Hermione yawned and stretched as she woke up before her alarm. It was going to be a fantastic afternoon. She went about her routine in an eased fashion. Plenty of water, some yoga for zen, a bit of personal care, and then it was time for food.

She glanced at herself in the mirror and admired her body. After all her self doubt and lingering feelings of inadequacy, it was pleasant to feel great about it. It was always amusing to Harry that it took her to become a stripper to see it. Leaving her room, she flexed in her tracksuit and entered the living room.

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead," Pansy murmured.

Hermione noted her on the sofa, eating some Cheetos, and watching soaps. "Don't you want to go for a run with me today? We have a long night ahead."

Pansy rolled her neck and sighed. "I suppose. Hey, you didn't get around telling me how those V.I.P.s made out."

Hermione roamed into the kitchen and smirked. "They were interesting. Not Gilderoy's usual rubbish. They didn't cling to me or beg me for a backroom dance."

"Romilda said they tipped heavy," Pansy called back.

"Good, it was deserving. They had good seats for the entire show," Hermione snorted.

Pansy jumped from the couch and paced into the room as Hermione dug for food. "So, do you think they'll come back? Daphne didn't tell me who they were, obviously, but they smelt like money."

Hermione placed her fixing on the counter and hummed. "Maybe," she paused and smiled. "You know, one of them was actually so bashful he didn't say much. Kind of cute if you ask me."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Hermione. Why do you always find that cute? Sounds like he doesn't go to that many shows."

"I don't know. They were just charming. The lot of them. Not like Lucius fucking Malfoy. Do you know what he asked me last night? If he paid me a large sum to let him spank me. Ugh, the nerve," Hermione groaned.

Pansy grimaced and tossed her hand. "Ignore it. He's a fucking barmy stiff fuck."

"Lots of fucks today, I get it," Hermione grumbled. "Zabini hasn't called you?"

Pansy flicked her hair and growled. "No, and he's a right asshole for it."

Hermione tapped her chin and smirked. "Maybe you could make him jealous? Tell him you met a charming new member and might take a shot at him."

"You know we can't do that," Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Well, he doesn't know that," Hermione suggested as she scrambled her eggs.

Pansy picked at the cheese and smiled. "Hey, we could go by that bar this week. Meet your Knight in Shining Armor again. He was fuckable for sure."

"Well, shaggable or not, he's also complicated. Lives with his best mate. Besides, I'm great. I'm nearly done with school, and then I can decide what to do," she paused when Pansy scowled. "What?"

"I just am proud of you but fucking destroyed. We really can't lose you at the club, Hermione. It wouldn't be the same," Pansy huffed.

Hermione was frying her food with a pinched brow. "But my parents wanted me to do something with my life, Pansy. They wanted me to do something good with my life. I'm being clawed at by men who don't give two bits about my life."

"But, you fucking love it!"

"That doesn't matter," Hermione sighed. "I can't be a god damn stripper forever."

"Then do the other stuff later, after you're done having fun. We sit here and read your fucking fan mail for fuck's sake," Pansy snapped.

Hermione thinned her lips and glanced over at her coworker. "It isn't like I'm going to give up the summer. Those are the best months. We still have time."

Pansy groaned and rolled her neck. "So, did Gilderoy try to sleep with you again?"

"Yes, but as I told him before, I don't shag my bosses," Hermione huffed.

"That fucking idiot, he'll pine and pine. He dipped his nib in the cookie jar," Pansy mumbled.

Hermione flipped her eggs out of the pan and breathed. "He slept with that new girl? What's her name? Charlotte?"

Pansy nodded. "It's like he doesn't give two shits that we all know he's ridiculous."

"I'm just glad I have sense," Hermione tutted.

"So I was thinking," Pansy started as Hermione dressed her plate. "We should have a party for Harry's birthday. Do it at the club. I already asked Lockhart, and he gave the okay. Under the stipulation that we do it during the week, and we pay for the booze."

"That's not a difficult standard. Alright," Hermione declared as they marched toward the table.

"You seem upset. Did Ginny say something last weekend? I've been feeling it off of you all this week."

When Hermione sat down, she hummed. "No, nothing in particular. The usual badgering to have children and such. I was just thinking of those V.I.P.s. They're going to be there tonight."

"You're positive?" Pansy asked as she handed Hermione a cup of juice.

Hermione smirked and rolled her eyes. "You really think they wouldn't? Strawberry Champagne is setting time aside for them. I'll have each one of them paying for memberships in full by the end of the night."

"You're a fucking beast, Hermione. I don't know if his club would have ran as well without your business savvy," Pansy mumbled.

"It's work," Hermione laughed. "Oh, did you hear anything about Draco? Did he say if he was interested in buying that restaurant?"

Pansy shuffled her feet and slumped. "He said he didn't want to waste his money on a swotty cafe."

"That's too bad," Hermione grimaced. "I love their croissants."

"And now that we've caught up on all the bullshit, tell me."

Hermione bit down on her smile and shrugged. "I think I can afford that nice house. The one we looked at last weekend."

"God, I hate you," Pansy teased. "Really, though, I'm fucking proud of you, Granger. You built your life up from nothing after your parents died. You studied hard, worked even harder, and now you have a nice little setup."

"Well, it's not in the books yet," Hermione said. "I still have to go through the business of actually buying it, but it's a nice thought."

"I suppose I'll just need to get a new flatmate," Pansy pouted.

Hermione sneered and waved her hand. "Or, you can just live with me and pay rent."

Pansy grinned and wagged her index finger. "Or that."

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, Pansy. You found me dancing in that stupid college bar and suggested I talk to Lockhart about Blame. If it weren't for his desperate need for dancers and my need for money, we wouldn't be here," Hermione laughed.

Pansy reached over and patted her cheek. "Well, I got you, girl. You've become my only tolerant friend."

They giggled, and Hermione finished her meal. It was going to be another great night.

Sirius was buttoning his shirt when there was a knock at the door. "Come in."

The door cracked, and the boy's face stuck through the opening. "Uncle Sirius, are you leaving for work early? I thought it was movie night?"

"Teddy, my boy, I'm going to a different job tonight," Sirius responded with a grin.

Teddy shifted as he went into the room and frowned. "What kind of job?"

Sirius checked his facial hair in the mirror and hummed. "An adult job."

"Unlike your job at the bar?"

"Yes, because this one has to do with finding out if it's worth buying a place with Uncle Reggie," Sirius responded.

Teddy bounced his head and smiled. "So that means that we'll see Uncle Reggie more? Grandmother was telling me how much she missed him last night."

"Possibly. Uncle Reggie might be really busy with our new job. He's going to help me run it," Sirius announced.

"Good," Teddy said.

"You're lingering, kid. What's wrong?" Sirius asked.

Teddy shuffled his feet and scowled. "Dad seems a bit bothered tonight."

Sirius examined the boy and noted how Teddy definitely took after his father. From his honeyed-brown hair that shifted over his forehead, down to the scowl of pensive frustration. There was plenty there that mimicked his best friend's behavior. Remus must not have been happy to be left out.

"Well, he's just sad he doesn't get to go tonight. That's alright, we'll make it up to him," Sirius declared as he patted the boy's shoulder.

"Okay, Uncle Sirius," Teddy murmured.

"Hey, trust me. Who loves you for the witty Lupin you are?" Sirius asked as he bent down to be level with the boy.

Teddy smirked and poked Sirius in the chest. "Definitely you."

"Good, then why don't you go get in your pj's and let me deal with your sulking father."

He nodded and skipped from the room. Sirius twitched his nose and reached for his expensive jacket. The one you only wear when you want to announce you have money. Now that he saw what the goods were, he wasn't about to dress less than the other patrons.

Sirius shut the door after his departure and strolled into the living room. Remus was reading a book, but his brows were knitted together. "I don't like this, Pads," Remus grumbled.

"You are just jealous I'm going," Sirius mused.

"Don't sign anything until I see the contract. I don't want you to pay more than what's deserving. He has you both in throws of an easy shag," Remus declared as he set the volume down.

Sirius shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "I know a thing or two about putting the moves on a woman, Moony."

"But that's the thing," Remus paused as he stood up. "He's not doing it. She is, and she's exceptional at her job. That's what she does for a living."

"I'm not going to overspend, I promise. We'll look over his offer and sit on it before agreeing. I mind as well enjoy the perks of him trying to financially fuck me, right?"

Remus crossed his arms and breathed. "Just don't get your hopes up. I bet he's hoping you won't bother to counter him after she dances for you tonight."

"We will, and with your help, it will be fantastic. Do you trust me?" Sirius questioned.

"I always have, I always will. I don't trust Regulus. He wants the place badly. I know he's been a bit lost and hopes this will bring you both together. Just be careful about how swept away you get, alright?"

Sirius reached over and touched his shoulder. "I promise. We'll get the place for a good price, and we'll start paying off Teddy's tuition early. You can even take some time off at uni and help if you want."

Remus smirked and rolled his eyes. "Who in their right minds buys a strip club."

"We do," Sirius chuckled. "Now, I'm going to meet Reggie, and we're going to get a plan sorted. Lockhart said he'd see us before opening so he can make an offer."

"Alright, text me if you're confused. I know Reggie knows art and all that ballocks, but this is a real business."

Sirius winked and slipped on his jacket. "We'll get you in next week to see her, so you don't pout."

"Oh, Pads," Remus grumbled.

"She was delicious," Sirius offered.

Remus lowered his arms and bobbed his head with a large exhale. "More than delicious. Don't brag too much later."

"It's just nice to see you looking at women again, Moony. I'm glad we're getting there."

"Me too, Sirius. It was a decent reality check."

Sirius pulled away and waved a hand in the air. "To Blame!"

Remus grimaced and cupped a hand over his mouth. "Don't drive sloshed."

"Okay, wife!"