A/N: only own characters not recognised from the books
The lyrics at the beginning are from 'Everybody's Free' from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack
The lyrics from the show are:
'Young Hearts Run Free' from the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack, 'You're The Top' by Ethel Merman, 'Follow Me' by Uncle Kracker (one of the best songs ever written, EVER!!) The scene at the end is from Romeo and Juliet obviously
I know there isn't much in this chapter and no Draco/Ginny but I promise there will be some in the next chapter, it would have been in this one but it would be too long then
Chapter One – Performance Part I
Brother and sister, together,
Will make it through, oh oh yeah
Someday, a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know, you've been hurting,
But I've been waiting to be there for you
And I'll be there, just helping you out whenever I can
Everybody's free, oooh yeah yeah
(Everybody's free, everybody's free)
Oh, everybody's free, oh yeah
(Everybody's free, everybody's free)
Oooh, to feel good (to feel good)
Oooh, to feel good
Appleby laughed and waved at Matthew when he tugged open the door to her dormitory and slouched onto Shari's bed opposite her grinning wildly as she raised an eyebrow at him.
"So... Christmas is coming, tonight is the performance... nervous?"
Appleby shrugged and turned back to Cecy who was styling her hair for the Christmas concert that night. Appleby was to act a scene from 'Romeo and Juliet' and was singing on and off for the entire evening as part of the production a select few had been rehearsing to perform in front of the entire school and parents that evening.
"You're done."
Appleby grinned and kissed Cecy on her cheek before getting to her feet and hobbling on her numbed legs over to her dressing table to do her make-up.
"So how are we getting to the Manor for the Christmas party?"
Appleby looked into the mirror at the reflection of Cecy as she sank down onto Matthew's knee with her arm round his shoulders.
"After the performance everyone with an invitation has a carriage waiting to take them down to Hogsmeade where there's a Portkey waiting for us."
Cecy nodded before bending down and whispering into Matthew's ear something that made him choke and turn a vivid red colour, noticing Cecy's hand creeping up Matthew's shirt Appleby had no problem guessing what they were thinking.
"Go on, I only need to put my Opening outfit on."
Cecy grinned wickedly at her and dragged Matthew out of the room with a last wink over her shoulder at a smirking Appleby. Turning back to look in the mirror she masked her surprise with a blank face and a raised eyebrow when she found Dante's reflection smirking back at her. He was lounging against one of the posts of her bed with his arms folded and his ankles crossed under his expensive-looking leather pants and designer Basilisk skin boots.
"You know a warning would be nice before you just pop up. What are you doing here anyway, and how much did you pay for those pants?!"
Dante pushed himself up off the post and shifted around so he could see her reflection clearly as she eyed his pants with a hypocritical look on her face having been known to spend outrageous amounts of money on clothing herself.
"I'm here for the concert obviously, I'm performing. And I paid five hundred and fifty galleons."
She raised a newly plucked eyebrow at him as she rubbed in faint glitter dust, which shone in the light, on her high cheekbones and smeared it out until it faded. She ringed her eyes in thick black eyeliner and lengthened her lashes with wizard mascara which curled her lashes as it went on. Touching her pouted lips up with glitter lip gloss she got to her feet and moved over to the back of the bathroom door where her outfit was hanging in a plastic carrier.
"Turn around." She ordered, glancing at Dante who was watching her with detached interest still in the same position as when he had first arrived.
"Why would I be inclined to do that?"
Unconsciously tightening the belt on her green silk bathrobe she crossed the room and jabbed him in the long-sleeved black designer V-necked sweater covered chest with a long-nailed newly manicured acrylic fingernail.
"Because, if you were disinclined to do that I'll tie your balls to your ankles with the shortest string I can find and then burn your five hundred galleon pants in front of you."
Jabbing him in the centre of his chest with her fingernail at each word the corners of his mouth slowly curved up into a seductive smirk and she took a rapid step back as her heartbeat jumped up a notch.
"Five hundred and fifty galleons."
She pulled a face at him and wandered back over to collect her first outfit of the night; a spandex jet-black cat-suit, the top half held to the bottom half by an inch wide strap on the back and front from the diamond shaped top to the skin-tight bottoms that flared out from the knees. She tugged on the outfit as quickly as she could; well aware Dante had no intention of straining himself to turn away, she pulled on her black dancing shoes, with the heels that clicked with every step, and tugged the tight bands; with streaming black ribbons down to her hips up her upper arms.
Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun held in by a black ribbon and scattered silver and green jewels and a pair of jet-black and jade-green barrettes securing it. She dropped onto the seat by the dressing table once more and grabbed a thin make-up brush, dipping it into a tub and drawing a line on the outside of her eyes until it met in the outer corner and stretched the flick out to nearly at her temple in black eyeliner flecked with silver.
When she turned around to look at Dante she was amused to see that even he couldn't hide his shock at the differences her make-up made to her eyes; they now dominated her face in hypnotising silver swirls.
"What are you singing?"
Once again she felt the urge to make small-talk and found herself blurting out the first thing that came into her foggy brain. She curled her legs, alternately lined in silver green and black gems, underneath her as she watched him watch her; he always stood so still he gave the impression of being a portrait or tapestry. She blinked and before she knew it he was leaning over her, his mouth next to her lips and his enticing aftershave sending her reeling;
"It's a surprise."
Her eyes fluttered closed of their own accord and silence descended on the room. She jumped when the door banged open and a fifth year Slytherin girl with her hair in no-nonsense-French plaits and a clipboard clutched in her hands barged in;
"You're on stage in five, Appleby."
Slowly she opened her eyes and stared around the room dazedly, Dante was gone once again and she nodded vaguely at the girl before getting to her feet and pulling her professional self together. She could never figure that guy out, and what scared her most about the situation was that whenever they were together she knew she wasn't in control; he sent her emotions up the wall and her rationality out the window and the scariest thing is that's what excited her most because most guys were too afraid of her to try and take control.
She scanned the room quickly checking she hadn't left anything she needed before heading out of the room swathed in an expensive designer silver cloak towards the grounds at the back of the castle where the rather vicious wind was blocked by the school and where a full-sized stage had been erected and the entire surrounding area, including dressing rooms and seating, had been surrounded by a Warming Charm which kept the students and teachers not involved and the visiting parents warm throughout the performance.
Appearing backstage Appleby grinned at her fellow performers and gave her friends a quick hug before darting off to take her place in the wings ready to leap on stage in the opening number. The music started up and Appleby briefly heard a round of applause before the teachers and students responsible ushered the dancers on stage in twos, a Ravenclaw seventh year already centre-stage with her voice magically magnified;
"What's the sense in sharing this one and only life
Ending up, just another lost and lonely wife
You count up the years, and they will be filled with tears, oooh
Love only breaks up, to start over again
You'll get the babies, but you won't have your man
While he is busy loving every woman that he can, huh huh..."
Appleby grinned at her Transfiguration teacher as she was propelled on stage, the lights, music and general buzz of the stage sending her on a natural high as she twirled, stomped and wriggled across the stage in time to the music magically pounding around the grounds.
Appleby smirked at Matthew as they prepared for their duet, he was dressed in a loose white shirt tucked into black cords and shining black shoes and cufflinks glittered in the harsh stage lights. Her dress this time was a black sparkly halter-necked number that fell just short above her knees and trailed down to the floor at the back, her bared legs shining in their flesh-coloured tights. Waving she watched him dart to the other side of the stage as the curtains briefly closed after the other dancers as their duet music started. Wandering apparently carelessly onto the stage she curtseyed at a waiting Matthew and the crowd laughed before he opened his mouth to deliver the opening lines;
"At words poetic, I'm so pathetic
That I always have found it best,
Instead of getting 'em off my chest,
To let 'em rest unexpressed.
I hate parading my serenading
As I'll probably miss a bar,
But if this ditty is not so pretty,
At least it'll tell you how great you are"
The pair of them standing at a different side of the stage before joining to dance in the centre had the crowd roaring their encouragement which Appleby wasn't entirely sure was all for their enjoyment; she had a feeling her fellow seventh year and Gryffindor cousin, Viridian Weasley, had been sneaking alcohol from Hogsmeade again for the first years.
"You're the top! You're the Colosseum,
You're the top! You're the Louvre Museum,
You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss,
You're a Bendel bonnet, a Shakespeart sonnet,
You're Mickey Mouse.
You're the Nile, You're the Tow'r of Pisa,
You're the smile on the Mona Lisa.
I'm a worthless check, a total wreck, a flop,
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom
You're the top!"
She spun around away from Matthew towards the right hand side of the stage to deliver her verse as he circled her while dancing making the crowd laugh.
"Your words poetic are not pathetic
On the other hand, boy, you shine
And I can feel after every line
A thrill divine down my spine.
Now gifted humans like Vincent Youmans
Might think that your song is bad,
But for a person who's just rehearsin'
Well I gotta say this my lad:"
Joining again to do the rest of the song which was just variations of the chorus Appleby glimpsed her parents sitting proudly in the front row and she grinned, carefully returning to her performance.
"You're the top! You're Mahatma Ghandi.
You're the top! You're Napolean brandy.
You're the purple light of a summer night in Spain,
You're the National Gall'ry, You're Garbo's sal'ry,
You're cellophane.
You're sublime, You're a turkey dinner.
You're the time of the Derby winner.
I'm a toy balloon that is fated soon to pop.
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!"
The crowd were clapping in time and many we're singing along and laughing as Matthew spun Appleby out at arms reach and then back into his arms to dance around the stage for the next verse;
"You're the top! You're a Ritz hot toddy.
You're the top! You're a Brewster body.
You're the boats that glide on the sleepy Zuider Zee,
You're a Nathan Panning, You're Bishop Manning,
You're broccoli.
You're a prize, You're a night at Coney,
You're the eyes of Irene Bordoni,
I'm a broken doll, a fol-de-rol, a blop,
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top.
You're the top! You're a Coolidge dollar.
You're the nimble tread of the feet of Fred Astaire,
You're an O'Neill drama, You're Whistler's mama,
You're Camembert.
You're a rose, You're Inferno's Dante,
You're the nost of the great Durante.
I'm just in the way, as the French would say
"De trop,"
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top."
Appleby could briefly glimpse her beaming friends waiting in the wings each time she spun around and she was heartened from their evident pride as the music pounded through her veins.
"You're the top! You're a Waldorf salad.You're the top! You're a Berlin ballad.
You're a baby grand of a lady and a gent.
You're an old dutch master, You're Mrs. Aster,
You're Pepsodent.
You're romance, You're the steppes of Russia,
You're the pants on a Roxy usher.
I'm a lazy lout that's just about to stop,
But if Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top! You're the top! You're a dance in Bali.
You're the top! You're a hot tamale.
You're an angel, you simply too, too, too diveen,
You're a Botticelli, You're Keats, You're Shelley,
You're Ovaltine.
You're a boon, You're the dam at Boulder,
You're the moon over Mae West's shoulder.
I'm a nominee of the G.O.P. or GOP,
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top! You're the top! You're the Tower of Babel.
You're the top! You're the Whitney Stable.
By thje River Rhine, You're a sturdy stein of beer,
You're a dress from Saks's, You're next year's taxes,'
You're stratosphere.
You're my thoist, You're a Drumstick Lipstick,
You're da foist in da Irish svipstick,
I'm a frightened frog that can find no log to hop,
But if, Baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!"
Finishing with Matthew holding her in the air while they faced the ecstatic crowds, Appleby was gasping for breath by the time she got off stage and was glad it was someone else's turn to sing while she got ready for her next song. She was just putting the finishing touches to her outfit when she caught a few strands of the song being sung on stage and she felt goose bumps ripple over her body as she opened her door to listen closer;
"You don't know how you met me
You don't know why
You can't turn around
And say goodbye
All you know is when I'm with you
I make you free
And swim through your veins
Like a fish in the sea
I'm singing
Follow me
And everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you
Want to leave then I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me"
She hadn't imagined it, someone really was singing her all time favourite song and she could only guess who it was since she'd never heard anyone rehearsing it and he'd never gone to any rehearsals; in fact she'd never seen him anywhere in school other than the secret room she had shown him.
Appleby was facing the audience while a Hufflepuff sixth year looked back from her to the fake fireworks going off above the audience's heads, Matthew was stood on the other side of her half-hidden by a post as the fireworks were silenced for his lines;
"If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."
Smiling Appleby detached herself from the Hufflepuff's grip and turned slightly so she could speak into Matthew's ear;
"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."
Matthew whirled her around the post when the fireworks restarted and she stared at him in fake amazement mixed with amusement.
"Have not saint's lips, and holy palmers too?"
Glancing around the post to check the Hufflepuff was still busy with the fireworks, Appleby pulled Matthew a little further towards the audience;
"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."
Matthew watched her in amusement and frustration as they moved even closer to the audience;
"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."
He moved in to kiss her and Appleby turned her head towards the audience and away from him;
"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."
He smirked at her and leant in against her, murmuring the words but making sure they reached the entire audience as well;
"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged."
Their lips met in what looked like an impassioned kiss but kept their eyes slightly open unnoticed until they broke apart once more.
"Then have my lips the sin that they have took."
Matthew grinned again as they danced a few steps towards the audience once more while the party silently continued behind them;
"Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again."
Their lips met again and Appleby smirked as they pulled away, looking up at him from under her lashes;
"You kiss by the book."
A heavily disguised Gryffindor seventh year bustled over to them and began tugging Appleby away from a severely confused Matthew.
"Madam, your mother craves a word with you."
Appleby looked over at Matthew helplessly for a brief second before nodding and darting into the still dancing crowd. Matthew turned to the Gryffindor who was eyeing him with an odd look on her face;
"What is her mother?"
The Gryffindor looked him and down slightly before straightening her back proudly.
"Marry, bachelor,
Her mother is the lady of the house,
And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous
I nursed her daughter, that you talk'd withal;
I tell you, he that can lay hold of her
Shall have the chinks."
Matthew's head snapped up and he stared at the Gryffindor with a slightly opened mouth as his eyes darted from the crowd to her.
"Is she a Capulet?
O dear account! My life is my foe's debt."
The Gryffindor opened her mouth to say something but a tall Slytherin appeared at his side and started pulling him away, looking more than a little drunk as he wobbled on his feet;
"Away, begone; the sport is at the best."
Allowing himself to be dragged away, Matthew shot a last look around the room for a glimpse of Appleby but she was hidden by the crowds.
"Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest."
The man of the house was ushering his guests away towards the doors as Matthew and the Slytherin left;
"Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone;
We have a trifling foolish banquet towards.
Is it e'en so? why, then, I thank you all
I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night.
More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed.
Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late:
I'll to my rest."
Watching Matthew depart Appleby beckoned to the Gryffindor girl and pointed down into the bustling crowd;
"Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman?"
Regarding the boy Appleby was pointing at for a second she turned to her;
"The son and heir of old Tiberio."
Appleby nodded thoughtfully and pointed out someone else;
"What's he that now is going out of door?"
Forcing down an impatient sigh the Gryffindor turned to look at the tall boy Appleby was pointing at.
"Marry, that, I think, be young Petrucio."
Appleby finally reached the point she had been making and pulled the Gryffindor towards her, leaning an arm around her shoulder to point at Matthew who was still being forcible dragged out of the room as he searched it for Appleby.
"What's he that follows there, that would not dance?"
The Gryffindor shrugged and glanced back at Appleby who was gazing at him intently as he edged his way through the crowds surging in the opposite direction.
"I know not."
Appleby gave the Gryffindor a nudge towards the staircase, her eyes still fixed on Matthew.
"Go ask his name: if he be married.
My grave is like to be my wedding bed."
The Gryffindor sighed and headed down the stairs, bustling through the crowd straight to Matthew who paused and stared at her, conversing quickly in a low tone as his friend stared from one to the other. Appleby grabbed the Gryffindor and pulled her behind a pillar when she returned.
"His name is Romeo, and a Montague;
The only son of your great enemy."
Appleby froze and turned to look at Matthew who was finally heading towards the left wing which was acting as the exit.
"My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy."
Glancing up Appleby briefly caught a glimpse of Dante watching them silently in the wings, somehow managing to be alone despite the number of people darting backwards and forwards behind him and she felt a chill wash over her as their eyes met.