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Chapter II: Her Beck & Call

Hermione spent the next few days in a whirlwind of details. She had to sign off on the annulment papers – word had travelled that Ron was busy with Lavender again; go figure. She also had to try on an array of dresses, all of them had been provided by The Network; and all of them elegant and sophisticated. Shoes, shoes and more shoes! She didn't remember the last time she felt so pampered. Of course, one couldn't wear shoes without a proper foot massage now could they? After she had been properly pampered, she took her first tour of her estate house where she & her men would be staying.

It was a luxurious three level estate house; complete with a canopy top bed and an expansive wine cellar, and that was just her room! The rest of the house had an array of books, bathing chambers, and windows large enough to jump through—but only if Ron showed up would she consider that!

It seemed like the first night of shooting had arrived sooner than her annulment finalization paperwork. Hermione was positively excited about the evening's prospects- twenty five handsome, eligible wizard bachelors at her beck and call. She wanted to have a good time tonight, and if one of the guys wanted to strip on the living room table, why; so be it!

She was greeted at a quarter to eight that night by the show's host, Nearly Headless Nick of Gryffindor Tower. "Okay, Hermione. What we'll be doing tonight is eliminating ten of the twenty five eligible bachelors! They will come out of our limousine one by one, and greet you. You will be permitted to distribute one First Impression rose, this goes to the man who has set you off with a lasting impression. After they all have made their introductions, a celebration will ensue, likely resulting in one of the men making a fool of himself. Feel free to follow your heart, and at the end of the night; we'll eliminate ten men. That is to say, ten of them will not receive a rose from you. Are you ready to start?" The magical cameras were rolling, and Hermione glowed.

"I am ready."

With that, Nick escorted Hermione outside, where a long, black limousine was pulling up to the drive. Hermione drew in breath, as Nick only wished he still could. "I'll be around. Best of luck, dear!" he said as he floated off.

The limousine door opened, and Hermione's breath caught.

Out stepped a man she knew very well, his scar was visible in the light of the stars, yet it did not detract from his appearance; but of course, maybe that was because his green eyes held her attention so. His jet black hair blended into the backdrop of the evening sky, and his moonlit smile illuminated her heart.

"Hello, Hermione." Harry said, his voice was at a well maintained speed. "I couldn't resist this opportunity, you don't know how I've waited for the chance to be yours. I'll be waiting inside." He said, as he leaned down and kissed her hand. She smiled as she watched him set off into the estate house. If this was the first guest, she thought, who was to be the second? Who else could be so stunning in perspective to Harry?

A head of blonde emerged next from the dim limousine, and the pale face of Draco Malfoy stared out towards Hermione, his cold eyes catching hers. Her breath caught in her throat, and she daren't release it—Draco Malfoy? Pining for her? Could such a perverse, yet surprisingly sexy fantasy exist? I hope he wouldn't ever want me to tell him he's fucking a Mudblood, that would be weird. She smiled as he approached, his head bowed low. "Hello, Miss Granger. Fancy meeting you here, they said a radiant beauty would meet me outside this limousine. Imagine my surprise when I found Aphrodite." He kissed her cheek, and left a tingling warmth upon parting. "I'll be waiting inside, remember; I'm the one with the nice eyes."

Hermione felt herself blushing as he walked away, she wondered if Harry & Draco would fight over her? Wouldn't that be a turn on?

Next to exit the limousine was a man she knew very well, yet again. His war-scarred face did not detract from the warmth in his smile. He walked with an odd grace she never would have thought possible eight years ago, yet Neville Longbottom had changed most dramatically from his silly days of Remeberalls. "Hermy," Neville said pleasantly. "It's good to see you again."

"You too, Neville; you look very nice. This suit new?"

Neville shrugged innocently. "Maybe. We can talk more inside." He embraced her and walked off, looking behind his shoulder twice as he walked into the estate house.

He was followed by another shocker, so great was her surprise at the appearance of a certain redhead that she fell forward slightly. She was caught delicately in the strong arms of George Weasley.

"Careful, you wouldn't want to ruin that dress of yours, I think olive green is just your color."

"Goodness, no- wouldn't want to ruin it one bit." She steadied herself as he righted her.

"I'm Mister Love. A pleasure to meet you."

She raised her eyebrows dubiously. "Mister Love?"

"Nah," he waved his hand playfully. "I'm only yankin' your wand, I'm George, really." He smiled that smile she so loved, the moment was bittersweet as she was once again struck by the thought that only one person would ever smile at her that way.

"I'll see you inside, George." She laughed.

George was succeeded by yet two more redheads, and she began to wonder as Percy strode forward purposefully, if all the Weasley men wanted her now that Ron was gone. Had Molly been served divorce papers? She trembled at the thought.

Next was Charlie Weasley, with whom Hermione had never had many private moments, yet he was a pleasant sight all the same. "The charming Hermione Granger, a pleasure as always." He said, bowing his head while keeping his eyes fixed on hers.

Hermione watched with horror as the pompous Cormac McLaggen exited the limousine next, his suit was a gaudy green, and his tie a bloody red. He smiled imperiously at her, hands roaming through his hair. She gave him a reproachful look and only politely took his embrace when he offered it.

"Jane Grange, a lovely treat to see you in this light. Though, I wouldn't mind seeing you under a Reveal-All-Light either. Maybe if you choose me, you'll get the chance." He clicked his tongue playfully.

"Okay, you can get back in the limo now." She waved to him as she would a child. "Bye bye, Cormac. That's it, get along now."

He looked crestfallen, and only agreed to leave when The Networks security glared at him from behind bushes.

Another person she recognized stepped out from the limo, smiling wryly as Cormac pushed his way back into the limousine. Seamus Finnigan was a handsome man, and had recently become more so by his tight fitting suit. It accented his full form now, and his new hairstyle wasn't hurting him either. If it wasn't for Ron's previous comments on their sex life, she mightn't have laughed as he kissed her cheek. "If you're laughin' now, an' I haven't said anythin', wait until I can talk to you one on one. See you inside, dear heart." He kissed her forehead.

A shaky looking figure came next from the limousine, and Hermione felt her girlish crush reignite under the night sky. That blonde haired, sweet smiling man with his cute arse walked next from the limousine. Gilderoy Lockheart, apparently recovered, strode purposefully towards her and laid a kiss on her cheek.

"Hello, Professor Lockheart." She was intrigued, and flattered.

"Professor? Why, I'm not even eighteen yet! Haven't had much time for teaching I'm afraid! But the thing I do have time for, is wooing you and winning your affections. Not to mention waxing poetic over your locks of beauty, and your eyes like pools of tiger's eye."

"Okay." Hermione was amused by him already, and she only let him go because the next suitor was emerging from the limousine, mainly she was worried that he really believed he was only 17.

She recognized Anthony Goldstein, and bid him welcome, as he kissed up her arm, promising further conversation inside, if she so chose it! Terry Boot and Michael Corner greeted her with a rose each, and both at the same time; they were so eager! Both of them exchanged accusatory stares- positively assuring Hermione that each of them had thought of it first.

Next came the shining, well toned Oliver Wood, and Hermione longingly thought of taking a ride on his Firebolt, if the conditions were right. His Witches Downfall cologne was a step in the right direction, for the only cologne she was used to was Eau de Bleh. "Meet me under the stars, I'll be the brightest shining one." He whispered into her ear.

Blaize Zabini exited next, not looking altogether thrilled to be walking towards Hermione, that was until, the cameras focused on him. Then it was all well noticed airs. "Hermione!" he cried joyfully. "Let's dance the dance of armour!"

"Armour?"

"Yeah, love in French!" he said as if it was the most acknowledged thing in the world.

"Yep, allez your arse inside, and we'll see." She doubted he would last the night.

Dean Thomas, Marcus Belby and a man she only knew as Scamander greeted her, respectfully and with a smile. She would remember the smiles later on, except for Belby; there she would remember Harry's stories of his pheasant incident.

The dark, lean face of Lee Jordan next emerged from the limousine, his dreadlocks blew in the wind, causing her to sway slightly. He was always a handsome boy, and she was pleased by the man he had become since his days as Quidditch Announcer. "Hermione, a joy to see you again. Catch up with me later, we've much to discuss. My heart contains volumes concerning my thoughts on us."

She knew she would remember Lee.

Roger Davies came up to her next, and she had heard all about his kissing skills from the other Gryffindor girls; she hoped they had improved, because his face was fair.

She was absolutely flummoxed at the sight of Stan Shunpike, the ghosts of Azkaban no longer etched into his face as he greeted her. "I've never met you before, in person at least, but I hope that this trinket might help you remember my poor face." He placed a shiny coin into her palm, a palm tree was upon it.

Curiosity never ceased it seemed, and she watched him walk away into the house.

Hermione felt her heart accelerate, as Viktor Krum emerged next. Sure, they had fooled around a bit at school, and sure; his physical prowess was godlike—but had his philosophies on life changed since they had last shared a day together?

"Hermione." He knelt on one knee before her, enough to give any girl a start. He kissed her hand and gazed up into her eyes. "May the first night of our courtship last a thousand years, and may it be the shortest."

Hermione watched as he went inside, that backside of his completely distracting her from Zacharias Smith, and even still after Dennis Creevey had made his introduction. The last pleasant face she saw was Ernie McMillan, the last was Marcus Flint, the steely eyed Slytherin.

She paused, realizing that all the suitors were now waiting for her inside,-- well, all except for one. With a resigned sigh, she figured she ought to give him another chance. She motioned for Cormac to come inside, and he hooted and hollered all the way indoors.

A party was underway the second Hermione stepped through the door, and it was all she could do to just hold the glass of champagne Neville gave to her.

"To the beginning of us!" She toasted, and they all raised their glasses to her.

AN: Reviews are loved! Please feel free to vote on who you'd like to stay and who you want to go, it'll make a difference! Course, don't vote right away, give them some time : )

Love, TowerMage