A/N: Hey guys. I got a lot of feedback on that last one…aka, more sweet romantic dates to come. However not now. I think we've gone a little too long without Luna, so we'll see her, and the first rehearsal. I hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter 22

Hermione collapsed on her bed after having changed into her pajamas after her long day. The feeling of his lips still lingered on hers. They had a great date. And even though she had been so confused for so long, just this one night, she was happy and not letting her judgments get in the way.

Hermione? Are you there? Your wall is finally down!

Hemrione was shocked to hear Luna's voice in her head. She forgot she had been so mad that she was ignoring Luna. And now she would have to admit that Luna was right all along.

I'm sorry, Luna. I'd blame it on the hormones, but it's a bit early for that. I guess I was just angry because you were making sense and I didn't want to give up my hate.

I knew it! You love him, don't you?

No. I don't love him. Not yet at least. But he bought me a necklace and a new dress and took me out for dinner tonight. We actually have a lot in common. His favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera.

Oh! That reminds you, who did you get cast as? I got Meg, it's a shame I won't be able to really do it.

I got Christine. But Ro-

You got the part? Oh My God Hermione, way to go!

Yeah, but Ron is cast as Raoul. And some potions nerd is cast as the Phantom. How weird is that?

Sounds like McGonagall is trying to send a message. What are you going to do?

Tomorrow I'm going to approach her. I can't decide if I should tell her the whole story or just enough. I might just tell her about Ron being violent towards me and having been heard threatening to kill me.

He what? You make me not want to join him and Harry on that journey, haha!

Yeah. Well, I'm going to be there before rehearsal so I should go to bed.

Night, Hermione, see you at the wedding.

Night, Luna.

Hermione woke up feeling very mixed. She was well rested but wanted nothing more than to roll over and go back to sleep. She forced herself to get up anyway. And to help, she sung to herself.

"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again, because a vision softly creeping, left it's seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains, within the sound of silence."

She found a pair of yoga pants that would work perfectly for a rehearsal and a tank top. Keeping it light and simple would help her from overheating. So she changed and headed towards the kitchen, still singing.

"In restless dreams I walked alone, Narrow streets of cobblestone, 'Neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp, When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light that split the night and touched the sound of silence."

She worked around the kitchen grabbing some eggs, cheese, ham, asparagus and some artichoke hearts. She started making breakfast.

"And in the naked light I saw, ten thousand people, maybe more. People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening, people writing songs that voices never share and no one dared disturb the sound of silence."

"You have a beautiful voice, Hermione."

She was startled and turned around to see Severus standing there.

"Did I wake you?"

"Believe me, if you had woken me, you would have known."

"Breakfast is almost ready. I'm leaving for rehearsal early to talk to Professor McGonagall, so I won't be here much longer. It'll be a busy day."

"Just don't stress yourself out, okay?"

"I promise."

She served the food and they sat down to their meal.

"Should I tell her the whole truth? Or that he was seen threatening me?"

"Don't tell her the whole truth. It could endanger her and us. Will that witness go with you?"

Hermione stopped. She hadn't really thought about that. Would George go? No, but she and Hannah had switched information, and so she knew who to bring.

"Yeah, I think I have one."

"Just be careful then."

They finished eating in silence and Hermione ran upstairs to brush her hair back into a ponytail. She disapparated out and knocked on the door in front of her.

"Hello?"

A voice called from inside as the door opened. Hermione was glad it was Hannah to answer.

"Hey, I need a small favor. I need to talk to my director about Ron, and it would be more legit to have a witness to his threat, especially when she probably thinks that I would make it up."

"What's in it for me? I mean last time I got a good laugh, and a date. But George admitted he didn't really want to be with me."

"I'll talk to him. I'll get him to give you another chance."

"I don't want him. Whoever he's in love with, will always come first. I don't want to be second choice. Besides, Fred has always been my first choice."

"Done. I will talk to Fred and tell him I found him a great date."

"Alright, just give me a couple moments to change."

When Hannah returned they apparated to hogsmeade and walked toward the castle.

"So you're in the musical?"

"Yeah, as a 7th year I was forced to audition, but I love the musical, and got the part I wanted. The director just made a rude casting decision with my character's love interests. And one of the actors is Ron."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, I don't want to face him at rehearsals. I'm terrified."

Hermione picked up her pace, anxious to face the professor she once considered her heroine. And she had even thought they were close. But now she was wondering where that went.

The main hall was amazing. The set was already complete. She must have had the house elves help. But it was fantastical. Hermione was so mesmerized by the stage she just kept walking. It was beautiful. She could sense the magic that would move it.

"You're early."

Hermione turned to face the cold voice's owner.

"Professor McGonagall, we need to talk."

"I hope this isn't about Ron as Raoul. He earned it fair and square."

"Really? Because I've heard him sing. And he can't. He's terrible. And he's an even worse actor. I know exactly why he was cast and you need to remove him."

"Why's that? Why should I do that, for the girl who married a known death eater?"

"Professor, he was ranting in public threatening my life. I know you didn't cast me as Christine for irony or some twisted message. And I saw the rest of the list, you have no understudy. He sees me, he'll kill me, and then where will you be?"

"And do you have any witnesses?"

"Funny thing about his threat, after he tried to attack, is that I didn't hear it. He was at his brothers' shop ranting about how he if he saw Severus or me again, he'd kill us."

"Prove it."

"Professor, I was there. Hermione was told after the fact. But he said it over and over. 'I swear if I see that potions bat or his slutty wife again, I'll kill them. I don't care if it's an unforgivable curse. I don't know why I ever dated her, she was more desperate for love than Lavender.' You can check my memories if you like."

But Hermione knew that wouldn't be necessary. McGonagall's jaw was hanging, in shock, and her eyes held a mixture of contempt, disdain, and pure fury.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I'm so sorry. I was so caught up in my own disappointment, I didn't even stop to consider how you were feeling."

"Thank you, but all I want is for Ron to be gone, and you cast the musical the way it should be."

"I think that would be fair, Hermione. And Ms. Abbott, it is admirable what you did."

Hermione was shocked. She never saw Hannah much after first year, but she had grown beautifully.

"Ladies, give me a moment to go make some changes and contact Weasley to let him know he will no longer be needed."

A/N: I hope you guys liked it. Not quite to rehearsal, but a strong moment. And on another note. When I was writing this I learned that it's been 50 years since the album Sound of Silence was published. Since Simon and Garfunkel are responsible for my name sake, I paid them tribute in this chapter. The song Hermione sang at the Beginning was Sound of Silence by the aforementioned Simon and Garfunkel.