Remember when I said to pay attention to the top A/N, well..please do. There will be song lyrics featured later in this chapter and here's clarification for the arrangement.
''...blah...'' is still regular character speech.
'...blah...' is still thoughts.
As for the song...
~''...blah..."~ is Oliver's singing. That is in only italic.
~''...blah..."~ is Graham's singing. That is only in plain bold font. (After Oliver's first set of lyrics, he's right after him)
The lyrics set in both bold AND italic, that is the both of them simultaneously. Like so- ~''...blah..."~
Extra notice: In my imagination, even though the character has a British accent; Graham's speaking and singing vocals are that of Howard McGillin's (speaking and singing voice of Prince Derek in The Swan Princess!...for those who've watched it know what I'm referring to. And that man has one hell of a voice.) Please see bottom A/N for more info...for those who care. :P
(Oliver's now in Sixth Year!)
Chapter Three-Flitwick's Fun Charm
~Five years later, Oliver now age sixteen. Sixth Year.~
"Hey Perce! Did you get those notes in History? I kinda zoned out." Oliver asked, running to catch up with his best mate, prefect Percy Weasley in the crowded corridor.
Percy rolled his eyes and retorted with a hint of firmness in his voice. "Yes, I did. You should have when he was giving his lecture the first time."
"Awww...but you know how boring Binns is...you can't just sit there and stay awake while he drones on and on and on and on...I don't know how you do it, Percy. Do you take some sort of stimulant?"
"No, I do not...most of the time." Even the 'perfect Prefect' gets drowsy sometimes. Binns is a bloody ghost who doesn't realize he's dead...or so many assumed.
"Can I copy them later? Pleeeaaase?" Oliver pleaded, giving him those big puppy brown eyes that melted half the population, both boys and girls...mostly the girls. If one could see the look he was giving Percy right now, they would be in pieces.
Percy sighed, giving in. "Fine. You may borrow them later, but be sure to return them once you're finished."
"Thanks, you're a lifesaver."
Percy shook his head mirthfully at the handsome bloke. Oh yeah, Oliver was quite attractive. In fact, the past five years have been very kind to the Scot. Oliver shot up a foot and now stands at six feet-two inches. His skin is a warm golden tan from all the years out on the Pitch and he's built from head to toe in lean muscle. Add that to his deep Scottish brogue, already-established popularity and charismatic personality...you'd have a perfect man. The only real visible downside is that he's a tad...no...quite obsessed with Quidditch. In third year, Oliver became Keeper of the Gryffindor team and yes, his father did attend his first game...and they won effortlessly. In his fifth year, Oliver took over as Captain and ruled with a firm hand. As for the opposite team, Flint's rule was more like a dictatorship. He became Captain of the Slytherin team in his fifth year too. That made their rivalry worse...it resulted in near or all-out brawls on the pitch, corridors, everywhere else... and they've come close to breaking each other's hands whilst shaking them before the start of a match.
"Will you at least promise to start paying attention more often? You can't afford to fall behind. NEWTS are only a year away, you know."
"I do, don't remind me."
"Yeah, Wood...wouldn't want you to fall behind and remain here another five years, huh?" Flint rudely commented, sauntering past them with most of his posse- - Adrian Pucey, Cassius Warrington, Miles Bletchley, Terence Higgs, and Lucian Bole. They snickered, watching the Keeper frown heavily.
Oliver scowled. ''Please. The only one who'd probably stay here another five years is you...and we all know how that won't be difficult whatsoever."
As the numerous students stopped to watch, Flint narrowed his icy blue eyes and snarled "You better watch it, Wood."
Oliver snorted, glaring up at the hulking six foot-seven Chaser. "Or what, you retarded troll?"
Percy muttered "Oh god, Oliver no...not that word!"
Within seconds, Flint lunged and roughly shoved Oliver, leaving him to return to the favor. Percy tried to force himself in between them. As much as he wanted to avoid potential injury, it was his duty as Prefect to keep peace between students.
"Oliver, stop! Marcus! Please! No!..." he put his hands on the vastly stronger man's chest, attempting to calm his raging Slytherin boyfriend in between moving fists and loud cheering from the crowd. Marcus slowed his movements immediately once Percy was up on him. Oliver was in midstrike, just about to accidentally hit the thinner-framed Lion until Graham Montague, Slytherin Prefect and Chaser...stepped in, caught Wood's fist and moved him away from Flint. "That is enough! Fight's over! Disperse now!"
Loud groaning was heard as the excitement was shut down. "Real smart, Wood. Almost strike your best friend. Lucky for you I was here...if you hit Weasley, Flint would have put you through the wall and I wouldn't have been able to stop him."
Oliver jerked his hand away, snapping back "Shut up! I wouldn't have hurt him."
Graham raised a thick dark eyebrow, returning smoothly "From where I was standing, you would have. Anyway, twenty-five points from Gryffindor for causing a major disruption in the halls."
"Twenty-five?! Major disruption?! Oliver wasn't the one who started it! Get your facts straight, you stupid bat!" Angelina Johnson twittered angrily towards her enemy Chaser.
"Run your mouth further and it will be fifty. If memory serves me correct, Gryffindor is the last in house points this month."
"Let it go, Angie..." Katie whispered as she dragged her friend away with Alicia in tow.
"Bloody git.." Oliver snipped.
"Oliver...please...no more." Percy pleaded then turned to Marcus. "You shouldn't have went after him."
Marcus retorted irritably and with a very slight hurt tone ''Well, you heard him use that word. You know what that does to me."
Percy ran his hand gently across Flint's jaw, soothing the fuming beast inside. "I know...and you have to learn to ignore it. You can't just fight everyone who calls you...that. It'll only lead to trouble. You also know this means I have to take points from Slytherin as well."
"Really?"
"It's only fair...and you did put your hands on Oliver first."
Marcus lowered his eyes to the ground. Percy whispered, guiding Flint's face to his. "Come now, it won't be that bad. You guys are admittedly still leading and besides...I can make you feel much better tonight."
Ethereal ice-blues brightened at that. "You will?"
"Count on it. I'll even do that thing you like..."
"Heh heh..please do.."
"Oh god, can we move on already?" Oliver grit out at the display. Flint was just about to respond until Percy silenced him with a quick kiss.
"He's right. We have to get to Charms. I'll see you there." Marcus grumbled "See you.."
Percy and Oliver started heading off to Charms. "Honestly, Perce...I still can't fathom why you insist on dating Flint. Flint! Of all people.."
"There is more to him than what everyone sees. He really is quite wonderful and sweet.."
Oliver scoffed. "Feh...as sweet as a Blast-Ended Skrewt. You should have just let me smash him."
"Now that wouldn't have gotten us anywhere...and it was your fault for calling him 'troll'. You know that hurts his feelings."
"Flint has feelings?"
Percy's glare shut him up.
'Better not push it...Percy can be rather feisty when it comes to him.'
As Oliver headed down the hall with Percy, Montague stared after the Keeper. A sad sigh escapes his lips. 'I hate how with every instance that we meet...there is always animosity of some sort. For one moment, can't we speak as civil human beings so maybe we'll have a chance to know what's beneath? Heh...why do I ask? I know I won't have a chance in hell with you. You're always stuck amongst your Gryffindor brethren...the Slytherin-hating brood. If Percy isn't by your side, then it's those infuriating twins and Jordan or the banshees. Don't forget the other women who flock to you like desperate, drooling whores. It's sickening. You should be with someone who sees you as more than a gorgeous Quidditch player...because honestly...that's really all they see. They don't bother to know more or even want to. You may not believe it, but I know...I watch them.'
"Oi, Montague! You coming or what?" Warrington called out to the Chaser. Snapping out of his musing, Graham silently slithered after them.
"Hello, everyone! Happy Friday!" Professor Flitwick cheerfully twittered atop his podium. Various choruses of ''Happy Friday", "Whatever..." "Yeah..." and the like sounded across the room.
"Aw, now I know you have to be more enthusiastic than that...it's almost the weekend. Sheesh...teenagers...well..anyway, I have a particularly fun lesson in store for you today. We're going to learn a type of Caterwauling charm that forces the person to sing whatever song that stood out most to them in their lives. It could be a song from any particular book, band or even a muggle movie or television show. I see few of you sneering and rolling your eyes...there will be no ill talk of muggle entertainment. It's everywhere you go and you're bound to come across it some time in your life...get over it. There is a chance many of you may favor the same song. To demonstrate this little dandy, I will need two volunteers since I'm wanting to test that theory."
Flitwick gazed about, lazily waving his wand to choose the lucky participants. Small black eyes settled on two boys in particular. 'I don't choose them often...they'll be perfect.' "Mr. Wood, Mr. Montague...if you two would please come to the front."
Oliver shrugged as he shut his book and stood. Graham glided ahead. They took their place in front.
"Ahh...wonderful. Now you two face each other like so..." he guided them to stand face to face. "Alright, students...pay close attention. "
With a swish and flick, Flitwick uttered aloud "Electus melum!*''.
Background music filled the air and the duet commenced. Oliver began the first set, surprising the population before him...
"~If I could break this spell, I'd run to him today
And somehow I know he's on his way to me
Derek, you and I were meant to be...
Far longer than forever
I'll hold you in my heart
It's almost like you're here with me although we're far apart.~"
"~Far longer than forever
As constant as a star
I close my eyes and I am where you are~"
"~As sure as the dawn brings the sunrise
We've an unshakable bond~"
"~Destined to last for a lifetime and beyond~"
"~Far longer than forever~" "(~Far longer than forever~)"
"~I swear that I'll be true~" "(~I swear that I'll be true~)"
"~I've made an everlasting vow to find a way to you~"
"~Far longer than forever
Like no love ever known
And with your love I'll never be alone~"
"~Far longer than forever...~"
"~Much stronger than forever...~"
"~And with your love, I'll never be alone.~"
As the background music ceased, Oliver and Graham stared at each other in shock. Flitwick clapped and cheered.
"Absolutely splendid, boys! Who knew that we had such talent in our class! Have you considered joining my choir? If not, you should...I could always use some fresh voices. Thank you both for the display. You may return to your seats."
Graham and Oliver obeyed and reclaimed their seats in awkward silence, ignoring the passing stares of amazement at their previously unknown musical talents. Of course, Percy and Montague's pals didn't seem too shocked. They knew them better than most. Professor Flitwick spoke further about a range of vocal charms before leaving the others to practice.
While Percy practiced with some Ravenclaw, Oliver pondered to himself. 'What the hell just happened? Montague and I sung the same song from that muggle movie. How did HE know it? Matter of fact...how did he manage to watch a movie? I thought Slytherins were vehemently against anything muggle..'
"Hey, Oliver?"
"Yeah, Katie?"
The blonde Chaser grinned "Think you could let me practice on you? I wanna hear you sing again." The girls surrounding her chirped along in encouragement. "Yeah! Come on!" "Please?" "Your voice is amazing..."
Oliver smiled bashfully. "Well...why not? Fire away."
Across the room, Graham absentmindedly flipped through his book, paying absolutely no attention to the various off-key sounds...of course there were some rather talented ranges such as his own. Percy and Flint were an example, so was Miles Bletchley, interestingly enough. He was more focused on the undeniably romantic song they just happened to perform in front of the entire class. It struck a chord deep within the Snake, simultaneously twisting his heart and strengthening the sadness already there. 'Don't get your hopes up. That duet meant nothing to him and he sees it as a pointless charm from Flitwick.'
He inwardly sighed. 'That was the closest I'll ever get to Oliver without fighting. I wish that just by a stroke of good fortune...that someday you and I could find a way to get along.'
Packing up at the end of class, Graham observed Oliver leaving with his followers, still being praised for his voice and politely turning down the idea of entertaining the common room as if it were a nighttime cabaret. 'Honestly...give the bloke a break.'
Percy eyed Montague from his seat, throwing his bag over his thin shoulder. Those dark blue eyes of the Snake were steadily locked upon the Keeper until he too vacated the room. 'What was that all about? He kept staring...hmm...could he? It's sort of how Marcus and I started out. I can't jump ahead, people are allowed to figuratively bore holes into a person without actually having to like them. No matter how annoying it is. Still...can't exactly dismiss my gut feeling.'
*"Electus melum" :"Chosen song"
"Far Longer Than Forever" lyrics are from the Swan Princess movie (1994) and are the property of the songwriter(s)/movie creators/the animation franchise that owns it. To make sure they were correct, I got them off any website you see on Google.
Yes! I had to go there! How could I NOT include the best song out of that entire movie?! I thought it was a perfect duet for them...you know..to get the suspicion rolling? Anyway, thank you to those who are still reading this story!
As for the info on Howard McGillin: He is an actor (tv, stage and screen) and professional vocalist. He is also known as the world's longest-running phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Howard was the Phantom for over 2,000 performances and the last he gave as the Phantom was in July of 2009...which makes me sad because I would have loved to have seen him perform. Just thought I'd tell you! :)
