The crowd's roar was diminished at the edge of the forest. Nevertheless, Finnick gave the spectator stands a glance wondering where his friends were sitting. He imagined Katniss in her Beauxbaton dress sitting silently, her ever watchful eyes carefully scanning the crowd. Then his thoughts shifted to Peeta cheering with the Gryffindors. What about Katniss entranced Peeta so? Of course she was pretty in the way a self-sufficient woman tends to be, but in all the time he'd known them, be it a short while, she never seemed to care for him the way he cared for her. The word fool emerged from the depths of his mind. Finnick shook it away. He couldn't, shouldn't judge Peeta on his decision. Although, he did allow himself to lament the lack of company for the uncertain journey in which he was about to partake. His eyes settled for one last time on the magnificent castle, Hogwarts. For a place that he'd called home for many months, he felt he should at least have a twinge of sadness to leave, but, even though he let his gaze linger in hopes of feeling sad for leaving, it just wasn't there. With a nod and a silent goodbye, he disappeared into the dark depths of the forest.

####

Despite herself, she couldn't help but smile when Cedric was introduced for the final time in the Tri-Wizard tournament. I love him. The thought pleased her. Today he was even more handsome than usual, if that was even possible. His exuberance was infectious, causing another roar from the crowd when he waved happily from his dad's side. His father was a jubilant fellow, himself, age showing in his looks, but not in spirit. Katniss had met him the night before at the Final Challenge social hosted by Professor McGonagall at the top of the Hogwarts astronomy tower. Mr. Amos Diggory had swallowed Katniss in a huge hug after Cedric introduced her. He had proceeded to ask Katniss all about herself. Even though it was tough for her to answer many of the questions, Mr. Diggory's unfailing interest gave her hope that some of the shakier portions of her life story were at least believable. She hated to lie to such a good-hearted person, but reassured herself that he would forgive her deception if he were allowed the truth.

The social had been the highlight of her stay at Hogwarts thus far. Surpassing even the Yule Ball. The tower's pyre had been enchanted to be see-through. Long vines of impossibly purple flowers were draped thickly over the tower's structure. Stars from the sky above shinned brightly through small parts in the tangle of vines, a thousand tiny, radiant lights lighting the floor below. Most people had gravitated towards the glass sitting area floating above the ground. Cedric had held out his arm for her as they ascended the steps, steadying her as she tripped over her dress, a dusty rose, full-skirted beauty borrowed from Julie, her fellow Beauxbaton.

Katniss smiled at him, giving her thanks. "During the interviews before both Hunger Games, I was terrified I would fall on my face walking up the stairs in those dresses. Of course, that situation was much different. It wasn't like I was being presented with an award, that would just be embarrassing. No, my competitors would have added clumsiness to their mental tally of my weaknesses."

"Don't worry about those things here. You are amongst friends. And isn't this night beautiful?" he said, changing the subject.

"Are those lights on the horizon Hogsmeade?"

"Yes! You have quite the memory. I'll take you there after the tournament. There are a few taverns and a nice, quiet cafe where we can get some lunch. You'll like it. They serve some of the most delicious bread you've ever tasted."

Katniss' heart ached now as it had in that moment. Gale. All this time and she'd hardly thought of him. One of her last memories of lightheartedness and freedom included Gale laying on the grass in their favorite spot that overlooked the green valley where they hunted together. He'd split his piece of bread with her. A luxury, at the time. A pre-reaping treat.

Thoughts of Gale, hunting, and home, even if it was no better than a war-ridden, dusty coal mining town, invaded her heart. Staying with Cedric was her resolve, but she couldn't shake her homesickness. She'd excused herself, retiring to bed early.

Home. The memories hurt even worse today. Finnick. Had he left yet? She looked towards the forest for answers, knowing she'd get none. He'd probably been gone for hours. Could he have been right about not belonging here? Her eyes scanned the cheering and jeering faces in the crowd. They were screaming for their favorite Champion. A Champion that had had a choice in putting their name in a cup. A Champion that knew the consequences of being chosen. And yet, it was such a brutal game. One where they may not come back alive. And here were these kids excited to watch, excited for their own to go into to battle. The Champions had been flaunted around any chance the Ministry, Daily Prophet, and even the three schools had found.

The faces of the kids began to morph. Katniss felt sick. A Slytherin boy grew long, bright blue hair, his face growing pale with white make-up, even his clothes turned from a green sweater to a green silk frock she'd seen plenty of males wear in the Capitol. Her mind didn't stop there, others were changing as well. A Ravenclaw girl's eyes became rimmed with bright, obnoxious eye shadow. Another Slytherin's robes grew spikes from the shoulders. A Hufflepuff girl's red hair turned even redder, twisting into a giant pouf on her head. Soon, the whole crowd resembled those people at the Capitol who'd cheered for her and the other tributes to die.

Elodie, who was sitting next to Katniss, was concerned. "Are you alright?," she asked. "You look as if you've seen a ghost! Katniss, you're shaking!"

Katniss fixed her gaze on Elodie. Her scream was lost in the cannon's explosion that marked the start of the final task.

Elodie took Katniss by the shoulder and shook her gently. "What's wrong?!" she asked frantically.

But what Katniss heard was a sharp "mind your manners!" Elodie had turned into Effie Trinket.

Shaking Effie's hand from her shoulder, Katniss started to run through the row of Capitol people, pushing and kicking if they wouldn't move. The Beauxbaton heels hampered her movements. So, as she finally made it to the stairway, she stopped briefly to remove them. Effie was close behind. Too, close. Katniss threw both shoes at her, hitting her square in the forehead. Effie gave a loud cry, causing all the Capitol people to turn their attention to them.

"Katniss!" Peeta. She made a beeline for him, the only person she could trust in this sea of spectators. Grabbing his hand, she pulled as she tried to make her way out of the stands. He didn't budge.

"What are you doing, Katniss?"

"Leaving! It's the Capitol? Don't you see? We're still in the Capitol!"

"No we're not," he said loudly. Then, quieter, "why are you doing this now? What is wrong with you?"

"If we leave now, we may be able to find Finnick."

"He's gone, Katniss. We are going to live here now. You chose this."

Clown-like faces of the Capitol watched her intently. She just stood there, taking in Peeta's words. Taking in the monstrous people.

She let go of Peeta's hand. "I can't stay."

Barefoot, she ran out of the bleachers as fast as her feet would take her.