Title: Muggle Music
Author: Tiny Q
E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com
A/N: Hi! Sorry it took me sooooo long to come out with this chapter. But once again I lost inspiration and stuff. ~sigh~ Life is so hard. Anyhoo, I haven't read the previous chapters in a while so I'm not sure if this chapter is a little off compared to the others. To me it sounds a lot like my 'Truth About Trees'. But then perhaps that simply sound likes this or- oh dear. I've gone cross-eyed. JK! Well yes, I had to skip a bit of time, you'll see what I mean. I really want to move into the contest. I mean, that's what this whole fic is about, right?! Oh and I also tried to put in a bit more D/G in here. Hope it's enough. Though with you people I doubt it will be . . . Just jokes! No seriously! Oh! Just read the story!
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine! Well except the plot and Prof. Booi. Mr. McGuggit belongs to my friends.
Muggle Music
Chapter 4
The Great Time Jump
Ginny Weasley began to frown as Draco Malfoy walked towards her. He didn't make any effort to talk to her, just walked towards her and sat down on a rock a short distance away. He looked out at the lake.
"Go away, Weasley," he sneered, not looking at her.
Ginny couldn't believe her ears. What right did this Slytherin have to come into her favorite cove and tell her to leave? She sure as hell was not removing her butt from that rock.
"I was here first," she snapped, glaring at him. "You leave."
"I just sat down," he drawled, still not looking at her.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "What are you playing at, Malfoy? I thought people of fair skin, such as yourself, avoid the outdoors at all costs. Or did you simply decide to grace it with your presence? Cause if you did, you'd better leave before it takes actions to send you back."
"Just because you're mad at Potter doesn't mean you have to take it out on me," Malfoy snapped back, still looking out at the lake. The giant squid was now rolling in the water. It's audience of seagulls ever bigger. Ignoring the squid's performance, the red head felt her anger rise once again. Doubling with the new annoyance that was Malfoy.
"And just because you're jealous of Harry, doesn't mean you have to take it out on me," she raged.
This made him turn towards her. His eyes were narrowed dangerously and his whole body was tense. He was also very pale, as though he had just escaped death. 'Was he that pale when he came?' Ginny wondered despite herself.
"I am not jealous of Potter," he spat.
"Yes you are," she accused. She was not about to back down now. Even if he didn't seem quite right. "Harry's a hero and everyone loves him and you're jealous. You could never be half the person harry is and you know it. So instead of trying to fool yourself into thinking you could be better than him, you try to bring him down to your level. At least that way you can feel better about yourself. Brining down the Boy Who Lived." Then she sneered: "I bet your father would be so proud."
That did it. Malfoy leapt to his feet and stormed towards her. Ginny held her seat. "Don't you dare bring my father into this, Weasley," he hissed coldly. "Don't talk about things you don't understand."
"Or what?" she demanded, eyes narrowed as well. She slowly shifted her hand so she would have better access to her wand. "You'll hex me where I sit?"
He glared down at her, a foot away, but he never said anything. As the silence grew Ginny realized that he wouldn't dare lay a hand on her. Or hex for that matter. How she knew this she didn't know. She just did.
"As I expected," she finally hissed, rising to her feet. His eyes followed hers. She gave a little shrug, loosening the knots that had developed in her shoulders. "You get your wish," she said with mock pleasantness. "I'll leave. I wouldn't want to do anything stupid, now would I?"
She brushed past him roughly as she walked past. He remained silent as she walked out of sight. It wasn't until she had entered the Entrance Hall that a thought struck her. How did Malfoy know she was mad at Harry?
~*~
For the next month and a half that castle's walls were rocked with music. The music itself ranged from fantastic to terrible. Sadly for the castle it was mainly the latter. Good thing castles can't hear. Or at least- Never mind.
Students practiced their songs every chance they got. Mostly using empty classrooms or their own dorm rooms from time to time. Instruments were provided to those who asked. Silencing and muffling charms were also provided to those who requested, or as frequently happened, went raging to the right people.
All the students were very secretive about their performances. It became taboo to ask about them. Tensions between the houses grew and the professors were often breaking up frequent scuffles or cat-fights. Even the different years didn't seem to be getting along, much to the teaching staff's distress.
To add to their troubles, Voldemort had been silent for the past month. No attacks on Muggles or acts of terrorism. Nothing. It was as thought the Dark Lord and his clan had dropped off the face of the earth.
It was for this reason that many of the professors requested that the contest be called off. What was the point of having a contest to raise moral if there was nothing to bring it down in the first place? And the students were taking it far too seriously.
But Dumbledore stayed by his decision. It seemed that the Muggle singing contest would go through no matter what.
~*~
December 24th - Hogsmead
Hermione was walking along side Ron, Harry and Ginny. It was a Hogsmead weekend and the four of them were wandering about the place buying last minute things for Christmas and the Yule Ball.
Ginny had insisted they spend a full hour looking at all the different dress robe shops. It seemed to Hermione that the girl had an affinity for lovely things. She knew though that she had no chance of buying any on them. Well at least not at this stage of life.
Hermione always felt terrible for Ron and his family when it came to money. But where the Weasleys did not have the money they had the love. And the strong wills. Stubbornness if you will.
Ron was now leading them to the Quidditch store. Probably in the hopes of hinting not so subtly at the Cuddley Cannons scarf he wanted. The scarf Harry and Hermione had already put their money together to buy. And the gloves. And the hat. That would keep him quiet for a while. Hopefully.
Glancing down at her watch, Hermione let out a little gasp. It was almost time. Nudging Harry in the arm she gestured towards her watch. He nodded and in turn nudged Ron. Ron looked confused for a moment then caught on. He turned to Ginny.
"Ginny," he started. "Go to the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer or something." He shoved some money into her hands. She looked down at it in confusion.
"What do you mean?" she asked, glancing between the coins and her brother.
"We need to go somewhere and you can't come," he said plainly. Understanding seemed to hit her.
"Fine," she snapped, glaring at the three of them. "Bye." With that she stormed off. Hermione felt a pang of guilt at the sight of the younger girl's retreating form. But then, they couldn't very well take her along.
"What's eating her?" Ron demanded of them.
"Ron, you're such a git," Hermione sighed.
Sirius Black had sent them an owl with directions to meet him at the same place they had last year. He didn't say why but Harry was very excited to see him again. This was understandable since he had not seen him in person since the end of last year.
"So Harry," Ron started, obviously forgetting the recent sibling spat. "I hear you have a date for the ball tomorrow."
"Where'd you hear that?" he asked in response.
"Neville," all three of them said in unison after a few moments. The boy was such a gossip.
"Well, is it true?" Ron persisted.
"Yeah," Harry conceded, turning slightly red.
"Well, who is it then?" Hermione demanded, getting impatient at his lack of response.
"Ginny," he replied, turning even redder.
"You're going with my sister?!" Ron gasped. "Who said you-"
"Oh Ron, stop it!" Hermione snapped. "You pretty much tried to give her to him last year. Why should this year be any different?"
Ron huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't say any more on the subject however.
"So, who are you two going with?" Harry asked after a moment's silence.
Hermione felt herself blush terribly and saw Ron turn beat red.
"You're going together?" Harry asked, pointing at them, his mouth agape. Hermione felt herself turn even redder.
"Look! It's Snuffles!" she said with relief, pointing to the end of the road. Sure enough there stood a large shaggy black dog. Harry's attention diverted from the blushing couple, relieving them of an explanation.
Hermione herself still couldn't believe Ron had asked her. Her threat from last year must have stood out in his mind for he asked her shortly after the bogey flavored bean incident. She was surprised his skin had returned to it's natural tone.
Harry broke into a run at his godfather who promptly bowled him over and began to lick his face. Then seeming to realize what he was doing the dog got off and simply wagged his tail.
After Ron and Hermione gave him a good pat the dog led them into the forest to a secluded grove. It was only then that Sirius Black returned to his human form. He was better dressed and groomed than the last time Hermione had seen him. He seemed healthier, well fed, yet he was still lean. She couldn't believe her eyes, Sirius was dead sexy.
"Sirius!" Harry said happily, giving his godfather a proper hug which the tall man returned.
"It's so good to see you all," he said happily, giving Ron and Hermione hugs as well. "You've all changed so much." 'Whoa girl,' Hermione snapped at herself. 'What is it with you falling for older men?' "Happy Christmas!"
"Happy Christmas to you too," the three of them replied in unison then burst out laughing. Sirius joined them.
"You're not staying in that cave again, are you?" Ron asked with some concern.
"No," Sirius said with a laugh. "Remus and I are staying in a hotel on the edge of town."
"So where's prof- Remus?" Harry asked, looking around.
"Well," Sirius began, obviously trying to hide a smirk. "It's that time of the month if you know what I mean . . ."
"You're staying in Hogsmead," Hermione asked, ignoring the older man's comment.
"A lot of people are," Sirius nodded.
"Why?" Harry asked curiously.
"To see the contest of course," he replied. "And you three had better win. I don't want to have put up with Remus' snoring for a week for nothing."
~*~
'Stupid gits,' Ginny thought angrily as she stormed her way to the Three Broomsticks. 'Think I'm so stupid. Don't think I know about Harry's bloody godfather. Well fine. Just leave me. See if I care.'
She heaved her way into the bar and asked for a Butterbeer a little more curtly than she intended. After paying with her brother's money she took the mug and began to look for a seat.
It wasn't that difficult as the place was relatively empty. Most of the students were either doing some last minute shopping or practicing for the concert in a few days. Ginny also suspected that a large number of them were seated before the televisions.
She sat herself moodily into a chair in the corner and proceeded to glare darkly into her frothy Butterbeer.
'Stupid dolts,' she thought with more venom than before. 'I should have followed them.'
"Ditched again, Weasley?' a cold, drawling voice asked as someone plopped onto the seat opposite her. Ginny looked at Malfoy in mild surprise. They hadn't spoken since she had told him off in the cove. They had only glared at each other while passing in the halls.
"That seat's been taken," she hissed, glaring at him.
"By who?" he demanded. "Your imaginary friend?"
"Yes. You're sitting right on Joe Bob's head," she sneered. "Besides, if anyone's been ditched it's you. Where's your gang of goons?"
"Getting their dress robes," Malfoy explained. "They both doubled in size and need new sets. It's not a pleasant sight."
"So you came to me instead?" she asked scornfully.
"At least this sight's pleasant."
Ginny stopped. Did Malfoy just compliment her? It wasn't possible.
"What do you want Malfoy?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. She was having a bad enough day as it was.
"What do you mean what do I want?" he asked innocently.
"You haven't spoken to me in over a month," she hissed. "Why would you suddenly start now?"
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked.
"Because you're a Malfoy."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything," she concluded. "Just like me being a Weasley means everything to you." With that she got to her feet and made to leave.
"Weasley!" he called. She turned to look at him, half wondering if he would apologize to her. "You didn't finish your Butterbeer."
"You finish it," she hissed and strode out.
As the cool air struck her lungs she let out a large sigh. Perhaps Hogsmead wasn't as good for her as she thought it would be. She seemed to be getting more problems than she wanted.
And so Ginny went back to the castle and to her Common Room. After avoiding the television and it's cult of followers she went to her dorm and proceeded to work on her homework for the holidays. She was halfway finished her Potions essay when Colin made an appearance and dragged her off to supper.
"I think Booi is going to tell us more about the contest," he said excitedly. Colin had the most faith out of all of them in their group's ability. Him and his brother played some pretty wicked guitar and Neville could actually keep a beat on the drums.
"Great," Ginny responded less than enthusiastically as they made their way down to the Great Hall.
"What's wrong Gin?" he asked her in concern.
"Nothing really," she sighed. 'Just getting ditched by my brother and my date. Oh and a lovely little encounter with Hogwarts' resident ferret.' Instead she said: "Just tired."
Colin nodded. "Well just think: tomorrow's Christmas and you can sleep in." Ginny sent him a smile of gratitude. He always seemed to know what to say.
The Great Hall filled up quickly. It seemed that the cold weather made people rather hungry. They were all looking half-starved and crazy. But then it could just have been the light. Or the fact that they had been sitting in front of televisions all day.
There was the sound of fork hitting glass and all the half-starved students turned to see Professor Booi rise gracefully to her feet. She smiled broadly at them all, showing off a set of white, straight teeth.
"Good. You're all here," she said cheerfully. "As you all know, tomorrow will be Christmas. The night of the Yule Ball. Which will mark the beginning of our contest that I know you have all been practicing hard for." Many of the professors began to grumble at this. Booi ignored them.
"The contest will start on Boxing Day and go on for two days. This will leave the top five entrants two days to perfect their second song. The final day of the contest will be held on New Year's Eve. Now I suppose you all want to know who your judges will be?" There was a mumble of agreement from the student body and Booi smiled wider. "There will be five judges. Three of whom are members of the Weird Sisters, Celestina Warbeck, whom I assume you all know, and out final judge, Mr. McGuggit, who is sponsoring most of the contest itself."
There was a large uproar at this. Not only were four of the largest names in the Wizarding Music Community going to be judging the contest, but Mr. McGuggit himself would be there. Mr. McGuggit was probably one of the most successful wizards in all of Europe. The twenty-three year old had started his restaurant when he was twelve and was now the head of a multinational corporation that brought in over a billion Galleons a week.
The meal went by quickly with everyone talking excitedly about the contest. Even when they got back to their Common Rooms no one paid any attention to the TVs or the radios. There was simply too much excitement in the room. It was Christmas after all.
A/N: This is where I would have ended it if I hadn't made you all wait so terribly long for the next chapter. I'm a terrible person. So sue me.
~*~
Noon - Gryffindor Girl's Fourth Year Dorm Room
Ginny awoke Christmas morning to discover that no one had bothered to wake her. Not her family. Not her friend. Not even the annoying girls in her dorm. They had all just gotten up, opened their presents and proceeded to get ready for the ball, which according to Ginny's watch, would begin in four hours.
"Stupid gits," she grumbled and proceeded to open the pile of presents at the foot of her bed. Everything was wonderful but it was her last present that she loved the most.
It was from the twins. She had neglected to open it in the beginning in case it somehow incapacitated her and she was unable to open the rest of them. It didn't do anything of the sort but simply shimmered in her hands making her wonder where they had gotten the money.
They were new dress robes. And unlike the robes her mum had sent her that hung off her like a tent, these clung to her in all the right places. The ivory material was woven in with gold bringing out the flecks of gold in her own eyes.
She leapt to her feet and ran to the Common Room. The twins were nowhere to be found. So she tore up the stairs to their dorm room to discover them still asleep.
"Thank you!" she squealed, giving the closest one a bear hug. It happened to be Fred. She then flung herself at George. "Thank you SO much!"
"What are you talking about?" Fred grumbled.
"The robes!" she squealed. "I love them!"
"Huh?" George asked. "What time is it?"
"Twelve-thirty," she responded, jumping from foot to foot between their beds.
"And you didn't wake us up?" Fred demanded.
"I thought you didn't wake me up," Ginny confessed, stopping her jumping.
"Ron," all three of them said at once.
"And we got him new robes as well," George said darkly.
"Well, we'll just have to make sure he finds a Canary Cream in his punch tonight," Fred grinned.
Ginny left shortly after to get ready for the ball. She concluded that the twins had gotten the extra money through Weasley Wizarding Weezes. Not that she would tell her mum. She knew better than that. The issue of Ron still bothered her though.
'How could that asshole do that?' she thought angrily, pulling up her nylons with a jerk.
It had snowed heavily two weeks before the holidays had begun causing much distress among the female residents of the castle. The cold and drafty weather made it imperative that one wear nylons or stockings under their skirts and dresses. It was enough to drive Ginny crazy.
'How could he not wake us up?!' There was a loud ripping noise and she looked down in rage to see a large, gapping hole at her thigh.
Letting out a shriek of rage and frustration she tore them off and tossed them onto the ever growing pile that required mending. "Ten wears my ass," she growled, getting a fresh pair from her trunk. Her last ones. Taking in a claming breath she began to pull them on.
It took two hours of fighting with hair and make-up and the other girls in her dorm for mirror space but Ginny finally descended the stairs to the Common Room. The robes seemed to be doing their job. Everyone in the room stopped and watched her.
"Perhaps we should have gotten you different robes," Fred said as he and George approached.
"Yeah," George agreed. "We don't want all these wankers looking at you like that."
"Well you can't take them back," she said defensively, but couldn't hold back a smile.
"We'll see about that," Fred said mischievously. "You look beautiful Ginny."
"Yes, yes you do," her other brother agreed. They both kissed her on the cheek and wished her well before going off to find their dates.
Ginny began to look about for her own. She wasn't sure why she had said yes to Harry. He was a great guy and all but it seemed that all her years of swooning were falsely based. They had nothing in common. But then, who else would she go with? She had already arranged for Colin and Neville to both have their own dates. And she didn't much care for anyone else. Yet still she felt bad for accepting. A blonde someone kept forcing his way into her mind. 'Eww. No,' she thought.
Her eyes finally fell on Harry. He was dressed in plain looking green robes that were trimmed with gold and was talking animatedly with Ron and Hermione. The two of them going out had not surprised Ginny. She knew it had only been a matter of time.
Hermione had gone through a similar transformation as she had the year before. Yet due to her growth spurt over the summer she was now wearing low-cut robes of crimson red. Ron's robes were navy blue and she frowned at the memory of that morning.
Taking a deep breath and ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, Ginny approached the three fifth years.
"Oh, Ginny," Hermione gasped as she saw her. "You look so pretty!"
"You do," Harry agreed, starting to blush.
"Thanks," Ginny smiled then turned to Ron who was frowning at her.
"How could they buy you those?" he demanded, going red for different reasons than Harry.
"Ron," Hermione said sharply, looking at him pointedly. She pulled him off and began talking angrily to him. He returned a few moments later.
"You look beautiful, Gin," he said resignedly, slouching slightly but smiled down at her. "You know I do. It's just-"
"I know," Ginny interrupted sweetly, holding up her hand. "The big brother duty." She smiled, deciding to forgive him the rudeness and the incident of the morning. At least for now. "You don't look too bad yourself."
"Shall we get going then?" Harry asked the three of them, offering Ginny his arm, which she accepted.
They made their way down to the Entrance Hall which was now decorated in beautiful lights and Christmas ornaments. Everyone in the hall was beautiful as well, dressed in robes of all colors.
Beside her Harry was talking merrily to Ron and Hermione leaving Ginny completely out. She began to feel that she was a mere object, not a date. All the other couples around her were talking cheerfully with each other. No other girl seemed to be in her predicament. She felt a pang of jealousy. Even Malfoy and his blonde date, Pansy, seemed to be talking to each other.
The doors to the Great Hall opened and Ginny let out a gasp of surprise, momentarily forgetting her disappointment. It was beautiful. The entire room had been enchanted to look like the outdoors. Snow covered everything and was silently falling from the sky-like ceiling. Yet it wasn't cold.
Harry led her, Ron and Hermione to a table where they sat down to eat. Yet all hopes that he might pay attention to her, as he pushed in her chair were squashed as he continued right on with the conversation. This left Ginny to look around at her surrounding. Though lovely they might be, they didn't seem so lovely anymore. Even the food didn't taste right to her.
As the dining concluded and the dancing began Ginny felt more angry than disappointed. Everyone was dancing. Even the Professors. Even Neville. And here she was, sitting there while her date talked to his two friends. She glared at them angrily.
Harry turned to her and for a moment she thought he would ask her to dance. "Gin," he started with an odd look. "I'm really sorry but we have to go."
"What?" Ginny asked in disbelief. Was he ditching her again? "Why?"
"I can't tell you," he said apologetically. Ginny's anger rose. 'Another conspiracy,' she thought angrily. 'Don't bother bringing me. I'll just get in the way.' "I'll be back soon," he assured her.
"Whatever," she hissed, turning her back to him and crossing her arms. The three of them left. Miserably Ginny had the urge to get drunk.
~*~
The past month and a half had not exactly been a cakewalk for Draco. When his father had received his owl he owled the other Slytherins' parents who promptly owled their children similar letters. Needless to say most of the students had the same reactions Draco had had so now all the parents were angry with their children.
This new development seemed to add to the Slytherin House's ambition to win. Not only could they spite the rest of the school, they could spite their over bearing parents as well. Draco himself sat there for days, listening to all sorts of music, trying to find the perfect song.
And he found it. He had been worried that Crabbe and Goyle would screw things over but it turned out that they two of them are quite musically inclined. Perhaps it was fate's way of balancing out their utter lack of magical abilities.
Yet out of all of this it was Draco's conversation with Ginny that affected him the most. What did she know? He had friends. And he definitely was not jealous of Potter. Ok, so maybe his friends were a little slow and didn't often do things on their own. So they were stupid friends. But they were still his friends.
With this in mind he tried to ignore the girl. He refused to speak to her and instead took up glaring whenever they crossed paths. That's why it still boggled his mind that he would go and sit with her at the Three Broomsticks. She had just looked so pathetic and before he knew what was happening his feet were moving him towards the table and making him sit down.
"Draco!" Pansy said cheerfully, grabbing his arm. "Are you ready?"
He looked down at his mutual date. I say mutual because for the both of them there is no one else to date. Except maybe in the higher years but they all had dates already. She was dressed in bright purple robes than were even frillier than their predecessors.
"But of course," he said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as he could. Which wasn't very I can tell you.
He didn't want to be there. Pansy was an airhead and this point was once again proven by her going on and on about her song for the contest. She wouldn't be quiet all through dinner nor did she shut up when it came time to dance.
He found he couldn't tell her to shut up though. He wanted to. Immensely. But he simply couldn't bring himself to do it. So he sat there through it all, nodding and agreeing when he thought he had to. Yet even though he was trying to pay attention to Pansy he found his attention being drawn elsewhere. To her. Ginny.
Potter and his friends he left her sitting at the table after dinner. She danced briefly with Longbottom and the oldest Creevey, who both miraculously had dates. 'Probably her doing,' he though darkly, spinning Pansy as they danced. The song ended.
"Oh, there's Blaise," Pansy said happily, pointing behind him. Draco turned to see the auburn haired fifth year. "I'll see you latter Draco," she chirped and skipped off to her friend leaving Draco standing by himself.
A new song started to play and he moved off the dance floor intending to get something to drink. He didn't see anyone he knew around and briefly wondered where Crabbe and Goyle had gone off to. He knew they had no dates.
The he turned slightly and caught sight of her. The light was catching on the gold woven into her robes and hair. Though she was slouched in her seat and looked utterly miserable, she still had this aura about her.
'Beautiful,' Draco thought, standing absolutely still at the sight of her. 'Wait! I didn't just- Not about a- No!' But before he could protest more he found his feet were carrying him towards her once more. He tried to stop himself, but couldn't. It was as though they were out of his control until he stood before her. Even then he couldn't leave.
She looked up at him startled when she realized he was there. Draco could see her eyes brimming with tears and felt his stomach jerk. She quickly blinked them away when she realized who he was. She sat up straighter and opened her mouth to speak. He beat her to it.
"Don't be a wallflower, Weasley," he drawled, not exactly realizing what he was saying or why. "Dance with me."
~*~
A/N: So yes. Sorry about all that. But there it is none the less. It was a touch long wasn't it?? Oh well, it was for a good cause. ~grin~ Any last minute song requests would be appreciated.
Up next: Does Ginny accept?! Where did Harry and co go off to? What was Pansy telling Draco about her song? What are Snape and Professor Booi doing?! You'll just have to wait till next time when we begin the Muggle singing contest and the shit really hits the fan!
Thank You to: sexy-sassy-sweety, kmf(Are you suggesting that they have professionals bogey eaters who are hired to eat their own boogers?! Or other's?! Cause if you are that is just EWWW!), Milkyweed(Sorry about that soon thing.), GoldenRed Phoenixia(Oh yes. I am Canadian. A Canadian who could not spell to save her own life. That's my computer's job, though it sucks at it. Sorry.), Azalai(Well all my friends like them too. And my sister. Perhaps there is a secret cult we just don't know about . . . But uh, Green haired and Purple eyed . . . I don't know . . .), Lallie(Yes, I suppose I do already know. And yes, Knudsen . . . son . . . sun . . . whatever! She'd be proud. JK! I thought you would like the coffee thing. Latterz!), bellus-qui, Kittylioness(Thanks. Actually your review encouraged me to keep writing this. Thankies again!) and VirtualFaerie(Oooh. I do so like that song. There are so many songs Draco could sing that I think I am going to go mad trying to choose which one! AHH!)
Thanks! Now review again and make a poor Q smile. Please?