The Moonlight Noon Chateau

The Moonlight Noon Chateau

By Hippy Gypsy

Disclaimer: All the Harry Potter characters belong to what's her face…um… what's her name again? Oh yeah! JK Rowling. Luv her. I own the people of the fabulous Moonlight Noon and nobody better try to steal them cause I'll…I'll…be really really mean!!! The music is the property of the movie Moulin Rouge, and I think I got the words right (can't really mess them up for the can-can scene ya know), but if I didn't, let me know. I'll take care of it. "Because We Can" and "Sparkling Diamonds" belong to Moulin Rouge. Whoops! Said that already. Oh well. I strongly recommend you read this fic while listening to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. It's so much fun! So on to Chapter 3 and the Moonlight Noon!!

Chapter 4: Welcome to the Moonlight Noon!

The five wizards from Hogwarts apparated in Paris at seven PM sharp. They took rooms at an inn about a mile away from the Moonlight Noon Chateau, but Minerva said that once Antonio Safrin found out that she was back in town, he would insist they stay in the rooms of the Moonlight Noon itself.

So after sunset, Dumbledore, Snape, Trelawney, and Hagrid were waiting at the base of the hotel staircase in their finest dress robes (Minerva insisted that Hagrid should leave his brown suit at home). "Well, are we ready?" came Minerva's voice. Everyone turned and their mouths dropped to the floor. She looked twenty years younger from the clothes she was wearing and the smile she had on her face. Her robes were deep green and sleeveless and went to the floor in elegant ruffles. She wore gloves of the same color that came up to her elbows, and she wore diamonds around her neck and on her ears. And finally, a matching green top hat was poised on her head.

She walked down the staircase and right passed them. "Come on. It's a nice night out, so we can just walk there." And with that, they were out the door and on their way.

"Uh, Minerva?" said Trelawney, "we still have a few unanswered questions from this morning."

"Okay. Such as?"

"What did you mean by names, trademarks, and marmalade?"

"And who is Diva?" Hagrid asked.

"We'd rather know so we don't go in completely ignorant," said Snape.

"Very well," said Minerva smiling. "When a person is ready to be recognized as one of the Moonlight Noon's main people, they must pass a test. The test is different for men and women. The men must be able to compose a piece of music, perform it in front of a live audience, and, at an odd change, mix any drink asked of them. For the women, they must perform a piece known as "The Marmalade". It may sound simple, but by far it is not easy compared to the men's task. Unlike the men's performance, which can earn applause or not, the woman's performance must earn a standing ovation from the audience in order to pass the test. If they pass, they earn their name and trademark."

"And you said that you had passed the test," said Trelawney. "So what's your trademark?"

Minerva tipped her hat to her. "I always wear a top hat, no matter what costume I'm wearing."

"So that must mean that the name you earned is Diva?" Snape asked with his eyebrows raised.

She nodded. "Yes. Diva is my Moonlight Noon name."

"Minerva, just to make sure," Dumbledore asked. "The Moonlight Noon is strictly wizards, yes?"

"Not a Muggle allowed."

"Good."

It was then that they turned the corner and stopped dead in their tracks. At the end of the street was a beautiful castle (far smaller from Hogwarts, but still quite large), which was shining with blue brick. A large sparkling sign that said "The Moonlight Noon Chateau" hung from the front of the building, and all around hung brightly lit neon stars, a sun, and a crescent moon.

"Holy heavens," Hagrid and Snape whispered at the same time.

Dumbledore was awestruck.

"It's beautiful," Trelawney gasped.

Minerva quickly wiped away a tear of joy. "Well, what are we waiting for? Shall we go in?"

Horse drawn carriages pulled up, emitting guests as they arrived. Two doormen let them pass into the hall, and as they did, Minerva could've sworn that she heard one of them gasp and whisper "Diva. It's Diva!" to the other. Minerva smiled to herself and passed through the hall, which was decorated with various drapes and wall hangings. They walked to the door of the main hall. Above it hung a sign in gold letters that read, "Give it to them like a dragon."

Minerva saw her group's quizzical expressions and explained, "It's the motto of the Moonlight Noon."

The doorman to this entrance knew Minerva on sight. He kissed her hand. "Madame Diva! It's a pleasure to see you!"

"I know. It's been a while," she replied smiling.

"May I show you and your party to a table?"

"No, not tonight I think. Tonight we're going to have a look around, but we'll find a table later if we need it."

"Very well Madame."

"But may I ask you a favor?"

"Of course."

"Tell Monsieur Safrin I must speak with him this evening. It is extremely important."

Applause was heard from behind the door. "It shall be done. Tonight, I suggest you all enjoy yourselves." He opened the door with a flourish. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Moonlight Noon!"

The air was instantly filled with music as a new song began.

"Because we can can can!

Yes we can can can can

Can can can can!"

They were suddenly let into a new world! The main room of the Moonlight Noon was filled with every shape and color. Drapes and banners hung form the walls giving the place a sort of medieval, yet modern, look. From above hung many beautiful gold and crystal chandeliers. The light given off was bright and festive. The stage was set in shades of burgundy and gold tonight. Down the runway, a younger man held a purple megaphone singing. Above the stage was a bright glittering sign that said "Moonlight Noon", much like the one on the outside. A huge dance floor was the center of the room and couples whirled across it dancing with delight. All around were booths and tables filled with people and set with decorative table clothes. Waiters and waitresses in bright dress rushed about serving dinner and drinks, their trays high above their heads. To the left of the stage was an orchestra playing the music. The conductor kept the beat with his baton, smiling, and having as much fun as the partygoers. And to the right was a bar area where a gray-haired bartender was mixing spirits and juggling wine bottles. The Moonlight Noon Chateau was gorgeous!

Severus's mouth hung open. "This place is-"

A woman bumping into him suddenly cut him off. She wore a strapless red dress with black lace. Attached to the back was a pair of fluffy white angel wings, and her black hair was pinned in curls to her head. She balanced the tray of drinks in her hand, sneered at him, and said, "Watch it!" With that, she swept off.

Severus was ready to snap back at her, but he noticed that the rest of his group had moved towards the bar area. He ignored the rude waitress and followed.

The bartender's back was to them. Minerva sat up on the bar top and said, "Give me an Irish coffee, Oliver!"

The gray-haired bartender turned at the sound of his name. He blinked twice when he saw Minerva, just to make sure his vision hadn't failed him, and he gasped and smiled instantly. "Minerva McGonagall!" He and Minerva threw his arms around each other. "Oh my Lord! The Diva herself! What the hell are you doing back in Paris?"

Minerva smiled. "Business I guess you could say, but we can discuss that later. Please allow me to introduce my friends from Hogwarts. Rubeus Hagrid, the keeper of the keys, Sybill Trelawney, fortune seer, Severus Snape, potions master, and Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the school."

The bartender shook hands with each of them (except Sybill's, who's hand he kissed), and when he shook Dumbledore's said, "Albus Dumbledore! It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard many great things."

"That's good to hear," Albus replied with a smile. "And your name Sir?"

"Oliver Richardson. Head bartender of the Moonlight Noon Chateau."

Minerva smiled. "Oliver and Robert were best friends until Robert's dying day. Oliver's the one who introduced me to him."

At this point the music was blaring loud.

"Everybody can can!

Do the can can can!

Yes we can can can!

Yes we can can can!

Because we can can can!

Yes we can can can!

Yes we can can can can

Can can can can

Can can can can

Can can can can!"

The conductor of the orchestra suddenly yelled to Oliver. "Oliver! The music's picking up!" he shouted with a smile. "Get out here and dance with someone now!"

"Evan!" Oliver shouted in return. "Diva's back!"

"What?!" he yelled straining to hear over the noise. He wasn't sure if his ears had deceived him or not. Had he just said that Diva was back?

Minerva waved from her place on the bar top. "Evan!"

Evan's face became even more marry. He turned around and yelled to the young man singing with the megaphone on stage. "Sammy!" Sammy turned during his pause in his song. "Diva's here!"

Sammy instantly saw her and motioned for her to get on the dance floor.

Oliver looked to Minerva. "Well, looks like you're wanted in the center of attention Diva. Do you dare disappoint the crowd?"

"I don't know…"

"Come on Minerva. Let's see you dance," said Trelawney with interest.

Minerva looked to Dumbledore, who smiled back. "I'll be back," she finally said, and Oliver led the way to the middle of the dance floor.

"Everybody can can!"

Sammy's voice echoed across the crowd in perfect pitch. Then he yelled into the air, "Moonlight Noon dancers to the front!"

"Can can can can can

because we can can can!"

Minerva and Oliver went to the front of the stage and Sammy and Evan joined them. Two new women appeared in can can outfits, one with feathers in her hair, and the other, an African beauty, whose hair was snow white. And the snippy young waitress who had bumped into Severus joined them. "Let's go!" shouted Sammy, and suddenly they went dancing across the center of the dance floor. The two new girls kicked up their legs and can canned, while Minerva and Oliver and Evan and the waitress tangoed and twirled, the beat of the drums filling the air around them.

"Everybody can can!"

Sammy started to dance in a moonwalk form behind them all, and lastly did a back flip to finish. The crowd went nuts with delight.

"Wow! Look at Min go!" Trelawney shouted above the noise. The whole group began to cheer.

Meanwhile on the floor, the main dancers had exited, but Oliver was still dancing with Minerva. Sammy suddenly cut in and booted him away for a moment. "Allez!" He twirled Minerva about. "Good to see you back Minerva! You've been well missed!"

Minerva smiled. "It's good to be back! The last time I saw you, you were a teenager! How old are you now?!"

"Twenty-two!" Sammy dipped her. "Stay on the floor! Prima Donna's heard you're back and she wants to perform with you!"

"Which piece?!

"Sparkling Diamonds! She'll be out after I'm done!"

Oliver appeared again and took Minerva back. "Vous allez maintenant! Chantez!" With that Sammy returned to the stage and again took his megaphone.

"Can you can can can?!

Everybody can can!"

The crowd began to echo back the song.

"Yes we can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!

We can can can!"

When the song ended, the crowd burst into applause. It lasted for a good moment, but suddenly the place went black. A sound like thunder began to roll through the Moonlight Noon. A spotlight began to shine on a figure being lowered from the ceiling. On a sparkling crescent moon sat a woman in a diamond-studded dress. She wasn't just studded with the rocks, she was covered with them! She began to sing quietly.

Tiffany The French are glad to die for love…

Evan flicked his wand and the band began to pick up again. Prima Donna stepped off of the moon and began to dance on stage, one of the Moonlight Noon dancers on each of her sides.

Tiffany

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental

Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock

But diamonds are a girl's best friend

Tiffany

A kiss maybe grand,

But it won't pay the rental

On you humble flat,

Or help you feed your, uh, pussycat

Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock Men grow cold as

Girls grow old

Tiffany

And we all lose our chance in the end

Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock

But square cut or round shaped

These rocks don't lose their shape

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Minerva stepped up onto the stage to meet with Prima Donna. "Tiffany!" Tiffany "Prima Donna" embraced her like an old friend. "Diva!" she said smiling. The four women on stage began to sing.

Minerva, Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock

Cause we are living in a material world

And I am a material girl

Tiffany went off the stage and began to dance within the crowd on the dance floor. "Come and get her boys!" Sammy shouted playfully into the megaphone.

Tiffany smiled at Minerva. "You take this song!" she shouted.

"Oliver! Evan!" Minerva called them and they sat on the edge of the stage.

Tiffany brought Sammy too. "Talk to her Sammy boy! Tell her all about it!"

Minerva's song began to ring out.

Minerva

There may come a time

When a lass needs a lawyer!

Oliver, Evan, and Sammy

But diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Minerva

There may come a time

When a hard-boiled employer

Thinks you're

Oliver, Evan, Sammy, Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock

Awful nice!

Minerva

But get that ice

Or else no dice!

The crowd began to clap to Minerva's sweet voice as the chorus group continued.

Oliver, Evan, Sammy, Tiffany, Devine, and Little Rock

He's your guy when stocks are high,

But beware when they start to descend,

Ooo ooo ooo ooo,

Diamonds are a girl's best

Diamonds are a girl's best

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!

And Minerva finished up at the top of the stage near the crescent moon.

Minerva

Cause that's when those louses

Go back to their spouses!

Diamonds

Are a

Girls

Best…

She took her hat from her head and held it out.

Minerva

Friend!

The crowd was on its feet in delight and began to shout, "Diva! Diva!" Dumbledore, Trelawney, Hagrid, and Snape were the loudest of all.

"I had no idea she could sing!" Trelawney shouted.

"Where the hell did this side of her come from?!" said Snape with astonishment.

Hagrid began to let out whistles.

As soon as the excitement of her performance died down, Minerva returned with her friends of the Moonlight Noon (except Tiffany, who stayed on stage to perform). "Everybody," she said, "I'd like you to meet…everybody." She began to point people out. "Sybill Trelawney, Rubeus Hagrid, Severus Snape, and Albus Dumbledore." Then she turned to the Moonlight Noon gang. "You just met Oliver. This is Evan…" She pointed to the conductor of the orchestra. He looked to be about thirty with a boy's smile. "And Sammy…" She pointed to the young man who had led the can can. He looked like he came from Spanish decent. "This is April 'Devine…'" The dark woman with the white hair smiled. "And Rachel 'Little Rock.'" She pointed out the girl with the feathers in her hair, who was holding Sammy's hand.

Dumbledore smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Minerva? We had no idea you had a voice like that! It was wonderful!"

Minerva blushed. "I was a little rusty."

"Rusty nothin'!" shouted Sammy. "You've still got the voice and the moves Diva!"

She blushed even more. "Thank you Sammy."

Sammy winked at her. "Hey, you were always my first crush Diva."

"Hey!" Little Rock said and jabbed him with her elbow.

"Ow! I was kidding Rach! You're always my girl!" And he kissed Little Rock's cheek.

Minerva crossed her arms. "Since when are Sammy Boy and Little Rock together?"

"Since for a couple of years Minerva," Evan replied. "You've been gone a while remember. And why is your group standing here? If Antonio found out you didn't have a table he'd throw a fit, and you know he would too!"

"I'll get them one," said Oliver. "You guys better get going or Antonio will throw a fit at you."

And with that, Evan, Sammy, Devine, and Little Rock went off. Oliver set them up nicely in a booth and whistled to the snippy waitress. "Carlotta!" he called. "Bring the bottle of Bordeaux and six glasses!" A moment later she returned with the requested items. Severus tried to sneer at her for before, but he was finding it rather hard to. She was rather pretty.

"Minerva," said Oliver, "And everyone, I'd like you to meet Carlotta. She's been new to us since last winter. Carlotta, this is the one and only Minerva McGonagall."

Carlotta's lovely face lit up. "You mean Diva? Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you Madame. I've heard so much about you. I just heard you sing and you have a wonderful voice."

Minerva smiled. "Why thank you. I saw you dancing before. Why don't you sing my dear?"

"Plain and simple I'm afraid. I can't sing."

"She lies," said Oliver lightly. "She could sing if she wanted to."

Carlotta blushed crimson.

"The Diva returns," said a deep voice from behind them.

Minerva smiled as an older man approached their table. "Well, well, well, Antonio Safrin. It's about time you showed up!"

Note from the Hippy Gypsy: Well, what do you think? If you think it's bad, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! NO FLAMES!! Hehehe… Anyways, the next chapter might take a bit, but I'm working, never fear! Please review!