AN: Thank you people!
June 26, 2005 – Ricchezza Finance Bank
'...bidding will start at 25 million!' a man announced at the podium.
She had been waiting for this particular property. '25 million!' she raised.
'30 million!' She looked up to see a smiling Draco Malfoy, raising his paddle.
'32 million!' another man padded.
She had been in this room for two hours with all these men surrounding her. Handling most of their backhanded techniques was getting to her and she was starting to really get frustrated.
The presence of Draco and his friends were making matters worst. He could see a smirking Draco lounging near the Head seat, which was occupied by Blaise. Not far from them was a curious Theodore Nott, solemly studying her.
The arrangement unnerved her and she almost didn't want to get inside the conference room when she saw their familiar faces.
But she reminded herself that she was Hermione Atherton, and her pride couldn't let her back down now.
The acquisition of this particular beach property, that Zabini's bank had repossessed, was quite important to her. Her company would try to remodel it to a new Beach front hotel they were planning to open.
'40 million!' she raised again.
'50 million!' Draco countered. She glowered. She knew he was taunting her. She wanted that property. And she wanted that property now.
He wasn't really making it easier for her though.
She wasn't stupid. It was obvious that he knew about her company's plans, and as time-honored rivals, she expected him to counter her. She had already anticipated these things to happen, so it shouldn't be said that she would be a fair, accepting loser.
Further more, she knew that battling him wouldn't be easy but she didn't come here unprepared. If she was ever to lose the property, as humiliating as it would be, she had already laid out a few tricks up her sleeve.
'65 million!' she retorted. She knew it was more than the property was worth but she couldn't let him win, besides she needed that acquisition. She smiled sweetly at him.
Draco grinned. '100 million!' Their were a few gasps from around the room.
She couldn't believe it. He was such a prick. He was being childish and she wouldn't take his bait.
Let him have the damned overpriced property.
She was gathering her things handing them to Blaine and ready to leave when Blaise approached her from the head table.
'With you two around,' he motioned to Draco talking to another man. 'I'll surely become the richest man this continent has ever known. You should come here often.' Blaise grinned.
'I don't have time for lazy chit chats, Zabini.' she replied coldly.
'Oh come now, not a sore loser are we?' Blaise perched himself at the chair beside her.
She was still fuming. She hadn't lost to anyone before and she didn't like the feeling one bit.
'I don't want to be played at.' she replied.
'It isn't everyday, we are graced with a woman to battle us and keep us on our pointed little toes.' a smooth voice informed her.
She looked up to the intruder. 'Ahhhh Theodore Nott...always a pleasure!' she smiled knowingly.
'Is it, Miss Atherton?' Theo answered as he leaned his tall frame at the adjacent wall.
'I haven't forgotten Atlanta.' Theo reminded her.
'Oh I'm sure you wouldn't.' she smiled at him innocently.
'What's with Atlanta?' Draco asked joining them. She smirked, although he was looking smug she hinted some trace of jealousy in his tone.
Sadly for him, She was woman enough to use it against him.
Good Hermione was soooo 6 years ago. she inwardly chuckled.
'Oh look at the time?' she dramatically flipped her signature wristwatch. Then she beamed at them.
'Im sure Theo here can regale you about that perfectly delightful time at Atlanta. I must be off, Gentlemen!'
As she passed Draco near the door she heard him mockingly whisper, 'You won't even congratulate me?'
'Congratulations, Draco!' she smiled turning to face him.
She started to walk out again when he said, 'You know this wouldn't have happened if you weren't constantly avoiding me.'
She looked back and smiled innocently, as she daringly patted his right cheek like a child. 'I was? Of course not, silly!'
He captured her wrist, but she didn't let the feelings evoked by his touch get to her. 'I know that this would have happened even if I obliged you.' she looked straight at his smoldering gaze.
'We're not done, Cinderella.' he threatened, taunting her with the pet name he often used for her years back. Her eyes flashed and he smirked.
'Oh far from it, Prince.' she whispered back as she withdrew her hand and walked to the door.
Before she went out she turned back and addressed, 'Relish on your triumph, gentlemen. Today has been your day...But of course,' Her smirk widened, 'We don't know what tomorrow will bring!' she finished her laced threat.
It's a war they want, it's a bloody war they will get. she thought.
At that she turned and left the room.
'What's with Atlanta, Theo?' Draco asked again fighting to keep the venom from his tone.
'It's nothing like that, Draco.' Theo replied not moving from his place.
'Do explain.'
'A year ago, I made a bid to an Atlanta property oil rig. The rig was closing down and the owner was trying to sell it before the bank could. So they set it on the market. The plant had a promising projected advantages, so I wasn't that surprised to find that not only my company had desires in owning the property.'
He sat down next to Blaise, both of them facing Draco. 'The battle was fierce, and the plots everyone took to own the property was gruesome. It even came to a point that we were receiving threats ourselves, but of course petty threats didn't stop me.'
Theo studied his nails casually as he continued, 'Towards the end of the bid. One company's name rose from all the others, The Atherton's. They had led the war for a few more weeks without even breaking rank. I was quite surprised myself wondering why the Atherton's wanted the property, when we all know Ignatius only strayed over commercial establishments. When Atherton cons. floored us all, I did tiny diggings,' he conjured drinks and passed it to his friends.
'I found how the company was growing. The reach of Atherton's were quite diverse and extensive, but I didn't believe for one second that Isabella led all those acquisitions. Further investigations led me to the faceless overseer of the said company. I grew even more curious and dug up Atherton's astounding track record since the 'overseer' took over. Since he arrived, Atherton cons. became a ruthless competitor. I had my doubts about the existence of that one person since I never really found out about his/her identity...up until Atherton cons. announced their exquisite President.' he finished.
'She is indeed a force to be reckoned with.' Blaise put in, 'Im sure you've heard how she stamped some of our little 'upper crust' associates?'
'The highly celebrated 'meet and greet'? Draco asked. Blaise chuckled.
'I was there. Boy, did she raved on those people. I would even be surprised if they haven't experienced horrible nightmares from that day as I had.' The three men laughed.
'What I am saying Draco, is that you have to be careful...well we all have to be careful. She was once Hermione Granger, the witch who devised those deadly plans to bring down the Dark Lord. Now, she is Hermione Atherton. She had planted quite a record for herself in the business community. Now think about this, how much more destructive could a person get, given free reigns of the company she had strengthened by just watching from the sidelines? She will be a fierce competitor for all of us.' Theo sipped from his drink.
'She won't be an easy rival, Draco.' Theo warned.
Draco smiled. 'Im ready, Theo'
'You better be, man!' Blaise announced downing his drink, standing from his chair, 'You just got yourself signed into a war!'
'And Draco?' Theo asked. Draco looked at him questioningly.
'Oddly...I have a feeling that she hasn't forgotten.' Theo spoke quietly.
Draco knew what he was implying. He remembered that fateful night in the heads' common room.
And somehow they understood.
June 28, 2011 - Hermione's office suite
Hermione was currently flipping over the Witch Weekly magazine she found at the lobby of her office suites.
She was trying to relax and forget about her tragic loss.
'If you don't want to fly out there and check it out yourself, we could always send someone else.' Blaine said checking out some lists from his binder.
'Then have someone fly to Geneva tomorrow and tell them that I want a full report on that land zoning.' she ordered not even looking up to him.
She continued to flip through the fashion pages.
'Oh I should also remind you that Emma sent tickets for the opening of the Witch Weekly's Annual Summer Catwalk.' Blaine said when he noticed her, busily studying the said magazine.
'mmmmhhh?' she asked while closely examining an intricately designed dress.
'You know that summer Fashion show you're always invited to? Emma explained to me that you have never missed a single show before. She thought you might like to attend. This year Santorini is hosting the annual catwalk.' he explained.
'She also told me that the tickets were personally sent by Adelaide, you know the daunting editor-in-chief of Witch weekly France. Emma was blabbering about how this year's catwalk would be amazing, something about showcasing Allure's collection.' Blaine continued distractedly, while trying to check on anymore important pointers he needed to relay to her.
Then something clicked. She stopped perusing the magazine and turned into the exact page where she found the news about Allure's announcements on the upcoming catwalk.
A smirk graced her pretty face. 'Blaine, what do you know about our deals with Allure?' she asked.
Blaine looked up surprised. 'Well the deals are nothing major really. We just supply them with our textiles, but from what I can gather 70 percent of most of their raw materials come from us.'
Her smirk widened. Perfect.
'Really? Do you know about any recent delivery records?' she asked hopefully.
'Well, there is one. Its quite bigger than the usual quantity they order. Mcmillan from marketing told me how Allure staff is enlisting varied materials. He explained that they needed it for the upcoming Catwalk.'
'Kate?' she buzzed the intercom. 'Yes, Miss Atherton?'
''Bring me the contracts that we signed with Allure, and then call Ernie Mcmillan from marketing, tell him to hold the deliveries for Allure. Then have him come up to my office now.' she ordered.
'Yes, maam.' The girl answered.
Blaine looked at her questioningly, she just smiled as she waited.
The girl swept in the room a moment later carrying several stacks in her arms with a smiling Ernie at her side.
'How have you been, Hermione?' Ernie asked.
'Great, and you?' Hermione answered warmly.
'Exceptional!' he answered. 'Anyway, do you need me for anything?' he asked directly.
'Yes indeed. Ernie, how many other companies, within the country, is offering the exact same raw materials we are supplying for Allure?' she asked as the girl handed her the stacks.
'Not many. The supplies Allure specifically enlisted are those materials that Atherton specially imported from far flung areas.' Ernie answered.
'Really? How many days would you reckon these supplies would reach England, say if I were to personally order from them?' Hermione asked again.
'Oh it's quite long. Probably a month. As I said, the things they enlisted aren't easy to find. Some of them are handcrafted and especially made for the Atherton's marketing deals with Allure alone.' Ernie explained.
Hermione flipped through the recent contracts. 'How about our own personal production of textiles?'
'The nearest textile mills of Atherton's is situated in Prague, and even with that distance, it would take weeks to transport the quantity they needed if they were to decide to order straight to the mills. And even if they could resolve the transportation problems, at the moment, the mills in Prague aren't accepting any orders for this month. They are quite swamped with orders from other clients.' he further explained.
'Good.' Hermione exclaimed as she picked up a recent contract and handed it to the girl. 'Have this rechecked by the legal department, tell them I am unsatisfied with the terms, and Ernie? Hold every delivery for Allure until I say otherwise.'
'But maam, Allure needs these things for the Catw...' Kate started.
'ALL the more reason I WANT IT held.' Hermione cut her off. The girl nodded weakly and proceeded to do her bidding.
'Will do, Hermione.' Ernie complied without voicing his own concerns. Nodding to her, he left.
She leaned back at her seat as Blaine studied her.
'Was that really necessary?' he asked.
'Very.' she simply answered.
'So does this mean you're accepting the tickets?' She smiled.
'Yes, and Blaine? get me all the files about Raven Steel International's Theodore Nott, the open shares Malfoy corp is offering, and anything you can find about the Greengrass' ' she ordered. 'Oh and before I forget, File a retraction to all our shares from Ricchezza Finance, then make a proposition for transfer of those shares to another well equipped bank. And lastly, freeze all investments Atherton is holding for my dear old cousin.' she finished.
Blaine looked at her skeptically.
'Are you sure about that? We've already bought 3/4 of the open shares that the Malfoy's are offering. Ministry surveillance about illegal take overs are guarding minimum amounts for each investor to accumulate shares.' Blaine informed.
'Slowly buy all the shares and have them renamed into another company not under Atherton's jurisdiction. A separate entity...have it named...' she thought for awhile, 'LYON's and co.' she smiled. 'I know we have until the end of the month to remain anonymous in buying those shares, until then, you have that same timeframe to form the organization.'
'Are you planning a take over?' Blaine asked incredulously.
She smiled widely. 'What do you think, Blaine?'
I am just warming up, she thought inwardly.
July 2, 2011 - Airport (Muggle London)
She walked down the polished floors to the private lounge business class passengers were welcomed. She was quite excited about the upcoming Catwalk...and the outcome of her machinations of course.
When she walked inside she was surprised to see no one around but a man flipping over a magazine. A man she was clearly familiar with.
'Hello, Cinderella!' Draco said folding the magazine and looking at her smiling.
'What are you doing here?' she asked acidly.
'Well Im flying to Santorini, and you?' he stated innocently.
'Where are the people, Malfoy?' she asked looking around, panic starting to set in.
'I heard their flight left early...Uuummmhhh something about avoiding a passenger...' he informed her plainly.
'What the hell did you do, Malfoy?' she asked enraged.
'What?Me? I was just sitting around here...That flight was off to Santorini and lucky for you Im heading there myself. You could join me.' he asked easily smiling at her.
'When bears fly!' she exclaimed, as she flipped her phone and dialed Blaine's number.
'Well that's easy, simple levitation spell and viola!' he taunted still smiling innocently.
'I'm not playing games MALFOY!' she spat before she heard Blaine answer his phone.
'Blaine!Where are you?' she asked over the phone.
'Im in Santorini, as you ordered me to be.' Blaine replied.
'Find me another flight!' she ordered.
'What? That plane I set you up with will be leaving in less than 12 minutes...aren't you in the airport already?'
'My flight left early!' she stated glaring at a smiling Draco.
'That's impossible I personally checked the schedule.' he defended.
'Well SOMEBODY sabotaged the schedule!' she yelled at Draco who kept smiling.
'What? who?' Blaine asked.
'It doesn't matter find me another flight!'she ordered still glaring at a lounging Draco.
'Hold on a second Im gonna book you another...' Blaine said as she started pacing around waiting for him to update her.
'How odd...' she heard Blaine mutter over the phone.
'What's odd?' she asked.
'All flights to Greece and Direct flights to Santorini are all canceled, I was quite sure there were still five flights after the first one I booked for you...how come they cancelled everything?' asked a confused Blaine.
'WHAT?' she yelled.
'There are no flights for today.' Blaine explained.
'What do you mean? I need to be there!' Hermione reasoned, she huffed anger raising to boiling point directed to a certain blond, who was back to flipping the freaking magazine, a hint of a smile grazing his features. 'Call me private jet!' she ordered.
'We can't, Hermione. I've already checked with the private rentals they have certain policies regarding day-before arrangements.' she huffed clearly frustrated.
'Arrange me a portkey then, anything or even floo networks..' she suggested starting to loose hope.
'Hermione, Portkeys need pre arrangements, if I could get you a portkey now, the ministry's license to international ports use charms that would take effect for days at a time, and floo networks are out of the question. I also need not remind you that international apparition cannot be done.' she huffed then flipped her phone shut.
She slowly turned to face the blond, 'You did this!' she accused.
'I did nothing of the sort, Im even here kindly offering you a ride.' he replied mock indignance.
'Do you know how much I detest you right at this very moment?' she asked menacingly.
'Well if you're just gonna stand there and wallow in your proclaimed hatred for me, then I should inform you that Im a busy man and I can't wait for you wasting my precious time over there.' he announced standing and straightening his crease- free jacket.
'You know there's this Catwalk opening I've been invited to judge, and I couldn't very well disappoint future clients. I believe you are invited for the same reason?...tsk tsk I must be off then, Adelaide is probably waiting...' he flipped his phone open, 'Cormac, have the plane off the hanger and meet me down the gates...yes, We'll fly off to Santorini.' he ordered and flipped his phone shut.
He turned back to smile at Hermione. 'Well good luck with looking for new flights...maybe I'll see you there?' he chuckled then started to walk off.
The bastard was playing with her and she knew it. She also knew that at this rate she wouldn't be able to reach her destination on time without him...He damn well made sure of that.
She took a deep breath. 'Wait!' she called.
'Yes?' he turned and gave her a mock questioning look. He knew he had her. He smirked inwardly.
'I need a ride.' she announced. She sighed. Damn the bastard.
He beamed. 'Oh good! Shall we?' he asked.
She glared at him as he chuckled.
This was going to be a lllllooooooonnnnnnnggggggg flight.
AN: soooooooooo how are you finding it so far?