I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC.

Hello guys, Badger here. Welcome to the new chapter for Ace and Lightning.

Before we begin, there is something I would like to say. Recently I published the first chapter, for a new story called 'The Leader Of The Light'. Whilst its recieved a good following so far, it hasn't recieved any feedback. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy people following my stories, however, I enjoy reviews even more, because it allows me to say what I'm doing right and what needs improving. It also allows me to communicate with my audience and I enjoy communicating with you guys. You don't have to, but if you leave feedback on the first chapter for the story, it will be appreciated. Thank you.

Anyway, enough of that. I hope you're ready for a little bit of singing in this chapter, because that's what you'll see happen. For now though, I hope you enjoy the new chapter and I will see you at the end.

Chapter 9

A Gig To Remember

There was excitement in Grimmauld Place, as people began getting ready. Today was the day for the Outcasts to perform live on stage. Aiden, in particular, was most excited to see them play. After hearing them practice constantly, over the last few days, he was finally going to see them on stage. With Aiden, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Fred and George all going, they needed to adult supervision. Molly Weasley declined, as listening to 'noisy racket' wasn't her idea of a fun night out. Her husband, Arthur, on the other hand was happy to go along, though many believed he merely wanted to go and learn more about the Muggle world. As well as Arthur, Remus and Sirius were also going, to show their support for Lightning and his band, the two were looking forward to seeing them play as, so far, they have only heard muffled music coming from their room. Finally, James and Lily Potter were also going, after Lightning said they could go, though it was clear to all he wasn't happy about it.

Everyone was all ready and waiting, by the time the band came, carrying their equipment with them. Their appearance shocked the others somewhat. So far, they have only seen the band in simple shirts and jeans. Seeing them now, with black denim button up shirts with the sleeves ripped off, black ripped jeans, boots, each one wearing some kind of shirt relating to their band and each one wearing so more jewellery and makeup then a supermodel, told everyone they meant business. Ace had a cigarette in his hands, which he put out, seeing everyone waiting for them.

"I'm guessing you're all ready then?" He asked

"Yes we are" Remus said, where everyone gathered around him, as he removed a spare drumstick given to him by Ghost "Thanks to Lightning, this portkey will take us to The Blues Nightclub…so everyone hold on"

One by one, each person took hold of the drumstick in front of them. As the last person placed their finger upon it, the portkey activated and they were whisked away, with a soft crack. For the next few seconds, everyone felt the sickening feeling of being squeezed and sucked through a straw, before they appeared in a back alley where, across the road, there was a neon sign above a building, reading 'The Blues Nightclub'. In front of the building was another sign that read: "The Outcasts playing tonight, showing that they were in the right place. Thankfully, no one had noticed their sudden appearance.

"Okay, me and the others will have to go through the backstage door, on the other side of the building" Lightning said "If you just go up to the Bouncers and say that you are with us, they will make sure that you are taken to your reserved seats"

Nodding, Remus led the group to the building, where they noticed just how many people were waiting in line to go in. The Bouncers immediately took notice of their approach and asked that they go to the back of the line. They paused, however, when Remus said they were with the band and had a table reserved for them. A quick talk with the owner confirmed this and the group were led to their reserved table, where they got a clear, unobstructed view of the stage. The children were, understandably, excited as they waited. After being cooped up in Grimmauld Place, they were happy to be out of there for a while, just to have some fun.

They waited for a while, as the rest of the people coming to watch the band came in and took their seats. As the last few people sat down, a woman, Amanda, appeared from behind the curtains, a microphone in hand. She had a bright smile on her face, as she addressed the crowd.

"Hello ladies and gentleman" She said "I hope everyone is feeling good today…this evening I have a special treat for you…I'm sure you know them…I mean, who doesn't…please, give a big round of applause, for The Outcasts!"

Immediatley the whole room started cheering, as the curtain was lifted and the band members walked out onto the stage, smiling and waving to the crowd, as they took their positions. Aiden, was probably the loudest in the audience, as he cheered, seeing his older brother take his place behind a microphone, where he looked to the crowd with a bright smile.

"Hello, you fucking beautiful people, are you alright?" Lightning spoke into the microphone, his voice echoing across the entire room, causing people to cheer even more "Good, good…I hope you are all excited for our performance tonight, we know we sure are…we would also, very quickly like to give Amanda our personal thanks for allowing us to play here, for you all, tonight"

"It's a pleasure to have you guys!" Amanda called out from her seat

"And it's a pleasure to play for you all tonight" Lightning replied "Now, tonight, we have songs you will know…as well as a few new songs, which we plan to release for our new album…but, before we get into the new…let's play something you all know, very well!"

As soon as the Ghost began playing a beat on the drums, the entire audience erupted into cheers and applause, telling the group from Grimmauld Place, that this was indeed a song they all knew very well. With the Ghost, Hound and Ace, all playing their respective instruments, Lightning began singing the song.

"I've lost all feeling inside of me,

You left me lying, can barely breathe,

Need to regain my sanity, to set me free!"

Aiden couldn't help but feel, a sense of pride, as he watched his older brother sing his heart out into the microphone, as people cheered, with some even singing along to the lyrics. He had heard muffled sounds of the band playing, but actually seeing and hearing them play was something else entirely. Lightning's voice wasn't how he thought it would sound either. As they sang Metal music, Aiden expected it to be more deep and rough, but his brothers voice was smooth and melodic, almost angelic, though Aiden picked up a slight growl in there too. He wasn't entirely sure what the lyrics meant, but it must have been meaningful, as his brother sang them with a passion.

"I always wore my heart, on my sleeve,

I should know, don't be so naïve,

I am not the same as I used to be!"

Lily had tears in her eyes, as she was held by her husband, watching her oldest son, singing on stage. His voice had such a beautiful melodic tone to it, she couldn't help but clap and cheer for her son, though her voice was probably drowned out by all the other people watching them play. Lily was so happy when Harr…Lightning allowed them to come and watch him play, but now she was ecstatic. She hoped that after tonight, they could start rebuilding their relationship and be a family again.

As James Potter held his wife, he watched his oldest son with pride and awe. Back when Harry and Aiden were first born, he remembered looking at the two, imagining what the two could become, when they grew up. He imagined something like an Auror, or Quidditch Player. Admittedly, the lead singer of a Muggle, Heavy Metal, band, was not one of them. However, seeing his oldest son on stage, James Potter couldn't imagine him being anything else. He looked so natural up on stage, microphone in hand, with his friends behind him, playing their instruments in such a fluid fashion, it was clear they practised and practised hard.

"So here I am again!

Cannot seem to find a way out!

I am drowning!

Can you hear me, underwater?"

The children of the group were enjoying themselves, as they cheered for the band. Even Ron had to admit that Metal was more then just loud noises and screaming. In fact, he rather enjoyed what he was seeing, and hearing. Ron almost considered asking Ace and Lightning if they could teach him to play the guitar, or the drums, but decided against it. His mother wouldn't allow him to play the instruments anyway. Hermione, meanwhile, could not take her eyes off of Lightning, as he sang to the audience. The way he moved on the stage, pouring his heart and soul into the song, as he sang, it was almost like he was born for a life on the stage. She also found that, despite all the tattoos on his body, she found Lightning to be quite easy on the eyes.

It was at that moment, she felt someone poke her side. She looked to see Ginny giving her a small, knowing, smirk and her eyes were practically gleaming as they looked at her.

"Someone catch your eye did they?" She asked, her eyes flicking towards Lightning for a brief moment, before looking back at Hermione, her smirk growing bigger

"I don't know what you are implying Ginny" Hermione said, sternly, as she turned her attention back to the band

Ginny laughed to herself. She knew Hermione had her eyes on Lightning, since day one. It was only a matter of time, until she admitted it to herself that she had thing for him. Ginny couldn't blame her though. Lightning was quite eye catching, in his own, unique way. However, Ginny had her eyes one someone else.

…

Dumbledore sat in his office, as he spoke to Severus. He knew tonight was the Outcasts gig. He still wasn't happy that his authority was overruled and squashed completely. He was, at least, glad to see that they had some adult supervision with them, should something happen. Dumbledore, almost considered, going to the gig himself and watch from afar, however he knew he wouldn't be welcome and he didn't bother asking permission. He knew what Lightning's answer would be. The boy may have, begrudgingly, allowed his parents to attend the event, though the Headmaster doubted the same would happen for him. Instead he chose to head back to his office, where he called for Severus, to find out any of the latest news over on Voldemort's side.

"It's more of the same, Albus" Severus said "The Dark Lord is still enraged, however now he's stopped throwing curses left and right…and I was correct in assuming he will wait for the Hogwarts year to begin, he recently revealed that he plans for Draco to try and manipulate the boy to their cause"

"I guess it's a good thing then that Harry is not going to Hogwarts" Dumbledore sighed "Though I wish I could change his mind"

"His name is Lightning, Albus" Severus replied, rolling his eyes "And it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't wish to go to Hogwarts…he's clearly happy with his life, the way it is…you can't force someone to leave the life they love, no matter what you think of it…I may not have heard their music, but from what I've heard them say to the others in Grimmauld Place, their band is clearly, immensely popular and they earn a ridiculous amount of income for it too…take that into account, along with the fact that you told Lightning's parents to leave him at the Dursleys, of course, he's going to refuse going to Hogwarts"

"I know, I've been told so many times!" Dumbledore said, putting his head in his hands, before looking back to the Potions Professor, "You've been around Grimmauld Place more than I have…how is the situation between Harr….Lightning and his parents"

"Fifty feet below rock bottom" Snape replied "And, I do not see their relationship mending…they gave him up, abandoning him, because he was deemed, in his opinion, unworthy…and when they do come to bring him back, it's only because it turns out you made a mistake in your judgment…they didn't try to get him back because they love him and they realised they made a mistake in leaving him…they tried to get him back because he is the only one who can supposedly defeat the Dark Lord…imagine how the boy must feel"

"There is hope though Severus" Dumbledore defended "Lightning allowed his parents to attend their bands gig tonight…"

"If you think watching his band play is enough for them to start building a relationship, and making amends, you clearly are delusional" Snape interrupted "It's going to take more then supporting his band and seeing one or two gigs, for forgiveness to be given…I'm not even sure what Lily and James will have to do for Lightning to even consider forgiving the two"

…

As Lightning finished the last few lyrics of the song, the entire nightclub burst into applause and cheers, with Aiden and Lily possibly being the loudest of the lot. The members of The Outcasts embraced the applause, as they waved to the crowd. Sirius and Remus were on their feet, along with dozens of other people cheering for the band. To them, a Werewolf and a dog Animagus, Lightning was their pup. A pup they were proud of. They had seen a lot of Muggle magazines featuring The Outcasts, but seeing it for themselves was far better than mere words written in an article. They were glad to have been given this opportunity to watch their band play. And they were only just getting started.

Lightning wiped the sweat that was beginning to pour down his brow, as he placed the microphone back on it's stand. He, and the other band members, took a moment to get their breath back and relax a little, as they waited for the crowd to calm down. When the applause and cheers died down, the band got ready, as Lightning addressed the crowd one again.

"You guys are one the best fucking crowds we've had" He said "However, the night is only just getting started…our next song, is a new song we plan to release for our next album and we think you'll enjoy this one…"

With a thumbs up from Lightning, Ace began playing his guitar. Unlike the previous song, this song had a clear difference in tone. Unlike the last song, which was fast paced and loud, the tone of this song was slow and sombre, maybe even sad. The sombre seriousness of the song was expressed even more, by how serious and still the band members were. Both the bass guitar and drums had joined the lead guitarist in playing a sombre tone, by the time Lightning began singing.

"Every time we lie awake,

After every hit we take!

Every felling that I get,

But I haven't missed you yet!"

Unlike the previous song, where Lightning's voice had a slight growl in his voice, as he sang the lyrics, the growl was completely gone for this song. His song was smooth, slow and angelic. Accompanied by the sad tone of the music, Aiden guessed this was not going to be a happy song. However, even though it wasn't as loud or quick as the last song, Lightning was still putting his heart and soul into the lyrics.

"Every roommate kept awake,

By every sigh and scream we make!

All the feelings that I get,

But I still don't miss you yet!

Only when I stop to think about it…"

Besides the music playing, the entire room was quite. As this was a new song, no one wanted to make a sound, as they wanted to listen to this new song. For them, the sombre tone was a surprise, as usually, The Outcasts were known to make loud music. Music that would get the blood pumping. It was a surprise, but a welcome surprise. The crowd were startled though, when the beat dropped and Lightning went from a slow and sombre tone, to a loud growl.

"I hate everything about you,

Why do I love you….

I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU,

WHY DO I LOVE YOU!"

Lily had tears in her eyes, but this time for different reasons, as they listened to the song. Both she and James knew what the song meant. In fact everyone at their table knew what the song meant, even Ron. None of them had to be a genius to understand what their song meant. Lightning was clearly singing about his parents. For Lily, the lyrics were like a knife stabbing her in the heart. She wasn't sure what was worse: The fact that the song was about her and her husband, or the fact that her oldest son had intense venom in his voice as he sang about them, in such a hateful manner. Either way, his words hurt more than the Cruciatus Curse.

…

In the crowd, hidden under the Disillusionment Charm, was Augustus Rookwood. The Dark Lord was surprised when the Blood Tracking potion informed him that Harry Potter had moved locations. Not wanting to possibly storm into a trap, the Dark Lord ordered him to investigate and, if it turned out to not be a trap, then he was to summon the him and the other Death Eaters so they can grab Potter. As the location appeared to be Muggle, he placed a Disillusionment Charm on himself, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

Sneaking inside the venue, Rookwood saw members of the Order of the Phoenix, as well as their children sat at one of the tables. However, Harry Potter wasn't anywhere in sight. That was, until Rookwood laid eyes on the lead singer of the band, playing on the stage. He bore a resemblance to Aiden Potter, the fake Boy-Who-Lived, and Rookwood was sure he saw a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. This had to be Harry Potter. Even with members of the Order of the Phoenix sitting in the crowd, Rookwood was certain that this wasn't a trap to lure the Death Eaters out. Dumbledore may have become delusional in his old age, but he wouldn't risk the lives of Muggles, nor would he risk the secrecy of the Wizarding World. With that, Rookwood left the building.

It was time to summon the Dark Lord.

…

Oh no. Cliff-hanger! Is Harry, or should I say Lightning, in danger. We'll have to see.

Anyway. You are probably curious of the two songs sang in this chapter. If you are, in order, they are:

Underwater - by Skarlett Riot

I Hate Everything About You - by Three Days Grace

Now, I know I didn't post the full song lyrics in the story. It was purely done to move the story along. If you want to however, you can find the songs on YouTube and I recommend you do, the songs are amazing, in my opinion at least. If you know of any songs you would like the see The Outcasts sing in one of their gigs, feel free to leave them in the review section. If I like the songs you've listed, I will include them at some point.

In the meantime, that is all for now. I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. No I am not sorry about leaving it on a cliff hanger. To begin with, when making this story, I had no clear vision for this story. The chapters were kind of, slice of life, in terms of structure. Now though, I plan for every chapter to be more story driven, with a clear narrative and plot connecting the chapters together. But like I said, that is all for now and I'll see you next time, in whatever story I see you in.

Badger Out