Paint the Sky with Stars
--by Egon Starcollector
Disclaimer: Everything HP belongs to JKR, etc., etc., etc. (I sound like the king of Siam....) I don't own the "Beer and Pretzels Polka" or 'Star Trek' either.
By now, Stacy's life at Hogwarts had settled into a routine: go to class, dodge Slytherins, study, talk to Hermione, study, ignore some smart remark from Ron (she was really starting to wonder how her cousin had stayed friends with him for so long), study, eat, tutor Malfoy, eat fudge (fortunately, she'd ordered about a year's supply!), play a little music, write to Jessie, and try not to make a fool of herself in front of Justin. That last one didn't seem like it would be too much of a problem anymore, actually; evidently they were unofficially a "couple," so she didn't have to be so nervous around him. Thank God.
In short, she was actually starting to feel comfortable. She didn't think she'd ever really get used to British life--and certainly not British food!--but she was adjusting.
Still, there were always surprises. One night, Stacy sat curled up in a chair in the common room with her guitar. It had become her regular practice after she finished her homework; it helped her clear her mind so she could sleep. She plunked quietly away at her guitar, picking out the "Beer and Pretzels Polka."
I am fine
How do you feel?
Let's play a tune on the glockenspiel.
I can tell with just a glance
That you are ready for a dance....
Not for the first time, she found herself wondering how she'd gotten to this place in her life. Until she was eleven, she thought she was just an ordinary, music-loving gal. But no, she was a witch--the sort of thing that would have sent Mrs. Ormsby from her church into a self-righteous wrath, complete with brimstone and screaming. Bah. Being a witch, Stacy had learned early on, didn't mean selling your soul. (Not that hers was for sale anyway; she certainly couldn't sell what she'd already given to God.) It just meant she could do things other people couldn't do.
And just what WAS magic, anyway? Stacy had never quite settled her mind on that. Muggle scientists of course said it was impossible. Well, it obviously wasn't! It might even be explainable in Muggle terms. A retrieval spell, for example, might be a simple matter of bending space so the desired object came into your hand--effectively turning your hand into a miniature warp drive like on 'Star Trek.' Invisibility potions might just make the atoms in your body reflect light differently, while a reduction spell could just push the air space out of the atoms. Hm...was it possible magic was nothing more than a genetic mutation which allowed you to manipulate quantum physics?
She kind of hoped not; it would be very disappointing if it was. She shrugged it off and switched to "Loch Lomond."
"Stacy, are you entered in the show Saturday afternoon?" Hermione's voice startled her out of her reverie.
"Huh? What show?" Stacy asked a bit blankly.
"The Non-Magical Talent Show, remember? It's Saturday afternoon, and the dance is Saturday evening."
"No...I couldn't think of anything to play." That, and she had been so busy that she'd forgotten all about it.
"Pity. I think you'd have won."
"Hm. Thanks."
Soon it was Saturday afternoon, and all the students were gathered in the Great Hall. Stacy gazed at the stage, trying not to look bored. She hated these things; in all the ones she'd competed in, at least half of the contestants had no talent to speak of.
An Asian girl from Ravenclaw recited Shakespeare, and Susan Bones-- whom Stacy knew but slightly from Herbology--turned out to be a natural comedienne.
Stacy nearly fell off her chair when the next contestant's name was announced. "Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff." Justin strode onto the stage carrying...a violin? She never would have guessed he was a musician, too! He placed it expertly under his chin, then stroked the strings softly with the bow and began to play Pachelbel's "Canon in D."
Stacy sighed with delight. She loved the song, and Justin played it beautifully. She hated to hear the last notes; she wished he could play forever! At last he finished. He bowed amid thunderous applause and stepped off the stage.
Draco Malfoy stepped forward next. Stacy braced herself for a good laugh. This was probably going to be very amusing.
"What did you think?" came a whisper next to her. Justin was staring eagerly at her, clearly begging for approval.
"I'm...I'm amazed! That was wonderful...I didn't know you played."
"Oh yes...I sing a bit, too. Tenor. I...I almost didn't enter, but then you mentioned you liked that song and well...I guess I wanted to impress you," he said, blushing as he tried to control his runaway tongue.
"Well, you certainly did!"
Suddenly Stacy realized the room was filled with a glistening baritone singing a solo from Wagner. She looked up to the stage--and had to grab Justin for support.
The baritone--was Draco Malfoy.
The entire audience was weeping by the time Malfoy finished. Then it was Harry's turn. He carried a guitar. (Stacy noticed that her fellow musician Dean Thomas was the only one who didn't look surprised.) He cleared his throat and spoke. "I'd like to dedicate this song to Miss Hermione Granger, fairest of the fair in her Gryffindor robes." Hermione turned utterly scarlet.
Harry also surprised Stacy; he had a lovely tenor voice, and he poured his whole heart into "The Lady in Red." *Gee...I think he's a little in love,* Stacy chuckled to herself.
The Great Hall went insane when he finished. Objectively, he actually HAD given the best performance so far. Stacy really didn't envy Seamus Finnegan, who had to follow him with a juggling routine.
After the show was over and Harry was declared the winner by a large margin (Malfoy and Justin actually tied for second place, while Susan came in third), the students returned to their towers to get ready for the dance.
Stacy's hands shook nervously as she showered and washed her hair. This was her first real date with Justin. Did this mean they were going out? Was he going to ask her out at the dance? Oooh why did this have to be so tricky?
She narrowly avoided getting a run in her pantyhose. She took a few deep breaths and willed herself to calm down. Finally, she managed to pick up her dress. She'd found it listed as a "dress robe," but it wouldn't have looked out of place at a Muggle gathering. It was a simple a-line with long, tight sleeves and a Mandarin collar and bodice. The dress itself was shimmery red silk, with black silk cording at the neckline, jet buttons at the shoulder, and black silk embroidered flowers. She slipped it on and buttoned it, then stepped into her red pumps. She twisted her hair into a French roll and fastened a stray curl back with a black beaded bobby pin.
THEN came the make up. It wasn't that she minded wearing it; it just seemed like such a bother. She thought for a minute, then figured she could get away with just a little powder and a hint of blush. Oh yes, and some lipgloss. She wasn't a canvas; why should she paint herself?
A spritz of perfume and she was ready to go. The other Gryffindor girls were ready about the same time. Hermione looked very pretty in a gown of gold chiffon, while Lavender and Parvati wore nearly identical dresses in pale purple satin--a color that frankly flattered Lavender more than Parvati.
As a group, they walked down to the Great Hall. Gold candles floated in the air amid coppery leaves. The stars shone brightly through the enchanted ceiling. Really, a lovely night.
In next to no time, Seamus, Harry, and Ron swept the other girls away. But where was Justin? Hadn't he come? If he stood her up....
Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her back. The scent of a summer evening breeze reached her nostrils, and she knew who it was. She turned around and found herself gazing right into Justin's blue eyes. "You look lovely," he said softly.
"You don't look too bad yourself." And he didn't. His dress robes were a dark blue, with silver stars at the neckline, hem, and cuffs. *Why doesn't that surprise me?* she reflected with a smile.
"Shall we dance?"
Stacy nodded nervously, and Justin took her hand and led her onto the floor. The band was playing a slow song--oh boy, slow dancing, close dancing, yipes. Justin gently guided her into a ballroom position. She almost fainted when he put his arm around her waist. She put her hand-- dangit, it was shaking again!--awkwardly on his shoulder and prayed she wouldn't step on his feet.
"Relax," he whispered. She looked up at him, asking him with her face if he was serious! He smiled softly at her and winked. Stacy felt her face grow hot. Ooooh boy....
She glanced across the room and saw Hermione with her head resting on Harry's shoulder. It looked like a good idea--then she wouldn't have to make eye contact, after all--but then again...she'd have to get closer...oh boy....
"Do I make you nervous?"
"Um...I think I'm making myself nervous."
"Didn't you want to come with me?"
"Of course I did! I just...." She bit her lip, unable to spit out the words. What words? She didn't even know...she couldn't think clearly. Impulsively, she rested her head on Justin's shoulder and tried to hide her face in his robes.
She heard him suck in his breath sharply. He pulled her closer and brought their hands down so he could press her hand to his chest. Then she noticed...his heart was pounding like anything. Was he as nervous as she was?
They clung silently to each other for a few songs, then Justin suggested they have some punch and sit a song out. Stacy agreed since her knees felt like they were about to buckle...but the thought of sitting out a song with Justin...well, no matter, she needed to find a chair and fast!
Justin helped her into a chair and then brought them both some punch. They sat in silence for a bit, trying to moisten their mouths with the punch so they could speak. "Um...your accent. I know you're from America, but...where exactly?"
"Hm? Oh, Upper Michigan."
"Really? I've been there."
"Have you?"
"Yes. When I was nine, my parents took me there for a vacation. I liked it; very pretty." He chuckled suddenly. "One day we went to this candy store. Something about a tree, I don't recall the name. There was this little girl there reading a book. I thought she was really neat...looking back, I think it was the first time I was attracted to someone. I wanted to get her attention, so...I started throwing hard candy at her." He blushed.
"Waitaminute...hard candy? What kind?"
"Um...those blue mints, I think. She was reading 'Little Women' or something, and I wanted her to talk to me. Instead...she threw the candy right back at me. Well, I kept throwing and she kept throwing...I started laughing; I was really getting quite wound up! I ran over and grabbed her book. She called me a bully...."
"And your mother apologized to her, then took you back to the hotel for hot cocoa, a Valium, and a nap."
"How...did you...?"
"Because I never forgot the blue-eyed bully who threw candy at me in Mr. Shaketree's shop and then tried to steal my book!"
"I...that was YOU?!?"
"YES."
Justin rubbed his jaw. "You throw hard!"
"You earned it!"
"I was nine! My social skills weren't the most refined...good grief, I still had to send you secret admirer notes for a month before I got brave enough to talk to you now!"
"You were such a little CREEP!"
"I...well, I'm sorry! I thought you were really neat...I kind of liked you and wanted to get your attention!"
"Courtship by projectiles?"
"Well...I'm sorry." He looked genuinely contrite. "I...I don't know. I didn't know what else to do. I've always been shy, and...." He shook his head. "I blew it," he sighed under his breath. "You know...I never forgot you. When I met you the start of this year...I thought something about you seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. Now you know I'm...well, just that blue-eyed bully."
Stacy looked at him. He almost looked as though he were about to cry. *Well, he WAS only nine. And he didn't turn out badly at all,* she decided with a grin. Impulsively, she put her fingers under his chin and pulled his face close to hers. "You know what?" she asked softly. "I kinda liked that blue-eyed bully, too." And very gently, she kissed him.
Disclaimer: Everything HP belongs to JKR, etc., etc., etc. (I sound like the king of Siam....) I don't own the "Beer and Pretzels Polka" or 'Star Trek' either.
By now, Stacy's life at Hogwarts had settled into a routine: go to class, dodge Slytherins, study, talk to Hermione, study, ignore some smart remark from Ron (she was really starting to wonder how her cousin had stayed friends with him for so long), study, eat, tutor Malfoy, eat fudge (fortunately, she'd ordered about a year's supply!), play a little music, write to Jessie, and try not to make a fool of herself in front of Justin. That last one didn't seem like it would be too much of a problem anymore, actually; evidently they were unofficially a "couple," so she didn't have to be so nervous around him. Thank God.
In short, she was actually starting to feel comfortable. She didn't think she'd ever really get used to British life--and certainly not British food!--but she was adjusting.
Still, there were always surprises. One night, Stacy sat curled up in a chair in the common room with her guitar. It had become her regular practice after she finished her homework; it helped her clear her mind so she could sleep. She plunked quietly away at her guitar, picking out the "Beer and Pretzels Polka."
I am fine
How do you feel?
Let's play a tune on the glockenspiel.
I can tell with just a glance
That you are ready for a dance....
Not for the first time, she found herself wondering how she'd gotten to this place in her life. Until she was eleven, she thought she was just an ordinary, music-loving gal. But no, she was a witch--the sort of thing that would have sent Mrs. Ormsby from her church into a self-righteous wrath, complete with brimstone and screaming. Bah. Being a witch, Stacy had learned early on, didn't mean selling your soul. (Not that hers was for sale anyway; she certainly couldn't sell what she'd already given to God.) It just meant she could do things other people couldn't do.
And just what WAS magic, anyway? Stacy had never quite settled her mind on that. Muggle scientists of course said it was impossible. Well, it obviously wasn't! It might even be explainable in Muggle terms. A retrieval spell, for example, might be a simple matter of bending space so the desired object came into your hand--effectively turning your hand into a miniature warp drive like on 'Star Trek.' Invisibility potions might just make the atoms in your body reflect light differently, while a reduction spell could just push the air space out of the atoms. Hm...was it possible magic was nothing more than a genetic mutation which allowed you to manipulate quantum physics?
She kind of hoped not; it would be very disappointing if it was. She shrugged it off and switched to "Loch Lomond."
"Stacy, are you entered in the show Saturday afternoon?" Hermione's voice startled her out of her reverie.
"Huh? What show?" Stacy asked a bit blankly.
"The Non-Magical Talent Show, remember? It's Saturday afternoon, and the dance is Saturday evening."
"No...I couldn't think of anything to play." That, and she had been so busy that she'd forgotten all about it.
"Pity. I think you'd have won."
"Hm. Thanks."
Soon it was Saturday afternoon, and all the students were gathered in the Great Hall. Stacy gazed at the stage, trying not to look bored. She hated these things; in all the ones she'd competed in, at least half of the contestants had no talent to speak of.
An Asian girl from Ravenclaw recited Shakespeare, and Susan Bones-- whom Stacy knew but slightly from Herbology--turned out to be a natural comedienne.
Stacy nearly fell off her chair when the next contestant's name was announced. "Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff." Justin strode onto the stage carrying...a violin? She never would have guessed he was a musician, too! He placed it expertly under his chin, then stroked the strings softly with the bow and began to play Pachelbel's "Canon in D."
Stacy sighed with delight. She loved the song, and Justin played it beautifully. She hated to hear the last notes; she wished he could play forever! At last he finished. He bowed amid thunderous applause and stepped off the stage.
Draco Malfoy stepped forward next. Stacy braced herself for a good laugh. This was probably going to be very amusing.
"What did you think?" came a whisper next to her. Justin was staring eagerly at her, clearly begging for approval.
"I'm...I'm amazed! That was wonderful...I didn't know you played."
"Oh yes...I sing a bit, too. Tenor. I...I almost didn't enter, but then you mentioned you liked that song and well...I guess I wanted to impress you," he said, blushing as he tried to control his runaway tongue.
"Well, you certainly did!"
Suddenly Stacy realized the room was filled with a glistening baritone singing a solo from Wagner. She looked up to the stage--and had to grab Justin for support.
The baritone--was Draco Malfoy.
The entire audience was weeping by the time Malfoy finished. Then it was Harry's turn. He carried a guitar. (Stacy noticed that her fellow musician Dean Thomas was the only one who didn't look surprised.) He cleared his throat and spoke. "I'd like to dedicate this song to Miss Hermione Granger, fairest of the fair in her Gryffindor robes." Hermione turned utterly scarlet.
Harry also surprised Stacy; he had a lovely tenor voice, and he poured his whole heart into "The Lady in Red." *Gee...I think he's a little in love,* Stacy chuckled to herself.
The Great Hall went insane when he finished. Objectively, he actually HAD given the best performance so far. Stacy really didn't envy Seamus Finnegan, who had to follow him with a juggling routine.
After the show was over and Harry was declared the winner by a large margin (Malfoy and Justin actually tied for second place, while Susan came in third), the students returned to their towers to get ready for the dance.
Stacy's hands shook nervously as she showered and washed her hair. This was her first real date with Justin. Did this mean they were going out? Was he going to ask her out at the dance? Oooh why did this have to be so tricky?
She narrowly avoided getting a run in her pantyhose. She took a few deep breaths and willed herself to calm down. Finally, she managed to pick up her dress. She'd found it listed as a "dress robe," but it wouldn't have looked out of place at a Muggle gathering. It was a simple a-line with long, tight sleeves and a Mandarin collar and bodice. The dress itself was shimmery red silk, with black silk cording at the neckline, jet buttons at the shoulder, and black silk embroidered flowers. She slipped it on and buttoned it, then stepped into her red pumps. She twisted her hair into a French roll and fastened a stray curl back with a black beaded bobby pin.
THEN came the make up. It wasn't that she minded wearing it; it just seemed like such a bother. She thought for a minute, then figured she could get away with just a little powder and a hint of blush. Oh yes, and some lipgloss. She wasn't a canvas; why should she paint herself?
A spritz of perfume and she was ready to go. The other Gryffindor girls were ready about the same time. Hermione looked very pretty in a gown of gold chiffon, while Lavender and Parvati wore nearly identical dresses in pale purple satin--a color that frankly flattered Lavender more than Parvati.
As a group, they walked down to the Great Hall. Gold candles floated in the air amid coppery leaves. The stars shone brightly through the enchanted ceiling. Really, a lovely night.
In next to no time, Seamus, Harry, and Ron swept the other girls away. But where was Justin? Hadn't he come? If he stood her up....
Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her back. The scent of a summer evening breeze reached her nostrils, and she knew who it was. She turned around and found herself gazing right into Justin's blue eyes. "You look lovely," he said softly.
"You don't look too bad yourself." And he didn't. His dress robes were a dark blue, with silver stars at the neckline, hem, and cuffs. *Why doesn't that surprise me?* she reflected with a smile.
"Shall we dance?"
Stacy nodded nervously, and Justin took her hand and led her onto the floor. The band was playing a slow song--oh boy, slow dancing, close dancing, yipes. Justin gently guided her into a ballroom position. She almost fainted when he put his arm around her waist. She put her hand-- dangit, it was shaking again!--awkwardly on his shoulder and prayed she wouldn't step on his feet.
"Relax," he whispered. She looked up at him, asking him with her face if he was serious! He smiled softly at her and winked. Stacy felt her face grow hot. Ooooh boy....
She glanced across the room and saw Hermione with her head resting on Harry's shoulder. It looked like a good idea--then she wouldn't have to make eye contact, after all--but then again...she'd have to get closer...oh boy....
"Do I make you nervous?"
"Um...I think I'm making myself nervous."
"Didn't you want to come with me?"
"Of course I did! I just...." She bit her lip, unable to spit out the words. What words? She didn't even know...she couldn't think clearly. Impulsively, she rested her head on Justin's shoulder and tried to hide her face in his robes.
She heard him suck in his breath sharply. He pulled her closer and brought their hands down so he could press her hand to his chest. Then she noticed...his heart was pounding like anything. Was he as nervous as she was?
They clung silently to each other for a few songs, then Justin suggested they have some punch and sit a song out. Stacy agreed since her knees felt like they were about to buckle...but the thought of sitting out a song with Justin...well, no matter, she needed to find a chair and fast!
Justin helped her into a chair and then brought them both some punch. They sat in silence for a bit, trying to moisten their mouths with the punch so they could speak. "Um...your accent. I know you're from America, but...where exactly?"
"Hm? Oh, Upper Michigan."
"Really? I've been there."
"Have you?"
"Yes. When I was nine, my parents took me there for a vacation. I liked it; very pretty." He chuckled suddenly. "One day we went to this candy store. Something about a tree, I don't recall the name. There was this little girl there reading a book. I thought she was really neat...looking back, I think it was the first time I was attracted to someone. I wanted to get her attention, so...I started throwing hard candy at her." He blushed.
"Waitaminute...hard candy? What kind?"
"Um...those blue mints, I think. She was reading 'Little Women' or something, and I wanted her to talk to me. Instead...she threw the candy right back at me. Well, I kept throwing and she kept throwing...I started laughing; I was really getting quite wound up! I ran over and grabbed her book. She called me a bully...."
"And your mother apologized to her, then took you back to the hotel for hot cocoa, a Valium, and a nap."
"How...did you...?"
"Because I never forgot the blue-eyed bully who threw candy at me in Mr. Shaketree's shop and then tried to steal my book!"
"I...that was YOU?!?"
"YES."
Justin rubbed his jaw. "You throw hard!"
"You earned it!"
"I was nine! My social skills weren't the most refined...good grief, I still had to send you secret admirer notes for a month before I got brave enough to talk to you now!"
"You were such a little CREEP!"
"I...well, I'm sorry! I thought you were really neat...I kind of liked you and wanted to get your attention!"
"Courtship by projectiles?"
"Well...I'm sorry." He looked genuinely contrite. "I...I don't know. I didn't know what else to do. I've always been shy, and...." He shook his head. "I blew it," he sighed under his breath. "You know...I never forgot you. When I met you the start of this year...I thought something about you seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. Now you know I'm...well, just that blue-eyed bully."
Stacy looked at him. He almost looked as though he were about to cry. *Well, he WAS only nine. And he didn't turn out badly at all,* she decided with a grin. Impulsively, she put her fingers under his chin and pulled his face close to hers. "You know what?" she asked softly. "I kinda liked that blue-eyed bully, too." And very gently, she kissed him.