As he walked into The Phoenix Nest hand-in-hand with Severus, Harry stared around in amazement.
The inside had been expanded almost triple its usual size, the ceiling double, and was filled to the brim with a loudly chattering crowd. Instead of being one color, the peacock-feather patterns on the walls kept shifting between all the colours of the rainbow. The floor was once again the icy black it had been on Valentine's day, and people began getting louder when they saw him.
Harry kissed Severus (during which the people around them whooped) before heading to the stage. As he and the band climbed up, the enormity of this situation hit him.
So many people had showed up that the crowd was more like a sea of indistinguishable faces than anything else. Although the dim lights made it hard to recognise anyone, knowing their faces so well made Harry see that Ginny, Dean, Seamus, almost all of their friends from school (including Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, Cho Chang, and other people from Dumbledore's Army), many Sixth and Seventh Year students he had seen in DADA, Remus, Tonks, Bill, Fleur, Fred, George, and Merlin forbid, Draco Malfoy were all present. Harry did not feel at all compelled to tell Neville about that last person.
"Hello!" Hermione said into the microphone as the other four finished setting up their instruments. Harry would never get used to just how loud a crowd could be when they wanted to.
"Alright, alright," she laughed as they quieted some. "Our first song is a bit different from the rest, but we like it anyways."
And with that, she stepped back from the microphone and allowed Harry to stand in front of it as people cheered. Neville started the beginning of Let's Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats. This song always made Harry want to smile, so as the rest of the band joined in and the crowd started dancing, he did.
I'm back in Liverpool
And everything seems the same
But I worked something out last night
That changed this little boy's brain
A small piece of advice that took twenty-two years in the make
And I will break it for you now
Please learn from my mistakes
Please learn from my mistakes
Let's dance to joy division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to joy division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So if you're ever feeling down
Grab your purse and take a taxi
To the darkest side of town
That's where we'll be
And we will wait for you
And lead you through the dance floor
Up to the DJ booth
You know what to ask for
You know what to ask for
Go ask for joy division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to joy division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah we're so happy
Harry let his guitar hang from his neck by the strap as he sung the next part.
So let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
Let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
He picked up his guitar again and rejoined Neville and Hermione.
So let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
So let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
Let it tear us apart
Let it tear us apart
Let's dance to joy division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to joy division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So happy, yeah, we're so happy
So happy, yeah, we're so happy
So happy, yeah, we're so happy
Although the noise from people's voices exploded, it was drowned out by a much different (as Hermione had said) song: The Young Americans remix of Starts With One by Shiny Toy Guns. The microphones, thankfully, were once again timed for special effects. Harry sung as his guitar was on the floor behind him, Hermione adding her voice at her parts. The crowd adjusted to the new beat, the lights flashing in an almost trance-like way.
Starts with one
I can't feel
It's all in your mind anyway
I can't heal
Make me feel this way
Now there's two I can't see
I've never felt this way
I can't feel anything anyway
Let's show them the only way
Let's show them our hearts
Only three I can't seem
To get enough anyway
I can't speak
Nothing to say anyway
Let's show them the only way
Let's show them our hearts
Let's show them the only way
Let's show them our hearts
Distorted light moves in
Or am I mistaken?
It feels so cold
There goes today
It slowly fades, slowly fades away
Here comes today
Never go, never go away
More cheering could be heard from the end of the song as another man came up onto the stage, just like had been planned. He was about Harry's height, though his tan made him look a few years older than him. He had plain features and clothes, and red dreadlocks to his shoulders; he set down his guitar by Harry's on the stage and joined him by the microphone.
"This is Paulie Glinder, he'll be helping out tonight," Harry said to the crowd. They responded with a few whoops that made Paulie smile, though he looked laid-back enough already.
They started up The City Is At War by Cobra Starship, Harry singing main and Paulie backing the vocals, Neville and Hermione taking care of the guitar and bass parts. The crowd went wild at such a song.
The city is at war
Playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a shit
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
Playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a shit
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
Here's how it goes
It's about who you know
If you
Got money you get in for free
Get on your knees if you wanna reach the top
The party never stops (never stops)
Don't stop now (don't stop now)
Come on!
Stick around and see how it ends
Get the money and run
Meet me at the parking lot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up yeah
The city is at war
Playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a shit
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
This little girl was alone in the world
Until she
Found a way to get her fix for free
Oh pretty please
It breaks my heart to see
Another tragedy
She finally got her picture on TV
Come on!
Live it up while you can
We all lose in the end
No you don't get another shot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up, yeah
The city is at war
Playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a shit
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
The city is at war
The city is at war
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
shoot 'em up, yeah (the city is at war)
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Another Cobra Starship song began over the noise of the crowd, this time My Moves Are White (White Hot, That Is). Harry once again sang lead while Paulie joined him.
Take my time
Take it easier
Don't need no lines
Cause my moves are hot, and I never stop girl
Hey, I know
You've heard it all before, and you seen it all
Hey, I know
Its the same old song, same old song
I'm the kind of guy that you ain't ever seen before
If you want to hit the floor, are you ready for more?
I'm the kind of guy that it ain't easy to forget
Girl, I'm gonna make you sweat
Are you ready?
Are you ready for more?
I may not be nice
I won't remember your name, girl
The things you understand, they could never comprehend
No
No need to explain it
Hey, I know
I talk a lot, but I back it up
You got
Hey, I know
You got me all wrong
Got me wrong
I'm the kind of guy that you ain't ever seen before
If you want to hit the floor, are you ready for more?
I'm the kind of guy that it ain't easy to forget
Girl, I'm gonna make you sweat
Are you ready?
Are you ready for more?
Hermione added her voice for the next two lines.
Boy, I know what you're gonna say
Or did you think I was born yesterday?
I know you must think that I got something to prove
But girl, I really only want to hit the floor with you
I'm the kind of guy that you ain't ever seen before
If you want to hit the floor, are you ready for more?
I'm the kind of guy that it ain't easy to forget
Girl, I'm gonna make you sweat
Are you ready?
Are you ready for more?
I'm the kind of guy that you ain't ever seen before
If you want to hit the floor, are you ready for more?
I'm the kind of guy that it ain't easy to forget
Girl, I'm gonna make you sweat
Are you ready?
Are you ready for more?
While the crowd calmed down, Neville and Hermione set down their guitars, Harry and Paulie picking up their own and taking seats in conjured chairs. Ron stepped off the stage as well and let Luna take over the electronic beat that was coming up.
"We're gonna switch it up a bit, just for this one song," Paulie spoke into the lowered microphone.
And then the normal version of Such Great Heights by The Postal Service began, Harry's brain reeling with the memory of singing the slower version to Severus.
I am thinking it's a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images
And when we kiss
They're perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate
That God himself did make
Us into corresponding shapes like
Puzzle pieces from the clay
Harry could see Severus' eyes light up with recognition of the lyrics, even from all the way across the room.
And true, it may seem like a stretch, but
It's thoughts like this that catch
My troubled head when you're away
When I am missing you to death
When you are out there on the road
For several weeks of shows
And when you scan the radio
I hope this song will guide you home
They will see us waving from such great heights
'Come down now,' they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
'Come down now,' but we'll stay
I tried my best to leave
This all on your machine
But the persistent beat
It sounded thin upon listening
And that frankly will not fly
You will hear the shrillest highs and lowest lows
With the windows down
When this is guiding you home
They will see us waving from such great heights
'Come down now,' they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
'Come down now,' but we'll stay
He and Paulie only used their guitars to play the short guitar part at this section.
They will see us waving from such great heights
'Come down now,' they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
'Come down now,' but we'll stay
They will see us waving from such great heights
'Come down now,' they'll say
They will see us waving from such great heights
Come down now
Some couples separated from slow dancing positions, some remaining as they were since they had not been slow dancing. He and Paulie exited the stage, having shrunken their guitars and stowed them in their pockets. Hermione, the man Harry remembered as Joe, and a not-so-familiar young black woman with a puffy afro joined Luna on the stage. Harry pushed through the crowd to get to Severus as Dream A Dream by Captain Jack began, Hermione and the woman who had been introduced as "Layla" singing together, Joe dancing with them and coming in at his part.
Dream a dream, lover, take me in your dream
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Dream a dream, lover, love is just a dream
If you wanna set me free, boy
You're making me scream
He finally reached Severus and, grinning, pulled him out of his anti-social corner and into the mass of people to dance.
Ooh la la di la da da
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
You've gotta dream a little dream
Ho! One more time, I'm back with a new rhyme
Hey! Here we go again
Ha! Turn it up my friend
No! We don't stop
Ha! We rock the spot
No! We don't quit
Get ready, oh, this is it!
Do you like to dream?
Hey! I like to dream, baby
Do you like to dream?
Ho! I like to dream, mama
Do you like to scream?
Hey! I like to scream, baby
Do you like to scream?
Ho! So scream it out
Dream a dream, lover, take me in your dream
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Dream a dream, lover, love is just a dream
If you wanna set me free, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
You've gotta dream a little dream
Uh, party over here
Ha, bring it up from the rear
Uh, party over there
Ha, hands in the air
No, we don't stop
Ha, we rock the spot
No, we don't quit
Get ready ya'll this is it
Dream a dream, lover, take me in your dream
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Dream a dream, lover, love is just a dream
If you wanna set me free, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
You've gotta dream a little dream
Dream a dream, lover, take me in your dream
Take me anywhere you please, boy
You're making me scream
Dream a dream, lover, love is just a dream
If you wanna set me free, boy
You're making me scream
Ooh la la di la da da
You've gotta dream a little dream
Hermione and Luna exited the stage too, leaving Frankie (whoever and wherever he was) to the music. Layla and Joe began to sing American Boy by Estelle.
At some point during the song Severus' hand tugged on Harry's, and he led them to a far corner where the last person Harry wanted to talk to was standing: Malfoy.
"I almost don't believe it," Malfoy said in his drawling voice, staring warily at their clasped hands as if the change in their treatment of each other was scary. Since the end of the War, Malfoy and Harry had had a bit less animosity between them, whether due to Malfoy's gladness that Voldemort was gone or Harry's depression the entirety of their Seventh Year. Though, this did not at all make them anywhere near best friends.
"Wonderful to see you too, Draco," Severus said politely, though Harry could sense the sarcastic undertone and was amused by it. Up on the stage, Joe left Layla by herself to sing The World Should Revolve Around Me by Little Jackie. "How are Pansy and Hydrus?"
"Holding up well, Pansy's with him at the Manor," Malfoy answered. "Suppose you'll both be his teachers in about nine years' time."
Harry looked up. "What?"
"Hydrus, my son. He will be two in April," Malfoy smirked, knowing the horror the thought of dealing with another Malfoy must cause Harry.
Harry gulped and failed to smile. "Brilliant."
Severus and Malfoy continued to exchange information for the next couple minutes, until finally there was no one left on the stage, and Danger Zone by Gwen Stefani blared from the magical speakers around the club. Harry tugged on Severus sleeve in a slightly urgent way, and they said their goodbyes to Malfoy and made their way back to the dance floor.
I can't imagine how hard it must be, to be you
Adopting all your history, it's hard being me too
Are your secrets where you left them
Cause now your ghosts are mine as well
I think it's time I met them and I think it's time you tell
And you should have told me when you met me
All these things I should know
I should have asked, we should have talked
About this so long ago
It's not fair, it's not fair
And don't leave me here
How's this happening to me
It feels so lonely here
He and Severus danced close, his hands on Harry's hips as they moved.
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
Now we share the closet, now you've let me come inside
And now you're finally undressing, and I feel like I might die
The damage is infectious, the confession is too late
And how can I accept this
How is this happening to me
It's not fair, it's not fair
Help me come up for air
How's this happening to me
It feels so lonely here
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
You never know
You never know
All of your secrets
All your lies, all of it
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
We are in a mess, a danger zone
What will happen next, you never know
The wordless version of Whatever U Like by Nicole Scherzinger came on, and Harry grinned as he moved even closer to Severus, his arms over the man's shoulders, those amazing black eyes glittering intriguingly.
The hands on Harry's hips brought their pelvises together, and they ground in sync to the loud beat.
Harry was very glad he did not have to go back up on the stage for the rest of the evening.
