Draco sauntered over, glass in hand, followed by the other two tall men. Ginny was practically gagging with excitement but Hermione tried her best to ignore her friend and remain calm.
"Miss Granger," Draco drawled and Hermione smiled at him, knowing this was a dig at how she had addressed him yesterday.
"Mr. Malfoy."
"This is the lounge we spoke about? Very nice," Draco looked around. "Do you mind if we join you?"
Hermione's honest answer would have been - of course I mind! - but she just nodded. Draco pulled up another three chairs and took one of them, lowering his tall frame down into it elegantly. The other men with him were now standing at the table and Draco introduced them.
"I suppose this is a bit of a reunion," he said. "Ladies - this is Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. I'm sure you remember them from school."
"Of course," Hermione shook their hands, trying not to stare, but it was difficult. She was sure that every pair of female eyes in the lounge was now firmly placed in their direction because it would be almost impossible to not be looking. Draco, alone was handsome enough and had a presence that was hard to ignore. Now he was accompanied by two strikingly different, tall and attractive men it was like a magnet to every female hormone in the room. Blaise, who took Hermione's hand first, looked very similar to he had when they had left school. With smooth, dark skin over high cheekbones with large, brown eyes and a dazzling smile, Hermione had trouble keeping her jaw from dropping. This was not the way men usually affected Hermione, not at all! She glanced over at Ginny, who's eyes were almost popping out of her head.
Theodore, who Hermione remembered being attractive at school, but even more surly than Draco, if that was possible, had only improved with age. His hair was long in his neck and over his ears with a small curl to it. It was a lovely shade of deep brown and fell into his piercing blue eyes. His face was delicate but not feminine, with deep red lips.
Hermione realised she must be staring like a gormless idiot and she cleared her throat.
"This is Ginny Weasley - Ron's sister," she introduced Ginny who quickly shook everyone's hand.
"Wow!" Blaise looked from Hermione to Ginny and then back again. "I don't remember attending school with such beautiful girls!"
Ginny laughed and leant back, folding her arms across her chest. "Suck up!" she said, bluntly and now Hermione laughed at the expression on the boys faces.
"We're proud to say that our hotel's Entertainment Manager will always give her honest opinion," Hermione gave another chuckle. Trust Ginny to say it as she saw it. Blaise was grinning widely at both of them, obviously not bothered by Ginny's bluntness.
"I think I'm going to enjoy you staying here, Draco!" he said.
Theodore spoke to Hermione, his voice smooth and quiet. It sounded lovely...Hermione didn't remember that!
"I understand you're a fan?" he asked and Hermione shot a look at Draco who just stared back at her innocently.
"I wouldn't say a fan..." she said. She then realised that this sounded slightly insulting so she continued. "But I think you're articles are insightful and informative. I always read them but I had no idea it was you writing them!"
"I had no idea you were reading them!" Theo smiled gently at Hermione and she thought for one terrifying minute that she might blush. Somehow, she managed not to. Obviously his surliness had gone along with his teenage hormones.
"I love the whole magazine!" Ginny gushed and Hermione wanted to tell her to curb her enthusiasm a little. These three men did not need their ego's boosting!
"Thank you," Draco answered her. "I understand from Hermione, that I'm to count on you to keep me entertained then?"
Ginny raised one eyebrow. "It's my job to keep all our guests entertained."
Hermione could tell that Ginny was still feeling awkward about Draco. She was yet to experience his new teasing and droll personality.
"Lucky guests!" Draco complimented her easily and Hermione had to bite her lip to stop from laughing at Ginny's shocked expression. It wasn't often she saw her confident friend so surprised.
"Mr. Malfoy might want to hire the lounge out while he's staying with us," Hermione told Ginny.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Blaise looked at Draco and then at Hermione.
"He'll think I'm 'putting him in his place' if I call him anything else," Hermione answered giving Draco a fleetingly challenging look. She couldn't help but give a little smile though, because the truth was she was actually being slightly disrespectful and carrying on their banter from yesterday. Obviously, the other occupants of the table didn't understand what they were talking about.
"Draco doesn't let anyone put him in his place," Theo commented, glancing over at his friend and boss.
"I think Hermione might change that," Ginny said with a grin.
"Something else I'll look forward to," Draco answered quickly. His eyes sparkled over at Hermione again and she rolled her eyes dismissively. "I was wondering if you'd let me show the Penthouse to these two? That's if it's empty, of course?" he asked, leaning forward in his chair.
"Oh, we haven't rented this week. We thought you might need to visit it again and we are giving it a deep clean," Hermione explained. "I'll fetch the keys for you."
"I'll go and get some details about the lounge and club for you to look at," Ginny offered.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm.
"Oh my god, Hermione! How did you fail to mention how amazingly, unbelievably gorgeous they are?"
"I've only met Draco before," Hermione reminded her.
"That's enough! I can't believe it's him! I mean - I can tell it's him but he's so different and as for the other two..."
Hermione put both hands on Ginny's upper arms. "Ginny - you sound like a fourteen year old schoolgirl."
"I feel like one!"
"And they're our guests...well, Draco will be," Hermione said.
"This is exactly what I mean about you not having fun!" Ginny accused her. "I know how to behave, thank you very much. It doesn't mean I can't enjoy a bit of harmless flirting."
"We're supposed to be professional."
Ginny looked over at the large clock above the reception desk. "I'm not actually supposed to be here for another 40 minutes and I know you like to have total control over everything , but I think I'm still entitled to choosing how I behave in my spare time."
"Ginny..."
"As for you - I believe you finished work half an hour ago. So, forget the rules for once and live a little!"
"I have a boyfriend."
Ginny sighed so loudly that one of the guests who were checking in turned to look at her. She pulled Hermione to one side.
"I'm not suggesting you get engaged to one of them tonight, Hermione!" Ginny changed tactics. "Draco is going to be here for months - he's here tonight to see how the ground lies and show his friends his new suite. He's expecting our attention. Think of it as promotional work and public relations."
Hermione wasn't this easily fooled but just the smallest part of her had to admit that she was keen to continue this unexpected meeting. She held up her hands. "Okay! I suppose you have a point."
"Just do a bit more gazing into Theo's eyes and a couple more blushes..."
"I wasn't gazing or blushing."
"Yes, you were and I don't blame you. He's captivating! He was so miserable looking at school - I don't think I ever spoke to him but did you hear his voice?"
Hermione pushed her hair from her face. "Ginny! Come on - let's get back to them."
"Make sure we all go up to the Penthouse," Ginny instructed her, grabbing some leaflets from behind the reception desk.
"I was going to let them go on their own."
"I don't know!" Ginny said. "General Manager and she doesn't know that no-one is allowed in the rooms unaccompanied unless they're a guest." She gave a smirk at her own clever, totally made-up rule and Hermione couldn't help a giggle.
"Honestly, Ginny, you're bloody crazy!"
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione let the others explore the Penthouse suite. She stood at the windows, taking in the quickly darkening view of the city. Somehow, her meeting Draco, and now Blaise and Theo again, didn't seem real. All that hate and animosity from school seemed like eons ago, rather than just a few years. Their easy banter was entertaining and Hermione was willing to admit that she was almost enjoying herself. Almost, because she still felt a little uneasy.
She hadn't joined in with Ginny's gushing enthusiasm but truthfully she was a bit overwhelmed with the three men currently admiring the large bathroom with its jacuzzi tub that overlooked the city. It should be illegal for three men, all so ridiculously good looking to hang around together. Unfair to every female in the vicinity. She gave a little ironic grin at her schoolgirl type thoughts.
"Well, I think they approve." A voice made her jump and she turned quickly to find Draco standing behind her. He had one hand in his trouser pocket and he was leaning against the glass. "Blaise is, at this very moment, sitting in the bath, fully dressed."
Hermione smiled. "As long as Ginny isn't about to join him!"
Draco actually threw his head back and laughed at this and she watched him, fascinated. He was so relaxed, it was hard to imagine him being so incredibly uptight at school. She had an overwhelming urge to ask him about what had changed but knew she couldn't.
"Miss Weasley is behaving like a consummate professional," he said. "But, she speaks her mind, doesn't she?"
"Yes - it's a blessing and a curse," Hermione joked again and wondered what had come over her. Maybe she'd drunk the large glass of wine too quickly?
"The signed agreement is back on your desk."
"Oh - I'll send it off in the morning," Hermione said. "When would you be looking to move in?"
"I'm ready whenever you are," Draco answered and again Hermione noticed the double meaning. His amused expression told her he knew full well what he was saying.
"Friday?"
"That's fine."
"Do you have very much to bring? We can arrange for your items to be shipped here."
"It's just clothes and a few personal things."
"I'll be here to help with any problems..."
"Aren't you off duty right now?" Draco asked, suddenly.
"Yes...but I'm never really off duty. Not being the Manager."
"Nevertheless we can formalize arrangements in the morning." His consideration of her working in her own time was unexpected. She jumped as someone suddenly played a few clashing notes on the piano. Draco was grimacing.
"What do you think?" Blaise shouted over. "I'm good, aren't I?"
Draco gave a grin. "I'm sure if I had ear plugs in, I'd think you were amazing."
Blaise then attempted to play chopsticks and failed miserably.
"Hey, Hermione you should..." Ginny began but as Hermione sent her a glare she stopped and after a pause, changed her words, "...we should arrange to get the piano tuned." Ginny looked over at her friend. "I'll arrange it."
Hermione glanced at the time again. She was late for her date with Jack already and she had to go home and get changed as well. She didn't want to hurry Draco - he was a guest, after all.
"Do you need us to leave?"
Hermione looked up at him, surprised by him noticing. She thought she hadn't made it obvious...
"Well, there's no hurry. Take as much time as you need..."
"But you need to go?"
Hermione hesitated, torn between her professional duties and knowing very well that Jack hated anyone being late. "Whenever you're ready..."
"Come on then," Draco said, immediately. "We'll be spending enough time here soon, let's make a move."
"Thank you," Hermione said.
Draco glanced over at her. "Don't thank me. I intend to fully abuse my guest status as soon as I'm in here."
As Hermione hurried home, she found herself grinning again.
Okay - so I didn't want to overdo the description of the men. I don't like it when a story includes a long winded description of Draco (and others) appearance. I included it here because I wanted to convey the overall feel of the group of boys. Part of the tone of the story is because of their looks. Also, I didn't want to overdo Ginny's reaction. A grown women wouldn't really act too excited but Ginny is a bubbly personality and I wanted her to be overwhelmed a little.
Anyway, it's done now so hope it read okay and wasn't too over the top. x