I'm sorry to say that this is another rather uneventful chapter. All that really happens is that we learn more about Celia. I'm hoping that the ending is a little humorus... hopefully. I'm kinda hitting a writer's block... I'm having more sucess writing chapters that aren't comming till later than I am writing Chapter 14. So yea. I'm stuck. That sucks... a lot. But enjoy for now and, (do I really have to go through this every chapter? You should know what to do by now.)...

Chapter 13: Music

Minerva was on her way from her office to her chambers. The halls were empty, even though it was just 7 o'clock, and students didn't have to be in their common rooms until 9. As she walked, she made a mental checklist of what she needed to do.

I've gotten all the first year essays done, so I don't need to worry about those. I need to finish up the last of the 6th year essays, and I need to make sure that I give my 7th years an essay on the properties of the Conjuring Spell tomorrow, and-

Minerva stopped for a moment.

Was that music?

She listened for a moment, and then heard it again.

Where is it coming from?

Minerva listened, and followed the music to the Charms Room. She opened the door a little bit. Inside, a music stand had been set up, and there was a canvas bag sitting on one of the desks. An instrument case was sitting open on another desk, and in the middle of the room, was a girl playing a violin, with her back to the door. Minerva realized after a moment that it was Celia. She had changed out of her school robes and was wearing more comfortable clothes, and was barefoot, although Minerva recognized the flip flops that were beside the music stand. Her hair was also damp, and not in its usual ponytail, but in a braid. She was playing a soft, slow melody. As Minerva listened, the melody grew more powerful and beautiful. And suddenly it stopped.

"Damn," Celia muttered, "stupid octaves."

"Don't stop," said Minerva softly.

Celia yelped and jumped a little.

"Oh my gosh, you scared me!" said Celia, one hand holding her violin and bow, and the other hand clutching her heart, "Don't do those kinds of things to me!"

"I'm sorry, Miss Hamelton," said Minerva, smiling a little. She walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

"I didn't know you played violin," she said, "And I didn't know you were such a talented musician."

Celia blushed a little.

"Thank you, Professor."

Minerva noticed that Celia had something that looked like a brown bruise on the underside of her jaw.

"What happened?!" she asked, gently touching the mark.

"Oh, that's what you get when you're a serious violinist. 'Violinists hickeys' are what we can them. Unless you're a violist. And then they're 'violist hickeys'. I've had it since I was 9. It's just where the chin rest rubs against your neck."

Minerva nodded and looked inside Celia's violin case, and noticed the Muggle pictures.

"Who are these people?" she asked.

"Friends and teachers from summer music camps," Celia replied, walking over to her case, "That's how I spend my summers usually, going to Muggle music camps. That's my violin teacher," she said, pointing to a picture of herself and an older woman, who was wearing all black. "And that's her performing with Mr. Order, and Dr. Allicalp," she said, pointing to another picture of her teacher, playing with a cellist and a violist. "That's Natalie, and Shelly, and then this one was after the faculty performed the Mendelssohn Octet. I took that one and was in it. I mean come on, how many people do you know that can take a decent picture of 6 people and be in it at the same time? And-" she stopped and blushed even more. "I'm sorry. I'm rambling."

"It's quite alright," said Minerva, "How long have you been playing?"

"Since I was five."

"That's quiet exemplary, Miss Hamelton."

Minerva looked at the music on the music stand.

"Is this what you were playing?"

Celia nodded.

"What is it?"

"The second movement of the d minor Wieniawski Violin Concerto," replied Celia.

"Will you play it again, please?" asked Minerva.

"Sure," replied Celia.

Minerva sat in one of the desks as Celia began to play.

She was born to do this. It looks so natural for her. It's like that violin is a part of her.

It wasn't until Celia finished playing that Minerva noticed that there were tears on her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away before speaking.

"Did you teach that to yourself?" she asked.

"Oh dear Lord no!" replied Celia, "While I was at the American Academy, they let me Floo to my violin teacher's house once a week and have a lesson with her."

"Did she know you were a witch?"

"Yes, but she was sworn to secrecy. I don't think she knew about it, but the Academy put a hex on her that would seal her lips shut if she told anyone," said Celia, laughing a little. "It would be hard to imagine her not talking. She's such a talkative person."

"Like you," said Minerva, smiling.

"Yes. We're very much a like actually, it's kinda scary. Both musicians, both talkative, sense of humor, crazy. We can pretty much read each other's minds."

"Do you miss her?"

"Yea, I do. She was an amazing teacher. I wouldn't be very far without her."

Well, I think there's something we can do about that.

"If I could work it out for you to Floo to her house once a week, would you like to do that?"

"Oh yes!" said Celia happily, "Would you do that?"

"I'll try," replied Minerva.

"Oh, thank you so much professor!"

Minerva got up to leave, and paused when she got to the door.

"Oh, and Miss Hamelton, whenever you need a room to practice in, feel free to use my classroom," she said

"Really?! Awesome! The acoustics in that room are amazing! Thanks professor!"

Minerva smiled as she began making her way to her chambers once again.

Well, Miss Hamelton never ceases to amaze me. I'm surprised she didn't tell me about her music sooner. I really hope Albus will allow her to Floo to her teacher's house. She seems to really love her teacher, and her music. I hope I get to hear her play again.

By this time, Minerva had reached the portrait that guarded hers and Albus's private chambers. She spoke the password and entered, not at all surprised to see the Albus was already there.

"Where have you been, my dear?" he asked.

"It turns out that Miss Hamelton is an accomplished musician," said Minerva, as she took off her outer robe, "Which is something I would like to discuss with you, dear. While she was at the American Academy, they let her Floo to her violin teacher's house for lessons. Do you think we could allow her to do the same here? I think her music is important to her, Albus."

"As long as her traveling back and forth is regulated, and her grades stay reasonable, I see no reason why we cannot allow that," said Albus, eyes twinkling away, "But how, may I ask, did you come upon this discovery?"

"Long story short, I heard her practicing and intruded," said Minerva as she crawled into bed with her husband.

"And have you gotten a chance to test your theory that Miss Hamelton is an animagi?" he asked.

"No, not yet. I think I will wait on that one," said Minerva, "Wait until she's fully settled in and has a routine figured out."

"That's nice of you," he said, putting an arm around her, "You've grown attached to her, haven't you Minerva? My, what will Miss Granger think when she discovers the Miss Hamelton has taken her place as Minerva McGonagall's favorite student?"

"Oh, Albus, don't be ridiculous. I don't play favorites," sniffed Minerva indignantly.

Liar. You know you favor Miss Granger, and now Miss Hamelton. LIAR!

"I'm sure, my dear," said Albus, eyes twinkling merrily.

Those damn eyes. They're so piercing. How I love them.

"You should have seen her, Albus. She was able to get Mr. Longbottom to Vanish his snail without someone getting hurt or blowing up something. She put some confidence into that boy."

"I'm sure it was quite extraordinary," he replied, smiling as he extinguished the lamps and the couple fell asleep.

"Where have you been?" asked Hermione as Celia stepped through the portrait hole. "Curfew was an hour ago."

Celia held up her violin case a little.

"Oops. I must have lost track of the time. I was practicing," she said looking slightly embarrassed. She went up the stairs to her dorm.

"I'm surprised she didn't get in trouble. I should technically report her, but it's not like she was doing anything bad," said Hermione, returning to her work.

Neville looked at her, confused.

"Practicing what?" he asked.

"Celia is a violinist," replied Hermione. "She told me the first night of school."

"Oh, that's cool," said Neville.

"What's cool?" asked Celia, who had just come back down.

"That you're a violinist," said Hermione.

"Oh, ok," said Celia pulling out her Charms homework. She looked around the common room.

"Where are Ron and Harry?"

"Harry's still in detention. I don't know where Ron is."

At that moment, Ron stepped in through the portrait hole, carrying his broom.

"Where've ya been Ron?" asked Celia.

"Nowhere," replied Ron, trying to hide his broom.

"Right. I'm sure," replied Celia, leaving it alone.

Ron left to go up to his dormitory.

"Celia, will you play your violin for us sometime?" asked Hermione.

Neville nodded in agreement. Celia smiled.

"Sure, but not tonight. I have too much I need to work on."

"You're one to be talking!" exclaimed Ron as he came back down to the common room with his books, "You've gotten most of your homework done already! We," (here, Hermione glares at Ron) "Ok, Harry and I, still have to do that Charms homework, Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, the bowtruckle drawing, AND do Divination. All you've got to do is Herbology and Charms."

Celia grinned and shrugged.

"Sucks for you. Shouldn't have procrastinated as much as you did."

"Oh, not you too! You're just like another Hermione!" complained Ron.

Celia looked at Hermione.

"Aw, is that such a bad thing? I mean, I think she's pretty cool, so you know, if I'm just like her, then I must be pretty cool too," Celia replied.

Hermione smiled at Celia and rolled her eyes. Celia glanced at the clock above the mantel.

"No wonder my brain isn't functioning. It's 10:30. 'Night ya'll."

"Wait! Celia, please, will you help me with this Transfiguration?" pleaded Ron.

"Have you already asked Hermione?"

"Yes."

"Then no."

"WHY?"

"Because, if she's not going to help you, then she obviously thinks that you can do it on your own, so I'm not going to help you."

"You suck."

"She can't help it she's smart," said Hermione, smiling at Celia knowingly.

"Well the least you two could do is help us!" said Ron angrily.

"But if you hadn't procrastinated, then you would have more time to devote to your Transfig, and then you would be able to do it all by yourself," pointed out Celia.

"So if I ask you for help before I ask Hermione, will you help me?"

"Maybe."

"Jerk."

"Love you too."

Celia sighed.

"Fine, I'll stay down here and write a letter to my parents, and just in case you run into a major roadblock. Happy?"

Ron smirked.

"Very."

"Good."

About a half hour later…

"How can ya'll stay up so late and do homework? I mean, I can stay up late, but I can't do anything productive…" said Celia as she rolled up her letter and tapped it with her wand, so that a blue ribbon appeared around it.

"Practice," said Ron.

"So Celia, wanna help me with Herbology now?" asked Ron hopefully.

"No."

"Why-"

"'Cause I suck at Herbology. You'd be better off asking Neville. He's a beast at Herbology."

"I thought you were one of the smartest people in our year."

"Yea, I am. But I'm not the smartest. That title goes to Hermione. I'm plant stupid."