Chapter Twenty-Seven
The next day, the whole school was in an uproar. Excitement about the ball spread to the teachers. Even Snape looked a little nervous. All anyone heard was about the ball. Professor McGonagall had to threaten to prevent people from going to the ball, before they paid attention to the lesson.
Then it was time.
Mandy, Elorra, Lizzy, Hermione, and Missy were all in their dormitory getting ready for the ball, doing each others hair.
Lizzy was doing Missy's, and Missy was doing Lizzy's, Hermione was doing Elorra's and Elorra was doing Hermione's and Mandy was doing her own because she didn't want anyone to touch her hair.
Lizzy held Missy's hair away from her face and studied it. "Hmm." She grabbed a black bow off of Missy's dresser and changed it too dark yellow to match Missy's shawl. She pinned Missy's curly hair off to the side a bit and looked at it again. She grinned and turned Missy around to face the mirror.
Missy smiled at her reflection. "I like it!" She looked up at Lizzy. "Your turn!"
She left Lizzy's hair down, but gave her bangs.
Hermione left Elorra's hair down, and moved some pieces over her eye.
Elorra tied Hermione's hair back with a ribbon, leaving it's natural curls.
Mandy left her hair down too, but had it frame her face.
The girls all looked into the mirror and smiled at their reflections.
"Why," said Lizzy, "does this feel like such a big huge moment? Why does it feel like life and death? Why does it feel like one of the biggest moments in our life? We're like a speck of sand on the beach of the galaxy. There are people out there dying, right this second, yet we're ready to go to a simple ball at our school. I think it feels so important because it's us, and we're doing something that we've never done before. And we're going to be with the ones we love. This may be a small moment in our lives, but it'll last forever."
The girls were quiet for a moment, then Mandy looked over at Lizzy. "Lizzy, are you feeling alright?"
Lizzy looked at her. "Yeah, fine, why?"
Mandy just shook her head. "Never mind."
They went down to the common room, where the guys were waiting for them. Oliver took Mandy's arm.
"You look beautiful," he told her, a smile on his face.
Mandy smiled up at him. "You don't look so bad yourself," she said.
Lizzy went over to Harry and linked her arm with Harry's. "How do I look?" She asked him.
Harry grinned. "Same old, same old."
Lizzy's mouth dropped open. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That means I think you look this gorgeous everyday."
For once, Lizzy was speechless.
Joshua went up to Hermione and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm really glad I sent that letter," he told her. She blushed and held onto his arm.
"Me too."
Patrick walked over to Elorra, and spun her around. "You look smashing." He grinned at her, and she smiled back.
Then shyly, she stood on her tip-toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She held his hand and smiled at him. "Come on, let's go."
When Missy came down the stairs, Ron stared at her with his mouth hanging open until Joshua kicked him, then he went up to her, and bowing, took her hand. He kissed her hand, and looking seriously into her eyes said: "I love you."
Missy could have almost been mistaken for Lizzy.
They all traipsed down to the Great Hall, where the teachers had set a little stage up where the teachers' table used to be. All of the house tables and benches had been moved, and all that was left were little round tables lining the walls, leaving a dance floor open. Students were slowly filtering in and awing over the changes in the Great Hall. There were no teachers to be found.
Strings of lights were draped all over the room, and candles floated above the tables. The candles, instead of in their usual pumpkins, were colored orange. The theme of the decorations seemed to be orange for that matter.
Ralee and Draco walked slowly into the Great Hall, each thinking their own thoughts. Ralee saw her friends and waved to them. She turned to Draco and saw that he was waving to someone too.
"Who were you waving to?" She asked him.
He looked at her. "Friends. Who were you waving to?"
"My Gryffindor friends," Ralee said cautiously.
Draco got a sour look on his face but it was faint, and his heart didn't really seem to be in it.
Ralee didn't push it. If he wasn't in the mood to get mad, the better her evening was going to be.
The students all milled around for a while until Professor Dumbledore stood up in front of them all.
"Attention, Ladies and Gentleman. The ball has now officially started. Enjoy yourselves!" He waved his wand and music seemed to play from nowhere.
Everyone cheered and since the song was a slow one, started pairing up to dance. Unfortunately, no one was brave enough to be the first ones to start dancing.
Dumbledore saw no one was dancing and sighed. He grabbed Professor McGonagall, and making her shriek pulled her out onto the dance floor, where to her surprise, he started dancing with her.
Then students started piling onto the dance floor.
About halfway through the ball, after several slow dances, fast dances, and a couple of breaks, the boys started acting weird again.
Lizzy was slow dancing with Harry, her head lying on his shoulder, when he tapped her on the head. "Lizzy?"
She looked up. "Yeah, Harry?"
He smiled at her. "I need to go do something, I'll be right back."
"What do you need to do?"
"Um..." Harry stalled. "I'll be right back."
As Harry walked away, Lizzy planted her hands on her hips. "If you had to go to the bathroom you could have just told me, you know!" She said in a loud voice. Several people looked at her and she blushed.
Patrick and Elorra were sitting down and enjoying some butter beers when Patrick looked at his watch. "Elorra, can you excuse me for a minute, I'm really sorry, but I've got a surprise for you."
Elorra was touched. "Ok, sure Patrick. Will you be long?"
Patrick hesitated. "I may be awhile." He kissed her on the cheek. "See you in a few minutes."
Elorra thought for a moment. "Wow, a surprise. I wonder what it could be?"
Missy was giving Ron a big hug, because he'd just said something really sweet, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Ron bent down and hugged Missy back, and after kissing her behind her ear, whispered: "Hey, I need to go do something."
Missy let go of him. "What?"
"I uh...can't tell you, but you'll find out soon enough."
Missy raised an eyebrow. "Um, ok."
"Thank you!" Ron kissed her on the cheek. "You'll find out soon I promise." He turned around and ran in the direction of one of the antechambers off of the teachers' table.
Missy raised her eyebrow again. "Now what was that all about?"
Oliver had just come back from the bathroom and was walking back to Mandy when someone waved to him. His eyes widened and he ran over to Mandy. "Hey, Manda, I gotta go I'll be back later." He gave her a quick hug and ran off.
Mandy opened her mouth. "Wait...what?" But Oliver was too far away to hear.
Draco was dancing with Ralee when suddenly he pulled back.
"Draco? What's wrong?"
"I have to go talk to some friends, and other stuff. Do you mind waiting for a little bit?"
Ralee shook her head. "No, of course not, but I can come with you."
"No!" Draco said quickly, a little too quickly. "Just wait here." He blew her a kiss and ran up towards the staff table, and stopped near Dumbledore to say something.
Ralee put her hands on her hips, like Lizzy, and thought to herself. "Now what is that boy up to?"
Ralee headed over to where Mandy, Elorra, Missy, Lizzy, and Hermione sat alone.
"Where's Ron, Oliver, Patrick, Joshua, and Harry?" she asked them.
"They're up to something," they all said together.
Ralee smiled. "That's what I thought too. They ditched you guys too? To 'go do something?'" They all nodded glumly. "Joshua told me he needed to go talk to somebody," said Hermione frowning, "and then he ran off, away from the people."
It was quiet for a moment, then Dumbledore stood up to talk again. "Ladies and Gentleman, I have an announcement to make." He waited a moment for the students to quiet down. "I was recently approached and asked if I could have a live band for the ball."
A few people hooted.
"Well, this band is ready now, to perform, and when they come onstage, I'd like everyone to give them a warm welcome." He looked offstage for a moment.
"Where are the guys? They're going to miss this!" Lizzy hissed.
Then she gasped. For coming onto the stage at that very moment, was Harry Potter, carrying an electric guitar.
The girls suddenly began to realize just what this could mean.
Harry walked up to a floating microphone in the middle of the stage and cleared his throat. "I uh, don't think I'm very good at this speech-making stuff, but I just wanna say that uh, the band and me," he paused and scratched the back of his neck.
"I. The band and I," Hermione whispered, always correcting his grammer.
"We'd like to dedicate the making of this band to all of our girlfriends." He looked offstage for a moment, and Lizzy smiled.
Harry blushed. "We love you guys."
Lizzy turned pink.
Then at that moment, Oliver Wood, Ron Weasley, Joshua Biggs, and Patrick Starr walked onto the stage, carrying various instruments, except for Ron and Joshua, and Oliver. They all had their hair spiked or at odd angles, and were wearing very muggle clothing, baggy pants, colored t-shirts with symbold on them and even some jewelry.
Everyone laughed at this turn-out and clapped, Lizzy, Elorra, Missy, Mandy, Hermione, and Ralee especially loudly.
"So that's what they were up to!" Ralee exclaimed, and then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Draco Malfoy had just walked onto the stage, carrying a guitar.
All of the girls turned and looked at Ralee, wide-eyed. What on earth was Draco doing up there?
The crowd gasped. Apparently they weren't expecting this either.
Ron walked up to the microphone. "Uh...hehe, I'm not much better at speech- making than Harry is," he grinned over at Harry. "But I have something to say. If anybody knows Harry and I, they know that we, ahem, seriously disliked Draco Malfoy."
Draco smiled a little.
"Of course we had an excuse!" Ron defended himself. "Draco didn't like us anymore than we liked him. But things have changed now. It's hard to explain, but things have changed. Feelings have changed, and we've let go of past angers and fights. That's what our first song is about. Letting go of your cares, your worries." He walked over to Draco and put his arm around his shoulders. "It worked for us."
Draco stepped forward. "Most of you are probably wondering about the change. Well, I will tell you what made me change. A certain person I know, yelled at me one day, and made me see that it was stupid to act the way I was. Ralee."
Ralee was crying now, buckets of tears. The other girls had tears in their eyes.
Draco looked right through the crowd, right into Ralee's eyes. "Thank you," he whispered.
The whole Great Hall was silent except for the sobs from the girls, then Ron, who had gone over and sat behind a set of drums that for some reason no one had noticed before, and tapped out a solo.
Patrick and Harry, who had electric guitars started playing to the catchy beat, and Draco who had the bass guitar, throbbed beneath it all.
Oliver stood in the middle of the stage, flanked by Harry and Patrick, in front of Draco, and in between Ron with the drums and Joshua with a second bass guitar. Oliver wasn't holding any instrument at all. Oliver adjusted his microphone. "This song is called Million Pieces."
Ron and Joshua, who had microphones in front of them did a sort of harmonizing thing with their voices, then Oliver sang:
"Oh, yeah."
Ron and Joshua did it again.
"Oh, yeah."
Ron and Joshua did it again.
"Oh, yeahehyeah."
Then Oliver started singing full-throttle.
Mandy's eyes shone and she bit her lip, but couldn't keep the huge smile off of her face.
"Oh, they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A tickertape parade high
And now you're free to fly
Carryin' a millstone malaise
It's been pulling down your gaze
You pound the pavement
It don't give or care
This weight ain't yours to bear
Why you holdin' grudges in old jars?
Why you wanna show off all your scars?
What's it gonna take to lay a few burdens down?
It's a beautiful sound
When they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
And now you're free to fly."
On the chorus, Joshua and Ron sang along with Oliver.
"When that muffled sigh
Says you're barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify
This is not your floor
You're going higher than before
Drop the weight now
Wait for the lookout guide
Look outside
As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you're free to fly
You've gotta lay that burden down
You're gonna lay that burden down
It's time to leave your burdens in a pyre
Set a bonfire
'Cause when you lay your burdens down When you lay your burdens down
When you drop them burdens
What a free-fall
What a thrill
Bury them all
In a landfill
Oh, oh, they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you're free to fly."
They repeated the last chorus a few times, with Ron and Joshua repeating and harmonizing behind Oliver.
Then the song faded out, and when the last whine of the guitars disappeared into thin air, they could hear their girlfriends crying like there was no tomorrow.
Then suddenly, Mandy began laughing to herself.
Missy wiped away a tear. "What are you laughing at?" She asked.
Mandy couldn't help laughing again. "They have a band!" She cried.
Lizzy got it first and she started laughing too.
Missy and Hermione looked a little confused, before, like the others, they started laughing.
The boys had a band. That was very similar to theirs in the fact that it was muggle-themed, it had six people in it, and it was made in secret!
The girls couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Oliver moved the microphone down a little bit.
"Our next song is dedicated to anyone out there who feels like they can't carry on because they have so many problems out there. Well, actually the first song applys to them too," he grinned, "but this song especially."
Oliver nodded to Patrick and Harry.
They started the song, a half-slow sort of tune, they played for a moment, then Ron with the drums and Draco, and Joshua with the bass came in.
And at the same time they came in, Oliver started singing again.
"This world
This world is cold
But you don't
You don't have to go
You're feeling sad, you're feeling lonely, and no one seems to care
Your mother's gone and your father hits you
This pain you cannot bear."
The beat got louder.
"But we all bleed the same way as you do
And we all have the same things to go through."
Joshua and Ron started singing with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know."
Ron and Joshua stopped singing, and the beat got slower again.
"Your days
You say they're way too long
And your nights
You can't sleep at all
Hold on
And you're not sure what you're waiting for, but you don't want to no more
And you're not sure what you're looking for, but you don't want to no more."
The beat started to get faster again.
"But we all bleed the same way as you do
And we all have the same things to go through."
Joshua and Ron sang with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know
Don't stop looking, you're one step closer
Don't stop searching, it's not over
Hold on."
Ron and Joshua stopped singing.
There was an electric guitar solo by Harry, who looked strangely as he did when Lizzy saw him playing the air guitar.
Oliver continued on alone, and when he said the word 'for' Ron drummed louder and faster, in accompaniment with the guitars.
"What are you looking for?
What are you waiting for?
Do you know what you're doing to me?
Go ahead...What are you waiting for?"
Ron and Joshua sang with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go Hold on it gets better than you know."
Than Oliver alone again:
"Don't stop looking, you're one step closer
Don't stop searching, it's not over."
Ron and Joshua sang along:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know
Hold on."
Then the song was over. By that time everyone in the Great Hall was dancing and there wasn't anybody who wasn't enjoying themselves.
The group went into the next song almost right away, because no one wanted them to stop. One boy even yelled that if they stopped he'd throw tomatoes at them.
The boys grinned at each other.
"All right then!" Yelled Oliver. "Our next song is called Perfect. It's dedicated to Lucius Malfoy, from Draco."
The song started with the electric guitars again, slow again, then Ron's drums added and the guitars got louder, making a good rock sound. Then it slowed down again, Ron beating a steady beat.
And this time, Draco sang, Oliver taking his guitar, with Joshua and Ron singing with him every so often, words here, words there:
"Hey, Dad, look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according
To plan?
Do you think I'm wasting
My time doing things I
Wanna do?
But it hurts when you
Disapprove all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good
Enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be
My hero?
All the days
You spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't
Care anymore
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good
Enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Nothing's gonna change
The things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this
Right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard
Just to talk to you
But you don't understand
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect."
The guitars faded away, and Draco backed away from the microphone, looking down at his feet.
There wasn't a girl in the whole of the Great Hall who didn't have a lump in her throat. There were many boys who were looking at their feet, as well.
Oliver stepped up again.
"The next song is going to be our last, because-"
He didn't get a chance to finish, because boos rang out.
"Because we'd like to spend the rest of the dance...dancing. You understand don't you?" He looked pleadingly into the audience.
"Anyways, Er, this next song is dedicated to our girlfriends, Mandy,"
"Missy," said Ron, pointing his drumsticks into the audience right at Missy.
"Lizzy," said Harry, looking at Lizzy.
"Elorra," said Patrick quietly, a smile on his face.
"Ralee," said Draco, a laughing look in his eyes.
"And Hermione," said Joshua, pointing at Hermione, who blushed.
"We love you!" They all chorused together.
The girls were crying, laughing, and blushing all at once.
"And," added Oliver, "one of our friends has something to say to his girlfriend too." Oliver nodded offstage.
Then all of the people in the Great Hall burst out laughing, because at that moment, Dobby the House-elf trotted onto the stage.
Dobby stood in front of the microphone, and Oliver adjusted it to his height.
Dobby twisted one of his many hats in his hands. "I want to tell Droopy," he began squeakily. Several girls giggled.
"I love you," he said, looking at his feet.
Many girls went: "Awww!"
Dobby left, and the band resumed their positions.
"Our next song, as we said, is dedicated to our girlfriends, and it's called Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water. We will always be there for you, and all of our other friends. Know that." Oliver said.
Then Joshua, who had earlier been playing the electric guitar went over to a piano that had been hidden by the shadows, and played a solo, then all of the boys sang together, their voices blending as they harmonized nearly perfectly together.
"When you're weary (Oliver.)
Feeling small (All.)
When tears are in your eyes (Draco.)
I will dry them all (All.)
I'm on your side (All.)
When times get rough (Ron.)
And friends just can't be found (All.)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down (All.)
When you're down and out (Joshua.)
When you're on the street (All.)
When evening falls so hard (Patrick.)
I will comfort you (All.)
I'll take your part (Harry.)
When darkness comes (All.)
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (All.)"
Then there was a piano solo, and the piano and drums played lightly together, as they did for the rest of the song.
Mandy turned and whispered excitedly to the others. Then to the complete surprise of the boys, (Ron almost stopped playing.) the girls climbed up onto the stage, and walking over to their boyfriends, sang the next verse, which they all seemed to know, with them:
"Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine (The music got louder.)
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind."
Then the song ended.
This time there was not a dry eye in the whole of the Great Hall.
The girls threw their arms around the guys, and the guys rocked them back and forth, a content smile on their faces.
Lizzy pulled away from Harry. "So that's what you were up to!" She exclaimed, not realizing that there was a microphone behind her.
There was laughter, and Lizzy turned around, blushing.
True to their word, the boys spent the rest of the night, dancing and enjoying themselves.
Lizzy was right, this moment would last forever.
The next day, the whole school was in an uproar. Excitement about the ball spread to the teachers. Even Snape looked a little nervous. All anyone heard was about the ball. Professor McGonagall had to threaten to prevent people from going to the ball, before they paid attention to the lesson.
Then it was time.
Mandy, Elorra, Lizzy, Hermione, and Missy were all in their dormitory getting ready for the ball, doing each others hair.
Lizzy was doing Missy's, and Missy was doing Lizzy's, Hermione was doing Elorra's and Elorra was doing Hermione's and Mandy was doing her own because she didn't want anyone to touch her hair.
Lizzy held Missy's hair away from her face and studied it. "Hmm." She grabbed a black bow off of Missy's dresser and changed it too dark yellow to match Missy's shawl. She pinned Missy's curly hair off to the side a bit and looked at it again. She grinned and turned Missy around to face the mirror.
Missy smiled at her reflection. "I like it!" She looked up at Lizzy. "Your turn!"
She left Lizzy's hair down, but gave her bangs.
Hermione left Elorra's hair down, and moved some pieces over her eye.
Elorra tied Hermione's hair back with a ribbon, leaving it's natural curls.
Mandy left her hair down too, but had it frame her face.
The girls all looked into the mirror and smiled at their reflections.
"Why," said Lizzy, "does this feel like such a big huge moment? Why does it feel like life and death? Why does it feel like one of the biggest moments in our life? We're like a speck of sand on the beach of the galaxy. There are people out there dying, right this second, yet we're ready to go to a simple ball at our school. I think it feels so important because it's us, and we're doing something that we've never done before. And we're going to be with the ones we love. This may be a small moment in our lives, but it'll last forever."
The girls were quiet for a moment, then Mandy looked over at Lizzy. "Lizzy, are you feeling alright?"
Lizzy looked at her. "Yeah, fine, why?"
Mandy just shook her head. "Never mind."
They went down to the common room, where the guys were waiting for them. Oliver took Mandy's arm.
"You look beautiful," he told her, a smile on his face.
Mandy smiled up at him. "You don't look so bad yourself," she said.
Lizzy went over to Harry and linked her arm with Harry's. "How do I look?" She asked him.
Harry grinned. "Same old, same old."
Lizzy's mouth dropped open. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That means I think you look this gorgeous everyday."
For once, Lizzy was speechless.
Joshua went up to Hermione and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm really glad I sent that letter," he told her. She blushed and held onto his arm.
"Me too."
Patrick walked over to Elorra, and spun her around. "You look smashing." He grinned at her, and she smiled back.
Then shyly, she stood on her tip-toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She held his hand and smiled at him. "Come on, let's go."
When Missy came down the stairs, Ron stared at her with his mouth hanging open until Joshua kicked him, then he went up to her, and bowing, took her hand. He kissed her hand, and looking seriously into her eyes said: "I love you."
Missy could have almost been mistaken for Lizzy.
They all traipsed down to the Great Hall, where the teachers had set a little stage up where the teachers' table used to be. All of the house tables and benches had been moved, and all that was left were little round tables lining the walls, leaving a dance floor open. Students were slowly filtering in and awing over the changes in the Great Hall. There were no teachers to be found.
Strings of lights were draped all over the room, and candles floated above the tables. The candles, instead of in their usual pumpkins, were colored orange. The theme of the decorations seemed to be orange for that matter.
Ralee and Draco walked slowly into the Great Hall, each thinking their own thoughts. Ralee saw her friends and waved to them. She turned to Draco and saw that he was waving to someone too.
"Who were you waving to?" She asked him.
He looked at her. "Friends. Who were you waving to?"
"My Gryffindor friends," Ralee said cautiously.
Draco got a sour look on his face but it was faint, and his heart didn't really seem to be in it.
Ralee didn't push it. If he wasn't in the mood to get mad, the better her evening was going to be.
The students all milled around for a while until Professor Dumbledore stood up in front of them all.
"Attention, Ladies and Gentleman. The ball has now officially started. Enjoy yourselves!" He waved his wand and music seemed to play from nowhere.
Everyone cheered and since the song was a slow one, started pairing up to dance. Unfortunately, no one was brave enough to be the first ones to start dancing.
Dumbledore saw no one was dancing and sighed. He grabbed Professor McGonagall, and making her shriek pulled her out onto the dance floor, where to her surprise, he started dancing with her.
Then students started piling onto the dance floor.
About halfway through the ball, after several slow dances, fast dances, and a couple of breaks, the boys started acting weird again.
Lizzy was slow dancing with Harry, her head lying on his shoulder, when he tapped her on the head. "Lizzy?"
She looked up. "Yeah, Harry?"
He smiled at her. "I need to go do something, I'll be right back."
"What do you need to do?"
"Um..." Harry stalled. "I'll be right back."
As Harry walked away, Lizzy planted her hands on her hips. "If you had to go to the bathroom you could have just told me, you know!" She said in a loud voice. Several people looked at her and she blushed.
Patrick and Elorra were sitting down and enjoying some butter beers when Patrick looked at his watch. "Elorra, can you excuse me for a minute, I'm really sorry, but I've got a surprise for you."
Elorra was touched. "Ok, sure Patrick. Will you be long?"
Patrick hesitated. "I may be awhile." He kissed her on the cheek. "See you in a few minutes."
Elorra thought for a moment. "Wow, a surprise. I wonder what it could be?"
Missy was giving Ron a big hug, because he'd just said something really sweet, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Ron bent down and hugged Missy back, and after kissing her behind her ear, whispered: "Hey, I need to go do something."
Missy let go of him. "What?"
"I uh...can't tell you, but you'll find out soon enough."
Missy raised an eyebrow. "Um, ok."
"Thank you!" Ron kissed her on the cheek. "You'll find out soon I promise." He turned around and ran in the direction of one of the antechambers off of the teachers' table.
Missy raised her eyebrow again. "Now what was that all about?"
Oliver had just come back from the bathroom and was walking back to Mandy when someone waved to him. His eyes widened and he ran over to Mandy. "Hey, Manda, I gotta go I'll be back later." He gave her a quick hug and ran off.
Mandy opened her mouth. "Wait...what?" But Oliver was too far away to hear.
Draco was dancing with Ralee when suddenly he pulled back.
"Draco? What's wrong?"
"I have to go talk to some friends, and other stuff. Do you mind waiting for a little bit?"
Ralee shook her head. "No, of course not, but I can come with you."
"No!" Draco said quickly, a little too quickly. "Just wait here." He blew her a kiss and ran up towards the staff table, and stopped near Dumbledore to say something.
Ralee put her hands on her hips, like Lizzy, and thought to herself. "Now what is that boy up to?"
Ralee headed over to where Mandy, Elorra, Missy, Lizzy, and Hermione sat alone.
"Where's Ron, Oliver, Patrick, Joshua, and Harry?" she asked them.
"They're up to something," they all said together.
Ralee smiled. "That's what I thought too. They ditched you guys too? To 'go do something?'" They all nodded glumly. "Joshua told me he needed to go talk to somebody," said Hermione frowning, "and then he ran off, away from the people."
It was quiet for a moment, then Dumbledore stood up to talk again. "Ladies and Gentleman, I have an announcement to make." He waited a moment for the students to quiet down. "I was recently approached and asked if I could have a live band for the ball."
A few people hooted.
"Well, this band is ready now, to perform, and when they come onstage, I'd like everyone to give them a warm welcome." He looked offstage for a moment.
"Where are the guys? They're going to miss this!" Lizzy hissed.
Then she gasped. For coming onto the stage at that very moment, was Harry Potter, carrying an electric guitar.
The girls suddenly began to realize just what this could mean.
Harry walked up to a floating microphone in the middle of the stage and cleared his throat. "I uh, don't think I'm very good at this speech-making stuff, but I just wanna say that uh, the band and me," he paused and scratched the back of his neck.
"I. The band and I," Hermione whispered, always correcting his grammer.
"We'd like to dedicate the making of this band to all of our girlfriends." He looked offstage for a moment, and Lizzy smiled.
Harry blushed. "We love you guys."
Lizzy turned pink.
Then at that moment, Oliver Wood, Ron Weasley, Joshua Biggs, and Patrick Starr walked onto the stage, carrying various instruments, except for Ron and Joshua, and Oliver. They all had their hair spiked or at odd angles, and were wearing very muggle clothing, baggy pants, colored t-shirts with symbold on them and even some jewelry.
Everyone laughed at this turn-out and clapped, Lizzy, Elorra, Missy, Mandy, Hermione, and Ralee especially loudly.
"So that's what they were up to!" Ralee exclaimed, and then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Draco Malfoy had just walked onto the stage, carrying a guitar.
All of the girls turned and looked at Ralee, wide-eyed. What on earth was Draco doing up there?
The crowd gasped. Apparently they weren't expecting this either.
Ron walked up to the microphone. "Uh...hehe, I'm not much better at speech- making than Harry is," he grinned over at Harry. "But I have something to say. If anybody knows Harry and I, they know that we, ahem, seriously disliked Draco Malfoy."
Draco smiled a little.
"Of course we had an excuse!" Ron defended himself. "Draco didn't like us anymore than we liked him. But things have changed now. It's hard to explain, but things have changed. Feelings have changed, and we've let go of past angers and fights. That's what our first song is about. Letting go of your cares, your worries." He walked over to Draco and put his arm around his shoulders. "It worked for us."
Draco stepped forward. "Most of you are probably wondering about the change. Well, I will tell you what made me change. A certain person I know, yelled at me one day, and made me see that it was stupid to act the way I was. Ralee."
Ralee was crying now, buckets of tears. The other girls had tears in their eyes.
Draco looked right through the crowd, right into Ralee's eyes. "Thank you," he whispered.
The whole Great Hall was silent except for the sobs from the girls, then Ron, who had gone over and sat behind a set of drums that for some reason no one had noticed before, and tapped out a solo.
Patrick and Harry, who had electric guitars started playing to the catchy beat, and Draco who had the bass guitar, throbbed beneath it all.
Oliver stood in the middle of the stage, flanked by Harry and Patrick, in front of Draco, and in between Ron with the drums and Joshua with a second bass guitar. Oliver wasn't holding any instrument at all. Oliver adjusted his microphone. "This song is called Million Pieces."
Ron and Joshua, who had microphones in front of them did a sort of harmonizing thing with their voices, then Oliver sang:
"Oh, yeah."
Ron and Joshua did it again.
"Oh, yeah."
Ron and Joshua did it again.
"Oh, yeahehyeah."
Then Oliver started singing full-throttle.
Mandy's eyes shone and she bit her lip, but couldn't keep the huge smile off of her face.
"Oh, they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A tickertape parade high
And now you're free to fly
Carryin' a millstone malaise
It's been pulling down your gaze
You pound the pavement
It don't give or care
This weight ain't yours to bear
Why you holdin' grudges in old jars?
Why you wanna show off all your scars?
What's it gonna take to lay a few burdens down?
It's a beautiful sound
When they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
And now you're free to fly."
On the chorus, Joshua and Ron sang along with Oliver.
"When that muffled sigh
Says you're barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify
This is not your floor
You're going higher than before
Drop the weight now
Wait for the lookout guide
Look outside
As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you're free to fly
You've gotta lay that burden down
You're gonna lay that burden down
It's time to leave your burdens in a pyre
Set a bonfire
'Cause when you lay your burdens down When you lay your burdens down
When you drop them burdens
What a free-fall
What a thrill
Bury them all
In a landfill
Oh, oh, they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
Oh, oh, they all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you're free to fly."
They repeated the last chorus a few times, with Ron and Joshua repeating and harmonizing behind Oliver.
Then the song faded out, and when the last whine of the guitars disappeared into thin air, they could hear their girlfriends crying like there was no tomorrow.
Then suddenly, Mandy began laughing to herself.
Missy wiped away a tear. "What are you laughing at?" She asked.
Mandy couldn't help laughing again. "They have a band!" She cried.
Lizzy got it first and she started laughing too.
Missy and Hermione looked a little confused, before, like the others, they started laughing.
The boys had a band. That was very similar to theirs in the fact that it was muggle-themed, it had six people in it, and it was made in secret!
The girls couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Oliver moved the microphone down a little bit.
"Our next song is dedicated to anyone out there who feels like they can't carry on because they have so many problems out there. Well, actually the first song applys to them too," he grinned, "but this song especially."
Oliver nodded to Patrick and Harry.
They started the song, a half-slow sort of tune, they played for a moment, then Ron with the drums and Draco, and Joshua with the bass came in.
And at the same time they came in, Oliver started singing again.
"This world
This world is cold
But you don't
You don't have to go
You're feeling sad, you're feeling lonely, and no one seems to care
Your mother's gone and your father hits you
This pain you cannot bear."
The beat got louder.
"But we all bleed the same way as you do
And we all have the same things to go through."
Joshua and Ron started singing with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know."
Ron and Joshua stopped singing, and the beat got slower again.
"Your days
You say they're way too long
And your nights
You can't sleep at all
Hold on
And you're not sure what you're waiting for, but you don't want to no more
And you're not sure what you're looking for, but you don't want to no more."
The beat started to get faster again.
"But we all bleed the same way as you do
And we all have the same things to go through."
Joshua and Ron sang with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know
Don't stop looking, you're one step closer
Don't stop searching, it's not over
Hold on."
Ron and Joshua stopped singing.
There was an electric guitar solo by Harry, who looked strangely as he did when Lizzy saw him playing the air guitar.
Oliver continued on alone, and when he said the word 'for' Ron drummed louder and faster, in accompaniment with the guitars.
"What are you looking for?
What are you waiting for?
Do you know what you're doing to me?
Go ahead...What are you waiting for?"
Ron and Joshua sang with Oliver:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go Hold on it gets better than you know."
Than Oliver alone again:
"Don't stop looking, you're one step closer
Don't stop searching, it's not over."
Ron and Joshua sang along:
"Hold on if you feel like letting go
Hold on it gets better than you know
Hold on."
Then the song was over. By that time everyone in the Great Hall was dancing and there wasn't anybody who wasn't enjoying themselves.
The group went into the next song almost right away, because no one wanted them to stop. One boy even yelled that if they stopped he'd throw tomatoes at them.
The boys grinned at each other.
"All right then!" Yelled Oliver. "Our next song is called Perfect. It's dedicated to Lucius Malfoy, from Draco."
The song started with the electric guitars again, slow again, then Ron's drums added and the guitars got louder, making a good rock sound. Then it slowed down again, Ron beating a steady beat.
And this time, Draco sang, Oliver taking his guitar, with Joshua and Ron singing with him every so often, words here, words there:
"Hey, Dad, look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according
To plan?
Do you think I'm wasting
My time doing things I
Wanna do?
But it hurts when you
Disapprove all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good
Enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be
My hero?
All the days
You spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't
Care anymore
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good
Enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Nothing's gonna change
The things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this
Right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard
Just to talk to you
But you don't understand
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect."
The guitars faded away, and Draco backed away from the microphone, looking down at his feet.
There wasn't a girl in the whole of the Great Hall who didn't have a lump in her throat. There were many boys who were looking at their feet, as well.
Oliver stepped up again.
"The next song is going to be our last, because-"
He didn't get a chance to finish, because boos rang out.
"Because we'd like to spend the rest of the dance...dancing. You understand don't you?" He looked pleadingly into the audience.
"Anyways, Er, this next song is dedicated to our girlfriends, Mandy,"
"Missy," said Ron, pointing his drumsticks into the audience right at Missy.
"Lizzy," said Harry, looking at Lizzy.
"Elorra," said Patrick quietly, a smile on his face.
"Ralee," said Draco, a laughing look in his eyes.
"And Hermione," said Joshua, pointing at Hermione, who blushed.
"We love you!" They all chorused together.
The girls were crying, laughing, and blushing all at once.
"And," added Oliver, "one of our friends has something to say to his girlfriend too." Oliver nodded offstage.
Then all of the people in the Great Hall burst out laughing, because at that moment, Dobby the House-elf trotted onto the stage.
Dobby stood in front of the microphone, and Oliver adjusted it to his height.
Dobby twisted one of his many hats in his hands. "I want to tell Droopy," he began squeakily. Several girls giggled.
"I love you," he said, looking at his feet.
Many girls went: "Awww!"
Dobby left, and the band resumed their positions.
"Our next song, as we said, is dedicated to our girlfriends, and it's called Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water. We will always be there for you, and all of our other friends. Know that." Oliver said.
Then Joshua, who had earlier been playing the electric guitar went over to a piano that had been hidden by the shadows, and played a solo, then all of the boys sang together, their voices blending as they harmonized nearly perfectly together.
"When you're weary (Oliver.)
Feeling small (All.)
When tears are in your eyes (Draco.)
I will dry them all (All.)
I'm on your side (All.)
When times get rough (Ron.)
And friends just can't be found (All.)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down (All.)
When you're down and out (Joshua.)
When you're on the street (All.)
When evening falls so hard (Patrick.)
I will comfort you (All.)
I'll take your part (Harry.)
When darkness comes (All.)
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (All.)"
Then there was a piano solo, and the piano and drums played lightly together, as they did for the rest of the song.
Mandy turned and whispered excitedly to the others. Then to the complete surprise of the boys, (Ron almost stopped playing.) the girls climbed up onto the stage, and walking over to their boyfriends, sang the next verse, which they all seemed to know, with them:
"Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine (The music got louder.)
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind."
Then the song ended.
This time there was not a dry eye in the whole of the Great Hall.
The girls threw their arms around the guys, and the guys rocked them back and forth, a content smile on their faces.
Lizzy pulled away from Harry. "So that's what you were up to!" She exclaimed, not realizing that there was a microphone behind her.
There was laughter, and Lizzy turned around, blushing.
True to their word, the boys spent the rest of the night, dancing and enjoying themselves.
Lizzy was right, this moment would last forever.
