The Bachelorette 6
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the impossibly talented JK Rowling. I feel small…
A/N: Baargh! I have and impossible writers block to deal with… starting a new story didn't help –insert shameless plugging for my other fic-. If anything, it's made it worse. I can't seem to dredge anything up from the empty cavern that now represents my forlorn mind.
And also, I always try to write longer chapters, but somehow, it never seems to work. ."
But without avail, I seem to always manage to write something. My reviewers sustain me! So please take the time to review my humble fic!
And without further ado, here is the story…
XxX
Felix narrowed his eyes malovently at the albino's head. His name was Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.
What right did he think he had, to just come waltzing into the show and try his dirty little tricks on the lovely Miss Granger. Or Hermione, as Felix should be calling her.
He didn't miss the smug, self-assured grin on Malfoy's face when he finally came waltzing back with Hermione after they conveniently ended up missing for a good quarter of an hour.
Malfoy had no viable reason to be on the show. After all, who would believe that he needed to enter a show, to compete for a woman? Felix on the other hand, had never been quite as popular with the ladies. To have Hermione stolen from right under his nose would be despicable to say the least.
And, the final reward at the end would definitely be worth it. Felix wasn't sure if Hermione was aware of it, but he certainly wasn't going to tell her if he didn't need to. The winning Bachelor would also receive a 150,000 galleon bonus, to say the least.
The money was meant to be only as an incentive, but Felix was sure it was the driving force behind a couple of men that remain on the show. He just hoped that Hermione would deem himself fit to continue in the show- it might be her most conservative move yet.
A sudden urge struck him, and Felix swaggered towards Malfoy inconspicuously. He purposely bumped into him, messed up his 'perfect' hair, and apologized without once blinking his eyes, or betraying his emotions.
He was shaping up to become quite a fluent pretender.
XxX
Hermione gaped at her reflection in the mirror. The difference was astounding, to say the least. Whatever her team of hair specialists had done, they had outdone themselves spectacularly. It was beyond her wildest expectations.
Her hair was straight. Hermione fought the urge to scream out in the shock she was feeling. Reaching up hesitantly to stroke her hair, Hermione marveled at how it slid easily through her fingers.
'I take that you are pleased with our work?' The main hair stylist Lara commented to Hermione.
'Wow, I can't believe this…' Hermione turned her wide-eyed gaze towards Lara. 'I didn't think that this would be possible,'
She smiled pleasantly in return. 'Anything's possible with the products we have hear, they are unreal!'
Lara continued gushing and Hermione practiced the often used art of fine-tuning a person out.
'-Absolutely gorgeous…- stunning…- it was like fate…' Those words slid through her radar, and Hermione was left alone with her thoughts crashing down on her.
The whole façade of the show was getting overwhelming. Hermione had absolutely no feelings of love for any of the men still on the show.
Thinking back, how could they expect someone to find true love under the harsh environment of a simulated TV show? Not only was it hard to sort out the fakes from the real do-gooders, but it was also stressful rejecting most of the men she met.
'Miss Granger! It is now time for you to film your responses to yesterday's date,' Erik Dowell's preppy voice shook Hermione out of her daydream.
'Oh sure,' Hermione replied as she stood up shakily from her chair.
XxX
Malfoy angled his gaze at Felix. If it had been a less trivial matter, he would have let him slide. But as it is, he messed up the hair. And someone who messed up his hair is not to be taken lightly.
Stepping once more into the elegantly furnished Bachelorette building, Malfoy took care to insert appropriate quality of venom into his already rather cold voice.
'Thank you,' he ejaculated with as much emotion as a rock.
Erik looked astonished at his tone of voice. 'Lighten up, Mr. Malfoy! Today is yet another day for a Rose Ceremony, and you will want to keep up the best of appearances!'
'It is too kind of you to remind me,' Malfoy smiled emotionlessly, while inwardly scolding himself at his use of a 'soft' word- kind.
Marcus, Nathan and Nick seemed to have clicked with each other instantly. While each of their professions and hobbies seem far from those that go well with each other, they seemed to have sought out their differences and were now what you could call 'close buddies'.
To be honest Malfoy looked upon this with utmost scorn. Did they not realize they were on a game show, and the number one most important thing is to make sure the opposition loses?
Forming close relationships made you vulnerable, and that usually leaves you the loser. Which was definitely NOT what Malfoy was going for. He had to stay on for the sake of his diminishing company, and gain some much needed publicity.
And if he needed to marry a Mudblood in order to carry it out, so be it. Malfoy Inc. was his life and soul, left behind by his bastard father. Lucius had almost ruined the company to the ground, yet when Draco took over the helm he struggled for months re-establishing his contacts and firming out a network of business partners.
Of course, he earned a hearty amount of galleons each year, and he was not prepared to give it up easily.
Even if it meant he would no longer be a single man.
Not just because the woman in question is unbelievably gorgeous? A sly voice in his head commented.
What? Malfoy attempted to push the irritating voice to the back of his mind, but he knew from experience that the last person you could lie to was yourself.
'I will go and fetch the Bachelorette now,' Erik's voice rang throughout the room.
Then there were two sets of footsteps that resonated down the staircase. Judging from the sudden silence, it was clear that Hermione Granger had arrived.
Malfoy turned a lazy eye towards her, but could not have stopped the shock that spread across his face. The change was incredible, if he had not known it was Granger, he wouldn't have been able to tell at all.
In all his years, Hermione's hair reflected that of a very frizzy lion's mane. However today, for the first time, it was unbelievably straight.
The light makeup she wore, and the form-fitting, low-cut, hazel coloured dress she had on simply enhanced the look. Her stylists obviously knew what they were doing, if the approving looks on the men's faces were anything to go by.
She stepped daintily down and gave each of the men a brief kiss on the cheek. As Hermione neared him, Draco could smell the aromatic smell of lavender wafting around her.
Her lips were full and glossy, and before he knew what he was doing Draco turned his face around and kissed Hermione bang on the lips, savouring the taste of her. His tongue begged for entrance, but Hermione's eyes widened and she started pulling away from him.
'What's wrong?' Draco asked in a low voice, 'I know for a fact I'm a good kisser.'
Hermione blushed lightly at this comment. 'Nevermind,' she said as she hurried off to greet the other men, although she was slightly hindered by the insanely high-heeled shoes she wore.
XxX
He had kissed her. Who would have thought, in a million years, that Draco Malfoy wanted to kiss her?
Hermione nervously wiped her sweaty palms on the side of her dress. Not exactly ladylike, plus the dress wasn't very good hand wiping material, but it would have to do for the moment.
He had looked so divine at that moment. Malfoy's face was chiseled and handsome. He had kind of reminded Hermione of a sexier Harry. Except, Harry had never showed any interest in her. Their relationship was purely platonic.
She sighed inaudibly. She never really had the greatest luck in relationships.
And yet, here she was, portrayed as a glorious prize for the men that were competing. Well, at least they were decent looking, and a couple had pretty good personalities.
It was certainly a lot better than what she had imagined. And it was time for yet another rose ceremony. The producers of the show had informed Hermione that in order to keep the show interesting, she would have to kick out the 2 most boring men (according to the ratings). It was really their decision, and it wasn't her place to argue with them.
Luckily for her, she felt nothing much for the 2 men, and so Hermione had a very easy decision to make for this rose ceremony. Even if she did have to constantly keep up the pretence that it was a horrible and strenuous procedure for her, which, she thought personally, was even harder than kicking the losers out.
The host was gradually pulling Hermione over to the ceremony area. She obliged graciously and waited for Erik to start talking.
'It is my pleasure to once again present Miss Hermione Granger!' Erik Dowell projected his voice like a true professional. 'Tonight is a day for yet another rose ceremony. I wish you all the best.' He gestured towards the golden stand in the middle of the room.
It was Hermione cue to start speaking. 'It's been a real pleasure having fun with all of you. Today's outing was very interesting and doubled as a chance for me to get to know each of you even more. And I must say, I can't help but like you all.' She paused to inject an eye-blinding smile into the speech, marveling at her own bold words.
'Unfortunately, it is time for yet another rose ceremony, meaning two out of you all will not be staying any longer with me. That, I am very sorry to say. I only have six roses, yet there are eight men. I would like everyone to know how hard it is for me each rose ceremony, but it is what I must do in order to find the perfect man for me.'
She looked over at Erik, and seeing him step back, started the ceremony.
Gingerly picking up the first rose, Hermione spoke.
'Marcus.' As soon as he heard his name, he plastered a smug looking grin on his face and sauntered towards Hermione. Giving her a chaste kiss, Marcus walked back to where the rest of the men were standing.
'Felix.'
'Nick.'
'Draco' Hermione had to force a very convincing smile as he came up to receive his rose. Why on earth did the viewers like him so much anyway?
'Nathan.'
There was only 1 rose left. Erik stepped back up, as per custom, and informed the remaining men gravely- 'Gentlemen, there is only one more rose for tonight.'
The ever present tension in the room strained and snapped as Hermione uttered the last man's name. 'Jose.'
As Jose came up to her with an oddly relieved look on his face, Hermione could feel Malfoy's curious eyes burning daggers into her. Not wanting to face him right now, she busied herself with farewelling Chris and Sean, the men she had rejected.
When the goodbyes were complete, Hermione picked up a glass of champagne and rather unenthusiastically toasted the men who were left.
XxX
A/N: Has it been a long wait? Well I hope you all are happy with this new update.
Thank you to my readers and reviewers, I love getting your feedback!