AN: Thanks for all the nice words. I appreciate it. Now, to make this a bit easier, please remember that while our characters are in the club, they will refer to each other by their club names only.
Blondie - Hermione Granger
Blue - Draco Malfoy
Mocha - Angelina Johnson
Spike - Rolanda Hooch
Red - Minerva McGonagall
Rainbow Tweetie - Harry Potter
Storm - Ginny Potter
Wolverine - Neville Longbottom
CLUB GLAMOUR
Chapter 4
Rolanda Hooch had absolutely no doubt in her mind that her best friend, Minerva McGonagall was going to thoroughly trounce her in yet another chess game. Her friend was a terror in chess. Brilliant, concise and intimidating. A lot like she was as Headmistress of Hogwarts. Golden, hawk-like eyes watched as long, thin elegant fingers reached out and moved a rook, further sealing her fate.
"You realize I will have you in checkmate in three moves?"
It was the smirky tone in her friend's voice that irked the flying instructor to no end. If she was going to go down, then dammit she was going to do it spectacularly. There was one subject that she knew would completely frazzle Minerva to the point of distraction. One lovely, chestnut haired distraction. Grinning inwardly, Hooch sat back and took a sip of her firewhiskey.
She watched as Minerva did the same. Emerald eyes gazing at her expectantly.
Hooch took another sip, then set her drink aside. Stretching her muscular arms, she took a deep breath. Going in for the kill, she interlaced her fingers in her lap and said, "You'll never guess who I saw a couple of Fridays ago."
An ebony eyebrow raised quizzically, "Oh? Whom?" The Headmistress took another sip of her drink.
"Hermione Granger. Drunk as all get out with a pretty young something something draped all over her."
Abruptly Minerva began choking on her firewhiskey. A little bit dribbled down her chin as she hastily set the drink down and pulled a silk handkerchief from her pocket. Dabbing her chin, she cleared her throat and asked, "Something something?"
Hooch watched as Minerva's normally creamy pale skin flushed a rather cute shade of pink. Grinning toothily, she went in for another jab, "Yeah, the little something something was all over Hermione. Lips, hands and tongue everywhere."
Minerva frowned, emerald eyes darkening, "Where was this?"
Rolanda took a moment to savour her impending victory. She leaned forward and moved her bishop as she replied, "Oh, she hangs out at the Butterfly Room down in Soho." She grinned as Minerva just sat there and stared.
Hooch was laughing inside but kept her face carefully neutral on the outside, "Yeah. It's a pretty nice gay bar. I go there sometimes when I'm horny."
She sniggered as she saw Minerva blush again. Prodding, she added, "It's your move."
Absently Minerva picked up a piece and moved it as she rose and walked to the window. Hugging herself, she asked, "Do you see Miss Granger there a lot?"
Hooch looked at the chess board, not believing the silly move Minerva just made. The Headmistress had just given her the game. Yellow eyes stared at the long, slim figure of the Headmistress as she realized just how tender a spot Hermione Granger was to Minerva. Sighing, she replied, "Usually on Fridays. She comes in, gets soused and picks up a chicka or two."
Eyes bugging, Minerva turned, "Or two?" She was flabbergasted. First at the notion that Hermione Granger was gay and secondly at the idea that her former student was so... um easy.
Hooch watched as her friend turned back to look out the window. There was a sadly bleak expression decorating the high cheekbones, firm jaw and thin rose coloured lips.
"I thought she was with Ronald Weasley?"
Hooch snorted at that, "Nah... He went back with Lavender Brown. Not that I blame him. Who wouldn't want to loose themselves in all that lucious goodness?" She made her move on the chess board, then made another move at her friend, "Not that you'd notice as you seemed so fixated on Hermione."
"WHAT?"
Yellow eyes widened as she watched her friend whirl around and stomp back over to her and growl, "What do you mean by that?"
Hooch leaned back in her chair, "Oh nothing really..." She trailed off as she reached for her drink. Taking a sip, she continued, "It just seems to me and the rest of the staff that you always seemed to show her more attention than any of the other students. Oh yeah, and it's your move."
"THAT IS COMPLETELY ABSURD!"
The Headmistress leaned over and absently made another move. Another foolish manoeuvre. One made without thinking. A move made out of desperation and fear.
Fear that Rolanda Hooch's words just might have a ring of truth to them.
Angry at exposing herself this much, Minerva stormed back to the window with a huff.
A silver eyebrow rose as Rolanda realized that maybe what she'd heard in the staff room gossip was true after all. That maybe Minerva had cared more about Granger than she should have. She smiled as she recalled a recent conversation she'd had with Draco Malfoy. Apparently he was opening a club in Diagon Alley. A rather "unique" place where everyone wore a glamour charm. She grinned as she remembered his words...
"A place where the famous, the not so famous and the infamous can become safely anonymous."
She'd been intrigued. Even more so when he'd reached into the pocket of his black linen jacket and pulled out two rubber wristbands. One was black and the other was red. He'd handed them to her saying, "We're opening soon. Why don't you and McGonagall come check it out. No one will know it's you."
He'd handed her a flyer that had the grand opening of "Club Glamour" printed on it. The address was listed and contact information as well. The platinum haired man had a devious grin on his face as he'd stated, "To activate the charm, you put the bands on and say, "I want to be someone else" then poof! You'll be a whole different someone."
Golden, hawk-like eyes gazed over at her friend as an idea occured. Her angular face transformed as a huge cheeky grin appeared. Smirking, she said with bold confidence, "When I win this game you will owe me a favour. That was the bet remember?"
A disbelieving scoff sounded from the window, then in the "Professor McGonagall" voice, the woman at the window replied rather haughtily, "First of all, you must win and you never have. Secondly, yes I do remember our wager."
Grinning widely, Hooch moved her piece saying with triumph, "Then you loose hot stuff because I just won. Checkmate!"
"WHAT?"
Over the next several days, owls delivered small packages to witches and wizards all over the magical world... even as far as Asia. Rubber wristbands were tried on and spells whispered. Surprised gasps of delight were uttered as certain people were impressed with the entire idea.
The idea of being able to let loose, have a good time... maybe, just maybe... be a little bit naughty and no one would know their true identity.
No one except Draco that is.
The scheming Slytherin had painstakingly created a list of fifty names. Carefully matching bands to the names, he'd sent those invitations special delivery. The remaining items went out to random businesses, universities and of course the Ministry of Magic. He'd also sent twenty bands to Rosmerta with a note telling her to pass them out to deserving teachers, workers and friends.
NOT to students.
The toughest part was snatching Hermione's notebook without her knowing. When he actually accomplished the task, he'd done it in a rather "Malfoy" kind of way. Showing up at her flat with vintage firewhiskey and a smile. He'd just waited till the young woman had consumed enough fiery liquid to pass out drunk. Then he helped himself to her notes.
The journal turned out to be very revealing. Not only were the wristband colours and glamour descriptions carefully recorded, but there were also some interesting spell ideas that Hermione had listed. Draco had grinned in amazement at the sheer brilliance of his friend. She truly was one of a kind.
Too bad she was drinking herself to death.
He'd discovered the real reason for that as well.
She'd noted all the things that had happened to her during the war. Describing in vivid detail her torture at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. Grey eyes had widened in horror as he'd read the vile acts visited upon Hermione by the deranged witch.
Tears had filled his eyes as he'd read about how she'd travelled to Sydney, Australia after the war to retrieve her parents only to find their viciously tortured bodies. Apparently the dark lord had specifically targeted the Grangers because of the threat Hermione's innate intelligence had posed to him. His influence reached half way around the world to end the lives of his dear friend's parents in a grizzly manner.
All clearly documented in the little witch's precise handwriting.
Draco sobbed as he'd read Hermione's heart wrenching thoughts especially when he'd found the section that detailed her overwhelming battle with depression that had led her to the bottle. She so desperately wanted to be loved, wanted a family of her own and wanted just one witch to have that with.
Just one witch.
That was something the lonely young man understood completely.
A platinum eyebrow had quirked as he'd read of Hermione's deep, almost spiritual longing for a certain green eyed headmistress and the young woman's gut wrenching pain at the thought that loving McGonagall and being loved by her in return was so far out of her reach.
That was the reason Draco had sought out Rolanda Hooch. He knew that she and the Headmistress were close friends and if anyone could help him get Hermione and Minerva together, it was Hooch.
The Flying Instructor had been a legendary prankster in her younger days and if anyone loved a good challenge, it was she. He'd found her chatting up a cute, curly red head at the Butterfly Room a few days prior. When he'd chased off the little witch and sat himself at Hooch's side, the yellow eyed woman had shot him a glare that would've melted steel.
"I was making progress with her you know."
Snorting arrogantly, Malfoy replied, "You can do better." He'd then proceeded to lay out his plan. The more information he provided, the more interested Hooch seemed to become. After Draco explained Hermione's issues, Hooch simply held up her hand, "Say no more. I'm in."
There was a calculating smile on his handsome face as Draco thought Angelina and Hooch might make an interesting couple as well.
Hmmmmmmm.
The Slytherin rubbed his hands together. Opportunities are for the making and he was not above using a little underhandedness to make opportunities happen for those people he cared about.
People like Hermione Granger.
Little did he know, she was planning the same thing for him. If he'd actually counted the wristbands, he'd have realized that one was missing.
A dark brown band sprinkled with gold flecks.
Two days before the scheduled opening of the club, Hermione found herself entering "The Green Thumb". It was a lovely plant shop that Neville Longbottom had opened in Hogsmede. The cool, rich earthy scents of the shop assaulted her senses making her feel instantly relaxed.
Looking around, she realized that the tiny shop had been magically enlarged. It looked like a jungle inside. She could hear voices coming from behind a gigantic feather fern.
"Move it this way."
"It'll get stuck there."
"Well then just slide it in."
"It won't fit!"
"Relax a bit, then try again."
Hermione's chocolate eyes widened, "What the fu..." She muttered stepping behind the large plant to see...
Neville Longbottom with his arms wrapped around the portly frame of Pomona Sprout!
"What's going on here?" She commented, a grin splitting her lovely face.
Startled, Neville stepped back dropping a rather heavy planter.
CRASH!
There was a pained squeak, then, "OW! Longbottom! That ruddy hurt!"
Filius Flitwick squirmed out from in front of Pomona Sprout as she too turned around.
Hermione could see the tiny man was favouring his left foot.
"Aw Sweetie, are you hurt?" Pomona dropped to one knee to look at the diminutive professor's foot.
Flitwick grimaced, "Ow! Dammit Mona easy there!" He looked up to see Hermione gawking at them, "Hello Miss Granger."
Neville smiled at his friend, "Hello 'Mione. What brings you here?" He smiled as Pomona picked Flitwick up and placed him onto a nearby counter.
Hermione's chocolate eyes twinkled with mirth as she watched Professor Sprout remove Professor Flitwick's small boot to examine his foot. The tiny man squirmed as Sprout poked at his toes.
"That tickles... stop it!"
"I'm trying to see if anything is broken. Sit still."
The dark eyed witch looked up at her tall friend, "What's going on here?"
Grinning toothily, Neville pointed at the broken planter saying, "The Professor brought me some baby bon-bon plants." There was excited glee in his voice. Plants did that to Neville.
Shrugging, Hermione muttered, "Whatever floats your boat."
They were interrupted from their conversation by Flitwick's squeaky cry, "Mona! Quit it! I can do it!"
Apparently Professor Sprout was trying to compare the small man's feet to see if there was swelling. She was doing this by removing his other shoe.
"It looks swollen."
"I could've told you that without you trying to take my clothes off!"
Neville and Hermione sniggered at that.
There was a miffed huff from Sprout, then she grumbled, "Pardon me for caring you snarky twerp."
Outright laughter blasted from Neville as Hermione tried to contain her own mirth and failed miserably. Both young people giggled uproariously. Seeing the dark look Flitwick shot their way only caused more laughter.
"Neville? I'll see you later." With that Pomona Sprout rumbled out of his shop slamming the door behind her.
Flitwick, still sitting on the high counter muttered, "Looks like I get to sleep on the sofa again."
Grinning madly at this bit of gossip, Hermione pulled out her wand and gently levitated her former charms professor to the floor.
"Thank you Miss Granger." Filius said as he limped towards the door.
Spying his shoes still sitting on the counter, Neville grabbed them in one huge hand. Holding them up for a closer look, he eyed them incredulously and mouthed the word "tiny" to Hermione. The latter snorted. Grinning, the tall man followed the little man out of the door calling, "Professor? You left your booties."
Hermione didn't hear Flitwick's remark as she snorted her laughter once again. She looked up as Neville re-entered the shop. His face was cherry red.
"What happened?" Hermione asked as she moved back to the front of the shop.
Shaking his head, Neville replied, "He said he'd shove his "booties" up my arse!"
Hermione grinned impishly, "Not that you wouldn't mind?"
Neville Longbottom's blush spoke volumes causing Hermione to remember her reason for coming into the shop in the first place, "I need some flowers..." She paused as she stepped back and took a good long look at her friend. He'd grown into a tall man. Lean, muscular... handsome. Sweet personality, still kind of shy...
And gay.
Very gay.
An idea formed in the brilliant mind of Hermione Granger as she reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out a dark brown wristband with gold flecks. She handed it to the tall man, "Here, take this."
The man took the item as Hermione reached into her pocket once more and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. Handing that to him as well, the young woman stated, "This Friday. Why don't you come check it out?"
Neville's dark eyes perused the parchment, "Where the famous, not so famous and the infamous become safely anonymous?"
There was a mysterious look burning in Hermione's chocolate eyes as she replied, "You never know. You might find Mister Right."
There was speculation in his eyes as he asked, "Will you be there?"
Another mysterious smile, "Yes, but you won't know it's me."
"Huh?"
The small witch stepped closer, "Put the band on and say, 'I want to be someone else'." She watched as her friend did just that. There was a tiny flash, then standing before her was...
Oh my.
"What do I look like?" A deep, gravelly voice questioned. Surprise widened familiar warm brown eyes.
Hermione whistled, "You are damn fit!"
Pearly white teeth flashed in a mischievous grin as Neville walked behind his sales counter and fished a hand mirror from underneath. Holding it up, he gasped at the reflection looking back at him, "Oh my indeed!"
Looking back at him was a wavy black haired, sexy beast. Chislled cheekbones, firm jaw, slightly pointed chin. Thick brows and sideburns that followed the angle of the sharp jaw of his handsome face.
"Damn Nev... You look hot."
A thick brow quirked, "You think so?"
"Yup."
"What will I be called?"
"Wolverine."
All too quickly Friday night arrived and all across wizarding Britain a specific group of people were preparing for... well they weren't exactly sure but curiosity abounded.
In the Potter household, Ginny Potter turned around as she gazed awestruck at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, "Wow." Her long red hair had changed to snow white and her creamy complexion had darkened to a light caramel. Her normally round face had become slightly angular as well.
Harry Potter entered the loo to see his wife looking so amazing, "Damn Gin, you're right awesome looking." He noticed her clear blue eyes darken a bit and he quickly added, "Not that aren't awesome anyway."
"Nice save you goofy git!"
Grinning, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a rainbow coloured wristband, "Well, here goes." The young man pulled the band over his wrist and uttered the phrase under his breath. There was a tiny flash and a tickling sensation in his tummy. He looked at his wife to see her snickering behind her hand.
"What?"
Stepping over to the mirror, he looked at his reflection and began to laugh, "Someone really has a sense of humour!" His normally unruly black hair had morphed into a rainbow coloured afro and his nose was bright red. His round glasses now had Tweetie Bird sitting on the nose piece and there was no sign of his famous scar.
Luckily Harry Potter had a sense of humour.
Ginny twisted her wristband to look inside. Her blue eyes lighting up, "Ohhh it says my name is 'Storm'."
Harry did the same with his, "My name is 'Rainbow Tweetie'."
Giggling, Ginny replied, "How 'bout we just call you 'Rainbow' okay?"
The crowds gathered and apparated per instructions into the booths located on the second floor of the club. 'Blue' grinned widely as he watched a throng of people descending the stairs to the entrance.
"This is going to be incredible." He muttered as he headed for 'Blondie's' table. Seeing the blonde woman with her nose in her ledger, he hissed, "Liven up woman! It's show time!"
The young man waited till the club was full before sending a nod to 'Mocha' who dimmed the lights. Another nod and the dark skinned bartender/club manager waved her wand and a special piece of music that 'Blue' had picked out began to play...
The song was "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by a muggle group known as "Deodato" and 'Mocha' had never heard a more perfect piece of music to herald the opening of the club.
The crowd hushed as soon as the music began to play. The lights dimmed and spot lights and strobes began to flicker in different colours. A deep, raspy voice rang out.
"Welcome witches and wizards. Famous, not so famous and infamous..."
The voice hissed the last part, sounding mysterious, dramatic and just a little bit naughty...
"...to a place where one can come to play and be safely anonymous." The last part was hissed as well, causing the crowd to growl a bit. They were itching to party!
A spot light appeared at the raised area of the stage as the music got a tiny bit louder. Stepping into the light was a tall, slim man with electric blue hair and bushy blue brows. The crowd discovered that the voice they'd been hearing belonged to this man as he continued speaking, "Welcome to Club Glamour! My name is 'Blue' and along with 'Blondie'..."
He pointed to a stunning blonde witch sitting at a table against the wall, then to the bar at a dark skinned woman, he continued, .."and the lovely 'Mocha', we are your hosts for the evening. So eat, drink, be merry and above all..." He turned and waved his hand.
As the music swelled to a crescendo, two golden cages lowered from the ceiling. In each cage was a dancer. A woman wearing a silver halter top with sparkly fringe along the hem just below her breasts. She was wearing very short shorts and knee high go-go boots. Clad entirely in sparkling silver. In the cage opposite was a male dancer wearing golden knee boots, a shimmering speedo and a golden bow tie.
That was it.
'Blondie' rolled her eyes as 'Blue' finished his speech, "...DANCE!"
The lights brightened and the music changed to the thumping, throbbing beat of "Devil Inside" by another muggle group called INXS.
The cage dancers took the cue and began gyrating wildly, pulling a roar from the crowd as a mass of people surged to the dance area and began to do their own thing to the music.
"WoooooHoooooo!" 'Blue' screamed at the top of his lungs, bouncing around the floor in front of 'Blondie'. "Come on woman! Dance with me?"
Chocolate eyes rolled as she shook her head at his antics. She took a swig from her glass, then got up and yelled, "Oh why the hell not!"
'Blue' and 'Blondie' proceeded to put on quite the show with their frenzied, yet seductive moves.
'Mocha' watched her friends moving like maniacs on the dance floor. A tiny giggle slipped out as she watched 'Blue' step behind 'Blondie' and begin grinding against her shapely backside.
"That's a sweet little snicker if ever I heard one."
Turning her head, she saw a woman sitting at the bar. Black hair spiked straight up, mirrored sunglasses, purple lip stick. Creamy skin and a killer smile. The woman was clad from head to toe in black leather.
"What can I get you?"
Grinning, the woman answered, "Whatever you're having baby."
Cocking her head, 'Mocha' raised a dark eyebrow, "You're a saucy one aren't you?"
"You have no idea."
A blush flushed 'Mocha's' complexion with a bit of rose. It was quite breathtaking as the spiked woman gasped. Grabbing her cane, the dark skinned woman moved to where the flirty woman was sitting, "What's your club name?"
"Call me 'Spike' hot stuff." She didn't mention the lovely dark skinned woman's pronounced limp.
"Hello 'Spike', I'm called 'Mocha'."
"That's what that crazy blue haired guy called you." She looked over to see said man bouncing up and down and shaking his head and butt wildly. His blonde dancing partner had wisely disappeared back to her table.
Snorting, 'Mocha' replied, "Crazy doesn't begin to describe him."
Grinning, 'Spike' held up her glass, "To crazy people and the wild schemes they hatch!"
Glasses clinked together at the toast.
'Blondie' was sitting at her table scribbling into her ledger when she felt the hair rise on the back of her neck.
Someone's eyes were upon her.
Glancing up, she noticed a red haired witch staring at her. The woman was sitting only a few feet away at a nearby table. At that moment the music changed. The lights went to soft greens and blues as the music of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" began to play.
The red haired witch cocked her head and listened to the words of the song for a moment. 'Blondie' stared at the beauty. There was something about this witch that put her completely at ease. She just couldn't figure out what. After a moment, the red haired woman stood and approached her table.
"I figured we could just sit and stare at each other all night or I could summon some courage and come over and say, 'Hello'."
Hermione smiled at the American accent the woman seemed to have, "Love the accent."
"Indeed." The woman was tall, very tall. Slim with an athletic build yet showing some nice curves under her red "v" neck cashmere jumper and black slacks. Her eyes were a stunning shade of emerald green.
Emerald Green.
'Blondie' felt her stomach do a flip flop as the woman smiled, "May I join you?"
Nodding, the blonde woman indicated the chair next to her own, "Please."
The tall woman sat herself and noticed 'Blondie's' drink, "What are you drinking?"
"Firewhiskey."
"I think I'll have one as well."
'Blondie' tried to get 'Mocha's' attention but could see she was ...occupied. "Looks like my dear bartender is busy."
The red haired witch looked over to see..., "Uh that's... 'Spike', she came with me."
'Blondie' glanced at her companion, her dark eyes showing just a hint of disappointment, "Then you're together?"
The red haired woman stared into chocolate eyes, seeing sadness, "Oh no... we just work together. I lost a bet and payment was accompanying her here." There was something compelling about those dark eyes.
Those beautiful, expressive chocolate eyes.
-to be continued
AN: Hope you like the music. Thanks for reading.