Rince Draíochtach

Disclaimer: I just own the story. I don't own the characters, JKR does. As with anything you recognize from JKR's world. Technically, I don't own a lot of the terminology in this-my dance teacher does… So basically, I just own the story.

Summary: Life has been hard on Hermione. She's gone up against Voldemort and death eaters 3 times now? Not to mention that breakdown her best friend had the other year; that must have been a bit tough. It was during this turmoil, that she discovered the underlying beat of it all. A jump, a turn, a stamp. And that pulsing dance with her.

A/N: I hope you liked the first chapter, I just uploaded it about 3 minutes ago from when I'm typing this. I have the whole story planned out and almost finished. I just need to get on converting them from ye olde pieces of paper to my computer. I find it easier to write on paper versus on a computer. Thanks to The Lady of the Four Clovers, my only reviewer! Reviews are fun, honest. It's kind of like doing 80 on a 60 MPH highway. Don't believe me? Go try it. Please? Danke!

The Ace and Deuce of Pipering

I had my first big battle with Death Eaters and things of the like in the spring of my 5th year at Hogwarts. Struck by a curse, I was seriously injured and even after I was released by the Health General Madam Pomphry, I was still weak. More mentally than physically, but weak nonetheless. A year dealing with an angsty friend topped off with a battle with Death Eaters will do that to you.

My parents were deeply concerned about what happened. I had sent them an owl explaining it, but I imagine that did more harm than good. The fact that they had very basic knowledge of the wizarding world didn't help either. Upon returning home to our little house in the country, my parents doted on me as if I was a sick heir to the British throne. "Calmness" was the theme of their therapy. My parents fancy themselves experts on keeping people calm, having to deal with many nervous patients in their day.

We came home on a Monday that year.

"Oh, darling, we're so glad to have you home!" my mother exclaimed upon throwing open the doors to the house. The house smelled suspiciously clean and flowery. There was a faint smell of chicken roasting coming from the kitchen. My mother likes the house sterile, like her office. She finds it more welcoming. My father, on the other hand, fancies things a bit messy, like his office. It was evident who had worn the pants the last few days.

"Yes, dear, it's such a relief to have you safe at home, what with everything…" my father commented, drifting off at the end. I smiled and nodded vaguely, waving off the subject.

"Mum, that smells lovely! Is dinner soon?"

My mother beamed at me and, throwing a pointed 'I told you so' look at my father, nodded towards the kitchen. "Thank you, darling! Yes, it will be ready in about 20 minutes. Why don't you put your trunk in your room? We fixed it up a bit for you. I wanted you to be comfortable."

"Fixed it up?" I muttered, picking up my trunk, "Alright, I'll be down in a bit!"

'Fixed it up' was a bit of an understatement when applied to the room I walked into. They, or most likely she, had gone all out in the name of relaxation and calmness. Candles, flowers, and comforters and pillows picked out by their colorology effects. She had even laid out a few 'highly relaxing' CDs. It looked like a Spa. A Spa in a library, but a Spa regardless.

That night, after a long and painful conversation involving me detailing my plans to vacation at the Burrow, I needed some relaxation. My mum had clearly explained, in heart wrenching detail, that she had spent hours of her valuable time on my room. I decided that it would only be polite to take advantage of it at that moment. I investigated the CDs to see if any were suitable reading music. All the CDs had signs of a waiting room and my parent's secretary. I've never had particularly cool tastes in anything, music included. However, I know what horrendous elevator music is when I hear it. These definitely qualified. Highly qualifying were the CDs who's titles I couldn't understand or had 'soothing' ocean cover shots.

'Musings of a Dolphin" was the title of the first CD I tried. Unfortunately, one of the most intelligent animals in the world gave me no help in improving my own intelligence. 5 CDs later, I was almost out of CDs and very almost out of patience. The CD I picked up was tinted green and had that characteristic water scene on the front.

"River dance" was the title and I remember thinking that it was a fitting title, looking at the picture on the front. Settling down in a soft blue pillow which had a little too much fluff for its own good, I opened Wizardry of the Mugglekind and tried to get lost in it. I would have had an easier time reading if Crookshanks was devouring my face. Fate did not have reading in its plan for me that night.

This CD was one of a rare breed. It drew my attention into its notes like an accio charm. As I mentioned previously, my music tastes have never been particularly cool. In fact, I didn't really have one. One bar of that CD conjured me a taste in music. I couldn't help turning it up, feeling the bass rise up, piercing the layers of comforters.

I couldn't stop listening. I had lost the ability to move outside its spell. A nod, a tap. I was entranced, there's no other word for it. The baseline hooked, reeled me in and wouldn't let me in. It was like nothing I had ever heard before in a song. A quick tapping, like someone with long nails drumming their fingers on a window pane.

Ignorance has led me to restricted sections of libraries and top secret hallways. It has led me to a 3 headed dog and the hospital wing more times that I would like to remember. This music, this baseline. It was going to lead me to more dangerous places. I could feel it because I never had felt anything like that before.

It was time to do research.