A/N: Thanks loads, dearies! I loved getting reviews, and as promised, I replied to all of them. Hope I didn't let you down by posting too late xD hah, anyway, also as promised, here's the next chapter. -- Mitchie
Chapter Two: Hermione Granger: Transfiguration Extraordinaire
"Ms. Granger?" A voice called through Hermione's door the next morning.
"Mmm?" Hermione answered groggily, rolling onto her back. She was certain that her hair was fluffed out all around her face, and sat up awkwardly.
"You need to be getting ready, Miss!" The woman called, louder now.
"Come on in." Hermione replied, swinging her feet off the bed and standing up. Just as she began stretching, three women came in, pushing what looked like a beauty parlor on wheels - wheels and all.
Indeed, they had brought in as many beauty supplies as they could load onto one of those maid carts, Hermione figured. She frowned when she saw it all. Did they think she needed all this? She looked away, to the next cart, which was laden with dresses of all colors and styles.
"Oh, don't look like that, Miss." The eldest of the women said, smiling. "Most of this we won't even use."
Hermione, skeptical of the three, sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for them to attack her face.
"She really doesn't need quite a lot of this. Just the normal make-up." The youngest woman said, then turned to Hermione. "You see, we usually bring it all, because some of the girls we've worked with on the other shows on this station, they needed.. well, a lot of this stuff."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. Did that mean, in fact, that they actually thought she was pretty? Most people didn't.
As though reading Hermione's mind, the third woman handed her an article from a magazine Hermione had never seen before. Apparently, it was a Wizarding World magazine, though, because the cover talked of the newest broom. However, she was surprised to see that there was an article on, you guessed it, Hermione Granger: Transfiguration Extraordinaire.
"You've got to be kidding." Hermione gasped, and flipped hurriedly to the page mentioned on the cover. Reading it, she couldn't believe half of what they said. In fact, she found herself reading aloud. "Hermione, age 23, is said to be the brightest Witch of her age, and rightly so. She is the head of the Transfiguration department at the Ministry, which oversees all of the minor Transfiguration episodes, malpractice, and errors. Aside from her wits, many who've met her say she's extremely funny." Hermione scoffed. Whoever they talked to was obviously not a good friend of Hermione Granger. "Also, she's considered one of the most Eligible Bachelorettes in the Wizarding World, easily making the top five. Her looks add to her sparkling personality,-" There was a large picture of her, looking her best. When had that been taken? "- and make her one of the most interesting people in the Wizarding World. She's high on many Wizard's list for 'who they'd most like to meet', or 'who they'd most like to go out to dinner with'."
Hermione frowned. She didn't recall taking a picture, or saying they could print any of this! "Where did they get these things?"
"Apparently, a miss Ginny Weasley sent in the picture and suggested they write an article, saying what you did as a job. Then, they went around and talked to people who claimed to know you." One of the women replied.
People were claiming to know her? Did that mean they talked to just anybody? Perhaps they'd come to the ministry and she'd not known it! She gawked at the idea of anybody at the Ministry thinking she was funny, nonetheless beautiful.
-HPHPHP-
Draco and the other Bachelors gathered around the front lobby area of the hotel. The ballroom had yet to gain all the decorations planned. Sighing impatiently, he leaned against a wall. What kind of madness was this? Sure, he approved of 'The Bachelor', where it was one guy and many girls vying for his attention. He couldn't see it working out with a load of hormonal guys, and whoever this supposedly wondrous Bachelorette was.
"Alright, everyone!" The director called. "We have a very special evening planned, and I'm sure you're all super excited to meet our charming Bachelorette."
Draco wondered fleetingly if the director was gay. Then, realizing that they were about to announce who the Bachelorette was, he stood up straighter and walked over.
"We've made copies of an article printed about this season's Bachelorette, and if you'll just pass them back? There you go.." He said, handing out papers stapled together. Draco was handed a packet, and almost laughed aloud.
"Hermione Granger?" He questioned. "No kidding?"
"Why on earth would we hand these to you, if we were kidding, Mr. Malfoy?" The director asked, looking annoyed.
"Oh, no reason, I guess." He shrugged, slightly embarrassed. Then, he straightened up. Malfoys were never embarrassed - or, they didn't show it, anyway. "Just known her for a long while, that's all."
So that's what Blaise had been talking about. No, Blaise, I won't kill her. Malfoy thought. I'll make her fall in love with me, then after the show, drop her like a newborn baby deer. Oh, yes. That'll be much more fun.
-HPHPHPHP-
That night, Hermione had donned a gold dress that reminded her of the muggle movie Beauty and the Beast. She doubted she'd ever worn so much eyeliner and mascara, nonetheless so much glitter. Her eyelids were basically shimmering with gold flakes, and she began to wonder if they would get in her eyes. After all, glitter is just small flakes of glass. That wouldn't do, would it?
"Ready, Ms. Granger?" The director called from the hallway, bringing a stop to her glittery thoughts.
"I suppose. As ready as I can be." She laughed awkwardly. He looked rather sorry for her, and led her to the doorway of the ballroom.
"Wait here, until the host says your name. People on the other side of the doors will open them, and just.. walk on through!" He smiled.
"Alright." She nodded, then swallowed audibly.
After a minute or so of standing there, feeling rather silly, the doors opened. Hermione raised her head up a bit, put on her most friendly smile, and walked in, remaining a poised as she could when she saw who was there. Attempting to smile to each one individually, she purposefully skipped over Draco.
"Now, I know you all want a chance to impress Ms. Granger, but be aware, there's only one of her, and twenty five of you all." The host laughed. "But, no matter, be off. Mingle. Do your best to be asked to stay."
Immediately, Hermione felt like fleeing. Twenty some-odd guys were coming towards her. Perhaps this hadn't been the best way of meeting them all.
"Actually!" Hermione said quickly, loud enough to catch the Host's attention. "Couldn't I meet each person individually?" She suggested, once she was sure she had the Host listening to her.
"Of course! Meet each man separately, and then after that, you can talk to, or dance with, who you like." The host nodded, glad she had thought of it. It was far more intelligent.
"She really is as smart as they say." A few of the men were saying in hushed tones.
"We'll start with Mr. Stewart Ackerley." The host said.
Hermione recognized him. He was a Ravenclaw, three years younger than herself. After an awkward conversation with him, she found that he was, as the house suggested, quite intelligent, and quite funny. Over the years at Hogwarts, she hadn't met many amusing Ravenclaws. She thought that she might keep him on.
After that, she met Malcolm, Miles, Terry, Bradley, Kenneth, Derek, Arnold, Peter, Rupert, Justin, Tanner, James, Tom, Graham, Jared, Quinn, Garrett, David, Michael, Robbie, Alan, Drew, and Jake. After all that, she knew who was left. Unfortunately.
"Last one, Miss." The host smiled. "A Mr. Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy." Hermione stated simply.
"Granger." He replied, holding a hand out for her to take.
She stared at it for a minute, then put her hand in his, albeit lightly.
"That's a pretty lousy grip you've got there. No wonder you couldn't ever fly." Draco whispered, quiet enough for the cameras not to pick it up.
Hermione frowned, but kept her face away from the camera man. He led her out into the middle of the ballroom, where they danced. Awkwardly, yes. But they were still dancing. As soon as he reached out for her hand, the annoying DJ turned on a slow song. After a moment of hesitation, he laid a hand on her waist, and she had to refrain from shivering. She scolded herself. Hermione, you hate this guy! Come on, now. Honestly! He was the first one to not just stand there stupidly and answer her questions. Shocking, seeing as they were in a room made for dancing. Sure, there was music playing the entire time, so they were pretty much shouting over it, but still.
"So, Malfoy. What have you been up to?" She asked casually. The other Bachelors were standing and talking in packs, watching Draco closely.
"Didn't you know? I got the Potions job at the ministry - the one, rather like yours in fact, only not in Transfiguration, of course." He smiled.
What in Merlin's name was going on? Malfoy being sociable? When did that start?
"So, why are you on the show, anyway. Someone like you, knowing your attitude during school, aught to be married with kids by now." Hermione laughed.
"I'm the same age as you, Granger." He said, as though it were a perfect explanation.
"Ah." She nodded, then leaned forward a bit, so he could hear her when she whispered, "So you don't want to be here, either?"
He smiled, as though to say, "Of course, not." He looked over at a group of guys, then back at her, his smile wider. She seemed to understand that he meant "Me? Want to hang out with them? Right."
She laughed a bit, and Draco leaned down to whisper something in her ear. She blushed, and they said nothing more until the end of the song.
"Ahem." A voice said behind Draco. A hand tapped his shoulder, and he turned around. Garrett stood there, looking rather sophisticated. Draco figured he was trying to freak him out. "May I cut in?"
Of course, Draco had a feeling it would just be plain awkward if he said "no", and had no intention of dancing another song with Hermione. He'd tried being friendly, tried flirting. Admittedly, she'd laughed, but it had just been tense and awkward when they were dancing.
--HPHPHPHPHP--
"And now, Hermione will present the roses to the fifteen men who will stay. Admittedly, roses aren't the best male gifts, but Red Roses represent love. Thus, here's hoping." The host said, confusing everyone.
Hermione stared at him for a moment, then began. She had every intention of keeping Draco on the show. She could complain to him, and he'd complain back. She missed the bickering she and Ron had always had, and Draco was a good second. She chose to call him a 'Reminder'. Besides it would be fun to torture him.
"Garret." She called first. He grinned and took the rose that floated to him. " Robbie. Alan. Drew. Jake. Bradley. Kenneth. Derek. Rupert. Justin. Tanner. James. Tom. Stewart. And Draco."
She knew Harry would kill her tomorrow, if not at least by owl. However, she had a feeling Draco knew why he was staying. His characteristic smirk told her he had a few tricks up his sleeves as well. If she was stuck here, she might as well spend her time making Draco look like a fool. What would the Minister think if he saw? She prayed he didn't watch the show as she headed down to say goodbye to the other ten men.