Disclaimer: For my disclaimer, I have begged the assistance of the lovely Miss Elphaba…
Elphaba: I'm not lovely.
Me: Yes you are. You're awesome.
Elphaba: Whatever. Everyone out there…quit staring! Just because I'm green, sheesh! Anyway, Avalon doesn't own Harry Potter or Wicked. Thankfully.
Me: Hey! Is that supposed to insinuate something?
Elphaba: *snorts* Maybe. But if I insinuated it, you shouldn't know.
Me: *pouts* I concur with Elphaba's prior statement. I don't own Wicked or Harry Potter. They belong to a bunch of people and JKR respectively.
Chapter Three, Act Two, Scene Ten: No Good Deed
It was just before the Christmas holidays, a time Harry had been looking forward to since the very beginning of the stupid play. Three months had passed since casting calls. Going by Ron and Hermione's eagerness for the performances to start, one could guess that the months of rehearsal were going well. At least, Harry wondered if they really were. The cast was untalented, a fact only verified by the first rehearsal, which he and Madeleine had watched from the shadows of the Great Hall. They had left after the first five minutes, wincing horribly from Pansy's singing.
"Trace, tell me again why I agreed to come see the last dress rehearsal before the final dress rehearsal?" Madeleine asked while her friend yanked her along by her arm. The girl was dragging her through the chilly dungeon halls up to the Great Hall, and Madeleine was fairly sure that her arm was going to have a distinctly hand-shaped bruise on it in a couple of hours.
"Because the Headmaster said that we could bring one friend to watch this rehearsal. Blaise is bringing Theo Nott, so I decided on you rather than Daphne Greengrass. I think Draco might've brought her."
They reached the Great Hall with plenty of time, and when Tracey ran off to greet Blaise (they'd officially announced they were dating a couple of weeks ago),she began to back up, planning to escape, but hit someone in her quest to leave. She turned around abruptly, clear eyes flashing, when she realized it was Harry. Ron Weasley was gripping his arm tightly, as though afraid he would run away. She held back a snigger when Ron glared at her. He then gestured with his head towards the circle of people who were standing uncertainly in front of the stage. She tossed a cool look in his direction and headed off towards them, listening to Harry's complaints behind her.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X
The Great Hall looked very different than it had this morning.
The head table had been replaced by an enormous stage. Granted, it wasn't as big as some muggle stages, but still fairly large. All around sat the props for the coming play. There were no real set pieces to speak of. If Madeleine and Harry knew Dumbledore, which they did, the bumbling old idiot would do most of the set changes by magic. Which would completely ruin the effect of the play, not that it wasn't already ruined. This was going to be even worse than they'd originally thought.
"Please, everyone, gather around, gather around here."
Madeleine could barely keep Harry from bashing his head into the nearby wall. Dumbledore was the director of the play. That stupid old fool was the director of one of the best musicals that they'd ever heard of, and he was ruining it! How could he possibly know anything about directing? He couldn't even direct the school song!
"If you are here to watch, please take a seat. We will be starting momentarily." Dumbledore said, waving his wand. Thirteen chintz overstuffed armchairs appeared in a semicircle.
Grudgingly, Harry and Madeleine sat down in between Parvati Patil and Daphne Greengrass.
"Hey Potter, what's your problem? You look pissed."
Harry glared at the speaker, the platinum blonde Daphne.
"I don't want to be here. At all."
"I don't know why you're so upset, it's your own fault you didn't try out. They're very good."
Harry didn't dignify that with a response, turning towards Madeleine, who was eyeing the Slytherin predatorily. He bent his head and whispered in her ear. "This is a bloody nightmare." She nodded, topaz eyes focusing on his green ones. "Hey Potter!" Draco Malfoy called, glaring with crossed arms. "Leave Nyx alone! It's not her fault she had to sit beside the likes of you."
Harry's eyebrows rose and Madeleine started to laugh under her breath. "I'll keep that in mind Draco," he replied coolly, sending the blonde a disdainful look.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and stepped up onto a small podium in front of the stage. "We will be practicing the 'As Long As You're Mine' scene between Fiyero and Elphaba, then move onto the 'No Good Deed' scene. Places, everyone!"
Draco Malfoy strutted out onstage, in nothing but striped pajama bottoms, baring his pale and scrawny chest to the rest of the cast and spectators as he sat on the end of the bed. Harry noticed he still held a script book in his hands and he winced, nudging the brown-haired Slytherin beside him as he pointed that out. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her small nose, trying to calm down. "Please tell me Weaselette doesn't need it," she murmured, and Harry smirked slightly. He was quite aware of Madeleine's fury at the redhead, who often tried to get into his good graces and perhaps be even more to him than a friend. Unfortunately for her, he only had eyes for Madeleine, not that he let his kitten know that very often. Better to keep her guessing.
Ginny Weasley strode out from behind the curtains, wearing a scanty nightdress. It was white and lacy, reaching her mid-thigh and held up with thin straps. The tightness of it showed off her few curves. Harry couldn't help but imagine Madeleine in that sort of thing, and he sighed audibly. She looked at him curiously, but he just smiled at her and shook his head. Madeleine shrugged and turned back to the stage, narrowing her eyes at the obvious animosity between Malfoy and Weasley. "Harry, this will never work," she murmured just loud enough for the girls beside them to hear. "Don't you see the obvious animosity between them? They'll never be able to pull off the affection this song needs. And also, what the hell? They replaced the cornfield with a bedroom?" Harry nodded thoughtfully and snorted. The other girls glared at them. "Shut up!" they hissed in synch.
Ginny reclined back on the bed and began to sing, looking at Malfoy with disgust clear on her face. Madeleine rolled her eyes. So unprofessional.
Kiss me too fiercely, hold me too tight
I need help believing you're with me tonight
My wildest dreamings could not foresee
Lying beside you, with you wanting me…
Harry frowned. Malfoy looked far from wanting her, and she sang with evident disdain. They weren't even touching each other. This was never going to work. "They suck at this," he observed quietly. Madeleine nodded in agreement and stifled a laugh as Parvati Patil sent them an annoyed glare. "Shut up Harry, just let them practice! I'm sure if it was wrong Dumbledore would let them know. Besides what would you know about this play anyway?"
Harry sighed mournfully and sank lower in his seat, grumbling under his breath. Madeleine leaned her head on top of his, watching with a bored expression.
And just for this moment, as long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance, and crossed some borderline
And if it turns out, it's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine…
Ginny reached out, wincing, and touched Draco on the arm with barest brush of her fingertips. He drew away, a repulsed look on his face, before composing himself and singing his part. He watched her out of the corner of his eyes though, as if trying to make sure she wouldn't touch him again.
Maybe I'm brainless, maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing through different eyes
Somehow I've fallen under your spell
And somehow I'm feeling up that I fell
Draco sang halfheartedly, standing up and gesturing at Ginny with what Harry supposed was an affectionate gaze. He over dramatized though, and Madeleine winced as Ginny narrowly avoided being hit in the face by Draco's arm gestures. Harry let out a small moan. "Can I go now?" he whimpered under his breath, amazed at Draco's high and flat voice, completely emotionless, and the worst blocking he'd ever seen. This wasn't just murder, it was torture. Madeleine whined softly at the blatant horrifying acting and singing, covering her ears and sinking low in her chair.
"Shut up you two, Draco's doing an amazing job." Daphne glared angrily. They both groaned quietly and Harry covered his ears, both of them still watching the horrors that unfolded in front of them.
Every moment, as long as you're mine
I'll wake up my body, and make up for lost time
Say there's no future, for us as a pair
And though I may know, I don't care
Just for this moment, as long as you're mine
Come be how you want to, and see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonlight, until it is through
And now, I'll be here, holding you
As long as you're mine
That was their limit. Harry stood up while Madeleine crumpled further into her chair, whimpering quietly to herself at the butchering of the part. He turned to leave, and the silence behind him told him everyone had noticed. "Harry, where are you going?" Dumbledore asked.
"Out, before I go insane and have to go to St. Mungo's. I'm too young to die."
Harry was grabbed from behind and tossed into his chair, narrowly avoiding landing on Madeleine. Two hateful glares stared down at him from Daphne and Parvati.
"Okay, smartass, tell them what you think they're doing wrong. Because, of course, you know everything about this play, no matter that you haven't even seen it before."
Harry returned their glares coolly. They were insane, there was no other explanation, unless the music had melted their brains. That was actually believable, he mused.
"You want me to tell them? Fine, I will."
He looked at Malfoy with narrowed eyes, noticing that he was glaring just as hard as the two girls that had thrown him in his chair.
"Come on Potter, tell us what we are doing wrong, O Chosen One."
"Do you actually have a brain behind your face or is it just emptiness?" Harry questioned, a furious look on his face. "If you ever learn to shut your mouth then I'll tell you."
Still glaring like there was no tomorrow, Harry took a deep breath hoping to calm his nerves. Madeleine looked up at him, her eyes wide and slightly relieved. He was finally going to be able to blow off some steam…hopefully without blowing their little secret…
"First off, Malfoy, you look like a windmill. The point is to gesture with finesse and affection, not to pinwheel your arms in all directions and hit Ginny in the face. Second, you both look like you're doing the most disgusting job on earth. Ginny, you have to look affectionate, you love this guy. Right now you look like you'd rather kick him in his family jewels." Malfoy winced slightly. "Malfoy, you're looking the same way. You have to remember the lyrics of the song you're singing. You have fallen in love with this girl, and would do anything to be with her as long as you can."
Ginny frowned and bit her lip. She knew Harry was right, but she wanted him up here with her, not Malfoy. He did know a lot about the play though. She wondered how. Dumbledore wondered the same thing, and also wondered why he didn't try out if he knew so much.
"Also Malfoy, you are completely emotionless. Love is not emotionless! It's intense, it's real! This is a big moment between Elphaba and Fiyero, and you have to act it like it is. If you two can't get past your family grudges then you are not fit to play these roles. You knew there was a good chance you wouldn't end up with someone you would fall in love with when you auditioned. Final improvement, touch each other. Be affectionate. You've seen girlfriend/boyfriend relationships around the castle, you've seen love between people's parents, imitate that! That is what needs to happen between the pair in this scene."
Most of the cast stared at him with open mouths, and he could see Madeleine trying to hide her smile. Apparently his lecture seemed to have some effect.
Malfoy looked ready to commit murder, preferably Harry.
"Well, smartarse, if you think you can do it better you get up here and do it!" Draco yelled, malice and fury shining in his grey eyes.
Harry nodded nonchalantly and climbed up on the stage. He tossed Madeleine a wink and she casually stood.
Malfoy tossed his script in Harry's direction and watched him catch it with Seeker reflexes. It was thrust back at him with a hard phrase.
"I don't need it. At all." Harry emphasized the words, hoping they got his meaning across. Apparently they did, because a sneering Malfoy jumped off the stage and took the seat Harry had left behind. Ginny was standing near the bed, her hip cocked and a smirk on her lips as she watched Harry's movements. She didn't know how Harry was going to act, or even if he could, but this could be her catalyst. Harry would fall for her after this scene, she'd make sure of it! She retreated back towards the bed, lying on it, trying to display her figure to her best advantage.
But Harry turned towards the edge of the stage and reached down, clasping the hand of the girl he'd been sitting next to during rehearsal. He pulled her up on the stage and raised an eyebrow at Ginny's pose. She flushed slightly, but didn't move. Turning back to Madeleine, he rolled his eyes and spoke to Ginny. "Ginny, can you go sit and watch? It will be better for you to watch us and gather the atmosphere, and besides, Nyx knows what she's doing."
Pouting, Ginny complied with a dark glare towards the Slytherin girl. Madeleine waved back at her with a small grin of victory on her face. "Headmaster, we'll transfigure our clothes into costumes to mimic Ginny and Draco. Even though I have no idea what they're doing in those costumes…" she finished under her breath. A snort at her side told her Harry had heard.
"Please start at the beginning of the scene once more." Harry's voice was soft but commanding. Dumbledore nodded dumbly, staring at his student. Harry kicked off his trainers into a corner and stripped off his black button-up shirt, revealing his tanned, toned chest and abs. His light jeans rode low on his hips, so being shirtless showed more than he'd planned, not that he'd really planned anything at all.
Madeleine blushed slightly, but kept her composure, which was more than she could say for some of the girls around, and even some of the guys. She transfigured her skinny jeans into a light skirt that fell to her lower thighs (for easier movement) and kicked her violet converse off into the same corner. Everyone who wasn't staring before was definitely staring now. Madeleine wasn't afraid to admit she had a nice body. She had no problems with showing it off either.
Harry tossed her a smirk and she climbed onto the bed, rolling her hips saucily in his direction. He swallowed but rolled his eyes and looked at Dumbledore as he settled himself on the bed next to her, enlarging it slightly. "Headmaster?" his voice was flawlessly polite, but contained a dark undertone. Dumbledore's eyes widened fractionally and he nodded, beginning the introduction music. Madeleine was leaning back against the head board, sitting up with her legs out in front of her. Harry lay on his side beside her, his head propped up on his hand, looking into her eyes.
She slid down as the music played and gazed deeply into emerald green orbs as she began to croon the first notes of the song.
Kiss me too fiercely, hold me too tight
I need help believing you're with me tonight
My wildest dreamings could not foresee
Lying beside you, with you wanting me…
The difference between their performance and the other was immediately palpable. They looked at each other with complete adoration and trust. While Madeleine sang the first verse, she reached out and touched his face with her fingertips, a soft look in her eyes. Her voice was soft and sweet, but intense in its emotions, something Ginny would never achieve. Harry shifted closer to her, touching her face as she sang out the words to the chorus.
And just for this moment, as long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance, and crossed some borderline
And if it turns out, it's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine…
Harry gripped her hand and pulled her up into a sitting position as he did, stroking her hair and gazing deeply into her clear topaz eyes. They could feel the electricity sparking between them. He began to sing, his voice full of emotion, a husky and strong baritone.
Maybe I'm brainless, maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing through different eyes
Somehow I've fallen under your spell
And somehow I'm feeling up that I fell
He stood pulling her up with him, and danced her around the 'room' as they sang together, in perfect harmony, emotions strong, hearts fluttering. He spun her around, inciting a laugh amidst the harmony she crooned to his melody. And as the music wound down, they slowed, until they came to a complete stop, facing each other. Her hands were held in his and she looked up at him, her eyes shining.
Every moment, as long as you're mine
I'll wake up my body, and make up for lost time
Say there's no future, for us as a pair
And though I may know, I don't care
Just for this moment, as long as you're mine
Come be how you want to, and see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonlight, until it is through
And now, I'll be here, holding you
As long as you're mine
He bent his head to kiss her, but she looked away, her long hair swinging over her shoulder.
What is it?
His voice was raspy, harsh, yet concerned and soft in his emotion for the woman in front of him. Everyone was lost in the spell of their performance.
It's just…for the first time in my life, I feel…wicked.
She whispered the last word, and as the music faded away, he gathered her into his arms, her face buried in his chest. They stood together, him holding her close, for an immeasurable moment of time, before they slowly broke apart. They redressed silently and Madeleine reversed her transfiguration. The hall remained silent. It seemed that most of the people had gone into shock. "That is what's wrong with your play," Harry said coldly, harshly. They left the hall silently, almost like ghosts as they faded into the shadows outside the Great Hall.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*
My characters have anger issues. I admit that. And they have intense mood swings. I admit that too. But I love them anyway.
C'mon punk. Make my day. Review.
Love from,
Avalon