Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all Harry Potter related things is owned by J.K.Rowling. Again, Vanessa Carlton owns herself and owns "A Thousand Miles".

Chapter 5- The Finals

The crowd really did think she looked like an angel. She almost glided over to the band. They looked at her, a bit mesmerized. Hermione was so set on the task at hand, she noticed none of the looks she was getting, from her friends and enemies alike. She whispered the name of her song and the author to the band, and they nodded. She gracefully walked to the microphone, for the third time that night. She took the microphone of the stand and held it, in perfect position for singing. She was in her own world now, her mind set on her task, winning. If she was going to do this, she would do it perfectly. Perfect, that word haunted her. She had no time to dwell on any thoughts though, for the band started to play. The last thing she thought was, "I have to win this. To change my image, and to be perfect. Perfect me, with a totally new image, look and personality. NO, I'm going to win this not for perfection, but so I can be me. Me, truly me." With that she announced to the audience, "This is by Vanessa Carlton again, and is called A Thousand Miles" She started to sing,

"Making my way downtown

Walking fast

Faces passed

And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead

Just making my way

Making my way

Through the crowd

And I need you

And I miss you

And now I wonder....

If I could fall

Into the sky

Do you think time

Would pass me by

'Cause you know I'd walk

A thousand miles

If I could

Just see you

Tonight

It's always times like these

When I think of you

And I wonder

If you ever

Think of me

'Cause everything's so wrong

And I don't belong

Living in your

Precious memories

'Cause I need you

And I miss you

And now I wonder....

If I could fall

Into the sky

Do you think time

Would pass me by

'Cause you know I'd walk

A thousand miles

If I could

Just see you

Tonight

And I, I

Don't want to let you know

I, I

Drown in your memory

I, I

Don't want to let this go

I, I

Don't....

Making my way downtown

Walking fast

Faces passed

And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead

Just making my way

Making my way

Through the crowd

And I still need you

And I still miss you

And now I wonder....

If I could fall

Into the sky

Do you think time

Would pass us by

'Cause you know I'd walk

A thousand miles

If I could

Just see you...

If I could fall

Into the sky

Do you think time

Would pass me by

'Cause you know I'd walk

A thousand miles

If I could

Just see you

If I could

Just hold you

Tonight"

This song was, if possible, a million times better than Ordinary Day, or so everyone in the room thought. If Hermione had sung her heart out before, she had sung using every ounce of emotion, every ounce of energy and her soul to sing this song. Her performance was amazing, outstanding. All eyes were shocked, and on her. Even Dumbledore, who seemed to know something she didn't about herself, looked mildly surprised at her performance. The other contestants were brought on stage. The judges had a short huddle. Hermione was finally coming back to the real world. "Damn", she thought, "I could have done better.. I bet I didn't win." The judges and Dumbledore came on stage. Dumbledore started to speak, "Thank you our Final Four! Those were great performances! Congrats on making it this far, you all performed magnificently. Alas, you all can not win. After discussing it we have decided on a winner. The winner of Hogwarts First Annual Talent Competition is", everyone held there breathe, "is.......







(A/n was going to leave you there, but I couldn't do it, hehe)









"Is", he continued, "Hermione Granger, 5th year Gryffindor!!!!!", he finished. You would think that an explosion had occurred, the applause hurt your ears, because it was so loud! Hermione was in shock. She stumbled forward, after Cho nudged her, trying to tell her to go over to the judges. She felt like she was going to cry, with all the different emotions she was experiencing right now. Everyone in the room knew that she deserved to win, even if they didn't like her. And a lot of the guys were starting to develop crushes on her. She was beautiful, sang like an angel (and currently looked like one to) and was, no doubt going to become quite popular. Her best friends and a few others still couldn't believe that was her up there. Hermione accepted the prize money, the trophy, the tiara, and the sash, which read, "Winner of Hogwarts 1st Talent Competition". Everyone on stage congratulated her, and told her what a great job she did, even Professor Snape and Pansy Parkinson. Everyone accept Dumbledore walked back stage, he gave the audience yet another speech.

The 2 judges Hermione didn't know came up to her and introduced themselves, "Hello, I'm Ella Reynolds, and this is Peter Tecra. We're from the Wizarding Talent Agency, and we'd like to speak to you later this week about a professional singing career. You have what it takes, and we'd like to give you the change to share your angelic voice with the world." Hermione was super shocked and super happy at the same time. She managed to say, "Okay". "Great", the man, Peter said, "Can we meet on this Saturday at 10?" "Sure", Hermione answered. Dumbledore came back stage. "You are all free to go", he told them. He gave Hermione a smile. "Oh, and students, your house mates are being informed right now, that because of the Competition, all classes are cancelled tomorrow!" Hermione smiled and thought, "Great a chance for everyone to bombard me with questions.." Cho, Terry, Pansy and Hermione left to get their stuff from their dressing rooms. They met at the exit to the Great Hall and walked to their house common rooms. As the others went their separate ways to their House Common rooms, Hermione continued up the big staircase that led to Gryffindor Common Room.

She reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and was about to whisper the password when the picture opened, and Professor Mcgongall almost knocked Hermione down, coming out of the Common Room. She apologized and congratulated her on the win and her performance. She left, and Hermione whispered the password, "Twinkle Dust", to the now closed portrait. She was met with many faces. Two people came towards her, and she recognized them as Harry and Ron. Before they could say one word she said, "Look, I don't want to hear it right now. I am tired and would like to go to bed. So if you don't mind, move." They moved out of her way and so did everyone else. She made her way up to her dormitory. She was grateful to find that Lavender and Parvati weren't there. She changed out of her costume and into pjs and crashed onto her bed, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

A/n: I posted the finals, Yay! I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be, but the next one will start with a dream sequence. I hope you liked it! This is the longest chapter I've ever written!! Well, here are my thank yous:

Sirius's Crazy Chick: You're right, the dress would have suited that song. Good guess. I posted as fast as I could!!! I hope you liked it, and thanks so much for the review!

Draco'sGoodGirl721: I'm glad you love my story, I hope you'll love this chapter!! Do you know this song by heart to? Thank you!

Xakk Zimph: I know, it was short. This one longer, and hopefully, better. Thanks a ton for your continued support.

Cho Chang: Thanks so much!! I love your story to, and I'm sure I'll love your new one!

Read Cho Chang's Three's A Crowd, if you want another d/h/hr luv thing (mine is going to be one, I've only put hints towards it so far).

Thanks to all! I hope you enjoyed my story!

Please review, I live off them! I'll have the next chapter up soon, hopefully. It should be up max. by Sat. 11th. If it isn't then I probably have disappeared off the face of the Earth.

Thanks for reading!

-Eliza