In the manager's office of Flourish and Blotts, Hermione was preparing for her book signing. A representative from her publisher was there, along with her agent. They were chatting with the owner of Flourish and Blotts to ensure everything ran according to schedule. After spending a couple of hours singing books and answering a few questions, Hermione was due at a drinks party her publisher was throwing for her. The party was to celebrate her latest novel, as well as trying to get the interest of a few foreign publishers who were in the country for a limited time. The goal was to take Hermione's books worldwide, which would make a healthy profit for her publisher and agent, as well as for Hermione herself. Luckily the party wouldn't be a total business affair as Hermione had invited several of her friends to the posh hotel where the drinks gathering was going to be held.
"Are you ready, Hermione?" Samantha, Hermione's agent, asked.
"I am," Hermione confirmed.
"And don't worry, I'll be on hand to deal with any of the more problematic questions," Samantha assured her.
Hermione nodded, knowing her agent was very good at keeping the tricky questions at bay. Hermione answered most things, but she drew the line when things got too personal, which they often did at these things.
Moving out into the shop itself, Hermione settled down at the table provided for her as Samantha pulled up a chair nearby. The representative from the publisher's, who was a young witch on her first job outside of the office, blended into the crowd to see what their reaction was to Hermione and her book. The manager of the shop was in charge of the question and answer section, but before he got going, he made a brief speech about how happy the store was to play host to Hermione.
Before she began answering questions, Hermione scanned the crowds for her husband and friends. Spotting them near the front of the crowd on her right hand side, Hermione shot Draco a quick smile before her gaze moved on across the crowd. When she reached the other side of the crowd, her eyes widened in shock when she spotted, Harry, Ron and Ginny standing with a frowning Molly hovering behind them. The last people she expect to see at her book singing was her former friends, especially considering they hadn't spoken for years.
Hermione's attention was quickly diverted from her former friends when she heard the manager announce it was time for the first question of the day. Hermione couldn't help but inwardly groan as the manager allotted the first question to Rita Skeeter. Despite what Hermione knew about Rita, the blonde reporter was still a thorn in her side and liked nothing better than to throw personal questions her way whenever they met.
"How do you come up with such vivid sex scenes?" Rita asked when everyone's attention was on her. "Are you writing about your own experiences?"
"There's an element of my own experiences in almost every part of my writing," Hermione replied, surprised that Rita's question was relatively tame compared with some of the things she'd asked in the past. "As for the sex scenes, I've just got a very active imagination."
Several people chuckled at Hermione's response, and more than a few people cast a glance Draco's way. Draco of course was standing with a smug smirk on his face, and anyone who knew of their relationship, had their answer to Rita's question. Looking at Draco there was no doubt that a lot of Hermione's racy scenes came from her personal experience.
The next few questions dealt with basic questions like where she got her ideas from, and why she wrote in so many different genres. Then there was the questions about her future novels, and if she planned on writing anything without the racy sex scenes. Hermione answered every question with a smile on her face, until finally the manager announced there was time for one more question before the book signing got underway.
"Your female characters are always so strong in your books, do you draw motivation from other writers with strong female leads?" The young witch, who was writing for the Quibbler asked.
"I do," Hermione confirmed. "I read a wide variety of books, both magical and muggle, and the ones I enjoy the most have a strong female lead. I don't want to read or write about a woman who's dependent on a man for their happiness. A man should complement a woman's life, not be the focus of it."
Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione spotted Molly shaking her head and muttering something to Ginny. No doubt she didn't agree with Hermione's stance, which of course was her right. However, Hermione knew a lot of people, especially younger people, agreed with her that romance wasn't the be all and end all if life. Of course, it was always preferable to have someone you loved, but there were other important things in life.
"And that is it for the questions," The manager announced. "For the next two hours Miss Granger is going to sign your books for you, after of course you've bought them."
Hermione knew the last remark was due to the number of people who thought you got free books at a book signing. It wasn't the first time that she'd seen someone kick up a fuss when they realised they actually had to buy the book once it was signed. That was why these days, Flourish and Blotts made sure anyone who got their books signed had bought them first. To that end, a cashier from the shop sat down at the other end of the table, and the line moved past him and towards Hermione. This way, Hermione knew she was only singing books that had been paid for.
As the crowds began to sort themselves into a line, Hermione lost sight of her former friends. They'd either gone, or they would turn up in line. Hermione just hoped if it was the latter route that they'd taken there wasn't going to be any problems. The last thing she wanted was for everything to kick off in public.
As she began to sign books, and chat to her fans, Hermione forgot about her former friends. In fact she even forgot her friends and Draco's parents were here, until a familiar hand placed a book in front of her. Recognising the diamond engagement ring, and golden wedding ring, of her mother-in-law, Hermione glanced up.
"Seriously?" She asked.
"Of course, this is a book signing, dear," Narcissa replied with a smile.
"Why do you want me to sign your book?" Hermione asked. "In fact, why are you even buying the book? Isn't it a bit heated for your tastes?"
"Don't be so silly, Hermione," Narcissa chuckled. "I love your books. You have some of the best ideas, Lucius just loves it when I read one of your books and mention something new."
"Enough," Hermione called, grabbing the book and opening it up. "What do you want me to write?"
"If you could just jot down where I can find the juiciest bit of the book," Narcissa replied. "I can skip straight to that tonight, and then I can begin to read it properly in the morning."
Supressing a shudder, Hermione quickly scribbled a message to Narcissa and handed her mother-in-law the book back. Shooting Hermione a warm smile, Narcissa tucked the book into her bag and hurried off to find Lucius. Despite herself, Hermione had done as Narcissa asked for and told her which chapter was the particularly saucy one, she just hoped her parents-in-law never told her if they acted out any part of the book.
Shortly after Narcissa, Hermione's other friends arrived in the queue. They all shared a bit of a joke and a laugh with Hermione as she signed their books. Blaise Zabini had even bought every book she'd ever written and promised her he was going to spend the weekend reliving every naughty bit in all her books.
"I don't think it's possible, Blaise," Hermione laughed when he told her of his plans.
"It is, I'm sure of it," Blaise responded with a nod.
"And does Daphne know of your plans?" Hermione asked. Daphne Greengrass was Blaise's long-time girlfriend, although how she put up with Blaise and his high spirits was a mystery to Hermione.
"Who do you think suggested it?" Blaise replied with a saucy wink.
"You," Hermione shot back, not falling for Blaise's trickery.
"Damn, you know me so well," Blaise said with a grin. "But don't worry, I'll talk Daph round, I always do."
"Good luck with that," Hermione said as she handed Blaise his last book and her husband's best friend disappeared to drop his books off at home before the drinks party.
Of course when Daphne turned up a bit further down the queue, she'd heard nothing of her boyfriend's plan. Although she did say it could be fun, before she headed off to wait with the others. Daphne was the last of Hermione's friends in the queue, and for quite a while she was just signing books for strangers. It wasn't until it was nearly time for the signing to come to an end when Ginny stepped up to the table, clutching a copy of Hermione's latest book in her hands.
"Hello, Ginny," Hermione said with a smile. She could see Harry and Ron hovering nearby, but she was also aware there was still press around and several other customers waiting for their book to be signed.
"Hermione," Ginny returned. "This is quite a surprise."
"What is?" Hermione asked. "Finding me at my own book signing?"
"Finding you write saucy books," Ginny replied. "Who knew the innocent bookworm had it in her?"
"They're not saucy books," Hermione argued. "They just happen to contain adult content."
"Same difference," Ginny replied with an indifferent shrug of her shoulder. "Either way, you've surprised me."
"In a good or bad way?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know yet, I haven't read the book," Ginny said. "Although, I doubt it'll be up to much."
"And why's that?" Hermione asked through gritted teeth.
"What would you know about good sex?" Ginny replied with a bitter laugh. "Face it Hermione, you were a prude in school, and I doubt anything's changed. You know nothing about good sex."
"Why don't you try reading the book," Hermione said sharply, refusing to be brought down to Ginny's level and exchange insults with the redhead. "Now do you want it signing or not, there's other people waiting."
"Go on then," Ginny said, sliding the book over to Hermione.
Giving Ginny a fake smile, Hermione signed the book with a flourish and handed it back to the redhead. "Enjoy."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll get some enjoyment from it, even if I just laugh at how bad it is," Ginny replied with a condescending smile before she turned around and headed back over to where Harry and Ron were standing, obviously waiting for an update.
Hermione pushed aside her annoyance with Ginny as she finished off her signing. When she was finished, she called for the young witch from the publishers. As she had done all day, the young witch appeared at Hermione's side in an instance, eager to help one of her favourite authors.
"Can you do me a favour and make sure all my friends know exactly where the drinks party is being held?" Hermione asked. "They're all still in the shop, but I've got to speak with Samantha about a few things."
"You can count on me," Holly, the young witch, replied with an eager smile.
"I know," Hermione replied. "Thank you, Holly."
Leaving Holly to sort out her friends, Hermione headed back into the manager's office with her agent. While Hermione was busy in the back of the shop, Holly easily located Hermione's friends. They were all in a group, and she recognised Hermione's husband, who'd she'd met a few times.
"Thank you," Draco said to Holly, giving her a smile as she passed out cards containing the time and place of the drinks party to their group of friends.
As she left Draco and his friends, Holly suddenly spotted Harry Potter, with his wife and brother-in-law. As a big supporter of Hermione's, she knew about her part in the war and knew that she was best friends with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Hurrying over to the trio, Holly quickly introduced herself.
"Hermione just wanted me to ensure all her friends were at the party," She explained as she produced another card with the details for Hermione's drink party on.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Ron said with a smirk as he took the card off the young witch.
"Excellent," Holly beamed. "I'll see you there."
"Yes, you will," Ginny said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Not realising her mistake, Holly hurried back to Hermione and informed her that everyone knew about the party and they would all be there. Hermione thanked Holly one final time, and let the young girl head off to help with the party. Once she finished up with her agent, Hermione headed off to find Draco and the pair quickly popped home to change before they headed off to the drinks party.