Chapter 19-The Finish of the Singing Competition
The preparations were complete, all the Member of the Order briefed and hiding in the mass of students posed as friends and supporters. Exams had swiftly passed without any whisper of trouble. Draco, Hermione, and Severus had only been called once to verify the Dark Lord's plans and other than that, the serpent seemed content to rest on his laurels until it was time to expend his energy.
Hermione sighed, the unhappy sound of a person that knows they are condemning themselves to a fate worse than death to save the souls of others. Her N.E.W.T.s were like a distant memory, they had concluded yesterday, but to her, it seemed an eternity ago.
FLASHBACK
The only exam she had been worried about was Defense of the Dark Arts. Her panic had begun when she had been informed that there would be no written test, but a practical exam. Part of her was terrified, the ridiculous, obsessed, know-it-all that was still buried deep in her books, but the majority of her heart and soul and mind were possessed of such a confidence that she could not help but wonder where it came from.
As they silently lead her to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, she felt the sudden urge to rush to the loo; she was going to be sick. This was not a part of the woods she was familiar with. She straightened her shoulders and fixed an emotionless mask on her face. She would do this with the same quiet dignity that she had tried to do everything in her life up to this point. She had not come this far only to fail. She knew that failure was not an option for her this time; she would no longer be alive after the Final Battle to try again.
They certainly were making it hard for her to figure out which path they were taking. Her objective was to, once they left her and she saw a flare, to find her way back to the entrance to the Forest. This was going to be so much fun.
END FLASHBACK
Hermione sighed. She had passed that one as well as all of her other ones with an 'Exceeds Expectations.' She allowed herself a small smile of triumph, she had done better than she had anticipated. She relaxed her muscles one by one, placed a smile on her face, and walked out to join the Headmaster and Professor Snape in the center of the Qudditch field. It was time to blow them away one last time.
"WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO THE FINAL ROUND OF THE SINGING COMPETION!" Dumbledore paused as the stand rang out, complete with stomping, hooting, and hollering. He smiled, soon it would a time to celebrate. His eyes twinkling madly he began, "EACH OF THE REMAINING TWO CONTESTANTS WILL BE SINGING TWO SONGS AND ONE SONG TOGETHER. ARE YOU READY?" The crowds cheered frantically in response. "FIRST UP, MISS HERMIONE GRANGER OF GRYFFINDOR HOUSE REPRESENTING THE STUDENTS SINGING BREAKAWAY BY KELLY CLARKSON!"
Hermione stepped forward and the crowds went silent. She was achingly beautiful in a floor length, pure white gown. It was a medieval style dress that only needed a veil to complete every girl's fantasy wedding gown. She raised her head, her hair cascading down her back with her curls swaying in the light December breeze. She had never felt more confident or felt so comfortable in her own skin.
Grew up in small town and when the rain would come down I just stared out my window.
Dreaming of what could be and if I'd end up happy.
I would pray, I would pray.
Trying not to reach out, but when I'd try and speak out felt like no one could hear me.
Wanted to belong here, but something felt so wrong here so I would pray I could breakaway.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky; I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change, and breakaway.
Out of the darkness and into the sun, but I won't forget the ones that I've loved; I'll take a risk, take a change, make a change, and breakaway.
Wanna feel the warm breeze, sleep under a palm tree, feel the rush of the ocean, get onboard a fast train, travel on a jet plane far away (I will), and breakaway.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky; I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change, and breakaway.
Out of the darkness and into the sun, but I won't forget the ones that I've loved; I'll take a risk, take a change, make a change, and breakaway.
Buildings with a hundred floors, swinging around revolving doors.
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me, but I gotta keep moving, moving on, fly away, breakaway.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye; I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and breakaway.
Out of the darkness and into the sun, but I won't forget the place that I come from; I'll gotta take a risk, take a change, make a change, and breakaway, breakaway, breakaway.
Everyone applauded and Hermione stepped back with her heart a little lighter; that had been her final goodbye to everyone. She waved to all of her admirers and faded into shadow, content to give the spotlight to the Potions Master while she prepared for her next, more provocative song.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PROFESSOR SEVERUS SNAPE FORMERLLY OF SLYTHERIN HOUSE REPRESENTING THE FACULTY SINGING HEADSTRONG BY TRAPT."
Severus took his place at center stage. He didn't like this song as much as the next song he had to sing, but it would suffice. He had been dressed by Minerva and Hooch in a punk-style get-up. For once, his hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck, making him appear decades younger, even with his glamour firmly in place.
Circling your, circling your, circling you head, contemplating everything you ever said.
Now I see the truth, I got doubt, a different motive in your eyes and I'm out.
See you later.
I see your fantasy you want to make it a reality paved in gold.
See inside, inside of our heads (yeah).
Well now that's over I see your motives inside, decisions to hide.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong.
Headstrong, we're headstrong.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong and this is not where you belong.
This is not where you belong.
Conclusions manifest, your first impression's got to be your very best, I see your full of shit, and that's alright.
That's how you play, I guess you'll get through every night, well that's over.
I see your fantasy you want to make it a reality paved in gold.
See inside, inside of our heads (yeah).
Well now that's over I see your motives inside, decisions to hide.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong.
Headstrong, we're headstrong.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong and this is not where you belong.
I can't give everything away; I won't give everything away.
I know, I know all about; I know, I know all about; I know, I know all about; I know, I know all about your motives inside, and your decisions to hide.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong.
Headstrong, we're headstrong.
Back off I'll take you on.
Headstrong to take on anyone.
I know that you are wrong and this is not where you belong.
This is not where you belong.
This is not where you belong.
Severus took Hermione's place in the shadows while she remained there. He raised an eyebrow and she simply smiled in response. He knew that this was probably where she would start singing and would work her way towards the center stage. She gave him another small smile right before the announcement of her next song as to pay tribute to his talents. Severus decided not to smile back, but gave her his customary smirk of triumph.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MISS HERMIONE GRANGER SINGING MORE THAN A WOMAN BY AALIYAH."
Hermione remained in the shadows and slowly swayed up to her place in front of her audience.
Passion, instant, sweat me, feel me.
Cupid's shot me.
My heartbeat's racing.
Tempt me, drive me, feels so exciting, thought of highly, it's yours entirely.
I'll be, I'll be more than a lover, more than a woman, more than your lover.
I'll be, I'll be more than another, more than a woman, more than another.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than your lover.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than another.
Midnight grinding, my heart rate's climbing.
You go, I go 'cause we share pillows.
Taste me, feed me, there's still no separating morning massages with new bones in your closet.
I'll be, I'll be more than a lover, more than a woman, more than your lover.
I'll be, I'll be more than another, more than a woman, more than another.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than your lover.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than another.
I don't think you're ready, I don't think you're ready for this thing, for this thing.
I don't think you're ready for this thing, you're not ready.
I don't think you're ready for this thing, this thing, this thing.
I don't think you're ready for this thing.
Constant pleasures no scale can measure.
Secret treasures keeps on getting better.
Do you wanna roll with me?
We can go to foreign lands, your hand in my hand.
Do you wanna ride with me?
We can be like Bonnie and Clyde, be by your side.
I'll be, I'll be more than a lover, more than a woman, more than your lover.
I'll be, I'll be more than another, more than a woman, more than another.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than your lover.
I'll be, (I'll be more) more than a lover, (more) more than a woman, (more) more than another.
She blew a flirting kiss to the crowd and walked off the stage to grab some water. She smiled the smile of a female who knows exactly the state she placed those poor boys out there in.
Severus was impressed, damn that chit did that more than anyone other than Albus. He swore to himself and braced for his next song; this one tended to reveal what was below the surface.
Right on cue, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PROFESSOR SNAPE SINGING COLD BY CROSSFADE."
He set his emotionless mask on and swiftly strode to the single spot of light of the stage.
Looking back at me I see that I never really got it right.
I never stopped to think of you.
I'm always wrapped up in, things that I cannot win.
You are the antidote that gets me by, something strong, like a drug that gets me high.
What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am.
I never meant to be so cold, never meant to be so cold.
What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am.
I never meant to be so cold, never meant to be so cold.
And I'm sorry about all the lies.
Maybe in a different light you could see me stand on my own again.
'Cause now I can see you were the antidote that got me by, something strong, like a drug that got me high.
I never meant to be so cold.
What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am.
I never meant to be so cold, never meant to be so cold.
What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am.
I never meant to be so cold, never meant to be so cold.
So cold.
Severus himself was shaken by the emotions he had poured into the song; he stalked off stage to get water and to change for the final song.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THERE WILL BE A SHORT BREAK FOR THE CONTESTANTS TO PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL SONG, PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR AREAS AND THAT DOES INCLUDE YOU FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!"
The audience laughed at the Headmaster's words, as they were intended to. They stretched and shook out their muscles, anxiously awaiting the conclusion of this contest and to see who won: students (youth and passion) or faculty (age and wisdom).
A few minutes later…
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS." Dumbledore paused and waited for everyone to comply. When they were seated, his voice echoed throughout the stadium, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MISS GRANGER AND PROFESSOR SNAPE SINGING WHEN YOU BELIEVE BY MARIAH CAREY AND WHITNEY HUSTON."
Severus
Many nights we prayed with no proof anyone could hear.
In our hearts a hopeful song we barely understood.
Now we are not afraid, although we know there's much to fear.
We were moving mountains long before we knew we could.
There can be miracles when you believe.
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve when you believe.
Somehow you will, you will when you believe.
Hermione
Oooh, oooh.
In this time of fear when prayer so often proves in vain, hope seems like the summer birds too swiftly flown away.
But now I'm standing here, my heart so full I can't explain.
Seeking faith and speaking words I never thought I say.
There can be miracles when you believe.
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve when you believe.
Somehow you will, you will when you believe.
Both
Things don't always happen when you ask them.
And it's easy to give in to your fears, but when you're blinded by the pain, can't see your way shine through the rain, a small resilient voice says that help is very near.
There can be miracles when you believe (When you believe).
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve (you can achieve) when you believe.
Somehow you will, somehow you will, you will when you believe.
You will when you believe.
There can be miracles when you believe (When you believe).
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve (you can achieve) when you believe.
Somehow you will, somehow you will, you will when you believe.
You will when you believe.
They walked off together almost hand in hand, silently, thoughtfully, completely ignoring on their audience; their minds solely for the Battle that was to come. Severus' hand absently went to the necklace he wore, his mind still fumbling with different clues as to who he was to Miss Hermione Granger. Even as he pulled on his Death Eater robes and mask, he mind was whirling. Wait a bloody minute! The tea, on Halloween night, it had tasted of chocolate! Severus whirled out to confront Hermione and an unpleasant sight greeted him.
They were surrounded was Hermione's only thought. Gods, she hoped her plan would work. She knew that she could make her friends appear to be dead, but that would take a lot out of her energy. She firmly told herself that she would make every action she took count.