AN: Okay it's been a while...
On the bright side this will be the last chapter before the show :D
*starlight eeyore- I'm glad you're enjoying :)
*Nicoisawesome- Haha I appreciate the eagerness, also that you're reading another one of my fics :D
*Marblegirl- The show's coming up really really soon!
*H- Really I don't think Voldemort would be that concerned. He surely wouldn't have stayed through the entirety of the torture, even if he did Severus was left alone to die in the end -that's how he was able to escape. Voldemort would be too arrogant to consider that one of his pawn's would survive. This fic's sole focus is the show, I just wanted to take the opportunity to free Severus while i was at it. I apologize if I in any way lead you to believe that Voldemort would attack during the show, or appear in some other fashion during the fic. Maybe in other fic, but not this one.
*Calliope29- I'm happy you stopped by despite your hesitance!
*ChaoticallyAwkward- Hahaha! Your review made me smile like an idiot at my laptop screen, thanks for that. You most certainly haven't mentioned it before, I'm proud to have heightened your appreciation of the band and the song. I actually owe the inspiration of this fic to a friend of mine who introduced me to the band :3
I'm ecstatic over all the positive reviews! Hope you enjoy this chapter
~GreenEyes
Harry was on his way to his last class of the day –which was Charms with the Ravenclaws– when he heard a voice calling him.
"Harry!"
Harry stopped and turned to see Draco following him. Harry glanced around quickly to confirm that there were no other students in the corridor –though he could've known that just by the fact that Draco had used his given name. Though they were friends –of sorts– they weren't open about it in front of the other students; people tended to spread rumors much too quickly when it concerned Harry.
"Albus wants to talk to all the contestants after dinner tonight," Draco said once he had caught up. They continued to walk, side-by-side, down the empty corridor.
"Last minute arrangements?" Harry asked. It was Wednesday; two days until the show.
"Yeah," Draco said. "When we'll be allowed to have the stage for private dress-rehearsal, what order the performances will be in, stuff like that. Are you both ready?"
"As ready as we'll ever be, I think," Harry said. "Hermione keeps saying we'll be great, but I'm still a little nervous… I think Severus is too. How about you?"
"Yeah, I reckon I'm a little nervous too," Draco said.
"And Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
Draco snorted.
"I don't think Albus is even capable of feeling nervous," Draco smiled in spite of himself. "The man can't wait for the show!"
Harry chuckled.
"Albus?" He repeated shrewdly.
"Severus?" Draco countered, copied his demeanor.
"Touché." Harry laughed.
They were nearing the Charms classroom.
"Aren't you going to be late for your class?" Harry asked.
"Need to pass the message to Flitwick first," Draco explained. "He'll probably give me a note."
Harry nodded.
They entered the classroom together. The class had just entered, so no-one noticed the two of them slip in. Harry made his way to his seat, and Draco went to talk to Flitwick. Harry saw Flitwick write and hand a note to Draco.
After class, as Harry was packing up his things, he noticed Flitwick talking to Terry Boot. He was probably relaying Draco's message.
Harry felt a pang of guilt as he looked at Terry properly for the first time. The boy looked much too thin and he had dark circles under his eyes. His brother's death had hit the boy hard. He had been in the same year as Harry for all these years… and Harry hadn't even bothered to learn his name.
But Harry couldn't change that now. He couldn't very well try to be friends with him all of a sudden, it would be clear that he was doing it out of guilt. Terry deserved better friends than that, Harry understood that.
Harry left the classroom and made his way to the Tower. He dumped his bag in his room and went down to dinner with Ron and Hermione. Ron was badgering him about who his partner for the contest was, Hermione was just smiling excitedly.
Dinner was uneventful. Ron finally gave up on his badgering in favor of inhaling helping after helping of roasted chicken and beef stew. Harry noticed Dumbledore talking to Severus and Madame Pomfrey briefly.
After dinner Harry bid Ron and Hermione a goodnight and walked up to the Staff Table. Draco, Susan, and Terry did the same. All the staff had left with the students; only Dumbledore, Severus, Flitwick, and Madame Pomfrey remained.
They all stood together, like they had only a week and two days ago, though there was less awkwardness between all of them now.
"Welcome everyone," Dumbledore smiled around at them. His eyes were twinkling as per usual. "I'm sure you are all of you are prepared for Friday evening, and I'm sure that you are all just as excited as I am!"
Harry tried not to chuckle. He didn't think it possible for any regular witch or wizard could feel as excited as Dumbledore seemed to be. The others smiled weakly at the Headmaster, except for Severus who rolled his eyes.
"First things first, I will inform you of the order in which we will all be performing," Dumbledore said. "Dress rehearsal will be in the same order tomorrow night, and I ask that each of you will respect that the reheasals are private to each pairing."
Everyone nodded to show that they understood and agreed.
"Very good," Dumbledore said. "Now, the first pairing to perform –the 'opening act' as the muggles call it– will be Professor Flitwick and Mr. Terry Boot."
Professor Flitwick and Terry nodded. Harry noticed that Flitwick had his hand on Terry's shoulder and that he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Following Professor Flitwick and Terry," Dumbledore continued. "Will be Madame Pomfrey and Ms. Susan Bones."
Madame Pomfrey and Susan smiled and nodded. Susan's smiled seemed a little bit tight, but genuine.
"After them will be Mr. Draco Malfoy and myself," Dumbldore said. "And then finally Professor Snape and Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry and Severus nodded. Harry grinned widely, Dumbledore had really arranged for them to be last.
"After the last act, namely Professor Snape and Mr. Potter," Dumbldore continued. "The judges will deliberate, and choose one winning pairing and present them with the grand mystery prize"
"Although," Dumbldore added. "I believe that the simple fun that has been had in taking part in this contest is prize enough, for me at least."
Harry smiled. It was true, he had made friends with Draco and Severus during the course of the contest, that was beyond any prize that could be won.
Dumbldore yawned rather dramatically.
"I do believe that I have taken up enough of your time," He said. "I wish each of you a good night's sleep, and I wish all of you the best of luck for Friday!"
And with that, everyone left the Great Hall to their respective sleeping quarters.
AN: Okay that was the last chapter before the show. The next chapter will be the night of the show and we cover the first team's performance. Simply put, the structure/order of the next four chapters will look something like this:
1. Terry Boot & Professor Flitwick (Chapter 13)
2. Susan Bones & Madame Pomfrey (Chapter 14)
3. Draco Malfoy & Headmaster Dumbledore (Chapter 15)
4. Harry Potter & Professor Snape (Chapter 16)
After Chapter 16 I will either have a poll on my profile or take votes via reviews (not sure which?) over who should win. I won't have any say in which team will win in the end. I think then i'll have one more chapter in say a week or two (let all of you get your votes in) and post one more chapter in which the 'judges' reveal the winning team. That sound okay?
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next one will be up in about a week :)
~GreenEyes
