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 music. Come dance with her.

A/N: Oh man, 2 reviews. I'm moving up in the world! Heh, thanks to Avelynn Tame, my reviewer for the last chapter. Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed that! I meant to put this in the last chapter. I'm looking for a beta reader so if you're interested, drop me an email. And so, here it is! My biggest chapter yet, making this my longest story yet! Hermione finds out what this crazy CD is about. Read, review, tell your friends, have fun, go swimming. Your choice, really.

The Downfall of Paris

It was undeniable the next morning. I was absolutely hooked. I need to know everything about that haunting music and analyze it down to the very last note. My search started at breakfast.

"Morning, Dad," I said cheerily as I walked into the kitchen. Pots were piled in the sink and my father was munching on a piece of toast topped with badly burnt eggs. "Um… Where's mum?"

"Drowning her sorrows in nail polish, it would seem," he responded, not looking up from his paper. Lovely.

"I listened to some of those CDs last night," I tested, helping myself to toast.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, some of them were really calming. Where did mum find them anyways?"

"No idea, I believe our patients gave some suggestions. Why don't you ask her? She's at the usual place," my father phrased this more as a challenge than a suggestion. I hadn't entered the nail salon since I was about 9.

Half an hour later, I was pushing open the door to the nail salon. This was the extent of my hook to this music. I got a manicure in order to talk to my mother. After another hour, I had all the knowledge I could get from my mother. Granted, it took massive apologizing and ignoring the appalled manicurist who was doing my beat up nails, but I got my information.

My dad had been right; she found the CD from one of her patients. Apparently, it was a show that had come out within the last year. My mother explained it as a dancing show with some music and singing. Vaudeville type musicals came to mind. Still… This music was so intense, so captivating that I had to push on with this hunt.

This music had even allowed me to forget about the war and the danger. No book I tried last year had done that, no matter how hard I looked for a captivating one. Listening, I could drift off into my own world, something I had scorned upon before. Many were the times that I had tutted at Ron for not paying attention in one subject or another. I finally understood why he would do it, knowing the threats to his grades. I felt like I had just fallen headfirst into the new world of a colorful book, far away from my own.

The temple of my life up to this point was only a little help. It confirmed my mother's vague description of the CD. Riverdance was a show with music, dancing and singing. I was heartened to hear that it was not actually a Vaudeville show. The dancing was "show choreographed Irish dancing." I had seen Irish dancing at some St. Patrick's Day show, but never really taken to it. I admired the control and skill of the dancers, but it seemed rather bland, honestly. I think it might have been the music. Some accordion and fiddle music was at it was and nothing pulsing. But this music was heart stopping.

"Excuse me? I asked tentatively to an unfamiliar librarian behind the desk, her nose in a book.

"Yes? How may I help you?" she replied, a tone of surprise in her voice. I gave her my best teacher smile.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help me find some information on this CD my mum bought for me. I've found some books, but nothing specific, "I posed my request in the politest way I could think of. First impressions are very important when dealing with librarians. Thankfully, she fave me an understanding smile.

"Of course, what CD?"

"It's called Riverdance. I've found that it's an Irish dance show, but that's about it."

The librarian laughed lightly and nodded. "I guess you missed the recent EuroVision?" she asked and I smiled in agreement. I had missed most TV shows recently… "I'm not sure how you would have missed it, even if you didn't catch the show. It was a big deal after show…"

"I've… been… in the states for an exchange recently. My mum gave me the CD as sort of a welcome home gift," I replied attempting to lie through my teeth. Hopefully, that would keep any questions away.

"Oh yes, how was that?"

"Lovely. We, eh, toured a lot and I got to get a real look into American schools and culture. Horizon opening, if you will." Oh I had done it now. My US geography was foggy at best. I could only remember vaguely where Salem was in relation to New York. A lack of questions would be lovely.

"That's wonderful! Do you happen-" she got cut off as the telephone rang, "Pardon a sec…" As she answered the phone, I took a moment to sort my story out. America… Well, I knew Salem's east and so is New York. I had stayed a bit outside New York? Bother, who was their President again? Even British muggles knew that… Did Clinton get re-elected? Maybe she wouldn't bring it up…

"Ah, sorry, that was my boss; I need to sort out some stack of books. Riverdance, right? Got to periodicals, I believe there are articles on it there. We might have some video on Irish dance, too," she remarked, hanging up the phone.

"Thank you very much. I'll do that," I replied, turning quickly to leave. Thank God that was over, lying is always so awkward. Periodicals were in the back and with a little effort I found some articles on Riverdance.

"Halftime show for EuroVision… Show planned… CDs to be released… Brilliance… A remarkable blend of modern and tradition…" Well it was clear that the show had a bit on the St. Patrick's Day show I had seen. More modern apparently, edgier. The costumes were different too, simpler than the ones I had seen. Maybe the librarian was right on the video too…

Half an hour later, I found no Riverdance tape. I did find a few tapes from local shows, though. Some were quite good, others not so much. All had the more intricate costumes. And most of them named local "schools" that were in the videos. I guessed that was the Irish equivalent of a studio. Some weren't too far away, too!

Excitement came over me in a wave. Perhaps I could take classes this summer! Imagine Ron and Harry's surprise when I came back dancing! Ron and Harry… This summer… The wave went as soon as it came, leaving me mangled from being slammed into the shore of reality. Of course I couldn't take classes that summer-I was going to the Burrow, it would be too dangerous. It would be fun though. It would be fun though. I could teach Ron and Harry. Maybe the whole Burrow would be dancing.

For not the first time, I really wanted You…Voldemort that is, dead and gone with. Dance is a simple thing and I couldn't even do that. At that moment alone, I pictured a dozen ways to kill that snake. My favorite was his being stampeded by a herd of Irish Dancers.

Reluctantly, I put the tapes away and stood up. I had gotten the school names and numbers anyways, just for the sake of having them if nothing else. I waved jovially to the librarian and walked home pondering life in general. I ate my dinner quickly and went right up to my room. Parental pestering was not in my agenda.

I turned off the light annoyed and put on the CD. I did have those numbers still. Maybe tomorrow I'd call for kicks. Couldn't do any harm, right?