A/N: Wow thanx guys for all your reviews! Hugssssssss To:

Nikki: What else can I say? YAY! LOL

Adlea Evanstar: Yup thanx look I'm updating right now lol

Slytherindraco34: win the game? Hehe there's nobody competing with him right now... but you will see later how this eventually turns out...

Nia Redavni: wow thanx for that. You know planning clever plots aren't that easy, so do forgive me if this chapter turns out to be rubbish, okay?

Labpotter: wow haha thanx! I like that chappie too!

Karana Belle: ermmm about the Will-Draco-Leave-Hermione thing, you'll find out at the beginning of the chapter, but you should keep that thought in mind heehee

Flirtytype214: What else can I say to you but many thanx? Hugssssssssss

Ahlam: Merci et...euh...qui, madame. lol I'll update lol

Again, thanx for all that have reviewed and for all that has helped me with the new chapter. (Sonia & flirtytype214) This chapter might not be so clever as the first one, but it involves something beyond the game. So enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter.

Rate: General or PG for mild language and deaths (No violence involved, just plain deaths)

Chapter 2

Level 2 --- PART ONE---

Draco was again sitting on the grassy land, enjoying the breezes dancing past him. This was only the first level. Draco sighed at the idea, utterly exhausted. Mentally.

He wondered why he was still so into it. .:: What's the point anyway? Just for a bit of Malfoy pride? ::. Draco laughed bitterly to himself. No chance to quit anyway, the game was supposed to go on forever... until there was no player left.

.::Is the Cup still there?::. Draco wondered. .:: But the game won't even exist if the Cup's already taken... ::. Draco wondered why nobody had taken the Cup in so many years. After all, men have long being pursuing the Cup, giving up their entire career. .:: This is madness. ::. Draco shook his head. He refused to answer but something kept popping up in his mind. .:: What happened to all of them? ::.

Draco shook his head violently. .:: How am I supposed to know?! The book didn't say that! ::. Yet he wondered again why he ever trusted the book... Wait! The... the book?!

Across the void, in another world...

"Dracoooo! You're alright?" Pansy squeaked through the door. She couldn't take it any longer. "You missed the whole day and you haven't even had your meals!" She broke into his Prefect Bedroom. "Drac............"

Pansy fell silent at the sight of the deserted room. "Draco? I know you're hiding Drak...I've brought you some snacks..." She scanned the room for any trace of life in vain.

There was a weird looking goblet standing there with light flames still dancing inside. Pansy knew too well than to actually touch it. She'd seen countless Dark Arts and magic in Draco's room and nothing could surprise her now. Except one.

There was an aged looking book lying open on his desk. Pansy edged closer, frowning. Draco never laid books concerning Dark Arts and sorts around for everyone to see. He was always careful... but it seemed he was half way through reading it when something else pulled him away.

"Hmmm...." Pansy read. "The Cup of Durage is said to contain the spirit of Dainador Francaizo, the most powerful wizard in the Third Montarial Age of the Wizarding History. This was the last recorded practice of the Spell."

"Spell?" Pansy whispered, confused.

Pansy Parkinson stood there in all her confusion, not knowing that just inches away, the ancient Dark Arts was forming a magical link between the world and...

The book... Draco felt himself frozen into an iceberg. "The book. I left it open in my room..." He said in a dead whisper. After a second, he realized something worse.

.::I've been away for more than a day now. Pansy would probably go find me and... ::. Draco sighed wearily as he formed the conclusion: There's no chance Pansy Parkinson wouldn't find this book. And the only hope is that she wouldn't be thick enough to tell Dumbledore about it. Or even worse... "Damit." He spat it out bitterly.

"What?!" He heard some voice asking sharply. .:: You're hearing things, Draco. Good sign. ::. He thought.

"WHAT?! WHAT'S ALL THAT FOR????!!!" He heard a girl shouting madly from behind. .:: Probably due to the lack of food. ::. Draco reasoned with himself, not turning his head. Now that thinking of this, he suddenly felt hunger rising up in him like a wild fire.

"Draco Malfoy YOU STINK tell me what's going ON!!!"

"GET LOST!!!" Draco turned furiously; fully expect it was just some stupid illusion. But for the first time in his life, he admitted he was wrong. Hermione Granger, in all her fury, was towering in front of him.

Man this better be a nightmare.

"Granger?" He asked in a deadly whisper. "You followed me here?"

"Excuse me, I believe it's you who somehow dragged me here in the first place." Hermione crossed her arms.

Draco let out a bitter laugh. "Why isn't this game supposed to be a single-player one?" He looked around and sure enough, a screen had already popped up in front of him.

"Step forward to begin Level Two."

Step forward... Maybe... Mudblood stepped forward just in time to enter the second round?

"Alright now Granger if you can do me and yourself a favor, please turn around and walk back. You'll return to your dormitory or wherever you were." Draco said lazily, trying to sound relaxed. He definitely didn't want another one to spoil the game. Especially Mudblood Granger. He waited for any reaction. None.

Granger frowned, fixed at the spot.

"Or yes you can stand at where you are and..." Draco finally lost his patience and stepped forward. "Goodbye, Mudblood." He turned to wave an evil goodbye, but what he saw made his heart froze.

"What's that on the screen. I can't make it out." Hermione asked, taking a step closer to read. "Step forw...What????!!!!!!! Where are we NOW? Malfoy???!!!"

"WHERE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?!" Draco yelled into Hermione's face. "Why?! Why on earth are you following me EVERYWHERE?! You human..." Draco suddenly paused, frowning.

"I know I'm human sin alright?! Now what?!" Hermione finished for him, looking more confused than angry this time. She's looking straight ahead.

Human Sin? Why does this term sound so familiar? Draco finally waved this thought off him, trying to focus on something more practical, for Granger was poking him violently now.

"What?" Draco turned impatiently and saw Hermione pointing at the screen.

"A maze where you can never get lost,

An exit you can never pass through.

The clues lay obvious,

Just for you to pursue.

Show courage when the most impossible happens,

Have faith when you are inch to death.

Go where your heart tells you.

You will have no time to regret."

"Well that's telling something..." Draco spat out with sarcasm. He stepped forward and the view in front of him was cleared.

On seeing this, both of them gapped.

"Mal... Malfoy?" Hermione asked nervously. Draco ignored her, staring blankly before him.

They were standing on a cliff, lava running under them, roaring to swallow everything. In front of them stood a massive eagle-like creature with two claws like pawns of a lion. The creatures screamed or rather howled when its cold brownish eyes met Draco's.

Draco automatically turned around to see the other end of the cliff but instead, he saw nothing but endless lava. They were alone on an island high up the sea of flames. He swallowed.

Hastily turning back, Draco saw another screen floating in midair just between the creature and them.

"When the most absurd thing happens

Tell the bird (BIRD?! YOU CALL THIS BIRD???!!!) in front of you

Tell him his name (AHA IT'S ACTUALLY A 'HE'!)

Let him guide you

To the END

Beyond that

The five senses are

A tale"

Precisely this moment, another creature screamed: "MALFOY!!!"

"Hermione!" Harry and Ron called through the door of the Prefect's Dormitory. "Hermione you're okay?"

There was no reply.

The two friends exchanged a look and...

"Loscinaon."

The door swung open and carefully, very carefully, they slipped in.

"Herm..." Harry began and stopped abruptly. "Ron..." He called, pointing at the empty bed.

"Hermione slept in it. But she somehow..." Harry gestured towards the half-sunk hollow at the middle of the blanket and chose his words carefully. "Didn't get up." Ron stared at Harry, utterly lost for words.

"MALFOY!" A world away, Hermione Granger screamed at a Draco Malfoy.

"WHAT?!"

"WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?"

"Alright! I was playing a game and you somehow got in and now we can't do anything but to continue as it is are you not SATISFIED?!" Draco lost his temper.

"Is it.... The wizarding PC game?" Hermione asked slowly.

"You know it?" Draco raised an eyebrow.

"There's a book called "Wizarding PC Game" on the further-reading list at the end of the Muggle Study text book and so naturally I've read about it." Hermione frowned. "What's it about?" Our dear Hermione Granger got so curious about the game that she even forgot to be uncivil to the 'ferret boy'.

"The Cup of..." There was an interval. "The Cup or something like this." Draco said vaguely. Hermione ignored him and went on. "And what do we do now?"

Not waiting for an answer, she turned to study the poem.

"When the most absurd thing happens

Tell the bird in front of you

Tell him his name

Let him guide you

To the END... ... ... Does that mean when something crazy happened we have to tell the bird his name and he'll guide us to the exit?" Hermione reasoned.

.:: Hell she doesn't even look surprised! ::. Draco sighed as he made a mental notice of how absurd a know-it-all can get.

"This is absurd..." He shook his head.

"Yea absurd!" Hermione agreed. Draco looked up. "What?!"

"We're now in an absurd situation right? So all we have to do is to tell the beast his name and let him do the rest of the job!" Hermione said, her eyes shining hopefully.

"Then tell him his name." Draco said impatiently.

Hermione stopped dead.

Draco smirked. "See the point now?"

Hermione looked put off. "George?"

The bird stared at Hermione.

"Ron? Harry? Neville?"

"Vincent?" Hermione sighed and turned to see Draco lying there fast asleep. Suddenly, as if struck by some sixth sense, Draco opened his eyes. "Pleasant sight Granger?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Malfoy this isn't a very funny game. Now am I allowed to get out?"

Draco sighed heavily and sat bolt up, shouting into Hermione's ear. "HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU WANNA HEAR THIS?! WE. CAN'T. GET. OUT!"

Hermione went silent. Gradually, Draco saw the subtle change in her expression.

"So... so it's a matter of life and death?" She finally asked through her dry lips.

Draco never got time to answer for at that precise moment, another screen popped up in front of them, followed by the nasty roar of the bird.

"He is getting hungry."

They blinked. But seconds later, both understood.

"Do you have your wand? Mine's left in my dormitory." Hermione asked.

Draco checked his pocket. He gave Hermione a 'look'.

Hermione looked from the bird to Draco. "I'm not dying here." She said, her voice strangely sharp.

Draco was silent. He was sure he was holding his wand when pointing at the goblet... But when he dropped onto the grass for the first time, he wasn't holding anything...

"We can't get his name!" Hermione hissed.

"Not if you continue like this." Draco said calmly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... you were looking in the wrong way. We should tell him his name of species not his bloody nick name."

"You knew this?" Hermione narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"No... no I only just worked it out. But I never read." He said in sarcasm.

Hermione ignored Draco's tone and focused back at the bird. It gave a horrible roar, eyeing the two teenagers greedily. Another screen popped up: "He is very hungry."

Eagle... pawns of a lion... brownish eyes... cry like a Hippogriff...it eats... ... ... Hermione shuddered at the thought... human...

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, Hermione raised her head. "Loscinaon!" Draco looked up:" How on earth...?"

"It's the Gryffindor Prefect's Room's password." Hermione said simply, leaving a thunderstruck Draco. She turned to see a screen hanging just above the Loscinaon.

"Loscinaon was fed. Get onto him and let him ..." The sentence stopped there.

"Let him guide you to the end." Hermione said cheerfully. She walked a bit closer to the beast but was stopped in midway.

"Umm Granger?" Draco said, recovering from the shock.

Hermione turned.

"I see we're both stuck in this game so..." "Yeah you realized that eventually!" "So..." He took a deep breath. "Truce?"

"Truce." Hermione nodded slowly. She turned and carefully jumped onto the beast, not seeing the green flash in Draco's eyes.

Fifteen minutes later...

"So that's it." Draco sighed with a tune of finality.

"Wow Malfoy! That was brilliant! You actually can think!" Hermione said in awe after hearing the first round of the game.

"Shut up, Granger."

"How many rounds does the stupid game have anyway?" Hermione changed the topic, unwilling to break the truce.

"No idea. Probably hundreds." Draco suddenly felt dizzy. He clutched at the Loscinaon's feathers and looked down at the irony sword-like hills among the see of lava.

"Malfoy what's up?"

Draco shook his head, but thought better of it a second later. "Do you have anything to eat with you?" He said, trying to sound relaxed. "It's just.. I haven't eaten anything for a while." Exactly how long Draco didn't say, but he knew it was two solid days since he'd seen anything edible.

"Errr.... No... nothing flamboyant." Hermione said with sarcasm. Draco wasn't listening.

He was watching something.

Watching something green.

It was a plain of grass.

Grass.

And something grayish like mountains in front of them.

He saw mushrooms just below them.

Plain lovely adorable mushrooms.

"Draco!" Hermione screamed. "Are you mad??!!!"

Pansy Parkinson stood there, fixed at the spot. Something was terribly wrong, or at least so it seemed. Should she tell Dumbledore? No definitely not. But... should she tell his parents...? Pansy scanned Draco's room and spotted a pot of floo-powdery like stuff inside.

Her hand trembling, Pansy took a bit and tossed it into the fire.

"Draco!" Hermione panicked. Draco had just jumped off the Loscinaon and Hermione did something unforgivable in her life. She followed...

"Ouch!" Hermione hit the ground, hard. Draco was standing beside her, eyebrow raised. "How...?" Hermione stared up at Draco for a while and that was all she could say in a while. "How? Why?"

Draco sneered:" For how, purebloods do have more magic talents than ..." He stopped, his eyes cold and dark. .::Mudblood.::. Draco spat inwardly. "As for why, I'm hungry and we have mushrooms here, the only thing edible in two days."

Hermione, clearly not buying that answer, was about to ask something when suddenly there was a sharp cry. They jumped, looking up hastily.

White feathers.

White feathers covered in blood.

The dark and fumy sky was now covered in pure white feathers with shiny bloodstains.

The feathers gradually flew down like snowflakes.

Hermione held out her hand, a feather in blood rested upon her palm. "Loscinaon..." Hermione whispered. "Loscinaon feather..."

Wind began to blow, parting the feather snow to reveal a massive mushroom mountain. The lava began to part like tides. Hermione stared at the mountain with a tiny stain of blood at the top, utterly awed.

Draco wasn't watching, though. He was studying Hermione, frowning. "You didn't see the mountain just now?!"

Hermione turned. "You did?" She asked in surprise. Draco turned away and shook his head. .::Dark Magic??? ::. He thought.

"It looks like..." Hermione began, dragging Draco back to reality. "Like a mushroom forest or something..." She laughed nervously. "We aren't Alices in Wonderland are we?"

"Alice in Wonderland?" Draco asked curiously.

"Oh never mind." Hermione waved this off. "Look! I can see a clear path there! It seems something pushed the mushrooms aside... something huge..." Their legs carried them automatically into the forest...

"Professor Dumbledore! Professor!" Ron and Harry rushed into Headmaster's Office. "Hermione's missing!" They said in union.

Dumbledore looked up, "Calm down please, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter. Let's go." He said simply and stood up.

"I can't imagine what will happen if we stayed on that Loscinaon." Hermione sighed, following Draco tracking the "something huge" that created the mess. Mushrooms were lying here and there, broken into pieces.

"Crashed into white feathers as well." Draco answered. "Obviously."

"But the poem told us he would carry us to the end!" Hermione reasoned.

.:: Good question. Exactly what I'm wondering right now. ::. Draco thought bitterly, but he was not going to admit that to a Mudblood. He changed the topic, sensing something. "We shouldn't go on like that." He said, stopping dead. "The traces are a mess they lead to nowhere. We might well end up being eaten by that creature. Nice end..." Draco sighed.

"Carry you to the END. Now I understand... " Hermione suddenly said, looking up at Draco. "That would be our END if we stayed on that beast." She whispered with terror. "I can't take it anymore. The word meant death when it was supposed to mean exit! How can we go on with such instructions?"

"It's not the instruction that's misleading you. It's you yourself!" Draco snapped. "Beyond that, the five senses are a tale. It must mean something!" He clenched his teeth.

"But that means nothing! Where do we go now?" Hermione fumed.

"That way." Draco pointed right to a random mushroom towering in front of them.

"What?" Hermione looked at Draco as though he was mad. "Are we climbing the mushroom?" She half-joked.

"I don't know. Just that way. What do you women call it? Sixth sense?"

"Who created this game?" Hermione asked slowly.

"What?" Draco snapped.

"I mean, was that also a woman?"

"The famous witch programmer Adrian Parphine... yeah... a woman... whi...." Draco stopped, getting to the point almost instantly.

"Five senses are a tale." They said in union.

"Tales are more than what they can do." Draco recited.

"We need the sixth sense to find the exit." Hermione said. "This is madness..."

"Go where your heart tells you. You will have no time to regret." Draco recited. "This is it. We're depending on sixth sense to save our lives right now." He whistled.

"But how?"

Draco paused. He couldn't answer that... not a clue... So instead, Draco decided to focus on something practical. "The mushrooms are broken into pieces. That doesn't usually happen to soft things like mushrooms right?" He picked a tiny mushroom at his feet and threw it at the huge mushroom tree in front of them playfully. "You'd think they could break like glas...." He stopped dead as the tiny mushroom hit the one in front of them. The latter broke into pieces to review a huge entry ... ... ... of a tunnel.

"Cool..." Draco whispered. "Sixth sense...." He walked into the tunnel without thinking...

"Wait!" Hermione called from behind. Draco turned. "What? What now?"

"The mushrooms didn't break for no reason! There mush be something pushing them to crash! What if something's waiting at the end of the tunnel?" Hermione suggested, not caring how childish she sounded right then. This was an absurd world anyway.

"So your suggestion be?"

Hermione picked a larger mushroom almost as long as her arm. "The mushroom tree killed the Loscinaon. We need weapons like that."

Exactly that moment, the fireplace of Lord Voldemort roared. He asked without turning his head. "What's wrong Draco?"

There was no reply.

Frowning a bit, he turned to the fire. The scene made him froze.

Pansy Parkinson stared into the fireplace, puzzled. No face popped up in the fireplace, but she heard it clearly:" What's wrong Draco?" It was a cold and chilling voice, not a bit like what she was expecting of Lucious Malfoy's oily tone.

"Er.... Mr. Malfoy?" She asked uncertainly.

Voldemort stared down at the head of a girl staring blankly at him. His face indifferent, he raised his wand... ... ...

"It's a crossroad!" Hermione examined.

"It looks... more like a cross..." Draco said slowly, walking to the center of the cross.

Suddenly, out of nowhere came four heart-stopping roars.

They turned in horror to find themselves surrounded... ... ... by four sphinxes.

END LEVEL 2 PART ONE