A/N: well here it is the long awaited tenth and final chapter...I hope you all like it. I'm going to miss writing this fic a lot...maybe I write a one shot epilogue with this...who knows...I want to say to all of my reviewers...I FREAKIN LOVE YOU!!!!!! If you're I a guy reviewer I want to have your baby, and if you're a girl I'll name my daughters after you when I get them....ok maybe that's a little extreme...but know that I appreciate all of you...now on with the chapter...
Battle of the Bands
Chapter 10: Sudden Death
The Great Hall...
The Great Hall was deathly silent as the rest of the contestants and the audience waited to hear who the tie was between even though it wasn't that hard to figure out. "Yes, there is a three way tie between Mr. Corner and Ms. Lovegood, Black Night, and Serendipity. We feel that these three have given such a wonderful performance tonight that we should have a...showdown between them to determine the winner. you all were made were made aware of what you must do if a tie occurred, so now we will take a 30 minute intermission for the final three acts to get ready." Dumbledore sat down after his mini speech and began talking with Professor McGonagall...
Hermione was in a state of shock from the announcement that she didn't even notice Ginny talking to her, "I'm sorry what did you say Gin?" "I was just asking if you needed help with getting ready for the sudden death round." Hermione just shook her head, "Oh no, that's all right, I've got everything I need in the dressing room which is where I should probably be heading. And while I'm getting ready you should probably go find Ron and tell him that even though we're going into sudden death doesn't mean that he doesn't have to tell Luna." Ginny nodded and went to go find her dear older brother.
As Hermione was heading for the changing room she felt some tap her shoulder. She stopped to find Luna standing behind her. "Oh hey Hermione, I wanted to ask you something really important." "Oh sure Luna," Hermione said as she escorted Luna and herself into the changing room. Once inside Luna began to spill, "Ok, well, you see I have a thing, a big thing, for Ronald, and I want to tell him, but I don't how." Hermione began to smile as she thought of this whole predicament between Ron and Luna, "Well Luna, I think you should tell him after the show, and then you should kiss him." Luna grinned like a child on Christmas morning. "Thanks Hermione you're the best!" She gave Hermione a hug and then left to go find Michael. Hermione just laughed to herself when she thought of the look that Ron would get on his face when she told him. Then she turned and unzipped the bag with her dress....
Hermione put on her cloak and then stepped out of the dressing room. When she opened the door she only saw a black rose (no it's not dead; there are actual black roses, they're gorgeous), and then she saw who was holding it, "A rose for my lady." Draco gently kissed her cheek. Hermione accepted it, "Thank you it's beautiful." "I just wanted to let you know how much I adore you, and to wish you good luck." Hermione kissed him gently on the lips as she whispered, "Good luck to you too," in his ear. He smiled and kissed one more time before he turned to go find the rest of his band.
"So Hermione are you ready?" Harry asked as he pulled her into a tight hug. "Oh yeah, but I won't be able so sing if you crush my lungs." Harry let go of her and they laughed. Soon Ginny could be seen walking towards them with Ron closely in tow. "Good luck Mione, I'm sure you won't need it." Ron said as he too gave her a tight hug. Soon the students could be seen sitting down in their seats in anticipation for the final round. "I guess we better get back to our seats," Ginny said. Hermione nodded in accordance, and all four of them shared a group hug, and then Harry kissed her forehead while the two Weasley kissed both her cheeks, "Ok you guys a little too much love." The trio laughed then walked out to their seats as audience members. Hermione also walked out to take a seat next to Luna and Draco in the four seats that were set up close to the stairs of the stage.
As the students all settled down Professor Dumbledore stood up once again, "Welcome back, and now we will enter the Sudden Death round....By the end we will declare the winner of the 200 galleons. So let us begin...Fred and George please take it away." Dumbledore sat down as Fred and George took the stage once again, "As Dumbledore said welcome back. Our first final entertainers for the evening will be showing the some of their dancing skills." "Or lack there of." "Be nice George. But anyway please welcome Luna Lovegood and Michael Corner!" The two twins walked off stage and sat down by Professor McGonagall.
Hermione gave Luna a quick hug in their seats before she and Michael went on, "no worries," she said softly in her ear. Luna just smiled as she took Michael's hand and walked onto the stage. Soon the music began to fill the air. Needless to say it was very fast and upbeat. Hermione couldn't tell what the dance was but she knew it was one that she never tried before. It was amazing Luna and Michael's feet never stopped the moving! Then he spun her round and he dipped her very low. Her back was parallel to floor as she was being supported by his hand on her neck. In that position she did a belly roll that went along with the whistling sound in the song. The way they danced was absolutely hypnotizing. They ended when an awesome pose. The crowd went wild with applause it was almost deafening. The two took a final bow as they walked back to their seats.
It was now Draco's turn, but as they were announcing him he turned to face Hermione, "Hermione," "Yes," "I want you to know before I go out there that this song is for you, and I don't care if people know that ok?" Hermione just nodded her head and squeezed his hand as he went to take centerstage. Everyone stopped clapping once he grabbed the microphone, and the music began to play...
And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
And sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
After Draco finished his song he blew a kiss to Hermione and left off stage. It took every ounce of her will power to not run up and kiss him, but she knew she had to wait for a few more minutes. The audience gave him about the same amount of applause as they did Luna and Michael if not a little more. As he took his seat next to Hermione; Luna hugged him, Michael shook his hand, and Hermione squeezed his hand lovingly. Fred and George walked back on to stage to announce Hermione, "Well on behalf of us both we don't know who she is but whoever Malfoy wrote that song for is actually a very lucky girl, and that's saying something." Fred then took the mic from his brother, George, "Well now we have come to last entertainer for the evening and she is both intelligent and beau-ti-ful, please welcome Gryffindor's very own Head Girl Hermione Granger!"
As the twins walked off stage; Hermione got up from her seat, but she still held Draco's hand. She tugged on him to go with her, but he wouldn't budge. At this time everyone's eyes were glued on the duo especially Harry, Ginny, and Ron's, "Hermione, if I go with you then they'll know..." She put a finger to his lips, "I know, let's go... and Draco its Mione." Draco smiled and followed her up on stage thinking, 'Oh my God she said my first name.' Everyone in the Great Hall had grown deadly silent; the only people clapping were Ginny, Harry (when Ginny elbowed him), and Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione undid her cloak and threw it to the side. She was wearing a black one sleeve dress where the skirt part started mid thigh and draped diagonally across her legs to the floor; with it she wore black heels that tied like ballet Pointe shoes. In other words...she was drop dead gorgeous. Hermione took the microphone, "Hi, I'm sure you're all wondering why Draco Malfoy is standing up here with me right now well all will be explained with this song." She then took his again and turned to face him as the music came on. She began to sing, not to the audience or the judges, but to Draco Malfoy, her ferret. . .
I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
But ended so soon
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark grey sky
I was changed...
In places no one will find
All your feelings so deep inside (deep inside)
Was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry (Moment that I saw you cry)
It was late in December
And I've seen you before
You were always the cold one
But I was never that sure
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark grey sky I
was changed...
In places no one will find
All your feelings so deep inside (deep inside)
Was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
I wanted to hold you
I wanted to make it go away
I wanted to know you
I wanted to make your everything alright
I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
In places no one will find
In places no one will (Baby)
Oh no no (All your feelings so deep inside)
Forever was in your eyes (deep inside)
Was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
Baby cry... (Moment that I saw you cry)
Oh no no...I think I saw you cry
The moment I saw you cry
I wanted to hold you
I wanted to know you...
As the music faded everyone jumped to their feet in cheers and applause. It was then as he was clapping that Harry realized why they had the conversation they did last night. Ginny was moved to tears, and Ron was just clapping like a mad man even though he was shocked as hell like the rest of audience. Hermione was smiling as she saw everyone cheering. She turned to Draco so see his eyes water slightly as he pulled into a very warm, and very loving embrace. "I love you Mione," he said into her ear. She pulled back and then she pulled back in only this time for a kiss. This act only made the audience clap harder and cheer louder. Draco pulled out of their kiss to look into her amber eyes. They both smiled, and then she spoke, "I love you."
The rest of Hermione and Draco's band along with Luna and Michael came on stage. Ron went up to Hermione and hugged her and spun her around. Once he put her down Harry did the same. The audience grew silent as they realized that a possible fight might occur just about now, "So I guess you wrote that song for Hermione then?" Ron asked Draco. "I did, and I meant every word of it." "I still don't like you, but if Hermione can forgive you then I guess I can too eventually..." Ron said. Harry then spoke to Draco, "I feel the same as Ron, and if you hurt her in any way you'll have all three of us to answer to." "And us." Everyone turned to Fred and George standing behind Ginny. "I won't hurt her, I'll die first, and know I feel that what I'm about to say is way overdue, but better late than never...I'm sorry."
Draco said as he stuck his hand out to shake. "Truce?" The Great Hall was filled with silence in anticipation of what would happen next; then the unexpected happened Harry shook hands with Draco, "Truce." Soon Ron put his hand on top of both of theirs, "Truce." Ginny and Hermione then did the same; then Luna and Michael did the same, then they all said, "Truce" at the same time. Everyone started applauding again for the interhouse treaty that had just now been unofficially signed. The battle of the bands was over.
As the contestants drew away from one another Hermione got on her tip toes and whispered something in his ear. He nodded then turned to face the audience, "Oi! I need everyone's attention for a second!" Ron then turned towards Luna, "Um...Luna there's been something I've been needing to tell you and well..." Ron then took her hand and got on his knee (no he's not proposing), "Luna Lovegood, I like you, I like you a lot. You're very smart and very pretty...will you do me the honor and go out with me?" Luna was smiling at Ron's adorable five year old like speech, who was now blushing, "Ronald there's something I need to tell you too, I like you a lot too, and I would love to go out with you." Ron smiled as he pulled Luna into a hug. All the girls as if on cue let out an annoying, "Awe." All the contestants clapped for him them.
Professor Dumbledore then stood to announce the winner, "Well this has definitely been the most difficult thing I've ever had to do as a Headmaster, but I am pleased to announce that the winner of Hogwarts first annual talent show is...Luna Lovegood and Michael Corner!" Hermione and Ginny pounced on a stunned Luna in a hug, as all the guys were shaking Michael's hand and patting him on the back. After they received their prize Dumbledore sat down next to McGonagall, "Minerva I believe that you and Severus owe me 2 galleons. I told you it'd work." He said jokingly as McGonagall lightly punched him in the arm.
As everyone was still cheering for the winners of the competition Hermione decided to ask Draco a question, "So are you a little disappointed that you and the rest of the Slytherins didn't win?" Draco gently kissed her forehead, "I don't know about them love, but I'm not." Hermione looked at him questioningly, "I'm not at all because I've already won either way."
A/N: well that's that..it's finished...finite incantartem....the songs were Iris by the goo goo dolls, and Cry by mandy moore. The original choice for draco's song was the reason by hoobastank, but too many people use it all the time so I picked the other song. Thanks for everything and for reviewing...I'll see you in my next fic..