Disclaimer: I own nobody but Dani, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Allison and Amy. So no suing

" original speech

thoughts

New Years' Eve finally came and laughter filled Hogwarts and Leeds alike. As everyone sat down in the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood up.

"As you all know, your masquerade is tonight. However, anyone interested in seeing a matinee show of Phantom of the Opera at Leeds University, is asked to meet in one hour in the foyer."

"How did he get tickets to a muggle play?" Ron asked.

"Muggle Studies. How else?" Harry replied.

"Let's go. It'll be fun." Hermione said.

"Alright." the boys groaned.

Over at the Slytherin table, Draco was trying to get Pansy away from him.

"I'm not going to the ball with you. Go away."

"But Drakie. . ."

"NO!"

"Fine." and she stormed off.

Maybe I will go to that play. As he walked into the foyer, talking ceased.

"Well well. Draco Malfoy's going to see a muggle play?" Hermione teased.

"Shut up Granger." he replied

"Time to leave." Oliver announced.

They arrived at the University a bit later. Forced to take cars, everyone had squished in together, resulting in Draco and Harry trading insults. It was only Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, the TA's and Oliver, Sirius, and Dumbledore.

"This is so cool." Allison exclaimed.

"No more sugar for you." Amy said.

"Let's go inside and get our seats." Elizabeth said.

As they entered the building, Evelyn smacked right into Sirius.

"Oh God. I'm sorry." she said.

"It's alright." He stopped, realizing that she was the one that he had stolen the keys from.

"Eve, we have those clarinet parts you wanted." someone shouted.

"Be right there." and she hurried off.

"That's the girl that almost caught Severus and me." Sirius told Dumbledore.

"She looks familiar." Oliver commented.

"She does." Dumbledore agreed, putting it at the back of his mind as they sat down.

Hermione whispered to Harry, "Dumbledore looks funny in jeans."

"Yeah, and Malfoy looks more sour than usual." Harry replied. Hermione got up and moved over to Draco.

"Are you alright?" she asked, plopping down in the seat next to him.

"Why do you care?" he asked back, surprised.

"Because," The play began and she never got to finish her sentence.

(AN. Phantom of the Opera? Good story, won't go into detail but its masquerade fits with the theme. Back to the story.)

As the curtain fell once again and the applause filled the theatre, everyone got ready to leave.

"That was really good." Ginny said.

"I liked the music." Hermione replied

"Yes. It was well orchestrated." Katie said.

"Boys? What did you think?" Hermione asked.

"Well, it was…" Harry began.

"Oh, bloody hell. It was good." Ron burst out.

"For a muggle play, it didn't suck." Draco admitted, earning a small smile from Hermione.

They returned to Hogwarts in time to get ready for the ball. As they all went their separate ways, Ginny turned to Hermione.

"What's going on between you and Malfoy?"

Hermione looked shocked. "Nothing."

"Yeah right."

"Nothing, Ginny."

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