Chapter 5 – Truly, Madly, Deeply

Professor Tommo was so impressed with Harry that he solely pulled him aside after class.

"Your voice is bloody brilliant!" He patted Harry's shoulders. "Listen, I think you should sign up for the upcoming school talent show."

"That's very nice of you to say, sir," Harry said quietly as he looked down at his shoes.

"HESITATION!" Tommo could see it by the way he was avoiding his eyes. "Why do I sense hesitation, child?"

"You may think I'm brilliant but what if others don't think so?" Harry shrugged. "I mean, I'm nothing special, really. My family's been reminding me so all my life."

"Listen, Chip…"

"Erm…my names Harry."

"Whatever, Chip …"

"That's not my name!"

"Oi! Shut your trap! Professor speaking here! You're not Professor Chip are you? No? Then shut it!" Tommo sassily shook his head and snapped his fingers in z-formation. "As I was saying, who gives a flying hippogriff's bottom?! Just answer me this … do you like music?"

"Yes. I love it."

"Do you love singing?"

"Yes."

"Then don't waste your talent just singing to yourself. Please, share it with the world and sing your little heart out!"

From that day forth, Professor Tommo's words were stitched in Harry's brain as they lifted his spirit every so often. Soon, he found himself consulting the man more and more for advice. It started off as simple questions based on music but eventually he confided with him on more personal things. Harry grew quite close with Tommo and was ultimately proud to call him a friend. They just really got along very well, although Tommo never quit calling him Chip.

"My throat feels so much better. Thanks again, sir!" Harry was sitting down in Tommo's office having a nice cup of tea.

"The secret is the gillyweed!" Tommo whispered.

Harry gasped and nearly spilled the contents of his cup.

"Don't worry, it's just a sprinkle! It's not enough to make you grow fins or gills."

"Oh…okay." Harry trusted him and continued sipping his drink.

Tommo was just about to pass him a biscuit when he got a glance of his watch.

"You've got to go! It's almost time for your act to go on for the talent show."

"Really?" Harry quickly stood up. "Zaynmione's probably already there. I don't know about Liamold though."

"So, you're performing as a group?"

"Yup. I figured if I had a bit of stage fright at least I could share it with my best mates."

"Logical thinking. So are you playing instruments or …"

"We're dancing!" Harry grinned.

Oh, god. Professor Tommo thought to himself as he began to pray silently, begging for a miracle. He had tried once to get his students to dance during choir class, and those three turned out to be the most creative dancers.

When Harry finally arrived to the Great Hall where the talent show was being held, Zaynmione immediately fussed about his tardiness.

"Get it together, bebz!" She slapped his arm.

"Leave Harry alone!" Liamold protested.

Zaynmione made a silly face and mimicked Liamold's voice.

"If you're trying to be cute, it's not working!" He crossed his arms stubbornly.

"I'm not trying to…" Zaynmione pouted. This boy whom she disliked from the very moment she met him was accusing her of trying to get him to fancy her? Unbelievable. He wasn't even her type! The only reason she put up with him was for Harry's sake. This pompous boy wasn't even that cute! Sure, his smile would sometimes light up the room and his eyes were a nice shade of brown that almost resembled a puppy's and she would get a good whiff of cotton candy every time he walked passed her. But that wasn't the point! He wasn't that cute! He couldn't be!

"It's time to go on stage." Liamold shook her shoulder. "Hey! Yoo-hoo!" He waved a hand over her dazed looking face.

"Huh?" She was so lost in thought that she almost forgot where she was. "Oh, right! Sing, dance and perform! Got it!"

The trio climbed onto the stage in matching Santa outfits and hats as they were to re-enact the famous Mean Girls dance, except they were singing throughout the entire song. The crowd politely applauded them and grew silent once they were in their starting poses.

"Wow! Thank you!" Liamold bowed down his head.

"It's not over yet, idiot!" Zaynmione pulled him back up.

Liamold continued to smile at the audience anyway and waved at them every once in a while.

Harry then stared at his group and winked at them, signalling that he would start the music. He knelt down beside an old stereo and flicked the play button on. As the tune to 'Jingle Bell Rock' began, the trio immediately went into character and gave it their all.

"What a bright time, it's the right time to rock the night away…" Liamold sang in a refreshingly jazzy voice. Zaynmione couldn't help but sneak in a few glances at him.

"Jingle bell time is a swell time to go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh!" Harry slid on his knees and proceeded to play a solo on air-guitar.

"Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your fee-" Zaynmione began but was cut-off once she clumsily stumbled into Liamold. Luckily, he caught her in his arms as they awkwardly gawked at each other for the rest of the song.