Authors Note: Thank you all for the awesome comments. I really do appreciate them. I'm going to be more active in my story writing, promise. Lyrics taken from Evanescence, of course.

And... I'm sorry this took so long. School's been horrible lately.

Talent Show Fever: Part One

The squeal of joy that was sounded somewhere behind me, making me jump. The book in my lap toppled to the floor with a loud thud, drawing the attention of more than one of my classmates. Blushing furiously, I grabbed the book and set it down on the big comfy red couch I'd found a place on. I turned to look at what all the commotion was about, but by then more than a dozen boys and girls alike where all crowding around one wall.

I slipped onto the ground and walked over, tapping one of the kids on the shoulder.

"Oi. What's goin' on?" The kid regretfully tore his gaze from the middle of the crowd and said "There's gonna be a Talent Show, right here in Hogwarts! There're cash prizes, House Points and a 'secret' prize to be won." I blinked a few times, slowly processing the jumble of words that had flew from his mouth before smiling slightly. A talent show, eh? That's something I could definitely do.

After a quick look around, I realized this wasn't going to be just another walk in the park. Already Dean and Seamus were talking excitedly in a corner. The twins were chattering, hands waving wildly in the air. I was almost afraid to ask what they were up to. So I didn't. Another look around revealed the object of my affection talking in quiet tones to Lavender. With a shrug I headed over to them.

"Hullo." Instead of the warm welcome I'd expected, both looked rather startled.

"Oh. Hi Ginny. We have to run. I'll talk to you later okay?" Before Hermione could hear a response, she disappeared from the room, followed closely by Lavender. I frowned, feeling more than a bit rejected.

Harry and Ron found me, still staring off in the direction Hermione had gone.

"What're you doin' for the talent show?" Harry asked me while throwing a companionable arm around my shoulders. I instinctively put my arm around his back, letting my hand settle on his waist.

"I dunno yet." Ron tilted his head a bit at me, looking... God help me... thoughtful. He then blurted out something that actually sounded like a good idea. What the hell?

"You should get up there and sing. I always hear ya 'round the Burrow and you're really good." With a compliment like that, I couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks. I think I will." Harry ruffled my hair a bit before dodging out of hitting reach. Damn Quidditch reflexes. I swung anyways.

"Hey hey hey! No need to be so violent." He shouted and held his hands up in defense. Shaking my head, I smiled.

"Get outta here." I commanded, trying to tame my now messy hair. Ron and Harry ducked out of the room, no doubt to go talk about their act. With Ron's comment in mind I headed out of the common room.

It was less than half a day to the Talent Show and I felt like shit. I'd talked to Hermione a total of 20 minutes the whole week. Literally. If I'd ever felt ignored before... It was nothing compared to this. I usually got into the Great Hall just in time to see her rush past, breakfast in hand, hollering a "Hi Gin!".

I threw my arms above my head, reveling in the sensation of each muscle stretching out. The last class was finally over. I rolled my shoulders, trying to work the nervous tension away. It wouldn't go. The Talent Show was less than 3 hours away and I had claimed the 8th spot... out of about 20. Neville was first, doing something on the little known facts of Herbology. I had to give him credit. The kid had guts to go up there with THAT act. I suppose that was why he was in Gryffindor.

Other acts I was aware of were Fred and Georges comedy act. Consisting of pranks, funny stories and a few jokes. Ron and Harry were doing some rather "daring" broom maneuvers. Dean and Seamus had decided to do some sort of dancing. The acts went on and varied greatly. I knew Hermione and Lavender were doing something... But she'd refused to tell me. Don't I feel special.

I rubbed my hands on my robes, working away the cold clammy feeling. Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Maybe I should back out while I still had the time. Thoughts flew through my head and served only to make me a bit more nervous.

With class dismissed, I rushed to the Great Hall. Each step I took was matched with a muttered curse. I wasn't exactly happy and I don't think there was one person in the entire school who couldn't tell. Without really thinking about it, my feet carried me to the Slytherin table.

"We need to talk. Now." The platinum haired boy turned to look at me, raising a quizzical brow. For a moment I was sure he'd snap out some nasty comment, but he stood and followed me quietly from the Hall.

"IcantdothisI'llscrewupIwon'trememberthewordsWhatifmyvoicecracks?!." My words came out in a heated rush, surprising both him and me from the look of it. His brow rose again and again I expected harsh words or some type of put down. Instead I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder before he began to talk.

"Look, Weasly, would I have asked you to do this if I didn't think you were the best?" A quick glance up at him told me the answer, which I kept to myself.

"You may be the only person in this damn school that can actually match MY talent." I knew he was kidding. Most of his arrogance was just for show. His hard gaze softened slightly to prove my previous thoughts and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. Him and Harry are a lot alike. Hell forbid they ever admit it though.

"You can do this. I know you can. And I can't do it without you. So like it or not, you'll be going up on that stage. We clear?" Though the words seemed commanding, the soft hint of amusement dancing in both his eyes and voice told me otherwise.

My mumbled reply sparked a bout of laughter from the usually serious boy. "Yes Master Draco." Once the laughter faded, he winked at me. An act that would've once horrified me, now served only to amuse me.

"I think I like the sound of that..." I shook my head at his retreating form. Who would've though... I'd found a friend in a foe.

Nervous didn't even begin to describe how I felt. As I watched Neville clumsily walking around the stage, I felt the urge to throw up or run away. The place the teachers usually dine had been transformed into a beautifully crafted stage. I was willing to bet anything Dumbledor had done it with a wave of his wand. There were now chairs set up in front of the stage instead of the usual house tables. Students not taking part in the Show were slowly filtering in, taking seats wherever they were available.

I pressed against my knuckles, a small amount of tension draining with each sickening pop that was heard, only to return seconds later and twice as bad. The candles over the seats dimmed and Neville began his bumbling speech. Watching from the side of the stage, just behind the curtain, I could see the beads of sweat starting to form on his brow already. He stumbled over a word I didn't know and turned bright red, looking towards me. I flashed a smile, hoping my own nervousness wasn't at all shown.

For a second I thought he'd run, but instead he looked back towards the rest of the school with a valor rarely seen and continued, making a few mistakes but none too embarrassing.

He left the stage with a round of roaring applause. I think everyone was just clapping because he'd finished. Not everyone was as interested in plants as our boy Neville. The Gryffindor threw out another round of fierce clapping as both Dean and Seamus strode on stage. Dean gave the crowd an exaggerated wink while Seamus simply moved to his spot on the floor. I smiled a bit and shook my head. They where dressed the same with a few minor differences. While one wore a red baseball cap turned backwards, the other wore a black one. Their shoes, the likes of which I'd never seen, matched the color of their hats. Other than this, they were both dressed in loose fitting T-shirts and jeans, black in color.

A loud tune started pumping out of the speakers and Dean grinned, moving to the middle of the stage. He then proceeded to do the weirdest looking dance I'd ever seen. I figured it was a muggle thing when a few of the muggle born let out whistles and cheers. The dance mainly consisted of spinning around and getting in and out of weird positions. Odd. That and the messed up movement of body parts in ways that made it look like something was flowing through him. After Dean, Seamus took the stage, wowing the crowds when he did a headstand, then spun around, balancing only on the top of his head. I found out later this was indeed a muggle dance called break dancing. Probably from the broken bones received learning all those moves.

The acts went on, a few people singing, another few dancing, all trying to show off the skills they had. A mere 7 acts passed before some 5th year from Hufflepuff tapped my shoulder.

"Five minutes." My breath caught in my throat. Five minutes? I couldn't... I wouldn't!

A hand clamped down on my shoulder and I instantly knew who it was.

"You'll do fine. Not as well as me... But fine just the same." Draco's feigned arrogance had never been so welcome. I tried to think of some witty reply but came up short once again. Dammit. Draco spun me around and looked me over in a way that was anything but sexual.

"You look fabulous. I know you can sing. You know you can sing. What's the problem?" He questioned, looking genuinely concerned.

"The song..." I choked out meekly.

"What? Do you want to change it?" I snorted, the blonde looked funny when near panicked.

"No. It's a great song... I'm just not... Never mind." He seemed to accept it, and for that I was grateful. This was one moment I didn't have an excuse for. I heard our names announced and the world spun uncertainly around me. Gasps and whispers rose from the crowd. Ginny and Draco? It was impossible. Their houses had always been mortal enemies. Hell, their families had always been mortal enemies.

With a sure hand, Draco shoved me on stage. The lights hit me with an almost blinding intensity, radiating heat down on me. My stunning partner strode from off stage, earning a few more whispers. Smoothing a hand over my stomach, I looked over the audience, desperately trying not to faint. Draco took a small bow and spoke.

"An odd pairing, to be sure, but you'll find we work quite well together. Right Gin-Gin?" I bristled at the use of his adoptive pet name for me but only gave a short nod along with a small glare in return. Draco grinned widely. He looked at me expectantly and waited for me to say the words I'd practiced over and over. After glancing at Hermione, who was to my right just off stage, I spoke to the audience.

"I chose this song because of the lyrics. They go well with my emotions lately." The music started at my last word and I swallowed thickly again, wishing I could get some amount of moisture into my throat. When I softly started the first few words, I was surprised to find my voice was steady at all.

I've been watching you from a distance
The distance sees through your disguise
All I want from you is your hurting
I want to heal you
I want to save you from the dark

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was aware of Draco's voice rising behind me as I started the chorus. His voice worked perfectly with my own, twining around the sounds I made to make both of us better.

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Why should I care if they hurt you
Somehow it matters more to me
Than if I were hurting myself
Save you (save you)
I'll save you

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Fear not the flame of my love's candle
Let it be the sun in your world of darkness
Give unto me all that frightens you
I'll have your nightmares for you
If you sleep soundly

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Fear not the flame of my love's candle
Let it be the sun in your world of darkness
Give unto me all that frightens you
I'll have your nightmares for you
If you sleep soundly

Fear not the flame of my love's candle
Let it be the sun in your world of darkness