A/N: Here's an entirely new story, yeah. Inspired by both cyropi's Macbeth, Altagracia's Rocky Hogwarts Picture Show, and Sarah, who introduced me to Jekyll and Hyde. Basically, it's a production of Jekyll & Hyde put on by the students of Hogwarts, with minimal backstory or actual plot beyond the musical. J&H is kind of universal-theme-y though, so it kind of fits with Harry Potter. Set in 7th year.

Disclaimer: I've never really seen the point of these. I don't think anyone on would claim to own Harry Potter. They aren't that dumb. Well, most of them- just kidding! I don't own Harry Potter, or Jekyll and Hyde, or The Dream Within (Hermione's audition song), or Jack's Lament (Draco's audition song). That pretty much covers it.

So, any feedback you want to give me once you've read the chapter would be absolutely wonderful. Tell me good, bad, like it, don't like it, don't understand something, have any suggestions. I may actually use some suggestions- but do NOT tell me what not to put in. I hate when people do that. No offense to someone who might want to, but it isn't for you to say what does not belong in someone else's story.

And enough of that. I think you all want to read about the characters of Harry Potter and their audition plights. So, here it is.

Overture (Instrumental)

"I can't," Hermione said, dismissing her friends' request without raising her eyes.

"Hermione, we've heard you sing," Ron scolded. He and Harry were confronting her in the Gryffindor common room.

She looked up from her Potions book in alarm. "When?"

Harry smiled and sat down beside her on the sofa as Ron occupied a cushy, overstuffed armchair. "You hum when you do your homework sometimes. And there was one time when we kind of walked in on you. You were by yourself down here, and singing some song. I think it was from Beauty and the Beast."

Hermione remembered the time Harry referred to. She had become very engrossed in her performance, and even gestured to an imaginary audience. She looked down, a blush growing on her cheeks. "I didn't know anyone heard me."

"The point is that you sounded good," Harry continued. "We think you'd be really good for the all-school musical."

"Harry, I can't be in a musical. I have enough work as it is without having to memorize lines or songs. And I know I'd get horrible stage fright."

"That's what makes it fun," Ron protested. "Come on, what's the harm in auditioning?"

"There's plenty of harm in auditioning, Ronald Weasley. Not the least of which is that it's a waste of my time."

"If we both promise to audition, will you?" Harry asked. Ron elbowed him very hard. Hermione regarded the two of them for a moment, then shook her head.

"It's no use, you two. I'm just not-"

Luckily, right at that moment, Ginny chose to join them with a choice comment. "Hermione, have you decided what you're singing yet?"

"For what?" wondered Ron with a puzzled look. He and Harry were both looking at her. Hermione desperately tried to signal her friend to stop, but Ginny's focus was her brother. She put her hands on her hips and looked at him witheringly.

"For the audition, you moron. She's trying out for Jekyll & Hyde."

Ron and Harry turned slowly, facing Hermione with quite a Look. She met their gazes with determination. "All right, so maybe I am auditioning."

"Why did you lie to us?" Harry asked. Ginny seemed to realize what she had done, and covered her mouth with her hand.

Hermione smiled at the younger girl. "It's all right, Ginny, as long as no one else heard you." She glanced around the room, but everyone else seemed to be practicing their own audition pieces. "I'm sorry, really. I just wanted it to be a secret. If I auditioned and didn't make it, then no one would ever know. I think dealing with the sympathy would be even worse than having to face the taunts of Slytherins."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Even worse?"

"Well, just as bad," amended Hermione. "Ginny was helping me choose a song for the audition. We haven't had very much success, though."

"Are you audition, Ginny?"

Ginny sat down between Hermione and Harry, who had posed the question. "Of course I am. I'm using a Weird Sisters song. It's not one of the more popular ones, but it's good for showing off your voice."

"I hope you get a good part," Harry told her. She smiled at him.

"So, what are you planning to do?" Ginny asked him.

"Me? On the stage? You're kidding," he replied.

"Hey, you said you would audition if I did," Hermione reminded him.

"Technically I didn't," Harry objected. "I merely asked you if you could be made to audition if we did as well. But now that you mention it, Ron should audition."

Ron laughed. "Good one, mate. Wot, that bludger must have hit you harder than we thought if you expect me to try out for some lame musical! No offense," he added for Hermione and Ginny. They rolled their eyes.

"I dare you," Harry said simply.

"Then I dare you," Ron replied.

"Fine," Harry nodded.

"Fine!" Ron said.

"Hey, Hermione!" Seamus called from across the room. "I hear you're auditioning for the musical!" Most of the occupants of the common room turned to look at her. Groaning, Hermione let her head drop into her hand and she tried to concentrate on her homework.

Things were a bit different in the Slytherin common room. Word had gotten out that Draco was auditioning for Jekyll & Hyde. It was a Muggle musical, but the story was based on a wizard who created a potion that went wrong. Therefore, it was acceptable to Pureblood parents for their children to act in this particular show. Some would even encourage it.

That, however, was not the reason for the rush of Slytherins signing up for audition times. When they had heard that Draco would be trying out, a scant amount of students from his House were planning to audition. By the end of that day, every Slytherin was searching through a mental archive of songs.

Due to Slytherin politics, no one knew what anyone else was singing for the audition. Some would sit in the common room, clearly reviewing the song in their head, or silently mouthing the words. Others discreetly memorized sheet music in class. Many went to the library or the Great Hall to escape the proximity of other students.

Draco sneered at them all and thought of how superior he was as he cast the silencing spell on his room. He would give no one the chance to overhear him. He was determined to be cast in the best available part, and he could only do so if he practiced in complete privacy.

He began to sing, practicing his audition piece with all the feeling he could muster. It did not seem like much, but there was little he could do about that. Emotion was not his forte lately. Speaking of forte… he should sing louder.

Oh, but this part was quieter. Nevermind, then.

"He'd give it all up if he only could…" Draco paused for a moment, the lyric striking a nerve. This, too, could not be helped. He could not seem to remember a single song that was unrelated to the state of his life. This song in particular had been ringing through the Slytherin common room for the entire month of October that year. The second years in particular were apparently very fond of it.

"Oh there's an empty place in my bones that calls out for something unknown. There's something out there far from my home, a longing that I've never known." That was something he could sympathize with as well. Recently he had realized that Lucius had planned out his life before he was even born - Voldemort had planned it before Lucius had thought of having children. His whole life had been the same, training to be a servant, so they could carry out their plan. Once he knew what they were about, he wanted something different. Of course, it couldn't be just anything. Draco needed something in particular. He just didn't happen to know what it was.

Maybe he just needed someone to care. It would be nice. His mother, he had recently learned, had been convinced under the Imperius and Cruciatus that she was cold and distant. He knew Lucius did not care, and he was sure that all his friends only wanted to be on his father's good side.

Yes. Someone who cared about him would be just what he needed… that, or amazing sex.

"Oh, somewhere deep inside of these bones an emptiness began to grow. The fame and praise come year after year does nothing for these empty tears," he finished.

After the song had ended, he realized how good he had sounded.

"Damn. I think I may actually enjoy this."

Maybe a school musical was the new thing he needed… or amazing sex.

Hermione hurried to the audition room on Friday after her last class, her heart pounding in anticipation. She ran through her head the song she was to sing, and the dialogue she had memorized for the audition. There were two different dialogues each for the male and female roles. Periodically she would think to herself, why did I ever agree to this?

Two deep breaths helped her to clear her head before entering the room. Fortunately, it was empty. She had chosen this time because she wanted a few minutes to compose herself before the audition, but she did not want to have to see anyone's face as they came out of the room.

The door creaked open, and Professors McGonagall and Flitwick entered. Hermione felt her heart flutter, but ordered it to behave in front of the teachers. "Miss Granger, punctual as could be expected," McGonagall said. "Professor Dumbledore will be along in a moment, and then we can begin your audition."

"The Headmaster is watching the auditions?" Hermione repeated, training the worried surprise from her voice.

"Naturally," the professor replied. "He's arranging and producing the entire thing, and we have to have his approval on whom we cast. Not to worry, I'm sure you will do perfectly well. You always do."

She swallowed as minimally as she could, and then almost choked as the Headmaster came through the door exclaiming, "Last day of auditions! We've had some marvelous talent come through since Wednesday. I can hardly wait to get started today. Ah, Hermione, excellent. I'm ecstatic to see what you have prepared."

She was still coughing slightly, but she forced a smile toward him as he sat between the two professors already occupying the table. With a wave of his wand, audition evaluation forms appeared before the three of them.

"We would like to start with your reading of the dialogue," McGonagall stated. "Professor Flitwick will read the part of Jekyll."

The dialogue went by swiftly, and Hermione recited the lines without thinking, adding emotions and inflections as she had every time in practice. They nodded in approval when it was finished. Dumbledore even applauded.

"That was brilliant, Miss Granger," he said. "Now, if you're ready, we'll hear you sing."

Hermione made sure she did not start to hyperventilate as she prepared to sing. The three professors waited with polite patience before she began. She thought her voice would come out shaky in the beginning, but it rang clear throughout the room. For a while afterward, she remained convinced that an amplifying spell had been placed on the room.

"Free the dream within, the stars are crying a tear," Hermione sang. "A sigh escapes from heaven and worlds end… breathe the dream within. The mystifying… We tremble and spin, suspended within. Look beyond where hearts can see, dream in peace, trust the belief… we tremble and spin, suspended within… Should I stop?" she asked abruptly.

The teachers and Headmaster were looking at her with expressions she had never seen directed toward her. Dumbledore sat up at her question. "If you would like. I'm sure we would all be very pleased if you would continue." The others confirmed this, so Hermione sang from the line where she had paused.

Free the dream within

The voice is calling a song

A prayer from deep inside you

To guide you

Be the dream within

The light is shining

A flight on the wind

Salvation begins

Look beyond

Where hearts can see

Dream in peace

Trust the belief

We tremble and spin

Suspended within

Free the dream within

The stars are crying

A tear

A sigh

Escapes from heaven

And worlds end

Hermione's eyes were closed at the last verse. She had become lost in the song, and unaware that anyone else was around her. When she remembered where she was, she quickly opened her eyes and straightened her posture.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Thank you, Miss Granger," she murmured, and Hermione thought that it was more than simple courtesy.

"Magnificent," commented Flitwick. Hermione could feel herself turning red, but waited for one of them to dismiss her.

"Very nice," said Dumbledore. "You may go. If the next student is out in the hall, tell them to wait until we've called them in, would you?"

Hermione thanked them and left. She shut the door slowly, making as little noise as possible. As she turned to leave, she found Draco Malfoy standing directly behind her. "Auditioning, were you Granger?" he asked with slightly less of a sneer than usual.

"No, I was selling chocolate," retorted Hermione. "Of course I was auditioning. What else? What about you? Don't tell me you want to be in Jekyll and Hyde."

"You're right," he said. "I confess. I audition for musicals because of the adrenaline rush." He shook his head at her and smirked. "I would not assume so much if I were you."

"Good thing you aren't me," she snapped, and started to walk past him.

"So, that song, the one about dreams…"

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, she turned slowly to look at him. "You were listening to my audition? I thought the room was soundproof!"

"Oh, please. I know enough magic to counteract a silencing spell."

"So you were spying on me?" Hermione knew she should get the better of her temper before she said something she would regret.

"Is it so wrong to want to know my competition?" Malfoy asked innocently.

She looked at him in disbelief. "How could I possibly be competition for you? Do you want to be Lucy?" That would be quite a story. Malfoy's deepest secret; cross-dressing as a stage actor.

"Right," he said, and scratched the back of his head. "I was going to say, you sounded incredible."

Hermione was struck speechless. Here was a direct compliment from Draco "Embodiment-of-Evil" Malfoy. It was just that moment when she realized that he had not called her a Mudblood through the entire conversation.

"No need to say anything. I just thought you should know. I think you have a good chance of being cast as Lucy. Of course, you know that if you did, we would have a sex scene together."

"What?!"

"We don't actually have sex on stage, per se, but we do have at least one scene that is entirely about sex." Malfoy was talking as though they were already cast, and seemed to be utterly sure that he would be Jekyll. Hermione desperately hoped that it wasn't wishful thinking.

"I don't think that's entirely appropriate. Anyhow, the show hasn't even been cast yet."

"Of course," Malfoy said with a short nod. There was a pause, and then Professor McGonagall appeared in the doorway and told Malfoy to enter. She preceded him into the room.

"Er," Hermione began. Malfoy turned around and waited for her to speak. "Er, good luck."

He nodded. "And you as well."

Hermione stammered, "Thanks." She thought she might say something else, but he was gone before she had the chance. She started to make her way back toward Gryffindor tower, to put her books away before dinner. She stopped at the end of the hallway when the encounter with Malfoy had been fully processed.

No insults, no dumb comments meant to strike nerves, no threats, no talk whatsoever of Harry or Ron. Hermione had never thought she would see the day. And Malfoy seemed so… willing… to get along with her. That was probably the weirdest of all.

"What just happened?" she wailed confusedly to a painting of a drunken-looking bird. It twittered and fell on its side.