Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters therein...yet.
A/N: Second Chappie! I am extatic! Thank you Snape Muse for inspiring me to greatness!
Snape: yes, well. blushes
Me: Aw, don't be so shy baby, without you I wouldn't be so amazingly fabulous!
Snape: Oh dear, she's got a swelled head, Quick Phantom, call the doctor!
Me: but I don't need a..men in white coats take me away
Me: Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Do I really have to!
The students milled about in their common rooms, after the sorting and feast. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked in and noticed the huge knot of students gathered by the bulletin board. They tried to get closer but the sheer number of students made it impossible.
"Hey Ginny, go in and tell us what the fuss is about!" Ron badgered his sister.
She harrumphed and then agreed as she dove in to Ron's instructions to "Elbow and shove people, but do whatever it takes to get the scoop!"
She gave him the finger behind her back.
She returned fifteen minutes later, as pale as her freckled face possibly could be.
"What? What is it?" Hermione asked worried about her friend.
"What's going on?" Harry asked with obvious dread in his voice.
Ginny turned slowly to look him in the eye.
"He's going to MAKE us sing." her voice held a tremor and her eyes were huge with fright.
"WHAT!" Harry, Ron and Hermione screamed in unison.
Snape ran towards the school with as much speed as he could muster, which was quite a lot actually.
He had been having a pre-term drink at the Hogs Head when he spotted the colorful sign with the Hogwarts seal emblazoned at the top.
Curious he drew closer and scanned the notice. He barely registered what it said but as a few choice phrases sunk in, his eyes grew wide and he read it slowly and carefully once more.
His face betrayed the panic he felt as he yelled at the bartender to put his untouched drink on the Hogwarts tab and he flew out the door, towards the castle, flyer in hand.
He only hoped he'd get there in time.
Dumbledore looked up with no surprise on his face as Severus Snape, bat of the school dungeons, ran into his office with sheer terror written all over his face.
Why, hello Severus, what a pleasant surprise! Lemon Drop?" He gestured to a chair and then to the large bowl of candy on his desk.
Snape remained standing as he asked in a soft but deadly voice "What were you thinking Albus?"
"Why whatever do you mean, Severus?" came the reply of the headmaster, as his eyes twinkled furiously.
"YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL WHAT I MEAN!" Bellowed Snape, finally losing his cool and throwing the gaudy flyer onto the headmaster's desk.
The flyer read:
"In the style of American Idol and Pop Idol, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry humbly brings you:
HOGWARTS IDOL!
The once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the most promising young minds of our time battle it out for the honor and prestige of the title HOGWARTS IDOL!
The contest will run throughout the upcoming school year and everyone who wishes to participate will be included, this contest is confined to students still at the Hogwarts.
The staff, prefects and Head Boy and Girl, must perform one song, separately, or with a group. They are REQUIRED to perform at least once and if they move on to the next stage, they MUST perform.
So are you ready for the only chance to see this incredible event?
If so, come to the school on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd promptly at 7:30 for the TIME OF YOUR LIFE!
All audience members will be asked to give a small donation to the school fund on entering the school."
"Is something wrong with the flyer? Is it not flashy enough?" Dumbledore asked, worry etched on his face that did not reach his ever-twinkling eyes.
"Not flashy enough?" Snape sneered down at the flyer, which was changing its neon color every two seconds or so, while the letters remained glittering, flashy, gold.
"I suppose I should have been less modest with the design." sighed Dumbledore.
"You are trying to get me off track, and it won't work! What possessed you to suggest something like this without telling anyone?"
"Why Severus, I'm surprised at you! I thought you would see the logic in this little endeavor!" Dumbledore managed to pull off looking scandalized and desperately amused at the same time.
Snape slumped into a chintz armchair and began to pinch the bridge of his nose, "And what logic would that be, Headmaster?"
"Simply that it would provide a good distraction from the rise of Voldemort. I realized there would be panic and chaos in the streets, at the rise of the long-thought-dead Dark Lord and that this would provide a chance for people to be interested in something other than "Who died last night?" and "Who would die tomorrow?" Is that not logical enough?"
Snape glared one last time at the infuriatingly wise man in front of his and accepted his defeat.
He rose to leave, but stopped and asked one more question.
"Do I really have to sing?"