A Good Time For Change

Chapter 4

Backstage at `Full Moon Club´

"Come on, guys, let´s go!" Kelli said, waving the girls towards the stage, which had the curtain drawn around it. Kelli was wearing a scarlet halter-top covered partly by a jeans jacket, and low-rider jeans, with wild flares. She commenced adjusting the mike stand and tuning her acoustic and electric guitars.

"I feel so weird," Gwen said, staring at herself in the backstage mirror. Her waist-length, pink hair had been turned a shocking, silvery blonde, her wings were nowhere in sight, and she was even taller than normal. "I can´t believe this is what I´d look like if I was completely human." Gwen was dressed in a short, plain black dress, with a flattering, low scoop neck. She then went over to her bass, and began tuning, softly.

"Shhh," Hermione said, smacking Gwen´s arm, playfully as she set up her keyboard. Hermione was wearing a short, black mini-skirt, and a pink, sleeveless blouse that buttoned up the front. "You don´t want anybody to think you´re abnormal, remember?" She winked. "´Cause we all know it´s true."

Ginny laughed. Her fiery-red hair was falling almost to her waist in ringlets, and the silvery tank top--which matched her giant hoop earrings--she was wearing was a sharp contrast. She was wearing jet-black flares, too, and her midriff was exposed. Hopping onto her chair behind the drum set, she said, "Kelli, your bag never ceases to amaze me. Where´s the 16" crash cymbal?"

Kelli stuck her head into a large, black back, and then proceeded to pull the cymbal out, sticking it with the rest of Ginny´s drum equipment. "I know. It´s fantastic. Forget all those giant trunks, boys and girls, just buy one of Kelli´s amazing Expand-a-Bags!" She giggled and smiled at the rest of the band.

"So, what will be the first song ever played in public by The Faeries? Shall it be...All I Can Do?" Kelli asked, turning to her friends. They all nodded, smiling. "A´ight. Get ready." Kelli nodded to the man who was running the soundboard and curtain, and the curtain flew open. The bodies were packed in tight around the stage, but they could clearly make out the forms of Harry, Ron, and Matt, who were sitting at a table about fifteen feet away. The Faeries smiled at the shocked looks on the boys´ faces.

"Good evening, London!" Kelli´s melodious voice roared into the mike. The crowd cheered, and Kelli´s eyes followed a redhead as he made his way onto the dance floor. "Are you ready to rock?" Everybody screamed. "Are you ready to roll?" Everybody screamed even louder. "Are you ready to rock and roll?!" The noise was deafening. "Well, here´s The Faeries to take you there!"

Kelli started jamming loudly on her guitar, and Ron´s mouth dropped open visibly. Hermione´s amazing chords flew from the keyboard, Gwen´s silvery-blonde hair rocked back and forth as she strummed on her bass, and Ginny´s curls flew wildly as she smashed her drumsticks into the cymbals.

Kelli´s voice seemed to circle around the club as she started to sing. "It's like I've got nothing to do but think about you (all I can do, all I can do)." Her voice echoed. The band played for a little bit more, and then she started on the first verse.

The crowd pulsed with the music, and Ron felt that he was uncomfortably close to everyone, but had to get to the stage. He had to get there!

"Everyday is a new day.

And I don't have to pretend.

All my friends think I'm crazy...

But I don't want this to end.

"When I have the chance I wanna say to you

Wishing I could take back what I put you through.

I'll never do it again! (Do it again!)

We´re like oil and water, still we somehow mix,

Ad what used to be broken is somehow fixed.

Its hard to explai-ain..."

Harry, for some reason unknown to him, couldn´t take his eyes off Hermione. Her face glowed with happiness as chords soared out of her keyboard. Entranced by her beauty, he tried to make his way to the stage, but he, like Ron, was lost in the crowd.

Gwen, Hermione, and Ginny joined Kelli on the chorus.

"It´s like I got nothing to do but think about you!

I've got all the time in the world.

If you look in my heart

You´ll know from the start.

That it´s all I can do...

Not to think about you!"

The other girls faded out, and then it was just Kelli´s voice and the blaring instruments, again.

"I gave you good reason

To walk out that door

Let me tell you I've learned a thing or two!"

Kelli´s fingers danced along her guitar, and the huge smile plastered on her face revealed how happy she was. That hair, brown with red and gold mixed in, fell in a sheet around her, flying around as she waved her head.

"And I'm so amazed at the things you do.

Now don´t let me go, oh no!

"I know some people say,

That opposites attract.

If that's the truth then we,

We´re meant to be together forever!"

The whole band sang again for the chorus, and some of the people writhing on the dance floor sang along, too.

"It´s like I got nothing to do but think about you!

I've got all the time in the world.

If you look in my heart

You´ll know from the start.

That it´s all I can do...

Not to think about you!"

All of a sudden, Kelli´s eyes flicked to Ron during the quick, musical interlude. He was staring at her with rapt attention. His ears went crimson when he saw her looking back at him, but she merely winked and kept playing.

"I know some people say,

That opposites attract.

If that's the truth then we,

We´re meant to be together forever!

"It´s like I got nothing to do but think about you!

I've got all the time in the world.

If you look in my heart

You´ll know from the start.

That it´s all I can do...

Not to think about you!"

People screamed in joy as the song ended. The applause was wild, and The Faeries were grinning from ear to ear. Ginny then banged her drumsticks together, shouting, "One, two, one, two, three, four!"

The girls started playing an even faster-paced song than the last, half salsa/half pop. An interesting mix, really. Halfway through, Kelli switched from her electric guitar to some sort of Mexican sitar, which was a nice effect. At the end, all the girls shouted, "HEY!" Again, wild cheers swept the crowd.

Kelli waited for the applause to die down and then spoke into the microphone. "You´ve been a great audience! Thanks everybody! That´s all from The Faeries for now, but don´t stop dancing, because there´s going to be some more slamming music and dancing in just a minute!"

The crowd cheered as the curtains closed. Several minutes later, the girls maneuvered their way over to the table where Matt, Ron, and Harry were sitting sipping Coca-Colas. "You´re right, Kelli," Matt said, cheerfully, taking another sip from his glass.

"Of course I am," Kelli replied, snatching Ron´s glass and taking a sip before he could do anything. She put a hand over his mouth to muffle his `hey!´ "What was I right about this time, though?" Kelli set the glass back in front of Ron and pulled her hand away.

"These Coke things really are great!" Harry said, grinning. He pulled the chair out that was in between himself and Ron, and motioned for Kelli to sit down. The other girls sat down sitting in a clockwise pattern like this: Hermione, Harry, Kelli, Ron, Gwen, Matt, and Ginny--who was also sitting next to Hermione.

"That was rude," Ron muttered, going to get the girls´ sodas. Everybody laughed.

"Hey, humor is the only thing that keeps intelligent people from hanging themselves." Kelli took another sip of Ron´s Coke in his absence. She let out a satisfied sigh as Ron returned with the girls´ sodas.

"I saw that, Roberts," Ron said with a smile, handing her a glass. "Don´t let me catch you at it again!" He winked at her and she laughed. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and thought the same thing. Uh-oh, Ron´s at it, again! At this point in Ron´s life, his hormones were quickly taking over some of his more logical reasoning.

"Excuse moi, mademoiselle," came a pleasant French voice from behind Gwen. "But would you care to join moi for a dance?" The man was tall, dark, and handsome. Ginny shoved Gwen out of her chair and at him.

"Have a great time, darling!" Ginny called after Gwen. She, however, was busy shooting Ginny poisonous stares, but Ginny just shot her a sickeningly sweet smile. Gwen stuck out her tongue and disappeared into the crowd.

"May I `ave this dance, Gin´?" Matt asked, standing up and offering Ginny his hand. The music was blaring again, and the mass of bodies was once again writhing about on the dance floor. Ginny smiled up at Matt.

"I´d love to! Catch you guys, later!" Matt dragged Ginny from the table, smiling and jabbering happily.

"Hey, Hermione--" Harry said at the same time Hermione said, "Hey, Harry--"

"You go first," said Harry. Hermione shook her head.

"You go first," Hermione quipped.

"Oh, shut up and dance." Harry and Hermione looked at Kelli. "Go!" She waved her hands at them. "Now, before I get angry! Move it or lose it!" They stood up, still hesitant. "Do you want me to go Medieval on you? Now!" Throwing a last glance back at Kelli, who was now sitting alone with Ron, they, too, disappeared into the crowd. Kelli let out a satisfied chuckle. "Could they be any more obvious?" Sipping her Coke, she glanced at Ron.

"Maybe if Harry shoved his tongue down Hermione´s throat." Kelli snorted and nearly spilled her soda. She stared wide-eyed at Ron.

"What did you say?" There was a mischievous sparkle in her eye. Ron--as well as the rest of our characters--by now knew that look. It was the look that Kelli got when she was up to something. And usually--if you were on the right end of the plan--it was a boatload and a half of fun.

"I said, `Maybe if Harry shoved his tongue down Hermione´s throat.´ So, what´s the plan?" Ron grinned and took another sip of his soda.

"Who said anything about a plan?" Kelli asked, feigning innocence.

"You can´t pull off the innocence thing, Kelli. It´s just not you." Kelli smiled. "Want to dance?"

Kelli stood and grabbed his hand. "I´d love to! Let´s go!" Dragging Ron onto the dance floor, she put her arms around his neck, and they swayed to the music. "So, do you want to hear about my new project?"

Ron was feeling dizzy just being so near to her, but managed a nod. What´s wrong with me? This is Kelli! Kelli flashed a dazzling smile at him. Oh. That´s it. He gulped, and Kelli started talking.

"Okay, now, it´s obvious that Harry and Hermione want in each other´s pants--" at that point Ron snorted, and Kelli´s smile grew wider. "Our job, is to get some accomplices for the crime--" Ron smiled, "--and formulate a plan. I say we call it Operation Pumpkin Pie!"

Ron looked puzzled. "Why Pumpkin Pie?" Kelli looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I don´t know." Kelli shrugged her shoulders; carefully making sure that her jeans jacket didn´t reveal any of her shoulders or back. "It just seems appropriate."

Ron planted a friendly kiss on top of her head, laughing. "You´re so weird, Kelli." He smiled down at her, blushing to the tips of his ears.

"Thanks, Ron. You´re not so bad yourself." Then, she let out a sigh, and rested her head on his chest. She heard the rapid thumping of his heart, but didn´t comment. Kelli was certain that her own was beating as fast--if not faster.

One Week Before Term, After a Long Day At Diagon Alley...

"My neck is absolutely killing me after reading all those ruddy titles at Flourish and Blott´s," Kelli moaned, rubbing the offending appendage. Rolling her head around, she threw herself onto the couch in the Gryffindor common room. "I love this couch. I completely call dibs on it for homework this year!" she called to her friends, who were heading up to the dorms.

Ron smiled back at her. Calling down the stairs, he said, "Get off your lazy arse, Kelli, and help me with all these books you made me buy!" He smiled as she jumped up and tore up the stairs to the boys´ dorm, indignant waves pouring off of her.

"I never made you buy a thing! Simply suggesting someone to buy a fantastic book isn´t the same as forcing them to!" Kelli smiled as she entered the boys´ dorm.

"I thought Hermione was a bookworm," Harry muttered, waving at the large pile of books on his four-poster. "You make her look like an amateur, Kelli." He promptly fell over after being hit in the side of the head with a pillow. "I´ve been hit!" he cried, pretending to be shot. Then, Hermione, Ginny, and Gwen walked in.

"Come on, Kelli. You have to put up all those shelves you bought!" Gwen said, tapping her foot. "You´ll need them after all those books you picked out, today."

"How many did you buy, anyway?" Matt asked, propping himself on one elbow upon his bed.

Kelli blushed crimson. Then, she began counting off on her fingers. "Um...thirteen, besides schoolbooks--no, wait...seventeen." Everyone stared at her. "What? I haven´t been to a decent bookstore in ages! The Ink Bottle is the best in the U.S., and it hasn´t half the selection of Flourish and Blott´s!" Hermione rolled her eyes. Even Hogwarts´ most infamous bookworm could hardly believe how many books the American witch had bought.

"We´ll see you guys later!" Ginny called over her shoulder, as they exited the boys´ dorm. Kelli was being dragged by Hermione, and protesting about injustice towards well-read young women all the way. Gwen was smiling happily, glad to be free of her glamour, and to have her pink hair and wings back.

Once the shelves had been successfully put up, the girls settled down for a talk in the comfy armchairs Kelli had magicked up from the common room. They did this every evening after supper and homework--which they had no more of until the beginning of term.

"So, Hermione," Kelli said, trying to casually strike up a conversation, "who do you think is going to be--uh...the fifth year Gryffindor prefect?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I haven´t the foggiest idea. It´s all based on grades, not anything else, so it could be anybody." Hermione looked thoughtful. "My best guess would be Harry, actually."

Ginny and Gwen raised their eyebrows at Kelli who glared at them. "Really? So, Hermione...is there really anything more to You and Harry than just...You and Harry?"

"What on earth do you mean, Kelli?" Hermione laughed, nearly causing Hogwarts, A History to fall from her lap. "What--what do you mean by `You and Harry´," she asked, tears of mirth falling from her eyes. "Is that supposed to mean something to me? Is this some sort of secret code, or some such rot?"

Kelli bit down hard on her lip, almost drawing blood. "No, I mean...are you and Harry...you know...dating?" The bursts of laughter pouring from Hermione´s mouth were a definite answer. The poor American witch looked to the other girls, silently pleading for help.

"Come no, Hermione," Gwen said, sounding disapproving, making Hermione promptly stop laughing. "It was a simple enough question. It´s obvious that You and Harry are very close, closer than You and Ron are, for example."

"That´s because Ron´s a bull-headed git," Hermione said. That comment made both Ginny and Kelli say, "Hey!" in their most indignant voices. "Now, really, Harry can just be easier to get along with, is all."

Kelli rolled her eyes at the other two girls. "Well," Hermione said, "what´s with you and Ron? You two seem to be extremely friendly." Hermione shot Kelli a coy smile. "Is something going on that we don´t know about?" She leaned forward in her chair, placing her head on her closed fists. "Spill!"

"There´s nothing going on!" Kelli replied, huffily. "We´re just planning--I mean..." I just signed my death warrant. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Ron and I have about a snowball´s chance in July of ever getting together!"

Ginny whispered to Gwen, "I think I see a snowstorm coming." Gwen giggled, and Kelli glared at the two of them. Her eyes were narrowed to slits, and her gaze was icy.

"I heard that. It´s not funny. How would you like it, Ginny, if I accused you of having a crush on Matt?" Ginny´s mouth dropped open in shock.

"What on earth are you babbling on about?" However, her ears turned red--a Weasley trademark of either lying, or embarrassment.

"It´s true!" Gwen giggled. She pointed at Ginny´s ears. "Red as a peony!"

"It´s Weasel red, not peony red," came an all-too-familiar voice from the door.

Kelli´s eyes went wide as she turned to the door. Leaning elegantly against the doorframe with his signature smirk was none other than Draco Malfoy. Hermione whipped out her wand and pointed it at him. "This is a girls dorm Malfoy, not to mention the fact that it´s in Gryffindor Tower. How´d you get in here?"

"Don´t talk to me that way, Mudblood." Draco sneered. Kelli went mad with rage, and whipped out her own wand.

"Don´t you dare call her that, Malfoy. And you´re one to talk. One of your great-grandmothers was a veela." The flitting shocked expression on Malfoy´s face rang true, and the other girls´ eyes went wide. "And another was a vampire." Draco´s mouth was hanging open. "You´re no one to talk of the pureness of blood. You´re an entire quarter non-human. I´d rather be entirely human than entirely magical." Throughout the speech, Kelli had been prodding Malfoy harshly in the chest with her wand--thirteen and a half inches, dragon wood, and Phoenix feather, odd combination, but it worked--and forcing him down the stairs and into the common room.

Draco opened his mouth to return a scathing reply, but found he hadn´t one. He, for the first time in his life, had nothing to say. Malfoy was directly in front of the portrait hole, and all the current residents of the tower were staring at himself and Kelli in wonder. "Here´s another hint, Malfoy," Kelli said, placing her index finger under his chin. "Mouth looks better closed." She shut it with a snap, and then shoved him out the portrait hole. "If you even think of coming back," she said, glaring icily at him, sprawled upon the ground, "then I´ll cut off your balls, ground them to dust, put them in a paper bag, and deliver them to Dobby the house-elf, who will then bake them in a disgusting, tuna-noodle casserole, which you will then be force-fed. Am I perfectly clear?" With a last prod of her wand, Kelli spun back around and slammed the portrait hole shut with a `bang!´

"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron said, clapping her on the back. He felt her tremble violently under his touch. "Holy cricket, are you okay?" Kelli nodded weakly, and Ron half-carried, half-supported her to the nearest couch, where she collapsed in a shuddering mound.

"Someone should go and get Poppy," she said, before promptly passing out.