Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters. Everything else is J.K. Rowling's.

A/N: Ok.. sorry I'm taking so long. I really am sorry. Hope I don't lose readers. :-( This is a big chapter..not in size but in...well.. in plot..

Chapter 7: Performance Jitters

Since a few weeks ago, I decided to joke around in my classes to relieve tension, and to live everyday to the fullest. So far, my plan has worked. I even found a slight smile on Snape when I joked about a potion I messed up. As I was still working alone in the class, I had no help from anyone. When Snape ordered the class to make a potion for exterminating headaches, I added an extra ingredient on accident. Snape walked over to me and asked why my potion was green, not yellow. I confessed the truth. The extra ingredient I added morphed the headache potion into a constipation potion.. Hermione asked to use the bathroom later on, and I offered my potion. Snape almost showed the class a smile, but instead took five points away from Gryffindor for "my interuption of silence in the class."

All in all, laughter was still the best medicine. Even for intimidatingly stubborn Professors.

Within time, the day before Halloween appeared before Hogwarts; Our annual Halloween Ball would also be tomorrow. My Art of Flying Class practiced everyday for a performance befor the Ball starts, outside the castle. We would do it in the quiddich field, but Dumbledore found it easier not to. This was so no one became too tired to dance afterwards. Thus, a dud of a ball.

With the permission to wear anything black, red, or orange while flying throughout the performance, I decided to wear something new. I had planned on wearing the black ensemble from last year's Halloween Ball, but decided not to be repetative. Maybe I'd wear it again in a few years. Searching through my clothing trunk, I found nothing to wear. That only meant one thing; It was time to visit Hagrid and my sewing machine.

Grabbing some black fabric and red lace, I ran to Hagrid's to use my sewing machine. He let me in without any query when my armful of fabric was in view. I went to take my sewing machine from the corner of the room, placed it on the table, and started it up. Hagrid, as usual, made some hot cocoa for the both of us. This would be, I could tell, a calm day.

About four hours passed by, and I completed my dress. I held it up to me and showed Hagrid. He beyond loved my hard work. After thanking him for the time and support, I cleaned up and brought the dress up to the castle. For once, I was beyond ecstatic for my work. The long, elegance of the black satin dress was accented with a daring layer of red lace from the waist line to the bottom. The dress' neckline started at the top of my armpit, with no sleeves or straps to worry about.

I carefully folded the dress and put it in my trunk as Hermione ran up to me.

She breathed quickly, trying to catch her breath, "Did you get a dress yet?"

"Yeah," I answered calmly, "I made one."

"Oh, I was going to ask if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade. Professor McGonagal is rounding anyone up who wants to go. You up for it? I know I haven't found a dress yet."

I thought for a moment and then grinned, "Sure, why not? Let's go. When are we leaving?"

Hermione responded, finally breathing slower, "In a few moments. I told McGonagal to wait for us because I wanted to ask you. I wasn't sure if you were still at Hagrid's."

"Nope, just got back. I guess just in time too.. Well, let's get on with it then!" My ambition pleased Hermione.

Leaving the Gryffindor tower, we sprinted to the Entrance Hall where many more students stood. McGonagal arrived, holding a list of permission slips. She carefully went over them to see that everyone in the hall was eligible to go to Hogsmeade. A few minutes crept by and soon Hermione and I were walking to our destination. When we arrived, we immediately ran to a dress shop. I planned on helping 'Mione find an orange dress..

0o0o0o

Halloween night, I in my flowing, midnight black dress, and Hermione in her shorter, orange dress waiting for the clock to strike six p.m. In just a few moments I would be performing with my Art of Flying Class in front of all students from years four through eight, and all teachers and staff who could make it.

Draco, Seamus, Veronica, and Gwenneth were the only people I knew in my class who planned to perform alongside me and several other students. Harry was supposed to be in the class, but he was on the Quiddich team. Being on the team meant no Art of Flying because rumor said our class would perform on Quiddich games. However, if there was a game today, we would not have performed because we already are performing tonight. Besides, if I had to be in a show twice, I would die. I'm not a people person when it comes to performing or doing something in front of others. I'm very jittery when it comes down to a basic sentence in front of a class..I'm so confusing.

Now outside by my Draco, he is patting me on the back. I bet he thinks it makes me feel less nervous, but in truth it makes me feel even more nervous.

"Draco! Will you please stop patting my back like a damn dog! It makes me anxious..and I don't need more anxiousness." I snapped, but smiled. How ironic.

He stopped patting me and looked me in the eyes, "Maranda, you sure you'll be able to go up there? If you don't want to you can ask Madame Hooch to stay down here. I'm sure she won't mind."

"Are you kidding?" I was in a very spazzy mood, "I can't let her down! She'll either fail me or hate me for putting her in a predicament like that. I just need something to calm my nerves. You have any medicine?"

I guess Draco thinks sexuality is medicine. When my complaining was finished he took my lips in for a long, peaceful kiss. Surprisingly, I calmed down.

"That help?" My boyfriend asked innocently.

I couldn't help but whisper, "Yeah..Thanks.." For some reason his lips always helped me out. I should cut them off and take them with me everywhere. Oh, but then I wouldn't get to see his cute face...I should cut his face off and carry it with me..

But then I would miss his body..

I'm clinically insane.

Now boarding my broom, (or is that straddling?) I felt my "Performance Jitters" float in my stomach again. My nerves never let me have one nervous-free day. Wait till they aren't looking...I'll run away from them.. Der Maranda, how can you run away from your own nervous system? I really am confusing today.

"Take your marks everyone." Madame Hooch called from the ground. Studentsand teachers piled out of the school as we entertainers took our places in a large circle.

A whistle blew and music began. I followed my procedure of turning upside-down and flying that way for a bit, then nose-diving and going back into the large circle of broom-riders. We all did some loop-de-loops and other moves that I don't even know how to explain. Unfortunately, it started to rain. Dumbledore told everyone to go back inside and watch from the windows of the Great Hall. Apparently we were still supposed to perform. I hate the rain.

Madame Hooch blew her whistle and shut the music. She yelled at all of us to come down because the rani was getting worse.

Then Thunder roared from the quiet clouds. A storm was brewing.

Draco quickly flew to the ground, covering his already wet hair from the downpour. Victoria, a few others, Seamus, and Gwenneth also flew down. I looked around to see if everyone was down. I didn't want to lose someone in the darkness, and I also wanted to make sure everyone was safe as I was the last one in the air. Madame Hooch yelled at me to come down, and I yelled back that I was about to.

My eyes decieved me.. I thought I saw someone still in the air, but it was only a bird passing by.

The quickest lightning strung itself from the navy sky. I hate lightning.

I jerked my broom to make it fly downwards, but everything got a little hazy. Lightning hit my broom, causing it to catch fire.

I screamed...

..And fell from the flaming broom..