Title: One rose to seal fate
Summary: Five years after the fall of Voldemort, her friends are tired of trying to get through her head to find a man in her life. Pansy and Ginny take it upon themselves to sign Hermione up to be the lead on the new show on the Wizarding Network adapted from the muggle reality TV show "The Bachelorette". 30 men fighting for the hand of Hermione Granger. Can her life get any better? But then steps out her one arch nemesis with the biggest scowl on his face as contestant number 14. Just great, she thought.
Rating: T+ for now, may make it M in future chapter, may not. still in progress.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or the characters from the series mentioned in this story. Some characters are OC. I do not own the concept of The Bachelorette television show either.
Time Frame: 5 years after the fall of Voldemort. Graduated from hogwarts and moved onto jobs in the wizarding community.
Hermione let out a big sigh. She could not believe she let them talk her into this. Oh, did she put up a fight but it was nothing compared to Ginny's angry pregnancy hormones. Now she was forced to take leave from her job that she loved immensely to be a part of some stupid new show. Pansy grabbed her shoulders to keep her still while she did her makeup and Ginny did her hair. She became great friends with the former Slytherin after the war when they mutually decided to start over and leave old prejudices behind.
Ginny let out a frustrated sound "Will you stop?! You are going on this show whether you like it or not. You're bound by a magical contract anyway so lighten up! At least go in there with a positive mindset. Who knows? Your Mr. Right might be there waiting for you and you may just get to meet him tonight."
Yeah, right. Hermione thought. Hermione did not believe a word about love at first sight and soulmates. Those were best left for the books she loved so much.
Pansy helped Hermione into her dress, spritzed her with some expensive perfume before literally having to push her out her front door to the man waiting to apparate her to the Manor she will reside in at least for the next month.
Draco downed another glass of firewhiskey with a scowl and was reaching for another one when Blaise grabbed the glass out of his hands and glared at the blonde.
"Damn, Drake, will you stop moping around and just get ready? I know you dont want to do this, but we're sorry alright? Just get your arse up and take a shower. With your foul mood, the bachelorette probably won't even keep you past the first round so i don't see what the big deal is." Blaise said sternly while fixing his robes.
"Yeah mate, we had to do this. You need to get back on your feet and stop crying over Astoria. Move on, man! This girl could be exactly what you need. You can hate us all through the next few days but just go get dressed. We don't want to be late on the first day" said Theo as he walked in the front door to the flat Blaise and Draco shared.
Draco grumbled to himself and finally pulled himself off the chair. He couldn't believe this. He so-called best friends actually decided to put him through the worst form of torture. He was signed up to be a contestant on the new show on the wizarding network, along with Blaise and Theo. He didn't need help in the girl department. He could get any girl he desired with his looks and his name, but he didn't want anyone at moment. He was tired of girls. Bitches, all of them. He thought. And now he had to pretend to fight 29 other guys for the hand of a girl he was sure to be a tramp or a poor witch trying to hook a rich mate. GREAT!
He got dressed in record time, just when their escort to the Manor apparated in.
Well, here goes nothing. Draco thought as they apparated away to the waiting area where the rest of the male contestants were gathered.
Hermione stood nervously and fumbled with the sides of her dress. She was feeling the jitters now. She always hated meeting new people in fear of first impressions, and now she'd have to meet 30 of them at once! Oh, suck it up! She scolded herself mentally. She had no reason at all to be afraid. She was Hermione Granger, War heroine, Head of the Department of muggle relations in the Ministry of Magic, and the most eligible bachelorette, as claimed by Witch Weekly. With that, she lifted her chin and put on her best smile to dazzle the men about to walk through the large front doors of the Manor.
Draco took a brief look around at his competition. These were the guys about to fight for this girl? Hah! He could beat all of them with his eyes closed if he really wanted to. He recognized some familiar faces from their time back at Hogwarts. Longbotton, Finnigan and fellow Slytherin Adrian Pucey. Murmurs were floating about on who this mystery girl could possibly be. Draco wasn't really paying much attention, just waiting for his time to come so he could speak to the bachelorette and request to remove him from the show. Then he heard something, "Could it be that Granger girl? She was named one of the most eligible bachelorettes by Witch Weekly. I'd wager its her" said some tall, french bloke. GRANGER?! HAH! That would be hilarious. The know-it-all bookworm as the bachelorette. Sure. As if that would ever happen. The prude is probably still stuck with her face in a book, and Draco smirked. Making fun of Granger was one of his favorite hobbies in Hogwarts, other than quidditch, of course.
And with that, contestant number one entered through the doors. Only 13 more to go.
The doors opened and Hermione smiled in relief. At least there would be guys here she already knew! In walked Neville Longbottom, looking like the picture of sophistication in his robes. The past few years definitely did the boy justice. He carried himself with much more confidence than he ever had back in Hogwarts. She greeted him with a big hug. No introductions were necessary for the meeting of the two old friends.
Contestant number two introduced himself as Kieran Scott. Now, just where did i hear that name before? Then it clicked. This was the owner of the company that produces brooms to all of the wizarding world and was named the richest and youngest entrepreneur at his age. Hermione just stood, stunned, but impressed that this man did not seem to overflow with the arrogance that came with his status. He actually seemed pretty decent.
Contestant number three entered, bowed low in front of Hermione and greeted her with a poem. Gustav Matthieu, renowned poet and published writer. Ever the bookworm, Hermione giggled and thanked him for the wonderful words.
Then a vaguely familiar scottish boy entered, shook her hand and smiled. Oliver wood, Ex-Gryffindor quidditch captain and current member of Puddlemere quidditch team. No wonder he seemed familiar, she must have seen him with Harry a couple of times. He greeted ever smoothly before winking slyly and moving on for the next contestant to make his entrance.
The fifth contestant was Lawson Micon. Hermione doubted he even knew her name because the guy had not stopped speaking about himself from the minute he entered. Hermione rolled her eyes. How self-absorbed can one guy get?
Conor Thomas walked in. Thomas. She was pretty sure she had a classmate with the same last name once. He introduced himself and cleared her doubts, mentioning that she was once classmates with his younger brother, Dean, who now works with him as partners in a quidditch magazine as a columnist.
Donal Fionn entered with his head held high. Hermione was somewhat skeptical. This guy seemed way too old for her. But she decided to give the Durmstrang Professor a chance.
Her jaw dropped when she recognized the eighth contestant. Former Slytherin and Ex-boyfriend of her best friend, Pansy. Blaise Zabini. She couldn't ignore the fact that this guy had outstanding looks and charm, but being on the receiving end of the Slytherin's insults back in school made her uncomfortable standing there with him. He seemed to understand her thought process and explained that he no longer holds the beliefs of pureblood supremacy and all that rubbish and would like a second chance to be friends. Hermione was not one to hold grudges, so she smiled and gave him a quick hug of acceptance.
The next contestant made Hermione's eyebrows rise into her hair. Had he no shame? Walking in shirtless like that! He had a body to show but now definitely was not the right time! Underwear model Francis Trento obviously did not agree with her on that.
The tenth contestant made Hermione blush slightly. Alexandre Adolhard. Current "hottie" of the wizarding world, capturing the hearts of girls everywhere with his music. Hermione was definitely not immune.
Christian DeMarcus entered and scoffed at the sight of Hermione as the bachelorette. Looks like not all purebloods grew up after the war. He muttered something that sounded like "Mudblood" before walking off.
The eleventh contestant was Theodore Nott. After clearing her insecurities about the former Slytherins with Blaise earlier, she had no problem giving him a smile. Theodore flushed slightly and smiled before nervously walking off. Hermione thought his actions were endearing.
With his hands behind his back, Pierre Vincent, famous french chef, walked in and offered a bite sized piece of creme brulee that he was most famous for. Hermione wanted to melt when it hit her tongue. This could be fun, Hermione thought. She certainly had no issue about getting exquisite food free from time to time.
Lucky number thirteen was certainly lucky for her as yet another familiar face greeted Hermione. Seamus Finnigan. Hermione chuckled as she remembered his irish accent that never failed to amuse her back in Hogwarts. And still does. Hermione was happy as ever as she turned back to the door to await the next contestant only to find herself speechless.
Draco Malfoy. Of course she could never forget him. He was the reason she hated Hogwarts sometimes. All because of him and his cronies. Her hate for him didn't diminish enough to notice the fact that he seemed different. He definitely grew into his features in the past few years but his eyes seemed to be missing the fire he had in them when they used to fight in school. He walked straight up to her, staring intently before giving a brief nod. "Granger" It sounded harsh, like he had to force himself to say it. "I dont want to be here any more than you want me here. I was forced into this by my so called best friends who will die in their sleep tonight for this. Just eliminate me as soon as you can. I cant wait to get out of here" He spat and walked off, without glancing back.
How rude, apparently he hasn't changed a bit. Prat. But then Hermione thought of something to get him back. She smirked. She couldn't wait to get to the ceremony later.
The rest of the contestants managed to lift the sour mood Hermione found herself in after her encounter with Malfoy. She met former Slytherin, Adrain Pucey, former Harry Potter fan boy, Collin Creevy, famous comedian, Ronan Padraig, Co-worker at the Ministry, Bobbby Ferdwal, Aspiring musician, Drayden Jeryweld, Ex-Beau, Victor Krum, quidditch player, Lorcan Daragh and another 7 more guys before she felt thoroughly exhausted. But no, her night wasn't over. Not even close.
My first chapter of my first fanfic on here! Thoughts? Please review! Criticism will be appreciated! Thanks for reading :)
Also, any suggestions and additions you think i should make as the story goes along? let me know :)