Disclaimer: None of the characters that you recognize are mine. They belong to J.K. Rowlings and not to me!

A/N: Ok, I have had this all done last month but then my computer decides to break on me and it has been back 3 different times to be repaired! I have been dying to finish this but I want to post something, so this is part 1 of 2 in chapter 11. I must say, it was a very hard decision about what to make them each sing, and I hope what I decided on works!

And of course, thank you to everyone who read and/or reviewed my fic! You are the best!

TheOneAndOnly: I'm very glad that you liked last chapter and the whole H & M thing! I was worried no one would! And I'm glad I'm portraying Lav and Pav as good characters. I never particularly loved them before writing this, as Herm is my favorite character, but I thought she needed some girl friends and they were ready and willing!

Chapter 11

Part 1

Countdown to Performance: 22 hours 13 minutes

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

          Who's the Fairest of them All?

         

          Well, my dear, as I've told you in the past,

          Just look at you, you'll always end up last.

Hermione was seated in a chair in front of her mirror on her desk, remembering her favorite fairy tale saying with her own twist as she examined herself. Brown eyes. Brown hair. How dull. And her hair wasn't nice and normal, either. No, her hair had to be so curly that it never sat flat.  As she looked in the mirror she saw how her hair gradually frizzed out and she figured that her hair was at least 3 feet away from her back! Well, maybe she was exaggerating, just a little, but that's beside the point.

Hermione didn't know why all of a sudden she was contemplating her looks so much. She figured it must have something to do with the fact that tomorrow was the day she had to sing in front of the whole class. She was berating herself for always having to go the extra mile. Why couldn't she just of stuck with good ole karaoke? She just had to get the extra credit and sing by herself.

Hermione sighed as her eyes darted to her bottom drawer. At the end of the summer she had gone for vacation to visit her dear aunt, who was only 6 years older than her. Her aunt just so happened to be a make-up artist at Macy's department store in New York City in the United States. Hermione had been forced, against her will, to be a guinea pig for the new fall colors and had been given everything from 6 different lip liners to 17 new eye shadows. Hermione had smiled and nodded during the 'torture session' as she called it, and had, unbeknownst to her, actually learned how to correctly apply the make-up.

When Hermione had left Aunt Giselle (whose real name was Jane but she had felt it wasn't exotic enough), she had promised to try out all the make-up and actually wear it for school. Naturally, as soon as Hermione got home she shoved it all in the back of her closet. When the time for packing up for Hogwarts came, she had glanced continually at that space in the closet and had packed the kit just in case there was another dance, and had stashed it all in her bottom drawer once she arrived. And now she couldn't believe that she was actually thinking about using it.

And not only that, right next to her kit, lay an unopened package of an at-home-straightening shampoo. Aunt Giselle had begged for her to be allowed to do the honors, but Hermione had flatly refused. Her hair was fine, she said. She didn't need to sit through hours of treatment to alter her appearance. Now, as she sits in her dorm, a mere 22 hours away from a public performance, she was calling herself all sorts of names for being so stubborn. Why couldn't she just of shut her mouth and agreed? Now, she'd have to do it herself. If she actually decided to do it, that is.

Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples with her fingers. She was so nervous about singing even though she had more experience that all her friends put together. What if Ron heard her sing and was disgusted? What if he absolutely hated the song? What if he thought she was desperate? What if she fell off the stage, her skirt flew up, she knocked out her front teeth on the way down and everyone sat around and laughed?! Oh no! I can't do this! What if I got to Madame Pomprey right now? I could tell her that I… I… developed carpal tunnel syndrome! Yes! No! That won't work. Then I couldn't ever hold a pencil in front of her to do my homework.

Hermione got up and walked over to her trunk, which held her costume. She had spent a long time on it and had hand sewn all the sequins. She was relieved to learn that she hadn't been left completely helpless without magic and could still sew from when her mom taught her the summer before she left for Hogwarts.

The outfit consisted of a short white skirt that used to be ankle length. She had cut and sewn it to a more look-at-me style. For the top she had a matching white halter and she had sewn on metallic silver sequins to spell out STAR. She had knee-high white boots to complete the ensemble. It was probably the most un-Hermione thing she could have created, but that was the point. The woman at The Witch's Shop had been very helpful in picking her out the boots, sequins, hair glitter, and fairy dust. Hermione had really wanted to but the witch fairy dust that actually came from fairies, but knowing she could only use muggle items, she had opted for the muggle knock-off. But when Hermione had looked in her bag, she had seen both bottles, the real one, courtesy of the shop-owner. The real prize though, was a completely sheer ankle-length duster with white fluffy cuffs. She looked like a snowy angel in it.

On a sudden whim, Hermione shut her trunk and went over to the drawer. She opened it and pulled out the hair straightener. If she was going to be brave, she might as well go the full nine yards. She stood in the middle of the room for a few minutes debating her options and finally, with a sigh, headed to the bathroom.

*                 *                 *                 *                 *


Countdown to Performance: 3 hours 18 minutes

Oh no. Today is the day.

Hermione groaned and rolled over and pulled the pillow over her face. She had spent all day yesterday in the bathroom doing her hair. She had to send Lavender down to tell Ron and Harry she was indisposed. Hermione had heard them arguing with her and threatening to come up to the girls dorm, and she had been forced to yell downstairs for them to go away.

If Hermione wasn't such a good student she might of opted to stay in bed all day, but Hermione being Hermione, dragged herself out of bed and as she walked past the mirror she did a double take. A huge smiled spread over her face.

"Hermione! You look so good! What did you do?" Parvati squealed and rushed over.

Lavender then took a cucumber off of her eye and abruptly sat up in bed and joined Parvati in the squealing, the other cucumber falling onto her sheets.

"Your hair looks fabulous!" Parvati exclaimed as she ran her fingers through it.

"But, Hermione. You know you can't use magic!" Lavender reminded.

"I know," Hermione said. "It's not magic, it's a muggle product from the States."

"Muggles have products that do that? Wow, we need to give them more credit," Parvati said seriously.

"Really, Herm. You look great. Ron's eyes are going to roll to the back of his head," Lavender said with a giggle.

Hermione smiled and looked in the mirror. It was true, she looked different. More mature, somehow. Her hair was completely straight, sleek, and shiny. The ends were slightly curly since she used a couple hair curlers her mum had throw in her trunk. One wouldn't think this was the same girl who was complaining about her hair just yesterday.

"Is it permanent?" Parvati asked.

"It's supposed to last about 6 months but I'll probably have to touch it up a bit before then," Hermione answered. "Yikes! We better head down for breakfast. We're supposed to leave our costumes and make-up here right?"

Lavender nodded. "Professor Starr says she's allowing us 20 minutes to get ready so we don't have wear everything."

Parvati had been silent and rushed to her drawer. "Here! Hermione, wear this scarf over your hair so it will be a surprise when you get up there!" She produced a black scarf and proceeded to pull Hermione's up and tie it with the scarf so you couldn't see any difference.

"Thanks! Now, lets go!" Hermione said with a smile.

*                 *                 *                 *                 *

Countdown to Performance: 2 hours 44 minutes

          When Hermione got to the Gryffindor table for breakfast, she discovered that everyone in her year was leaving their plates untouched. She slid in next to Ron and across from Harry and was startled to discover that even Ron wasn't eating.

          "Hey, Hermione," Ron and Harry acknowledged glumly.

          "Hi. You know, it's not like anyone died or anything. Aren't you guys hungry?" Hermione inquired.

          They shook their head. "No, but you need to eat something," Ron said, shoving a plate of muffins in her face. Hermione stomach churned just from the sight and she pushed away the plate.

"No, thanks. I'm really not hungry," Hermione said feeling slightly sick. "We all must be nervous."

"Who? Me? Nervous? No way!" Ron denied with his fingers anxiously tapping on the tabletop. Hermione reached out and covered his hand.

"No?" She asked with a smile. Just then Neville came to the table and looked far worse than any one else. He sat down and was sweating and was green around the gills.

"Neville? Are you all right?" Hermione asked, concerned. He managed a small smile that looked more like a grimace and nodded his head once. He looked around and saw the piles of food and with a quick motion, he launched himself out of his chair and out of the Great Hall.

"Poor Neville. I wish he wouldn't be so nervous," Hermione said sadly.

"Right. What's to be nervous about?" Ron asked. "We only have to sing in front of our entire class, could possible make a complete idiot out ourselves, and be humiliated for the rest of our mortal life. No biggie. I don't know what Neville's problem is. Why, he should be tap dancing to 'Dancing in the Rain' the silly boy."

Despite being completely terrified, Hermione laughed at Ron's dry tone that had had risen in pitch as he ended his statement. "Oh, boy. Well, it's almost showtime. Let's go." And with that the 3 brave Gryffindors prepared to meet their impending doom. And I don't mean You-Know-Who.

*                 *                 *                 *                 *

Countdown to Showtime: 36 minutes

          "Oh, class I have absolutely wonderful news!"

          Professor Starr's cheery voice rang out in the dead silent classroom. The class nervously looked at one another. Somehow, Hermione didn't figure her idea of wonderful news would be the same as theirs.

          "I've just been informed that a new room has been redone just for our class's performance. It is the size of the Great Hall and it is an auditorium. It has huge stage and seating large enough for the entire school. This will be where we put on the play also. And wait! That's not the best part!" She continued with her eyes gleaming.

Hermione snuck a look at Neville and thought if this 'best part' was any worse than what she just said, she would get to see just what Neville had eaten for lunch yesterday.

"Class," Prof. Starr continued. "Headmaster Dumbledore is going to come watch us! And, he's trying to get Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape to come too! Isn't that marvelous?" She asked, beaming.

Hermione all of a sudden felt really sick. The entire class started shouting and pleading with Prof. Starr not to be so cruel.

"How can you do this to us?" Pansy shrieked. "I thought you were sane!"

"I'll get my father to pay you off! How much do you want? 1,000 Galleons?" Draco bargained.

"I think I need to go to the infirmary," Neville complained.

"Me too!" Dean chimed in.

"Yes. I have a terrible migraine coming on," Lavender agreed.

Professor Starr clapped her hands. "Enough! I am quite sane, I don't want your money, and no one is going to the infirmary. I thought you would like this. It will really give you a feeling of performing on stage." A chorus of "No's" and "Let's not" rang throughout the classroom.

"We like this room! Actually, I think it would be better if we used the bathroom to perform actually. Then everyone could wait outside," Seamus suggested.

Professor Starr rolled her eyes. "This is not a debate. Come now, we're wasting time. Now, you have 20 minutes to get changed and then meet me in the auditorium. It's in the same corridor as the Charms room, all the way in the back, on the left. Now, hurry!"

On that note, Hermione rushed to her room, not even stopping to talk to anyone since she needed every second she could get. She made it upstairs in record time and quickly changed into her costume. She grabbed her make-up kit, hair supply bag, and CD and rushed to the Prefect bathroom before her dorm mates even came up.

Hermione checked her watch when she made it to the bathroom. She had 15 minutes left. She quickly applied silver eyeliner with shimery silver eye shadow, foundation, powder, pink blush, pink lip liner, and tinkle-me pink lipstick. She put on the fairy dust and quickly took down her hair and brushed it. She left it down and smiled at the shine of it and put in some glitter to give it an extra oomph. 

When she looked in the mirror she couldn't believe it was Hermione Granger. She had never applied more than chapstick besides rare occasions like the Yule Ball. And her she was, all decked out. She checked her watch again. 3 minutes left. She quickly put her totes in a cabinet in the gigantic Prefect bathroom, grabbed the CD, and ran to the auditorium.

                                                                   *                 *                 *                 *                 *

Countdown to Showtime: 1 minute 45 seconds.

Once Hermione got to the auditorium, practically everyone was already in there. She stood and looked around in awe. The room was absolutely huge. She was instantly reminded of Carnegie Hall in New York. And she would have to go up there on stage and sing in front of everyone? Just as she started having images of her falling, she saw Ron and Harry and grinned in relief. She ran over to where they were seated and they seemed to be looking for someone.

"Hi guys? Saved me a seat?" Hermione asked.

"Sorry but who –Hermione???" Harry asked in shock. "Is that you?"

"Who else would it be?" she asked.

"Wow. You look… wow. You're putting on a jacket, right?" Harry asked in protective big brother mode.

"This is my jacket," she said as if daring him to contradict her.

"Oh. It's just so… sheer," he said tentatively.

Hermione rolled her eyes and snuck a look at Ron. He was staring, open-mouthed at her with no sound coming out.

"Ron?" She asked. Harry jabbed him in the ribs and he blinked.

"Yes. Wow. Hermione. You look fantastic. I can't-" He was cut off as Prof. Starr took the microphone. Hermione quickly sat down and noticed that everyone did the same.

"It's show time, students! Everyone please thank Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape for taking time out of their busy schedules, and having to get others to cover their own classes, to come to see you."

Hermione looked at the 3 guests who were seated in the back. Dumbledore had his usual twinkle in his eye and was smiling, McGonagall had a stern look on and Snape looked like he would rather be having a root canal. The muggle way.

"Ok. I am randomly drawing names for who will go first, second, and so on. You will come up, hand Mr. Susi the CD, which he will put in the stereo and play, take the microphone, and sing your hearts out. The lights will be dim with a spotlight on you, so don't be alarmed. Remember, just have fun! All right, first up is… (Ron was silently praying) Parvati Patil! Come on down!"

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and Hermione caught Parvati's eye and gave her a thumbs-up. She confidently smiled, flipped her hair back, straightened her shoulders, and walked up to the stage. She gave the CD and stood at the microphone. The lights did dim and Hermione could see Parvati blink at the bright glare of the spotlight.

A catchy beat began and Parvati tapped her footand began singing – with just the background music.

(A/N Want to listen? Put this in the URL box and click on …Oops I Did it Again!)

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=484004688/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/artistid=SPEARS*BRITNEY/itemid=1184135






 
 
 
 
 
I think I did it again
I made you believe we're more than just friends
Oh baby
It might seem like a crush
But it doesn't mean that I'm serious
'Cause to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
Oh baby, baby
 
            Parvati was quite good, Hermione thought. She added her own little dance moves and although Hermione had never heard the song before, she thought it suited Parvarti's predicament quite well. She just wished Terry Boot could hear this!
 
Oops!...I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops!...You think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent


          Parvati completed the song and everyone clapped, the Gryffindors the loudest. Lavender even stood on her seat and whistled for her best friend.

"Brava! Brava! Wonderful! Next up is… Draco Malfoy!" Prof. Starr called.

Malfoy smirked and casually got up and stretched.

"Today, Mr. Malfoy." Prof. Starr said sternly.

Malfoy eventually got up to the microphone and Hermione noticed that he was wearing black pants and a black shirt that said 'I'm Too Sexy' in silver glitter. The music started up and Hermione rolled her eyes. This song fit Malfoy's ego to a T. Plus, he was pretty sexy – for the son of a Death Eater, that is.

Malfoy began singing and again, Hermione had to notice that he had a nice enough voice.

(A/N click on I'm Too Sexy)

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=484004688/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/artistid=RIGHT+SAID+FRED/itemid=328308

I'm too sexy for my love, too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me

I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
And I'm too sexy for Milan, too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
And I'm too sexy for your party, too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing

I'm a model, you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk


          When Malfoy finished he did several deep bows to every side of the auditoriums and they Slytherin girls went crazy, clapping and shouting his name. The Gryffindors clapped disdainfully, as if it was a chore.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy. It's good to know who's really modest. Next can we have… Harry Potter!" Prof. Starr requested.

Hermione could see Harry gulp. He muttered what she assumed was some confidence boosters. She leaned back to let him pass her and murmured words of encouragements. Harry took a deep breath and went up to the stage and prepared to sing.

The spotlight hit Harry and Hermione could tell he was anxious. The music started up and Hermione's jaw dropped. Harry was very good and he was also doing it with just the music.

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=266687185/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/ArtistID=FIVE+FOR+FIGHTING/ITEMID=1259060

(Click on Superman)

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me

I'm more than a bird...I'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It's not easy to be me

Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see

It may sound absurd...but don't be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won't you concede
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me

Up, up and away...away from me
It's all right...You can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy...or anything...

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I'm only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
inside of me
inside me
Yeah, inside me
inside of me

I'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
I'm only a man
looking for a dream

I'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
and its not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

Its not easy to be me

                   When Harry put the microphone down, the auditorium erupted in applause. Hermione clapped furiously but really sat and thought about what he sang. Did Harry truly feel like that? She felt an explainable wave of extreme sadness fill her. How did they get like this? Why did Harry's life have to be so lonely and full of sorrow? She knew everyone depended on him and she didn't know how she would cope under that type of pressure. When Harry came back to sit, she stood and gave him a huge hug.

"I'll always be here for you. Best friends until the end," she whispered. Harry smiled gratefully and took his seat.

"Well, I must say I'm very impressed Mr. Potter. Next up is Greggory Goyle," Prof Starr said and Hermione swore she was covering up a smirk.

Goyle lumbered up to the stage and Hermione sat back and watched. She noticed that Goyle was the first student to do actual karaoke and have the original singing on the CD.

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=266687185/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/artistid=BAHA+MEN/itemid=1526320

(click on Who Let the Dogs Out)

Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out


      After those lines, Goyle froze and stood motionless on stage. He desperately tried to remember the words but gave up and just starting going 'Woof Woof Woof' throughout most of the song. When he finished everyone clapped but Hermione knew it was out of sheer joy that he finally finished breaking their ear drums.

     "Thank you Mr. Goyle for that… interesting choice. Could I please have… Neville Longbottom?" Prof. Starr's voice rang out.

     Hermione saw Neville's face absolutely drain of color. He looked like he was about to pass out in a dead faint. Where he got the strength to get up, she'll never know.

~

To Be Continued…

Sorry guys, but I really wanted to get this out and I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it for a few days since I just got my computer back! Please tell me what ya think!

Song Disclaimers:

…Oops I Did It Again belongs to Britney Spears

I'm Too Sexy belongs to Right Said Fred

Who Let the Dogs Out belongs to Baha Men

Superman belongs to Five For Fighting

And you can all thank TheOneAndOnly who suggested like half of these songs! Thank you!