AN: I own nothing. I'm not British, and my name isn't JK Rowling. I think I should also mention that I own no part of AC/DC, except a few t-shirts and CD's, as well as a couple DVD's.
Thanks so much for the reviews, follows, and faves. I'm sorry this took so long, but...here ya go!
Keep in mind - when they're on the stage, they're Velvet and BlackBird. Off the stage, they're Christine and Richard.
Okey-dokey, you beautiful people - Go! Read and enjoy!
Once she was finished, Hermione went back to her dressing room. She decided for the finale, she would look every inch the rock and roll babe. She changed into a tight white Velvet BlackBird tee, a pair of black leather pants and the black boots she wore the night before. She generously tousled her hair, giving it that sexy messed up look, added a pair of small silver hoop earrings and her worn leather cuff bracelet. She also darkened her makeup a little, adding darker eyeliner and a bit more mascara, as well as red lipstick. Satisfied with how she looked, she went to stand beside the stage to watch her parents.
As her parents finished their last song, Hermione stepped to the edge of the stage, waiting for her cue to walk back out. She smiled sadly as she watched them. There was no denying that Christine and Richard, or Velvet BlackBird, as they were known, were quite something to see. She realized just how much she was going to miss being with them everyday once they left for the rest of their tour in the States.
"Alright, ladies and gents," her mum said, and Hermione took a deep breath. It was almost time to go out for the finale. "As much as we have loved, loved being here, this is our final show of the tour her in the UK." she said, the crowd seeming to fill the venue with despondence and sighs of disappointment. "But, we'll be back in six months or so to keep doing what we love here in our home country." Velvet added, immediately cheering the crowd up.
"Once again, our baby girl, Hermione, everyone!" BlackBird said, introducing Hermione as she walked back out with a wave to the crowd. She laughed a bit as she faintly heard Harry and the others yelling for her, throwing Harry a little wink. "Now, I know we inspire a lot of you to go out and become rock stars, and I genuinely hope that if that is truly your dream, you succeed." he said, smirking. "But, keep in mind - It's A Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock And Roll." he said, making the crowd cheer, before he disappeared to the side of stage for a moment.
The lights started flashing as Barney, one of the guitarists, started playing, followed by the another guitarist, Michael, as BlackBird came back onstage with a set of bagpipes on his shoulder. Like usual, Hermione took one side of the stage while Velvet took the other, and BlackBird was in the middle. He was standing in front of his microphone, as the bagpipes didn't enable him to walk around as freely as he would during the finale.
Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the byways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
Hermione and Velvet raised their microphones and joined in on the next part, with Hermione on the left side of the stage and her mother on the right side.
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
BlackBird started playing the bagpipes, which impressed Hermione's friends.
"That is so cool!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know." Harry agreed.
He never thought that bagpipes would sound so great in a rock song, but Hermione's dad was really pulling it off. Of course, while it was the bagpipes that got his attention, it was Hermione that kept it. She looked gorgeous, but then again he thought she always did. He noticed how she looked more comfortable on a stage in front of thousands of people, but at the Hog's Head in fifth year, she got extremely nervous in front of twenty or so students. He watched as she happily danced around the stage, but also looked a bit sad. Harry knew it was because this was the last night her parents would be in the country for a while, and she was going to miss them.
BlackBird handed the bagpipes off to another member of the band, and grabbed his mic to walk down the runway and join Hermione and Velvet at the end, singing the whole way.
Hotel motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band
Hermione and Velvet raised their microphones once again, joining him for the last part of the song.
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
Well it's a long way
It's a long way, you should've told me
It's a long way, such a long way
BlackBird trailed off, taking the time during the final notes of the song to introduce the band. There was Barney, Michael, JoJo, another guitarist, Luther, who played keyboards, and 'BamBam', the drummer. He also introduced Monica and Jennifer, their back-up singers.
"On behalf of the band, the girls, and the crew, Hermione, Velvet and I thank you so much for coming and rocking out with us!" BlackBird said, standing at the end of the runway with one arm around Hermione's shoulders as Velvet was behind them, leaning down to shake hands with the crowd. With a final wave, the three turned and walked back up the runway and off the stage. The lights went down, and Velvet and BlackBird came back out for their final bow.
"That was wonderful, you three!" Molly gushed as she and the rest of the Order joined the Granger's backstage.
Christine laughed as she took in the general excitement of the group. "Thanks, Molly." she said. "Would you all like to stick around for the after party?" she asked, looking around.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she stood with Harry off to the left of the group, laughing a bit. "Mum, it's not really an after party. It's just you guys and the band standing around drinking and telling stories of 'the good ole' days'." she said.
"Well...yeah, that's essentially what it is, but it's always so fun." Christine said, laughing like a teenager. "So? What do you guys say?" she asked, getting an acceptance from everyone.
An hour later, the so-called after party was in full swing. As Hermione said, it was just the band, the Granger's, their back-up singers, and several members of the crew hanging around backstage. Needless to say, Sirius was happier than a pig in mud as he and Remus stood to one side with Barney and Michael, listening to them tell stories. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Tonks sat with Crystal over on another side, playing cards and laughing. Albus, Minerva, Severus, Arthur and Molly stood with Hermione's parents, regaling them of tales they hadn't heard from Hermione's days at Hogwarts. The twins and Percy had gone home already, needing to be up early for work, while Bill had taken Fleur home to rest.
Two hours later, the group had moved out by the Granger's bus that was waiting to take them on to the airport. One by one, the group said their goodbye's to Hermione's parents, enjoyed having met them and getting to know them. They all stood and tried not to listen in as Hermione tearfully said goodbye.
"Don't cry, sweetie." Christine said, hugging her. "We'll be back in no time."
"Yeah, and then before you know it, you'll be asking when we're leaving again." Richard said, trying to get her to laugh as he ran a hand down the back of her hair.
"Doubtful." Hermione said thickly, hugging her mother tightly. Sniffling, she let go and turned to her father. "I hate it when you guys leave." she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Richard shared a look with his wife over Hermione's head. "Us too, sweetheart." he whispered, putting his head on top of hers. "Can I tell you a secret?" he asked, feeling her nod. "Your mother and I are thinking of hanging it up after this." he said.
Hermione popped her head up and looked wide eyed between her parents. "Re...really?" she asked. "But, why?" she asked when they nodded.
"Well, there's a lot of reasons, honey." Christine said. "But, mainly, we're just getting tired of life on the road." she said.
"We might still go on the occasional small tour, but I think we're pretty much done with the whole big production." Richard said.
"You're not going to stop singing altogether, are you?" Hermione asked.
Christine shook her head as she joined their hug. "No. We're just not going to be out on the road for a year or two at a time." she said.
"Guys, we need to get goin' if we're gonna get to the airport on time." their driver, Anthony, yelled.
"Just one more minute there, Tony." Richard yelled back.
"Alright, sweetie, we need to get going." Christine said.
Hermione nodded. "Call me when you land. No matter what time it is." she said, wiping the tears that were falling with her fingers, trying not to smudge her mascara anymore than it already was.
"Of course, love." Richard said. "And we'll send you some postcards." he added.
"From every city." Hermione smiled. She felt the tears well up again as she heard Anthony start the bus. "You should get going." she said sadly.
Richard and Christine both hugged her again, and waved to the others. "We love you, Hermione." Christine said as Richard took her hand.
"I love you, too." she said, waving as she watched them walk away from her. She smiled a little as she felt Harry step up beside her and take her hand.
The bus honked as it pulled out of the parking lot, with Hermione giving a wave as it left. Hermione turned toward Harry as it drove out of sight, giving him a sad smile.
"Come on, Mione. You're staying at Grimmauld Place tonight." Harry said, not at all surprised when Hermione leapt toward him, hugging him. He just hugged her tighter, trying to give her the comfort she was looking for.
She might have been twenty, but no matter what age, it was always hard to watch your parents leave you.
Review please.
Not entirely sure how happy I am with the ending, but there it is.
Til next time!
XOXO - Onyx Obsidian
