Chapter One
Harry looked at front of the Great Hall to Professor McGonagall. He was confused and stunned at what she had just proposed. She had wanted to-
"Yes, you heard perfectly clear, I am proposing a competition: Hogwart's Idol." She paused to gaze around the Hall. They were celebrating Halloween that night, but everything seemed duller. Maybe it was because Dumbledore was gone, but they had to move on, and she knew this would help enlighten the mood.
McGonagall was right, abruptly the students began discussing it with the people around them. She noticed Harry staring at her with dumb expression she moved her gaze to the Slytherin table, they were also excited except one certain individual, Draco Malfoy.
Yes, he was back. His mother had managed to persuade the Ministry he was condemned to do the dark lord's wishes, and most believed it too. She had said he was under the Imperius, but who knew the truth.
Slowly she cleared her throat to continue. "This is the last years for our seventh years and they have shown outstanding performances, especially certain students from the time they stepped foot here. I also believe we need something to lighten the spirits here."
She moved to the center of the room, and raised her wand to the ceiling. A picture formed, a trophy, half silver and gold. It shimmered in the dark night sky of the enchanted ceiling. The students watched in awe, slowly the lights dimmed, and all that was lighting the whole Hall was the glow coming from the trophy. It had the Hogwarts crest on the front, with the different animals moving.
Everyone stared mesmerized. McGonagall continued, "Yes, as you may have guessed this trophy will be awarded to winner, runner ups also awarded a similar trophy but much smaller and one color, depending on their position. Gold for the first runner up and silver for the second runner up."
"Uh, but didn't you say-," Professor Flitwick began. "Ow!"
McGonagall, kicked him in the shin, "Quiet." She hissed.
She clapped her hands to silence them, "I'm almost done, I want to say, that practice on your singing and that anyone can sing, except the staff though. Tryouts will be held mid-November. Now I am finished, you may leave to your rooms."
Quickly everyone left the Great Hall talking excitedly to each other about this new competition.
McGonagall seemed happy with the ordeal, she frowned as she saw Flitwick hopping on his foot still rubbing the part she had kicked.
"What about what you said-,"
"Hush!" she hissed again, and once again kicking in the same exact spot. "That is a secret between the staff only, and I'd like it to remain that way."
"Okay." He whimpered. Madame Promfrey, hobbled over to him.
"It's a good thing I didn't ask." She whispered.
It was a week after the announcement on a Saturday afternoon. There were various Gryfindors in the common room practicing or making arrangements.
Hermione sat at the side beside Harry and Ron near the fireplace. She tapped the eat of the song on her MP3 player. Harry was still shocked about the whole thing.
"Why would she do it? Who in their right mind would do it? Why are all these people even bothering?" He said in one breath.
Hermione sighed and gave him a pitiful look. "Oh, come on Harry, everyone's okay with it, why are you all worried about it."
He frowned and sat back, until he noticed her MP3. "Hey, I thought electronics didn't work in Hogwarts?"
She nodded. "I'm surprised you remembered. Anyway, the ban was lifted in exception to this competition. I can't believe the tryouts are in eleven more days!"
"Eleven days, twelve hours, twenty minutes and thirty-five seconds." Ron said from where he was sitting.
Hermione and Harry exchanged looks. "Well that was precise, Ronald." Luna said walking in on their conversation. Ron muttered something under his breath about monkeying in on others business.
Luna paid no attention and also noticed Hermione's MP3. "Oh, my father just sent me one yesterday. I finally got it to work…..i think?" with that she walked off, singing the school song.
Luna wasn't the only one having trouble with these musical electronics. The trio picked up little its of others conversations:
"Dad, sent me this MP something? He said it played music?"
"I don't understand how music comes from a metal box?"
"I think we're supposed to press play."
"I did! But I have to download something or the other."
"Mine keeps playing 'My Humps'."
Hermione laughed silently. Harry rolled his eyes. "I see there are some advantages to being muggleborn." Ron said.
She nodded and looked at the book his head was buried behind a book, shockingly enough. "Ron since when do read books unless your forced to. Let me see-," she reached over to take the book from him.
"Rrrrr." He growled snatching the book from her.
She and Harry slowly backed away. "Sorry, I'll ask next time."
He let out another growl.
Harry sighed. He gazed around room. People singing, dancing to the rhythm and hiding their music from others.
"And so the madness begins…"