Chapter 32 The Cast List

A few weeks later, Hermione, Ron, Lavender and Harry sat in the courtyard enjoying a chat during their break between classes. "HEY YOU GUYS!" Jessica yelled as she and Erin bolted out of the castle towards them. Lavender jumped nearly three feet into the air as a result and gave her cousin a nasty look.

"What?" She asked.

"Snape's posted the cast list for the musical! I saw a group around the bulletin board! Come on!"

Harry's eyes widened as Hermione helped him stand up and the group headed back inside of the castle. They followed Jess down the corridor and up the stairs till they came to the floor with the bulletin board and sure enough, there was a group of students standing around it. "Wow!" Cried one first year from Hufflepuff. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender had to fight their way to get a good look at the list, and Harry's eyes nearly bulged: his name was right at the very top. The list went in order like this:

Raoul de Chagny: Harry Potter
Christine Daee: .Hermione Granger
Phantom: Draco Malfoy
Firmin: Ronald Weasley
Andre: Neville Longbottom
Madame Giry: Katie Bell
Carlotta: Cho Chang
Buquet: Finch-Fletchley
Meg: Ginny Weasley
Lefevre: Marcus Flint
Carlotta's Maid: Padma Patil
Christine's Father: Fred Weasley (Fred snorted loudly, and clasped his hand on Hermione's shoulder)
Carlotta's Wig Maker: Parvati Patil (Understudy; Parvati Patil. "Figures," whispered Alicia Spinnet, with a slight shake of her head.)
Young Meg: Luna Lovegood
Young Christine: Terry Boot
Young Madame Giry: Alicia Spinnet
Ballerina: Lavender Brown

The rest of the cast list was generally ensemble parts, though that didn't seem to phase anyone. Except for Jess and Erin, however, who were devastated to find that they hadn't gotten any parts at all. "Well," Lavender told them, when she caught their devastated expressions, "That will hopefully show you not to follow the Weasley twin's advice anymore, will it?"

The girls sighed, looking at each other. "Well," said Erin quietly, scuffing the side of her shoe against the ground. "I suppose we could go and offer to help with the sets."

"Lights would be fun!" Jess exclaimed, grabbing Erin's arm. "C'mon, then—let's go and see Professor McGonagall!"

The girls dashed off, leaving Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender to snicker after them. "I'm sorry you didn't receive a big role too, Lavender," Harry told his friend apologetically, his arm around Hermione's waist. Lavender shrugged.

"Honestly?" she began, "I'm surprised I was cast at all…I honestly thought I did terribly at my audition!" She received a reassuring kiss from Ron, who promised her she was mistaken.

The four of them continued to read the information sheet, which stated: "Rehearsals will begin the week after Christmas. Please be prepared with ballet shoes if you have a dancing part."

"Carlotta!" squealed Cho. "I can't believe it!"

"Congratulations, Cho." Said Harry rather shyly. Cho smiled.

"You too, Harry. And you also, Hermione."

"Thanks." Hermione smiled back. "Oh, Harry, do you know this story? We get to fall in love with each other all over again." She threw her arms around him, and he kissed her.

"You HAVE to write to Sirius," she added with equal excitement. "I mean- it's amazing that Snape actually chose you for one of the leads."

"Well done, scarhead." Malfoy came up behind Harry who stiffened and turned around.

Hermione rolled her eyes, biting back a very nasty retort.

"You didn't get a bad role either, Malfoy." Harry replied. "You're the lead opposite me."

Malfoy sniggered. "And you think that makes me happy, Potter?" He shrugged and turned to leave the area, not looking back. When he was gone, Harry and Hermione looked at each other, still in amazment.

"We have to go to Defense Against the Dark Arts now," breathed Hermione, "but right after class is lunch and you can write to Sirius then. I'm sure he'll be dying to know what part you got. He probably thinks Malfoy got the lead over you, because usually he's Snape's prized student."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah. Well come on then." He wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist and the two of them said goodbye to Ron and Lavender, who were going to Muggle Studies.

When Harry and Hermione reached Professor Lupin's classroom, the man smiled at the looks of excitement on both of their faces. "I saw the list, Harry and Hermione. Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir." Harry replied as he and Hermione went to sit down.

"What are we studying today?" asked Hermione with interest. Usually Professor Lupin always cooked up a good lesson, and he was by far the favorite teacher of many.

"Blunderburgs. Creatures rather like porcupines who live in sewers and have scales with sharp spikes. And Harry-you do look much better today, I meant to say also."

Harry smiled. He'd been feeling so lousy lately, but today he actually felt refreshed and awake. "I do feel better. Still a bit tired, but nothing like I did last week."

"Well-that's probably because the allergy season is starting to end. Yes-Sirius told me about your allergies, Harry."

"They're not too big of a deal." Harry admitted.

Soon the rest of the class arrived, and the lesson began. They spent most of the period taking notes on the blunderburg and Lupin even had one to show to the class in a padlocked cage. They did in deed look very similar to the porcupine, but they had faces that were rather smushed as though they had run headlong into a tree. "Nasty buggers," Professor Lupin explained. "See these spines? Whenever the victim comes near, they shoot their spines out of their shells. These spines are poisonous and can cause severe illness or even..."

"Death." Said Hermione in a very evil voice, which made everyone laugh, as she normally didn't joke around in class.

"Correct, Hermione." Lupin chuckled. "Nice effect. Five and a half points to Gryffindor."

Parvati giggled. "Five and a half, Professor?"

"Correct, miss Patil. Five and a half." He winked. "Then again, since I am so very kind, I will bump that half up to a full six points. Satisfied now?"

Nods from the rest of the Gryffindor students and more giggles from the Hufflepuffs.

Hermione grinned at Harry who was still sniggering-it was wonderful to see him laughing again. For homework that night, Professor Lupin asked them to write an essay on preventing a Blunderburg from stinging. "To be turned in next class. As usual, late papers will loose points. Have a good afternoon, everyone!" He waved as the bell rang, but pulled Harry and Hermione aside once the others had left the room. "I am really very proud of you two and Ron also," Professor Lupin told them with a grin. "I never would have guessed Snape would have chosen the three of you to be the leads in his musical. The very idea of him putting one on is a laugh, but..."

"I'm sure Dumbledore had some influence," Harry said. "There's no WAY Snape would have just chosen me on his own."

"Harry's right," Hermione added. "It doesn't matter if he was good."

Lupin folded his arms. "Yes. Your father would have been very proud of you, Harry. Have you told Sirius yet?"

Harry sighed. "No, but I'm going to write him a letter right..." He covered his mouth with his hand as soon as he felt his nose twitch, and sneezed loudly. "Excuse me." He apologized. "Right now."

"What made you sneeze, Harry?" asked Professor Lupin.

"Not sure." Harry sniffed. "Could be anything."

"Most likely some dust got in your nose," Hermione suggested. "These rooms ARE very old you know."

"Yes, well, bless you. Here." Professor Lupin fumbled in his cloak pocket for a handkerchief and handed it to Harry, who thanked him. Hermione grimaced as Harry blew his nose.

"I keep stealing your handkerchiefs," Harry laughed. "I'm sorry."

"No trouble, Harry. We're all trying to keep you well. Sirius would have my head if I let you get sick."

Harry sniggered. "Sirius has been VERY overprotective lately. It's a bit annoying, but I can understand why he's been like that." He wiped his nose again, which was still running a little.

Professor Lupin nodded. "He does have the right to be overprotective, Harry. He loves you like a son and it is his duty to keep a close eye on you."

Harry nodded. "I know." He glanced at the handkerchief. "Do you want this back?" He asked.

Lupin shook his head. "No thanks, Harry. Plenty more where that came from." He patted the boy on the shoulder. "Go on and eat, you two. I'll see you tomorrow. And don't forget to write to Sirius."

Harry and Hermione waved as the two of them headed out of the classroom. The two of them quickly headed to the Great Hall and joined Ron and Lavender, who were eating and every now and then taking a break to chat. "Hi!" Lavender greeted, scootching over so Hermione could sit next to her. "Hullo." Hermione replied.

Harry set the blank parchment on the table and took a quill from his bag. Ron blinked and cocked his head, looking very similar to Hedwig as he did this. "Oh----you're writing to Sirius, aren't you?" He asked, and Harry nodded.

"Tell him about your allergies," Hermione reminded Harry, taking a bite of a turkey sandwitch.

Harry nodded as he started to write:

Dear Sirius,

Hello, how are you? I am doing all right. You won't believe it, but Snape gave Hermione, Ron, Lavender and I the lead roles in the play! Or at least three of the lead roles. I am Julian Marsh, Hermione is Christine, Ron is Firmin—whoever that is—I think one of the opera directors. and Lavender is one of the main ballerinas!

I was so sure Snape would pick Malfoy or someone for those parts, but surprises can happen. My allergies really have been working up lately. I can't seem to stop sneezing or coughing these days, and Hermione thinks it's the dust. I also MIGHT be allergic to feathers, but that is still up in the air. I've sneezed twice around Hedwig lately! I have been keeping up with my shots--- I get them twice a week from the nurse, and so far I haven't had a fever.

As for the Christmas holiday, I would like to come and stay with you. (Hermione grinned as she watched Harry write this particular line) No ideas of what I would like presents-wise, so I would suggest guessing. Do you want anything specific for Christmas? There is a Hogsmeade visit next weekend and I am going to do my shopping then. Let me know right away, or else I'll guess too. Hope you are all right and your new job is going well. I have to go and eat, but I will be expecting a reply from you within the next few days.

Love, Harry.

"Perfect." Said Hermione as he signed it, and then she kissed him on the cheek. "You can send it with Hedwig after lunch."

"Allergic to feathers?" Lavender asked in surprise. "You didn't tell us you sneezed around Hedwig!"

"Not good, Harry." Ron sighed.

"I sneezed yesterday when I went up to see her in the owlery last night, and then I went to the nurse, who thought I might be allergic to feathers, but she also thought that it could have been the dust in there."

Hermione rubbed his arm. "Well, we'll see. Now go on and eat before I end up feeding you, and I know how much you LOVE that." She teased as he kissed her on the forehead, before helping himself to a sandwitch and chips.