It was thoughtful of Draco to offer a handkerchief to Hermione, but she honestly didn't know what to do with it. Still she took it, politely thanking him, but only lightly dabbed at her brow. She didn't want to soil it too much. She was rather excited for dinner, aside from the fact that her mouth had begun to moisten at the idea of dinner; she hadn't expected a VIP environment before. She straightened up when Draco suggested they depart for the captains exclusive dining room for dinner. "If you will excuse me for a minute, then we will go." She stated and returned his handkerchief to him before she excused herself to the restroom to touch up her facial cosmetics.
She entered the private bathroom and pulled out a small cosmetics kit from her bag. Since she was in the VIP status, she wanted to look the part. Lucky for her, she had gotten plenty of tips from Ginny, Fleur, and Gabrielle. A minute later she emerged looking quite professionally done. The Captain's galley wasn't far from their room. A cabin boy opened the door for them to enter. A small group of people, including the captain, were already chatting amongst each other; drinking and laughing at the captain's jokes. Judging from the reactions, he was quite the comedian.
Most notably of the group was a man who looked as though he were royalty of some Easter country, definitely VIP. He wore an extravagant blue robe and matching turban. He had a beautiful young lady on either arm, each dressed in blue robe attire to compliment his own. The man himself looked rather young, perhaps a prince of sorts, Hermione thought.
As the two walked in, the captain noticed and excused himself from his current guests to come greet them. "Hello and welcome! I'm Captain Jakob Nirvana. I hope your voyage has been enjoyable so far?" Hermione smiled and nodded, "Oh yes, it's been wonderful. This is my first time on such a vessel."
. . . . . . .
The captain clapped his hands together in thrill at Hermione's exclamation. "It is! What an honor to have you and your companion aboard my vessel as your maiden voyage on Cloud Ferry." He turned and looked about seeming to take a mental account of all who were there. With a flick of his hand a gentle bell chime called everyone to attention so they could take their seats to begin eating dinner.
Draco scooted Hermione's seat out for her out of courtesy before taking his own beside her. It was something of a relief to him that Hermione wasn't being bombarded by the other VIP passengers on this voyage. Although why that was he wasn't entirely certain.
. . . . . . .
Dinner was the most excellent Hermione had eaten in a long time. She decided on consider doing VIP status when available and applicable. The captain dismissed himself once the meal was concluded to return to the helm. Hermione looked to Draco and voiced, "This was quite pleasant. I'll be sure to suggest this to Harry and Ginny next time they need a holiday." Just as they were about to leave, the young prince patron approached them and asked, "Excuse me if I am mistaken, but are you Miss Hermione Granger?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I am Hermione Granger. And you are?" She inquired in turn. "I am Amit Amut, prince of the Arabian Magical Province. I was in England for…Business and am returning to my home country with my entourage." He answered and motioned to the two gorgeous ladies on his arms. That's when Hermione noticed the difference in their skin color. Prince Amut had a very dark complexion, typical of people from his homeland. But the girls were very light in comparison. She decided not to question it since the girls didn't seem to be there against their will. "Well I hope business worked out well for you." Hermione voiced, trying to be considerate.
He smiled and nodded, the girls giggled. "Yes, business did go well." He shook the girls off his arms and they stepped away. The prince stepped closer to Hermione. "If you would be so kind as to grant me a minute of your time, I'd like to propose to you an offer. I want you for my personal guard. There are those who would like to see my head detached and I would feel at ease knowing that the great Hermione Granger, Heroine to Wizard England was at my side protecting me."
Hermione didn't know really know how to respond, so she smiled politely, "I'm highly honored that you would want me personally to be a part of your personal guard, but I have a few ambitions of my own I'd like to see through at this time. I appreciate your offer, though. If you'll excuse us—"
"Please reconsider?" Prince Amut said, grabbing Hermione's hand firmly. "I'll pay any amount you like."
. . . . . . .
Draco recognized the true meaning of 'business' as Prince Amut stated. He knew all too well from the many business transactions his father had been a part of, just what kind of lucrative business some men sought after. Gratefully his father had not been a part of such scandalous entrepreneurial opportunities. Some would argue that supporting the Dark Lord was a worse alternative. Draco didn't think so.
Any prince was sure to have a list of people who would prefer to see him dead. This one perhaps a bit of a longer list than some others. Draco had grown used to being very conservative with his emotions, ever since he was taught Occlumency. The time recently spent with Hermione Granger however was affecting him in unexpected ways. Such as the jealousy that he felt earlier in their banter about her dancing with someone else permanently, was one of those unfamiliar emotions. When he saw Prince Amut reach out and grasp her hand with a sense of force persuasion after she kindly refused his offer, Draco had an overwhelming urge to withdraw his want and remove the prince's hand entirely.
Draco knew that Granger could handle herself. It wasn't like she was in any real danger. He just couldn't shake the feeling of detest as the Prince used forced persuasion to get what he desired from someone who had already declined. It was cynical way of thinking and Draco figured it probably came from his own past when he was coerced into doing something he truly didn't want to do.
Resisting the urge to withdraw his wand or command that the prince remove his hand from her, Draco kept a serious look on his face as he addressed the prince, "Prince Amut your offer is most generous; however Miss Granger spent the arduous part of seven years making sure Harry Potter stayed alive. She has indicated no desire to re-enter that area of work on a professional level. Now would you be so courteous and let her go, so that we can be on our way."
Prince Amut turned his attention to Draco, "Mr…Malfoy? Yes, I do believe that you are Lucius Malfoy's son. The family resemblance in appearance and mannerisms is remarkable. It's a shame your did not follow up with your father's political associates. You are very…" Prince Amut struggled for a moment to find the right word before speaking in accented English, "…articulate with words." The prince said though the two men's eyes seemed to be conveying a different message entirely.
. . . . . . .
Hair stood up on Hermione's neck as soon as Prince Amut grabbed her hand, but she stayed calm. She could take care of herself. She doubted that the prince would cause a scene on a crowded vessel. She was grateful that Draco was speaking up. As the tension rose between the two she used the distraction to remove her hand from Amut's grip. "Mister Malfoy is correct, your majesty. I have had enough of protecting boys from potential death. Lay a hand on me again and I'll have no choice but to defend myself."
At this the two girls brandished their wands, pointing them at Hermione. The prince held up his hands to stop them before they did anything else. "There is no need for those ladies. Very well Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, I'll take my leave. My offer will stay standing. Let me know if you want everything you ever wanted brought to you on a silver platter." He taunted as he left the room, the girls having put away their wants and reattached themselves to his arms.
. . . . . . .
Draco stayed silent as they watched the prince depart. The young prince's demeanor reminded Draco of himself the very first time he met Potter and tried to befriend him before they were sorting into houses at Hogwarts. The only difference being is that he would have never been as bold as the prince was with his entourage. The amount of arrogance? No, Draco definitely had more arrogance when he was that age; at least he thought so. "Arrogant and an ignorant arse; doesn't he know that you technically can't have everything you ever want delivered on a silver platter?" Draco mocked as they went about their way to exit the vessel once it landed.
The realization hit him with the heat and the terrain that they were back in Egypt, back to business, back to the Alchemy Centre, and lastly no more working with Hermione Granger. That last notion secretly saddened him, not that he would ever admit it. It really sobered him up quick. "So, Hermione I suppose this is where we part ways. I'm sure you can handle the rest of the ruins alone. The Alchemy Centre will need my return." He mentioned and added, "It was surprisingly pleasant working with you. Perhaps it will happen again with less risk of being caught and sent to Azkaban, don't you think?" His hand extended out, offering a formal and professional gesture of a hand shake.
. . . . . . .
They disembarked from the ferry, the dry heat hitting her face with no amount of enthusiasm for such. "Ugh, I don't mind the sand, but this heat I could do without." Hermione grumbled. The dock was busy with people rushing about their various ways; but Hermione didn't care about anyone else other than the person she was accompanied by. When Draco spoke, she could tell in his voice he was reluctantly leaving to go back to his work. It was difficult, but she didn't want to show how reluctant she was as well. "I suppose I've caused you enough trouble for a while. But don't be so sure next time will be any less risky." She smiled and winked. "I owe you big time for what you've done with me. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with." She shook Draco's hand firmly, but lingered a bit before letting go.
. . . . . . .
"Hermione Granger owing me a favor; I do like the sound of that. When the occasion arises I will let you know." Draco stated with that signature smirk of his that being in her company seemed to bring out in him way more often than his sober demeanor usually allowed. After a lingering moment passed he dropped his hand from her own. "Farewell Hermione." He said in finality and apparated to the Alchemy Centre.
Upon entering the facility he made his way to the chemical engineering room, where potions were brewed. "Welcome back Mr. Malfoy. How was your assignment with the Curse-Breaker? It's not often we get a request from a Curse-Breaker to get a highly skilled Alchemist to help on their missions. They think they can do it all on their own usually, except for the batch of potions they typically request, of course. It's been the gossip of topic for the past week you've been gone. Good thing you sent your owl. We were almost out of Universal Solvent." A young male intern stated age 17, fresh out of Hogwarts.
"Don't you have something better to do than gossip? The mandrakes need re-potting I'm sure. Go on then." Draco ordered, avoiding answering the question about the mission. In truth it had been a phenomenal week with Granger. Best event that had happened to him in a long time.