A Siren's Song
Chapter 18
"Patience is a virtue, and sometimes what is right and fair are just a difference in opinion." ~Just something I thought up. Although parts maybe borrowed.
Saturday Nov 18th
over the last week, not many things had happened, Harry still hadn't made any headway in how to defeat his dragon. Well that was until Moody pulled him aside and asked him what he was going to do about his dragon. "You have to play to you strengths," he said, "what are you good at?"
"I'm a pretty fair flier," Harry said.
"Your more than fair from what I've heard Potter," Moody said.
"But I'm not allowed a broom," Harry said confused.
"Yes, but you're allowed your wand, Harry," Moody said before dismissing him.
Harry went straight to where he knew he'd find Hermione, in the library. She was sitting alone, I was raining outside, the trip to Hogsmeade had been put on hold till later in case it cleared up. It was the twin's weekend; but she wanted to do more research to help Harry. So they were off working on the dare for this coming Friday. She had figure it out mostly; but the twins would need to have a game of truth and dare with Seamus, Dean, and Ron for it to work. Hermione was going to work on the rest, she just had to figure out how to get them to start singing the song that she wanted them to sing. She was thinking of talking to Dumbledore to see if they could put the piano in the Great Hall, it would be good if she could play the music for it.
She stifled a laugh, just thinking about it. When Harry walked in looking like he was lost she stopped all train of though and asked him what the matter was.
"Is there a summoning spell?" he asked.
"I'm sure there is," she said curiously, "why do you ask?"
"I can fly but I can't bring my broom," Harry said, "So I'd have to summon it, assuming I can do so."
"We'll lets look shall we?" Hermione said pulling out their charms book.
"Why are you looking in our charms book?" he asked.
"Because we'll learn it this year," Hermione said, "we just haven't covered it yet. It's pretty easy."
"How do you know it's easy?" Harry asked.
"Oh, uh, I've tried it already," she said sheepishly.
"Why am I surprised to hear you say that?" Harry said surprised.
"I've no idea, Harry," she said flipping to the page in the Standard Book of Spells.
They sat in silence for a bit, "Can you help me learn how to do this?"
"Of course Harry," Hermione said, "shall we start now?"
"Sure, why not," he said.
She stood up and walked to the back of the library, "are you coming?"
"Yes of course," he said.
They practiced for the better part of the day, and Harry still hadn't gotten the Quill that was sitting on the table to come to him. "Let's call it a day," she said, "let's go and have dinner."
"Alright," Harry said, they walked slowly to the Great Hall, basking in the semi-silence of the halls. They entered through the doors, and walked to the Gryffindor table. Harry sat down in between Neville and Lavender. "Hello, Harry," they both said.
"Hello, Lavender, Hello Neville," he said.
Hermione sat down across from Harry in a spot that left room for Fred and George, "Hello Hermione," they said.
"Hello," she said to the two of them, "how are you this evening?"
After exchanging pleasantries, they began to put food on to their plates. Just as Hermione was getting ready to take a bite of her food, a set of red heads caused her to jump nearly a foot off the bench when they sat next to her.
"Oh I wish you would warn me," she said indignantly, "you nearly scared the stuffing out of me."
"Sorry love," Fred said.
"We didn't mean to frighten you," George said.
"though we've been meaning to speak with you about something," Fred continued on.
"Would you be willing to say take a walk with us after dinner," George said pleadingly.
"Of course," she said with a smile, "A walk and a talk would be lovely."
Fred and George beamed with excitement. She knew what they wanted to talk about. Oh, she could wait to sit down and hash out all the details; but so she didn't want to appear over-anxious she ate her dinner at a leisurely pace.
After dinner was over, Hermione gathered her things before turning and walking out of the Great Hall with Fred and George. They walked to the Common room where they deposited their school things in their rooms like they were making a deposit at the bank, only without all the red tape.
Walking between the two boys they walked towards the courtyard, there was still 2 hours before curfew. After taking a stroll around the lake at twilight, they walked back to the castle, and sat in the courtyard under the tree. Hermione had planned to transfigure a bench from a rock like she had before; but when they arrived it wasn't necessary. There was a bench already sitting under the tree over looking the lake.
"So what have you come up with?" Fred asked, skipping right to the point. They had spent their walk together in relative silence. Just enjoying their time together.
"Well what I was thinking of would involve, Ron, Seamus and Dean making a fool of themselves willingly in the Great Hall." she said, "I was thinking that if I could prompt them to say the lines, and then possibly sing the rest that it would be rather entertaining."
"How do you plan to get them to do that?" George asked.
"I've no idea," she said, "I've been researching potions and charms but I don't think there is anything short of the Imperious Curse that would make them do what I want."
"We could try getting them to play truth or dare," Fred said, "what is it that you want them to do?"
She told them what she wanted them to do. "How do you plan on getting them to sing?"
"Well if we can dare them to sing the song, I can let Dumbledore in on the joke and perhaps he can transfigure a piano for me. Is it possible to will someone to do something, you know put the idea in their heads?"
"We can ask McGonagall or even Dumbledore if it were possible," Fred said, "Perhaps they could even help us."
"It's something to look into," Hermione said, "it would be an even bigger feat if we could get all the Gryffindor boys to sing the song. I'll of course sing while I play the song on the piano. But it would be a lot better if Ron entered at the end of the song and started caterwauling about the roses being the wrong colour."
"Perhaps we should pay a visit to our favorite professors," George said, "Lets do it tonight, it'll be less to worry with come Friday."
"I think using a Muggle children's story is a great idea too," Fred said, "I remember you going on and on about the book recently."
"That was at the beginning of the year," Hermione said surprised, "Harry and I were talking about our favorite movies. When he'd said that he'd never read the book, I nagged him for days to read it."
After they finished talking about the prank, she leaned into George and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Fred leaned in and laid his head in her lap, wrapping his arm around her waist. She stroked his hair with one of her hands as the other held George's hand.
They sat there, in complete silence for what seemed like hours. However there were one or two students lurking in the hallway that saw them on the bench. Collin Creevey being one of them. He snapped a picture of the three of them before heading back towards The Gryffindor Tower. Collin planned to hold onto the picture for purposes in the future. He secretly hoped it turned out. Although he silently wondered why Hermione Granger and the Weasley Twins would be sitting close together like that in the courtyard. Weren't their rules about that sort of thing? Must be some sort of mistake, Hermione would break rules, well not very often anyway.
Cedric and Viktor who just happened to be in the area, entered the courtyard looking for a place to converse about he tournament. Even though it was considered cheating if the conversed about it openly, it wasn't as if they were discussing strategy. What they saw though surprised them, Hermione sat in-between the Weasley twins. She was stroking the one boys hair as his head lay in her lap, while she leaned into the other. She looked very comfortable.
Cedric and Viktor looked at each other, deciding whether or not, to turn and leave. While Viktor planned to retreat, Cedric decided to go forward. At the last second Viktor changed his mind and walked forward, walking instep with Cedric.
"Good evening," Cedric said, in a soft comforting voice.
Hermione moved her head, to the side glancing up at them, "Hi," she said in a sleepy voice. She eyed them sweetly and blushed a little.
"You look comfortable," Cedric said, "enjoying the night air?"
"Mhmm," she said, "it's rather comfortable here."
"I can tell," Cedric said, "I'm surprised to see you here relaxing. Done with your work?"
"Yes," she said, her voice sounding less sleepy, "and the two of you have finished yours assuming. Have you worked everything out for the first task?"
"I have, da," Viktor said, "you are very sweet to ask."
"I've finished also," Cedric said.
"Could ve join you?" Viktor asked rather bluntly. There really was no use skirting around the issue.
Hermione looked up at George, and then down at Fred seeking permission of sorts. Looking back up at the two Champions standing before her, she couldn't help but nod her head and say "yes."
The two free-standing boys, summoned or rather transfigured Chairs from rocks laying on the ground at their feet. They sat in silence for a bit, before Fred sat up, straight, pulling Hermione up with him. She rocked back and forth slightly before stretching and turning so shew as sitting up straight. After a moment or two she slouched back down into George, "I don't wanna get up," she moaned sleepily.
Cedric and Viktor chuckled, "Perhaps, tired princesses should go to sleep in their tower," Viktor said in a menacing tone.
Bolting upright into a sitting position she yawned again, "I'm not that tired," she groused, before admitting "OK I am that tired. We've just have a couple things we need to do before I can go to bed."
"And what is that?" Cedric asked, "or do I not want to know?"
"Its for a prank," she said, "I want to see if Dumbledore will give me a hand. I think he might agree to help me if he thought it would boost the spirits of the Tri-Wizard Champions."
"Will it boost our spirit?" Cedric asked.
"That depends," she answered, "do you enjoy the humiliation of an entire house for not supporting Harry?"
"I might just," Cedric said with a goofy grin.
"Then yes, you just might," Hermione said smiling with a Cheshire grin.
"If you tell us what your planning, we could help you," Cedric said.
Viktor nodded and said that he would help in any way that he could. So she told them her ideas, not the context of the prank, just that she needed the boys from Gryffindor house to sing. She needed three boys to start the song, while she prompted from the piano.
"Sounds like you need a charm that will make them do what you wish," Cedric said, "I can't think of anything that would do that. Maybe Professor Flitwick could help."
"We planned to ask Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore to help us," Fred said.
"Why do you want to prank your house?" Viktor asked, "Have they done something wrong?"
"Some of Harry's friends think he cheated his way into the tournament," Hermione said, "and I want to get back at them for everything that's been said since this all started. Plus it sounded like good stress relieving fun."
"And she gets back at Ron for Abandoning Harry in his time of need," Fred said, "she forgot to mention that."
"It's the punishment for backing out of the dare three weeks ago," Hermione admitted, "although you might like to know that I decided not to do the dare so I could do the prank. It's a much more subtle way of getting my point across."
"Can we go with you to visit the teachers?" Cedric asked, "I would very much like to see their faces when you tell them you plan to prank all of Gryffindor."
"It would be rather entertaining wouldn't it?" Hermione asked looking at Fred and George for approval.
"Sure," Fred said looking at George.
"Well let's get going," George said, "I think a stop at the kitchens before bed for some Hot chocolate would be a great end to the evening. But first we've a couple of things to do."
And away they went, first they stopped at Gryffindor tower to talk to Professor McGonagall. However she wasn't in her office, she they proceeded to Dumbledore's office. It was there that they found not only Dumbledore but Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick.
The four boys stood behind Hermione as she delivered her speech, while asking for their assistance. After assuring them that no one would be hurt physically, and maybe only a little embarrassed, did McGonagall agree to help with the scheme.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in a scheming sort of way, when he nodded his head in agreement. He thought that since she was going to lead them in song that it would be fine. It sounded like light-hearted entertainment, something that could help ease the tension in the school. It was palpable enough as it was, this was just the sort of thing that could help ease it down.
Professor Flitwick agreed whole heartedly that it was a great idea, and that he could help with getting the boys to sing as prompted with the song. She told them that Seamus, Dean and Ron would need to start singing before the music did, and that she would prompt them with White Roses, Paint Brushes.
Professor Flitwick said it was no problem but he would need to hear the song that she wanted them to sing so he could prompt the singing charm.*
Professor Snape thought it was high time that someone put Weasley in his place; but didn't speak the words aloud.
It wasn't until they were about to leave that Hermione brought up another issue, that she had talk to some of the other girls about at the beginning of the year.
"Sir I was wondering," Hermione said, "Would it be possible to arrange maybe on a weekend say in between the second and third task for say a Wizards Chess tournament? It could be open to all houses, for any age, and all three schools. You could like dwindle it down over 2 days to the final 6 players and then. After the second task, sometime before the third task they could have one full day tournament to decide the winner. It would help take the attention away from some of the Tournament Champions, and allow them to concentrate on their tasks."
"It sounds like a grand idea Miss Granger," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye as he watched the other teachers facial expressions. "We will bring it to Madam Maxine and Master Karakoff and see what they have to say. If we decide in your favor we will make an announcement the day after the First Task. We don't want to trample on the Champions moment do we?"
"No sir," Hermione said with a smile.
"And you boys," Dumbledore said, "what do you think of her suggestion?"
"I think it's a great idea," Cedric said smiling cheerful at the idea of being out of the spotlight.
"Da, it is good idea," Viktor said smiling at the prospect of pulling his lovely way to the library for some quiet time for once. He knew it was selfish of him: but he only had a few months left to spend with her. He wanted to get as much time as he could.
They'd only been spending time together for nearly 2 months but he felt himself nearly in love with her, if he wasn't already. His eyes caught her in a stare, and he couldn't help but smile and wink at her. She promptly blushed afterwards; she really did blush very prettily.
Dumbledore couldn't help but watch these five students. She really did bring out the best in them, well in most of them. The Weasley twins were a bad influence on Miss Granger/Lupin. Although he grades were the highest in her year, he imagined that if she had been a year older, that she would still have the highest grades.
No destiny had a plan for this girl, weather she wanted to believe it or not. Her being a Siren wasn't an accident. He really needed to go over Mating Rites for Magical Siren's. Perhaps there was a way for her to choose all four of her mates, instead of just one or two. They each brought out a spark in her, they all triggered a certain part of her being. The twins sparked her curiosity, and her creative genius. Cedric sparked her passion and desire for love. Viktor sparked the need for close friendship and loyalty. All together they made up a part of her.
Sure she had all those with Harry and Ron; but it wasn't a romantic sort of love, nor did it spark in her curiosity, creative genius nor passionate love. It was more of a family desire that they awoke in her.
Dumbledore hoped that over the course of the year that her Mates would hone some of those desires, thus making her someone not to be trifled with. Then perhaps when it came time for Harry to finish off the Dark Lord, she would be Harry's greatest weapon. It didn't matter whether she wanted it or not anymore, she was at the very heart of the matter now. It was only a matter of time before The Dark Lord returned, she wouldn't be safe after that. He only hoped that she didn't tell more than those that she was most intimate friends with about her parentage and her heritage.
Watching how she interacted with these boys, he could tell that they would do anything for her if she asked. There was no doubt in his mind that at the end of the year, she would know which of the four she was supposed to pick. He could tell by the way she looked at them that she adored them all together as well as separately. I really must look up those Mating rites, he thought to himself.
Snape couldn't help but worry about the girl that he'd hidden away after her birth. She really was very precious to him, even if he couldn't show it. All that mattered was that she was safe, and happy. He silently watched, Dumbledore as he watched the group of students before them. Dumbledore was sizing them up, or perhaps just her. Severus could only hope that Albus didn't have to many tricks up his sleeve; but he had a feeling that they were going to disagree on many things over the next few years. He just hoped that Hermione had sense enough to know when to stay out of trouble. The whole problem was that she was the Brains of Harry's outfit, they couldn't live with out her, or rather he couldn't.
Minerva couldn't help but be in awe of her might Gryffindor prodigy. Hermione Granger or Lupin rather was a priceless gift, residing in the body of a 15 yr old girl; who just happened to be her favorite student.
Minerva knew that Hermione and Ron were on the outs since the third week of school or so. To go to such lengths as to help her friend not feel so left out was incredibly selfless. She couldn't help but wonder if the prank she was asking help to perform wasn't some sort of retribution towards Gryffindor house its self for not supporting Harry Potter. After he'd saved their necks in Second year for the Basilisk.
…
The Five students left Dumbledore's office, they headed towards Gryffindor tower. Viktor bid farewell to Hermione near the Great hall, he had to leave the castle and go back to the Drumstrang ship. He pulled her into a gentle hug, caressing her back gently with his hands, before gently kissing her on the lips. "Good night," he said, as he kissed her knuckles. He bowed sharply, before turning on his heel, heading towards his ship.
Cedric walked a little further, until it became time for him to take the turn to his common room.
He like Viktor hugged Hermione, allowing his hands to roam over her back; however that is where the similarities ended. Pulling her flush against him, his lips caressed hers, his hands dove into her wavy locks. Their kiss was full of passion, and when they came apart they were both heaving, and trying to catch their breath.
Cedric caressed her cheek bidding her good night before he too walked off towards his house.
The twins would not be out done, they walked hand in hand with her to common room, they were surprised to see, Lavender, and Ron engaging in a game of Wizarding chess. Although they were feeding each other pieces of chocolate when they took their opponents chess piece. They were enjoying themselves.
Ginny and Neville were in a secluded corner, they had what looked like books strewn out over the table. They looked like they were having a heated debate. Seamus and dean were playing exploding snap in another corner. Lee was sitting on the couch, attempting to read.
The twins pushed him off so he would move to one of the other chairs. George flopped down onto the couch pulling Hermione and Fred along with him. After a few minutes, they ended up sitting the same way they were out in the courtyard.
George was leaning against the arm of the couch. Hermione leaned back on him so that she was sitting in between his legs. She leaned back against his chest, one of his arms wrapped around her waist. Fred lay along the inside of the couch, his legs stretched out against hers, he feet were touching his knees, his head lay on her stomach, just below George's arm. Hermione stroked his hair with one hand, while her other was holding onto George's free hand.
Lee looked at them with questioning eyes. He couldn't decide if he was jealous because of how comfortable they looked or if he was just mad cause they were cuddling with a pretty girl. Shrugging his shoulders, he vaguely heard Fred ask Hermione to sing him a song.
"Will you sing to me?" Fred asked.
"I thought that the guy was supposed to serenade the girl," Hermione said.
George laughed, "sing for us won't you?" he asked.
"Alright," she said laying her head back on his chest, "i don't sing very well though."
"I'm sure you sound wonderful princess," Fred said.
She took a breath as if to say something; but at the last minute changed her mind and started singing in a low voice. At first only the twins could hear her; however as she reached the chorus, she was singing loud enough for the entire common room to hear.
"Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by..."
She paused before continuing on, making them think that she was going to add a Smile onto the end of the verse.
"If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just..."
Her voice became a sweet sound that seeped into your soul as the sound left her lips. The students listening couldn't help but be taken in by the sound of her soprano voice.
"Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile..."
She punctuated the end of each line with a pop in her voice, stressing each word, ending it with a sweet sound.
"That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile "
After she finished singing to the boys, and in turn the entirety of the Gryffindor common room; she was suddenly feeling shy.
"Don't go," Fred said, "stay for a while wont you?"
"got any more moving songs fitting the situation?" George asked.
She vowed that she wouldn't sing anymore tonight, but she would hum if they wanted her to.
They agreed that humming was acceptable. She hummed to the boys until she became tired around 10.
In the morning she found herself alone on the couch, covered with a blanket, and a note under her hand.
Princess,
Sorry we couldn't stay, we very much wanted to. But we were, pressed upon by head of house around 2 this morning of the impropriety of the place we were in.
We hope you understand,
Love,
Fred and George.
A/N: The song in this is titled "Smile". Nearly all your favorite singers might have sung this. Although Nat King Cole was the first to sing it in 59' my favourite is sung by Barbra Streisand, you can find the video on you tube.
** I had to make up a charm for this story, it has no name as of now, but I don't think there is a charm to make someone sing. As for what they're singing I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the next chapter. I'll try not to take 2 weeks to write it, but don't count on it.
I've got some things going on right now, and my ability to concentrate on several different things at once has diminished over the last few weeks.
I apologize for taking so long with this chapter, it's getting harder and harder to write.
So I hope I didn't drive you away with taking too long to write this chappy.
