The Bachelorette
A/N: -Hides- This is my 1st fanfic, and I know this idea's probably been done before but I just had a brainwave and started typing it out?and so here it is. Constructive criticism is always appreciated so I can improve upon my feeble writing skills.
And yup, I am a devotee of the Hermione/Draco pairing so the story's definitely turning out that way.
Hermione is about 25/26 in this fic.. and yeah I hope I don't make her too OOC, because I have read fics in which a lot of people (namely Draco) have been extremely OOC, to the point where I couldn't bear to read anymore. So I will try my best to stick to the character that JKR has set for her characters, and uh... don't forget to review.
Disclaimer: Everything that you recognize her belong to JKR, not me. I own nothing, except maybe Wiz TV -Giggles-
Summary: When Hermione Granger finds herself the new Bachelorette, will she crack under the strain? And what's a certain Blond Haired man doing in the show? Who will she choose? Who will she reject..? Find out next time in the Bachelorette!
Prologue: About a month ago
Ginny Weasley barreled through the door of Hermione's modest condo, skidding on her precious fake fur rug before yelling at the top of her lungs:
'HERMIONE, WHERE ARE YOU?'
Hermione herself was jolted out of her thoughts. She had been daydreaming on her desk in her stylish study, pored over the morning newspaper, which she hadn't had time to read until now.燜ollowing another yell from Ginny, she stood up and briskly strode over to calm her best friend down.
'Ginny-'
Ginny impatiently flapped a shiny poster in her face.
'-YOU MUST LOOK AT THIS!'
Hermione frowned slightly. Surely she didn't disturb her afternoon just so that she could read a poster? 'What is it about, Gin?'
'Apparently the producers of Wiz TV are looking for someone to star in a new reality TV show!'
'Uh huh.' Hermione could vaguely see where this conversation was going, but she didn't want to encourage Ginny.
Ginny grinned. 'And you, Hermione, could be the perfect applicant!'
'And you're forgetting that I don't apply for TV shows.'
'Oh HO, don't jump to conclusions! I only got this copy of the application form, because-' at this she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively '- I pulled a couple of strings at the ministry. This, is absolutely what you need!'
She thrust the piece of paper at her. Hermione glanced briefly at the first word of the poster before-
'THE BACHELORETTE? Why on earth would I apply for something like that?' She paused for a moment. 'Firstly, people who apply to be on those kinds of shows are hopeless! And your forgetting, GUYS apply for this kind of show, not girls. Even if I were a guy, who would choose me?'
Ginny looked at her with an appraising eyebrow before responding.
'No, Hermione, this is to apply to become the Bachelorette herself. I mean, face it, this is just what you need! You need to find yourself a guy and stop pining after Viktor-'
'OK,' Hermione said loudly, knowing that Ginny would continue to press on, and that she'd never give in until Hermione said yes. Besides, she'd hit a sore spot with her, and truth be told she really didn't want to discuss it at the moment. Viktor had been her first proper boyfriend. He'd even asked her to marry him - until that day, when he abruptly broke off their engagement, babbling something about financial problems. Days later, she saw him walking on the street, talking and laughing with his arms around another woman, and she'd hexed him and then ran off.
But, that was the past. No use dwelling on it.
'And look, after the show they'll pay you 200,000 Galleons to film the wedding! You could really find a good way to spend all that gold, like say S.P.E.W.?'
That was true. After finishing school she had continued her passion with S.P.E.W., and concentrated on improving work atmospheres and developing a range of special elf tea towels, and elf rings. Surprisingly elves could wear rings, and not be dismissed and Hermione had established a sort of awards system with the rings, which could be awarded to outstanding elves of the year.
'You get a complete makeover before the show too! Hey how about we both enter, huh?'
'Well, I have to admit it does sound a lot better when you put it that way? Hermione smiled slightly. The money could indeed go to further development of her S.P.E.W. project.
'Ok then, its settled! Just fill in these forms, and send them off on an owl to the Wiz TV headquarters!' Ginny closed her eyes in glee, before snapping them open again. 'Oh no! I forgot about the meatloaf!'
Hermione watched with amusement as Ginny ran off, yelling a hasty goodbye to her before she disappeared out the door.
Oh well, I might as well get that form filled in, she thought as she settled into her favourite lounge chair and flicking out a quill that seemingly came from nowhere.
A few weeks later…
Hermione sat down heavily on her leather lounge suite. It had been an exhausting day in the Ministry of Magic Curse Breakers Department, what with innocent looking flobberworm eggs turning anything that touched them into purple boil-covered beings.
A skittish owl zoomed through the open window, landed on her fireplace and hooted loudly, demanding attention.
'Coming, coming,' Hermione grumbled, as she forced herself off the couch.
She slipped the parchment off the owl's leg, who nearly clawed bloody lines into her hand, and gave it a rather stiff pat on the head that was more punishment than reward. She unfurled the piece of parchment.
Dear Ms Granger
It is our pleasure at Wiz TV to give you the good news that you have been selected as the Bachelorette for our brand new show with the same name.
Kindly send back your reply with the wonderful owl-
-at this Hermione almost snorted-
-and be at the Wiz TV Studio 10:00 AM tomorrow. We have contacted your work, and they have given you a leave of absence. Travel by floo, and take care.
We hope to see you soon,
Wiz TV
And after that, was a list of about 15 names, which probably were the men 'competing for her heart'
She half-heartedly scanned through the list, until one name jumped out at her.
-Draco Malfoy
She groaned out loud. What had Ginny gotten her into? Not only would she have to be in and utterly humiliating show, she also would have to bear with Malfoy, of all people for at least a week. She shuddered at the mere thought. It was too much to comprehend. She thought of rejecting the role as Bachelorette, but the 200,000 galleon prize tugged at her subconscious.
Hermione had never quite forgiven Malfoy for the relentless emotional taunting that he had put her through in her years at Hogwarts. He had jumped at every chance he had to insult her, and he was always pushing her buttons to the point where she snapped.
But what exactly was he doing in a show like that? Maybe he was desperate. Malfoy, desperate for a woman? A devious glint came to her eyes as she chuckled to herself. Oh yes, she would make him suffer, she would make his time on the show as terrible as she could. Of course, there was always the possibility that he could reject her rose, if (and IF) she was insanely out of her mind and decided to give him one. Then she'd be made a complete fool. That would not be allowed to stand?
And she plotted her way into the night.
Note: Reposted on 2/8/05