A/N: I do not own the rights to Lionel Ritchie's "Dancing On The Ceiling", Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" nor to Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine". Yeah, I guess at this point we officially have a "KelMione" thing going here.
Kellen found Charms much more engaging than Defense Against the Dark Arts. The spells they practiced were beneath him, but he at least felt that his time was not being wasted unlike his first class.
Next was Herbology with Professor Pomona Sprout. The Herbology master greeted Kellen warmly.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Mister Grimseth. Your reputation precedes you. I am Professor Sprout, Herbology Master and Head of the Hufflepuff House. We're about to go over the Shrivelfig plant today. Perhaps you could enlighten the class about some of its properties?"
Kellen nodded. "It's a plant with a purple fruit, with origins in Abyssinia, hence the name Abyssinian Shrivelfig. The fruit actually contains the flowers. When the fruit is skinned, it emits a purple liquid that can be used for potions, such as the Elixir to Induce Euphoria and the Shrinking Solution," he rattled off, almost robotically.
Professor Sprout beamed at Kellen. "Outstanding, Grimseth. You know the material well. Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Hermione smiled warmly at Kellen, while Harry and Ron gave him a high-five.
"Thank Merlin he's in our house," mused Seamus to Dean. "Between Grimseth and Granger, we got enough brains to take on all of Ravenclaw!"
After Herbology, it was time for lunch break. The students began putting their equipment away. "Harry and Ron, we'll catch up to you in the Great Hall in a minute. I want to talk to Kellen alone," Hermione said.
Ron rolled his eyes. "You aren't going to snog, I hope," he said.
Hermione shot him a glare. "That," she said with a hint of rebuke, "is none of your business, Ronald."
Ron shook his head and headed out with Harry.
Kellen and Hermione went outside and found a quiet, secluded nook to sit and talk for a moment.
"First off, I'm so incredibly proud of you, Kellen. You single-handedly earned Gryffindor twenty-five points on your first day of class. Even I didn't do that on my first day. That's very impressive." She kissed Kellen softly on the forehead.
"Now, what did Professor Lockhart want from you that made you run so fast to Charms? He must have kept you five or six minutes at least."
Kellen nodded. "He kept raving about my intelligence, saying how I'm the most gifted student he's ever seen, blah blah blah."
Hermione giggled. "He's not wrong."
Kellen looked into Hermione's warm brown eyes. "Between you and me, I felt slightly uncomfortable at best, and insulted at worst. He respects my intellect, but I don't think he respects me as a person. He said that I can do things that even you can't do. I don't care if that's true or not. You're a brilliant witch in your own right, Hermione. I don't like being compared to you. You're my friend. You're not my competition. I want to help you unlock your full potential, and I want for you to do the same for me."
Kellen bowed his head, and he teared up. "He had the audacity to ask me what my IQ was, and wanted me to confirm that I had a photographic memory. That... was none of his business to be honest, but I didn't want to come across as smug or disrespectful. I told him that my IQ is 185, and that I do have an eiditic memory, but I have problems just like everyone else. He thinks of me as a supercomputer with no emotions or problems, but that couldn't be further from the truth."
A tear rolled down his cheek. "I am made differently, but I am still a human being at the end of the day. He needs to understand that."
Hermione hugged Kellen warmly. "Kellen, you amaze me more and more every day. I have only known you a couple of days, but you are every bit the wizard, or even person, that I am. And you're right, he was wrong to ask you such personal questions like that." She smiled. "But 185 is truly exceptional, Kellen. Even mine isn't that high."
Kellen shrugged. "At the end of the day, it's just a number. You don't have to take a test to prove to me what a phenomenal witch you are."
"Thank you, Kellen," replied Hermione. "And you don't have to take a test to prove to me what an extraordinary wizard you are. You're so bloody smart, but you don't like to brag about it. I sometimes have a hard time doing that. Despite my gifts, I am still a flawed witch. You don't ever harp on my shortcomings and simply accept me for who I am. You truly do treat me like a princess."
Kellen's cheeks flushed bright red. "You are my princess, Hermione Jean Granger. I will never think of you as anything less." He leaned over, his lips meeting hers in a warm, loving snog.
Hermione beamed radiantly. "You are my knight in shining armor, Robert Kellen Grimseth. I think... I'm starting to fall in love with you. I don't care what Dumbledore says."
Kellen's left hand gently touched Hermione's cheek. "I think I am starting to fall in love with you, too." They kissed tenderly again.
The pair made their way to the Great Hall. Harry and Ron couldn't believe what they saw - Harry couldn't help but laugh, while Ron's jaw simply dropped. "Is Hermione... skipping?" Ron asked Harry. Harry could only shrug.
"When the workin' day is done," sang Hermione. "Oh, girls they want to have fun... oh girls just wanna have fun!"
Ron looked at Hermione incredulously. "Who are you, and what have you done with Hermione Granger? She's bubbly, but not this bubbly."
"Can't I just be in a good mood without commentary from the peanut gallery?" quipped Hermione.
Ron rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion.
At that moment, a gaggle of Gryffindors hovered around the four friends.
"Way to go, Kellen!" Neville said. "I like our chances to repeat as House Cup champions!" He high-fived Kellen enthusiastically.
"Great work, Kellen! Way to get us 25 house points in one morning," chimed in Dean, clapping Kellen on the back.
"I'm glad you're one of us, mate," added Seamus. He looked at Hermione with a somewhat smug expression. "Move over Granger, there's a new clever-clogs in town."
Hermione cocked an eyebrow at Seamus. "You're not insinuating that I'm actually jealous, are you?"
Seamus smirked. "I dunno, you seem to relish being the resident bossy know-it-all. Grimseth's just as smart as you, heck, probably even smarter. At least he has the good sense to not rub it in everybody's faces. I don't see his hand shoot up every single time the instructor asks a question in class."
"Seamus," Kellen said sincerely. "I appreciate you sticking up for me, I truly do. But please don't compare me to Hermione like that. She's my friend, not my rival. If you really get to know her outside of a classroom setting, you'll realize what a truly sweet and caring girl she is. I only want to help her achieve her full potential as a witch. It's what friends do, bring out the best in each other, and overlook each other's flaws." Hermione smiled at Kellen radiantly.
Seamus nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry, mate... I meant no offense. I guess it's a case of sour grapes and I shouldn't take this much pleasure in seeing Granger put to shame. It's not hard to tell why she likes you, Grimseth. You truly do have a heart of gold."
Kellen grinned at Seamus. "No worries, Finnegan. Thank you for hearing me out." He offered his hand to Seamus, who gladly reciprocated with a hearty handshake.
Kellen was enjoying basking in the spotlight. He had never received this sort of adulation at Ilvermorny. His peers often took advantage of his smarts but rarely thought to thank him for his contributions, or made much of an attempt to make him feel like he was wanted instead of merely needed. At Hogwarts, he wasn't merely being congratulated, he was beginning to feel respected, even accepted. It was a wonderful feeling.
That afternoon, the four friends made their way to the Gryffindor common room to relax after their classes were over.
"Kellen," said Harry. "Our House Ghost is having his 500th Deathday Party this weekend. Would you like to come with me?"
"Deathday party? How morbid!" exclaimed Kellen. "Does it coincide with the Halloween Night celebration?"
"Yeah, it does, actually. It's Nearly-Headless Nick and he would be most appreciative if you'd make it," replied Harry.
"I don't see why we couldn't do both," said Kellen. "Count me in. I don't think I've had the pleasure of making his acquaintance."
Ron chuckled. "He's a pretty jolly guy, as far as ghosts go. Just don't mention anything about the Headless Hunt club, he's rather bitter about not being able to participate."
"I'm guessing his nickname is derived from a botched execution. The executioner must not have been able to cleanly sever his head... that must have been a positively horrifying way to go," mused Kellen.
"Astute as always, Kellen," giggled Hermione.
Kellen shook his head grimly. "Probably still better than being burned or drowned. Did you learn about the Salem Witch Trials in your Magic History lessons? They were some of the most barbaric acts ever committed against the world of wizardry. And it's ironic, that this took place just a stone's throw from Ilvermorny."
"I vaguely remember learning about that," said Harry. "Our history courses are a bit more British-centric, but they do go over some history outside of the British Isles."
Kellen nodded. "And the inverse is also true at Ilvermorny. American magical history is fine, but it's so Euro-centric in origin. I'm particularly fascinated with the shamanistic magic that indigeonous Americans use. It's very different than the magic they teach at an established institution like Hogwarts or Ilvermorny, but it doesn't make it inferior at all. I think Neville would enjoy it because plants and herbs are essential to their brand of magic. He's the resident botanist in our house, is he not?"
Ron looked thoroughly confused. "Neville bought a what?"
Kellen chuckled. "Botanist, Ronny, botanist. It's a bit of a fancy word that means he takes an interest in plants and herbs."
Hermione smiled. "Yes, Neville does rather fancy botany." She stifled a yawn. "So, Kellen, have you ever met any indigenous Americans? Magical context, or otherwise?"
"I have, Hermione. They're a good people, with a wicked cool culture and history. There are some Ojibwe and Dakota reservations not too far from the farm. I regret not witnessing their magic in person, but I fully intend to rectify that one day," replied Kellen.
"I see," replied Hermione. "Were there any Native American students at Ilvermorny perhaps?"
Kellen nodded. "There are, but not many, unfortunately. The only one I met was a Lakota from Nebraska. His name was Wesley Brave Bull. He was a nice kid, he was always cordial to me. He was the only full-blooded one I know of. There are quite a few wizards and witches with partial indigenous ancestry, but the blood is often so diluted that you have to go back four or five generations at least, maybe even more."
His face then broke into a sly grin. "Would any of you be interested in playin a no-maj card game? I learned it before going to Ilvermorny, and I think you'd enjoy it."
Harry smiled. "Sure, what's it called?"
"Egyptian Rat Screw," replied Kellen.
"That sounds fun," said Hermione. "I'll play."
"Never heard of it. How do you play?" asked Ron.
"Give me a minute to get my card deck, and I'll teach you," answered Kellen. He left the common area for his room, and returned just a minute or so later with a standard playing card deck.
Kellen placed the deck on the table where his friends sat. He swished his wand and pointed it at the deck. "Temere," he said. The deck then shuffled itself magically.
"You know, there are charmed card decks out there, Kellen," said Hermione with the slightest hint of bossiness.
"I know that," retorted Kellen. "But I'm rather attached to my no-maj belongings." He looked at his three friends. "These cards will be dealt out, face-down. You must leave your cards face-down at all times, no exceptions," he said.
Kellen waved his wand again. "Agitarum!"
The cards dealt themselves in clockwise order - first to Harry, then to Ron, then to Hermione, and finally to Kellen. This was repeated until each player received equal stacks of thirteen cards.
"This is a standard 52-card, French-suited poker deck," explained Kellen. These cards might be a little bit different than what you have in Great Britain, but it shouldn't be too much of an adjustment."
He cleared his throat. "You need to keep your cards face-down at all times. Each person, in turn, flips the top card of their pile face-up, and then the round goes clockwise until a player plays a face card - that is, a Jack, Queen, King, or Ace. Jacks are the most valuable because the player to your left must play a single card, and if they don't play another face card, the person that dealt the Jack takes the pile of cards. Queens are the next-best, for the next player has to play two cards. Kings are worth three cards, and Aces are worth four. The other thing to watch out for are 'doubles'. If Ron plays a six, and then Hermione plays a six immediately after that, then the first person to 'slap' the pile wins the whole pile of cards. The whole goal of the game is to be the last person standing, and win all 52 cards. If you have no cards, and there are at least two players still active, you can still 'slap in' and take the pile to re-join the game. Does that make sense?"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all nodded.
"Very good," Kellen said. "Harry, since you're the player immediately to the left of the dealer, you start first."
Harry played a card. A nine.
Then Ron went. A four.
Then Hermione went. An Ace.
Kellen smiled. "So now that Hermione played an Ace, I will have four chances to play another face card, or she keeps all of them."
Kellen laid down a card. A six.
Then another. A ten.
Then another. A two.
And the last one. An eight.
Kellen smiled at Hermione. "Those are all yours," said Kellen. "Since you won those cards, you get the honors of playing the next card."
Hermione played a five.
Kellen went next. A Queen. "Okay, Harry, you get to play two cards, hopefully one of them is a face card."
Harry played his first card. A nine.
Then his second card. A King.
"Alright, Ron. Harry just played a King, so you get three chances to try and play a face card."
Ron played his first. A seven.
Then his second. Another seven.
Before Kellen could say anything about that being a double, Hermione had already slapped the pile, with a broad smile on her face.
Kellen gave her a look. "Are you sure you haven't played this before?"
About ten minutes later, the game was over - Hermione had cleaned the boys' clocks.
"Good game, Hermione. You're a right natural," Kellen complimented.
"Thank you, Kellen," she beamed. "That was fun. I'd be down for another game."
Kellen smirked. "You're on," he said. He waved his wand again. "Temere." And once the deck was shuffled, he swished his wand for the cards to be dealt. "Agitarum."
The second game went the same as the first - Hermione came out on top without breaking a sweat.
Ron threw his hands up in frustration. "I can't beat Hermione in anything, except for Wizard's Chess," he lamented. He looked at Harry. "Wanna play a round in our room? I could use a little warm-up before I take on Kellen later." The two of them headed to their dorm room.
Hermione smirked at Kellen. "I'm glad I'm officially better than you at something," she gloated.
"Well done, Hermione", Kellen said with a shrug. "You played brilliantly." He smiled and waved his wand in the air, and produced a beautiful bouquet of purple and orange tulips.
Hermione gasped. "For me?" she asked.
Kellen laughed. "Who else would they be for, silly? Of course they're for you."
"That was very sweet of you, Kellen. Thank you," Hermione said softly, while taking a whiff of the lightly-scented floral ensemble. She wrapped her arms around Kellen warmly.
"Would you like for me to get my guitar and teach you some more chords?" asked Kellen.
"That would be brilliant," replied Hermione.
"Checkmate, Harry," laughed Ron.
"Good game, Ron," said Harry. "Think you're ready to take on Kellen tonight?"
Ron smirked. "I'm not worried. If I can smoke Hermione, I can humiliate Kellen. He won't know what hit him."
"Don't get too overconfident, Ron," chided Harry. "Kellen is really, really, like really smart. Smarter than Hermione, kind of smart. I would be shocked if he does not have a high degree of m soastery of wizard's chess."
"I know that, Harry," scoffed Ron. "Kellen is insanely smart, and I'm still not sure how he ended up in Gryffindor because he's got Ravenclaw written all over him. He's shy, he's awkward, and he sometimes acts rather strangely. I don't hold it against him because he's a real nice kid, but he's a bit... off."
Harry smiled at Ron. "He's rightfully a Gryffindor, Ron. He's much braver than he looks, after all, he stood up to Draco yesterday at the end of lunch and would not let him go until he apologized to Hermione for calling her, you know, a mudblood. He's been nothing but a good friend to us, and he's been especially good to Hermione. She is amazing, but you know that she can be a lot to handle at times. You know, Ron, now that I think about it, she's been acting a little different since Kellen joined our group. She seems a little less, well, bossy. A little more humble. And that's a good thing."
Ron shook his head. "She's been a lot more bubbly the past couple of days. I mean, it's not like her to skip, or to sing. I've known her for over a year and I've never seen her skip, nor have I heard her sing. She does have a beautiful voice, though..." He paused for a moment. "I think there's something happening between Kellen and Hermione that they aren't telling us. I think she has the hots for him."
Harry nodded. "I think he rather fancies her as well." He looked at Ron. "Does that... bother you?"
Ron's face went pale. "Uhh, no... I guess not. If they're happy..."
Harry threw Ron a skeptical look. "I know when you're not being completely honest with me, Ron. I do think it bothers you a little bit."
Ron blew Harry a raspberry. "Fine, you got me. We've both been friends with Hermione much longer than Kellen has, and she's been spending more time with him lately. Maybe it's petty jealousy, but I don't see what's so special about Kellen besides his enormous brain."
Harry put a knowing hand on Ron's shoulder, and smiled. "It has next to nothing to do with you or me. She's fond of Kellen because she more readily relates to him than she does to either of us - for example, they're both from muggle-born families and have parents with advanced degrees. They're both very introverted. Academics come very easily to both of them. They have a mutual love of books."
Ron smirked. "They are also quite different in other ways. She likes to flaunt her brain, while he is less inclined to show off. They speak very different dialects. They're both weird, but she's closer to 'normal' than he is. But that's just nitpicking I guess. I still like them both, and count myself lucky that they're both our friends."
"They aren't going to abandon us," Harry laughed. "I promise you that."
"It's not really so much that, that bothers me," Ron admitted.
"How so?" Harry asked.
"Can you keep a secret, Harry?" Ron pleaded.
Harry's brilliant green eyes sparkled. "You know I won't tell a soul. Not even Hermione."
"Well good, because it concerns her," Ron clarified. "I've felt something for her long before Kellen came around, and if they... you know, date, it's gonna make things between her and myself, well, awkward. When I first met her on Hogwarts Express last year, I don't know what hit me, but I fell for her right then and there. I'm glad she's my friend, but I was kinda hoping that we would become something more someday. I'm just afraid because Kellen can do things I can't even dream of, and you and I going to be relegated to 'third wheel' status. I guess it's my own bloody fault for not saying something earlier, Harry."
Harry looked at Ron, and nodded. "Ron, you're worrying about a lot of what-ifs. You don't know that things between Hermione and Kellen are going to work out. You weren't ready to tell Hermione how you felt because well, you weren't - and likely still aren't - ready. You, Kellen and myself are still twelve years old. And Hermione's thirteen. A barely pubescent thirteen. Kellen can satiate her intellect, but I am not sure if he can provide the deeper, more emotional connection she craves. Maybe he can, maybe he can't. This much is clear, however. Kellen's a great friend, Ron. Please don't be upset with him if they do pursue something beyond friendship. He cares about you and me very much."
Ron smiled faintly. "You're right, Harry. Doesn't make it much easier for me to stomach, but you're right.
"I think we got time for another round of wizard's chess before dinner. What do you say, Ron?" Harry asked.
Ron smirked. "Be glad to whoop on you one more time."
A short while later, a triumphant Ron danced a silly jig on the floor.
"That's a terrific victory dance there," Harry quipped.
"And I'll do it again tonight after I wipe the floor with Kellen," Ron crowed confidently.
Harry shook his head. "Let's see if they're still in the common room. I'm getting hungry and I'd like to start making our way down to the Great Hall."
The two went through the corridor and into the common room. Sure enough, Kellen and Hermione were still there, but Hermione was strumming on Kellen's guitar like it was second nature.
Kellen smiled at his two friends. "Hey there Harry and Ron. Welcome back you guys. Hermione wants to show you something," he said, barely able to conceal a massive grin.
Hermione stood up, and with a radiant smile on her face, started strumming on the guitar and singing in a brilliant soprano:
"I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I'm sure
And I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now every time I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down
'Cause I just can't wait 'til you write me you're coming around
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
And don't it feel good
I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true
And I don't want to spend my whole life, just waiting for you
Now I don't want you back for the weekend
Not back for a day, no no
I said baby I just want you back
And I want you to stay
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
I'm walking on sunshine, whoooa!
And don't it feel good
Hey alright now
And don't it feel good
And don't it feel good
Walking on sunshine
Walking on sunshine
I feel the love, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real
I feel the love, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real
I'm on sunshine baby
I'm on sunshine baby
I'm walking on sunshine
I'm walking on sunshine
I'm walking on sunshine
And don't it feel good
And don't it feel good
And don't it feel good"
"Ain't she something?" Kellen asked. "It took her all of two hours to do this."
"Wow," Harry said. "That was amazing, Hermione. You played brilliantly."
Ron was awestruck. "I had no idea you had this much talent. You have a positively beautiful voice," he said.
Hermione blushed. "I can't take all the credit. Kellen is a phenomenal guitar teacher."
Kellen looked down, shaking his head. "All I did was recognize her talent, and help hone it."
Harry laughed. "Regardless, I wish I had known about your musical prowess earlier. Your voice is beyond lovely."
Hermione arched an eyebrow. "You should hear Kellen sing. His voice is pure gold."
Kellen playfully elbowed Hermione in the arm. "Are you putting me on the spot now?"
Hermione made a silly face. "Well, you already put me on the spot, so I'm simply returning the favor."
Kellen smiled. "Okay, Hermione. You win. Give me the guitar back please."
"What is happening here
Something's going on that's not quite clear
Somebody turn on the lights
We're gonna have a party
It's starting tonight
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
The room is hot and that's good
Some of my friends came by from the neighborhood
The people startin' a climb the walls
Ooh it looks like everybody is having a ball
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Come on!
Everybody start to lose control
When the music is right
If you see somebody hangin' around
Don't get uptight
The only thing we want to do tonight
Is go 'round and 'round
And turn upside down
Come on! Let's get down!
So come on! Let's get loose
Don't hold back
'Cause ain't no use
Hard to keep your feet on the ground
'Cause when we like to party
We only want to get down
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling baby
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Say what?
Can't stop now
Just getting started
Everybody clap your hands
Come on
Everybody let's dance
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we're dancing on the ceiling
Baby, baby"
As he began singing, Kellen quickly waved his wand, pointed it toward his feet, then started walking up the wall. Kellen had cast a non-verbal charm on himself that allowed him to sway and dance on the ceiling!
Harry and Hermione applauded Kellen's unusual performance. Ron could only shake his head in disbelief. "Weird Muggle music", he said to himself.
Suddenly, there was a cry from the top of the room. "Heads up! Someone grab my guitar!"
Kellen's ceiling walking charm was wearing off. Hermione rushed to catch his guitar, while Kellen fell over twice his own height from the ceiling to the floor.
"Uff da," Kellen moaned.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked.
"I think so, but I don't think I'll be casting that charm on myself again for a while." He and Hermione both laughed.
"I still can't believe you were literally dancing on the ceiling. What on earth were you thinking?" quipped Hermione.
"I guess I couldn't help myself. Just be grateful it's not a song with more... suggestive lyrics," deadpanned Kellen.
"You keep those knickers on, Grimseth," replied Hermione.
Kellen rolled his eyes. "I might put a few more layers on while I'm at it."
"Get a room, you two," Ron said while shaking his head. "Harry and I are really getting hungry, so both of you need to zip your lips and come to the Great Hall with us to get some dinner."
"Hang tight, Ron," said Kellen. "Let me put my guitar back in my room and we can rock and roll. No pun intended."
Ron gave Harry a funny look. "What's rock and roll?"
Harry patted Ron on the back. "I'll tell you later."