Chapter Three: Another time, another place

Lil commercial break before ch.3!

Thank you everyone who reviewed I love you I love you and I LOVE YOU lol. I should be updating daily until maybe….ch 6/7 and I still gotta like beta my stuff….but other than that! Stuff should be up! Ah! Ch 4's gunna be my fav.

Big thank you to Eternal MoonPeach Goddess my first reviewer! Just showing my gratitude lol annyywayys off to study for my wonderful wonderful socials summer school final. Have fun! Read! Love Tom Felton and REVIEW

Gone through the window
Out of sight
Never again to be seen
Lost and confused now
Don't know where to go

The students of Snape's potions class broke out in gasps and shrieks as the two lifeless bodies lay in a heap before them.

Lavender burst out sobbing. "They're DEAD! She's DEAD! HER-HERMIONE'S D-DEAD!" she wailed hysterically. Parvati comfortingly put her arm around her distressed classmate.

Harry and Ron stared at the scene, frozen in shock.

"She can't be…she isn't…is she?" Ron asked gawking in horror.

Harry clenched his fists as he stared disbelievingly at the scene before him. "No, no, she can't be..." he slowly began to move towards the motionless body of one of his best friends.

"Mister Potter, I advise you not to touch either of them unless you wish to end up in their current state" said Snape interjected sharply as he shoved his way through the crowd of anxious 6th years. A fleeting look of distress and terror flashed on his face before being replaced by his normal expression. "Everyone, back away, NOW!" he ordered.

The students reluctantly shuffled back a few meters, eyes still glued to the picture before them.

Putting on a pair of dragon hide gloves the professor examined them for a moment before carefully levitating the two off the ground, and filling a vial with the disastrous potion.

"Finnegan, go fetch Madame Pomfrey, immediately" Snape commanded.

Without delay, Seamus darted out of the room with considerable speed.

"Will someone kindly inform me of what has happened here?" he asked once Seamus had left.

Neville's lip quivered for a moment before he burst out crying. "I KILLED THEM! I KILLED THEM! IT'S MY ENTIRE FAULT! NOW I'M GOING TO AZKABAN!" and with that, he collapsed to the floor holding his head and bawling his lungs out.

Pansy tore across the room and towered over the whimpering Neville. Glowering at him, she began to shout manically, "YOU KILLED MY DRAKIE! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM! I'LL KILL YOU!" she drew her wand and pointed it directly to his temple.

"Miss Parkinson, please put your wand away. I can assure you Mr. Malfoy isn't dead. 150 points from Gryffindor for endangering the lives your classmates, now if you don't cease your irritating wailing this second Mr. Longbottom, I shall be forced to deduct even more." Professor Snape pocketed the vial and shook his head with contempt.

Neville suddenly shot up, knocking over a distressed Pansy. His eyes were swollen and his whole face was a bright crimson colour.

"I DON'T CARE HOW MANY POINTS YOU TAKE OFF, I KILLED THEM! I KILLED HERMIONE! NO AMOUNT OF POINTS IS GOING TO BRING HER BACK!" he cried hysterically, then stumbled out of the classroom like a drunk, knocking over numerous beakers and stools along the way.

Snape looked around unperturbed. "Can anyone else tell me then?"

Parvati hesitantly stepped forward leaving a still-crying, but now surrounded by a group of males, Lavender.

"Yes, Miss. Patil?" said Snape.

"Well, Hermione and Malfoy were…kind of arguing because Malfoy did something to her potion…then, Neville tripped and knocked him into Hermione and her cauldron. And…and…that's all I know" she finished. Lavender let out a faint cry and threw herself into the arms of a dishwater-blond haired boy. Harry's eyelid twitched uncontrollably at this.

Just then, Madame Pomfrey bustled in with Seamus at her heels.

"I believe you are in need of my assistance, professor?" she stated motioning towards Hermione and Draco.

Snape nodded briefly and explained the situation to her.

Her expression was grave. "You'll need that potion analyzed immediately before I can begin treating them."

"Class is dismissed, I want 3 feet of parchment by next class on the effects of Somnio Eternus" he called out.

The circle of students slowly broke apart, and soon, only Harry, Ron, and Pansy were left.

Professor Snape discussed a few more topics on the incident with the portly nurse before pausing to acknowledge the existence of the three anxious looking students before him.

"Class is over, I suggest you three leave" he drawled.

Harry spoke up, looking the potions master directly in the eyes "please professor, we'd like to stay with Hermione."

Ron beside him, nodded in agreement

"Speak for yourself Potter," she spat, "I'm here for my Drakie-Poo"

The two boys rolled their eyes.

Snape gave a despicable "Ha."

Madame Pomfrey looked at the three with compassion, "I assure you they will both be fine, you have my permission to visit them tonight in the infirmary, but for now, please leave, we need time to sort things out."

Harry and Ron sighed then solemnly turned and left. Pansy on the other hand refused to leave. The two adults had to threaten her with hexes and detention before she reluctantly stalked out of the dungeon releasing a stream of vile curses.

Harry and Ron staggered up the cobblestone steps and down the corridor which lead to their common room, all in silence.

"Fidelis" Ron muttered. The fat lady's portrait opened obligingly.

They dragged themselves into the deserted common room and collapsed into the chairs before the unlit hearth. Harry brought his hands up to cover his face, and propped them atop his knees. They both let out a deep sigh every now and then. After half an hour of disconcerting silence, Ron couldn't take it any more.

"SHE'S NOT DEAD" he roared, leaping from his seat and throwing his arms into the air.

Harry looked up from his hands with a mildly surprised expression sprawled across his face.

"…Snape said so, so...so she's not dead…she can't be…right?" his voice dimmed down to a whisper.

The raven-haired boy automatically ran his fingers through his naturally-untamable hair. He didn't even want to think about the possibility that she wasn't okay. He loved her; she was like a sister to him. Life without her was impossible, unthinkable, and absolutely unimaginable.

"I hope not." was all he could say.

xXx

"Do you think she'll be alright?"

"I certainly hope so, although that was a nasty little collision. The boy will be punished I assume?"

"Aye, he will once his majesty hears of this…"

"Poor lad, it wasn't his fault really. Simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Albeit the princess was being her reckless self."

"Hush! Thou shall not speak foul of the princess…what if she hears you!"

A quiet groan emitted from the petite figure beneath the covers.

"Good heavens! She's finally awakened! Hurry, go fetch her Majesty."

Eyes still glued shut, the brown-haired damsel ran her hand over her forehead, feeling a slight protruding lump.

Damn that Malfoy, why did he have be so heavy!

Slowly, her golden eyes fluttered open expecting to see the off-white walls of the infirmary, and perhaps even a small crowd of students huddled around her bed. No, no, not a crowd, Madame Pomfrey would never allow that now. Possibly just Ron, Harry and Ginny. Harry, oh just the thought of his name made her heart contort with pain. But as she looked around and took in her surroundings. Harry was wiped clean from her mind. The walls were not white, but rather a deep crimson bordered in a shimmering gold, much like the Gryffindor house colours.

Her sheets were not the usual cheap flannel used on the hospital beds, but a smooth, rich plum silk as were her pillows and top most layer of sheets that ensconced her. The blanket beneath that gently rubbed against her bare skin was feather soft cotton filled with thick, warm down. At home she'd refused to sleep in her bed until her parents had bought her synthetic down. She couldn't stand sleeping with blankets knowing that they came from helpless little birds that would freezing to death because of her. But the soft, feathery blanket kept her so warm and comfortable that she couldn't care less at the moment.

Her eyes traveled farther and spotted a grand mahogany wardrobe just to the left of her canopy bed and next to a moderate sized window with a small bench that held gold and violet pillows with little silver tassels on the corners. Just opposite parallel to the wall sat a vanity table about arms length wide and again made from the same wood. Situated atop the vanity were several small jewel encrusted chests from which peeked out many colourful glittering articles of jewelry each looking more exquisite than the next. And finally, her wandering eyes fell upon the most remarkable piece of furniture in the room. A bookcase; but not just any bookcase, it stretched from one side of the wall to the other. At the least 8ft high and crammed with miles and miles of various books. Stories, poems, texts, everything she'd ever wanted. Hermione let out a tiny gasp and made for the books when she suddenly stopped herself.

This isn't Hogwarts!

"Where in the bloody hell am I!" she blurted looking around wildly.

A hand from no where darted out and covered her mouth. A copper-haired girl clad in an azure dress which clashed horribly against the walls looked down at her.

"Please milady, such profanity shall not be tolerated by the Queen, do watch your tongue when she arrives."

Hermione's eyes widened with shock, and nodded quickly and the girl slowly removed her hand.

"Pansy!" she cried incredulously.

The girl gave her a funny look. "You want a pansy…at this time of day?"

"No! No! No!" she protested. YOU'RE Pansy!"

"What are you going on about Princess! I'm most certainly not a pansy" said the girl indignantly positioning her arms akimbo.

Hermione felt like screaming aloud in frustration.

"No! YOU'RE…wait…" she paused a moment thinking back. "What did you call me?"

"Princess of course…what else would I call you…" the maiden replied airily.

Hermione stared in disbelief.

PRINCESS! What in the world was going on here! And where WAS SHE!

After a few calming moments, Hermione regained her composure and asked, "who are you?"

The girl's yellow, almost cat-like eyes widened. "Hestia! You handmaiden. Oh dear, you must have hit your head harder than I thought..." the Pansy looked-alike exclaimed.

That name, it was so familiar, now where had she heard it before?

"You highness!" cried Hestia suddenly bowing her head and curtseying.

Hermione looked up at the stern, regal looking woman. She was adorned in an ostentatious dress; a blinding golden colour, and laced along the edges with a square neckline. The dress may have been acceptable if it weren't so horribly coloured. Her neck and hands were decorated an assortment of matching golden clasps with both fine and broad rings which sported both unique and intricate designs.

"You may rise" said the woman hastily before turning to Hermione.

As the woman turned towards her she noticed the back of her dress fanned out ridiculously and trailed for at least 2 meters.

Hermione squealed quietly in pain as the woman sat down on her bed atop of her feet. She also noticed an odd bulge upon the woman's womb

Glaring at Hermione insolently, the woman began to speak, "seeing as you appear to be feeling much better, you may attend dinner in an hour, and please, do dress appropriately, the Earl of Durham's wife…Contessa Kallianeira and her sons shall be dining with us. I highly advise you to cease your incessant roguishness, and behave like a proper princess should, otherwise there will be consequences."

Hermione furrowed her brow. The woman said this all very quickly. She could already tell this was not a person she fancied. Nonetheless, Hermione nodded silently.

With a final hostile glare, the austere woman left the room with two equally snobbish-looking girls trailing behind her.

Hermione sat on the bed holding the sheets tightly around her. She was so terribly frightened and confused. It wasn't often she felt so lost. This feeling terrified her immeasurably.

Hestia's voice broke the daunting silence. "Princess, you heard your mother, please, you must prepare for dinner."

The brown-haired girl looked up, "My mother? But her hair was blonde!"

Hestia gave a little chuckle, "Indeed it is! She's your step-mother."

"What happened to my real mother then?" she asked questioningly.

The girl suddenly frowned. Giving a little sigh, she began her explanation, "She died, tuberculosis I believe…poor thing. You were only 9 at the time…but it wasn't that long ago, surely you remember!"

Hermione shook her head. She didn't exactly feel terribly sad, but since she'd never known the woman, it was hard for her to sympathize. Making a sound of acknowledgement, she began to climb out from her bed.

"Okay then, come. Pick out a dress." said Hestia, "I suggest the bottle green one with the silver embroidery, the green contrasts so nicely with your eyes."

Unsure of what to do, Hermione simply nodded as the maid pulled out a splendid looking dress that was a dashing dark green and silver. The sleeves were long and flared out at the ends. The neckline was moderately low revealing very little of her cleavage which was fine by her. She wasn't intent on looking all Pansy-like. Well, the Hogwarts Pansy. The Pansy she knew… This girl, as much as she resembled Pansy, was nothing like her, opposites even. Her face seemed relatively softer and kinder. Their personalities contrasted exceptionally. This Pansy looked young, but at the same time seemed to hold much wisdom within.

She began to carefully unlace her nightgown, feeling uncomfortable that another person was in the room.

"Here, slip this on," said Hestia handing her a…

Hermione's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline, "Is that a –"

"-Corset, come on, hurry now, no lollygagging." The round faced girl began lacing up the corset as Hermione slipped it on.

"AH!" she yelped in pain as the corset tightened around her upper body, "Am I NOT SUPPOSED to be able to BREATHE!"

Again, the girl chuckled, "Of course you are, I'm sorry, that was a bit tight wasn't It, here, let me loosen it a bit."

Hermione sighed with relief as she could feel her ribs a bit better now. Not by much, but at least she could breathe now.

"Lucky you've got such a small frame, just like your mother. Not too much need for a corset" the girl told her.

"Um, yes" was her reply, not really knowing what to say to that.

"Pretty too you are, such delicate features, all your sisters wither in comparison to you, well, except perhaps Thaleia, she's quite lovely, but so different from you. A more…dark, sort of beauty." Hestia giggled as she helped Hermione slip on her dress.

"I have sisters?" she asked trying not to sound too surprised.

"Well, no, they're your step-sisters" the maiden explained, "Funny that, Invidia, I'd say she was almost the opposite of you. Such a vain young woman she's become. A shame too, you two could really have gotten along well seeing as you're the same age."

Hermione's forehead creased, great, an enemy already….

"Do I have any other sisters?" she threw in trying to sound casual.

Hestia nodded briefly attempting to comb out her unruly curls, "Thaleia and Erida."

Thaleia, the one that was supposedly prettier than her…

"Tell me about Thaleia will you please?" asked Hermione flinching as the brush caught in her knots.

"Ah, well, she seemed to have taken after her late father. He was a handsome man, shame he died…" Hestia paused a moment to untangle a knot. "She's a beauty that one. Different from her other sisters, more…serene, but dark, and mysterious. I get shivers if I'm around her for too long, but that's just me being paranoid." She stepped back to inspect Hermione's appearance. "Perfect, now, let's finish you with some jewels shall we? A princess is never complete without her jewels now."

Hermione frowned. She never liked wearing anything other than her watch which at the moment was absent from her wrist.

The maiden picked out a plain, green velvet choker with a single diamond pendant in the middle and clasped it around the girls neck.

"Hmm, perhaps a bit of rouge and lip colour too then, you're looking rather pale today." At this, Hermione groaned. If anything, it was makeup she disliked most of all. She found it so superficial and pointless and not to mention inconvenient.

Taking out a small container of blush Hestia began applying the powder to her cheeks. She flinched involuntarily as the substance crawled up her nose. When that was done, the maid brought out what appeared to be a paintbrush and lip colour then began to paint Hermione's lips.

She fidgeted around awkwardly, not enjoying being painted like a doll.

"Aye then, all done Princess, just slip on the silver pair of slippers" she said looking satisfied.

Hermione glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She looked…different. The same, but different. Perhaps it was the clothes or the makeup, or even both. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

The handmaid smiled gently at her, "come now Princess, it's time to go for dinner, you wouldn't want to keep our guests waiting now would you?"

Hermione obligingly shook her head as her stomach began to rumble with hunger.

"And remind me to call upon the doctor for you…your lack of memory is worrying me…"

xXx

As pain slowly enveloped the boys head, his silver-gray eyes flickered open. His vision was slightly blurred, but he could hear the voices around him crystal clear.

"Aye! He's finally come to!"

"The lad must have taken quite a blow to the head when he fell off his steed."

"Is that how he hit his head? I've told him numerous times already not to ride so boisterously."

"Foolish boy, no wonder mother was so reluctant to get him his own horse."

"Ay!" the boy shoved him. "Are you alright?"

Draco rubbed his eyes, "POTTER?" he exclaimed, looking up at the Gryffindor golden boy.

Why would POTTER care how he was? And where was Madame Pomfrey!

The raven-haired boy stared at him, raising an eyebrow, "Potter--what? My name's Prometheus boy! Didn't think you'd hit your head that hard now."

His eyes widened.

This does NOT look like the hospital wing.

The Slytherin prince glared Harry, "what are you playing at Potter, and where am I!" he demanded.

"Phaeton you'd best go beckon our mother, it seems he's lost his memory," muttered Prometheus.

"WEASLEY?" cried Draco incredulously staring up at the supposed Ron Weasley.

Turning back, Phaeton stared at the boy in the same manner his brother had, "he's gone mad, talking about weasels now..."

Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. What was going on? Where was he? And what were the Weasel and Scar head going on about? He glanced around the room. It was coloured similar to the Slytherin common room, with forest green and dull silver. Before his bed was a glass door that seemed to lead out to what looked like a balcony. Next to the doors was a large desk with calligraphy pens and bits of parchment scattered about. On the other side sat a large chest of drawers made from oak, and a silver sword embellished with emerald stones hanging from the drawer handle. Draco looked over to his left. Next to his bed was a paint stand. He gazed at the painting, it was unfinished but you could tell it was a picture of a girl, a very pretty girl, but of whom, he could not tell.

In confusion the silver-haired boy groaned and slid beneath his dark-green satin covers.

"Draco get up! We're leaving for the King Titan's in 45 minutes! You have to get dressed NOW!" the Potter look-alike ordered him.

Draco resurfaced with a frown on his face, "Who do you think you are ordering ME around? I'll take my TIME getting ready!"

Prometheus let out a hollow laugh, "If you've grown a liking to keeping your head on you'll hurry! His majesty frowns upon tardiness and had been known to behead his tardy guests."

His silver eyes widened in horror, "Okay okay, but first, you have to tell me where the bloody hell I am!"

"Man that fall really got to him…" Phaeton muttered to his brother.

Prometheus rolled his eyes, "You're in your bed, in your HOME!"

Okay, that was a given I suppose…

"Who are you two?" he inquired, eying the two clones suspiciously.

Phaeton snickered.

"Your brothers" Prometheus replied.

Draco raised an eye brow at this, "If you're my brothers then why may I ask are we all the same age, with DIFFERENT coloured hair? We are OBVIOUSLY not triplets…"

Green eyes darkened, and Phaeton ceased his incessant snickering.

"Our fathers all died" was the redhead's brief reply. "And we're not all the same age, you fool; Prometheus is the oldest by about 11 months, then you're the middle one, and I'm the youngest."

"How?" questioned Draco. "How did they all die?"

"I don't know Phaeton's father and mine both died suddenly of a strange sickness…yours was rumoured to have died the same way, but no one knows," said Prometheus darkly.

Draco's eyes widened even farther, "And they were all married to the same woman at one point?"

The boys nodded.

Well duh! It didn't take a genius to figure out that the mother killed all the men!

"Did you ever consider the possibility of our mother being the source of all those deaths?" he asked mockingly.

At this the two boys gasped in horror at the boy's words.

"Good heavens of course not! Mother is a sweet, kind-natured woman, she'd never hurt a fly. SHAME on you for thinking such things!" Phaeton chided.

Draco rolled his eyes; I have got to find a way out of here…wherever this is…

"Come on lad, if you'll be done with your ridiculous little game, we'll be leaving now, but do hurry and change, then meet us by the front doors. Hasten!"Prometheus commanded.

"Wait, hang on a second, one last question we're all Malfoys still right?" he asked.

"Yes, of course. Dress appropriately, it's rumoured the King beheads those who dress informally when in his presence" called one of the boys as the door shut behind them.

Draco collapsed back onto his bed once the boys had left. Figuring he might as well go along with whatever was planned, he made his way towards the drawers and opened them.

"What in the name of Merlin is all this?" he cried holding up a pair of beige tights. His face contorted in revulsion.

"There has got to be something in here that isn't skin tight…" he murmured to himself as he tore through his dresser in search of something less….revealing.

After much searching, he decided on a black pair of moderately comfortable, somewhat looser tights, and a white button-up shirt, much like the ones he wore at Hogwarts except that the fabric was much thinner and the sleeves were irritatingly puffy. Overtop he sported a bottle-green tunic styled vest.

As he finished his ensemble by slipping on a pair of black boots, he walked strode up to the oak framed mirror to inspect his appearance.

"Not bad…" he muttered, "Even though I look like I just stepped out of a renaissance text book...centuries out of fashion."

Wonder if the guy beheads people for looking astoundingly handsome?

A loud banging at his door caused him to jerk around.

"Ay! Draco, the carriages have arrived, best be leaving now!" came a voice.

Draco gave himself one last inspection, and then scurried out the door trailing behind one of his brothers.

Review!

A/N taken up these lil things .:. as dividers now. Well if I can remember. :P Enjoy! And again, REVIEW and constructive criticism is always useful!

Oh and it's: Lost and Confused By Lillix