Chapter 1: Sonata
The first time, he'd been taking the long way around to his office to avoid the herd of students leaving the Great Hall after dinner. He'd been drawn by the ebullient sounds drifting from the old music room and following the trail of notes, he found the door ajar. Not wanting to disturb the occupant, he gently eased it open; the pianist had her back to him, but he had no trouble recognising the slim, correct posture and unruly curls of his Charms Mistress. He hadn't suspected that the buttoned up, rule-bound Miss Granger was capable of such creative freedom, or of being so… unfettered. He slipped away before she noticed his presence, quietly humming to himself.
Over the following weeks, he learned that she often spent an hour in the music room after dinner, and he'd become her devoted audience of one. This evening he leant on the doorframe, captivated. He didn't recognise the melody – so he assumed it was a muggle composer - but it sent shivers down his spine. She was unaware of his presence and he wondered how she would react if she knew how often he had stood here, falling under a spell that he had no counter-curse for. He slowly crossed the room and noticed that her eyes were closed. Quietly he leant on the piano, enthralled by the music, and feeling a peculiar sense of loss as her hands stilled and the notes came to an end. She remained wherever it was that the music took her for a long moment before opening her eyes – and then shattered the quietude with an undignified squeal when she found herself under the scrutiny of the Headmaster. Her hands quickly rose to cover her mouth, stifling the sound.
'Where did you come from?' she gasped. 'How long have you been there?' The colour rose prettily in her cheeks. He smiled and she couldn't be sure, but she thought she might have detected a twinkle in his eyes.
'Miss Granger, I do apologise. I didn't mean to startle you but it seems you have more talents than are listed on your curriculum vitae – something I would hardly thought possible.' He assumed a serious expression. 'As Headmaster, I felt duty bound to investigate.'
She laughed, and it struck him that in her years as a student, it was a sound he had seldom heard, although that was hardly surprising. No one who had been in any way touched by those events had emerged unscathed, but the young witch, though scarred, was somehow not diminished by them.
'I didn't recognise that piece. What's it called?' he asked.
'Moonlight Sonata,' she replied. 'It was written over two hundred years ago by a muggle composer called Beethoven.'
'It's beautiful.' She wasn't sure if he was complementing her playing or the composition, and didn't know how to react. 'You don't have any music – you must know it very well.'
'It was one of my mother's favourites,' she explained. 'She taught me when I was young, and I've always loved it too. It reminds me of her; it makes me feel sad, but in a good way.' She gazed up at him for a moment. 'Do you know what I mean?' His eyes scanned her face, taking in the openness in her expression, and wondering when it was that he'd earned her confidence.
'Anyway, Professor, you don't want to hear all that,' she said lightly. 'I didn't know you were a music lover?'
'I'm a fan, but I never seem to have the time to indulge. I certainly don't have any discernible talent.'
'You don't play?' she asked. He shook his head. 'Would you like to learn? I could teach you.'
He got the feeling she hadn't really meant to make the offer – certainly didn't expect him to accept – but he found the idea curiously appealing; it was a long time since he'd studied a completely new discipline. He also had to admit to himself that he strangely warmed by the thought of the vivacious young woman taking on the role of his teacher. He had to confess that he wasn't immune to her bubbly enthusiasm.
'I'd be delighted, Professor Granger,' he said with a warm smile, as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, noting how pretty she was when she blushed.