A/N: The book that is quoted in here is Wicked, it's really good! And I realize that it is highly unlikely to see this car on London streets, but I adore this car and I wanted to put it in here somehow, so ha! My story! Go read it! Don't give me reviews about things that aren't likely in this chapter because I'm from AMERICA I'm not British, I don't know what's likely or not! Oh, and I tried to keep clothing descriptions to a minimum, I realize I overdid it last time. Thank you. Enjoy.

The Gryffindor Drummer: Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you still like it! Enjoy!

Shadow's tears: Yeah, I know it is kinda weird, but I'd have to go back and change it all around, and I don't really feel like it. Now when you said that you liked when Sirius picked Draco over Harry, was that sarcasm? I couldn't tell, because you put the whole his own godson thing. Anywho, enjoy the chappy!

Blueskyshymoon08: I don't care what your review is, I love them, and I'll take them however I get them! Whoo-hoo!

Hermione Charlotte Granger: What was what? You confused me.

Sabrina: YES I DO KNOW! Sorry, it's just that I already know that, and its been pointed out, and if you had read the A/N you would have seen that I did know because I addressed that in the A/N. Besides, lots of the pureblood families married into other ones to stay pure. Well, sorry about that, it's just frustrating, I'm glad that you like it, I really am. Thanks for the review and enjoy!

Cammy77: I'm glad you love it! Yea! Woot! Enjoy!

Harrypotterluvr1: Yay! I'm so happy you love it so much! Woo-hoo!

Secretspells311: Yeah, I didn't realized how boring it was until I reread it after posting. Sorry! I love your pureblood reasoning! Go you! I don't mind the long review! Loved it! Real structural criticism, finally! Enjoy!

Summer: Am I excited for the movie! What kind of question is that? Of course I am! I can't wait! The freaky thing? Emma Watson looks almost identical to one of my oldest friends. I love her books and I love the fourth one, but it's actually not my favorite. I'd have to say that the third one is my favorite followed by a tie between four, five and six. I don't know. It's just that I love the overall third one where I just love most parts of those other three. Thanks for your review! Enjoy!

Sariah17: Thanks so much! Enjoy!

Lilpuppy3: I'll keep writing if you keep reviewing. Deal?

Previously

She hurried out of the pool and conjured a wrap that she put around her waist and quickly left the pool, getting lost in the group of students.

Draco barely saw her move before she was gone.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Wicked

"'Don't you know affection when you see it?' scoffed Elphaba. 'I love Nessie. She's a pain in the neck, she's intolerably righteous, she's a nasty piece of work. I'm devoted to her.'

'She'll be the Eminent Thropp.'

'Better she than I,' said Elphaba dryly. 'For one thing, she has great taste in shoes.'"

Hermione laughed aloud, putting her book down in front of her. She looked around at the beautiful grounds surrounding her. She had positioned herself under a tree, close enough that if she sat up she could easily move to sit up against the tree, but was still able to ask in the sun while lying on her stomach. No matter how much she changed, family, looks or interests, she would always love a good read. So, she had come out here to find a quiet place that she could be alone and read awhile and tan a little. She closed her eyes and smiled into the sun warming her face, arms, legs and back. Lying as she was, wearing her favorite pair of jean shorts and her bikini top, sun beating down upon her, she was getting rather hot.

A short while later, Ginny came outside and looked around, spotting Hermione, she walked over to her and sat up against the tree. Hermione put up a finger and said, "Just a sec. Let me finish this paragraph."

"…Fiyero wondered, looking at the manager with new eyes. Or is it just that the world unwraps itself to you, again and again, as soon as you are ready to see it anew?"

Hermione looked up and smiled, "Hey, Gin!"

"Hey! Whatcha readin'?"

"It's a muggle book called Wicked. Did you ever see the Wizard of Oz?"

"Yeah, last year."

"Well, it's about the Wicked Witch of the West and how she's not really evil. It's a really good book. Very well written. They also made it into a musical on Broadway. I'm hoping to get to see it when I go to America. Mum said I could go after I graduate," she explained. She sat up and moved next to Ginny, " So, what's up?"

"Not a whole lot. I just came out to tell you that we're about to have lunch. And then we have that appointment at the spa that you mentioned. I also believe that there is a small mall, I love that that rhymes," Ginny grinned, "and if we leave a little early we could do a little shopping."

Hermione laughed and stood, holding out a helping hand for Ginny. "Ginny Weasley, I believe that you are speaking my language."

o

"You know one of the best perks of being the daughter of rich wizards, especially a daughter who hasn't been with her parents for the past sixteen years?"

"What?"

Hermione grinned once again as they stepped out of The Leaky Cauldron into muggle London. "They understand that I still love aspects of the muggle world, like driving, and were willing to buy me a few presents, like a car." She pulled out a set of keys and walked over to a car. "Not only were they willing to buy me a car, but they were willing to get me one from the states. I saw this car on the most recent season of Alias, you know," she gestured with her hands like it was a given.

"The one that you charmed your TV to show whenever you want?" Ginny asked while Hermione clapped her hands together in front of her while whistling and looking anywhere but at Ginny.

"Yeah, that one. Well, I saw it on there and fell in love with it. And when my parents said I could have any car I wanted, well," she shrugged. "Hop in. Of course, there were a few minor magical changes made to it. The normal, larger trunk, radio plays whatever we want with no commercials." Ginny nodded approvingly. "Shall we get going?"

Hermione started the car and they sped out of the alley and onto the streets of London. About twenty minutes later they arrived at the spa and headed in for hours of relaxation and pampering.

o

"Oh Merlin, I don't think I've ever felt this good," Ginny said as she slumped into the Mustang after hours of being pampered.

"Me neither, but let me just get the car started so we can have a little warmth," Hermione agreed, sinking back into her seat as well. Looking contented, Hermione started the car. She sighed and looked at Ginny. She noticed that Ginny had a thoughtful look on her face. "What is it, Gin?"

"Well, I just remembered something."

"What?"

"Last night, Draco came and told me about you moving so fast he could barely see you. And you've done it today a couple times. Like just now, you had turned the car on before you finished the sentence. What's going on?" She looked at Hermione, beseeching.

"Do you remember when I told you what Selene told me? About being a Goddess?"

"Yeah, how could I not?"

"Well, it's just a manifestation of one of Hermes more well known powers. Speed."

"Okay, that makes a little sense. But then why haven't any powers from Artemis and Isis made themselves known?"

"I don't really know. But from what Selene has said, it took time for her powers to come to her, and she doesn't have many. She's got more of a guardian kind of thing going. She also said that, considering the deities that are part of my aura, for a while there might be more strong instincts or urges than powers. For her, she just started wanting to spend more time up at night, needing less sleep, and to spend more time in the moonlight. Weird things out of context, but once she knew the reason for them, they made more sense."

"And have you been having strange urges or instincts?"

"Well, kinda. I mean, I have been spending a little bit of time in the Forbidden Forest, don't look at me like that, I can take care of myself," she said, seeing Ginny's look of trepidation. "Besides, I've been learning how to use a bow and arrow. I can't really explain how, but it seems to be coming to me naturally for the most part. So I have archery and magic on my side."

"Okay," Ginny said, relunctantly. "I want to go with you next time."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she answered definitively. "I'm sure."

"All right. Next time I go out, you can come with me."

They drove on in comfortable silence until they reached Malfoy Manor.

o

"Wow, Hermione, you look gorgeous."

Hermione was in a black ball gown with silver accents. A black satin corset and full skirt flattered her figure. She had her silky black hair piled on top of her head and wore a simple silver chain with a small diamond for jewelry. She smiled at Draco's compliment.

"Thank you, you look pretty handsome yourself."

Draco smirked, "I'm always handsome."

"Of course you are," Hermione answered, rolling her eyes. She took the arm he offered her and the two walked to the top of the main staircase where a line had sprung.

Ginny was wearing a snug silver halter dress and was on Blaise's arm. The two of them were talking with Harry and Padma, who was wearing a slinky black velvet dress.

"Hermione, you look amazing!" both Ginny and Padma gushed.

"Thanks you guys, you look gorgeous, too."

"You have to see Selene's dress, Hermione," Padma said. "It's beautiful. It's this black corset bodice with a full white skirt. You'd love it!"

"I see it, she's right over there," Mione responded, pointing in Selene's direction.

The rest of the night was filled with beautiful dresses, chatting (or gossiping rather, it depended on who you talked to) and dancing. Draco and Hermione danced the night away, occasionally dancing with other partners. Mione noticed that Blaise and Ginny were having a wonderful time, Harry and Padma were no where to be found, Ron and Aella were in the midst of a heated discussion which ended with them in position that reminded Hermione forcibly of the year before and "Won-won". Sirius and Narcissa approached them late in the evening.

"Draco?"

"Hello, mum," he said, embracing her. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, Draco," she said. Hermione and Sirius had gone off into their own little chat. "I assume you would like to get out of your stuff clothes and go have your Hogwarts party?"

"You assume correctly."

Narcissa laughed, "Well, what are you waiting for?"
"Your permission," Draco smiled.

"Wait a second. Somebody pinch me, I didn't mean in actuality, Sirius. My son waiting for my permission before he goes off to do what he wants? What has the world come to?" she put her hand to her forehead and pretended to faint.

"I take that as your permission?" Draco asked, laughing at her antics. It had been a long time since his mother had been happy. And he had never seen her this happy.

"Go, have fun."

o

The party that night was much the same as the night before. However, the girls who had worn ball gowns had just performed severing charms on their dresses, severing the bodice from the skirt and put on jeans.

Friends danced and talked the night away until it was in the early hours of the morning.

o

"Why do they do this to us?" Ginny said the next morning after Hermione received an owl from Dumbledore telling them that there were indeed classes that day. "It's not fair. Why can't we just have this time off?"

"Because it's not technically the holidays yet," Hermione answered promptly.

"That was a rhetorical question, Mione."

"Oh, sorry," she blushed.

"Well, what class is it?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts. Rei said something about non-magical combat when I talked to him."

"I still find it weird that you know our Professor well enough to have a nickname for him," Blaise said, shaking his head.

Hermione laughed, 'Well, I just can't call him 'Professor Andreios' because that's just too weird for me," she looked at her watch and gave a start.

"What is is?"

"We have to be there in half an hour."

"What!"

"Yeah. Class starts in half an hour."

Ginny stood up so fast that she knocked her chair backwards. "I have to get packed," she said, and picking up the chair, practically flew out of the room.

o

"I know you are all probably tired from last night's activities," Professor Andreios said at the beginning of the class. "But I ask you to only pay attention. You will not need to take any notes or even participate. Class today will be shorter than usual." Everyone let out a breath of relief. "I am going to pick one or two of you to come up here and engage in physical combat with me."

Hermione slumped, knowing that it was she he was going to pick. He had taught her to fight during the summers.

A/N: Alrighty, well there it is. I hope you like it, review. And I was wondering if anyone wanted to beta for me. If you're interested, just let me know in your review. Thanks!

Kat