a baby. We all die. Whether it’s by my hand or someone’s else, you’re going to die.” Katie said. She was holding her knife right over Harry’s heart. Draco understood Theo at this very moment. He would go into the arena to get Harry’s body if Harry died. He would. But Harry wasn’t dead yet. He still had a chance. “I want to feel bad about this. But I can’t. I’ll make everyone regret they ever put me i-” Katie stopped talking. And the water bottles Draco sent went crashing into her.

Draco stood up. He looked at the screen which showed Katie lying on the ground. Blood and glass surrounded her. Draco just technically killed someone again! He had sent those water bottles.

“YOU CHEATED!” Alecto screamed at him. She also stood up and looked at Draco.

“I didn’t, I just sent my tribute some water. He won’t make it far without some.” Draco answered. He smiled. He didn’t want to. But he had to act like nothing was bothering him. Like he truly meant to send that water to Harry to drink. And not to hurt someone.

Alecto looked at him and stormed out the room. When Draco looked back to the screen, Harry was next to Katie. He was holding her hand and whispering things to her. Draco couldn’t hear what they were. The whole room seemed to hold their breath. Watching Harry comfort a dying person.

After a few beats of silence, Rita spoke again.

“Well! Two deaths already! How exciting! We will leave Mr Harry Potter alone for a while. He seems in good hands. I have news that something else is happening, this very second.”

The camera changed and Draco could see a girl in the horrendous pink outfit walking next to Marietta, the other tribute from District 12. Harry wasn’t in good hands. He almost died twice. Maybe Draco should have let Lavender drag him to Harry in the arena.

“Marietta dear, do you know where your friend is? It looks like he isn’t in the same place anymore.” The girl in pink said.

They were in the tunnels. The girl in pink was sitting on the floor, against the door where Harry onced crawled into.

“I don’t know Dolores. He probably left when I wasn’t there anymore.” Marietta responded.

“You know, my plan was never to befriend you.” Dolores started. The room was quiet. You could only hear the faint sound of buzzing and whatever was being said on screen.

“Dolores?” Marietta asked. She took a small step back. Which Dolores noticed.

“I wanted to befriend Potter. And convinced him to kill you. After he did, it would have been pretty easy to kill him. You know, you were so easy to manipulate. Just a mention of your sibling and you were sold. You really should have stayed with Potter.” Dolores was smiling. There was a knife in her hands.

Marietta started to run. She bolted out of the tunnels and tried to climb out of it. But Dolores was faster. She grabbed Marietta by her hair and pulled her down. Dolores moved out of the way and let Marietta fall down. She landed wrong and a loud crack followed by a scream filled the room.

Marietta was holding her foot. Which was not at the right angle. Dolores made her way down. She walked slowly, like she didn’t have a card in the world. Marietta tried to move backwards. But she groaned in pain every time she moved.

“I really won’t regret killing you. I want to win. And if pretending to be your friend and killing you makes me a winner, so be it.” Dolores said.

She walked forward and stabbed Mariette right in the heart. Draco closed his eyes and looked away. There was probably a lot of blood. And Draco didn’t want another reminder that he had blood in his hands.

“Ouch! Another one down! Ten tributs remain! Let’s look around and see if any other deaths are happening!”

The camera changed and low and behold, a dead body. The broken body of Emmeline Vance was on the floor, the head bent at a weird angle. It looked like she had fallen from a high place, but there was no way she could have fallen down.

“Well then! Let’s rewind and see how she died!” Rita exlaimed. The screen did a weird rewind thing and there was Emmeline. She was at the exact same place. Hidden in the seats, not on the same floor as the stage, but a higher level. Draco had forgotten about them. About the VIP seats and such. Draco’s family had never been wealthy enough to buy them. So they were always on the bottom floor. He should have shown Harry the way to the upper floor. It would have been a great hiding spot.

Emmeline was sitting on the floor. Breathing hard. Cedric’s blood still stained her hands. She didn’t notice Lavender, Cho, Padma or Lee approche her from behind. By the time she noticed, Cho had her hands around her neck and the sound of Emmeline’s neck snapping was heard.

“And that’s another one down! Nine tributs left!” Rita said. A huge smile spread across her face.

Draco wanted to puke. How did he ever once have thought that the Hunger Games were good? This was awful. Forcing people to kill each other. Draco wanted out. He wanted to leave. He wanted to scream. He wanted Harry.

The camera changed back to Harry. He was running away. Just as he was about to enter the theater. He turned around. There were a few water bottles still intact. Harry made his way to them. He was about to open them when Dolores came into view. Harry ran off and hid in between some of the rubble in the big pile in the middle.

“Harry! It’s Marietta, she needs your help!” Dolores said.

She’s lying. Draco wanted to scream at Harry to stay hidden. It took a while but Harry got out. He looked at Dolores. He had the bottle in his hands.

“You promise?” Harry asked.

“Yes! Now come! She’s in the theater!” Dolores said. And she took off running. Harry followed Dolores. The screen changed to follow them. They ran into the theater and they both jumped up on the stage. Dolores was at the entrance of the tunnel, Harry was at the edge of the stage. She turned around and shoved Harry off the stage.

Harry landed with a thump on the floor. He looked up at Dolores. Draco could see the fear in Harry’s eyes.

“What have you done to Marietta!?” Harry screamed at Dolores.

“I killed her. What else? And now I’m going to kill you. You and Marietta are so easy to manipulate. I didn’t even have to convince you to follow me. You shouldn’t really trust me. And yet, here you are.” Dolores jumped off the stage. Harry was crawling backwards, water bottle still in his hands. He sat up straight and opened the bottle.

Dolores laughed and lunged at Harry. Harry let her push him down and managed to flip them around. Draco stood up. What the hell was Harry doing?

Harry was on top of Dolores. She was about to stab him, but was taken aback when Harry spilled the water in Dolores’s mouth. He almost put the entirety of the bottle down her throat and put his hand over her mouth.

Dolores started choking on the water.

“SWALLOW THE FUCKING WATER DOLORES!” Septima screamed at the screen. She was gripping the edge of her desk.

Dolores kept choking and choking until she finally went limp. Harry removed his hands from her mouth and jumped back on the stage. He slid down into the tunnels and came face to face with Marietta’s body.

A soul splitting scream echoed all around the room. Harry was crying and holding Marietta.

“I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry. Why did you trust her? What did she offer you? Marietta, why did you go? I’m so sorry.” Harry said. He kept repeating the same things over and over. He was crying and rocking Marietta’s body.

“How lucky are we!” Rita said. “Only eight tributes left. How bad do we feel for Harry Potter?”

Cheers went around the room. Draco couldn’t hear anything. How did Dolores die so quickly? Draco saw people choke. And it takes a good minute from someone to die of choking.

It clicked in Draco’s head. Harry poisoned the water. That’s why Dolores had trouble swallowing the water. That was smart. But Harry was not doing okay. Draco had to figure out a way to end the Games fast. He couldn’t let Harry suffer much longer.

✧ ᩿✧

Marietta was dead. Did she suffer? Did she die slowly? Fast? Was she okay? Wherever she was? Was someone with her? Harry couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. The only person who Harry could trust was dead. She was dead. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t. Why couldn’t Harry have died instead?

That was the fourth person who died infront of him today. The girl whom he didn't know her name, Katie, Dolores and Marietta. Out of all the people, Dolores was the only one he killed. He poisoned her. And choked her. Harry had been mad. Dolores had killed Marietta. And he killed her back. Harry was afraid of himself. He committed murder. He was a murderer.

It wasn’t fair. Harry wanted to go home. He wanted to see his friends again. He wanted to see Draco again. Draco had been so helpful, and Harry wanted to thank him. What did Harry do to end up here? Had he angered the gods above? Had he done something wrong? Or was there something wrong with Harry?

No matter. He wouldn’t let Marietta’s body rot down there. He stood up and grabbed Marietta’s body. Bridle style. He carried her out of the tunnels and into the theater. He left the theater, leaving Dolores’s body behind. He went into the lobby and put Marietta’s body next to Katie’s. He stood back up and took the other girl’s body next to Katie’s. Harry went around and tried to find as many bodies as possible.

He didn’t dare count. He was too scared of the number. And how easily it could have been him. He lined them all up. He stared at the bodies. They were all dead and yet all of their wounds were different. It wasn’t fair for them. It wasn’t fair for any of the people here.

Harry heard a sound. He turned around and the Alliance was there. Only four of them remained. Not only that, three other tributes also walked away from their hiding spot.

“Well, looks like we’re all here!” Lavender said.

“Are you sure? Last I know we were twelve left.” Cho said.

“Cho, you’re so fucking annoying.” Lavender said. And she stabbed Cho right in the stomach.

Chapter Text

Draco looked in shock at the screen. All of the remaining tributes were there. In the lobby. A tense air filled the room. 

“Well, looks like we’re all here!” Lavender said. 

“Are you sure? Last I know we were twelve left.” Cho asked. 

“Cho, you’re so fucking annoying.” Lavender replied. And stabbed Cho. 

“NO!” Screamed Pansy. She stood up, blocking the view from Draco. She banged her fist on the desk. And when Cho didn’t show signs of life after Lavender had removed her sword from Cho’s chest, Pansy left the room. 

“Seven left! This is getting fun!” 

All of the remaining tributes all looked at each other. No one dared to move but Lavender. And then, the screen changed and there was Dr, Trelawney. 

“Dearest people of the Capitol, I come bearing horrifying news. This morning, our dear president's wife passed away. You might be wondering how. Well let me tell you how. A rebel bombing! She was peacefully taking her morning walk when she exploded. In the district, they’ll be celebrating her death. We will not let this rebel bombing distract us. I want my enemies to see a rainbow of destruction. And if that means that no tributes make it home, so be it!” Dr. Trelawney’s face disappeared and the tributes were back on the screen. The crowd barely reacted. Some gasp of shock here and there but everyone was too focused on the fighting. 

Lavender and her gang were fighting the other three tributes while Harry was being left behind. He should run! Why isn’t he running? 

And what had Dr. Trelawney meant? A rainbow of destruction? What did she mean? How could Draco stop it? He wouldn’t let Dr. Trelawney change the entire rules just because a woman died. He wouldn’t let Harry die because of her. 

Draco’s mind was split in two. He was worrying about Harry and how to stop the rainbow of destruction. 

Oh fuck. Nononononononononoonon. 

The snakes. The snakes that are rainbow. The snakes that may kill you if they don’t recognize your smell. Pansy got lucky, the snake knew her. But they didn’t know Harry. 

Draco took one last look at the screen. No one had died, and Harry was hiding in the pile of rubble. It’s not like anyone will notice his absence. They were all too concentrated on the screen. 

Draco took off running to Dr. Trelawney’s office. He had to find a reason to show up. Something with the Hunger Games. How to make them better. Or something else. Whatever, he’ll invent something on the spot. 

He reached the entrance and saw two Peacekeepers there. They blocked the entrance to the elevator. They looked at Draco without saying a word. When Draco made it to them, he smiled his best smile.

“Hello! I would like to speak with Dr. Trelawney. I know the Games are still going and my tribute is still alive, but I got a new idea to improve the Hunger Games and I couldn’t wait a minute longer before telling her.” Draco said. He tried to sound convincing, that he really wanted to share his idea. 

The Peacekeepers looked at each other before one of them turned around. Draco stood there for a while. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself. He needed to think of an idea quickly. How to make the Hunger Games better? How to make people watch it more? More tributs? No, that’s just cruel. More ways to kill a tribute than each other? No, that’s also cruel. 

“Dr. Trelawney will see you.” One Peacekeeper said. “But you’ll have to be quick.” 

“Awesome, thank you!” Draco replied. Who the hell says awesome? The elevator opened and Draco went in. He was stressed out. He didn’t have any ideas! AH! 

The doors opened and Draco bolted out. He didn’t bother to look around. He didn’t want to see any of the new creations. Dr. Trelawney was at her desk. The desk was pretty far away from the snake tank. Which was already being taken away. Draco had to act quick. 

Draco smiled at her. She smiled back and Draco wanted to leave.

“So, I’ve been told you wanted to tell me something.” Dr. Trelawney said. Way too happy about that. “And that you couldn’t wait to tell me!”

“Yes! I had another idea to improve the Games. As we know, the people of the Capitol had started to watch the Games less and less. What if, the mentors and the interviews weren’t the only reason they watched it. What if it was the arena?” Draco said. 

THE ARENA??? REALLY??

“The arena. How interesting, keep going.” Dr. Trelawney said. 

“Well, um, as you know, the arena got destroyed due to a rebel bombing.” Draco started. He couldn’t see the snake tank anymore. He had to hurry. “The arena has changed since last year. It had more hiding spots and more ways to kill someone. With the rocks and such. But, what if each year, the arena is a different place? It could be a jungle and the desert next year. We could build the arenas out of the capitol and more north. And then, for more money to build more, we could rent the old ones as vacation spots!”

Holy fuck, how did Draco do that? How was he that good under pressure? Less worrying about that more worrying about the fucking snake!

“Very good Mr. Malfoy. But how could it look and feel like different environments?” 

“Screens.” What the fuck Draco! “We could develop a technology with many screens to make it look like a different environment. That’s as far as I got.”

“Thank you Mr. Malfoy. That is truly a great idea. I will go talk about your idea to the technicians we have here. If ever the idea gets accepted, I would like you to work on it also. Now, run along, back to your tribute.” Dr. Trelawney said. She left quickly after. 

Draco was grateful for that. He didn’t want to have to explain to Dr. Trelawney why he needed to stay in her lab. Draco waited till Dr. Trelawney couldn’t see him and started to run towards he’d last seen the snakes. He was now in a long white corridor. The sound of air whipping was echoing off the wall. 

Draco ended up outside. He also wasn’t sure where he was, but there was the tank snake. Draco waited till the people in white coats turned around. He ran quickly to the tank and looked for the breathing hole. At the same time, he took out the handkerchief he had dried Harry’s tears with. It felt like a lifetime ago. In reality, it was three days ago. 

Draco had carried the handkerchief with him ever since that night. He kissed it before putting in it the snake tank. Draco quickly ran back to the lab and up the elevator. He ran as quickly as he could back to the Room of Requirement. 

As Draco predicted, no one noticed him leaving. The fight was still going on. Harry nowhere to be seen. And somehow, only one tribute had died. Lee Jordan. Now, it was no longer an even fight. Three on two. The other three tributes names (Draco just learned them from hearing the shouts in the room) were Henry, Dean and Zacharias. 

Draco was panicking. He knew Harry was okay. He could see the outline of his blue pants under the rubble. But he didn’t know if what he had done with the snakes would work. He had whipped Harry’s tears with the handkerchief and it had touched his face. It should work. 

The sound of air whipping came back and the screen showed the snake tank going down. But no one could see the snakes inside. 

“Well, what is this? Candy maybe?” Rita asked. Everyone in the room was holding their breath. 

The tributes all stopped fighting and Harry got out of the rubble. He started climbing the top of the rubble and stared at the tank. 

Out of nowhere, the tank opened up and the snakes went wild. The tributes were frozen in place, except Lavender who started to run away. 

“Not candy! Those are snakes!” Rita said. 

“Holy shit!” Henry shouted before also running away. Padma was the first to go down. 

“God damn it!” Astoria said as she slammed her hands on her desk. She then left the room quickly. 

Draco watched as Henry and Dean got taken over by the snakes. He couldn’t see Harry. He wasn’t sure where he was. If he was running away. 

He got his answer soon enough. Harry was starting to climb up the pole where Cedric once hung. Lavender was under him. Henry also, but half his body was covered in snakes. He fell with a scream. 

“Potter, please help me. I’m sorry. I swear I am. I really am.” Lavender said. She had started crying. “I need to win, or else why would I have killed all those people?” 

Harry looked down at Lavender. He stared at her. But made no move to help her. One of his hands was on his chest. He was clutching something. Harry unclenched his hand and then started climbing again. Lavender started climbing again. Still begging for Harry to help. Harry was almost at the top when Lavender just dropped. She fell into the snakes. The snakes didn’t stop. Harry was sitting at the top now. Snakes were coming up on both sides. He was surrounded. 

“He won. Get him out!” Draco said. Turning around to face Rita.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t get to decide that.” Rita looked up and there was Dr. Trelawney. 

Please, not this. Harry won! He was the last one there. The last one alive. It wasn’t fair. He should have won. Draco knew the snakes wouldn’t kill Harry, but the Capitol might. They might kill Draco also. 

“Hand on the throttle

Thought I caught lightning in a bottle

Oh, but it's gone again

And it was written

I got cursed like Eve got bitten

Oh, was it punishment?”  

Harry was singing. He was crying and getting surrounded with snakes, but he was singing. 

“Pad around when I get home

I guess a lesser man would've lost hope

A greater man wouldn't beg

But I looked to the sky and said

Please

I've been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don't want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo

The prophecy?”

The room was quiet. The snakes were now on Harry’s legs. They slowly made their way up on Harry, but never biting him.”

“Why aren’t they attacking him?” Greg ask. 

“It must be the singing. He’s calming them. Please, get him out!” Draco said. 

“Cards on the table

Mine play out like fools in a fable, oh

It was sinking in

Slow is the quicksand

Poison blood from the wound of the pricked hand

Oh, still I dream of him” 

“Get him out!” Someone said. Draco looked at the direction of the voice. Dora. A sign of relief came through Draco. HIs cousin was here. And she started something. 

People started chanting to get Harry out. Harry was still singing. His lower body was covered with snakes, and a few were on his arms. But the snakes never got higher. 

“Please

I've been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don't want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo

The prophecy?”

Harry was looking directly at the camera. He stood up on the beam, very carefully. 

“And I sound like an infant

Feeling like the very last drops of an ink pen

A greater man stays cool

But I howl like a wolf at the moon

And I look unstable

Gathered with a coven round a sorceress' table

A greater man has faith

But even statues crumble if they're made to wait

I'm so afraid I sealed my fate

No sign of soulmates

I'm just a paperweight

In shades of greige

Spending my last coin so someone will tell me

It'll be ok”

Draco didn’t realize he was crying. Not until he heard the sniffs of other people in the room. People were still chanting, but some had stopped to listen to Harry. What a sad song. Harry was literally begging to be saved. Oh how Draco hoped Dr. Trelawney would get him out. 

“Please

I've been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don't want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo

The prophecy?”

Harry looked so sad and yet so strong. The chanting was back in full force. Dr. Trelawney was only staring at Draco. He could feel her gaze on him. But he refused to look back. 

“Who do I have to speak to

To change the prophecy?

Hand on the throttle

Thought I caught lightning in a bottle, oh

But it's gone again

Pad around when I get home

I guess a lesser man would've lost hope

A greater man wouldn't beg

But I looked to the sky and said

Please”

Harry took a shaking breath and sat back down. He laid his head against the wall. He looked so defeated. 

The crowd got louder and louder. Finally, Dr.Trelawney put her hand up. 

“Very well. Get Mr. Potter out.” Dr. Trelawney said before leaving the room. 

The room exploded with cheers. 

“Ladies and gentlemen! The winner of the 10th annual Hunger Games, Draco Malfoy!” Rita said. A crowd of people gathered around Draco. All congratulating him and saying how amazing he was. 

But Draco didn’t do anything. It was all Harry. Draco wasn’t quite sure what was going on. He wanted to see Harry. To hug him. To make him feel safe. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and Dora was hugging him. 

“You did good. I know you want to see him, but you will just have to wait a bit longer. I’ll help you get out of here.” She whispered in his ear. 

And so, hand in hand, Draco and Nymphadora exited the Room of Requirement together. They left Hogwarts and went back home. 

Draco closed his eyes in the sun. He couldn’t wait to see Harry again. And win the prize for his family. 

✧ ᩿✧

Hermione was on her knees. Harry won. He was coming back home. To her. To Ron. To Ginny. He was coming back. He was going to be able to sing with them again. 

Ron was hugging her from behind. Ginny was still standing. Looking at Harry exiting the arena. All of the snakes had been removed. At a very fast pace too. 

“And that’s all for this year! Another round of applause for our victor! We hope you enjoyed this year's Games! And we will see you next year!” The host said. And the screen went black. 

Hermione started crying. Because Harry did it. He did. He was coming back to them. 

“Did Harry tell anyone about the song he was singing?” Ron asked. He wasn’t crying but he didn’t look well. 

“No. I think he wrote it there somewhere.” Ginny said. She was also crying and Ron was still holding on to her. 

Hermione was so grateful for Ron and Ginny. And their family. Without them, she would have been alone. The Weasleys accepted her with open arms. And she wasn’t alone anymore. When Harry was chosen for the Hunger Games, Hermione feared she would be alone again. Harry was the one who introduced Hermione to the Weasleys. But they didn’t leave her. She still lived at her and Harry’s house. She still came to the Weasleys every morning for breakfast before leaving with Ron and Ginny to watch the Games. 

And now Harry was coming back. She wouldn’t live in her house alone. Her best friend would be home soon. And Hermione couldn’t wait. 

Her happiness was short-lived when two Peacekeepers arrived. 

“Miss Granger, Mr and Miss Weasley, please follow us. You are needed at the mayor's house.”

✧ ᩿✧

Harry was tired. He just won the Games by singing? He wasn’t really what had just happened. One second there were rainbow snakes attacking everyone and killing them. The next he was singing and the snakes were piling on him but not attacking him. 

And then! All of the snakes just slithered back into the container they were in and Harry was brought out of the arena. He was now in a circular room. With a single table in the middle with a handkerchief on it. 

“Congratulations Mr. Potter for winning this year's annual Hunger Games!” A voice said. An older woman was in the room. She had big glasses and looked whimsical in a way. 

“I am Dr. Trelawney and I designed those snakes out there.” Harry wasn’t sure if he was supposed to respond. So he didn’t. “You see, those snakes attack everyone they are not familiar with. Which means all of you should have died in the arena. But you didn’t. And it is not because of your singing. This handkerchief was found in the tank. Would you know anything about this?” 

Harry walked closer and looked at the handkerchief. He didn’t recognize it. But he did remember Draco wiping away his tears with something. Something soft. Probably a handkerchief. Draco had saved his life. Harry couldn’t tell the truth. It would most likely put Draco in danger. This woman didn’t seem forgiving. 

“I don’t recognize it.” Harry said. Which wasn’t a lie. But not the full truth. 

“What does Mr. Malfoy mean to you?” Was the second thing the woman asked Harry. He completely forgot her name. In his defense, he’s very tired. 

“My mentor. That’s all.” Harry said. That was a full lie. He wasn’t about to betray Draco. 

“Are you sure about that?” The woman asked. “Because this handkerchief is his. Well, his father to be more precise. You must mean something to him if Mr. Malfoy put this in the snake tank.” 

Harry isn’t sure what to say. He doesn’t want to rat out Draco. He saves Harry multiple times. And Harry feels something for Draco. He’s not sure exactly what it is but it’s there. 

The woman does a hand gesture and two Peacekeepers grab Harry. He wants to fight back but Harry is tired. 

“Search him.” The woman says. Another Peacekeeper comes into view and starts patting him. Harry just lets it happen. He’s too tired to fight back. And it’s not like he has anything to hide. 

“He has a locket in his pocket.” The Peacekeeper says. 

Well fuck. He did have something to hide. 

“Bring Snape in.” The woman says. 

The door opens and closes. And then opens and closes again. A man walks up next to the woman. He looks very sick. This must be Snape. 

“Doctor.” He says. 

“Snape. Do you recognize this locket?” The woman asked. 

The Peacekeeper walks to Snape and gives him the locket. Harry hopes he doesn’t recognize the locket. That would give the chance for Harry to make up a lie. 

Snape smiles. Harry isn’t sure if it’s a happy or sad smile. It’s like in the in between. 

“That locket once belonged to Narcissa Malfoy.” Snape said. He opened the locket and his eyes widened a bit. 

He found the poison. Harry and Draco were screwed. 

“Poison. The Malfoy kid cheated.” Snape added. “That explains a lot doesn’t it? The reason why Miss. Umbridge took so little time to choke on the water. My Miss. Brown just fell to her death. Mr. Potter poisoned them.”

The woman smiled. She turned away from Snape back to Harry. Harry tried his hardest to keep a straight face. Not to reveal anything. 

“I'll offer you a proposition, Mr. Potter.” The woman said. “You’ll tell us the entirety of your relationship with Mr. Malfoy and you’ll go home unharmed. Your friends also will walk away injured.” 

Harry’s heart stopped in his chest. Did this woman have his friends? 

“Harry?” A voice said. He could recognize that voice anywhere. Harry turned his face. And on a screen was Hermione. Ron and Ginny too. They were being held at gunpoint. 

“Hermione.” Harry whispered. 

“If you don’t, well, you can guess what will happen next.” Harry turned his head back toward the woman. 

And because his friends meant so much to Harry, because he couldn’t live with himself if he was the reason they died, because he could never look at the Weasleys again if something were to happen, Harry told them everything. 

And because he wanted to protect Draco too, he left out their kiss. The part where Harry truly started to feel something. Because he also couldn’t live with himself if Draco got hurt because of him. 

And so Harry hoped with all of his being that Draco wouldn’t get killed or hurt for helping Harry survive

Chapter Text

Draco couldn't sleep. He did it! He saved Harry and was going to see him again. He had asked Mr. Snape the first day of the Hunger Games if the winner of the Hunger Games were allowed to see their tributes before they had to go back to their District. Mr. Snape had said yes.

Which means Draco was going to see Harry again. He could talk to him, hold him without bars in between them. Maybe Draco could manage to get Harry alone, so that he could kiss him.

At one point during the night, Draco did fall asleep. He was dreaming of Harry, of his smile, his laugh, his voice, his eyes, his hands. For the first time in a week, Draco slept peacefully.

He woke up in the morning and got ready quickly. He showered, brushed his teeth, got dressed, said hi to his family, ate some food and left in under 30 minutes. Draco started running to school as soon as he left his house. He didn’t want to wait any longer. Harry survived. He didn’t die and is alive. He was waiting for Draco.

Draco arrived at Hogwarts pretty quickly. He took a few seconds to collect himself before entering the school. At the top of the staircase, Dr. Trelawney waited for him. She was smiling and looking at Draco weirdly. Draco wasn’t sure why she was there. He assumed Mr. Snape was going to bring him to Harry.

No matter, he was going to see Harry. That’s all that mattered.

“Good morning Mr. Malfoy. Before we go see your tribute, we have a small detour to make. Mr. Snape has requested you come by and see him.” She said.

Why would Snape want to see Draco? It’s not like Draco did anything wrong. That Snape could prove. It took an embarrassingly long moment for Draco to realize the whole reason why Draco had a tribute. The Nott prize! He’s won it! Why else would Snape want to see Draco?

Draco was so proud of himself. He did it. He finally got the money to support his family.

In his bliss, Draco didn’t notice where Dr. Trelawney was taking him. Draco thought that he would have been brought to Snape’s office or classroom. But he was being led to one of the lesser known rooms in Hogwarts. It doesn’t really have a name, unlike the other classrooms. This room was circular. That was really the only impressive thing about the room. The test was pretty lame. Beige color wall and floor with a bit of white here and there. And a circular table at the center of the room. And Snape was standing right in front of it. It was a bit off putting if you asked Draco.

“Ah! Mr. Malfoy.” Snape said when Draco walked in. Draco was a bit surprised he didn’t greet Dr. Trelawney first. Draco turned around to find Dr. Trelawney gone. And the door locked from the outside. He was stuck in a room with Snape.

“How nice it is to see you.” Snape moved closer to Draco. His robe made it look like he was floating. “Would you mind taking a look at this table?” He asked.

Draco’s happiness from this morning disappeared. Something was wrong. He was locked in a room with his teacher who hated him. It was clear he was not happy to see Draco. Snape obviously wanted Draco to lose the Nott prize. Maybe the table had an old object that Draco would accidentally break. Which would give Snape a good reason to not give him his prize. Would it be a good reason?

“Mr. Malfoy?” Snape said. Draco, who was looking at the table, looked back at him and smiled. Maybe Draco could convince Snape to give him the Nott prize.

Draco walked towards the table. All of his arguments dissolved when his eyes landed on his fathers handkerchief. They knew. They knew. They knew. This was bad. Draco knew that it was inevitable that someone would find his handkerchief. But he hoped he would be in District 12 with Harry before they did.

His eyes then landed on his mothers locket. They searched Harry. Did the Peacekeepers hurt him? Did they kill him? For something Draco did? Draco couldn’t breathe anymore. He was trying, but the air wouldn’t flow into his lungs. His vision blurred and all he could see was Harry’s dead body. Draco did his best, cheated and lied to make sure Harry survived. To make sure Harry got back to his friends. So that Harry could sing again. And selfishly, so that Harry could be Draco’s. And maybe they could have been together.

“I see you recognize these items. They’re yours. The question is why were they not with you? But in the snake tank and on your tribute?” Snape said. Draco barely heard him. All he wanted was Harry.

“Did you kill him?” Draco managed to ask. His voice was rough. His hands were on the table, keeping him from collapsing. Snape didn’t answer right away. Why wasn’t he answering the question? He couldn’t breathe. He can’t breathe. He can’t he can’t he can’t he can’t.

“No. He told us everything you did. Admit to your mistakes and maybe you make it out of this room alive, Mr. Malfoy.”

Harry is alive. Draco was finally able to take a breath. The air flowed through his lungs. He exhaled and inhaled over and over.

“I just wanted my tribute to survive.” Draco said. He hoped that Harry didn’t mention anything about their kiss.

“Cheating is not acceptable, Mr. Malfoy. You took the chance of others to win. This is defiance. You helped someone from District 12 survive. Did you forget all of the pain and suffering the Districts caused us? This is punishable by death.” Snape said. He took his time saying every word. Draco tried his best to breathe. He couldn’t die. He had a family to support.

“And if you would have gotten away with it, what would you have done? Left the Capitol? To where? Would you have left your family behind?”

“Yes.” Draco said. The word just left him. He didn’t mean to say it. But it’s what he was thinking. Snape didn’t respond. Wanting Draco to elaborate. “If I had won, I would have given the money to Dora and I would have left.”

Draco really didn’t want to cry in front of Snape but all of the pent up emotions he had felt during the entire Game, the nights before he fell asleep questioning himself just came out.

“I hate myself for suggesting some of the stuff I came up with. People are so invested in this stupid Game because of me. Because I created something. We are sending children to their death and everyone is celebrating. And I just wanted my tribute to get home. I created all of these things and he had to be a part of something he never asked. I asked him to perform when he didn’t want to. And I l-“ Draco cut himself off. He was about to say he loved Harry. He had only known Harry for a handful of days. Did he really love him?

“And I felt bad. Alright! And I’m so fucking tired of all the death! Why are we killing more people after a war that killed so many?” Draco half shouted. His tears were running hot on his face. He could feel them dropping in his shirt.

Draco collapsed on the ground. His face facing the table. He turned his head around and looked at Snape. A look of shock was on his face. It quickly disappeared to a neutral expression. He crouched down in front of Draco’s face.

“I would have had you killed for this. But I owe your father a life dept. Pack your stuff, and leave. You’ll become a Peacekeeper in District 2. A Peacekeeper should come and escort you to the station in an hour. And I hope you never show your face here again or I will find a reason to get you killed.” Snape stood up and went to the door. Draco stood back up. He wiped his tears and looked at Snape. He wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling. But at least he was going to survive this shit.

“Your father would have been disappointed to see you cry like this.” Snape said before leaving.

Draco stood in the room for a few minutes before taking his handkerchief and locket and leaving. Snape just saved him in a way. Why would Snape do that? Draco just broke down in front of him. He could have had him killed for that stupid reason. Maybe Snape does have a point. His father would have been disappointed to see Draco cry like this. To sacrifice everything for Harry. But not his mother. His mom sacrificed many things for his father.

And it’s not fair. Why did Draco have to catch feelings for Harry? He could have continued to live his life in the Capitol if he hadn’t. He could have won the prize and lived comfortably for the rest of his life. At least his mother had the chance to bring his father back to the Capitol. Draco doesn’t think he could do that. And he doubt’s Harry would want to come here.

But would Draco have found someone? Would he be alone for the rest of his life had Harry not come?

There’s too many what if and Draco doesn’t really care for them. He has to pay the price of his actions.

Snape won’t stop Draco from seeing Harry. Who he sacrificed everything for.

✧ ᩿✧

If you had told Severus Snape a few days ago that he would feel bad for Draco Malfoy, he would have laughed in your face. Severus has hated Draco ever since Lucius pushed him under the bus.

But seeing the boy cry and hate everything that Severus has created in the same way he does did something to
Severus.

He would like to lie and say that it was in fact the debt he owed to his father that saved Draco from getting killed. But there’s no point in lying to one’s self.

Severus Snape did not kill Draco Malfoy because he felt bad for the boy. And he hates himself for it.

✧ ᩿✧

When Harry saw Hermione when he got out of the train, he passed out.

He woke up a few hours later in his room in the Weasley's house. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were there by his bed.

When they saw he was awake, they showered him in hugs and beautiful words. It was only after that Harry broke down crying.

He told his closest friends every detail about his Game. He didn’t spare one, not even Draco. He told how he had saved him. How Harry killed people. How Marietta died. About the Zoo. About how he cheated.

Harry didn’t tell his Game in order. He was tired and hurt. Every time he closed his eyes he could see Katie’s body or Dolores choking on water and poison.

His friends knew most of what had happened. They did watch the Games. Harry got the most reactions when he told them his mentor kissed him.

And when he was done crying and talking, his friends just held him. Harry knew they probably didn’t know what to say or do, but just them being with him made him feel so much better.

Later in the night, Mrs. Weasley came and brought them some soup. She kissed Harry on the forehead and cried. She told him how much she loved him and how she was so happy Harry made it back to them.

When the sun left the sky and the moon took its place, Harry and Hermione were the only ones left in the room.

“I think I’m in love with Draco.” Harry had whispered into the silence.

“I know.” Was the quiet response from Hermione before he fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Draco ran home. He ran and ran and ran. No one was going to stop him. He was being sent to District 2 and he had to figure out a way to get to District 12. He wasn’t going to leave Harry alone any longer. If Draco had nightmares about the things he’s done, it was guaranteed that Harry would have them too. Draco didn’t know any of his friends, how could he be sure they would help Harry?

When Draco arrived home, he didn’t bother to acknowledge his grandma or Dora. He had to pack a bag. And find some money. Bribery might work. But where would he get the money? He just lost the Nott Prize and he was broke. There wasn’t a penny to his name.

Draco’s room was a mess by the time he finished packing. He stuffed all of the half decent clothes he had in a duffel bag he found under his bed. Draco then spent a good ten minutes looking through all the cracks and loose floor boards to try and find some money. Lucky him, there was none. He had less than ten minutes left before a Peacekeeper would arrive.

“Draco?” Dora said from the other side of the door. “Are you okay?”

Shit, how is he supposed to say to his cousin and grand-mother that he was being sent away? That he didn’t win the Nott prize?

“Dray?” Dora knocked before entering his room. Draco saw her eyes widen looking at the mess he left his room in. She looked at Draco with concern in her eyes. She stepped forward and hugged him.

“Um, I lost the Nott prize, and I’m being sent away.” He whispered against her neck. Draco told her everything. About how he helped Harry win, what Snape had told him and how scared he was. What he didn’t tell her was that he felt so much guilt for all of this. If only he hadn’t developed feelings for Harry. If only he hadn’t tried so hard to make sure Harry survived. If only Draco had had more time to have found a better way to cheat. It wasn’t fair.

“Oh Dray, I’m so sorry.” Nymphadora pulled away. She took Draco’s cheeks in her hands and wiped his tears. He hadn’t even realized he was crying. “Why did you turn your room upside down? Your mattress isn’t even on your bed anymore.” She said with a small smile.

“If I’m leaving to become a Peacekeeper I thought I could maybe bribe someone to go to District 12 instead.” Draco dropped his head. He knew his cousin was going to come up with the money now. Draco could have lied, but he didn’t have it in himself to.

“Draco, look at me please.” Dora said softly. Draco lifted his head. Draco thought Dora would be annoyed or maybe mad. He didn’t expect Dora to look happy and pleased. “Who knew you were going to fall in love? I understand you have no choice but to leave, but I want you to be happy. It’s obvious how much this boy means to you. And if bribery will get you to him, then so be it. I have a bit of savings left that should be enough. Bribe the lady at the counter at the train station, she’s most likely to change your ticket. And after you are on that train to District 12, please try and find a bit of happiness in your new life. Alright?”

Draco just stared at her. He started crying again. Nymphadora chuckled before giving Draco another hug.

“Alright. And I promise to try and find a way to talk to you.” Draco said.

Dora laughed and Draco knew she was also crying. They stayed like that for a while before Draco pulled away. He wiped his face and smiled at Dora. She smiled back.

“Grandma isn’t here right now, so I’ll tell her about what happened so you won’t have to worry about that.” She said before walking away.

Draco was left alone in his room. He looked around one last time before grabbing his bag and leaving.

There was no warning before a swarm of Peacekeepers entered his home. Draco was glad his grandmother wasn’t here to witness the scene. Two Peacekeepers went and grabbed him by his arms and carried him to the door. Draco couldn’t even fight back to try and say goodbye to Dora. His feet weren’t touching the ground.

Draco kinda blacked out. If you were to ask him how Nymphadora had managed to get the Peacekeepers to let her hug Draco and slip the money, he wouldn’t have been able to remember how.

Draco doesn’t remember how he got to the train station. He just needed to focus on his breathing, on what Dora said, and to make sure the Peacekeepers didn’t notice the money.

Draco didn’t feel like himself. He wasn’t sure how he was controlling his body. He surprised himself when he kept a steady voice when talking to the worker. She was about to give him his ticket to District 2, Draco took the money out.

“Actually, I would like to go to District 12.” He smiled at the lady. She wasn’t looking at Draco, she was looking at the money. She took the ticket back and gave Draco a new one.

“The train leaves in ten minutes, you better hurry.” She took the money and smiled at Draco.

Draco smiled back before running to the right platform.

Draco hadn’t been able to win the Nott prize and keep his family stable. But maybe, he could do something in District 12 to help Harry. Maybe Draco would be getting paid and he could send the money to Dora.

And maybe, just maybe, Draco could feel like he was doing something important and right.

…

Draco made it to the train on time. He found his seat and was looking out the window. He had never left the Capitol before. It was an understatement to say that he wasn’t amazed by the fields of grass and flowers or the forests.

Draco was sitting in the last wagon at a little table. Two long seats facing each other with a table in the center. It wasn’t like the other carts in front where they were in a room. There was no wall separating Draco from the other people around him.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you all over this train. Of course you would pick the last wagon.” A voice said.

Draco looked up and Theo was there.

“What are you doing here?” Draco asked.

Theo sat down in front of Draco before speaking. “Well, when I heard you were going to be a Peacekeeper, I decided to come along! I really wanted to go back to District 2, but the woman at the counter told me you were going to District 12. So I followed.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends. And you also helped me with Cedric. I wanted to find a way to thank you properly. This seemed like a good idea.” Theo said with a smile.

Draco just looked at him. He really didn’t know what to say to that. Theo left his comfortable life in the Capitol because he wanted to. Not because he was being forced out, but because he wanted to join Draco.

“Thank you.” Draco ended up saying. He half-smiled at Theo before looking back out the window.

“Um, I just-” Theo started. Draco turned his head back to Theo. He took a deep breath before continuing. “As you know, the guy I was in love with died. I’m glad the one you love isn’t. Before questions, to someone who fell in love with someone they shouldn’t have, please be careful. That love can easily disappear if you don’t look over your shoulder once in a while.”

“How did you know?” Draco asked. It dawned on Draco that he and Theo weren’t all that different. Draco got lucky. Theo didn’t. In all honesty, Draco is surprised Theo can function. Draco remembers how heartbroken his father was when his mother died. How he wasn’t able to get out of bed sometimes, even if Draco came to wake him up. It’s one of the last memories he has of his father.

“You’re pretty obvious. And this conversation confirmed it.” Theo replied.

Draco smiled at Theo. A real smile this time. Maybe he and Theo could be actual friends. And maybe Draco wouldn’t have to pretend to be friends with him.

Draco looked back out the window. He couldn’t wait to see Harry.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry woke up screaming again. Where was he? He was sure there wasn’t any grass in the arena, so why was there grass under his finger tips?

“Harry, it’s okay.” A voice said. He couldn't see who was talking. How does Harry know this person won’t kill him?

Harry felt someone touch his shoulder. He pushed the hand away and tried to get up. He had to run. He had to get away. He couldn’t die. He had to get home to his friends.

Someone grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms to his side. Harry started thrashing around, hoping the person would let him go.

“Harry! It’s me! Ron. You’re safe. We’re at the cabin in District 12. You’re not in the arena. Come back to us.”

Harry stopped moving. That couldn’t be true. He was in the arena. Wasn’t he?

“Harry, it’s Hermione. We were working on a song together, remember?”

Hermione and Ron. His friends. Ron was right. He was at the cabin. And Hermione was in front of him. He wasn’t in the arena. He had survived. He made it out.

Harry started crying. He was safe. He was!

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you guys.” Harry said.

Ron let go of Harry and moved in front of him.

“No need to apologize, mate. We’re just glad you’re okay.” Ron said.

Harry cried even more. He hated feeling this helpless. He hated the nightmares. He just wanted to be normal again. Why was it so hard to get back to who he was before?

“Oh, Harry.” Hermione said before hugging him.

Harry just held on to her. It took a while before he stopped crying.

“Better?” Hermione asked.

“Yes. Thank you.” Harry said. He couldn’t meet her eyes. His friends had been so helpful the past two days. It hadn’t been easy to come back from the Hunger Games. Harry woke up on his first day back screaming. A nightmare. He had almost knocked Ron unconscious. Not realizing the person trying to help him was his friend. And not someone who was trying to kill him.

Hermione tried to get Harry to talk about it but he couldn’t. They knew the full story of what happened, but not how Harry felt. He couldn’t bring himself to tell them the feeling of killing someone and seeing them die. He had blood on his hands now. How could he possibly explain the self hate and pride he had for himself?

He was proud of himself for getting out of the arena. He was proud that he had survived and managed to get back to his friends. But he hated himself for cutting other people's lives short. These people could never see their friends or family again.

Harry sometimes thinks that it would have been better if he had died. Maybe he wouldn’t be feeling like this. He wouldn’t be filled with regrets of fighting to get back home. He shouldn’t have used the poison Draco gave him.

“Would you like to keep writing the song?” Hermione asked him.

Harry nodded and stood up. The sun was warm on his skin. He could feel the grass on his feet, getting in between his toes.

In other moments, Harry is glad he’s alive. To be able to experience the warmth of the sun or Mrs. Weasley’s incredible food. Just to be at the cabin with Ron, Hermione and Ginny was enough to make him smile. Harry is so happy to be able to write new songs again.

The only thing missing would be Draco. But who knows if he was still alive. Draco had cheated for the hope that Harry would survive. He wouldn’t be that shocked if the Capitol killed Draco for that. He just has to hope that they won't. He had to. Harry didn’t think he would survive if Draco died when Harry was sentenced to it.

Harry walked to the dock where he and Hermione had been writing earlier. He guessed that Hermione or Ron had moved him when he fell asleep.

He sat down and put his feet in the water. It was cold but Harry welcomed it with open arms. He missed this.

“Alright!” Hermione said before sitting down next to him. “Harry, I just wanted to make sure you’re alright before we continue.”

Harry looked at her. He didn’t want her to worry about him. But at the same time, he was glad to have someone that was always going to be there for him.

“I’m okay. I know I had a nightmare, I just can’t remember what it was about. I’m just not sure how to feel right now. I mean, I keep seeing their faces everywhere. I fear one of them is going to come out of the woods and kill me, for killing them. It’s stupid to feel like that but I can’t help it. ” Harry said.

“It’s alright to feel this way and it’s not stupid. You were put in a very hard situation. I’m not exactly sure how to help you. But, I am sure everything will be better over time. We just have to be patient and kind to yourself. And I know you miss Draco. There’s nothing we can do about that at the moment. But who knows what the future holds. Keep your head high, we’re for you.” Hermione said.

Harry smiled at her. He sometimes hated how well she knew him.

✧ ᩿✧

Draco had been in District 12 for one day and he fucking hated him. When he arrived, he was dragged away to a room where they shaved his hair off. He had a fucking buzzcut! He lost his hair. One of the few things he enjoyed about himself.

Draco was then stripped naked and washed with a hose. The water was cold and the pressure of the water fucking hurted. He had a bruise on his thigh from when the guy with the hose got distracted and asked a question to his friend.

Draco had to share a room with 9 other people. Theo decided that they would share a bunk. Draco was glad for that, he didn’t want some random person sleeping on top of him.

His bed was so uncomfortable. Draco spent his first night in District 12 tossing and turning. He barely got any sleep and to make things worse, he had to get up early to train.

Draco just wanted to see Harry. That’s all he really wanted to do. There was no way he could leave the base unannounced. And where would he find Harry? It’s not like he could walk around District 12 asking people where Harry Potter lived.

As much as Draco wanted to leave base and find Harry, he still had a duty to do. He was training to be a Peacekeeper now. Well, technically he was one. He just wouldn’t get any assignments like a normal Peacekeeper would.

He had to keep going. He had to push through. He learned that he would get paid for being a Peacekeeper, just not a lot. Draco had to keep going to his family.

And most of all, to see Harry as much as he could.

Chapter Text

After a horrible week in District 12, Draco did not feel like going out. But Theo convinced him. Somehow, the boys who Draco trained with managed to get permission to leave the base. For educational purposes.  

Draco just wanted to sleep on his awful bed. He had bruises all over his body from training. His ears still rang from the gun training they had earlier. He also hated his supreme commander. He was always screaming orders. Draco was so very tired. 

Don’t get him wrong, Draco enjoyed the training. He really did. He enjoyed the hard work and excruciating days. The hand-to-hand combat was his favorite. It kept his mind off of his grandma and Dora. And most of all Harry. Harry was here in District 12. And yet Draco couldn’t find him. Why was it so hard to find someone? It’s been a week and he wasn’t closer to finding Harry than when he arrived. 

Maybe going to the bar was a good idea. To try and find more information about where Harry lived or work or where he usually hung out. But Draco really didn’t have the energy to go out and drink. Finding Harry would have to be tomorrow's problem. He had said as much but of course the other boys didn’t listen to him. 

Because there he was, getting dragged around town. Might as well look for Harry. He wasn’t paying attention to the conversation the others were having. He was too busy looking around. Maybe Harry would be walking down the street to go somewhere. Or maybe he lived close by. Draco couldn’t tell if the buildings around him were houses or factories. Everything was gray and had smoke coming out of it. Fireplace or something else? Draco wasn’t sure. 

“Apparently there’s an amazing bar with live music just around the corner over there.” One of the guys said. Draco believed his name was Dante. 

Draco followed them as they entered the bar. It was much more colorful than the outside. Fairy lights of different colors hanging on the top of the walls made it look like the walls were painted rainbow. The bar was in a square shape. It was hard to push through the crowd of people singing and dancing to get to the small bar at the far end of the place. The small bar was close to the stage, making it hard to hear. 

It took Draco way longer than it should have to notice Harry. Draco was too focused on the people dancing then the stage. Maybe Harry was one of the people dancing. Draco was sitting at the bar with other boys. A lot of people left their seats when they saw their uniforms. Draco didn’t mind, he was finally sitting down. 

He kept looking at the crowd until Theo tapped on his arm and pointed at the stage. And there was Harry. He was singing a song and playing the guitar. He looked so beautiful. He was smiling and dancing. Draco wanted to kiss him. 

How could Draco be so stupid? He should have recognized the voice singing. He knew Harry was in a band with his friends. It should have clicked sooner in his head. A brunette was playing the cello. She had a big smile on her face and was staring at Harry. Draco tried to push down the jealousy rising inside of him. 

There were two gingers on the stage. The boy was playing the violin and the girl the drums. Draco assumed that they were siblings. They looked really alike. They both had freckles everywhere on their faces and blue eyes.Maybe they were twins. 

“Are we enjoying ourselves?” Harry shouted at the crowd. 

The crowd screamed as a response. 

“That’s great. I’m also enjoying myself.” He strummed a chord on the guitar. “You know, I never thought I would be on this stage again.” 

Draco held his breath. Harry had performed here before. He had sung and danced on this stage. And Draco had the honor of witnessing Harry in his element. 

“But here I am! Back here with you beautiful folks. And in honor of this being my first time on stage since my leave, I thought I would sing one of the first songs me and the Covey ever wrote. Let’s see if you know it!”

A hit of a drum and Harry started playing his guitar. Cheers in the audience almost drowned out the guitar and the drum. The boy and the brunette weren’t on the stage anymore. Draco didn’t dare take his eyes off of Harry to find them. 

The intro was a bit long but Harry and the ginger girl danced around each other. Draco decided he didn’t like the ginger girl. 

There's somethin' bout the way

The street looks when it's just rained

There's a glow off the pavement

You walk me to the car

Harry started singing. It seemed like a lot of people knew the song. They danced and sang along. But Draco could care less about them. Harry was in his element. He looked so happy up there. And Draco wanted nothing more than to join him.

And you know I wanna ask you to dance right there

In the middle of the parking lot

Yeah

Oh, yeah

If this song was about the ginger girl, Draco might spiral into a train of hate. Harry and her were dancing together. Maybe Draco was just a fling for Harry. Maybe he didn’t care for Draco like Draco cared for Harry. 

Draco drowned his drink. There was no time for that. He was going to enjoy himself tonight. 

We're drivin' down the road

I wonder if you know

I'm tryin' so hard not to get caught up now

But you're just so cool

Run your hands through your hair

Absentmindedly makin' me want you

Draco cheered along with the rest of the crowd. Theo then blocked his view of Harry. He grabbed Draco by the arm and dragged him to the dance floor. He was quite close to the front of the stage. 

And I don't know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me head first

Fearless

And I don't know why

But with you I'd dance in a storm

In my best suit

Fearless

He was dancing but he never took his eyes off of Harry. Harry was also dancing and smiling. Draco didn’t think he ever felt this happy. To be surrounded by strangers and dancing. 

So baby drive slow

'Til we run out of road in this one horse town

I wanna stay right here in this passenger seat

You put your eyes on me

In this moment now capture it, remember it

'Cause I don't know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me head first

Fearless

And I don't know why

But with you I'd dance in a storm

In my best suit

Fearless

Oh, oh

The ginger girl was standing right next to Harry. They danced together. And Draco wanted to jump on the stage and push her away. 

Right before Harry started singing again, he looked at Draco. And for a moment, it felt it was only the two of them in the bar. Harry hesitated only for a moment before singing again. But he had an even bigger smile than before. 

Well you stood there with me in the doorway

My hands shake

I'm not usually this way but

You pull me in and I'm a little more brave

It's the first kiss, it's flawless, really something, it's fearless

Time seemed to slow down as Harry stared at Draco. Draco could only smile back at him. 

'Cause I don't know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me head first

Fearless

And I don't know why

But with you I'd dance in a storm

In my best suit

Fearless

'Cause I don't know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me head first

Fearless

And I don't know why

But with you I'd dance in a storm

In my best suit

Fearless

Oh, oh, oh yeah

Harry strum the last chord and the crowd started to cheer so loudly. Harry smiled and bowed. 

“Thank you! Now I need a drink. Ginny, it’s your turn!” Harry said before jumping off the stage. 

“1 2 3 4!” The girl ginger, Ginny, said into the microphone before the music started playing again. 

Someone grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him away from the dance floor. Draco knew who it was. It didn’t take a genius to know. Harry slid his hand down to Draco’s hand. He grabbed it and walked backstage. 

When they were away from everyone else, Harry threw himself at Draco. Draco hugged him back. It felt so good to have him in his arms. They were like two pieces of puzzle. They fit perfectly together.

“I missed you.” Draco whispered in Harry’s ear. 

“I missed you too.” Harry whispered back. 

And neither of them moved for a very long time. 

✧ ᩿✧

Hermione noticed Draco pretty quickly. She was wondering when Harry would notice him. He was wearing a Peacekeeper uniform. Which gave two reasons why Draco would be here. One, he was sent away after the whole cheating incident. Or two, Draco came here of his own will to find Harry.  Hermione secretly hoped it was the second option. 

Her and Ron were standing next to the stage. There was always a part of the show where it was just Ginny and Harry. After all, it was their idea to start the Covey. She had a pretty good view of the dance floor and the bar. Which means she saw Draco staring daggers at Ginny before going to stare at Harry. And he was then dragged by his friends to dance. And finally when Harry noticed Draco. It didn’t take that long afterwards for Harry to leave with Draco. 

When Hermione, Ron and Ginny finished their song, they took a bow and left the stage with a promise to come back soon. They found Draco and Harry in an embrace. Hermione didn’t want to disturb them but Ron didn’t share that same thought.

“Well, this is the famous mentor.” He said. 

Harry and Draco didn’t let go of each other but they both turned their heads toward Ron. Harry smiled brightly. 

“Guys, this is Draco. Draco, this is Ron, Ginny and Hermione.” Harry said. 

Hermione waved at Draco. He nodded his head in acknowledgment. Harry unwrapped his arms from Draco. He chose to hold his hand instead.

“Are we going back out soon?” Harry asked. 

“We are. What songs do you want to sing?” Ginny asked. “I think we should do I’m only me when I’m with you. ”

“We can’t do that one. I only have my violin with me and we need a bass for that song.” Ron said. 

“Here we go.” Hermione whispered. 

When these siblings got into a disagreement, it had to be known by the entire world. 

“What about Nothing you can take from me?” Harry asked. 

Ginny and Ron stopped arguing.

“That can work.” Ron said. 

“It can, but what Hits Different? I honestly think it’s one of the best songs we wrote.” Ginny said. 

“Ya, because you wrote it. Me and Hermione barely add anything to it.” 

“Yes, but it’s a fun one!” Ginny countered. 

“Draco, what kind of song would you like?” Hermione asked. 

Everyone turned their heads to look at Draco. Draco looked at her. He looked kind of unsure how to respond to her question. Which Hermione expected.  

Harry looked at Hermione and smiled. Thank you he mouthed to her. 

“Um, I don’t want anything sad. A happy song, I guess.” Draco said after a while. 

“ Hits different is a happy song.” Ginny said.  “So is Holy ground. “

“If you can find me bass guitar I’ll play both songs.” Ron said.

“Or, we play Nothing you can take from me and Holy ground?” Harry said. 

“Yes!” Ginny said. And without warning she ran off. Ten seconds later she was back with Ron’s bass. “I knew you’d forget it.” She said with a smile.

Ron grumbled a thank as he took the guitar. Hermione smiled at him. She sometimes wondered what she saw in him. 

Harry and Draco were whispering to each other, Ginny was teasing Ron, and Hermione stood there alone. She didn’t mind not having someone to talk to. She was just happy she was surrounded with so much love.

“Draco, why don’t you wait for us after the show? Unless you have to leave right after of course.” Hermione said. 

“I’ll wait. Thank you.” He smiled at her. He quickly looked back at Harry. Draco looked at Harry like he had hung the moon. 

Maybe Hermione didn’t need to worry so much about Harry. 

✧ ᩿✧

Harry was so happy. Draco was here. With Harry. Harry held him moments ago. Harry was on stage again. It passed like a blur. He was singing, dancing and having the best of times with his friends. He didn’t remember doing one last bow before leaving. He only remembered holding Draco’s hand as they left the bar. Hermione, Ron and Ginny right behind them.

“Draco! Wait!” Someone said. 

Draco stopped in his tracks. He took a deep breath before turning around to see who talked. Harry wondered what that was all about. 

“Yes Theo?” Draco said. 

The boy, Theo, caught up to them. They weren't that far away from the bar. So it really didn’t take that long.

“We have to go back. We don’t have the full night.” Theo said. 

Harry’s shoulders dropped. He wanted more time with Draco. Who knew when was the next time he would see him. Draco looked at Harry. He put his lips next to Harry’s ears. 

“Give me a minute.” He whispered. “I’ll find a way to stay longer.”

He pulled away and grabbed Theo. They walked away from them. Harry could see Draco aggressively whispering to Theo. 

“Did anyone else think that was a bit weird?” Ron asked. “I mean, it’s only 7:30. I wish we didn’t have to be home by 8:00” 

“You know mom doesn’t let us do that. Be happy we can perform. Remember what happened when we first told her we got a gig here?” Ginny said. 

Ron laughed. “I remember.” 

Harry laughed along. He also remembered. Mrs. Weasley tried to stop them from going. She was scared that something would go wrong with the Peacekeepers. It wasn’t unheard of that the Peacekeeper liked to cause trouble. But the four of them had been so determined to go to that show. They had practiced and practiced until everyone got it right. They ended up jumping out of Ron’s bedroom window with the help of Fred and George. Harry will never forget that night. 

Theo grabbed Draco’s shoulders and lightly shook him front to back. Harry started to walk forward. What if Theo did something to Draco? He couldn’t let Draco die. 

Someone grabbed his arm. Hermione. 

“Harry, look, Draco is smiling. They’re both smiling. There’s nothing to worry about.” She whispered. 

She was right. Draco shoved Theo away and walked towards Harry. He smiled at Harry. Harry smiled back. He was okay. Draco was okay. Theo was a friend. Not a foe. It’s all okay.

Draco took Harry’s hand and gave him a Are you okay? look. Harry nodded and kissed Draco on the cheek. When Harry pulled away, he could see a faint blush on Draco’s face. He looked at Harry before explaining what that was all about. 

“Sorry about that. Turns out curfew was at 8:00 and not 9:00. One of the guys lied about it. Theo was just letting me know and trying to bring me back. I made him cover for me. So I can spend a bit more time with you. Guys. You guys.” Draco said. He turned away from Harry and smiled at the other. 

Harry hid his smile behind his other hand. Harry thinks Draco forgot his friends were there too. 

“Why did he shake you?” Harry asked. 

Draco turned completely red. 

“Um, I don’t think it’s necessary to repeat what he said.” Draco said really quickly. 

Ron burst into laughter. He was wheezing and hitting his hand on his leg. It made everyone but Draco laugh too. Harry didn’t think it was possible, but Draco’s face was a deeper shade of red. 

“Sorry mate! Let’s all forget about this.” Ron said, still laughing. “You can come over to our house. Mum probably made some food.” 

“I hope it’s shepherd's pie!” Ginny said before running off toward their house.

Ron waited for Hermione before running after Ginny. Harry pulled Draco along. He didn’t want to run. He wanted to spend as much time with Draco before the chaos of the Burrow. 

“We’re going to Ron and Ginny’s house. Hermione and I live there because we don’t have anywhere else to go.” Harry said. Before he could warn Draco about Ron and Ginny’s 5 other siblings, Draco kissed him. It took a few seconds before Harry kissed back.

It wasn’t like their first one. This kiss meant more for some reason. Harry really didn’t have the words for it. But after a long week of feeling lonely, it all disappeared with Draco’s lips on his. Harry deepened the kiss. He wanted to feel Draco. He wanted to live in this moment forever. He never wanted Draco to leave. 

Draco was the one to pull away first. 

“I wanted to kiss you ever since Iaid eyes on you.” Draco whispered. Harry could tell Draco wanted to say something else. Harry decided to wait for Draco to find his words. “I’m not sure how to say this so I’m just going to say it. If you want to talk about anything. Whether it be the games or your past, I’m here for you. I don’t know a lot about you, but I want to learn everything about you.”

Harry wasn't sure what to say to that. He just kissed Draco again. Maybe his actions would speak louder than his words. Draco didn’t hesitate to kiss him back. 

After a while, Harry pulled away. 

“Thank you. I can’t promise you I’ll be able to share everything, but I’ll make an effort. Same thing applies to you. I want to know everything about you too.” Harry said. 

Draco smiled at him. He kissed him again. This lit something in Harry’s belly. He liked that feeling. He wanted more of Draco. His soft lips on his. His hand in Harry’s hair. His body on his. He never wanted this to end. 

“Hey lovebirds! Mum’s waiting for you!” Ron screamed. 

Harry pulled away from Draco so fast that he fell on the floor. Draco turned red again. Harry could hear Ron’s laughter slowly getting farther away. 

Draco helped Harry up. They looked at each other before dissolving into laughter. Harry quickly kissed Draco before taking his hand and walking towards the Weasley house. 

“Come on, we don’t want to make Mrs. Weasley wait any longer.” Harry said. 

Draco let Harry drag him along. After a very short walk they arrived at the Burrow. The Burrow was the only tall house in the entire neighborhood. Instead of being on story and very wide like all the other houses, the Burro was tall and narrow. From the outside, the house looked like it was falling apart, but that house had survived some of the worst storm District 12 had ever seen without a scratch. 

Draco looked at the house with awe. Not disgust like some other people did. It made Harry's heart swell up. 

“Before we walk in, I just have to warn you, there are thirteen people living in this house including me.” Harry said. 

Draco turned away from the house to look at Harry. He had a shocked look on his face. Harry grabbed both of Draco’s hands. He looked like he needed the support. 

“Thirteen?” Draco asked. 

“Yes.” Harry said. “I’ll tell you their names just so that you have a head start at remembering them.” 

Draco nodded his head. He looked determined to learn everyone’s name. 

“We start with Mr and Mrs Wealsley. Or Arthur and Molly. The eldest is Bill, who’s 26. His wife, Fleur, also lives here with their 3 year old child. Her name is Victoire. After that is Charlie who’s 25. He’s never at home during the day so we don’t see him that often. Then there’s Percy who’s 22. Don’t mention his job. It’s a sore subject.” 

Harry couldn’t help but smile at Draco. He was nodding along and mouthing the names after Harry. Harry felt warm. 

“Then there’s the twins. Fred and George are 19. Don’t try and tell them apart, it’s almost impossible. You met the others. Ron and Hermione are the same age as me and Ginny is 16. That’s all. I understand if this is all very overwhelming. My first dinner here was so chaotic I had to step outside. If you need to leave, just squeeze my hand 3 times and we’ll get out.” 

Draco nodded. He looked a bit nervous. Which makes sense. The Weasleys can seem intimidating at first. 

“Okay. Let’s go.” Harry let go of one of Draco’s hands and went up to the door. 

As soon as he opened the door and stepped in, a swarm of people were on them. 

Chapter Text

Draco almost passed out when a swarm of redheads walked at an alarming speed toward him. He was honestly confused as to how many people could fit in this house. It looked pretty small from the outside. Draco had wanted to explore the house more to see how thirteen people could live here.

But he was surrounded by a mountain of gingers with no way of escaping. Somehow, they were all standing in a semi circle around Draco and Harry. He could see all of them easily. He did a head count, they’re all there.

It was pretty easy to guess who was who. For the most part. He could tell who Mr and Mrs Weasley were. And Bill and his family. Fleur was the only one who wasn’t a redhead. She had beautiful long blond hair. She had a kid in her arms. Victoire was a really cute child. She smiled at Draco and waved. Draco waved back. The others were a mystery to Draco. He obviously knew Ron and Ginny but that was it. They all looked so alike.

He was aware that a lot of people were trying to talk to him. But Draco couldn’t hear them. He could feel Harry’s hand in his. He was too frozen to actually squeeze it. He didn’t know where to look or who to pay attention to. The only ones who didn’t ask Draco never ending questions were Bill and Fleur. They were just politely smiling at him.

Victoire asked questions too. He decided to focus on her. She was a child. It would make sense for Draco to amuse her.

“Where you from? Ron said far far away!” Victoire said. She made a big hand gesture for far far away. Draco smiled at her.

“I am from far far away.” He said. The room went quiet really quickly. Victoire was smiling even more. “It’s around 5 hours on a really fast train.”

“How fast is train?” Victoire asked.

“It’s so fast that sometimes the only thing you see outside is green. You can’t even see the trees passing by.”

Victoire’s mouth dropped open. She looked up at her mom. She made sure Fleur was looking at her before speaking.

“You hear?” She exclaimed.

“I did!” Her mom responded. She had a bit of an accent but Draco couldn’t tell where it was from.

Fleur looked at Draco and smiled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Draco. I’m Fleur. This is Victoire and my husband Bill.” She said pointing at all the members in her family.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Draco said.

“I’m Fred.” Someone said. Draco turned toward the voice. He looked for two identical people. Harry said Fred and George were twins. And there they were. They were both pretty tall. Much taller than Draco. Draco tried to see if there were any differences between the twins. There were none.

“And I’m George.” The other one said. They both put out one of their hands at the same time.

“Nice to meet you!” They said at the exact same time. It freaked out Draco a tad bit. He shook both their hands.

“Nice to meet you two.” Draco replied with a small smile.

Introductions were made all around. To help him remember who they all were, he made small reminders for each of the Weasley. Mr and Mrs Weasley looked the oldest. Bill had long hair. Fleur was blond. Victoire was a child. Charlie had scars on his face. Percy was the one with glasses. Fred and George looked exactly alike. Ron had short hair. Ginny was a girl.

It might have sounded a bit mean in some places but Draco needed a way to remember all of them. They were important to Harry. Draco needed to make an effort. And he was a tad bit drunk, so remembering names and faces was so much harder.

Draco was now in the living room. He had answered a lot of questions like why he was in District 12 and blah blah. He really liked the Weasleys, but he was tired of all the questions. His answers were getting more vague to every new question asked.

“Draco dear,” A person said. Draco turned around. He was sitting on the orange sofa next to Harry. It wasn’t a very nice shade of orange, but it looked really good in the living room somehow. Mrs. Weasley was standing a few feet away from him. It made Draco wonder if she might be afraid of him. Draco was a stranger. “Is shepherd's pie okay with you?”

“I’ve never had it before. But I’m not picky. I’ll eat whatever there is to eat.” Draco replied.

“Of course not. Shepherd’s pie is not a rich people's food, now is it?” Percy, Draco believed, said.

The silence was loud. Draco wasn’t sure how to break it. So he simply smiled at Mrs. Weasley. He needed to get away. Draco could feel himself starting to lose it. He had to remember how to breathe properly.

“If we’re eating soon, I’ll go wash my hands. I’ve been training all day.” Draco said.

“Down the hall.” Mrs. Weasley said.

Draco got up from the couch. He could feel Harry staring at him. But Draco had to go. He had to collect himself. Talking took so much effort, and he would probably need to talk during supper.

Draco didn’t remember how he went from the living room to the floor of the bathroom. Did he walk slowly? Too fast? Did he look like he was about to tear his fucking hair out of his skull?

Draco understood why Percy said it. To an outsider, Draco was rich. He had all of the things he wanted. He lived comfortably, never having to worry if he was going to eat that day.

But that wasn’t true.

Why was it so hard to admit to others he was poor? That his family barely had enough money to pay rent or eat. That Draco could go a full day without eating without his stomach begging for food. How Dora had to sow the fucking shower curtains to make a nice shirt for Draco.

Draco couldn't breathe. He had to calm down. Hand washing didn’t take that long. He had to calm down. Harry was probably worried about him. Draco didn’t want to make Harry worried. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. He had to calm down. HehadtocalmdowHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdownHehadtocalmdown.

✧ ᩿✧

Harry was worried. Draco didn’t seem alright when he left. Should Harry go see him?

He could hear Percy and Charlie arguing with each other. Harry wasn’t really paying attention. He was looking down the hallway. Hoping Draco would come out and smile at him. That he really went to the bathroom just to wash his hands.

“Go see him.” Someone whispered in his ear. Harry jumped off the couch. He turned around, ready to defend himself, but it was just Hermione. She smiled at him and jerked her head towards the bathroom.

Harry left the living room and went down the hall. He was about to knock on the bathroom door but then realized he wasn’t sure how to help Draco. He didn’t want to make Draco’s situation worse. Or maybe Draco was fine. Maybe he just decided to pee.

Harry heard a sob. He knew Draco wasn’t okay. Harry had to help him.

“Draco?” Harry said while knocking. “Are you okay?” What a stupid thing to say. Of course he wasn’t okay.

Draco didn’t respond. Harry could hear him cry. He hated that, He never wanted Draco to be sad. He wants Draco to be happy. After all that he sacrificed for Harry. It wasn’t fair.

“Draco, I’m coming in okay?” The door wasn’t locked, thankfully.

Harry walked in. Draco was sitting on the floor. He was hyperventilating and crying. His whole body was shaking. His face was in between his legs, so Harry couldn’t see his face. Harry’s never seen Draco like that before. It scared him a bit. But it made Harry so sad to see Draco like that.

Harry’s first instinct was to hug Draco. Harry dropped to his knees and was about to hug Draco. But something made him stop.

When Harry was in a panic when he woke up, he didn’t necessarily like it when Ron grabbed him from behind. Sure, it did help Harry get out of his panic state quicker, but it does make him panic more.

Harry decided to put his hands on Draco’s knees. Draco’s attention snapped to Harry. Tears were running down his cheeks. His eyes were red. Harry wanted to wipe them off of his face, but Draco might not want that right now.

“Hi.” Harry said. He mentally slapped himself. Who calms down someone by saying Hi? “You’re safe. It’s okay. I’m here. I’m not leaving, okay.”

Harry wasn’t quite sure what he was supposed to say to help Draco. Reassuring him that everything’s okay seemed like a smart thing to say. Draco was still breathing fast and hard.

“It’s okay, breathe with me. In and out.” Maybe slowing his breathing could calm Draco down. “Breath in.” Harry took a deep breath and waited for Draco to follow. It took a few seconds before Draco took in a shaky breath.

“You’re doing so good. And exhale.” Harry exhaled and so did Draco. Harry did this a few times. Encouraging Draco at every turn.

Once Draco’s breathing evened out, Harry removed his hands from Draco’s knees.

Draco reached forwards and grabbed Harry’s hands. He held them in his hands, rubbing Harry’s fingers against his thumb.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered after a while.

“It’s okay, there’s no need to worry.” Harry responded. “As long as you’re okay. If you want to talk about it, I’m here. If you don’t, then I don’t mind sitting with you in silence until you’re ready to go back out.”

“I don’t know why that comment affected me so much.” Draco said after a while. He was looking down at their intertwined hands. “The war ruined my family. My parents died. My aunts and uncle died. My grandma was left to raise my cousin and I. We barely had any money to eat. My grandma thought we didn’t notice, but we saw when she would give us her portion of food. We never had shepherd's pie because we couldn’t afford it. The best meals I’ve had in the capitol was at Hogwarts for lunch. I’ve had more food here in a week than I would have had in a month at home. I don’t even know what shepherd’s pie is”

Draco looked up, he was still crying. This time, Harry removed one of his hands from Draco’s and lifted his hand to his face. When Draco made no moves to indicate that he didn’t want his face to be touched, Harry cupped his face. Harry wiped Draco’s tears with his thumb. Draco leaned into Harry’s touch and closed his eyes before continuing.

“I really don’t know why the comment Percy made affected me so much. It was Percy who said it right?” Draco opened his eyes when he asked the question.

Harry simply nodded and smiled. Draco smiled back.

“Thank god I got his name right. But, that’s what my family wanted. For people think that we were rich. That we had everything we wanted. And I think-” Draco started to take shaky breaths.

“It’s okay.” Harry said. He didn’t want Draco to start to panic again. “And I get what you mean. For some reason it seems like it’s always the little comments that affect me the most too.” If Draco opened up about his family, Harry could too. “When my Uncle Padfoot died, I was fifteen by the way, I took care of my Uncle Moony. I made it look like we weren’t drowning in sorrows. Like I didn’t sleep in his bed every night because we both couldn’t sleep alone. Ron said that he was surprised that we were both fine after Uncle Padfoot died. I snapped, I guess. I wanted people to think that we were fine. But hearing it out loud made me feel like, I don’t know. But it gets better. I know our stories aren’t the same, but it does get better. I promise.”

Draco started to cry harder. His body seemed to go limp. Harry moved so that he was beside Draco instead of in front. Harry pulled Draco into his arms. He took his time, making sure Draco was okay with all of this. That he was comfortable. Draco quietly sobbed on Harry’s shoulder.

Harry felt a bit guilty for thinking this, but a part of him was kinda glad about this. He felt closer to Draco in a way he never thought possible. Harry’s been surrounded by love for most of his life. His parents, that he barely remembered, his uncles and even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He saw the love they portrait up front to everyone.

Harry thought that relationships were easy. Like the adults in his life showed him. But maybe it was more than I love yous and kissing them. Maybe it was also understanding your partner emotionally and being there for them. Harry felt weirdly loved on this bathroom floor. He was the one comforting Draco but he felt loved. Draco listened to his story. He never told anyone that before. Even when Ron held him when he cried.

Harry thinks that Draco might have felt relieved to hear he wasn't alone. That someone else felt what he felt.

“Sometimes I think that,” Draco started to say. Harry heard him take a breath. “I think about what life would be like if no one knew me. That I was a nobody. No one would care if I was poor or rich. I wouldn’t need to put up a facade. I hoped that no one would know me here. That they wouldn’t assume I was fed up with the food because I had better food in the Capitol. I guess that hope kinda shattered when Percy said what he said. I don’t hate him for it, but.”

Harry gets it.

“Do you want me to talk to Percy?” Harry asked. Harry never talks to Percy directly. He usually only talks to him in group conversations. He never actually had a one on one with Percy.

“No, it’s okay.” Draco said.

They were quiet for a while, just holding each other. Harry felt so peaceful. For the first time in a while, he felt completely safe. There wasn't a nagging voice in the back of his head that someone was coming to kill him. It was quiet in his head for once. The only sound was the sound of their breathing.

“Thank you.” Draco said, breaking the silence. “For helping me and telling me about your Uncles. I would love to hear more about them, one day.”

Harry’s eyes filled with tears. He wasn’t ready yet to share more about his Uncles. They took up most of his heart. But he was happy that he would have someone to share their story with.

✧ ᩿✧

Hermione was getting a bit worried. She and Ron were setting the table. Percy and Charlie were still arguing, but more quietly now. It had now been around 7 minutes since Harry went to find Draco.

Hermione looked at the clock, 3 more minutes and she was going to knock on the bathroom door.

“It’s fine, Hermione.” Ron said. “They’ll come out when they’re ready.”

“I know, but I’m still worried.” Hermione responded. “I can’t help it. Both of them have been through some shit. I don’t want Harry or Draco to feel worse. This was supposed to be a fun day.”

Ron laughed. Hermione turned around and was about to smack him. He put his hands up, still laughing.

“I know, I know.” He said between laughs. “But, you’ve only met Draco today, and you care for him so much already. That’s such a Hermione thing to do.”

Hermione smiled. Ron walked towards her, his hands still up. He hugged her.

“They’ll be fine.” Ron whispered. Hermione hugged him back.

Ron was right. Hermione did tend to care a lot. But she was glad she cared.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” Ginny said.

Hermione let go of Ron and looked at Ginny who was entering the kitchen.

“Piss off. I was comforting a friend.” Ron said. He puffed his chest out a bit. Hermione covered her laugh with a cough.

“Sure, a friend.” Ginny said. Ron turned into a dark shade of red.

Hermione could feel her face heating up. She wasn’t going to deny that she liked Ron. But she was a bit embarrassed to do the first move.

Before either of them could defend themselves, Harry and Draco walked into the kitchen. Draco’s eyes were a bit red. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione before whispering something into Draco’s ear. Draco’s eyes widened and looked at Hermione and Ron.

“Oh! I get it.” Draco said a bit too loud. Harry started to laugh. Which caused a domino effect and everyone in the kitchen started laughing.

A bell rang in the house. Food time.

Chapter Text

Draco thought it was genius to have a bell announce when the food was ready. In under two minutes, everyone was at the table. Somehow, everyone fit at the table. Draco was really amazed, the space was so well used. Not like his house where it felt empty.

Draco was sitting between Harry and Hermione. And directly in front of Percy. He tried not to make eye contact with him. But it was pretty hard.

He was holding Harry’s hand under the table. Draco hadn’t been able to let go since he left the bathroom. He doesn’t remember what happened. He briefly remembered Harry helping him even out his breathing, before that, Draco just remembers panicking.

Mrs. Weasley brought out everyone's plate. It took a while because they were a lot of people. Draco wanted to help her, but Harry had shook his head when Draco asked him if he could help.

The food smelled amazing. No moldy smell, no sweat smell, just food smell. This was a first for Draco. He was holding back tears. He was sitting down at a table full of love with delicious smelling food for the first time. That he can remember. Obviously, he must have had home cooked meals with no mold at one point in his life. But, he couldn’t remember them.

Harry squeezed Draco’s hand under the table. Draco turned to look at Harry and smiled. Harry smiled back. And for a few seconds, it was only Harry and Draco at the dinner table.

“Alright, dig in!” Mrs. Weasley said.

Draco didn’t want to eat too fast. He was starving but he didn’t want to look insane. So, he took a bite at a respectable speed and held himself back from immediately getting another. It had been so long since he had a good home cooked meal.

Draco looked at Harry, who had somehow already eaten half of his plate. Harry smiled at him.

“Good, right?” He said.

Draco just nodded back before eating again. He didn’t bother taking his time. Everyone was eating like it was the first meal they had in a week. Maybe it was.

Draco finished his plate pretty quickly. He was still hungry but he didn’t want to ask for a second serving. There might not have been enough food for a second serving.

Harry got up beside him. He had his plate in his hand, the other was reaching for Draco’s plate.

“Do you want more?” Harry asked.

“Is there enough for more?” Draco asked back.

“There’s plenty more, dear.” Mrs. Weasley responded.

“Oh, then yes please.” Draco smiled at Harry before he left the dining room.

“Why was that so shocking?” Someone asked.

Draco turned his head and he assumed Percy had asked the question.

“I’m sorry?” Draco heard the question, he just didn’t understand it.

“Why were you shocked when mum said there was plenty of food left? Did you think we were too poor to buy enough food for the whole family?” Percy asked. It was Percy?

Ah.

“No, not at all. Um,” Draco was debating telling them the truth. “I had a friend back in the Capitol that didn’t have enough food for everyone. So they had really small portions and couldn’t have seconds. I just didn’t want to assume there was enough food and then make you all uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t the truth, but not a complete lie.

“Why did your friend never come eat at your house then?” Percy asked.

Draco wanted to bang his head against the table. He didn’t like how curious Percy was. Or maybe he was just being a dick.

“Percy.” The guy next to Percy said.(It was Percy, he got the name right!) He had scars so it must be Charlie.
“What Char? I’m just curious.”

“Draco,” Charlie was talking to him. “you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Percy just hates the fact that he doesn’t have the money to buy a nice suit.”

“Hey!” Percy said.

“It’s true.”

A chorus of yes and he’s right were said.

“Charlie’s right. If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to.” Harry said while sitting down. He gave Draco his plate back.

“No it’s okay.” Draco said. There was no need to hide it anymore. These people didn’t really care about his money. “My friend didn’t want to. He knew that it wasn’t better at my house.”

Not to be corny, but Draco felt lighter. He was also proud of himself. Make him feel bad.

“I’m sorry.” Percy said.

“Please don’t apologize, it’s fine.” Draco said. “It’s the first time I admitted that to strangers. So, thank you.”

Draco smiled and Percy smiled back awkwardly. Draco totaly did not call him a loser in his head.

“Talking about Percy’s suit, you should buy a pink one. I feel it would look good on you.” Harry said.

“Yes! But it would be better if it was a rainbow suit!” Ginny added.

The rest of dinner was spent talking about Percy’s suits.

Draco laughed along with the crazy suggestions of suits. He didn’t want to leave this moment, filled with laughter and smiles.

For once in a long time, he felt at ease and safe.

✧ ᩿✧

It was time to clean up. Harry always thought that it was kinda stupid how everyone had to help clean. The kitchen was way too small for everyone.

But, it was nice to be surrounded by smiles and laughter. Everyone had a job to do. Even though it was organized, a bigger mess was created. Broken plate, water mess, getting stabbed by a fork.

Harry’s job was to put away the tablecloth and to shrink the table.

“Help me fold?” Harry asked Draco, who was still sitting at the table.

“Sure.” He got up and went to the other end of the table.

Harry laughed at Draco’s shocked/blank expression.

“Shocking isn't it? As soon as everyone is done eating, it’s cleaning time. It shocked me at first too. I was then immediately given a job. It’s only been a year since I started folding the tablecloth and shrinking the table.” Harry took the tablecloth and Draco followed his movement.

“Shrinking the table? How can you shrink a table?” Draco asked. He folded the tablecloth once before moving in the same direction Harry was.

“I’ll show you after.” They met in the middle and Harry kissed Draco quickly before folding the tablecloth for the third time.

A loud crash was heard in the kitchen followed by a string of curse words.

“Charlie! Language!” Mrs. Weasley said.

“Sorry mum.” Charlie responded.

“Don’t worry about it.” Harry said. Draco had stopped moving and was looking behind Harry. He turned his attention to Harry. “It happens all the time. Charlie has to put away the clean plates. He probably knocked into Ginny and dropped a plate. This happens at least once a week.”

Draco nodded at Harry and kept folding.

Once the tablecloth was properly folded, Harry showed Draco where it went. They had to pass through a very crowded kitchen. Usually, by the time Harry was done folding, Mrs. Weasley would be knitting on the sofa. Because of Draco’s help, she was still cleaning the dishes while Ron dried them off and gave the item to the respective person.

Harry was holding on to the tablecloth and Draco’s hand. He made his way to Mrs. Weasley.

“Sorry, I just need to put this away.” He said.

“No worries, dear.” Mrs. Weasley stepped out of the way and Harry crouched down. He opened the cabinet under the sink and put the tablecloth at its place before getting up.

“Thank you!” He said to Mrs. Weasley while taking Draco’s hand and leaving the kitchen.

“Close the cabinet next time!” Mrs. Weasley said loudly.

“Why does the tablecloth go under the sink?” Draco asked.

“I don’t know. It’s a mystery. I’ll show you how to shrink the table.” Harry pointed to the far end of the table. “Do you see two lines, one closer to the middle and the other closer to the end?” Draco nodded. “That's a piece we remove to shorten the table.”

“Wow. I didn’t know tables could do that.”

“They normally don’t.” Harry moved to one side of the table and instructed Draco to do the same but on the other side. “The main table started to get a bit too small to fit everyone, so Bill and Mr. Weasley came up with this.”

Harry started to unhook the two little golden hooks on both sides of the extra piece.

“If you put your left, my right, hand under the table and move it to the left, you’ll feel a small hook.”

Draco did as instructed. Harry assumed he couldn’t find it because Draco bent forward to try and look under the table. He came back up.

“Found it!” He said smiling. Harry smiled back.

“You’ll have to unhook it from the main table so that we can remove the part.”

Harry had already unhooked his side and was watching Draco. Draco, after a little while, sat down.

“Did it.” He said from under the table. “What next?”

“There’s another one on the other side of the table, on your right.”

Harry heard some shuffling under the table. A few seconds later, Draco stood back up.

“Now, we have to pick up the piece and lift it up. We don’t want it to hit the table. After that, it’s a few steps to put it against the wall.”

Draco nodded and grabbed the table.

“Okay. 1, 2, 3.” Harry said.

They lifted the extra piece. Harry started to slowly move to the right. Draco stood still, only slightly moving to make sure the piece didn’t hit anything. Harry then guided Draco to the wall where the extra piece was kept. They slowly put it down. Harry made sure the piece wouldn’t fall.

“One more step.” Harry walked back towards the table, Draco was following him. “We have to push the far end of the table into the main table. And then hook it together. I’ll do this part by myself. You can’t really do it with two people.”

Harry worked pretty quickly. He used his hips and hands to push the table back into place. He crouched down and reattached the table. He stood back up, grabbed Draco’s hand and dragged Draco to the back of the house, where the stairs were.

“Keep the door open or Ron will come up with you.” Mrs. Weasley shouted from the living room.

Harry looked back. Draco turned into a pretty shade of pink.

“I will! No need for Ron!” Harry shouted back. He started running up the stairs.

“Hey! It’s my room too!” Ron screamed up at him.

Harry laughed. Draco was still holding on to his hand. When they made it to the top floor and into Harry’s room, Draco collapsed on the bed on his back. Harry didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was Ron’s bed. He closed the door, leaving a small crack. It wasn’t fully closed. He didn’t bother opening the light, the moon shone bright outside.

“Why were there so many stairs?” Draco said out of breath.

Harry laughed and fell next to Draco. Their shoulders barely touched. He turned his head toward Draco. He looked at him. Face flushed, his blond hair falling into his grey eyes, his chest moving up and down. He was truly handsome. And pretty. Harry reached out his hand toward Draco. instead of staying on his back, Harry moved to his side. He could see Draco’s face better that way. He extended his index finger. He wanted to trace Draco’s face. The shape of his nose, his jaw, his eyelids, his lips. Harry hadn’t had a chance to be truly alone with Draco. He wanted to take in the moment.

Draco turned his head. He looked at Harry's finger slowly approaching his face.

“What are you doing?” Draco whispered.

“I want to trace you. You look so pretty.” Harry whispered back.

Draco’s face flushed even more. But he didn’t object when Harry touched the top of his nose. He moved his finger down, following the shape of his nose. He went back up and followed the shape of his eyebrow. Draco closed his eyes and Harry lightly touched his eyelid. He then moved to his cheek. Draco felt warm and soft. Harry took his time doing the same movements. He added his middle and ring finger.

He finally got the courage to make his way down to Draco’s lips. He only used his index finger to trace the shape of Draco’s lips. Draco’s mouth opened slightly.

“Thank you.” He whispered. Harry felt the vibration of the word on his finger.

“For what?” Harry asked.

“For helping me. For bringing me here. It has been a while since I felt safe. I love my family to death, but,” Draco stopped for a while. He took a few breaths in and out. “The penthouse never felt like a home. I always had to worry about the rent. I didn’t always eat. It felt cold.”

Harry cupped Draco’s face with his hand.

“You don’t have to thank me. I also never got the chance to say thank you. You saved me. I would have died without you. And I’m sorry. You were probably taken away from your home because of me.” Harry said.

Draco opened his eyes. He looked so pretty. He moved to his side and properly faced Harry.

He leaned in and their lips met. Draco grabbed the back of Harry’s neck and pulled him closer. Harry would be lying if he said he didn’t widely enjoy that. He could feel Draco’s heartbeat through his shirt. Harry moved his arms so that he was holding Draco.

“Please,” Draco said, breaking the kiss. Harry kept on holding on to Draco. “Don’t thank me for saving you. You were worth all the trouble. And it was my plan to leave anyway. I couldn’t imagine a world without you in it. From the moment I saw you I knew I would do anything for you. It might have taken a bit of time to realise it, but I really like you. I did the bare minimum.”

Harry didn’t even realise he was crying until Draco wiped away his tears. Those words meant so much to him. There had been a voice in the back of Harry’s mind ever since he had left the Capitol, that if Draco had died at their hands, it was Harry’s fault.

“I thought I had killed you.” Harry said. He couldn’t stop the tears. “When they told me they found the poison and blackmailed me into telling them about the ways you helped me, I thought they would kill you for it. And I would have never known if you died or not. I’m so glad you're here, Draco.”

“Oh love, you didn’t kill me. I’m right here. Please don’t feel guilty for something that didn’t even happen. I’m right here. I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon.” Draco whispered.

Harry kept on crying. Finally, he could let out all those pent up emotions. Draco was here. His heart felt heavy, but it was getting lighter. Draco hugged him tighter.

“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” He kept whispering.

…

Some time later, when Harry had stopped crying, Draco pulled away slightly.

“Feeling better?” He asked.

“Yes. Thank you.” Harry responded.

Draco kissed his forehead. They stayed there in silence, holding each other.

“I should probably tell you something.” Harry said, breaking the silence.

Draco frowned, a look of worry appeared on his face.

“This is Ron’s bed.”

Draco opened his mouth, like he was going to say something but he just started laughing. It was a loud, all consuming laugh. Harry couldn’t help but join in.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Draco exclaimed.

“You just looked so exhausted! I didn’t have the heart to tell you!” Harry said laughing.

Draco sat up, bringing Harry with him. He looked quickly around the room. Harry’s bed was right next to Ron. Draco got up from the bed, without Harry.

Out of nowhere, Draco picked Harry up, bridal style. If anyone were to ask, Harry didn’t squeal. Draco slowly made his way to Harry's bed. He put his head in Draco’s neck and laughed.

Harry was sure Draco was taking tiny steps. That made him laugh even more.

After an exaggerated amount of time to get to his bed Draco lowered Harry down on the mattress carefully. Draco then got in next to Harry.

“I’m cold.” Harry said. He wasn’t, he just wanted Draco to be closer than he was.

Draco didn’t catch on that Harry wanted to cuddle. He, somehow, got Harry under the covers. There was a lot of pulling on the blankets and moving around.

“Thank you. But, um, can you hold me?” Harry ended up whispering the end.

“Of course.” Draco whispered back.

Harry turned on his side and faced away from Draco. It didn’t take long for Draco’s arm to come around his waist. Draco pulled him closer and rested his head on the back of his head.

They stayed like this the whole night. Draco was so warm and real. He could feel Draco breath on his neck, could feel his pulse on his back, could feel his arm around Harry’s waist. He hoped morning would never come. He wanted to live in the moment forever.

Chapter Text

When Draco woke up with the sun on his face and a body in his arms, he knew he was fucked. Draco opened his eyes. He was in Harry’s room. He fell asleep. He was supposed to be back at the base before 9pm. It was way past 9pm. If the sun was up, then he also missed the wake up call. He was fucked!

Draco was debating what to do. Waking up Harry was a no no. He looked so peaceful there. He must have moved during the night because his face was in the crook of Draco’s neck. Should he try his best to leave without Harry waking up? Or wait til Harry wakes up and then leave? 

Option one was just mean. Draco didn’t want Harry to feel betrayed that Draco just left. Option two might take a while. Who knew it would take for Harry to wake up? 

Either way, he was gonna get punished. 

Harry moved in his arms. He switched sides and faced away from Draco. His neck now free, Draco sat up slightly. His elbow on the bed, his head in his hand. He looked at Harry sleeping. There was no way Draco could wake Harry up. There was something so peaceful about watching Harry sleep. He could see the rise and fall of Harry’s chest, the way his finger twitched a bit, he could see the sun illuminating Harry’s face. He was so beautiful. 

 He decided right there and then, we wouldn’t leave. He’ll wait till Harry wakes up and then leave. Theo will cover for him. 

Draco wasn’t sure how long he spent looking at Harry sleeping. He slightly thought it was a bit creepy to just look at someone sleeping, but the thought was quickly pushed away when Harry moved closer to Draco. Draco had never felt more relaxed. 

It wasn’t long before Harry woke up. Draco knew something was wrong when Harry started twitching, Not just his finger, but his whole body. He also started murmuring. Draco couldn’t make out what he was saying. 

“Harry?” Draco whispered. He sat up straighter and put his hand on Harry’s shoulder. Bad idea. 

Harry woke up and pushed Draco down on the mattress and wrapped his hands around Draco’s throat. Harry was straddling his hips. Draco wasn’t sure what to do. Harry wasn’t squeezing, Draco could still breath without problems. In another context, Draco wouldn’t hate this. 

Draco believed Harry was still half asleep, he probably just had a nightmare. How could Draco help him? When Draco had a nightmare, he just woke up in sweat and walked it off. Was that the right thing to do? Just not do anything? 

“Harry?” Draco asked again, a bit louder. Harry blinked and he seemed to fully wake up because he flung himself off of Draco. He landed on the floor with a thud. Draco pushed himself up to see where Harry was. He was standing up, his hands behind his back. He looked on the verge of tears.

“I’m so sorry.” Harry said. His voice cracked while saying it. “I thought I was back in the arena, I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me at all. I promise.” Draco said. Harry moved backwards when Draco tried to get up and move closer to him. Draco sat back down. How could he help? 

They just looked at each other for a few solid seconds. Draco needed to say something else.

“I also get nightmares. My most recurring one is one from the war. Me and Dora decided to run away after our parents died. Even though we were told they died, we refused to believe it. We left to go and find them. As soon as we stepped out of our apartment, we were met with an ungodly amount of dead bodies. I wanted to turn back but Nymphadora really wanted to go find her parents. She lost them both, I only lost my mom. My dad died a few months later. But, we turned back when we saw a man eating a dead body. In my nightmare, I see the scene over and over again. In some of them, the man sees us and starts to run after us. Other times I end up eating someone. I wake up feeling awful and sick. I never had someone there for me when I woke up. Whether it was in the middle of the night or early morning. What I’m getting to is that I’m here. You can talk to me. You didn’t hurt me. You were only scared. I can’t blame you for this. That would be a dick move on my side. I’m here.” 

Draco never told anyone about his nightmares before. He reached out and opened his hand. Harry could take it if he wished. It took Harry a few seconds before taking Draco’s hand. Draco stood up and hugged him. 

Harry started crying. 

“Katie was right there. She was going to kill me. I didn’t want to die. I bet she also didn’t want to die. But then she died and Lavender was there. She also wanted to live, but I killed her. With the poison. I should have died.” He sobbed even harder.

“Oh, Harry. I’m so thankful you’re in my arms right now. Please don’t think you should have died. You have so many people who love you and are glad and relieved you’re here.” 

“What about the other tributes? They probably had someone who loved them very much.” Harry asked. 

Draco had no answer to that. 

“If Collin had killed me,  if I had died in the arena, and you got out-”

“But you didn’t die. You’re here.” Harry cut him off. He squeezed Draco a little tighter. 

“And you’re here. You also didn’t die.” Draco said.

“But it’s different.”

“How?”

“You didn’t kill anyone. I did. More than one. My hands are stained with red.”

“I killed Collin.” Draco whispered. It was still a hard subject to talk about. Knowing that it wasn’t an accident. 

“Right.” Harry whispered back. “Katie told me.”

Draco removed his arms from Harry’s waist and grabbed his face. “My hands are also stained. We’ll figure this out together. I promise. I’ll try to be there for every nightmare you wake up from. To remind you that I’m here and that I love you.” Draco stopped talking and breathing. 

He froze up. He just said I love you to Harry. Oh my god. Draco was slowly freaking out. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Own it? Um no.

None of them said anything. Draco hid his face in Harry’s shirt. At least he couldn’t see how red Draco was. 

“Me too.” Harry said softly. 

“What?” Draco looked up at Harry, his chin still on his chest. 

“I love you too. I think. I’ve never been in love before, but this feels different from any other relationship I’ve had before. This feels more real, I guess.” 

Draco’s brain stopped working. Harry.. loved him too? He really hoped this wasn’t a dream. Draco used to dream of love like his parents. His grandmother used to tell him and Dora stories about their parents to help them sleep. It was after the Capitol won the war. All three of them used to sleep in the living room on crappy broken down mattresses. Draco fell asleep many times from his grandmother’s stories. Most of them included his parents and how they met. How it was love at first sight. He now knew the real tale now, but he knew his parents did love each other. 

He must have not talked in a while because Harry started rambling.

“What I mean is that with Peter, I didn’t feel like this. But I don’t love Peter. I wouldn’t get back with him in a million years. And like, it’-”

Draco kissed Harry. He pulled him down and kissed him. They were at a weird angle, but he didn’t care. He felt Harry relax over him. He moved his hands in Harry’s hair and pulled him even closer. He wanted to kiss Harry until all his worries went away. He wanted Harry to know how much Draco loved him. Harry pulled away first. He rested his head on Draco’s shoulder. 

“What was that for?” Harry whispered. 

“Because you love me. I-” Draco wasn’t sure how to continue. He took a deep breath. He kept playing with Harry’s hair, it was really soft. “I love you too, I think. And I honestly can’t believe you love me.” 

Harry laughed. “Of course I do. I knew it for a while.” 

“I just fully realized it now.” 

They laughed. Draco had never felt more heard, loved and safe. Harry was here, alive and he loved Draco. He never wanted to let go. To leave this bubble where no one could harm them. He wanted to hear Harry laugh again. His laugh was one of the most angelic things he ever heard. 

There was banging on the door. “I’M COMING IN!” Someone screamed from the door. And the moment broke. 

Harry got up and left Draco’s arms. It took everything in Draco not to grab him again.

“It’s fine Ron, we just woke up.” Harry said.

Ron walked in. He looked at Draco and then Harry. He then shrugged before speaking. 

“Breakfast is ready.” Ron turned and was about to leave the door but seemed to remember something and whispered to Harry before leaving. 

“What was that all about?” Draco asked. 

Harry smiled at him. 

“We have a show tonight, but it’s later than usual. So Ron just reminded me to be extra nice to Mrs. Weasley today. Oh!”

“What?” 

“Aren’t you supposed to be back at your base or wherever you live?” Harry asked. He had a panicked look on his face. 

“I forgot. It’s fine, I’ll say goodbye to your family before leaving. Theo will cover for me.”

Harry didn’t look reassured. 

“Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.” Draco said with a smile. He extended his hand toward Harry. 

Harry took his hand with a small smile before leading Draco downstairs. Draco had more time to admire the house. The staircase was filled with pictures of all the Weasley’s growing up. Draco couldn’t remember the last time he saw a picture of himself as a baby. He also wondered at the same time how the Weasley’s acquired a camera. Draco’s family didn’t even have one. 

A chorus of “good morning” and “morning” were heard as Harry and Draco arrived downstairs. 

“Sleep well?” Ginny asked, she was sitting at the table next to an older Weasley. Maybe Bill? Honestly, Draco forgot.

“Extremely.” Harry said with a big smile. Draco turned red. “Is anything ready yet? Draco has to go.” 

“There’s some toast. We haven’t finished everything else. What would you like on it dear?” Mrs. Weasley asked from the kitchen. 

“Just some butter is fine.” What else do you put on toast? 

It took less than a minute for Draco to have a toast in hand, for all the Weasley to say goodbye and Harry kissing him before Draco was sprinting to the base. 

He also choked on the toast while running, but Draco could not be more late than he already was. 

Somehow, Draco managed to sneak in the base and go to his bed. He found his uniform and went to the bathroom where all of the other boys were. 

“You’re insane.” Someone said behind Draco. All of the boys' heads snapped towards Draco. Some cheered while others rolled their eyes before going back to whatever they were doing. Draco turned around and saw Theo standing there.

“Does anyone know I was missing?” Draco asked instead of acknowledging Theo. 

“No. You were lucky. The general knew we went out and let us sleep in. He said something along the lines of that we worked hard and that we deserved an out. We can go out again tonight if we work hard. He won’t let us sleep in tomorrow morning.”

Thank god for that. He wasn’t in trouble. 

“I’ll go.” Draco said before turning towards the shower. Harry had a show tonight and he didn’t want to miss it. 

…

The general kept his promise, they went out again. Even though Draco was exhausted and could barely stay on his feet, he found himself at the bar. At first, he was afraid he missed Harry because it was later than last time and he forgot that Harry said the show would be later. Draco was already 3 drinks in when Harry came on stage.

Harry never looked so beautiful. He was almost wearing the same thing as when he was in the Games. Instead of a pink and blue suit, it was a fully purple suit that fit him so well. Draco took Theo’s hand and dragged him in front of the stage. He heard Theo laugh behind him, but it didn’t matter. Draco was feeling good. 

“Hello hello!” Harry said at the microphone. He had a guitar in hand. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were also on stage with their instruments. “For those of you who weren’t here last night, welcome back!” 

The crowd cheered very loudly. 

“Now, I do have some new songs for you, but before, I want to sing one of the very first songs I ever wrote.” Harry strummed his guitar and the music picked up. 

Cory's eyes are like a jungle

He smiles it's like the radio

He whispers songs into my window

In words that nobody knows

The crowd got louder and people started to sing along. Draco had no clues what the song was, but he was enjoying it. Theo passed him another drink and Draco smiled in return. 

There's pretty girls on every corner

They watch him as he's walking home

Saying, does he know

Will you ever know?

You're beautiful

Every little piece, love don't you know?

You're really gonna be someone

Ask anyone

And when you find everything you've looked for

I hope your love leads you back to my door

Oh, but if it don't, stay beautiful

Harry looked so beautiful on stage. 

Cory finds another way to be

The highlight of my day

I'm taking pictures in my mind

So I can save them for a rainy day

“Who the fuck is Cory?” Theo screamed in his ear. Draco didn't know. Maybe it was him!

“I don’t know!” Draco screamed back. “I bet he’s hot.” Draco was drunk. 

It's hard to make a conversation

When he's taking my breath away

I should say "hey, by the way

You're beautiful

Every little piece, love don't you know?

You're really gonna be someone

Ask anyone

And when you find everything you've looked for

I hope your love leads you back to my door

Oh, but if it don't, stay beautiful

The crowd quieted down for the bridge, something he learned from Theo today. 

If you and I are a story

That never gets told

If what you are is a daydream

I'll never get to hold, at least you'll know

You're beautiful

Every little piece, love don't you know?

You're really gonna be someone

Ask anyone

And when you find everything you've looked for

I hope your love leads you back to my front door

Oh, but if it don't

Will you stay beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful?

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, but if it don't

Stay beautiful

Stay beautiful

Na, na, na, na, na

The entire end of the song was a call and response. Draco was having so much fun. The crowd cheered and screamed. The music kept going and Harry started to sing again. It took Draco a bit of time to realise it was a different song. 

Friday night beneath the stars

In a field behind your yard

You and I are painting pictures in the sky

Sometimes we don't say a thing

Just listen to the crickets sing

Everything I need is right here by my side

Draco loved this song even more. It was more intense. He started jumping along with everyone. Draco knew Theo wasn't jumping, he was laughing at Draco. 

And I know everything about you

I don't wanna live without you

I'm only up when you're not down

Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground

It's like no matter what I do

Well, you drive me crazy half the time

The other half I'm only trying

To let you know that what I feel is true

And I'm only me when I'm with you

There was a part of Draco’s brain that knew the song was about someone else that Harry might have loved, but he thought the song was about him. Because Harry loved Draco. And Draco loved Harry. So who else could the song be about?

Just a small-town boy and girl

(The next morning, Draco would be most embarrassed about the fact that he screamed to Theo “But I’m not a girl!”)

Living in the crazy world

Trying to figure out what is and isn't true

And I don't try to hide my tears

My secrets or my deepest fears

Through it all nobody gets me like you do

And you know everything about me

You say that you can't live without me

I'm only up when you're not down

Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground

It's like no matter what I do

Well, you drive me crazy half the time

The other half I'm only trying

To let you know that what I feel is true

And I'm only me when I'm with you

Draco finished his fourth drink and refused Theo’s own drink, which he didn’t want anymore. Sure, Draco enjoyed getting drunk, but he wanted to remember every song Harry sang. 

When I'm with anybody else

It's so hard to be myself

And only you can tell

I'm only up when you're not down

Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground

It's like no matter what I do

Well, you drive me crazy half the time

The other half I'm only trying

To let you know that what I feel is true

And I'm only me

Who I wanna be

Well, I'm only me when I'm with you

With you (uh, yeah)

The song ended with Ginny doing a little spin. The crowd cheered again and Draco joined. He hoped he was the loudest so Harry could hear him. Draco doesn’t think he ever smiled as much as he had today. 

“Thank you!” Harry said. He was also smiling. “Did you guys enjoy that?” 

The crowd cheered. A chorus of “Yes!” and “Again” surrounded the room. 

“For the few of you who come to every show, you know I sing a new song every time. I’ve decided to switch things up. I have more than a single new song. Who knew that deadly Games could inspire such music?” 

The crowd cheered again. Draco didn’t know why but he cheered along. 

“If this is your first time with us, all of these songs are new. But for the oldies out there,” A few people cheered in the back. “Try and figure out which ones are new!” 

Draco didn’t realise that Harry was now alone on stage. He slowly started to strum his guitar. 

“NEW ONE!” Someone screamed from the back. Draco rolled his eyes. Why would this random person want to steal Harry’s spotlight?

Harry smiled and responded with a simple yes. He started to sing. And even with alcohol rushing in his veins, Draco knew for sure that this song was about him. 

My castle crumbled overnight

I brought a knife to a gunfight

They took the crown, but it's alright

All the liars are calling me one

Nobody's heard from me for months

I'm doing better than I ever was

Draco couldn’t stop staring at Harry. He was smiling and swaying to his own song. He was aware of Theo dragging him backwards to let people dance. And Draco wanted to dance, but not if it wasn’t with Harry. 

'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

My baby's fly like a jet stream

High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

Harry saw Draco, and he stared at him throughout that entire chorus. Draco really really wanted to kiss Harry. He looked so so beautiful on the stage. 

All my flowers grew back as thorns

Windows boarded up after the storm

He built a fire just to keep me warm

All the drama queens taking swings

All the jokers dressin' up as kings

They fade to nothin' when I look at him

And I know I make the same mistakes every time

Bridges burn, I never learn, at least I did one thing right

I did one thing right

I'm laughin' with my lover, makin' forts under covers

Trust him like a brother, yeah, you know I did one thing right

Starry eyes sparkin' up my darkest night

Draco loved Harry. He really really did. 

My baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

My baby's fly like a jet stream

High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

I want to wear his initial

On a chain 'round my neck, chain 'round my neck

(Draco would also be really embarrassed that he asked Theo if he knew a jeweler.)

Not because he owns me

But 'cause he really knows me

Which is more than they can say, I

I recall late November

Holdin' my breath, slowly I said

"You don't need to save me

But would you run away with me?"

Yes

“I would run away with him.” Draco thought to himself. 

My baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

My baby's fly like a jet stream

High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

Call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want

To

The song ended and the crowd roared. Draco could only stare at Harry. And when Harry caught his eyes, he made a small head gesture. Draco thought he was hallucinating. 

“Now, it wouldn’t be a real show without Ginny singing, would it?” Harry said. 

Without another word, Ginny leaped on stage and started singing her song. Hermione and Ron joined her while Harry quickly made his way off the stage. 

Oh, Harry wants Draco to follow him. So that’s what he did. He left behind a confused Theo. 

Draco caught up to Harry fairly quickly. They were backstage. Somehow, the music was drowned out back here. 

Draco didn’t waste a second and kissed Harry. Hard. Harry gasped in surprise but quickly returned the gesture. Harry’s mouth opened and Draco could taste him. 

Harry’s lips were soft and fit perfectly on Draco’s. Draco kept kissing him, memorising what he worshiped, tasting the roots of his desires. 

Harry moaned in Draco’s mouth and Draco kissed him harder. The world seemed to have gone completely quiet. All there was was Harry and Draco. Draco and Harry. It was them against the world at this moment.

Harry pulled back slightly to breathe before attacking Draco’s lips again. Draco was pushed against a wall. A cried out in surprise, but it was drowned out by Harry’s mouth on his. 

Draco moved his hand from Harry’s back to his hair. He pulled him in closer. He moaned at the feeling of Harry’s tongue in his mouth. 

Draco didn’t know how long they spent kissing each other in the back. But Harry pulled away and didn't kiss him again. He dropped his head on Draco’s shoulder and kissed the side of his neck. 

“I have to go back. Ginny’s song is almost over.” Harry whispered. 

Draco shivered with the sound of Harry’s voice so close to his ear.

“That was the most beautiful song I ever heard.” Draco said instead. 

Harry kissed him again. Mouth closed, just lips against lips.

“Thank you. I finished it after you left.” Harry whispered against his lips. 

Draco kissed Harry’s lips, then nose, in between his brows and then his forehead. 

“I can’t stay tonight.” Draco said. “But I’ll see you before I leave. I promise.” 

Harry pulled away and looked at Draco. He was about to say something but someone called his name. 

“I have to go.” Harry said. He quickly kissed Draco again and ran on stage from the back. 

Draco heard the next song starting but he just stayed against the wall. He had to compose himself. The kiss definitely sobered him up. He couldn’t go back to Theo looking disheveled. He didn’t feel like getting teased. Plus it was embarrassing. 

He stayed in the back until Harry finished the next song. He made his way back to Theo. He whispered “Bathroom.” to Theo. He did not believe Draco. 

More songs were played and the end of the show neared. 

“Sadly, we’re at the last two songs of the show.” Harry said. Even though he had been singing for the past 45 minutes, he didn’t look one bit exhausted. Harry caught Draco’s eyes and smiled. 

The crowd groaned.

“I know, I know. We’re the best you guys ever had.” The crowd cheered this time. 

The music picked up again.

It was so nice throwin' big parties

Jump into the pool from the balcony

Everyone swimmin' in a champagne sea

And there are no rules when you show up here

Bass beat rattling the chandelier

Feelin' so Gatsby for that whole year

So why'd you have to rain on my parade?

I'm shaking my head and locking the gates

The crowd went wild. 

This is why we can't have nice things, darlin'

Because you break them, I had to take them away

This is why we can't have nice things, honey (oh)

Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?

This is why we can't have nice things

Everyone started singing/screaming the lyrics. Draco had no idea what this song was, but he still tried to sing. Theo was laughing beside him. 

It was so nice being friends again

There I was, giving you a second chance

But you stabbed me in the back while shaking' my hand

And therein lies the issue, friends don't try to trick you

Get you on the phone and mind-twist you

And so I took an axe to a mended fence

But I'm not the only friend you've lost lately

If only you weren't so shady

Draco cheered along with the rest of the crowd. 

“He’s amazing!” Draco said to Theo. 

Theo just smiled at him. 

This is why we can't have nice things, darlin' (yeah)

Because you break them, I had to take them away

This is why we can't have nice (nice things) things (baby), honey (oh)

Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?

This is why we can't have-

The music slightly slowed down. 

“You guys know the bridge right?” Harry said, singing. 

The crowd screamed yes. 

“Then sing it!” 

Draco had never been more impressed. The crowd was singing while Harry just clapped his hands.

Here's a toast to my real friends

They don't care about the "he said, she said"

And here's to my baby

He ain't readin' what they call me lately

Harry looked at Draco the entire time. 

And here's to my mama

Had to listen to all this drama

And here's to you

'Cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do

Then Harry just laughed and the crows also joined in and Draco thought it was really weird. Harry started singing and Draco completely forgot about that thought. 

Hahaha, I can't even say it with a straight face

This is why we can't have nice things, darlin' 

Because you break them, I had to take them away

This is why we can't have nice things, honey 

Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?

This is why we can't have nice things, darlin'

Because you break them, I had to take them, and here's to my baby

Nice things, honey 

Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me?

This is why we can't have nice things

The crowd went wild yet again. Draco also did.

“Do you guys have the energy for one last song?” Harry asked.

The audience cheered and the final song started. 

I said remember this moment

In the back of my mind

The time we stood with our shaking hands

The crowds in stands went wild

We were the kings and the queens

And they read off our names

The night you danced like you knew our lives

Would never be the same

You held your head like a hero

On a history book page

It was the end of a decade

But the start of an age

This must be a fan favorite. Everyone was singing and dancing along. Draco was also dancing. He would have never done that if he were completely sober. 

Hermione, Ron and Ginny all approached Harry and they all sang the chorus together. They all had their own microphones. Drunk Draco did not understand why all of them had to stand next to Harry (or the meaning of the song). It would have been prettier with just Harry, but it was still good. 

Long live the walls we crashed through

How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

I was screaming, "Long live all the magic we made"

And bring on all the pretenders

One day we will be remembered

The others moved away from Harry but stayed at the front of the stage. 

I said remember this feeling

I passed the pictures around

Of all the years that we stood there on the sidelines

Wishing for right now

We are the kings and the queens

You traded your baseball cap for a crown

When they gave us our trophies

And we held them up for our town

And the cynics were outraged

Screaming, "This is absurd"

Everyone yelled “This is absurd!” so loudly. Theo screamed in Draco’s ear: “I think one of my eardrums exploded!” Draco just laughed at him.

'Cause for a moment, a band of thieves

In ripped up jeans got to rule the world

Like last time, the other musicians joined Harry with the chorus. 

Long live the walls we crashed through

How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

I was screaming, "Long live all the magic we made"

And bring on all the pretenders, I'm not afraid

Long live all the mountains we moved

I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you

I was screaming, "Long live that look on your face"

And bring on all the pretenders

One day we will be remembered

The music slowed down, and the crowd hushed a bit. 

Hold on to spinning around

Confetti falls to the ground

May these memories break our fall

The crowd stopped making noises completely. It shocked Draco a bit. But he followed the crowd and shut up.  

Will you take a moment?

Promise me this

That you'll stand by me forever

But if, God forbid, fate should step in

If Draco hadn’t been staring at Harry like a mad man, he would have missed the single tear that rolled down his face. 

And force us into a goodbye

If you have children someday

When they point to the pictures

Please tell them my name

The music picked up again and Draco wanted to run on stage and hug Harry and wipe the tear from his face and kiss him. 

Tell them how the crowds went wild

Tell them how I hope they shine

The others joined Harry for one last time. 

Long live the walls we crashed through

I had the time of my life with you

Long, long live the walls we crashed through

How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

And I was screaming, "Long live all the magic we made"

And bring on all the pretenders, I'm not afraid

Singing long live all the mountains we moved

I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you

And long, long live the look on your face

And bring on all the pretenders

One day, we will be remembered

Harry kept strumming the guitar before doing one final note. The microphone was quickly removed from the stage. Everyone on stage bowed. 

Cheers and screams overtook the room. Draco lost sight of Harry pretty quickly. Not only did he get off the stage, but people walked all around the stage. 

Draco felt Theo grab his arm and pull him out of the club. The (not so) fresh air somehow helped Draco. 

“I shouldn’t have drank this much.” Draco said. 

Theo chuckled. “Your fifth drink was water.” 

“Ah.” Draco had not noticed. 

They sat down on the curb and waited for the others to leave. Draco was waiting for Harry. He didn’t mind leaving his bunkmates behind. 

“Hi.” Theo said.

Draco looked behind him and there was Harry. He looked so beautiful.

“I’ll meet you back at base.” Theo said standing up. He left Harry and Draco alone.

“Come, I want to show you something. It will not take long, I promise.” Harry said. He took Draco’s hand and they walked away from the bar. 

They didn’t talk but Draco didn’t mind. He liked looking at Harry. 

They arrived in front of a huge tree with a wooden platform around it. 

“My godfather died here.” Harry said. 

“I should be sober for this.” Draco thought. 

“I know, but this is not why I brought you here.” Harry said.

“How did you read my mind?” Draco asked. 

Harry laughed. “You said that out loud!” He kept laughing.

Draco turned red. He really thought he said that to himself! What did he accidentally tell Theo?

Harry just smiled and brought him to the tree. Draco tried not to look at the wooden platform that was stained with red. 

Harry let go of Draco’s hand and leaped on the platform. 

“Come on.” 

Draco followed Harry. The tree was magnificent. Even with the lack of leaves, the tree was beautiful. 

“My parents carved their names on the tree. Well, their initials. This was right before the war started.” 

On the tree, right in front of Harry were the initials JP+LE with a heart around it. 

“Uncle Padfoot told me that my mom was pregnant with me when they wrote that there. My parents died 7 months after I was born.”

Harry traced the letters with his finger. Draco wasn’t quite sure what to say. He was drunk. What if he said the wrong thing?

“Sometimes I dream they didn’t die and that they raised me. I’ll always be grateful for what Uncle Padfoot and Moony did, but I always wished that my parents were also there.” 

“I get it.” Draco said. “I got to know my parents. My mom died during the war and my dad right after. I think I was 6 or 7 when they died. Everyone was so scared with our safety that I never got to have the childhood my parents wanted me to have. I also wish it wasn’t just my grandmother that raised us.” 

Did he say the right thing? 

Harry hugged him. Draco hugged him back. At the time, Draco didn’t realise Harry was crying. He only realised it the next morning.

“Thank you.” Harry whispered. “I thought that I was wrong for thinking that. For a drunk guy, you do know how to make someone feel better.” 

Draco laughed. It hit him that something might have gone wrong after the show. Harry wasn’t sad when they last saw each other. 

“Did something go wrong after the show?” Draco asked. 

“No. It’s just,” Harry started. He took a deep breath. Draco just let him be. He didn’t fully understand what was going on exactly, but he knew Harry needed time. “I was often told stories about my parents. They started the Covey with my uncles. It makes me sad that they can’t see me continue what they started.” 

The next thing Draco did was the one thing he regretted the most from that night. He laughed. He fucking laughed. 

He felt Harry tense up in his arms. Draco shut up immediately. He almost went on his knees to apologize to Harry. Because what a fucking dick move.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. My grandmother always told me that my parents were watching over me no matter what. It used to scare me so much that my parents were watching me shower. That’s why I laughed. Your emotions are valid and I shouldn’t have laughed and I think your parents are watching over you. Maybe not in the shower but for sure at your shows. I think they’re very proud of you and probably cry at all your shows. Not out of sadness, maybe for the sad songs, but because they’re proud and-

Draco was cut off by Harry’s hand on his mouth. 

“You’re so stupid.” Harry said. “I should have done this when you were sober.” 

Draco nodded. 

“Thank you. Not for laughing but your entire little rant.”

Draco looked down. He was stupid. WHo would laugh at that? It wasn’t a lie that he thought about his grandmother telling him that. Wrong timing. 

Harry took his hand off of Draco’s mouth. 

“Sorry again.” Draco said. 

Harry shook his head and smiled. He looked back at the tree. 

✧ ᩿✧

They stayed there for a while. They sat down and talked about everything and nothing.

In the sky, the stars looked down at them. They held each other and watched as their kid smiled and laughed. Some of them wished they could hang in the sky with them, but it was not their time yet. When the time was right, the stars would reunite once more and catch up on everything and nothing.

Some may argue that the stars were brighter that night.