Sands of Change

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 4

After everyone had eaten. It was three o'clock when the battles had started again. This time, Hermione didn't know if she could survive against the two largest Dragon Slayers. The lightning and iron. Which she was skittish about facing.

Lucy had told Hermione about everyone and the rundown of their magic. It was enough for Hermione to shiver over. She still didn't know how she survived Team Natsu. After hearing what they normally could do.

Hermione stood across from the two Dragon Slayers. Each with a grin that made her feel like prey, in front of a pair of giant Dragons. She knew that science would work against them, if they lose focus when they battle her. She would have to get her Gryffindor mentality to the test.

"You don't have anything to prove, girly," grinned Gajeel. "You could call it quits!"

Hermione waved her hand over herself. Feeling an energy charge that crackled in the air. Zapping the two before her. Hearing them gasp in surprise, only caused her to giggle.

"Let's dance," Laxus spoke darkly, as his hands whipped lightning out. Shocking the air between them and her.

"Godric Gryffindor, lend me your bravery," she whispered. Before turning on the spot. Just as lightning was rushed at her. Only to pop back in, standing between the two. "Missing something?"

The two throw their magic towards her. Twisting herself out. Coming back in, just ten feet above them. She saw that they had electrocuted themselves. But not enough to take them out of the game.

Hermione felt something inside herself, telling her to say the following words. "Celestial Dragon Diamond Armor!" Transforming her body into Dragon diamond scales over her body. "Celestial Dragon Diamond Blades!" As diamond shaped looking throwing knives were being thrown at them.

"WHAT! CELESTIAL DRAGON!"

As the blades were inches away from the two Dragon Slayers. "Celestial Dragon Flaming Nova!" Channeling the blades into raining fire. Exhausting the two Dragon Slayers.

Hermione twisted her body. Causing herself to land between the two of them. She raised her hands up. Only to have the diamond armor to vanish.

Lucy ran up to her. Looking at her, dumbfounded. "Are you a Celestial Dragon Slayer?"

"I... I... I… have never killed a Dragon!" Hermione's hands shook. "How in the Hell did I get magic, I have never had before?"

Lucy gaped at her. "You didn't learn it from a Dragon?"

Hermione shook her head. "I rode a Dragon once. But that is it."

"You rode a Dragon," asked many Dragon Slayers. "What was it?"

Hermione had a few tears in her eyes. "White and blind." Remembering how she met. In the deep dark levels of a bank. "Guarding useless gold," she growled out.

"Useless," asked Lucy in fear.

Hermione turned to her, feeling her eyes flashed with anger. "Wizards and their old gold. Locked deep within the earth of a bank, in the dark. Alone."

"No," growled Natsu. Looking like he wanted to burn something.

"I rode it out of the bank. I saved it by saving my friends and myself," she turned away from the gathering group.

Master Makarov asked, "Just to be curious. Would you be up to a three-on-one battle? Just to see your limits."

Hermione was given some water by Mira. She took a drink. Before answering. "Last battle."

"Of course." He then turned towards the crowd. "Freed, Bickslow and Elfman! You three are up!"

"Why are you doing this," asked Lucy.

Hermione sighed, "I need to know my limits." She looked towards Laxus and Gajeel. She saw that they were already healed by Wendy. "I am hoping for no more surprises."

Lucy sighed, "What would Harry do?"

"This," Hermione waved around her. "He really was a bad influence."

Lucy left the area. Leaving Hermione surrounded by three different sets of magic users, alone. Each one was strong in their own right. She had to wait for what would happen.

First thing that appeared was a cage of Runes around her. Layering itself with Rules.

"No Dragon Slayer shall leave this box." Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Really?"

A feeling had come over her again. Causing her to feel a shiver to run down her spine. Hermione closed her eyes, her subconscious told her to let go.

"Magic," she whispered, opening her eyes. Causing the three men to step back. "I trust you." Then her inner magic took over.

Hermione's skin, hair and clothes, turned as one. Turning everything into fur. Before her bones and muscles shifted. Only to become another being entirely. Gone was her human form, shifting to a very large white tiger. Breaking the Rune cage that was around her.

After the cage was gone. Hermione shifted back. Rune, a reflection of containment units of all kinds. Without writing any rules.

Bickslow sent his totems at her. Trying to catch her in his hypnotic green-beams of light. Only reminding her of the killing curse. She popped out of their way. Only to pop back in and knock him out.

One totem hissed at her. "We yield!"

"Good, now take him off the field!"

They had done just that. Before Freed jumped in to use his sword. Only for Hermione to whip him with fast moving water. Knocking him away from the battle area.

Elfman stayed where he stood. He did something that no one had expected. He had gotten down to one knee and bowed his head. "I stand down, I don't want to harm you."

Hermione did not since deceit. Felt her energy shifted, making her look like a normal young woman. Closing her eyes, falling towards the ground. Only to feel a pair of hands catching her. Before she had hit her head.

"Hermione!"

"Dear lord," gasped the voice of Makarov. "I had pushed this on her. I just wanted to see her strengths. Since I was planning on another S-class tryouts soon."

Elfman grumbled, "She's just tired, master. I figured she would stop fighting, if she saw that I wasn't a threat. I don't think she was all here in this fight. Something may have triggered her."

"What could have caused it," asked Makarov in wonder.

A totem flew to them. "Us, our beams!" Before moving closer to her, rubbing itself next to Hermione's cheek. "We're sorry."

Hermione blinked open her eyes. Petting the totem's head. "It's all right," she whispered. Closing her eyes again and knew no more.