Author's Note:

'This is a contest entry for the Dracolov challenge! If you would like to enter you must e-mail Dracolov, her e-mail is in her profile. The last day to enter is 12/1/04. Please R & R (read and review) and thank you for reading my story.

Disclaimer:

I don't own any of the original Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish I was... I only own the plot and my characters.

Chapter 4: Prince Charming to the Rescue... Not

Now Draco was at an impasse – he could chose to stay right where he was and entertain himself with Marguerite, or he could go over to do damage control with Hermione. His mind was churning so fast with the pros and cons of each choice that what would normally take a person ten or fifteen minutes to decide was only taking him two or three, but the decision was still unclear. He knew that if he ran over to her, not only she but also her friends and everyone else in the club would notice his interest in her romantically. But if he stayed where he was, would she still be so open to him in their next meeting? Wasn't he trying to gain her confidence and trust so that she would give him sensitive information on Potter, Weasley, and possibly the Ministry? Matters of revenge and heart always required such careful reading of the other person that Draco was forced to make a blind decision for the first time in many years.

After mentally playing back their conversation over dinner, he became confident that she hadn't inferred anything romantic on his part, so him pursuing another woman would only serve to inflate his stock. He chose to put on a little show for the bookworm and let her witness his vast array of talents with the opposite sex. A little healthy dose of reality would drive her imagination and fantasies over the edge while leaving her vulnerable to him and her own deep desires. All's fair in love and war, he thought to himself as he started a full on assault of Marg as a show of power.

Turning all his attention to Marguerite, Draco was laying it on thick, but his mind was elsewhere. He mentally willed himself to envelop his senses with Marg's stunning presence, yet it seemed forced and uneasy to all that were watching. Marg was unfazed though, because with as hard as he was trying to distract himself from the other woman, he wouldn't be on guard against her charms to get information from him. Jacq had arranged this meeting for many reasons, but most important was to make sure that Draco did not know or care of the Priory's true intentions. Upon seeing Draco's reaction to the attractive brunette on the other side of the club, Jacq thought that even if his girls failed that he would still have plan B waiting in the wings.

Hermione, on the other hand, was completely stunned by the sight of Draco working his charms on another woman. She had no idea why, but the sting was unbearable, and in an attempt to numb the pain she began to drink very heavily. Martinis and shots were free flowing as she slowly started to feel the disappointment fade away into the night along with all her inhibitions. It wasn't long before her friends had her out on the dance floor, bumping and grinding to anything and everything, but something was missing, and it nagged at her throughout the evening. It wasn't until a very handsome gentlemen with short dark hair and deep brown eyes approached her that she realized what was missing was passion. And at this moment, any passion would work so long as it didn't come in the form of a blonde Slytherin with questionable intentions.

"May I have this dance?" the stranger asked gingerly.

"Ah...well...yes, I suppose." Hermione replied while sliding off the barstool. Thank goodness it's a slow song, she thought to herself, as she didn't think she could manage another fast paced one.

"And you name, my lady?" the stranger inquired.

"Hermione Granger, and yours?" she answered.

"You can just call me Prince Charming. I am at your service," he told her while leading her out to the dance floor. Now, normally she would have pulled away and demanded that the stranger identify himself or she would leave, but after the display earlier by Draco, she was all too willing to get caught up in the mystery of this man. Draco, however, was just a few feet away and was trying to figure out what was up. He knew this guy very well and Hermione wasn't his type, so why was he trying to sweep the bookworm off her feet?

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From a table just off to the side of the dance floor, Tara watched the scene unfold with great interest. She knew who Hermione was but didn't understand why Draco was so taken with her. Sure, she was attractive; however, she was a common beauty, nothing flashy or glamorous like his usual dates. Not to mention that she was highly intelligent, which went against all his beliefs of what a woman's role was in his life. Jacq had warned them that he liked his women beautiful and mute, therefore Marguerite or Amy would be a logical choice. These two women were very smart, except in a cunning way. They always knew just what to be with every guy no matter what the description. Well, that is, unless the target wanted someone with an edge or a scathing whip of the tongue. Everyone considered Tara witty and amusing, except those that were the butt end of her jokes. The memories of her more stellar conquests brought a smile to her face and prompted Amy to ask what she was looking at.

"Oh, just watching the floor show." She laughed while pointing to the dance floor.

"My, my... looks like Marg has got her work cut out for her if she hopes to lure him away to a quiet place." Ames teased.

"I don't know. He just may be willing to do anything to get his mind off the lovely woman that's distracting him," she mused.

"Maybe, but I don't think he will leave until she does and when that happens, I think he'll follow to see if she's alone," Amy wagered.

"Why are we even supposed to be doing this? Aren't they friends?" Tara questioned.

"Now, that's not our concern. This is just a job for us. The how and why are his business," she warned.

"Perhaps, but something's wrong with this picture, and I'd like to know what it is." Tara percolated.

"What's with you lately? You've been asking a lot of questions that are none of our concern," Ames asked accusingly.

"Don't you ever wonder how valuable our information really is... like out there on the market?"

"No, questions like that can only bring trouble. Never bite the hand that feeds you," she cautioned Tara again, but it fell on deaf ears.

Tara wasn't listening because she had her own agenda, and it was just about to get a lot more dangerous. Especially considering the group of girls was just starting to realize where they'd seen her before. All her efforts at discretion were about to go up in a pile of smoke and mirrors and from the most unlikely of persons...

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The world was a combination of bright beautiful colors and swirls of light for Hermione right now. She couldn't remember another time in her young life that she'd ever felt this way, so out of control and lost that it was almost surreal. As she was standing there with a handsome man wanting to be with her, she was consumed by thoughts of another man and trying to find comfort at the bottom of a martini glass. No, this was all wrong, and she needed to get a grip before she sacrificed more that just one evening on it. With that in mind, Hermione turned back to her mystery man to find out the truth.

"Who are you really? No more of this Prince Charming stuff either," she demanded of him.

"What's really in a name? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, right? Call me whatever you like. It makes no difference to me." He smiled at her.

"Well, in that case, it was nice to meet you Psycho, but I must get back to my friends, seeing how they have names and all." Hermione scolded him and turned to leave him standing there slack jawed. When she arrived back at the bar, everyone was quick to assault her with a barrage of questions.

"Who was that?" Ginny inquired.

"That's the thing, Gin, I don't know. He wouldn't give me his name," Hermione mused.

"But why would that be? Do you think he was looking for a little love on the run?" Whitney teased.

"Probably, just like a man, or shall I say, boy." Katie laughed. That prompted all of them to break out in fits of giggles and begin telling stories about the little quirks that all the guys had. Hermione was just sitting back listening to the tales and wondering when she would be able to do such a thing until she remembered that she would be able to if she hadn't chosen her career over love. Fate could have a cruel sense of humor when it wanted to.

This night obviously wasn't turning out the way she wanted it to, but nothing ever did as far as Hermione was concerned. It's all his fault, she thought bitterly as she looked over to see the attractive dark-haired girl that was practically molesting him on the dance floor, even if he didn't know or care about it. How, after all these years and such a pleasant dinner, could he still get under her skin so easy? Fearing that she was close to tears, she excused herself to go to the bathroom and headed towards the back of club. She almost made to the door when someone grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"What is someone like you doing in a place like this?" came the drawl that she recognized even before she saw his face.

"Same as you, I would imagine. Oh, never mind, I do those things behind closed doors and away from prying eyes," she chastised him.

"So you were watching. Do you like what you saw, Granger?" he mocked.

"No, actually, I was disgusted by the sickening display of PDA and was wondering who would be so low on self-esteem that they would feel the need to throw themselves at you so openly," she admonished.

"Any girl with half their senses and who is comfortable with their sexuality," he replied innocently.

"Oh, I apologize. I guess I was just raised with slightly higher morals and some self respect. Do you mind letting me go? I have other business to attend to," Hermione retorted as she tried to pull away.

"Not just yet. I wanted to ask you something." Draco said.

"What would that be?" she asked.

"Did you know the man you were dancing with earlier?" he inquired.

"No, he wouldn't tell me his name."

"Well, keep it that way. You think that I'm bad, he's much worse. Understand?" he threatened and then started to walk away when she then grabbed at his arm to stop him.

"Wait, you can't say something like that to me and then just walk away. Who is he?" she asked.

"No one you need to concern yourself with. Just stay away from him and go home, Granger. You reek of liquor," he spat at her dismissively before trotting off back to his date.

What was that about? She thought before heading into the bathroom to try to regain her composure and heading back to her friends. This turned out to be one hell of an evening and instead of feeling better, she felt as though she'd be demoralized by the condescending jerk. When she returned to her friends, Hermione announced that she was tired and was going to head home. After gathering her things, she headed for the door and was stopped once again, but this voice immediately made her stomach drop and a sense of terror crept up her spine.

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"Well, look what I've caught, Marcus. A Ministry cronie. Wonder if she has any useful information?" a dark haired thug hissed in her ear while grabbing her by the waist and trapping her against his body.

"Oh, a most interesting find, Nick. Do you know who you've captured?" Marcus, the slimy git from the Slytherin house that graduated two years before Hermione, boasted.

"No, is she important?" Nick ventured.

"Oh yes, she's one third of the Golden Trio and a trusted member of the now disbanded Order," Flint crooned.

"Well, well. I guess I have outdone myself this time."

"Let me go now, or I'll make sure that you're arrested and sent to Azkaban," Hermione warned.

"Really, they have to be able to find you and you have to be able to talk to tell anything now, don't you, my dear Mudblood?" he chimed.

"Who's your master now that Voldemort's dead? Why would you want anything with me?" she asked, trying to buy time, praying that someone would walk by and distract them long enough for her to get away.

"We answer to no one but ourselves, but I thought you'd know that by now. I guess the Ministry has become a little lax now without a defined threat. Isn't that right, Mudblood?" Flint replied quickly, becoming aware of how exposed they were and slowly backing her further into the alley.

Hermione survival instincts began to kick into overdrive as she felt herself being pulled to a more remote section of the alley. She would have to do something pronto or she would be too far out of reach of help and then she would be at these jerkoffs' mercy. No, that was not an option, so she began to kick, bite, and squirm with all her might while shouting out, but no one was there to help as she fell more and more into the pitch blackness. Think, Hermione, think. Her only hope was to try to reach her wand; therefore, she fought ruthlessly to free her right hand, but with two against one odds the situation was looking pretty bleak.

Darkness had engulfed her and her heart was racing in pure terror of what was to come. Never in her wildest imagination or worst nightmares had she ever envisioned this happening to her, but here it was, and she was powerless to stop it. Some witch I am, she thought to herself, wondering why she'd never prepared herself for something like this. With the defeat of Voldemort, she really hadn't feared anything and look where that had gotten her. Still struggling with everything she had, but feeling the fatigue in her muscles and fear creeping into her mind, she tuned her senses to what she could see, feel, hear and smell of her surroundings, searching for anything she could use.

"Hold her down," Flint ordered the Nick bloke.

"Why, what are you going to do?" he questioned with a hint of unease in his voice.

"We're just gonna teach her a little lesson," Marcus seethed.

"No, we'd have to kill her to get away with it. I'm not gonna do this Marc, it's too dangerous," he squeaked.

"Do as you're told or you will pay the price for her. Is that it, do you want to take her place?" Marcus quipped.

"No, but..."

The back door to the club flung open, and a girl came bolting out straight into Marcus, causing him to release Hermione in order to brace himself for the fall. Amazingly enough, Hermione reacted like a cat, falling to the ground on her hands and knees but instantly popping up only to sprint off in one fluid motion before either of the two could grab her. The woman who foiled their plans was slow to get up and full of apologies despite the sense from the two men that it wasn't an accident or coincidence. Tara looked back over her shoulder and waved while nonchalantly extending another apology and running back to the front of the club. That was too close for comfort, she pondered and wondered if Hermione had any idea who had just been her guardian angel.

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Extremely rattled and looking for help, Hermione ran back into the club and straight into the last person in the world that she wanted to see. Yes, no other than Draco Malfoy. Quite to her surprise though, upon seeing her state, he didn't make any snide comments or insults. He took her by the waist and carried her over to the bar to help her calm down so he could find out what had shaken her up so badly. Why he felt the need to do this was lost on him at first, but he eventually convinced himself that it was only to help gain her trust.

"What happened to you, Granger?" he asked soothingly.

"Marcus... Flint... Nick guy... alley... kill me..." she gasped before completely breaking down into ragged tears.

"Are you trying to say that Flint tried to kill you in the alley?" Draco challenged her.

Hermione could only nod her head in agreement between sobs as she was trying to catch her breath and regain control over her body from the violent trembling that followed her ordeal.

"Why would Flint want to kill you? Are you investigating him or something?" he pressed.

"No…I don't know. I just want to go home, but I can't go outside alone. Can you go get Ginny or somebody for me?" she pleaded with him.

"I can do better than that." Draco replied and walked off towards the dance floor to grab someone before coming back to her. "Just stay here for a second and we'll be right back."

"Prince Charming?!?" Hermione gasped.

"Prince Charming?" Draco repeated while laughing.

"Shut up, Draco. Are we going to do this or what?" the handsome stranger cut him off.

"We'll be right back." Draco instructed Hermione to stay put while walking towards the alley doors. By the time the two gentlemen got outside, the alley was empty and after a quick canvass around the building they came to the conclusion that they were already gone and went back inside. Draco tapped a slouching Hermione on the shoulder to get her attention and not frighten her.

"They're gone, but I'm going to get you home in case they're waiting somewhere for you. By the way, Hermione, say hello to Blaise Zabini. He went to school with us, but obviously you don't remember him," Draco teased.

"Blaise? Why didn't you just tell me who you were?" she fired at him quizzically.

"I like the intrigue and it helps to keep the stalkers away the next day," he asserted guiltily.

"How humble of you," she admonished him. "Can we go now, Malfoy?"

"Not even a Draco for your knight in shining armor??" Draco played.

"Fine, can we go now, DRACO?" she bristled.

"Sure," he answered coyly. "Tell Jacq and the girls that I'll talk to them later, will you Zabini?"

"Gotcha, boss." Blaise responded and walked away like a good little minion.

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As Tara looked around for Hermione, she became flustered when she couldn't see her anywhere and wondered where she could have went before she headed back into the club, only to catch sight of her off to the side with Draco attending to her. Now that's an interesting development, she considered, why would he be falling all over a Muggle born? She parked herself back at the table and watched the events unfolding, trying to piece the puzzle together, looking for the connection. With no clue, she cursed to herself and opted to take notes so she could run it by her contact and see if he knew what was going on.

Finally, she turned her gaze back to the other girls and laughed to herself, since they appeared to be as confused as she was – except for Marg, who didn't seem amused by the new proceedings. For the first time that Tara was aware of, Marguerite had failed to achieve her goal and her mood oozed of rancor. Leave it to Hermione Granger to get out of one jam only to land in another and all without any knowledge of the circumstances. Tara's delight in the situation did not go unnoticed by Parisa, however, and that presented an uncomfortable scenario for her.

"Something funny?" Parisa inquired.

"Not really, but kinda. Never seen Marg fail to keep the attention of a man. It just seems ironic, considering she's pulled out all the stops and all," Tara piped up.

"I just don't understand it. Did you see her? He must have a hero complex or something. I need a stiff one, anyone want anything?" Marg asked while in deep thought, attempting to figure it out.

"No, I'm good." Amy replied.

"Fine here." Tara replied.

"I'll take another fire whiskey." Parisa ordered as Marg walked away to the bartender. "Jacq's not going to be as amused as you are, Trixx."

"So, what do I care? It wasn't my assignment," she taunted.

"I thought you were all a team? Don't you want to see your side do well?" Parisa asked.

"We're not a team. I'm a private contractor. I do my thing and they do theirs," she corrected her sternly.

"I see. So it's each man, or shall I say woman, for themselves?" she toyed.

"Yep. Got a problem with that?"

"Well, I know someone who might," she threatened.

"Then run along and tell Daddy. It makes no difference to me," she stated and she blew her off. "I'm not afraid of anyone, understand me?"

"Now that may be a huge mistake for you," Parisa warned as she got up to go find Jacq. Tara really didn't care and wasn't going to be strong-armed by a mere child. She'd rather die than bow to the will and ambition of that little snitch. And she just may get that wish...

author's thanks: welcome new reader esteebee...thanks for joining us...

thanks for the loyal reviews slyswin...I knew I could count on you....

finally a plea to the rest of you that are reading this to please post reviews as I need as much

feedback as I can get as I would like to win this thing.......