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.
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.
A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
A kiss maybe grand,
But it won't pay the rental
On you humble flat,
Or help you feed your, uh, pussycat
Girls grow old
And we all lose our chance in the end
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.
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!
