Lives Untold

Countdown to Performance: 22 hours 13 minutes

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Who´s the Fairest of them All?

Well, my dear, as I´ve told you in the past,

Just look at you, you´ll always end up last.

Hermione was seated in a chair in front of her mirror on her desk, remembering her favorite fairy tale saying with her own twist as she examined herself. Brown eyes. Brown hair. How dull. And her hair wasn´t nice and normal, either. No, her hair had to be so curly that it never sat flat. As she looked in the mirror she saw how her hair gradually frizzed out and she figured that her hair was at least 3 feet away from her back! Well, maybe she was exaggerating, just a little, but that´s beside the point.

Hermione didn´t know why all of a sudden she was contemplating her looks so much. She figured it must have something to do with the fact that tomorrow was the day she had to sing in front of the whole class. She was berating herself for always having to go the extra mile. Why couldn´t she just of stuck with good ole karaoke? She just had to get the extra credit and sing by herself.

Hermione sighed as her eyes darted to her bottom drawer. At the end of the summer she had gone for vacation to visit her dear aunt, who was only 6 years older than her. Her aunt just so happened to be a make-up artist at Macy´s department store in New York City in the United States. Hermione had been forced, against her will, to be a guinea pig for the new fall colors and had been given everything from 6 different lip liners to 17 new eye shadows. Hermione had smiled and nodded during the `torture session´ as she called it, and had, unbeknownst to her, actually learned how to correctly apply the make-up.

When Hermione had left Aunt Giselle (whose real name was Jane but she had felt it wasn´t exotic enough), she had promised to try out all the make-up and actually wear it for school. Naturally, as soon as Hermione got home she shoved it all in the back of her closet. When the time for packing up for Hogwarts came, she had glanced continually at that space in the closet and had packed the kit just in case there was another dance, and had stashed it all in her bottom drawer once she arrived. And now she couldn´t believe that she was actually thinking about using it.

And not only that, right next to her kit, lay an unopened package of an at-home-straightening shampoo. Aunt Giselle had begged for her to be allowed to do the honors, but Hermione had flatly refused. Her hair was fine, she said. She didn´t need to sit through hours of treatment to alter her appearance. Now, as she sits in her dorm, a mere 22 hours away from a public performance, she was calling herself all sorts of names for being so stubborn. Why couldn´t she just of shut her mouth and agreed? Now, she´d have to do it herself. If she actually decided to do it, that is.

Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples with her fingers. She was so nervous about singing even though she had more experience that all her friends put together. What if Ron heard her sing and was disgusted? What if he absolutely hated the song? What if he thought she was desperate? What if she fell off the stage, her skirt flew up, she knocked out her front teeth on the way down and everyone sat around and laughed?! Oh no! I can´t do this! What if I got to Madame Pomfrey right now? I could tell her that I... I... developed carpal tunnel syndrome! Yes! No! That won´t work. Then I couldn´t ever hold a pencil in front of her to do my homework.

Hermione got up and walked over to her trunk, which held her costume. She had spent a long time on it and had hand sewn all the sequins. She was relieved to learn that she hadn´t been left completely helpless without magic and could still sew from when her mom taught her the summer before she left for Hogwarts.

The outfit consisted of a short white skirt that used to be ankle length. She had cut and sewn it to a more look-at-me style. For the top she had a matching white halter and she had sewn on metallic silver sequins to spell out STAR. She had knee-high white boots to complete the ensemble. It was probably the most un-Hermione thing she could have created, but that was the point. The woman at The Witch´s Shop had been very helpful in picking her out the boots, sequins, hair glitter, and fairy dust. Hermione had really wanted to but the witch fairy dust that actually came from fairies, but knowing she could only use muggle items, she had opted for the muggle knock-off. But when Hermione had looked in her bag, she had seen both bottles, the real one, courtesy of the shop-owner. The real prize though, was a completely sheer ankle-length duster with white fluffy cuffs. She looked like a snowy angel in it.

On a sudden whim, Hermione shut her trunk and went over to the drawer. She opened it and pulled out the hair straightener. If she was going to be brave, she might as well go the full nine yards. She stood in the middle of the room for a few minutes debating her options and finally, with a sigh, headed to the bathroom.

* * * * *

Countdown to Performance: 3 hours 18 minutes

Oh no. Today is the day.

Hermione groaned and rolled over and pulled the pillow over her face. She had spent all day yesterday in the bathroom doing her hair. She had to send Lavender down to tell Ron and Harry she was indisposed. Hermione had heard them arguing with her and threatening to come up to the girls dorm, and she had been forced to yell downstairs for them to go away.

If Hermione wasn´t such a good student she might of opted to stay in bed all day, but Hermione being Hermione, dragged herself out of bed and as she walked past the mirror she did a double take. A huge smiled spread over her face.

"Hermione! You look so good! What did you do?" Parvati squealed and rushed over.

Lavender then took a cucumber off of her eye and abruptly sat up in bed and joined Parvati in the squealing, the other cucumber falling onto her sheets.

"Your hair looks fabulous!" Parvati exclaimed as she ran her fingers through it.

"But, Hermione. You know you can´t use magic!" Lavender reminded.

"I know," Hermione said. "It´s not magic, it´s a muggle product from the States."

"Muggles have products that do that? Wow, we need to give them more credit," Parvati said seriously.

"Really, Herm. You look great. Ron´s eyes are going to roll to the back of his head," Lavender said with a giggle.

Hermione smiled and looked in the mirror. It was true, she did look different. More mature, somehow. Her hair was completely straight, sleek, and shiny. The ends were slightly curly since she used a couple hair curlers her mum had throw in her trunk. One wouldn´t think this was the same girl who was complaining about her hair just yesterday.

"Is it permanent?" Parvati asked.

"It´s supposed to last about 6 months but I´ll probably have to touch it up a bit before then," Hermione answered. "Yikes! We better head down for breakfast. We´re supposed to leave our costumes and make-up here right?"

Lavender nodded. "Professor Starr says she´s allowing us twenty minutes to get ready so we don´t have wear everything."

Parvati had been silent and rushed to her drawer. "Here! Hermione, wear this scarf over your hair so it will be a surprise when you get up there!" She produced a black scarf and proceeded to pull Hermione´s up and tie it with the scarf so you couldn´t notice any difference.

"Thanks! Now, lets go!" Hermione said with a smile.

* * * * *

Countdown to Performance: 2 hours 44 minutes

When Hermione got to the Gryffindor table for breakfast, she discovered that everyone in her year was leaving their plates untouched. She slid in next to Ron and across from Harry and was startled to discover that even Ron wasn´t eating.

"Hey, Hermione," Ron and Harry acknowledged glumly.

"Hi. You know, it´s not like anyone died or anything. Aren´t you guys hungry?" Hermione inquired.

They shook their head. "No, but you need to eat something," Ron said, shoving a plate of muffins in her face. Hermione stomach churned just from the sight and she pushed away the plate.

"No, thanks. I´m really not hungry," Hermione said feeling slightly sick. "We all must be nervous."

"Who? Me? Nervous? No way!" Ron denied with his fingers anxiously tapping on the tabletop. Hermione reached out and covered his hand.

"No?" She asked with a smile. Just then Neville came to the table and looked far worse than any one else. He sat down and was sweating and was green around the gills.

"Neville? Are you all right?" Hermione asked, concerned. He managed a small smile that looked more like a grimace and nodded his head once. He looked around and saw the piles of food and with a quick motion, he launched himself out of his chair and out of the Great Hall.

"Poor Neville. I wish he wouldn´t be so nervous," Hermione said sadly.

"Right. What´s to be nervous about?" Ron asked. "We only have to sing in front of our entire class, could possible make a complete idiot out ourselves, and be humiliated for the rest of our mortal life. No biggie. I don´t know what Neville´s problem is. Why, he should be tap dancing to `Dancing in the Rain´ the silly boy."

Despite being completely terrified, Hermione laughed at Ron´s dry tone that had had risen in pitch as he ended his statement. "Oh, boy. Well, it´s almost showtime. Let´s go." And with that the three brave Gryffindors prepared to meet their impending doom. And I don´t mean You-Know-Who.

* * * * *

Countdown to Showtime: 36 minutes

"Oh, class I have absolutely wonderful news!"

Professor Starr´s cheery voice rang out in the dead silent classroom. The class nervously looked at one another. Somehow, Hermione didn´t figure her idea of wonderful news would be the same as theirs.

"I´ve just been informed that a new room has been redone just for our class´s performance. It is the size of the Great Hall and it is an auditorium. It has huge stage and seating large enough for the entire school. This will be where we put on the play also. And wait! That´s not the best part!" She continued with her eyes gleaming.

Hermione snuck a look at Neville and thought if this `best part´ was any worse than what she just said, she would get to see just what Neville had eaten for lunch yesterday.

"Class," Prof. Starr continued. "Headmaster Dumbledore is going to come watch us! And, he´s trying to get Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape to come too! Isn´t that marvelous?" She asked, beaming.

Hermione all of a sudden felt really sick. The entire class started shouting and pleading with Prof. Starr not to be so cruel.

"How can you do this to us?" Pansy shrieked. "I thought you were sane!"

"I´ll get my father to pay you off! How much do you want? 1,000 Galleons?" Draco bargained.

"I think I need to go to the infirmary," Neville complained.

"Me too!" Dean chimed in.

"Yes. I have a terrible migraine coming on," Lavender agreed.

Professor Starr clapped her hands. "Enough! I am quite sane, I don´t want your money, and no one is going to the infirmary. I thought you would like this. It will really give you a feeling of performing on stage." A chorus of "No´s" and "Let´s not" rang throughout the classroom.

"We like this room! Actually, I think it would be better if we used the bathroom to perform actually. Then everyone could wait outside," Seamus suggested.

Professor Starr rolled her eyes. "This is not a debate. Come now, we´re wasting time. Now, you have twenty minutes to get changed and then meet me in the auditorium. It´s in the same corridor as the Charms room, all the way in the back, on the left. Now, hurry!"

On that note, Hermione rushed to her room, not even stopping to talk to anyone since she needed every second she could get. She made it upstairs in record time and quickly changed into her costume. She grabbed her make-up kit, hair supply bag, and CD and rushed to the Prefect bathroom before her dorm mates even came up.

Hermione checked her watch when she made it to the bathroom. She had fifteen minutes left. She quickly applied silver eyeliner with shimery silver eye shadow, foundation, powder, pink blush, pink lip liner, and tinkle-me pink lipstick. She put on the fairy dust and quickly took down her hair and brushed it. She left it down and smiled at the shine of it and put in some glitter to give it an extra oomph.

When she looked in the mirror she couldn´t believe it was Hermione Granger. She had never applied more than chapstick besides rare occasions like the Yule Ball. And her she was, all decked out. She checked her watch again. Three minutes left. She quickly put her totes in a cabinet in the gigantic Prefect bathroom, grabbed the CD, and ran to the auditorium.

* * * * *

Countdown to Showtime: 1 minute 45 seconds.

Once Hermione got to the auditorium, practically everyone was already in there. She stood and looked around in awe. The room was absolutely huge. She was instantly reminded of Carnegie Hall in New York. And she would have to go up there on stage and sing in front of everyone? Just as she started having images of her falling, she saw Ron and Harry and grinned in relief. She ran over to where they were seated and they seemed to be looking for someone.

"Hi guys? Saved me a seat?" Hermione asked.

"Sorry but who -Hermione???" Harry asked in shock. "Is that you?"

"Who else would it be?" she asked.

"Wow. You look... wow. You´re putting on a jacket, right?" Harry asked in protective big brother mode.

"This is my jacket," she said as if daring him to contradict her.

"Oh. It´s just so... sheer," he said tentatively.

Hermione rolled her eyes and snuck a look at Ron. He was staring, open-mouthed at her with no sound coming out.

"Ron?" She asked. Harry jabbed him in the ribs and he blinked.

"Yes. Wow. Hermione. You look fantastic. I can´t-" He was cut off as Prof. Starr took the microphone. Hermione quickly sat down and noticed that everyone did the same.

"It´s show time, students! Everyone please thank Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape for taking time out of their busy schedules, and having to get others to cover their own classes, to come to see you."

Hermione looked at the three guests who were seated in the back. Dumbledore had his usual twinkle in his eye and was smiling, McGonagall had a stern look on and Snape looked like he would rather be having a root canal. The muggle way.

"Ok. I am randomly drawing names for who will go first, second, and so on. You will come up, hand Mr. Susi the CD, which he will put in the stereo and play, take the microphone, and sing your hearts out. The lights will be dim with a spotlight on you, so don´t be alarmed. Remember, just have fun! All right, first up is... (Ron was silently praying) Parvati Patil! Come on down!"

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and Hermione caught Parvati´s eye and gave her a thumbs-up. She confidently smiled, flipped her hair back, straightened her shoulders, and walked up to the stage. She gave the CD and stood at the microphone. The lights did dim and Hermione could see Parvati blink at the bright glare of the spotlight.

A catchy beat began and Parvati tapped her foot and began singing - with just the background music.

I think I did it again

I made you believe we're more than just friends

Oh baby

It might seem like a crush

But it doesn't mean that I'm serious

'Cause to lose all my senses

That is just so typically me

Oh baby, baby

Parvati was quite good, Hermione thought. She added her own little dance moves and although Hermione had never heard the song before, she thought it suited Parvarti´s predicament quite well. She just wished Terry Boot could hear this!

Oops!...I did it again

I played with your heart, got lost in the game

Oh baby, baby

Oops!...You think I'm in love

That I'm sent from above

I'm not that innocent

Parvati completed the song and everyone clapped, the Gryffindors the loudest. Lavender even stood on her seat and whistled for her best friend.

"Brava! Brava! Wonderful! Next up is... Draco Malfoy!" Prof. Starr called.

Malfoy smirked and casually got up and stretched.

"Today, Mr. Malfoy." Prof. Starr said sternly.

Malfoy eventually got up to the microphone and Hermione noticed that he was wearing black pants and a black shirt that said `I´m Too Sexy´ in silver glitter. The music started up and Hermione rolled her eyes. This song fit Malfoy´s ego to a T. Plus, he was pretty sexy - for the son of a Death Eater, that is.

Malfoy began singing and again, Hermione had to notice that he had a nice enough voice.

I'm too sexy for my love, too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me

I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
And I'm too sexy for Milan, too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
And I'm too sexy for your party, too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing

I'm a model, you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk

When Malfoy finished he did several deep bows to every side of the auditoriums and they Slytherin girls went crazy, clapping and shouting his name. The Gryffindors clapped disdainfully, as if it was a chore.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy. It´s good to know who´s really modest. Next can we have... Harry Potter!" Prof. Starr requested.

Hermione could see Harry gulp. He muttered what she assumed was some confidence boosters. She leaned back to let him pass her and murmured words of encouragements. Harry took a deep breath and went up to the stage and prepared to sing.

The spotlight hit Harry and Hermione could tell he was anxious. The music started up and Hermione´s jaw dropped. Harry was very good and he was also doing it with just the music.

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me

I'm more than a bird...I'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It's not easy to be me

Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see

It may sound absurd...but don't be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won't you concede
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me

Up, up and away...away from me
It's all right...You can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy...or anything...

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I'm only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
inside of me
inside me
Yeah, inside me
inside of me

I'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
I'm only a man
looking for a dream

I'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
and its not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

Its not easy to be me

When Harry put the microphone down, the auditorium erupted in applause. Hermione clapped furiously but really sat and thought about what he sang. Did Harry truly feel like that? She felt an explainable wave of extreme sadness fill her. How did they get like this? Why did Harry´s life have to be so lonely and full of sorrow? She knew everyone depended on him and she didn´t know how she would cope under that type of pressure. When Harry came back to sit, she stood and gave him a huge hug.

"I´ll always be here for you. Best friends until the end," she whispered. Harry smiled gratefully and took his seat.

"Well, I must say I´m very impressed Mr. Potter. Next up is Gregory Goyle," Prof Starr said and Hermione swore she was covering up a smirk.

Goyle lumbered up to the stage and Hermione sat back and watched. She noticed that Goyle was the first student to do actual karaoke and have the original singing on the CD.

Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof
Who let the dogs out

After those lines, Goyle froze and stood motionless on stage. He desperately tried to remember the words but gave up and just starting going `Woof Woof Woof´ throughout most of the song. When he finished everyone clapped but Hermione knew it was out of sheer joy that he finally finished breaking their ear drums.

"Thank you Mr. Goyle for that... interesting choice. Could I please have... Neville Longbottom?" Prof. Starr´s voice rang out.

Hermione saw Neville´s face absolutely drain of color. He looked like he was about to pass out in a dead faint. Where he got the strength to get up, she´ll never know.

Hermione watched with a pained look as Neville slowly made his way to the stage. She looked over at Professor Starr who looked like she hated herself at the moment for how scared Neville was. Hermione also glanced over at Professor Snape who couldn´t have looked any happier if Harry told him he was leaving Hogwarts to live with the Dursleys. She wanted to hex him into another decade she was so mad at how much pleasure he took in other´s grief.

Neville eventually got to the microphone, trembling all the way, all while Malfoy and his crowd were snickering loudly at poor Neville´s anguish. The music began and Hermione was not surprised that Neville had opted for traditional karaoke since she feared if he had to sing solo, he would be traumatized for at least the next 28 years.

Neville started singing but Hermione had to truly strain to hear any noise come out of his mouth. His soft voice had a sweet sound to it and it calmed her nerves about singing. Slightly.

I been locked out
I been locked in
but I always seem to come back again
when you're in that room
what do you do
I know that I will have you in the end
and the clouds they are crying on you
and the birds are offering up their tunes
in a shack as remote as a mansion
you escape into a place where nothing moves
and I been locked out

By the time Neville finished singing, he was bright red and smiled when the auditorium erupted in applause. Hermione herself didn´t know if she was clapping for a job well done or for him not fainting or throwing up halfway through the song.

"That was excellent, Neville. Truly brilliant. Remarkable job," Professor Starr praised. Hermione figured that Prof. Starr thought if she commended Neville enough, she would be forgiven for inflicting such torture on him, and she was right. Neville was nearly glowing from all the recognition as he sat back down in his seat.

"All right. Next is...." Hermione braced herself. She was ready to just get it over with so she was hoping to be next.

"Lavender Brown!" No such luck. She clapped for her friend and Lavender confidently walked up stage wearing an extremely short purple skirt and matching halter top. Hermione saw her five inch purple heels and knew if that had been her, she would of fallen flat on her face 2 minutes ago.

Lavender tapped her shoe to the beat and let her voice loose, doing a solo performance.

I think that it's time
that I should just let you go
So I'll tell it to your face
instead of tell it to you on the phone
You see I thought that you were special baby
something unique
But lately I've come to find
That you're not really interested
in my heart or mind

That's alright
That's OK
You never loved me anyway
And I think that it's time for you to just move on

That's alright
That's OK
I bet you never thought you'd hear me say
That I think it's time for you to find another dumb blonde
Cause it's not me, no no
Cause it's not me, no no
Oh no

The audience gave an enthusiastic response, cheering for Lavender as she completed her song. "That was fantastic, Lavender. Thank You. Could Vincent Crabbe please come on up?" Prof. Starr asked innocently. Hermione would have bet all her chocolate frogs that Prof. Starr loved to see some of her students made complete idiots of themselves. And she wasn´t disappointed with Crabbe´s performance.

It took a while for it to sink into the young Slytherin´s head that he was to go up and sing. He jumped up, caught his foot on the corner of the aisle, fell down, got up like nothing happened, and slowly walked to the stage, limping all the way. When the music started and he began to sing (Karaoke, naturally), it truly sounded like a dying cat. And when she heard the lyrics to the song, she couldn´t help it. She burst out laughing, and she wasn´t alone. All the students were stifling giggles and Hermione even saw Prof. McGonagall´s lips turn upwards.

Smelly Cat, Smelly cat what are they feeding you?
Smelly Cat, smelly cat it's not your fault...
They won't take you to the vet.
You're obviously not their favorite pet.
You may not be a bed of roses,
And you're no friend to those with noses.
Smelly cat, smelly cat what are they feeding you?
Smelly cat, smelly cat it's not your fault!

Hermione had to give Crabbe a little credit though. He knew most of the words and only had to repeat Smelly Cat 3 times when he got lost. The auditorium politely clapped, all the while giggling.

"Thank you, Mr. Crabbe for that... malodorous performance," it looked like Crabbe smiled at what he had thought had been a compliment. "Next is Blaise Zabini."

"Hey, Hermione. What does malodorous mean?" Harry asked as Blaise walked up for her turn at the mike.

"Well, it has several meanings but the one I think she means it that his performance stunk," Hermione responded with a smile.

Blaise got to the stage and Hermione winched at what she was wearing. Her outfit rivaled Lavender´s except Blasie wasn´t the petite size three that Lav was and a short, skintight skirt, with a skimpy tube top wasn´t exactly appropriate. Her ensemble was bright pink, and I mean bright. Hermione was instantly reminded of her Barbie´s convertible she was inseparable with throughout pre-school. Ok, throughout third grade but she didn´t like to say so.

Blaise assumed, what she must have thought was a sexy pose, bending one knee, to get ready but her top started inching down so she opted for standing up straight, and remained that way throughout her performance.

I'm a barbie girl, in a barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic.

you can brush my hair, undress me everywhere.

Imagination, that is your creation.

Come on Barbie, let's go party!

I'm a blond bimbo girl, in a fantasy world,

Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your darling.

You are my doll, rock'n'roll, feel the glamouring thing,

kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky.

The auditorium was dead silent for a few seconds when she finished before Prof. Starr began clapping, forcing everyone else to do the same. Blaise smirked at what she must of thought was a killer performance and merrily bounded towards her gaggle of girlfriends who were just so impressed and cooed at how great she was and they were all stunned silent so that´s why they didn´t clap right away.

Next up was Dean, followed by Seamus before Millicent took the stage in an unforgettably horrible rendition of Britney Spears. She wore a tight red leather halter top with matching pants which did nothing to flatter her figure.

I'm a slave for you
I cannot hold it, I cannot control it
I'm a slave for you
I won't deny it, I'm not trying to hide it

Baby, don't you wanna dance up on me
To another time and place
Oh, baby, don't you wanna dance up on me
Leaving behind my name and age
Like that. You like that?
Yeah. Now watch me

The funniest part was during the entire performance, it seemed that Millicent was singing only to Malfoy. She was pointing her index finger directly at him every time she said "You." Hermione peeked over at Malfoy who was doing his best to totally ignore her. Millicent completed her song with a wink in Malfoy´s direction and merrily skipped (well, as stealthily and evily as Slytherins skip) away to her seat.

"Very nice, Ms. Bulstrode. Well, we certainly have had some interesting performances today. Everyone is doing so... good," Professor Starr said tentatively, as if she was afraid to voice her true opinions. "Next up is...Pansy Parkinson!"

Pansy tossed her long blond hair behind her shoulders and marched up to the stage as if she owned the place. When the music came on, she opened her mouth and did a solo performance.

Oh, I, I,.....I
I wanna be bad witcha baby
I, I, I, I, I wanna be bad with ya baby

Do you
Understand what I need
From you
Just let me be the girl
To show you, you
Everything that you can be
Is everything that I can be (I wanna be)
My turn
Let me let you know that I, I can't
Promise that I won't do that
So, boy
State the time and place
'Cause you make me wanna misbehave

I wanna be bad (bad)
You make bad look so good
I've got things on my mind
I never thought I would
I, I wanna be bad (bad)
You make bad feel so good
I'm losing all my cool
I'm about to break the rules
I, I wanna be bad

Hermione joined her classmates in clapping at the end of her song. She was very surprised at how well Pansy had done.

"Very nice work, Ms. Parkinson. All right. Two of you are left," Prof Starr reminded. Hermione and Ron exchanged a look as they were the two leftovers. "Could Ron Weasley please entertain us?"

Ron sucked in a breath and closed his eyes for a moment. He got up and Hermione knew he was almost as nervous as Neville but hid it much better.

Ron took a deep breath up onstage and when the music began, he sang like he was born to, in a fabulous solo performance.

I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crushing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I've been running round in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl
Cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find

And even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crushing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

Hermione was shell-shocked after he completed his song. Could it be true? Could he truly have feelings for her? Wait. He didn´t look at you once during his song. What if you´re jumping to idiotic conclusions. Hermione tried in vain to ignore that little voice inside her head that made her doubt her own existence but it kept on talking. He was looking a whole lot at Lavender. Maybe he´s trying to reach out to her. Or... Oh no. He was looking at Pansy! Right at her!

Hermione´s eyes grew wide as she saw what she couldn´t comprehend. Ron´s eyes had been practically fixated on Pansy, her mind remembered, as he sang his dear little heart out. As Ron made his way down the stairs to his seat, she didn´t know what to do. A look of fear crossed her face. Should she say something? Ron, I´m so glad you have feelings for me too. I have been in love with you for a year or so now. Let´s date and then we can get married and see if we can beat your mother in how many little Weasley´s we can have running around at once! Oh, yeah that would go over real well.

"Brilliant, Ron! I must say, you have a lot of talent, young man. A lot of talent. Could Hermione Granger please come up?"

Hermione was so deep in thought about Ron that she nearly missed Professor Starr calling her name. She took a deep breath and stood up. She finally resolved what she would do. When she sang, she wouldn´t look toward Ron at all. She´d look directly down the middle. Little did she realize that the Slytherins were seated in the center.

* * * * *

"What did I do?" Ron moaned to Harry as he sat down, his eyes watching Hermione go up to the stage.

"You were great, Ron. You were probably the best singer today," Harry encouraged.

"That´s not the point! Did you see her face? She was mortified! She couldn´t believe I had any feelings for her! I´m such an idiot. I´m so lucky I couldn´t look directly at her while singing. At least now I can play it off as liking someone else. Oh! How could you talk me into singing a song for her?" Ron complained.

But whatever Harry was going to answer was halted by Hermione taking the microphone. Ron thought Hermione looked absolutely beautiful up onstage, all dressed in white. Actually, he always thought she looked beautiful. Even when she was in her pyjamas, with bed head and morning breath, but he never dared say so.

Hermione began singing and it took Ron´s breath away.

There's so much life I've left to live
And this fire is burning still
When I watch you look at me
I think I could find the will
To stand for every dream
And forsake this solid ground
And give up this fear within
Of what would happen if they ever knew
I'm in love with you
'Cause I'd surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'd make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'd make you give them all to me
I'd hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender
I know I can't survive
Another night away from you
You're the reason I go on
And now I need to live the truth
Right now, there's no better time
From this fear I will break free
And I'll live again with love
And no they can't take that away from me
And they will see...
'Cause I'd surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'd make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'd make you give them all to me
I'd hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender
Every night's getting longer
And this fire is getting stronger, babe
I'll swallow my pride and I'll be alive
Can't you hear my call
I surrender all
'Cause I'd surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'd make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'd make you give them all to me
I'd hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender
Right here, right now
O give my life to live again
I'll break free, take me
My everything, I surrender all to you
Right here, right now
O give my life to live again
I'll break free, take me
My everything, I surrender all to you

When Hermione finished, everyone, including Prof. Starr was stunned. Ron knew Hermione could sing, but he had never in all his fifteen years heard anyone sing as good as that. The entire auditorium erupted in the largest standing ovation ever and Ron could tell even Snape was impressed.

When the applause died down, Prof. Starr motioned for Hermione to stop walking offstage.

"Hermione. I have never heard anyone who wasn´t a professional sing like that. That was beyond words. You have such an amazing gift. A gift only about one in a million are blessed with. I am just... so surprised," Prof. Starr smiled. "Congratulations. You truly are a star."

Hermione smiled back shyly and went back to her seat with everyone whispering words of awe and astonishment as she went by them.

It was just then that the words of Hermione´s song sunk into Ron´s thick skull. He was overjoyed for a minute. She likes me! Then his mental smile faded and a feeling of dread spread over him. Oh no. She didn´t look at me once during her performance. She was looking at Harry. Wait. No. She was looking at someone else. Right at Draco Malfoy. Ron´s face drained of color. She´s in love with Malfoy.

* * * * *

"I know it."

"Ron," Harry sighed. "You don´t know anything. For the thousandth time, Hermione is not in love with Malfoy!"

"Yes, she is!" Ron insisted. "She had her lovey dovey eyes set only on him the whole time! I should have seen this coming."

"You are being absolutely ridiculous, Ron. I´m going to let it go, calling it side effects of being in love. You need to work this out with Hermione. Be brave! You weren´t put into Gryffindor for nothing," Harry encouraged.

Ron shook his head. "I´m telling you. She likes him!"

Harry threw his hands up in exasperation. "You´re right. How could I have been so blind. My, all those times Hermione has complained about, yelled at, and slapped Malfoy, was all in the name of denying her everlasting love for him. You are so quick."

Ron seriously looked at Harry. "See. What did I tell ya. Love hurts. Especially if it´s forbidden. That´s why she likes him. She´s acting out of her perfect, good-girl image." At this point, Ron began furiously pacing the floor of their dorm room.

"And!" Ron lit up, "The song matched her feelings. `I'd surrender everything, to feel the chance to live again.´ Ha! She´s saying how she would give up everything and everyone to be with him since she knows no one would approve. She feels alive with Malfoy since she´s acting out." Ron stopped pacing for a moment. "Man, I´m good."

Harry couldn´t contain his chuckles any longer. "Ron, you have thought this over way too much. What if she´s simply saying that she´d forget all her doubts and fears, by letting you into her heart. So what if you cross the line between best friends and something more? She would be willing to do it."

Ron shook his head, pitying Harry. "Sorry, mate. You´ve got it all wrong. When you have more experience with women, you´ll understand."

"And O´ Great Knowledgeable One, what great romantic experiences have you had?" Harry asked with a smirk.

Ron turned red. "That´s besides the point. The point, " he emphasized, "is that our best friend, whom we have practically grown up with, is in love with our worst enemy. And not with me," he finished, his shoulders drooping.

Harry knew Ron was focusing so much on Hermione and Malfoy since he feared rejection. Just because Hermione didn´t pop out of her seat, kiss Ron soundly on the lips, and declare her undying love for him at the exact moment he completed his song, made Ron think that Hermione would never like him.

"Ron," Harry said slowly. "You are hopeless."

* * * * *

"How could I do that?"

"Hermione, it´s ok," Parvati said consoling her anguished friend.

"No, it´s not!" Hermione shouted into her pillow. She was lying on her stomach, on her bed, her face buried in her soft feather pillow that was currently drenched in her salty tears. "It will never be ok, unless I can turn back time and do a different song," she wailed.

The three other teens, Lavender, Parvati, and Ginny, exchanged worried looks.

"You were fantastic, Hermione," Lavender tried.

Hermione finally sat up, wiping her tears from her red face. "Yeah, but Ron didn´t think so. He had this look of..of.. of humiliation on his face! He was ashamed! He can´t stand the thought of being with me! And he was practically drooling over Pansy," she cried, blowing her nose rather loudly in a tissue Ginny had thoughtfully handed her.

"Umm. Hermione. Parvati and I were there and Ron was in no way, `drooling over Pansy.´ He was definitely drooling over you, though." Lavender said.

"Oh yeah? Then why did he completely avoid my eyes?" Hermione asked, her own eyes filling up again. "How can I be so stupid? Here I am, Hermione Granger, crying over......BOYS! I should be studying for next month´s Transfiguration test or writing to my parents, or having a S.P.E.W revival, but not wasting my perfectly good tears over Ron Weasley."

"Hermione, you just need a good night´s sleep is all," Ginny reasoned and proceeded to tuck Hermione in bed, an extra-large box of Kleenex tissues with Lotion, on her nightstand.

"Ok. Only, wake my when this year is over," Hermione pleaded.

The other three rolled their eyes.

"Goodnight, Hermione," they chorused.

"Night."

* * * *