Chapter 9
The Talent Show


"We've go acting in the morning, followed by comedy in the afternoon, then the other, and last music," Ron reported to Crystal. "Harry went down to the kitchens to get a little breakfast for everyone. Hermione, Ginny, and Neville went with him. They should be back soon. Today's going to be so much fun."
"Yeah," Crystal smiled. "We only have an hour to prepare. Let's start moving tables for the stage and lets move the chairs in the front of the stage. We need two sections of chairs with an aisle between them."
Once Crystal and Ron had moved the tables and chairs Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny had returned. They placed the food on the last remaining table at the back of the common room. The stage had a huge back drop painted gold and red for Gryffindor. Slowly the Gryffindor students filed in the common room. They quickly grabbed something to eat then either sat down or went to prepare for their act.
Once everyone was in position Crystal jumped onto the stage and signaled for silence. "We are about to begin the drama auditions. There are only two rules. Rule #1: You must remain quiet during all auditions. Rule #2 If you tryout for an area you can NOT vote for your self. First up is Leo Brinni."
The Drama auditions went along fine. Everyone was excellent at acting and had the crowd laughing one moment and crying the next. During the comedy auditions Harry, Crystal, Ron, and Hermione went down to the kitchens to get more food. Crystal was amazed at how many house elves worked in the kitchens and how mice they were. Hermione kept muttering something about S.P.E.W. but Crystal didn't pay any attention to her.
The other auditions were the best of all. Students attempted to juggle, do cartwheels, and even eat a whole pie in one bite. When it came time for the singing auditions Crystal herself took the stage.
She took a deep breath then began to sing. Her voice seemed to enchant the audience and by the end of the song everyone was singing along. As her last words drifted away the crowd erupted into applause.
"That was wonderful!" Harry said as Crystal got off the stage.
"Thanks," Crystal replied.
After everyone had performed Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal began to move the chairs out of the way to get ready for the dance.
"It's been a long day," Ron said as he sit down in one of the chairs placed beside the wall.
"It's been fun though, hasn't it?" Crystal asked.
"Yes," Ron replied. "It has been fun."
All of a sudden music from the Weird Sisters blared through the room. Harry and Hermione joined Crystal and Ron beside the wall.
"Ask her to dance," Harry whispered to Ron.
Ron took a deep breath and walked over to Hermione. "Willyoudancewithme?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Will you dance with me?"
"Sure."
Ron and Hermione made their way onto the dance floor. Ron appeared to be hypnotized by every move Hermione made, enchanted by her beauty, and in love with her smile.
"Wanta dance?" Crystal asked Harry.
"Uh sure," he replied.
Crystal wasn't even sure why she had asked Harry to dance. Maybe she just wanted someone to love her as much as Ron loved Hermione. But she knew that Harry was just a good friend. Or was he? The guy she had met at the Mask Dance had black hair. "So does a lot of other people at Hogwarts." Crystal thought. "He might have even changed his hair color like I did."
As the music slowed down Crystal slowly moved closer to Harry. Harry apparently felt the same way and got closer to Crystal. Crystal looked up into Harry's strong and powerful eyes. Why did she feel this way all of a sudden? She wasn't sure but it felt so right. Harry slowly leaned closer and they embraced in a kiss.
Later Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal left to count the votes. Crystal had to count and announce the drama competition, Hermione got other, Ron got comedy, and Harry got music.
"Attention please," Crystal said over the crowd. "We are now going to announce the winners. If you win please come forward and collect your prize of 10 galleons. The winner of the acting competition is Raven Lord." Raven Lord was a second year and done an excellent monologue from a muggle movie.
"The winner for the comedy competition," Ron began, "is Seamus."
"The winner of the other competition is Colin Creevey." Hermione announced. Colin's talent was photography. He had his camera with him everywhere he went.
"And last but defiantly not least is the music competitions." Harry began. "And the winner is our very own Crystal Lockhart."
The winners went up to collect their prizes. Once everyone was settled back down Crystal said, "It's almost mid-night and that means the start of a brand new year. If you would remain seated and look out the window."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal left the common room and rushed onto the frosty grounds. They quickly found the Gryffindor common room window and Crystal pointed her wand high into the air. A large number ten appeared in the sky. Then the ten changed to a nine, then an eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. When the countdown was complete all four Gryffindors shot sparks of red and gold into the air. The brilliant fireworks exploding caused the Gryffindor common room to erupt into ahs. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal made their way back into the castle. They spent most of the night cleaning up the mess and trying to get everything back in order.
When Crystal was finally in bed she began to wonder, "Why did me and Harry kiss? I felt so much in love with him but now. . . nothing." Crystal laid in bed for what seemed like hours until she drifted into an uneasy sleep.