Chronicles of The Boy Who Lived

*******

Tori painfully took off her sunglasses as she approached the keyboards. Chanel looked worse than her by far; her head was down and her sunglasses were still on as she shuffled slowly towards the drums.

Harry stood in front of them on the stage, watching the two of them fumble with their equipment. He had come home last night to find Tori out cold, barely on the couch, and Chanel's door shut, as usual. It was when he tried to wake them up this morning that he had deduced that they had gone out last night.

Chanel had shouted loudly, and colorfully, for Harry to go away, both times he had knocked on her door. So he went over to the couch and hesitantly tried to wake Tori up. First by calling her name, and when that didn't cause her to stir, he reached over and shook her on the shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open, out of focus, as she tried to find what had woken her up.

Harry cleared his throat. "Rough night?"

Tori turned her head slowly to see Harry. "Oh, hi," she whispered. He noticed that her face looked slightly green.

"You okay?" he asked cautiously.

She tried lifting her head up to speak. "Yeah, I--oh,"

The sentence was cut off as her hand flew over her mouth. As Harry watched in amazement, she bolted off of the couch and tripped over her feet in order to get to the bathroom. Tori slipped on the rug as she crossed through the doorway. Harry heard her curse and turned around in time to hear her fall as the door drifted towards the closed position, but not quite making it.

He paused at the door, not sure what to do. "Er, you all right?"

Her voice sounded strangely magnified as she answered. "Yeah. Fell on my good knee."

Harry winced as her heard her gag twice. He knew he should probably leave her alone, but as Chanel wasn't awake, he was curious. "Uh, what'd you two do last night?"

There was a pause. Tori coughed, then said, "Drank. But I don't underst--"

He waited for her second bout to finish. "What don't you understand?"

She pushed herself off of the ground, feeling a tad bit better, but grimaced at her reflection in the mirror. You look like shit warmed over. "I only had one shot. That's it. Chan had, God, at least five or six..." she remembered, reaching for her toothbrush. "She was done for, that's for sure. But I only had the one, and my throat is still burning."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck absently while she brushed her teeth. "What'd you have?"

Tori winced inwardly; even the name was making her shiver. "Something called Firewhiskey."

"What? You--really?" he asked, surprised. Where had Chanel taken her?

"Yeah," she answered, using her fingers to comb her hair back into a ponytail.

Harry backed up as she opened the door slowly. She smiled thinly, her face no longer tinted an unusual color. He pondered what to say as she inched around the couch and sat down carefully. "That's....uh, strong stuff, Firewhiskey."

"You're telling me. I didn't know about it before, and I wish I never had found out." she mumbled, her eyes closing.

Harry watched her for a minute, then looked at his watch. "See you in a couple hours, right?"

"Mm hm," came the reply.

***

Two hours later, they had just run through the first song, where Chanel lagged behind on the beat, feeling as if the drumsticks were banging on her head. Harry had turned around to say something, thought better of it, and just stared at Chanel to get the point across.

Tori didn't fare well either; she missed three of her singing passes on the bridge, causing Harry to turn around again and look at her, his eyes slightly wide and concerned. This caused Tori's fingers to slip off of the keyboard.

Chanel had snickered at that, but immediately regretted it as a sharp pain pounded through her head. She wondered if Tori had told Harry where they went last night--or with whom. She was hoping not, because what Harry didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And she knew he'd be more than a tad upset upon finding out they had been out with Draco.

An hour later, Harry called a halt to the painstakingly-slow rehearsal; not one song had gone through its entirety without a mistake. Somewhat peeved, he mumbled a good-bye and took off, leaving Tori and Chanel to thankfully head back home, hoping to get some sleep.

Back at the flat, Chanel unlocked the door and headed straight for her room, where she fell onto her bed without closing her door. Tori was headed to the bathroom when she stopped in front of Chanel's room, catching a light, fragrant scent. She peered into Chanel's room and saw flowers sitting on her dresser.

"Those smell great," she managed quietly, prompting Chanel's head to lift of the bed a few inches. "They smell like the lotion you wear."

Chanel blearily looked at the purple flowers. "Yeah," was all she said, before letting her head fall back onto the bed.

"Are they from...Draco?"

"Suppose so," came the reply. Suddenly, she thought of something and spoke as Tori was about to leave. "Remember Goyle's repercussion?"

Tori thought, frowning. "No, I don't."

"The sound equipment? Speakers? Ring a bell?"

Tori's eyes widened as she recalled the question Draco had asked of Goyle.

"The wonderfully engrossing time that HP's spent with Mike from Sound and the copper wire is because of Goyle and his stupid jinx! What an ass!" Chanel grunted, laying back down but turning on her side.

"You can say that again," Tori replied, upset. "For that, I hope they both wake up next month."

Chanel opened her mouth to say something, but she suddenly waved Tori out. "Shut the door!" she hissed, turning her back to Tori.

Tori blinked, and automatically grabbed the door, pulling it shut. She heard why not one second later, as the front door opened, and Harry walked in, still looking grim.

Tori looked down, feeling guilty, and her stomach lurched; from him or the Firewhiskey, she wasn't sure. 50/50 shot. Oh, god, don't think of shots... "Hi," she said, letting her hand fall from the doorknob.

"Is Chanel sleeping?" he asked flatly, walking past her with his guitar case.

"Yes," she answered immediately, now understanding why Chanel had wanted the door shut.

Harry continued on to his room, so Tori climbed back onto the couch, but didn't feel like sleeping, so she opened her notebook and stared at what she had written.

Ten minutes later, she heard Harry's footsteps and looked up. "We need to have another rehearsal. The concert's tomorrow and we need to get it together."

Tori nodded, wanting to say sorry, but not sound feeble. "You're right. When?"

Harry looked at his watch. It was just after one. "How about four?"

"Sure thing. I'll tell Chanel."

Harry looked like he wanted to say something else, but decided not to. "I'm going back over there now, so can you make sure you're both there by then?"

Tori nodded and spoke, her voice small. "Of course."

"See you in a bit." Harry said, before leaving.

***

At 3:15, Tori went and knocked on Chanel's door, where she was greeted with a resounding, "No!"

Resisting the urge to back away, Tori opened the door a crack and said timidly, "Chan, Harry wants us back at the arena by four. We're having another rehearsal."

Chanel swore loudly and turned over, her eyes still closed. "God," she said, and sat up. She opened her eyes and looked at Tori. "Damn taskmaster," she muttered as she slipped on her shoes, knowing that he was right and cursing it all the same.

"Mind you, don't go fumbling on back-up if he looks at you." Chanel said half an hour later, as they walked down the arena hallway.

"That was because of last night!" Tori said indignantly, praying she wasn't turning red. "I was toast." And so were you, she thought, but didn't speak.

Chanel rolled her eyes as they came upon the stage. She muttered something about being preschool, and took her place at the drum set. Tori flipped the switch on her keyboards as Harry walked up, slipping the guitar strap over his shoulder. Without looking back at them, he said, "Let's warm up with Erised."

Chanel softly tamped the cymbals as Harry strummed solemnly, his eyes closed. Tori focused on keeping her fingers in place.

Chanel caught Tori glancing up at Harry, and snorted lightly, causing her mind to slip momentarily. Chanel looked up to see Harry's shoulders tense slightly, but continued nonetheless.

After the song ended, Harry turned around. "Chanel, everything okay?"

She smiled quickly and gave him a thumbs up. He turned to Tori. "How did that feel?"

He looked so serious that Tori didn't want to say anything other than something good. "It sounds better than it did earlier." she offered, smiling briefly.

Chanel snorted again, nearly falling off her stool. However, Harry had already turned around and started speaking. "Fine. Let's pick up on the seventh bar of Tears of the Phoenix." He looked back at Chanel. "Three-fourths."

Chanel nodded, and Harry began the soft opening. As he turned around, she let her shoulders slump somewhat, thinking, What's with all the slow, sad shit today?

As the last notes of the song faded away, a stagehand appeared and motioned to Harry from the side. "That was better, " he acknowledged, nodding and lifting the guitar strap over his head. Be right back."

Chanel dropped her drumsticks on the ground, sighing. "Gods, all this slow stuff is harshing my vibe." Not that I could tolerate loud noise yet, but still...

"Your Firewhiskey vibe?" Tori asked, as Chanel stretched luxuriously.

Chanel raised her brow, and said, "I feel pumped for tomorrow's concert."

And with that, Chanel grabbed her drumsticks back up and burst into a wild drum solo as Tori watched, amused. "That must've been it," she said dryly.

Chanel continued crashing the cymbals loudly. "Can't hear you!" She executed a percussion roll and bashed twice on the cymbals to end her rant.

The momentary silence was broken by the sound of clapping from the front row. Slightly startled, Chanel glanced at Tori before blinking into the blinding lights. Tori returned the look with a blank one before she also turned to the front row, her eyes batting rapidly against the glare of the lights, and a second later she gasped.

Draco strolled up to the stage. "Nice, ladies."

Tori gaped. She hadn't seen anyone in the seats when rehearsal had started.

He turned to Tori. "Erised is becoming a swan song of sorts."

Tori frowned. "Swan song?"

"Yes. It's certainly something to be remembered by. You should consider playing it at the end."

Chanel frowned slightly; she hadn't thought of that. "Perhaps."

Draco's hands slipped into the pockets of his dark gray slacks. "Will you be playing Snitch?"

"That's the plan," Chanel said.

He smiled softly. "Mm. I like that song. Reminds me of when Slytherin beat Ravenclaw in the opening match of the season."

Tori's face drew a blank. Those...names?... sounded familiar. She made a mental note to ask Harry about them; she thought he might have mentioned something like that during the three-hour conversation.

Chanel chuckled mirthlessly. "I don't think that's what Tori had in mind."

Draco shifted his penetrating gaze to Tori as he answered, "It's a credit to your band, really. Despite the intentions."

Chanel's laugh died and she glanced at Tori.

"Thanks. I think." Tori managed, watching the both of them.

Draco turned back to Chanel. "Had a pleasant sleep, I hope?"

"Something like that."

"I take it then that you've received the flowers." He suddenly looked down at his shoes, causing his hair to spill over his face.

"Yes. They were beautiful." Chanel replied in an even tone.

Draco's head tilted up, and he smiled through the curtain of golden hair. Chanel was taken aback, her breath catching in her throat. "Then all is forgiven." he said.

Chanel glanced over at Tori. She wasn't sure what he meant by that.

Tori didn't know either; she shrugged helplessly.

"Yes." Chanel smiled slightly, as the meaning of the flowers dawned on her. "Oh, yes..."

Draco swept the hair from his face. "Good. See you at the concert."

"Malfoy."

Tori and Chanel turned to look as Harry walked up behind them.

"Potter." Draco replied, watching Harry bemusedly.

There was a swift silence before Chanel tapped on the snare lightly, to remind Harry that they were continuing the rehearsal.

Tori coughed. "Glad you liked the solo, but we're starting up again, so..." Tori looked down as a slight smirk crossed her face, thinking good-bye. She glanced at Harry while she flexed her fingers and flipped through the sheet music. "What are we going over next?

"You might want to practice 'Seal of Gryffindor,'" Draco intoned smoothly, as Harry looked up. "It's a bit inflated."

Chanel's lips pursed as Harry glared down at Draco. "Run your own show, Malfoy," he said stiffly.

"I was just suggesting," Draco said, turning away.

"I'd suggest you try rehearsing more often with your band." Harry shot back. "Maybe then you'd move from headlining to premiering."

Draco stopped and turned back towards Harry, his eyes glinting. "Is that a challenge, Potter?"

Chanel stood up abruptly. "I have something for you to give Sharon." she said, addressing Draco, who barely took any notice. "Now."

Neither Harry nor Draco moved, and she cast an agitated look over at Tori.

Tori stepped out from behind her keyboards, watching Draco carefully as she moved next to Harry. "Harry," she said, speaking to him quietly. "I need to ask you something... about Erised."

Chanel slipped from behind her set and walked to the edge of the stage, hopped down and looked at Draco meaningfully. "It's in my room."

She reached out and gently pulled on his arm, but he didn't move. "Next time, Potter."

"Draco." Chanel said, her tone firm, and Draco stopped scowling to look at her.

"Let's go."

Harry watched them go, struggling to control his breathing before turning on Tori. "What the hell was that about?"

Her eyes widened at his outburst. "With you and Draco? I don't know."

"No, your poor excuse for a distraction!" he said, incensed, causing Tori's mouth to drop.

"Wh-what would you have me do?" she sputtered after a moment. "Sing and dance for you?"

The corners of Harry's mouth twitched fleetingly, but he continued. "Don't go off subject. Why did you and Chanel have to get involved?"

Tori made an exasperated sound. "Maybe because we are? We just started this tour, and you both are at it again." Besides the few instances of friction between Harry and Draco that she had witnessed; there had been a part in The Conversation (as she referred to it now) in which Harry had said he and Malfoy had been enemies all throughout school, called him quite a few names and said that he didn't trust him.

Naturally, Tori's next question had been 'Why the hell are we touring with him if you two hate each other's guts?'

Harry's sour response was that it was the deal that Chanel had worked out; he himself didn't know all of the details nor was he at all happy about it, but he trusted Chanel, and left it at that.

She had briefly wondered if there was more to it, but her head was already brimming with everything else they were talking about, and the next question she had asked had come out before she could get her thoughts together.

Now Harry looked down. "Maybe this isn't going to work."

"Well, it's better to keep him close by, right? Friends close, enemies closer?"

He looked back up, surprised. "Uh, yeah, I guess you're right."

She shrugged indifferently. "It happens occasionally."

"What does?" Harry asked, confused.

"Me being right," she deadpanned, causing Harry to blink in surprise, and he smiled at her. Tori's smile faltered and she quickly commanded herself not to wilt on the spot. "Let's take five until Chan comes back, okay?"

Remembering why they were talking, Harry shrugged half-heartedly and strode off stage.

Tori amused herself by tapping rhythms on the keyboard for ten minutes, before Harry came back onstage, stopping by her. "She's not back yet?"

She glanced at her cellular. Shit. "Uh, no, not yet. Has it been five minutes?"

"She didn't have anything to give to Malfoy, did she?" he asked suspiciously.

Tori looked down at her shoes, giving him the answer. Without a word, Harry started to walk past her in the direction of Chanel's dressing room.

Not thinking, she reached out and grabbed his arm. "Hey,"

Harry stopped and looked at his arm, surprised, before looking at Tori. Her own eyes widened, amazed at herself, but she took a deep breath and forced herself to speak. "She was just doing what I was...avoiding trouble."

He held her gaze. "It's been long enough. She should be back now; who knows what he's up to?"

She bit her lip. "Alright, but let me go her. Please?"

Harry looked at her carefully. "All right, but first..."

Tori's heart skipped a beat. "Yes?"

"If you're getting her by yourself, you should probably let go of my arm."

Stunned, Tori looked at her hand, which was indeed still attached to his arm. "Oh, sorry." she said, slowly removing her hand.

"Uh huh," Harry said, a small smile quirking on his face. Tori turned around, walked slowly off stage and then sprinted for Chanel's dressing room.

Draco walked quietly by Chanel for a moment before speaking. "I don't understand how it is you work for him."

"Hm?" she murmured absently, lost in thought.

"Potter," he nearly spat. "How can you stand to manage him?"

She rolled her eyes at him exasperatively. "What? As opposed to working for you?"

Draco lifted his shoulders in a casual shrug, smiling.

She turned her gaze forward, thinking. "The way I met him...it was fated. I knew from the moment I heard his guitar that he had something...this gift. I knew I couldn't pass on him."

"Mm. Isn't that always the way with Potter?" he drawled darkly, his voice slicing through the silent hall. "Someone else poised to take the stage and along he comes, just in time to steal the show."

Chanel turned, closely eyeing Draco as they stopped in front of her dressing room. "And would this someone be you?"

"Don't be ridiculous." he scoffed, looking away irritably.

Chanel considered a response, but opened the door instead.

Draco followed behind her. "Did you know that there were five types of purple hyacinths in your bouquet?"

"Really?"

He chuckled. "I couldn't choose just one. And I couldn't bare to leave any out."

Chanel paused. "That was actually very...sweet."

"Sweets for Sweet."

Her face suddenly felt very warm. "I don't have anything for Sharon."

He snorted, crossing his arms as he leaned against the vanity. "I know. 'Fraid Potter and I were going to tear each other apart?"

Chanel allowed a tiny smile. "Well, the thought did cross my mind."

"Who would have won?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Between Potter and I. Who would you have liked to see win?"

Slightly thrown, she answered firmly, "Neither. Both of you are grown men. I shouldn't have to play referee."

He raised an eyebrow. "Come on. You must have a favorite."

Chanel shook her head. "Draco, you actually want me to root against my bandmate?"

"I'm the best man. I'm just asking how you see things." he said, shrugging.

"I've got to get back." she said suddenly.

Draco pushed himself off of the dresser and moved towards her. "Yes, wouldn't want to keep Hogwarts' famous taskmaster."

Despite herself, Chanel smiled. "Yeah, something like that."

"I like it when you do that."

"What?" she asked, slightly confused.

"Smile," he answered, drawing closer. "When you're not always keeping it prisoner."

Chanel realized just how close he was, and it made her slightly breathless. "Well, I smile when I have good reason."

"And do I..." he paused, pressing his body lightly against hers, "give you reason to smile?"

"...I suppose. On occasion." She felt the tell-tale tremble in her knees and immediately locked them.

"It just won't do to get a straight answer from you." he mused quietly, watching her stiffen.

"I answer to no one."

He smoothly reached out to run a finger along the curve of her jaw, chuckling huskily. "Not even Firewhiskey can bow you, little wild one."

Before she could reply, there was a sudden pounding on the door. Draco slid his finger under her chin, tilting her head upwards to meet his. "You should ignore that."

"It's probably Tori," she managed, a tiny breath escaping. "I should go."

"Why do you always do the opposite of what I say?" he growled sulkily.

The knocking sounded again, more insistent.

Chanel snatched herself away from his feathery touch, her tone cool. "That's why you have house elves for, Malfoy."

His eyes narrowed. "Back on those terms then, eh?"

She jutted her chin defiantly. "There were no other terms."

Draco wheeled around and angrily strode towards the door, snatching it open, causing Tori to stumble into the room. "She's all yours," he snarled, glaring briefly back at Chanel before storming out into the hall.

Tori blinked as he stormed out. Chanel took a shaky breath, exhaling slowly. Tori turned back to Chanel. "What happened?" she asked.

Chanel's eyes widened briefly. She then snapped her gaze away, answering dully. "Nothing."

Tori raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. "Harry wants us back so we can wrap up the session. Need a few more minutes?"

"I--I'm just really tired," she muttered haltingly.

Tori watched her silently. "Okay, I'll tell him. We should be fine for tomorrow."

Chanel bobbed her head sharply. "Sure."

Tori nodded in return and headed out the door.