Set post-Conqueror of Shamballa. In modern-ish London, and loosely related to my HP crossover, New Lead.

Modern Concerts

"Hey," Ed greeted me as he walked into the house. I didn't look up from the book I was reading.

"How'd work go?" He had come back later than usual.

Petra took a step forward and -

"OK. Hey, what'chya reading?" Mutely, I lifted the book and showed him the cover. Ender's Game.

Brother sighed and sat down.

"Hey Al, Jean invited us to go to a concert." Now I finally looked up at him, surprised. Havoc... He didn't seem the type for these kinds of things.

"A concert?" Brother... Wanted to go to a concert with me?

"Yeah. It's supposed to be a good one. Want to come?" I smiled and set down my book.

"Sure. Might be nice to listen to some music. To just relax, right?" For a moment Brother hesitated, looking uncertain, and I grew the tiniest bit suspicious. And then the moment passed and he returned the grin.

"Right."

One hour later, we were sitting in the concert hall, waiting with Havoc for the band to get ready.

"So, what band's playing?" I asked, and Havoc's eyes widened. Ed opted to remain silent.

"You don't know? Come you, you must have heard of the Dominators!"

"The Dominators?" I said dubiously. "What kind of name is that?" Havoc mournfully shook his head, sighing.

"Ah, the youth today... You never -"

And then the band members entered the stage, and he broke off, excitedly turning to watch.

"Look, they're on early!" he exclaimed.

"Early?" The concert had supposed to have begun five minutes earlier... And for some reason, Ed was giving me a sheepish look. I had a feeling that this wasn't going to just be some nice, relaxing music...

"Hey, Al, I have to tell you something..."

But he didn't get the chance, because then the music started.

Loud. Obnoxiously loud. That was the only was to describe it. This wasn't a concert; this was a monstrosity, a butchering of the word music -

My ears couldn't take it anymore and I fled the room. Ed was quick to follow.

"What was that?" I gasped as soon as we were out of earshot, and Brother gave me that sheepish grin again.

"That, Al, was a modern concert." I glared at him, him and that grin.

"Thanks for the warning, Brother."

His smile only widened.