Chapter 21: The Magic of Music.
In the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday the castle became a buzz of activity. The match between Gryffindor and Slytherin took place, Gryffindor won in the first three minutes. Albus saved the whole team the horror of playing in a snow storm by catching the golden snitch as it flew blindly right at him through the thundering winds and pelting snow. However, it took another five minutes for the team to realize the match was over while they flew blindly around and Ron's whistle went unheard, but it did finally end and the rejoicing of the Gryffindors put the castle in a very jolly and festive mood.
Most professors were already prepping their classes for their mid term exams and settling the students about the assignments that they would need to finish while they were on break. Mountains of readings were assigned and the study hall was often packed with students trying to get through the work before the break started. Cadence had become a fixture in the study hall and the students appreciated her kindness and her assistance. The professors took advantage of the new dedications to keep themselves on top of their planning and pushed themselves ahead in their lessons.
Cadence had planned the first recital for the school just before the winter break. Her students were swamped with other class work, but they worked diligently to prepare for their first concert. The excitement flowed through all the houses as the days drew near and everyone looked forward to hearing and seeing the magical music at work.
At the same time Hermione and Harry had informed Cadence of her magical genes and though it was a shock in the beginning, she gradually started to understand the importance of her education and the dangers that it could cause. She let Harry into her mind freely to block any attempts of the dark lord and he helped her in turn by storing most of the memories and teachings that Hermione was giving to her in theory.
"So there really won't be any practicing this," Cadence sighed.
"No, it's all theoretical until we just go for it and try it." Hermione said.
"I don't want to do this." Cadence stated, "We should just stop before I fully understand and then never let the gateway be opened."
"We can't do that," Harry stated, "If someone connects with you, like Voldemort, and they initiate the crossing, you could die."
"If I die, then we wouldn't have to worry," Cadence said.
"Not true either," Hermione stated.
"He would still get through." Cadence stated.
"Theoretically speaking, yes," Hermione said.
Cadence dove more diligently into the study and understanding of her cursed genes and as the classes passed her by and she, Harry and Hermione, started to understand the crossing more they began to feel more confident. The idea of bringing someone back from the dead freaked Cadence out. It felt wrong on so many levels but she realized that it must have served some magical purpose and so she worked to understand the art. She vowed that if the first crossing worked, she would learn even more diligently to hold the gateway closed because there was an ultimate meaning to death and no one should have the ability to return a person to the living.
The day arrived of the recital and put a hold to all of the studies that Hermione had been working through. The students gathered, their best uniforms on and those not in the music classes gathered with the faculty and staff in the great hall. The head table was moved away to make room for the musicians and even the enchanted ceiling anticipated the performance. Music notes and staff lines floated among the millions of candles that lit the enchanted ceiling and added to the anticipation of the gathering audience.
Cadence felt the nervousness of her own performance career sneak up on her as she prepared to step out with her students for the first time. This would be a huge leap for the girl who had remained as introverted as when she had first come, and yet here she was ready to lead her students in their first performance and place herself among the great professors of the school. She took a deep breath, turned to the gathering of students and instruments and pulled a bright white feather from in the hat that she had been wearing.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it is time," she stated and the students began to file past her into the space ready to perform.
Cadence walked out after the students, the lights dimmed as she placed the feather on the floor and flicked her wand. A brilliant white piano appeared in its place and she took a seat before the keys.
"This is what you were meant to do," a voice filled her mind as she looked out at the hundreds gathered in the great hall.
Harry, Hermione and Ron smiled up at her before she turned back to the piano keys and struck the first notes of the concert.
The great hall filled with a beautiful melody; from that melody the story was told. It was a work composed by the students that Cadence had been teaching in her first months and it was inspired by their History Professor. Early on, when she had started their composition training Cadence had asked what the students were passionate about, who their favorite professors were and what subjects would transfer well into music. The students gave her many ideas, but the one that everyone seemed to agree on was one near and dear to one of their most famous Professor's hearts. The history of Hogwarts spread itself out in colours and music as the gathered audience gasped in awe and amazement at the magic that occurred all around them. History, in this school had never been of much interest until Hermione had started teaching it. Her passion and her enthusiasm, coupled with her fame in the publications of historical texts brought interest into her classroom and adoration from her students. She gasped as the music retold all that she had toiled and stressed within her lessons and brought to her the satisfaction of knowing that she had achieved something great by these students.
"They payed attention," Ron whispered to his wife as the history of the great school was retold.
"They are all getting the highest marks I have ever given," Hermione whispered tears in her eyes.
"What about Cadence?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"She's my top student," Hermione smiled. "I can't believe she did this. It's amazing."
Cadence took great pride in seeing and hearing the music rise above the silent audience. Her nervousness passed away quickly as the melody began to fill the room and the students played with confidence and musicianship. When the final notes died away and the colours faded from the vastness of the room, the audience erupted with applause and the recital came to an end, leaving many grasping at the remains of the music that had them captivated.
The students moved back to their dormitories to spend their last evening with their friends and house mates, while the faculty gathered for a final farewell before the break would split them up for the holidays. Cadence was bombarded with congratulations and high praises. Hermione had not stopped crying until she had hugged Cadence and Cadence began to cry herself. There was joy and easiness all around as the evening progressed and the hope of the future filled the spaces that made up the castle.
"It really was brilliantly put together," McGonagall stated as she shook Cadence's hand. "You have really outdone yourself."
"It wasn't just me," Cadence smiled, "it was the students and their passion. I could have never done it on my own, without the help of my friends."
"I have never been so captivated by the history of Hogwarts before," Ron stated as he too shook her hand.
"I cannot believe that, Mr. Weasley," Cadence said laughingly, "your wife is only the most predominant historian alive, you must be interested in her work."
"Not really," Hermione laughed, "he tunes me out for Quiddich, and I tune him out."
"And we continue on happily oblivious to one another," Ron laughed.
Harry was the next to come forward to congratulate the new teacher.
"I can only imagine what will be next for your students. What does our end of term concert have in store?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Cadence smiled, "but thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I heard them loud and clear, headmaster."
"I am glad that you are open to some encouragement now and then," Harry laughed, "but I am not going to be forced into the position by you or anyone else."
"I told Minerva I would drop the hint," Cadence laughed, "now it is done and you will not hear it from me again."
"Thank you," Harry smiled, "and keep up the good work."
"I will." Cadence smiled and remained out of the darkness for the rest of the evening.
It had been quite some time since the dark lord pulled at her subconscious, but soon the time would come, a time Cadence was dreading, when he may reach out to her again. The day had been set, the hour and place chosen. While the castle fell dormant for the holidays, Cadence and her professors would attempt the first crossing.