Ooookay... Well I'm posting the second chapter in hopes that more people will read! And because I don't have much else to do tonight, there might be a third chapter before the night is out!

I really hope you guys are enjoying the story :) Let me know what you think!

I'm done ranting now...happy reading!

-eedie


Harry and Ron followed Hermione out the back door of the club as she waved goodbye to her coworkers. She led them over to a sporty black car and motioned for them to get in. Both Harry and Ron hesitated, causing Hermione to roll her eyes and hop in the driver's seat.

"Give me a fucking break. Get in, or people will start to stare."

The men stumbled into the car, fumbled for the seatbelts, and took a deep breath before Hermione took off. Some obnoxious American pop song was playing on the radio, and Harry looked on as Hermione sang along. She looked carefree and young, which was a look that Harry hadn't seen on her throughout many of their years at Hogwarts. It seemed that her lifestyle here in Las Vegas was agreeing with her. He glanced back at Ron, who was watching her awkward fist-pumping dance moves with a look that showed confusion and curiosity at the same time. Harry turned back and stared out the window, deep in thought. Why had she left so many years ago? What had she been doing? Why was she a stripper? And why the hell is her hair blonde? Hermione cleared her throat as she pulled into an apartment complex.

"Before you even think to open your mouth and tell me what a bitch I was for leaving, let me get my piece out."

Both Ron and Harry nodded as they exited the car and followed her down a long path toward a quaint townhouse. Once inside, Ron and Harry slumped into her comfortable sofa as Hermione made her way to her bedroom. She returned a minute later with her hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head. She wore a white tank top and dark sweatpants hung low on her hips. Harry was surprised he hadn't noticed the tattoos sweeping over her body before, but he assumed she had some sort of charm on them. He could see words, sketches, and swirls going every which way along her body. Harry had a momentary thought that he was interested in seeing where they all went, but he shook the thought off and focused his attention back on her actions. She perched herself on the arm of a chair across from Ron and Harry. For a minute, it seemed she was only going to stare at her former best friends, but she let out a sigh and crossed her arms.

"Look. It's been four years since we last saw each other. I know you have tons of questions about what's happened. So let me say this. After the war, I sat down one day and I could see exactly where my life was headed. We were war heroes. I would've had eternal fucking glory, I would've married you, Ron, we would have been happy for a while, I would've popped out some standard dweeb children. You'd become an auror, I'd get some lame-ass job in the Ministry. Probably a desk job. I would've been fucking miserable. But we would've lived a simple life, staying close to Harry and Ginny, so our children could play with their cousins. And yes, that's a great life for someone. But after the war, I realized it wasn't the life I wanted. I didn't have to have all the answers. I didn't want to be known as the "brains" of the Golden Trio. I wanted to be able to live the way I chose. I wanted to be able to fuck up without paparazzi breathing down my back. That's when I realized I needed to leave. And the only way I could live the way I wanted was if I didn't tell you guys. And I'm sorry I did that to you. But I didn't want to live in the wizarding world anymore. I'd helped save it, but I wanted to let someone else clean up the mess. I needed a break."

She shrugged her shoulders when she was finished. Harry leaned forward, placing his chin on his fist.

"Did you find the life you wanted?"

Hermione smiled as she thought back over the past four years. She'd made a thousand mistakes, she'd been all over the world. She had met interesting people, but she still didn't have friends. She moved around too much. She was too aloof, too wild, too unpredictable. Ordinary people didn't like that about her. She was foul-mouthed. Other women found that to be unbecoming and rude. And she was a stripper. A very famous stripper around Las Vegas. She could always find herself company for the night if she wanted it. But was that good enough?

"Of course I did! Are you fucking kidding me? I live in one of the greatest cities in the United States. I get to party and enjoy myself every single damn day. I live a great life."

Harry nodded slowly and Ron stared dumbfounded. Hermione got up and stretched, her shirt inching upward, showing off the curves of her hips and the tautness of her stomach. Her pants were slipping dangerously low, and Harry could see the curving lines on some symbol on her hip. It was distracting.

"What's that symbol?"

Hermione looked down and saw what he was inquiring about. She pulled her pants a tad lower so the whole symbol was visible.

"It's the Zodiac symbol for Virgo. I've got quite a few tattoos now actually. Living in Vegas has paid off. I make a lot of acquaintances this way. I haven't paid for any of these bitches!"

Harry and Ron squinted at her skin as she slowly spun in a circle. Her whole right arm was covered from shoulder to wrist with swirling words and abstract artwork. He could see birds and a tree. Something in a different language. Different types of flowers. Some swirly lines that intersected and disconnected all the way through everything else. Harry thought it was spectacular, albeit out of place on Hermione's skin. She had a few more tattoos adorning her back, but Harry didn't take a closer look at those. He stepped back and grinned.

"I never imagined I'd see this many tattoos on one of my friends. But honestly, they suit you, Hermione. So, I have to ask. Why the blonde hair?'

Hermione giggled and ran her hand through the long platinum locks.

"It's just a charm. Honestly, I just like it better I guess. Plus, it's near impossible for people to recognize me. You wouldn't have recognized me if it hadn't been for my eyes. Honestly, Harry, I noticed the two of you as soon as I got on stage. When Jasmine told me you wanted a lap dance….no offense, but I was shitting my pants worrying about it. I knew you would recognize me. I thought I could get away with it… but obviously not. Oh well."

Harry sat back down on the couch and chuckled, shaking his head.

"Just wait until I tell Ginny it was you who gave me a lap dance… That brings me to my next point, Hermione. I know you're going to say no, but please, consider it. It's been for years since anyone has seen you. If we go home and tell everyone that we ran into you, they're going to be mad that we didn't bring you back with us. And if we come searching for you, I know you'll be gone. So could you please do me a favor? Come back with us. Even if it's only for a little while. I just know there are loads of people who would love to see you again. Ginny probably most of all. So what do you say?"

Ron looked on eagerly, nodding to Hermione in encouragement. Hermione thought it over, chewing on her bottom lip. It would be nice to return to England. But she loved Vegas more. She did miss the Weasleys. But she had her family at the Sapphire to think about. It would be fun to see what the nightlife in London is like…

"Well fuck. I don't really have a choice do I? Unless I want to feel guilty for the rest of my life! A few conditions. If I feel uncomfortable, I'm outta there. I'm sticking with my blonde hair. And neither one of you had better hit on me. I don't want to have to answer to Ginny. She might be younger than me, but she scares the shit out of me. You married a terrifying bitch, Harry."

The trio laughed together as Hermione flicked her wand, magically packing up most of the things she thought she would need. Ron tossed an arm over her shoulder as he grabbed onto Harry's arm.

"You know Hermione, you've got quite the mouth on you these days. I can't tell if I should be attracted to you or scared of you."

Hermione giggled and grabbed her bag off the floor.

"Piss off, Ron."