Everyone was really excited to be back at Hogwarts, especially Maleficent. She sat at the Slytherin table with Severus, enjoying the wonderful food. After the feast was over, Dumbledore stoop up, cleared his throat, and began to speak. "Now that we are all quite full, I have a couple of items of business that need to be taken care of. Students are asked to remember not to go into the Forbidden Forest. No using magic in the corridors between classes. And finally, there will be a talent show held during the second week of the term." Many students cheered at this announcement. Dumbledore held up his hand to silence them and continued, "Now, this talent show needs to be real talent, not just magic tricks. Therefore, should you choose to participate, you cannot have magic as the only part of your act. You can use it to get things you will need for your acts but it cannot be the focus of your act. There will be one act chosed from each House to participate. Houses will hold auditions to see who will represent them in the show. The show will be held two weeks from tonight. The winner will receive 100 points for his or her House. If you have any questions, see your Heads of House. Now, off to bed!"
The groups all found their prefects and followed them to their common rooms. When the Slytherins arrived at their common room, not too many people were talking about the show. Maleficent overheard a sixth year saying, "What's the use of having a talent show if we can't use magic?" Maleficent smiled slightly, knowing that she had a talent but didn't really want to sing if she could help it. But suddenly Narcissa bounded over to her from out of nowhere, grabbed her arm, and said, "Come with me now!" Maleficent glanced back at Severus, who was looking puzzled at Narcissa's behavior. Mentally she told Severus, "I have no idea what she wants." Narcissa pulled Maleficent into their dormitory and closed the door. "What's all this about?" Maleficent asked. Narcissa was grinning from ear to ear. "Don't you get it? This is your chance to tell Severus how you really feel without actually having to walk up to him and say the words! You can sing your feelings to him!" Narcissa cried. Maleficent thought about it for a moment and said, "Now wait just a minute! Are you suggesting that I try out for the show and sing about my feelings for Severus? You can't be serious!" Narcissa flopped down on her bed and said, "I'm completely serious! You love him, he loves you, but you're both to chicken to tell each other. This is how you can do it!" In the end, Maleficent agreed to think about it.
The next morning, there was a sign-up sheet hanging in the Common Room for people to sign up. Narcissa was waiting by the sheet when Maleficent finally came out of her dormitory. Narcissa held out her quill to Maleficent and said, "Well you've had time to think about it, so sign up!" Maleficent glared at her and said, "I need more time than one night to think about it. Give me a break!" Narcissa put the quill away, looking a bit hurt. "Fine then, but don't come running to me when you two never get together," she said angrily and headed out of the common room. Maleficent looked at the sheet. It was completely blank. She thought to herself, "If no one signs up by tomorrow night, then I'll sign up." "Sign up" What will you do?" a voice said in her mind. She turned and saw Severus standing behind her. She sighed and said, "Narcissa wants me to sing in the talent show but I don't know if I want to." Severus said, "The choice is yours to make, but I know that you have a lovely singing voice." Maleficent looked at him curiously and asked, "How do you know?" Severus smiled and said, "Remember that we can read each other's minds. I've head you in the bath before." Maleficent's cheeks went pink at that. She did sing often in the bath and had forgotten that others could hear her. "I'll think about it, Severus," she said.
The time passed and no names appeared on the sign up sheet. Maleficent was watching it like a hawk. And so was Narcissa. The two had made up from their little argument and now waited to see if anyone signed up. Finally, the evening before House auditions arrived and no one had signed up yet. Narcissa looked over at Maleficent and said, "Well, the time's come. No one's name is on the list. So...." the sentence trailed off. Maleficent looked at Narcissa and said, "Well a deal's a deal." Narcissa smiled and held out her quill. Maleficent took it and signed up. Narcissa put her quill away and was just thrilled about it. But Maleficent didn't know what to sing. She went to bed that night, hoping that something would come to her while she slept.
The next day, Professor Maxwell took down the sign-up sheet. He looked at it and only saw one name. He called a Slytherin House meeting. All of the students gathered in the common room. Maxwell glared at them all for a moment and finally said, "I have never been so ashamed of Slytherin students in my entire life. You all had two days to sign up and only one of you did. I don't know if you all have no talent or are just afraid to get up there and show it to us all. Well, at least there is one talented Slytherin here. Miss DuGall will represent Slytherin in the talent show. Five points to Maleficent for signing up and another five for being our representative. Should there be a talent show in the future, I want more of you to consider representing Slytherin in it." His eyes fell on Maleficent, who was looking positively mortified. He smiled at her and said, "I'm sure you will do well." Then he turned and stormed out of the room. They all turned to look at Maleficent. Maleficent gulped and backed away from the eyes that were now focused on her. She turned and dashed out of the room, heading toward her dormitory. Severus faced the crowd with anger in his eyes. "How dare you do such a thing! She was already frightened enough. She thought Maxwell was going to be mad at her for being the only one who signed up. Then, when she was rewarded for it, you all look at her like she was some sort of two-headed dragon!" Severus now turned to Narcissa and growled, "I know this was your doing. If she's ridiculed by the others because of you, then you'll pay for it! I thought she was your friend." He turned and stormed down to the boys dormitories. The eyes all turned on Narcissa, who whispered, "Maybe I should go check on her." She dashed up to their dormitory.
Narcissa found Maleficent lying on her bed, curled up into a little ball. Narcissa closed and locked the door. She sat down on the edge of Maleficent's bed and said gently, "I'm sorry. If I had known that this was going to happen I never would have asked you to sign up." Maleficent rolled over to face her friend. "Narcissa, don't be sorry. It's my fault. Because I signed up, Professor Maxwell yelled at the whole House. I was really surprised that he didn't take points off of Slytherin for it." Narcissa replied, "You've got it all wrong. He was proud of you for signing up. He was mad at the rest of us for being chickens. The rest of us looked at you with admiration and surprise, not anger." Maleficent asked, "Really?" Narcissa said, "Yeah. And, after you freaked out and got out of there, Severus really lit into us all for upsetting you. I haven't ever seen him so mad." Maleficent whispered, "That's because you didn't seem him tear Pettigrew apart." They laughed at that. Maleficent felt better. But she still didn't know what song to sing. Then, as she thought, it came to her. Her eyes lit up. Narcissa said, What? What are you thinking?" Maleficent smiled and said, "You'll get your wish after all, Narcissa. I'll tell him in song and I know the perfect song."
The week passed by quickly and the time for the talent show arrived. First was a Hufflepuff boy named Kevin Smyth, who did a ventriloquism act. It was quite funny and everyone laughed. Next, two Ravenclaw girls played a lovely violin duet. Then, the Gryffindors took their turn. Lily and James acted out the balcony scene from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." It turned out to be quite funny because the balcony was one of the Hogwarts tables and Lily slipped, falling right into James's arms. Finally Dumbledore said, "And last, we have Maleficent DuGall representing Slytherin." Narcissa grinned, Zandra whispered that she would do fine, and Severus gave her an encouraging smile. Maleficent said, "I will sing a song written by a Muggle named Bryan Adams, but first I need an orchestra." She stood in the center of the makeshift stage, raised her wand and cried, "Accio orchestra!" A moment later, a jumble of violins, cellos, flutes, and other instruments appeared. They set themselves up as if someone was playing them. Maleficent nodded to the conductor, who wasn't even there. Only his baton began moving and the music played. Maleficent looked down into Severus's eyes and mentally said, "This is for you and only you, Severus." And she began to sing...
"Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Yeah I'd die for you
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you"
As the last note ended, Maleficent looked at Severus, whose eyes were filling with silent tears. Narcissa speechless, for once in her life. Everyone sat still for a moment. Then, the whole crown broek into the loudest applause of them all. Severus was frozen, filled with emotion. The words of the song kept running through his head. He turned and whspered to Lucius, "Oh my God! You were right!" Lucius said, "Told you so." Severus joined in the applause, jumping to his feet to give her a standing ovation. The applause finally died down and Dumbledore got to his feet.
Dumbledore said, "Well we certainly have been treated to a fine group of performers tonight. We have our winner. In fourth place, Hufflepuff!" The croud applauded as Kevin went up to the stage to stand in the fourth place spot. "In third place, Ravenclaw!" Polite applause occurred as the two violinists went to stand next to Kevin. The crowd listened intently. "In second place, Gryffindor!" There was a loud cheer from the Gryffindors as Lily and James went to stand next to the Ravenclaws. Dumbledore turned toward Maleficent and said, "And first place, to Slytherin!" Maleficent was crying as she went to stand in the first place spot. "Miss DuGall, you have just earned 100 points for Slytherin. Congratulations!" There was a loud applause and they were dismissed.
Maleficent walked off the stage toward her friends. Narcissa gave her a huge hug and whispered, "You had him in tears, girl! He knows, without a doubt." Maleficent hugged Lucius and Zandra as well. Then, finally she faced Severus. Mentally she asked, "Could we talk somewhere away from the others?" Severus said, "I would like to speak to Maleficent alone, if you don't mind." Narcissa was practically beaming and replied, "Not at all, Severus. Let's go guys." She grabbed Zandra's and Lucius's hands and pulled them away.
Severus stood there with Maleficent in the Great Hall, which was completely empty now except for them. He said gently, "That was beautiful, Maleficent. You truly do have talent." Maleficent smiled and said, "Thanks, Severus. Narcissa told me that you let the others have it when I got upset." Severus nodded and said, "Well, yeah. I did. I just don't want anything to ever hurt you. And they did." Maleficent said, "I really appreciate that but I don't want you to feel obligated to stand up for me." Severus whispered, "I want to though." Maleficent asked, "Why?" Severus cleared his throat and said, "Well......it's because.....I like you." Maleficent said, "I like you too, Severus." Severus looked into her eyes and said softly, "As more than jut a friend."
Maleficent stood there, completely still. Narcissa was right! He did share her feelings. Maleficent replied gently, "And....I like you are more than just a friend too, Severus." Severus reached out and pulled Maleficent into his arms, holding her close. She leaned against him, relishing every second. Maleficent whispered, "So what does that make us?" Severus asked, "What do you want it to make us?" Mentally she replied, "I think you know that answer already." Severus replied mentally, "I believe so, but I'll ask anyway. Do you, Maleficent DuGall, want to be my....girlfriend?" It took me a moment to get the last word out. Maleficent nodded and said, "Yes, Severus Snape. I would be honored." He released her, smiled, and said, "Then we are an official couple now." He took her hand and led her back to their common room.
Narcissa was waiting up for Maleficent. When Maleficent finally returned to their dormitory, she found both Narcissa and Zandra waiting there for her. Narcissa asked hurriedly, "Well? What happened?" Zandra listened eagerly, wanting to know the answer as bad as Narcissa. Maleficent grinned and said, "We're an official couple!" Narcissa shrieked and jumped up and down on her bed. "It worked! It worked!" she kept saying. Zandra gave Maleficent a hug and said, "Way to go, girl! I knew it would happen." Finally, Narcissa calmed down and Maleficent told them every detail. After Zandra left, Maleficent crawled into bed, thinking that for the first time in her life, she was really and truly happy.
The groups all found their prefects and followed them to their common rooms. When the Slytherins arrived at their common room, not too many people were talking about the show. Maleficent overheard a sixth year saying, "What's the use of having a talent show if we can't use magic?" Maleficent smiled slightly, knowing that she had a talent but didn't really want to sing if she could help it. But suddenly Narcissa bounded over to her from out of nowhere, grabbed her arm, and said, "Come with me now!" Maleficent glanced back at Severus, who was looking puzzled at Narcissa's behavior. Mentally she told Severus, "I have no idea what she wants." Narcissa pulled Maleficent into their dormitory and closed the door. "What's all this about?" Maleficent asked. Narcissa was grinning from ear to ear. "Don't you get it? This is your chance to tell Severus how you really feel without actually having to walk up to him and say the words! You can sing your feelings to him!" Narcissa cried. Maleficent thought about it for a moment and said, "Now wait just a minute! Are you suggesting that I try out for the show and sing about my feelings for Severus? You can't be serious!" Narcissa flopped down on her bed and said, "I'm completely serious! You love him, he loves you, but you're both to chicken to tell each other. This is how you can do it!" In the end, Maleficent agreed to think about it.
The next morning, there was a sign-up sheet hanging in the Common Room for people to sign up. Narcissa was waiting by the sheet when Maleficent finally came out of her dormitory. Narcissa held out her quill to Maleficent and said, "Well you've had time to think about it, so sign up!" Maleficent glared at her and said, "I need more time than one night to think about it. Give me a break!" Narcissa put the quill away, looking a bit hurt. "Fine then, but don't come running to me when you two never get together," she said angrily and headed out of the common room. Maleficent looked at the sheet. It was completely blank. She thought to herself, "If no one signs up by tomorrow night, then I'll sign up." "Sign up" What will you do?" a voice said in her mind. She turned and saw Severus standing behind her. She sighed and said, "Narcissa wants me to sing in the talent show but I don't know if I want to." Severus said, "The choice is yours to make, but I know that you have a lovely singing voice." Maleficent looked at him curiously and asked, "How do you know?" Severus smiled and said, "Remember that we can read each other's minds. I've head you in the bath before." Maleficent's cheeks went pink at that. She did sing often in the bath and had forgotten that others could hear her. "I'll think about it, Severus," she said.
The time passed and no names appeared on the sign up sheet. Maleficent was watching it like a hawk. And so was Narcissa. The two had made up from their little argument and now waited to see if anyone signed up. Finally, the evening before House auditions arrived and no one had signed up yet. Narcissa looked over at Maleficent and said, "Well, the time's come. No one's name is on the list. So...." the sentence trailed off. Maleficent looked at Narcissa and said, "Well a deal's a deal." Narcissa smiled and held out her quill. Maleficent took it and signed up. Narcissa put her quill away and was just thrilled about it. But Maleficent didn't know what to sing. She went to bed that night, hoping that something would come to her while she slept.
The next day, Professor Maxwell took down the sign-up sheet. He looked at it and only saw one name. He called a Slytherin House meeting. All of the students gathered in the common room. Maxwell glared at them all for a moment and finally said, "I have never been so ashamed of Slytherin students in my entire life. You all had two days to sign up and only one of you did. I don't know if you all have no talent or are just afraid to get up there and show it to us all. Well, at least there is one talented Slytherin here. Miss DuGall will represent Slytherin in the talent show. Five points to Maleficent for signing up and another five for being our representative. Should there be a talent show in the future, I want more of you to consider representing Slytherin in it." His eyes fell on Maleficent, who was looking positively mortified. He smiled at her and said, "I'm sure you will do well." Then he turned and stormed out of the room. They all turned to look at Maleficent. Maleficent gulped and backed away from the eyes that were now focused on her. She turned and dashed out of the room, heading toward her dormitory. Severus faced the crowd with anger in his eyes. "How dare you do such a thing! She was already frightened enough. She thought Maxwell was going to be mad at her for being the only one who signed up. Then, when she was rewarded for it, you all look at her like she was some sort of two-headed dragon!" Severus now turned to Narcissa and growled, "I know this was your doing. If she's ridiculed by the others because of you, then you'll pay for it! I thought she was your friend." He turned and stormed down to the boys dormitories. The eyes all turned on Narcissa, who whispered, "Maybe I should go check on her." She dashed up to their dormitory.
Narcissa found Maleficent lying on her bed, curled up into a little ball. Narcissa closed and locked the door. She sat down on the edge of Maleficent's bed and said gently, "I'm sorry. If I had known that this was going to happen I never would have asked you to sign up." Maleficent rolled over to face her friend. "Narcissa, don't be sorry. It's my fault. Because I signed up, Professor Maxwell yelled at the whole House. I was really surprised that he didn't take points off of Slytherin for it." Narcissa replied, "You've got it all wrong. He was proud of you for signing up. He was mad at the rest of us for being chickens. The rest of us looked at you with admiration and surprise, not anger." Maleficent asked, "Really?" Narcissa said, "Yeah. And, after you freaked out and got out of there, Severus really lit into us all for upsetting you. I haven't ever seen him so mad." Maleficent whispered, "That's because you didn't seem him tear Pettigrew apart." They laughed at that. Maleficent felt better. But she still didn't know what song to sing. Then, as she thought, it came to her. Her eyes lit up. Narcissa said, What? What are you thinking?" Maleficent smiled and said, "You'll get your wish after all, Narcissa. I'll tell him in song and I know the perfect song."
The week passed by quickly and the time for the talent show arrived. First was a Hufflepuff boy named Kevin Smyth, who did a ventriloquism act. It was quite funny and everyone laughed. Next, two Ravenclaw girls played a lovely violin duet. Then, the Gryffindors took their turn. Lily and James acted out the balcony scene from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." It turned out to be quite funny because the balcony was one of the Hogwarts tables and Lily slipped, falling right into James's arms. Finally Dumbledore said, "And last, we have Maleficent DuGall representing Slytherin." Narcissa grinned, Zandra whispered that she would do fine, and Severus gave her an encouraging smile. Maleficent said, "I will sing a song written by a Muggle named Bryan Adams, but first I need an orchestra." She stood in the center of the makeshift stage, raised her wand and cried, "Accio orchestra!" A moment later, a jumble of violins, cellos, flutes, and other instruments appeared. They set themselves up as if someone was playing them. Maleficent nodded to the conductor, who wasn't even there. Only his baton began moving and the music played. Maleficent looked down into Severus's eyes and mentally said, "This is for you and only you, Severus." And she began to sing...
"Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Yeah I'd die for you
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you"
As the last note ended, Maleficent looked at Severus, whose eyes were filling with silent tears. Narcissa speechless, for once in her life. Everyone sat still for a moment. Then, the whole crown broek into the loudest applause of them all. Severus was frozen, filled with emotion. The words of the song kept running through his head. He turned and whspered to Lucius, "Oh my God! You were right!" Lucius said, "Told you so." Severus joined in the applause, jumping to his feet to give her a standing ovation. The applause finally died down and Dumbledore got to his feet.
Dumbledore said, "Well we certainly have been treated to a fine group of performers tonight. We have our winner. In fourth place, Hufflepuff!" The croud applauded as Kevin went up to the stage to stand in the fourth place spot. "In third place, Ravenclaw!" Polite applause occurred as the two violinists went to stand next to Kevin. The crowd listened intently. "In second place, Gryffindor!" There was a loud cheer from the Gryffindors as Lily and James went to stand next to the Ravenclaws. Dumbledore turned toward Maleficent and said, "And first place, to Slytherin!" Maleficent was crying as she went to stand in the first place spot. "Miss DuGall, you have just earned 100 points for Slytherin. Congratulations!" There was a loud applause and they were dismissed.
Maleficent walked off the stage toward her friends. Narcissa gave her a huge hug and whispered, "You had him in tears, girl! He knows, without a doubt." Maleficent hugged Lucius and Zandra as well. Then, finally she faced Severus. Mentally she asked, "Could we talk somewhere away from the others?" Severus said, "I would like to speak to Maleficent alone, if you don't mind." Narcissa was practically beaming and replied, "Not at all, Severus. Let's go guys." She grabbed Zandra's and Lucius's hands and pulled them away.
Severus stood there with Maleficent in the Great Hall, which was completely empty now except for them. He said gently, "That was beautiful, Maleficent. You truly do have talent." Maleficent smiled and said, "Thanks, Severus. Narcissa told me that you let the others have it when I got upset." Severus nodded and said, "Well, yeah. I did. I just don't want anything to ever hurt you. And they did." Maleficent said, "I really appreciate that but I don't want you to feel obligated to stand up for me." Severus whispered, "I want to though." Maleficent asked, "Why?" Severus cleared his throat and said, "Well......it's because.....I like you." Maleficent said, "I like you too, Severus." Severus looked into her eyes and said softly, "As more than jut a friend."
Maleficent stood there, completely still. Narcissa was right! He did share her feelings. Maleficent replied gently, "And....I like you are more than just a friend too, Severus." Severus reached out and pulled Maleficent into his arms, holding her close. She leaned against him, relishing every second. Maleficent whispered, "So what does that make us?" Severus asked, "What do you want it to make us?" Mentally she replied, "I think you know that answer already." Severus replied mentally, "I believe so, but I'll ask anyway. Do you, Maleficent DuGall, want to be my....girlfriend?" It took me a moment to get the last word out. Maleficent nodded and said, "Yes, Severus Snape. I would be honored." He released her, smiled, and said, "Then we are an official couple now." He took her hand and led her back to their common room.
Narcissa was waiting up for Maleficent. When Maleficent finally returned to their dormitory, she found both Narcissa and Zandra waiting there for her. Narcissa asked hurriedly, "Well? What happened?" Zandra listened eagerly, wanting to know the answer as bad as Narcissa. Maleficent grinned and said, "We're an official couple!" Narcissa shrieked and jumped up and down on her bed. "It worked! It worked!" she kept saying. Zandra gave Maleficent a hug and said, "Way to go, girl! I knew it would happen." Finally, Narcissa calmed down and Maleficent told them every detail. After Zandra left, Maleficent crawled into bed, thinking that for the first time in her life, she was really and truly happy.