Queer How Things Work Out

Chapter 3: You're Engaged to a Convict!?

big thanks to virginger, dutch potterfan, THGHPforever14, V.O.L. 2, Sparxfly93, LilacRosez for their reviews

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to any characters or elements in this story that belong to, or are the intellectual property of JK Rowling, her publishers, or Warner Bros.

The two women stood across from each other in the elevator, the only sound coming from speakers overhead from which came a light airy jazz.

"So have you seen the latest issue of Glamour?" Ariana asked, clearing her throat. "They did an exposé on some of the hottest men in Britain. In fact, the owner's of this hotel, Draco Malfoy, was featured on it, second only to Alex Pettyfer."

Hermione smiled, nodding as she remembered the whole week in which Draco gloated about his esteemed place on the "Sexy List" as he so eloquently put it.

"Soooo," Ariana said, fishing for conversation topics. "How did you manage to get us such good suites and a penthouse for yourself?"

"I'm well acquainted with the owners," Hermione answered shortly.

Intrigued, Ariana persisted, "What do you mean by acquainted?"

"Well I went to school with Draco. Draco Malfoy," she said plainly, choosing not reveal the true nature of her "acquaintance" with her cousin.

Ariana's jaw dropped, but before she could say anything else, a cool automated female voice from above, saying, "You have reached floor 12, please enter your key before proceeding."

Hermione turned to a lock next to the floor six button, in which she placed a special key, and the doors slid open. As they entered into a small, greatly decorated foyer. To their left was a set of already opened double door which led to another hall which Hermione led her into. As they walked up the short hall, a butler appeared at the end.

"Ahh Miss Granger, how nice to see you!" he greeted her warmly. "And who might this be?"

Hermione smiled at the man, "This is my cousin, Ariana Montraine, she's staying in the hotel with the rest of my family this week."

"Ahh, well I expect I shall be seeing them soon," he said. "Now would you like to take your tea in the parlour or shall I bring it to the study? Although your fiance has already taken up residence there." He chuckled.

Hermione paled, "No, no, Michael, we'll take it in the parlour, leave my fiance to work. And if he asks for me, tell him I am otherwise engaged and do not wish to see him."

Hermione took her cousin's hand and pulled her quickly up the hall, through an oval shaped room, past an elegant dining room, and into a large parlour.

"So what do you think?" she asked, smiling much too brightly as she pushed the other girl into a chair and sat herself opposite.

Looking around the large room with it's expensive furniture and overall beauty, Ariana said, "Well I've never been anyplace like it."

Hermione nodded. But before another awkward silence could set in, a ball of orange fur, bolted across the floor, flying at Hermione's lap.

Ariana screamed and Hermione shrieked, "CROOKSHANKS WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

"Crookwhat?" Ariana asked gasping, looking at the ball of fur which was now snuggling into her cousin.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry!" Hermione said pushing Crookshanks off her lap.

He yowled indignantly and stalked out of the hall as another butler appeared in the doorway.

"Is everything alright, madams?" he asked kindly. "Your fiance was quite agitated at the noise, Miss Granger."

"Oh it was nothing, just Crookshanks," said Hermione trying to catch her breath. "Tell him not worry."

The butler nodded and turned out of the room.

"Okay, what was that?" Ariana asked sounding very distraught.

"Oh it was my cat, Crookshanks," she said airily. "He must have been very excited to see me, although I expected he would have been left at home.I suspect my fiance must have brought him along." she added distastefully.

"Sorry for not mentioning, but I didn't want him home alone," an aristocratic masculine drawl called from another room.

Ariana started, not expecting the other voice, "You call that thing a cat?".

"I said the same when I first met him," the voice called once again.

"Oh here we go again!" Hermione said exasperated. "Honestly, he's only a cat, it's not his fault he's got such an ugly mug! It's how God made him!"

"Or rather in a past life he was so mean that God cursed him that way," chuckled the voice.

"Crookshanks is not mean!" Hermione argued.

"Yeah sure, tell that to Ron and Boy Wonder," the voice said again. "Speaking of Potty, Pansy said to tell you that they'll be coming along for this reunion of yours. Oh and Blaise and Ginny, too."

"Coming along meaning..." Hermione asked while stirring her tea.

"Meaning that they'll be staying in the penthouse, here with us."

Hermione pouted, "Must your friends always impose themselves on us all the time?"

"Well excuse me for saying, but I was under the impression that ol' Scarhead and the Weaselette were your friends as well, love."

Hermione's forming scowl deepened, "Well why would you tell them yes?"

"Because they're our friends and if it wasn't for Potter's good word I'd be rotting away in-"

"Alright, I see your point!" Hermione said stopping him before he said "Azkaban".

"Rotting in where?" Ariana asked, intrigued.

"Jail," the voice said indifferently.

Ariana's hand flew to her mouth and she looked at Hermione aghast.

"Jail?" she cried scandalized.

Hermione shrugged indifferently, sipping her tea.

"Oh my god Hermione," Ariana shrieked in a hurried whisper. "You're engaged to a convict?"

"I prefer the term rogue," the voice said playfully. "And I was never really convicted so I still count as an innocent man, thank you very much."

"I won't have it! Oh my god Hermione, I may not like you, but I won't let you marry a murderer!" she shrieked again trying to pull Hermione to her feet.

"Good god, he never killed anyone!" Hermione said laughing at her cousin's antics, but then added in a mock whisper, "intentionally."

Ariana gave and all out scream and made to run for the exit when she ran straight into a solid mass of man.

"Hello there, love," came the words of the man her cousin was engaged to- the convict!

She stared wide eyed at the man as she took him in. Dressed in a plain grey t shirt and well fitting jeans; white blonde tousled hair, strong chin, and signature mischievous grin.

Why the man she had been talking to, the one she almost ran away from, was none other that Mr. Gorgeous himself-

Draco Malfoy!