October 1
Honestly, if some people's lives depended on making the Quidditch team… well, it often seems that way…
Jason Leffler is Gryffindor Keeper, and Candy Dresiegner is the third Chaser. Reverses are: Keeper: Ron Weasley. (Yay!) Chaser: Natalie MacDougall. (Goody!) Ron was slightly put out. You know how much he wants to prove himself. I pointed out that next year he will most likely be Keeper because Jason will be gone. But he really cheered up when I said he flew really well and I think he'd do just as well as Jason.
Harry is upbeat and optimistic when Quidditch comes up. Since Sirius hasn't written, the rest of the time he's withdrawn and moody. But he says Gryffindor has a good chance at the Cup. He started spouting off the members of the other teams, but I didn't hear him very well. I don't really care about Quidditch unless it's Gryffindor or Viktor. Otherwise… who needs it, really?
We're having a hard time convincing people to prepare for You-Know-Who in the CC mainly because we're just a bunch of kids. Recognizable ones, too. Ernie comes from an old magic family, same as Chelsea, and I'm slightly known because of my abnormal marks. It gets around Ministry circles, the more talented students. But it's Harry and Lisa who are really tip-offs. Lisa's parents were well-known Quidditch commentators when they were at school and so a lot of people remember the popular Turpins and know they have a daughter named Lisa. This also works to our advantage at times, because they think Lisa is her mum, who has the same name. But mostly it's a burden. And then Harry… well, he's Harry. It sort of gives it all away.
So we're hoping that meeting some of the senior members gives us a chance to prove we're capable kids and that the senior members will offer more support after a face-to-face with Dumbledore. Ron, of course, is wildly jealous that Harry and I get to go to Hogsmeade. I told him that it's no big deal, it's a business trip, but then of course Chelsea had to speak up and say that half the time we have to ourselves. Ron glowered. Then I assured him he'll have plenty of chances later this term -
"Oh, right, with all the panic over there? Right."
Isn't he the cheerful little optimist?
October 5
Well, well, well, well. Guess what I'm doing? I'm attending a Beatles concert!
Ha! Okay, that's an exaggeration. But I'm at a concert with Beatles music - go figure - in Hogsmeade. The Muggle Fair does cause… interesting changes.
Well, here's what happened. It was pretty normal, except Professor McGonagall came with us, and we got into the carriages, etc. And, of course, it was a lot smaller. Professor McGonagall kept throwing Ernie warning looks, which was sort of funny.
Of course, we got here, and the instructions were: "You can use this as a regular visit until three o'clock. Meet us at the Three Broomsticks, and be there early, not late."
Ha.
Anyway, we went around for a while. All these people were setting up somewhat Muggle-like stands. Except, however, for one man, who was offering demonstrations in controlled mind effects, otherwise known as Refrudian magic. Soon a few couples who lived in Hogsmeade thanked him and left, and he turned to us kids in the CC. We were all really eager to try this. For one, the greatest thing in the others' minds was: "We can do Refrudula magic over the holidays and not get in trouble!" My thought was more of: "Wow! That's such a wonderful learning experience!" In other words, something new but same old story.
The man, whom was called Mr. Donohue - Harry glanced at him suspiciously at the name - asked for a volunteer. Naturally, we all wanted to. He smiled and said we'd all get a chance and chose Lisa and me. Our job? To pick up a rock with no hands and no wands. Ernie sarcastically mentioned kicking it, and then the order was changed to "no contact whatsoever".
Chelsea simply laughed out loud. "But that's impossible, and Lisa and Hermione hasn't been studying Refrudula things for years and years - well, it's a Ravenclaw and Hermione, but I still doubt it. Have you?"
"No, I never did any before," I said, a little stiffly. Lisa shook her head.
"That's fine," Donohue assured us. "Contrary to popular belief, if you're not too worried as of yet about theory and property and such, it's not very difficult."
Everyone glanced at him unbelievingly. To most of us from the Hogwarts line, magic like that they teach at Refrudula is sort of like how Muggles view our magic. "Right," Ernie nodded.
"Miss Granger, are you Muggle-born?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. Did you have any knowledge whatsoever of the magical world before you received your Hogwarts letter?"
I thought for a moment. "I don't know, sir… it's somewhat difficult to say. Certainly I never really thought of it as clearly as it is… but what child doesn't believe Muggle fairy tales for a time? And later, when I grew out of those, I sometimes felt that magic was the only logical explanation for some things… but magic is so illogical in the Muggle world, so I concluded that if magic did exist, it wasn't as in fairy tales, but something very developed and even modernized, as I have now found it is."
Everyone except Mr. Donohue blinked. He paused for a moment as well but continued without batting an eye as obviously. "Well, do you remember the very first time you tried your wand, probably at Mr. Ollivander's?"
I nodded vigorously. Did I ever!
"Recall as clearly as possible the very instant, the warmth in your hand, the sudden feeling of power rushing through you to meet the wand, the feeling that something you had been missing all your life came to you?"
I nodded again. He had it exactly right. "I think I remember the feeling."
"Think harder. You have to have this down good."
I closed my eyes. I could practically see myself grabbing that moment, and I felt as if I had. I kept them closed as Donohue continued. "You remember now. Now keep in mind that you had magic in you all your life. The wand is an Anchor. Many things can be an Anchor, but that's for a different time. Anchors help you control your magic. Of course, they do not automatically do it themselves. You have to help them. The Anchor can't do anything without a Source - which is you. But you can work without an Anchor, if you're in touch with your magic, since that's all the Anchor does - help you connect with your magic. But you can control your magic on your own. Are you in touch with it?"
I concentrated a moment. "I am."
"Pick up the rock, Miss Granger. Force all of yourself and all of your magic to pick up that rock."
I stared at the rock, willing it to arise. Suddenly, slowly but surely, it did.
It rose! I was doing Refrudian magic! I could have screamed with happiness. As it was, my gasp and suddenly joy broke my concentration, and the rock fell to the ground with a thud. Everyone in the CC was cheering, and Mr. Donohue grinned broadly. "Excellent, Hermione! That was awfully quick." I felt myself beaming… and I hate to say it, but when it took Lisa three tries to my one, I felt a little smug. But… well… I got to feel good about myself, don't I? That's one of the sayings of Alyn's calendar… "The wicked are wicked because they were once insecure." Even if it is embarrassing to admit I was that smug. And then Harry and Chelsea and Ernie tried it. Harry grabbed it after the fourth try, Chelsea after the eighth, and Ernie after the tenth. No one could believe how fast it was! It was always rumoured that you have to study for years and years to do the slightest thing!
"You do have to study and train for years and years," Mr. Donohue informed us warningly. "Doing the magic is one thing. Controlling it and understanding it is another. That's one of the reasons that years ago, when those who primarily practiced Anchor-magic and those who mainly relied on mind-magic lived peacefully, that wand-magic was favoured. Mind-magic takes a lot out of you when you do a lot of it. Little things like this, after the first few times won't affect you in the least. But it's a good idea not to rely on this heavily unless you get proper training."
I asked about the Anchors, and what else they could be.
"Well, anything that can be used for the core of a wand is a Anchor - dragon heartstrings and the like. Making it into a wand is a good idea, though, since if it's just a raw Anchor, it can be too dangerously powerful. Wand-makers have to be very careful while dealing with them. That's why most Anchors we used come from natural things that are then handled by humans. Certain other raw materials - diamond, for instance - can be worked into one of the Shapes. There's a Shape for healing and curing, one for defence, one for protection, barriering, beauty, transformating… a few others I don't recall."
Is that not incredible? I then asked - demanded, Harry joked - why we hadn't learned about that yet. Donohue smiled, even though Chelsea was a bit annoyed with my questions. Too bad. Harry and Ernie and Lisa were all hanging onto the answers nearly as raptly as I was.
"You will, in your seventh year. However, unless you are going to be working with Wards or Anchors in trade, it's not considered necessary for you to know about all that. Refrudula, however, has a special class for this."
"But they cut out things like Divination and Defence and Transfiguration to work those special classes in," Ernie pointed out.
"Like we're learning so much in Divination and Defence anyway," Chelsea shot back.
"I'm learning how to pass a class while half-asleep the whole time," Harry offered sardonically.
We practiced a bit more and thanked Donohue, ready to go on (even while Chelsea thought up some great plots to use on Filch that involved Refrudian magic). Harry lagged behind.
"Harry?" I asked.
"I want to ask Lupin something," Harry replied.
I blinked, glanced at Donohue, and grinned to myself. I had been fooled. Harry and I waited for the rest of the class to leave.
"Mr. Potter?" Lupin asked, scooping up the particular rock.
"Nice act, but it didn't work. Jack Donohue, Remus?"
"How'd you figure that out?"
"You were the same man who tried to connect Grunnings Drills with Product HQ eight years ago, weren't you? It was Jack Donohue then, too."
"Good memory. Don't tell Professor Dumbledore, please. I hadn't intended to be the one to deal with your uncle." (I can just see his crossed fingers. He's a little reticent, but he obviously cares about Harry. Sometimes I wonder if Dumbledore warned him not to interfere when Harry was sent to his aunt and uncle.)
"Where'd you get that name?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't think it sounded to convincing eight years ago, either."
"Your mother."
Harry glanced at him. "What?"
"It was the Christmas of our first year. Lily and I were the only ones in our House and year to stay behind, and as Lily had some last-minute shopping to do, I broke all sorts of pacts and brought her to Hogsmeade, pretending we lived here and were ten years old in case we were questioned. She was Gwen Donohue. We passed for cousins."
Harry was silent a moment, considering this. I was still trying to work this out. He was just about to ask something when Lupin continued: "Snuffles is here, but I don't think you'll be able to talk with him today. We'll be at that CC meeting, though." I was about to speak when he continued: "No, in dog form. Not too many in the Chain know of that, although we're going to reveal it soon."
I felt uneasy about that. Purely so I wouldn't say something that would cause Harry to think I was acting too stuffy, I said, "Nice Appearance-Altering Charms."
"Ironically, they're not taught at Refrudula," Lupin grinned.
"They're not?" asked Harry, blinking. That's supposed to be a very important part of our sixth-year education.
"No, not them and Silencing Charms. Refrudula calls them deceitful, saying they're only used to hide things."
"No kidding," Harry scoffed. "Can I talk to Si-Snuffles soon?"
"Eventually." Lupin sighed. "Trust me, I'm trying to arrange this as much as you want it to be, if only to get Snuffles from driving me insane." But he didn't look put out at all over this fact. "And you have every right to do so."
"What have you two been doing?" Harry pressed further.
"Can't say here," I supplied when Lupin hesitated.
"Exactly."
Harry was looking a little put out. I don't blame him, but that's the way circumstances go.
"You know where he's going to be, though? There's going to be a woman named Nicole Skylark singing. Snuffles'll be there."
"He will?" I asked, sort of surprised.
"We had a friend once who was very musically inclined. We haven't got it out of our systems, and Snuffles is dying to see a performance again. Certainly can't blame him."
"Will you be there?" Harry continued. He was on one of his inquisitive turns.
Lupin hesitated. "Maybe. I'm not sure. It's still too risky here. Too many people recognize me. I would suggest you two and the rest go, though. Miss Skylark is an excellent singer."
We followed his advice and persuaded Lisa, Chelsea, and Ernie to do the same. Lisa was lit up and eager about the whole affair. Chelsea and Ernie weren't too put out, either, somewhat curious as to what Muggle music sounded like. Harry and I tried to tell them, but we weren't really sure what sort Nicole Skylark would be performing and therefore weren't of much help in informing them.
We passed a few booths, and since I'm pressed for time won't go into them, and found Nicole Skylark. She had a makeshift stage set up and several instruments and a microphone. We headed over and said we heard she was singing today and that Mr. Donohue had recommended her.
"I'll have to thank him if I see him," Miss Skylark said in a musical but clear voice that was very pretty. Ernie was blushing - Miss Skylark was fairly young, and although her brown hair and eyes weren't stunning, her looks combined with her voice and slim figure were enough to set his hormones off. Sheesh! "Are you from the school - the Correspondence Chain?"
We weren't really sure if we should reveal this, but obviously she knew, so we nodded and introduced ourselves. "What sort of music are you performing, Miss Skylark?" I asked - and then blushed. I didn't know if she was married or not.
Ernie, blast him, added helpfully: "At least, you're not married, right?"
I wanted to smack him!
Miss Skylark grinned. "No." Chelsea gave Ernie a teasing look. "You can call me Nicole, if it'll make things easier. And it's Muggle, of course - nearly everything here is Muggle today - and it's mostly older stuff. The Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Animals, Elton John… that crowd. I mean, for now, it's all Beatle."
"The Who?" asked Ernie.
"It's a band," I explained patiently. "He's Muggle-born," I added, for Miss Skylark's benefit.
She smiled softly. "I see. There's as many odd names for Muggle bands as wizarding, Mr. Macmillian. And some of the ones in America! Lynyrd Skynyrd, for instance. They named it after a teacher, Leonard Skinner, who had given them detention because their hair was too long."
"You seem to know your Muggle bands," Lisa commented. (Even Harry and I were confused by that last one.)
Miss Skylark flushed slightly, but continued nonchalantly: "Oh, I do a lot of singing for Muggles - and wizards. I like to overlap. Both worlds have their own brand of amazing music. My favourite song, personally, is Richard Henley's 'Broken Wand', but sometimes it's funny to watch the charts of both worlds. Once Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Snapped Broomsticks had a song called 'Fortunate Son' that was a great hit in their respective worlds at the same time. Linda Lou Fairchild and the Muggle band 'Heart' knew each other for what they were - a witch and non-magic - and exchanged ideas all the time. Ms. Fairchild had written some of the lines to Heart's songs, and vice versa. 'I've Got The Music In Me' was originally a wizarding song that a Muggle did, and 'Desperado' was a song Ms. Linda heard on a Muggle station and later re-did for the wizarding world."
None of us had known that!
A small crowd gathered, most passerbys who came and went, but after the five of us left for a while we came back and have been staying since. We have enough sweets from Honeydukes to last, we've hit Zonko's, and we have time to kill, and I think we're spending most of it here.
Miss Skylark is an excellent singer. She's singing mostly Beatles, which she explained was because they're easily the most recognizable British wizarding band, even if they broke up over twenty years ago. You should have heard Ernie! "Over twenty years ago! Why are we listening to 'em?" But now he's actually dancing a little!
And Snuffles! How could I forget? Lisa and Chelsea and Ernie and Miss Skylark all think he's a lovable "pup" - which is funny, since Padfoot is huge. He sometimes plays tag playfully with some of the children who live in Hogsmeade and Lisa and Ernie. (Chelsea refuses.) But mostly he stays right by Harry - but not too often, as to not arouse suspicion. *A/N: Miss Granger's next sentence was written in tiny letters and backwards.* Clever Sirius.
And Lupin! Oh my goodness - well, let's just say he came. And Miss Skylark asked for someone in the audience to perform with her - her standard trademark whenever she performs in Diagon Alley. (We have to catch her there sometime, but I think she performs for Flourish and Blotts right before we get out of school. Ah, well. Perhaps one day she'll be there later.) You guessed it. No one volunteered, and next we hear: "You, sir! Back row with the light hair! C'mon now, I recognize you as the same person who used to help set up Linda Fairchild's equipment and I need someone with experience!"
I'm not sure what would have happened had Snuffles started doing a sort of dog-laugh - but a very clear laugh. That sort of settled it. Lupin raised an eyebrow at him immediately climbed on the stage, as if on a dare. Miss Skylark handed him a microphone, gave him a cup of Rememberance Potion - "C'mon, I know Ms. Linda played Muggle tunes and you heard 'em!" - and asked if he could play any instruments.
"Will it totally destroy Ms. Fairchild's honour if I said I couldn't?" Lupin asked jokingly, causing everyone who understood the exchange to laugh, but then admitted to being able to play guitar. Snuffles had buried his face against Harry's leg at this point in amusement.
"He's that bad?" Harry asked him.
Snuffles shook his head.
Just the opposite, actually. I really think the whole thing was pre-arranged, because Nicole and Lupin sound terrific. I mean it. Nicole's voice is wonderful as always, and Lupin's… it's not exactly MMChart material, but when combined with Miss Skylark's, it just sounds perfect. You can't tell me they haven't rehearsed before, unless what Miss Skylark gave him was some incredible potion, and you can't tell me that Lupin knew all these Beatle songs off by heart, Linda Lou Fairchild or no Linda Lou Fairchild. But I'm not complaining; I'm just enjoying.
The funny part was that Lupin's A-A charm wore off during "I Saw Her Standing There", which caused a minor disturbance with Lisa and Chelsea and Ernie as they recognized him. Lisa took it very well; she laughed and said: "If you had told me in my third year that Lupin could play a guitar and would sing us Muggle songs in Hogsmeade, I'm not sure I'd've believed you." Ernie's face darkened, but that all changed when Miss Skylark suddenly sang a line of "P.S. I Love You" straight to him. We started teasing him and he went beet-red. And even he couldn't deny that "Here, There, and Everywhere" was beautiful. I swear I almost cried - and so did Chelsea, one of those "cold-hearted Slytherins".
I'm going to have tons to write after the meeting as well. So I think I'll give my poor hand a rest and enjoy the concert. Besides, Snuffles likes to joke around by sticking his head against my hand and diary. A Marauder to the bone, I've concluded.
Honestly, if some people's lives depended on making the Quidditch team… well, it often seems that way…
Jason Leffler is Gryffindor Keeper, and Candy Dresiegner is the third Chaser. Reverses are: Keeper: Ron Weasley. (Yay!) Chaser: Natalie MacDougall. (Goody!) Ron was slightly put out. You know how much he wants to prove himself. I pointed out that next year he will most likely be Keeper because Jason will be gone. But he really cheered up when I said he flew really well and I think he'd do just as well as Jason.
Harry is upbeat and optimistic when Quidditch comes up. Since Sirius hasn't written, the rest of the time he's withdrawn and moody. But he says Gryffindor has a good chance at the Cup. He started spouting off the members of the other teams, but I didn't hear him very well. I don't really care about Quidditch unless it's Gryffindor or Viktor. Otherwise… who needs it, really?
We're having a hard time convincing people to prepare for You-Know-Who in the CC mainly because we're just a bunch of kids. Recognizable ones, too. Ernie comes from an old magic family, same as Chelsea, and I'm slightly known because of my abnormal marks. It gets around Ministry circles, the more talented students. But it's Harry and Lisa who are really tip-offs. Lisa's parents were well-known Quidditch commentators when they were at school and so a lot of people remember the popular Turpins and know they have a daughter named Lisa. This also works to our advantage at times, because they think Lisa is her mum, who has the same name. But mostly it's a burden. And then Harry… well, he's Harry. It sort of gives it all away.
So we're hoping that meeting some of the senior members gives us a chance to prove we're capable kids and that the senior members will offer more support after a face-to-face with Dumbledore. Ron, of course, is wildly jealous that Harry and I get to go to Hogsmeade. I told him that it's no big deal, it's a business trip, but then of course Chelsea had to speak up and say that half the time we have to ourselves. Ron glowered. Then I assured him he'll have plenty of chances later this term -
"Oh, right, with all the panic over there? Right."
Isn't he the cheerful little optimist?
October 5
Well, well, well, well. Guess what I'm doing? I'm attending a Beatles concert!
Ha! Okay, that's an exaggeration. But I'm at a concert with Beatles music - go figure - in Hogsmeade. The Muggle Fair does cause… interesting changes.
Well, here's what happened. It was pretty normal, except Professor McGonagall came with us, and we got into the carriages, etc. And, of course, it was a lot smaller. Professor McGonagall kept throwing Ernie warning looks, which was sort of funny.
Of course, we got here, and the instructions were: "You can use this as a regular visit until three o'clock. Meet us at the Three Broomsticks, and be there early, not late."
Ha.
Anyway, we went around for a while. All these people were setting up somewhat Muggle-like stands. Except, however, for one man, who was offering demonstrations in controlled mind effects, otherwise known as Refrudian magic. Soon a few couples who lived in Hogsmeade thanked him and left, and he turned to us kids in the CC. We were all really eager to try this. For one, the greatest thing in the others' minds was: "We can do Refrudula magic over the holidays and not get in trouble!" My thought was more of: "Wow! That's such a wonderful learning experience!" In other words, something new but same old story.
The man, whom was called Mr. Donohue - Harry glanced at him suspiciously at the name - asked for a volunteer. Naturally, we all wanted to. He smiled and said we'd all get a chance and chose Lisa and me. Our job? To pick up a rock with no hands and no wands. Ernie sarcastically mentioned kicking it, and then the order was changed to "no contact whatsoever".
Chelsea simply laughed out loud. "But that's impossible, and Lisa and Hermione hasn't been studying Refrudula things for years and years - well, it's a Ravenclaw and Hermione, but I still doubt it. Have you?"
"No, I never did any before," I said, a little stiffly. Lisa shook her head.
"That's fine," Donohue assured us. "Contrary to popular belief, if you're not too worried as of yet about theory and property and such, it's not very difficult."
Everyone glanced at him unbelievingly. To most of us from the Hogwarts line, magic like that they teach at Refrudula is sort of like how Muggles view our magic. "Right," Ernie nodded.
"Miss Granger, are you Muggle-born?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. Did you have any knowledge whatsoever of the magical world before you received your Hogwarts letter?"
I thought for a moment. "I don't know, sir… it's somewhat difficult to say. Certainly I never really thought of it as clearly as it is… but what child doesn't believe Muggle fairy tales for a time? And later, when I grew out of those, I sometimes felt that magic was the only logical explanation for some things… but magic is so illogical in the Muggle world, so I concluded that if magic did exist, it wasn't as in fairy tales, but something very developed and even modernized, as I have now found it is."
Everyone except Mr. Donohue blinked. He paused for a moment as well but continued without batting an eye as obviously. "Well, do you remember the very first time you tried your wand, probably at Mr. Ollivander's?"
I nodded vigorously. Did I ever!
"Recall as clearly as possible the very instant, the warmth in your hand, the sudden feeling of power rushing through you to meet the wand, the feeling that something you had been missing all your life came to you?"
I nodded again. He had it exactly right. "I think I remember the feeling."
"Think harder. You have to have this down good."
I closed my eyes. I could practically see myself grabbing that moment, and I felt as if I had. I kept them closed as Donohue continued. "You remember now. Now keep in mind that you had magic in you all your life. The wand is an Anchor. Many things can be an Anchor, but that's for a different time. Anchors help you control your magic. Of course, they do not automatically do it themselves. You have to help them. The Anchor can't do anything without a Source - which is you. But you can work without an Anchor, if you're in touch with your magic, since that's all the Anchor does - help you connect with your magic. But you can control your magic on your own. Are you in touch with it?"
I concentrated a moment. "I am."
"Pick up the rock, Miss Granger. Force all of yourself and all of your magic to pick up that rock."
I stared at the rock, willing it to arise. Suddenly, slowly but surely, it did.
It rose! I was doing Refrudian magic! I could have screamed with happiness. As it was, my gasp and suddenly joy broke my concentration, and the rock fell to the ground with a thud. Everyone in the CC was cheering, and Mr. Donohue grinned broadly. "Excellent, Hermione! That was awfully quick." I felt myself beaming… and I hate to say it, but when it took Lisa three tries to my one, I felt a little smug. But… well… I got to feel good about myself, don't I? That's one of the sayings of Alyn's calendar… "The wicked are wicked because they were once insecure." Even if it is embarrassing to admit I was that smug. And then Harry and Chelsea and Ernie tried it. Harry grabbed it after the fourth try, Chelsea after the eighth, and Ernie after the tenth. No one could believe how fast it was! It was always rumoured that you have to study for years and years to do the slightest thing!
"You do have to study and train for years and years," Mr. Donohue informed us warningly. "Doing the magic is one thing. Controlling it and understanding it is another. That's one of the reasons that years ago, when those who primarily practiced Anchor-magic and those who mainly relied on mind-magic lived peacefully, that wand-magic was favoured. Mind-magic takes a lot out of you when you do a lot of it. Little things like this, after the first few times won't affect you in the least. But it's a good idea not to rely on this heavily unless you get proper training."
I asked about the Anchors, and what else they could be.
"Well, anything that can be used for the core of a wand is a Anchor - dragon heartstrings and the like. Making it into a wand is a good idea, though, since if it's just a raw Anchor, it can be too dangerously powerful. Wand-makers have to be very careful while dealing with them. That's why most Anchors we used come from natural things that are then handled by humans. Certain other raw materials - diamond, for instance - can be worked into one of the Shapes. There's a Shape for healing and curing, one for defence, one for protection, barriering, beauty, transformating… a few others I don't recall."
Is that not incredible? I then asked - demanded, Harry joked - why we hadn't learned about that yet. Donohue smiled, even though Chelsea was a bit annoyed with my questions. Too bad. Harry and Ernie and Lisa were all hanging onto the answers nearly as raptly as I was.
"You will, in your seventh year. However, unless you are going to be working with Wards or Anchors in trade, it's not considered necessary for you to know about all that. Refrudula, however, has a special class for this."
"But they cut out things like Divination and Defence and Transfiguration to work those special classes in," Ernie pointed out.
"Like we're learning so much in Divination and Defence anyway," Chelsea shot back.
"I'm learning how to pass a class while half-asleep the whole time," Harry offered sardonically.
We practiced a bit more and thanked Donohue, ready to go on (even while Chelsea thought up some great plots to use on Filch that involved Refrudian magic). Harry lagged behind.
"Harry?" I asked.
"I want to ask Lupin something," Harry replied.
I blinked, glanced at Donohue, and grinned to myself. I had been fooled. Harry and I waited for the rest of the class to leave.
"Mr. Potter?" Lupin asked, scooping up the particular rock.
"Nice act, but it didn't work. Jack Donohue, Remus?"
"How'd you figure that out?"
"You were the same man who tried to connect Grunnings Drills with Product HQ eight years ago, weren't you? It was Jack Donohue then, too."
"Good memory. Don't tell Professor Dumbledore, please. I hadn't intended to be the one to deal with your uncle." (I can just see his crossed fingers. He's a little reticent, but he obviously cares about Harry. Sometimes I wonder if Dumbledore warned him not to interfere when Harry was sent to his aunt and uncle.)
"Where'd you get that name?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't think it sounded to convincing eight years ago, either."
"Your mother."
Harry glanced at him. "What?"
"It was the Christmas of our first year. Lily and I were the only ones in our House and year to stay behind, and as Lily had some last-minute shopping to do, I broke all sorts of pacts and brought her to Hogsmeade, pretending we lived here and were ten years old in case we were questioned. She was Gwen Donohue. We passed for cousins."
Harry was silent a moment, considering this. I was still trying to work this out. He was just about to ask something when Lupin continued: "Snuffles is here, but I don't think you'll be able to talk with him today. We'll be at that CC meeting, though." I was about to speak when he continued: "No, in dog form. Not too many in the Chain know of that, although we're going to reveal it soon."
I felt uneasy about that. Purely so I wouldn't say something that would cause Harry to think I was acting too stuffy, I said, "Nice Appearance-Altering Charms."
"Ironically, they're not taught at Refrudula," Lupin grinned.
"They're not?" asked Harry, blinking. That's supposed to be a very important part of our sixth-year education.
"No, not them and Silencing Charms. Refrudula calls them deceitful, saying they're only used to hide things."
"No kidding," Harry scoffed. "Can I talk to Si-Snuffles soon?"
"Eventually." Lupin sighed. "Trust me, I'm trying to arrange this as much as you want it to be, if only to get Snuffles from driving me insane." But he didn't look put out at all over this fact. "And you have every right to do so."
"What have you two been doing?" Harry pressed further.
"Can't say here," I supplied when Lupin hesitated.
"Exactly."
Harry was looking a little put out. I don't blame him, but that's the way circumstances go.
"You know where he's going to be, though? There's going to be a woman named Nicole Skylark singing. Snuffles'll be there."
"He will?" I asked, sort of surprised.
"We had a friend once who was very musically inclined. We haven't got it out of our systems, and Snuffles is dying to see a performance again. Certainly can't blame him."
"Will you be there?" Harry continued. He was on one of his inquisitive turns.
Lupin hesitated. "Maybe. I'm not sure. It's still too risky here. Too many people recognize me. I would suggest you two and the rest go, though. Miss Skylark is an excellent singer."
We followed his advice and persuaded Lisa, Chelsea, and Ernie to do the same. Lisa was lit up and eager about the whole affair. Chelsea and Ernie weren't too put out, either, somewhat curious as to what Muggle music sounded like. Harry and I tried to tell them, but we weren't really sure what sort Nicole Skylark would be performing and therefore weren't of much help in informing them.
We passed a few booths, and since I'm pressed for time won't go into them, and found Nicole Skylark. She had a makeshift stage set up and several instruments and a microphone. We headed over and said we heard she was singing today and that Mr. Donohue had recommended her.
"I'll have to thank him if I see him," Miss Skylark said in a musical but clear voice that was very pretty. Ernie was blushing - Miss Skylark was fairly young, and although her brown hair and eyes weren't stunning, her looks combined with her voice and slim figure were enough to set his hormones off. Sheesh! "Are you from the school - the Correspondence Chain?"
We weren't really sure if we should reveal this, but obviously she knew, so we nodded and introduced ourselves. "What sort of music are you performing, Miss Skylark?" I asked - and then blushed. I didn't know if she was married or not.
Ernie, blast him, added helpfully: "At least, you're not married, right?"
I wanted to smack him!
Miss Skylark grinned. "No." Chelsea gave Ernie a teasing look. "You can call me Nicole, if it'll make things easier. And it's Muggle, of course - nearly everything here is Muggle today - and it's mostly older stuff. The Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Animals, Elton John… that crowd. I mean, for now, it's all Beatle."
"The Who?" asked Ernie.
"It's a band," I explained patiently. "He's Muggle-born," I added, for Miss Skylark's benefit.
She smiled softly. "I see. There's as many odd names for Muggle bands as wizarding, Mr. Macmillian. And some of the ones in America! Lynyrd Skynyrd, for instance. They named it after a teacher, Leonard Skinner, who had given them detention because their hair was too long."
"You seem to know your Muggle bands," Lisa commented. (Even Harry and I were confused by that last one.)
Miss Skylark flushed slightly, but continued nonchalantly: "Oh, I do a lot of singing for Muggles - and wizards. I like to overlap. Both worlds have their own brand of amazing music. My favourite song, personally, is Richard Henley's 'Broken Wand', but sometimes it's funny to watch the charts of both worlds. Once Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Snapped Broomsticks had a song called 'Fortunate Son' that was a great hit in their respective worlds at the same time. Linda Lou Fairchild and the Muggle band 'Heart' knew each other for what they were - a witch and non-magic - and exchanged ideas all the time. Ms. Fairchild had written some of the lines to Heart's songs, and vice versa. 'I've Got The Music In Me' was originally a wizarding song that a Muggle did, and 'Desperado' was a song Ms. Linda heard on a Muggle station and later re-did for the wizarding world."
None of us had known that!
A small crowd gathered, most passerbys who came and went, but after the five of us left for a while we came back and have been staying since. We have enough sweets from Honeydukes to last, we've hit Zonko's, and we have time to kill, and I think we're spending most of it here.
Miss Skylark is an excellent singer. She's singing mostly Beatles, which she explained was because they're easily the most recognizable British wizarding band, even if they broke up over twenty years ago. You should have heard Ernie! "Over twenty years ago! Why are we listening to 'em?" But now he's actually dancing a little!
And Snuffles! How could I forget? Lisa and Chelsea and Ernie and Miss Skylark all think he's a lovable "pup" - which is funny, since Padfoot is huge. He sometimes plays tag playfully with some of the children who live in Hogsmeade and Lisa and Ernie. (Chelsea refuses.) But mostly he stays right by Harry - but not too often, as to not arouse suspicion. *A/N: Miss Granger's next sentence was written in tiny letters and backwards.* Clever Sirius.
And Lupin! Oh my goodness - well, let's just say he came. And Miss Skylark asked for someone in the audience to perform with her - her standard trademark whenever she performs in Diagon Alley. (We have to catch her there sometime, but I think she performs for Flourish and Blotts right before we get out of school. Ah, well. Perhaps one day she'll be there later.) You guessed it. No one volunteered, and next we hear: "You, sir! Back row with the light hair! C'mon now, I recognize you as the same person who used to help set up Linda Fairchild's equipment and I need someone with experience!"
I'm not sure what would have happened had Snuffles started doing a sort of dog-laugh - but a very clear laugh. That sort of settled it. Lupin raised an eyebrow at him immediately climbed on the stage, as if on a dare. Miss Skylark handed him a microphone, gave him a cup of Rememberance Potion - "C'mon, I know Ms. Linda played Muggle tunes and you heard 'em!" - and asked if he could play any instruments.
"Will it totally destroy Ms. Fairchild's honour if I said I couldn't?" Lupin asked jokingly, causing everyone who understood the exchange to laugh, but then admitted to being able to play guitar. Snuffles had buried his face against Harry's leg at this point in amusement.
"He's that bad?" Harry asked him.
Snuffles shook his head.
Just the opposite, actually. I really think the whole thing was pre-arranged, because Nicole and Lupin sound terrific. I mean it. Nicole's voice is wonderful as always, and Lupin's… it's not exactly MMChart material, but when combined with Miss Skylark's, it just sounds perfect. You can't tell me they haven't rehearsed before, unless what Miss Skylark gave him was some incredible potion, and you can't tell me that Lupin knew all these Beatle songs off by heart, Linda Lou Fairchild or no Linda Lou Fairchild. But I'm not complaining; I'm just enjoying.
The funny part was that Lupin's A-A charm wore off during "I Saw Her Standing There", which caused a minor disturbance with Lisa and Chelsea and Ernie as they recognized him. Lisa took it very well; she laughed and said: "If you had told me in my third year that Lupin could play a guitar and would sing us Muggle songs in Hogsmeade, I'm not sure I'd've believed you." Ernie's face darkened, but that all changed when Miss Skylark suddenly sang a line of "P.S. I Love You" straight to him. We started teasing him and he went beet-red. And even he couldn't deny that "Here, There, and Everywhere" was beautiful. I swear I almost cried - and so did Chelsea, one of those "cold-hearted Slytherins".
I'm going to have tons to write after the meeting as well. So I think I'll give my poor hand a rest and enjoy the concert. Besides, Snuffles likes to joke around by sticking his head against my hand and diary. A Marauder to the bone, I've concluded.
