Chapter 16

A/N: Wow, I am getting such great reviews, it's making me update more and better!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

*~JammyGemma_Charmed_DM4HG~* - Lol. Feel free to use that as a screen name. Quite creative, actually. I'm glad you liked this. Keep reading and reviewing!!!

jazz- I'm not sure if you got my email yet, but I answered your question in there. Thanks for reviewing!!

Conda- Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Some people don't really like the plot and idea. Keep reading and reviewing!!!

Brooks- Yes, I hated putting Ginny in more danger. But you know, I figured with the whole Tom Riddle thing, Voldemort would find her more vulnerable, ya know? Dumbledore has such a twisted, daft mind. It's so fun making up his ideas!!!

Gryffindor620- I'm glad to not be original. I like doing things no one expects. Thanks for reviewing!!!

overXposed- I know. I didn't want people being kidnapped, but I had to find some way to lead to the Voldemort part of the story. Yes, a talent show is so odd in this case. But you know Dumbledore. Keep reading and reviewing!!!

Here's the chapter!!!

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The talent show was to be Sunday evening. That afternoon, students gathered in the quidditch field to watch everything being set up. There was a large, floating stage in the center of the field. It rotated so that the people in all the stands had a chance of seeing the performer's front. The stands were decorated and it looked like Dumbledore had tinkered with magic so a microphone could be set up.

As worried as everyone was, they were still eager to have a little bit of fun. Many students had signed up to perform. Everyone--including Hermione--was shocked when she wrote her name down to sing.

"You're going to sing?" Harry asked.

"Yeah. It helps me get my mind off of things. And the song could send a message to a couple people," she explained. Harry shrugged.

Hermione began to get nervous when students and teachers started filling the stands ten minutes before the show.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just pretend you're singing in the shower," Harry whispered, squeezing her arm before he and Ron went and found seats.

Hermione went to stand with the other contestants. Finally, the show began.

The first person to go on stage was Dennis Creevey and his brother, Colin. They performed a magic show. Unfortunately, when Colin climbed into the disappearing box, Dennis had a hard time making him reappear. The students roared with laughter until finally, Colin walked out with a huge grin. They bowed and left the stage.

The next person was Seamus Finnigan. He played a short Irish tune on a very old set of bagpipes. It was quite entertaining.

Fred and George Weasley made a guest appearance. They called up volunteers from the audience to demonstrate their joke products. It was by far the best act so far. It was apparent Fred and George were having fun, but if you looked closely, you could see the sadness and anxiety in their eyes.

Hannah Abbot was next, and Hermione was after Hannah. Hannah played and sang to the song from "Ice Castles" on the piano. Hermione began to get nervous.

"Now I do believe/ That even in the/ Storm, we'll find some light./ Knowing you're beside me,/ I'm alright..."

Hermione's hands felts sweaty and her heart was beating faster.

"Looking through the/ eyes of love."

As the song ended and Hannah came off the stage, Hermione felt as though she'd faint. She stood in the center of the stage and held the microphone, her arms shaking. The music began.

"I'll always remember/ It was late afternoon/ It lasted forever/ And ended so soon, yeah/ You were all by yourself/ Starin' up at a dark, gray sky/ I was changed..."

She began to feel more comfortable. More emotion went into her words and she concentrated only on Draco--no one else.

"In places no one will find/ All your feelings/ So deep inside/ It was there that I realized/ That forever was in your eyes/ The moment I saw you cry//

It was late in September/ And I'd seen you before/ You were always the cold one/ But I was never that sure/ You were all by yourself/ Starin' up at a dark, gray sky/ I was changed//

In places no one will find/ All your feelings so deep inside/ It was there that I realized/ That forever was in your eyes/ The moment I saw you cry//

And I wanted to hold you/ I wanted to make it go away/ And I wanted to know you/ I wanted to make your everything/ Alright//

I'll always remember/ It was late afternoon/ In places no one will find..."

She kept repeating the chorus until the song faded out and ended. When she finished, she heard absolutely nothing. This was because the applause was deafening. She sought our her friends in the crowd. Harry was beaming. Ron looked as if he'd just made a realization. Then, her eyes met Draco's. He had a soft smile on his face. She mouthed to him, "I love you." He was too busy standing up and clapping to notice. It was one of the best days in Hermione's life.

There were only two more acts after Hermione, and they were both solos. At the end, Dumbledore got on the stage.

"It seems as though you all enjoyed this very much. Although every performance was excellent, we must pick a winner. Judging by the audience's applause, the winner is----Hermione Granger!"

Hermione stood rooted to the spot. Had she heard correctly? She won?! As if in a trance, she went back onstage and accepted the bouquet of red roses from Dumbledore.

"Bow, Miss Granger," he whispered, chuckling. She did so, and quickly escaped the stage.

As the students exited the field, Hermione found Draco. He hugged her vigorously.

"Congratulations! That was bloody awesome!" he shouted happily.

"The song was to you," she said, smiling.

"I know. It fit perfectly," he laughed. He hugged her again, and then Harry and Ron came over to them.

"Congratulations!" Harry said to her. "You sing so good!"

"Thanks," she said, hugging him. Then Ron stepped up to her.

"Hermione...I...uh...I could tell how much you like Draco, through the song. You sing better than anyone I know, and I'm sorry for being such a jerk. It's just..." he trailed off.

Hermione hugged him. "No, I completely understand. I know it's hard for you," she said. Ron smiled. He looked warily at Draco.

"Truce?" he asked, a bit reluctantly, holding out his hand. Draco thought a moment, then shook it. Hermione beamed.

"This is the best day of my life!" she cried. "I won the talent show, I made up with Ron, and now we're all getting along!" The three guys smiled. They were united, and one step closer to winning the war between good and evil.

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A/N: Thanks so much. I know there wasn't much to this chapter, but it eased tension. I had to give the story a serious plot, but it should be fun and entertaining, too. The next chapters will be more serious and lead into of course, the war. Please read and review!!! Also, I will update next Sunday or Monday night, but then not for about two weeks. I'm going to Florida with the school's science team. So fun!!!! Please keep reading and reviewing!!!

Amber