AN: Sorry everyone I just realized that Hermione's arm was still broken, whoops, it's ok though I changed the last chapter so Hermes has completely healed her. I also did some editing 

Disclaimer: Hermione and Draco are not real. I really have my doubts that the Greek gods are real. Despite all of this they do exist, (They just aren't real, (are you following?) ;-P) and I do not own them.

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8 Let The Games Begin

The next day they were up at dawn Hermione was just in time to see Apollo's golden chariot leave Mount Olympus to soar through the sky trailing the sun behind. Once Hermione had again bathed she was dressed in traditional Grecian robes. It rather suited her actually and it strangely complemented her wild bushy hair. Her hair was tied back from her face with a long ribbon that matched the ribbon that corded up her dress. The servants attending her tried to add jewelry but Hermione declined. She didn't feel comfortable taking the gods riches though it seemed that they had enough to spare.

She went from her room to the center chamber once more. Here the gods were already feasting on what Hermione guessed was nectar and ambrosia. Ordinary bread honey and cold meats were waiting for her and Draco at an end table. Hermione gratefully made her way around and seated herself in the chair next to a minor goddess sharing their table. The goddess turned to Hermione and her eyes were glowing the colour of green olives,

"Good morning," The goddess said politely, gravely inclining her head.

"Morning my lady," Hermione replied not sure of the correct term of address for an immortal.

"I am Ino, a goddess of the ocean,"

"Oh pleased to meet you," said Hermione politely, "My name is Hermione Granger."

"Yes, I know. We have all come to watch you perform in the Game." Ino said simply.

Hermione felt a knot of apprehension curling around her stomach. The contents on her plate making her feel worse. She tried to smile half-heartedly but gave up.

"Cheer up," said Ino sensing her distress, "not all of us have come to see you lose." The goddess gave a beautiful smile and suddenly Hermione felt a boost of confidence and she decided she could eat a little.

Draco didn't even arrive for breakfast until the very end. Hermione had never experienced such and awkward moment. Her lips tingled remembering the kiss. She recalled the pressure of his body against hers. The arrogant smile on his gorgeous face. Hermione blinked,

'Stop thinking!' She said angrily to herself.

The hall went silent and hundreds of immortal heads plus one very mortal head turned to her direction. She blushed as she realized she had spoken out loud. Fortunately the awkward moment was dispelled as Zeus stood to his feet and beckoned Draco and Hermione forward. They approached slowly and bowed when they reached the step to the raised dais and thrones.

"It is time, what have you decided?" Asked Zeus in his usual booming tones.

"We will play." Said Hermione shakily her earlier anxiety returning at full force.

The god nodded and placed his hands together so that the fingertips just touched each other. A vibrant golden light began to form in a small ball in his hands. The ball expanded past his caged fingers and enveloped the crowded hall. Draco felt the hair on his neck stand up and a wind tugging at his clothes. He felt sick as the ground lurched away from him and he was spun around. It felt like a Floo powder trip on drugs. A really, really fast Floo trip with blinding shots of starburst lights and sharp sounds punctuating the air. He landed with a heavy thud on grass.

"Uh." The air was knocked out of his lungs as he collided with the earth. In the air beside him a figure materialized and promptly dropped to the ground with a gasp. Draco struggled up and looked at Hermione, her bushy hair obscured her face, as she lay curled in a ball. She was clutching her sides and was gasping for breath. Draco swore under his breath and staggered over to help her. He pulled her into a kneeling position so she could breathe easier. Looking around him he saw that he was on a hill, all the gods were forming a ring around him and Hermione the uniquely coloured nimbus' that surrounded them were fading. None of them had fallen down and most were looking at Draco with a superior smugness that made Draco want to hit them.

Ino, the beautiful goddess dressed in blue and that smelt like the ocean stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Hermione's shoulder. Instantly Hermione recovered.

"Thank you." Said Hermione bowing down low.

Ino inclined her head gracefully and moved back into her position in the circle.

"Before us stand the two barbarians who are guilty of practicing magic even though they are mortal. This offense is punishable by death. We have however decided to be lenient on these two mortals as they are from far into the future. Instead of death they shall play The Game. They shall face twelve challenges set by the twelve great gods of Olympus. If they lose more than two they shall die as is our custom."

Zeus's voice rang out clearly. All of the gods had obviously heard this before as Hermione could see they were not paying attention. Suddenly a thunderclap sounded in the air.

"Let the games begin." Zeus roared. The gods all broke into excited chatter and Hermes strode forward, his baton firmly grasped in his hand and his sandals glowing green except for the golden wings that remained motionless his green eyes focused on the two in the center.

He stopped in front of them.

"I, Hermes son of Zeus and messenger god, one of the elite gods hereby challenge you to a race. One of you will participate and you will choose your mode of transport. No magic is to be used except my winged sandals and an object of your choosing."

Draco and Hermione locked gazes.

"I should go." They said at the same time.

"Don't be ridiculous Hermione. What on earth will you use for a start? You are terrified of heights and I play seeker remember? Flying isn't exactly new to me."

"I don't know I could…"Began Hermione defensively but looking at Draco she realized he was right, "All right, fine you go."

Draco nodded and turned to Hermes.

" I accept your challenge. Where are we racing to?"

Hermes tutted impatiently and pointed his scepter at Draco's head. Draco stumbled back as his head was flooded with a barrage of mental images. A vivid map unfolded in his mind he could see the racecourse as it really was, even details like goats grazing on Mt Ida right through to the ships in the harbor in Athens.

When his head stopped throbbing Draco shook himself. He walked to the starting line ready to leave then he stopped.

"How am I meant to fly? I don't have my broomstick with me."

"Well you choose your own equipment. If you cant supply it that's your problem, walk to the finish line." Said Hermes with a smirk. Draco was beginning to tire of his insolence- the smirking was so annoying.

Hermione then made her way to Draco's side. Placing a light hand on his arm she said.

"Draco, visualize your broom in your head, as detailed as you can."

Draco did as he was told closing his eyes and imagining his new 'Flying Crane' a revolutionary broom his grandfather bought him for his 'coming of age' birthday. Even Potter's was not in league with this.

Draco felt a cold pressure against his skull as Hermione placed the tip of her wand at his temple. Draco was worried as that point could have any amount of damage to it. A cleverly concocted curse that would disable him, a spell that could make him blind or a vicious jab to the head that could really, really hurt.

"Granger what are you doing?" He asked apprehensively.

"Relax, trust me."

"Yeah right," muttered Draco but he stood still and found to his surprise that he did trust her.

"Image of the mind be born it physical life reform." (AN. Please note; the spells will now be understandable as the spell Hermione cast lets them understand languages including Latin.)

Hermione did an impressive twist and complicated movements with his wand and Draco felt the air around him become thick and sluggish. He opened his eyes to see the space around him congeal and bend transforming and taking shape. Suddenly a broom appeared with a faint 'pop' and the air snapped back to normal.

Draco stepped back in surprise.

"Wow." Was all he could manage, He was amazed, they didn't even teach that sort of magic at school it was far to advanced for even Year 13

Hermione just grinned.

"Come on try it out."

Draco cautiously straddled the broom feeling the smoothness of the handle and the gentle vibrating hum he felt coming off it in waves. In a moment of courage he grasped the handle firmly and kicked off hard. The instant he was in the air an exhilarating calm can over him. He loved this the rush, the feel of the air blowing and the feel of control he got from simply flying it was magic beyond that that he had grown up around since his birth. He did a quick loop and then coasted back to the ground. On the ground the starting line was drawn and Hermes and Draco lined up. Zeus let off a thunderclap to start it and then both god and mortal were away in a blur of colour. The entire party of Olympians and minor gods (and Hermione) were transported to the finish line instantly. Hermione again spent the first few moments curled in agony. Dear god it was painful! She stood up and stared at the gods who now sat in rows on ornate benches all watching a giant oval plate that hovered in the air and showed an image. It was Hermione reflected much like a floating round television. On the screen was a picture of the race in progress. It was incredible they were neck and neck both as evenly matched as the other. Hermes was shooting like a comet, his green aura trailing behind him like a fiery tail. Draco looked slightly less impressive but was still matching the god in pace as they zoomed across the Greek countryside around mountains and through forests. All in all the race was an exhilarating one near the end the two went through a thick forest and those watching lost sight of them. They watched in anticipation for they could see the forest from the finish line. A brilliant green arrow lanced out of the thick growth and stopped just before the line Hermes looked as perfect as usual not a hair out of place to show he had just competed in a furious race. He smiled and nonchalantly stepped over the line swaggering with out a care in the world. The gods all cheered and Hermes gave an eloquent bow. There was no sign of Draco. Hermione at first was disappointed at not winning but it was quickly replaced by worry at Draco. Where was he? Was he hurt or unconscious? She waited and waited for a figure to emerge from the foliage but nothing. Suddenly she felt terrified. She started running down the hill calling for him. She searched the woods frantically getting more and more worried.

"Draco, Draco? Where are you?"

She thrust her hand into her robes and found to her surprise the quill she had used to find him all the way back at Hogwarts nearly a week ago.

She recast the spell on it.

"Take this essence back to its source."

The quill once again fluttered to life. It hovered slowly then took off like a shot zooming through the forests. Hermione struggled keep it in sight as she dodged trees and tried to keep her footing on the uneven ground.

The quill stopped at a giant tree and shot vertically upward. Hermione looked up uncertainly but when she heard a cry she began climbing furiously.

"Draco, Draco? Is that you?"

"Argh! Hermione get this thing off me."

When Hermione got to the top she saw Draco hanging upside down on the branch leaves through his hair and clothes and a quill pecking his skull furiously.

She cautiously climbed over to him and made the quill stop. She checked to see if he was ok and notice nothing seemed broken though there was a lot of swelling around his wrist. She pulled him from the tree untangling him and trying to stop herself from falling.

At last they were both free and panting against the trees thick trunk. Hermione looked at Draco and just burst out laughing in relief. Draco stared at her then found himself laughing in response.

"What happened?" Hermione asked after conjuring a cold compress for Draco's wrist.

Draco's pale features turned a shade of pink he turned away from Hermione embarrassed. "I err sort of smacked into the tree."

Hermione just started laughing again.

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