Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I do own a nice pair of shorts though. Okay, so that last part was not actually true. The first part was though!
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Chapter IV: First Dates
The house where the men were going to stay was a step down, especially for some of the men. As they unpacked their suitcases some of them made conversations amongst themselves.
"So, which one of you blokes are up for a game of Wizards Chess?" Terry asked, eyeing Harry hopefully.
"I'll play." Stan spoke up, taking a seat opposite Terry, as Terry began to setup the game.
As those two engaged in battle, Oliver approached the youngest Seeker he'd ever had on his team.
"So, we're supposed to get some activities tomorrow, think we'll all get to go?" Oliver asked, untying his bootlaces.
"I'm not sure, according to Nick we'll get a letter of some sort, 'Mione Mail' I think he called it."
"Hmm, well that's interesting. I wouldn't mind being 'Mione's personal male." Oliver smiled.
Harry gave him a searching look.
#
The cameras cut away to Harry, who was sitting against a blue backdrop.
"I don't know, it's still really early in the show, but I think Oliver might be getting a little too excited about Hermione. How does he even know he'll like her enough to be her personal male? I know her better than him, and I think that gives me a slight advantage." Harry said.
"And of course, I'm also a bit nervous about him liking her that much. I mean, we've all got to share one bathroom, if he's thinking of her that way this early, I'll never get in there. I hope he cools it down."
#
Lee was lying back comfortably in his bed, a Chocolate Frog was half eaten on the table nearby, it hopped hopelessly. Lee was feeling especially confident. "Hey, George. What do you think about Malfoy over there? Seems a bit peaky to me."
"No clue. Maybe lack of social interaction is finally getting to him."
"Couldn't it just be his naturally defective genes though?"
Draco looked over at this. His face solemn.
"Suppose it could be, but I don't see what his pants have to do with anything. Unless they're a tight fit, which would explain the crinkled nose."
Draco ignored them, turning back to look out his window at the starry night before him.
#
"I knew coming into this that some of these people would presume the worst of me. No, it doesn't bother me. The way I see it, as long as Hermione sees the change in me, I needn't be concerned with anyone else.
"Sometimes rivalries die hard, and I'm definitely a force to be reckoned with. I feel like Hermione and I have a good connection, and I can't wait until tomorrow." Draco said.
#
"Rolf." Viktor said from one bed over, looking at the well groomed man who clutched a book to his chest.
"Yes?" he inquired, peering over his reading glasses.
"Would you care for a swim? I notice the pool is open, and I heard from magazines that you are a master diver."
"Well, as a Magical Creature Veterinarian I sometimes do have to go underwater for lengthy periods of time. I could be roused for a dunk."
Viktor was all smiles, and he took off his shirt, revealing his muscular and well defined body. His teeth shone almost as he grabbed a towel and walked with Rolf out to the pool.
Neville watched the exchange with curiosity, and he nudged Seamus as the two exited.
"There was something a little too predetorial in that smile, don't you think?" Neville asked his friend.
"Well, if I were on the other side of the Pitch, I'd come here too. Think of it would ya, Neville? Twenty five eligible men, living together? That's a Snitch Catch if I've e'er heard one." Seamus nodded, and Neville had to agree.
#
"Do I think some guys are here for other reasons besides Hermione?" Neville shrugged his shoulders and laughed, hi s hands clapped on his knees. "I surely do. But to think that someone would come here and not have Hermione's heart in mind, they'd be mad for sure. She was always very kind to me at school, and if I can show her kindness in return here, maybe even love then I will. If guys are here to get their broomsticks flying, all I have to do is outlast them, and show her how much I care."
#
The next day saw the arrival of the first pink and white envelope, wrapped around was a red lacy ribbon. The first man to see it was Anthony Goldstein, and he rushed back into the Men's house with a red face.
"Guys! Guys! We've got 'Mione Mail!" Anthony said, and suddenly everyone was around him, some of the men only in their bathrobes. Anthony was glad he was secure in his masculinity.
"My Men,
Ready to be on top? Or do you prefer going down? Either way, bundle up! This date is for Dean,Seamus,Neville, Viktor and Harry." Anthony read.
"Well." George said, clapping his hands together loudly. "I hope you lot get some fun out of this cleverly provocative encounter. I'll be in my bed." He said, and wandered off red faced.
"No reason to feel sour over it George, I'm sure you'll have something to do later." Seamus grinned.
Dean, Seamus, Neville, Viktor and Harry were driven through a thick forest, and they could tell from the landscape that they were slowly ascending. About an hour later they were able to see a snowy peak, along with a ski lift. Those who had skied before were excited at the opportunity to show a little finesse on the slopes, the others were a little timid. Harry was among the timid number, having never done it before, despite his Muggle upbringing.
They put on their ski's and made sure their toboggans were on just as tightly as possible before setting off on the sky lift. It was a gorgeous view, Dean admired, as the snow moved past him. Higher and higher they rose, the little cups in which they sat rattled occasionally, but not so badly as to frighten them. The air was crisp and a pleasure to inhale, it was all so fresh.
They reached the peak of the mountain, and standing there like a snow angel was Hermione, her brown hair peeking out from under her snowcap, and her face looked radiant against the sky.
"Hello everyone!" She said, coming over to them.
#
"Hermione looks very good in the snow suit, I wouldn't mind warming her up a little I think." Viktor said into the camera, against the cabin backdrop. "I have skied before in my country, so I feel like I will be at an advantage over the other men."
#
"Today we're going to be having a little fun, who here has skied before?" she asked, admiring all of the men in their pastel snow wear. Neville was looking especially excited, he kept almost dancing in place, which caused his skis to coast him forward a bit. He caught himself using his poles.
Viktor alone raised his hand, and Hermione almost felt sorry for the other men. "It's alright!" She consoled them, "Really, it's not too hard." She explained to them how it all worked. Seamus had a certain feeling that this might be an opportune moment to steal some of her attention.
"Hermione. You mean like this?" He asked, and he walked forward with just a little effort, carefully maintaining his balance, yet falling at just the right moment. She dashed forward as best as she could to steady him, he loved every second of it.
#
"Well of course I engineered the fall, none of the other's were goin'ta do anythin' so I had to seize the moment! Live today, cuz tomorrow ya might die. If there's anythin' these last few years have taught me, it's that you can't wait on love to seize ya', ya need to take it and live every second for what it's worth." Seamus said while nodding.
#
After they had all gotten the hang of movement, Hermione took them on some practice runs, she watched as Deans face lit up while he rose up on his first bump on the hill. He started waving his arms frantically as he fought to maintain balance, and it wasn't long before his hindquarters and feet were sticking up out of a drift of snow. He had a bit of trouble getting out, but Hermione was pleased to help him.
After about a half of an hour, Hermione called all the men to her. In a circle they stood, little puffs of breath kept coming from them as they breathed heavily.
"Now then, we've all had a good run of things." And she pulled from behind her back that little rose that meant oh so much to everyone present. "This rose," She continued. "Is for the person who can ski the fastest down this slope, without breaking his neck. This person will get fifteen minutes of alone time with me on today's group date, and they will also be immune from the elimination tonight. Are you all ready for it?" Hermione beamed, she looked forward to the competition, and it would be nice to see someone fight for her.
The men took their spots, all of them lined up and she couldn't help but examine each of them as they started the race, gliding down the hill as fast as they dared. Neville was not very good with his balance, this was all so foreign to him and he fell behind almost at once. Viktor seemed like the sure winner, at least until Harry collided with him. It almost looked intentional, as Harry grinned up at her as he got off of Viktor, who looked angry. Seamus and Dean were neck and neck now, each thrusting forward and hoping with all their will that they would be the victorious one. At the end though, it was Dean who won, and as he curved across the finish line he stared up at Hermione, who blew him a kiss.
#
Hermione was waiting for Dean on a nice little park bench as he walked towards her, his skis now off as well as hers. She was holding two cups of steaming cocoa and she offered him one as he sat down. "Congratulations, Dean. I was impressed with how well you did."
Deans eyes were alight, and he gazed into Hermione's, pleased with the opportunity to have an excuse to look at her for so long. "I'm really surprised I won't, I thought it was going to be Viktor." He said after a sip of cocoa, a little foam on his upper lip.
Hermione took her gloved hand and wiped it away for him. "You had a little something there." She chuckled.
"Yeah, suppose it's a little early for that first kiss. Though a lot of the guys are talking about who it's going to be." Dean admitted honestly.
Hermione nodded. "I don't think we're here to talk about them though. We have us time now, let's not waste it."
"I couldn't agree with you anymore." He said, placing a hand on hers, which was a bold step for Dean, who couldn't help but hold back the butterflies he felt stirring in his stomach. He was a grown man, but maybe because this was his old schoolmate, maybe that made it different. The elusive and stunning Hermione.
"Can you tell me why you chose to try out for this show, Dean?" She asked, watching as his foot twitched from side to side.
"Well." Dean swallowed, and perhaps a bit too fast for the cocoa was indeed; hot. "I wanted to get a chance to know you better. I had fancied you in school, but I never seemed to be your type. It seemed like you were always on after, well, one guy or the other."
"We still could have talked more, you seemed to have an aptitude for studies, I never find that dull. You also showed to be a loyal friend. I admire that." She said.
"I also came here because I think it's time that I find someone that understands me on the same level that I understand myself. I don't think I've ever met anyone as intuitive as you, Hermione. You seem to possess a lot of the qualities that I am looking for in a partner, I just want to know if we have a real connection." Dean put his cocoa mug down on the bench.
"And what are you looking for?" Hermione inquired.
Dean took some time in answering, he knew that he was safe tonight, but he had to make sure his words fully expressed how he felt, in case he didn't get the chance again before the next elimination. "I want a girl who has a strong will, a woman that I can laugh with and love more and more with each passing day. Really, I want a person who can make me smile from the moment I wake up until the second I leap into bed." He laughed a little, hoping she didn't think him odd.
Hermione smiled, and put her other hand over his. " I think that's very sweet, thank you for sharing it with me, Dean."
He put his arm around her shoulders and slowly drew her close to himself, she laid her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the solitude of the snowy landscape. When the fifteen minutes had expired, they took the lift down from the peak and rejoined the other men, all of them eyeing Dean suspiciously.
#
"I'm kind of concerned really, did Dean get the first kiss?" Harry shrugged.
#
"I don't really care if Thomas got the first kiss with Hermione, so long as I get the last one." Seamus admitted.
#
Viktor continued to stare at the camera, occasionally shaking his head quickly.
#
"I had a good time! I hope Hermione did too!" Neville said cheerfully, holding his own cup of cocoa
#
As they all rode back home, they pondered the day, wondering how well Hermione had enjoyed herself.
Back at the guys place, a letter had just arrived. A knock on the door announced its delivery.
Draco was in the general vicinity and he got to the door first. He saw a pink envelope with red ribbon. He opened it excitedly, ignoring the instructions to read it out loud in front of all the men.
"George and Rolf , meet me tonight at the Estate House, bring your appetites. ---Hermione "
It was written in red ink, and Draco felt sad that he didn't get the invite. However, a sudden idea hit him, and he withdrew his wand. He waved it silently over George's name and replaced it with his own. He carefully resealed the envelope and stuck it outside the door. As he listened for the other men in the house, he knocked on the door, and ran in place to make it sound like he had ran there.
"Hey everybody! We've got 'Mione mail!" he said excitedly, proud of himself for showing some initiative, he hoped Hermione would view his efforts the same way.
The men of the house ran in, some of them in various stages of activity, George for example, was wearing nothing but his bath robe.
"George," Charlie stared, "Put that thing away before you poke someone's eye out." He said to his younger brother, as George ran to the circle of men now surrounding Draco.
"Well! Open it!" Stan exclaimed.
"Draco and Rolf, meet me tonight at the Estate House, bring your appetites. –Hermione" he concluded, smiling. "Well now, that's exciting isn't it?"
"Not really." Rolf said, scratching behind his ear in a distracted sort of way. "It means one of us won't be returning from that date, Draco."
"Well, can I have your bunk then, Draco?" Oliver smiled, poking fun at the Seeker who had caused Gryffindor so much trouble.
"Joke all you want, Oliver. I've got a date to get ready for." Draco said, and he went into the shower, eager to get ready. Rolf was soon at his trunk, deciding on the best outfit for wooing his lady.
The night came, and yet for Draco and Rolf it seemed to come slowly, as all first dates do. The two of them had a certain air of enmity between them, and Draco didn't seem to think he deserved it. He had never spoken ill of Rolf, and it's not like he favored George anyway. Let both of them go, I really want the connection to be there. Draco thought, as he sprayed himself with cologne, hoping that his charm would let her see that he was a changed man.
Together Rolf & Draco walked up to the estate house, and Lee wondered; like everyone else, who suitcases and trunks would be gone come end of the evening.
#
Lee sat forward with his hands on his knees, face almost barreling into the camera. "I'm not great friends with Draco, but he seems to be here more for Hermione than Rolf does, all he does is sit around polishing his fingertips, and combing his hair—which isn't for the record, all that great." Lee said, nodding with a grin.
#
Hermione greeted the two men at the door, and she was all smiles before the door opened. "Rolf, Geo…Draco?" she paused, and searched their faces. She thought for sure she had asked for George and Rolf tonight, she knew that she had to know which was more serious about her. George was always the practical joker, and Rolf was a mystery to her still. So the appearance of Draco made her wonder if all the stress of the show hadn't been messing with her mind as she told Nick who she wanted. "Well…" she looked at them both and motioned them inside. "Come in, you both look very handsome." She decided she would make the best of the evening, but she still felt confused.
"Thank you, Hermione, I took extra time to make sure I was especially appealing to you." Rolf said, kissing each of her cheeks in greeting.
Draco frowned as he watched Rolf smirk at him next to Hermione. Draco felt himself grow hot, and he flipped off Rolf right then and there.
#
"Really!?" Draco huffed. "Is that any way to start a friendly competition? " Draco crossed his arms. "I'm not going to give up on Hermione, so he can come to terms with that right now." The camera cut away and back to the three of them.
#
Hermione had prepared them a meal of chicken marinated in cooking sherry, rice pilaf and steamed asparagus. The delicious aroma permeated throughout every room of the estate, and by the time they reached the table, they were all quite ready to start dining.
Draco, seizing the moment, pulled out Hermione's chair for her, and proceeded to flip off Rolf again. Rolf took his own seat, and smiled pleasantly at Hermione.
"My but that green dress of yours is absolutely stunning, Hermione. The cut of it really makes your shoulders come into contrast, they are very nice. And that necklace, where did you find such a thing?" he chuckled, and placed his napkin on his lap.
Draco frowned and took his own seat, looking at Rolf who looked pompous.
"Why thank you, Rolf, it's my mother's necklace, she got it on holiday in Spain." She fingered her necklace lightly, and smiled, Rolf was quite the gentleman.
Draco bit into his food, and his head fell backwards in ecstasy. His eyes closed involuntarily, as he continued to chew on the tender meat. The sweet taste of the sherry flowed in his mouth, and he let out a soft moan.
"Draco, that's the sweetest sound anyone's ever made in my presence!" Hermione smiled, and Draco hadn't even planned on making Rolf unnerved, it happened anyway though.
"It's just,…so good." Draco said, and he tried the steamed asparagus next."
"I like the pilaf! Did you know it's often served with bulgur in Turkey? " Rolf said, a little harshly, eager to draw attention back to himself.
Hermione sipped her drink, and eyed Rolf warily. "No, I didn't know that. At all." Hermione wondered about him, he seemed very well educated –sure, but did he always speak so loudly at the table?
As the three continued to dine, Hermione came to know each of the two better.
"So you take care of magical creatures, Rolf? Why did you decide to pursue that career?" Hermione looked at him, noticing he hadn't finished his food yet, while Draco sat content in his chair, staring at her in wonder.
"I feel that every creature deserves proper attention, even though some of them can be nasty, back biting wolves. My ultimate goal is to get into writing about the animals. It's a worthy aspiration." He said, eyeing Draco.
"Hermione, I hate to interrupt, excuse me Rolf, but just let me say, I want to be here. I want to be here for you. So far you've proven yourself to be a remarkable woman and witch, and it is with deepest shame that I remember how I treated you in school."
Rolf didn't take well to being interrupted, and Draco was glad; because he had planned on it.
#
"Rolfs a hot head, that kind of man would as soon yell at Hermione than kiss her, and I need to let her know that she's not right for him. Nobody, is right for him." He grimaced as he looked into the camera.
#
"I was talking, Draco." Rolf said.
"I'm sorry." Draco said. "I just thought it odd that in this entire meal, you hadn't once made an effort to start conversation with Hermione, and you let her do all the talking. Honestly, she's been with the Weasel all this time, don't you think she's tired of trying to stir up intellectual conversation?"
"I would talk to her about many things, I don't feel like I need to around you however, your complexion ruins my appetite and my desire to palaver."
Hermione watched the two.
"Who uses the word palaver anymore? Merlin's beard man, I suppose you'd only go missionary on her too, wouldn't you? Mr. Prim and Proper, oh lackadaisical one?" Draco said, standing up and putting his arms around Hermione, who did not refuse them.
Draco was making good points, some of them not even she had noticed. She had tired of starting conversations with Ron, yet the habit was so ingrained that here she was doing it again.
"I do not need to take this from you." Rolf said, standing as well.
"Yet I would take a million insults further, if it meant I would continue to receive the company of Hermione here. Rolf, I am confronting you here and now. Are you here for Hermione, or are you here because you wanted coverage for your animal studies?"
"I am here for Hermione." He said, raising his chin high, and staring down at Draco.
"Okay now guys, I think we need to take a breather here. Draco, please stay here, I'm going to talk with Rolf alone." Hermione got up, and removed Draco's hands from around her.
She walked with Rolf out onto the patio, and she gazed into his eyes. "Rolf, I think it's wonderful you can stand your ground. But you seem rather…well, almost as though you'd prefer the company of someone more sophisticated."
"I do not understand, you are the most sophisticated woman I've met."
"Rolf, you seem like you are into other things more than you are into making a connection with me. " Hermione said, hoping that she wouldn't need to go further.
"I am very interested in making a connection with you." He said.
"I don't believe it." She said finally.
"And why is that?"
"I've caught Draco staring at my cleavage four times this evening. Never have I caught you doing so."
"I consider it shameful to do so."
"You realize I can see the pool from where I sleep right?" Hermione got a little closer to the subject at hand now.
"And?"
"I saw you staring at Viktor more last night than you've ever stared at me. You file your nails, your grooming skills put most women to shame, and the way you talk, it nearly puts me to sleep." Hermione felt she had to be totally vocal about her concerns. "Are you here for me?" She took his hands and stared into his eyes.
The moment seemed to stand still, and he finally revealed his true intentions. "I am not."
"You realize I sent ten people home last night, ten people that could have been my one? You robbed me of the chance to possibly fall in love with the person I'm meant for."
"I didn't think of it that way, I'm…"
"It was selfish, beyond anything I have ever seen. Please, I don't want to talk anymore about it. You're not here for me, so please, don't be here." She said, and she walked away from him and back into the dining room with Draco.
Draco stared silently out at Rolf as he left the patio and walked towards a long limousine that would take him away forever. Draco realized that he was likely going to receive the rose, he had done well.
"Draco, I want to thank you for being honest with me, it means so much to me. Rolf just admitted that he wasn't here for me, he was lying to me the whole time." She took his face in her hands and looked into his grey eyes. "Thank you for showing me that I shouldn't give up on someone."
Draco stared back into her eyes, and realized slowly that as they started closing, the distance between them was growing less and less. Her warm lips were upon his seconds later, and he didn't close his eyes once, he just kept hearing her words. Thank you for being honest with me… Hermione kissed him softly and then took the rose from the table. "Draco, would you take this rose as a sign of hope for our time here together?" she tilted her head.
Draco's throat was dry, and he mechanically took the rose from her. "I will, take it. Hermione." He said, and he smiled though he didn't feel like he deserved it. He had lied to Hermione to get here, and still he kept the truth from her. "Hermione." He started.
"Yes?" she said, smiling in a way that made his guilt cloud his judgment.
"Watch the stars with me?" he invented.
"Let's." She said, and she walked with him out onto a balcony on the second floor, where they watched the night sky come alive.
#
In the limousine Rolf sat fuming. He had been outwitted and discovered far too early for his tastes. The little camera in the limousine was focused on him, and he raised his middle finger. "There! Take that, let the little ferret have her, I'm better off on my own anyway. She would have bored me." And the limo drove on into the night.
In the men's house, the remainder of the guys watched as the servants took away Rolfs' bags, never to return again.
Sir Nicholas approached them, floating through the walls and calling out as he did so. "Elimination ceremony will begin in thirty minutes, all men have your bags packed in the event that something painful happens! One more person will be going home tonight! Be prepared!" Sir Nicholas shouted, and Anthony thought that Nick had certain flair with ruining people's hope.
AN:
The very next thing is the elimination ceremony. Draco is safe, but is your favorite character?
Reviews are loved, like all of you who read this story.
-TowerMage