CyberTech Worlds Clash

Chapter XXVIII

Hunt

Luna was lying on her bed in her private room only in her panties and bra. The lightning was soft, and she was lying on her tummy. She was still having some issues when walking too far, but she was well looked after by magic and muggle science, but the curse that had hit her had been worse for her nerves than originally thought.

Smiling, Luna could almost orgasmed as she had a beautiful young woman; her physiotherapist rubbing some delightful warming oils into her legs, massaging her thighs and knees and bending them, and Luna couldn't help but moan out as those small soft hand knead into her soft pale flesh.

"Wow Doc-or… that feels so great!" she moaned out. "B-but are you sure you're a girl… you look like one, you're beautiful like one, act like one, and sound like one, but… something's off," she whimpered out.

The 'doctor' (officially still an intern) suddenly stopped and stared at the sweet odd little blonde therapy patient of hers with her own green eyes seeming unsure as she stroked back her shoulder length black hair.

"Umm…" she sputtered nervously unsure how to broach such things with a primitive little witch like her as she liked Luna enough, and enjoyed her company and friendship enough that she knew she could trust her.

"It's okay," Luna suddenly said smiling at her. "You're my friend and have been looking after me lots. I am not going to be angry or anything. I have this strange sense of things, so I'm fairly-well versed in seeing when things aren't complete. I'm just curious is all… and-."

"I… I'm both… kind of," she suddenly interrupted with her nicely tanned cheeks sparking red as she looked away. She looked back after a moment and saw just curiosity and not hate or disgust like she would have thought if she told most people, even though deep down she knew people were better than that.

Luna smiled at her affectionately like she always did. "I'm not sure I understand, Fiona… why don't you explain?"

"O-okay," she replied sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I'm-I'm a mutant," she said not even getting a reaction she continued. "I'm-I'm pretty sure after everything recently that Mr. Avalon knows, and always has, and doesn't mind, and none of the applications or anything has ever asked about things like that, but-.

"My power is kind of reptilian or amphibian – or a cross between both… and well, I can stick to walls with my hands and feet and even camouflage myself like a chameleon only better. It's just… after it… I mean my powers awoke… well I learnt that I was more – none-human than I thought, even growing back a finger, and I guess I could my arm too, and my senses are sharper.

"And well," she paused, and her tongue flickered out, still human in appearance only a few feet long before it was back in her mouth. "And well, some reptiles and amphibians can be one sex or the other or change if one sex is more dominant in that area. I was born a girl, but when… I became this…

"I kind of grew boy's equipment too," she finally said blushing fiercely. "It was really hard keeping it all secret, at school, college and stuff. It's been so humiliating thinking about people not excepting me because of that – it's worse than just being a mutant. I'm twenty-six and never even kissed someone before," she muttered as if pleased to get it off her chest.

"I-I've never told anyone before that I have both," she said with bright cheeks. "A-and boobs, and… I'm really a girl, but it all works… and I don't have a preference over male or female anymore. I guess I'm not going to be that picky. I'll be lucky to ever find anyone. You probably think I'm a freak now."

"Of course, I don't," Luna reprimanded and shocking her. "In fact, I think I like you even more."

"Y-you do?" she asked startled as Luna nodded in agreement. "But… wait, how did you know I was… not… umm… well you know?"

Luna giggled and reached out taking the girls hand in hers and placing it back onto her leg as she turned to lie on her side. "I just know… I told you, it's a feeling I get about stuff; maybe it's a magical talent, I don't know. I had been wondering why your hands felt so different, so much better compared to when the twins Mandy and Sandy do this for me, and they really know how to use their digits. Your hands are so much better."

Fiona blushed as she felt her cheeks darken, Luna's hands sliding up her arms and pulling her down onto her as Luna turned to lie on her back, their lips touched ever so gently in a beautiful kiss, their eyes drifting closed. Fiona's hands slid up Luna's body as their kiss deepened with tongue; the mutants' tongue being something that excited Luna more as she wondered how far it could reach down her throat or in other areas, as her arms snaked around the brunette mutant's neck.

"Hey Luna, would you want to…" Amy paused at the hot sight before her as she barged into her friend's hospital room. Fiona was quick to pull back looking freaked, like a deer caught with its hoof in the cookie jar before dinner. "Well, it looks like Luna is off the list… as I do not trust a certain someone I am…" she finished sliding her stylus across her tablet screen crossing her name off and cutting her sentence off before it was finished while looking thoughtful.

"Please don't fire me!" Fiona was begging Amy to her confusion. "I-I didn't plan on kissing my patient, but I couldn't help it. She's so beautiful and understanding, and... and…"

"Half naked," Amy interrupted laughing while both girls went bright red. "Nobody's going to fire you for making out with Luna. Heck, she can use a nice piece of arse to tap, and I can tell you, Darling; that she has a nice arse to tap in return," she said while eying up Luna's near naked body with a nod before frowning. "I really can't pull that kind of slang off, can I?"

"N-no, Amy," Luna agreed shaking her head and half-glaring. "But you can get away with leaving so I can get back to tapping this fine arse," she said smirking as Fiona blushed more as Luna sat up on the bed and pulled Fiona closer and held onto her tightly around her small waist and groped the poor girls cute little butt causing her some more embarrassment.

"You can't pull it off either, even with the 'hands' it sounds weird," Amy reprimanded playfully. "Well, you girls have lots of fun," she said as she pulled the door open. "Seraph, give these lucky cutie-pies some privacy from anyone else barging in," she finished off closing the door behind her as all the curtains closed after the windows darkened and then they heard the door lock.

Fiona breathlessly looked back down at Luna to see her smirking before pulling her back on top of her, and she slid fully onto the bed kicking her shoes off to the floor, letting her instincts guide her.

"It's good to be friends with your boss's sister," Luna said as their lips crashed back together again.

CyberTech CyberTech CyberTech

Hermione was sitting in her office with two holographic screens with Sandy in one and Mandy in the other. "No… that's just… just kind of wrong and weird… have you been spending too much time around my boss?"

"No… and it's not weird, Hermione," Sandy replied rolling her eyes. "You're like one of our best friends. It's just experimenting. You like experimenting, don't you?"

"Yea… but that's just perverted," she retorted rolling her eyes as she was getting too used to this. "Even if it's one after the other separately, in separate rooms," she added as Mandy was about to suggest it again.

"Come on, we like you," said Sandy while Mandy nodded. "So, we want to experiment with you. It would be wrong if you weren't there, and we did it by ourselves… twins Hermione… everyone dreams of shagging identical twins at the same time, as in a three-some."

"No, they don't, and…" she retorted for a moment before shaking her head as she couldn't think of where to carry that sentence. "Well, not everyone does… anyway, I'm not going to be your little… 'toy'…" she replied rolling her eyes. "I already have to squirm my way free from Cornelia… ask her, she'll be only too happy to give you whatever you want."

"Only too happy to what…?" Amy made the three jump, as she just barged into Hermione's office.

"Oh-oh nothing, Amy," Hermione said quickly as the screens automatically moved so that Amy could see them too. "Err… how did you even get into Wonderland."

Amy shrugged. "Got in the lift and told Seraph I'm going to see you," she said tapping her tablet and shrugging. "Then the elevator stopped on this floor, I walked out; had a chat with Michelle… she's working security up here, so we had a chat and I had a cup of tea and when I was done I walked out of the security office, the security doors opened, I walked in, they closed, more security doors opened, I entered and greeted a few people. I then walked to your department and after saying hello to Cornelia I barged in with the door handle."

The twins burst out laughing while Hermione blushed brightly and glared. "That isn't what I meant!" she reprimanded. "I just meant that I didn't know you have security clearance for Wonderland!"

Amy rolled her eyes. "Seraph what is my security clearance?" she asked out loud smiling.

"Amanda Avalon has S class security clearance," Seraph's voice said sounding amused.

"But I only have A class clearance, and-and… I work in Wonderland," Hermione said in shock.

Amy stuck out her tongue laughingly. "Seraph, what's Ginny's security clearance?" she asked while Hermione pouted.

"Ginevra Weasley has S class security clearance," she said even more amused now.

"Oh, come on, that's not fair," Hermione moaned sadly.

"Okay," Amy said thoughtfully. "What's Luna's security clearance?" she asked out of curiosity.

"Luna Lovegood has A Class security clearance," Seraph spoke and was actually laughing.

"W-what…?" Hermione asked shocked. "B-but Luna doesn't even work here, does she?"

"Only joking," Seraph said laughingly. "It's B class clearance, and yes she does work here in medical studies. Hasn't she said yet? Her magical exams counted in some part to get her in, and she has… wait, nope… erm… don't tell her I told you she passed her exams. She'll be fine. She's smart."

"Oh, she did well then," Hermione asked with a sigh. "I'm glad I won't have to help her study anymore."

"You're not glad at all," Sandy reprimanded. "You loved being Luna's, teacher Hermione; you and Fiona are boffins, but at least we now know what Fiona wanted, spending all that extra time with Luna… but… oh… maybe that's what you like… want us to wear schoolgirl uniforms?"

"No!" Hermione groaned.

"What are you talking about?" Amanda asked suspiciously. "Hermione… have you been demanding your nurses cosplay for you?! Don't their cute nurse uniforms do it for you?" she asked laughingly.

"W-what?" Hermione stuttered with bright red cheeks. "No… o-of course not; I mean yes… err; they just keep, um… nothing-!"

"We're trying to convince Hermione into have a lesbian experience with us!" Sandy was quick to say while Mandy nodded her head in agreement, and Hermione burnt redder.

"Oh-kay," Amy replied as she crossed names off her tablet. "That's Hermione off of the list, and Mandy and Sandy too," she said to herself smiling at her friend. "Way to go girl… identical twins… awesome sexy… massive fantasy – and in schoolgirl uniforms… adorable," she said before turning to the smug girls. "Hey if you can't get this stick in the mud to spread you both over her bed, come see me and Ginny, we'll be happy to try something a little… kinky."

"Wow, cool, thanks, we will," Sandy said brightly while Mandy nodded in agreement.

"Do you have to encourage them?" Hermione demanded but she didn't seem angry.

"Certainly… hot identical twin sisters, Hermione!" Amy agreed, embarrassing Hermione further. "Anyway, I'm off to continue my hunt," she added as she quickly left the office the way she came.

"We have B class security clearance as well," Mandy said smilingly. "I guess Luna will be working with us, which is cool."

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose holding back her tears when they started back on their previous begging.

CyberTech CyberTech CyberTech

Luna Lovegood smiled the following day. She felt simply amazing. She had an actual girlfriend and had a wonderful time with her the night before, and with magical help they can have all the fun they wanted without Luna accidently getting pregnant long before she was ready for that responsibility.

She used the little joystick on her new hover-wheelchair to move down the steps leading outside of the CyberTech building with her girlfriend Fiona by her side as it was more fun than going down any of the silly ramps.

Luna just wanted to spend a short while outside before they grabbed a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, and then Luna and Fiona were going to spend the night together where Luna had been spending time staying with Ginny and Amy and had her own room.

It turned out to be a nice bright day, though a little windy. The ministry of magic was gone, Voldemort was gone, and Dumbledore was gone, so all was right with her world at least. They had some issues with the mutant haters and the like but that didn't seem too bad.

She had heard about the MPF (Meta-Police Force) having difficulties, but most Western governments were in favour.

However, as soon as the pair exited the building a crowd of reporters seemed to jump out of hiding from around the building, bushes, trees, cars, and whatever else could have been an obstacle to hide behind.

"Your name is Luna Lovegood correct! Friend of Amanda Avalon?!" one reporter cried out surprising her that he knew her name. "I'm from the Guardian Newspaper. Is it true that you are a witch with real magical powers; that Harry Avalon's own sister is a witch, and that CyberTech has imprisoned a number of dark witches and wizards in the newly built super villain prison named the Crater?"

"We've heard that mutants aren't the only freaks on Earth!" one woman reported snidely stuffing a microphone in Luna's face while pushing Fiona out of the way as a cameraman shoved a camera in her face.

"I… I don't see why you would be so rude," Luna said quickly. "W-what is you gave birth to a baby with special powers – with a gift? Would you hate it because it was different?"

"Why would I want a filthy mutant baby?" she demanded in revulsion.

Luna grimaced. "Because a mother or father should love their children unconditionally..."

"No more question!" Fiona growled as she pushed through the crowd and glared at anyone who looked at her or Luna funny. "Don't you dare berate or insult my patient!"

Fiona quickly led Luna back into the building with a sigh of relief. The reporters went to follow but Security was quick to bar the doors, and even though the building was technically open to the public they still had the right to bar entrance to troublemakers.

"I'm sorry, Fiona," Luna said sadly taking her girlfriends hand. "I shouldn't have asked to go for a walk. I wouldn't have asked to go outside if I knew they were there."

"Are you two okay?" Ginny asked as she rushed over from where she had been heading to get some pizza to take back to her office while stretching her legs, and interrupted. "I forgot to warn everyone about those losers! They've been there since the thing in France, and they found out about you as some people had filmed you being helped into the building after your attack," she said looking her friend and her friend's new girlfriend over for injury. "How about I treat you lovely young ladies to lunch…. this way I can get to know Miss. Fiona better," she said smirking as she made the nurse feel uncomfortable. "After all, to Amy and me, Luna's like a sister! A really cute and delicious sister, but sister all the same," she said jokingly.

Fiona gulped while Luna nodded happily in agreement, smiling at her beloved friends' crazy antics, and glad her friends loved her so much. The doctor however, felt giddy with nerves as Ginny led them into the closest restaurant and found them a table.

Luna realised the good thing about being in a wheelchair was not having to take one of the uncomfortable looking chairs, other than that it sucked.

"So, Fiona," Ginny began after they ordered lunch, a smirk on her lips. "It seems you're highly interested in my dear friend Luna?" she asked with a smile that could sink ships as Fiona nodded quickly, sweating as she knew this was the Solar Knight. "Well I'm glad. You take good care of her. She needs a lot of loving… if you know what I mean," she said biting her lower lip as the young woman readily nodded in agreement.

"Ginny!" Luna reprimanded with a grin. "Don't take her too seriously Fiona," she said rolling her eyes as Ginny was snickering. "She loves me, but she won't make any trouble for you. She was just making fun to be a pain, though I will agree that I need lots of loving," she said while Fiona smiled with bright red cheeks.

"You spoiled all of my fun sweetie," Ginny replied with a pout. "But I must say, Fiona is a lovely young lady and I approve very much so. You two should join Amy and me on a double date sometime when you're feeling up to going outside, Luna."

"That would be lovely; thank you Ginny," Luna agreed before smiling at her relieved girlfriend. "Don't you think so Fiona?" she asked giving her girlfriend a smile she couldn't resist.

"O-of course Luna," she readily replied no matter how nervous the thought of going out with two Cyber Knights might make her feel. "I… I'm sure it will be re-really fun…"

"This makes you nervous?" Ginny asked gesturing the thick yellow bracelet around her left wrist. "I'm not going to use my powers on you like I know you won't use your powers on me," she said rolling her eyes. "Just think of us like… unofficial members of The Avengers!"

"I'm-I'm sorry," she replied. "It's just… you and Miss. Avalon are big celebrity superheroes. I'm-I'm no good around celebrities, but heroes… I met Spider-Man last month by accident while in New York and just froze up, and he has stick 'em powers like me!"

"Spider-Man…?" Ginny wondered in thought.

"He's believed to be a meta-human," interrupted Seraph's voice. "He has 'stick 'em' powers as well as enhanced strength and agility, as well as either natural web shooting abilities or has created a method to create and shoot webs. He has taken it upon himself to protect New York from crime and other less… nice supers. If you were wearing your Focus, I could show you some footage without disturbing the other patrons."

"Oh, I left mine upstairs," Ginny said thoughtfully as she knew the restaurants had forbidden Seraph from creating screens all over the place and was speaking through Ginny's bracelet. "Hang on… 'Spider-Man'… the kid in red and blue PJ's?" she ask-agreed nodding her head as she remembered. "I remember Harry said he wanted to offer Spider-Man some resources and assistance and bring him into this Might and Magic Project with the MPF," she rolled her eyes at the weirdo name. "New York is always crawling with some jerk, and the Spider-Man has enough to worry about with that newspaper jerk. Jameson reminds me of Rita Skeeter; a nasty bitch who lies and bends the truth for a living. I bet if Spider-Man worked with us that jerk wouldn't have the gull to spread bull-crap lies!"

"Umm… well yeah… that's him…" Fiona agreed nervously as she realised this Rita Skeeter really pissed Ginny off to no end. "I… well, I wasn't watching where I was going and almost got hit by a taxi. I was just on vacation. I had always wanted to visit and had a week's leave, so I went alone. The twins would have come with me if they had leave, but they used the rest of theirs looking for an apartment together."

"D-don't you get a month a year?" Luna asked looking surprised.

She nodded her head. "Yeah, we do… well. I went with the twins to Spain for two weeks several months ago so we used up that, and I had booked the New York trip, and the twins for house hunting; I still have a few days I have to use up."

"So, you live with parents?" Ginny asked curious as she hadn't wanted to look her up with Seraph.

Fiona shook her head sadly. "No… my parents died a few years ago in a plane crash so I have the family home. It's just a two-bedroom house, so inviting the twins to stay… well, they did in truth for a short while, while looking for somewhere. They don't live to far from me now. Just around the corner…"

"I'm glad you're doing well," Ginny said smilingly. "You can count on me if you ever need a hand with something."

CyberTech CyberTech CyberTech

"Do you have to leave me here? It's not even big enough to transform without destroying the place," Cyclone moaned as he had been landed under a huge outdoor swimming pool next to what he would consider a bog-standard black stealth jet that most people would drool over, but it didn't even have an AI to chat with.

"I don't have to, but I'm going too," Harry replied as he hopped out wearing an expensive black suite. "Don't complain mate… I would be only too happy to leave you top side, but we'll be bogged down with jerk reporters if some moron saw you parked in the garden!"

"Okay, Okay!" the helicopter agreed and complained all in one. "I just don't like this place much… it hasn't much going on."

"Just watch some cartoons or something; there's billions of people all over the planet, go online and troll some idiots or something," Harry retorted while rolling his eyes just as they were interrupted by giggling and Harry watched as a brown haired girl fell out of a wall and a blue devil kid fell off the black jet.

However, moments later a wheelchair bound bald guy entered with a swish of the doors with a serious looking guy with hair styled like horns(ish).

"Kitty, Kurt! You are both sixteen years old. Act your ages," Xavier reprimanded with a sigh and roll of his eyes. "Please forgive them Mr. Avalon. They were just curious, and…"

"Didn't expect you to be arguing with your helicopter," Logan, the Wolverine finished off smirking. "Though neither did I… if either you or Stark were born girls, I would see a great couple!"

Harry glared at him while the kids laughed more. "You're even more a dick in person," he replied nonplussed. "Oh, and by the way, Laura… X-Twenty-Three is perfectly fine. It was nice of you to ask."

Logan growled with his claws slicing out. "I didn't ask for her, bub…"

"A lot of parents don't," he replied shrugging. "But they get children anyway and they love them, or at least learn to love them."

"Logan, Harry that is enough!" Xavier reprimanded. "Logan… Harry is here to speak with us. He is offering his support in hoping our government will see that those with powers should be charged with policing those with powers, so we can start getting involved with the MPF here. If we can get this passed it will be a great step forward. The UK is already implementing this method, and it seems to be working. It would greatly solve the problems of vigilantes if they are supported by their country as people capable of arresting criminal mutants or mage or whatever other super powered being visits the Earth."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said after a few moments. "Hey, blue, wall-walking-threw-girl," he said smirking. "Play your cards right and someday you might be undercover agents with neat tricks like those!" he laughed as they blushed.

Xavier chuckled as he shook his head. "Well, if you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your room," he said leading the way.

Harry followed him and Logan for a short while until shown a room. "We have a few other… older students in this wing, so I don't see why you can't spend your time here," Xavier said with a smile. "We'll let you settle in and meet you downstairs. If you get lost, please tell someone and they'll help you find us."

"Thank you very much Professor," he replied smilingly before he pulled out some papers and handing them to Logan. "Get on that plane and stop being such a stubborn dick… you are all she has, familywise, and maybe her rehabilitation would go a little faster if she had someone just like her… and who isn't as breakable showing her the right way forward?"

Logan growled as he looked over the tickets. "Only because they're first class!" he growled out as he placed the tickets in his pocket and stalked off to pack some of his things. "Charles," he called just as he was turning a corner. "I'll be gone for a few weeks…"

Xavier chuckled and smiled at Harry. "Thank you for that… he may not seem like it, but he is grateful. He can't remember what happened when they gave him that metal skeleton, and it has been bothering him that… Laura can."

"Yeah," Harry nodded as he quivered while thinking about it before Charles bid him parting and left Harry to check out his room.

Harry looked around and placed his things in the cupboard before sighing and falling back onto his bed. He woke up a few hours later startled that he had fallen asleep, but he had been quite tired. Therefore, he got up and made sure to find the bathroom to freshen up before he went off hunting.

However, he ran into a strange girl with multi coloured hair. Her hair was short to her neck blonde except the fringe curtaining her purple eyes was black and the edges of her hair was red. She was a stunning girl and had a nice paint that's for sure, and it was better for she was wearing a cute blue dress.

"W-who are you?" the beauty asked with scarlet cheeks.

"Oh, umm... I'm Harry," he said with a sheepish smile wondering how her voice seemed strange; a little echo-ish? He shrugged that thought off as unimportant at a house full of mutants. "Sorry I almost knocked you over," he said sheepishly. "I wasn't really looking where I was going… umm… why are you dressed up…?" he asked looking the girl over with her hot strapless dress.

"Oh… well, there was this guy from school and he…" she trailed off looking depressed, ashamed, and embarrassed. "I guess he stood us up… oh, I mean, me up…" she said with a sad sigh.

"What's your name?" he asked looking confused. "And why would anyone want to stand you up. You're beautiful!"

"T-thank you," she stuttered out looking down passed her nice cleavage to her toeless shoes. "I'm-I'm Fussure…" she replied nervously. "I… I guess I'm a little stupid at times. I'm useless at math and plenty of other stuff, and I've been held back at school. I guess the only use anyone could have for me is to take the piss?!" she suggested while looking down on herself.

"So, where's the party?" he asked rather than trying to disprove something she had already drilled into herself when he hadn't gotten to know here yet.

"Oh, it's at this…" she trailed off embarrassed more for a moment. "It's at the boys house… his family is rich. They own a software company. So I guess he doesn't want anything to do with someone like me."

"Did he cancel the party?" Harry asked in surprise, as the guy would have to be complete arsehole without any senses to have stood this girl up.

She just looked worse as she shook her head. "N-no… he just… I think he might have been making… why am I telling you and why do you care?"

"It's a bit late for a meeting with Charles, so… blah… I want to party and make fun of a dipshit," he replied smirking smugly as pulled a little arrowhead device from the inside pocket of his jacket and slid it onto his right ear where the centre lit up crimson. "Seraph, get me a limo at Xavier's mansion, now if you can wrangle it!"

"Already on it, boss," she replied sounding amused. "Anything else you need because you already know you haven't invented the dipshit radar yet!"

Harry laughed nervously as the line went clear while Fussure looked flustered and confused. "Let me take you to this party!" Harry said to her shock. She looked embarrassed, ashamed, and surprisingly guilty. "This way we can have fun, and this fool… who would dare stand up a great girl like you. He can suffer as you'll be all mine."

She blushed but smiled as he offered up his arm, she gently took it being extra careful. She liked him right away. He just had a sweet charm and knew how to look after a girl. She also admired weird new tech as she couldn't hold back from asking about his device.

To Be Continued…

Hermione sighed. She loved the twins, but they could be pushy and annoying. It was just lucky she had managed to keep her innocent non-pervy self innocent. They were two persistent girls!

However, hanging with them might be more fun than walking into Hogwarts. Maybe she could have persuaded Harry to let her go with him? Though, arseing around with politics really wasn't her scene. She would rather not be at Hogwarts either.

Though, looking around the school grounds she felt impressed with all the renovations they were completing, and was glad she never bothered to throw on a robe or she would have looked out of place as most of the students had foregone caring to wear robes anymore, so her skirt suit was the perfect wear to fit in.

She entered the Great Hall to find Professor McGonagall seated at the teachers table and sighed in relief.

"Sorry, Professor to trouble you," she said as she reached the teachers table. "I'm here to speak with Cordelia," she said trying to hold back a cringe at the thought of speaking with her boss's younger sister. She could only pray they were nothing alike as she hadn't met the woman yet.

"Of course, Miss. Granger," she answered. "Umm… I can take you; her office is the old heads."

"T-that's quite alright, thank you, but finish your lunch, I know the way," she quickly replied. "Thanks very much," she said with a smile as she turned and exited the Great Hall and paused in surprise as Astoria Greengrass blocked her path up the stairs while wearing a creepy grin, and Hermione could see a nearby lift and wondered whether she could escape into it, but Astoria must have seen where Hermione was looking and took a few quick side steps to block the lift and stairs, even though she was so slender.

"Hey there, Miss. Hermione Granger," Astoria said with a crafty grin. "I heard from Cordelia that you were stopping by… and that you're not that great with people either. I was hoping that you would take me out… and I can try to get to grips with stuff like that… you know… normal stuff?"

Hermione grimaced as she looked around to make sure they were alone. "You aren't going to try seducing me, are you?"

Astoria looked surprised and thoughtful. "I hadn't planned anything like that. I've only ever done anything with… one amazing guy. But my sister seems happy having fanny, so, sure if you want? You are pretty, and seem fairly fit, so I have no qualms against it."

Hermione groaned. "Why can't I know any normal girls?" she asked, more of herself than Astoria. "No… we don't need to do anything… but I suppose I am free on Saturday if you want to hang out – I'll drag along some other girls too and we can make it a girl's night out. Let's exchange numbers, so we can keep in touch to arrange a time and place?" she suggested as she pulled out her sleek rose-gold phone.

Astoria eagerly drew out her blue phone. "Great; I don't have many phone numbers yet," she said excitedly as Hermione gave her her phone number and took hers in return. Astoria hoped she could collect some more phone numbers; and a girl's night; she couldn't wait.

"Awesome; I'll make sure to bring Daphne and Tracey too," Astoria continued in excitement. "We'll all have lots and lots of fun…" she trailed off before she said bye with a kiss to Hermione's surprised cheek before she ran off into the Great Hall.

Hermione sighed sadly as she would be adding to her collection of whackadoodle of best friends, and she was certain most of them acted that way on purpose because they found it funny to mess with her.

However, Hermione found a slight spring in her step and a smile on her lips as she carried on her way to visit the headmistress.