Hi all. Well this is the first story i have posted on here. Unforttuanatley i dont own anythign you recognize. It all belongs to J.K Rowling, Andrew Lloyd Webber or Gaston Leroux
Summary: Hermione is returning for her final year at Hogwarts. At the start of term announcements Dumbledore announces that the school will be putting a production of Phantom of the Opera. Hermione, as head girl had to take part. Will she be able to overcome her own demons and get past her own story to perfom the role as Christine with the phantom as profesor Sanpe, in front of her friends, family and others of the wizarding community? It wont be easy either, as their are lots of twists and turns along the way.
Please read adn review
Chapter 1
Hermione Jane Granger, Head Girl at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, entered the Great Hall for the start of term feast for her final year. Walking beside her were her three best friends, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley. Hermione paused as they walked through the big wooden doors and said "It's good to be back". The other three nodded and they proceeded down the hall to there usual seats at the Gryffindor table.
After the sorting had finished Dumbledore stood to do his usual announcements. He announced that this years head boy and head girl were Hermione Granger and Sean Hedges a huffelpuff. When the announcements were normally finished every one was surprised to fine that Dumbledore had something else to say. After a pause he said "This year, we will change something. There will be a production of the muggle theatre show The Phantom of the Opera. Auditions will be held here this coming Saturday. It is not compulsory but we need as many people as possible to try out to fill the various roles. That is all." And with a wave of his hands the food appeared and a loud chatter erupted in the hall.
"Mione' you going to audition for this? I know that you love it, and I know you can sing. You sing very well" asked Ginny.
Ron spluttered his Pumpkin juice all over the table "You sing Mione'. You never told us that."
Hermione shot daggers at Ginny who just carried on smirking "I didn't tell anyone because I don't sing in front of anyone. Ginny just caught me one day. I am not auditioning and that is final."
Conversation shifted onto an easier topic. Dinner passed fairly quickly after that and soon Hermione and Sean were being escorted to there own private common room and dorms by Professor Dumbledore. Hermione wasn't really paying much attention, although she would never admit it. She was in a little world of her own where she would dream of playing Christine in her favourite shoe. She was brought back to her musings by a Dumbledore saying loudly "and as head boy and girl you must both audition, even is you are no good. You will still have a part. Goodnight." Hermione stared dumbly after Professor Dumbledore. "NO NO NO NO NO!!! I can't do this."
Hermione went to bed that night having nightmares of herself singing awfully and tripping of the stage.
When she awoke the next morning she went to see Professor Dumbledore to see if she could get out of it. His eyes twinkled over his glasses and said "Miss Granger, if we make an excuse for one, we must make and excuse for many" and with that dismissed her. The rest of the week flew by and on the Wednesday night Hermione decided that if she had to audition she would do it properly and spent the rest of the week practicing in the room of requirement.
As Saturday came around, Hermione walked nervously down to breakfast. The great Hall was filled with loud chatter as students talked animatedly about the upcoming auditions. Hermione managed to eat a dry piece of toast and have some water before deciding that if she had anything else she would be sick form the nerves. After breakfast, the students were pushed out the hall. Those wanting to audition had to stand on the Left side of the Entrance hall, those just watching on the right. To Hermione's surprise there were a great number of students auditioning.
As they re-entered the hall, they saw that all the house tables had been moved to the side, which is where the students sat. There was a table placed in the centre of the room with four chairs in which Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Vector and Professor Flitwick sat.
Many students sang, most of which were very good. No one was awful though there were one or two who couldn't sing in key for very long. Ron and Ginny both auditioned and were very good. They both got loud applause from the crown gathered. Finally it was Hermione's turn. She stepped up to the mark, took and deep breath and faced her professors.
"Ahh, Miss Granger. And what will you be singing for us?" Asked professor Flitwick in his small and squeaky voice.
"Erm… I am going to erm…. Sing… Whishing you were somehow here again." Gulped Hermione, nerves finally taking over.
The Professors looked at each other. No-one had been daring enough to sing this song yet. The music started to play and Hermione started to sing.
"You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered
You were once a friend and father then my world was shattered"
Hermione started of rather shakily. She didn't look at anyone but focused on a shadow looming in the corner. The shadow of one certain potions professor that Hermione liked. She thought about the time that he told her that the death eaters had got hold of her parents and killed her father leaving her mother and her sister for dead. With that thought, she sang from her heart for the father she loved and lost. She blew everyone away.
"Wishing you were somehow here again, wishing you were somehow near
Sometimes it seemed, if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here
Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never would
Dreaming of you won't help me to do all that you dreamed I could...
Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental
Seem, for you, the wrong companions, you were warm and gentle...
Too many years fighting back tears...
Why can't the past just die?
Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say goodbye
Try to forgive, teach me to live, give me the strength to try!
No more memories, no more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years
Help me say goodbye. Help me say goodbye!"
Hermione sang flawlessly in a soprano voice. A voice she hadn't used since she last saw her father. A voice it hurt to use. As she sang, she had tears streaming down her face. As the song came to its end she held the last note perfectly. As she finished she took another deep breath and looked at the teachers and students. They all sat their gaping at her, till finally there was aloud applause coming from the back of the hall. Everybody joined in whistling and clapping and cheering loudly. Hermione Visibly relaxed and walked over to Harry, Ginny and Ron. She was enveloped in a huge hug of Ginny, where she broke down into tears. Never before having grieved publicly for her father who died only a few months ago.
Professor Dumbledore stood smiling widely. "Thank you to all those who auditioned. Miss Granger I must say we were all wowed by your performance. If I could see you for a minute after I would be most grateful. You can now get back to your Saturdays. Need I remind you that Mr. Filch and Miss Norris will be out in force?" With a smirk professor Dumbledore dismissed the students that had gathered. Harry, Ron and Ginny hung back as they were still comforting a very distraught Hermione. After checking she was ok, they left to stand out on the front steps and wait for her. Composing herself, but not able to hide the puffy eyes and tear stains, walked over to where her teachers were gathered. Seeing her approach the teachers quieted. Professor Snape had come out of the shadows to gather as well.
"Miss Granger, if I may enquire, why did you hide a voice like that? Why did you asked to avoid the auditions? And dear girl, what has gotten you so upset?" asked a worried looking McGonagall.
Hermione smiled weakly for a moment then turned to her teachers. "To answer your questions professor, I tried to get out of the auditions because I was not sure how I would handle it. My current state being proof that it would be hard, but not as hard as I thought. The reason for it being hard and my hiding my voice is this. My father always said I had a wonderful voice. I used to sing at church. I used to sing just for him. He sang with me sometimes. We used to sing my little sister to sleep. I always used to get embarrassed when I sang though, like I was revealing a part of me that I didn't want to be seen. He helped me past that. When he was killed," Hermione paused as tears once again started to flow. Gathering courage she continued "When he was killed, I stopped singing. I never knew how much an impact his death had on me till I was asked to sing and I couldn't. I just opened my mouth but nothing came out. I stood there gaping like a fish. My old insecurities came back. I understood what I didn't want to be shown. I didn't want to be vulnerable. I didn't want the part of him that was in me to be seen. It was the only thing I had and now have of him. I didn't want to share it with anyone, not even my mum or my sister. I was selfish. My sister doesn't remember much about my father, just that he was able to make me sing. She used to cry when I wouldn't sing for her, when I wouldn't do all the things he helped me do. Phantom of the Opera is my favorite show and always will be. I love the lyrics, they are so powerful. It was his favorite to. He used to take me to see it in London. It may not make sense to you, but I just lost my passion for it. When you announced that it would be put on, I knew it was hard enough to watch. I used to dream that I would play Christine. When professor Dumbledore said I had to audition, I thought I would do it properly. I spent the last week up all night to get my courage back and to banish all the insecurities. I finally sang and it felt wonderful. I sang that song today for my daddy. I just wanted him to be proud."
Hermione stopped, realizing she had been rambling a bit and looked up to find that most of her teachers were crying. She smiled shyly and wiped her face.
"I'm sorry, child. If I had realized I would not have made you do this?" Replied Dumbledore.
"It's ok. I'm glad you made me. I realized a few things along the way. This had been good for me."
"Then, will you take us up on the offer of playing Christine Daae. You will be playing with Professor Snape here as the Phantom and I think we finally agreed on Ronald Weasley for Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny."
"I would be delighted, although I am surprised that Professor Snape sings." She smirked at her potions professor, her stomach doing summer salts from just being near him.
He Sneered "yes, Miss Granger. It appears we all have hidden talents." He stormed of out the great hall and back to the dungeons. Hermione bid her teachers goodbye and went to meet Harry, Ron and Ginny.