Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to anything that I'm basing this story off of. This includes Harry Potter (Books, Movies or Fan-made Musical) or Wicked (Book or Musical). Anything original that is not based off of another story is mine. If you would like to use the idea in your own story just let me know so I can read it.

Thanks to: elphaba731, MrsMargeryLovett, edwardislauras, RedwingBluebird, ., RavenclawRebel, and Shayerahol22 for reviewing to Chapter 3. Sorry this took so long guys!

Beta: LivLifeForever has volunteered to beta! Yay! Any mistakes that she does not catch are still me though. ;)

Title: Musical Maladies

Summary: Hogwarts is thrown into chaos as students and professors alike are cursed to sing and reenact the lives of those who lived before them.

Chapter Four: The Wizard and I!

After gathering the students from the Infirmary Professor McGonagall led the group straight to their new common room while Madame Pomfrey met with her apprentice. When the progression arrived, the Headmaster and remaining Heads of Houses greeted them.

"Welcome to your new quarters." Professor Dumbledore began cordially. "As with every House there are boys and girls dormitories, with each dormitory separated by year."

Professor McGonagall picked up where the Headmaster left off. "Since there are so many of you from many houses, we shall each share the responsibility of you. As we will be attending our regular duties as well, we have divided the house tasks. Should you need assistance with your rooms here, please come to me."

"As terrifying as the situation is," Professor Flitwick continued, "I will help you develop your voices so that it won't hurt as much when the spell takes affect."

From there Professor Sprout piped up, "Come to me if you have any issues with your studies."

"Against my better judgment," Professor Snape drawled, "I have been appointed to suffer any problems that you have with the curse. This includes any concerning…. thoughts or…. feelings you may be inflicted with."

Whatever system the professors had used to assign these roles was obviously flawed. Never in a million years would the potions professor volunteer for that role.

"The professors are here for you." Professor Dumbledore said calmly. "Miss Parkinson has her own room off of the common room so that she may continue to fulfill her Head Girl Duties in peace."

The Head Girl in question nodded her head in thanks. Something told her that if it were left up to the Deputy, she would have boarded with the rest of the students.

"It has been a long day, so I will leave you all to retire." The Headmaster begged off, dismissing the students. "Goodnight."

As the group began to mingle amongst themselves and head upstairs, the professors began to leave. Before the Gryffindor Head of House had a chance to leave, however, the Head Girl called out to the professor.

"Yes, Miss Parkinson?"

"I noticed on my schedule that Animagi 101 is missing." Pansy said, showing her schedule to the professor. Surely the Professor had simply misplaced her acceptance letter. "I never received an acceptance letter. You did receive my application, no?"

"I did, Miss Parkinson." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat delicately. "Your essay on 'Animagi: Must we be animals?' was illuminating. However, due to the small class size I had to choose very carefully. Perhaps, next semester, dear."

"But I-" by then the professor had already turned to leave. Seeking the one bit of comfort she had in the room, the Slytherin gravitated to the fireplace.

Leaning against the mantle was her Head of House. Staring down at the girl the potions master's sneer faded just the slightest. "What is it, you foolish girl?"

Over the past seven years the Head of Slytherin had developed a soft spot for the Slytherin princess. She had much to overcome, but she was doing exactly as a Slytherin should: survive. As much as he abhorred children, if he had a daughter he would want the thing to act exactly as the girl in front of him.

And the minx knew it. While she kept her distance outside of the common room, within, everyone knew who had the potion master wrapped around her finger. Pansy pouted slightly. "McGonagall rejected me from Animagi 101."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room Hermione entered the common room just as Professor McGonagall was about to leave. Handing the professor a note from the mediwitch, the young girl waited for the woman to process the request.

"It appears that we need to find you a room, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall said, humming softly. "Since the Infirmary is infected with the flu, Madame Pomfrey wishes that you live in the dorms to provide immediate assistance to the students. Is this alright with you?"

"Yes Professor. We can find out more about the curse if one of us is here to see how the curse manifests." Hermione pointed out. Truthfully she would rather stay in the dorms with Harry and Ron but she knew now was not the time to be picky about her mediwitch assignments.

"It's Professor McGonagall. Now why would she do such a thing?" Professor Snape continued on the other side of the room. "I hear your essay was… unique. 'Animagi: Must we be animals?' was it?"

Pansy rolled her eyes, "She never read my essay. I applied the principals that I've read about becoming an animagus toward non-animals. I even added why it would be absurd to do so! She over looked me simply because I'm a Slytherin. That's it."

Professor Snape knew that the girl was truly upset. It was an issue he faced with many of his students. "I sincerely doubt that, Miss Parkinson. Did you ask her why specifically?"

From her place by the door, Professor McGonagall thought through the room placements. "Well, I could barely fit the girls together by combining years. Perhaps if I switch someone… or ask Miss Weasley…"

"I think Ginny already went up Professor." Hermione said glancing about the room.

While she had passed Professor Dumbledore, Sprout and Flitwick when she came in, Hermione found that Professor Snape was still in residence speaking to the Head Girl. No matter how often she mixed potions for him, he never appreciated her efforts. The potions professor was only concerned with his Slytherin's. It distinctly bothered her.

"Like a Gryffindor? Of course not." Pansy shuddered. "Of course not. You raised us better."

A dynamic that was missing in the other houses was the sense of family within the Slytherin house. He was not unaware how most of the students looked to him as a second father. Professor Snape refused to admit so out loud, but he cared for them just as much. "I also taught you that you need to think like your opponent when you are looking for answers."

"I hate it when you're right." The Head Girl grumbled. She hated how he always had the answers- it reminded her of how much her parents failed her. As she usually did when she was uncomfortable, she turned the conversion on him. "Playing Slytherin Head to everyone now? I thought that was exclusive."

"It is." The potions master sneered pointedly. "For some reason, however, the Headmaster seems to have a very mistaken opinion of me. Seems like a certain Head-Girl-Applicant's essay on her mentor, spoke very highly of my coping abilities with you miscreants."

"Yeah right." The Slytherin in question scoffed. "Who on earth would do such a crazy thing?"

The professor hummed dryly. "I wonder."

"I would ask Miss Parkinson, but she is Head Girl." Professor McGonagall thought aloud. She was only too aware of her precautious relationship with the Head Girl. No matter what she did to reach out to the younger woman, the Slytherin thought it was a ploy of sorts. "It would not be fair to either of you and it defeats the purpose of having her own room if she shares."

"I could ask Ginny in the morning Professor." Hermione offered.

"Now, just give me a minute." Professor McGonagall said weighing her options. "Truth be told, you would have the same position as Miss Parkinson since you will be fulfilling your role as an apprentice. It's not that much of a stretch. Would you be willing to share with the girl?"

"Well," Pansy drew out. "Do you think if I ask Professor McGonagall to reconsider my application that she actually will?"

"She may." The professor admitted. He did not want to get up the girls hopes however. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but not even Potter, Weasley, and Granger are on her list. Not that I checked or anything."

"Of course not." It was any wonder to her that the Slytherin Head of House was thought to be terrifying. Once again, she thanked her stars that she had been placed in Slytherin. Her spirits were renewed; enough to actually approach the transfiguration professor at least.

She started toward the door before turning back to her professor. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Professor Snape chuckled so softly that she was not sure if she even heard it. "Go. I am leaving now."

Tempted though she was to stick out her tongue, she merely wrinkled her nose and followed her professor toward the entryway. The whole way she thought hard about what she would say to the transfiguration professor.

"I suppose if there is no other option-" Hermione said slowly, wishing the world would swallow her. Not only would she be taken away from the tower, she would be thrown into the pit.

"Very well. If Miss Parkinson offers," Professor McGonagall began, "then it will be alright. Otherwise, I'm afraid that I will have to escort you back to the Gryffindor Corridor tonight."

Looking around the empty common room, it was easy to see the Slytherin approach. Hermione pointed out, "Look, she's headed over now."

"Hm." The professor looked sideways at her student before taking a breath. "Miss Parkinson? Could you room with Miss Granger?"

The Head Girl distractedly came to a halt in front of the deputy and the mudblood as Professor Snape left the common room, leaving her in the dust.

Turning to the expectant looks on the people in front of her Pansy said, "Professor McGonagall, I can do it! If you-"

"Excellent." Professor McGonagall beamed. "Thank you so much for being gracious enough to room with Miss Granger."

The Slytherin gaped. That was not what she intended at all! "What about my essay for Animagus 101? Are you going to reread it?"

Having already agreed to room with Miss Granger, the Gryffindor Head thought it a bit much for the girl to try and worm her way into a deal at this point. While the professor felt no need to go over the essay again, the older woman supposed she could do that much for the girl. Professor McGonagall felt that she was asking a great deal of her, after all. "Very well. I will attend to your essay and you shall room with Miss Granger then."

The Slytherin considered the Gryffindor Head of House. It might have been a roundabout way of getting what she wanted, but she did, in fact, get what she wanted from the professor. With that accomplished the Head Girl excused herself to her room.

"Alright then." Professor McGonagall said, turning to the girl beside her. "Miss Granger, I'm afraid we will have to begin our work in the morning."

"I understand." The Gryffindor nodded smoothing out her robe. For all her reputation of knowing a great deal, she was apprehensive asking this question. Thankfully there was no one to witness her vulnerability. "I was just wondering if the women we are researching are the same as the women in the wizarding children stories."

"Of course. You didn't-" Professor McGonagall declared before stopping herself. Taken aback she looked at the girl in front of her and remembered the girl's background. "No, you would not have recognized them would you, Miss Granger? I'm-"

"Its okay." Hermione interrupted, halting the apology. It seemed as though this story was more common than she thought. "Ron told me about them- or some of the stories at least."

"I'm surprised that the Weasley's still tell the tale. I thought my parents were odd for telling a story so old. Tales such as these tend to die out quickly you see. Perhaps the tale continues to circulate because there is still a lesson to be learned." Professor McGonagall waved to the couch in front of her. "Let's have a seat."

"Ron said something about the Wizard and how he and Glinda the Good worked against the Wicked Witch." Hermione said, sitting down.

Meanwhile, Pansy had been getting ready for bed when she heard the deputy and the mudblood's voices grow louder. When they stopped just short of the door, she carefully tipped toed over. If she hung on the handle the slightest bit, just maybe- there! Now she could see and hear everything.

Professor McGonagall sat on the couch closest to the door. The professor nodded. "Yes. In the tales, the Wizard rules over a land called Oz. Under his rule the people flourished and made extraordinary advances in farming and architecture."

"Where did the wicked witch come in? What did she do?" Oh this was good, the Slytherin thought. The little mudblood didn't know about the Wicked Witch. How absurd!

"Awful dreadful things- though I could not tell you exactly what." The professor began. "She grew even more terrifying after her sister's death and became very obsessed over ruby slippers that Glinda the Good had given to someone in town."

"Slippers?" Hermione repeated stunned. The woman was wicked for slippers? The Head of House shrugged slightly.

Hermione thought more of the tale. "If this tale holds the slightest shade of truth over the centuries, what happens to the characters?"

The older woman's brow furrowed as she tried to recall. "You must remember, dear, it has been so long since I have heard the tales myself." She hummed. "If I remember correctly, there was a werewolf, a large spider so spindle-like that he appeared to be made of straw, and a bodiless knight."

"Oh my." Hermione gasped. Pansy on the other hand, hung off the door handle that much more. She had never heard of wolves or spiders in the story. Her confusion was interrupted by the mudblood's voice, "You don't think the students will-"

"I certainly hope not, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Last time the students played the part of muggles and they were able to use magic. Hopefully the spell will not transform the students."

Glancing at the clock, Hermione remembered where she would normally be at this time and thought back to the discussion in the infirmary office. "If they were just tales, then why are the students singing of it now? Last time was based off of real events, right?"

"So it would seem, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall nodded solemnly. "Let us hope that time has distorted the tale enough for our students to survive this curse."

"Well, at least we know where to look." Hermione said standing as she thought of different options. "We can always owl Mrs. Weasley for an account of the tale. She's repeated it often enough that even Ron recognized the tale."

It was moments like these when Professor McGonagall was most proud of her occupation. The girl had a mind that worked unlike any others. The professor beamed proudly up at her student. "Many years I have waited… for a gift like yours to appear."

Although Hermione knew that the older woman was proud of her, her mentor had never come out and said as much. The Gryffindor smiled awkwardly at her Head of House. "Thanks?"

The girl behind the door recognized the behavior for what it was as the panic seeped into the Deputy's eyes. Pulling away from the door she ran to her bathroom to get a glass of water.

"Why, I predict the Wizard," The professor's face had quickly transformed as more phrases spewed from her mouth. "Could make you his magic grand vizier!"

"Oh. Right. Spell." Hermione coughed slightly into her palm. Knowing that there was little she could do for the woman she offered somewhat meaninglessly, "Water?"

"My dear, my dear," The professor sang as her glance darted from her most talented student to a space behind the girl. "I'll write at once to the Wizard."

"Oh, please." Hermione was pushed aside as the Slytherin barreled past her with a glass of water.

Pansy helped the woman take it into her hands. "Here you are Professor. Take it when you can."

The professor toasted the Head Girl weakly, "Tell him of you in advance."

The new arrival smirked at the apprentice who appeared baffled. Rolling her eyes Pansy turned back to the professor.

"With a talent like yours, dear, there is a defint-ish chance."

"Who is she singing about?" The Head Girl asked.

"Spying were we?" the Gryffindor returned.

"I have just as much of a right-"

"If you work as you should. You'll be making good." The professor clapped her hands at the girls before regaining her voice. "I should hope that you two won't bicker in front of the students when they are in this position."

Cowed, the two girls apologized softly. Pansy looked between the head mistress that was staring at the apprentice in disappointment while the young woman looked down in shame. Huffing slightly she repeated. "Who were you singing about?"

Suddenly, Hermione jerked forward in an effort to contain herself. "Me."

"Miss Granger!" The professor reached down the hunched over girl. Professor McGonagall looked up to the Slytherin. "I- that is… she was singing to Elphaba."

"Who on earth is that?" Pansy said. She looked at the girl across from her and remembered that she promised herself that she would help all students… even those terminally challenged. "Just let it out, Granger. The more you hold it in the more it's going to hurt coming out."

"It already hurts." Hermione choked straightening up. Stupid Slytherin, thinking that she could possibly end her torment. The apprentice felt as though she was a visitor in her own body. She put her hands on her head and stuttered in tune, "D-did that really just happen?"

If there was any hope that the mudblood would fail horribly at singing, it ended at the moment.

"Have I actually understood?" Hermione looked up to the Slytherin and the Deputy Headmistress. "This weird quirk I've tried to suppress or hide is a talent that could help me meet the Wizard."

"What quirk?" Pansy asked the headmistress as Hermione tried to stop singing. The Head Girl knew from experience that this was fruitless but doubted the girl would listen to her anyway.

"She- Elphaba holds the most powerful magical ability I've- she's seen in a long time." Professor McGonagall answered automatically. "Miss Granger seems to fit this role very well."

An emotion, the Slytherin was not quite willing to label as jealousy welled up in the girl. It was halted in some manner by the increasingly red face of the Gryffindor. Surprised that the Gryffindor could hold off even that long, Pansy prompted. "You were meeting the wizard?"

As Hermione prepared to sing again, she glared at the girl. "If I make good. So I'll make good."

"Should we be writing this down?" Pansy asked.

The professor shook her head distractedly. "No, Professor Dumbledore is lending us his pensieve until we figure out what is going on."

Of course the old man had a pensieve to spare.

"When I meet the Wizard, once I prove my worth," Hermione sang with more and more emotion. Separating her feelings from this Elphaba character was becoming increasingly difficult. It reminded her of a time not so long ago. "And then I meet the Wizard, what I've waited for since, since birth!"

"Obsessed much?" The Slytherin girl asked. In return both Gryffindor's glared at her.

"And with all his Wizard wisdom, by my looks, he won't be blinded." At this, Hermione shrugged. So maybe Elphaba was a little obsessed. "Do you think the Wizard is dumb?"

Or, like Munchkins, so small-minded?"

Here Hermione paused looking between the two in front of her. While they wondered what the hell a Munchkin was, Hermione shouted, "No!"

He'll say to me, "I see who you truly are - A girl of whom I can rely!" And that's how we'll begin." Hermione sang as she became even more involved in the spell. "The Wizard and I."

"I don't know who Elphaba is but she is a strange girl." Professor McGonagall pronounced, as the apprentice grew more animated.

Hermione, it seemed, was just getting started, "Once I'm with the Wizard- My whole life will change. 'Cuz once you're with the Wizard, no one thinks you're strange!"

"She doesn't want to be strange though." Pansy said trying to put words to the strange feeling inside her. With more compassion than she would ever direct to the mudblood, Pansy said, "She just wants to fit in."

"No father is not proud of you, no sister acts ashamed," Hermione choked out as she was filled with so much resentment and sadness. "And all of Oz has to love you when by the Wizard, you're acclaimed!"

"You don't think-" Professor McGonagall began.

"No! She couldn't be-" Pansy denied.

"And this gift or this curse I have inside, maybe at last, I'll know why," Hermione sang, her emotions becoming more and more entwined with Elphaba. "When we are hand in hand; The Wizard and I!"

"What? Who is-" Hermione started before she was cut off by her own voice. "And one day, he'll say to me, "Elphaba, a girl who is so superior, shouldn't a girl who's so good inside have a matching exterior?"

The two across from the singer looked at each other horrified. They both knew the story.

"And since folks here to an absurd degree, seem fixated on your verdigris." Hermione wished the two would just spit it out instead of looking so stricken. What was going on? "Would it be all right by you if I de-greenify you?"

"It is her." Professor McGonagall said dazed. Pansy felt her stomach clench. She felt ill. While she never cared for the mudblood, to find out that this curse could kill the girl in front of her-

"And of course, that's not important to me," Hermione sang as she tried to stop singing. If only they would tell her who Elphaba was! The fire cracked one last time before it died away. "'All right, why not?' I'll reply. Oh, what a pair we'll be, the Wizard and I."

The Deputy Headmistress looked from the student that was doomed to the Head Girl. For the first time, the two were able to understand each other without speaking. One thing was sure. Hermione Granger could not discover her fate.

"Yes, what a pair we'll be, The Wizard and..." here Hermione cut off so suddenly, the two thought the curse was over. While ignoring their calls, the apprentice dazed distantly out the window.

For one who dropped Divination so quickly, she assumed the role nicely. "Unlimited- My future is unlimited and I've just had a vision almost like a prophecy."

"I know- It sounds truly crazy. " Hermione halted their comments- or tried to at least. The Head Girl still snickered. "And true, the vision's hazy, but I swear, someday there'll be a celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with me!"

Pansy stood stock still next to their professor. Oh yes. That had certainly been a celebration in the Great Hall for the girl in front of her. Meanwhile, the Professor continued to nurse the water the Head Girl had gotten for her.

With no where else to go, the Gryffindor continued, "And I'll stand there with the Wizard, feeling things I've never felt. And though I'd never show it, I'll be so happy, I could melt!"

Professor McGonagall choked on her water. That too had been in the tale. Finishing what was left of her cup she motioned for the Head Girl to refill her glass and to get one for the apprentice as well.

"And so it will be for the rest of my life, and I'll want nothing else till I die." Concerned though she was for the older woman, the Slytherin had it under control. How much longer could this last anyway? "Held in such high esteem, when people see me, they will scream for half of Oz's favorite team!"

The Wizard" Hermione wracked her body for more air. If she could just get the right amount of air- there! "And I!!!!"

"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall said offering the girl a glass of water. "Are you alright?"

Greedily the girl accepted the glass and downed it. "I'm sorry you had to hear that. That was embarrassing."

"You have an excellent voice, Miss Granger." The professor differed. "You could even teach Professor Flitwick a thing or two."

"No. I mean. This girl, Elphaba, I felt so sad and… happy at the same time." Hermione shrugged as she pulled a pain reliever from the satchel Madame Pomfrey had given her for the duration of her stay. "It could have been me singing 7 years ago."

"What happened seven years ago?" Pansy blurted out before she could rethink her interest in the matter. "We came to Hogwarts but that was it really."

"For you maybe. I found out that I wasn't a freak like my family thought I was." Hermione shrugged. She handed a vial to the agape professor. "Here you are. We all know the drill by now. Take the vial and get plenty of sleep. I'll see you in the morning Professor."

With that the girl excused herself from the room.

"Excuse me, Miss Parkinson," the older woman said dully as she staggered to her feet. "I-I have to go lie down."

"O-of course." Dimly the Slytherin turned toward her room where the apprentice was presumably getting ready for bed. Creeping into the room she saw the Gryffindor already settled in her bed.

Climbing into her covers, the Slytherin faced the opposite wall and tried to relax. When that failed she whispered, "Do your parents still think you are a freak?"

Just when the Slytherin thought the Gryffindor had gone to sleep she heard, "No. Not really."

"That's good," the Slytherin girl offered, not knowing what else to say.

Just as the Head Girl was drifting off she heard her new roommate speak the one phrase that was guaranteed to keep her up all night.

"They don't know I exist."

Please Review~ Nessa and Boq still have to be decided! What do you guys think of my choices for Glinda and Elphaba? Any thoughts on future chapters?

Chapter 5 will be up as soon as I can type it and have it beta-ed. Every review inspires me to write that faster!

~Wings