The Social Riot Machines – Chapter Three
Breakfast seemed unusually noisy to Harry, who had spent the majority of his early mornings conversing quietly with his band-mates about music. As the minutes ticked by, he felt increasingly at odds with his boisterous housemates, he almost envied the Slytherin table, with their civilised and -for the most part- polite chatter with each other. Impatiently, he scanned the Ravenclaw table, searching for the pin straight black hair that identified Jasmin Ameru. After a few seconds, he spotted her and waved. Unfortunately for him, Malfoy and his decided pathetic henchmen caught the gesture; no doubt he would get some stick for it later. Harry noted that the girl appeared to be a little overwhelmed, but he didn't know whether it was because of the noise or the food. He was aware of a few of the cultural differences between the east and the west, one of which being that people were much more soft-spoken in the east. Another thing he knew of, was that Jasmin and her family had been in England for a grand total of just over five months. A part of him wanted to invite her over, but another part of him thought the Gryffindor table would probably be too much for the girl. He also felt a little congruous with the food. He had been a regular guest at the Ameru's, particularly at breakfast time, and they rarely –if ever- made western style foods, typically Phailin (Jasmin and Ezra's mother) would make either a Chinese style cornmeal pancake rolled with egg and green onion, or Japanese style miso soup, salted salmon and rice. Quite honestly, Harry preferred it to toast and bacon. When breakfast was nearly over, he dejectedly nibbled on a slice of toast.
"So how exactly are you going to be a part of that band if you're hundreds of miles away?" Hermione suddenly asked, startling Harry out of his reverie.
"I have several songs that still have the drum element missing, I'm going to compose while I'm here and send the music to Ezra, who will be the stand in drummer," Harry explained as he set his toast aside and picked up a mug of coffee.
"What happened to you voice?" Ron questioned, and Harry was somewhat surprised that he had even noticed the change.
"Yes, I was wondering that myself," Hermione added, which made Harry feel compelled to answer.
"I got into a fight, and I think I got elbowed in the throat. Jake liked it though," he said, and he could feel his face getting a little warmer. Both Ron and Hermione looked a little confused, and Harry realised he was talking about his band-mates as if his school friends knew them. "I'm sorry, I wasn't really thinking. I'll tell you a bit about them, they've heard a lot about you two, it's only fair you know about them too. Alex was the first one that I met, and he's the lead vocalist. I was at Stonewall High's summer fare and I heard him singing, the lyrics resonated with me so powerfully that they lifted me out of my funk, and through listening to him that first time, I was able to begin to relax. The change was apparently so noticeable, that he was able to spot it onstage. Ezra is the stand-in drummer and secondary vocalist. He isn't a backup per say, actually, I suppose he is, but he tends to accomplish the kind of interesting voice effects bands add in editing without any of the fancy equipment, he can just do them. He's originally from Thailand but has lived pretty much all over South-East Asia. Alex and Ezra are a couple and are pretty much inseparable, apart from the fact that Ezra is the year below Alex. Alex is fifteen, Ezra is fourteen. Incidentally, Ezra is also the tallest out of us, and quite possibly the skinniest. He has learnt a lot of different martial arts over the years, and doesn't take kindly to homophobic insults.
"Paul is our lead guitarist, originally from California and has been playing guitar for a long time now. He used to surf a lot, and he's kind of maintained the stereotypical surfer look, with the bleach-blonde hair and a semi-decent tan –I have no idea how he accomplishes it by the way. Matt is our rhythm guitarist, and is from France, specifically from Niort. He's played guitar since he was about nine which is when his family moved to England, but before then he was a really sporty kid, he played football, basketball and softball, in addition to which, he used to take gymnastic and trampolining classes so he's super flexible, which he does demonstrate quite often by pretty much bending over backwards. Paul, of course, absolutely loves it whenever that happens. They've been going out for nearly two years."
Harry was extremely amused by the incredulous looks on his friend's faces -they too, were used to the fragility of relationships in a school with no privacy.
"That leaves the bassist. His name is Jake, and he's the eldest out of us –Ezra is the youngest if you didn't already work that out. Jake has been playing bass since he could reach the headstock, so since he was five or six. He'll flirt with just about any human with a pulse, whether or not he means it is a different matter entirely. I noticed that when he was being serious, he said completely different things to when he was just flirting for the sake of it. We got together about a month ago, and he gave me something that I'll never forget," he finished solemnly, standing as he did.
The number of people in the Great Hall had dwindled to only a handful, including Professor Snape and the Headmaster. Dumbledore appeared to be talking to the Potion's Mater, while the acerbic man glared intently into his mug. Harry was sure that if the glower had been directed at anything living, it would have died within seconds.
"You don't have to come with me, I just need to see Professor Flitwick," Harry told them, even though he was glad to have company.
"We're coming with you, we want to hear more about your summer," Hermione informed him cheerfully. Ron nodded eagerly, and Harry was sure it was because he had refused to talk to them while he was still mulling over his options.
"It's really not that interesting, but okay. In many respects, it was the best summer I've ever had, I would get up, do my chores for the Dursley's then go to Ezra's house and play. Ezra's family own a double garage, so we had plenty of room. With all of their help, I began learning bass, guitar and drums, they were so supportive, I wouldn't have gotten so far without them, even though I'm still pretty naff at guitar and bass. When my aunt and uncle realised I was doing something normal, with normal people, they got strangely co-operative themselves, they even went as far as buying a couple of second-hand instruments for me, as well as a few other bits and pieces I needed," his voice sounded oddly bright to his own ears, he didn't normally feel that way when talking about his school breaks with the Dursleys.
As they were walking up to the Charms Corridor, both Ron and Hermione tried to wring the information about Jake's gift out of him, but he had denied them any further details. He did, however, decide to tell them when they were out of the way of potential eavesdroppers.
The inside of Flitwick's office –once they had been permitted to enter- was not quite how Harry had expected it. There were books and papers everywhere, most of them on charms, but occasionally, Harry spotted one on duelling tucked away amongst more mundane subjects, almost as if the small Professor didn't want them to be noticed. Some of the more unexpected items included a xylophone, a clarinet and a very well read copy of The Hobbit.
"Ah, Mr Potter, the Headmaster informed me you would be seeing me. Do you wish to book a weekly slot for one of the music practise rooms?" The Professor asked as he rummaged in his desk drawer.
"Yes please," Harry responded, his heart beating a little faster in excitement.
"Right, well there are five practise rooms available to students that do not take either Music or Muggle Music. All rooms are equipped with a desk, a desk chair, the appropriate seating for the room's use, a blackboard and a jug of iced water. Any additional features in the rooms relate to whatever type of instrument is predominantly played in there. Room one is for vocal practise and therefore contains lip-balm and lozenges for sore throats, plus lots of Muggle style lined paper, and ballpoint pens. Room two is for woodwind and brass instruments, it too contains lip-balm and lozenges, as well as anti-bacterial wipes. Room three has stands for guitars, as well as shelves for smaller stringed instruments, and stands for sheet music too. Room four has a piano in it, not much else to be honest and room five has a drum-kit in it. Which room do you need?"
"Number five please, am I allowed to take other instruments in there?" Harry asked, he didn't want to have to book two different rooms if necessary.
"Of course you may, what other instruments do you play? Do you have them here with you, or are you borrowing?" Flitwick asked, jotting something down in his notebook.
"I play bass and guitar in addition to drums, and I have both with me," Harry told him, secretly feeling very satisfied at the pleased look the Professor gave him.
"We haven't had a drummer for a few years at Hogwarts, so I can quite safely grant you unlimited access to room five. If another student comes forth however, you will need to come back to me to make further arrangements." The Professor paused, and Harry grinned, it looked as if he'd have a place to hide out if he began to feel overwhelmed. "There are some rules that you need to be aware of, however. The room must be locked when not in use; you will collect the key from me when you wish to use it, and must be brought back to me before curfew. Drinks are allowed in the room, and food is allowed at the desk only, anywhere else and you will be punished, believe me, we will know. The rooms are subject to random inspections, due to abuse of silencing charms in the past, many offenses involving the exchange of bodily fluids, but a few involving Muggle drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. This year Professor Snape is carrying out inspections, as he is less likely to be lenient about punishment. The practise rooms both are and are not a privilege. Session time cannot be lost for wrongdoing outside of the practise rooms, unlike Hogsmeade visits, however misconduct within the rooms will most definitely result in loss of session time, and if frequent enough, permanent loss of music room privileges. As you have other instruments to go in there, I will have a wrack placed in there, as well as some additional seating, while you collect them. Practise rooms are near the top of the castle, on the sixth floor, the Headmaster says he likes being able to hear students playing."
Harry was more than a little surprised at some of the rules, and why they had been implicated, but upon reflection, he supposed they made sense. Gratefully, he thanked the Professor and left the room with his friends.
The drum room was almost exactly how he had expected it, a smallish room which contained exactly what the Professor had said, with the addition of his own two instruments. Anticipation bubbled in his chest as he pressed his earplugs into place, and held his brand new sticks cautiously. In his head, he imagined Matt picking up his punishing rhythm, the suggestive and sexy bass-line, and Paul's distinct acoustic lead. Mentally, he counted down to his cue, a ten second break from both guitars, leaving only the innuendo filled throb of the bass. Adrenaline hummed through his veins as he began, an urgent and insistent beat which –to Harry- thrummed with the exquisite agony of arousal and desire. The beats steadily increased in speed, just as the other elements of the song would, portraying both lust and fear, a beautiful but deadly nightmare. At the climax –both the awakening from the lurid yet sensual dream and the ending of the song- Harry threw his head back, as he himself had orgasmed, his body –arms and abdomen in particular- felt as if it were on fire. Droplets of sweat were flung in every direction as he exposed his throat to nobody. He turned away from the drum-kit, his eyes closed as he stretched, a satisfying series of pops running the length of his back as he did.
"I must say, Potter, I rather enjoyed watching you play."
Slightly alarmed, Harry's eyes flew open, and he was shocked by the sight before him. Draco Malfoy stood leaning casually against the door, his arms folded over his chest. Most astonishingly of all was the pretty pink blush that tinged the boy's pale cheekbones.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Harry demanded, not knowing if he had the willpower to not smack the annoyingly haughty blonde.
"Would you believe me if I said that Voldemort has been living in Malfoy Manor since June, and after being around him and his vile followers I want nothing to do with them?"
Despite the obvious seriousness of the situation, Harry snickered.
"I'm sorry Malfoy, I'm not laughing at you, or your predicament," he quickly assured, he wasn't exactly looking for a fight. "One of my friends essentially implied that Voldemort is a hobo, and the fact that he's squatting in Malfoy Manor, and probably mooching off of your father just kind of confirms that theory. Let's face it, he's a fifty odd year old hermit." Harry explained, trying his absolute hardest to keep a straight face. Malfoy smiled, and Harry felt distinctly pleased, though he couldn't quite identify why.
"I agree with that friend of yours. I don't want to be like one of his thoughtless minions, I want to be able to think for myself and do whatever I please. I guess this is my first independent decision in that respect," Draco elaborated, and he sounded so uncertain that Harry wanted to offer the boy a hug. Instead, he nodded.
"I do understand, if this is the case, how do you want us to act? Are you going to be subtle and still pretend to be a douchebag or are you going to be overt and say 'fuck Death Eaters, they're pathetic wankers'?" Harry was genuinely quite curious, as the latter could make Draco's life exceptionally difficult.
"Death Eaters are pathetic wankers, they can all burn in Hell for all I care," Draco asserted, leaving Harry with little room to doubt his choice.
"Okay, my friends and I will try to be more civil, although I can't speak for them, they may not believe you. In the meantime, do you wish to stay and listen for a bit?"
Harry didn't get a verbal response, instead, the blonde seated himself on the armless sofa, and pressed his slim fingers against his ears. It wouldn't be as effective as proper plugs, but it would protect his hearing from damage for a short period. Harry decided on an aggressive song, one that had only just been completed but was without lyrics. They had gone through several versions, however none seemed to work. As he pounded on the snare and tom-toms, and beat the bass drum in a pattern that was deliberately out of sync with the rest of the sound, sweat beaded at his temples and around his collar, seeping into his school shirt and turning it transparent. His back screamed at him, and he arched it, seeking to alleviate his discomfort, throwing his head back once more, and exposing his still slightly discoloured Adam's apple. When he glanced at Draco, he noticed the boy's blush had darkened and spread slightly, creeping down his neck and over the bridge of his nose. Draco was also teasing his lower lip with his teeth, a sight which Harry thought could be the basis of a song on its own. One thing that Harry was not pleased about, was that it was only a single bass drum setup, he had learned on a double bass drum rig.
At the closure of the song, when Harry looked up again several minutes later, Draco was gone, and Harry was almost disappointed. After a few minutes of contemplation, he decided to take a shower and make sure he had enough vests and shorts to practise every evening, before he came down from his adrenaline high.
Hey guys, I just want to say, I know nothing about drumming hahaha, but I play bass and guitar, so I understand the process of learning how to play an instrument. While the bits in relation to drumming may not be entirely accurate, I'm trying my best :p
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!