The Bachelorette 5
Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing but the plot. Which, is not worth much anyway.
A/N: I APOLOGISE for such a long wait! I was meaning to work on this, but before I knew it I got swamped with 3 assignments at the same time. Urgh.
Yep, this fic is AU and slightly OoC, and, as many of you have stated, Hermione picking Draco was extremely predictable. But, the whole plot would go haywire if I took Draco out this early on, and I didn't want to elaborate too much on all the stuff that was going on before the rose ceremony. You'd just get bored. Really.
As always, I'd really like it if you could review my story. Constructive criticism is welcome and comments and ideas are too. I have now hit 100 reviews for my previous chapters, so I will try to make this an extra long and juicy chapter, for all my readers and reviewers. Thanks yet again!
This chapter contains the awaited first date with the men. Now, on with the story.
XxX
Draco watched the rejected men, each with a forlorn expression on his face, file out the door of the very fancy Bachelorette building. Ha, that's the end of the game for them, Malfoy thought spitefully. He could see the other men around him with quite similar expressions on their faces, to varying degrees. Boy, if Hermione could see them now.
Erik then gestured for the remaining 'rosed' men to follow him outside to another limo. He then spoke to the men, full of gusto as always. They could see clearly that the host wasn't affected at all by the strenuous night. The expression on Nick and Chris' faces told that they were obviously wondering what the host was on.
"You are now all expected to be back to the Harroway Hotels where you will spend the night. Tomorrow will be a full-on day as you go on your first
group date with Hermione. Congratulations on your roses, and have a pleasant evening."
At this, Erik ran his hand through his messy blond hair and indicated to the limo. The men took this as an invitation and all boarded the very luxurious car. Draco, of course was used to such extravagance and took no notice, but the country boys Sean and Nathan could not have relished their celebrity treatment more.
They speeded towards the hotel, and Draco could not help but notice the reduced level of chatter. The men were still on edge with their nerves, with a tense rose ceremony still coming up not helping.
His mind wandered to how stunning Hermione had looked then. The years had gone by easy for her, and she was now the epitome of womanhood. Every sensual curve was in the right place, and every time she moved it was with a subtle elegance that even Draco would be hard-felt to match.
As much as he hated to admit it, she really was very attractive. And not in the way those attractive, but nevertheless empty-headed bimbos that always seem to lurk around him.
XxX
Hermione sighed in content as she sat down heavily on her bed. She was in much more comfortable clothes, and there was no longer the threat of hidden wizard cameras lurking around her. It was a moment to be savored.
After finishing a one-on-one with the cameras about what she thought of each man (and also earning herself brownie points with the audience- how many times did Erik have to tell her to smile, smile and SMILE?), the Wiz TV crew had finally given her the go ahead to take the night off.
All she wanted to do was go and crash on the luxurious bed immediately, but she forced herself to brush and floss her teeth before changing into her pajamas. Growing up around parents who were both dentists had drummed an inrefusable mantra into her mind. Brush, floss, and go for checkups at least every six months. If Hermione didn't, she'd hear her parents' voices echoing around her head until she relented. It was absolutely insane, but she had to deal with it.
Her thoughts drifted towards the men she had met during the day. Some of them really were quite nice. Even though Hermione was initially quite
skeptical about the show, she could now see some good points to it. Like meeting really sexy guys, she thought wickedly.
Subconsciously Malfoy drifted into her mind. Sure, he had been the annoying prat he always had been, but somehow Hermione felt that it was purely out of habit that he started to push her buttons. It didn't prevent her from noticing how much he'd -cough- physically matured since she last saw him.
Then she realized what she was thinking about. After giving herself a severe mental lecture, she made herself more comfortable in bed. Hermione then shut her eyes and quickly fell sound asleep.
XxX
BRRRRRRING!
Draco opened a sleepy eye. Groaning, he turned over, stuffed his head under his pillow and promptly went back to sleep.
BRRRRRRING!
Draco reluctantly unpeeled his eyelids, and squinted at the vague direction
of the noise.
BRRRRRRING!
Fuck, can't a guy get some sleep around here these days? Draco grudgingly got up, and after realizing it was the alarm, he slammed his hand into the source of the incessant racket. Finally, peace and quiet.
Having remembered today was the day of the first group date, he dragged himself to his ensuite bathroom. Splashing some cold water on his face to properly wake himself up, Draco breathed in and composed himself. He would, of course, be his usual impeccable self no matter what the occasion.
XxX
Stepping out of the car, and taking care not to flash to the world, Hermione smiled an eye-blinding smile. She latched onto Erik, who led her towards the men.
Hermione had finally arrived at the Mussuse Stables, where the best of Pegagriffs could be found. She was dressed not entirely suitable for the
occasion. Whoever thought that skirts were for every occasion really needed to get a taste of the tougher aspects of life.
Whatever, I'm here to kick some Malfoy ass, Hermione thought as she tossed her sleek hair back. Having an entire crew work on her makeup, hair and clothes did after all, have an effect.
Making sure to smile again, Hermione launched into her latest speech.
"Thank you all very much for being here," she started. "This is going to be a really fun date! I hope to get to know all of you better by the end of
the day."
She untangled her arm from Erik's and continued. "We'll be riding Pegagriffs today. Pegagriffs are a cross breed between Pegasus horses and Hippogriffs, with the appearance of a Hippogriff and the gentle temperament of a Pegasus. Of course, that doesn't mean the occasional Hippogriff-like violent streak doesn't cross it every now and then."
Hermione made sure the last statement was clearly heard by a head of platinum blonde that she saw out the corner of her eye. Malfoy tensed
noticeably, while most of the other men smiled confidently, and some chuckled. Oh, this is going to be so good! Hermione thought with a grin.
A stable hand led a cream coloured Pegagriff towards Hermione. It was a beautiful creature with the head and wings of a Hippogriff, and the lithe
body and legs of a Pegasus horse. The Pegagriff had a leather side saddle on its back, to accommodate Hermione's skirt. As she tried to grace it with her presence, Erik spoke quickly to the other stable hands.
"Make sure these men each have their own Pegagriffs. I leave it all to you from now." He nodded in Hermione's direction and then disappeared to wherever Erik Dowell goes when he is not assisting the Bachelorette.
XxX
Then men were all saddled up and ready to go. Many were eager for the date to start. Even more were eager for another chance to talk with Hermione. Draco, on the other hand was not experiencing any of these feelings.
He silently cursed Hermione as he tried to settle his mottled Pegagriff. That nasty, ill-tempered little creature! Well, I'm sure to have the time
of my life, he thought rather sarcastically. The Pegagriff strained to follow the stable hand, and Draco pressed his lips into a thin, harsh line.
Just then, Hermione rode up to the men. Damn, she looks comfortable, was all Malfoy had to say to himself. Draco found himself left at the back of the group as they started their trek through a very stunning rainforest backdrop. He was in no mood to enjoy the scenery, as he battled each step of the way with his Pegagriff.
However he soon found himself beside Hermione, as her Pegagriff slowly dropped back. As each of the men were instructed to at least have a brief talk with her, Draco thought it was better now than never. But before he
could open his mouth, Hermione intervened
"I forgot to ask last time, what brings you to the show?" she asked suddenly.
The question was to be predicted, and Draco had as usual, a smooth reply. Even if he did have to force it out. "Why, my dearest Hermione, it is of course for me to win your heart."
"Oh, you and I both know well that that's not the reason at all." Hermione supplied with thinly veiled sarcasm.
"That is where you, my dear, are sorely wrong." Draco attempted to continue, but was rudely silenced by his Pegagriff stomping on the ground,
and refusing to move a single step more. Then it tried to throw Draco off.
As he battled with the Pegagriff, tinkling laughter resounded in the air. Draco looked up, and across to Hermione. She was laughing like someone had just told her the funniest joke in the world. Of course she would laugh at him.
When she had calmed down, Draco eyed her and said, "Well?"
Wiping the tears out of her eyes, she took her time with answering. "Well what, Mal-I mean Draco?"
"You're not going to apologise for rudely laughing at a Malfoy?" he demanded as his eyes narrowed.
"No I'm not - I only laughed because I think that Pegagriff of yours is smart enough to realize his rider was lying through his teeth." Hermione finished the sentence, and flashed her brightest and most charming smile at him. Just to irk him that little bit more.
After finally getting the Pegagriff to get moving again, Hermione and Draco carried on with the playful banter until they caught up with the rest of the group. It didn't take long because by then, all of the men had realized that Hermione had been left behind.
Draco didn't get any more 'alone' quality time with Hermione for the rest of the day. But that was ok, because he made sure to discreetly flash the
Malfoy Inc. logo at strategic times. It was all good, yet he couldn't but feel a miniscule dab of annoyance he never got to talk with Hermione after that.
XxX
As she sat in the Bachelorette limo, Hermione reflected on the day's events. It was actually quite fun, and it was a lot more laid back and
relaxed than the last time she had a chance to talk with the guys.
Malfoy was actually, for lack of a better word, civil towards her today. But Hermione had not missed the obviously very well planned, appearances of his company logo. He was definitely up to something, and she planned to string him along until she could get to the bottom of it.
It would mean replacing him with one of eligible bachelors, but Hermione was prepared for that. After all there still were plenty of guys still on the
show. One of them had to be her Mr. Perfect.
XxX
Chapter 5 fin!
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