Disclaimer: Who wants a cookie? Well…all you have to do is give me Harry Potter, since IT DOESN'T BELONG TO ME! Okay? No? Well you can all still have a cookie anyways, okay? Yea for cookies and all that calorie filled yummy-ness!
A/N: Hey everyone! Kinda random, but every time I write one of these little notes, I feel like I'm talking to family and friends. It's kind of funny how you get these little 'on-line families' just by writing stories. Like every time I post a chapter, it doesn't feel complete until I see that my 'regulars' have left a review. Kind of a random 'me perspective' but I just want to say thanks again for leaving the reviews, and making me feel 'at home' here on Wow, I just used a bunch of single quotes, lol. Anyways, thanks for waiting patiently for this chapter, I know it's been a little bit, but I've been lazy in regards to writing, and busy doing college stuff. I'm going to be attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore starting in the fall, so lets all hope I don't get horribly busy with school work. Although just to tentatively warn y'all, when the end of summer starts nearing, I may get busy packing for school and all, but I will continue to update, have no fear. I don't like to leave stories hanging.
A/N 2: At the end of the chappie I'll post a list of the songs and artists used. Rest assured that they are NOT mine, but other peoples who I'm sure were paid handsomely for them. Now onto what y'all really want, the story!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Seventeen
"Severus?" Hermione called anxiously as she hurried into their bedroom where Severus was reclining in bed, reading a book. "I'm supposed to be in the great hall by seven since the show starts at seven thirty. Do you want me to help you there now, or would you rather I send Minerva down later? That is, if you still want to come, of course"
"Of course I want to come. You're my wife, and I want to support you," he used his wand to write out his answer in the air in front of her. "And I'll go whenever you do."
"Okay. We need to leave now then."
He simply nodded and placed his book on the bedside table before standing up slowly. One of the side-effects of wizarding laryngitis was a slight fatigue, hence the reason why he needed to be with someone while walking, in case he should happen to pass out. Taking her hand, he and Hermione began slowly making their way to the great hall which was empty except for the performers and a few professors and students reserving seats early.
"I'll see you after the show?" Hermione asked as Severus settled into his chair at the high table.
"Mm-Hmm," he murmured. Just as she turned to walk to the transfigured back-stage area, Severus grabbed her hand and brushed a light kiss over her fingertips.
"What was that for?" Hermione asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Luck," he whispered with a smile, before glaring around the hall at any students who happened to meet his eye.
Hermione made her way back-stage with a small smile on her face and headed to the girls 'groom room' to get ready for her performance. Actually, she was in two performances, the first, and the fourth. The first she was doing as a favour to Ginny, Luna, Parvarti and Lavender who were performing 'Lady Marmalade' from Moulin Rouge. They asked her to do Missy Elliot's part, and also the first two lines of the song in the beginning so that the four of them could make a grand entrance together.
"You ready Mione?" Ginny poked her head into Hermione's cubicle a few minutes later, Luna, Parvarti, and Lavender right behind her.
"Yeah, you?"
"We're good, and thanks again for doing this!" Lavender squealed.
"First act, take your places!" Hannah Abbot called, acting as stage manager.
"Welcome students, staff, ghosts, and guests, to the Hogwart's Singing Competition!" Professor McGonagall spoke into a microphone, and was answered with applause. "Tonight there will be nine performances from your castlemates. Between the show's end and dinner tomorrow, we ask that you write down your vote in regards to who should win, and deposit it into a secure vessel set up by Headmaster Dumbledore that will be located outside of the great hall entrance. Now, for our first performance, please welcome Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Parvarti Patil, Lavender Brown, and Hermione Snape!"
The curtains opened to show five shadowy figures, one set apart from the rest as the music began. The boys all hooted and cat-called as a spotlight came one, illuminating Hermione.
"Hey all my soul sistas, lemme hear ya flow sistas!" She sang, and then faded into the dark as lights illuminated the other four girls who moved forward to begin.
They were all clad in black shorts, black midriff showing (nothing major) tank-tops, low black heels, and black tops hats. The one thing that differed from girl to girl was the long sleeved lace shirt they wore over top of their tank-tops. Lavender's was purple, Parvarti's was pink, Luna's was red, Ginny's was white, and Hermione's was a dark purple-blue. The reason for the shirts being that dress codes had been imposed, as Dumbledore didn't want people performing in various states of undress.
Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, flow sista
Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, go sista
Luna:
He met Marmalade down in old Moulin Rouge
Struttin her stuff on the street
She said, Hello, hey Jo, you wanna give it a go? Oh! uh huh
Chorus:
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (Hey hey hey)
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here)
Mocha Chocalata ya ya (oh yea)
Creole lady Marmalade
Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir
Voulez vous coucher avec moi
Ginny: yea yea yea yea
Parvarti: He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
Boy drank all that Magnolia wine
On her black satin sheets is where he started to freak
yeah
Chorus:
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (da-da-da)
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here oh ooh yea yeah)
Mocha Chocalata ya ya (yea)
Creole lady Marmalade
Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ce soir, what what what)
Voulez vous coucher avec moi
Ginny:
yea yea uh
He come through with the money and the garter bags
I let him know we bout that cake straight up the gate uh
We independent women, some mistake us for whores
I'm sayin, why spend mine when I can spend yours
Disagree? Well that's you and I'm sorry
I'm a keep playing these cats out like Atari
Wear high heel shoes get love from the dudes
Four bad ass chicks from the Moulin Rouge
We drink wine with diamonds in the glass
By the case the meaning of expensive taste
if you wanna Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya
Mocha Chocalata what?
Real Lady Marmalade
One more time C'mon now
Marmalade... Lady Marmalade... Marmalade...
Lavender: Hey Hey Hey!
Touch of her skin feeling silky smooth
colour of cafe au lait alright
Made the savage beast inside roar until he cried,
More-more-more
Parvarti:
Now he's back home doin' 9 to 5
Luna:
Sleepin' the grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep memories creep,
More-more-more
Chorus:
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (da daeaea yea)
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (ooh)
Mocha Chocalata ya ya (yea)
Creole lady Marmalade
Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ce soir)
Voulez vous coucher avec moi (all my sistas yea)
Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ce soir)
Voulez vous coucher avec moi (C'mon! uh)
Hermione:
Lavender...(oh Leaeaa Oh)
Parvarti... (Lady Marmalade)
Ginny... (hey Hey! uh uh uh uh...)
Luna...(Oh Oh oooo)
Hogwarts baby...(baby)
Moulin Rouge... (Oh)
Hermione here...
Creole Lady Marmalade Yes-ah......
The four hadn't been bad- not spectacular, but on key, and the guys loved their costumes and dance moves. Professor McGonagall came back onstage applauding politely and waited for the whistles and applause to die down before continuing.
"Next up we have Messrs. Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchy, performing 'When the Sun Goes Down.'
Ernie and Justin came jogging out onstage, and everyone in the audience immediately burst out laughing. The two boys were wearing grass skirts overtop of a pair of shorts, bright purple Hawaiian shirts with flowers all over, funky straw hats, flip flops, and sun-glasses. Justin was carrying a small toy guitar and Ernie was holding a glass of punch with an umbrella in it.
Justin: Suntanned toes, tickling the sand
Cold drink chilling in my right hand
Watching you sleep in the even light
Resting up for a long, long night.
Cause when the sun goes down,
We'll be grooving.
When the sun goes down,
Feeling all right.
When the sun sinks down,
Over the water.
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.
Ernie: All day long just taking it easy.
Sittin' in the hammock where it's nice and breezy
Sleepin' off, the night before,
Cause when the sun goes down we'll be back for more.
Both: When the sun goes down,
We'll be grooving.
When the sun goes down,
Feeling all right.
When the sun sinks down,
Over the water.
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.
Justin: This old guitar and my dark sunglasses
Ernie: This sweet concoction as smooth as molasses.
Justin: Nothing to do, but breathe all day
Cause when the big moon rises then it's time to play.
Both: When the sun goes down,
We'll be grooving.
When the sun goes down,
Feeling all right.
When the sun sinks down,
Over the water.
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.
When the sun goes down,
We'll be grooving.
When the sun goes down,
Feeling all right.
When the sun sinks down,
Over the water.
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.
"Thank you Hogwarts!" They yelled as they bounced off-stage amidst wild cheers and laughter. They hadn't been very good, what with attempting to sing in American accents, and being slightly tone deaf, but they had fun and did their thing, and cracked everyone up (even the Slytherins!) while doing it.
"Thank you Mr. Macmillan and Mr. Finch-Fletchy," Professor McGonagall came on once more to announce the next act. "Please welcome Blaise Zabini, singing the song 'Touch'."
"I want to dedicated this to someone, she knows who she is," Blaise said with a sexy smirk. He was dressed casually in a pair of khaki's and a black muscle tee, and bowed slightly before beginning.
Blue, is the ocean in your eyes,
Blue is cool September skies, as a lonely waterfall.
Red, is the fire in your heart,
or the passion of love that we make as the sunset is fading away.
Angel, heaven starts hear tonight in your arms,
wanna drown in your body get lost in your charm.
Now that your here, angel don't go, lets keep the move nice and slow
All I want is your touch, all I want is your heaven right here by my side, every night.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your tenderness here in my life, every morning and night.
Girl cause your touch is so right
Yes, I've been thinking about you.
I've imagined the feel of your body and how it will be when we move.
Darling, magic's alive tonight in your arms
wanna drown in this moment, get lost in your charm.
Now that your here, don't move too fast lets make the moment last.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your heaven right here by my side, every night.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your tenderness here in my life, every morning and night.
Girl cause your touch is so right
I don't want nobody else and you see that my body is aching,
I'm hopelessly taken by you.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your heaven right here by my side, every night.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your tenderness here in my life, every morning and night.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your heaven right here by my side, every night.
All I want is your touch, all I want is your tenderness here in my life, every morning and night.
Girl cause your touch is so right
your touch is so right
your touch is so right.
"Thank you," he bowed once again before calmly walking off-stage. Exuberant applause, cheers, and noise was coming from the Slytherin table, although the others were applauding too. Blaise had a very smooth voice that just screamed sex-appeal.
"Next up we have our first professor of the evening performing 'When You Say Nothing At All', please welcome Hermione Snape," Professor McGonagall applauded as her favourite student walked on-stage.
Hermione looked beautiful in her seemingly simple attire. She was wearing a pink, ragged hemline skirt that hung around her knees, displaying her smooth legs that ended in feet clad in black, lace up strappy sandals. On top she was wearing an off the shoulder black top, and a pink and black beaded necklace with matching earrings. Her hair had been smoothed and straightened with the help of SleekEazy's hair solution, and was hanging around her shoulders. The only make-up she had on was some light lipstick. She went right into her song without any dedications or preamble.
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart.
Without sayin' a word you can light up the dark.
Try as I may I could never explain,
What I hear when you don't say a thing.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me.
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall.
You say it best, when you say nothin' at all.
All day long I can hear people talking about,
but when you hold me near you drown out the crowd.
Old Mr Webster could never define
What's bein' said between your heart and mine.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me.
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall.
You say it best, when you say nothin' at all.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me.
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall.
You say it best, when you say nothin' at all.
"Thanks," she said with a soft smile towards Severus who was sitting awestruck after hearing her beautiful, clear, soprano voice. Several of the girls were bright eyed with un-shed tears, they were so moved by her song.
"Lovely Mrs. Snape," Professor McGonagall wiped her eyes, smiling. "Next up we have Messrs. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, performing 'You've Got a Friend'."
They came out dressed casually in jeans and wife-beaters, with button up shirts over top. Harry's was a Gryffindor red, and Ron's was a blue that matched his eyes. Ron also carried a stool out, and set it down in the centre of the stage near the front.
"Now before we begin, we'd like to bring a friend out who's very near and dear to us," Ron said with a grin as Harry dragged a protesting and blushing Hermione out and made her sit on the stool.
"Hermione, we've been jerks to you," Ron began, but Harry gave him a pointed look. "Okay, I've been a jerk to you. But we just want to let you know how much we love you, that we will always be here for you, and that you've got a friend in us."
Harry: You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles from your warm. nice bed
You just remember what your 'ol pal said
Girl, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
Ron: You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You got troubles, then I got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
If we stick together we can see it through
'Cause you've got a friend in me
Yes, you've got a friend in me
Both: Now some other folks might
Be a little bit smarter than we are
Bigger and stronger too. Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way we do
Just us and you, girl
Both: And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see, it's our destiny
Both: Yes, you've got a friend in…us!
"Oh you guys," Hermione hugged each of them, her face a splotchy red because of laughing and crying over their touching dedication and performance, as mediocre as it was. "I love you both!"
"Thank you Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall came out to announce the next performer with a look of distaste on her face. "Next up performing 'Oh I wish I Were' is Hogwart's own poltergeist, Peeves."
Peeves popped up through the stage floor, a maniacal grin on his face as he took an innocent pose a few feet above the stage. Pulling a pitch pipe out of one of his bulging pockets, he blew into it, emitting a high note. Putting it away, he began on a completely different note.
Oh, I wish I were a little bar of soap.
Oh, I wish I were a little bar of soap.
I would slippy and I'd slidey,
Over everybody's hidey.
Oh, I wish I were a little bar of soap.
Oh, I wish I were a little hunk of mud.
Oh, I wish I were a little hunk of mud.
I would ooey and I'd gooey,
Under everybody's shoey.
Oh, I wish I were a little hunk of mud.
Oh, I wish I were a little can of pop.
Oh, I wish I were a little can of pop.
I'd go down with a slurp,
and come up with a burp.
Oh, I wish I were a little can of pop.
Oh, I wish I were a little slippery root.
Oh, I wish I were a little slippery root.
I would sit upon the trail,
And knock everyone on his tail.
Oh, I wish I were a little slippery root.
Oh, I wish I were a little mosquito.
Oh, I wish I were a little mosquito.
I'd buzzy and I'd bitey,
Under everybody's nighty.
Oh, I wish I were a little mosquito.
Oh, I wish I were a little bitty orange.
Oh, I wish I were a little bitty orange.
I'd go squirty, squirty, squirty,
Over everybody's shirty.
Oh, I wish I were a little bitty orange.
"Thank you, I'll be here for a couple of centuries to sign autographs!" Peeves cackled before disappearing through the wall. During his performance he had thrown things at the audience, including bars of soap and cans of pop. Luckily for the students, Professor Flitwick had placed a shielding charm around the stage preventing anything being thrown on, or off in Peeves case.
"Thank god that's over," Professor McGonagall muttered before announcing the next act. "Please welcome another colleague of mine, Adelphio Vector, singing 'Alla Luce del Sole'."
Professor Vector walked out wearing a nice dark suit with a light blue shirt and a striped tie in varying shades of blues and grey and black that tied the ensemble together.
Qui c'è il buio fuori di me
ed anche un pò dentro di me...
che assurdità questa citt
senza persone!
Io non so spiegar neanche come
ma non è questa la mia dimensione,
e la mia mente non è mai in pace,
è sempre altrove.
Tu dove sei? La tua voce dov'è?
Senza di te, senza il tuo aiuto
che sarà di me?
Tutto sembrerà migliore
alla luce che verrà dal sole!
Questa notte passerà,
il buio che c'è si dissolverà!
Si vedranno le colline,
io continuerò a cercare te.
Via da questa malinconia,
invidia o rabbia che sia.
Qui nel mio cuore
non voglio più queste parole.
Tu dove sei? Il tuo sorriso dov'è?
Senza di te, senza il tuo amore
che sarà di me?
Tutto sembrerà migliore
alla luce che verrà dal sole!
Questa notte passerà,
il buio che c'è si dissolverà!
E alla luce di quel sole
Io continuerò a cercare te.
Tutto sembrerà migliore,
alla luce, al sole.
Il silenzio morirà,
la gente che c'è si confonderà.
E alla luce di quel sole
Io continuerò a cercare te.
"Grazie, Buona Sera!" He snapped his fingers and produced a pink rosebud which he handed to Professor McGonagall as he walked off amidst loud applause. He had a rich tenor voice, and wonderful control, and it was obvious that he had had some professional lessons at some point.
"Thank you Adelphio," Professor McGonagall transfigured the rose into a corsage that she pinned on her robe. "Now our next performer would like it known that he is only performing on a dare. Singing 'Man, I Feel Like a Woman,' please welcome Terry Boot!"
Terry walked shakily out onstage, and there was encouraging cheers from all the tables but Slytherin who weren't even trying to hide their amusement. He was wearing a short jean skirt showing off waxed legs that were clad in black, high, stiletto heels, and on top he had a yellow and black striped tube-top. The girls in his year had evidently helped as he was also wearing heavy make-up.
Let's go girls!
I'm going out tonight-I'm feelin' alright
Gonna let it all hang out
Wanna make some noise-really raise my voice
Yeah, I wanna scream and shout
No inhibitions-make no conditions
Get a little outta line
I ain't gonna act politically correct
I only wanna have a good time
The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun and...
Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy-forget I'm a lady
Men's shirts-short skirts
Oh, oh, oh, really go wild-yeah, doin' it in style
Oh, oh, oh, get in the action-feel the attraction
Color my hair-do what I dare
Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free-yeah, to feel the way I feel
Man! I feel like a woman!
The girls need a break-tonight we're gonna take
The chance to get out on the town
We don't need romance-we only wanna dance
We're gonna let our hair hang down
The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun and...
Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy-forget I'm a lady
Men's shirts-short skirts
Oh, oh, oh, really go wild-yeah, doin' it in style
Oh, oh, oh, get in the action-feel the attraction
Color my hair-do what I dare
Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free-yeah, to feel the way I feel
Man! I feel like a woman!
The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun and...
Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy-forget I'm a lady
Men's shirts-short skirts
Oh, oh, oh, really go wild-yeah, doin' it in style
Oh, oh, oh, get in the action-feel the attraction
Color my hair-do what I dare
Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free-yeah, to feel the way I feel
Man! I feel like a woman!
I get totally crazy
Can you feel it
Come, come, come on baby
I feel like a woman
Terry finished his comical performance and curtsied good naturedly at the laughter and clapping from most people. Sashaying his hips, he walked off-stage, passing a frowning Professor McGonagall on the way.
"Interesting performance Mr. Boot," Professor McGonagall began. "Before our last performance of the evening, I would like to once again remind you to vote between the end of the show and tomorrow evening. Now for our last performance, please welcome Miss Pansy Parkinson, sing 'What a Diff'rence a Day Makes'."
Pansy walked on-stage and several people audibly gasped. With her attire she would blend in perfectly in a bluesy up-scale nightclub. She was wearing a plain, dark green, sleeveless dress with a modest, rounded neckline. On her feet she was wearing low stiletto heels that matched the black lace shawl loosely tied around her shoulders. Her hair was slicked back in a low bun, and she wore a white rose tucked behind one ear.
What a diff'rence a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine
What a diff'rence a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you
Find romance on your menu
What a diff'rence a day makes
And the difference is you
What a diff'rence a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you
Find romance on your menu
What a diff'rence a day makes
And the difference is you.
"Thank you," she smiled smugly, which ruined the whole effect of her performance. She had an amazing contralto that was made for jazz and blues, and looked rather pretty, especially since she was dressed so un-like herself.
"Wonderful, wonderful," Dumbledore said contentedly as he stood up and applauded all the contestants who came back on-stage for one last good-bye. "Music, a magic beyond all that we do here. I would like to thank all of you for having the courage to stand up in front of your peers and perform, whether serious or in jest. For that, I award each of you ten points. Now, hot cocoa and sugar cookies for everyone, then a good night's sleep!"
"Ready to go back?" Hermione asked Severus after saying good bye to her friends and giving Ron and Harry one last hug. Nodding, he took her outstretched hand and they left the great hall for their quarters in the dungeons.
"Do you think she loves him?" Ron asked Harry as they observed their best friend walking out with Snape.
"After the song she sang tonight, I'd say that if she isn't, then she's well on her way," Harry replied. "Although you know Mione, she won't admit it."
"Because she doesn't really believe in love?"
"No, she believes in love and knows it happens to people, like her parents," Harry corrected. "She just doesn't think it could ever happen to her. And if she is in love, I don't really think she'd tell him for fear of him not returning it. That was something she said she was afraid of; that she would fall in love and not have it be returned, especially after Krum got her hopes up about having a relationship together. I think that's when her cynicism towards love and all began."
"Well I hope for her sake that Snape doesn't hurt her."
"Me too Ron, me too." Harry stared at the door to the great hall where their friend had left moments ago one last moment before joining his other dorm-mates for cocoa and cookies.
A/N: Okay everyone, there's the talent show, and let me tell you- it's hard to write out talent shows, although you wouldn't really think so. But I added a little bit of Hermione/Severus action- the hand holding, fingertip kissing, smiles, and Hermione's song. If you skipped over the song she sang, I recommend going back and reading it cause it's so pretty, and I think it aptly fits their relationship in some ways. This chapter was pretty long at about 4,500 words, but there are nine songs, so that accounts for a good deal of it. Anyways, I hope you liked it, drop me a review if you want, and next chapter up in not too long hopefully. I've got this summer baby-sitting job Monday-Friday, 6:30am- 4:30pm for three kids (two 8 year old girls, one 5 year old boy), so I'm usually kind of wiped out when I get home, which is why this took so long to get up, but thanks for waiting!
A/N 2: Songs in order:
Lady Marmalade- Mya, Pink, Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliot
When the Sun Goes Down- Kenny Chesney, feat. Uncle Kracker
Touch- Clay Aiken
When You Say Nothing At All- Allison Kraus
You've Got A Friend in Me- Some Disney movie, I'm not sure exactly
Oh I wish I were A- camping song
Alla Luce del Sole- Josh Groban
Man, I feel Like a Woman- Shania Twain
What a Diff'rence a Day Makes- Billie Holliday