Hermione's Debut

It was four weeks after Voldemort’s defeat and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was still buzzing with an excitement that would make you swear it had happened just yesterday. The students still gossiped wildly amongst each other, the stories of Voldemort’s death growing wilder with each passing day. There were only three students at Hogwarts who could tell what had really happened. Hermione and Ron had been released from the hospital two weeks after Voldemort’s demise and Harry hadn’t been released until three weeks after the joyous day. The three had remained stubbornly tight-lipped when it came to the subject, their eyes taking on a haunted look. For the most part though, they were happier than they had been in years. The teachers, deciding the students needed an outlet for all their energy, decided to have an event never before held at Hogwarts.

It was Friday that Dumbledore announced that there would be a talent contest held at Hogwarts. “Anyone who wishes to participate may. However, to ensure that we will have some participants if the student body decides to be shy, all prefects and the Head Boy and Girl are required to participate. It will be held next Saturday”

After this proclamation, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron looking positively ill at the thought of having to do something by herself in front of the entire school. Harry and Ron were trying their best not to laugh at Hermione’s expression; she could face Voldemort without a trace of fear on her face but the mere thought of a talent contest made her want to throw-up.

Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Ron said, “What’s the matter ‘Mione? You look a little sick.” He looked at Harry and they snorted with laughter.

Hermione’s expression changed to one of anger and narrowed her eyes at her two best friends and said, “Oh shut up you two! You wouldn’t be laughing if you were in my position having to make a fool out of yourself in front of the entire school. They’ll all be watching and listening to whatever I do!” Hermione paused and her gaze took on a faraway look.

Ron and Harry looked at Hermione closely and Harry said, “Hermione?”

“They’ll ALL be listening and watching,” Hermione repeated in a whisper. “I’ve got to go,” she said suddenly.

“Where are you going?” asked Ron.

Hermione flashed him a dazzling smile and said sweetly, “To get ready for the talent contest, of course.” She hurried out of the Great Hall leaving her two best friends staring after her.

Ron turned to Harry and asked, “What do you suppose she’s going to do?”

Harry shrugged and picked up his fork again and said, “I guess we’ll find out.”

Hermione was sitting in her dormitory later on in the week, memorizing the song she’d be singing for the talent contest. She almost had it down but a few lines were still giving her problems.

“Ok,” Hermione said to herself, flipping the parchment upside down and willing herself to remember the words. “I recognize . . . blast!”

She flipped the piece of paper back over just as Ginny Weasley entered. Ginny looked from Hermione’s frustrated expression to the piece of parchment in Hermione’s hand and asked, “Having problems?”

“Don’t even start,” Hermione said as she sighed in frustration.

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and said, “Here let me help you.” She picked up the piece of parchment and quickly read it. She looked up at Hermione and smiled. “This is what you’re singing?”

“Yeah,” Hermione nodded shyly.

“Singing it for anyone in particular?” Ginny asked, smiling even broader. “A certain red-headed brother of mine?”

Hermione blushed and mumbled something Ginny didn’t quite catch.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that,” Ginny said, still smiling a knowing smile that Hermione thought should be illegal.

“Yes, ok!” Hermione blurted out.

Ginny squealed and threw her arms around Hermione giving her a hug. She pulled back talking a million miles a minute. “I knew it! He’ll be so excited. He’s liked you forever! You should have told him sooner but I suppose better late than never.”

“Do you think he’ll figure out I’m singing it to him?” asked Hermione nervously. “He can be rather thick sometimes.”

“I’ll make sure he figures it out,” Ginny said. She looked back at the piece of parchment and said, “Now which parts are you having trouble with?”

Saturday night arrived much too quickly in Hermione’s opinion. With Ginny’s help she had memorized the song and had practiced it a few times in deserted classrooms. She was the last person to perform, which in her opinion was the worst thing they could have done to her. She had to endure hours of listening to other people acts thinking, They were so good! I’m going to look like an idiot compared to that!

It was at times like that she had to remind herself that she knew what she was doing and was most certainly not going to make a fool of herself. It also helped that she had looked up a handy Confidence Charm that she would use right before she went on. It only lasted five minutes so she was going to be cutting it close, but she should be fine if she got right off stage. She didn’t want the aftereffects of the charm kicking in onstage.

Hours trickled by and the prep room slowly emptied out around her as other students went onto the stage and performed. Fred and George did a comedy skit which was hilarious, Draco did a rap song that was very popular, and a Ravenclaw girl performed a ballet number that was excellent. It was finally Hermione’s turn.

“Confidencia!” Hermione whispered right before she stepped out on stage. The stage was bright and Hermione had to blink before her eyes adjusted. She went and stood in the center of the stage, knowing that her voice would be magically magnified. Thanks to the Confidence Charm she wasn’t nervous in the least as the first strains of her song started. Then it was time for her to sing.

“Turn me inside out so I can see,” she started, looking around the Great Hall for Ron.

“The part of you that’s driftin’ over me.” She finally spotted him standing next to Harry and Ginny. Keeping her eyes fixed on him the whole time, she continued her song.

“’Cause when I wake you’re

you’re never there

and when I sleep you’re

you’re everywhere

you’re everywhere

Just tell me how I got this far

Just tell me why you’re here and who you are

‘Cause every time I look you’re never there

And every time I sleep you’re always there

‘Cause you’re everywhere to me

And when I close my eyes it’s you I see

You’re everything I know that makes me believe

I’m not alone

I’m not alone

I recognize the way you make me feel

I start to think that you might not be real

‘nd since that now the water’s getting deep

To try to wash the pain away from me

Away from me

‘Cause you’re everywhere to me

And when I close my eyes it’s you I see

You’re everything I know that makes me believe

I’m not alone

I’m not alone

I’m not alone

When I touch your hand

It’s then I understand

That beauty lies within

It’s now that we’re beginnin’

You always light my way

There never comes a day

No matter where I go

I always feel you so

‘Cause you’re everywhere to me

And when I close my eyes it’s you I see

You’re everything I know that makes me believe

I’m not alone

‘Cause you’re everywhere to me

And when I catch my breath it’s you I breathe

You’re everything I know that makes me believe

I’m not alone

I’m not alone

You’re in everyone I see

So tell me

Do you see me?”

Hermione finished the song to tumultuous applause. She smiled and waved as she walked off the stage. Dumbledore took the stage as Hermione hurried for the door, knowing the she had only about a minute until the charm wore off and the aftereffects would take over.

Up on stage Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, “The winners of the talent contest will be announced at breakfast on Monday. Also everyone must be back in their dormitories by 11:30 tonight. That gives you about an hour and a half so there shouldn’t be a reason for anyone to be late.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he gave a pointed look at the student body before he exited the stage.

“Who do you think that song was about?” asked Ginny, purposefully turning to her brother.

“Probably about her darling Vicky,” said Ron darkly.

Ginny was ready to pull her hair out. She couldn’t believe how thick her brother could be sometimes. She looked over at Harry, trying to see if he had figured it out. He was staring at Ron with eyes that were slightly wide with surprise. Ginny caught his eye and he shook his head at Ron’s obliviousness.

“Is that what you really think?” Ginny pressed.

“Obviously!” Ron exclaimed, his voice think with jealously. “I mean, who else would it be about?!”

“YOU!” Ginny finally exploded, giving up on trying to help Ron figure it out on his own. “ARE YOU REALLY THAT THICK! SHE WAS STARING AT YOU THE WHOLE TIME!”

Ron, who had been taken aback at her sudden outburst, had a slow smile spreading across his awestruck face. When it became a full-blown grin he turned to Ginny and asked, “Are you sure?”

“YES!” Ginny practically screamed. “GO AND FIND HER!”

“Yeah mate,” Harry said, grinning from ear to ear as he clapped him on the back. “Go and get her.”

Ron, still grinning, moved off through the crowd heading to the door Hermione had disappeared through a minute earlier.

Hermione was sitting on a bench in the garden behind the greenhouses crying. That was the major aftereffect of the charm. It wouldn’t have been great if she had started crying up onstage. A light rain had started falling, but she didn’t really care. Knowing Ron and his jealously issues, he was probably ranting about how the song was probable for Viktor Krum.

The stupid prat will probably never figure it out, Hermione thought miserably as she stared at the ground. She was so miserable she didn’t even look up when she heard someone approaching from the side of the greenhouse.

“Hey,” said Ron.

Hermione recognizing his voice brought her head up quickly and said, “Hey.”

Ron had been wearing a grin when she had first looked up but it had quickly faded when he saw that she was crying. He sat down next to her on the bench and asked, “What’s the matter ‘Mione?”

“Nothing,” she said, wishing furiously that she could stop crying.

“You aren’t crying for nothing ‘Mione,” Ron urged. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s just that the person that song was for is probably never going to figure out it was for him because he’s so thick sometimes!” Hermione said exasperatedly and buried her face in her handkerchief, her eyes spouting a fresh round of tears.

Then she heard Ron say, “I don’t think I’m that thick.”

Hermione looked up at him in surprise and, thinking that she had misheard him asked, “What?”

“Geez ‘Mione. Now who’s thick?” Ron said before he kissed her lightly on the lips.

When he pulled back Hermione’s eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly open in surprise. Ron laughed slightly at her expression and said, “Not so thick am I?”

Hermione finally recovered and smiled and shook her head still speechless. Ron laughed and said, “I’m going to have to tell everyone that there’s only one thing that stuns you speechless: my kisses.”

Hermione laughed at that and, finally finding her voice said, “You most certainly will not!”

“Give me a reason not to,” Ron said, his eyes twinkling as he teased her.

Hermione leaned in and kissed him, the sensation causing her to see stars.

When she pulled back he pretended to think then said, “I think I’m going to need a few thousand more reasons.” They were both laughing as Ron pulled Hermione into another kiss.