The morning after their one-on-one date, Draco awoke to the sound of pounding feet down the hallway. Groaning, he slowly got out of bed and stretched lazily. At that moment, a loud yelling from downstairs surprised him, and he went out of his room and down the stairs to investigate. He found all of the men gathered in the living room around the ottoman. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a box resting open on the ottoman similar to the one he had received for his date with Hermione. David had just extracted an envelope from the top of the box and was reading the names that it was addressed to.
"Jacob, Greg, Jeremy, Scott, Harry, John, and George," he read off as he handed the envelope to Jacob. He figured it would be the polite thing to do since it was not addressed to him. Jacob thanked David for the envelope and swiftly opened it, pulling the note from it and tossing it into the box. He unfolded the note and began to read.
"Good Morning! Saddle up, because tomorrow we will be taking a ride on the trail, and when we reach our destination, we will be having a good old fashioned barbecue! I've left you some hats to wear, if you choose. Can't wait to see you all! -Hermione" Each of the men that was invited on this date reached in and grabbed a cowboy hat and put it on.
Everyone began to chatter excitedly about the next day's events. After awhile, they found themselves out by the pool, still chatting. A decent-sized group had made their way into the jacquzzi and were talking about what made them want to be on the show in the first place. Harry must have looked guilty, because George started laughing at him and couldn't stop. He just had to know what had made Harry look so guilty.
"Now what on earth were you just thinking to give you a look like that,Harry?" he asked, still laughing.
"Well, " Harry answered, trying his best to wipe the look off his face. "I was only here in the beginning because my friend talked me into it, but now I'm very glad he did." The rest of the guys nodded in understanding.
"My friends had to do a fair bit of convincing as well," Seamus agreed, nodding. "But I don't think I'd trade this experience for anything. Just the chance to be here is a once in a lifetime opportunity." The guys nodded again.
"It can be kind of weird with all of the cameras around, but I suppose we'll get used to it," Chris added.
"Yes, I suppose we will," agreed Harry.
*****
Hermione was excited about this date. This was the one that included Harry. Since she had met him, she just knew there
was something special about him, something other than the fact that he was THE Harry Potter. He just seemed so genuine,
a quality that not all of the men she had the chance to meet had possessed. She hoped she would get a chance to talk to
him tonight. As she readied herself, she thought about the seven men she would be going out with that night. Not only
was it very bizarre to be going out with seven men at once, they were seven very good-looking men, at that. Once she
was ready, she went out and got into the limo that would take her to pick up the men.
This is definitely going to be an interesting day, she thought as the limo pulled away.
She arrived at the Bachelor Pad and knocked swiftly on the door. When it opened, she once again was met with a pair of
enchanting emerald eyes. Why was Harry always the one to open the door?
"So, Harry, we meet again," she joked as he let her in.
"I'm always the first one ready, so I always have the pleasure of answering the door," he advised her. She just stood there silent for a moment as she studied him. He was of average height, not to short, not to tall, and had the most unruly hair she had ever seen, but in an interestingly dark shade. She didn't think she had ever seen hair so black, but his eyes were even more noteworthy. She thought she had remembered him wearing glasses, but he didn't at the moment, and she was glad for it. Without the obstruction his glasses caused, she could more easily see just how green his eyes were.
She was interrupted by the sound of chatting voices coming down the stairs. As she watched them come down the stairs, she was glad she didn't have to make her decision at this moment. Each of the men were very good looking, and until she got to know them better, she knew she definitely couldn't pick a favorite.
Jacob also had dark hair, but it was brown, and today it was slightly spiky, giving his look a bit of attitude. He was wearing a dark blue tee shirt with jeans and looked good enough to eat.
Greg also had dark hair, but had the lightest blue eyes to set it off. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a black shirt with his jeans.
Jeremy had dark hair as well, and she couldn't tell at this moment but would learn later that his eyes were hazel. He wore yellow, and it made him stick out against the others that were all wearing darker colors.
Scott had red hair, which made him stick out more than Jeremy's yellow shirt, but he wore a light blue shirt that complimented his hair rather nicely.
John had very light brown hair, and his eyes were also green, but not anywhere close to as dazzling as Harry's. He wore a brown shirt that set his eyes off nicely, but they still just didn't have the same brilliance.
George also had brown hair, but his sky blue eyes were probably his most endearing feature at the moment. After observing the others, Hermione took a moment to notice what Harry was wearing. He also had on jeans, but he wore a green tee shirt he had to have bought specifically to match his eyes because there is no way that could have been done on purpose. Hermione didn't notice she was staring until Harry cleared his throat.
"Hermione?" he asked nervously. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes," she answered. "Are you all ready to go?" She asked them, looking around at the assembled group of men. They all nodded, so she led the way out the door and into the limo.
When they arrived at the trail they would be riding, Hermione exited the car hesitantly. She had ridden a horse before, but as it had been a while since she had, she was a bit nervous. As they approached the stables, an elderly man in overalls appeared. He smiled before addressing them.
"Welcome, everyone," he told them as he ushered them into the stables. There were at least a dozen stalls filled with horses of all breeds. He led them each to a horse he chose for them, and helped them lead the horses out and mount them. Hermione realized once she was on her horse that this was like riding a bike. It would all come back to her if she just relaxed and went with the flow. He told them about the general direction the trail followed and how long they would ride before reaching the clearing they would have their meal in. They rode in comfortable silence for a moment before Hermione spoke.
" I really would like to have a moment with each of you tonight, just to be able to talk one-on-one and get to know you better. After we eat we'll have a bit by the campfire, and when that comes, I'll pull you each aside and we'll talk." All of the men nodded in understanding and they continued riding.
"Tell us a bit about your family, Hermione," Greg suggested after growing tired of the silence.
"Well," Hermione started. "Both of my parents are dentists, which basically means I had the cleanest teeth of any of the other children in the neighborhood the whole time I was growing up. I saw it as an inconvenience then, but now I'm grateful to them for that. Because they were dentists, we also didn't eat many sweets, so it's encouraged my eating habits to this day, as well. I didn't have any brothers or sisters, either, so it could sometimes be boring at home. I really didn't have many friends or anything until I went away to school when I was eleven. There, I had to live with other girls, so I had no choice but to befriend them, and they are still my friends to this day. I consider them my family as we have been friends for so long and are still so close. What about you, Greg?"
She desperately wanted to know more about Harry, but she knew this discussion was not the best to include him in. She knew (as did anyone who hadn't lived in a cave for the past 25 years) that Harry had no parents or brothers or sisters, and she didn't want to make him feel bad by mentioning the fact in front of the others. She listened politely as Greg told about his family, and by the time he was done, they had arrived at the clearing.
A picnic table had already been set with chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, and some delicious looking apple pie. They all sat down and tucked into their food, only mentioning something at random or remarking on the quality of the food. Once they were all satisfied, they moved to the campfire that had been set up and began to make s'mores. They laughed as Harry caught his marshmallow on fire and almost flung it at Scott in his haste to put it out. Once the problem had been solved and everyone was munching happily on their s'mores, she looked to her right at George.
"George, could I have a moment?" she asked politely. He nodded and followed her to the edge of the clearing where chairs had been set up for them to sit and talk.
"Well, you know why I have asked you here, George. I just want to get to know you a bit more. I want to make sure that every decision I make has plenty of knowledge to back it up." George nodded in understanding.
"As you know," he started, "I'm from Houston, I'm the head of a law firm there that I'm proud to say is rapidly expanding. I've never been married, but I believe that is just because I haven't found the right person yet. I'm hoping to meet that right person very soon," he added, and Hermione blushed appreciatively. "What else do you want to know?" he asked, not knowing what else she would need to know.
"What do you do for fun?"
"I'm afraid I'm sort of boring," he told her, chuckling. "I do go out occasionally, but my idea of a great night is to sit on the couch with a glass of wine and a good book." Hermione's eyes widened at the similarities.
"I guess that's all I have time for now, unfortunately," she said sadly as she got up. As George got up, he gave her a hug. She was glad he hadn't tried to kiss her. It would have been too odd to be kissing someone she in all reality had just met.
She then pulled John aside and listened interestedly as he told her about law school at NYU, and about how he studied very hard and was at the moment in the top five percent of his class. He told her about growing up in the city and joked about his large family. Hermione felt very at ease with John, and was sorry when it was time to move on to the next guy.
Scott, at this moment, seemed like the one she had the least in common with. He was very into computers, and it didn't seem that he would enjoy the same things as she would. He seemed like a partier, and considering that was the exact opposite of what Hermione was, she didn't think it would work out. She listened intently just the same, just to make sure she had all the facts.
Jeremy also seemed like someone she might not have much in common with. He was a photographer for a magazine, and although he was very interesting, he just didn't seem her type. He lived in Louisiana, and she found herself very amused with his accent. He was also very humorous, and was quick to make her laugh, she just didn't feel a connection.
She found herself surprisingly interested in Greg. He was an athlete, which wouldn't normally be something she could deal with, but he was so unlike the typical 'jock' stereotype. He was actually very sweet and understanding. He opened up alot about his family and previous relationships. He had been hurt many times by past girlfriends. She found herself hoping she wouldn't hurt him, too.
Jacob was very nice, but also very boring. He talked alot about his job, but how much could one talk about being an accountant, anyway? He occasionally had something witty to say, but Hermione found herself very bored by the time their conversation was over.
Hermione picked Harry last. Right when he sat down with her, his body language was inticing. He sat very comfortably, close enough to her to show her he was interested, but not so close as to be too forward. Hermione studied him a moment before speaking.
"Harry, from the moment I saw you, I've just felt this wonderful connection with you, like I've known you my whole life."
Harry nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean. I came here rather apprehensive about the whole idea, but now that I'm here I'm glad. Meeting you has turned out to be a dream come true, I only hope I'm around long enough to learn more."
Hermione blushed. "I want to know more about you, too, Harry. What do you look for in a girl?"
Harry paused to consider his answer. "She has to be genuine. I'm what some would call quite popular in my neighborhood. Because of the nature of my work I'm well-known, but she has to be able to see me for me, and not because I'm so well-known. She also has to have a sense of humor about her, but know when to be serious. She also has to be loyal. Loyalty is very important to me."
Hermione nodded. "I completely understand. As much as I would love to sit here with you a bit more, I'm afraid our time is up." Harry stood and took Hermione's hand to help her stand, and they joined the others around the fire.
"Well, gentlemen, it's been absolutely wonderful, but it's time to go," Hermione told them sadly. She was having a great time, and didn't want the night to end. The men all got up and found lanterns and flashlights. They were going to have to ride back in the dark, but they didn't mind because the moon was high and they could still see rather well. They chatted briefly on the way back, and collapsed back into the car exhaustedly. They rode in relative silence on the way back to the Bachelor Pad. Hermione got out first and hugged each of them and kissed them on the cheek. Harry was last, and she made sure to give him an extra long hug. As she got back into the car, she was very pleased with the day's events, and couldn't wait until the next day for group date number two.
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