Title: Muggle Music
Author: Tiny Q
E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com
A/N: Well yes. Yet another fic to add to my growing collection. And yes, I will update my others soon. Just have been SO busy! Anyhoo, yes. This is NOT a song fic, but there might be singing in latter chapters. Tastefully done of course. So yes, I don't really know where this came from, but I love music and Harry Potter. So I thought: why not put my two obsessions together?? This is the result. Anyhoo, I don't own anything HP related. I only own Professor Booi (Which is pronounced 'Boy' but to her annoyance, students will pronounce it: 'Boo-ee' Just so you know) So yes yes. And she has nothing to do with my gr. 10 social studies teacher. Only the name is the same.
So yes, now please enjoy my odd:
Muggle Music
Mid-October - Dumbledore's Office
It was a chilly October afternoon, but despite this, Headmaster Alubus Dumbledore still had his office window open. The old man was seated at his desk staring into a bowl of silver fluid, known to HP fanatics as a pensive, a fire crackling cheerfully to his left.
Thought after thought he transferred into that bowl, his sharp blue eyes wandering about the room. 'It doesn't make sense,' he thought. 'Why would he be beating about the bush? Why not just attack something big. Everyone knows he is back.' An uncharacteristically dark insult passed through his mind at Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, still trying to tell people otherwise.
He thought for a moment. Perhaps that was it. He knew everyone knew he was back and intended to scare them all into paranoia as to when he would inevitably attack. Not as bold a move as Alubus would have expected form the Dark Lord. But then again, perhaps thirteen years of solitude and half existence had changed Voldemort's tactics.
He sighed.
"Excuse me, Alubus," a voice said from his left. He looked over and saw Arthur Weasley's head floating in his fireplace. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have some information for you that can't wait."
"No problem at all, Arthur," Dumbledore reassured him cheerfully, turning fully to face the balding red-head's floating head. "What do you have to tell me?"
"You-Know-Who has attacked a Muggle shopping mall in London. Death Eaters sealed the whole place off and killed almost half the people there," Arthur said, a haunted look becoming evident in his eyes. Dumbledore's heart skipped a beat.
"How many?" he asked quietly, dreading the answer.
"800 Muggles, seven wizards," the head responded. "I guess they were shopping, but from what I hear from the surviving wizards, they went down fighting. Saved a lot of lives. It would have been a lot worse if not for them."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment. So he finally hit something big. Odd how he was just thinking about it moments before. Shoving such trifle thoughts aside he turned his attention back to the situation a hand. "What do the Muggles think happened?"
"We had to use a lot of memory charms," Arthur sighed, the tiredness in his voice and eyes suddenly becoming more pronounced. Dumbledore realized that the younger man must have been there. But of course he had been, he was Arthur Weasley after all, Muggle-lover and friend to almost everyone in the Ministry. "But the Muggles think it was terrorism. I think they claimed a bomb was used or something like that."
"Good," Dumbledore sighed. "The last thing we need is for the Muggles to know about Voldemort. When is it hitting the media?" he asked.
"In about ten minutes," Arthur sighed. "We tried to get them to hold off for a bit, but they charged us with freedom of the speech and that the public has a right to know. Notice how that is what it is when ever it's convenient to them? But try to tell people that the Prophet employs biased journalists, then it's all hush hush." Dumbledore nodded understandingly. Ever since Arthur had heard about Rita Skeeter and her twisted take on Harry Potter he had never been able to contain his animosity towards the paper.
"Sorry," he said after a moment. "Not the time is it?" Dumbledore shook his head. "Oh, well, when are you going to tell the students?"
"I suppose it will have to be in a few hours at supper."
"I imagine it's not going to bode over well," Arthur said sympathetically.
"No, I suspect it won't," Dumbledore agreed.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet Arthur. I don't know."
~*~
Halloween - Gryffindor Common Room
"Ron, do you have any asparagus?" Harry Potter asked.
"Nope, go fish," the lanky red-head responded. If possible, he had gotten even taller over the holiday. He now towered over all the fifth years and most of the sixth. Not that Harry hadn't grown himself, just not as much as his best friend. He picked up a acrd from the pile.
"Ginny?" Ron asked his sister, "Do you have any cotton candy?"
"Ron!" the red-headed female exploded. "I swear to Merlin that you are cheating! I don't know how, but I know you are!" Ginny had grown over the summer as well. She was almost a foot taller than Hermione(who used to be much taller), an inch shy of Harry's height. In Harry's eye she had also gotten very pretty, though he wouldn't say it out loud. Ron would kill him.
"Ginny!" Ron gasped in mock shock. "Would I cheat my little sister?"
"Yes he would!" Fred called from his and George's usual corner. The two of them were working on their new invention which kept singing 'One Week'. It seemed to Harry that ever since they had received his prize money, they had been working extra hard.
Ginny glared. "Now give me those three cards," Ron demanded. Ginny glared for a few moments more then handed over three, cotton candy, Berty Botts Every Flavor Beans Playing Cards, with an indignant puff. "Ha!" Ron said cheerfully, placing them down on the ground before him along with one from his own collection. His pile got yet larger, all from his sister who had none of her own.
"Colin," Ginny sighed angrily, "Do you have any plums?"
"Sorry Gin, go fish," Colin responded kindly. Harry noticed that the camera he always carried with him resting to his right. Over the past three years Ginny and Colin had become very good friends. Harry still shuttered at the thought of what Ron had said back in their second year: You better hope those two never meet, they'll probably start a Harry Potter Fan Club. Harry had yet to see this sort of cult, and prayed he never would.
"Hermione," Colin said and turned to the bushy haired girl sitting beside Harry. "Do you have any kiwis?"
"No, go fish," she responded after glancing down at the cards in her hands. Hermione looked different this year as well. Height wise she hadn't really changed, but in every other way she had. To Harry it was changes for the better, though he didn't really care what she looked like. She could shave her head bald and get piercing all over the place and he wouldn't care. She was one of his best friends and he would love her no matter what she looked like. The fact that she now had quite a large chest only made more Hermione for him to love.
"Harry." He realized she was speaking to him and felt his face grow hot. "Do you have any cheese?"
"Yeah," he said resignedly and pulled two cards with cheese flavored beans on them form his own pile and handed them to her. "Thanks," she said, placing them down on the ground before her, adding two of her own.
"Ron-" Harry started but was cut off by Ginny.
"That's it!" she shrieked throwing her cards to the ground and getting to her feet, giving Harry a good view up her skirt. He quickly looked away. "I saw you that time Ron! I saw you looking at my cards! I quit!" And with that she stormed out of the Common Room.
"Go Gin!" George called happily at his retreating sister's back.
"That's right!" Fred called afterwards. "Show our stupid brother who's boss!" They both burst out laughing.
Colin tossed his own cards to the ground, glaring at Ron. "Well now you've done it," he hissed angrily. "She's going to be vexed all day now and I'm the one who has to put up with her at the feast!" With that, the small fourth year stormed out after the pissed red-head, calling her name.
Hermione folded her arms over her large chest and Harry simply shook his head.
"Shut up," Ron snapped, glaring testily at them.
~*~
"Ginny!" she heard Colin call. The sound of runners on tile told her that he was running to catch up with her. He was quite a bit shorter than she was and once he caught up he had to trot to keep up. "Ginny, where are you going?"
"Away for him," she hissed angrily. "I mean, why does he have to do something like that every bloody time?!"
"Cause he's your older brother," Colin wheezed, looking up at her as he tried to keep her pace. Mentally she smiled. Colin never ceased to make her smile. He was just to entertaining, even if he didn't mean to be. "That's what older brothers are supposed to do."
"Do you do it to Dennis?" she demanded, turning to the left and mentally laughing as Colin had to jog to keep up.
"Well . . . no," he said, slightly abashed.
"Well then," Ginny said primly. "Why does Ron always do it to me?"
"Maybe it's because you're the sister," Colin said helpfully. "He can't just beat the crap out of you like I used to Dennis."
"What?!" Ginny demanded shrilly, stopping her fast pace and turning on Colin. "Are you saying that Ron treats me like I'm an idiot because I'm a chick?!"
"Well . . ." Colin began. Ginny knew he was just trying to help but a comment like that was just a bit much. Even from him.
"Why is every girl in this bloody school a feminist?" a voice drawled from behind them. Ginny whirled around to see none other than Draco Malfoy walking towards them. Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
"Well if it isn't our school's resident ferret," Ginny sneered, she was far to pissed off to take into account or to care who she was insulting. "And I am not a feminist."
"Oh really?" the blond sneered back. "And here I thought that women were to be seen and not heard."
Ginny let out a gasp of anger. "Why you-" she hissed starting to advance on him. She didn't need her wand, she would rip his annoyingly blond hair out with her bare hands.
"Ginny don't!" Colin gasped, stepping before her and blocking her path. "He's not worth detention, is he?"
'I don't care about detention," Ginny's mind hissed. 'How dare he say that about women?!' Never the less, she stopped her advance.
"Creevy!" Malfoy said with malicious glee. "Didn't see you there! Cowering behind your girlfriend as usual I see." Before Colin, or Ginny, could say anything, Malfoy continued: "Where's your camera?"
Ginny saw Colin's eyes grow wide with realization that he didn't have his camera, which he called his 'Precious'. She knew how much it pained him to not have it with him. Odd, yet everyone had some sort of odd obsession. Colin's was just a little more evident.
"Sorry Gin," he said quietly, turning large, sympathetic eyes on her. With that he scampered off in the direction of the Gryffindor Common Room. Malfoy and his two goons laughed.
"It seems your friend ditched you," he sneered at the now solitary Gryffindor.
"At least I have friends," she sneered back, motioning towards the two behind him. "Are they even considered human? They seem too ape-like to me. I mean, I don't think a human would be stupid enough to follow you around."
"Why you . . ." he began, pulling out his wand. Ginny followed suit.
"Is there a problem dears?" a kindly voice asked from down the hall. Ginny hastily shoved her wand back into her pocket and saw Malfoy do the same. They both turned to see Professor Booi, the new DADA teacher, approaching them.
Katrina Booi was tall and blond, dressed in robes of shimmering blue. She was one of the oddest teachers Ginny had ever encountered at Hogwarts. Her attitude was that of a person who always saw the silver lining. The fact that she was Canadian only added to this. Stereotypical but ironically true. But you couldn't judge her purely on that. Underneath the blond optimist was an extremely clever, cynical woman who could probably hold her own against Voldemort himself.
"Not at all," Malfoy said silkily, grinning at the professor. Ginny repressed the urge to send him a dark look. She liked the professor. "Wea-Ginny and I were just discussing the feast tonight."
"Oh, that's good!" professor Booi said cheerfully. "I am so glad that Gryffindor and Slytherins do get along. I heard such bad rumors about the conflicts your two houses have. I am glad to see that they were just that. Rumors."
"Then you are even more dense than I gave you credit for, Booi," an oily voice sneered. The three of them turned to see Professor Severus Snape approaching them in all his greasy splendor.
"Why, Snape," Professor Booi said sarcastically, the once cheerful demeanor dropping away. "I'm surprised to see you out of your hole of a dungeon. Out to get some sun I hope? Your pasty skin could use some."
Ginny gapped. She had heard rumors of the conflicts between the two professors but had never actually seen it first hand. It seemed that Snape hated Professor Booi even more than any other DADA teacher so far. She glanced at Malfoy who was smirking. He obviously had seen it before or was just happy to see Snape preparing to take down a woman's ego.
But instead of the fight Malfoy was obviously expecting, Snape turned on the three Slytherins and herself. "Five points from Gryffindor for staring, Weasley!" he sneered. Ginny gasped. Malfoy grinned.
"You can't do that!" Professor Booi said angrily.
"Says who?" Snape snapped.
"Me," she snapped back. "Five points to Gryffindor."
"You can't do that," Snape growled.
"Why not?" she growled back, eyes narrowing.
"You need a reason to award points, professor."
"Fine," she snapped then turned to Ginny, her eyes alight with mischief. "I love your skirt Miss Weasley. Five points to Gryffindor." Snape snorted angrily. "Now the four of you hurry off and get ready for that feast you were so animatedly talking about."
With a grin, Ginny nodded to her professor then flipped her hair at Malfoy and headed off to the Gryffindor Tower.
~*~
1 Hour Latter - The Great Hall
Draco Malfoy couldn't get over what had happened with the youngest Weasley, even as he prepared himself for the Halloween feast. Never before had she talked back to him. Usually she silently glared at him and left or would call him something nasty and run off. Never before had she stayed back and yelled at him. Not to mention try to hurt him.
The more he thought about her, the more he realized she was a Weasley. She was tall like her brother and had the temper to boot. Before now, the only real connection had been the red hair. The horribly red hair. And those stupid freckles.
'Stupid Weasley,' he thought to himself, then mentally grinned. At least he had scared her Potter-loving friend. But her attitude still persisted to bother him. Why had he never seen it before? Surely he would have noticed-
A chiming of fork on glass interrupted his thoughts and he looked up towards the Head Table. All of the professors were seated, respectfully looking at McGonagall who had taped her glass. He glanced towards the Gryffindor table and saw Weasley and Creevy sitting together, whispering about something. Draco narrowed his eyes. 'Stupid Weasley,' he thought again. 'I'll get you back.'
Dumbledore stood up and the whispering, which had stayed after the loud voices had stopped, ceased as well. "Good evening," the old man said pleasantly. "I would just like to tell you all about a plan that the professors and I have come up with to make this semester more interesting. Actually, it was more Professor Booi's idea than anyone else, but we all helped in our own ways," The Headmaster was looking at Professor Snape when he said this.
Mentally Draco groaned. 'Why does the senile git have to beat around the bush every time he wants to tell us something?' To Draco's relief, Dumbledore plunged into this "plan" right away.
"We have decided to hold a singing contest this year during the Christmas holiday." An excited murmur suddenly rose up in the hall. Dumbledore waved his hand to quiet them down. Draco stared at the man in disbelief. 'They expect us to sing?' he thought then glanced once again at the Gryffindor table. Weasley was looking very excited indeed. Draco shook his head in disgust. 'Who cares if she's excited?!' he demanded to himself. 'Doesn't matter to me.' With that he determinedly looked at Dumbledore.
"Now, now," the Headmaster said cheerfully. "You haven't even heard the best parts yet." The murmur died down once again and almost all of the occupants of the hall looked expectantly at the headmaster. Draco examined his nails.
"Since last year's Yule Ball was so popular, we have decided to hold another one this year. And please do not speak until I have finished, then you can talk all you want." The hall remained silent. "Good. We will have another ball, for all years this time and we will also have more musical talent. Speaking of which, I suppose you all want to know about the contest?
"Well it is for all years as well and everyone who enters earns ten house points for their house. This should encourage you all to participate. You can go in groups of as many as you want or even alone if that is what you wish. The judges will be from outside the school and will choose five contestants to carry onto the final round. The best group will win 500 Galleons each and not have to write end of the year exams."
At this, Draco's ears perked up. He truly wasn't looking forward to writing any exams. Far to much studying on his part. Perhaps this singing thing wouldn't be too bad after all. Earn house points, money and best of all, slack off at the end of the year. He grinned at the idea of him winning and being able to laugh at Potter and all the other fools writing.
"Now that I have the basics out of the way. I'll let professor Booi explain the more important details," Dumbledore said, smiling and taking his seat.
"Thank you Headmaster," Booi said, raising from her seat with complete elegance. "Music brings emphasis to our day to day lives. It can lift us up if we are down or give us energy to do mundane tasks. Personally I feel that Muggle music causes this effect far better than our own music. Why? Because Muggles don't require magic to make sound. They use their own hands and voices to move others.
"For this reason we have decided that all contestants must sing Muggle music." There was an outcry from half the hall. Mainly from the Slytherin table. Draco now looked angrily at the blond professor. 'Muggle music,' he thought with dislike. He had never heard any before, but he was sure it all sounded the same and dull, dull, dull.
"Now I am sure that most of you have never heard Muggle music before since Europe really doesn't seem too aware of the other half of the world." She seemed momentarily vexed at the idea. "So that is why when you return to your Common Rooms you will discover a box with a screen on called a television that will show you music videos. This is because the more enthusiasm you have on stage the better you will do. Each of you will also find a radio in your dorm so you can simply listen to the music rather than watch.
"Now remember the idea of this is to have fun. As well to become more aware of the world around is. The contest will begin Christmas Day but you will receive more information as the day draws nearer. Until then, if you need a place to practice, require instruments or have any other questions, please speak to your head of house or myself. We'll be happy to help." She seemed to send a grin of satisfaction in Snape's direction, then sat down.
"Thank you professor," Dumbledore said, once again on his feet. "Now, let the feast begin." He clapped his hands and the tables flourished with food.
The hall erupted into excited voices as people all over the place talked about what they were going to do. Draco sat quietly, arching his fingers. He knew his father would be angry of he entered since it involved Muggle music. But on the other hand he truly didn't want to write exams.
"So Draco, what are you going to do?" Crabbe asked from across the table, interrupting Draco's thoughts..
Draco looked up then all down the table. The Slytherins seemed to have gotten over their initial shock and were now excitedly talking about the contest. In a way he envied them. They didn't have to worry about their fathers.
"I don't know," he said truthfully and silently ate his food for the rest of the feast, idly listening to the people around him. It seemed that Pansy Parkinson and her gang had already declared themselves a band, while Crabbe and Goyle automatically decided they would do whatever Draco did.
Draco sighed.
The time went by quickly and soon Draco found himself excusing himself from his friends and heading back to the Common Room. He had to admit that he was curious as to what the rage about the music was, perhaps then he could make his decision. There were a few other students leaving as well, but it wasn't until he heard an arrogant voice, that Draco made up his mind.
"So Malfoy," he heard Ginny hiss from behind him. She was obviously still pissed about the feminist comment. "You going to sing Britney Spears or N*sync at the contest? Or is it bellow you to enter? It being Muggle music and all."
"Weasley, if you are entering I will enter simply to see your crestfallen face when I win," Draco drawled. 'Where the hell did that come form?' he wondered. Too late now honey.
"We'll see about that," Ginny purred then brushed past him, followed by the Creevy brothers and Longbottom.
"If that's who you're singing with, I'll definitely win!" he called after her.
"Whatever," she called over her shoulder, rounded a corner and was out of sight.
'Damn,' he swore mentally. 'She got the last word.'
~*~
A/N: Well, as Ed the Heterosexual Sock says: Smash or Trash?? You decide! And if you would like, you can tell me what kind of music you want our lovely heroes and heroines to sing! So make me smile and tell me what you thought!