Chapter 39
The Hogwarts Sisters Sing Again...
"I beg your pardon? YOU DID WHAT? Both Pomfrey and Sprout screeched, almost in unison.
It was late the next afternoon, and McGonnagal had just informed both Pomfrey and Sprout about the ruinous chess game and its aftermatch. Before either of the two could gang up on Minerva again, Xiomara breezed through the door to the faculty lounge.
"From the expressions on your faces, I suppose Min's gone and told you, hasn't she?" Xiomara asked.
"Oh my yes, she certainly has at that," Sylvia said, scowling.
Minerva ignored the sulky Badger. "Our Mr. Potter has assured me that he shall talk with Ms. Abbott and Mr. Heech so they are aware of our upcoming surprise," Minerva said.
"Oh just wonderful," Madam Pomfrey replied sarcastically. "I'm so relieved to hear that..."
"Look, I have told you I'm sorry more times than I care to remember. What's done is done, Dr. Florens dear...so do keep quiet," Minerva replied in a tone of frustration.
Further argument was stopped by the arrival of a most familiar snowy owl, who came flying into the lounge bearing a letter. "What now?" Minerva said when she saw the owl land. "It's just an owl, Min. Whatever is the matter?" Xiomara asked.
"Oh, that's not just any owl, Xiomara. That's Potter's owl, Hedwig," Minerva promptly informed her.
Still scowling, Madam Pomfrey took the letter from Hedwig, and gave the owl a treat. "It says here that they---the students, that is---want us to inform everyone of the first date of our concert series tomorrow some time," she read. "They don´t seem to particularly care how we go about it...just so long as we get it done."
"How very kind of them, don't you think?" Minerva replied in a growl. "Well, there's nothing else but to plan this then. Come, ladies, let's see what we can come up with..."
After half an hour, the four were still hard at work planning.
"What if we tried something like we did on our last day of school?" Xiomara suggested.
"Not bad, Xiomara. By that, you do mean we all sing a song from our seats?" McGonnagal asked.
"Yes. Precisely," Hooch said. "Now, let´s see... we all make our way into the Great Hall, and once there, have Potter introduce us to the student body."
"Like they're likely to believe him," Pomfrey sniffed, folding her arms before her chest.
"If they don't, we'll have to make them believe him! Hmm, I suppose if they don't, we could do a group number," Xiomara proposed.
"Oh? Which song, Hawkeye?" Sprout asked, warming to the idea.
"Oh, I don't know. Something simple, I'd say. Say...what about that song you were so impressed with, Xiomara? What was it again? 'Whistle While You Work?'" McGonnagal asked, grinning toward Madam Hooch, who simply scowled at her.
"Funny. Oh you're still a riot, Min," she proclaimed, her voice full of sarcasm.
"I know! What about that sweet song, 'Colors Of The Wind?'" Pomfrey asked.
"Yes. Nice choice, Dr. Florence dear," Xiomara replied. Everyone thought about it, and nodded their agreeement. With that, McGonnagal wrote up a letter to Harry, and sent it off with the waiting Hedwig.
Meanwhile, back inside the Gryffindor common room, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Amelia, Mariah and Neville sat in their favorite chairs, deep in conversation.
"Can´t wait until they tell everybody they're really the Hogwarts Sisters," Ron said, grinning.
"Don´t you think we're being just a bit mean toward them?" Hermione asked, frowning.
The boys looked at each other, then shook their heads. "No way," they said at the same time. Hermione simply huffed, saying something under her breath that sounded remarkably like, "Boys!"
It was then that Hedwig flew inside, perched, and extended her leg so Harry could retrieve the letter there.
To Whom It May Concern,
We know just what to do. Simply introduce us all tomorrow after we take our seats in the Great Hall, and we´ll take care of the rest.
Tabby, Hawkeye, Badger and Dr. Florence
"Hmm. Not a bad plan," Hermione said.
"Yeah. I mean, they use their nicknames already, so that's how we should introduce them. Don't you think?" Neville said.
"Sounds good. Well then, we should all go to bed, and get our rest. It's going to be quite the day tomorrow," Harry said looking at his watch.
The next day, as planned, Harry and the others made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast. They quickly shoveled down their breakfasts, anticipating what was to come.
The doors to the Great Hall opened, admitting the Hogwarts Sisters, who quietly made their way to the head table and took their seats, their faces a bit pale. As if on cue, Harry got to his feet, and whistled shrilly.
"COULD I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION, PLEASE?" he announced to all in the hall.
Every Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor student, plus a few Slytherins as well, turned their attention to him.
"Since the Hogwarts Sisters has become so popular here, it is my distinct privilege to introduce you to them! May I present the Real Hogwarts Sisters. First off, Minerva 'Tabby' McGonnagal!"
The Gryffindors started cheering followed by the Rawenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Minerva simply got to her feet, bowed, and sat back down.
"Xiomara 'Hawkeye' Hooch!" Harry continued. There was more cheering, this time led by a most enthusiastic Amelia...no surprise there.
"Sylvia 'Badger' Sprout!" Harry then offered up. Poor Sylvia was so taken aback by the exuberant applause that she stood, blushed, and sat back down...looking like some sort of jack-in-the-box.
"And, finally, Poppy "Dr. Florence" Pomfrey! The Hogwarts Sisters!" Harry finished. The ovation Poppy received was thunderous, but she took it in stride, getting to her feet to curtsy once very properly, smiling.
Minerva and Xiomara looked on each other, then they looked over to Sylvia and Poppy, who simply nodded.
"Harry dear, could you queue up the third track on the CD 'Disney favorites Number One' for me?" Minerva asked. She then took out her wand and tapped the CD once only.
"Sure thing," he replied, complying with her wishes eagerly. The song began...but it only played the music, no words. Which was a very good thing as both McGonnagal and Hooch started singing.
You think you own whatever land you land on, The earth is just a dead thing you can claim, But I know every rock and tree and creature, Has a life, has a spirit, has a name.
You think the only people who are people, Are the people who look and think like you, But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, You'll learn things you never knew you never knew.
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest, Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth, Come roll in all the riches all around you, And for once never wonder what they're worth.
The rainstorm and the river are my brothers, The heron and the otter are my friends, And we are all connected to each other, In a circle in a loop that never ends.
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? Or let the eagle tell you were he's been? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
How high does a sycamore grow? If you cut it down then you'll never know. And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon, For whether we are white or copper skinned, We need to sing with all the voices of the mountain, We need to paint with all the colours of the wind.
You can own the earth and still, All you'll own is earth until, You can paint with all the colors of the wind...
The song ended, and there was silence...but only for a moment. Nearly every student then got to his or her feet and cheered thunderously. Not even on their CDs had they ever sang so marvelously.
Xiomara and Minerva looked ower to Harry, silently asking if they might re- take their seats now.
Harry simply nodded, thrilled and stunned by their performance.
As the cheering was replaced by the eager, excited buzz of students conversing with one another, McGonnagal sat down. She tried hard to find something else to focus on than other than the stares of the students. At first, that proved a difficult thing indeed. Then she finally found her diversion: Snape. She gave the good Potions Master one startled look and began chuckling, giving Xiomara a poke in the ribs with her elbow to get her attention, and then indicated Snape with a jerk of her chin.
"Oh, my word," Xiomara murmured, before she too began to chuckle.
Professor Snape's robes were Gryffindor scarlet with gold piping, with the neat addition of a large embroidered rearing lion on the chest of the garment. He looked back her and Xiomara, his dark eyes narrowing, his lip curling into his trademark sneer.
"I would not laugh, were I you, McGonnagal. You're in hardly any position to mock me, madam, in your current state," he said looking at her braid, tattoos, piercings and her clothes.
"Oh, never fear, Snape, I can more than handle this. Can you say the same?" McGonnagal said.
Snape scowled, but then tried to retain as much dignity as he could. "Whatever you say...Tabby," Snape sneered.
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Amelia and Mariah saw Professor McGonnagal dump the remainder of a bowl of oatmeal over a most startled Snape's greasy-haired head. That brought about a chorus of renewed laughter from them all, as they watched McGonnagal walk away in a huff, and Snape glower after her, lumpy oatmeal spilling off of his head and once-clean Gryffindor robes.
The Hogwarts Sisters Sing Again...
"I beg your pardon? YOU DID WHAT? Both Pomfrey and Sprout screeched, almost in unison.
It was late the next afternoon, and McGonnagal had just informed both Pomfrey and Sprout about the ruinous chess game and its aftermatch. Before either of the two could gang up on Minerva again, Xiomara breezed through the door to the faculty lounge.
"From the expressions on your faces, I suppose Min's gone and told you, hasn't she?" Xiomara asked.
"Oh my yes, she certainly has at that," Sylvia said, scowling.
Minerva ignored the sulky Badger. "Our Mr. Potter has assured me that he shall talk with Ms. Abbott and Mr. Heech so they are aware of our upcoming surprise," Minerva said.
"Oh just wonderful," Madam Pomfrey replied sarcastically. "I'm so relieved to hear that..."
"Look, I have told you I'm sorry more times than I care to remember. What's done is done, Dr. Florens dear...so do keep quiet," Minerva replied in a tone of frustration.
Further argument was stopped by the arrival of a most familiar snowy owl, who came flying into the lounge bearing a letter. "What now?" Minerva said when she saw the owl land. "It's just an owl, Min. Whatever is the matter?" Xiomara asked.
"Oh, that's not just any owl, Xiomara. That's Potter's owl, Hedwig," Minerva promptly informed her.
Still scowling, Madam Pomfrey took the letter from Hedwig, and gave the owl a treat. "It says here that they---the students, that is---want us to inform everyone of the first date of our concert series tomorrow some time," she read. "They don´t seem to particularly care how we go about it...just so long as we get it done."
"How very kind of them, don't you think?" Minerva replied in a growl. "Well, there's nothing else but to plan this then. Come, ladies, let's see what we can come up with..."
After half an hour, the four were still hard at work planning.
"What if we tried something like we did on our last day of school?" Xiomara suggested.
"Not bad, Xiomara. By that, you do mean we all sing a song from our seats?" McGonnagal asked.
"Yes. Precisely," Hooch said. "Now, let´s see... we all make our way into the Great Hall, and once there, have Potter introduce us to the student body."
"Like they're likely to believe him," Pomfrey sniffed, folding her arms before her chest.
"If they don't, we'll have to make them believe him! Hmm, I suppose if they don't, we could do a group number," Xiomara proposed.
"Oh? Which song, Hawkeye?" Sprout asked, warming to the idea.
"Oh, I don't know. Something simple, I'd say. Say...what about that song you were so impressed with, Xiomara? What was it again? 'Whistle While You Work?'" McGonnagal asked, grinning toward Madam Hooch, who simply scowled at her.
"Funny. Oh you're still a riot, Min," she proclaimed, her voice full of sarcasm.
"I know! What about that sweet song, 'Colors Of The Wind?'" Pomfrey asked.
"Yes. Nice choice, Dr. Florence dear," Xiomara replied. Everyone thought about it, and nodded their agreeement. With that, McGonnagal wrote up a letter to Harry, and sent it off with the waiting Hedwig.
Meanwhile, back inside the Gryffindor common room, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Amelia, Mariah and Neville sat in their favorite chairs, deep in conversation.
"Can´t wait until they tell everybody they're really the Hogwarts Sisters," Ron said, grinning.
"Don´t you think we're being just a bit mean toward them?" Hermione asked, frowning.
The boys looked at each other, then shook their heads. "No way," they said at the same time. Hermione simply huffed, saying something under her breath that sounded remarkably like, "Boys!"
It was then that Hedwig flew inside, perched, and extended her leg so Harry could retrieve the letter there.
To Whom It May Concern,
We know just what to do. Simply introduce us all tomorrow after we take our seats in the Great Hall, and we´ll take care of the rest.
Tabby, Hawkeye, Badger and Dr. Florence
"Hmm. Not a bad plan," Hermione said.
"Yeah. I mean, they use their nicknames already, so that's how we should introduce them. Don't you think?" Neville said.
"Sounds good. Well then, we should all go to bed, and get our rest. It's going to be quite the day tomorrow," Harry said looking at his watch.
The next day, as planned, Harry and the others made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast. They quickly shoveled down their breakfasts, anticipating what was to come.
The doors to the Great Hall opened, admitting the Hogwarts Sisters, who quietly made their way to the head table and took their seats, their faces a bit pale. As if on cue, Harry got to his feet, and whistled shrilly.
"COULD I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION, PLEASE?" he announced to all in the hall.
Every Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor student, plus a few Slytherins as well, turned their attention to him.
"Since the Hogwarts Sisters has become so popular here, it is my distinct privilege to introduce you to them! May I present the Real Hogwarts Sisters. First off, Minerva 'Tabby' McGonnagal!"
The Gryffindors started cheering followed by the Rawenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Minerva simply got to her feet, bowed, and sat back down.
"Xiomara 'Hawkeye' Hooch!" Harry continued. There was more cheering, this time led by a most enthusiastic Amelia...no surprise there.
"Sylvia 'Badger' Sprout!" Harry then offered up. Poor Sylvia was so taken aback by the exuberant applause that she stood, blushed, and sat back down...looking like some sort of jack-in-the-box.
"And, finally, Poppy "Dr. Florence" Pomfrey! The Hogwarts Sisters!" Harry finished. The ovation Poppy received was thunderous, but she took it in stride, getting to her feet to curtsy once very properly, smiling.
Minerva and Xiomara looked on each other, then they looked over to Sylvia and Poppy, who simply nodded.
"Harry dear, could you queue up the third track on the CD 'Disney favorites Number One' for me?" Minerva asked. She then took out her wand and tapped the CD once only.
"Sure thing," he replied, complying with her wishes eagerly. The song began...but it only played the music, no words. Which was a very good thing as both McGonnagal and Hooch started singing.
You think you own whatever land you land on, The earth is just a dead thing you can claim, But I know every rock and tree and creature, Has a life, has a spirit, has a name.
You think the only people who are people, Are the people who look and think like you, But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, You'll learn things you never knew you never knew.
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest, Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth, Come roll in all the riches all around you, And for once never wonder what they're worth.
The rainstorm and the river are my brothers, The heron and the otter are my friends, And we are all connected to each other, In a circle in a loop that never ends.
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? Or let the eagle tell you were he's been? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
How high does a sycamore grow? If you cut it down then you'll never know. And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon, For whether we are white or copper skinned, We need to sing with all the voices of the mountain, We need to paint with all the colours of the wind.
You can own the earth and still, All you'll own is earth until, You can paint with all the colors of the wind...
The song ended, and there was silence...but only for a moment. Nearly every student then got to his or her feet and cheered thunderously. Not even on their CDs had they ever sang so marvelously.
Xiomara and Minerva looked ower to Harry, silently asking if they might re- take their seats now.
Harry simply nodded, thrilled and stunned by their performance.
As the cheering was replaced by the eager, excited buzz of students conversing with one another, McGonnagal sat down. She tried hard to find something else to focus on than other than the stares of the students. At first, that proved a difficult thing indeed. Then she finally found her diversion: Snape. She gave the good Potions Master one startled look and began chuckling, giving Xiomara a poke in the ribs with her elbow to get her attention, and then indicated Snape with a jerk of her chin.
"Oh, my word," Xiomara murmured, before she too began to chuckle.
Professor Snape's robes were Gryffindor scarlet with gold piping, with the neat addition of a large embroidered rearing lion on the chest of the garment. He looked back her and Xiomara, his dark eyes narrowing, his lip curling into his trademark sneer.
"I would not laugh, were I you, McGonnagal. You're in hardly any position to mock me, madam, in your current state," he said looking at her braid, tattoos, piercings and her clothes.
"Oh, never fear, Snape, I can more than handle this. Can you say the same?" McGonnagal said.
Snape scowled, but then tried to retain as much dignity as he could. "Whatever you say...Tabby," Snape sneered.
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Amelia and Mariah saw Professor McGonnagal dump the remainder of a bowl of oatmeal over a most startled Snape's greasy-haired head. That brought about a chorus of renewed laughter from them all, as they watched McGonnagal walk away in a huff, and Snape glower after her, lumpy oatmeal spilling off of his head and once-clean Gryffindor robes.