Hermione was in really early. She'd had a bad night's sleep - the events of yesterday kept running over and over in her mind. She wondered if she'd handled it badly and knew the answer was, at least in part, yes. She had to ask him about it and his attitude was annoying, but she knew she'd let her emotions govern how the conversation had gone. Had this been any other guest she had been speaking to there was no way they would have ended up in a fight.

She looked at the names of Draco's visitors again; something about them not sitting right with her. She knew he was a player, she knew he could use his charm to disguise what he was really up to but would even Draco Malfoy invite five women up to his Penthouse in one night? If she was really pushed, she might have been able to believe it at his own home but not here where he knew it would be noticed.

Perla Flint - Associate of Flint and Sully. Definitely official sounding. It seemed a strange thing to sign in a visitors book if you weren't here on business. Daphne Brown - Friend. Well, friend was a description open to interpretation but as it happened, Daphne Brown had signed out. Maybe she'd decided to not stay for the orgy? Hermione found herself smiling at her joke, despite her foul mood. It was almost laughable how ridiculous this all was!

The door to her office opened and she prepared her glare, just in case it was Draco. Instead it was Ginny.

"Goodness! You're in early!" Hermione said.

"Blaise told me Draco's handed in his notice to leave!" Ginny sat down at Hermione's desk. "What's happened?"

Hermione gave Ginny a brief description of the events and Ginny sat back in the chair.

"Wow! What the hell was he thinking?"

"Merlin knows."

"You're not going to let him leave though, are you?" Ginny asked.

"What can I do? He's throwing a major tantrum - I certainly won't be begging him to stay."

"Do you want him to leave?"

"Of course I don't."

"So, you need to go and tell him that," Ginny leant forward. "I meant it when I said he likes you, Hermione."

Hermione shook her head at Ginny. "Have you not been listening to what I told you? He had five women up there! Five!"

Ginny bit her lip. "Yeh - that is horrible," she admitted. "Do we know who they were?"

Hermione handed her the list of names. "These are the ones that signed in - I don't know what to think, to be honest."

"Flint and Sully?" Ginny read from the list. "They're a lawyers firm. I had to deal with them once when a guest tried to sue the nightclub."

"So, she's a lawyer who likes orgies, so what?" Hermione answered and then sighed. "What about W.I.M.S.?"

"Women... In...(need of)... Men...(for)... Sex?" Ginny suggested and then they both laughed.

"I did that with the letters but my guess was nowhere near as good!" Hermione admitted. She pulled a face. "Do you think I've jumped to conclusions? Could it have been innocent?"

"There's only one way to find out," Ginny said.

Hermione groaned. "Great. Just great!"

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

She felt ridiculously nervous as she pressed the buzzer for the Penthouse. It was still quite early - there was every chance Draco might be in bed. She took a deep breath and tried to keep calm. The door opened and Draco stood there, dressed casually. He gave her a look but didn't offer her to come in.

"Can I come in?"

Draco didn't answer, but he stepped to one side and allowed her past. She hovered awkwardly by the sofas. He didn't offer her a seat and just looked at her enquiringly.

"I wanted to give you the chance to explain," she said. "I'm willing to admit that I may have jumped to conclusions."

"I shouldn't have to explain," Draco said. "I had visitors - that's all you need to know."

Hermione sighed. "Are you going to make this as difficult as possible for me?"

"No, but there isn't anything to sort out," Draco answered. "You think I'm a male whore and, as I'm not, I think it's best I leave."

"I do not think you're a male whore!"

"Really? So what were you suggesting I was up to with my five female visitors? Running a book club?" Draco's voice dripped with sarcasm and Hermione rolled her eyes.

Hermione really didn't want them to fall out - she wanted him to tell her it was all a misunderstanding and that he didn't want any other women in his suite - let alone five other women! She had to face it; Draco wasn't going to budge. They were both at fault but he was just too stubborn to admit his side of it. She decided she was wasting her time.

"These are the names of your visitors from the book. Can you confirm them so I can include them in the report I'll have to raise to explain why you're leaving?" she handed him the paper and tried to sound official.

"Yep - that's them."

Hermione brushed past him and pressed the lift button. She didn't turn around and couldn't tell if he was watching her. As the lift doors opened she heard him speak.

"Daphne Brown - Friend," he read aloud. "You would know her as Daphne Greengrass. Her father owns the firm I buy my ink supplies off and she was here to discuss the latest order. She is a friend of mine - we've become so, since we've been dealing with each other through the business.

Perla Flint - Associate of Flint and Sully. Flint and Sully are our lawyers and have been for years. Someone is suing us about a story we published. She'd been to see them today, but it was a late appointment. She came here straight afterwards to bring me up to date.

Georgia Long - works for a training organisation and had come here to train me on something.

The two other unknown visitors were Abigail and a young lady called Violet Hawkins who is an applicant for a vacant position we have. One that I believe Abigail mentioned the day you were here. Violet couldn't make a day time appointment so we arranged an evening one for her. "

Draco hadn't turned around whilst saying all this and Hermione was staring at his back. He now turned around. "Unless, I have severe memory loss, I didn't engage in any sort of sexual activity with any of them. So, you see, I'm not running a brothel - I'm just doing what I told you I would need to do some evenings and that is running my business!"

Hermione stared at him, unable to say anything. She should have checked and that was all there was too it. At the same time, he should have explained more readily.

"I don't suppose there is any point in me apologising?" she asked. "I may have presumed things but I don't think anyone would blame me. If you'd just got them to sign in and out we could have avoided this confusion."

"It isn't to do with who signed in or out. Neither is it to do with what was natural for you to presume," Draco answered. "The truth is you thought that way because you have a pre-conception of how I behave."

"You did have a wild party that didn't finish until the early hours the previous evening!" Hermione reminded him.

"Which I apologised for."

"But that's what I mean! You flouted the rules - and I only asked you to stick to a few. And you did apologise but that doesn't change the fact we had nine complaints from other guests."

Draco shook his head. "It's called enjoying life."

"It's called being selfish and inconsiderate."

"I thought you came here to sort out our differences. How exactly does throwing insults at me contribute to that then?"

Hermione stepped back towards the lift. "I doesn't. This whole conversation is pointless," she sighed. "At least this had proved me right."

"About what?"

"When I heard you wanted to rent the penthouse, my initial reaction was it was going to be nothing but trouble - seems I should trust my initial reactions."

"I've apologised for the late night noise," Draco said. "And now I've explained exactly who my visitors were. I'm not even sure why you're still angry at me!"

"I came here to sort it out but we're going around in circles!" Hermione sighed again.

"While we're on the subject, I'll be having guests this evening," Draco said. "Two male, three female. Anything else you want to know?"

"No." Hermione answered him bluntly. He'd probably arranged this tonight just to irritate her.

"Names?"

"Just get them to sign in and out and keep the noise down." Hermione felt upset now. She didn't like to presume but she had a feeling, had they not fallen out, that she might have been one of his guests. He hadn't said if it was social or business and she didn't dare ask.

Draco nodded at her but didn't respond. Without another word, Hermione turned and left the room.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Ginny was waiting in her office when she got back down.

"Well?" she asked, her voice sounding hopeful.

"He's an arse," Hermione answered, grumpily. "What else do you want to know?"

"You didn't sort it out then?" Ginny looked at her friend, sadly.

"No. He wasn't in a cooperative mood. I did try and say we were both at fault but he didn't want to meet me half way," Hermione sighed. "He's having more guests tonight..." She was stopped by the look on Ginny's face. "What?"

"I'm one of the guests," Ginny said, quietly. "I thought you'd go up there and come back all smiles because you were friends again and he'd invited you tonight."

Hermione blinked, feeling upset. "Oh."

"Hermione - I'm so sorry! I just presumed you'd be coming," Ginny looked distraught. "I'll tell Blaise I can't go..."

"Don't be silly," Hermione said. "You must go - this isn't anything to do with you."

"It is if he's upsetting my friend."

Hermione sat back in her chair. "I don't know why either of us are surprised - this is Draco Malfoy we're talking about. Of course he was going to upset me sooner or later! What we should be surprised about is that it's took this long!"

"I won't enjoy it now," Ginny said, sulkily.

"Yes, you will. Don't get involved - just go and have a nice time."

Ginny sighed loudly. "Lily is going with Theo..."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Great - just great."

"I wonder who Draco has asked at such short notice?"

"I don't know - I don't want to know and I don't care!" Hermione stood up. "I have a million things to keep me busy so that's the end of it."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Of course, it wasn't the end of it. Hermione was extremely busy but she couldn't stop that horrible, sickening feeling springing up. She'd let him get under her skin and she was truly regretting it. She had dinner in her office, intending on working late. The thought of going home wasn't appealing. It would allow her too much time to dwell on things.

She could have invited Jack round but somehow that didn't appeal either...

She hardly ate any dinner, concentrating on her work. She was rearranging some rotas and it was complicated. She knew Draco's social gathering would be in full swing now and tried to not think about it.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Everett Stone poked his head around the door and grinned at Hermione who returned it. He could always make her smile. Everett was not only good at his job as Facilities Manager, but he was also good with Hermione. He was respectful, but not too respectful. Hermione always enjoyed his company and found it refreshing.

"You know what they say - all work and no play makes Hermione a dull girl..."

"I needed to keep myself busy - it's been a bad day."

"So, go and have a drink or meal. That's how normal people deal with stress."

"Implying I'm not normal."

"Oh, you're definitely not normal," Everett smiled at her and she gave a chuckle.

"I could dismiss you on a whim, you know," she joked.

"The place would shut within a week," Everett answered.

"You're not wrong!" Hermione agreed, affectionately and they smiled at one another. "Is this a social visit or did you need me for something."

"I'm going to add to your stress."

"Do you have to?"

"Well, no actually. There is no need to bring you into it. I have the problem being sorted at this moment," Everett explained.

"I'm not following you."

"The Penthouse Suite lift door wouldn't open or close. One of Mr Malfoy's guests was stuck in the lift and had to go down to the floor below and walk up."

"Can't it be fixed?"

"Yes - but it's taking a while. They were having some sort of dinner party and now the lift doors are open with William and Owen trying desperately to fix them, using magic and Muggle methods," Everett twisted his lips. "I don't think Mr Malfoy is happy - I explained that we were going to get it fixed urgently but he was quite upset about it. Ginny and Lily were there but as guests, I understand. Mr Malfoy didn't ask me to involve you but I got the distinct impression that only a visit from the Manager would do."

Hermione wanted to sob into her half eaten dinner but managed to stop herself. "I'm sure you're completely right. He probably can't wait to complain to me."

Everett raised his eyebrows. "Oh - already had trouble from him then?"

"You could say that," Hermione sighed. "I'll go and see him, thanks Everett."

"Sorry to involve you but I thought you'd like to know."

"Yes, thanks."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

As Hermione stood up to go up to the Penthouse her door knocked again. Thinking it was Everett back or even Draco himself, she walked over and opened the door.

"Hello, Hermione," Jack said and Hermione stared at him in surprise.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?"

"Of course," Hermione stepped to one side and let him into her office. "Have you come to fetch me from work? I'm sorry that I'm here again - it's been so busy, I wanted to try and catch up."

"I know - that's not a problem," Jack answered. He was a tall man, with broad shoulders, thick, dark hair and a handsome face. He seemed to fill Hermione's office.

"Can you stay? I could order us some snacks and I can work but also spend some time with you?" Hermione asked him. She walked over and sat at her desk.

"I needed to speak to you," Jack said, his dark eyes on her face. "I came around your house but you weren't there, so I guessed where you might be."

Hermione frowned. Something about his tone of voice was wrong, she didn't like it. "What is it?"

Jack leant forward and took Hermione's hand in his. She stared at him, trying to guess what he was here for. "You know how much I think of you," Jack began and Hermione held her breath. Where was this going?

"I think I do."

"Well - you're a very special person, so kind and sweet. I will always be glad for our time together..."

"You're scaring me!"

Jack nodded. "Yes - sorry. I'll just say it," he said. He gave a cough and sat back, letting go of her hand. "I think we need some time apart - you're always so busy with this place and I'll be away for a month soon. I think we're trying to continue something that isn't really here any longer..."

Hermione gaped at him. "Are you dumping me?"

Jack sighed. "That's a horrible word," he said. "I just think that we make great friends and I'd like us to try to stay friends but...well, the romance isn't there for me...it's become..." Jack paused and then coughed again, "well, it's become boring."

Hermione knew her jaw must have dropped and she shook her head in bewilderment. Boring?! Jack was breaking up with her because he thought it had become boring? Ginny's nickname for him sprang into Hermione's brain. It was ironic and it would have been funny if she didn't feel quite so insulted.

"Well, I'm sorry if I'm boring you!" she said. "You knew what I did for a living when you met me. I can't always be waiting around for you when you come back from your conferences."

"I'm not blaming you," Jack said. He was already standing up. "Both of our jobs make this difficult but it really isn't working for me. I hope you don't hate me for this."

Hermione sat back in her chair, emotionally exhausted. What a day! She stared at the man standing in front of her, edging towards the door and suddenly, it didn't matter to her. He was only saying what she'd been thinking - he'd just said it first. She stood up.

"I don't hate you, Jack," she said, quietly. "But we could have discussed it before now and maybe worked something out."

"Talking about it won't change anything - sorry."

Hermione nodded. "I see."

"It's probably best if I go," Jack had his hand on the door. "Goodbye Hermione."

She nodded again, not even bothering to answer him. Once he'd shut the door, she sank back into her chair with a huge sigh. It didn't matter that she hadn't been entirely happy with Jack lately, it wasn't nice to be dumped. She put her head in her hands and tried not to cry. It was a strange feeling, sort of saddening and hurtful.

She stared at the pile of paperwork. Maybe she would go home - she didn't feel that she could concentrate. She then remembered about Draco and groaned. That was all she needed to deal with!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Hermione apparated to the stairs by the Penthouse. She and the other senior members of the hotel staff were the only ones who could apparate within the hotel walls. This was to protect guests privacy - it wouldn't do for some strange wizard to suddenly appear in your room. She knocked on the door, feeling nauseous. This wasn't going to be pleasant.

Draco answered the door, a glass of wine in his hand.

"I'm here about the problem with the lift," Hermione said, before he could speak. "Have they managed to fix it yet?"

Draco stared at her. "There's nothing wrong with the lift," he said.

Hermione frowned. "Mr Stone said the doors wouldn't open or close and that one of your guests had got stuck? He suggested that you might like to speak to me about it."

Draco nodded. "Yeh - I like Stone. He's obviously done me proud."

Hermione sighed. "I'm not in the mood for riddles."

"There isn't a problem with the lift but unless I came up with some hotel based problem, I knew you wouldn't come up here," Draco leant against the doorframe, having still not invited her in.

"So, there isn't anything wrong with the lift?"

"Nope."

"Everett was lying on your instructions?"

"Yep. Good bloke."

Hermione shook her head. "So what do you really want me up here for?"

"I can't have a celebration with more boys than girls. It spoils the equilibrium."

Hermione put her head to one side. "You told me you had two male and three female guests coming - that's even."

"Well the third female guest is currently standing in the stairwell, once she's inside then it's all equal." Draco twisted his lips.

"You can't seriously mean me?"

"Why not?"

Hermione leant towards him. "Look, Draco - I know that to you everything is a game, but I've had enough. I don't think how we left it earlier is conducive to a us now having a wonderful, social evening." She gave him a glare. "I came here earlier to try and sort everything out but you were grouchy and unresponsive. Now, because you suddenly want to be all sweetness and light, you expect me to forgive and forget instantly."

"You were shouting at me and insulting me, I was just defending myself," Draco answered, as if this explanation would solve the problem instantly.

"I don't care - I'm going," Hermione turned to walk back down the stairs but Draco grabbed her arm.

"No, wait there." He disappeared for a minute, in which time Hermione debated with walking off anyway. When he re-appeared he handed her a piece of parchment. "Open it," he instructed.

Hermione did as he said. It was a withdrawal of his notice.

"Draco..." Hermione began.

He held up his hand to silence her. "Wait - open this now." He handed her another sheet and she opened it. For a moment she stared at it, bewildered. She then read it again. It was a Contract of Sale for Wizard Times. Draco leant forward and pointed at a figure towards the bottom of the page. "That is double what I thought he'd buy it for."

Hermione looked up at him, handing the parchment back. "I'm glad it worked out so well for you."

"So, are you going to come in and help me celebrate?"

"No - I can't."

"Why not?" Draco asked. He grabbed her arm again. "What's that stupid Muggle saying - something about an olive branch?"

"I need to go home."

Draco pulled her towards the door but she resisted. "Come on, Hermione! I can't spend the evening on my own with two other couples!"

"Sorry, I have to go home." She turned to go but Draco didn't let go of her arm.

"I'm trying to say sorry - you could give me a little help here," Draco said. He grinned at her but she didn't return it.

"I'm not in the mood for a party - I wouldn't be good company," Hermione spoke firmly. "We'll talk again tomorrow..."

"Why are you being so stubborn?"

"I'm not being stubborn," Hermione felt herself getting upset. "Just leave me alone now." She was mortified to feel a tear fall down her cheek and turned away.

"What is it?" Draco asked. "What's the matter?" His voice was gentle now. He sounded concerned. "I didn't mean to upset you, I was just teasing."

"You didn't upset me," Hermione said. "I just need you to let me go with no fuss."

"Not while you're upset," Draco insisted. "Surely you know by now that I don't mean half of what I say?"

Hermione rubbed her cheek, her tears still falling. "It isn't you!" she snapped at him, more out of frustration than anything else."Everything isn't about you! Other things matter as well! Jack broke up with me! There you go - now you know, don't you!? So, can you please just leave me alone!" She ran down the stairs and managed to make it down the first flight of stairs before she started to cry properly.

A pretty dramatic chapter! Hope you enjoyed it. x