This is it!!!! It's the end *sniff* of my *sniff* first finished fic! I won't say anything more...

The storyline is owned by me (inspired by Step Up and Honey), the song is owned by Yolanda Adams (artist); D. Durhams, Fred Jerkins III, etc. (composers); and the creators of Honey, and of course, what's left is owned by J.K. Rowling.

Trivia: I actually have dance steps for this song :)

On to the final chapter....


Chapter 4: Final Judgement

All of the Gryffindors in Harry's year gave them full support. Ron volunteered himself as their manager; Dean, Seamus and Neville were their personal bodyguards and cheering squad; Lavender consented to be their designer (although Harry preferred the real Muggle styles); and the rest would say things like "Good luck, Harry!" or "Wish you the best, Hermione!" or "With you two in the contest, the Slytherins don't stand a chance!" whenever they passed by in the common room or the corridors.

Harry was injecting more hip-hop into the dance, but to make it fair, he had let Hermione create steps derived from ballet. Without knowing it, they were doing two dances at a time or else, switching.

Eventually, the day of Final Eliminations came. They were performing in front of a bigger audience which included all the teachers, the ghosts (except Peeves) and a cheer team per house. Of course, Gryffindor's included the whole of Harry and Hermione's batch, along with a few from Ginny's and from the sixth years.

"We are using this special auditorium just for the final eliminations," said Professor Dumbledore when everyone had settled down. "The Grand Finals shall be held in the Quidditch Pitch.

"The arrangement of the list will be followed as the order of presentation." Hermione gave a small squeak. "We will be starting from the bottom. Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson, if you please." Ron, Dean, Neville and Seamus snorted.

The program went on without much speed as a snail. Harry's hands were sore from clapping. Until finally . . .

"Thank you, Miss Weasley." Dumbledore said after a round of applause. "And for the final performance, our current number one, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."

"This is it," Harry said to himself through the deafening cheers of his fellow Gryffindors. He and Hermione went up the stage and got ready as the music began playing.

Of course, their dance was honed to perfection and not a single mistake did they make. Some people (including all the Gryffindors) clapped in time to the music. When they had taken their bow, everyone but the Slytherins cheered, clapped and gave them a standing ovation.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" said Professor Dumbledore. "Now if you please take your seats. The Final Four contenders are to be announced in a few moments."

They're announcing the finalists now? Harry thought, surprised. The crowd was silent as the judges made their decision. No one could hear a thing besides the nervous heartbeats of the contestants.

Finally, Professor McGonagall parted from the group of teachers.

"Only one group will be chosen per house." She said. "The arrangement of groups will be according to your ranks.

"Number four: Slytherin, with a score of eighty-nine point seven . . . Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson." All the Slytherins arose from their seats and clapped. Malfoy threw a victorious smirk at Harry.

"Number three: Hufflepuff, with a score of ninety-one point ninety-seven . . . Mr. Macmillan and Miss Abbott." Harry clapped along with the others.

"Number two: Ravenclaw," Harry and the others cheered. Gryffindor was once again on top. "with a score of ninety-four point forty-three . . . Miss Chang and Miss Lovegood.

"Finally, number one: Gryffindor. With a landslide score of ninety-eight point ninety-nine percent . . ." Professor McGonagall was too glad to keep the crowd waiting ("Why not make it ninety-nine then, eh?" Fred said). "Our only . . ." (the sixth-years grumbled, their bet was out of the race.) "Muggle entry, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger!" All the Gryffindors stood up cheering and whistling while Harry and Hermione hugged. Their trouble was worth it.

"Now, that's settled," Professor Dumbledore said after the Gryffindors finally calmed down. "We shall see each other again on the third of December. You may go back to your common rooms to celebrate."

Outside the auditorium, the Gryffindors broke into chant. "Potter!" clap, clap "Granger!" clap, clap. The chant continued up to the Gryffindor Tower. No one dared stop them, not even Filch or Peeves. Even the Fat Lady joined in.

The euphoria from achieving a second shot on top spot lasted for about a week. After that, Harry and Hermione were troubled by what they should dance, having thought every possible variation they could think of.

"Why not try Wizard dance?" Ron suggested one day in the Room (He was now allowed inside. After all, he was their manager).

"We can't," Harry replied. "Muggle dance is our trademark. It's why people like watching us."

"We've got to think of something fast." Hermione said. "The Finals is only three weeks away."

"That's what we're working on." Harry answered. "We need something different . . . different and easy."

Then, as quick as lightning, an idea popped into Hermione's head. "Harry, can I borrow Hedwig?"

Next day at breakfast, Hedwig brought a parcel for Hermione.

"It's something for the dance," Hermione said answering Harry's look.

"Catchy tune," Ron commented after Hermione played the disc.

"It's from a movie I watched," she said. "I asked Mum to look for it and send it to me."

"Brilliant!" Harry said, astounded. They listened to the CD before doing the steps. In a matter of days, they were prepared.

Footsteps pounded around Hogwarts after the last school bell rang. The students were off to drop their bags and books in their dormitory before heading to the Quidditch pitch for the Hogwarts Grand Finals of Wand Dance. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and the other members of Team Gryffindor were shunted in the Room of Requirement, polishing off the dance. When the music ended, everyone clapped.

"I think we're ready," said Hermione, positively beaming.

"Yes, you are!" Ginny cheered. The disappointment had already washed off her.

"We've got to go back to the dormitory to get the stuff." Ron said.

"Yeah, and so we'll get good seats," Dean added all of them huddled together.

"Team Gryffindor!" they cheered. Harry and Hermione were left alone in the room to change. Somehow the place sprouted two nice dressing rooms.

The grounds were flooded with students who were all heading to the Quidditch Pitch, which was simply a dome-shaped auditorium. The two made for the back, where the contestants were supposed to enter. Unluckily, upon entering, they first encountered Malfoy.

"Ready to wow us, Potter?" Malfoy said.

"More than you can ever imagine," he replied.

"Well, hope no one barfs while you're on the stage performing." Malfoy remarked.

"Hope no one dies in the earthquake you'll cause when you start performing." Harry said back.

"Welcome, welcome all!" Dumbledore's booming voice began. "Professors, students, ghosts and guests, welcome to the Hogwarts Wand Dance Grand Finals! May I present to you, the contestants!

"Slytherin, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson!" The two strutted on the stage as a clad of green-clad supporters cheered.

"Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott!" Ernie and Hannah stepped up onto the stage smiling nervously.

"Ravenclaw, our only girl duo entry, Cho Chang and Luna Lovegood!" Cho and Luna gave a bow onstage while the Ravenclaws cheered them on.

"And last, but of course never least, Gryffindor, our only Muggle dance Harry Potter and Hermione Granger!" The vivid crowd of scarlet-clad supporters were cheering madly. Harry could hear them chanting ("Potter!" clap, clap Granger! Clap, clap) while most of the girls were shrieking while holding up a banner which said "GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR!" in flashing letters (by Dean, Harry suspected). The boys were standing up, a letter painted on each of their bodies which spelled out "HJP-HJG, PROUDLY GRYFFINDOR!" They had painted their faces half-red and half-gold. When Harry and Hermione bowed, their supporters cheered even more.

"In the panel of judges," Dumbledore said after the Gryffindors were quiet again. "are Professor Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house; Professor Filius Flitwick, of Ravenclaw; Professor Pomona Spout, of Hufflepuff; Professor Severus Snape of Slytherin; yours truly, Headmaster of Hogwarts School; and Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic.

"And now," he began. "let the games begin!"

The contest went neck and neck, Hermione's palms were getting sweatier and the hairs on the back of Harry's neck stood up.

"Our final contestants, of Gryffindor, Mr. Harry James Potter and Miss Hermione Jean Granger!" Professor Dumbledore finally said. The two held hands as they walked on the stage. This was the moment. Their moment.

I Believe

They said you wouldn't make it so far, uh-uh

And ever since they said it it's been hard

Well, never mind the night'cha had to cry

'Coz you had never let it go inside

You worked real hard and you know exactly what you want and need

So believe

And you can never give up

You can reach your goals

Just talk to your soul and say

I believe I can

I believe I will

I believe I know my dreams are real

I believe I'll stand

I believe I'll dance

I believe I'll grow real soon and

That is what I do believe

Your goals are just a thing in your soul, uh-huh

And you know that your moves will let them show

You keep creating pictures in your mind

So just believe they will come true in time

It will be fine

Leave all of your cares and stress behind

Just let it go

Let the music flow inside

Forget all your pain

And just start to believe

I believe I can

I believe I will

I believe I know my dreams are real

I believe I'll stand

I believe I'll dance

I believe I'll grow real soon and

That is what I do believe

During the rap break, Hermione was totally having fun. She completely forgot that she hated hip-hop. Another thing, Harry's dream came true. People were standing up and clapping in time to his music. It came perfectly true, except there was no jeering Malfoy.

And he wasn't alone.

Never mind what people say

Hold your head high and turn away

With all my hopes and dreams

I will believe!

Even though it seems it's not for me

I won't give up, I'll keep it up

Looking to the sky

I will achieve all my needs

I will always believe, oh, oh, oh!

I believe I can

I believe I will

I believe I know my dreams are real

I believe I'll stand

I believe I'll dance (I gotta dance!)

I believe I'll grow real soon and (watch me, watch me, yeah, yeah!)

That is what I do believe

I believe I can

I believe I will

I believe I know my dreams are real

I believe I'll stand

I believe I'll dance

I believe I'll grow real soon and

That is what I do believe (I do believe)

Yeah, yeah, yeah

With that great finish, the audience went mad! Even the contestants (except, of course, Malfoy and Parkinson) were cheering. Professor Sprout had tears in her eyes and Professor Flitwick almost toppled over his seat calling out "Bravo! Brava!" over and over again.

After that, silent moments passed. The judges were deliberating. Everyone's hearts were pounding nervously.

"And now . . . our winner by unanimous decision . . ." Professor Dumbledore began slowly. "With a score of a hundred and twelve percent . . ." the crowd burst with huge gasps and a handful of "What?"s. " . . . is . . ." Hermione kept her eyes closed and her hands firmly holding Harry's, preparing for the worst . . . but hopefully, the best. "is . . . Gryffindor! Mr. Harry James Potter and Miss Hermione Jean Granger!" the Gryffindor side erupted with cheer. Most of the girls were crying as Team Gryffindor hugged each other.

"We did it!" Hermione screamed. "We actually did it!" Then, she and Harry hugged each other tightly. Hermione's face was all wet and her mascara was running since she was crying so much. Harry handed her a tissue.

"Encore! Encore!" the people were screaming as Dumbledore handed them an enormous trophy and a gold medal each. Hermione kept on crying. He played their music again and the two danced like they've never danced before as the audience joined in their jive.

That's it! It's done!

As you've noticed, I hadn't put "the end" on it...

I'm already working on the sequel and I've finished up to the 2nd chapter (yay!!)

Here's a teeny-tiny sneak peek...

Harry awoke as a flash of sunlight blinded his eyes. They were still half-closed, but he fluttered them open as it got accustomed to the light. A blurry shape was holding out was seemed to be his glasses.

"Happy Christmas," Hermione said after he put on his glasses. She was sitting at the foot of his bed. "I wanted to give your present personally." She added, handing Harry a neatly wrapped gift.

"Wait," Harry said. He reached under his bed and pulled out a slightly dusty wrapped box. They exchanged gifts and decided that the best time to open them was now.

"One, two, three!" they said together. There were sounds of ripping paper until finally Hermione gasped. Harry had given her a new pair of black ballet shoes.

"Something tells me you don't want to use those silver shoes as much as possible." He explained. "So, I got you new ones."

"They're beautiful," Hermione said. "You guessed right. I didn't want to wear them because they might get ruined. Those were a gift from my dance instructor."

"So, do you like them?" Harry asked.

"I do!" she replied. "Very much. Thanks. It's just that I can't wear these, too. For the same reason, you know."

"Oh well."

"So, do you like mine?

"Y-yeah," Harry said untruthfully. "It's a nice . . . box."

"Open it," Hermione said, laughing.

Crap! i got a bit carried away with the sneak peek...you'll find out soon enough what's inside the box. I have to encode the story so it might take a bit longer.

Thanks soooooo much for reading my first fic and supporting it!

See you at the sequel!

:)