To One Thing Constant Never

PART THE FIRST (the announcement)

The typical dull buzz of conversation filled the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on one particular evening in early September. Students were still adjusting to the shock of returning to school, and discussing the events of their summer vacations.

Seventh-year twins Fred and George Weasley were having a particularly good time of it, telling "embellished" stories to frighten a few gullible first-years.

"Snape's the worst," Fred told a young Gryffindor boy.

George nodded soberly. "When I was a first-year I . . . erm . . . accidentally caused an explosion and burned Snape's eyebrows off, and he turned me into a newt."

His twin shot him a skeptical glance.

George shrugged sheepishly. "I got bett - OW!" He looked across the table to see fifth-year Hermione Granger, a friend of his younger brother Ron's, glaring reprovingly at him. George had opened his mouth to ask what she thought she was doing when the high-pitched tinkling of silver against glass cut through the dull roar of conversation.

"Attention? May I have your attention please?" Professor Minerva McGonagall waited for the students to fall silent before clearing her throat and continuing. "Now, as some of you may have heard, Professors Dumbeldore, Snape and I have been discussing the possibility of introducing an extracurricular theatre program into Hogwarts School for quite some time, and after much consideration have decided to hold auditions for an all-school play, Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing.'"

A few whispers echoed throughout the Great Hall.

"I know," McGonagall continued, "that some of you are not familiar with the works of William Shakespeare. However, for those of you interested in being a part of the performance, some information, as well as scripts for students to read, will be available in my office. I trust that those of you who take part in this activity will find the experience most enjoyable."

At this, the Professor returned to her seat at the teachers' table.

As students clamored out of the Great Hall to retire to their dormitories for the evening, the first-ever school play was the main topic of conversation.

"I absolutely adore Shakespeare!" Hermione, grinning, told Harry and Ron as they entered the Gryffindor Common Room. "I've read all of his works, and my parents sometimes take me to see his plays in London. And 'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of my favourites!"

Ron shook his head in disbelief as he and Harry headed for the boys' dormitories. "Imagine, being so excited about a silly play. I've said it before . . . " He jerked a thumb in the direction of the girls' dormitories. "Mental, that one."