Chapter Text
Everyone was growing anxious. Not only were the hunger games getting closer, it was a quarter quell. The 100th hunger games. This will be the worst one yet—and they find out this year’s ‘theme’ today.
Remus had never heard the town so quiet, as he walked outside his house— if you could call it that— to feed the cows. He looked around and thought that in just a few hours, this town will be two people— children— smaller, or maybe he won’t even be here to see it.
It wasn’t much of a realisation, he already knew this was inevitable. More of a… moment to let it settle. There really is no preparing for the hunger games, this is the best you can do. You’ve just got to figure it out as it’s happening.
Remus didn’t even wonder about the Quarter Quell. Either way, people die. No use worrying about how. Getting a ‘warning’ doesn’t change it, but of course, he’ll sit at the TV waiting for the news anyway. They all did.
“Remus, it’s starting! Get in!” His mother called—isn’t it too early? She was always too worried about Remus. Especially this year. His name’s in twelve times. He always goes four times for Lily’s family and twice for himself and his mom.
Remus had just gotten his bucket out, but he went in anyway, he couldn’t miss it.
Remus sat down on his worn-out couch next to his mom. There were two identical men on the screen. The one on the left was talking when Remus walked in.
“-Almost 100 years ago, the Dark Days ended, and every year since, we’ve held our annual Hunger Games, to remind the rebels that there are consequences to their actions, and no capitol life will go forgotten. Every twenty-five years, we hold a special edition of the Hunger Games, called the Quarter Quell. On the 25th anniversary, we asked the people in the districts to vote on who they wanted to participate. On the 50th, we doubled the amount of tributes. The 75th had only victor tributes, which was an interesting one. This year, to honor the 100th anniversary, we are going bigger than ever.”
“Oh, God.” Remus heard his mother say to herself.
“This year, to remind the people of the districts of the severity of the dark days, we will be having a game that truly honours the history of the Hunger Games.”
“This year’s a little different in more than just the Quarter Quell rule, and you’ll see what I mean later on. Our rule this year, similarly to the one 50 years ago, is an increase of tributes. There will be 100 tributes in this year’s games!” Man-On-The-Right announced.
Remus took a moment to consider this. There wasn’t much of a chance for him to get reaped, but if he did, he’d most likely die soon after the game started, he can’t even r-
Man-On-The-Left started talking again before he could think through this more.
“Now let’s get into the logistics of the reaping. The reaping will be… different as well. You will all get signed up as per usual, but your name will be picked out later that day. Once names from each district are collected, you can watch the reaping itself on a screen in the usual reaping spot. There will be 9 tributes from each district and one chosen at random.”
+—+
“Welcome, everybody, to the 100th reaping!”
Gideon looked across the crowd as they cheered. “Today is the biggest reaping any of us have– or will ever– see. Bigger than… ever in the history of the Hunger Games, bigger than-”
“So why don’t we get on with this, so our tributes can get lots of rest before training starts tomorrow?” Fabian interjected.
“Okay, here we have 11 bowls, from each district. We will put them all together and choose one from there, after we get our 99.”
“Our very first tribute, from district 1, is James Potter.” Gideon looked at one of the many screens, now displaying a young boy from district 1.
He looked proud to be chosen, Gideon doubted the feeling would last.
“James, why don’t you get on the stage so we can see you?”
James walked confidently past the rest of the district 1 citizens, most of them looked disappointed, while some looked glad to be rid of him.
Next was district 2. All the same. One kid who refused to walk up. That happens every once in a while, they freeze. Out of fear, presumably. He didn’t seem scared, just defiant. Barty Crouch.
District 3.
District 4. Some kid, Edward Tonks tripped on the way up, people probably would’ve laughed if this was a normal show, but it’s not.
District 5.
District 6.
District 7. One of the tributes, Mary, shouted at the peacemakers, this type either win or die quickly. Either way, they always get people talking.
District 8.
District 9.
District 10. Someone volunteered for her sister, Petunia Evans. Typically it’s an older sibling volunteering for a younger one. This girl- Lily, Gideon now learns- is definitely younger than her sister. Gideon admires that.
District 11 is an example of what Barty Crouch was not doing: Freezing. Peter Pettigrew froze when Fabian called his name. Gideon was so used to the Hunger Games that he sometimes forgets how scary it must be. He was always reminded whenever a tribute would freeze up. He wonders if they literally can't move, or if they think standing there will keep them safe. It doesn’t. It makes them seem like an easy target to stronger tributes.
Some men got up on the stage and poured all the papers into one bowl.
“Would you like to do the honours, Gideon?”
“You know how much I love picking up papers.”
Gideon put his hand in the bowl, taking longer than necessary. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. At least here. In the Capitol.
Gideon pulled out a paper.
“Dstrict 8, Dorcas Meadowes!”