9

"We can't go near those people dressed in filthy clothes and smelling like rotting animal shit!" Draco said.

Hermione wholeheartedly agreed. "You're going to have to fix us up. I don't have my wand anymore, remember?" Just as she spoke those words, her wand fell out of the olive tree that she was standing under and bounced off the top of her head. "Ow!"

"Well, I'll be damned!" Draco said, picking it up and handing it to her. "Now, how the bloody hell do you think that got here?" He looked up to the tree in bewilderment.

"Who cares? I'm just glad I've gotten it back!"

"But aren't you a little curious as to how it suddenly fell from a tree, when we just left it back with the dinosaurs?"

"No, I'm not. I've decided to stop wondering what the hell is going on and just have some fun. Obviously, this is happening for some reason, and it's also obvious that we're not supposed to know what that reason is yet." She waved her wand in a circle over her head, and when she was finished, she was perfectly clean, dressed in the same fashion as the women in the garden.

She was wearing a white gown made of some floaty, white material, which was tied around her waist with a thin gold rope. Around her bare upper arms, she wore gold bracelets. One depicted a snake and was coiled around her arm, and the other was a thick silver band that was encrusted with shiny rubies.

Draco thought the dress was amazing. Simple, yet beautiful. It was her hair, however, that made his heart skip a beat. It was piled on top of her head in a mass of glossy, springy curls, and a small gold headband circled her forehead.

"What do you think? Do you like it?" she asked, twirling around, the headband flashing in the sunlight.

Draco could only stare in awe at the fiery brunette. All the spit in his mouth had dried up.

Hermione smirked. "Is something wrong, Malfoy? Am I so pretty that the very sight of me has made you stupid?"

He blinked and searched his blank mind for a response. "I... um... You look amazing." His mouth was moving, but his eyes never left her hair.

"Thanks!" she said and looked him up and down. "Now, it would be nice if you cleaned yourself up." She walked toward him, her delicate sandals barely leaving an impression in the grass. "Hello?" she said, waving her hand in front of his glossy eyes. "Malfoy!"

Draco blinked slowly and shook his head. "Right! Sorry about that. I think the sun bouncing off your gold hair band was starting to hypnotize me." He lowered his eyes from her smirking face and pulled out his wand. "What am I supposed to wear, Granger?" he asked. "I see no men to use as a reference."

"I suggest you wear nothing." She raked her fingernails across his naked back and kissed his collar bone.

Draco almost threw her to the ground right then and there. He was overwhelmed with a sudden urge to fuck her good and hard. "You're teasing me again, Granger," he said in a shaky voice.

"I'm not teasing you. I'm admiring you."

"With your tongue?" he asked as she licked his earlobe. He was trying to remain calm and unturned, but it was quite difficult with her rubbing, kissing and licking on him.

"Say you don't like it," she breathed in a sexy voice.

Draco was extremely close to losing control, and the last thing he wanted was to be made a fool of by this girl again. He pulled back suddenly and took her face in one of his hands, squeezing rather hard. "What I don't like, you teasing wench, is you constantly doing things to make me want to fuck you and then backing off at the last minute. I'm tired of constantly having a bad case of blue balls! How would you like it if I dangled a book in front of you, just out of your reach, and every so often lowered it, only to snatch it away at the last second?"

His fingers were digging into her cheeks as tears blurred her eyes, but still he did not let go. "Now, get this straight, Granger; until you know for sure that you want me to fuck you, try to keep your bloody hands... and tongue... off me!" He pushed her away and sneered at her.

Hermione was shocked to say the least. "Fine, Malfoy. I'll never touch you again!" She was on the verge of crying. After all, she had just been turned down by a guy who would stick his dick in just about anything. "I'll just wait for you over here," she said and took a seat on a stone bench, facing away from him.

Draco wasn't the least bit sorry for the way he had treated her. Her endless teasing and rejections were driving him mad! He didn't know how much longer he could take being around her. She was like walking, talking sex to him, and it was becoming harder and harder for him to keep his hands off her.

He had no idea how she felt toward him, whether she liked him as a friend or maybe something more, or perhaps she hated him and was teasing him for her sick pleasure. He didn't have a clue. All he knew was that he was falling in love with her, and until she came to him and professed that she felt the same way, he was not going to lay another finger on her... no matter what!

He clothed himself in what he thought was the appropriate attire and put on a fake smile. "So, do I look presentable?" he asked, walking over to the bench.

"I'm sure you look well dressed, as always." She didn't bother looking at him. She just sat there, arms folded, legs crossed and pouting.

"Stop acting like a spoiled child, Granger! It's not like you're in love with me or anything, is it?" He willed her to jump up and shout at the top of her lungs that indeed she did love him, but nothing of the sort happened.

Hermione thought she would rather be boiled in hot oil than admit that she was falling for him. "No. I told you before, Malfoy, I don't love you."

"Then why are you acting like this?"

"I don't know. All I know is that I hate you right now and wouldn't screw you even if you had two dicks!"

Draco's lips were pressed together so tightly that they were white. "Is that so? Well, cheer up, my cold-hearted witch; maybe you'll meet a strong, muscular, sexy Greek man willing to fuck you!"

Hermione whipped out her wand, ready to hex him to oblivion, but the sound of approaching voices halted her intentions.

"Quick! Cast the language spell!" Draco said, pulling her to her feet.

"Stop pulling on me!" She said the incantation, and they both turned to face the three people walking toward them.

"Hello there!" a man of about twenty years of age greeted them. As he came closer, Hermione could see that he was very handsome and dressed richly. The man was extremely dark-skinned with wild, curly black hair and warm brown eyes. He smiled at them, showing perfectly straight white teeth. "Are you guests of the King?" he asked Draco.

Behind the gorgeous Greek man stood two very beautiful women of about the same age as Draco and Hermione. The taller of the two had stunning black hair that cascaded in waves down her back and bright blue eyes the color of the sky. The other looked curiously at them with her big brown eyes. Her hair was the color of honey and hung over her shoulder in a braid intertwined with gold, and around her neck she wore gold medallion depicting a woman leaping over a bull.

Draco tore his eyes away from the medallion and said with an air of snobbish dignity, "Yes. We have recently arrived from Sikelia and have not been presented to the King." The ease in which this lie came to his lips surprised even him.

The black-haired woman stepped forward and spoke. "And how is dear King Kokalos? I have not seen him since I was a child!" She just about begged Hermione to tell her how the King's daughters were faring. "Our families were once very close, but a disagreement over the sacrifice caused a falling out between our Kingdoms, and I am not permitted to correspond with the Princesses any longer."

Hermione interrupted the girl's reminiscing. "Then you are the daughter of the King?"

The woman laughed, clearly embarrassed by her rudeness. "Please forgive me! I am Ariadne, Daughter of King Minos, and this is my sister, Phaedra."

The other girl came forward and gracefully stuck out her hand toward Draco. He took it, smiled at Hermione obscenely and then kissed it. Hermione noticed the man standing in front of her tense and frowned slightly. He cleared his throat, and Ariadne introduced him.

"And this strapping young man is Icarus."

Hermione almost gasped out loud. "Icarus?"

"Yes. You've heard of me?" he asked, amused.

"Yes. You are the son of Daedalus!" She blushed furiously as he took her hand and softly kissed it.

"The one and only." He kissed it again. "My father is the genius who designed the Palace here at Knossos, and he is also responsible for the hideous Labyrinth that has caused so much suffering these past years." His voice rang with contempt. "May I say that you are very beautiful, and that if I could, I would stand here for eternity just kissing your hand?" He ran his finger lightly over the smooth skin on the back of her hand.

Hermione giggled girlishly, irritating Draco and making him want to punch Icarus in his perfect teeth.

"And what is your name?" Phaedra asked, batting her eyelashes at Draco.

Draco decided to ignore Hermione and her cheesy new boyfriend. "My name?" he said, trying desperately to think of something. "My name is... is Perion."

"Perion," Phaedra said. "It's a weak name. Too weak for such a strong and handsome man such as you." She caressed the muscles in his arm while glancing from the corner of her eye to see the reaction from Icarus. He was glaring at her, and that made her extremely happy.

Icarus flashed his sexy smile at Hermione. "And what lovely name do you possess? Whatever it is, I'm sure it doesn't do you justice, for there is no name on the face of this earth that is as beautiful as you."

"My name is Arria," Hermione said. "I'm his sister."

"Arria... Simply charming." He picked a tiny pink rose and held it out to her. "The beauty of this rose pales in comparison to the beauty in your eyes."

Draco felt like throwing up, and Phaedra looked as though she was going to pull out a dagger and stab him to death with it.

Ariadne noticed that all four had some serious jealousy issues. She did not believe for one minute that these two strangers were brother and sister. They were clearly more than that. As for her sister and Icarus, she knew that deep down inside they loved each other. Their problem was that neither one wanted to be the first to admit it.

She told them often that they should stop pretending and just admit to each other their true feelings. They refused and continued on with their sick relationship, seducing others just to make one another jealous. It was all a big waste of time in Ariadne's opinion. When you have found your true love, you should never let pride stand in your way... or your father for that matter.

She had recently fallen in love with a man her father did not approve of. He raged and stormed over the relationship, even going so far as to threaten to lock her in a tower. She and Theseus were determined, however, to be together no matter what... even if they had to run away. If she was willing to risk her life for her love, then so should these people.

"You have arrived just in time. The Bull Dancing is starting soon, and I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely," Icarus said.

"Bull Dancing?" Draco asked, lifting the medallion from around Phaedra's slender neck and examining it. "I have heard of it, but have never seen it."

"Then you are in luck. It is truly an amazing spectacle! Will you join us as our special guests?" Ariadne asked.

"Wouldn't miss it," Draco said, placing the medallion back slowly, making sure his fingers brushed the top of Phaedra's breast. She smiled sweetly at him, apparently reading his mind and liking what she found there.

Hermione and Icarus saw the blatant display of lust, and neither cared for it. He linked his arm through hers and commented, "I'd watch out for her, Perion. She likes to inflict pain... if you know what I mean." He winked at Draco.

Phaedra turned on him with fierce anger. "I'd mind my own business if I were you, Icarus, or I'll have to tell Arria here all about your fantasies involving a certain brother of mine..."

Ariadne interrupted before things could get any further out of hand. "Father is expecting us; we would not want to displease him by being late."

Phaedra took Draco's hand and held it tightly in her own. "You are right, dear sister. Father will be furious if we are late. He so loves the Bull Dancers!" She just about ripped Draco's arm out of the socket as she dragged him down the path toward the Palace.

As they approached the massive structure, a faint cheering and shouting could be heard from the arena.

"What exactly is going on in there, right now?" Draco asked.

Phaedra rolled her eyes. "I believe it is the great hero, Theseus, fighting some lion or some such nonsense. If you ask me, he is a total showoff, not to mention a complete bore! All he ever talks about are his adventures and how he killed this beast or that monster... I find it hard to stifle a yawn in his presence. My dear sister, on the other hand..." She looked over her shoulder at the blushing girl, "is in love with the brave idiot."

"Hush your mouth, Phaedra!" Ariadne whispered harshly.

"Why? Everyone knows about your secret meetings in the gardens under the moonlight. Even Father knows. Why do you think he hates Theseus so? Father forbade him to go anywhere near you, and still he risks his own life... and yours... for the sake of love!" She laughed as if this was the funniest thing in the world. "I tell you, Ariadne, going against the King's wishes will only end in tragedy!"

Hermione and Draco, knowing full well that the lives of all of these people, including Theseus and the King, ended in tragedy, Draco and Hermione eyed each other in uneasiness.

"You and Theseus?" Hermione asked. "I thought he was in Athens right now?"

Ariadne suddenly started crying and ran off down the path toward the Palace.

"Was it something I said?" Hermione asked, alarmed.

Icarus stopped walking. "Don't worry, love, She is just worried about Theseus. You of course know that every year we sacrifice fourteen Athenian youths to the Minotaur?"

"Yes, and I think it's just disgusting that it happens!" Hermione said. "It should be stopped."

"Well, most of us agree, and Theseus is prepared to do just that."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. "What is he going to do?" She tried to sound like she didn't already know the answer.

"Theseus has volunteered to be one of the sacrifices."

"What!" Draco said. "Has the man become unhinged?"

"He is a hero, who is determined to kill the Minotaur and rescue the other children. If he succeeds, Athens will be free from the annual Tribute, and Crete will finally be rid of the curse that has plagued her for years!" Icarus was evidently a fanatic and believed that Theseus was some sort of god.

"But what about Ariadne?" Hermione asked. "Won't King Minos be upset with Theseus?"

Phaedra snorted. "His wrath will be uncontainable, especially when he finds out that his daughters played a major part in the destruction of the monster."

"Why are you helping?" Draco asked. "It seems that you don't care much for this Theseus."

Phaedra turned her blazing eyes on Draco. "Well, I do not care about him; I do care about my sister. I wish her to be happy, and if being with Theseus makes her content, then I will do everything in my power to make sure they can be together... forever!"

Draco was at a loss of what to say to her, knowing that Ariadne and Theseus did not stay together forever, so he turned to Hermione instead. "Can I talk to you alone?"

They walked up the path, around the corner and out of sight. Draco leaned up against the massive wall of the Palace and picked a rock out of his sandal. They heard a loud roar from the lion, and then cheering from the crowd.

"You do know the story, don't you?" Hermione asked him.

He tossed the pebble into the fountain, making a small splash. "Yes, and they're all doomed!"

Hermione wasn't so sure about that. "Perhaps they are, and perhaps they're not."

"What are you talking about, Granger? You bloody well know how it all turns out!"

Hermione paced in front of him, her hands behind her back, her head down, thinking. "The story we know is from Mythology."

"No shit!"

"Would you just listen?" She glared at him and then continued, "Now, there is almost always a bit of truth to Mythology, but we can't know for sure what is the truth and what is embellishment in this story. For all we know, Theseus doesn't abandon Ariadne for her sister. Phaedra never falls in love with her stepson and kills herself. Icarus might never try his father's less-than-perfect plan of escape, and the King never takes that fateful bath where he ends up boiled to death." She looked at him and smiled slightly. "Maybe they all end up living happily forever."

Draco laughed. "Yeah, right, Granger. Perhaps next Easter, I'll wear a pink frilly dress and skip around the Castle grounds singing 'A Tisket a Tasket'!"

"I'd pay to see that!" she said, picturing it in her head.

"It will never happen. Now, the question is, do we just pretend we know nothing about their futures and play along, or do we tell them and change history?" He smirked at her. "Tempting isn't it?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We can't tell them! Who are we to change the future?"

"I was joking, Granger!" He pushed off the wall and walked toward her.

"Good! Because I think telling them would do more harm than good!"

"You know what I think?" He took her hands in his and pulled her close. "I think that even if we did tell them about the horrors that lie in their future, it wouldn't matter. They would do it anyway. Why? Because it's meant to be, Granger, and no matter what you do... no matter how hard you try to run from it, you can't escape your destiny."

Their faces were inching closer, as if drawn by some magnetic force. Their lips were almost touching.

"Are you my destiny, Draco?" she asked as she caressed his cheek.

Draco was losing control. He wanted to kiss her. Kiss her soft, perfect lips.

"What do you suppose they are discussing?" Phaedra asked curiously.

"I'm sure I don't know."

"There is something strange about them, don't you think?"

Icarus had to agree with her about that. "They say they are brother and sister, and yet one gets the feeling that there is something more to their relationship."

"That is just disturbing, Icarus."

"They've been gone for too long. We are going to be late for the Bull Dancers!" Icarus said, craning his neck to see if they were on their way back.

"Let's just go and find them." She and Icarus walked down the path and turned the corner, catching Draco and Hermione in a very compromising position.

"What is going on?" Phaedra said.

One of Draco's hands was on Hermione's ass, and the other was tangled in her hair. They were kissing each other, passionately.

Draco quickly pushed her away, almost knocking her to the ground. "We weren't doing anything!"

The two stunned people were not convinced. "Are you sure there is nothing between the two of you? Because you WERE doing something... something that brothers and sisters don't normally do," Phaedra said. "I have two brothers, and I know these things."

"There is nothing between us," Draco said quickly. "She means nothing to me." He acted like the very thought of it was grotesque. "In fact, I find her revolting."

Phaedra thought she saw hurt and sadness in Arria's eyes. She had seen that same look staring back at her from her bedroom mirror many times. "Is this true, Arria?"

Hermione wanted nothing more than to kick Draco in the balls and call him a bastard, but agreed with him instead. "It's true. He means nothing to me. Never has, never will." Her voice was shaky, and tears were welling in her eyes. She turned and silently walked through the entrance to the Palace.

Phaedra and Icarus looked at Draco, who was standing there defiantly. "What?" he asked them.

"Nothing," Phaedra said quietly, and she along with Icarus followed Hermione.

Draco stood next to the bubbling fountain, amongst the flowers, as the sun shined brightly and wished for the first time in his life that he was dead.

to be continued...