Queer How Things Work Out

Chapter 2: Who Are You, and What Have You Done With Hermione?


The cousins stood shocked to see their dumpy unattractive (by their ridiculous standards) cousin so.. well so attractive. At seeing her car the valets rushed from their post to assist her, one opening the door, another helping her get out of her seat, the third opening her trunk to retrieve her luggage, which was handed off to a ready bellboy, they were shocked. After all, who was this girl to come here acting like she was running things?

Hermione, though, had certainly improved since when they'd last seen her. She was dressed to the nines in the most current fashions, her entire outfit certainly out of their budgets. Hermione wore off-white bow front blouse, black pencil skirt, and fashionable matching pumps along with a matching tote handbag. She also wore light makeup and some demure sapphire earrings.

Spying her relatives, Hermione ran over to them, waving away the manager who had come forth to greet her, "Hi all! I'm sorry I'm late, but I got held up at work and-"

The manager, who stood looking rather put out at being dismissed, cleared his throat behind the group as Hermione gave hugs to each of her cousins, "Miss Granger, if you so please, there is a call for you."

"What, already?" she sighed pursing her lips. Then to her cousins she said, "I'll be right back!"

The cousins were flabbergasted, trying to fathom what just transpired. Just as they started to process that that was indeed "little Hermione" who they had just seen, Hermione came running back to them, her smile wide.

"Ooh yes, as I was saying, I got held up at work! Awful I know. And can you believe that that call I just got was from someone at the office? The members of my department are always giving me crap about everything, despite the fact that I'm the head of department! Honestly, all I ask is the reports on this research trip or that lab testing! And then the other heads are always trying to keep shunting their incompetent employees into my department, like I don't have enough idiots working for me! It's ridiculous, I tell you!" Hermione rambled. Then taking a deep breath she said, "But besides that how are you all?"

They could stand speechless at the sudden ball of personality that stood before them, talking so quickly and dressed so fine. How could this be their little Hermione?


Ariana was baffled, amazed even, that somehow the Hermione she grew up with, had become this beautiful person full of life and certainly high in status. That little green monster inside of her that had sat dormant in Hermione's absence made a comeback and possibly for good.

She and the others stood aside as their other relations rushed over to dote upon Hermione. Complimenting her fashion choices and asking about her job to which she animatedly replied to all of their questions. It was then that Ariana spied the distinctive glimmer of a.. no... it couldn't be... it was!

Hermione was wearing an engagement ring though she tried hiding it behind her large bag. Oh this ought to be good, Ariana thought to herself, smiling conspiratorially.

Clearing her throat and speaking loudly over the hoard Ariana said, "Is that an engagement ring you've got there Hermione?"

Instantly the brunette blushed, her talkative nature fading within seconds. A silence settled over the group and then- the questions began:

"Engaged?"

"Since when?"

"Will we get to meet him?"

"Is he going to be here?"

"Is it even a he?"

At the last one everyone's head swiveled to Beatrice's mother, Marjorie, who spoke the question.

"What, it's a valid question!" she stated reproachfully. "But honestly Hermione, tell us about this mystery man... or woman."

"Well, we went to school together... Oh and yes! He's in fact a male. Umm.. yeah." Hermione said. "Well in other news, I've spoken with the manager, I've upgraded everyone's rooms to 'Rose Suites' over in the Garden Wing, I hope you don't mind. They're really nice though, I've stayed there frequently, each suites got a little a terrace and a small garden that leads to the beach! It's nice, I think you'll love it. Oh and here are your new room keys"-she passed out one to each person-"Now if you'll all just follow me towards our wing, don't worry the bell hops have already moved your bags to your new rooms."

They came to the suites and Hermione smiled as everyone checked out their rooms. The group raised their eyebrows in approval, realizing the that the Rose Suites were quite expensive and quite a step up from the rooms that were previously rented. Seeing that Hermione hadn't entered any of the doors in the corridor, Ariana went up to her.

"So which one is your room Hermione?"

"I'm not staying on this floor," she answered simply.

"Well, then where will you be?"

"Oh if you need me, I'll be at room 643, you'll need to call up through the hotel phone first though."

"And why's that?"

With a smirk Hermione said, "Well it's one of the penthouses, you see, so I'd have to let the elevator let you in."

Ariana stood agape. A penthouse? She couldn't imagine what Hermione needed a whole penthouse for and how she even got one. In fact, she didn't believe Hermione even had a penthouse suite!

"Well can I come with you to see your penthouse?" she asked snidely.

Hermione shrugged and turned to walk back to elevators, signalling for Ariana to follow which she did eagerly.