Hogwarts' First Musical
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Pairing: R/Hr, perhaps more later
Disclaimer: All characters and setting belong to J.K. Rowling. We receive no profit from this. Only the OC (Professor Letalis) belongs to us. Moulin Rouge doesn't belong to us either.A/N: Two weeks! Ah! We're both very sorry. But this one's long. [Thank our one and only true snow day.] And we'll work on the next one promptly. We might be getting a site for our story. Might. Keep your fingers crossed. Oh. And to make us feel special, send us feedback. We like it. [We're having a party when we hit the 50 mark. Score.]
Warning: This is very, very Moulin Rouge-oriented. If you don't want some of it spoiled, watch the movie or read the script. Now.
Hermione burst into the common room, hair and robes flying behind her. Harry stifled a laugh because she really did look like a witch at the moment. Ron was oblivious, as someone has brought up a few jugs of pumpkin juice.
As he looked up from his cup, pumpkin moustache and all, he furrowed his brow and said, "Hermione, what's eating you? You seem…" he stopped, looking ridiculously pensive despite the line of orange juice above his lip.
"Flustered?" Harry offered.
"Yeah, that one's it," he said with satisfaction.
She whirled around so fast, her robe made a slight cracking sound. Harry and Ron both looked awed.
"I can't help but think there is something very, very wrong with Remus. Even on full moon days, he doesn't act like this. He's tired and resigned, not frightened." She paused. "I think he's at Hogwarts because something happened to him on the field."
"Voldemort?" Harry asked, a little stunned.
Hermione nodded. "Dumbledore can protect him here. It has to be."
Ron winced at Harry's mention of You-Know-Who. "Don't you think it could just be an especially straining case of werewolf? I mean, you two seem to be downplaying how painful it really is."
"Well…" Harry stopped.
Hermione looked at him sharply. "Yes, Harry?"
"I saw Lupin with Letalis earlier today. He seemed almost- desperate. And pretty scared. Then suddenly he became really calm when Letalis talked to him."
Hermione whitened. "You don't think…" She trailed off, mumbling phrases like "no proof" and "completely ridiculous".
"Think what?" Ron asked through a mouthful of biscuit.
"Never mind. I'm going to bed. Good night. Get a good sleep. Tomorrow, we start character analysis, the burn-healing paste, and more of Letalis' notes. Good night." Hermione promptly rushed up the girls' staircase.
"You know," Ron said thoughtfully, "I'd run up after her if the girls weren't dressed in their nighties."
Harry smoothed out his bemused expression and turned, grinning, to his best friend. "Why are you letting a few nighties stop you then, eh, mate?" he said cheekily.
Ron sputtered, spilling the pumpkin juice he had been drinking down his shirtfront. "Bloody Mordred, Harry. I know we have House Elves and all, but I don't have that much laundry to spare!" Sputtering, Ron bolted up to the boys' dormitory.
"Ah, aren't we a flustered bunch tonight?" Harry wondered out loud. After staring at the fire for a few moments, he went upstairs also, yawning and smiling hugely.
…
The next morning was a blur. Ron was so exhausted, he could hardly see straight. He missed putting the croissant in his mouth several times at breakfast. Instead, he ended up stuffing a good deal of it up his nose. It hadn't helped that Seamus kept asking him if he wanted the jam with it, which had made Ron spit out his juice all over Neville. Neville sighed mournfully and headed back to the common room for a clean shirt and pants. Ginny and Hermione murmured about boys, rolling their eyes and giggling quietly.
Potions hadn't gone well either. Ron had the misfortune of cutting more roots and almost took off four fingers of his left hand. Luckily Harry had heard Malfoy and his goons snickering, so he had caught Ron's frenzied movements in time.
Now they were in DADA and Ron was having great trouble keeping his eyes open. They'd been on the subject of mind controlling for days, and Ron really didn't have a long attention span. Hermione kept tickling his neck with her quill feather to keep him awake, but Ron didn't care. He was so tired. His dreams had been insane last night.
Again he dreamed of the beautiful woman, the bright lights, the raucous dancing, all those faces. This time it had been in a very strange, glittery tower. The beautiful woman had been doing… things he'd rather not remember. They were embarrassing. She had kissed him though, and that had been extremely nice.
A sharp jab of Hermione's quill point brought him from his reverie. He smiled benignly and said, "Of course, Professor."
Harry looked at him in slight horror and Ron thought, Oh dear Elphaba, what have I agreed to now?
"Thank you for volunteering for the demonstration, Mr. Weasley. You are indeed a true sport." Ron blanched at the sport part but held firm. He grinned tightly.
"Up here, please."
He marched to the front of the room. He turned towards her and waited.
"Mr. Weasley, for a few moments, I will put you under mind control." Ron 's jaw dropped in horror. "It won't be anything particularly painful, I promise. Some even enjoy it."
He gulped. "What will you make me do?"
"Perhaps I'll just make you jump on the desk and sing a love song to Ms. Granger."
Ron paled so drastically, his freckles whitened also.
"Since she's your lover in the play, Mr. Weasley." Ron immediately felt better. Letalis continued. "I'll just-
She tilted her head slightly and said something to him. And at the exact moment, Ron really didn't care. He felt light and free because someone was taking care of all the problems for him. No more hard Potions questions, worrying about Hermione and Harry, or being second-rate at everything. Nope, someone else had all the answers for him.
Ron looked at Hermione and smiled beautifully at her. Her feather was in her mouth. It was a Sugar Quill he'd given her a few weeks ago. He didn't think she used them. She smiled tentatively back, but her worry wrinkle was prominent.
Ron frowned. She mustn't worry. He wasn't at all perturbed. He was perfectly fine. He leaned forward to tell her not to worry, and then he became fascinated with her eyes. They were trying to tell him something, and that something looked quite familiar.
Then Ron blacked out.
…
An hour later, Ron was in a bed, listening rather distractedly to Professor Letalis apologize profusely to him. He even saw a few tears in her dark eyes. He smiled at her and went back to sleep. He was so tired.
Later, Madame Pomfrey woke him up and asked him if he was up for practice. He shot up in bed and yelped, "Practice! I can't be late!"
With that, he ran out of the doors, Pomfrey tutting and smiling as he left.
He panted outside the door. He was just in time. As he bolted through, Letalis looked up almost angrily, "Aren't you supposed to be resting, Mr. Weasley?"
"Er, Madame Pomfrey said I was all right. I feel fine. Just a little funny earlier. I'm good now." Ron could have gone on much longer, sorry for making Letalis ticked off and happy to be in the theater.
"All right, Mr. Weasley. We've split into groups. Professor Snape has taken those who need choreography, Professor McGonagall has taken the chorus, and Mr. Lupin has taken the crew. So everyone else is with me." She smiled, since at the moment it was only Draco, Hermione, and Harry.
"We were just about to begin discussing everyone's character when you came in. Please, come join us." She motioned and seat folded itself out of thin air. Ron sat down, nervous in the intimate circle.
"Mr. Malfoy had a marvelous idea. To get everyone into character for the play, this weekend we will watch the American movie production. Mr. Parchment has inked us in."
"And now, Mr. Weasley, we can start with your character."
Ron leaned forward, suddenly very interested. Although he had been skeptical initially, he realized after the first read through how much he was looking forward to this play. Letalis cleared her throat.
"Up, Mr. Weasley."
Ron looked mightily confused.
"My actors and actresses do not sit and snore while I pour out every tiny nuance of their characters' personality. No thank you. Stand center stage."
Ron moved nervously to the center stage when suddenly a blinding light knocked his sight into flashing colors.
"Sorry, Ron! Justin hit the spotlight spell instead of the turning on the MagiPhone," Anthony Goldstein yelled out.
"Yeah, sorry there, Ron. Still getting the hang of it back here."
Ron waved, wincing as his eyes adjusted.
"All right. You are sad and melancholy. Sitting in a drab room of an unknown apartment, remembering a painful beautiful past."
Ron stared at Letalis, utterly lost.
"Well," Letalis said impatiently, "Act it out."
So Ron sat down on a conveniently placed chair and hung his head, pretending to reflect. He looked the epitome of lost dreams.
"There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy," Letalis sang softly. Ron looked up, still vaguely bewildered.
"In character, Mr. Weasley. Always stay in character."
Ron sighed, taking on a different pose of sorrow so he could watch Letalis at every moment.
"Christian is the lead, of course. The play is a flashback," Letalis said quietly so she wouldn't break Ron's concentration. "Ms. Granger, come here please. Stand by Mr. Weasley. Good, now stay right there. Now Mr. Weasley. Reach for Ms. Granger."
Desperately, Ron threw his hands out, trying to grab Hermione's arm, sleeve, anything that would bring her closer. Hermione began to reach her hands out to his.
"Now Ms. Granger, take a step back." Shocked for a minute, Hermione stayed put, her fingertips brushing Ron's palm. And then she stepped back.
"This is the agony of lovers torn apart by death. You will experience it three times, Mr. Weasley. Once at the beginning of your flashback, then as Satine dies, and then at the end of the flashback. But it is the element of the entire play.
"Thank you, Ms. Granger. You may sit back down for now."
"Now. The play begins when the play within the play is introduced. The Bohemians need inspiration, and that is Christian. He helps the group of museless men, and they begin to formulate a play entitled Spectacular Spectacular."
"Now. Mr. Weasley. Awaken from your dismal present into the more pleasant past. Surprise. A man has fallen through your roof."
Ron jumped back, staring at the invisible body at his feet in weird entrancement.
"And a group of wildly strange men pull you up through the hole and you are now not a sad Christian but a young, naïve, and talented person amidst of group of oddball geniuses."
Ron took on a look of wide incredulity and smiled innocently.
"You believe in love."
"I believe in love, above all else," Ron said, grinning widely.
"Excellent! Well. We have a play. Let's go to Moulin Rouge and ask Satine what she thinks."
"Satine?"
"Yes."
"I think I love that name."
"You will.
"So off we go. Christian, you're supposed to discuss the play with Satine, the most famous and beautiful of Zidler's prostitutes. You end up falling in love with her, but she has been promised to the Duke, who will be monetarily supporting the play that the Bohemians presented."
Ron looked intently on Hermione, moving forward to catch her hand for real this time. But when he sees Draco, he growled. He stood in front of Hermione, not allowing Draco's eyes to be on her.
"But you believe in the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and above all else, love. For these reasons, you believe that you and Satine can overcome anything. Even the Duke and his wicked plans." Ron smiled with superiority at Draco, knowing he had something that Draco could never have. Hermione. But Draco only smirked back.
"Satine is your female counterpart."
Hermione stood up, standing beside Ron instead of behind him. She could fight her own battles.
"She is, as I said before, Zidler's star. She wants to be famous, and believes that Zidler is going to help her achieve this."
Hermione stepped to center stage, spinning around and smiling as seductively as she could pull off. Merlin, this was going to be embarrassing. What would her mother say?
"On the night she is supposed to spend with the Duke, who can give her the fame she so desires, Christian comes in first."
Ron stepped towards Hermione and stares at her in shock and something else. And then he grasped her hands in his and kissed her on the cheek. Hermione looked hypnotized.
"And after realizing who he is, she falls in love with him. However, she has to pretend to be in love with the Duke, or else she may never get her chance to be famous. She isn't as confident as Christian is about their relationship, and she often has doubts. Also, Satine is very sick with a disease now known as tuberculosis, or TB."
Hermione stepped back from Ron, glancing fearfully at Draco. She shook her head and walked in circles around him, ignoring Ron's pleading. She coughed unsteadily into her hands, hiding her handkerchief behind her back as Ron caught up with her.
"Harold Zidler."
Harry stood up quickly, looking nervously between Draco, Hermione, and Ron. Draco looked hungry and smug. Ron kept trying to glare at him and still looked at Hermione. Hermione stared down at her feet. Harry paced between the two separate groups.
Letalis continued, "Zidler is the manager of the prostitutes. He is the one that arranges for the Duke to meet Satine. He acts as a father figure for her, only doing what he thinks is right. He finds out about Satine and Christian but keeps it secret in fear of losing the Duke's patronage. Zidler tells Satine openly that she is putting the play and her career in jeopardy and tries to convince her to stop her relationship with Christian."
Harry talked in quiet, desperate tones to Hermione. She looked sad but shook her head. She wouldn't give Ron up. Harry glanced in agitation at Draco. He walked over, a fake and benign smile hiding his worry.
"The last character is the Duke."
Draco stood up, eyebrows raised and the same smug expression earlier. He brushed past Harry and waltzed over to Hermione. He took her hand and kissed it gently. Hermione blushed prettily, her eyes begging Ron to behave.
"He has money and lots of it. The Duke supports Spectacular Spectacular. Although he seems a good and generous man; his greed is what made him become the benefactor. He is promised Satine, and he wants her all the time. Satine and Christian don't like this, but have to accept it. The Duke isn't the most observant person, as he doesn't notice anything is going on until someone points it out to him."
Draco walked around Hermione, eyes grazing over her. Hermione shivered for an inexplicable reason. Ron stares, gritting his teeth in frustration. Harry holds his shoulder firmly. Draco looks up, watching Ron. He shrugs and walks over upstage with Harry. Ron rushed to Hermione, angry and relieved.
"Well, that's all for tonight," Letalis said, breaking the trance. The four stared at each other in momentary confusion. Letalis smiled.
"On your way out, could you please inform the Bohemians that I'm ready for them. I believe that would be Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Creevey, Mr. Finnegan, Mr. Goyle, and Mr. Crabbe." The four students nodded, murmured their good-byes, and left the theatre. As soon as they had stepped out, Harry, Ron, and Hermione moved to gather the Bohemians when Draco cut them off.
"I'll do it," he said simply, and walked off towards the rest of the cast, leaving the trio watching in confusion.
"Did Malfoy just give up an opportunity to make fun of us and offer to do something nice for someone else?" Ron sputtered, not quite believing what had just happened.
"I think he did, Ron," Hermione said, smiling. Ron noticed the smile and scowled.
"Let's go back to the common room," Harry said, watching them with a slightly puzzled expression on his face.
…
Letalis surveyed her group of young men, her own Bohemians. She smiled, thrilled to be working with her favorite characters. Such talent to be had.
"Let's just get down to business here, shall we? I'll start with your character, Mr. Creevey. Center stage. Be prepared to act out your character as I describe him. All right?"
Colin nodded, eager as always.
"You are playing Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. He is, well, very short, but only in the movie. He is the default leader of the group. He also wants to find love for himself. The character is based on a real artist. Lautrec was not a midget, but a cripple with deformed legs. He was a French artist from the post-Revolution era. Many of his works are featured at the real Moulin Rouge.
Colin looked excited and awed momentarily before he enthusiastically skipped around the stage, hands fluttering at this and that, as if he was painting the stage himself. Seamus laughed at this. Vincent and Greg started chuckling also. Neville smiled timidly, still obviously intimidated. Snape had been absolutely terrifying.
Colin turned towards them, stuck out his tongue slightly and pretended to paint each of the other Bohemians. He imitated their facial expressions, sending Seamus into a fit of laughter. He was quickly silenced by Letalis' unwavering stare.
"Mr. Longbottom is playing the Unconscious Argentinean."
Giggling, Neville walked center stage and fell into a heap. Even Colin broke character for a second to laugh.
"He is one of the Bohemians. In fact, he is the first one that Christian meets, in a way. He is a narcoleptic, and falls through the roof into Christian's home."
Neville stood up and did a rather clumsy somersault, lying with his eyes closed and lips grinning, at Colin's feet. Colin stopped flitting for a second and checked Neville's pulse. He flashed a thumbs-up to the other Bohemians.
"He also plays the sitar player in Spectacular Spectacular; a character based on Christian. He sings the song Roxanne, and tangos with the one of the whores, Nini Legs-in-the-Air."
Neville sat up and pretended to play an instrument before jumping up and pulling an invisible partner into a tango. Seamus came along side him, never touching his hands but going through the steps, batting his eyes at Neville. They almost broke character again but Letalis saved them.
"Mr. Finnegan, you are the Doctor. He is also one of the Bohemians. His distinction is that he is good with special effects, and he makes many things blow up. He is also known in his appearance by having a long gray beard."
Seamus left Neville to his tango and stroking a long imaginary beard while pondering something in front of him. He sat up with 'Eureka' all over his face. "By the Charmed sisters, I've done it!"
Then he rolls back, staring in pleased shock at his masterpiece. Colin and Neville also are blown back from some unseen force before continuing with their flitting and tangoing.
"Satie is being played by Mr. Goyle. Another of the Bohemians, his job is to play the music for Spectacular Spectacular."
Greg hopped off the stage, flung out his invisible maestro jacket and sat down on the bench. He then began to play Beethoven very rapidly. The other Bohemians looked surprised but continued. Letalis grinned at Greg.
"The last of the Bohemians, played by Mr. Crabbe, is Audrey. He is not in much of the play, only the beginning. He is in charge of the Bohemian's play until Christian comes along, when he lives. He also dresses like a woman." Crabbe's face turned pale while the Gryffindors snickered. There was nothing in the script that suggested he had to dress in drag, and this came as quite a shock.
But Vincent went centerstage, cooed at the other Bohemians and tried to direct them. Suddenly, he stared off in the distance and, sighing in defeat, marched off, looking very similar to McGonagall in the height of fury. The Bohemians were impressed.
"All right, you're finished. Excellent. I'll enjoy working with you. Please ask the final leads to come in. Miss Weasley, Miss Brown, Miss Abbot, Miss Lovegood, and both Miss Patils, I believe."
…
"Thank you for coming in, ladies. How has dance instruction been?"
The girls were nervous and only nodded shyly.
Letalis smiled gently and said, "Please move center stage as your character is announced. Act them out as you feel best."
"Miss Abbot, you are playing Marie. She is Satine's mother figure. Whenever Satine is sick, Marie gives her smelling salts or calls the doctor."
Hannah walked stiffly to center. Ginny felt sorry for her, so she moved out with her. Hannah began to slowly worry over Ginny, fanning her and feeling her forehead. Ginny thought it was very good. It reminded her of her mum.
"Miss Lovegood, you are the Green Fairy. This obscure character is seen singing, dancing, and flying about since the Bohemians after they had ingested large amounts of absinthe, a very strong alcohol." Luna smiled dreamily at the prospect of wearing wings.
She then started spinning slowly around stage, giggling and stopping at times to leer and laugh at the intoxicated Bohemians. Luna was very convincing. Letalis would have given her one of the larger parts but Luna had begged for the Green Fairy. It did suit her well, though.
"Miss Weasley, you are the only one of the four whores with a clear distinction in the play. You are the one who plants the idea in the Duke's head that Satine may be in love with Christian."
Ginny smirked, walking delicately to front and center. She did a few can-can kicks with a slightly sneer.
"The rest of you play whores as well. All of you are very skilled can-can dancers. The four whores are also characters that are based on real people, which I find fascinating."
Parvati and Lavender smiled, having finally gotten over the fact that they were whores. They were thrilled to be in the play.
Then all of the whores, even Luna, joined Ginny in an uncoordinated can-can. They all laughed. This would be fun.
"That's it," Letalis finished, sighing in content. "You may leave."
…
Letalis sat by the fireplace, brooding. The play would be wonderful. She knew that. But other things bombarded her mind, and she couldn't shake a dark feeling.
"Why so low, Let? You've got the cast of the century," said Nire, who had suddenly appeared in the fire.
"Oh, you two know me. I always brood."
"Well, stop. It isn't doing you any good. You accomplished more in one day than most directors dream of," Anairb retorted.
"It's magic," Letalis replied, smirking.
"That's the spirit!" Anairb said, "Don't let your Elfin tendency to mope get you down. Say, why don't you go say hi to Remus. I know you want to. You two have a lot of catching up to do, after all."
Letalis waved the question away. "Don't bother me. Tell me I'm doing the right thing." She sighed heavily.
"You are. These kids will love you, Let. They already do." Nire said quietly.
"Yes, but-"
"Stop your 'but' and 'maybe' crap. I wanted to tell you that Vincent should make appearances throughout the play. A subplot. You know, he wants to be a can-can dancer so he follows the Bohemians everywhere."
"It's not in script."
"But he's good. He'll be a laugh in such a sappy play. Come on."
"I'll think about it."
"And think about Luna, too," said Nire spectactively, "She could be a hit."
Letalis smiled. "You don't just change the script, regardless of-"
A knock sounded at the door. Who could that be?
Nire and Anairb were silent, watching her through the flames.
"Come in," Letalis said solemnly.
Tonks burst through the door. "Hey, Letalis, you got to come quick. Lupin's collapsed in the corridor outside Gryffindor. Dumbledore said to come get you quick. Please hurry." Tonks had tears in her eyes.
"I'm coming." Letalis grabbed her robe and walked silently out the door. Tonks watched her for a moment before following.
The flame figures sighed.
"And the plot thickens," Nire said sarcastically.
"Drama, drama, drama. I say we go to the ice cream parlor to escape it," Anairb replied.
"Good plan."
And all was silent in Letalis' room.