The Art Of War, American Style Chapter 8: Halloween Music, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter Seven

Alaina opened her eyes to see Severus standing next to the bed buttoning his shirt. She stood up slowly, her body aching slightly from the activities the night before. Alaina glanced at her clock to see that it was only five-thirty in the morning. She raised an eyebrow at her companion, who shook his head.

"For some reason, Albus has decided to call a staff meeting this morning before breakfast. We need to be in the lounge at six-fifteen, and it would behoove to get a shower and clean clothing on. Alaina nodded as the man walked over to her floo. "Severus Snape's quarters," he called out, and with a flash of green fire, he was gone.

Alaina walked into her bathroom and began running the hot water. She indulged herself in the hot shower, allowing the flow of water to massage her aching muscles. She quickly donned a pair of slacks, her boots, an emerald green silk shirt and black vest. Alaina then slipped into her green robes and after ensuring that her still damp hair was in its customary braid and that her usual glamours were in place, headed towards the staff lounge with moments to spare.

Alaina sat next to Charity Burbage as soon as she got to the lounge, mere moments before Albus arrived. She had a feeling that she knew what this was about, since it was she and Charity that had proposed it to Albus. However, she was looking forward to the reactions of some of the others in the room…namely the man who was probably the best lover she'd ever had.

"I know that some of you are curious as to why you are all here this early. Charity and Alaina came to me with a very interesting proposal a week or so ago, and after considering it carefully, it will work. For Halloween this year, we will be having the first annual Hogwarts Kareke contest." Charity snickered and smiled at the old wizard.

"The correct term is Karaoke, Albus." Albus nodded and continued.

"To ensure that this is a success, I have decided that all professors will be participating." Alaina's eyes widened.

"Albus, I don't think…"Alaina began, but was quickly stopped when the Headmaster gave a frown and shook his head.

"All music to be performed is to be muggle in origin, although some changes in lyrics to make it applicable to our world will be permitted. I will be making the announcement at breakfast. Both Charity and Alaina," Albus said, turning to the two women, "have an extensive collection of muggle music, and I hope that you will permit both staff and students to make use of it. With that said, it is time for all of us to make our appearances." Everyone stood to leave, but as Alaina made her way to the door, she felt a hand on her elbow. She turned to look as Severus and sighed.

"I will accept the blame for the contest; however, I had no idea about Albus wanting the staff to perform as well." Thankfully, Severus seemed to accept that, and with a muttered "daft old coot" under his breath, he followed Alaina to the Great Hall.

The student's reaction to the announcement was predictably mixed. The muggle-borns were excited, the half-bloods were either excited or curious, and the pure-bloods intrigued or disdainful. The division of half-blood and pure-blood reaction was predictably split along lines due to both House and upbringing. It wasn't until Albus announced the prizes that everyone in the Hall got excited. The notable exceptions were Draco Malfoy and his little band of sycophants.

Over the next few weeks, Alaina found herself besieged by students wanting to peruse her music collections. Before anyone knew it, Halloween was there and it was time for the contest.

Albus, Filius, Blake and Matthew had decided to get their part done and over with. They had chosen 'The Highwaymen' and Alaina hid her giggles as the four stood on stage dressed as cowboys.

Fillius:

I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride,
with sword and pistol by my side.
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade.
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade.
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five:
But I am still alive.

Albus:
I was a sailor; I was born upon the tide.
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico.
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow.
And when the yards broke off, they said that I got killed:
But I am living still.

Blake:
I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide;
Where steel and water did collide.
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado;
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below.
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound:
But I am still around.
I'll always be around,
and around and around and around and around.

Matthew:
I fly a starship across the Universe divide.
And when I reach the other side,
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can.
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again.
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain;
but I will remain.
And I'll be back again,and again and again and again and again.

The four men bowed and accepted their applause. Truthfully, it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that good either.

Selena and Charity were next with a surprisingly good rendition of Reba McEntire's "Does He Love you" followed by Pomona with "These Boots Are Made for Walking." Hagrid and Selena tried Meatloaf's "I Would Do Anything for Love" which was a dismal failure. Minerva surprised no one with her selection of an old Scottish ballad, and Poppy followed suit with the classic Irish song "The Wearin' of the Green" which had one of the students, Seamus Finnegan, loudly joining in. Alaina was next, and she had chosen her favorite Bette Midler song. She knew that she was falling for Severus, and it was time to let him know it.

Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
an endless aching need.
I say love; it is a flower,
and you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dying'
that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.

The hall erupted in applause as Alaina took her seat, looking directly at Severus as she did so. She had let him know how she felt, and she was a little surprised to see him turn to Charity, who smiled and nodded.

The hall got very quiet when it was time for Severus to sing. Alaina was very surprised by his selection, since he had not enjoyed this cd in her chambers. Alaina knew that he did have a good singing voice, and figured that he would do the song justice, and hoped that this meant what she thought it meant.

For his part, Severus was a little nervous, but refused to let it show. He took a deep breath as the song began playing. For the first time in over twenty years, he decided to let his barriers down. He had lost a woman once due to his fears, and this time, he was going to make sure it didn't happen again.

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasing'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anyway
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talking'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walking' anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feeling' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showing'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on going'

She's got a light around her
And ev'rywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her everywhere

She comes to me when I'm feeling' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is,
But I know that I can't live without her anyway

The hall was silent for a breath of a moment, before exploding. Alaina was trying to blink away the tears, as Severus took his seat next to her and squeezed her hand under the table. Albus stood and declared that it was the student's turn. First up was Lisa Turpin, one of the sixth years.

Albus went down the list, and finally it was the two members of the 'Golden Trio's' turn. Alaina already knew what Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were singing, as they had both made their selections from her collection. Granger was first, and her choice was a Pretenders classic.

Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now.
Don't be ashamed to cry, let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do,

Nothing you confess could make me love you less
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.

So, if you're mad get mad, don't hold it all inside,
Come on and talk to me now.
And hey, what you got to hide? I get angry too
But I'm alot like you.
When you're standing at the crossroads, don't know which path to choose,
Let me come along, cause even if your wrong
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.
Take me into your darkest hour, and I'll never desert you.
I'll stand by you.

And when, when the night falls on you baby, you're feeling all alone,
You won't be on your own, I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you. I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you.

She smiled at Harry Potter, who hugged her before taking his place on the stage. Alaina found it ironic that he chose the song he did, and was sure that Severus would not be amused once the boy started his song. When she asked the teenager why he chose it, his response was that the song felt like it described his life as the number one target on Voldemort's hit list.

A whiskey bottle comforts me
And tells me not to cry
While a full moon says a prayer for me
I try to close my eyes

But the night's there to remind me
Of the guns and the early graves
The ghosts appear as I fall asleep
To sing an outlaw's serenade

Dyin' ain't much of a livin'
When you're livin' on the run
Dyin' ain't much of a livin' for the young
Is it too late to ask for forgiveness
For the things that I have done
Dyin' ain't much of a livin' for the young

The desert's been a friend to me
It covers me by night
And a snakebite's not my enemy
But it taught me how to fight

All this fame don't bring you freedom
Though it wears a thin disguise
When an outlaw is just a man to me
And a man has to die

And I hope someone will pray for me
When it's my turn to die... PRAY FOR ME !

Alaina watched as the boy walked back to his table, seemingly oblivious to the audience reaction. He looked towards Alaina and Severus, nodded and sat down with his head bowed.

Pretty soon, the main part of the contest was over, and Alaina watched as four students, one from each house, left the Hall. The teachers had decided that this would be the best way to determine who would perform again, although Alaina had a feeling that she already knew the answer. Nearly a half hour had passed when the children returned with a folded piece of parchment in hand and walked to the front.

A/N Okay everyone, I need your help. I need songs for our winners to sing in the next round, so give me titles and who should sing them. I was thinking about doing this as a one-shot, but changed my mind. For those who think Severus is too OOC, he has been seeing Alaina for nearly five weeks, and is no longer a spy. Therefore, he is less stressed and feels more comfortable opening up. There will still be some conflict, but I am having fun and the plot bunnies are multiplying. Anyway, let me know what songs and singers should star in the next chapter.