This is the chapter for which I built the whole story. Featuring songs by David Archuleta and Devon Werkheiser. A songfic on Draco's love for Hermione.
~CONCERTO~
SUNDAY:
The next morning Draco woke up early to check on the stage settings and instruments to be used in the evening. He had requested Dumbledore especially to send the breakfast and lunch directly to the common rooms so that he can prepare the Great Hall.
All the morning and afternoon the students were buzzing with enthusiasm. The girls were discussing every sort of hairstyle and make up imaginable while the boys were fretting over having to wear a bow tie. Many of the boys and girls have approached Draco and submitted their names for performances and they were usually being shepherded by friends as the performer would be nervous and keen to backing out. He understood why everyone was nervous but he felt like he was already becoming a nervous wreck. He had a reputation to uphold for the whole week and today he wanted Hermione to feel nothing less than his world.
In the late afternoon Draco went for the final check not wanting the evening to turn out a total disaster.
With the evening now approaching everyone now retreated back to the common rooms to get dressed. The professors were also invited for the final event.
The guys didn't take much time to suit up and hence they were the ones who made it first at the Hall. Harry and Draco stood admiring the hall. The roof was enchanted to clouds shaded with rainbow colours in the late evening sky with stars here and there. Draco had also taken special care towards the flowers; they were now enveloped by the fragrance of delicate flowers. The innumerable candle lights casted soft lights and the chandeliers gave the place a dreamlike quality.
"Draco, you are sweating. Nervous?" Harry asked.
"Majorly, I think I will just make a fool out of myself and she'll be embarrassed because of me and I don't want to let that happen."
Harry was surprised at the sincerity of the voice. He had never really realised the depth of his love for Hermione.
"She loves you. Loves you with all the strength, courage, ferocity and magnitude which signifies a Gryffindor and she isn't the princess for nothing. She'll be proud of you even if you wear rags and go sing an off key jingle bells up there on the stage."
"Thanks Harry. That did help"
Ron joined them next. "Both you guys, come save me if a girl latches on to me and doesn't let go. Lavender would kill me."
"Ronald Weasley, we would rather take these gorgeous young ladies to St. Mungo's for a full check up."
While they bantered they heard footfalls on the stairs and turned to see the ladies descending.
Draco's breath hitched when he saw Hermione. She wore a floor length emerald gown, the satin gliding over her smooth skin. The gown had a neckline which slanted towards the left and ended with a ruby at its end. It wasn't obscene as minimum cleavage showed and the ruby over her heart signified her Gryffindor courage. The gown was off shoulder but the satin was continuous from the back and formed a full glove for her left hand leaving the right shoulder exposed. As she walked the gown flowed around her long delicate legs which showed through the more than knee length slit. She wore strapped silver stilettos which went halfway to her calves. The only thing that snatched his eyes away from all this was her beautiful face. She wore cherry red lipstick and silver eye shadow over her light eye makeup with her hair tucked up in an elegant bun, held there by a silver barrette. Her chocolate eyes hidden behind the silver mask shone with happiness.
She was sexy and yet elegant. Oh how he wished he could tear his heart out and present it at her feet. While Draco stood dumbfounded Hermione marveled at Draco. He was the perfect match to her slytherin colours. Draco wore an expensive silver coloured suit and a black shirt inside. He had complemented it with a thin steel coloured tie and a green satin handkerchief in his breast pocket which matched with his cuff links and her gown. Every eye in the hall was on Draco but Hermione's was on Draco's eyes. Behind his green mask his eyes cut through the bonds of her heart and captured it and owned it.
As she drank this all in Ginny elbowed her softy and motioned her to move.
"Eat him in the night won't you now?" Hermione blushed and continued her descent.
Ginny was the yin if Hermione was the pure yang. She had chosen a deep red tube mid thigh gown, completely off shoulder. The dress shimmered as if studded with a thousand golden stars. She had chosen matching golden pumps with go with her dress and she wore dark make up on her eyes and red lipstick. She had complemented this with a golden mask framed by her burning red hair falling over her shoulders.
Draco took a look at Harry and saw him ogling at her with gaping mouth and Ron looked disapproving of his sister's dress.
"Dude, drooling isn't cool my man and what in the world is Ginny wearing?" Ron complained.
"Harry has no complains Ron, he is just hoping that he can keep all the competition away."
Harry wore a modest black suit going along well with his hair and a jade studded brooch which went along perfectly with his eyes, tie and the mask. He looked dashing in Ginny's opinion who was smiling impishly at Harry at the time.
Hermione and Ginny came down to meet the stairs and Ginny and Hermione kissed Draco and Harry on the cheek respectively before moving on to their partners.
"You look beautiful both of you, thank you for loving us" Draco said while Harry nodded.
"So typical of Lavender to make me wait." Ron whined.
The two couples moved on to the floor and Draco went up on the stage to announce the beginning of the event.
"Okay looking boys, divinely gorgeous looking ladies and strict looking fabulous professors welcome to the finale of the Muggle's week. I hope you have all enjoyed."
The whole hall erupted in cheers and the professors smiled.
"Today, many of our enamored students will come on the stage and utilise it to say what they have to in a cheesy muggle way while all of us enjoy and poke occasional fun."
First up I will invite Neville Longbottom please! The crowd was stunned for a moment as no one had expected him to come on stage but then clapped loudly.
"I am dedicating this particular song to a unique and lovely girl I have loved for long. She is different from any girl I have ever met and has taught me to look at things differently. Luna Lovegood, this goes to you."
The cheer and the hooting that came next were astounding. Neville turned red and looked peaky."
"I don't know how to sing but I'll play something and hope she understands what's in my heart."
Neville sat down on the grand piano kept on the stage, took a deep breath and began playing.
The soft tune of 'Yiruma- River flows in you' filled the room and it was enchanting.
"I never knew he could play this well. He had mentioned about piano but this is wonderful" Ron whispered mesmerised.
While Neville played, Hermione was transported back to the day Draco had proposed to her. It was last year when she had gone to Australia with her parents and Draco had returned to the Malfoy Manor. They had become great friends and Hermione had a huge crush on him but never dared reveal it. The place where Hermione was visiting did not have computers for internet access. She had insisted Draco to get a phone so that they can stay in touch. One night she was in her room and she saw the beach from her hotel room, the waves crashing against the shore. She was going to tell about her feelings to Draco today. She could not take another day of pretension. Even if he didn't feel this way she'd ask him to remain friends. She had called Draco and heard the phone ring and cut it in an instant. She was breathing heavily. It took her another 10 minutes to muster all her courage and she called again and held on this time when the phone rang. Nobody picked up for the longest time and just as she was about to put the phone down she heard a response.
"Hello! Hello! Sorry I don't have a rat's tail of an idea of how to use this blasted instrument. Goddamn insane waste of a time!"
"Uh- hello, Draco, this is me, Hermione."
"Oh, Hermione… Hi" he breathed. He was glad she had called. He had missed her terribly.
They talked for sometime but nobody spoke of their feelings as Hermione lost her nerve and decided to not take the risk. She kept the phone down and sunk down on the floor when the phone rang again.
She picked up the phone and heard Draco singing on the other side. Singing for her 'Crush- David Archuleta'
Oooooh ohhhhh
Oooooh ohhhhh
I hung up the phone tonight
Something happened for the first time
Deep inside
It was a rush
What a rush (what a rush)
'Cause the possibility
That you would ever feel the same way
About me
It's just too much
Just too much (just too much)
Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you
You've got me hypnotized, so mesmerized
And I just got to know
Do you ever think
When you're all alone
All that we could be
Where this thing could go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch a breath
When I look at you?
Are you holding back
Like the way you do?
'Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain't going away
Going away
Has it ever crossed your mind
When we're hangin', spendin' time
Girl, are we just friends?
Is there more?
Is there more?
See, it's a chance we've gotta take
'Cause I believe
That we can make this into
Something that will last
Last forever
Forever
Do you ever think when you're all alone
All that we could be, where this thing could go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch a breath when I look at you?
Are you holding back, like the way you do?
'Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain't going away
Going away…
As Draco had ended the song Hermione realised she was sobbing. She was happy but she missed Draco. She wanted to hug Draco and tell her she loved him too but could when suddenly she heard a 'whoosh' and turned to see that Draco had apparated into her room and he too was shaking with emotions.
She had run to Draco and held onto him and cried on his shoulder.
"Oh Draco! I had feared you don't feel this way! I was so afraid!"
"Don't be Mione.. I love you…"
Hermione came back to the present as Neville ended his piece and Luna came on the stage and kissed Neville. Both of them looked perfect for each other.
Next up was Blaise.
"Uphold the Slytherin pride matey!" Draco shouted.
And while both the boys went 'Arrrrrrr' the girls shook their head in mock disappointment.
Blaise and his drum set the mood of the party to an upbeat fanfare. He was amazing on drums and the beats made you want to tap you feet. As he ended he blew a kiss to the hoard of single girls and they batted their eyelashes at him. He winked at Draco as he jumped down from the stage. Draco laughed at his Casanova best friend.
The evening was better than Draco had imagined. Everyone was talented and watching them was a treat. The professors were impressed with such quality.
Last of all was Draco. He kissed Hermione's hand and went up on the stage.
He got a chair and sat down with a guitar. Ginny, Harry and Ron came to stand beside Hermione.
He got the mike and spoke.
"This is absolutely needless to say who this song is for, cause she is the most dangerously beautiful girl today. She is what makes up my day and lets me breathe. She is what this heart I have is alive for, the reason I would never dream of anyone else in my life and the sole object of my desire. She is Hermione Granger ladies and gentlemen and she is all mine."
Hermione felt her cheeks getting heated up, she should be used to all the attention now but she was Hermione and Draco knew just how to make her blush.
He thrummed on the guitar and played the song 'Nothing else better to do- David Archuleta'
Sometimes when you talk
I don't hear a thing
Don't take it wrong.
I look at your face
And bells start to ring
Then my mind's gone
If I was a fire
You would make me burn
Hey, ey, hey
It doesn't take much for you
To break down my gravity
You got my heart stuck
Stuck on a cloud
And I can't speak
But if I was a book
You'd be every word
Hey, ey, ey
Twenty-five hours every day
I got nothing else better to do
Than watching the smile light your face
It doesn't get better than you
All that we need
Is a starlit sky
And you and me
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's true
I got nothing else better to do
"Hey 24 hours Draco" Hermione whispered even though she was loving this.
"Hermione! Shut up! Look how romantic this is!" Ron gushed.
"Ron, are you gay or something? Did Romilda Vane get too much of that love potion into you?" Harry teased him.
Ey ey ey
Ey ey ey
An island of green
And blueberry eyes
Wish we were there
But you make me feel I'm in paradise
Anywhere
If I was a song
You would make me sing
Hey, ey, ey
Yeah
Twenty-five hours every day
I got nothing else better to do.
Than watching the smile light your face
It doesn't get better than you
All that we need
Is a starlit sky
And you and me
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's true
There's nothing else better...
You're velvet on a red cupcake
Sound a cello and a violin make
Oh
Oh
You put the rings around the moon
And every single time I'm close to you
Whoa
Ey
Twenty-five hours every day
Ey-hey
Watching the smile light your face
Yeah yeah
Twenty-five hours every day
I got nothing else better to do
Than watching the smile light your face
It doesn't get better than you
All that we need
Is a starlit sky
And you and me
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's true
I got nothing else better to do
(Oh oh oh)
Ey ey ey ey ey ey
Got nothin' else better to do…
When Draco finished the song the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. It even shook the great hall and there was no one in the hall who wasn't impressed by this. The boys clapped him on the back and the girls swooned. He was the hero. The Head Boy had managed to make a legendary week in Hogwarts. It was a colossal feat that Draco had been able to pull off with such ease.
Draco climbed down the stage and went straight for Hermione and securing his guitar with his left hand pulled Hermione into a kiss with his right. He kissed her deep pouring in all his love and a promise that she was the one he'd worship and need for the rest of his life.
"Thank you Draco, I will never forget this in my life."
Draco kissed her again and suddenly realised something.
"Shit! Almost forgot something."
He leapt up the steps of the stage and spoke into the mike.
"Guys! Thank you for showing such immense response. I am grateful. The rest of the evening we will have a masquerade party and you can play the sing of your choice from the speaker there. The first one is mine. Hit it!"
Draco placed his guitar there on the stage and came back to join Hermione.
He took her in his arms and swayed to the starting tune of 'If eyes could speak- Devon Werkheiser'
Standing close to me close enough to reach perfect time to tell her
But I can't even put two words together
Paralyzing eyes getting in my disguise
Can't you see me hiding?
What am I afraid of her finding?
I know what I'm thinking
But the words won't come out
If eyes could speak
One look would say everything
About the way you smile,
The way you laugh
The way you dress,
The way your beauty leaves me breathless
If eyes could speak
I wouldn't have to talk
Here we go again trying to pretend My hand is steady
The way she looks tonight isn't helping
Vision's getting blurred, gotta calm my nerves, it's now or never
There's only one way to the answer
I know what to tell her
But the words won't come out
If eyes could speak
One look would say everything
About the way you smile,
The way you laugh
The way you dress,
The way your beauty leaves me breathless
If eyes could speak
I wouldn't have to talk
Maybe I can finally get it right
Finally find the nerves to speak my mind
And tell you the things I can't say
And baby I would look into your eyes
And maybe you will finally realize
Words are just words anyway
If eyes could speak
One look would say everything
About the way you smile,
The way you laugh
The way you dress,
The way your beauty leaves me breathless
If eyes could speak
I wouldn't have to talk…
The lyrics suited then both as they spoke through their eyes to express their emotions. No one spoke all through the song.
As the song ended and others went to place their requests Hermione finally spoke.
"Draco, you did a wonderful work. It felt more of a Hermione week than anything."
"If left on me baby I would turn every week of my life into Hermione week, Hermione day and Hermione seconds. Nothing else can change that truth."
The rest of the evening the happy couples of Hogwarts and even the single people had the time of their life.
"Well, this went Albus. Draco did a wonderful job." McGonagall remarked.
"He is an extraordinary boy Minerva; he will make it big in this world."
"And when exactly will you tell him that the muggle Prime Minister never contacted you and all this was your mischief? "
"Why Minerva, a mischief for a bigger cause. The Prime Minister would have agreed with me!" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"Oh Albus..." sighed McGonagall.
But nobody had any complain as they watched the happy couples swaying to the music having the barriers of breeds destroyed, forming splendid memories.
Thank you everyone for reading! This was a hard one with the busy schedule but anything for Dramione! I am open to constructive criticism. Please Read and Review! 3