[a/n0]Ugly? Really? Not much of an insult, or is it far worse in England than US? Or maybe I'm just too old? Usury was offered too. Sounds worse, but doesn't seem something little kids would say. Both fit.
[a/n]High among my top 1000 hits list is Donna Summer's MacArthur Park, later Parodied by Weird Al for Jurassic Park. Not sure which I like better. Anyway, Youtube informed me Richard Harris made the original a decade before.
Harry Does Different CCCXCI
Dumbledore Sings
All the Hogwarts boys were deeply impressed with the display put on by, as the Headmaster put it "Lovely ladies of Beauxbatons!" this much to the annoyance of the Hogwarts girls. There was a cheering as the "Sons of Durmstrang" finished off with an impressive display of controlled fire. "We shall entertain our guests as best we can with song."
"Somehow Hoggy Warty doesn't quite make it." Harry felt a sudden inspiration, he really had to avoid looking at the twins.
There was a rumble of confusion, to which the Headmaster interjected "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Potter?"
"Just this, sir. You see we know we're good. But don't our guests deserve the best?" answered Harry smoothly "Surely you can sing better than any of us. Sir?"
Professor McGonagall frowned "It is not customary for the Headmaster- - -"
"Peace Minerva." Dumbledore waved her to silence and stood, a glint in his eyes "You should know a leader never asks what he cannot do himself." He smirked right at Harry and cleared his throat "Now let us see. Some years ago I did a little singing, gained a bit of notoriety. Ahh, just the ditty!"
The Headmaster pulled his wand and waved it, causing a piano solo to start, though none was visible. After brief stanza and another wand motion, trumpets blared. He looked quite pleased with himself.
Spring was never waiting for us, girl
It ran one step ahead
Violins joined in.
As we followed in the dance
Between the parted pages and were pressed In love's hot, fevered iron Like a striped pair of pants
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can fake it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh noooooo
The audience was captivated. Even those visitors who weren't quite fluent in English.
I recall the yellow cotton dress Foaming like a wave On the ground around your knees
Biiiirrrrds like tender babies in your hands And the old men playing checkers, by the trees
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh Noooooooooooo
Flutes joined while Dumbledore smiled at his students and visitors. He strolled the stage, then he continued.
There would be another song for me For I will sing it
There would be another dream for me Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm And never let you catch me looking at the sun And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life, you'll still be the one I will take my life into my hands and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers through the sky And after all the loves of my life Oh, after all the loves of my life
There was another, longer instrumental.
I'll be thinking of you - and wondering why
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again Oh noooooo, o-oh NO-OOOOO!
While his voice filled the hall, holding the last note, Dumbledore's wand flashed and the unseen instruments built up to a crescendo. After a climax, the music ended. Where another might be panting after the performance, this singer merely offered an ending bow.
If that last note filled the Great Hall, the applause shook the ceiling display. Harry's jaw had gone slack. It took a nudge from his friends to get him to join the clapping.
"I should like to dedicate my song to Mr. Harry Potter, without whom I might not have taken that opportunity. Please, everyone, enjoy the rest of the evening." And the Headmaster resumed his place at the center of the Head Table.
Harry was not entirely sure how he felt about the results of his prank attempt.