Kings, Lovers and Fairies-Chapter 14: The final part
Authors Note: Wow, -*laughs*- the end of an era. I hope it's not too much of a let down. I really tried to end it well and perhaps there will be a rewrite, reedit someday. But not now. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it and I wish I could see the production myself. For now, it is only in my head.
Thank you all for your wonderful support of this dumb little story, for your compassion and joy and fury in wanting more, for each review and each word you read, thank you so much. (Stay tuned to Ani, because she writes more S/H stuff)
To the fan club: I'll always remember you all. KLF will remember you. The story belongs to you. You know who you are !!! (()
To all reviewers: You kept me going all the way, so thank you for all your reviews.
To all the readers: Thank you for investing time in this little adventure. I do hope you enjoyed it.
And finally, to name you all because you deserve it, thank you to:
Eden, Sev-Rickman, Serena, Heather, Xenia, Sarah Lady WaterTiger, ~F~, Prophetess Of Hearts, Bunnybee(thanks for the really great response! I'm glad I could've helped! And I like Seamus too-he's a more complex char than one would think), Tidmag (You most definitely are responsible for getting these chapters out), Hippy Flower, Sev's-Gurl, Punkie Sakura, Derkaun Zarion, Lise, Ja'kai, Anna, Sevi Snape, Joy M., thecoffeebringer, Hermoine Weasley, Ruka-chan, Brittania Potter, Lucretia Bauhaus, PB+J, Liz, Jenni, Osti, Ashti, and ILLK.
Thank you all so, so much. You really don't know how much it means to me. This part is devoted to you all. You are all the guys in the Sev fan clubs in the audience (maybe Harry too), whether Slyth, Huff, Gryff or Rave.
I hope you do love this.
Forever yours, luv-
~*AO (Ani)
P.S. There is possibly an Epilogue coming. But maybe not. I'm kinda happy with the ending.
-
The partying was less on Saturday night, everyone worn out from the performance. Most fell asleep in the green room, but no one cared as Angelina and Alicia had conjured blankets and covered them all. Those who had fallen asleep in each others arms first awoke slightly embarrassed, but secretly happy and people let them be.
Fan mail poured in, quickly because of owls, rich wizards were donating money, people were thrilled. Especially those in love. Severus and Harry were an exception to the group last night, sleeping each alone but they woke early and took a walk on the grounds.
"Do you know, I could venture to say that they like you, Sev…" Harry said very seriously, fighting a grin. Snape didn't turn his head as they walked around the Quidditch pitch.
"And what makes you say that?" Playing along, he responded in a serpentine, cool tone. Harry furrowed his brow.
"Maybe it was all the girls melting into piles or following at your heels like dogs that was it," Severus rolled his eyes and looked embarassedly away, "I just do hope that they don't change your mind about me," he said under his breath and continued as Snape shot him a nasty look, "Or maybe it was the standing ovation last night, or, no, maybe it was-,"
"Enough!" The older man cried and halted, feigning exasperation, "What are you getting at, Potter?"
"Well…do you think that they've suspected anything?"
"About us?" Harry threw up his hands.
"No, Professor, about Oliver and Percy! Of course about-," Snape shut him up by placing a long, cool finger to the boys pale lips and drew him close.
"First, Harry, I think everyone knows about Percy and Oliver," he snorted but continued in a more gentle tone, "And second, no, I think they are in awe of your talent and breathlessly hang onto the scenes where we interact, but I don't think many of them have a clue. Not that it would matter what they thought, just where their actions went." Harry looked up, the sun glinting off of his glasses, hiding his bright eyes.
"You really feel that way?" he asked softly.
"Of course." Harry let himself fall into the stronger man's sculpted body and began to softly kiss at his neck.
"So do I." Their lips met in a gentle, fairy-tale sleep spell-breaking kiss, cool and soft as they explored slightly and then broke apart, continuing their walk.
-
The cast entered the dressing rooms with a huge table, adorned with fizzy bottles of juice, sparklers going everywhere and bowls of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans. Ron ran over immediately, Seamus and Dean on his heels.
"Dear Cast," he read aloud, "I hope this serves as a fine thank-you from myself and a few others. There should be boxes underneath the table for each of the cast and crew with my gratitude. And do not worry, there is mostly champagne and strawberry flavored beans. I've checked them myself. Warm wishes for tonight, Albus Dumbledore."
They stared at the table and Ron shrugged before going under the tablecloth and passing out boxes. In them, they discovered magical flowers, dusted in sparkle and glowing in the dark, gardenias, hydrangeas, moonflowers, that when enchanted with the spell in the bottom, did something magical. Hermoine's sung a sonnet to music, Dean's would do a flower dance, some people put theirs together and realized that flowers belonging to a couple would interact to do something magical.
"He's old Harry, he's not blind," Severus had said in an amused tone after Harry had asked how Dumbledore had found out. Theirs, when put together, would cause the room to get dark and glow, appearing bigger and bigger, closing up and then blooming again.
-
Ushers directed audience members into their seats before the play began. Sharp blue eyes hidden behind spectacles watched as Oliver Wood sprinted from the outside doors to the House Manager (Pansy) to the stairs leading to the lighting booth. He had overslept.
To everyone's surprise, the theater had decided to grow overnight, making more tickets available which were quickly snatched up. Word of the older Oberon spread around the magical world, a review had even appeared in the Daily Prophet praising them all and a large grant had been given to try and make the theater stay in one spot. All in all, Dumbledore thought, not bad for a small production.
His eyes traveled over the crowd, Hagrid was sitting in the back as he was so huge, but he had dressed up for the occasion, McGonagall, Trelawney and Sprout sitting next to him. Crew heads were allowed to see it on Sunday night, Lupin, Oliver and the Costume Girls had everything under control. He saw Neville Longbottom's grandmother, a group of girls from Beaubaxtons, another group from Durmstrang and a few bewildered students who looked like they were from the US academy of Athertons. Madame Rosmerta and her sister Artemesia sat looking happy, speaking with the Weasely's, Arabella Figg sat looking critically at everything, and Cornelius Fudge spoke to people, looking full of himself.
A tall blonde passed him, Lucius Malfoy, and then-
"Ah, Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore greeted, seeing the younger pass under his nose. Draco turned and gave a cool smile to the headmaster. The father continued to their seats.
"Feeling better?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye. Draco nodded and leaned against the wall next to him.
"Coming to see the show, are we?" The younger boy smiled slowly and murmured softly:
"Of course."
If Dumbledore was shocked that the young Slytherin could speak, he didn't show it. "So you can speak. Poppy is getting quite good. And you don't want to be up there?"
Draco turned his head but kept his eyes on the darkened stage, flickering over them as if churning something deep in his mind. "I think we both know the answer to that…it would be so much better if I didn't, Headmaster…" he drawled smoothly.
The old man quirked an eyebrow, "I think I will agree with you, Mr. Malfoy…However-Did you plan this all out?" Draco feigned shock but only shrugged as he glided over next to his father.
Dumbledore only smiled.
-
The houselights dimmed and there was a rustle as people made it out of the curtain. Lee Jordan's voice was heard over the audience.
"Again, like the previous nights, the cast will be presenting a short prologue before the play. Enjoy."
Cool music, violins and Renaissance filled through the hall, a backdrop, an underscore, and waited for the speech to begin. A lone spotlight went up on Harry who stood on a vine hung like a trapeze as he grabbed the other two sides. The audience gasped at the Boy who Lived's new look and he spoke, in a clear, Harry tone.
"Here on this summer night, in the grass and lilacs smell," he began, slowly and full of nostalgic longing. Another light gradually came up on the group of fairies sitting on the stage left stairs. Ginny and Kyra began to speak.
"Drunk on the crickets and the starry sky," they smiled.
"Oh what fine stories we could tell," Eden and Pavarti said emphatically and the whole of them chorused, "With this moonlight to tell them by."
There was a lull as on stage left and stage right lights came up, revealing Ron and Hermoine as Ron said, "A summer night-," and Hermoine continued:
"And you, and paradise," they walked towards each other and grabbed hands, saying in the softest voices together, "So lovely and so filled with bliss." More lights came up, revealing Lavender sitting on steps lower than the fairies and Dean, Seamus and Neville on the opposite side of the steps.
"Above your head the universe has hung its lights," Hermoine breathed as Ron took her in his arms.
"And I reach out my hand and touch your face," Lavender said with a wistful smile as the audience listened rapt.
"I believe in impulse," Dean began.
"In all that is green," Seamus continued, looking at Dean.
"In the foolish vision," Neville said quietly and they all three chanted, "That comes out true."
Seamus looked out to the audience but slowly, hidden perhaps, intertwined his hand around Dean's and said simply and clearly, "I believe that all that is essential, is unseen," The lights went up around the three and revealed the rest of the workers, Crabbe and Goyle and they all said in unison, "And for this lifetime, I believe in you."
Fred and George appeared slightly to the side and in front of Harry on his vine and said, simple smiles on their faces as they waved their hands offstage, "All of the lovers," Fred began and George continued, "And the love they made," Angelina and Alicia slowly came out, blushing as the couples paired up and Fred and George chorused, "Nothing that was between them, was a mistake."
"All that we did for loves sake, was not wasted and will never fade." The fairies said in one voice to the audience. Cho appeared, walking up the aisle, her wings not yet on.
"All who have loved," she called out, the audience turning to look at her, a queenly statement, "will be forever young and walk in grandeur on a summers night, Along the avenue." She mounted the stairs and turned, her back to Harry.
"They live in every song that is sung," she continued and Hermoine spoke from Ron's embrace, "In every painting of pure light," and the whole group except for Harry said earnestly, "In every Pas de Deus."
All were silent as Cho continued, "Oh love that shines from every sky, Love reflected in the silver moon…"
The whole group, the audience, all looked to Harry whose eyes shone as he stared up into the lights, and said in a most wistful tone, "It is not here, but it is not far…"
The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and Harry finished simply, "Not yet, but it will be here soon." The audience wept and clapped and cried their rapture to all but the lights were down and the real lovers held hands. As the curtains began to swish shut, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder as the vines were lowered and he melted.
"You," Severus whispered, "And paradise…"
-
The final audience, it seemed, were more eager, more anxious, more bursting with rapture at the words that escaped from the actors lips. They applauded longer than ever after the second act with Harry and Snape, they laughed uproariously at the workers and Bottom and now they were gleefully watching the fight between the lovers in Act 3.
Seamus had just reached out to grab Lavenders hand, "…this seal of bliss./" his lips were poised above her creamy flesh but she pulled her hand away and he fell forward, causing Ron to laugh barkingly.
"O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent,/ To set against me in your merriment:/ If you were civil and knew courtesy,/ You would not do me thus much injury./ Can you not hate me, as I know you do,/But you must join in souls to mock me too?" her voice was pleading, ragged as she beseeched the two boys angrily, coming into the middle between them, "If you were men, as men you are in show;/ You would not use a gentle lady so;/ To vow, and swear and superpraise my parts,/ When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals," she pointed at them accusingly, "and love Hermia;/ And now both rivals, to mock Helena;/ A trim exploit, a manly enterprise,/ To conjure tears up in a poor maids eyes/ With your derision! None of noble sort/ Would so offend a virgin, and extort/ A poor soul's patience-," Lavender slowed and moved quickly over to downstage left, not looking at them, crying out bitterly, "-all to make you sport."
Ron looked hopelessly from her to Seamus and gave him a shove, "You are unkind Demetruis; be not so;/" Seamus jolted angrily and stared at him with daggers, "For you love Hermia," Ron said in a fake-kind voice, nodding knowingly at him, "this you know, I know; And here, with all good will, with all my heart, In Hermia's love I yield you up my part; And yours of Helena," he slowly began to make his way towards Lavender who was listening with one eye open, "to me bequeath, Whom I do love, and will to my death." Ron had almost reached her spot but she quickly evaded him and walked downstage right.
"Never did mockers waste more idle breath," she muttered as Seamus pulled Ron back to him.
"Lysander," he began smoothly, pushing him farther away from Lavender with an unpleasant smile, using his shoulder, "keep thy Hermia; I will none," he shrugged, "If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as a guest-wise sojourn'd. And now to Helen is it home return'd," he mimicked Ron's action, going towards Lavender, "There to remain."
Ron intercepted him frantically, "Helen it is not so." Seamus stepped around him, getting in his face as Lavender turned to them, all three in a cluster downstage right.
"Disparage not the faith thou dost not know,/" he snarled, "Lest, to thy peril," he sneered, "thou aby it dear./ Look where thy love comes: yonder is thy," he pointed, "dear."
Hermoine came in from offstage left and Lavender observed everything quietly as Ron looked away from Hermoine. She looked up and grew the strongest look of yearning on her features as she found Ron and froze.
"Dark night, that from the eye his function takes/" she began in an amazed voice, "The ear more quick of apprehension makes;/ Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense,/ It pays the hearing double recompense/" she approached Ron who backed away slightly, "Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found:/" She laughed nervously, "Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound/ But," she paused, "why unkindly didst thou leave me so?"
"Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go?" She had been reaching out to embrace him but at the sound of his cool voice she froze.
"What-," she stuttered, "love could press Lysander from my side?"
"Lysander's love, that would not let him bide,/ Fair Helena," Ron looked longingly at her and Seamus crossed his arms over his chest at this display, "who more englids the night/ Than all you fiery oes and eyes of light./ Why seekest thou me? Could not this make thee know,/" he asked nastily, eyes narrowed at her, "The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?" Hermoine had gone pale in shock and stepped back, almost hitting Lavender.
"You speak not as you think," she said, unbelieving, "it cannot be." Lavenders mouth dropped open and she threw up her hands.
"Lo, she is one of this confederacy!" She cried and made Hermoine jump, the audience tittering, "Now I perceive they have conjoin'd all three/ To fashion this false sport, in spite of me./ Injurious Hermia!" she spat, turning on Hermoine who backed away, shorter, "most ungrateful maid!/ Have you conspired, have you with these contrived/ To bait me with this foul derision?" Lavender looked away, putting a hand over her eyes, secretly eying Hermoine, "And will you rent our ancient love asunder,/ To join with men in scorning your poor friend?/ It is not friendly, tis not maidenly:" she whirled on Hermoine and said furiously, "Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,/ Though I alone do feel the injury." Hermoine's mouth had dropped open.
"I am amazed at your passionate words,/ I scorn you not: it seems you scorn me," She spluttered and Lavender advanced once again.
"Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn," she pointed to him, her voice rising in an accusing tone, "to follow me and praise my eyes and face?/ And mad your other love, Demetrius," She used the other hand to point at Seamus, "Who even but now did spurn me with his foot,/ To call me goddess, nymph, divine and rare,/ Precious , celestial? Wherefore speaks he this/ To her he hates? And wherefore doth Lysander/ Deny your love, so rich," she bit out hatefully, "within his soul,/ And tender me, forsooth, affection,/ But by your setting on, by your consent?/ What though I be not so in grace as you,/ so hung upon with love, so fortunate,/ But miserable moist, to love unloved?/ This you should pity," she said insistently, "rather than despise."
"I understand not what you mean by this," Hermoine said softly, the boys behind her beginning to get restless as they shoved and forced each other away and out of the way, the girls oblivious.
"If you have any pity, grace or manners,/ You would not make me such an argument,/ But fare ye well," she began, walking off, her voice bitter and sad, "tis partly my own fault/ Which death or absence soon shall remedy./" Ron gave a large shove to Seamus, making him fall back, unbalanced, and chased after Lavender, getting in front of her.
"Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse;" he pleaded, "My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!" Seamus got up and rubbed his head angrily as he watched, waiting.
"O excellent," Lavender laughed sarcastically. Hermoine approached him and reached out for his shoulder.
"Sweet, do not scorn her so." Seamus quickly began to walk over, saying as he approached:
"If she cannot entreat, I can compel." Ron turned on him, they met chest to chest.
"Thou canst compel no more than she entreat;/ Thy threats," he nudged a finger into Seamus' chest, "have no more strength than her weak prayers." He turned back to Lavender, a wishy-washy smile on his features, "Helen, I love thee; by my life, I do:/ I swear by that which I will lose for thee To prove him false that says I love thee not." Seamus stepped back as Ron's shoulder met his chest and stood taller, calling to Lavender.
"I say I love thee more than he can do," he called quickly. Ron whirled.
"If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too," his hand flew to his sword and Seamus mimicked.
"Quick, come!" Seamus taunted. Hermoine looked bewildered and stepped between them.
"Lysander, whereto tends all this?" Ron tried to get around her. His face contorted in anger.
"Away, you Ethiope!" Hermoine stood her ground, pleading, "No, no; he'll…"
But Seamus cut her off, dancing on the other side of her, a dark smirk on his features, "Seem to break loose;" he said wickedly, taunting, "take on as you would follow,/ But yet come not: you are a tame man, go!" Ron was livid as Hermoine grasped onto his arm and he tried to shake her off.
"Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose,/ Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent!"
"Why are you grown so rude? What change is this?" Hermoine asked nervously, "Sweet love-,"
Ron turned on her, towering above her and asking in a dangerous tone, his eyebrows raised, "Thy love! Out tawny tartar, out!/ Out loathed medicine! Hated potion, hence!" He pressed forward and she retreated, eyes bugging.
"Do you not jest?"
"Yes, sooth; and so do you." Helena called out, watching it from afar. Ron again tried to get around Hermoine.
"Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee." Seamus shook his head, laughing slightly.
"I would I had your bond, for I perceive/ A weak bond holds you: I'll not trust your word./," he said haughtily.
"What?" Ron asked, his arms raised, "Should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?" Hermoine stepped away, looking like she would faint any moment, "Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so./"
"What, can you do me no greater harm than hate?" Hermoine choked out, silencing the lot of them, "Hate me? Wherefore? O me! What news my love!/ Am I not Hermia?" she asked, laughing bewildered, "Are you not Lysander?/ I am as fair now as I was erewhile./ Since night you loved me;" she paused and looked at the ground, "But since night you left me:/ Why, then you left me- O the gods forbid!- In earnest, shall I say?" She asked in a wondering whisper. Ron approached her, nodding, an unpleasant smile.
"Ay, by my life;/ And never did desire to see thee more./ Therefore, be out of hope," he paused and she stepped back, "of question," a pause, a step, "of doubt;" a pause, "Be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest/ That I do," he said slowly, and she cringed as if she was being hurt, "hate thee and love Helena." There was silence, Hermoine closed her eyes, Lavender watched in angry curiousity. Hermoine then opened her eyes and stared at Lavender, advancing.
"O me!" she exploded, spitting and snarling, "you juggler! You canker- blossom!/ You theif of love! What, have you come by night/ And stolen my love's heart from him?" Lavender got equally angry and met her in the middle, Ron and Seamus astounded.
"Fine, I' faith!/ Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,/ No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear/ Impatient answers from my gentle tongue? Fie, fie!" She pointed accusingly at Hermoine, "you counterfeit, you puppet, you!"
Hermoine smiled sarcastically and gestured in towards herself, "Puppet? Why so?" she breathed in a lethal tone, "ay, that way goes the game./ Now I perceive that she hath made compare/ Between our statures; she hath urged her height;/ And with her personage, her tall personage," She emphasized, "Her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him/ And are you grown so high in his esteem; Because I am so dwarfish and so low?/ How low am I/ I am not yet so low," she turned her angry eyes on Lavender and leapt to attack, crying out, "I am not yet so low/ But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes." Lavender gave a little screech and went behind Ron and Seamus who fought to protect her as Hermoine waited, breathing heavily.
"I pray you, though you mock me, gentle ment, Let not her hurt me./ Let not her strike me. You perhaps may think, / Because she is something lower than myself," Hermoine stood straight in rage, "That I can match her."
"Lower! Hark again," Hermoine raged.
"Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me." Lavender pleaded behind the shoving boys, "And now so you will let me quiet go,/ To Athens will I bear my folly back/ And follow you no further: let me go: You see how simple and how fond I am/"
"Why, get you gone:," Hermoine began, stepping back for her to exit, "who is't that hinders you?"
"A foolish heart, that I leave here behind." Her tone hopeless and sad she looked away. Hermoine bent inwards.
"What, with Lysander?"
"With Demetrius!" Lavender yelled back at her and the boys were taken aback but Ron got around Lavender.
"Be not afraid; she shall not harm thee, Helena." Seamus got around the otherside, encasing her in their rmas.
"No sir, she shall not, though you take her part," he retorted to Ron.
"Get you gone, you dwarf;/" Ron said to the circling Hermoine, "You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made; You bead, you acorn." Seamus poked his head around Lavenders.
"You are too officious/ In her behalf that scorns her services./ Let her alone: speak not of Helena;/ Take not her part; for, if thou dost intend/ Never so little show of love to her,/ Thou shalt aby it." Ron froze and stepped away from Lavender, coming to Seamus.
"Now she holds me not," he said softly, simply, eyes glinting, hand on sword, "Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right,/ Of thine or mine, is most in Helena."
"Follow!" Seamus said incredulously, "Nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jowl." He sidled against Ron, their shoulders pushing hard against each other as they made it offstage. Hermoine whirled to Lavender.
"You mistress, all this coil is long of you:/ Nay, go not back." She advanced slowly and Lavender, shaking her head nervously backed away.
"I will not trust you, I,/ Nor longer stay in your curst company./ Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray./ My legs are longer though, to run away. /" She quickly ran offstage and Hermoine looked, open-mouthed, after her.
"I am amazed, and know not what to say." She murmured and ran after them all.
The audience laughed as something shot up and they found it was Harry, who scrambled to grab a vine and began to crawl up it but slowly Snape's hand shot up and grabbed his ankle. Harry clawed at the vine in vain but Snape gave a tug and Harry fell into his waiting arms. Snape strode from behind the flower and bent up close to Harry's face.
"This is thy negligence," he breathed, eyes glittering, and Harry shook his head back and forth, wiggling in Snape's grasp, "still thou mistakest, Or else committ'st thy knaveries wilfully.."
"Believe me, king of shadows," Harry pleaded frantically in the strong arms, "I mistook./ Did you not tell me I should know the man/ By the Athenian garment he had on?/ And so far blameless proves my enterprise./ That I have anointed an Athenian's eyes;/ And so far am I glad it so did sort-," he tried to say without laughing as Snape raised an eyebrow, "As this their jangling I esteem a sport."
Snape looked at him, bringing his face close and Harry gulped, shutting up. The taller man put him down on the ground and Harry froze, head bent waiting for instruction. Snape flew into action, pacing around him, prowling the stage as he spoke.
"Thou see'st these lovers seek a pace to fight:/ Hie therefore Robin, overcast the night; Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye;/ Whose liquor hat this virtuous property/ To take from thence all error with his might,/ And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight./ When the nest wake, all this derision/ Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision,/ And back to Athens shall the lovers wend,/ With league whose date till death shall never end./" He turned to look at Harry and grinned in the dim light, "Whiles I in this affair do thee employ, I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy; And then I will her charmed eye release/ From monster's view, and all things shall be peace." Harry nodded nervously and sidled up to Snape, putting his hands on Snape's upper arms.
"My fairy lord, this must be done with haste!/" Harry had now crouched down, looking side to side, his torso twisting slightly, "For nights swift dragons cut the clouds full fast,/ And yonder shine Aurora's harbinger;" He stood, and came forward, eyes shining as he jumped in quick movements, back and forth, "At whose approach ghosts, wand'ring here and there,/ troop home to churchyards; damned spirits all/ that in crossways and floods have burial, already to their wormy beds are gone." Harry's voice grew subdued but his head rose higher, eyes to the sky as he lifted a hand and moved it slowly from one side of the room to the other, "For fear lest day should look their shames upon, They willfully themselves exile from light, And must for aye consort with black-browed night…" He looked in hope up to Snape and he placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"But we are spirits of another sort:/" he said reassuringly, staring up at the back of the hall, "I with the mornings' love have oft made sport/ And like a forester, the groves may tread,/ Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red, Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,/ Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams./ But, notwithstanding, haste; make no delay." Snape cast a finger shaking at Harry as he began to walk off in darkness, the audiences eyes only on him, "we may effect this buisness yet ere day."
Harry looked once after him but nodded and grew a excited smile, hopping up and down, bringing his feet in and down.
"Up and down, up and down, / I will lead them up and down: / I am fear'd in field and town:/ Goblin, lead them up and down!" He had grabbed an unseen vine and flew up into the ceiling. The audience went crazy in applause.
-
The play continued, fervor and passion still strong in its last bits and the lights went down after the workers play, many of the audience members crying with laughter. The forest set came up again, crickets chirping and stars sparkling now not only in the backdrop but also above the audience's heads and in the corners of the theater. There was a whistling heard and chairs creaked as they turned their heads to see Harry ambling up the center aisle, a thick broom, most definitely not his Firebolt, whispering against the ground.
He stopped whistling and leaned on his broom in the center of the aisle. "Now the hungry lion roars,/ And the wolf behowls the moon;/" he said, staring up into nothingness, "Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,/ All with weary task fordone/" He walked a little again but then paused and stared straight ahead, the broom frozen in mid sweep, "Now the wasted brands do glow/ Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,/ Puts the wretch that lies in woe/ In remembrance of a shroud." The broom went to his other hand and was sat there lazily, "Now it is the time of night/ That the graves all gaping wide,/ Everyone let's forth his sprite," he crescendoed loudly and paused, eyes shining as he stared up at the ceiling, "In the church-way paths to glide:/" The broom fell to the floor with a clatter and he bent down, gleaming emerald in the faces of the audience, "And we fairies," he said in an excited passion, "that do run/ By the triple Hecate's team,/ From the presence of the sun,/ Following darkness like a dream." The broom was immediately back in his hand and he continued casually, "Now are frolic; not a mouse/ Shall disturb this hallow'd house/ I am sent with broom before," he looked up, and froze, "To sweep the dust behind the door!" He gave a sharp laugh and burst forward, hopping lightly up the steps.
From offstage left, Snape and Cho, arm in arm came, Kyra, Eden, Ginny and Pavarti, as well as many of the extras surrounding and following them. They all knelt in front of the two and Snape called out, Harry prone on the front steps, "Through the house give glimmering light,/ By the dead and drowsy fire:/ Every elf and fairy sprite/ Hop as light as bird from brier;/ And this ditty, after me,/ Sing and dance it trippingly./"
Cho smiled, patting Snape's hand and said in a quieter, more melodic tone, "First, rehearse your song by rote/ To each word a warbling note:/ Hand in Hand, with fairy grace,/ Will we sing and bless this place."
An upbeat, mystical music filled the hall and Snape and Cho began, turning and bowing regally, before doing a simple turn, a twirl, a step and then the whole of the 'fairy kingdom' leapt into action, twisting and leaping and dancing with each other, running in a circle around the two in the center, Puck hanging lazily from a vine. The dance continued until Snape raised his hand and the kingdom fell into relaxation, hanging from the ledges and laying on the steps, sitting listening to his rich voice speak.
"Now until the break of day,/ Through this house each fairy stray./ To the best bride-bed will we,/ Which by us shall blesssed be:/ And the issue there create/ Ever shall be fortunate./ So shall all the couples three/ Ever true in loving be;/" the otherworldly creatures looked longingly up at him as slowly lights went down on them and they seemingly, methodically, disappeared, "And the blots of Nature's hand/ Shall not in their issue stand;/ Never mole, hare lip, nor scar,/ Nor mark prodigious, such as are/ Despised in nativity,/ Shall upon their children be./ With this field-dew consecrate,/ Every fairy take his gate;/ And each several chamber bless./ Through this palace with sweet peace;/" Harry had gotten down from his vine and prowled where the fairies and elves were as they continued to disappear, proving they were gone. Slowly, Kyra, Eden, Ginny and Pavarti simmered into darkness as their wings moved once and they were gone. "And the owner of it blest,/ Ever shall in safety rest." Cho and Snape stood away from each other as the lights dimmed on them, "Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day." There was no light on stage, save for the stars and Harry was illuminated as he walked through were Cho and Snape had once stood. He looked around and then came downstage center, hands open.
"If we shadows have offended," he began to explain, open and simple, "Think but this," he held one finger aloft, "And all his mended,/ That you have but slumber'd here/ While these-," he paused and gestured all around him, "visions did appear." He walked to one side and back, "And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream,/" He came back to centerstage and continued, "Gentles, do not reprehend:/ If you pardon, we will mend:/ And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck/ Now to 'scape the Serpent's tongue,/" He sat on his heels and shrugged, smiling, "We will make amends ere long./ Else the Puck a liar call:/" He winked and stood again, giving a deep nod and bow, "And so good night unto you all./ Give me your hands, if we be friends,/" A vine lowered from the ceiling and he grabbed it, slowly rising up as strains of applause began to echo throughout the ceiling, "And Robin shall restore amends." Harry disappeared into the ceiling as the curtains fell.
-
The cast assembled as a whole onstage as Harry jumped from his position on the vine, the whole of them surrounding Snape and Cho, from left to right, Pavarti, Eden, Kyra, Ginny, Percy, Penelope, Lee, Seamus, Lavender, Snape, Cho, Hermoine, Ron, Fred, George, Dean, Neville, Crabbe, and Goyle. The audience was standing by the time the curtains rose, cheers and weeping and shouts and cries flying from all corners of the auditorium. Flowers, magically appearing and thrown, appeared at their feet and they stomped as the cast smiled and grinned, some with tears in their eyes, and from somewhere the chant of 'Puck!" came and they cried it as Harry tried to make his way out. He gave a prod to Snape who was, very unusually, smiling embarassedly as girls screamed for him and Harry came out from behind him. Grabbing his hand, Harry bowed, his horns glinting magically in the dim lights and the cast followed.
If it was possible, the audience cheered louder, Hermoine had a tear running as she smiled happily and she leaned onto Ron as they bowed again. They bowed once more and the lights began to dim as the cast held out an arm to the crew heads, to Oliver, to the booth, to Lupin and all went dark, the curtain swishing closed.
Harry and Snape embraced in the dark, sending shivers and sparks and fire into each other as they kissed passionately, full of joy and rapture and appreciation, hidden from all eyes. All too aware of the sheen and smudging makeup as they embraced, they didn't let go until the last possible second when the lights arose, revealing several other couples sharing.
Harry grabbed Snape's hand, didn't care what anyone saw and stared up into the now warm, inviting black eyes, kohl accentuating them.
"I hope it was good enough," Snape grabbed Harry behind the large white flower and for answer, kissed him again.
-
Authors Note: Wow, -*laughs*- the end of an era. I hope it's not too much of a let down. I really tried to end it well and perhaps there will be a rewrite, reedit someday. But not now. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it and I wish I could see the production myself. For now, it is only in my head.
Thank you all for your wonderful support of this dumb little story, for your compassion and joy and fury in wanting more, for each review and each word you read, thank you so much. (Stay tuned to Ani, because she writes more S/H stuff)
To the fan club: I'll always remember you all. KLF will remember you. The story belongs to you. You know who you are !!! (()
To all reviewers: You kept me going all the way, so thank you for all your reviews.
To all the readers: Thank you for investing time in this little adventure. I do hope you enjoyed it.
And finally, to name you all because you deserve it, thank you to:
Eden, Sev-Rickman, Serena, Heather, Xenia, Sarah Lady WaterTiger, ~F~, Prophetess Of Hearts, Bunnybee(thanks for the really great response! I'm glad I could've helped! And I like Seamus too-he's a more complex char than one would think), Tidmag (You most definitely are responsible for getting these chapters out), Hippy Flower, Sev's-Gurl, Punkie Sakura, Derkaun Zarion, Lise, Ja'kai, Anna, Sevi Snape, Joy M., thecoffeebringer, Hermoine Weasley, Ruka-chan, Brittania Potter, Lucretia Bauhaus, PB+J, Liz, Jenni, Osti, Ashti, and ILLK.
Thank you all so, so much. You really don't know how much it means to me. This part is devoted to you all. You are all the guys in the Sev fan clubs in the audience (maybe Harry too), whether Slyth, Huff, Gryff or Rave.
I hope you do love this.
Forever yours, luv-
~*AO (Ani)
P.S. There is possibly an Epilogue coming. But maybe not. I'm kinda happy with the ending.
-
The partying was less on Saturday night, everyone worn out from the performance. Most fell asleep in the green room, but no one cared as Angelina and Alicia had conjured blankets and covered them all. Those who had fallen asleep in each others arms first awoke slightly embarrassed, but secretly happy and people let them be.
Fan mail poured in, quickly because of owls, rich wizards were donating money, people were thrilled. Especially those in love. Severus and Harry were an exception to the group last night, sleeping each alone but they woke early and took a walk on the grounds.
"Do you know, I could venture to say that they like you, Sev…" Harry said very seriously, fighting a grin. Snape didn't turn his head as they walked around the Quidditch pitch.
"And what makes you say that?" Playing along, he responded in a serpentine, cool tone. Harry furrowed his brow.
"Maybe it was all the girls melting into piles or following at your heels like dogs that was it," Severus rolled his eyes and looked embarassedly away, "I just do hope that they don't change your mind about me," he said under his breath and continued as Snape shot him a nasty look, "Or maybe it was the standing ovation last night, or, no, maybe it was-,"
"Enough!" The older man cried and halted, feigning exasperation, "What are you getting at, Potter?"
"Well…do you think that they've suspected anything?"
"About us?" Harry threw up his hands.
"No, Professor, about Oliver and Percy! Of course about-," Snape shut him up by placing a long, cool finger to the boys pale lips and drew him close.
"First, Harry, I think everyone knows about Percy and Oliver," he snorted but continued in a more gentle tone, "And second, no, I think they are in awe of your talent and breathlessly hang onto the scenes where we interact, but I don't think many of them have a clue. Not that it would matter what they thought, just where their actions went." Harry looked up, the sun glinting off of his glasses, hiding his bright eyes.
"You really feel that way?" he asked softly.
"Of course." Harry let himself fall into the stronger man's sculpted body and began to softly kiss at his neck.
"So do I." Their lips met in a gentle, fairy-tale sleep spell-breaking kiss, cool and soft as they explored slightly and then broke apart, continuing their walk.
-
The cast entered the dressing rooms with a huge table, adorned with fizzy bottles of juice, sparklers going everywhere and bowls of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans. Ron ran over immediately, Seamus and Dean on his heels.
"Dear Cast," he read aloud, "I hope this serves as a fine thank-you from myself and a few others. There should be boxes underneath the table for each of the cast and crew with my gratitude. And do not worry, there is mostly champagne and strawberry flavored beans. I've checked them myself. Warm wishes for tonight, Albus Dumbledore."
They stared at the table and Ron shrugged before going under the tablecloth and passing out boxes. In them, they discovered magical flowers, dusted in sparkle and glowing in the dark, gardenias, hydrangeas, moonflowers, that when enchanted with the spell in the bottom, did something magical. Hermoine's sung a sonnet to music, Dean's would do a flower dance, some people put theirs together and realized that flowers belonging to a couple would interact to do something magical.
"He's old Harry, he's not blind," Severus had said in an amused tone after Harry had asked how Dumbledore had found out. Theirs, when put together, would cause the room to get dark and glow, appearing bigger and bigger, closing up and then blooming again.
-
Ushers directed audience members into their seats before the play began. Sharp blue eyes hidden behind spectacles watched as Oliver Wood sprinted from the outside doors to the House Manager (Pansy) to the stairs leading to the lighting booth. He had overslept.
To everyone's surprise, the theater had decided to grow overnight, making more tickets available which were quickly snatched up. Word of the older Oberon spread around the magical world, a review had even appeared in the Daily Prophet praising them all and a large grant had been given to try and make the theater stay in one spot. All in all, Dumbledore thought, not bad for a small production.
His eyes traveled over the crowd, Hagrid was sitting in the back as he was so huge, but he had dressed up for the occasion, McGonagall, Trelawney and Sprout sitting next to him. Crew heads were allowed to see it on Sunday night, Lupin, Oliver and the Costume Girls had everything under control. He saw Neville Longbottom's grandmother, a group of girls from Beaubaxtons, another group from Durmstrang and a few bewildered students who looked like they were from the US academy of Athertons. Madame Rosmerta and her sister Artemesia sat looking happy, speaking with the Weasely's, Arabella Figg sat looking critically at everything, and Cornelius Fudge spoke to people, looking full of himself.
A tall blonde passed him, Lucius Malfoy, and then-
"Ah, Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore greeted, seeing the younger pass under his nose. Draco turned and gave a cool smile to the headmaster. The father continued to their seats.
"Feeling better?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye. Draco nodded and leaned against the wall next to him.
"Coming to see the show, are we?" The younger boy smiled slowly and murmured softly:
"Of course."
If Dumbledore was shocked that the young Slytherin could speak, he didn't show it. "So you can speak. Poppy is getting quite good. And you don't want to be up there?"
Draco turned his head but kept his eyes on the darkened stage, flickering over them as if churning something deep in his mind. "I think we both know the answer to that…it would be so much better if I didn't, Headmaster…" he drawled smoothly.
The old man quirked an eyebrow, "I think I will agree with you, Mr. Malfoy…However-Did you plan this all out?" Draco feigned shock but only shrugged as he glided over next to his father.
Dumbledore only smiled.
-
The houselights dimmed and there was a rustle as people made it out of the curtain. Lee Jordan's voice was heard over the audience.
"Again, like the previous nights, the cast will be presenting a short prologue before the play. Enjoy."
Cool music, violins and Renaissance filled through the hall, a backdrop, an underscore, and waited for the speech to begin. A lone spotlight went up on Harry who stood on a vine hung like a trapeze as he grabbed the other two sides. The audience gasped at the Boy who Lived's new look and he spoke, in a clear, Harry tone.
"Here on this summer night, in the grass and lilacs smell," he began, slowly and full of nostalgic longing. Another light gradually came up on the group of fairies sitting on the stage left stairs. Ginny and Kyra began to speak.
"Drunk on the crickets and the starry sky," they smiled.
"Oh what fine stories we could tell," Eden and Pavarti said emphatically and the whole of them chorused, "With this moonlight to tell them by."
There was a lull as on stage left and stage right lights came up, revealing Ron and Hermoine as Ron said, "A summer night-," and Hermoine continued:
"And you, and paradise," they walked towards each other and grabbed hands, saying in the softest voices together, "So lovely and so filled with bliss." More lights came up, revealing Lavender sitting on steps lower than the fairies and Dean, Seamus and Neville on the opposite side of the steps.
"Above your head the universe has hung its lights," Hermoine breathed as Ron took her in his arms.
"And I reach out my hand and touch your face," Lavender said with a wistful smile as the audience listened rapt.
"I believe in impulse," Dean began.
"In all that is green," Seamus continued, looking at Dean.
"In the foolish vision," Neville said quietly and they all three chanted, "That comes out true."
Seamus looked out to the audience but slowly, hidden perhaps, intertwined his hand around Dean's and said simply and clearly, "I believe that all that is essential, is unseen," The lights went up around the three and revealed the rest of the workers, Crabbe and Goyle and they all said in unison, "And for this lifetime, I believe in you."
Fred and George appeared slightly to the side and in front of Harry on his vine and said, simple smiles on their faces as they waved their hands offstage, "All of the lovers," Fred began and George continued, "And the love they made," Angelina and Alicia slowly came out, blushing as the couples paired up and Fred and George chorused, "Nothing that was between them, was a mistake."
"All that we did for loves sake, was not wasted and will never fade." The fairies said in one voice to the audience. Cho appeared, walking up the aisle, her wings not yet on.
"All who have loved," she called out, the audience turning to look at her, a queenly statement, "will be forever young and walk in grandeur on a summers night, Along the avenue." She mounted the stairs and turned, her back to Harry.
"They live in every song that is sung," she continued and Hermoine spoke from Ron's embrace, "In every painting of pure light," and the whole group except for Harry said earnestly, "In every Pas de Deus."
All were silent as Cho continued, "Oh love that shines from every sky, Love reflected in the silver moon…"
The whole group, the audience, all looked to Harry whose eyes shone as he stared up into the lights, and said in a most wistful tone, "It is not here, but it is not far…"
The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and Harry finished simply, "Not yet, but it will be here soon." The audience wept and clapped and cried their rapture to all but the lights were down and the real lovers held hands. As the curtains began to swish shut, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder as the vines were lowered and he melted.
"You," Severus whispered, "And paradise…"
-
The final audience, it seemed, were more eager, more anxious, more bursting with rapture at the words that escaped from the actors lips. They applauded longer than ever after the second act with Harry and Snape, they laughed uproariously at the workers and Bottom and now they were gleefully watching the fight between the lovers in Act 3.
Seamus had just reached out to grab Lavenders hand, "…this seal of bliss./" his lips were poised above her creamy flesh but she pulled her hand away and he fell forward, causing Ron to laugh barkingly.
"O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent,/ To set against me in your merriment:/ If you were civil and knew courtesy,/ You would not do me thus much injury./ Can you not hate me, as I know you do,/But you must join in souls to mock me too?" her voice was pleading, ragged as she beseeched the two boys angrily, coming into the middle between them, "If you were men, as men you are in show;/ You would not use a gentle lady so;/ To vow, and swear and superpraise my parts,/ When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals," she pointed at them accusingly, "and love Hermia;/ And now both rivals, to mock Helena;/ A trim exploit, a manly enterprise,/ To conjure tears up in a poor maids eyes/ With your derision! None of noble sort/ Would so offend a virgin, and extort/ A poor soul's patience-," Lavender slowed and moved quickly over to downstage left, not looking at them, crying out bitterly, "-all to make you sport."
Ron looked hopelessly from her to Seamus and gave him a shove, "You are unkind Demetruis; be not so;/" Seamus jolted angrily and stared at him with daggers, "For you love Hermia," Ron said in a fake-kind voice, nodding knowingly at him, "this you know, I know; And here, with all good will, with all my heart, In Hermia's love I yield you up my part; And yours of Helena," he slowly began to make his way towards Lavender who was listening with one eye open, "to me bequeath, Whom I do love, and will to my death." Ron had almost reached her spot but she quickly evaded him and walked downstage right.
"Never did mockers waste more idle breath," she muttered as Seamus pulled Ron back to him.
"Lysander," he began smoothly, pushing him farther away from Lavender with an unpleasant smile, using his shoulder, "keep thy Hermia; I will none," he shrugged, "If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as a guest-wise sojourn'd. And now to Helen is it home return'd," he mimicked Ron's action, going towards Lavender, "There to remain."
Ron intercepted him frantically, "Helen it is not so." Seamus stepped around him, getting in his face as Lavender turned to them, all three in a cluster downstage right.
"Disparage not the faith thou dost not know,/" he snarled, "Lest, to thy peril," he sneered, "thou aby it dear./ Look where thy love comes: yonder is thy," he pointed, "dear."
Hermoine came in from offstage left and Lavender observed everything quietly as Ron looked away from Hermoine. She looked up and grew the strongest look of yearning on her features as she found Ron and froze.
"Dark night, that from the eye his function takes/" she began in an amazed voice, "The ear more quick of apprehension makes;/ Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense,/ It pays the hearing double recompense/" she approached Ron who backed away slightly, "Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found:/" She laughed nervously, "Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound/ But," she paused, "why unkindly didst thou leave me so?"
"Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go?" She had been reaching out to embrace him but at the sound of his cool voice she froze.
"What-," she stuttered, "love could press Lysander from my side?"
"Lysander's love, that would not let him bide,/ Fair Helena," Ron looked longingly at her and Seamus crossed his arms over his chest at this display, "who more englids the night/ Than all you fiery oes and eyes of light./ Why seekest thou me? Could not this make thee know,/" he asked nastily, eyes narrowed at her, "The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?" Hermoine had gone pale in shock and stepped back, almost hitting Lavender.
"You speak not as you think," she said, unbelieving, "it cannot be." Lavenders mouth dropped open and she threw up her hands.
"Lo, she is one of this confederacy!" She cried and made Hermoine jump, the audience tittering, "Now I perceive they have conjoin'd all three/ To fashion this false sport, in spite of me./ Injurious Hermia!" she spat, turning on Hermoine who backed away, shorter, "most ungrateful maid!/ Have you conspired, have you with these contrived/ To bait me with this foul derision?" Lavender looked away, putting a hand over her eyes, secretly eying Hermoine, "And will you rent our ancient love asunder,/ To join with men in scorning your poor friend?/ It is not friendly, tis not maidenly:" she whirled on Hermoine and said furiously, "Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,/ Though I alone do feel the injury." Hermoine's mouth had dropped open.
"I am amazed at your passionate words,/ I scorn you not: it seems you scorn me," She spluttered and Lavender advanced once again.
"Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn," she pointed to him, her voice rising in an accusing tone, "to follow me and praise my eyes and face?/ And mad your other love, Demetrius," She used the other hand to point at Seamus, "Who even but now did spurn me with his foot,/ To call me goddess, nymph, divine and rare,/ Precious , celestial? Wherefore speaks he this/ To her he hates? And wherefore doth Lysander/ Deny your love, so rich," she bit out hatefully, "within his soul,/ And tender me, forsooth, affection,/ But by your setting on, by your consent?/ What though I be not so in grace as you,/ so hung upon with love, so fortunate,/ But miserable moist, to love unloved?/ This you should pity," she said insistently, "rather than despise."
"I understand not what you mean by this," Hermoine said softly, the boys behind her beginning to get restless as they shoved and forced each other away and out of the way, the girls oblivious.
"If you have any pity, grace or manners,/ You would not make me such an argument,/ But fare ye well," she began, walking off, her voice bitter and sad, "tis partly my own fault/ Which death or absence soon shall remedy./" Ron gave a large shove to Seamus, making him fall back, unbalanced, and chased after Lavender, getting in front of her.
"Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse;" he pleaded, "My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!" Seamus got up and rubbed his head angrily as he watched, waiting.
"O excellent," Lavender laughed sarcastically. Hermoine approached him and reached out for his shoulder.
"Sweet, do not scorn her so." Seamus quickly began to walk over, saying as he approached:
"If she cannot entreat, I can compel." Ron turned on him, they met chest to chest.
"Thou canst compel no more than she entreat;/ Thy threats," he nudged a finger into Seamus' chest, "have no more strength than her weak prayers." He turned back to Lavender, a wishy-washy smile on his features, "Helen, I love thee; by my life, I do:/ I swear by that which I will lose for thee To prove him false that says I love thee not." Seamus stepped back as Ron's shoulder met his chest and stood taller, calling to Lavender.
"I say I love thee more than he can do," he called quickly. Ron whirled.
"If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too," his hand flew to his sword and Seamus mimicked.
"Quick, come!" Seamus taunted. Hermoine looked bewildered and stepped between them.
"Lysander, whereto tends all this?" Ron tried to get around her. His face contorted in anger.
"Away, you Ethiope!" Hermoine stood her ground, pleading, "No, no; he'll…"
But Seamus cut her off, dancing on the other side of her, a dark smirk on his features, "Seem to break loose;" he said wickedly, taunting, "take on as you would follow,/ But yet come not: you are a tame man, go!" Ron was livid as Hermoine grasped onto his arm and he tried to shake her off.
"Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose,/ Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent!"
"Why are you grown so rude? What change is this?" Hermoine asked nervously, "Sweet love-,"
Ron turned on her, towering above her and asking in a dangerous tone, his eyebrows raised, "Thy love! Out tawny tartar, out!/ Out loathed medicine! Hated potion, hence!" He pressed forward and she retreated, eyes bugging.
"Do you not jest?"
"Yes, sooth; and so do you." Helena called out, watching it from afar. Ron again tried to get around Hermoine.
"Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee." Seamus shook his head, laughing slightly.
"I would I had your bond, for I perceive/ A weak bond holds you: I'll not trust your word./," he said haughtily.
"What?" Ron asked, his arms raised, "Should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?" Hermoine stepped away, looking like she would faint any moment, "Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so./"
"What, can you do me no greater harm than hate?" Hermoine choked out, silencing the lot of them, "Hate me? Wherefore? O me! What news my love!/ Am I not Hermia?" she asked, laughing bewildered, "Are you not Lysander?/ I am as fair now as I was erewhile./ Since night you loved me;" she paused and looked at the ground, "But since night you left me:/ Why, then you left me- O the gods forbid!- In earnest, shall I say?" She asked in a wondering whisper. Ron approached her, nodding, an unpleasant smile.
"Ay, by my life;/ And never did desire to see thee more./ Therefore, be out of hope," he paused and she stepped back, "of question," a pause, a step, "of doubt;" a pause, "Be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest/ That I do," he said slowly, and she cringed as if she was being hurt, "hate thee and love Helena." There was silence, Hermoine closed her eyes, Lavender watched in angry curiousity. Hermoine then opened her eyes and stared at Lavender, advancing.
"O me!" she exploded, spitting and snarling, "you juggler! You canker- blossom!/ You theif of love! What, have you come by night/ And stolen my love's heart from him?" Lavender got equally angry and met her in the middle, Ron and Seamus astounded.
"Fine, I' faith!/ Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,/ No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear/ Impatient answers from my gentle tongue? Fie, fie!" She pointed accusingly at Hermoine, "you counterfeit, you puppet, you!"
Hermoine smiled sarcastically and gestured in towards herself, "Puppet? Why so?" she breathed in a lethal tone, "ay, that way goes the game./ Now I perceive that she hath made compare/ Between our statures; she hath urged her height;/ And with her personage, her tall personage," She emphasized, "Her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him/ And are you grown so high in his esteem; Because I am so dwarfish and so low?/ How low am I/ I am not yet so low," she turned her angry eyes on Lavender and leapt to attack, crying out, "I am not yet so low/ But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes." Lavender gave a little screech and went behind Ron and Seamus who fought to protect her as Hermoine waited, breathing heavily.
"I pray you, though you mock me, gentle ment, Let not her hurt me./ Let not her strike me. You perhaps may think, / Because she is something lower than myself," Hermoine stood straight in rage, "That I can match her."
"Lower! Hark again," Hermoine raged.
"Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me." Lavender pleaded behind the shoving boys, "And now so you will let me quiet go,/ To Athens will I bear my folly back/ And follow you no further: let me go: You see how simple and how fond I am/"
"Why, get you gone:," Hermoine began, stepping back for her to exit, "who is't that hinders you?"
"A foolish heart, that I leave here behind." Her tone hopeless and sad she looked away. Hermoine bent inwards.
"What, with Lysander?"
"With Demetrius!" Lavender yelled back at her and the boys were taken aback but Ron got around Lavender.
"Be not afraid; she shall not harm thee, Helena." Seamus got around the otherside, encasing her in their rmas.
"No sir, she shall not, though you take her part," he retorted to Ron.
"Get you gone, you dwarf;/" Ron said to the circling Hermoine, "You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made; You bead, you acorn." Seamus poked his head around Lavenders.
"You are too officious/ In her behalf that scorns her services./ Let her alone: speak not of Helena;/ Take not her part; for, if thou dost intend/ Never so little show of love to her,/ Thou shalt aby it." Ron froze and stepped away from Lavender, coming to Seamus.
"Now she holds me not," he said softly, simply, eyes glinting, hand on sword, "Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right,/ Of thine or mine, is most in Helena."
"Follow!" Seamus said incredulously, "Nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jowl." He sidled against Ron, their shoulders pushing hard against each other as they made it offstage. Hermoine whirled to Lavender.
"You mistress, all this coil is long of you:/ Nay, go not back." She advanced slowly and Lavender, shaking her head nervously backed away.
"I will not trust you, I,/ Nor longer stay in your curst company./ Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray./ My legs are longer though, to run away. /" She quickly ran offstage and Hermoine looked, open-mouthed, after her.
"I am amazed, and know not what to say." She murmured and ran after them all.
The audience laughed as something shot up and they found it was Harry, who scrambled to grab a vine and began to crawl up it but slowly Snape's hand shot up and grabbed his ankle. Harry clawed at the vine in vain but Snape gave a tug and Harry fell into his waiting arms. Snape strode from behind the flower and bent up close to Harry's face.
"This is thy negligence," he breathed, eyes glittering, and Harry shook his head back and forth, wiggling in Snape's grasp, "still thou mistakest, Or else committ'st thy knaveries wilfully.."
"Believe me, king of shadows," Harry pleaded frantically in the strong arms, "I mistook./ Did you not tell me I should know the man/ By the Athenian garment he had on?/ And so far blameless proves my enterprise./ That I have anointed an Athenian's eyes;/ And so far am I glad it so did sort-," he tried to say without laughing as Snape raised an eyebrow, "As this their jangling I esteem a sport."
Snape looked at him, bringing his face close and Harry gulped, shutting up. The taller man put him down on the ground and Harry froze, head bent waiting for instruction. Snape flew into action, pacing around him, prowling the stage as he spoke.
"Thou see'st these lovers seek a pace to fight:/ Hie therefore Robin, overcast the night; Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye;/ Whose liquor hat this virtuous property/ To take from thence all error with his might,/ And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight./ When the nest wake, all this derision/ Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision,/ And back to Athens shall the lovers wend,/ With league whose date till death shall never end./" He turned to look at Harry and grinned in the dim light, "Whiles I in this affair do thee employ, I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy; And then I will her charmed eye release/ From monster's view, and all things shall be peace." Harry nodded nervously and sidled up to Snape, putting his hands on Snape's upper arms.
"My fairy lord, this must be done with haste!/" Harry had now crouched down, looking side to side, his torso twisting slightly, "For nights swift dragons cut the clouds full fast,/ And yonder shine Aurora's harbinger;" He stood, and came forward, eyes shining as he jumped in quick movements, back and forth, "At whose approach ghosts, wand'ring here and there,/ troop home to churchyards; damned spirits all/ that in crossways and floods have burial, already to their wormy beds are gone." Harry's voice grew subdued but his head rose higher, eyes to the sky as he lifted a hand and moved it slowly from one side of the room to the other, "For fear lest day should look their shames upon, They willfully themselves exile from light, And must for aye consort with black-browed night…" He looked in hope up to Snape and he placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"But we are spirits of another sort:/" he said reassuringly, staring up at the back of the hall, "I with the mornings' love have oft made sport/ And like a forester, the groves may tread,/ Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red, Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,/ Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams./ But, notwithstanding, haste; make no delay." Snape cast a finger shaking at Harry as he began to walk off in darkness, the audiences eyes only on him, "we may effect this buisness yet ere day."
Harry looked once after him but nodded and grew a excited smile, hopping up and down, bringing his feet in and down.
"Up and down, up and down, / I will lead them up and down: / I am fear'd in field and town:/ Goblin, lead them up and down!" He had grabbed an unseen vine and flew up into the ceiling. The audience went crazy in applause.
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The play continued, fervor and passion still strong in its last bits and the lights went down after the workers play, many of the audience members crying with laughter. The forest set came up again, crickets chirping and stars sparkling now not only in the backdrop but also above the audience's heads and in the corners of the theater. There was a whistling heard and chairs creaked as they turned their heads to see Harry ambling up the center aisle, a thick broom, most definitely not his Firebolt, whispering against the ground.
He stopped whistling and leaned on his broom in the center of the aisle. "Now the hungry lion roars,/ And the wolf behowls the moon;/" he said, staring up into nothingness, "Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,/ All with weary task fordone/" He walked a little again but then paused and stared straight ahead, the broom frozen in mid sweep, "Now the wasted brands do glow/ Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,/ Puts the wretch that lies in woe/ In remembrance of a shroud." The broom went to his other hand and was sat there lazily, "Now it is the time of night/ That the graves all gaping wide,/ Everyone let's forth his sprite," he crescendoed loudly and paused, eyes shining as he stared up at the ceiling, "In the church-way paths to glide:/" The broom fell to the floor with a clatter and he bent down, gleaming emerald in the faces of the audience, "And we fairies," he said in an excited passion, "that do run/ By the triple Hecate's team,/ From the presence of the sun,/ Following darkness like a dream." The broom was immediately back in his hand and he continued casually, "Now are frolic; not a mouse/ Shall disturb this hallow'd house/ I am sent with broom before," he looked up, and froze, "To sweep the dust behind the door!" He gave a sharp laugh and burst forward, hopping lightly up the steps.
From offstage left, Snape and Cho, arm in arm came, Kyra, Eden, Ginny and Pavarti, as well as many of the extras surrounding and following them. They all knelt in front of the two and Snape called out, Harry prone on the front steps, "Through the house give glimmering light,/ By the dead and drowsy fire:/ Every elf and fairy sprite/ Hop as light as bird from brier;/ And this ditty, after me,/ Sing and dance it trippingly./"
Cho smiled, patting Snape's hand and said in a quieter, more melodic tone, "First, rehearse your song by rote/ To each word a warbling note:/ Hand in Hand, with fairy grace,/ Will we sing and bless this place."
An upbeat, mystical music filled the hall and Snape and Cho began, turning and bowing regally, before doing a simple turn, a twirl, a step and then the whole of the 'fairy kingdom' leapt into action, twisting and leaping and dancing with each other, running in a circle around the two in the center, Puck hanging lazily from a vine. The dance continued until Snape raised his hand and the kingdom fell into relaxation, hanging from the ledges and laying on the steps, sitting listening to his rich voice speak.
"Now until the break of day,/ Through this house each fairy stray./ To the best bride-bed will we,/ Which by us shall blesssed be:/ And the issue there create/ Ever shall be fortunate./ So shall all the couples three/ Ever true in loving be;/" the otherworldly creatures looked longingly up at him as slowly lights went down on them and they seemingly, methodically, disappeared, "And the blots of Nature's hand/ Shall not in their issue stand;/ Never mole, hare lip, nor scar,/ Nor mark prodigious, such as are/ Despised in nativity,/ Shall upon their children be./ With this field-dew consecrate,/ Every fairy take his gate;/ And each several chamber bless./ Through this palace with sweet peace;/" Harry had gotten down from his vine and prowled where the fairies and elves were as they continued to disappear, proving they were gone. Slowly, Kyra, Eden, Ginny and Pavarti simmered into darkness as their wings moved once and they were gone. "And the owner of it blest,/ Ever shall in safety rest." Cho and Snape stood away from each other as the lights dimmed on them, "Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day." There was no light on stage, save for the stars and Harry was illuminated as he walked through were Cho and Snape had once stood. He looked around and then came downstage center, hands open.
"If we shadows have offended," he began to explain, open and simple, "Think but this," he held one finger aloft, "And all his mended,/ That you have but slumber'd here/ While these-," he paused and gestured all around him, "visions did appear." He walked to one side and back, "And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream,/" He came back to centerstage and continued, "Gentles, do not reprehend:/ If you pardon, we will mend:/ And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck/ Now to 'scape the Serpent's tongue,/" He sat on his heels and shrugged, smiling, "We will make amends ere long./ Else the Puck a liar call:/" He winked and stood again, giving a deep nod and bow, "And so good night unto you all./ Give me your hands, if we be friends,/" A vine lowered from the ceiling and he grabbed it, slowly rising up as strains of applause began to echo throughout the ceiling, "And Robin shall restore amends." Harry disappeared into the ceiling as the curtains fell.
-
The cast assembled as a whole onstage as Harry jumped from his position on the vine, the whole of them surrounding Snape and Cho, from left to right, Pavarti, Eden, Kyra, Ginny, Percy, Penelope, Lee, Seamus, Lavender, Snape, Cho, Hermoine, Ron, Fred, George, Dean, Neville, Crabbe, and Goyle. The audience was standing by the time the curtains rose, cheers and weeping and shouts and cries flying from all corners of the auditorium. Flowers, magically appearing and thrown, appeared at their feet and they stomped as the cast smiled and grinned, some with tears in their eyes, and from somewhere the chant of 'Puck!" came and they cried it as Harry tried to make his way out. He gave a prod to Snape who was, very unusually, smiling embarassedly as girls screamed for him and Harry came out from behind him. Grabbing his hand, Harry bowed, his horns glinting magically in the dim lights and the cast followed.
If it was possible, the audience cheered louder, Hermoine had a tear running as she smiled happily and she leaned onto Ron as they bowed again. They bowed once more and the lights began to dim as the cast held out an arm to the crew heads, to Oliver, to the booth, to Lupin and all went dark, the curtain swishing closed.
Harry and Snape embraced in the dark, sending shivers and sparks and fire into each other as they kissed passionately, full of joy and rapture and appreciation, hidden from all eyes. All too aware of the sheen and smudging makeup as they embraced, they didn't let go until the last possible second when the lights arose, revealing several other couples sharing.
Harry grabbed Snape's hand, didn't care what anyone saw and stared up into the now warm, inviting black eyes, kohl accentuating them.
"I hope it was good enough," Snape grabbed Harry behind the large white flower and for answer, kissed him again.
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