Hermione was flexing on the stage as she prepared for her long night. Marlene took the night off, leaving her with the Mistress of Ceremony duties. She had planned the evening with precise measurements, and it was going to be a fun show. All the girls were excited about it, but it was a matter of getting the entrance done correctly. She straightened her form in her boots and huffed.
"Alright, girls, one more time," Hermione declared as she rolled her neck.
Pansy lifted her leg and nodded. "Do you think we should peel off before or after the chorus?"
"Before. I want to see asses shake in their faces, alright? We want them to believe what you're selling. A BDSM fantasy," Hermione ordered as she straightened her sports bra. "Pansy worked damn hard on crafting the routine, let's get it right."
Charlotte groaned as she fixed her boots. "These are killing me."
"Get used to it, cupcake," Pansy growled.
Hermione pointed to the pole. "Nerissa, I want you to look like you want to fuck on that pole."
She batted her black hair and nodded. "If you say so, Granger. You're the boss tonight."
"Flint, can you start the track over?" Hermione asked, and the girls filed off the stage.
Hermione swiped the crop in the air and fixed her hat. She was going to start on the stage. It was going to be different, high energy, but she imagined it to evolve well. Lockhart came into the room with a slender man with black hair. Interesting...
She strode to the edge of the platform and grinned. "Come to see my show, boss?"
Lockhart smirked and nodded before waving back at Zabini. "Drinks? Two scotches?"
"Okay, let me get this pounded out," Hermione murmured before strolling back toward the center pole and caressed it.
She had her back turned and swiped upward, turning her face in the spotlight. The track started. She mouthed the words. "Don't you want to be bad?"
I like it, like it.
Na-na-na, come on.
Now the sexual song began, and she sauntered forward while touching herself. Hermione could hear the girls coming behind her. The remix was great. She would have to commend Ginny. She shook and rolled her hips to the rhythm as she pointed the crop toward the empty chairs. The girls behind her were rubbing on each other and smacking each other's asses with smirks. It was designed to develop mouth-watering reactions.
The affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more.
Her movements were fluid, and Pansy got in it with her chain wrapped around her wrists. Now, she had the two with her center stage. Hermione crouched at the edge of the stage and eye-fucked the invisible crowd as she hit the crop against her boot.
I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it.
After she rolled to her feet, she strode back to the two dancing girls and pointed her riding crop. She got to work her dominant personality tonight as she stomped her heels and demanded eyes on her. Hermione reached out and tugged the leash on Charlotte's collar as she sunk to her knees.
S, s, s, and, m, m, m.
It was magic. The girl slid to her and stuck her face near her waist as Hermione shifted her legs apart. She pulled on the leash while stroking Charlotte's cheek with the whip. The next part was more complicated. Hermione let go of the lead from her hand and slunk over the crouched dancer as Pansy kneeled and dragged the chains on the floor as she crawled next to her.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me.
Hermione gripped them and smacked her ass with the riding crop before jumping to her feet. Charlotte and Pansy clung to her legs as she slid her free hand down her body. The whip caressed Pansy's cheek as Hermione held the offered leash on Charlotte. The song faded, and her smile was cocky as she breathed.
The two men watching seemed entranced. She wasn't used to being looked at being herself. Hermione shook out the oddity and glanced back at the panting girls. "How did that feel?"
"Any more tricks and you're going to kill us," Pansy laughed as she rubbed her ass.
"Come on, that was fun," Hermione snickered as she helped her to her feet.
"Gotta admit, you have this down, Granger," Flint called over from the booth.
"How do you do that turn, Doyle?" Nerissa called over from her pole.
Mary swayed and kicked her leg up before twisting on the pole. "Body movement, love. Relax your intensity."
"Strawberries, come on down here after you're finished with the girls," Gilderoy declared.
Hermione nodded before walking over to Nerissa. "Look, rely on your legs," she instructed while patting her thighs.
She stepped back, and Nerissa attempted the move. "Oh, that's much better."
"Like I said, make this pole yours while you're on stage. Don't ask it, just take it," Hermione declared.
Hermione strode away and glanced at Charlotte. "You need to make me believe you want me to own you on stage. Practice makes perfect," she told the young woman before walking toward the stairs. "Alright, girls, if you want to go get ready and warmed up, let's get ready for the show."
The ladies dispersed and chatted with radiant energy flowing from them. Hermione approached the table the gentlemen were sitting at. She smirked and sat down at the table. The workers behind the scenes had disappeared. Very interesting indeed.
"The show looks like it's going to be great, darling," Gilderoy purred.
Hermione nodded and glanced at the stranger with grey eyes. "You are?"
He reached over and took her hand, taking it to his lips. "A recent fan."
"What happened to anonymity, Lockhart?" Hermione asked.
Lockhart moved in his chair before sipping his glass. "Well, darling, he's a business fan. His name is Regulus."
She could see through Lockhart easily. It made their working relationship simple because she could work him like the other men around her. Lockhart was just as engaged with the fantasy as her fans. That made her have an edge. He was lying.
"Oh, well, how much money does a fan pay to see me out of uniform?" Hermione questioned.
Regulus sharpened his gaze as he examined her. "Plenty."
Hermione blinked and sat up. "And when does this investment take place?"
Regulus leaned closer, and his lips curled. "Oh, you are a smart girl."
"Very," Hermione said as she turned to him. "When?"
Lockhart cupped Hermione's cheek and smiled. "I'll make positive my Strawberry Champagne is taken care of. Two weeks from now."
"How?" Hermione asked as she arched an eyebrow at him.
Regulus shuffled and pulled out a piece of paper. "Well, I have a five-point plan and safety measures I would like to establish. No different than what is already implemented, but more firm on your safety."
Hermione took the page and read it. His plan was logical and quite smart, but she felt exposed. She had planned to ride out the summer with little worry. She was going to start at a firm this fall…
"Well, that's decent of you," Hermione murmured as she handed back the paper.
"I want to tap into your creativity," Regulus noted as he gestured to the stage. "That was a magnificent performance."
Hermione folded her arms as she scowled. "Why?"
"Because you're magical," Regulus responded. "Don't you understand what you create?"
Lockhart nodded and lifted the crop on the table. "This was certainly an interesting theme."
"I just want you to know, full disclosure. We expect things to remain the same. No one is going to do anything illegal or unsafe at this club," Hermione said as she glanced at Regulus.
"Most certainly, Hermione. This is a club built off of fantasy, not crude reality. My partner agrees, and we will see the change to be smooth and profitable."
"When will you be telling the girls?" Hermione questioned.
Lockhart hummed and smacked the tip of the riding crop against the table. "Once the attorney has approved, which should be tomorrow, we're going to announce it at the meeting. After that, there will be some maintenance workers to alter and fix a few things before the two weeks."
Hermione turned to Regulus and frowned. "Us girls want updates on our dressing area. Our shower is awful, our closet is rigged, and we need more storage for props."
Regulus dug through his suit and handed her a card. "I would love to hear everything you need and have it prepared for you at the finish of the fortnight. We knew there would be updates required after the transition, and we are more than willing to do so."
"Why this club?" Hermione huffed.
Regulus arched his eyebrow and tilted his head. "I thought you would know that. They don't come just for the fantasy. They come for you, love."
"That's a bit to put on someone," Hermione said with a narrowed expression.
"Call it a feeling," Regulus murmured. "I know that your influence makes this a magical place."
Hermione exhaled and nodded. "Alright."
Regulus tilted his head as he absorbed her. "But that doesn't satisfy you?"
Hermione smirked and bent toward him. "Do I look like I'm satisfied with baseless compliments?"
His smile grew as he moved closer. "You, my dear, are far better at this than you know."
"I believe you want to go get ready, darling?" Lockhart questioned.
Hermione nodded and stood up. "Yes, I suppose so."
"We'll have dinner next week," Lockhart smirked.
Hermione inwardly cringed and snatched up her riding crop. "I have some things to do for the shows next week. We'll see."
She was walking away and heard the lingering of their conversation. "Don't press your luck, Lockhart. She's not interested."
"I won't be her boss soon," Gilderoy snickered.
Hermione exhaled while shaking her head. She could only hope that he would yield. Hopefully, he didn't sell the place to try and shag her. The concept was gritty and disgusting, which dampened her mood.
Remus was tugging on his collar under the wolf mask. The first half of the show was intense and potent. The woman that had been plaguing his dreams, both in costume and out, was a ballsy dominatrix tonight. She took command of the stage and even did some numbers with the newer girls. Candy did indeed look edible after her fight for freedom from the mythical Strawberry Champagne.
Regulus had handed him some bills at the beginning, and they were sitting at the stage. For a man he rarely got along with, they were having a decent night. Remus was at the bar counter after the last set and needed a refreshment. The young man in a mask behind the counter was smirking.
"Must be your lucky night," he told him.
Remus tilted his head and reached for the beer. "Not sure what you mean."
A black-gloved hand appeared and stole the beverage from him. "Mr. Bashful, you came back," a sultry voice murmured.
Remus pivoted to see Strawberry Champagne in her black hair gripping his beer. "Hello," he murmured.
Strawberry waved at the bartender. "Give him one more," she said before sipping his bottle.
"You have a very commanding presence tonight," Remus noted as he reached for the new bottle.
"Well, everyone has a bit of fantasy," She laughed and stroked his arm. "I truly am happy to see you. I still owe you that dance."
Remus relaxed and moistened his lips. "You do, but I know you're busy tonight."
She stepped closer, and he was hyper-aware of just how much she smelled of stale sweat and a sharp flower. "Yes, that is unfortunate," she whispered and relaxed against the counter.
"Where is Miss Sherry tonight?" Remus questioned.
Strawberry smirked while sipping her beer. "She had plans, and so I decided to take over. As you can see, it's a hit. My girls are having fun," she whispered while waving at the ladies prowling around and flirting with the men to get dances. "That one over there, she's wonderful with lapdances, if you're interested," she pointed to the girl with darker skin and a red outfit.
"Oh?"
Strawberry moved her finger to the one in purple flirting with a man in a tiger mask. "She can do this trick on the pole that makes eyes pop."
Remus smiled and gestured to her. "And you? What's your specialty?"
She tugged him close and took his beer, placing it behind her. Strawberry then placed his hands on either side of the counter and blockaded herself in front of him. "I thought you knew," she purred. "I read minds."
He hemmed and took a step back. "I can see that."
Remus could see that she was evaluating him. Her amber eyes glanced between his and her neck slanted. "You aren't up for the chase tonight?" She asked.
He knew he had to recover. Especially because Thursday wasn't a long stretch between now and then. "You look far too tasty to be standing in front of me. I might gobble you up," he teased and pointed to his mask.
Strawberry laughed and reached up, stroking his cheek. "Mr. Bashful, my, what big teeth you have."
"All the better to eat you with," he finished the line despite the corny smirk playing on her lips.
She dropped her posture for a moment and smiled. "You were the pick-me-up I needed. Thank you," she murmured and closed the distance, kissing his face.
Strawberry pulled away and regained her confident posture. "See you around, Big Bad Wolf," she snickered and santered back toward the stage.
Remus breathed and shook his head while snatching up his abandoned beer. This wasn't how he imagined walking that line. He twitched his nose and glanced to see the bartender was smirking at him.
"She likes you. It's not often she hunts members down. They usually do the chasing," the bartender mused.
"Well, she's paid to like all of us," Remus sighed and raised his beer. "To smart choices and women."
The bartender slid over in front of the man and set out a glass. "I would be pleased if I were you. A few of the regular members don't get that much attention," he told him and poured the drink,
"Then to being envied," Remus corrected before sipping his beer.
"Being envied," the bartender snickered. "Here's for your friend. She told me he'd want one for this next set."
It was scotch. Remus thought about it with pinched brows before the bartender shrugged. "Don't ask me. What Strawberry Champagne wants, she usually gets. She said it was a peace offering."
Remus shrugged and took the glass before setting out a note. "For you."
"Thanks, mate," the bartender voiced and patted the counter. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you."
Remus wandered back to his seat and adjusted. Regulus was watching one of the girls nearby. She was in a black outfit and was nearly sitting in a bulbous man's lap. "This is for you. Strawberry says it's a peace offering."
Regulus glanced over and smirked at the glass before taking it. "Oh, she's a little minx."
"Peace offering, Reggie?" Remus questioned.
He nodded before sipping it. "Yes, well, Lockhart introduced us today. He told me she should be told so the transition would go smoother since the paperwork looks good."
"You met her?" Remus inquired.
Regulus grinned and agreed. "Oh, yes. I got to see them practice the opening number."
"Hm," Remus grunted.
"Don't worry, it was just a meet and greet. She's still unaware," Regulus whispered and glanced up as the lights flashed. "Seems like the next part of the show is starting."
Ugh. Thursday was starting to sound more and more like a problem. Remus sipped his beer and lounged in his chair. A sudden thought caused him to not look forward to that dinner. He might have to confess, or this was going to get out of hand.