Band
Remus' tale got stuck in my head, of course, and I dreamt for two nights about a way to reconcile without hurting my pride. Not that I had given up that way. He was an idiot, and one side of mine said he would never change, but the other really wanted to consider forgiving him and take a shot at this maturity of his.
The day we were supposed to choose the band I went determined to the Great Hall, and saw that besides the "united commission", someone (you know who, of course) had called Sirius, whose knowledge in bands and music in general was largely known. Somehow I appreciated his presence there, not only because of the useful help, but also because of Remus' tale.
"Today we will decide about the band. Potter, have you arranged the memorable and completely original decoration?" I turned gently towards him, who raised his thumbs so confidently that I was tempted to ask "really?" We stared at each other, enough to make him smile faintly. Not that Stupid Smile of the holidays, a subtle one, serious, of whom really gave everything for the task and was anxious to see the result. It kind of touched me. I cleaned my throat and started handing everyone assignments. James, I, Sirius and two more were in charge of choosing who to call.
"I recommend a very cool band called the Dancin' Poltergeists." Sirius smiled gassy, and I stuttered the pen on the parchment as I wrote down the name.
"We could call Celestina Warbeck!" one of the girls smiled eagerly as I wrote it down, carefully putting a negative sign beside it. I mean, I have heard it, and I must say the music would fit better at a funeral, not a graduation ball. I heard a low laugh, and when I looked I saw Potter peeking on the parchment. Pushing it closer to my chest, I gazed indignantly to him.
"There's the Bats' official band." He shrugged and suggested, probably to disguise the fact that he was peeking. "The name is Barty Berty Bats. They're fine, play the lute sometimes."
I noted the idea, gazing around for more suggestions. I tried to remember of all of the Wizarding bands I've ever heard and a name popped to my head, a name Marlene used to speak of so much there was no way I could forget.
"I know few of them, but there're the Doxy Taverns."
"I like them!" one of the other members whooped, as if my idea had been good. I smiled confidently.
"We need a music sample. Remember it must be good lyrics, we don't want to shock anyone."
"Celestina is beautiful." The hemmed and started singing (my voice is not so good, so I won't make comments about hers) "oh, come and stir my cauldron, and if you do it right…"
I tried not to laugh, I swear I did, but Sirius, who was dangling over the back legs of his chair, fell down, and James gazed desperately to me. I scrambled the papers loudly and she stopped in the middle of "I'll boil you up some hot, strong love" to smile. I gave her a fake smile and crossed Celestina's name out.
"Anyone else?"
"Dance, dance, dance, like a bat you dance, dance, dance. Kick and shout in the air, the bats are here!" James smiled and rocked sideways. I smiled unwittingly, but turned my eyes to the parchment.
"Sounds good. Sirius?"
"If you wanna roll like a f*ckin' wolf, then doooo…"
"No." I crossed the name of the band suddenly, and Sirius ceased to sing to look at me defiantly.
"Why?"
"Sirius, f*ckin?"
"What's the matter?"
"We're graduates!"
"So, everyone's adult!"
"I warned you, no swearing."
"Oh, come on! Everybody swears!"
"The parents won't like." I argued as Sirius rolled his eyes. There's only one complication about Sirius: he can't take no for an answer straight. Maybe I should've been a little more subtle, but I clearly thought he was mature enough to endure the fact his idea wasn't the best. Of course I was mistaken, and whilst I tried to recite (no way sing) the Doxy's song he would interrupt me with useless comments until I lost my patience.
"Will you stop it? I can barely remember the lyrics, let alone with you talking!"
"Oh, beg your pardon. I just think it's inappropriate."
"Why so?"
"It's bad."
"It was your girlfriend's suggestion." I shrugged my shoulders as if it was the end of the argument, but had awakened the meanest side of him, having to face the consequences.
"Obviously, since you yourself doesn't know any good band, do you?"
"I'm sorry; I did not grow up listening to the WWNN." I started feeling stupid as Sirius pierced me with his gaze. Naturally the sum of all these factors didn't collaborate at all with my spirits and mood. Sirius tutted arrogantly, and James hemmed, probably trying to dissipate the tense atmosphere which was forming over our heads.
"This is not the point, Sirius. Lily has suggested a band and we will listen to it, ok?"
"You called me here to hear my opinion, I'm just giving it. It's rubbish, the Dancin' Poltergeists sounds much better."
"They swear on the song, Sirius." I tried to justify helplessly.
"Oh, yeah, sorry, Holy Evans. Poor thing never heard a bloody swear before and now wants to teach me how to behave."
"I didn't mean it, though you seem to need it." I replied berserk and Sirius rose, suddenly irritated. I cringed on my seat, fearful. James rose as well.
"This decision is mine now."
He grabbed the parchment from me (not that I imposed any resistance, it was virtually thrown over the table) and looked severely to Sirius, who sat.
"Doxy's too tacky, Celestina Warbeck is so bad I wouldn't wish it to my worst enemy and the Dancin' Poltergeists are going to scare the guests. Barty Berty Bats the winner and they'll play the lute. That's it, the end, now go away!"
He said everything in a fraction of a second or so. I was frozen on the chair, just watching as everyone left and Sirius looked as if he had been hit by a petrifying charm. James arranged the parchments again and turned towards me, rolling his eyes.
"Sorry for Sirius, he can be very idiotic sometimes."
"It's ok, I wasn't so subtle when I denied the band, anyway." I rose, waving the matter away.
"Here, take them. Oh, and I was serious. The decoration is really nice." James winked as he handled me back the lists. I smiled shyly. "I know."