A/N: I know, I should totally be updating my other stories but this plot bunny began attacking me, see, and so I had to appease it! At any rate, I'm writing updates for the other two and I really hope you enjoy this one!
Hermione laughed as Ginny took a bow from yet another birthday gift and stuck it to the older girl's head. "I can't believe that you're legally an adult now!"
"Stop saying that!" Hermione giggled and tore the wrapping from her last present. It was a set of rare alchemical books from the Headmaster. She smiled warmly as she stroked the books reverently and surveyed her birthday haul. She had received gift certificates for Flourish and Blotts, as well as Madam Malkin's and Gladrags from Professor McGonagall, the Weasleys and Harry, books from Professors Dumbledore and Flitwick, an elaborate silver necklace from Ginny, a few muggle books and a cheque from her parents, and a miscellany of cards, candy and trinkets from other classmates.
"You know, I am going to make you wear that for the whole day," Ginny smirked, waving a hand towards the collage of bows and ribbons from the presents that she stuck to her friend's head.
"You wouldn't," Hermione retorted in a mock-horrified voice. Ginny's face turned dead serious.
"Oh, I would." Hermione eyed her warily for a moment before the redhead burst into laughter and she joined in. "So, what are your plans for today?"
"Well, I plan on visiting Hogsmeade to do some shopping today, and maybe nip off to Diagon Alley for a time."
"Damn you! I wish I could do that without needing a damn pass!" Hermione knew there was no malice in Ginny's words and grinned broadly. "Well, I've gotta run," she said as she slid from Hermione's bed and onto her feet.
"Another 'date' with your mystery man?" Hermione teased. Ginny blushed and winked at her.
"Maybe something like that." She put her hand up to silence the question she knew was coming. "I will tell you soon enough who he is," she grinned before saying her good byes and leaving the birthday girl to herself.
Hermione lay back on her bed and stretched out, yawning. She had really wanted to sleep in later, but Ginny woke her up early, demanding that she open her presents. She didn't mind it in the least; Ginny was her best friend – no, she was more than that… She was practically a sister to Hermione. The two were never really close until the summer before when they fought side-by-side in the war against Voldemort, followed by the time they spent helping to heal the injured in the aftermath. The pair took to talking to one another to pass the time, but ended up confiding their secrets, fears and dreams to the other. The bond they formed helped them both through the difficult healing and rebuilding efforts, and had only grown stronger ever since.
But Hermione had a secret she wasn't willing to tell her younger friend just yet. It wasn't that she was hiding anything, or that she was afraid to tell Ginny; it was really that she wanted to stay focused and get this started off without any hindrances or doubts. She could work through anything that came up later. For now, she was going to get dressed and get down to business.
By late afternoon Hermione sat on a transfigured chair in the parlor of the shop she had bought. She had been saving up for a short while until her parents decided that when she turned of age (in the wizarding world) they would supply her the funding. She had converted the muggle cheque to wizard money and was able to buy the location with quite a bit left over for furnishing and supplying. She felt a bit guilty since her parents believed her to be opening a bookstore. She shook off the feeling and set to cleaning the place before she had to be back at Hogwarts by 9:00pm. At least she would have tomorrow to get a bit more work done before classes resumed on Monday.
The place she had chosen was only the second she had seen that day, but was perfect. It was located at the end of the street that housed Madam Puddifoot's and had a small empty dirt lot in the front surrounded by a wooden fence. It had originally been a bed and breakfast, but the owners had just moved their business out of the wizard village and she was the first to have seen it after it became available. The large oak doors opened to a comfortable foyer with large rooms on either side, backed by a kitchen and dining room. In the center stood a staircase with balconies at the middle plateau and the top that faced the entry and upstairs housed seven bedrooms and a study. She hired a crew of magical builders to create the image she held in her mind, and they came over the next morning after she had breakfast with her friends in the great hall.
She had the doorways for the two main rooms enlarged so that anyone standing at the middle of the stairs could see who was in each of the rooms, and had the kitchen and dining room entrances from the two large rooms closed off. Instead she had a staircase put in leading directly into the dining room from the study and a hidden door behind the stairs. A bar was put into the room on the left of the foyer and the fireplace from the other was made larger and more elegant. The walls and floor were covered in dark wood, with the walls being stained a deep burgundy while the floor was covered in an almost black stain. Once the rooms upstairs were carpeted in the plushest shag she could find, the crew went on their way and she returned to Hogwarts a minute before curfew exhausted.
She walked into her dorm only to find Ginny waiting impatiently on her bed. Before she could even register enough brainpower for a greeting Ginny was upon her. "So? Where did you go? What did you get? After two days I'm going nuts!"
She grinned softly at her friend while trying to keep her eyes open. "Gin, I'll play show and tell in the morning, I promise. But, right now…" she put her hand up to cover her mouth as she yawned, "gods, right now I just want to sleep."
Ginny realized that her friend really was tired by watching her sway and stumble a little as she trudged toward the bed. "Okay," she sighed dramatically as she stood. "But you better know that I will be in here first thing in the morning!"
Hermione giggled tiredly and smiled at her friend. "I look forward to it. Night, Gin."
"Night, Mione."
True to her word Ginny was bouncing on her bed early the next morning. Hermione showed her a couple of the robes she had purchased while in Diagon Alley before finally dragging her down with the others for breakfast. The week seemed to crawl by; even the mountains of homework that usually made time fly for her made every second feel like several minutes. Halfway through the week she found the solution – the sooner she got her work done, the sooner she was free to peruse catalogs and choose the furnishings and décor for the business. She also wrote up an ad to post in The Daily Prophet for possible employees.
The last couple of days passed swiftly and Saturday morning found her standing in black underwear with stockings within a room, furnished with only a full-length mirror, altering her appearance. She had taken the center bedroom as her own room and was itching to decorate it, but she had interviews to conduct. She spelled her hair a deep wine red and flecked her eyes with emerald green before using a make-up charm she had learned from Ginny. It lined her eyes in black kohl with slight cat-like peaks at the edge, and turned her lips a shade or two lighter than her hair. The soft foundation was highlighted and shaded to make her face more defined and the effect made her look older and more sophisticated.
Lacing up her black high-heeled boots and wasp-waisted corset, she slipped on a tight black floor-length robe with high slits up the side and headed downstairs. She entered the Lounge (as she had so named the room off to the right) and straightened the few furnishings she had bought. A copy of The Prophet sat on a small side table, folded open so she could see her ad.
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ATTENTION SINGLE WITCHES!
Looking to expand your Gringott's
account? Well, look no further! If
you are fun, outgoing, single and want
to make good money in a safe place
then come see us! You must be clean,
open-mined, attractive and of legal age.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Interviews will be held at 10 o'clock
Saturday morning…
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Her attention was diverted by the sound of a girl talking outside. She walked outside and took a look around what was once a ruddy dirt lot. The wooden fence had been changed into a high wrought-iron masterpiece, all thickly woven with ivy except the entryway. Soft grass on either side of the stone walkway was interrupted by weeping willows, benches and fountains, and the house was edged in all color of roses. Hermione beamed at the young wizard who had offered his horticultural help and he blushed softly before turning to face the girl who had arrived. Hermione walked over and offered her hand.
"Hello! I'm Madame X."
The girl smiled and shook her hand softly. "Greetings, Madame, I am Rose."
"Do come inside, Rose, and join me for some tea." Hermione turned and swept up to the house, leading the girl to the Lounge and offering her a seat on the black velvet couch. Once she had poured tea for them both, Hermione sat in a high wing back chair across the small table from her.
"So, how old are you?"
"I'm 20," Rose responded as she sipped her tea delicately. She's already passed the 'looks' part of the interview, Hermione mused as she took in the girl's appearance. Clad in strappy black stilettos, a black circle skirt and a dark green corset-style blouse, Rose conducted herself in a most refined manner. Her thick black hair was pulled into a neat blouse and her blue eyes were lined in a smoky grey. Her red lips befitting her name were curved in a smile as she set her teacup down.
"Have you ever worked in a, well--"
"A brothel?" The girl supplied and nodded. "Yes, I was familiar with the terms in your ad."
"Oh, good," Hermione smiled and sighed a breath of relief. "Where have you worked before?"
"At a ranch in America. I worked there for about 3 years before returning here, but I have not had much luck in finding a reputable place of work."
"I am glad to hear you have such experience! Are you familiar with the more extreme forms of pleasure?"
"Oh, yes! We had many clients out there visit for their various fetishes, and I'm sure I've seen some of the craziest!"
"Well, I think you are perfect for our place! Welcome to the family, Rose," Hermione smiled warmly at the girl who broke out into a broad grin. "Would you, er, be willing to perhaps help me with hiring other girls?"
"Oh, that would be no problem at all, Madame!"
Hermione sighed in relief and thanked the girl.
As the afternoon came and passed many more girls were interviewed. When the final girl was chosen Hermione instructed them to meet her back there the next morning to begin furnishing and assist her with hiring help. Bidding them good night she sent them off, returned her appearance to normal and made it to Hogwarts in time for dinner. She had not realized how hungry she was until she stepped into the great hall and all the delicious smells washed over her. Squeezing onto the bench between Ginny and Neville she began piling a mountain of food on her plate.
"Damn, girl! You're starting to act like Ron," Ginny laughed out and Ron looked up from his plate with a look on his face that clearly said, 'what about me?'
Hermione just smiled and dug in to her mashed potatoes. Ginny finished eating and headed back to the dorm while Hermione plowed through two pieces of chocolate pie. With her stomach reaching its breaking point she lazily made her way up to her dorm only to find her bed once again occupied by her fiery friend.
"Dammit, Gin!"
"Ha! So? Who is it?"
"Who's who?"
"The new lover you are so obviously sneaking off to see all weekend! I'm not even going to believe that you are just off shopping all day two weekends in a row with only three articles of clothing to show for it!" Ginny smirked and crossed her arms over her chest, pleased with herself.
Hermione leaned against one of the bedposts and sighed. "It's not a new lover, Gin, but you honestly wouldn't believe me if I told you the truth." She walked over next to the younger girl and fell back on the bed with her eyes closed, her body luxuriating in the feel of its softness.
"Oh, yeah? Try me."
Hermione opened one eye and looked at the girl. "I opened a whorehouse in Hogsmeade."
Ginny eyed her for a moment before smirking. Hermione mimicked the girl's earlier stance as she sat up. "Okay, fine, don't tell me. But I'll find out what you're up to!" she threatened playfully. Hermione responded with hysterical laughter as Lavender and Parvati walked into the room.
"Look, be up and ready by 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and I will get a pass to take you out with me."
Ginny beamed and threw her arms around Hermione. "See you in the morning!" was all she called out as she bounded out of the room. Hermione just smiled and quickly changed into her pajamas, falling asleep before she even recalled lying down in bed.
A/N: I wanted to write more, but I had to stop here. I really hope you like it so far! Please, review. It really is what makes us authors keep writing!