It was two days later before Hermione went back to the hotel. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had two whole days off. The day after the dinner party, she'd intended to go in late, but Jack had arrived home from his trip early and she decided to take the day off to spend with him. He'd brought them tickets to the theatre for the following evening and so Hermione made the decision to take another day off. She wasn't quite sure why, but she felt that she and Jack needed to spend some time together. She had pushed Draco Malfoy to the back of her mind and tried to enjoy Jack's company.
As she pushed through the revolving doors into the main lobby, she sighed. Heaven knows what she would be walking into. Two days of messages, problems and queries. She also sighed because her thoughts about Jack were worrying her. Ginny had always insisted he was boring but Hermione had always enjoyed his company. She knew he wasn't exciting, he was steady and reliable, but that had never bothered her. Until now. Their two days together had been relaxing, Jack had been his usual self but Hermione had felt jaded and restless. She felt annoyed that her strange new relationship with Draco Malfoy might be affecting her and Jack. So what that Draco was fun and exciting? Didn't the novelty of fun and exciting wear off after a while?
"Good Morning, Miss Granger," Victoria greeted her. "Did you enjoy your time off?"
"Yes thank you, Victoria," Hermione said. Victoria called her Hermione in private, in fact, all of the senior staff did. Hermione didn't like formality. However, in the middle of the lobby, Victoria knew to call Hermione by her formal name. "I hate to ask but have you anything for me?"
Victoria smiled, knowing exactly what Hermione meant. "There is something I need to speak to you about. Would you prefer that I came up and saw you in a while? It will give you a chance to settle back in."
Hermione nodded. "Yes - that would be great, thanks."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Once she got to her office, Hermione went through her post and made a list of things she had to do. She was going to spend ten minutes catching up with Ava next, so she was grateful to her receptionist for the offer to see her later.
"Did you do anything nice while you were off?" Ava asked, settling herself in the chair opposite Hermione's.
"Yes - Jack and I went to the theatre. He's been away so it was nice to have him home."
"Sounds lovely," Ava nodded. She glanced down at the pile of paperwork in her hand ."Where shall I start?"
"I don't suppose it matters - just go for it!" Hermione joked.
Ava worked through the messages, things Hermione had to sign and various problems. It took a while but Hermione didn't mind. She needed to know what had gone on while she'd been away.
"Well, I suppose it could have been worse," Hermione said, when Ava had finished.
"I can deal with Mrs Mayer and I'll pass the wedding party enquiry to Ginny. Lily has details about the new advertising deal - she'll probably come and see you later," Ava said. "I've already taken some messages from Victoria, so that should have reduced your pile."
"Great. Thanks, Ava." Hermione said. There was a knock on the door and Hermione called the visitor to come in. Victoria said good morning and then, as Ava excused herself, she took her place at Hermione's desk.
Hermione put down the parchment she was holding. "What was it you needed to speak to me about?" she asked. She could tell by Victoria's demeanour that she this wasn't going to be good news.
"Well," Victoria started. She then stopped and cleared her throat. "It's about the Penthouse."
Hermione could have groaned but she stopped herself. "The Penthouse or it's occupant?"
"It's occupant." Victoria said. "Carlos had a problem last night and the one before."
"What sort of a problem?"
"Well, Mr Malfoy and some friends had gone to the lounge and then the nightclub. They got back really late and were quite boisterous going back up to the suite. Carlos did ask them if they could be quiet but I don't think they paid any attention to him," Victoria spoke eloquently. "I wasn't working so I can't say that's exactly how it happened, but Carlos is usually very accurate."
"Of course."
"After the party returned to the Penthouse, they made a lot of noise. I mean, a lot. Several rooms on the floor below complained to reception, so Carlos sent one of the staff up to ask again them to be quieter. They wouldn't answer the door and Carlos ended up going up there himself and letting himself in."
"He let himself in?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Mr Malfoy was apologetic but it was now early morning. Some of the other guests have now lodged formal complaints."
"I see," Hermione said. She was going to kill him! She looked over at Victoria. "And the second night? Last night?"
"Well, no noise this time. But Carlos signed in three guests to the Penthouse - three lady guests," Victoria pulled a face, obviously finding the subject matter awkward. "But he thinks that several others - maybe another two went up without signing in."
"Well, as annoying as that is, I suppose we have to let Mr Malfoy have the guests he wants." Hermione said this through gritted teeth.
"The problem is...well, only one of them signed out. It may be that they did leave and forgot but I thought it was worth mentioning. I know that the junior receptionists had made comments about it and I wouldn't like any of the other guests to have noticed."
"They were all female?"
"Yes."
Hermione felt a mixture of anger, frustration and a little bit of hurt. What the hell was he playing at? How could he be so nice...lovely and then do this? She should have known not to let him get close to her.
"Thanks Victoria, I'll speak to him."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Well, hello stranger!" Draco greeted her as she stepped into the Penthouse. "Where have you been? I came to find you the day after the dinner party but they told me you were off."
"Jack and I had some days off together," Hermione divulged this piece of information on purpose.
"Would you like a drink? Tea?" Draco offered. "I wanted to say thank you again for what you did at the party. You wouldn't believe the deal he's agreed to!"
Hermione stood her ground, not following Draco across the suite. "I'm afraid this isn't a social visit."
Draco turned round and walked back towards her. "Oh? What's up? Haven't I paid the rent?" He chuckled then noticed Hermione's stony face. "What is it?"
"I'm afraid reception have some complaints that I need to bring up with you."
Draco sighed. "I bet they have."
"So you know what I'm on about then?"
"I had a little celebration - for getting the great deal. I would have invited you if you'd been around. We probably got a little carried away - I did apologise to Carlos." Draco raised one eyebrow. "Is that all?"
Hermione folded her arms across her chest. "It certainly isn't all," she said. "Didn't we have a discussion about noise? Do you realise just how loud you must have been to have the guests below complaining? I understand it was early morning before your guests left. That isn't acceptable."
"Acceptable? Look, I'll admit that we made too much noise but I think you'll find my guests can leave whenever they want to."
"I'll think you'll find I'm the Hotel Manager and that means I decide what is acceptable and what isn't."
"What a fuss! So, we made a bit of noise! I apologised - what else do you want?" Draco turned away and started across the room. "How about I apologise now to you and promise it won't happen again?" He stopped and turned back. "So, now would you like a drink?"
"There's something else."
Draco sighed. "I can't wait to hear this."
"Last night you had several visitors," Hermione said trying to sound calm and reasonable.
"Several? Didn't your spies on reception give you exact numbers, hair colours and height?"
"There's no need for sarcasm."
"We made no noise last night - none at all." Draco sounded defensive.
"I know you didn't. The point is we don't know how many visitors you had as they didn't sign in."
"Crime of the century!" Draco said, sarcastically. "Sorry - again." He now sounded bored.
"Or out..."
"Out of what?"
"They didn't sign out," Hermione explained. "I presume you didn't have five women staying here overnight?" She pulled a face.
"And if I did?"
"We're a top class, quality hotel. I can't allow so many...lady visitors..."
Draco's eyes widened. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Well, the reception staff have noticed and some of the other guests may have too. It looks...wrong." Hermione was still trying to say what she wanted delicately, despite her anger at him.
"Wrong? Are you now dictating to me what sex my visitors are allowed to be?"
"You have to admit it is unusual and could be misinterpreted."
"Misinterpreted? By narrow minded people maybe! I don't like your implications."
Hermione sighed. "Of course you don't! Frankly, I don't care if you like them or not. I can't allow this hotel to be used as some sort of..." she paused, searching for a suitable word.
"Brothel?" Draco finished for her. "That's what you're getting at, isn't it?"
"No..."
"What then? Whore house?" Draco was angry now and Hermione glared at him.
"Don't put words in my mouth! I'm just asking you to be discreet."
"I am discreet!"
"Five women in one night?" Hermione challenged him. "How is that discreet?"
"I wasn't shagging them in the bloody lobby!"
"For Merlin's sake!" Hermione pulled a face. "How many of them stayed?"
"Mind your own business."
"Don't speak to me like that! We need numbers for emergencies!"
"Really? Is that the only reason you want to know?" Draco stepped closer and pointed his finger at her. "So, if I told you I had five women up here and we all got it on, that'd be okay, would it? As long as they signed in and out I'm allowed a mass orgy?"
"Okay? Huh! More like disgusting, disgraceful and revolting!" Hermione spat the words at him, feeling upset as well as angry. Why had she been fooled by him?
"Is that the Hotel Manager's opinion or Hermione's?" Draco asked and Hermione blinked rapidly at him.
"Both."
"Well, you're the Hotel Manager not my Manager. I'm a grown-up! I will not be dictated to."
"You will if you want to continue to rent the Penthouse." Hermione hadn't realised she was going to say this, until the words left her mouth. They stared at one another and Draco stepped away.
"Fine. I'll send my notice of leave down to you later. One month's rent - that's right isn't it?" he said, his voice icy.
"I'm not asking you to leave."
"One month's rent but I'll be leaving as soon as I find somewhere else suitable." Draco didn't look at her. "I think our conversation is over, so I'd like you to leave now."
Hermione stared at his back, feeling tears forming. Without another word, she turned and walked back to the lift.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
She didn't actually believe he'd leave until, about an hour later, she received his notice. She read it, still half angry and half upset. She'd let him hurt her and she felt annoyed at herself. She leant over her desk and put her head in her hands.
Finally, she went down to reception. She would need to explain why Draco was leaving so she needed the names of his visitors - the one's that had bothered to sign in. She asked the receptionist for the book and scanned the page.
The night of the party no one had signed in but as they'd all left early morning, she supposed it didn't matter. Last night there were three names. Hermione examined the signatures, names and what they had put in the final description column.
Daphne Brown - Friend
That was one word you could use, she supposed. Miss Brown was the only visitor who had signed out.
Perla Flint - Associate of Flint and Sully
Hermione frowned. That sounded official. She checked the signing in time - 7.30pm. That was quite late for an official visit.
Georgia Long - W.I.M.S.
Hermione shook her head, W.I.M.S.? What was that? She tried to insert suitable words for the letters but stopped. This wasn't a good train of thought to go down! She wasn't sure this had helped but at least she now had the details. Pity was that she really didn't want to think about the details.
It was running far too smoothly...